JPH0253321B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a picking device in a shipped article centralized management system that centrally manages the shipment of various articles stored in a warehouse or the like.

Conventionally, among the various goods stored in warehouses etc. by type, the work of picking and shipping goods according to customer orders from designated storage areas is
Despite the large variety of items stored,
Since this was done manually based on slips and cards created for each customer, it took a long time to find a place to store items, resulting in poor work efficiency.

For this reason, the storage locations for items are divided into blocks of 200 to 300 locations, each block is equipped with a numerical display, and the address number for specifying the storage location and the number of items to be picked are displayed on the numerical display. A picking device has been proposed in which a worker picks a predetermined number of articles in a predetermined storage location based on the displayed number.

However, when this picking device ships multiple types of items to one customer, the operator must go back and forth between the numerical display and the storage location the same number of times as the number of types of items to be picked. Therefore, work efficiency is still low. In addition, this conventional picking device cannot work unless the operator knows where the storage location of the displayed address number is located, so if the operator is a beginner, he or she will have to search for the storage location that corresponds to the address number. It takes time.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a picking device that allows even an amateur to efficiently and easily pick articles.

According to the present invention, the above purpose is to provide a terminal device having a numerical display for displaying the number of articles to be picked, a lamp for guiding the shipping of articles, and a switch for inputting that the article has been picked. The number of items to be shipped is displayed on the numerical display by transmitting display data from the control device to a predetermined terminal, and the number of items to be shipped is displayed on the numerical display. This is accomplished by lighting a lamp to guide the location of the storage area for the item.

In this way, the worker only needs to check the lit lamp, pick the number of items displayed on the numerical display of the corresponding terminal, and transport them to the designated location, increasing work efficiency. The cost is significantly higher, and even beginners can easily operate it.

In this type of picking device, one worker manages the picking of 200 to 300 types of items, but it is rare for each worker to perform picking work for the same customer at the same time, and it is difficult for one worker to pick 200 to 300 different items. There are also relatively few types of items to be picked for each customer. Therefore, the work efficiency is low if each terminal in one block is specified for each customer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a picking device that can handle tasks for two customers by transmitting display data from a control device to a terminal only once, without requiring a complicated circuit configuration. With the goal.

According to the present invention, the above second object is achieved by providing two types of lamps in each terminal and sharing a numeric display.

In this way, for terminals where both lamps are lit, the worker picks the number of items displayed on the number display for the first customer, presses down the switch, and then picks the number of items displayed on the number display for the first customer. All you have to do is have the customer pick up the number of items shown on the numeric display and press down on the switch, or just add one lamp to each terminal to handle the work for two customers. This greatly improves work efficiency.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a picking device in which terminals are divided into blocks each consisting of a plurality of terminals for control. Block control device that controls machine 1 by dividing it into blocks of 200 to 300 units, 3 and 4 are conveyors, 5 is line control device, 6
1 is a conveyor control device, 7 is a storage box in which goods to be shipped are stored for each customer, 8 is a gate that controls the movement of the storage boxes, 9 is a shipping center, 10 is each block control device 2 and each line control device 5. This is a central control device that controls the conveyor control device 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, each terminal 1 has a numerical display 1 that displays the shipping quantity of goods as
1, two types of red and yellow lamps 12 and 13 for guiding the shipping of articles, and a switch 14 for inputting that picking of articles has been completed, and as shown in FIG. , a microprocessor 15, and a transmitting/receiving amplifier circuit 1 provided between the block control device 2 and the microprocessor 15.
6, 17, code setting device 18, and number display 1
1 drive circuit 19 and drive circuits 20 and 21 for the lamps 12 and 13.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each terminal 1 is provided corresponding to each storage location 23 of the storage rack 22 for storing articles. In the illustrated example, each storage location 23 is a space divided by a shelf board of the storage rack 22, and each terminal device 1 is installed approximately in the center of the front surface of the shelf board so that the display panel side faces the front. It is being Each storage location 23 is painted in a different color at adjacent locations, and the color of the display panel surface of each terminal device 1 is the color of the corresponding storage location 23, but the color of the numeric display 11 is is the corresponding storage location 23
It has become the opposite color of the color.

Each terminal 1 is divided into a plurality of blocks, and each block is connected in parallel to a block control device 2. A terminal code assigned to each terminal is set in the code setting device 18 of each terminal 1.

The terminals controlled by one block control device 2 may all be installed in one large storage rack, but if a large number of terminals are controlled by one block control device, multiple terminals may be installed. Providing the storage racks separately is preferable because each storage rack can be made smaller without reducing the volume of a single storage location, and each storage rack can be installed so that workers can efficiently collect items. It is. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, a display device 24 having two types of red and yellow lamps 25 and 26 is provided in each storage rack, so that at least one red lamp 12 of the terminal 1 in each storage rack lights up. While the red lamp 25 is on, the red lamp 25 is lit, and while even one yellow lamp 13 is on, the yellow lamp 26 is lit.
It is preferable to display a guide indicating that the items in 3 should be picked, so that the operator can quickly know which storage rack 22 stores the items to be picked. The display device 24 may be provided not only for each storage rack 22 but also for a plurality of storage locations such as for each row or row of the storage locations 23.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display device 24 includes a microprocessor 50 and a reception amplifier circuit 5 that receives signals transmitted from the corresponding block control device 2.
1, drive circuits 52 and 53 for driving the aforementioned lamps 25 and 26, and a code setting device 54, and a code assigned to the display device is set in the code setting device 54.

As shown in FIG. 6, each block control device 2 includes a microprocessor 30, transmitting amplifier circuits 31 and 32 provided between the microprocessor 30 and the central control device 10, and 30 and the terminal device 1, an amplifier circuit 35 for outputting data to the line control device 5, and a printer for printing the type and quantity of goods to be shipped for each customer. 36 and
A control circuit 37 of the printer 36, two types of red and yellow lamps 38 and 39, drive circuits 40 and 41 that drive both lamps 38 and 39, a buzzer 42 that sounds when there is something left behind, and a buzzer that drives this buzzer. drive circuit 43, and two types of red and yellow switches 44, 45.
and a code setting device 46 and an amplifier circuit 47 for sending data to the display device 24.

Further, each block control device 2 is connected to the central control device 1.
0 in parallel, and the block code assigned to each block control device is sent to the code setter 4.
It is set to 6.

Each conveyor 3 is a belt conveyor that conveys the storage box 7 to the conveyor 4, and is constantly moved in the direction of the arrow by the line control device 5. The conveyor 4 is a belt conveyor that conveys the storage boxes 7 conveyed by the conveyor 3 to the shipping center 9, and is constantly moved in the direction of the arrow by the conveyor control device 6.

In addition, each conveyor 3 runs within the warehouse on lines a,
Each line a, b...n has two block control devices, each terminal 1 controlled by the block control device, one line control device 5, and one line control device 5. Conveyor 3 and 4 gates 8
Contains.

Each block control device 2 for each line a, b...n
are provided near the conveyor 3 and spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor 3. Further, the storage rack 22 described above is installed near the block control device 2 that controls the terminal device 1 provided at the storage location.

Each line control device 5 controls the corresponding lines a and b.
Not only does the conveyor 3 in...n constantly move in the direction of the arrow, but also within the corresponding line based on control data from the central control device 10 and each block control device 2 in the corresponding lines a, b...n. gate 8
to control the movement of the storage box 7.

The conveyor control device 6 constantly moves the conveyor 4 in the direction of the arrow while the picking device is in operation.

The central control device 10 is a device that outputs display data to each block control device 2 and outputs control data to each line control device 5, and is composed of an electronic computer.

The display data output from the central control device 10 to the block control device 2 includes the start code, block code, customer R code, customer Y code, and customer R when the lamps to be lit are both red and yellow. The product code and quantity of customer Y, the product code and quantity of customer Y, and the stop code are output in series in the format shown in Figure 7A, and when only red or yellow is displayed, the data in Figure 7A lights up. The data is serially output in the format shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, which consists of the customer code corresponding to the lamp that does not need to be processed, and other data excluding the customer's product code and quantity.

The customer's product code and number are the code and number of the product desired by the customer, and the product code is actually the code of the terminal installed at the storage location of the product. Further, the terminal code and the number of items are output as a pair for each item. Furthermore, the terminal code and quantity are constant bit numbers even if the product type, quantity, and terminal type are different, and the product is placed above (or below) the bits for the terminal code (or quantity). Two signal bits are added to specify whether the desired customer is a customer with a red lamp or a yellow lamp (which lamp should be lit).

When the display data is input, the block control device 2 stores the received display data in the internal memory of the microprocessor 30 if the block code in the display data matches the code set in the code setter 46. The display data is stored and transferred to the terminal specified by the customer's product code in the display data, and when the received display data is shown in FIG. 7A, both the red and yellow lamps 38 and 39 are lit, In case of figure 7B, turn on the red lamp 38 and turn on figure 7C.
In this case, the yellow lamp 39 is turned on. Each lamp 3
8 and 39 are lit by outputting a lighting command from the microprocessor 30 to the drive circuits 40 and 41.

The display data output from the block control device 2 to the terminal 1 is the received display data as shown in FIG. 7A.
When , the start code, terminal code, number of customer R, number of customer Y, and stop code are output in series in the format shown in Figure 7D. It is serially output in the format of Fig. 7E, which consists of a code other than the number of pieces for customer Y in Fig. 7C, and in the case of Fig. 7C, it is outputted in series in the format shown in Fig. 7F, which consists of a code other than the number of pieces for customer R in Fig. 7D.
output in series in the format.

Among the display data output from the block control device 2 to the terminal 1, the upper (or lower) terminal code indicates whether there are customers with red lamps or yellow lamps in the display data. Two bits of a signal specifying the lamp to be lit are added. Further, the number of products of the customer is a 5-digit BCD code so that it can be displayed on the numerical display 11 of the terminal 1 as XX boxes and XX pieces.

When each terminal 1 receives the display data,
If the terminal code in the received display data matches the code set in the code setter 18, the display data is stored in the internal memory of the microprocessor 15, and then the stored display data is stored in the memory shown in FIG.
In this case, both the red and yellow lamps 12 and 13 are lit, and the number of pieces for customer R is displayed on the numerical display 11. In the case of E in Fig. 7, the red lamp 12 is lit and the number of pieces for customer R is displayed on the numerical display. In the case of FIG.

When the block control device 2 transmits display data to a predetermined terminal device 1, the block control device 2 displays lamps 25, 26 on the display device 24 of the storage rack 22 to which the terminal device 1 belongs.
Outputs the lighting command. This lighting command is in the format shown in Figure 7G, consisting of a start code, a display device code, an R/Y code that specifies the lamps 25 and 26 to be lit, and a lighting code that specifies that the lamps should be lit. It is being output.

Upon receiving the lighting command, each display device 24 transmits the lighting command to the internal memory of the microprocessor 50 if the code of the display device in the received lighting command matches the code set in the code setter 54. Then, the lamps 25 and/or 26 are turned on.

As mentioned above, when display data is output once from the central control device 10 to one block control device 2, at least one of the terminal devices 1 controlled by the block control device 2 is outputted. Since the lamp of at least one of the display devices 24 is lit, the worker uses the lit red lamp 25 to confirm the storage rack containing the storage area for the goods that customer R desires, and confirms that the red lamp 25 is lit. Confirm the storage location using the red lamp 12, pick the items in the storage location by the number shown on the numerical display 11, press down on the end switch 14, and press down on the end switch 44 of the block control device 2 to start the printer. 36
The customer R's printed slip and the picked items are transferred to the storage box 7 for customer R, and then the same process is performed for customer Y. This work can be done by one person or by two people.

During this picking work, the worker
Check the storage shelves where 5 and or 26 are lit,
By checking the storage location of the terminal device 1 in the storage rack where the lamp 12 and/or 13 is lit, it is possible to know the storage location that should be picked, so even an amateur can easily pick it. Work efficiency is extremely high. In addition, each storage location 2
If the colors of the terminals 1 and 3 are the same, or the colors of the terminals 1 are the same, you may pick the wrong item by placing it in the wrong storage location corresponding to the terminal whose lamp 12 and/or 13 is lit. However, in the above-mentioned device, adjacent storage locations have different colors, and each terminal corresponds to the same storage location, so there is no mistake in picking the storage location, which increases reliability. , workability is further improved.

Each terminal 1 has priority given to customer R, so when the switch 14 is pressed down while both lamps 12 and 13 are lit, the lamp 12 is turned off and the number of items for customer Y is displayed numerically. Display on the container 11. Further, each terminal 1 is configured to turn on the switch 14 while at least one of the lamps 12 and 13 is on.
When the lamp 12 or 13 is lowered, a completion signal for each customer R or Y is output to the block control device 2, which means that the processing for the lamp 12 or 13 has been completed.

The block control device 2 controls the storage rack 22 corresponding to the display device 24 on which the lamp 25 or 26 is lit.
When a termination signal is input from all of the terminals 1 whose red lamps 12 are lit, a turn-off command to turn off the red lamps 25 is output to the display device 24, and the yellow lamps 26 are turned on. When the end signal is input from all the terminals that were being used, the yellow lamp 2 will turn on.
6, the display device 24 sends a light-off command to turn off the light.
Output to.

The light-off command is output in a format in which the light-on code is replaced with a light-off code among the codes of the light-on command shown in FIG. 7G.

Upon receiving this lights-off command, the display device operates to turn off the lamp 25 or 26 if the display device code in the lights-off command matches the code set in the code setter 54. Therefore, the operator can know that there is a picking leak because the lamp 25 or 26 is lit.

The block control device 2 counts the end signals input from the terminal 1 for each customer R and Y, and turns on the red lamp 3.
When the red switch 44 is pressed down while only 8 is lit, the count value of customer R's end signal is compared with the type of customer R's product in the displayed data, and if there is a discrepancy, a buzzer sounds. 42 notifies that there is an unprocessed area, and if they match, the printer 36 sends a message to customer R based on the stored display data.
After issuing a list of items for use, the red lamp 38 is turned off. The same operation occurs when the yellow switch 45 is pressed down while the yellow lamp 39 is on. Therefore, when the buzzer 42 sounds due to pressurizing the switch 44 or 45, the operator only has to check the lit lamp again, take out the item from the storage area, and then press the switch again. ,
Further, when the article list is issued, the list may be reprinted in the storage box 7 for each customer together with the collected articles.

After receiving display data for one time, the block control device 2 outputs a processing end signal to the line control device 5 and the central control device 10 when all processing is completed.

The control data outputted from the central controller 10 to the line controller 5 is a signal that specifies the number of storage boxes 7 to be passed through each gate 8 provided on lines a, b...n, and includes a start code, each It consists of a line code assigned to a line, a gate code specifying which gate to open, the number of boxes to pass through, and a stop code, and is output in series.

When the line control device 5 receives the control data, if the line code in the control data matches its own line code, the line control device 5 opens the gate specified by the control data and moves the specified number of storage boxes. Pass 7.

The central control device 10 outputs display data to each block control device 2 and outputs control data to each line control device 5 at the start of operation. The control data output at this time is
This is a signal for controlling the first gate located at the most upstream position and the second gate located next to it. As a result, a predetermined number of storage boxes are set at the second gate and the third gate located next, so that the operator only has to transfer the collected items to the storage boxes together with the item list.

After that, the central control device outputs the next display data to the block control device 2 each time an end signal is input from the block control device 2 located upstream of the line, and also outputs the next display data to the line control device 5 of the line of the block control device 2. It outputs control data for driving the first and second gates, and outputs the next display data to the block control device 2 every time a termination signal is input from the block control device 2 located downstream of the line. At the same time, control data for driving the third gate located next to the second gate is output to the line control device 5 of the line of the block control device 2. As a result, each time the processing of a block upstream on the line is completed, new display data is displayed on the terminal in that block, and a new storage box is set at the position of the second gate. Each time the process is completed, new display data is displayed on the terminal in that block, and a new storage box is set at the third gate position.

The fourth gate located at the most downstream of each line is
The storage boxes for the same customer are opened in accordance with the progress of processing on each line so that they arrive at the shipping center 9 together.

Among the storage boxes that are stopped by the second and third gates, the storage boxes where customers reload goods are
The most downstream storage box may be designated for customer R, and the most upstream storage box may be designated for customer Y, but red and yellow lamps may be provided at the stop positions of the storage boxes, respectively. It is convenient for workers to provide instructions by lighting a lamp.

In the above-described embodiment, the terminals are divided into blocks each consisting of a plurality of terminals and controlled, but each terminal may be controlled by a single control device.

Figures 8 and 9 show an embodiment in which two terminals 1, 1 in vertically adjacent storage areas 23, 23 are set in the front center of a shelf board 61 that separates both storage areas. This is an example. Both terminals 1, 1 are provided with numeric displays 1, 1, red lamps 12, yellow lamps 13, and termination switches 14 on the upper and lower sides of one display panel 60, and the upper half of the display panel 60 is The terminal is constructed in the same manner as the terminal described above, except that the upper storage area 23 is painted in the color of the upper storage area, and the lower half is painted in the color of the lower storage area.

In this way, two terminals can be used as a set to support two
If the locations are placed on separate shelf boards, together with the fact that the front surface of the display panel 60 is divided into two colors, the risk of picking errors is significantly reduced.

As described above, the present invention provides a terminal having a numeric display, a lamp, and a switch for each article storage location, transmits display data from a control device to a predetermined terminal, and displays the numeric value on the terminal. In addition to displaying the number of items to be shipped on the machine, the lamp on the terminal is also lit, so the worker can check the lit lamp and see what is displayed on the numerical display on the terminal. It is only necessary to pick as many items as needed, so the work efficiency is significantly increased, and even beginners can easily perform the work. In addition, two types of lamps are installed in each terminal, and display data specifying the number of items to be picked and the lamps to be lit is output from the control device to the terminal, and the terminal should ship based on the display data. Since the number of items is displayed on the numerical display and a designated lamp is lit, it is possible to perform work for two customers by outputting the displayed data only once, further improving work efficiency. , the circuit configuration is also extremely simple.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a shipped goods central management system including a picking device, Fig. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a display panel of a terminal, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of a terminal, and Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the installed state of the terminal,
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit of the display device;
The figure is a block diagram of the electric circuit of the block control device.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of display data, FIG. 8 is a diagram of an embodiment of a display panel in which two terminals are combined, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the installation locations of the terminals shown in FIG. 1: Terminal, 2: Block control device, 3: Belt conveyor, 5: Line control device, 10: Central control device, 11: Numerical display, 12, 13: Lamp, 14: Switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of terminals provided individually corresponding to storage locations of articles, and control for outputting display data specifying the number of articles to be shipped and lamps to be lit to the terminals. The terminal has a numeric display, two types of lamps, and at least one switch, and the numeric display indicates the number of items to be picked based on input display data. 1. A picking device characterized by being provided with a means for displaying a specified lamp and lighting a specified lamp. 2. Claim 1, wherein the storage locations are divided into groups of a plurality of locations, and each group is provided with a display device having two types of lamps individually corresponding to two types of lamps of the terminal device. Picking device as described. 3. The picking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the color of each storage location is different from the color of the adjacent storage location, and the same color as the color of the storage location to which each terminal corresponds. 4. The picking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color of the numeric display of each terminal is opposite to the color of the corresponding storage location. 5. The picking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the terminals are configured as a set of two terminals and are mounted on a shelf board separating corresponding storage locations.