JPH0782915A - Book storage management equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the storage efficiency of books in a library while also enhancing the efficiency of the retrieval return operation of books by automation effectively. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of containers 12, in which a plurality of books 13 are stored respectively, are housed in a plurality of shelf regions 11a-11d classified by size of book 13. The positions of a plurality of the containers 12 housed and each book code of a plurality of the books 13 housed in each container 12 are made to correspond and stored. A free location system, in which the books 13 are received and issued on the basis of the stored content and the stored content is renewed at every reeeving and issuing is adopted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a book storage management apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a large library that stores a large quantity of books, and particularly to improve the storage efficiency of the large quantity of books in a library, The present invention relates to a device for improving the efficiency of work required for taking out and returning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, recently, in a large-scale library having a large amount of books, an automatic loading / unloading system has been introduced in order to improve the efficiency of the work required to retrieve and return books. Is coming. This automatic loading / unloading system
The user takes out the book requested for lending from the library and transports it to the user counter, and at the same time, records the loan of the book, and records that the book has been returned and returns the book to the library. By automating the work of recording the accommodation position, the work required for taking out and returning the books can be executed accurately and promptly.

That is, in the automatic loading / unloading system, a bar code is attached to each book in order to facilitate management of a large amount of books stored. Also,
Each of the books is contained in a container for every plural volumes, and is stored in and out of the library in container units. Then, when it is requested to take out the book, the container accommodating the book is automatically unloaded from the library and conveyed to the user counter. The librarian retrieves the desired book from the container transported to the user counter and hands it to the user, where the book is lent out.

When a book is requested to be returned,
The container that should hold the returned books is automatically delivered from the library and taken out to the user counter. The librarian puts the returned books in the container that has been taken out to the user counter, then stores the books in the original position of the library, where the books are returned.

On the other hand, in the current libraries, the fixed location rack system according to classification is adopted almost without exception as a storage management means of books. This fixed location rack system by classification is a method of storing multiple books in a library by classifying them into various fields such as "Japanese literature" and "mechanical engineering". The automatic storage system described above is combined with this fixed location rack system by category.

By the way, when the books are stored and managed by the fixed location racking system according to the classification, since the books of various sizes are mixed in one class, the maximum size of the books (for example, A4 size) It is necessary to set the height and depth of the bookshelf according to the edition. However, since about 80% of the books in the actual library are of A5 size (half of A4 size) or smaller, it is difficult to set the height and depth of the bookshelf according to the maximum size of each category. However, it causes a problem that the collection space is unnecessarily increased and a wasteful space in the library is increased to deteriorate the accommodation efficiency of the books.

Further, in the book storage management means by the fixed location rack system according to the classification, when the space of the bookshelf accommodating the books of a certain class becomes full, the excess books are accommodated in another bookshelf away from the bookshelf. In this case, the effect of classification is reduced, and in order to maintain the accommodation by classification, it is a great labor to shift the books on the bookshelf including books of other classifications as a whole. And will spend time. Therefore, in order to deal with such a situation, in the current library, the original space for storing the books belonging to each category is provided with an extra space of several 10% in advance. There is. For this reason, a problem arises that the wasted space in the library is further increased and the efficiency of storing books is deteriorated.

[0008] Further, in the case of the book storage management means by the fixed location rack system according to the classification, when the book is returned,
Since it is necessary to take out the container corresponding to the category of the book from the library to the user counter, when multiple books with different categories are returned, another container is taken out from the library to the user counter one by one. The need arises. Therefore, the number of operating times of the transport mechanism that transports the container between the library and the user counter increases,
In spite of the introduction of the automatic loading / unloading system, there is also a problem that the efficiency of the work for taking out and returning the books cannot be sufficiently improved.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional book storage management means, since the fixed location arrangement system according to classification is adopted, the wasteful space in the library is increased and the book storage efficiency is increased. However, there is a problem that the efficiency of reading and returning books cannot be sufficiently improved despite the introduction of the automatic storage system.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is extremely good in that it can improve the accommodation efficiency of the books in the library and the efficiency of the operation of taking out and returning the books by automation effectively. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an excellent book storage management device.

[0011]

A book storage management device according to the present invention is a library having a plurality of shelving areas classified according to the size of a book, and shelves accommodated in the respective shelving areas of the library. Storage means for storing a plurality of containers for storing a plurality of books each having a size corresponding to the area, storage positions of the plurality of containers in the library and each book code of the plurality of books stored in each container in association with each other Then, by inputting the book code of the book requested to be taken out, the container containing the requested book is taken out from the library and transferred to the station based on the stored contents of the storage means, and the requested book is taken out. By inputting the retrieval control means for updating the storage contents of the storage means for the container and the size information of the book requested to be returned, It is taken from a plurality of containers which respond to the station takes out a vacant container from the archive, but which is adapted and a return control means for updating the stored contents of the storage means relative to container returned books are housed.

[0012]

According to the above construction, a large amount of books are sorted only by the size regardless of their contents, and are stored in different shelf areas of the library according to the size.
In each shelf area, depending on the size of the books to be accommodated in each, so that the books can be efficiently accommodated,
The height and depth can be set, and the efficiency of storing books can be effectively improved. In addition, a free location system in which the storage positions of a plurality of containers in the library and the book codes of a plurality of books stored in each container are stored in association with each other and the stored contents are updated when the books are taken out and returned. Since the same size book is used, it can be arbitrarily stored as long as there is space in the container for storing the book of that size, so the container is transported between the library and the station. It is possible to reduce the number of operations of the transport mechanism for
It is possible to effectively improve the efficiency of taking out and returning books by automation.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the book storage management system described in this embodiment. That is, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 is a bookshelf. The bookshelf 11 is installed, for example, in the library on the third floor of the library. The bookcase 11 has a plurality of containers 12, 12, ...
... is housed. These containers 12, 12, ...
, Each of which stores a plurality of books 13, 13, ... Arranged in a plurality of rows in the depth direction.

A stacker crane 15 is installed on the front of the bookcase 11 and is guided by rails 14 to travel. This stacker crane 15 is
At the time of delivery of 3, ..., the desired container 12 from the bookshelf 11.
Is taken out and conveyed to the shipping rack station 16. The container 12 transferred to the unloading rack station 16 is transferred to the container unloading port 18 via the transfer conveyor 17, and then, via the vertical transfer device (not shown), the second-level container transfer port 19 or the first-level transfer port. It is transported to the container loading port 20.

The container 12 transported to the second floor container carry-in port 19 is transported to the second floor station 22 which is a user counter via the transport conveyor 21. Further, the container 12 transported to the first-floor container carry-in port 20 is transported via the transport conveyor 23 to the first-floor station 24 or 25 which is a user counter.

On the other hand, the container 12 at the station 24 or 25 on the first floor is transferred to the container outlet 27 for the first floor via the transfer conveyor 26. Further, the container 12 at the station 22 on the second floor is transported to the container outlet 29 for the second floor via the transport conveyor 28. In this way, the container 12 transported to the first-tier container carry-out port 27 or the second-floor container carry-out port 29 is transported to the third-level container carry-in port 30 via a vertical transport machine (not shown). Container 12 transported to this container carry-in port 30
After being transported to the storage rack station 32 via the transport conveyor 31, the stacker crane 15 stores the product in the bookshelf 11.

FIG. 2 shows the details of the second floor station 22. Since the first floor stations 24 and 25 have the same configuration as the second floor station 22, the description thereof will be omitted. On the second floor station 22,
A counter base 33 and two container support portions 34 and 35 arranged along the counter base 33 are provided.

Then, 2 via the transfer conveyor 21
The container 12 transported to the floor station 22 is
It is selectively supported by either one of the container support portions 34 or 35. In this case, which container support 34
Alternatively, the container 12 supported by 35 can also be selectively transported to the second-floor container outlet 29 via the transport conveyor 28.

Further, on the counter stand 33, an operation unit 36 for the librarian to perform various operations relating to loading and unloading of the books 13, 13 ,.
A bar code reader 37 for reading the bar codes attached to 3, ... Further, on the walls 38 and 39 on the back side of the container support parts 34 and 35, the book name and the book number of the book 13 to be taken out from the container 12 supported by the container support parts 34 and 35 are indicated. Indicators 40 and 41 for performing the operation are installed.

Then, the container supporting portions 34, 35 are provided.
Has substantially frame-shaped supporters 34a and 35a for supporting the peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the container 12. That is, container 1
2 is supported by the container support portions 34 and 35 by mounting the peripheral edge portion of the bottom surface on the support bases 34a and 35a, and most of the bottom surface of the container 12 is exposed in the supported state. It will be.

Here, the container 12 accommodates six sub-containers 42, 42, ... As shown in FIG. In each of these sub-containers 42, 42, ..., a plurality of books 13, 13, ... with bar code labels 13a attached respectively are arranged in a line in the thickness direction. There is. Also, each sub-container 4
2, 42, ... Each of them has a bar code label 42a as shown in FIG. Although not shown, each container 12, 12, ... Has its own barcode label.

Here, on the bottom surface of the container 12,
As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5A, each sub-container 42,
42, ... at the positions corresponding to the openings 12a, 1 respectively.
2a, ... are formed. That is, each of the sub-containers 42, 42, ...
.. are accommodated in the container 12 by being supported by the edges of the sub-containers 2a, 12a, .. In the supported state, most of the bottom surfaces of the sub-containers 42, 42 ,.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), inside the container support portion 34, a container 6 formed on the container 12 faces the bottom surface of the container 12 supported by the support base 34a.
A lift plate 34b capable of selectively inserting the two openings 12a, 12a, ... Is prepared. Then, in the container support portion 34, the container 1 supported by the support base 34a
2 at the positions corresponding to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container 12
The two screw shafts 34c and 34d are installed so as to be parallel to each other along the lateral direction of. These screw shafts 34c and 34d are provided with a support base 3
Both ends of the rack gear 34e are screwed along the longitudinal direction of the container 12 supported by 4a.

Therefore, the rack gear 34e is connected to the motor 3
By the rotational force of 4f, both screw shafts 34c and 34d are simultaneously rotated around their axes via the transmission mechanism 34g, and are thus translated in the directions of arrows a and b in the figure. Further, the rack gear 34e is slidable in the longitudinal direction thereof, that is, in the directions of arrows c and d in the drawing,
The lift plate 34b is supported.

That is, the lift plate 34b is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), it is supported by a support unit 34h slidably supported by a rack gear 34e. The support unit 34h includes a tooth portion 34 of the rack gear 34e.
When the rotational force of the motor 34k is transmitted to the gear 34j meshed with i, the gear 34j is moved along the rack gear 34e.

The support plate 34h includes a lift plate 3
A pair of cylinder mechanisms 3 that respectively support both ends of 4b.
4l and 34m are installed. These cylinder mechanisms 34l, 34m raise the lift plate 34b from the position shown by the solid line in the figure to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line, and conversely lower it from the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure to the position shown by the solid line. It is designed to be able to.

Then, the lift plate 34b is moved in the directions of arrows a, b and c, d shown in FIG. 5 (b) to be supported by the support base 34a as shown in FIG. 5 (d). Desired opening 12a, 12a of the container 12,
... can be selectively opposed to. Therefore, for example, when the lift plate 34b is moved to a position facing the predetermined opening 12a and the lift plate 34b is raised at that position, the lift plate 34b is inserted through the opening 12a and the sub-container located at that position is lifted. 42 is designed to be lifted.

The container support section 35 has the same structure as the container support section 34 and operates in the same manner. The container supporting portions 34 and 35 having such a configuration are also installed in the first floor stations 24 and 25, respectively.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a control system used in the above-mentioned book storage management system. That is, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 43 is a central processing unit. The central processing unit 43 contains, for example, a microprocessor. An uninterruptible power supply device 45 is connected to the central processing unit 43 via a bus line 44.

A floppy disk 47, a hard disk 48 in which a system control program is stored, and a cartridge tape 49 are connected to the central processing unit 43 via a bus line 44 and a file adapter 46. Further, the central processing unit 43 has
A hard disk 51 in which book information is stored is connected from the bus line 44 through a file adapter 50. The central processing unit 43 also includes a bus line 44.
To a file adapter 52, and a hard disk 53 storing backup information is connected.

On the other hand, to the central processing unit 43, an integrated control panel 55 and a stationary detector 56 are connected via a bus line 44 and a serial interface adapter 54. The integrated control board 55, which will be described in detail later, comprehensively controls the operations of the stacker crane 15, the vertical transfer machine, the transfer conveyors 17, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31 and the container support parts 34, 35. However, the control operation is performed based on the detection result of the stationary detector 56 that detects the position of the container 12.

In the central processing unit 43, the bus 58, the serial interface adapter 57, the console 58, the display 59, and the bar code reader 60 (these are the operation unit 36 shown in FIG.
(Corresponding to the barcode reader 37 and the displays 40, 41, etc.)
And a serial printer 61 is connected. These console 58, display 59, bar code reader 6
0 and serial printer 61 are on the second floor station 22
It is installed in.

Further, in the central processing unit 43, the bus line 44 to the serial interface adapter 62 are connected.
A display 63, a bar code reader 64, a serial printer 65, and a bar code printer 66 are connected via. The display 63, the bar code reader 64, the serial printer 65, and the bar code printer 66 are installed in the first floor stations 24 and 25, respectively.

FIG. 7 shows the detailed structure of the integrated control board 55. That is, the bus line 44
Are connected to the control circuit 68 via the input / output circuit 67. The control circuit 68 includes a stacker crane 15, a vertical transfer device (indicated by reference numeral 69 in FIG. 7), transfer conveyors 17, 21, 23, 26, 28, 3 which are control targets.
1 and the container support parts 34 and 35, the input / output circuits 70, 71, 72 and 73 and the drive circuits 74 and 75, respectively.
A control signal is generated and sent via 76 and 77.

In this case, the stacker crane 15, the vertical transfer machine 69, the transfer conveyors 17, 21, 23, 26, 2
Stationary detectors 5 provided on the container 8 and 31 and on the container supports 34 and 35, respectively, for detecting the position of the container 12.
The output signals from 6a, 56b, 56c and 56d are supplied to the corresponding input / output circuits 70, 71, 72 and 73, respectively, and are used to generate control signals. The outputs of the bar code readers 60 and 64 are supplied to the input / output circuit 67 to drive the integrated control panel 55, that is, the stacker crane 1
5, vertical conveyor 69, conveyors 17, 21, 23
26, 28, 31 and the container support parts 34, 35 are driven.

In this storage management system, a large amount of books 13, 13, ... Are irrelevant to their contents and have dimensions (for example, A4 edition, B5 edition, A5 edition, B6 edition, etc.) of any thickness. ) Only, and one container 12
Only books 13, 13, ... of the same size are accommodated in the. In other words, for example, A4 size book 1
There are prepared a container 12 containing 3 and a container 12 containing a B5 version of the book 13, a container 12 containing an A5 version of the book 13 and a container 12 containing a B6 version of the book 13 and the like. , 12, ...
The bookshelves 1 are classified according to the size of the books 13 to be stored.
It is housed in 1.

In this case, the containers 12, 12, ...
5, vertical conveyor 69 and conveyors 17, 21, 2
Considering that it is automatically conveyed by 3, 26, 28, 31, etc., its plane dimension is accommodated within a certain width, and preferably, the container 12, 12, which accommodates the book 13 of which dimension. ...... However, it is required that the plane dimensions are almost the same.

Therefore, in order to satisfy this requirement, as a form of accommodation of the books 13 in the container 12, as shown in FIG.
Two types of means shown in (a) and (b) are adopted.
First, in the accommodation form shown in FIG. 8A, the six sub-containers 42, 42, ...
... is accommodated, which corresponds to accommodating the A4 or B5 edition of the book 13. Also, FIG.
The accommodation mode shown in (b) is such that nine sub-containers 42, 42, ... Are accommodated in the container 12, and corresponds to accommodating the A13 or B6 edition of the book 13.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, A5
The plate book 13 has a size of 148 mm × 210 mm, and when arranged in three rows in the depth direction, the width W of the container 12
_A5 becomes W _A5 = 148 × 3 + α _A5 . In addition, FIG.
As shown in (b), B6 edition book 13 has 128 mm
When it is arranged in three rows in the depth direction, the width W _{B6 of the} container 12 is W _B6 = 128 × 3 + α _B6.
Becomes

Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the A4 size book 13 has a size of 210 mm × 297 mm,
When arranged in two rows in the depth direction, the width W of the container 12
_A4 becomes W _A4 = 210 × 2 + α _A4 . In addition, FIG.
As shown in (d), the B5 version of the book 13 is 182 mm.
When it is arranged in two rows in the depth direction, the width W _{B5 of the} container 12 is W _B5 = 182 × 2 + α _B5.
Becomes

However, α _A5 , α _B6 , α _A4 and α _B5 are the thicknesses of the container 12 and the sub-containers 42, 42, ..., The container 12, the sub-containers 42, 42, ... And the books 13, 13 ,. The value is set in consideration of the gaps between each other.

Therefore, if the values of α _A5 , α _B6 , α _A4, and α _B5 are appropriately selected, the books 13 of A5 and B6 are arranged in three rows in the depth direction, and the books of A4 and B5 are arranged. By arranging 13 in two rows in the depth direction, the container 12 that accommodates the books 13 of any size can be accommodated within a certain width in which the size in the width W direction is automatically conveyed.

Regarding the depth direction of the container 12, that is, the length in the thickness direction of the accommodated books 13, 13, ..., Only the number of books 13, 13 ,. , It is possible to easily align the dimensions between the containers 12 that accommodate the books 13 of the respective dimensions.

The nine sub-containers 42, 42, ...
As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10, the container 12 accommodating ... Is formed with openings 12a, 12a, ... At positions corresponding to the sub-containers 42, 42 ,. The plate 34b is selectively inserted. That is, nine sub-containers 42, 4
The container 12 that accommodates 2, ... is the container support portion 3 of the second floor station 22 and the first floor stations 24 and 25.
The desired sub-container 4 even when transported to 4, 35
It is possible to lift 2.

Then, as described above, the A4 version, the B5 version,
The containers 12, 12, ..., In which the A5 and B6 editions of the books 13 are respectively accommodated, are the books 13, 1 which are accommodated.
The bookshelves 11 are classified according to the dimensions 3, ... That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the bookshelf 11 accommodates a shelf area 11a in which a container 12 containing B5 edition books and a container 12 containing B6 edition books are contained. Shelving area 11b, a shelving area 11c accommodating a container 12 containing A4 size books, A
A shelf area 11d for accommodating a container 12 accommodating a 5th edition book is set.

Each of these shelf areas 11a, 11b, 11
c, at 11d, each shelf booth 11 _a1 one single container 12 is _{housed, 11 b1, 11 c1, 11} d1 is four shown its width in FIG. 9 (a) ~ (d) Container 12
Are set to a common length that can be accommodated. The heights of the shelves 11 _a1 , 11 _b1 , 11 _c1 , and 11 _d1 are different from each other according to the height of the books 13 accommodated in the container 12, H _B5 , H _B6 , H _A4 , It is set to H _A5 .

More specifically, the shelf booth 11 of the shelf area 11d for housing the container 12 containing the A13 size books 13 is described.
The height H _{A5 of d1} is H _A5 = 210 because the height of the A5 size book 13 is 210 mm as shown in FIG. 12 (a).
It becomes + h _A5 . Further, the height H _B6 of the shelf booth 11 _b1 of the shelf area 11 b accommodating the container 12 accommodating the B6 edition book 13 is, as shown in FIG.
Since the height is 182 mm, H _B6 = 182 + h _B6 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, the height H _A4 of the shelf booth 11 _c1 of the shelf area 11c for accommodating the container 12 accommodating the A4 size book 13 is as shown in FIG. 12C.
Has a height of 297 mm, H _A4 = 297 + h _A4 . In addition, the container 12 containing the B5 edition books 13
The height H _B5 of the shelving booth 11 _{a1 in} the shelving area 11a that accommodates
As shown in FIG. 12D, since the height of the B5 version book 13 is 257 mm, H _B5 = 257 + h _B5 .

However, h _A5 , h _B6 , h _A4 and h _B5 are the thickness of the container 12 and the sub-containers 42, 42, ..., The gap between the lower surface of the container 12 and the upper portion of the books 13, 13 ,. Is a value that is set in consideration of.

Therefore, by appropriately selecting the values of h _A5 , h _B6 , h _A4, and h _B5 , each rack booth 11 _a1 , 1
Heights of 1 _b1 , 11 _c1 , and 11 _d1 H _A5 , H _B6 , H _A4 , H
_B5 can be set to a height at which no unnecessary space is generated in correspondence with the height of the books 13 accommodated in the container 12, and the efficiency of accommodating the books 13 in the library can be improved.

It should be noted that the container 12 that accommodates the books 13 of any size has a fixed accommodation position on the bookshelf 11, and the container 12 taken out from the bookshelf 11 is the bookshelf 1.
It is designed to be returned to the same position of 1.

The operation of the book storage management system configured as described above will be described below. First,
13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining the returning operation of the book 13. For the return operation of the book 13, the book 13 returned by the user, for example, the second floor station 2
It is started by giving it to the second librarian (step S1). First, in step S2, the librarian at the station 22 on the second floor operates the console 58 to input an instruction to store the returned books 13 into the central processing unit 43. Next, in step S3, the librarian operates the console 58 to measure the size of the book 13 to be returned (B5 version, B6 version, A version).
4th edition or A5th edition) is input to the central processing unit 43.

Then, the central processing unit 43, the step S
In step 4, the empty container 12 is searched from among the shelf areas 11a, 11b, 11c or 11d accommodating the books 13 having the input dimensions, and in step S5, the accommodation position (location) of the empty container 12 is searched. Is output to the integrated control panel 55. In step S6, the integrated control panel 55 controls the stacker crane 15, the vertical transporter 69, the transport conveyors 17 and 21, and the like, to move the empty container 12 from the bookcase 11 to the second floor station 2.
2 to, for example, the container support portion 34, and the support table 3
4a.

The central processing unit 43 then proceeds to step S
In step 7, by controlling the container support part 34 via the integrated control panel 55, the lift plate 34b is moved to a position corresponding to the empty sub-container 42 in the container 12, and in step S8, the lift plate 34b is moved. The empty sub-container 42 is lifted up. After that, the librarian
In step S9, the barcode attached to the book 13 to be returned is read by the barcode reader 60, and the data is input to the central processing unit 43. Then, the central processing unit 4
In step S10, the process 3 determines whether or not the size of the returned book 13 is suitable for the container 12 currently taken out by the container support portion 34 based on the input bar code data.

Here, the size of the returned book 13 is the container 1
When it is determined that the item conforms to 2 (YES), the librarian returns the returned book 13 to the sub-container 42 that has been lifted, and then in step S11, it is determined whether there is any more book 13 to be returned. Determine whether. And return book 1
If it is determined that there is no 3 (YES), the librarian operates the console 58 to input a return completion instruction to the central processing unit 43 in step S12. After that, in step S13, the central processing unit 43 controls the container support section 34 via the integrated control panel 55 to lower the lift plate 34b and raise the sub-container 42.
Are accommodated in the container 12.

Next, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S1.
4, the book-specific book code obtained from the already read bar-code of the return book 13 and the container 12-specific container obtained from the bar-code of the container 12 taken out to the container support 34 Number and the
The book 13 is combined with the sub-container number unique to the sub-container 42 obtained from the bar code of the returned sub-container 42, and the combined data is registered as an inventory file in, for example, a memory (not shown).

The central processing unit 43 then proceeds to step S
After confirming the registered contents at 15, the stacker crane 15, the vertical transfer device 69, the transfer conveyors 28, 31 and the like are controlled via the integrated control panel 55, so that the container 12 at the second-floor station 22 is placed under the bookcase 11. Back to the position
The return work of the book 13 is completed here (step S16).
To be done.

Next, in step S10, the return book 13 is returned.
When it is determined that the size of No. does not fit the container 12 (NO), the central processing unit 43, in step S17,
A message indicating that the size of the book 13 to be returned does not match the container 12 supported by the container support portion 34 is displayed on the display 40 corresponding to the container support portion 34 of the second floor station 22. After that, the librarian determines in step S18 whether or not there is a return book 13 of a size suitable for the container 12 supported by the container support portion 34, and if it is determined (YES), step S9.
The process moves to.

Further, in step S18, the container supporting portion 3
If it is determined that there is no return book 13 of a size that fits the container 12 supported by No. 4 (NO), the librarian proceeds to the process of step S3 and sets the size of the return book 13 to the central processing unit 43. Re-enter.

Next, when it is determined in step S11 that there is still a book 13 to be returned (NO), the librarian determines in step S19 whether the currently raised subcontainer 42 is full. However, if it is determined that it is not full (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that the sub-container 42 that is currently being raised is full (YES), the librarian proceeds to step S.
At 20, the other sub-containers 4 in the container 12 currently supported by the container support 34 are not lifted.
It is determined whether or not there is a vacant sub-container 42 among 2, 42, ...
Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a vacant sub-container 42 (YES), the central processing unit 43 controls the container support section 34 via the integrated control panel 55 in step S21 to lift the lift. The plate 34b is lowered, and the raised sub-container 42 is accommodated in the container 12. After that, the central processing unit 43 executes the step S
By controlling the container support unit 34 via the integrated control panel 55 at 22, the lift plate 34b is moved to a position corresponding to the empty sub-container 42 in the container 12, and the lift plate 34b is lifted to become empty. Sub container 42
Is lifted, and the process proceeds to step S9.

Next, FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are flow charts for explaining the taking-out operation of the book 13. The operation of taking out the book 13 is started by the user telling the librarian at the second floor station 22 the book 13 which the user requests to take out (step S23). At this time, the librarian operates the console 58 to input the book code of the book 13 requested to be taken out to the central processing unit 43.

Then, the central processing unit 43, the step S
In step 24, the book code is received to search the above-mentioned stock file, and in step S25, it is determined whether or not the input book code is registered in the stock file. If it is determined that the book is not registered (NO), the central processing unit 43 determines in step S26 that the requested book 1
3 is displayed on a predetermined display device, and the information is stored in the central processing unit 4 for example.
It is sent to a host computer or the like (not shown) that controls 3 and ends (step S27).

When it is determined that the inputted book code is registered in the stock file (YES), the central processing unit 43, in step S28, the container 12 containing the book 13 of the book code. No. of the container and the sub-container number of the sub-container 42 containing the requested book 13 in the container 12 are searched from the inventory file, and the retrieved container number and the sub-container number are integrated control panel 55. Send to.

Then, the integrated control panel 55 causes the step S2
By controlling the stacker crane 15, the vertical transfer machine 69, the transfer conveyors 17 and 21, and the like at 9, the container 12 corresponding to the input container number is transferred to the bookcase 11
To the second floor station 22, for example, the container support portion 34
And is supported by the support table 34a. Then, the central processing unit 43, in step S30, the integrated control panel 55.
By controlling the container support portion 34 via the, the lift plate 34b is moved to a position in the container 12 corresponding to the sub-container 42 accommodating the requested book 13,
The lift plate 34b is raised to lift the sub container 42.

After that, the central processing unit 43 determines in step S
At 31, the display 40 corresponding to the container support 34 of the second-floor station 22 is caused to display the book name or book code of the requested book 13 in the sub-container 42 that is currently raised. Then, the librarian takes the step S3.
In step 2, the sub-container 42 lifted in the container 12 by the lift plate 34b is searched for the book 13 with the book name or the book code displayed on the display 40, and the book 13 is attached to the retrieved book 13. The barcode is read by the barcode reader 60.

The central processing unit 43 then proceeds to step S
In 33, it is determined whether or not the book 13 taken out from the content of the read bar code matches the requested book 13, and when it is judged that they do not match (NO), step S
At 34, a message indicating that an extraction error has occurred is displayed on the display 40. If it is determined that the retrieved book 13 matches the requested book 13 (YE
S), in step S35, the central processing unit 43 causes the display device 40 to display a message indicating that the retrieved book 13 matches the requested book 13, and updates the contents of the inventory file.

After that, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S.
At 36, in the currently raised sub-container 42,
It is determined whether or not there is any other book 13 requested to be taken out. When it is determined that there is no other book 13 which is requested to be taken out (NO), the central processing unit 43, in step S37, has been lifted up in the container 12 currently supported by the container supporting unit 34. It is determined whether or not the book 13 requested to be taken out exists in the other sub-containers 42, 42 ,.

When it is determined that there is the book 13 requested to be taken out in the other sub-containers 42, 42, ... Which have not been raised (YES), the central processing unit 43 causes the step S38. Then, by controlling the container support portion 34 via the integrated control panel 55, the lift plate 34b is lowered and the lifted sub-container 42 is accommodated in the container 12.

After that, the central processing unit 43 determines in step S
In 39, by controlling the container support part 34 via the integrated control panel 55, the lift plate 34b is moved to a position corresponding to the sub-container 42 in the container 12 in which the book 13 requested to be taken out is stored. Then, the lift plate 34b is raised to lift the sub-container 42. Then, after the steps S34 and S39, or when it is determined in the step S36 that there is another book 13 which is requested to be taken out in the currently raised sub-container 42 (YES), the central processing The device 43 shifts to the processing of step S31.

Further, if it is determined that there is no book 13 requested to be taken out in the other sub-containers 42, 42, ... That have not been raised in step S37 (NO), the librarian In step S40, it is determined whether or not there is the book 13 to be returned, and when it is determined that there is the book 13 to be returned (YES), the dimension of the book 13 to be returned is the current container support portion 34 in step S41. It is determined whether or not it is suitable for the container 12 supported by.

Here, the size of the returned book 13 is the container 1
When it is determined that the number 2 is satisfied (YES), the librarian operates the console 58 to instruct the central processing unit 43 to switch to the return mode in step S42. Then, the librarian performs step S43.
Then, the bar code attached to the book 13 to be returned is read by the bar code reader 60, and the data is input to the central processing unit 43. Then, the central processing unit 43, in step S44, based on the input bar code data,
It is determined whether or not the size of the returned book 13 is suitable for the container 12 currently taken out by the container support portion 34.

The size of the returned book 13 is the container 1
If it is determined that the item conforms to 2 (YES), the librarian returns the returned book 13 to the sub-container 42 that has been raised in step S45, and then returns to step S46.
Then, it is determined whether or not there is any book 13 to be returned, and when it is determined that there is any book 13 (NO), the process proceeds to step S43. If it is determined that there is no return book 13 (YES), the librarian operates the console 58 in step S47 to issue a return completion instruction to the central processing unit 43.
To enter. After that, the central processing unit 43 executes the step S
At 48, the container support portion 34 is controlled via the integrated control board 55 to lower the lift plate 34b, and the sub-container 42 that has been lifted is accommodated in the container 12.

Next, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S4.
In 9, the book-specific book code obtained from the already read bar-code of the returned book 13 and the container 12-specific container obtained from the bar-code of the container 12 taken out to the container support 34 Number and the
The book 13 is combined with the subcontainer number unique to the subcontainer 42 obtained from the barcode of the returned subcontainer 42, and the combined data is registered in the inventory file.

Then, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S
After confirming the registered content at 50, the stacker crane 15, the vertical transfer machine 69, the transfer conveyors 28, 31 and the like are controlled via the integrated control panel 55 to transfer the container 12 at the second floor station 22 to the original shelf 11. Back to the position
It is ended (step S27).

In step S44, the return book 13 is returned.
When it is determined that the size of No. does not match the container 12 (NO), the central processing unit 43, in step S51,
A message indicating that the size of the book 13 to be returned does not match the container 12 supported by the container support portion 34 is displayed on the display 40 corresponding to the container support portion 34 of the second floor station 22.

The librarian, in step S52,
The console 59 is operated to input a return completion instruction to the central processing unit 43. After that, in step S53, the central processing unit 43 controls the container support unit 34 via the integrated control panel 55 to lower the lift plate 34b and accommodate the lifted sub-container 42 in the container 12. . Then, the central processing unit 43, the step S
54, the stacker crane 1 via the integrated control panel 55
5, the vertical conveyor 69, the conveyors 28, 31 and the like are controlled to control the container 12 at the second floor station 22.
To the original position on the bookshelf 11, and the process ends (step S27).
To be done.

In step S40, the return book 13 is returned.
If it is determined that there is not (NO), or the size of the return book 13 is the current container support portion 34 in step S41.
If it is determined that the container 12 that has been taken out is not suitable (NO), the librarian proceeds to the process of step S52.

According to the book storage management system having the structure and operation as in the above-described embodiment, first, a large number of books 13, 13, ... Are classified only by size regardless of their contents. The shelves 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d on the bookshelf 11 are stored in different sizes according to their sizes. Therefore, the shelf areas 11a, 11b, 11
In c and 11d, the height and the depth can be set according to the size of the book 13 accommodated in each, so that the book 13 can be efficiently accommodated. Therefore, it is possible to effectively improve the efficiency of accommodating the books 13 without creating a useless space in the library unlike the conventional fixed location racking system for each classification.

Further, a so-called free location system is adopted in which books 13 of the same size can be arbitrarily returned in the container 12 for housing the books 13 of the same size. Therefore, for example, when the container 12 is taken out to the station 22 on the second floor, the container 1
If there is a return book 13 having a size that can be accommodated in 2, the book 13 can be accommodated as long as there is space in the container 12. Therefore, the stacker crane 15, the vertical conveyor 69 and the conveyors 17, 21, 23, 26, 2
The number of operations of various transport mechanisms such as 8, 31 and the like is inevitably reduced, and the efficiency of taking out and returning the book 13 by automation can be effectively improved.

Further, with the container 12 accommodating the book 13 requested to be taken out, being transported from the bookcase 11 to the container support portion 34 of the second floor station 22 and being supported, the requested book 13 in the container 12 is stored. Since the accommodated sub-container 42 is lifted and the sub-container 42 including the required book 13 is lifted to a position higher than the other sub-containers 42, 42, ..., It is accommodated in the lifted sub-container 42. Books 13, 13,
The spine of ... becomes in a state in which it is easy for the librarian to see, and it is possible to facilitate the search and retrieval work of the requested book 13 from the container 12.

In the above-described embodiment, one container 12 accommodates six sub-containers 42, 42, ... And nine sub-containers 42, 42 ,. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the planar size of the container 12 and the number of sub-containers 42 accommodated therein may be appropriately set as necessary, as shown in FIG. 18, for example.

Further, as a form of accommodating a plurality of books 13, 13, ... In the container 12, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), a plurality of books 12 are arranged in a row in the thickness direction along the width W of the container 12, that is, in the width direction. It is also possible to arrange in rows. In the case of such a storage form, as shown in FIG. 19A, A4 size books 13 are arranged in five rows along the depth direction D of the container 12, and as shown in FIG. Arranging the plate books 13 in seven rows along the depth direction D of the container 12
The plane dimensions of the container 12 accommodating the fourth edition book 13 and the container 12 accommodating the A5 edition book 13 can be made substantially the same.

In the above embodiment, the container 12 is transported between the bookcase 11 and the second floor and first floor stations 22, 24 and 25, in addition to the stacker crane 15, the vertical conveyor 69 and the conveyors 17, 21. , 23, 26, 28,
Although a large-scale library using 31 or the like has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applied to a small-scale library in which a container is transported between a bookcase and a user counter only by a stacker crane. It goes without saying that it is possible.

Next, FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of the present invention. That is, in FIG. 20, reference numeral 78 denotes a bookshelf group installed in a library on the basement of a library, for example, and a plurality of pairs (three pairs in the case shown) of bookshelves installed so as to face each other at regular intervals ( 78a, 78b), (7
8c, 78d) and (78e, 78f). Each of these book shelves 78a to 78f accommodates a plurality of containers 79, 79, ... In which a plurality of books (not shown in FIG. 20) are accommodated.

A stacker crane 80 is installed between the book shelves 78a and 78b. The stacker crane 80 moves in a space formed between the book shelves 78a and 78b, and moves to one of the book shelves 78a and 7b.
The desired container 79 is taken out from 8b and transferred to the shipping rack station 81. The container 79 transferred to the shipping rack station 81 is transferred to the container unloading port 83 via the transfer conveyor 82, and then, via the vertical transfer mechanism 84, the first-level container loading port 85 or the second-level container loading port 85. It is conveyed to the carry-in port 86.

Of these, the container 79 transported to the first floor container loading port 85 is transported via the transport conveyor 87 to the container receiving portion 88a of the first floor station 88 which is a user counter. Further, the container 79 transported to the second floor container loading port 86 is
2nd floor station 90 which is a user counter via
Is conveyed to the container receiving section 90a.

On the other hand, the container 79 transferred to the container receiving section 88a of the first floor station 88 is transferred to the container discharge section 88b and then transferred to the first floor container outlet 92 via the transfer conveyor 91. Further, the container 79 transferred to the container receiving section 90a of the second floor station 90 is transferred to the container discharge section 90b and then transferred to the second floor container outlet 94 via the transfer conveyor 93. Then, the container 79 transported to the first-floor container unloading port 92 or the second-floor container unloading port 94 is transported to the base-level container transporting port 96 via the vertical transport mechanism 95, and is loaded via the transport conveyor 97. After being transferred to the rack station 98, the stacker crane 80 stores the books in the bookcase 78a or 78b.

A stacker crane (not shown) is installed between the other book shelves 78c and 78d and between the book shelves 78e and 78f. Then, by substantially the same operation as described above, a container 79 is provided between each of the bookcases 78c to 78f and the station 88, 90 on the first floor or the second floor.
Can be transported.

Here, in the container 79, as shown in FIG.
, The plurality of books 99, 99, ..
It is designed to be accommodated in rows. The container 79 is provided with a bar code label 79a on its side surface, and the accommodation position on the bookcases 78a and 78b is fixed. Also, each book 99, 99, ...
Also, each has a unique barcode.

Also in the automatic book loading and unloading system described in this embodiment, a large number of books 99, 99, ...
..., regardless of their content, the dimensions (eg A4
.., B5, A5 or smaller, etc., and the thickness is irrelevant. Only one book 79 accommodates the same size of books 99, 99, ... However, in the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the sub-containers 42 accommodating the books 13, 13, ... In a row in the thickness direction are arranged in two rows or three rows depending on the size of the books 13 to be accommodated. By storing the books 13 in the container 12, the widths W of the containers 12 containing the books 13 of almost any size are substantially equal to each other.

On the other hand, in the embodiment described here,
What size of book 99, 99, ...
The container 79 for storing ... is also arranged so that the books 99, 99, ... are arranged in two rows in the thickness direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the length of the container 79 is L,
Assuming that the width is W and the height is H, the size of the container 79 that accommodates the A4 size book 99 is L = 600 mm, W = 50.
9 mm, H = 313 mm, and the size of the container 79 that accommodates the B5 edition book 99 is L = 600 mm, W =
453 mm, H = 277 mm, and the size of the container 79 for accommodating books 99 of A5 size or smaller is L = 600 m
m, W = 385 mm, H = 230 mm. That is,
Three kinds of sizes of containers 79 are transported between the bookshelf group 78 and the first and second floor stations 88 and 90.

Then, the container 7 of each size
.. are classified according to the size of the books 99 to be accommodated and accommodated in the bookshelf group 11. That is, for example, as for the bookshelf 78a, as shown in FIG. 22, a container 79 accommodating an A4 size book 99 is accommodated from the side close to the shipping and receiving rack stations 81, 98 toward the rear side. Shelving area 78 _A4 and a shelving area 78 _B5 accommodating a container 79 accommodating a B5 version of the book 99
And a shelf area 78 _A5 for accommodating a container 79 accommodating books 99 of A5 size or smaller. In addition,
Classification of such shelf areas 78 _A4 , 78 _B5 , 78 _A5 is similarly performed for the other bookcases 78b to 78f.

Note that the control of the automatic loading / unloading system for books described in this embodiment is the control system described in FIG. 6 in the previous embodiment. However, a bar code reader (not shown) for reading the bar code label 79a attached to the container 79, the first floor and second floor stations 88, 90 are provided in the input / output circuit 67 of the integrated control panel 55.
The output of the bar code reader installed at is supplied. In addition, the input / output circuit 73 and the drive circuit 77 of the integrated control panel 55
Controls a transfer mechanism (not shown) for transferring the containers 79 in the container receiving portions 88a, 90a of the first and second floor stations 88, 90 to the container discharging portions 88b, 90b.

The operation of the automatic loading / unloading system having the above-mentioned structure will be described below. First, FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the returning operation of the book 99. The returning operation of the book 99 is started by handing the book 99 returned by the user to the librarian at the station 88 on the first floor (step S55). First,
The librarian at the first-floor station 88, step S56
Then, an instruction to store the returned book 99 is input to the central processing unit 43. In this case, the librarian also inputs the size of the book 99 to be returned (A4 version, B5 version or A5 version or smaller) into the central processing unit 43.

Then, the central processing unit 43 searches the shelf area 78 _A4 , 78 _B5 or 78 _A5 , which accommodates the book 99 of the input size, for example, in the book shelf 78a, and searches for an empty container 79. , And outputs data indicating the accommodation position (location) of the empty container 79 to the integrated control panel 55. For this reason, the integrated control panel 55, the step S5
7, the stacker crane 80 and its empty container 79
Then, in step S58, the empty container 79 is taken out to the shipping rack station 81, and is controlled to be sent to the transport conveyor 82.

After that, the integrated control panel 55 displays the step S5.
By controlling the vertical transfer mechanism 84 and the transfer conveyor 87 at 9, the container 79 is transferred to the first floor station 88 and held in the container discharge part 88b. When the empty container 79 is being conveyed by the conveyor 82, the barcode label 79a attached to the container 79 is automatically read by a not-shown one.

Thereafter, the librarian, in step S60,
The bar code attached to the book 99 to be returned is read by the bar code reader, and the book 99 is stored in the container 79. Then, the librarian inputs a return completion instruction to the central processing unit 43 in step S61.

Next, in step S62, the librarian determines whether or not there is still a book 99 to be returned. When it is determined that there is still a book 99 to be returned (Y
ES), the librarian determines in step S63 whether or not there is an empty space in the container 79 currently held in the container discharge section 88b of the first-floor station 88, and if it is determined that there is an empty space ( (YES), and returns to the process of step S60, and returns the book 99.

If it is determined in step S63 that there is no empty space in the container 79 (NO), or if it is determined in step S62 that there are no more books 99 to be returned (NO), the librarian determines in step S64. Then, an instruction to complete the return work for the container 79 currently held in the container discharge part 88b of the first floor station 88 is input to the central processing unit 43.

At this time, the central processing unit 43 causes the book-specific book code obtained from the already read bar-code of the return book 99 and the bar-code label of the container 79 held in the container discharge section 88b. The container number unique to the container 79 obtained from 79a is combined, and the combined data is registered in the hard disk 51 or the like as an inventory file.

Next, the central processing unit 43, the step S6.
5, the container 79 of the first floor station 88 is transferred to the storage rack station 98 by controlling the transfer conveyor 91, the vertical transfer mechanism 95, the transfer conveyor 97, etc. via the integrated control board 55. Then, in step S66, the central processing unit 43 controls the stacker crane 80 via the integrated control panel 55 to transfer the container 79 on the receiving rack station 98 to the bookcase 78a.
Of the book 99, and the returning operation of the book 99 is completed (step S67).

Next, FIGS. 24 and 25 are flow charts for explaining the operation of taking out the book 99. That is, the take-out operation of the book 99 is started by the user telling the librarian of the first-floor station 88 the book 99 to be taken out (step S68). At this time, the librarian of the first-floor station 88 inputs an instruction for leaving the book 99 into the central processing unit 43 in step S69. In this case, the librarian uses the central processing unit 4 to input the book code of the requested book 99.
Enter in 3.

Then, the central processing unit 43 receives the book code, retrieves the above-mentioned stock file, and collects data indicating the accommodation position (location) of the container 79 accommodating the book 99 requested to be taken out. Output to 55. Therefore, the integrated control panel 55, the step S70
Then, the stacker crane 80 is moved to the accommodation position of the container 79, and in step S71, the container 79 is taken out to the shipping rack station 81 and sent out onto the conveyor 82.

After that, the central processing unit 43, the step S
At 72, by controlling the vertical transport mechanism 84 and the transport conveyor 87 via the integrated control panel 55, the container 79
Is conveyed to the first floor station 88 and held in the container discharge part 88b. When the container 79 is being conveyed by the conveyor 82, the bar code label 79a attached to the container 79 is automatically read by the bar code reader.

Next, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S7.
In step 3, the display device (not shown) installed in the first floor station 88 displays the book name or the book code of the book 99 requested to be taken out. Then, in step S74, the librarian searches the container 79 held in the container discharge unit 88b for the book 99 having the book name or the book code displayed on the display device, and takes out the book 99, and attaches it to the taken-out book 99. Read the created barcode with a barcode reader.

The central processing unit 43 then proceeds to step S
At 75, it is determined whether or not the book 99 taken out from the content of the read bar code is the requested book 99.
Then, when it is determined that the requested book 99 is not (NO), the determination result is displayed on the display device.
In step S76, the librarian returns the taken-out book 99 into the container 79, and in step S77, again, from among the containers 79 held in the container discharge part 88b,
Book 9 of the book name or book code displayed on the display device
9 is retrieved and retrieved, and in step S78, the barcode attached to the retrieved book 99 is read by a barcode reader.

After that, the central processing unit 43 executes the step S
At 79, it is determined whether or not the book 99 extracted from the content of the read barcode is the requested book 99.
Then, when it is determined that the requested book 99 is not (NO), the determination result is displayed on the display device.
In step S80, the librarian returns the retrieved book 99 into the container 79, and in step S81, it is determined whether or not there is another book 99 to be retrieved from the containers 79 currently held in the container discharge section 88b. Determine.

If it is determined that there is another book 99 to be taken out (YES), the librarian proceeds to step S.
Returning to the processing of 77, the work of taking out the book 99 is executed. Further, in step S81, the current container discharge part 88b
When it is determined that there is no other book 99 to be taken out from the containers 79 held in the (NO), the librarian is currently held in the container discharge part 88b of the first floor station 88 in step S82. An instruction to the effect that there is no book 99 requested to be taken out is input to the central processing unit 43 in the container 79.

If it is determined that the book 99 taken out after step S82 or in steps S75 and S79 is the requested book 99 (YES), the librarian again discharges the current container in step S83. Part 8
It is determined whether or not there is another book 99 to be taken out from the container 79 held in 8b, and if it is determined that there is another book 99 to be taken out (YES), the process returns to step S73. .

If it is determined in step S73 that there is no other book 99 to be taken out of the container 79 currently held in the container discharge section 88b (NO),
In step S84, the librarian issues an instruction to complete the take-out work for the container 79 currently held in the container discharge section 88b of the first floor station 88 to the central processing unit 4.
Enter in 3. At this time, the central processing unit 43 updates the contents of the inventory file based on the book-specific book code obtained from the bar code of the taken-out book 99.

Next, the central processing unit 43 carries out step S8.
5, the container 79 of the first floor station 88 is transferred to the storage rack station 98 by controlling the transfer conveyor 91, the vertical transfer mechanism 95, the transfer conveyor 97, etc. via the integrated control board 55. Then, in step S86, the central processing unit 43 controls the stacker crane 80 via the integrated control panel 55 to transfer the container 79 on the receiving rack station 98 to the bookcase 78a.
Is returned to the original position, and the work of taking out the book 99 is completed (step S87).

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, first, a large number of books 99, 99, ... Are categorized only by the size regardless of their contents, and different shelves of the book shelf group 78 are classified according to the size. The areas 78 _A4 , 78 _B5 , and 78 _A5 are accommodated. Therefore, each shelf area 78 _A4 , 78
_{In B5} and 78 _A5 , the height and the depth can be set according to the size of the book 99 accommodated in each, so that the book 99 can be efficiently accommodated. Therefore, there is no useless space in the library as in the case of the conventional fixed location rack arrangement system for classification, and the efficiency of accommodating the books 32 can be effectively improved.

Further, a so-called free location system is adopted in which books 99 of the same size can be arbitrarily returned in a container 79 for housing the books 99 of the same size. Therefore, for example, when the container 79 is taken out to the first floor station 88, the container 7
If there is a return book 99 with a size that can be accommodated in 9, the book 99 can be accommodated as long as there is space in the container 79. Therefore, the stacker crane 80, the vertical transfer mechanisms 84, 95 and the transfer conveyors 82, 87, 89,
It is possible to inevitably reduce the number of times of operation of various transport mechanisms such as 91, 93, 97, etc., and it is possible to effectively improve the efficiency of taking out and returning the book 99 by automation.

Here, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, one bookcase 78a is moved from the side close to the shipping and receiving rack stations 81, 98 toward the rear side by A.
Shelf area 78 _A4 for accommodating the container 79 accommodating the fourth edition of the book 99 and container 7 accommodating the B5 edition of the book 99
Shelf area 78 _B5 for accommodating 9 and books 99 for A5 or smaller
_Are sequentially classified into a shelving area 78 _A5 in which the container 79 accommodating is stored.

However, the bookshelf group 78 is divided into a plurality of shelving areas 78 _A4 according to the dimensions of the books 99, 99 ,.
As a mode for classifying into 78 _B5 and 78 _A5 , for example, FIG.
As shown in, bookcases 78a, 78b and 78c, 78d
Was the A5 size shelf region 78 which the container 79 is accommodated which accommodates books 99 _A5, shelf region 78 bookshelf 78e, container 79 containing the book 99 of B5 size and 78f are accommodated
And _B5, bookshelf 78 g, so that the the shelf region 78 _A4 the container 79 containing the A4 size books 99 are accommodated 78h, can be divided into each bookshelf 78A～78h.

As another classification form, as shown in FIG. 27, a method of dividing each bookshelf and a method of dividing one bookshelf in the longitudinal direction may be used together. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the container 79
In order to improve the efficiency of accommodating the books 99 in the library, the books 99 are accommodated in two rows in the thickness direction in one container 79. However, depending on the scale of the library, the books 99 can be accommodated in one container 79. It is also possible to store them in one row in the thickness direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, if the length of the container 79 is L, the width is W, and the height is H, the size of the container 79 accommodating the A4 size book 99 is L = 6.
00 mm, W = 270 mm, H = 313 mm, B
The size of the container 79 for accommodating the fifth edition of the book 99 is L
= 600 mm, W = 240 mm, H = 277 mm, and the size of the container 79 that accommodates the books 99 of A5 size or smaller is L = 600 mm, W = 206 mm, H = 230.
mm. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0118]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
In addition to improving the storage efficiency of books in the library,
It is possible to provide a very good book storage management device which can effectively improve the efficiency of the operation of taking out and returning books by automation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a book storage management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a second floor station in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a container and a sub-container in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of the sub-container.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the container and a container support portion.

FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram showing a control system in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram showing details of an integrated control panel of the control system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a storage mode according to the size of a book in the same container.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a storage form for each size of a book in the same container.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of the container.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a bookcase in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing detailed dimensions of the bookcase.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of returning a book according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when returning a book according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the same embodiment when taking out a book.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of taking out a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of taking out a book according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing various relationships between the container and sub-containers.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another accommodation mode of books in the container.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the container in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which bookcases are classified according to the size of a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when returning a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of taking out a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of taking out a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing another example of classifying the bookshelf group according to the size of the books in the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing still another example of classifying the bookshelf group according to the size of the books in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... bookcase, 12 ... container, 13 ... book, 14 ... rail, 15 ... stacker crane, 16 ... delivery rack station, 17 ... transport conveyor, 18 ... container carry-out port, 19 ... container for second floor, 20 ... 1st floor container inlet, 21 ... transport conveyor, 22 ... second floor station, 23 ... transport conveyor, 24,25 ... 1st floor station, 26 ... transport conveyor, 27 ... 1st floor container outlet, 28 ... transport conveyor, 29 ... 2nd floor container outlet, 30 ... container inlet, 31 ... transport conveyor, 32
… Storage rack station, 33… Counter stand, 3
4, 35 ... Container support part, 36 ... Operation unit, 37
... Bar code reader, 38, 39 ... Wall, 40, 41 ... Indicator, 42 ... Sub container, 43 ... Central processing unit, 44
... bus line, 45 ... uninterruptible power supply, 46 ... file adapter, 47 ... floppy disk, 48 ... hard disk, 49 ... cartridge tape, 50 ... file adapter, 51 ... hard disk, 52 ... file adapter, 53 ... hard disk, 54 ... Serial interface adapter, 55 ... General control panel, 56 ... Stationary detector, 57 ... Serial interface adapter, 58 ...
Console, 59 ... Display, 60 ... Bar code reader, 61 ... Serial printer, 62 ... Serial interface adapter, 63 ... Display, 64 ... Bar code reader, 65 ... Serial printer, 66 ... Bar code printer, 67 ... Input / output circuit, 68 ... Control circuit, 6
9 ... Vertical transfer machine, 70-73 ... Input / output circuit, 74-77
... drive circuit, 78 ... bookcase group, 79 ... container, 80 ... stacker crane, 81 ... shipping rack station,
82 ... transport conveyor, 83 ... container outlet, 84 ... vertical transport mechanism, 85 ... first floor container inlet, 86 ... second floor container inlet, 87 ... transport conveyor, 88 ... first floor station, 89 ... transport conveyor , 90 ... Second floor station, 91 ... Transport conveyor, 92 ... First floor container outlet, 93 ... Transport conveyor, 94 ... Second floor container outlet, 95 ... Vertical transport mechanism, 96 ... Container inlet, 97
… Conveyor, 98… Incoming rack station, 9
9 ... Books.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A library having a plurality of shelving areas classified according to the size of a book, and a plurality of books having a size corresponding to the shelving areas housed in the respective shelving areas of the library. Input a container, a storage means for storing the plurality of container storage positions in the library and each book code of a plurality of books stored in each container, and the book code of the book requested to be taken out. By doing so, based on the stored content of the storage means, the container containing the requested book is taken out of the library and transferred to the station, and the stored content of the storage means for the container from which the requested book is taken out is stored. By inputting the retrieval control means to be updated and the size information of the book requested to be returned, the plurality of containers corresponding to the size of the returned book And a return control means for retrieving a vacant container from the library and taking it out to the station, and updating the storage content of the storage means for the container in which the return book is accommodated. Management device. 2. The book storage management device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of the plurality of containers are prepared, each of which has a different size according to the size of the book to be stored. 3. The book storage management device according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of shelf areas of the library has a shape for exclusively storing the container having the same size. 4. The book storage management device according to claim 3, wherein the library has a plurality of bookcases, and each bookcase is divided into a plurality of shelf areas. 5. The book storage management device according to claim 3, wherein the library has a plurality of book shelves, and each book shelf is divided into a plurality of shelf areas.