JPH08108927A - Book sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the efficiency of book returning work by performing book returning procedures automatically, and automating processing to the book returning procedures and sorting work for a quantity of books by only charging the books into a charging part, and reading discrimination codes applied to the books. CONSTITUTION: Books charged into an accepting part 11 are carried through a return conveyor 12 and a carrier conveyor 13 to a sorting mechanism 14, where they are automatically sorted based on the classifications. While the books are carried on the return conveyor 12 and the carrier conveyor 13, bar codes applied to the books are read, and processing to book returning procedures is completed. When a receiving base 15 is circulated to be moved to a corresponding position to a book collecting box 17 where the book placed on it is to be contained, the book placed on the receiving base 15 is transferred to the book collecting box 17, where the returned books are sorted by the classifications. The efficiency of book returning work can thus be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a book sorting apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a large library for storing a large quantity of books, and particularly to improve the efficiency of the work required for returning the large quantity of books. Regarding what you did.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, recently, in a large-scale library having a large number of collections, a bar code label for identification is attached to each of the large number of stored books, and the bar code and the book are attached. A book management system that manages a book by registering it in a book file of a computer in association with a name has been introduced. In this case, the user
A user card with an identification code etc. magnetically recorded is submitted to lend and return books.

That is, when lending a book, first,
The librarian takes out the book requested for lending from the library and reads the bar code label of the book with a bar code reader. Then, the read bar code and the identification code of the user card are associated with each other and registered in the lending file of the computer, whereby the lending procedure is completed.

When the book is returned, the librarian reads the bar code label of the returned book with a bar code reader and inputs the read bar code into the computer as return data, thereby registering the rented file. It is deleted and the return procedure is completed. After that, the librarian sorts the returned books according to classification or open / closed, and returns them to the library.

However, in such a conventional book management system, since a librarian needs to perform a simple repetitive work such as a return procedure and a sorting work every time a book is returned, the book to be returned is returned. When the number of books becomes large, there is a problem that the work required for returning books becomes complicated, which hinders the librarian from smoothly performing other tasks.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional book management system in which the computer manages the collection of books, when the number of books to be returned increases, the work required to return the books becomes complicated and the library There is a problem that the staff cannot perform other work smoothly.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the returning work of books by automating the processing of the returning procedure for a large number of books and the sorting work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely good book sorting device.

[0008]

A book sorting device according to the present invention comprises a loading section into which books are loaded, a conveyor for transporting the books loaded into the loading section, and a book mounted on the conveyor. The reading means for reading the identification code attached to the book, and the circular arrangement arranged in a loop and cyclically moved along the loop, are sequentially moved to positions corresponding to the carry-out port of the conveyor. Multiple pedestals on which the books carried out from the carry-out port are installed and are arranged along the movement path of the plurality of pedestals. It is provided with a plurality of book collection boxes in which the loaded books are accommodated.

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned structure, by simply inserting the book into the inserting section, the identification code attached to the book is read, and the procedure for returning the book is automatically performed. After that, the books for which the return procedure has been completed are selectively stored in a plurality of book collection boxes installed according to the classification of the books via the receiving stand, so that the books are automatically sorted. become. For this reason,
It becomes possible to further improve the efficiency of the returning work of the books by automating the processing of the returning procedure for a large number of books and the sorting work.

[0010]

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 sorting system described in this embodiment. First of all, a brief description will be given. In the figure, reference numeral 11 is a reception unit for automatic book return, which is installed, for example, near a user counter in a library. Then, the user puts the books to be returned into the reception section 11 in the designated direction, so that the books can be automatically returned without the need for the librarian's hand. .

That is, the books input to the receiving unit 11 are sequentially conveyed to the sorting mechanism 14 via the return conveyor 12 and the transport conveyor 13 and are automatically sorted by, for example, classification. While the book is being conveyed by the return conveyor 12 and the transfer conveyor 13, the bar code attached to the book is read and the process of returning the book is completed.

The sorting mechanism 14 has a plurality of (14 in the illustrated case) pedestals 15, 15, ... Arranged in a substantially elliptical loop shape. This pedestal 1
5, 15, ... Are circulated by the pedestal transfer mechanism 16 along the arranged loop shape in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure.

Here, the plurality of pedestals 15, 15, ...
Are cyclically moved by the pedestal transfer mechanism 16, so that they are sequentially moved to the position corresponding to the outlet 13a of the transfer conveyor 13. Then, on the pedestal 15 that has been moved to a position corresponding to the outlet 13a of the transport conveyor 13,
The books transported by the transport conveyor 13 are loaded.

, Corresponding to twelve pedestals 15, 15, ... Which are circulated and moved to positions linearly arranged facing each other. Book collection boxes 17, 17, ... These plural book collection boxes 17, 17, ...
Each of them can accommodate a plurality of books of different classifications, and the cradle 15 is circularly moved to a position corresponding to itself.
The books mounted on the table are transferred from the receiving table 15 and stored.

For this reason, the books to be returned, which have been put into the receiving section 11, have been processed by the return procedure while being transported by the return conveyor 12 and the transport conveyor 13, and then the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13 has been completed. Is mounted on the empty pedestal 15 that has already been circularly moved to the position corresponding to. Then, when the receiving table 15 is circularly moved to a position corresponding to the book stacking box 17 in which the books mounted therein should be accommodated, the books mounted on the receiving stand 15 are transferred to the book stacking box 17. The returned books will be sorted by category here.

In this way, after the return procedure is completed, the returned books are classified into a plurality of book collection boxes 17, 17,
By being sorted into ……, the librarian does not need to process the return procedure or sort the returned books every time the books are returned, and the book collection box 1 is full.
It is only necessary to return the books stored in 7, 17, ... to the bookshelves corresponding to the classification, and it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the returning work of the books.

The plurality of book collection boxes 17, 17,
.. are provided with operation boxes 18, 18, ... Corresponding to each. These operation boxes 18, 18, ...
Is used to identify whether each of the book stacking boxes 17, 17, ... Is in the set state where it is installed in a predetermined position or in the reset state where it is removed from the predetermined position. The set state and the reset state of the boxes 17, 17, ... Are made to be recognized by the control system described later.

Next, a detailed configuration of each part of the above-mentioned book sorting apparatus will be described. First, FIG. 2 shows the reception unit 11. The reception unit 11 has, for example, an LED
A message monitor 19 including a (light emitting diode) character display is installed.

The message monitor 19 displays various messages to users who return books. As the content of this message, various expressions are provided for the convenience of the user, such as "returnable", "please wait for input" and "please insert with the barcode of the book on top". Has been done.

The receiving section 11 is provided with a book slot 20 for the user to actually insert a book to be returned. In addition, in the reception unit 11, a book return port 21 for returning a book of which the barcode cannot be read among the books inserted in the book insertion port 20 to the user, and the book return port 21. And a support base 22 for supporting the book returned from.

Further, the reception section 11 has a receipt receipt issuing section 23 for issuing a receipt to the user when the process of returning the book inserted in the book slot 20 is completed. is set up. The receipt receipt is issued for the book for which the return procedure is completed at the time when the user operates the operation button 23a.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the bar code label 2 for identifying the book 24 is provided on the book 24 as a defined range in the cover 24a, for example, in the lower right corner of the figure.
5 is attached. In addition, the display 2
A magnetizing piece 26 for preventing unauthorized take-out is attached to the side near the spine cover 24b in 4a. The magnetizing piece 26 is demagnetized when the book 24 is rented through the regular lending procedure and magnetized when the book 24 is returned.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the relationship among the receiving section 11, the return conveyor 12, the transfer conveyor 13 and the pedestal 15. That is, the book 24 loaded from the book loading port 20 of the reception unit 11 is guided by the shooter 27 and placed on the return conveyor 12. When the book detector 28 installed near the shooter 27 detects that the book 24 is placed on the return conveyor 12,
The return conveyor 12 and the transfer conveyor 13 are driven.

In this case, the return conveyor 12 and the transfer conveyor 13 are installed so as to have an upward slope in a substantially straight line toward the receiving table 15. And the return conveyor 12
Transports the placed books 24 toward the transport conveyor 13 side.

Here, a book detector 29 and a bar code reader 30 are installed above the return conveyor 12 in the figure, and when the book detector 29 detects the presence of the book 24, the bar code reader. Books by 30 24
The barcode label 25 attached to is read.

At this time, depending on the direction in which the book 24 is inserted into the book insertion port 20, such as the case where the book 24 is inserted with the surface with the bar code label 25 facing downward, Even if the book detector 29 detects the presence of the book 24, the bar code reader 30 may not be able to read the bar code label 25. In such a case, the return conveyor 12 conveys the book 24 in the reverse direction and returns it to the user through the book return port 21.

When the bar code reader 30 can read the bar code label 25, the read bar code is sent to the control system.
The registration of the lending file for the book 24 is deleted, and the return procedure is completed here. After that, the return conveyor 12 further conveys the book 24 toward the conveyer conveyor 13 side, so that the book 24 is conveyed.
Can be transferred to.

This transfer conveyor 13 is the return conveyor 1
The book 24 transferred from 2 is conveyed toward the cradle 15 that has been moved to a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a. A magnetizing setter 31 is installed above the carrying conveyor 13 in the figure, and in the process that the book 24 is being carried by the carrying conveyor 13, its magnetizing piece 26 is magnetized by the magnetizing setter 3.
It is magnetized by 1.

After that, the transport conveyor 13 further transports the book 24 toward the cradle 15 side, and the book detector 32 installed above the carry-out port 13a in the figure causes the book 2 to move.
When it is detected that 4 has finished passing through the carry-out port 13a, that is, it is detected that the book 24 is completely separated from the conveyor 13.

Here, the pedestal 15 is conveyed by the pedestal 15 in a state in which the plate is raised at a steep angle with respect to the horizontal plane so as to face the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13. It is installed in the mechanism 16. Also,
At the lower end of the pedestal 15 in the drawing, a support piece 15a is formed that is bent in a substantially L shape toward the carry-out port 13a side of the conveyor 13.

The carry-out port 13a of the carrying conveyor 13
From the above, the book 24 sent to the cradle 15 side is lifted on the cradle 15 along its inclination by first hitting the cradle 15 at the front end in the transport direction. After that, the trailing end of the book 24 moves down and is supported by the support piece 15a when the trailing end of the book 24 is detached from the carrying conveyor 13, and the transfer of the book 24 from the carrying conveyor 13 to the receiving table 15 is completed. It

Here, at the lower end of the pedestal 15 in the drawing,
A pair of positioning pieces 33a, 33b are provided so as to project in parallel along the moving direction of the pedestal 15. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the positioning pieces 33a and 33b are formed by bending the upper and lower bottom portions of the substantially trapezoidal plate body so as to be parallel to each other. The width of the positioning piece 33b is set wider than the width of the positioning piece 33a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 again, the origin detector 34 for detecting the presence or absence of the positioning piece 33a and the position of the positioning piece 33b are detected in the vicinity of the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13. A pair of position detectors 35a,
35b is installed. Of these, the origin detector 34
As shown in FIG. 6A, is composed of a light emitting portion 34a and a light receiving portion 34b for receiving light emitted from the light emitting portion 34a, and a positioning piece 33a is interposed between the light emitting portion 34a and the light receiving portion 34b. The positioning piece 33a depending on whether or not
The presence or absence of is detected.

Further, the pair of position detectors 35a and 35a
Also in b, the light emitting portions 35a1 and 35b1 and the light receiving portion 3 that receives the light emitted from the light emitting portions 35a1 and 35b1, respectively.
5a2 and 35b2, and light emitting portions 35a1 and 35b
1 and the light receiving portions 35a2 and 35b2 between the positioning piece 33.
The presence or absence of the positioning piece 33b is detected depending on whether or not b is interposed.

Then, the pair of position detectors 35a, 3a
As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the 5b are arranged at intervals corresponding to the width of the positioning piece 33b. Therefore, the control system detects that the pedestal 15 has reached the position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13 by detecting the presence of the positioning piece 33b by the pair of position detectors 35a and 35b. Can be determined.

In this case, when the receiving table 15 reaches the position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13, the other receiving table 1
The intervals between the receiving trays 15, 15, ... are set so that the reference boxes 5, 15, ... correspond to the book collecting boxes 17, 17 ,. Further, the positioning piece 33a to be detected by the origin detector 34 is provided only on one of the plurality of pedestals 15, 15, .... Then, the control system uses the origin detector 34 and the positioning piece 33a.
Is detected, all the pedestals 15, 15 ...
It is possible to grasp the positional relationship of.

Here, FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the pedestal 15 and the pedestal transfer mechanism 16. That is, the pedestal transfer mechanism 16 is provided with the upper guide rail 36 and the lower guide rail 37 formed in a substantially elliptical loop shape in parallel. Of these, the upper guide rail 36 is formed by bending a rail base body having a substantially U-shaped side cross section into a loop shape with its opening facing outward, as shown in part in FIG. Is. The lower guide rail 37 is formed by bending a rail base body having a substantially U-shaped side cross section into a loop shape with its opening facing upward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 again, the pedestal 15 has an upper guide roller 38 loosely fitted in the opening of the upper guide rail 36 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the book 24 is supported. And a pair of lower guide rollers 39a and 39b loosely fitted in the opening of the lower guide rail 37, respectively. Therefore, the pedestal 15 is supported by the upper and lower guide rails 36 and 37 in vertical and horizontal movements, respectively, and is supported so as to be movable only in a loop along the upper and lower guide rails 36 and 37. .

A loop-shaped drive chain 40 is installed on the pedestal transfer mechanism 16 so as to be parallel to the upper and lower guide rails 36 and 37. The drive chain 40 is installed between a pair of drive sprockets 41 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 7), and is driven by rotationally driving the drive sprockets 41.

Here, at the lower end of the pedestal 15 in the drawing,
A connecting piece 42 is provided so as to project, and the connecting piece 42 is connected to the drive chain 40. Therefore, when the drive chain 40 travels, the pedestal 15 is cyclically moved along the loop.

The upper end of the pedestal 15 in the drawing is rotatably supported on the upper end of the push-out plate 44 via a rotation support tool 43. Therefore, the extrusion plate 44 is usually
The lower side of the portion to which the rotation support tool 43 is attached is brought into close contact with the surface of the pedestal 15 on the side supporting the book 24. Further, a through hole 15b is bored at a substantially central portion of the pedestal 15.

All the other pedestals 15, 15, ...
Of course, the same configuration as described above is installed in the pedestal transfer mechanism 16. Next, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the pedestal 15, the pedestal transfer mechanism 16 and the book stacking box 17. That is, the reinforcement frame 37 a of the lower guide rail 37 is supported on the support base 45 installed substantially vertically to the floor surface, and the upper guide rail 3 is supported via the support column 46.
Six reinforcing frames 36a are supported. Further, the drive sprocket 41 is rotatably supported on the support base 45, and a drive motor 47 that applies a rotational drive force to the drive sprocket 41 is also supported.

Here, pushers 48, 48, ... Are installed on the support frame 45 at positions corresponding to the book stacking boxes 17, 17 ,. These pushers 48, 48, ... Are inserted and inserted freely through the through holes 15b formed in the pedestals 15, 15 ,. Of the pressing members 48a, 48a ,.

.. are installed on both sides of the support base 45. Figure 9 now
As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of book stacking boxes 17, 17 installed on both sides of the support base 45 will be described. Supports 50, 50 fixed to the underframes 49, 49
Are supported so as to have an inclination that spreads upward in the drawing.

These supports 50, 50 have stacking box raising / lowering drive mechanisms 51, 51. The stacking box elevating and lowering drive mechanism 51, 51 is provided with a motor for elevating and lowering drive (not shown), a speed reduction mechanism for controlling the rotation speed of this motor, and the like. One end portion of the substantially rod-shaped screw screws 52, 52 is It is removable.

Support frames 53, 53 are attached to the bottom surfaces of the book stacking boxes 17, 17, respectively, and screw screws 52, 52 are screwed into the support frames 53, 53 for insertion. Nuts 54, 54 are fixed.
Therefore, the book stacking boxes 17, 17 can be moved up and down by rotating the screw screws 52, 52 about their axes by the stacking box lifting drive mechanisms 51, 51.

A full indicator lamp 55 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 9) is installed on the top of the supports 50, 50 to indicate that the book stacking boxes 17, 17 are full. .

Here, FIG. 10 shows the details of the book stacking box 17. That is, the book stacking box 17 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with one surface open in the longitudinal direction,
A plurality of books 24, 24, ... Are accommodated so as to be stacked inside. Then, on the side plates 17a, 17a located on both sides of the opening surface of the book stacking box 17, in the direction in which the books 24, 24 ... Are stacked, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the book stacking box 17, so as to face each other. Slits 17b and 17b are formed along the line.

Further, on the supporting underframes 49, 49, a light emitting portion 56a and light emitted from the light emitting portion 56a are sandwiched between the light emitting portion 56a and the side plates 17a, 17a so as to sandwich the book storing box 17 therebetween. Slits 17b, 1 formed in 17
An integrated amount detector 56 including a light receiving portion 56b received via 7b is installed. These integrated amount detectors 56 are
Depending on whether the light emitted from the light emitting portion 56a is received by the light receiving portion 56b or blocked by the books 24, 24, ..., The books 24 and 2 accumulated in the book accumulation box 17
4 ... the amount, that is, the books 2 in the book collection box 17
The heights of 4, 24, ... Are detected.

Further, the book stacking box 17 can be attached to and detached from the support body 50, and the lower end portion in the figure has
A collection box attachment / detachment detector 17c for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the book collection box 17 with respect to the support 50 is installed. Further, in the book stacking box 17, an intermediate partition plate 57 is installed at the substantially central portion thereof. In addition, a lower limit detector 58 for detecting the limit of the lowered position of the book stacking box 17 is installed near the stacking box elevating and lowering drive mechanism 51.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the cradle 15 carrying one book 24 to be returned is replaced by the cradle transport mechanism 1.
It is assumed that the circulating movement by 6 has reached a position corresponding to a predetermined book stacking box 17 in which the books 24 mounted therein are to be accommodated and stopped. Then, the pusher 48 at the position corresponding to the pedestal 15 causes the pressing member 48a to project. Therefore, the pressing member 48a
Is pushed through the through hole 15b formed in the pedestal 15 to a position where the book 24 is no longer locked to the support piece 15a of the pedestal 15, that is, a position indicated by a chain double-dashed line in the figure. To do.

Then, the book 24 slides down from the pedestal 15 and is accommodated in the tilted book stacking box 17. In this way, a plurality of books 24, 2 are stored in the book collection box 17.
4, ... are sequentially stacked vertically in the thickness direction and housed. When the stacking amount detector 56 of the book stacking box 17 detects the presence of the book 24, the stacking box elevating / lowering drive mechanism 51 is driven to a position where the stacking amount detector 56 no longer detects the existence of the book 24. The book collection box 17 is lowered.

In this way, the drop when the book 24 slides down from the pedestal 15 into the book stacking box 17 regardless of the amount of the books 24, 24, ... Stored in the book stacking box 17. Since they can be made substantially equal to each other, damage to the books 24 can be prevented and the book stacking box 17
The books 24 will fit properly inside. Then, when the lower limit detector 58 detects that the book stacking box 17 has descended to the limit, it is determined that the book stacking box 17 is full,
The full indicator light 55 is turned on.

Here, on the back surface of the book collection box 17,
A fixture 17d for transportation is installed. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the book stacking box 17 can be removed from the support 50 by detaching the screw screw 52 from the stacking box lifting drive mechanism 51, and can be transported by itself. In this case, the fixture 17d can be easily transported by fitting it into the recess 59a of the special caster 59. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily carry the work of returning the books 24, 24, ... To the bookshelf by carrying the books collection box 17 filled with the returned books 24, 24 ,. .

Next, FIG. 13 shows a control system for controlling the above-described book sorting system.
That is, reference numeral 60 in the figure is a host computer developed for the library. The host computer 60 collects all the books 24, 24, ... Stored, and stores the book file in which the bar code and the book name are associated with each other, the bar code of the book 24 requested to be rented, and the user card. It is provided with a lending file and the like for associating and registering with the identification code.

The host computer 60 is connected via a communication control unit 63 to an arithmetic control unit 62 which constitutes an automatic book sorting control device 61. This arithmetic control unit 62
Has a microprocessor (not shown), for example, and performs data exchange with the host computer 61 and arithmetic processing using the data storage unit 65 based on the program stored in the program storage unit 64. As a result, a series of operations of the book sorting system is comprehensively controlled.

That is, the arithmetic control unit 62 controls the message monitor 19, the receipt receipt issuing unit 23 (including the operation button 23a) and the bar code reader 30 via the communication control unit 66. Further, the arithmetic control unit 6
2 is the magnetization setting device 31 via the output units 67 and 68.
, And 12 full indicator lamps 55 corresponding to each of the book collection boxes 17, 17 ,.

Further, the arithmetic control unit 62 includes an input / output unit 69.
Via the twelve operation boxes 18, 18, ...
Are controlled respectively. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 62, via the input / output unit 69, the twelve operation boxes 18, 1
Received the operation information sent from 8 ... Further, the arithmetic control unit 62, via the drive unit 70, the return conveyor 12 and the transfer conveyor 13, and the pedestals 15, 1.
A drive motor 47 for circulatingly moving 5, ..., 12 collection box elevating drive mechanisms 51, 51, ... And pushers 48, 4 corresponding to the respective book collection boxes 17, 17 ,.
8, ... Are controlled respectively.

Further, the arithmetic and control unit 62 uses the return conveyor 1
Corresponding to the three book detectors 28, 29, 32, the origin detector 34 and the position detectors 35a, 35b, and the respective book collection boxes 17, 17, .. Twelve integrated amount detectors 56, 56, ...,
Lower limit detectors 58, 58, ...
Each detection output from c is received via the input unit 71.

The operation of the book sorting system as described above will be described below with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. First, start (step S
1) Then, in step S2, when the user inputs the book 24 to be returned into the book insertion port 20 of the receiving unit 11, the arithmetic control unit 62 controls the return conveyor 12 in step S3 to control the book 24. To the position for reading the bar code, and in step S4, the bar code reader 29
Read the barcode on Book 24 by.

The arithmetic control unit 62 then proceeds to step S5.
Then, it is determined whether or not the barcode of the book 24 can be read. Here, when it is determined that the barcode of the book 24 cannot be read (NO), the arithmetic control unit 62 controls the return conveyor 12 to store the book 24 in the book return port 21 of the receiving unit 11 in step S6. And send it back to the user. Then, in step S7, the arithmetic control unit 62 causes the message monitor 19 of the reception unit 11 to display a caution message instructing the direction of loading the book 24, and the process returns to step S2.

When it is determined in step S5 that the barcode of the book 24 can be read (YE
S), the arithmetic control unit 62 sends the read barcode to the host computer 60 via the communication control unit 63 in step S8. Then, the host computer 60
Deletes the registration of the rented file based on the input bar code and completes the return procedure, and then sends the assortment destination data designating the assortment destination of the book 24.

In step S9, the arithmetic control unit 62 determines whether or not there is a receipt receipt issuance request.
That is, it is determined whether or not the operation button 23a of the receipt receipt issuing unit 23 has been operated. Here, if it is determined that the receipt receipt issuance request is issued (YES), the arithmetic control unit 62 causes the receipt receipt issuing unit 23 to issue the receipt receipt in step S10.

Then, after step S10, or in the state where it is determined in step S9 that the receipt receipt is not issued (NO), the sorting destination data sent from the host computer 60 is communicated in step S11. It is received by the arithmetic control unit 62 via the control unit 63. Then, in step S12, the arithmetic control unit 62 controls the conveyor 13 to move the book 24 to a position corresponding to the magnetizing setter 31, and magnetizes the magnetizing piece 26 of the book 24 by the magnetizing setter 31. Magnetize. Thereafter, in step S13, the arithmetic control unit 62 controls the transport conveyor 13 to control the book 24.
Are transferred to the pedestal 15.

Here, the arithmetic control unit 62, step S1
In step 4, the pedestal transfer mechanism 16 is controlled to cyclically move the pedestal 15 by one pitch, that is, to a position corresponding to the adjacent book stacking box 17, and in step S15, the cradle 15 corresponds to the book stacking box 17. The movement of the pedestal 15 is stopped when the position is reached. After that, the arithmetic control unit 62 performs step S
16, a book collection box 17 currently corresponding to the cradle 15
, It is determined whether or not it matches the classification of the books 24 mounted on the receiving table 15.

When it is determined that the book collection box 17 matches the classification of the books 24 on the receiving stand 15 (YE
S), the arithmetic and control unit 62 drives the pusher 48 corresponding to the pedestal 15 to store the book 24 on the pedestal 15 in the book stacking box 17 in step S17. Thereafter, the arithmetic control unit 62, in step S18, the integrated amount detector 56.
Determines whether the book 24 has been detected.

Here, the integrated amount detector 56 is the book 2
When it is determined that 4 has been detected (YES), the arithmetic control unit 62 drives the stacking box lifting drive mechanism 51 to lower the book stacking box 17 in step S19. After that, the arithmetic control unit 62 determines in step S20 whether or not the book stacking box 17 is full. And book collection box 1
When it is determined that 7 is full (YES), the arithmetic control unit 62 turns on the full indicator lamp 55 in step S21, and determines in step S22 whether the full book stacking box 17 has been replaced. To do. Here, a full book collection box 17
If it is determined that the data has not been exchanged (NO), the arithmetic control unit 62 returns to the process of step S21.

Further, in the step S16, the book collection box 1
When it is determined that 7 does not match the classification of the book 24 of the cradle 15 (NO), when it is determined that the integrated amount detector 56 does not detect the book 24 in step S18 (NO), When it is determined in step S20 that the book stacking box 17 is not full (NO), or when it is determined that the full book stacking box 17 has been replaced in step S22 (YES), the arithmetic control unit 62 executes the steps. S23
Then, it is determined whether or not the book 24 has been put into the book slot 20.

When the book 24 is input (YE
S), the arithmetic control unit 62 is returned to the process of step S3, and when the book 24 is not input (NO), the arithmetic control unit 6
In step S24, it is determined whether or not the unsorted books 24 remain on each of the receiving trays 15, 15, ... At step S24, if it is determined (YES), the process at step S14 is performed. When it is returned and it is judged that there is no remaining (N
O), and the process ends (step S25).

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the user simply inputs the book 24 to be returned to the book input unit 20, the bar code attached to the book 24 is read, and the host computer is read. The registration of the lending file 60 is deleted, and the procedure for returning the book 24 is automatically performed.

After that, the book 24 for which the return procedure is completed
However, through the pedestal 15 that circulates in a loop, the book 2
Multiple collection boxes for books 1 installed according to 4 categories
The books 24 are automatically sorted by being selectively accommodated in 7, 17, ....

Therefore, the processing of the return procedure for a large number of books 24, 24, ..., The sorting work, etc. are automated, and the efficiency of the return work of the books 24 can be further improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the plurality of book collection boxes 17, 17, ... Are installed corresponding to the classification of the book 24. The classification of the book 24 is, for example, by author. It is possible to select various methods according to need, such as field, size, and storage location. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a very good book sorting device which can further improve the efficiency of the book returning work by automating the return procedure processing and sorting work for a large number of books.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a book sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of a reception unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of a book in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the relationship between the reception unit, the return conveyor, the transfer conveyor, and the pedestal.

FIG. 5 is a view showing details of a positioning piece provided on the pedestal.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between the positioning piece, the origin detector, and the position detector.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a relationship between the pedestal and a pedestal transfer mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of upper and lower guide rails of the pedestal transfer mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the relationship between the cradle, the cradle transport mechanism, and the book stacking box.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing details of the book stacking box.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the operation of transferring the books from the receiving table to the book stacking box.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a relationship between the book collection box and a dedicated caster.

FIG. 13 is a block configuration diagram showing a control system in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Reception unit, 12 ... Return conveyor, 13 ... Conveyor, 14 ... Sorting mechanism, 15 ... Stand, 16 ... Stand transport mechanism, 17 ... Book stacking box, 18 ... Operation box, 19 ... Message monitor, 20 ... Book entry port, 21 ... Book return port, 22 ... Support stand, 23 ... Receipt receipt issuing section, 24 ...
Books, 25 ... Bar code labels, 26 ... Magnetizing pieces, 27 ...
Shooter, 28, 29 ... Book detector, 30 ... Bar code reader, 31 ... Magnetization setting device, 32 ... Book detector, 33
a, 33b ... Locating piece, 34 ... Origin detector, 35a,
35b ... Position detector, 36 ... Upper guide rail, 37 ... Lower guide rail, 38 ... Upper guide roller, 39a, 39b
... lower guide roller, 40 ... drive chain, 41 ... drive sprocket, 42 ... connecting piece, 43 ... rotation support, 44 ...
Extrusion plate, 45 ... Supporting base, 46 ... Strut, 47 ... Drive motor, 48 ... Pusher, 49 ... Supporting frame, 50 ... Supporting body, 51 ... Stacking box lifting drive mechanism, 52 ... Screw screw, 53 ... Supporting frame, 54 ... Nut, 55 ... Full indicator light,
56 ... Accumulation amount detector, 57 ... Middle partition plate, 58 ... Lower limit detector, 59 ... Special caster, 60 ... Host computer, 61 ... Automatic book sorting control device, 62 ... Arithmetic control unit,
63 ... Communication control unit, 64 ... Program storage unit, 65 ... Data storage unit, 66 ... Communication control unit, 67, 68 ... Output unit,
69 ... Input / output section, 70 ... Drive section, 71 ... Input section.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A loading unit into which a book is loaded, a conveyer that conveys the book loaded into the loading unit, and a reading unit that reads an identification code attached to the book from the book mounted on the conveyor. , Arranged in a loop and cyclically moved along the loop, so that each is sequentially moved to a position corresponding to the carry-out port of the conveyor, and the book carried out from the carry-out port of the conveyor is mounted. And a plurality of pedestals arranged along the movement path of the plurality of pedestals, each of which is installed corresponding to the classification of the book and accommodates the books mounted on the cradle. A book sorting device comprising a plurality of book collection boxes. 2. The plurality of pedestals each include an inclined surface that supports a flat surface of the book, a support piece that supports a lower end portion of the book supported by the inclined surface, and a support piece of the book by the support piece. The book sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a release unit that releases the support and slides down the book. 3. The release means inserts a book supported by the inclined surface through a through hole formed in the inclined surface from a side opposite to a side of the inclined surface supporting the book. 3. The book sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pressing unit that presses until the book is separated. 4. Each of the plurality of book stacking boxes is a book in which the books slid down from the cradle by the releasing means are sequentially stacked in the thickness direction and housed therein. 4. The book sorting apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: a detection unit that detects the height of the book, and an elevating unit that lowers the book collection box based on the detection result of the detection unit. 5. The elevating means screws a substantially rod-shaped screw screw installed along the elevating direction of the book stacking box into a screw receiver fixed to the book stacking box, and the screw screw is attached to the screw receiver. The book sorting device according to claim 4, wherein the book sorting device is configured to be driven to rotate about an axis. 6. The book stacking box according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of book stacking boxes is configured to be removed from a position for accommodating a book slid down from the cradle and conveyed. Book sorting device. 7. The return conveyor, in which the identification code is not read by the reading means, is returned to the return port, and the book in which the identification code is read by the reading means is provided on the cradle side. 7. The book sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carrying conveyor for carrying. 8. A magnetized piece for preventing unauthorized removal is attached to the book, and the magnetized piece is magnetized for the book mounted on the conveyor and having the identification code read. A device comprising means.
7. The book sorting device according to any one of 1 to 7. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: issuing means for issuing a receipt based on an external operation in a state where the identification code attached to the book is read by the reading means. Book sorting device.