JPH09202413A - Picking system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and precisely carry out the supplement commodities in respective commodity-shelves for accommodating the commodities to be picked out item by item, in a picking system used for sorting work of commodities. SOLUTION: The number of commodities display devices 3...3 for informing the picking workers A1 the number of order-received commodities are provided on the front surfaces of respective commodity-shelves 2...2, the number display devices 3...3 and a classification controller 10 for supervising-controlling the whole picking work, are connected by a two-way communication line, and commodity-supplement declaration buttons are provided in the respective, number display devices 3. On the other hand, an alarm output device 5 is provided on the backs of the commodity shelves 2...2, and when the commodity- supplement declaration buttons are pressed ON by the workers A1, the places of the commodity shelves 2 and the names of the commodities are transmitted to a person B in charge of management. In this case, since the items, the commodity shelves 2, and the number display device 3 have one-to-one correspondence, the sorting controller 10 can easily output these information to the alarm output device 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a picking system used for sorting products in the distribution process of products, and more specifically, to efficiently replenish products when the products to be picked are out of stock or insufficient. The picking system that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At distribution centers for products for supermarkets and convenience stores, various products are ordered according to the order from each store, but in recent years, this work has been implemented by a picking system. It is becoming more common to use it.

This picking system arranges a large number of product shelves accommodating products for each item along a container transport path for transporting a collection container for each destination store, and each of these product shelves has its own shelf. Equipped with a quantity display that displays the number of ordered items, the picking operator can
By picking the ordered items from the ordered item number displayed on the item number display among a large number of item shelves and putting them in the collection container, the ordered items are ordered by the destination store. It is arranged in a container.

[0004]

Therefore, as the picking work progresses, the number of products stored in the product shelves decreases, and in some cases, the displayed number may not be reached, so that the products are replenished at an appropriate time. Will be required.

Therefore, in this type of picking system, for example, for each range of a plurality of product shelves called zones,
The operator is provided with a button to be turned on and an alarm buzzer or a warning light that is activated when the button is turned on. By operating a button, a person in charge of product management is generally informed of a product shortage and urged to replenish it.

However, in such a conventional replenishment request system, since it is provided for each zone, it can be known that there is a shortage or shortage of merchandise in this zone. It is unclear what the shelves are missing, and in order to start the refilling work, the picking operator must receive the instruction again.

Further, in order to deal with such a problem, the ON button on the picking operator side and the alarm device on the management person side are simply provided one by one not for each zone but for each product shelf. However, the equipment cost would be too high.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a picking system capable of efficiently and accurately replenishing a product on a product shelf with the equipment cost as low as possible.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized as follows.

First, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "first invention") is provided with a large number of product storage units in which products are stored for each item, and each of these product storage units is stored. The picking system is provided with a quantity display device for displaying the ordered quantity of the product in the section, and by picking the ordered goods according to the displayed quantity, the picked-up system arranges the ordered goods by the ordered quantity for each destination store. The product accommodation unit is provided with requesting means for requesting replenishment of the product, and when the requesting means requests replenishment of the product, it is provided with transmitting means for transmitting information necessary for replenishing the product. It is characterized by

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the request means for requesting the replenishment of the product is provided in each of the many product storage parts for storing the product for each item. One of them is associated with one, and when the requesting means is activated, it is naturally found which product is in shortage in which product storage section.

Since the communication means for transmitting the information necessary for replenishing the product is provided, it becomes possible to immediately perform the replenishment work without the person in charge receiving the instruction from the picking operator each time. .

Next, the invention according to claim 2 (hereinafter referred to as “second
Invention ". ) Is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first invention, each requesting means is provided in each of the number indicators.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the quantity display device of the existing equipment provided in each product storage unit is used to display the ordered quantity in the first place, and it also has the function of requesting the replenishment of goods. Therefore, the above-mentioned O
It is not necessary to dispose devices such as N buttons one by one.

Next, the invention according to claim 3 (hereinafter referred to as “third
Invention ". ) In the above-mentioned first invention, the transmission means is provided in the product storage unit corresponding to each quantity indicator.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the transmission means is provided in the commodity storage section corresponding to each quantity indicator, each of the transmission means is associated with each commodity storage section in a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, even if a new function is not added as the transmission means, it is possible to promptly determine what product is lacking in which product storage unit by using the above-mentioned alarm buzzer, patrol light or the like that has been conventionally used. Will be found.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the transmission means is provided in the product storage portion. However, in addition to this, for example, in the product storage area for stocking the replenishment products, the transmission means is provided at the stock point of the corresponding replenishment products. You may make it arrange | position.

Next, the invention according to claim 4 (hereinafter referred to as "the fourth
Invention ". ), In the above-mentioned first invention, the transmission means performs at least one of display, notification, and issuance of at least one of the information about the product accommodation section provided with each requesting device or the information about the product. It is characterized by being.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting means for transmitting the information necessary for replenishing the goods is embodied, and according to this, the transmitting means is the information regarding the goods accommodation section (which will be naturally found as described above). For example, display of at least one of the product location such as zone number, column number, booth number, etc.) or information about the product (for example, product name or product code), voice notification, or paper It is printed out or used together to convey the information necessary for the work of replenishing products.

Therefore, the replenishment requests from a plurality of product storage units can be processed in a lump by this transmission means, and a new alarm device such as the above-mentioned alarm buzzer or patrol light is newly provided for each product storage unit. It is not necessary to dispose one by one, and one transmission means may be provided for each zone or over a plurality of zones.

Since the transmission means transmits the information necessary for the replenishment work on the screen display or the like as described above, it is needless to say that the transmission means is provided at the picking site and the commodity storage area for stocking the replenishment merchandise etc. It can also be provided in another area, especially when the product storage area is far from the picking site.

Further, when the information necessary for the replenishment work such as the location of the product storage section and the product name is printed out on the paper, it is preferable that the replenishment work can be surely performed without error.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

First, the overall construction of the picking system according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a picking site P of the distribution center is provided with a conveyer conveyor 1, and the conveyer 1 collects a collecting container. C ... C is transported in the direction A for each destination store. A large number of product shelves 2 ... 2 are arranged side by side in two stages along the transport conveyor 1 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the picked products being accommodated for each item, the product shelves 2 ... 2 are respectively provided with quantity indicators 3 ... 3 for displaying the ordered quantity of the products.

Further, in this embodiment, among these product shelves 2 ... 2, a total of eight product shelves 2 ... 2 with two upper and lower four-tiered booths is set as one zone, and each picking worker. A1, A2, ... (Only two upstream people are shown in FIG. 1) are in charge of the three zones to perform the picking work. Each zone is provided with a representative lamp 4 ... 4, which lights up when there is one or more product shelves 2 with the number of products displayed in the zone, and contributes to the flights of the workers A1, A2 ,. There is.

Furthermore, each picking operator A1, A2
Coverage range of… (hereinafter “first work area”,
"Second work area" ... 3) and a display controller 30 ... 30 that manages the operation of each of the number indicators 3 ... 3 and the representative lamps 4 ... 4, and the start position of the transport conveyor 1 is, for example, the first upstream side. There is provided a work console 40 that is operated by one worker A1 to instruct start and end of this picking work. Further, in the rear of the work area, each product shelf 2 ... 2
Product storage area S ... S that stocks replenishment products to
Is provided, and a person B in charge of product management is arranged.

On the other hand, in the control management room O of this distribution center, sorting information such as the ordered product name and the number of ordered products for each destination store, the location of each product shelf 2, ... A sorting controller 10 that stores the stock location of each product in the storage area S and controls the entire picking system is provided. Then, the relay device 20 is added to the controller 10.
The display controllers 30 ... 30 and the work console 40 are connected via the. A drive device (not shown) for the conveyor 1 is also connected to the sorting controller 10 to control the timing and distance of transportation of the containers C ... C.

The structure of the quantity indicator 3 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the quantity indicator 3 is picked up with a picking instruction lamp 31 which lights up to instruct picking of a product. A three-digit display unit 32 for digitally displaying the number of products and a collection completion button 33 that is pressed when picking up the displayed number of products and completing loading into the collection container C are provided.
In particular, the quantity indicator 3 is provided with a product replenishment notification button 34 that is pressed when the products on the product shelf 2 are short or out of stock.

Each of the number indicators 3 ... 3 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer (not shown), and is connected to the display controller 30 by a bidirectional communication line to sort the controller 10. Communication is performed, the indicator lamp 31 is turned on based on the received signal, the number of orders is displayed on the display unit 32, and the collection completion that occurs when the completion button 33 or the replenishment declaration button 34 is turned on is completed. A signal, a product replenishment request signal, or the like is transmitted to the sorting controller 10.

In this case, an ID code is registered in each of the quantity indicators 3 ... 3 and the ordering quantity is transmitted from the sorting controller 10 with the ID code.
Each of the number indicators 3 ... 3 takes in this as a communication message addressed to itself and displays it on the display unit 32 only when it matches with its own ID code. Also, when a signal is transmitted from each of the number indicators 3 to 3 to the sorting controller 10, the signal or communication text is attached with its own ID code and transmitted, and the sorting controller 10 communicates from which number indicator 3 from which. You can recognize whether it is a sentence.

The work of sorting products by this picking system is performed as follows in accordance with the flowchart of the work procedure shown in FIG. That is, it is assumed that the operation console 40 is now operated and the picking work is started (step U1), and the goods collecting container C for a certain store is first conveyed by the conveyor 1 in front of the first work area ( Step U2), by the signal transmitted from the sorting controller 10, the product shelf 2 in the first work area 2 ...
2, the picking instruction lamps 31 ... 31 of the product shelves 2 ... 2 accommodating the products ordered from this store are turned on, and the number of the ordered products is displayed on their display units 32 ... 32. (Step U3).

Here, the first worker A1 picks the indicated number of products from the product shelf 2 with the picking instruction lamp 31 lit and puts them into the collecting container C (step U4), and at the same time, the product shelf. Collection completion button 33 of 2
Is pressed (step U5). When the completion button 33 is pressed, a collection completion signal is generated and transmitted to the sorting controller 10 together with the ID code of the quantity display device 3 (step U6).

The sorting controller 10 receives the collection completion signal and recognizes the completion of the collection of the product (step U7). On the other hand, the number indicator 3 turns off the picking instruction lamp 31 and erases the number indication on the display unit 32 (step U8).

In this way, all the product shelves 2 with the picking instruction lamps 31 ... 31 lit by the first worker A1 ...
When picking is completed for the second product, the conveyor 1 moves one pitch tact in response to a command from the sorting controller 10 (step U9), and the collecting container C
Is conveyed to the next second work area, and the collection container C for the next store is carried into the first work area (step U10).

Then, in the first work area, the picking work for the ordered goods from the next store is performed in the same manner as above, and in the second work area, the second worker A2 picks the previous store. By carrying out the work and repeating this for all the containers C ... C in order, ordered products are arranged in the collection containers C ... C according to the number of ordered products for each destination store (steps U11 to U11). S12).

By the way, as the picking work progresses in this way, each picking operator A1, A2, ... Picks products from the product shelves 2 ,. The number will decrease, and as it is, there will be a shortage of products. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the product management staff B to appropriately replenish the product shelves 2 ... 2 with the products stored in the product storage areas S ... S at an appropriate timing. Therefore, this picking system is provided with a device for efficiently performing the replenishment work of such products. In addition, in this embodiment, only the case of the first work area and the second work area will be described, but the other work areas also have any configuration.

First, in the first work area, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the alarm output device 5 having the lamp rotating lamp 51 and the voice synthesis speaker 52, and a one-chip microcomputer (not shown) are mounted, and when turned on, there is a request to replenish the product. An alarm canceling unit having a replenishment request lamp 61 for informing, a replenishment completion button 62 to be pressed when the replenishment work of the product is completed, and an out-of-stock notification button 63 to be pressed when the product stock in the product storage area S runs out and replenishment cannot be done. 6 and 6 are provided.

In this case, the lamp rotating lamp 51 and the speaker 52 are connected to the sorting controller 10 via the repeater 20 and the display controller 30 to operate based on a signal from the controller 10 and the alarm canceling unit 6 as well. Is connected to the display controller 30 through a bidirectional communication line, communicates with the sorting controller 10, and receives the replenishment request lamp 61 based on the received signal.
Is turned on, and a replenishment completion signal or a stock-out signal generated by turning on the replenishment completion button 62 or the stock-out notification button 63 is transmitted to the sorting controller 10. The voice synthesis speaker 52
Is configured to notify the content of the signal transmitted from the sorting controller 10 by a synthetic voice.

The replenishment work of the goods in the first work area is performed as follows according to the flow chart of the work procedure shown in FIG. That is, if any one of the product shelves 2 in the first work area is out of stock during the picking work, the worker A1 determines that the quantity indicator 3 arranged on the product shelf 2 in which the product is out of stock. Product replenishment declaration button 34
Is pressed (step S1). When the report button 34 is pressed, a replenishment request signal is generated, and this signal is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 together with the ID code of the quantity display device 3 (step S2).

When the sorting controller 10 receives the replenishment request signal, it turns on the lamp rotating lamp 51 and the replenishment request lamp 61 to notify the manager B that the product shortage has occurred in the first work area. (Step S3), based on the received ID code, the product shelf 2 from which the product replenishment request comes is searched (step S4), and then in step S5, the zone number of the product shelf 2 or the like. The location of the column number, booth number, etc. is notified via the voice synthesis speaker 52 (for example, "please replenish merchandise in the upper two booths of zone 1"). At this time, since the product name housed in one-to-one correspondence with the product shelf 2 is also found from the search result, the product name can be notified together (for example, "shampoo is replenished between the lower 3 booths of zone 2"). Please, etc.)).

As a result, the manager B knows where the product shelf 2 to be replenished is, or what the product is. Therefore, the replenishment work of the product is immediately performed without receiving the instruction from the worker A1. Can be started (step S6). Then, in that case, the bidirectional communication with the sorting controller 10 is performed, and the number display unit 3 ... 3 which is the existing equipment for displaying the number of ordered products is used, and the merchandise replenishment declaration buttons 34. Is provided,
The replenishment request signals from the respective report buttons 34 ... 34 are associated with the product shelves 2 ... 2 or the products on a one-to-one basis based on the ID code, and the information necessary for the replenishment work such as the location of the product shelves 2 and the product names is easy. Alarm output device 5
(Voice synthesis speaker 52) can be provided.

Next, when the product replenishment is completed, the manager B presses the replenishment completion button 62 (step S
7). By pressing the completion button 62, a replenishment completion signal is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 (step S
8) In response to this, the sorting controller 10 recognizes that the replenishment of the merchandise is completed (step S9), turns off the lamp rotating lamp 51 and the replenishment request lamp 61 (step S10), and also the speaker 52. Is stopped (step S11).

When there is a replenishment request from a plurality of product shelves 2 ... 2, the sorting controller 10 continues when it receives a replenishment completion signal for one product and recognizes the replenishment completion of that product. .., etc. about the next replenishment request are output to the speaker 52 (returning from step S9 to S5 in FIG. 6).

Next, the case of the second work area will be described.
In this work area, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the alarm canceling unit 6 is provided on the back surface of each of the product shelves 2 ... Then, as shown in the flowchart of the work procedure of FIG. 9, when the sorting controller 10 receives the replenishment request signal from the merchandise replenishment declaration buttons 34 ... 34 of the number display 3 ... 3 (steps S21 to S22),
The replenishment request lamp 61 of the alarm canceling unit 6 arranged on the product shelf 2 searched from the ID code is individually turned on, and the person in charge of management B is informed that a product shortage has occurred on the product shelf 2. To inform you (step S2
3 to S24).

Also by this, the manager B knows where the product shelf 2 to be replenished is, and therefore the product to be replenished, so that the replenishment can be done immediately without receiving the instruction from the worker A2. The work can be started (step S25).

Next, when the person in charge of management B presses the replenishment completion button 62 when the replenishment of the goods is completed (step S2
6), a replenishment completion signal is generated, and this signal is the ID of the corresponding quantity indicator 3, that is, the quantity indicator 3 arranged on the front surface of the product shelf 2 in which the alarm canceling unit 6 is provided.
It is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 together with the code (step S27).

Upon receipt of this, the sorting controller 10 recognizes the completion of the replenishment of the merchandise (step S28), and the replenishment request lamp 61 of the releasing unit 6 thereof.
Are individually turned off (step S29).

In this case, when replenishment requests are made from a plurality of product shelves 2, ...
Are individually turned on at the same time (for each replenishment request, steps S21 to S29 in FIG. 9 are performed in parallel).

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that basically the same reference numerals are used for components having the same function.

In this second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in, the commodity storage area S is not located inside the picking site P but is arranged at a remote place. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a set of wireless communication units 50 and 6 for wirelessly communicating signals with each other in and out of the management office Z where the product management staff B is in the product storage area S.
0 is provided, and the wireless communication unit 50 provided outside the office Z is connected to the sorting controller 10 via the repeater 20 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

On the other hand, the communication unit 60 provided in the office Z has a CRT screen 71, a voice synthesizing speaker 72, a sticker issuing unit 73, and a commodity replenishment support unit having a bar code scanner 80. 70 is connected, the content of the received signal is displayed on the screen 71, a notification is given from the speaker 72, a seal is printed, and the sticker is issued from the issuing unit 73. In addition, the warning light 74, which lights up when receiving a signal and calls attention of the person B in charge of product management, is the speaker 7.
It is provided in two parts.

Each product shelf 2 ... 2 is provided with a quantity indicator 3 ... 3 having the same configuration as in the case of the first embodiment, and various signals and communication are carried out with the sorting controller 10. Sentences can be attached with an ID code to communicate with each other.

The product replenishing work in this embodiment is carried out as follows in accordance with the flowchart of the work procedure shown in FIG. That is, right now, for example, one of the product shelves 2 in the first work area becomes out of stock during the picking operation, and the worker A1 replenishes the product with the number indicator 3 arranged on the product shelved product 2 that has run out of stock. When the report button 34 is pressed (step S31), a replenishment request signal is generated, and the sorting controller 10 receives this signal (step S32).
Retrieves from which product shelf 2 the replenishment request for this product is based on the ID code attached to the replenishment request signal (step S33), and from the search result,
The work area number, the location of the product shelf 2 such as the zone number, column number, booth number, etc., product information such as the product name and product code stored in the product shelf 2, and the product storage area S of the product. The stock location (stock point) and the identification barcode information of the product are transmitted to the wireless communication unit 50 (step S3).
4).

The communication unit 50 which receives these information
Wirelessly communicates it to the communication unit 60 in the office Z, and the information is input to the product replenishment support unit 70 (step S35). Then, at this time, the warning light 74 is turned on (step S36), the content of the above information is displayed on the screen 71, a notification is given from the speaker 72, and is further printed on the sticker L as shown in FIG. Issued from 73 (step S37). In that case,
The speaker 72 may notify only that there is a product replenishment request only for the purpose of calling attention (for example, “I have a product replenishment request right now”).
Etc.), and an alarm buzzer may be issued instead of the notification by the synthetic voice.

Incidentally, in FIG. 13, the item of the product shelf location of the seal L is, in order, a work area number (first work area in this example), a zone number (also zone 1),
Tier number (also lower) and booth number (also 3 booths)
Is printed.

Next, the person in charge of management B cuts out the issued seal L (step S38). As a result, the warning lamp 74 is turned off, the screen display is erased, and the speaker notification is stopped (step S39). Then, the person in charge of management B, based on the information printed on the sticker L,
After the product is taken out from the corresponding stock location in the product storage area S and replenished in the corresponding product shelf 2, the barcode printed on the sticker L is read by the scanner 80 (steps S40 to S41). By reading the bar code, a replenishment completion signal is generated, and this signal is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 via the wireless communication units 60, 50 and the repeater 20 (step S42), and the sorting controller 10 receives this, It is recognized that the replenishment of the product has been completed (step S43).

As described above, in the second embodiment, even if the merchandise storage area S and the person in charge of management B are located away from the picking site P, the person in charge of management B
The wireless communication units 50 and 60 and the merchandise replenishment support unit 70 notify the code number and merchandise name of the merchandise to be replenished, the inventory location of the merchandise, and the location of the merchandise shelf to be replenished. Will be able to start the replenishment work of.

Further, for example, when the other product shelves 2 in the first work area are out of stock, or the shortage of products occurs in the second work area, which causes a plurality of replenishment requests to be repeated. With respect to each replenishment request, the sorting controller 10 performs steps S31 to S43 in FIG. 12 in parallel, and the merchandise replenishment support unit 70, based on this, simultaneously processes and simultaneously transmits a plurality of merchandise replenishment information. It is supposed to do. Alternatively, the sorting controller 1
0 recognizes the completion of replenishment for one product and transmits the next product replenishment information, and the product replenishment support unit 70
However, based on this, a plurality of product replenishment information may be sequentially transmitted to the person in charge of management B (returning from step S43 to step S34 in FIG. 12).

The above is the picking workers A1 and A.
The description was about the work routine mainly for replenishing the product when the product replenishment notification button 34 ... 34 of the product shelving 2, ... . However, for example, on the picking worker's side, the replenishment request button 34 was pressed to request replenishment, but the product shortage on the product shelf was tight,
In the current picking work, the number of products on hand on the product shelf is less than the displayed number, and if the products are not replenished right now, my picking work will not be completed, and as a result, the transport conveyor will not be moved tactually. Waiting for another worker who has completed the picking work, causing a delay in the overall work, or the product management person is running out of product stock in the product storage area S. In some cases, it may not be possible to replenish the product itself.

Therefore, the picking system according to the first and second embodiments described above is constructed so as to be able to cope with such an emergency. Hereinafter, the procedure of the processing work will be described by taking the first work area of the picking system according to the first embodiment as an example.

That is, in the first work area, the replenishment work of the goods is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 as described above. In that case, there is still a margin in the number of products on the product shelf 2 after the picking worker A1 requests the replenishment in step S1 and before the products are replenished in step S6. If possible, the picking worker A1 can continue the picking work without pressing the container collection completion button 33 during that time without causing a missing item in the container C.

On the other hand, when the picking work progresses until the product is replenished in step S6 and the number of products on hand is insufficient in the number displayed, or when the picking worker A1 requests replenishment in step S1. If it is the first time that the number of products in hand is tight, the worker A1
Cannot press the collection completion button 33 of the product shelf 2 until the product is replenished in step S6, the sorting controller 10 does not recognize the completion of the collection of the product, and as a result, 1 does not move tact, and the whole work is delayed.

In such a case, the sorting controller 1
0 selects and executes any one of the following three processing operations according to the flow chart of the work procedure shown in each of FIGS. 14 to 16. Which one is executed is set in advance by, for example, switching the emergency processing mode of the sorting controller 10.

First, in the processing operation shown in FIG. 14, a commodity replenishment request signal is transmitted (steps S1 to S in FIG. 6).
2) Even when the alarm output device 5 and the like are operating (steps S3 to S5 in FIG. 6), the collection completion button 33 on the product shelf 2 to which the replenishment request signal is transmitted is pressed to collect the collection completion signal. Is transmitted (steps U5 to U in FIG. 4).
6) (Step T1), treat the product as if it were collected normally (Steps U7 to U8 in FIG. 4) (Step T2), and move the conveyor 1 by one pitch tact (Step U9 in FIG. 4). (Step T3).

That is, the system communication for the collection work and the system communication for the replenishment work are independently performed, and the collection of the goods is carried out regardless of the operating conditions of the alarm output device 5 and the like, and the presence or absence of the replenishment completion signal. Work will progress. As a result, the picking work is prevented from being delayed or delayed.

Further, in the processing operation shown in FIG. 15, when the product replenishment request signal is transmitted and the alarm output device 5 and the like are operating, the product collection completion signal is not output even if the product collection completion button 33 is pressed. It does not occur and the conveyor 1 does not move (steps T11 to T12). Then, when the replenishment completion signal is transmitted (step T13), such restriction is released (step T14), and the collecting operation proceeds again (steps T15 to T16).

That is, when there is a request for replenishment of a product, unless the product is replenished, the conveyor 1 does not move, and the number of products ordered is always distributed to the collection container C.

On the other hand, in the processing operation shown in FIG. 16, when the goods replenishment request signal is transmitted and the collection completion button 33 is pressed while the alarm output device 5 and the like are operating (step T21), this sorting is performed. The controller 10 recognizes that the container C is out of stock in the picking operation (step T22), and then moves the conveyor 1 by one pitch (step T23). That is, when the collection completion signal is transmitted before the replenishment completion signal, the normal collection is not completed, but the product is treated as a shortage due to insufficient number of products.

Such lack of stock of the container C is carried out until the completion of the replenishment of the goods is recognized, and at the time when the completion of the replenishment of the goods is recognized, the container C is returned to the normal handling of the completed goods collection. When the sorting controller 10 has performed the out-of-stock processing, when the out-of-stock processing signal is output to the separately provided journal printer, the container C moves to the exit of the conveyor 1 and the collecting operation is completed. Then, a stockout list is issued so that the stocked goods can be replenished in a later process. In that case, the destination store name, the product name, the number of orders, and the like are printed on the out-of-stock list.

As a result, the picking work can be prevented from being delayed or delayed, and when a shortage occurs in the container C, the supply can be surely post-processed.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, the sorting controller 10 is provided with a picking instruction lamp 31, a display section 32, a collection completion button 33, and a product replenishment notification button 34, as well as a collection shortage button 35. You may use the number indicator 3 which communicates with.

The display 32 of the quantity display 3 digitally displays the quantity of orders received in 6 digits. When picking up the displayed number of products and putting them in the collection container C, the collection completion button 33 is pressed, while the displayed number of products is not on the product shelf 2 and the number is insufficient. When a product is placed in the collection container C, the collection missing item button 35
Press.

A push-out signal of the collect-item shortage button 35 generates a shortage signal, and the sorting controller 10 receives the signal and recognizes that the container C is short-circuited during the picking operation. Move one pitch tact and issue a stockout list. On the other hand, when the collection completion button 33 is pressed, the sorting controller 10 performs the normal collection completion process.

By using the number display device 3, the picking work can be prevented from being delayed or delayed, and the picking work can be freely performed according to the actual state of putting the product into the container C regardless of the situation of the product replenishing work. It will be able to be processed.

Next, the procedure of the processing work when the product stock runs out in the product storage area S and the product replenishment itself becomes impossible, also taking the second work area of the picking system according to the first embodiment as an example. explain.

That is, in the second work area, the replenishment work of the merchandise is performed according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 9 as described above. Steps S25 and below are changed as shown in the flowchart of the work procedure shown in FIG.

That is, the management person B first presses the stock-out notification button 63 of the alarm canceling unit 6 in which the replenishment request lamp 61 is lit (step T31). When the notification button 63 is pressed, an out-of-stock signal is generated, and this signal is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 together with the ID code of the corresponding number indicator 3 (step T32).

Upon receiving this, the sorting controller 10 recognizes that the product is out of stock (step T33), and thereafter, the collection completion button 3 of this product shelf 2 is displayed.
When 3 is turned on, all are treated as out of stock (step T34). Further, thereafter, for the out-of-stock commodity, even if an order is received, the quantity display unit 3 does not display the ordered quantity (step T35). And
When this product is stored, the out-of-stock process is canceled and the display of the ordered quantity is restarted (step T36).

As described above, since the missing item is automatically processed by the work on the side of the manager B, the picking worker A2
The work on the side will be omitted and efficiency will be improved.

Next, the stock-out processing in the picking system according to the second embodiment will be described.

That is, in this case, as shown in FIG.
The product replenishment work is performed according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2. However, when the product is out of stock and the product replenishment becomes impossible, the steps from step S40 of FIG.
Changes are made as shown in the flowchart of the work procedure shown in FIG.

That is, the person in charge of management B first operates the operation unit 75 (see FIG. 10) of the product replenishment support unit 70 to perform a predetermined key input (step T41), and then is printed on the replenishment instruction sticker L. Scanner 80
Is read (step T42). An out-of-stock signal is generated by reading this bar code, and this signal is transmitted to the sorting controller 10 via the wireless communication units 60, 50 and the repeater 20 (step S43).

In response to this, the sorting controller 10 recognizes that the product is out of stock (step T44), and thereafter, when the collection completion button 33 of the product shelf 2 of this product is turned on. All are treated as out-of-stock items (step T45). Further, thereafter, for this out-of-stock product, even if an order is received, the quantity display unit 3 does not display the quantity of the ordered product (step T46).

When the product is stored, the manager B inputs a predetermined key and reads the bar code of the replenishment instruction sticker L again to cancel the out-of-stock process (steps T47 to T48).

As described above, also in this case, the work on the side of the manager B automatically carries out the stockout processing, so that the work on the side of the picking workers A1, A2, ... Is omitted and the efficiency is improved. It will be.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the information necessary for the product replenishment work is transmitted at the same time as the product replenishment request, the replenishment work can be immediately performed without receiving an instruction from the picking operator.

Further, since the number display device, which is the existing equipment in this type of picking system, is used to request the replenishment of the goods, the equipment cost can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a picking system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a product shelf.

FIG. 3 is a control system diagram of a first work area of the picking system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a picking work procedure.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the product shelf in the first work area.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a product replenishment work procedure in the first work area.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the product shelf in the second work area of the picking system.

FIG. 8 is a control system diagram of the second work area.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a product replenishing work procedure in the second work area.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a picking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a control system diagram of the picking system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a product replenishing work procedure in the picking system.

FIG. 13 is a replenishment instruction sticker issued in the product replenishment work.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an emergency processing procedure during picking work.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an emergency processing procedure during picking work.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an emergency processing procedure during picking work.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the number indicator.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an emergency processing procedure during picking work.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an emergency processing procedure during picking work.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Conveyor 2 Product shelf 3 Number display 5 Alarm output device 6 Alarm release unit 10 Sorting controller 30 Display controller 32 Display 33 Collection completion button 34 Product replenishment notification button 50, 60 Wireless communication unit 61 Replenishment request lamp 62 Replenishment completion Button 63 Out-of-stock notification button 70 Product replenishment support unit 71 Display screen 72 Voice synthesis speaker 73 Sticker issuing department C Collecting container O Control management room P Picking site S Product storage area Z Product storage area management office

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A large number of product storage units for storing products for each item are provided, and each of these product storage units is provided with a quantity indicator for displaying the number of orders for the product, and the number of display units for each display quantity is displayed. A picking system that picks up products and arranges ordered products for each destination store according to the number of ordered products, and is provided with requesting means for requesting replenishment of the products in each of the above-mentioned product storing units, and the requesting means. A picking system, characterized in that when a product replenishment is requested by, a transmission means is provided for transmitting information necessary for the product replenishment. 2. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein each requesting means is provided on each of the number indicators. 3. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means is provided in the product storage section corresponding to each quantity indicator. 4. The transmitting means performs at least one of displaying, notifying, and issuing at least one of information about a product accommodation section provided with each requesting device or information about the product. Claim 1
Picking system described in.