JPH0948509A - Recovery system for automated warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically identify an abnormal part occurred in the data of a data base without expertise in an automated warehouse. SOLUTION: A stock control computer 8 which controls the operation of a stacker crane 5 based on various types of data stored in a data base 9 is connected to a recovery computer 14 located at a place apart from it where a system engineer attends at all times by modems 12 and 13 through a telephone line 15. Also the program data to judge the abnormal part of the data base 9 is stored in a memory 8a. When an automated warehouse 2 causes an error and stops, a recovery tool can be activated from the recovery computer 14 side through the telephone line 15. Then the abnormal part of the data base 9 can be confirmed and repaired from the recovery computer 14 side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic warehouse restoration system which restores an automatic warehouse when an abnormal stop of the automatic warehouse occurs when a stacker crane or the like stops due to a data abnormality in a database in the automatic warehouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automatic warehouse, loading and unloading of a load to and from each shelf of a framed shelf is performed by a stacker crane. The operation of this stacker crane is controlled based on work data created by a computer in response to a loading / unloading request input by an operator operating a keyboard or the like. The automated warehouse is configured, for example, as shown in FIG.

The automatic warehouse system 51 shown in FIG.
Three automated warehouses 52 are deployed. Each automated warehouse 52
Includes a pair of frame shelves 53 and a stacker crane 54 mounted so as to be capable of traveling in the center between the frame shelves 53. The inventory management computer 55 performs inventory management of the automated warehouse 52 and work instructions for the stacker crane 54.

The inventory management computer 55 creates work data for controlling the operation of the stacker crane 54 in response to a loading / unloading request input by an operator by operating an input device 56 such as a keyboard. This work data is created by using various data such as inventory management data stored in the database 57, and distinguishes between warehousing and warehousing, selecting the stacker crane 54 to issue a work command, and the shelf 53a serving as a warehousing destination or warehousing source. The selection, the selection of the loading / unloading port 58 as the loading source or the shipping destination, etc. are determined.

[0007] The database 57 manages shelf inventory data having data on the number and quantity of goods for each shelf and shelf master data for managing presence or absence of goods for each shelf. From the inventory data, the shelf that stores the load of the product number to be issued is searched, work data with that shelf as the issue source is created, and if there is a receipt request, the empty master is searched from the shelf master data and that empty shelf is received. The work data to be created is created.

The work data is also stored in the database 57, and the ground controller 59 provided for each automatic warehouse 52.
Are sequentially transmitted to the stacker crane 54 of the command destination via. Then, each stacker crane 54 performs the loading / unloading work instructed based on the work data received from the ground controller 59.

By the way, the cause of the abnormal stop of the automatic warehouse 52 may be the occurrence of an abnormality in the data in the database 57. For example, when the data to be updated has not been updated, the data that has not been updated becomes abnormal data. For example, if the receipt of a load is not updated in the shelf master data even if the load is received, or if the issue of the load is not updated in the shelf inventory data even if the load is issued, The shelf in which is stored is selected as the receiving destination, or the empty shelf is selected as the delivery source. At this time, the stacker crane 54 stops abnormally because it cannot store or leave the designated shelf 53a.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the automatic warehouse 5
In order to recover No. 2, it is necessary to find an abnormal part from the huge amount of data in the database 57 and correct it. Therefore, there is a problem that the system engineer (SE) having specialized knowledge cannot restore the system and it takes a huge amount of time to find the abnormal portion.

Since the SE usually works at a place far from the factory where the automatic warehouse system 51 is located, the automatic warehouse 52
Upon receiving notification of abnormal stop of the SE, as shown in FIG.
Had to go all the way to the local factory. Therefore, there was a problem that the automatic warehouse 52 had to be left in a stopped state for a long time until it was restored.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and a first object thereof is to automatically find an abnormal portion that has occurred in data in a database without requiring specialized knowledge. To provide a warehouse recovery system. The second purpose is to enable a system engineer to find an abnormal location in the database by remote control from a remote location without the need to go to the site and repair the abnormal location if necessary. It is in.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, in the invention according to claim 1, a frame rack having a plurality of storage parts for storing a load, and loading of the load into the storage part. In an automatic warehouse system in which an automatic warehouse equipped with a crane device for issuing goods is deployed, a database for storing various data relating to the automatic warehouse and operation data of the crane device, and connected to the database, and a storage request In addition to creating the operation data using the various data according to, the inventory management computer for operating the crane device based on the operation data stored in the database, and the database that causes the crane device to stop An abnormal point searching means for performing a determination process for searching for an abnormal point in the data therein is provided.

According to the present invention of claim 2, the abnormal point searching means is provided with a local computer having a repair function capable of repairing the abnormal point in the database, and a communication line accessible to the local computer. And a recovery computer connected to the recovery computer, and at least one of the local computer and the recovery computer is provided with a storage unit in which program data for the determination process is stored. A display device for displaying the determined abnormal portion and an input device for issuing a repair instruction to the local computer to repair the abnormal portion of the data in the database are provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the local computer according to the second aspect is the inventory management computer according to the first aspect. In the invention according to claim 4, in the database, at least two types of data are provided for one determination item so that determination values for each determination item for specifying the abnormal location can be obtained from different data sources. And a determination value calculating unit that individually obtains a determination value from a different data source for each of the determination items provided in the database, and the abnormality location search unit individually obtains the determination value by the determination value calculation unit. And a comparing and judging means for judging whether or not there is an abnormal part in the non-matching part in any of the data sources if the both judgment values are coincident with each other. And an abnormal point specifying section for specifying an abnormal point from the judgment result for each of the judgment items obtained by the comparison and judgment section.

In the invention according to claim 5, the database uses the ID number attached to the operation data.
The non-use is managed, and the ID flag data used to add an unused ID number to the operation data at the time of creating the operation data and the operation data being instructed are the IDs for each crane device of the instruction destination. Crane data managed by numbering is provided, and the abnormal point search means searches for the ID number of the operation data in the crane data provided in the database and uses the duplicated ID number. An ID number abnormality determining means for determining the presence or absence of is provided.

In the invention according to claim 6, the number of operation data is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the data source for individually obtaining the number of operation data is managed by the operation data under command. The main data and the operation data being commanded are managed for each crane device to which the command is directed, and when the number of commands being commanded for each crane device is less than the predetermined number, the next operation data is commanded to that crane device. Crane data used for

In the invention according to claim 7, the number of warehousing work and the number of warehousing work are prepared in the judgment item, and the data source for individually obtaining the number of warehousing work or the number of warehousing work is The operation data under command including the information of shipping is managed for each crane device of the command destination, and the entry / exit port for each entry / exit port is used as the source or destination of the operation data under the command. The information is managed for each entry / exit, and the entry / exit management data is used to select the entry / exit of the entry / exit so that the entry / exit is not biasedly used when the operation data is created.

In the invention of claim 8, the total number of stocks by product number is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the data source for individually obtaining the total number of stocks by product number is managed by the total number of stocks by product number. The inventory number data for each product number, the product number and the number of the load stored in each of the storage units are managed for each shelf number, and the shelf inventory used to select and determine the delivery source when the delivery request is made. It consists of data and.

In the invention according to claim 9, the presence / absence of load by shelf is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the data source for individually determining the presence / absence of load by shelf is stored in each of the storage sections. Shelf inventory data in which the product number and the number of the loaded goods are managed for each shelf number, and the presence / absence of the goods is managed for each shelf number of each storage unit, and an empty shelf of the receiving destination at the time of a storage request is selected. Shelf master data used to make decisions.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The crane device equipped in the automated warehouse system is instructed to operate the inventory management computer based on the operation data created in response to the entry / exit request using various data stored in the database, and the ordered entry / exit work is performed. To do. When the crane device stops due to an abnormal location in the data in the database, the abnormal location in the database that caused the crane equipment to stop is searched and determined by the determination processing by the abnormal location search means. Therefore,
A person does not have to spend an enormous amount of time searching for an abnormal portion of data in the database.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the crane device is stopped due to an abnormal point in the data in the database, the recovery computer side accesses the local computer through the communication line, and at least the local computer is accessed. The program data stored in the storage means provided in one of the computer and the recovery computer is executed, and the abnormal portion determination process of the database is performed. This determination result is displayed on the display device on the recovery computer side. Then, by operating the input device and transmitting a repair instruction to the local computer, the recovery computer side repairs the abnormal portion in the database. Therefore, it becomes possible to restore the abnormal portion of the data in the database by the restoration computer from a remote place via the communication line.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by accessing the inventory management computer from the restoration computer side through the communication line, the inventory management computer determines and repairs the abnormal portion of the data in the database. . Therefore, since the inventory management computer also serves as a process for determining an abnormal place, it is not necessary to newly install a computer dedicated to the abnormal place determination.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the abnormal point searching means individually obtains the judgment value for each judgment item from different data sources provided in the database by the judgment value calculating means, and judges by the comparison judging means. The judgment values are compared for each item, and if both judgment values match, a normal judgment is made. If they do not match, an abnormal judgment is made that an abnormal part exists in the non-matching part in any of the data sources. Then, by comparing the judgment results for each judgment item, the abnormal part is specified by the abnormal part specifying means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the ID number is used but the data is not updated when the ID number is used for the ID flag data, the same ID number is used again. Operation data of ID number is 2
However, the crane device stops abnormally because it cannot determine which operation data should be executed. in this case,
The abnormality location search means searches the ID number of the operation data in the crane data by the ID number abnormality determination means to determine the ID.
Determine whether duplicate numbers are used.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, for example, since there is an erroneous operation data deletion in the crane data and the number of commands in the crane data does not decrease, new operation data is commanded forever. If there is no command, the crane will stop and an error will occur. in this case,
The judgment value calculation means individually calculates the number of operation data from the main data and the crane data provided in the database, and the comparison and judgment means compares the two operation data numbers, but since the two operation data numbers do not match, the main operation data It is determined that there is an abnormal location due to the mismatch in either the data or the crane data. Then, the abnormal part is identified by the abnormal part specifying means in comparison with the other determination item results.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, even if a certain entrance / exit is used as the entry source or the exit destination at the time of creating the operation data, the entry / exit to the relevant part of the entry / exit exit management data is performed. No issue is set, the same entry / exit port is instructed to the exit destination and the entry source consecutively, and when the crane device carries the load to the entry / exit port of the exit destination, the loading There is an abnormality that the crane is stopped because the load is placed and it cannot be unloaded. In this case, the judgment value calculation means individually obtains the number of warehousing operations or the number of warehousing operations, which are the judgment values, from the crane data and the entrance / exit opening management data provided in the database, and the comparison judgment means compares the both judgment values. However, since both judgment values do not match, it is judged that there is an abnormal location due to the mismatch in either the crane data or the entrance / exit gate management data. Then, the abnormal part is identified by the abnormal part specifying means in comparison with the other determination item results.

According to the invention described in claim 8, for example, if the corresponding shelf number of the shelf inventory data becomes an empty shelf even though the load is unloaded from the storage unit, the data is not updated and it is considered that there is a load. That storage is selected as the delivery source,
Since there is no actual load, the crane device stops abnormally. In this case, the judgment value calculation means individually calculates the stock number-specific inventory total which is the judgment value from the stock number-specific stock number data and the shelf inventory data provided in the database, and the comparison judgment means compares the stock totals by both product numbers. However, since the total number of stocks by both product numbers do not match, it is determined that there is an abnormal part in the mismatched part in either the stock number data by product number or the shelf inventory data. Then, the abnormal part is identified by the abnormal part specifying means in comparison with the other determination item results.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, for example, although the load is stored in the storage unit, the corresponding shelf number in the shelf master data is not updated as data with the load, and the load is stored. The storage unit is selected as the storage destination, and the crane device stops abnormally because it cannot be unloaded. In this case, the judgment value calculating means individually calculates the presence / absence of a load for each shelf, which is a determination value, from the shelf inventory data and the shelf master data provided in the database, and the comparison / determination means compares the presence / absence of a load for each shelf (storage unit). However, since the value of the presence or absence of the load does not match in the corresponding shelf number, it is determined that there is an abnormal location in the shelf number of the inconsistent location in either the shelf inventory data or the shelf master data. Then, the abnormal part is identified by the abnormal part specifying means in comparison with the other determination item results.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An automatic warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automated warehouse system 1 is composed of a plurality of automated warehouses 2 (3 in this example). A pair of left and right frame shelves 3 and 3 are provided in each automated warehouse 2, and a stacker crane 5 as a crane device that travels on a rail 4 is provided between the frame shelves 3 and 3. A loading / unloading port 6 is provided at both ends of each frame shelf 3, 3. In each automatic warehouse 2, a ground controller 7 is provided at a position in front of the traveling range of the stacker crane 5 (on the right side in FIG. 1), which constitutes an abnormal point searching means and is connected to an inventory management computer 8 as a local computer. There is.

A database 9, an input device 10, and a display device 11 are connected to the inventory management computer 8. This inventory management computer 8 is equipped with modems 12, 1
3 is connected via a telephone line 15 as a communication line to a recovery computer 14 constituting an abnormal point searching means located at a place far away from the factory where the automated warehouse system 1 is installed. An input device 16 and a display device 17 as a display device are connected to the recovery computer 14. The recovery computer 14 is operated by a system engineer (hereinafter, referred to as SE) having specialized knowledge about the database 9. The restoration computer 14 is also connected to the inventory management computers of the plurality of automated warehouse systems other than the inventory management computer 8 of FIG. 1 via a telephone line.

In the automatic warehouse system 1 of FIG. 1, each automatic warehouse 2 is a No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 machine from the top of the figure, and each stacker crane 5 is an A machine in order as shown in FIG. , B plane, C plane. Further, the entry / exit numbers are attached to the four entry / exit ports 6 of each automated warehouse 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, A1-A4 are assigned to the four entry / exit ports 6 of the first machine as entry / exit numbers. B1 to B4 are attached to the four loading and unloading ports 6 of the No. 2 machine, and C1 to C4 are attached to the four loading and unloading ports 6 of the No. 3 machine, respectively.

A stock entry / exit request to the automated warehouse system 1 is made by an operator operating the input device 10 to input work request data requesting entry or exit to the inventory management computer 8. When the work request data is input, the inventory management computer 8 uses the work request data and various data to be described later stored in the database 9 to distinguish between warehousing and warehousing, selecting a stacker crane 5 to issue a work command, warehousing destination or The shelves 3a as the delivery source are selected, the loading / unloading port 6 as the loading source or the shipping destination is selected, and work data for instructing the operation of the stacker crane 5 is created. The work data is stored in the database 9 and is sequentially transmitted to the vacant stacker cranes 5 through the ground controller 7 by optical communication, and the stacker cranes 5 perform a predetermined loading / unloading work based on the work data. .

The database 9 stores various data Dt, Da, Dm, Ds, Dc, Dk, Di shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the stock number data Dt for each product number, and the product number K (K = a, for all loads stored in all the frame shelves 3).
The total number of stocks is managed for each b, ..., KE).

FIG. 3 shows the shelf inventory data Da. Each shelf 3
In a, serial numbers from No. 1 to No. 3 are assigned to the shelving numbers J from "No. 1" to "No. JE". In the shelving inventory data Da, the article number K of the cargo for each shelving number J is given. And the number of them is managed. When creating work data for a goods issue request,
By using this data Da, the required product number K and the shelf number J satisfying the required number are selected as the delivery source.

FIG. 4 shows the shelf master data Dm, and the presence or absence of a load on each shelf 3a is managed for each shelf number J.
When the load has been stored, the shelf flag Fj is set to "1", and when the load is not stored, that is, when the load is an empty shelf, the shelf flag Fj is set to "0". By using this data Dm when creating the work data of the warehousing request, the shelf number J whose shelf flag Fj is "0" is selected as the warehousing destination.

FIG. 5 shows the main data Ds. The inventory management computer 8 inputs the data Ds to the input device 10
Work data SD created based on work request data from
Of these, commands have been issued to each ground controller 7 side, but work has not yet been completed, that is, current registration (command)
Only the work data SD inside is managed. Each work data SD is managed with an ID number attached thereto, and a work start command from the inventory management computer 8 to the ground controller 7 is performed by designating this ID number. Here, the work data SD has a data format of "incoming / outgoing-ingoing / outgoing port number-shelf number J-part number K-number", and distinguishes between incoming / outgoing and incoming / outgoing ports as a receiving source or a receiving destination. It is composed of a number, a shelf number J which is a storage destination or a storage source, a product number K requested to be stored and stored, and the number thereof.

FIG. 6 shows the crane data Dc. In the data Dc, the stock management computer 8 distributes the work for each stacker crane 5, and the work data Sc currently registered (commanded) in each ground controller 7 is classified by the crane number (= A, B, C). It is managed together with the ID number. The work data Sc corresponds to the work data SD, and is data composed of only the data elements necessary for the work command among the respective data elements in the work data SD. The data form is "number J". Therefore, in principle, the number of work data is the same in the main data Ds and the crane data Dc.

FIG. 7 shows the entrance / exit gate management data Dk.
This data Dk contains work data SD and S currently registered.
The usage status for each of the loading / unloading ports A1 to A4, B1 to B4, and C1 to C4 used as a loading source or a shipping destination in c is managed for each crane number. When it is used as a receiving source, "goods receipt" is set, and when it is used as a destination, "delivery" is set. At the time of creating the work data, by using this data Dk, the loading / unloading port number is selected so that the loading / unloading ports 6 of the loading source and the shipping destination are not biased.

FIG. 8 shows the ID flag data Di, and the use status of the ID numbers (I = 1, 2, ... IE) prepared in advance is managed. When the ID number is in use, the ID flag Fi is set to "1", and when not in use, the ID flag Fi is set to "0". Here, the ID number is a number having a function of a label attached to the work data SD and Sc, and when this ID number is attached, the work instruction is performed by designating the ID number.

Further, the database 9 is provided with an exclusive function (interlock function). When this exclusive function is applied, rewriting of data from other than the database 9 is completely prohibited, and updating of data is not allowed. become unable. The database 9 has a storage area for an exclusive flag FL which indicates whether or not the exclusive function is being executed, and the exclusive flag FL is set to "1" while the exclusive function is being executed.

In the database 9, a part of data such as work data is stored as actual data, so that the remaining storage capacity of the database 9 can be confirmed so that the storage capacity of the already used storage capacity can be confirmed. Data of the usage rate (%) is stored.

Further, the memory 8 of the inventory management computer 8
Program data of the recovery tool is stored in a. This restoration tool is provided with program data for searching for data error locations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. This recovery tool is activated when the automated warehouse 2 stops working due to an abnormality in the data in the database 9. The recovery tool can be activated via the telephone line 15 not only by operating the input device 10 but also by operating the input device 16 from the recovery computer 14 side.

The abnormal point search and comparison processing of FIGS.
Various data Dt, Da, Dm, Ds, Dc, D shown in FIGS.
From the predetermined two data of k and Di, in the judgment item column of the judgment data Do shown in FIG.
(b) Total number of work data, (c) Number of warehousing works, (d) Number of warehousing works, (e) Presence / absence of cargo by shelf, (f) ID number abnormality information (numerical value) is individually calculated from different data sources. The information (numerical value) is checked for consistency and it is determined that there is an error at the mismatched position. However, in the process for searching for an abnormal ID number shown in FIG. 14 (the process for searching for an abnormal ID number), a process for searching for duplicated use of the ID number for the crane data Dc is also performed.

The determination result of each abnormal portion search / comparison process of FIGS. 9 to 14 is stored in the memory 8a as the determination data Do shown in FIG. In each abnormal part search and comparison process, if there is an error determination, the determination flag Fn for each determination item is set to "1" and the error content is pointed out (however, in FIG. 15, the determination flag of each determination item is shown. This is an example of display when Fn becomes "1".

The stock management computer 8 determines each judgment flag F for each judgment item based on the program data of the recovery tool.
The value of n (= Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) is comprehensively checked to identify the abnormal point. The identified abnormal part is restored via the telephone line 15 to the recovery computer 1
It is transmitted to the No. 4 side and displayed on the screen of the display device 17. Further, by operating the input device 16 on the recovery computer 14 side, it is possible to restore the abnormal portion of the data in the database 9 via the telephone line 15.

Next, the operation of the automatic warehouse system 1 configured as described above will be described. The operator operates the input device 10 to input work request data when instructing the automatic warehouse system 1 to enter or leave.
At this time, as the work request data, the distinction between warehousing and warehousing, data of the article number K of the package, and the number thereof (“reception / delivery-item number-
The number of pieces ”) is input.

When the "stocking" is requested, the inventory management computer 8 selects the crane number (= A, B, C) of the stacker crane 5 having a small number of allocations of the loading and unloading work from the crane data Dc and the like, and the crane number. The stacker data J of the empty shelf is assigned from the shelf 3a handled by the stacker crane 5 of No. 3 by using the shelf master data Dm and is set as the receiving destination. In addition, among the four loading / unloading ports 6 handled by the stacker crane 5 of that crane number, the loading / unloading port number of the loading / unloading port 6 with a small number of setting data of the loading / unloading port management data Dk (set number of loading / unloading) Is selected as the receiving source.

When "delivery" is requested, a shelf number J for storing the required number of loads of the required product number K or more is assigned from the shelf inventory data Da, which is used as the delivery source, and the shelf 3a which is the delivery source is assigned. Of the loading / unloading ports 6 belonging to the crane number (= A, B, C) of the stacker crane 5 in charge, the loading / unloading port 6 with a smaller number of setting data from the loading / unloading port management data Dk.
Is selected as the delivery destination.

When the entry / exit port number and the shelf number J are determined in this way, the data of the item number K and the number of items in the work request data are taken in, and "incoming / outgoing-in / out port number-shelf number J-item number K-number". Work data SD in the form of data is created. The work data SD means a work instruction for loading a load from the loading / unloading port 6 of the loading / unloading port number to the shelf 3a of the shelf number J in the case of “incoming”, and the shelf 3a of the shelf number J in the case of “outgoing”. Means a work instruction to issue a load from the entry / exit entry / exit entry / exit entry 6 to the entry / exit.

The work data SD is sequentially given an ID number of the ID flag Fi = "0" in the ID flag data Di of FIG. 8, and is stored in a predetermined storage area in the database 9 with the ID number attached. Is stored. The ground controller 7 can receive work commands up to a predetermined number, and the work data SD is work data Sc having a data format of “incoming / outgoing-incoming / outgoing mouth number-shelf number J” and should be instructed together with the ID number. Commands are sequentially issued to the controller 7 at timings that do not exceed the command allowable number.

The work data SD instructed to the ground controller 7 are stored in the main data Ds (FIG. 5) together with the ID number. Further, the work data Sc in the command is stored in the crane data Dc together with the ID number for each crane number (= A, B, C) of the command destination. Each time a work completion signal is input from the ground controller 7, the corresponding work data SD and Sc are deleted from the main data Ds and the crane data Dc, respectively. Therefore, in principle, the number of work data in the main data Ds and the crane data Dc always match (unless there is an abnormality).

Each stacker crane 5 carries out the loading / unloading work designated based on the work data Sc received from the ground controller 8 by optical communication. The cargo stored in the automated warehouse 2 is transported to the loading / unloading port 6 of the loading source by an electric carriage (not shown) whose operation is controlled by the inventory management computer 8.

By the way, if there is an abnormal portion in the data in the database 9, the stacker crane 6 may not move. The causes of stopping the stacker crane 6 of this type are mainly classified into three. That is, (1) internal data error, (2) exclusive error, and (3) insufficient free storage area.

(1) Abnormality of internal data means a data abnormality due to an update error in which data to be originally updated is left unupdated for some reason. There are the following five main cases.

A mistake in erasing the work data Sc. Since the ground controller 7 has an upper limit on the allowable number of work data Sc to be received, if the work data Sc has already been fully commanded, the inventory management computer 8 waits for the completion of the loading / unloading work and deletes one work data Sc. Then, the next work data Sc is transmitted to the ground controller 7. But,
In the case where the work data Sc in the crane data Dc is not deleted and there is an update error, the next work data Sc is not commanded to the ground controller 7 forever and the stacker crane 5 stops because there is no work command. .

A mistake in updating the entrance / exit gate management data Dk. In the entry / exit gate management data Dk, the content (“incoming” or “outgoing”) is set in the data column of the incoming / outgoing port number corresponding to each time the incoming / outgoing port 6 is used as the receiving / delivering destination. Every time the loading / unloading work is completed, the corresponding setting data is deleted. However, if the use is not set in the corresponding data column despite the use of the loading / unloading port 6, the loading and unloading will be continuously registered in the loading / unloading port 6, for example. In this case, when the load is loaded into the loading / unloading port 6, the loaded load has already been placed in the loading / unloading port 6, and it cannot be unloaded and the stacker crane 5 cannot be loaded.
Is the case to stop.

Update error of the shelf master data Dm. When a storage request is made, a shelf number J having a shelf flag Fj of "0" is selected as a storage destination. However, if there is an update error in which the shelf flag Fj is not updated to "1" but remains "0" despite the load being stored, it is actually judged from the "0" of the shelf flag Fj. In this case, the shelf 3a in which the load is stored is selected as the storage destination, and the stacker crane 5 stops because the storage on the shelf 3a cannot be unloaded and the storage cannot be performed.

Missing update of shelf inventory data Da. When a delivery request is issued, the shelf number J in which the load of the requested product number K is stored
Is selected as the delivery source. However, if there is an update error in which the data of the corresponding shelf number J is not updated even though the load has been unloaded, the shelf 3a in which the load is not stored is selected as the shipping source, and the shelf 3a is unloaded. In this case, the stacker crane 5 stops because there is no load to be loaded.

Missing update of ID flag data. As the ID number, the one whose ID flag Fi is "0" is used. However, despite using the ID number, the ID
If there is an update error in which "1" is not set in the flag Fi, the ID number is used again, and two work data Sc having the same ID number are commanded. In this case, the stacker crane 5 stops because it cannot determine which work data Sc to execute.

In order to stop the stacker crane 5 due to the above five data update mistakes, it is determined which of the data is the abnormal portion from the processing results of the abnormal portion search processing of FIGS.

Next, (2) exclusive error means that the exclusive function provided in the database 9 for disabling the rewriting (updating) of the data is still used, and the data rewriting (updating) This is an error in which the stacker crane 5 is in a wait state until the exclusive function is released because it cannot be done and the stacker crane 5 stops. This error occurs when you forget to release the exclusive function. It should be noted that the data cannot be rewritten (updated) in the state where the exclusive function is applied, but the data can be read, so that the abnormal portion search processing is executed even in this state.

(3) Insufficient free storage area means that the remaining free space of the storage area in the database 9 becomes small and the storage capacity of the database 9 is reached, that is, the storage capacity of the database 9 cannot be stored. It is an error that the stacker crane 5 stops. Normally, work is performed to erase the actual data accumulated in the database 9 at a certain time to secure a free space. However, if this work is forgotten or if the work is concentrated in a short period of time and the number of actual data increases, the free memory will be stored. An error occurs due to lack of space.

Next, a procedure for restoring the automatic warehouse system 1 when the above-mentioned abnormal place occurs in the database 9 and the stacker crane 5 abnormally stops will be described.
When the above-mentioned abnormality occurs in the database 9, the stacker crane 5 stops abnormally. At this time, the operator uses the telephone line 1 by telephone or the inventory management computer 8.
By communication via 5, the system engineer (SE) on the recovery computer 14 side is notified of the occurrence of the abnormality. S
E operates the input device 16 of the restoration computer 14 to activate the restoration tool on the inventory management computer 8 side via the telephone line 15. As a result, the menu screen is opened on the screen of the display device 17 on the recovery computer 14 side. Then, the display of the used storage area is selected from the menu, the ratio (%) of the used storage area is first confirmed on the screen, and the ratio of the used storage area exceeds 90%, for example, and the remaining free storage area becomes small. If the storage capacity of the database 9 has been reached, the SE instructs the local operator to delete the actual data by telephone or communication from the restoration computer 14 via the telephone line 15.

Next, the SE selects the display of the exclusive information from the menu and confirms on the screen of the display device 17 whether the exclusive function is applied to the database 9 of the inventory management computer 8. If the exclusive function is applied, the input device 16 is operated to release the exclusive function from the recovery computer 14 side.

Next, the SE selects a command to execute the abnormal point search process from the menu. When the stock management computer 8 receives this execution command transmitted via the telephone line 15, the stock management computer 8 sequentially executes the abnormal part search processing shown in FIGS. 9 to 14. Hereinafter, the abnormal point search process executed by the inventory management computer 8 will be described.

First, the stock management computer 8 performs the stock quantity comparison processing by product number in FIG. First, in step 1, product number K
= A is initialized, and in step 2, the stock number a is searched in the shelf inventory data Da, and the total number N1 of the product numbers a is calculated by sequentially adding the number of the product numbers a. Then, in the next step 3, the total number N2 of stocks of the product number a (= “100”) is read from the stock number data Dt by product number, and in step 4, N1
= N2 holds, that is, different data Da and Dt
It is determined whether or not the values of the two total inventory numbers N1 and N2 obtained individually from the two coincide with each other.

If the total inventory numbers N1 and N2 match, a normal determination is made (step 5). If the total inventory numbers N1 and N2 do not match, an error determination is made (step 6). And
If K = KE in step 7, product number K in step 8
Is updated and the next product number b is set (K = b), and K is pressed in S7.
The processing from S2 to S8 is repeated until the final product number KE where KE. In this way, for all product numbers K, two stock totals N1 and N2 individually obtained from the data Da and Dt
Are compared, and the judgment result is stored in the judgment item column of (a) total stock by product number in the judgment data Do of FIG. 15 in a predetermined storage area of the memory 8a. For example, product number K = c
If the total inventory numbers N1 and N2 do not match, the determination flag Fa
Is set to "1", and "part number c" is stored in the error content column (FIG. 15).

Next, the work data number comparison processing of FIG. 10 is performed. First, in step S11, the work data SD in the main data Ds is counted, and the work data number N3 is calculated. In the next step 12, the work data Sc in the crane data Dc is counted, and the work data number N4
Is calculated. Then, in step 13, it is determined whether N3 = N4 is satisfied, that is, whether the values of the two work data numbers N3 and N4 individually obtained from different data Ds and Dc match. If the values of the work data numbers N3 and N4 match, it is judged as normal (step 14), and the work data numbers N3 and N4.
If the values of 4 do not match, it is judged as an error (step 1
5). This determination result is obtained in the determination data Do of FIG.
(b) It is stored in the judgment item column of the number of work data. For example, if the numbers of work data N3 and N4 do not match, the determination flag Fb
Is set to "1".

Continuing, FIG.
The number of delivery comparison processing of 2 is sequentially performed. In the warehousing number comparison process of FIG. 11, first, in step 21, the work data Sc in the crane data Dc are sequentially searched and the "housing" is counted to calculate the warehousing number N5. In the next step 22, the "reception" in the entry / exit gate management data Dk is searched and counted to calculate the number N6 of receiving operations. Then, in step 23, it is determined whether N5 = N6 holds, that is, whether the values of the two storage work numbers N5 and N6 individually obtained from different data Dc and Dk match. If the values of the stored work numbers N5 and N6 match, a normal determination is made (step 24), and if the values of the stored work numbers N5, N6 do not match, an error determination is made (step 25). This determination result is stored in the determination item column (c) Number of warehousing operations in the determination data Do of FIG. For example, if the numbers N5 and N6 of work data do not match, "1" is set in the determination flag Fc.

In the number-of-delivery comparison process of FIG. 12, the process shown in FIG.
The process performed for the goods receipt in the goods receipt number comparison process of
Now let's do the shipping. That is, the number of shipping operations N7 obtained from the crane data Dc in step 31,
In step 32, the number of shipping operations N8 obtained from the entrance / exit port management data Dk is compared in step 33 to determine whether N7 = N8 holds. And different data Dc,
If the values of the two shipping work numbers N7, N8 obtained individually from Dk match, it is judged as normal (step 34), and if the values of the shipping work numbers N7, N8 do not match, it is judged as error (step 35). . This determination result is the determination data Do of FIG.
(D) is stored in the judgment item column for the number of shipping operations. For example, if the numbers N7 and N8 of work data do not match, the determination flag Fd is set to "1".

Next, the shelf comparison processing of FIG. 13 is performed. First, in step 41, the shelf number J = 1 is initialized, and in step 42, the shelf flag Fj of the shelf number J is acquired from the shelf master data Dm. Next, at step 43, it is judged whether or not there is a load on the shelf number J of the shelf inventory data Da, and if there is a load, L = 1 is set (step 44), and if there is no load, L =.
0 is set (step 45). And Step 4
Whether Fj = L holds in 6, that is, different data Dm
, Da, it is determined whether or not the two pieces of load presence / absence information obtained individually match. If this cargo presence / absence information matches (Fj
= L), a normal determination is made (step 47), and if the load presence / absence information does not match (when Fj ≠ L), an error determination is made (step 48). Then, in step 49, J =
If it is not JE, in step 50 the shelf number J is updated to J + 1 and the next shelf number J = 2 is set, and in step S49 J = JE
The processes of S42 to S50 are repeated until the final shelf number JE becomes. In this way, the load presence / absence information individually obtained from the different data Dm, Da for all the shelf numbers J is compared. This judgment result is stored in the (e) judgment item column of presence / absence of load by shelf in the judgment data Do of FIG. For example, if the load presence / absence information does not match with "shelf number J = 68", "1" is set to the determination flag Fa and "shelf number J = 68" is stored in the error content column (FIG. 15).

Finally, the ID number abnormality search process of FIG. 14 is performed. First, in step 61, the ID number I = 1 is initialized. In step 62, the crane data Dc is searched for the ID number I, and in step 63, the ID number I is 2
It is determined whether or not there are one or more, that is, whether or not the same ID number I is used in duplicate in the crane data Dc. If there are two or more ID numbers I, then in step 64, I
Determine the D number duplication error. If the ID number I is one or less, the process proceeds to step 65 and it is determined whether or not the ID number I is present.

If the ID number I is present in step 65, the process proceeds to step 66, and it is determined whether or not the ID flag Fi of the ID number I in the ID flag data Di is "1".
If Fi = 1 here, it is determined to be normal (step 6
8), if Fi = 0, it is judged as an error (step 6).
9). If there is no ID number I in step 65, the process proceeds to step 67, and it is determined whether or not the ID flag Fi of the ID number I in the ID flag data Di is "0". If Fi = 0, it is judged as normal (step 6).
8), if Fi = 1, it is judged as an error (step 6).
9).

If I = IE is not found in step 70, the ID number I is updated to I + 1 in step 71 to set the next ID number I = 2, and in step S70, the final ID number IE is I = IE. The processing from S62 to S71 is repeated. In this way, the ID number duplicated use search process for all the ID numbers I and the comparison process for comparing two ID number use information obtained individually from different data Dc and Di are performed.

This determination result is stored in the (f) ID number abnormality determination item column in the determination data Do of FIG. For example, if the ID number I = 105 is used repeatedly, "1" is set in the determination flag Ff and "ID number I = 105 (duplication)" is stored in the error content column. Further, for example, if the ID number I = 63 and the ID number use information do not match, the determination flag Ff is set to "1" and "ID number I = 63 (mismatch)" in the error content column.
Is stored (FIG. 15). It should be noted that the abnormality in which the same ID number is used twice is because the ID flag Fi is updated to "1" at the second use even if the ID flag Fi is not updated to "1" at the first use. Not only is the error of the ID flag Fi checked, but it is also checked whether two or more ID numbers are actually used.

When the judgment data Do is obtained after finishing the abnormal point search and comparison process in this way, the inventory management computer 8 next uses the judgment data Do to determine which data Dt, Da, Dm, Ds, Dc, Dk is the abnormal point. , Di is identified. Hereinafter, the judgment flag string [Fn] = (Fa, F
The process of identifying an abnormal portion will be described by giving an example for each combination of flag values (b, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff). When the determination flag Fn is "1", the determination data Do of FIG.
The description will be made assuming that the error described in the error content column therein exists.

(Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) = (0,
1, 1, 0,0,0). This is the item of the number of work data
This is the case when there is an error judgment in (b) and the item (c) of the number of warehousing operations. First, since the determination flag Fb of item (b) is set to "1", there is an abnormal portion in any of the usage data Ds, Dc. Further, since "1" is set in the determination flag Fc of the item (c), there is an abnormal portion in either of the usage data Dc, Dk. Therefore, it can be estimated that there is an abnormal portion in the usage data Dc common to the item (b) and the item (c). Moreover, since the determination flag Fc of the item (c) of the number of warehousing works is "1", it can be seen that the abnormal portion in the data Dc is the warehousing work data Sc. [Fn] = (0, 1, 0, 1, 0,
When it is 0), the determination flag Fd of the item (d) of the number of outgoing work is
Is "1", it is determined that the abnormal portion in the data Dc is the shipping work data Sc. Also, [Fn] = (0,
1, 1, 1, 0, 0), it is determined that there are two or more abnormal points in the data Dc, and that the abnormal points extend to both the receiving work data Sc and the leaving work data Sc.

For example, since there is an erroneous deletion of the work data Sc in the crane data Dc and the work data Sc in the crane data Dc is not reduced, new work data Sc is not instructed to the ground controller 7 forever, This is the case where the stacker crane 5 stops when the ground controller 7 determines that there is no work.

(Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) = (0,
0, 1, 0,0,0). This is the item of the number of receipt work (c)
Only when there is an error. First, since the determination flag Fc of the item (c) is set to "1", there is an abnormal portion in any of the usage data Dc and Dk. Other items using the same data Dc (b)
Since the determination flag Fb of the data Dc is "0", the data Dc
Is estimated to be normal. Therefore, it is determined that there is an abnormal portion on the data Dk side, and that the data for warehousing is abnormal. When [Fn] = (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), only the determination flag Fd of the item (d) for the number of shipping operations is "1", and therefore the abnormal portion is included in the data Dk. There is
Moreover, it is determined that the shipping data is abnormal. Also,
When [Fn] = (0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0), the data Dk
It is determined that there are two or more abnormal points inside, and that the abnormal points extend to both the data of receipt and the data of departure.

For example, if a certain loading / unloading port 6 has work data SD
, Sc is used as the source or destination when the data is created, the data of the goods receipt or the goods issue is not set in the corresponding column of the entrance / exit entrance management data Dk, and the goods are continuously issued to the same entrance / exit entrance 6. When the goods have been registered and the goods have been carried to the entrance / exit opening 6 of the exit destination, the goods to be entered may have already been placed on the entrance / exit opening 6 and the stacker crane 5 may stop. , This is true.

(Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) = (0,
When 0, 0, 0, 1, 0). This is the item (e) of the presence or absence of cargo by shelf
Only when there is an error. First, since the determination flag Fe of the item (e) is set to "1", there is an abnormal portion in any of the usage data Dm, Da. Other items using the same data Da (a)
Since the determination flag Fa of No. is “0”, the data Da
Is estimated to be normal. Therefore, it is determined that the abnormal portion exists on the data Dm side, and the abnormal portion is specified as the shelf number "No. 68".

For example, since the shelf flag Fj is not updated from "0" to "1" although the load is stored in the shelf 3a, the shelf 3a storing the load is selected as the receiving destination. This corresponds to the case where the stacker crane 5 stops because the load cannot be unloaded when the load is carried to the shelf 3a.

(Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) = (1,
When 0, 0, 0, 1, 0). This is the case where there is an error in the item (a) for the total number of stocks by product number and the item (e) for the presence or absence of loads by shelf. First, since the determination flag Fa of the item (a) is set to "1", there is an abnormal portion in any of the usage data Da and Dt. Further, since "1" is set in the judgment flag Fe of the item (e), there is an abnormal portion in either of the usage data Dm, Da. Therefore, it can be estimated that there is an abnormal portion in the usage data Da that is common to the items (a) and (e). Moreover, the abnormal location is identified as the product number "c" with the shelf number "No. 68".

For example, the data of the corresponding shelf number of the shelf inventory data Da is not updated to the data of the empty shelf even though the load is unloaded from the shelf 3a, and the shelf 3a in which the load is not stored is selected as the shipping source. This corresponds to the case where the stacker crane 5 stops because there is no load to be scooped when it arrives at the shelf 3a for picking up the load.

(Fa, Fb, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) = (0,
When 0, 0, 0, 0, 1). This is an abnormal ID number item
This is the case when there is an error only in (f). First, since "1" is set in the determination flag Ff of the item (f), there is an abnormal portion in any of the usage data Dc, Di. In this case, the error content is ID number "105"
It is determined that there is an abnormal portion on the data Dc side that is the target of the error search. Then, the abnormal portion is identified as an abnormality having two (or more) registered ID numbers “105”.

For example, although the ID number is used, the ID flag Fi of the ID number of the ID flag data Di of the ID flag data Di
"1" is not updated, the same ID number is used again, and two work data SD and Sc with the same ID number are registered, and it cannot be determined which work data Sc should be executed. When 5 stops,
This is the case. When the error content includes an ID flag error other than the duplicate use of the ID number, it is specified that the ID flag Fi has an abnormality in the ID number "63".

When the error content is only the ID flag error, other items (b), which use the same data Dc of the use data Dc, Di of the item (f),
The determination flags Fb, Fc, and Fd of (c) and (d) are all "0".
Therefore, since the data Dc is estimated to be normal, it is determined that an abnormal portion exists on the data Di side. Then, it is specified that the abnormality of the ID flag Fi exists in the ID number "63". It should be noted that even with respect to the determination flag Fn not illustrated above, the abnormal portion corresponding to the determination flag Fn is specified.

Thus, the judgment flag string [Fn] = (Fa, F
The abnormal part and the abnormal content identified by b, Fc, Fd, Fe, Ff) are displayed on the screen of the display device 17 on the recovery computer 14 side. Then, when the SE recognizes an abnormal part in the database 9 from the abnormal part determination result on the screen, it operates the input device 16 to the database 9 of the automatic warehouse system 1 in the local factory from a remote place. The abnormal part of the data via the telephone line 15 is repaired. When the abnormal portion is repaired in this way, the automatic warehouse system 1 is restored and the operation of the stacker crane 5 is restarted. The input device 1 on the inventory management computer 8 side
It is also possible to repair the abnormal part of the data in the database 9 on the factory side by operating 0 to start the recovery tool and display the abnormal part determination result on the screen of the display device 11 on the factory side. .

In this way, even if an abnormal stop of the automated warehouse 2 occurs due to an abnormality of the database 9 at the factories in various places, the SE operates the input device 16 of the recovery computer 14 provided in his / her place of work, and the SE is locally operated. It is possible to quickly find an abnormal place and to restore the local automated warehouse 2 in a short time without going out.

As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Since the inventory management computer 8 is provided with an abnormality search function, even if the stacker crane 5 stops due to an abnormality in the data in the database 9, it is generally automatically detected without the need for humans to examine the abnormal portion of the data. Therefore, it is not necessary to spend an enormous amount of time to recover from an abnormal stop.

(2) The inventory management computer 8 is replaced by the modem 1
The system engineer is connected to the restoration computer 14 via the telephone lines 2 and 13 and the telephone line 15, and the restoration computer 14 accesses the inventory management computer 8 to detect an abnormal portion in the database 9 and
By correcting the abnormal part, the automatic warehouse system 1 can be restored from a place far away from the factory equipped with the automatic warehouse system 1. Therefore, the SE does not need to go to the site to recover the automatic warehouse system 1. Also, since the SE no longer needs to go to the field,
It is possible to significantly reduce the waiting time until the automatic warehouse system 1 is restored. Therefore, automatic warehouse system 1
The operating rate of can be greatly improved.

(3) Two data Ds and Dc are prepared so that the number of work data during registration can be obtained from two information sources, and the number of work data during registration individually obtained from both data Ds and Dc. So that the error location can be identified. Therefore, for example, since there is an erroneous deletion of the work data Sc in the crane data Dc and the work data Sc in the crane data Dc is not reduced, new work data Sc is not instructed to the ground controller 7 forever and the ground controller 7 is not commanded. Even if the controller 7 determines that there is no work and the stacker crane 5 stops,
The abnormal place can be identified with certainty.

(4) Prepare two data Dc and Dk so that the number of warehousing operations can be obtained from two information sources, compare the number of warehousing operations individually obtained from both data Dc and Dk, and make an error. Enabled to specify the location. Therefore, for example, although a certain entry / exit port 6 was used as the entry source or the exit destination when the work data SD, Sc were created, the entry / exit data is set in the corresponding column of the entry / exit entry management data Dk. However, the issue and the receipt are continuously registered in the same entry / exit port 6, and when the load is carried to the entry / exit port 6 of the exit destination, the entry load is already placed in the entry / exit port 6. Even if an error occurs in which the stacker crane 5 cannot be unloaded and the stacker crane 5 stops, the abnormal place can be reliably identified.

(5) Two pieces of data Da and Dm are prepared so that the presence / absence of loads by shelves can be obtained from two information sources, and the information on the presence / absence of loads by shelves individually calculated from both data Da and Dm is compared. I was able to identify the error location.
Therefore, for example, the shelf flag Fj was not updated from "0" to "1" although the load was stored in the shelf 3a, and thus the shelf 3a storing the load was selected as the receiving destination. Even if an error occurs that the stacker crane 5 stops because the load cannot be unloaded when the load is carried to the shelf 3a, the abnormal portion can be surely specified.

(6) Prepare two data Da and Dt so that the total number for each product number can be obtained from two information sources, compare the total numbers for each product number individually obtained from both data Da and Dt, and make an error. Enabled to specify the location. Therefore, for example, the data of the corresponding shelf number of the shelf inventory data Da is not updated to the data of the empty shelf even though the load is unloaded from the shelf 3a, and the shelf 3a in which the load is not stored is selected as the shipping source. Even if an error occurs that the stacker crane 5 stops because there is no load to be picked up when it arrives at the shelf 3a for picking up the load, the abnormal place can be surely specified.

(7) The duplicated use of ID numbers is searched for in the data Dc so that the error location can be specified. Therefore, for example, although the ID number is used, the ID flag data Di is not updated by setting "1" in the ID flag Fi of the ID number, and the same ID number is used again and the work data having the same ID number is used. Even if an error occurs in which the stacker crane 5 stops due to the fact that two work data Sc should be executed due to the registration of two SD and Sc, it is possible to reliably identify the abnormal location.

(8) Use ID number 2
Two data Dc, D as required from one source
i and i are prepared, and the information on the distinction between the use and non-use of the ID number obtained individually from both data Dc and Di is compared so that the latent error location that may cause the error can be identified in advance. did. Therefore, it is possible to detect a latent error location that may cause duplicate use of the ID number and prevent the occurrence of the error.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be configured as follows, for example, within the scope of the invention. (1) Inventory management computer 8 and restoration computer 14
May be connected via the telephone line 15 instead of the stock management computer 8 having a recovery tool. According to this configuration, after the SE goes to the local factory, the restoration tool is activated to find the abnormal portion in a short time, and the abnormal portion can be repaired to restore the automatic warehouse 2 immediately. . Therefore, it is not necessary to spend an enormous amount of time in order to find an abnormal place as in the conventional case, and it is not possible to leave the warehouse, so that the time that interferes with other work using the load stored in the automated warehouse 2 can be shortened accordingly. In addition, if the recovery tool is started at the local factory and the abnormal location is identified, the abnormal location can be repaired without much specialized knowledge, so the operator can repair the abnormal location and restore the automated warehouse 2. You can also let it. In particular, in the case of an abnormal stop of the automatic warehouse 2 due to an exclusion error or a shortage of free storage area, the operator himself / herself can easily restore the automatic warehouse 2 if the cause of the abnormal stop is known.

(2) The computer that stores the recovery tool is not limited to the inventory management computer 8. For example, by storing the restoration tool in the memory 14a of the restoration computer 14 and starting the restoration tool on the restoration computer 14 side, the inventory management computer 8 of each factory is accessed to find an abnormal portion in the database 9. Good. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to store the restoration tool in each memory 8a of the inventory management computer 8 in each place, and only the restoration tool needs to be stored in the memory 14a of the restoration computer 14.
Further, the restoration tool may be stored in a computer other than the inventory management computer 8 at the factory side to reduce the processing load on the inventory management computer 8.

(3) The method of determining an abnormal place is not limited to the comparison processing of the match / mismatch of the judgment values of the judgment items individually obtained from different data sources. Alternatively, other appropriate determination (search) method depending on the abnormality content may be applied.

(4) The judgment items are not limited to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, but can be set as appropriate in accordance with the data abnormality content causing the abnormal stop of the automatic warehouse 2. (5) Inventory management computer 8 and restoration computer 14
The connection with and is not limited to the telephone line 15, and may be replaced with another communication line as long as communication is possible between the two.

(6) The number of the automated warehouses 2 constituting the automated warehouse system 1 is not limited to three. For example, it may be one, two, or four or more. The invention grasped from the above-mentioned embodiment and not described in the scope of claims is described below together with its effect.

(A) In any one of claims 4 and 6 to 9, an ID number abnormality is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the ID number abnormality is individually calculated. The data source manages the use / non-use of the ID number attached to the operation data, and ID flag data used for attaching the unused ID number to the operation data when the operation data is created, The operation data in the command is composed of the crane data managed by assigning the ID number to each of the crane devices of the command destination. According to this configuration,
Due to the abnormal location search means, there is a discrepancy between the usage status of the ID number in the ID flag data and the usage status of the ID number attached to the operation data in the crane data, which may cause duplicated usage of the ID number. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormality that is detected and causes the crane device to stop.

[0104]

As described in detail above, according to the invention described in claim 1, even if the crane device is stopped due to an abnormal point in the data in the database, the database causing the crane device to stop Since abnormal points inside are searched and identified by the abnormal point search means, it is not necessary for humans to spend an enormous amount of time searching for abnormal points in the data in the database, greatly reducing the recovery time of the automated warehouse. You can

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the crane device stops due to an abnormal point in the data in the database, the recovery computer side, which is far away, can access the local computer via the communication line. By doing so, it is possible to check and repair the abnormal part, so it is not necessary for a person with specialized knowledge such as a system engineer to go to the site where the automatic warehouse is located, so the recovery time of the automatic warehouse can be further shortened. it can.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the inventory management computer also serves as a process for determining an abnormal point, and therefore it is not necessary to newly install a computer dedicated to the abnormal point determination. According to the invention described in claim 4, since the abnormal portion is specified by checking whether the judgment values of the judgment items obtained from different data sources stored in the database match or not, the arithmetic processing by the computer is performed. The abnormal part can be obtained by.

According to the invention of claim 5, the ID number abnormality determining means determines whether or not the ID number of the operation data in the crane data is used in duplicate.
Even if the crane device stops abnormally due to duplicated use of ID numbers, the abnormal place can be specified.

According to the invention described in claim 6, when the operation data is deleted in the crane data, new operation data is not commanded and the crane device stops abnormally even though the command allowable number is divided. In addition, the abnormal point can be specified by the abnormal point searching means by checking the inconsistency in the number of operation data individually obtained from the main data and the crane data.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the crane is caused by a mistake in the entry or exit setting which should be set in the relevant location in the entry / exit entry management data of the entry / exit entrance used at the entry / exit point when the operation data was created. Even if the equipment stops abnormally, the abnormal point search means can identify the abnormal point by checking the discrepancy between the number of loading operations or the number of shipping operations individually found from the crane data and the entrance / exit management data. it can.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the data is not updated when the shelf number from which the load in the shelf inventory data is unloaded is empty, and the crane device is abnormally stopped because it is selected as the shipping source. Moreover, the abnormal point can be specified by the abnormal point search means by checking the inconsistency of the total number of stocks classified by product number individually obtained from the inventory number data by item number and the shelf inventory data.

According to the invention described in claim 9, even when the shelf number in which the load of the shelf master data is stored is not updated when there is a load and is selected as the receiving destination and the crane device abnormally stops. The abnormal point can be specified by checking the mismatch between the load presence / absence values for each shelf individually obtained from the shelf inventory data and the shelf master data by the abnormal point searching means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a recovery system for an automated warehouse.

FIG. 2 is a stock number data diagram by product number.

FIG. 3 is a shelf inventory data diagram.

FIG. 4 is a shelf master data diagram.

FIG. 5 is a main data diagram.

FIG. 6 is a crane data diagram.

FIG. 7 is a storage / entry gate management data diagram.

FIG. 8 is an ID flag data diagram.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of inventory number comparison processing by product number.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a work data number comparison process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process of comparing the number of stored goods.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a shipping number comparison process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of shelf comparison processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an ID number abnormality search process.

FIG. 15 is a determination data diagram.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of an automatic warehouse system in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Automatic warehouse system, 2 ... Automatic warehouse, 3 ... Frame shelf, 3
a ... Shelf as a storage unit, 5 ... Stacker crane as a crane device, 8 ... Abnormal point search means, and as a local computer, a judgment value calculation means, a comparison judgment means, an abnormal point specification means, and an ID number abnormality judgment means. Stock management computer, 8a ... memory as storage means, 9 ... database, 14 ... recovery computer constituting abnormal location search means, 14a ... memory as storage means, 15 ... telephone line as communication line, 16 ... input device , 17 ... Display device as display device, Di ...
ID flag data forming a data source, Dc ... Crane data forming a data source, Ds ... Main data forming a data source, Ds ... Main data forming a data source, Dk ... Entrance / exit management forming a data source Data, D
t ... Inventory quantity data by product number that constitutes a data source, Da ... Shelf inventory data that constitutes a data source, Dm ... Shelf master data that constitutes a data source, SD, Sc ... Work data as operation data.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An automated warehouse system in which an automated warehouse equipped with a frame shelf having a plurality of storage units for storing loads and a crane device for loading and unloading the loads to and from the storage units is provided. A database for storing various data related to the automated warehouse and operation data of the crane device, and connected to the database to create the operation data using the various data in response to a loading / unloading request, and to the database. An inventory management computer that issues an operation command to the crane device based on the stored operation data, and an abnormal location search unit that performs determination processing to search and determine an abnormal location of data in the database that causes the crane device to stop. Automatic warehouse recovery system equipped. 2. A local computer having a repair function capable of repairing the abnormal part in the database, and a recovery computer accessible to the local computer via a communication line. Further, at least one of the local computer and the recovery computer is provided with a storage unit in which the program data of the determination process is stored, and the recovery computer displays an abnormal portion determined by the determination process. The recovery system for an automatic warehouse according to claim 1, further comprising a display device for performing a repair, and an input device for issuing a repair command to the local computer to repair an abnormal portion of data in the database. 3. The automatic warehouse restoration system according to claim 2, wherein the local computer is the inventory management computer according to claim 1. 4. The database is provided with at least two types of data sources for one determination item so that determination values for each determination item for identifying the abnormal location can be obtained from different data sources. The abnormal point search means is a judgment value calculation means for individually calculating judgment values from different data sources for each judgment item provided in the database, and the judgment individually calculated by the judgment value calculation means. A comparison determination unit that compares the values, and if both determination values match, determines a normal determination, and if they do not match, determines an abnormality such that an abnormal location exists in the mismatched location in any of the data sources; The automatic unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an abnormal point identifying unit that identifies an abnormal point from a determination result for each of the determination items obtained by the means. Warehouse recovery system. 5. The database manages the use / non-use of the ID number attached to the operation data, and the I / O not used in the operation data when the operation data is created.
The ID flag data used for attaching the D number and the crane data in which the operation data being instructed are managed by attaching the ID number to each of the crane devices of the instruction destination are provided. The search means comprises an ID number abnormality determination means for searching the ID number of the operation data in the crane data stored in the database to determine whether or not the ID number is used in duplicate. The automatic warehouse restoration system according to any one of the above. 6. The number of operation data is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the data sources for individually obtaining the number of operation data are main data in which the operation data being instructed and managed The operation data of is managed for each crane device of the command destination, and when the command number in the command for each crane device is less than the predetermined number, the crane data used to command the next operation data to the crane device. The automatic warehouse restoration system according to claim 4, which comprises: 7. The number of warehousing work and the number of warehousing work are prepared as the judgment items, and the data source for individually obtaining the number of warehousing work or the number of warehousing work is a command including information on warehousing / delivery. The operation data of the crane data managed for each crane device of the command destination, and the information used as the source or destination of the data in the operation data for which the entry / exit port is instructed for each entry / exit Claim 4 or claim 6 which is managed and comprises the entrance / exit management data used to select the entrance / exit of the entry / exit destination so that the entry / exit is not biasedly used when creating operation data. Automated warehouse restoration system as described. 8. The total number of stocks by product number is prepared as one of the judgment items, and the data source for individually obtaining the total number of stocks by product number is the stock number data by product number in which the total number of stocks by product number is managed. And a shelf inventory data used to select and determine a delivery source when a delivery request is made, while managing the product number and the number of the loads stored in each of the storage units for each shelf number. The automatic warehouse restoration system according to any one of claims 6 and 7. 9. The presence / absence of load by shelf is prepared as one of the determination items, and the data source for individually determining the presence / absence of load by shelf is a product number of the load stored in each storage unit and its Shelf inventory data in which the number is managed for each shelf number and presence / absence of a load are managed for each shelf number of each of the storage units, and are used for selecting and determining an empty shelf as a receiving destination when a storage request is made. The automatic warehouse restoration system according to any one of claims 4 and 6 to 8, which comprises shelf master data.