JPH1035837A - Picking support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the uneasiness of a worker, and improve the safety and working efficiency of the picking work by generating a sound as a response, which is to be sent from a picking control device, to a picking terminal device. SOLUTION: When a worker inquires the residual work and a picking control device checks the sound thereof (#61), the picking device obtains the content of a response to the inquiry about the residual work (#62), and sends it to a terminal device (#63). The terminal device generates a sound as a response so as to correspond to the inquiry about the residual work (#64). For example, when the worker inquires 'residual work', the picking control device responses 'eight minutes is left' or 'more eight minutes' on the basis of the content of the residual working time. These inquiry and response are generated through a microphone and receiver.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a picking support system capable of performing picking work by voice.

2. Description of the Related Art In a distribution center or a distribution center, there is a task of selecting and arranging items designated by a slip or the like in a designated amount from items in stock, packing them in an appropriate form, and carrying out delivery. Is being done. The operation of taking out the designated one or more kinds of articles by the designated amount and arranging them (referred to as “picking” or “picking operation”) is a central operation in a distribution center or the like, and the operation is accurate. It is desired that the work efficiency is stable.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional picking operation, an operator carries a picking statement in which, for example, a necessary item name and quantity are described on a sheet for each delivery destination, and picks up around a predetermined shelf in a warehouse. An article described in the specification is taken out of the shelf and is arranged in a predetermined position.

[0004] Further, an operator carries a terminal device in which a management computer for picking is fixedly installed and data is transmitted and received wirelessly with the management computer and picking work data is displayed on a screen. There has been proposed a device which allows picking while viewing picking work data displayed on the terminal device and confirming the quantity by voice (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-8).
No. 26423).

[0005]

However, when picking is carried around while carrying a picking statement or the above-mentioned terminal device, it is necessary to close the hands to hold them, or to view the picking work data one by one. For this reason, improvement in working efficiency cannot be expected very much.

Therefore, it is conceivable that all the contents of the picking operation are instructed by voice, and the response of the worker to the content and the instruction or confirmation from the worker to the computer are all performed by voice. By doing so, it is possible to perform work that is not limited to individual differences, and both hands of the worker are free, and it is not necessary to look away to know the contents of each picking work, thereby improving work efficiency. Can be expected.

However, in such a case, the worker knows the contents of each picking operation by voice each time, but cannot know the whole picking operation. In other words, while picking work is being performed, how long will it take to complete the picking work?
Workers want to know how much work is left, but they cannot. For this reason, there is a concern that the worker becomes anxious and psychological stress increases, and there remains a problem in the long-term stability and efficiency of the picking operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to remove anxiety of an operator when picking by voice and to improve the stability and efficiency of the picking operation.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a picking support system for performing wireless communication between a picking management device for managing the progress of picking based on picking work data and the picking management device. And a picking terminal device for transmitting the contents of the picking transmitted from the picking management device to the worker by voice and inputting the voice uttered by the worker and transmitting the voice to the picking management device. In the support system, the picking management device includes a unit that verifies that the inquiry is about the remaining work of the picking from the worker, and a verification unit that verifies that the inquiry is about the remaining work. Means for performing a process for transmitting a response to the picking terminal device. The said picking terminal device, processing means for performing for emitting a sound the response sent thus provided from said picking management device.

[0010] In the picking support system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the inquiry is an inquiry about the remaining work time of picking, and the picking management device stores the remaining work time of picking every time the picking operation is completed. , And means for storing the calculated remaining work time.

[0011] Picking is performed by voice instructions or responses via a handset or the like. During picking, the operator can inquire about the remaining work.

[0012] For example, if the operator sets "remaining" and "remaining time"
When inquiring about "remaining work time" or the like, a response such as "remaining eight minutes" or "remaining eight minutes" is returned for the remaining time.

The processing for responding to the remaining time and other remaining work is realized by, for example, a personal computer. The conversion between the voice signal and the normal signal is realized by hardware or software by using a known technique such as specific speaker recognition or voice conversion.

As a method of wireless communication, a method using radio waves,
Various systems such as those using infrared rays and those using ultrasonic waves are used. In the present specification, an operation of taking out each item from a shelf or the like in a picking operation is referred to as a “take-out operation”.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a picking support system 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of picking work data DPK, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a time master table TBT. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the common coefficient register RGC.

In FIG. 1, a picking support system 1
Are a host computer 11, a large number of personal computers 12a, b, c..., And voice control devices 13a, b, c.
…, Wireless communication devices 14a, b, c ..., terminal devices 15a,
.., and the handset 16a, b, c. The personal computers 12a, b, c
... or a part of it is called "Personal computer 1".
2 ". The same applies to the voice control device 13, the wireless communication device 14, the terminal device 15, and the handset 16.

The host computer 11 and the personal computer 12 are connected by, for example, a LAN (local area network), and various data or programs can be transferred between them. One voice control device 13 and one wireless communication device 14 are connected to one personal computer 12, and one terminal device 15 can communicate with one wireless communication device 14 by wireless. . Input and output to each terminal device 15 are performed by a handset 16 connected to each terminal device. In addition, as a wireless communication method, a method using radio waves,
Various systems such as those using infrared rays and those using ultrasonic waves can be adopted.

The host computer 11 has data on many picking operations (picking operation data).
DPK is stored. The picking work data DPK stored in the host computer 11 is downloaded to any one of the personal computers 12 according to an instruction.

The personal computer 12 includes an arithmetic device, a storage device, a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The storage device stores a program for managing or controlling the picking operation. The personal computer 12 displays the downloaded picking work data DPK on a screen, and manages the progress of the picking work based on the picking work data DPK. For example, in response to an instruction from the worker WKR, an article symbol of an article to be picked, a shelf number on which the article is placed, a form of the article, a quantity, and the like are responded.
Responds to the inquiry about remaining work from R.

The personal computer 12 is means for verifying that the inquiry is from the operator regarding the remaining work of picking by the processing operation described later in the arithmetic unit, and when the personal computer 12 is verifying that the inquiry is about the remaining work. To the terminal device 1
5, a means for calculating the remaining work time of picking every time the removal operation of the article is completed, and a means for storing the calculated remaining work time.

The voice control device 13 converts an output signal from the personal computer 12 into a voice signal and sends it to the wireless communication device 14, and recognizes a voice signal input from the wireless communication device 14 and converts it into a normal signal. To the personal computer 12. In the voice control device 13, a voice dictionary including voice data of a predetermined specific worker, voice data for a specific code, and the like are registered. Based on the data, specific speaker recognition or voice conversion is performed. I do.

The wireless communication device 14 is a specific terminal device 15
Wireless communication is performed with. The wireless communication device 14 and the terminal device 15 have a one-to-one correspondence, and the terminal device 15 to be used is
The radio number NRD is determined according to.

One personal computer 12, a voice control device 13, a wireless communication device 14,
A combination of the functions of the host computer 11 and the host computer 11 may be referred to as a picking management device SYP.

The terminal device 15 is a picking management device SY
The contents of the picking and the contents of the response transmitted from the P are transmitted by voice to the worker WKR via the handset 16, and the voice emitted by the worker WKR is input via the handset 16 and transmitted to the picking management device SYP. I do.

In FIG. 2, picking work data DP
K has items of picking number NPK, product code CDA, packing quantity QLT, fractional quantity QFC, and shelf number NRA.

The picking number NPK is assigned to each piece of picking work data DPK to identify it. Usually, one picking operation data DPK is collected for a group of items to be sent to a specific destination on a specific date. As the product code CDA, one product code CDA is determined for each product according to the size, color, and the like, and the product name, size, color, and the like are identified and specified by the product code CDA.

The packing quantity QLT and the fractional quantity QFC indicate the quantity of each form of the article. The packing quantity QLT indicates the quantity in a unit (packing) packed or grouped in a fixed quantity. The fraction quantity QFC indicates the quantity in units of the minimum unit quantity (fraction) of the article. The shelf number NRA is the number of the shelf on which the item is placed. Usually, the same shelf number NRA is assigned to the package and the fractional shelves.

In FIG. 3, the time master table TB
T has items of a product code CDA, a packing unit time TLT, and a fraction unit time TFC. Packing unit time TL
T and fractional unit time TFC are:
This is the standard time required to remove one (1 unit) quantity from the shelf and place it on the wagon. Packing unit time TLT
Is the time for one package, fractional unit time T
FC is the time for one fraction. The unit is minutes. These times are determined empirically.

For example, the packing unit time TLT and the fractional unit time TFC are “3” and “1”, respectively, and the packing quantity Q
When LT and fractional quantity QFC are “2” and “4”, respectively, the total time required for taking out the item is 1
0 minutes (= 3 × 2 + 1 × 4).

In FIG. 4, the common coefficient register RGC stores a common coefficient VGC. For a single picking operation, the target time TA is obtained by multiplying the total time of all the unloading operations by the common coefficient VGC.
M is required. The common coefficient VGC is empirically determined in consideration of the travel time of the worker and the like. In this example, “1.2” is set as the common coefficient VGC.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a personal computer 1.
2 is an example of screens HG1 and HG2 displayed on the second display device.
Screen HG1 shown in FIG. 5 is an initial screen at the time of starting picking work. On the screen HG1, a wireless number NRD of the terminal device 15 to be used and an identification code of the worker WKR are input.

Screen HG2 shown in FIG. 6 is a work screen showing the contents of one picking work. On screen HG2,
The input wireless number NRD, picking number NPK, worker WKR, store code CDS, state display frame ABC indicating the progress of the work, work start time THS, work end time THE, picking work data DPKd, remaining statement DR
P, the target time TAM, the work time TWK, and the remaining work time TRW are displayed.

In the state display frame ABC, any one of "unprocessed", "working", and "worked" is highlighted. The picking work data DPKd displays the picking work data DPK of the designated picking number NPK and data of the result of the actual picking work. Remaining statement D
On the RP, when the picking operation is completed, the remaining operation due to a shortage of articles is displayed. Target time TA
M is a target time to complete the picking operation, work time TWK is an accumulated time actually required for the picking operation, and remaining work time TRW is an estimated time required for performing the remaining work. is there.

As described above, the target time TAM is obtained by multiplying the total time of all the item taking-out operations by the common coefficient VGC. The picking number NPK “1” shown in FIG.
The target time TAM1 of the operation of “2345” is: TAM1 = (2 × 3 + 4 × 1 + 1 × 4 + 1 × 6 + 5 ×
1.5 + 3 × 4 + 2 × 1.2) × 1.2 = 41.9 × 1.2 = 50.28 (min)

The work time TWK is obtained by calculating the elapsed time from the start time and the end time of the work every time a take-out work for one article is performed, and summing them. The time required for an inquiry about the remaining work, which will be described later, and the time due to interruption are excluded from the accumulation of the work time TWK.

The remaining work time TRW is obtained by subtracting the work time TWK from the target time TAM. Next, the operation and operation of the picking support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the following description and drawings, input by the worker WKR to the picking management device SYP by voice is referred to as “instruction”, and transmission from the picking management device SYP to the worker WKR by voice is referred to as “response”. .

In FIG. 7, the picking support system 1
Is started, a screen HG1 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device of the personal computer 12 (# 11).
The worker WKR operates the personal computer 12, and displays the wireless number NRD and the worker W on the screen HG1.
KR is input (# 12).

The picking management device SYP prepares to adopt the voice dictionary of the input worker WKR, and when the preparation is completed, responds with "voice preparation completed"(# 13).

The personal computer 12 displays a picking work list screen (not shown) on the display device (# 1).
4). On the picking work list screen, the delivery destination name of the item for each picking work data DPK, for example, the store name corresponding to the store code CDS is displayed. For each picking work data DPK, "done" is displayed for the picking work completed. Note that a picking number NPK or the like may be displayed instead of or together with the delivery destination name.

The worker WKR selects and specifies a picking operation from the picking operation list (# 15). The personal computer 12 downloads and stores the picking operation data DPK of the specified picking operation from the host computer 11 (# 16), displays the screen HG2 on the display device based on the downloaded data, and responds with “preparation completed” (# 16). # 17). In this state, the picking management device SYP receives only the instruction of “input start”.

The worker WKR checks the contents of the picking work data DPK by looking at the screen HG2, and prepares a wagon with the handset 16 mounted and the terminal device 15 carried. Thereafter, the worker WKR can perform all instructions such as an instruction and a response regarding the picking operation via the handset 16, and can perform the operation with both hands open. The picking operation is started by the worker WKR instructing "input start"(# 18).

When one picking operation is completed, the next picking operation is selected, and the same operation as described above is repeated (No in # 19, # 14). In FIG. 8, the worker WK
R instructs "input start" when approaching the shelf (# 2)
1). Receiving the instruction from the terminal device 15, the picking management device SYP responds "starts input"(#
22). As a result, the picking management device SYP enters the picking work mode, and records the time t1 at that time as the work start time THS. Further, the time t1 at that time is taken in to integrate the working time TWK.
Here, the status display frame ABC is changed to “working”.

The worker WKR first designates a "shelf number"(# 23). The picking management device SYP stores the shelf number NR of the first data in the picking work data DPK.
A is replied to, for example, “Y15” (# 26). After moving to the shelf, the worker WKR reads and confirms the item symbol CDA of the item placed on the shelf, and confirms it by, for example, “A-
BC3 "(# 27). The picking management device SYP is a product code CD specified by the worker WKR.
It is checked whether or not A is correct (# 28). If correct, the form and quantity of the product code CDA are responded, for example, "packing""2"(# 29).

In step # 28, if the product code CDA is incorrect, "A-BC3, product is different"
And the like (# 41), and repeat step # 25 and subsequent steps again.

The worker WKR takes out the goods from the shelves according to the designated form and quantity and loads them into the wagon, and instructs the actually taken out quantity to be, for example, "2"(# 30). The time t2 at this time is the working time T
Captured to integrate WK.

If the specified quantity is correct (Yes in # 31), the picking management device SYP returns the form, quantity, and "OK" of the item (# 3).
2). In the above example, "packing", "2", and "OK" are responded. Then, the worker WKR instructs “movement” (# 3
3). As a result, the processes or operations after step # 24 are repeated.

In this case, if there is a fraction removal operation for the same item (Yes in # 25), the picking management device SYP sets the product symbol CDA and the fraction quantity Q
Respond with FC (# 42). The worker WKR takes out the corresponding item and loads it in the wagon (# 30).

In step # 31, when the quantity is small (No in # 31, Yes in # 51), the quantity, for example, "1", "quantity is different" is returned (#
52). If the quantity is large (No in # 31, # 5
(No in 1), and responds with the quantity, for example, "3", "exceeds the designated quantity"(# 53). Even if the quantity is different, the quantity is recorded as picking work data DPKd unless the worker WKR corrects the quantity.

In step # 24, when all the items have been removed, a response to the end of the operation is made (# 45), and the worker WKR issues an input end instruction (# 46). To return.

When the picking operation is completed, the time at the end is recorded as the operation end time THE, and the state display frame A
The BC is changed to “work completed”, and the work time TWK is determined. Now, during the picking operation, the worker WKR can inquire the picking management device SYP about the remaining operation at any time. Worker WKR,
If you ask for "remaining", "remaining goods", "remaining packaging", "remaining fraction", or "all remaining",
The remaining time, the number of remaining items, the remaining packing quantity, the remaining fraction quantity, and the total quantity of the remaining packaging and the fraction are returned.
By responding to these various inquiries, the worker can obtain information about the remaining work, and anxiety and psychological stress are removed.

In FIG. 9, when the worker WKR inquires about the remaining work and the voice thereof is collated by the picking management apparatus SYP (Yes in # 61), the picking management apparatus SYP acquires the contents of the response to the inquiry about the remaining work. Then, it is transmitted to the terminal device 15 (# 63). The terminal device 15 utters the transmitted content as voice, and responds to the inquiry about the remaining work (# 64).

For example, when the worker WKR inquires of “remaining”, the picking management device SYP sends the remaining work time T
Based on the contents of the RW, for example, the response is “8 minutes remaining” or “8 minutes remaining”. This response is sent to the handset 16
Emanated from. In response, round to the nearest minute. If the remaining work time TRW is a negative value,
Responds, "One minute left."

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of accumulating the work time TWK. In FIG. 10, the work time TWK
From the time t1 when the user gives the instruction of “input start”, the time t2 when the item is first taken out and the quantity is indicated.
The time T2, T3,... Until the time t3, t4... At the time when the item is similarly taken out and the quantity is indicated is measured after the time T1, and the working time TWK is obtained by summing them. . However, the time from the inquiry about the remaining work to the response to it is excluded.

As described above, when the remaining work time TRW is obtained as “target time TAM−work time TWK”, the processing is fast because the calculation is simple. However, the remaining work time TR
W may be a negative value, in which case the actual amount of remaining work is not well reflected. Another method of calculating the remaining work time TRW which improves this point will be described.

That is, every time the operation of taking out one item is completed, the total time required for the operation of taking out the unprocessed item is obtained, and this is set as the remaining operation time TRW. In this case, the common coefficient VGC may or may not be multiplied. In this case, the actual amount of the remaining work is satisfactorily reflected.

According to the picking support system 1 described above, the picking management device SYP responds by voice to the voice inquiry about the remaining work from the work time TWK. The operator can understand whether to do so, and the anxiety of the worker is removed. Therefore, the stress of the worker is reduced, and thereby the stability of the picking operation and the improvement of the operation efficiency are achieved.

In the above embodiment, the picking work data DPK stored in the host computer 11 may be downloaded to the personal computer 12 using a floppy disk or the like as a medium. The contents, item names, number of digits, numerical values, and the like of the picking work data DPK can be variously changed in addition to the above. The configuration of the whole or each part of the picking support system 1, the content or order of the processing, and the like can be appropriately changed according to the gist of the present invention.

[0058]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention,
When performing picking by voice, it is possible to improve the stability of the picking work and the work efficiency by removing anxiety of the worker.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly respond to the inquiry about the remaining work time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a picking support system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of picking work data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time master table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a common coefficient register.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial screen when starting a picking operation.

FIG. 6 is a work screen showing the contents of a picking work.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the entire processing or operation of the picking support system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a picking work process or operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of inquiring about remaining work.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of integrating work times.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Picking Support System 12 Personal Computer (Picking Management Device) 13 Voice Control Device (Picking Management Device) 14 Wireless Communication Device (Picking Management Device) 15 Terminal Device (Picking Terminal Device) 16 Handset SYP Picking Management Device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A picking management device that manages the progress of picking based on picking work data, and wireless communication is performed between the picking management device and the contents of picking transmitted from the picking management device to an operator. A picking terminal device for transmitting by voice and inputting the voice emitted by the worker and transmitting the voice to the picking management device, wherein the picking management device includes: Means for collating that it is an inquiry from the worker about work, and means for performing processing for transmitting a response to the inquiry to the picking terminal device when collating that it is an inquiry about remaining work. Is transmitted to the picking terminal device from the picking management device. Picking support system wherein the response processing means for performing thus provided for emitting a voice, characterized in that it is. 2. The picking management device according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry is an inquiry about remaining picking operation time, and the picking management device calculates a remaining picking operation time every time the picking operation is completed.
2. A picking support system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the calculated remaining work time.