JPH1095525A - Automatic book sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve work efficiency in returning a lot of books and effectively utilize space in the place where an automatic book sorting device is installed by selectively accommodating books in a plurality of book stacking boxes through a plurality of book receiving tables capable of circulating in a loop according to the book classification program previously set. SOLUTION: A book sorting mechanism 14 has a plurality of book receiving tables 15, which are arranged in equally spaced relation along a nearly oval loop, and is installed nearly parallel with a wall face 17 perpendicular to the floor 16. While the book thrown into a thrown book receiving section 11 to be returned is being transferred by a conveyor 13, book returning procedure is completed, and the book is carried on an empty book receiving table 15 which is circulated to a position corresponding to the discharge port 13a of the conveyor 13. The book is circulated to the position corresponding to a book stacking box 20 in which the book is to be accommodated. The book carried on the book receiving table 15 is thus transferred to the book stacking box 20. The book is thus sorted according to the returning book classification program previously set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is suitable for use in, for example, a large library for storing a large amount of books, and has been developed to improve the work efficiency required for returning various kinds of books. To an improved automatic book sorting apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in recent years, in a large-scale library or the like having a large collection of books, a bar code label for identification is attached to each of all books stored therein.
A book management system has been introduced in which the barcode and book name are associated with each other and registered in a book file of a computer, thereby performing comprehensive storage management of all books.

[0003] In a library in which such a book management system is introduced, a user card in which an identification code or the like for each individual is magnetically recorded is distributed to all users who request a book to be lent. In this case, the association between the identification code recorded on the user card and the barcode of the book requested to be borrowed is performed to manage the lending and return of the book.

[0004] Specifically, when lending a book,
The librarian reads the bar code label of the requested book using a bar code reader, reads the identification code of the user card submitted by the user with a magnetic card reader, and uses the bar code and the identification code as rental data. Input to computer. Then, the computer associates the input barcode with the identification code and registers it in the lending file, and the book lending procedure is completed here.

When returning a book, a librarian reads a barcode label of the returned book with a barcode reader, and inputs the read barcode to a computer as return data. Then the computer
The registration of the rental file corresponding to the input barcode is deleted, and the book return procedure is completed. After that, the librarian sorts the returned books according to classification or open / closed and returns them to the library.

By the way, in such a book management system, each time a book is returned, a librarian is required to carry out a return procedure on a computer or to sort books whose return procedure has been completed. It is necessary to perform repetitive work. For this reason, when the number of books to be returned increases, the frequency of the work required by the librarian to return the books increases, so that there is a disadvantage that the work load of the librarian increases when combined with other tasks.

[0007] For this reason, recently, in order to improve the work efficiency required for returning books, the work of returning procedures and sorting work for a large number of books has been automated, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-246164. As shown, an automatic book sorting system is being considered. This book automatic sorting system simply reads the bar code of the book and performs the return procedure simply by putting the book to be returned into the predetermined book slot, and also returns the book for which the return procedure has been completed. The books are sorted and stored in a plurality of book stacking boxes installed according to the classification.

[0008] However, such an automatic book sorting system is still under development,
There is much room for improvement in various respects. Especially,
This type of automatic sorting system not only promotes the development of functions that accurately and quickly performs the return procedure and sorting work for a large number of books, but also makes effective use of space in the library. As can be expected, it is very important in practical use to improve the configuration.

[0009]

As described above, an automatic book sorting system in which return procedures and sorting work are automated is not only intended to improve the work efficiency required for returning books, but also to improve library efficiency. In order to make effective use of the space in the installation location such as
Improvements in detail have become important issues in the future.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can improve the work efficiency required for returning a large amount of books, and can effectively utilize the space at the installation location to provide a configuration suitable for practical use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a very good automatic book sorting apparatus.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic book sorting apparatus, comprising: an input section into which books are input; transport means for transporting the books input to the input section; A reading unit that reads an identification code attached to the book from the book, and automatically sorts the book based on the identification code read by the reading unit.

A plurality of cradles, on which the books conveyed by the conveying means are mounted, are arranged in a loop on a plane substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and can be circulated along the loop arrangement, On one side of the loop composed of multiple cradle,
A plurality of book stacking boxes are provided along the loop, and the books mounted on the receiving tray are selectively transferred.

According to the above arrangement, first, the user simply inserts the book to be returned into the slot, the identification code attached to the book is read, and the return procedure is automatically performed. Will be. Thereafter, the books for which the return procedure has been completed in this way are selectively housed in a plurality of book stacking boxes installed according to book classifications through a plurality of receiving trays circulating in a loop. As a result, books are automatically sorted. For this reason, the process of the return procedure for a large number of books, the sorting work, and the like are automated, and the efficiency of the book return work can be further improved.

A loop in which a plurality of receiving tables are circulated is installed so as to be substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane, and a plurality of book stacking boxes are installed only on one side thereof. For this reason, the other side of the loop in which the plurality of cradles circulate can be opposed to, for example, a wall surface perpendicular to the horizontal plane, so that the space at the installation location can be effectively used.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the book automatic sorting system described here. First, generally speaking, reference numeral 11 in the figure denotes an input receiving unit for automatic book return, which is installed, for example, near a user counter (not shown) in a library. Then, the user simply inserts the book to be returned (not shown) into the input receiving unit 11 in the designated direction.
Books can be returned automatically without the need for librarians.

That is, the books loaded into the loading receiving unit 11 are loaded on the transport conveyor 13 through the shooter 12. The conveyor 13 guides the books discharged from the shooter 12 to a sorting mechanism 14 for automatically sorting the books by classification, for example. In this case, while the book is being conveyed by the conveyor 13, the barcode attached to the book is read, and the book return procedure is completed.

The sorting mechanism 14 has a plurality of (11 in the illustrated case) receiving stands 15, 15,... Arranged at regular intervals along a substantially elliptical loop shape. I have.
The loop formed by the plurality of cradles 15, 15,... Has a plane substantially perpendicular to a horizontal floor 16, that is, substantially parallel to a wall 17 perpendicular to the floor 16. They are installed in parallel. The plurality of receiving tables 15, 15,... Are cyclically moved by the receiving table transport mechanism 18 and its driving mechanism 19 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing along the arranged loop shape. Has become.

In this case, a plurality of cradles 15, 15,...
Are sequentially moved to a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13 by being cyclically moved by the receiving table transport mechanism 18 and the drive mechanism 19 thereof. And the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13
The book unloaded from the conveyor 13 is mounted on the receiving table 15 which has been moved to a position corresponding to.

Further, one receiving table 15 is provided on the transport conveyor 13.
, Among the plurality of receiving bases 15, 15,..., Eight receiving bases 15, 15,. At the corresponding positions, the book stacking boxes 20, 20,.
… Is installed. These plural book collecting boxes 20 and 2
0,... Can accommodate a plurality of books of different classifications.

Each of the book bins 20, 20,...
When the cradle 15 carrying the book corresponding to the classification of the user reaches the corresponding position, the cradle 15
The books mounted on are relocated and accommodated. In this case, a plurality of book bins 20, 20,.
, And the trays 15, 15,... Which have been moved to positions corresponding to the plurality of book stacking boxes 20, 20,. Guide plates 21, 21,... For guiding the transfer are provided respectively.

Here, the plurality of book bins 20, 2
0,... Are the collecting box support portions 22, 22,.
It is supported detachably. By this, librarian 2
3 is to remove, for example, a full book stacking box 20 from the stacking box support 22 and mount it on a dedicated caster 24 to transport it to a library, or mount an empty book stacking box 20 on a caster 24. It can be transported to a predetermined stacking box support 22 and mounted on the stacking box support 22.

For this reason, the books to be returned, which have been loaded into the loading receiving section 11, are returned to the outlet 13a of the transport conveyor 13 after the return procedure is completed while being transported by the transport conveyor 13. Is mounted on an empty cradle 15 which has already been circulated and moved to the position where the cradle is to be moved. In a state where the receiving table 15 is circulated and moved to a position corresponding to the book stacking box 20 in which the loaded books are to be stored, the receiving table 1 is
The books loaded in 5 are transferred to the book stacking box 20, where the returned books are sorted by classification.

As described above, the returned books are processed into a plurality of book bins 20, 20,.
Since the books are automatically sorted into..., The librarian 23 does not need to carry out the return procedure and sort the returned books each time the book is returned. That is, librarian 23
Requires only the operation of returning the books stored in the full book bins 20, 20,... To the bookshelf corresponding to the classification, which can further improve the efficiency of the book return operation. become able to.

FIG. 2 shows the automatic book sorting system described above as viewed from the side. When viewed in this direction, the input receiving unit 11 is in front. And
For example, an LED (Light Emitti)
ng Diode) A message monitor 11a including a character display and the like is provided. This message monitor 11a
Displays various messages to the user who returns the book. The content of this message is
For example, "I can return", "Please wait for input" and "Please insert with the barcode label of the book on top"
For example, various expressions are provided for the convenience of the user.

The input receiving section 11 has a book slot 11 for a user to actually input a book to be returned.
b is formed. Further, the input receiving unit 11 is provided with a book return port 11c for returning a book whose barcode could not be read among books input to the book input port 11b to the user.

The receipt receiving section 11 has a receiving receipt issuing section 11d for issuing a receiving receipt to the user when the process of returning the book put into the book slot 11b is completed. Is installed.
In addition, this receipt is operated by the user using the operation button 11e.
By operating, a book for which the return procedure has been completed at that time is issued.

Further, the plurality of collecting box support portions 22, 2
2,... Indicate the book collection boxes 20, 2 that they support.
.. Have a function of independently moving up and down as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure. The lifting operation of the book stacking boxes 20, 20,... By the stacking box supports 22, 22,.
Are operated by operating the operation boxes 25, 25,. Further, at the upper end of each of the collecting box support portions 22, 22,..., A full indicator light for indicating that the book collecting boxes 20, 20,. , 26,... Are provided respectively.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the book 27 has a bar code label 2 for identification of the book 27, for example, at a lower right corner in the figure as a specified range in the cover 27a.
7b is stuck. Further, the book 27 is provided with a magnetized piece 27d for preventing unauthorized removal of the book 27 on the side near the spine 27c in the cover 27a. This magnetized piece 27d
Is demagnetized when the book 27 is lent out through a regular lending procedure, and is magnetized when returned.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the relationship among the input receiving section 11, the shooter 12, the conveyor 13 and the receiving table 15. First, when the book 27 is inserted into the book insertion slot 11b of the insertion receiving unit 11, does the book 27 protrude from the inside of the shooter 12 by the protrusion detector 12b installed near the entrance 12a of the shooter 12? No is detected. In this case, the book 27 is the shooter 12
If it is determined that the book is out of the book, for example, the message monitor 11a informs the user of the book 2
7 is displayed to instruct to reinsert.

The book 27 correctly inserted into the book slot 11b without protruding from the inside of the shooter 12 is inserted through the inside of the shooter 12 installed with a predetermined downward inclination.
The outlet 12c is stopped by being locked by a stopper 12d that closes the outlet 12c. The stopper 12d is provided so as to be able to open and close the outlet 12c of the shooter 12 by transmitting the rotational force of the opening / closing motor 12e via the rod mechanism 12f.

Then, a book 27 is attached to the stopper 12d.
Is locked, the book detector 12g installed near the outlet 12c of the shooter 12 detects the presence of the book 27 and controls the opening / closing motor 12e so as to move the stopper 12d to the open position. Therefore, the book 27 is discharged from the outlet 12 c of the chute 12 and is placed on the transport conveyor 13.

In this case, when the book detector 12h installed near the outlet 12c of the shooter 12 detects that the book 27 has been discharged from the outlet 12c of the shooter 12, the conveyor drive motor 13b is driven, and The rotational force is transmitted to the conveyor 13 via the belt 13c. The transport conveyor 13 is installed with a predetermined upward inclination, and travels so as to transport the placed book 27 upward in the figure. The barcode label 27b is read by the barcode reader 13f while the book 27 conveyed by the conveyor 13 is detected by the pair of book detectors 13d and 13e.

At this time, depending on the orientation of the book 27 when it is inserted into the book slot 11b, such as when the book 27 is inserted with its barcode label 27b facing down, for example. Even when the book detectors 13d and 13e detect the presence of the book 27, the barcode reader 13f may not be able to read the barcode label 27b. In such a case, the transport conveyor 13 is controlled to transport the book 27 in the reverse direction,
The book 27 is returned to the user through the book return port 11c.

On the other hand, if the bar code reader 13f can correctly read the bar code label 27b while the presence of the book 27 is detected by the pair of book detectors 13d and 13e, the bar code label is read. By sending the barcode data to the control system described later, the registration of the rental file for the book 27 is deleted, and the return procedure is completed here.

The book 27 whose bar code label 27b has been read in this way and whose return procedure has been completed is further conveyed by the conveyer 13 during the period when its presence is detected by the pair of book detectors 13g and 13h. The magnetization of the magnetized piece 27d is performed by the magnetization setter 13i.

The book 27 conveyed by the conveyor 13 is carried out of the outlet 13a of the conveyor 13 and is once mounted on the delivery table 28, and then is transferred to the outlet 13a of the conveyor 13. Is moved to the cradle 15 which has been moved to the position where In this case, when the book detector 13h no longer detects the presence of the book 27, that is, when it is determined that the book 27 is completely unloaded from the transfer conveyor 13, the movement of the conveyor 13 is stopped. You.

Here, the delivery table 28 is located above the receiving table 15 which has been moved to a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13, so that the book 27 can be smoothly received and discharged. A plurality of rollers 28a, 28a,... Are arranged on the surface on which the book 27 is mounted so as to be rotatable. The transfer table 28 is rotated about a rotation shaft 30a by a swing motor 30 attached to a fixed frame 29 that supports the sorting mechanism 14.

In this case, the delivery table 28 approaches the carry-out port 13a of the conveyor 13 and receives the book 27 carried out from the carry-out port 13a at a first position (a position shown by a solid line in the figure). Book 27 received at the first position
Is selectively controlled to a second position (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing) for discharging the sheet toward the receiving table 15 described above.

Therefore, first, the delivery table 28 is moved to the first position.
The book 27 carried out from the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13 can be received by the delivery table 28 by controlling the position of the book 27 to the position shown in FIG. Then, by controlling the delivery table 28 to the second position, the books 27 mounted on the delivery table 28 are slid down onto the reception table 15 by their own weight, and the delivery port of the transport conveyor 13 is placed here. The book 27 carried out from 13a is transferred to the receiving table 15.

The fixed frame 29 is provided with a protruding prevention plate 31 for preventing the books 27 slid off from the delivery table 28 from protruding from the receiving table 15.

Here, the receiving table 15 is installed on the transfer table 28 with substantially the same direction and angle as the inclination given at the second position. Then, the book 27 slid down from the delivery table 28 to the receiving table 15 is stopped by being locked by the stopper 32 provided at the lower end of the receiving table 15 in the drawing. The cradle 15
That the book 27 is mounted on the cradle 15 is detected by a book detector (not shown) installed near the receiving table 15.

The cradle 15 is connected to the cradle transport mechanism 1 formed on a fixed frame 29 via a trolley 33.
8. In this case, the bottom portion 33 of the carriage 33
A is provided with a positioning piece 33b. The fixed frame 29 has a position detector 29a for detecting the presence or absence of a positioning piece 33b protruding from the carriage 33 at a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13.
Is installed. The position detector 29a detects the presence or absence of the positioning piece 33b by, for example, optical means, and sends the detection result to the control system.

For this reason, in the control system described above, when the position detector 29a detects the presence of the positioning piece 33b, the carriage 33, that is, the receiving table 15, reaches the position corresponding to the outlet 13a of the transport conveyor 13. Can be determined. In this case, when any one cradle 15 reaches a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a of the transport conveyor 13, the eight cradles 1 located above the loop described above.
Each of the receiving trays 15, 15,... Is located at a position corresponding to the book stacking boxes 20, 20,.
… Intervals are set.

Next, the receiving table transport mechanism 18 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the fixed frame 29 has two drive sprocket wheels 18a, 1
8b is rotatably supported. The driving sprocket wheels 18a and 18b are coaxially arranged so as to be upright with respect to a horizontal plane. The driving sprocket wheels 18a and 18b are integrally rotated by the operation of the driving mechanism 19, as will be described in detail later. ing.

The fixed frame 29 has two driven sprocket wheels 18 at a position separated from the driving sprocket wheels 18a, 18b by a predetermined distance.
c and 18d are rotatably supported. The driven sprocket wheels 18c and 18d are coaxially arranged facing the driving sprocket wheels 18a and 18b, respectively, in an upright state with respect to a horizontal plane. Between them, a drive roller chain 18e formed in a loop is provided. A drive roller chain 18f formed in a loop is also provided between the drive sprocket wheel 18b and the driven sprocket wheel 18d. For this reason,
When the two drive sprocket wheels 18a, 18b are integrally driven to rotate by the operation of the drive mechanism 19, the respective drive roller chains 18e, 18f run integrally along the loop shape.

On the other hand, a pair of guide rails 18g, 18h are laid on the fixed frame 29 along the upper shape of the loop formed by the drive roller chains 18e, 18f. Further, a pair of guide rails 18i, 18j are laid on the fixed frame 29 along the lower side of the loop formed by the drive roller chains 18e, 18f.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide rails 18g and 18h are each formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section, and are juxtaposed with the fixed frame 29 so that the insides thereof face each other. ing. Also, the guide rail 18
i, 18j are each formed in a substantially U-shape in cross section, and are juxtaposed with the fixed frame 29 so that their openings face each other.

Here, the carriage 33 supporting the receiving table 15
Has a pair of guide rollers 33 on its bottom surface 33a.
c and 33d are each rotatably supported. On the upper side of the loop formed by the drive roller chains 18e and 18f, the carriage 33 is moved upright by the guide rollers 33c and 33d rolling on the guide rails 18g and 18h.
g, 18h.

The drive roller chains 18e, 18f
On the lower side of the loop formed by the carriage 33, the carriage 33 has guide rollers 33c, 33d whose guide rails 18i,
By rolling inside 18j, it is configured to be moved along guide rails 18i and 18j in an inverted state. Each connecting portion between the guide rails 18g, 18h and the guide rails 18i, 18j is connected to the guide rollers 33c, 33d of the carriage 33 by the guide rails 18g, 18g.
From 18h to guide rails 18i and 18j, or vice versa, each is configured to smoothly transition.

For this reason, the carriage 33 is mounted on the guide rail 18.
g, 18h and the guide rails 18i, 18j, and are circulated along the loop shape of the drive roller chains 18e, 18f. In this case, all the carts 33, 33,... Supporting the plurality of receiving tables 15, 15,... Have the same configuration, and circulate along the loop shape of the drive roller chains 18e, 18f. It is to be moved.

Are connected at equal intervals on the drive roller chains 18e, 18f. For this reason, by the operation of the driving mechanism 19, the driving roller chains 18e and 18f are integrally moved along the loop shape thereof, so that the plurality of bogies 3 are formed.
Are simultaneously circulated and moved along the loop shape.

Here, the driving sprocket wheels 18a and 18b are, as shown in FIG.
Are attached integrally at regular intervals. The rotating shaft 18k is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 29b and 29c attached to the fixed frame 29. The rotation shaft 18k is connected to a drive shaft 19a that constitutes the drive mechanism 19.

The drive shaft 19a is connected to a rotation shaft 19d of a drive motor 19c via a shaft joint 19b. The drive motor 19c is fixed on a support base 29d attached to the fixed frame 29. Then, the rotation driving force of the rotation shaft 19d of the drive motor 19c is transmitted to the drive sprocket wheels 18a, 18b via the shaft joint 19b and the rotation shaft 18k, so that the drive roller chains 18e, 18f are formed into a loop shape. It is run cyclically along.

Next, the receiving table 15 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape and, as shown in FIG. 8, has the same first inclination as when the transfer table 28 is controlled to the second position. (Approximately 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction), as shown in FIG. 9, the direction in which the book 27 slides down from the delivery table 28, that is, the direction in which the book 27 abuts against the stopper 32, is one axis. It is supported by the carriage 33 so as to have a second inclination (approximately 20 ° with respect to the horizontal direction) rotated in the horizontal direction.

The lower side of the receiving table 15 due to the second inclination is bent at a substantially right angle to form a guide piece 15a. For this reason, the book 27 is transferred from the delivery table 28 to the receiving table 15, and is biased by its own weight so as to come into contact with the guide piece 15 a of the receiving table 15 in a state where the book 27 is stopped by contacting the stopper 32. In other words, the position is automatically determined.

Here, the stopper 32 has a shape obtained by bending a flat plate into a substantially L-shaped side surface. The stopper 32 has one end 32 a rotatably supported by a shaft 32 b installed at a substantially central portion of the back surface 15 b of the receiving table 15. The other end 32c of the stopper 32 serves as a portion for holding the book 27 by closing the lower end of the receiving table 15, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS.

The shaft 32b supports a spring mechanism 32d. The spring mechanism 32c includes a stopper 32
8, the direction in which the other end 32c does not block the lower end of the receiving table 15 (the position indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 8 and 9), that is, the counterclockwise rotation in FIG. Giving power.

On the other hand, on the bottom surface 33a of the carriage 33,
One end of a support member 33e formed in a substantially L-shaped side surface is fixed. Further, the bottom portion 3 of the support 33e
At the other end, which stands substantially vertically from 3a, a support pin 3
3f is planted. A substantially central portion of a support lever 33g is rotatably supported by the support pin 33f.

At one end of the support lever 33g, a support roller 33h that contacts the back side of the stopper 32 is rotatably supported. The support lever 33
The other end of g is loosely inserted through a through hole 33i formed in the bottom surface 33a of the carriage 33, and extends below the carriage 33 to form an engaging portion 33j.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 again, the support lever 33g has an engagement hole 33k formed on one side surface thereof and an engagement hole 33m formed on one side surface of the bogie 33. Coil spring 33n fixed between
Accordingly, a rotational urging force is applied in a direction in which the support roller 33h contacts the back side of the stopper 32, that is, a counterclockwise rotation in FIG.

Here, the rotation of the support lever 33g in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 is caused by a stopper (not shown) installed in the carriage 33 at a position where the support lever 33g stands substantially vertically with the support roller 33h up. It is regulated to be up to. When the support lever 33g is upright, the support roller 33h presses the back surface of the stopper 32 against the urging force of the spring mechanism 32d, and the stopper 32 is received by the other end 32c. It is held in a state where it has been rotated to a position where the lower end of the table 15 is closed.

That is, in the normal state, the support lever 3
The stopper 32 is held at a position where the spring 3n stands up substantially vertically by the urging force of the spring 33n, and the stopper 32 is held at a position where the other end 32c closes the lower end of the receiving base 15. Therefore, the exit 1 of the conveyor 13
When the book 27 carried out from the 3a is transferred to the empty receiving table 15 which has been moved to a position corresponding to the carry-out port 13a via the transfer table 28, the book 27 is locked by the stopper 32 and 15.

On the other hand, on the fixed frame 29, as shown in FIG.
The sorting selection mechanisms 34, 34,... Are installed at positions corresponding to 0, 20,. Since these sorting selection mechanisms 34, 34,... Have the same configuration, only one of them will be described below as an example.
That is, the support piece 34a that stands substantially vertically is attached to the fixed frame 29.

The support piece 34a has a shaft 34b
A substantially central portion of the selection lever 34c is rotatably supported on the shaft 34b. As shown in FIG. 10, a striker 34d is attached to one end of the selection lever 34c. In addition, this selection lever 34c
The driving piece 3 of the solenoid plunger 34e is
4f are connected.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8 again, the selection lever 34c has an engagement portion 34g formed on one side thereof.
A coil-shaped spring 34i engaged between an engaging portion 34h formed on the support piece 34a and the engaging portion 34h urges the coil 34 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. The rotation of the selection lever 34c in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8 is performed when one side of the selection lever 34c is engaged with the engagement piece 34 attached to the support piece 34a.
j.

Then, the selection lever 34c is
In a state where the striker 34j is in contact with the engagement piece 34j by the urging force of 4i, the striker 34d is located outside the movement path of the engagement portion 33j of the support lever 33g supported by the carriage 33. Therefore, even if the carriage 33 is moved by the receiving carriage mechanism 18 and the drive mechanism 19, the engaging portion 33j of the support lever 33g supported by the carriage 33 is provided.
Will not come into contact with the striker 34d.

When the solenoid plunger 34e is energized, the drive piece 34f is retracted so as to rotate the selection lever 34c clockwise in FIG. 8 against the urging force of the spring 34i. At this time, the striker 34d comes to be located on the movement path of the engaging portion 33j of the support lever 33g supported by the carriage 33.

For this reason, when the carriage 33 is moved by the receiving carriage mechanism 18 and its driving mechanism 19, as shown in FIG. 9, the engaging portion of the support lever 33g supported by the carriage 33 again. 33j comes into contact with the striker 34d. Then, as the carriage 33 is further moved, the support lever 33g is moved by the spring 33n.
9 is rotated clockwise in FIG.

Then, the support roller 3 of the support lever 33g
Since 3h is detached from the back surface of the stopper 32, the stopper 32 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 8 by the urging force of the spring mechanism 32d, and the end 32c of the stopper 32 is
5 is a position where the lower end is not closed. For this reason, the book 27 mounted on the cradle 15 is
From the book stacking box 20 via the guide plate 21.
Will be transferred to

In short, power is supplied to any one of the solenoid plungers 34e of the sorting selection mechanisms 34, 34,... Installed on the fixed frame 29 at positions corresponding to the plurality of book stacking boxes 20, 20,. Book 2 mounted on a plurality of cradles 15, 15,.
7, 27,... Are replaced with desired book collecting boxes 20, 20,.
Can be selectively transported to the vehicle. The energization of the solenoid plunger 34e is managed by the control system.

As shown in FIG. 11, a book 27 slid from an arbitrary receiving table 15 is placed in a corresponding book stacking box 20 via a substantially flat guide plate 21 supported by a fixed frame 29. To be housed. The guide plate 21 is provided at a position where the book 27 slid down from the support 15 is received.
It is installed with substantially the same inclination as 5, and serves as a bridge for passing books 27 from the cradle 15 to the book stacking box 20. The fixed frame 29 is installed so that the side opposite to the side where the guide plate 21 is installed faces the wall surface 17.

Here, the book stacking box 20 is supported by the stacking box support portion 22 attached to the fixed frame 29 so as to have a slope that extends upward from below in the figure with respect to the wall surface 17. I have. This accumulation box support part 22
It has a long collecting box support plate 22a,
2a is supported by the fixed frame 29 so as to have an inclination that extends upward from below in the figure with respect to the wall surface 17. The stacking box 20 is supported by the stacking box support plate 22a so as to be vertically movable along the longitudinal direction.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a guide portion 22b is formed on one side surface of the stacking box support plate 22a along the longitudinal direction. In this guide part 22b,
Two slide members 22c and 22d are slidably supported respectively. The two slide members 22c and 22d are provided on the substantially flat stacking box support 22e.
Is attached.

A substantially concave fitting portion 22f is formed at the upper end of the accumulation box support 22e. The lower end portion of the stacking box support 22e is bent into a substantially L-shape to form a stacking box mounting portion 22g. Then, the lower end portion of the book stacking box 20 is placed on the stacking box placing portion 22g, and the engaging portion 20a implanted on one side of the book stacking box 20 is fitted to the fitting portion 22f. As a result, the book stacking box 20 is supported by the stacking box support 22e, and is slidably supported by the stacking box support plate 22a along the guide portion 22b.

A sprocket wheel 22h is rotatably supported on the upper end of the stacking box support plate 22a. Further, two sprocket wheels 22i and 22j are rotatably supported at the lower end of the stacking box support plate 22a. The fixed frame 29 is provided with an elevating motor 29e.
A single elevating chain 22k is installed between the drive sprocket wheel 29f connected to the rotating shaft of the elevating motor 29e and the sprocket wheels 22h, 22i, 22j.

Chain support bolts 22k1 and 22k2 are attached to both ends of the elevating chain 22k, and these two chain support bolts 22k1 and 22k are attached.
2 is screwed to the stacking box support 22e. For this reason,
When the driving sprocket wheel 29f is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction by the elevating motor 29e, the elevating chain 22k runs along the longitudinal direction, and the stacking box support 2 is moved.
The book stacking box 20 is moved up and down via 2e.

The stacking box support plate 22a has an upper limit detector 22m for detecting the upper limit position of the book stacking box 20 when it is raised, and a lower limit position for detecting the lower limit position of the book stacking box 20 when it is lowered. A lower limit detector 22n is provided. In addition, the full indicator light 26 is provided on the accumulation box support plate 22a.
Is installed.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a rear view and a side view showing details of the book stacking box 20, respectively. That is, the book stacking box 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose front side is opened, and accommodates a plurality of books 27, 27,... In the book stacking box 20, a partition plate 20b is provided substantially at the center. Also, one side plate 20c of the book stacking box 20 has books 27 and 2 attached thereto.
The slits 20d are formed along the direction in which 7,... Are stacked, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the book stacking box 20.

A book detector (not shown) is provided on the stacking box support plate 22a at a position corresponding to the slit 20d. This book detector has a slit 20d
, The presence or absence of the book 27 in the book stacking box 20 is detected, and the book 2 stacked in the book stacking box 20 is detected.
.., That is, the heights of the books 27, 27,... Stacked in the book stacking box 20 are detected.

That is, when the book stacking box 20 is mounted on the stacking box support 22e, it is moved to the uppermost position when it is empty. Then, the guide plate 2 is
When the books 27, 27,..., Which are slid down and stored in the book stacking box 20 via the book 1 reach the height detected by the book detector, the book stacking box 20 27
Is lowered to a position where the detection is no longer possible.

In this way, regardless of the amount of the books 27, 27,... Stored in the book stacking box 20, the books 27 are transferred from the receiving table 15 through the guide plate 21 into the book stacking box 20. Can be made substantially equal, so that the books 27 can be prevented from being damaged, and the books 27 can be correctly accommodated in the book stacking box 20. When the lower limit detector 22n detects that the book stacking box 20 has dropped to the limit, it is determined that the book stacking box 20 is full.

Note that, on the back of the book stacking box 20, a fixture 20e for transport is provided. That is, the book stacking box 20 can be transported alone by removing it from the stacking box support 22e. In this case, the fixture 20e can be easily transported by fitting it to a dedicated caster (not shown).

Also, the books 27, 27,
The surface on which... Are placed, that is, the partition plate 20b and the bottom plate 20f are inclined along the above-described second inclination of the receiving table 15. Therefore, each book 27, 27, ...
.. Are housed in the book stacking box 20, and along the slope of the partition plate 20b or the bottom plate 20f, the side surfaces 2 are placed under their own weight.
Since the sheets are automatically shifted in the direction of contact with 0c, they are arranged in order not to fall apart in the book stacking box 20.

FIG. 14 shows a control system for controlling the book sorting system as described above.
That is, reference numeral 35 in the figure denotes a host computer developed for a library. The host computer 35, for all of the stored books 27, 27,..., Has a collection file in which the barcode is associated with the book name, the barcode of the book 27 requested to be lent and the user card. And a rental file for registration in association with the identification code.

The host computer 35 is connected to an arithmetic control unit 36a constituting the automatic book sorting control unit 36 via a communication control unit 36b. The operation control unit 36a includes, for example, a microprocessor (not shown) or the like, and based on a program stored in a program storage unit 36c, the host computer 35a.
, And by performing arithmetic processing using the data storage unit 36d, a series of operations of the book sorting system are controlled in a comprehensive manner.

That is, the arithmetic control unit 36a controls the message monitor 11a, the reception receipt issuing unit 11d (including the operation button 11e), and the barcode reader 13f via the communication control unit 36e. The arithmetic control unit 36a controls the magnetization setting unit 13i via an output unit 36f. Further, the arithmetic control unit 36a
Are the protruding detector 12b and the book detector 12g,
Each detection output, such as 12h, from the shooter-related detector 37 is received via the input unit 36g.

The arithmetic control unit 36a receives the respective detection outputs from the conveyor-related detectors 38, such as the book detectors 13d, 13e, 13g, and 13h, via the input unit 36g. Further, the arithmetic and control unit 36a receives a detection output from the cradle transfer-related detector 39 represented by the position detector 29a via an input unit 36g. The arithmetic control unit 36a is connected to the upper limit detector 22.
m, the lower limit detector 22n, the book detector, and the like, each detection output from the accumulation box-related detector 40 is received via the input unit 36g.

Further, the arithmetic and control unit 36 a
6h, the eight operation boxes 25, 25,...
... are controlled respectively. The operation control unit 36a
Are connected to the eight operation boxes 2 via the input / output unit 36h.
, 25,... Are received.

Here, the arithmetic control unit 36a controls the monitor 41 installed at the user counter via the communication control unit 36i. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 36a
The transport-related motors 42 such as the opening / closing motor 12e, the conveyor driving motor 13b, and the driving motor 19c are controlled via the driving unit 36j. Further, the arithmetic control unit 3
6a controls the oscillating motor 30 via a driving unit 36j.

The operation control unit 36a includes a driving unit 36j
Control the solenoid plungers 34e, 34e,... Of the sorting selecting mechanisms 34, 34,. Further, the arithmetic control unit 36a includes the driving unit 3
The lifting motor 29e is controlled via 6j. The arithmetic control unit 36a controls the full indicator light 25 via the output unit 36k. This full indicator light 25
Turns on when the book stacking box 20 is lowered to the lower limit, and informs the librarian that the book stacking box 20 is full.

The operation of the book sorting system as described above will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, start (Step S
1) Then, in step S2, when the book 27 to be returned is inserted by the user into the book insertion slot 11b of the insertion receiving unit 11, the book 27 is locked by the stopper 12d controlled to the closed state. , Held in the shooter 12.

In such a state, the arithmetic control unit 36
a is the book detector 13d, 13e, 1 in step S3.
After confirming that another book 27 does not exist on the conveyor 13 based on each detection output from 3g and 13h, in step S4, the opening / closing motor 12e is driven to open the stopper 12d. Then, the book 27 in the shooter 12 is moved onto the conveyor 13.

Then, the arithmetic and control unit 36a determines in step S
At 5, the conveyor drive motor 13b is driven to transport the book 27 by the transport conveyor 13. In this transport state, the arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S6 that the book 2
7 is a barcode reader 13f.
When the bar code is read, the read bar code is transmitted to the host computer 35. In this case, the host computer 35 deletes the registration of the rented file based on the input barcode and completes the return procedure. Then, the assortment data indicating the assortment of the book 27 is stored in the arithmetic control unit. 36a.

If the bar code of the book 27 is not read in step S6, the arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S7 that the book 27 is detected by the last book detector 13h on the transport conveyor 13. It is determined whether or not the barcode has been successfully read before reaching.

If it is determined that the bar code cannot be read (NO), the arithmetic control unit 36a
In step S8, the conveyor drive motor 13b is rotated in the reverse direction, and the book 27 is read by the transport conveyor 13 into the book return port 11c.
And return it to the user. Thereafter, in step S9, the arithmetic control unit 36a causes the message monitor 11a of the insertion receiving unit 11 to display a caution message instructing the direction of insertion of the book 27, and returns to the process of step S2.

If it is determined in step S7 that the barcode could be read (YES), the arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S10 that the destination data sent from the host computer 35 has been received. After confirming this, in step S11, it is determined whether or not a request for issuing a receipt has been issued, that is, whether or not the operation button 11e of the receipt receipt issuing unit 11d has been operated.
Here, when it is determined that there is a reception receipt issuance request (YES), the arithmetic control unit 36a proceeds to step S1.
In step 2, the receiving receipt issuing unit 11d issues a receiving receipt.

After step S12, or if it is determined in step S11 that there is no receipt receipt issuance request (NO), the arithmetic control unit 36a in step S13 uses the magnetization setting unit 13i to read the book 27 Magnetized piece 2
After the 7d is magnetized, the book 27 is sent to the delivery table 28 in step S14. Then, the arithmetic control unit 36a
In step S15, the delivery table 28 is rotated by the swing motor 30 to slide the book 27 from the delivery table 28 to the reception table 15.

At this time, the book 2 slipped on the receiving table 15
7 is retained on the pedestal 15 by being locked by a stopper 32 supported by the pedestal 15. Thereafter, the arithmetic control unit 36a
Stores the sorting destination data previously received from the host computer 35 in the data storage unit 36d in step S16.

Here, the arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S
At 17, the cradle transport mechanism 18 and the drive mechanism 19 are controlled to move the cradle 15, 15,... By one pitch, that is, the distance corresponding to the adjacent book stacking boxes 20, 20,. .. Are circulated and the movement of the receiving trays 15, 15,... Is stopped in a state where the receiving trays 15, 15,.

Thereafter, the arithmetic and control unit 36a determines in step S
In step 18, whether the book stacking box 20 facing the receiving table 15 to which the book 27 has been transferred in step S15 is the book stacking box 20 corresponding to the sorting destination data previously stored in step S16. No, that is, it is determined whether or not the book stacking box 27 to which the receiving tray 15 is currently facing matches the classification of the book 27 mounted on the receiving tray 15.

If it is determined that the book stacking box 20 matches the classification of the book 27 mounted on the receiving table 15 (YES), the arithmetic control unit 36a proceeds to step S19.
It is determined whether or not the book stacking box 20 is full. If it is determined that the book stacking box 20 is not full (NO), at step S20,
Drive the solenoid plunger 34e of the sorting selection mechanism 34 at a position corresponding to the book stacking box 20, and move the receiving tables 15, 15,.... Thereby, in step S21, the book 27 by the stopper 32 is
Is released, the book 27 is moved into the book stacking box 20.

Here, the arithmetic and control unit 36a determines in step S
At 22, a stacking box support plate 2 for supporting the book stacking box 20 is provided.
When the book detector supported by 2a detects the presence of the book 27, in step S23, the elevating motor 29e is driven to lower the book stacking box 20, and preparations are made to accommodate the next book 27. ing.

Next, the arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S2
At 4, it is determined whether or not the book stacking box 20 is full. If it is determined that the book stacking box 20 is full (YES), the arithmetic control unit 36a proceeds to step S2.
At 5, the full indicator light 26 is turned on, and at step S26,
The monitor 41 of the user counter is displayed to indicate that the book bin 20 is full.

Thereafter, the arithmetic and control unit 36a determines in step S
At 27, it is determined whether or not the full book stacking box 20 has been replaced. If it is determined that the full book stacking box 20 has not been replaced (NO), the arithmetic control unit 36a
Returning to the processing of step S25, the full book bin 20
Is determined to have been replaced (YES), the full indicator light 26 is turned off in step S28, and step S2 is performed.
At 9, the full display of the book stacking box 20 on the monitor 41 of the user counter is also cleared, and the process ends (step S30).
Is done.

The arithmetic control unit 36a determines in step S1
If it is determined in step 8 that the book stacking box 20 to which the receiving tray 15 currently faces does not match the classification of the book 27 mounted on the receiving tray 15 (NO), the book collecting box 20 is determined in step S19. Is also completed (YES) and when it is determined in step S24 that the book stacking box 20 is not full (YES), the process is also terminated (step S30).

According to the above embodiment, first,
The user simply inserts the book 27 to be returned into the book slot 11b, the bar code attached to the book 27 is read, the registration of the rental file in the host computer 35 is deleted, and the book 27 is returned. Will be performed automatically.

[0107] Thereafter, the book 27 which has been completed in the return procedure is provided with a plurality of cradles 15 circulating in a loop.
The books 27 are automatically sorted by being selectively accommodated in a plurality of book bins 20, 20,... Installed corresponding to the classification of the books 27 via 15,. . For this reason, the processing of the return procedure for a large number of books 27, 27,..., The sorting work, and the like are automated, and the efficiency of the work of returning the books 27 can be further improved.

A loop in which a plurality of cradles 15, 15,... Circulate is installed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal floor 16 and only one of the cradles 15, 15,. , 15, 15, ... via the guide plate 21
Is to be transported. For this reason, the other side of the loop can face the wall surface 17 as shown in FIG. 11, so that the space at the installation location can be effectively used. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0109]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to improve the work efficiency required for returning a large amount of books, and to provide an extremely good book automatic sorting apparatus having a configuration suitable for practical use by effectively utilizing the space at the installation place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an automatic book sorting apparatus according to the present invention, and is a plan view for explaining the overall configuration of a system.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary side view for explaining the overall configuration of the book automatic sorting system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating details of a book in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the relationship among the input receiving unit, the shooter, the transport conveyor, the delivery table, and the receiving table in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view shown for explaining details of a receiving table transport mechanism in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view for explaining the relationship between the carriage and the guide rail in the receiving table transport mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining details of a drive mechanism for driving the receiving table transport mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining the sorting selecting mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining the operation of the sorting selection mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining details of the sorting selection mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a side view for explaining the stacking box support in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view for explaining details of the accumulation box support portion.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining details of the book stacking box in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: input receiving unit, 12: shooter, 13: transport conveyor, 14: sorting mechanism, 15: receiving tray, 16: floor surface, 17: wall surface, 18: receiving tray transport mechanism, 19: drive mechanism, 20: book stacking Box, 21: Guide plate, 22: Stacking box support, 23: Librarian, 24: Caster, 25: Operation box, 26: Full indicator light, 27: Books, 28: Delivery table, 29: Fixed frame, 30 ... Swing motor, 31 ... Protrusion prevention plate, 32 ... Stopper, 33 ... Carriage, 34 ... Selection mechanism for sorting, 35 ... Host computer, 36 ... Automatic book sorting control device, 37 ... Shooter related detector, 38 ... Conveyor related Detector, 39: Detector transport related detector, 40: Stacker related detector, 41: Monitor, 42: Transport related motor.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A loading section into which a book is loaded, a transporting means for transporting the book loaded into the loading section, and an identification code attached to the book is read from the book transported by the transporting means. A reading means, comprising: a book automatic sorting device that automatically sorts the book based on the identification code read by the reading means, wherein the book transported by the transporting means is mounted on a horizontal surface. A plurality of pedestals arranged in a loop on a substantially vertical surface and circulating along the loop arrangement; and a plurality of pedestals installed along the loop on one side of a loop formed by the pedestals. And a plurality of book stacking boxes for selectively transferring books mounted on the receiving tray. 2. A side of the loop formed by the plurality of receiving stands opposite to a side on which the plurality of book stacking boxes are installed,
2. The book automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the book sorting apparatus is capable of facing a wall surface substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane. 3. The plurality of cradles are circulated and moved along a loop formed by the cradle, so that each of the plurality of cradles is sequentially moved to a position corresponding to a carry-out port of the carrying means. 2. The automatic book sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a book carried out from a transport port of the means is mounted. 4. The plurality of pedestals are respectively supported by guide rails installed in a loop shape on a plane substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane so as to be able to circulate along the loop shape, and the guide rails are provided. Are attached at predetermined intervals along the loop shape to a loop-shaped drive roller chain arranged corresponding to the loop shape, and the drive roller chain is driven cyclically along the loop shape. 2. The automatic book sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail is circulated along the loop shape of the guide rail. 5. A plurality of pedestals supported by the guide rail, wherein a pedestal located above a loop formed by the guide rail carries a book carried out from a conveyance port of the conveyance means. 5. The book according to claim 4, wherein the book mounted on the receiving stand in the upright state is selectively transferred to the plurality of book stacking boxes. Automatic book sorter. 6. The plate having a slope for sliding the book toward the book stacking box in a state where the tray is in the upright position, and a tray provided at a lower end of the plate. A stopper movably supported between first and second positions for preventing and allowing books to slide down, wherein the position of the cradle is adjusted to a position corresponding to each of the plurality of book bins. A plurality of sorting / selecting means, which is selectively interposed in a path and moves the stopper from a first position to a second position by using a moving force of the receiving table, is provided. Automatic book sorter according to 5.