JPS60190041A - Extraction and storage system of baggage - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a command from being delayed or mis-interpreted by providing an optical detection means for detecting an optical signal and converting it into an electric signal and a control means including a microprocessor inputting an output electric signal of the optical detection means to a truck to apply the system to the warehouse control. CONSTITUTION:An operation command given to the track 13 is generated by the microprocessor 24. The command is converted into a serial digital signal suitable to communication at a serial/parallel conversion circuit 27 and a transmission/ reception circuit 28 drives a light emitting element at an optical transmission/ reception terminal 12. A digital optical signal is detected by an optical transmission/reception device 14 installed on a roof of the truck 13, inputted to a transmission/reception circuit 31 as an electric signal, demodulated and inputted to a serial/parallel converting circuit 32 as a serial digital signal. The microprocessor 34 decodes the digital signal and displays the result on a display device 35 provided on a driver's seat of the truck 13. The microprocessor 34 includes a storage circuit. The driver of the truck 13 drives the truck according to the display of the display device 35, extracts a baggage from a carrying exit and moves it to another loading inlet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field to Which the Invention Pertains] The present invention relates to an improvement in a baggage takeout/storage system installed at the terminal of a belt conveyor in a large warehouse or production factory. In particular, the present invention relates to a system in which a forklift or other small IBI transport vehicle is used to process something, and a system in which commands to the transport vehicle are issued using digital optical communication.

[Description of prior art]

A limited flat surface is provided in a large warehouse or the terminal of a heating container in a production factory, and a small transport vehicle can be moved within this flat surface to create a storage area where things are stored or to transport goods in and out. A method of transporting and moving cargo in small units is known. When the number of places where luggage is stored or when things are carried in and out [-1] increases, or when the number of types of luggage increases, it becomes necessary to give appropriate instructions to the person driving the transport vehicle.

Conventionally, commands were given by voice using a loudspeaker that could be heard within this plane, or by installing a radio receiver (13 radio receivers) on each transport vehicle and transmitting radio signals from the command center to this radio receiver. There are things to command.

However, in recent years, belt conveyor control and warehouse management have come to be done by computers rather than by humans, so it is necessary for command centers to give commands to transport vehicles while looking at terminals connected to the computers. Became. However, if this command is given by a person, errors or delays may occur, and if it is given by voice, the IM vehicle may also mishear or make mistakes. In general, once the contents of this command are issued, the command continues for a long time, so the contents of the command are continuously displayed optically on the transport vehicle side. It is desirable that

Furthermore, it is good when there is only one plane for processing such cargo, but for example, two planes at both ends of one warehouse may be used.
When it is carried out locally, it is necessary to distinguish between frequencies, as interference occurs in wireless communications that use radio waves. The number of frequencies that can be used for radio waves is limited, and there are some inconveniences, such as the need to change the radio wave channel when using one carrier on a different plane.

The present invention was made against this background, and the inventor focused on applying a communication technology based on digital optical communication that can be directly connected to computer control between a command center and a general transportation vehicle. It is.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has the following features: ■ It is similar to the system in which the control or warehouse management of the held container is performed by a computer; ■ There is no delay or error in the command; ■ Even if the content of the command is complex, it can be properly communicated; ■ It can be used on multiple planes. There is no interference in the commands even when processing cargo. ■ When there are multiple transport vehicles, the commands can be given to each transport vehicle separately. ■ For 1ul vehicles, the commands can be sent continuously optically. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method that can be used in combination with voice commands, ■ is less noisy than voice commands, and ■ can be used in combination with voice commands.

[Features of the invention]

The first invention of the present invention is for issuing commands to IM vehicles from a command center, and is capable of transporting and moving cargo in small units within a limited plane that includes the exit and entrance of cargo. More than one transport vehicle and the i! of cargo for this transport vehicle! ! In a baggage retrieval/storage system comprising a command means for commanding transport axis information, the command means described in (1) above includes a control means including a microprocessor that generates the transport information;
The transport vehicle includes a signal converting means for converting the output signal of the control means into a digital communication signal, and a transmitting means for modulating the digital communication signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal toward the plane. , a light detection means for detecting the optical signal and converting it into an electric signal, a control means including a microprocessor for inputting the output electric signal of the light detection means, and a control means for controlling the output of the control means. The present invention is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying on the driver's seat of the vehicle.

In addition to the first invention, the second invention of the present invention is in!
This is a system that allows communication to be transmitted from the II vehicle side to the command center, and in addition to the first invention, i! l! 111
! The present invention is characterized in that it comprises means for converting operation information of the driver's seat of the vehicle into an optical signal and transmitting it, and means for receiving the optical signal and applying it to the microprocessor of the command means.

[Explanation based on examples]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a warehouse in which the present invention is implemented. This warehouse is a large n" warehouse, and products flow into one end from the production line, and products are shipped from the other end B. The A, 8-car 6i!! of this warehouse are marked with diagonal lines. A limited plane is set up as shown in the figure, and within this plane, the i!1ill vehicle (forklift l-) moves and processes the cargo.The interior of the warehouse has an orderly rack structure, and between the A mobile crane and a belt conveyor are arranged at the A-end to temporarily store the products entering the A-end until they are shipped.The invention is applied to the processing of cargo on this plane.

All stored items, storage locations, and other information in this warehouse are controlled and managed by computers. Furthermore, the types and quantities of products flowing from the manufacturing line to end A are also controlled and managed by computers. All products shipped from end B are also controlled and managed by computers.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. A fixed optical transmitting/receiving end 12 is attached to the ceiling 11 of the warehouse, and a moving optical transmitting/receiving end 14 is attached to the roof of a carrier 13 that moves on the floor of the warehouse. This transport vehicle 13 is driven by a person, and a display device 15 is installed at the driver's seat. Such transport vehicles 13 are configured so that a plurality of vehicles of the same standard move on the same floor surface.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 2I is a fixed device provided in the command center, and the device 22 is a mobile device provided in the transport vehicle 13. The optical transmitting/receiving end 12 is installed on the ceiling of the warehouse described in FIG. 3, and the optical transmitting/receiving end 14 is similarly attached to the roof of the transport vehicle 13.

In FIG. 3, the microprocessor 24 of the command center device 21 is
It is connected via an interface 5 to a computer that manages the warehouse, a manufacturing line control device, a display device, etc. (not shown). This microprocessor U
is connected to a serial/parallel conversion circuit 27 via an interface, and a serial digital signal end of this serial/parallel conversion circuit 27 is connected to a transmitting/receiving circuit 28. The transmitting and receiving circuits are connected to a transmitting and receiving end 12.

In the device of the transport vehicle 22, the optical transmitting/receiving end 14 is a transmitting/receiving circuit 3L.
The transmitter/receiver circuit 3I is connected to the serial/parallel converter circuit 32.
connected to the serial digital signal end of the The parallel signal end of the serial-to-parallel conversion circuit 32 is connected to the microprocessor 34 via the interface 33.
The display output of 4 is connected to a display device 35. The microprocessor 34 is also connected to an operating end 36 provided at the driver's seat.

In the system configured in this way, the action commands given to the transport vehicle I3 are generated by the microprocessor 24. This action command is output from the microprocessor 24 as a parallel digital signal. The serial/parallel converter circuit 27 converts this into a serial digital signal (No. ii) suitable for communication, and the transmitting/receiving circuit 28 drives the light emitting element of the optical transmitting/receiving end I2.The light emitting element of the optical transmitting/receiving end 12 outputs a digital optical signal. The signal is transmitted toward the plane on which the transport vehicle 13 moves.

This digital optical signal is detected by the optical transmitting/receiving end 14 installed on the roof of the transport vehicle 13, becomes an electrical signal, is input to the transmitting/receiving circuit 3I, is demodulated, and is input as a serial digital signal to the serial/parallel conversion circuit 32. . This serial/parallel conversion circuit 32 converts the human input signal into a parallel digital signal suitable for processing by a microprocessor, and supplies it to the microprocessor 34 via an interface. The microprocessor 34 translates the digital signal and displays it on a display device 35 provided at the driver's seat of the transport vehicle 13. The microprocessor 34 includes a memory circuit, in which the program necessary for translation is stored, and display information is also stored in this memory circuit, and the content of the command is updated by the next new signal. until display device 35
continue to display that directive.

The driver of the transport vehicle 13 drives the vehicle according to the information displayed on the display device Vi35, takes out the cargo from one exit, and moves it to another general population.

When the driver of the transport vehicle 13 is unable to drive according to the displayed commands, or when circumstances occur such as when the driver temporarily leaves the driver's seat, the operating end 3
6 to transmit the situation to the command center. However, when the first output terminal 3G is operated, the microprocessor 34 detects the dirt and generates communication information. This communication information is converted into a serial digital signal suitable for communication by the serial/parallel conversion circuit 32, modulated by the transmitter/receiver circuit 31, and transmitted as an optical signal from the optical transmitter/receiver end 14. This light? No. 14 is detected by the optical transmitter/receiver end 12 installed on the ceiling of the warehouse, and its detection output is demodulated by the transmitter/receiver circuit 4.
Through the serial-to-parallel converter circuit n and the interface,
Input to the control center's microprocessor Sae.

In accordance with this human power, the microprocessor U executes necessary processing and generates new commands or displays. For example, if - drivers temporarily leave the driver's seat, other iI! Instructing a carrier to take over the transportation of cargo, or when the processing of cargo is disrupted and it is no longer possible to carry out the processing as instructed, a new cargo from the production line side is sent. It is possible to issue commands such as temporarily interrupting the transmission of data.

In such a system, by installing the optical transmitting/receiving end 12 provided on the ceiling at an appropriate position, interference in communications on multiple planes will not occur. The effective range of the optical transmitter/receiver end 12 is
For example, the light can be easily restricted by providing a hood around the light transmitting/receiving end 12 or converging it using a lens system.

In this embodiment, this effective range is approximately 150 degrees in rotation angle.

Further, regarding the optical transmitting/receiving end 14 installed on the roof of the transport vehicle 13, a desired optical transmitting/receiving end (E, tit
Similarly, the hood 1a is used to prevent unnecessary communication between the optical transmitting/receiving end of another plane or the optical transmitting/receiving end of another transport vehicle moving within the same plane. For example, the effective range can be limited.

The optical signal to be transmitted is a digital signal having a frame structure, and an identification code area is provided at the beginning of the frame. This identification code is a binary number assigned to each transport vehicle. This makes it possible to clearly identify the destination mobile side for transmissions from the fixed side, and clearly identify the source for transmissions from the mobile side.

In the method of the present invention, it is also possible to use a conventionally used voice command using a loudspeaker.

However, voice commands are not necessary when this system is operating smoothly; music can also be played from the loudspeakers to improve the working environment.

- In the criminal case, it was explained that communication could be carried out in both directions from the command center to the transport vehicle and from the N transport vehicle to the command center.
This method can also be implemented with one-way α-only communication from the command center to the ii[1111 vehicle.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the commands to each transport vehicle are generated from a microcomputer, so it is well suited to a system in which belt conveyor control or warehouse management is performed by a computer.

Since commands are generated from a microcomputer, there is no error in the information generated, and received commands are displayed optically, so there are no delays or errors in commands. Since the command is transmitted as a digital optical signal, it is possible to appropriately transmit the command even if the content of the command is complex, such as limiting the number of the entrance for the export exit or the type of cargo. Even when cargo is processed on multiple planes in close proximity, the effective range can be easily limited, so there is no interference with commands. Unlike when using radio waves, the number of channels that can be used is not limited by frequency allocation. Since digital signals are used for communication, when there are a plurality of transport vehicles, commands to each series of vehicles can be efficiently distinguished using identification codes. It is possible to continuously display the commands optically on the transport vehicle. There is no noise compared to voice communication. Furthermore, if necessary, it is also possible to use the +h command by voice, which has been used in the past.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a warehouse shown as an example of implementing the method of the present invention. The second circle is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the ceiling of the warehouse and the transport vehicle. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electric device of the apparatus according to the present invention. 11...Ceiling of the warehouse, 12...Fixed side transmitting/receiving end,
13... Transport vehicle, 14... Transmitting/receiving end on moving side, 15
...display device provided in the driver's seat of the transport vehicle, 21...device on the fixed side, 22... device on the moving side. No 1 Mouth irises 2 times 3 (2I

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) One or more transport vehicles capable of transporting and moving cargo in small units within a limited plane having a cargo loading/unloading entrance, and commanding cargo transportation information to these transport vehicles. In the baggage retrieval/storage system comprising a command means, the command means includes: - a control means including a microprocessor that generates the transportation information; and a signal converter that converts the output signal of the control means into a digital communication signal. and transmitting means for modulating the digital communication signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal toward the plane, and the transport vehicle includes: - detecting the light distribution signal and converting it into an electrical signal; It is characterized by comprising a light detection means, a control circuit including a microprocessor that inputs an output electric signal of the light detection means, and a display means for displaying the output of the control circuit on the driver's seat of the transport vehicle. Baggage removal and storage method. (2) One or more transport vehicles capable of transporting and moving cargo in small units within a limited plane having a cargo loading/unloading entrance, and commanding cargo transport information to the transport vehicle. In the baggage retrieval/storage system, the command means includes a control means including a microprocessor that generates the transportation information, a signal conversion means that converts an output signal of the control means into a digital communication signal, a transmitter that modulates the digital communication signal into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal toward the plane; the transport vehicle includes a photodetector that detects the optical signal and converts it into an electrical signal; A control circuit including a microprocessor "J-" that inputs the output electric signal of the light detection means, a display means for displaying the received output of the control circuit on the driver's seat of the transport vehicle, and means for inputting the generated signal into the control circuit; f-code converting means for converting the transmission output signal of the control circuit into a digital communication signal; and transmitting means for modulating the digital communication signal into an optical signal and transmitting the signal. Further, the command means includes: a light detection means for detecting an optical signal transmitted from the transmission means of the transport vehicle and converting it into an electric signal, and inputting the electric signal to the control device. A luggage retrieval/storage method characterized by comprising means. (3) The signals generated as the transport vehicle moves include signals caused by the operation of the driver's seat of the transport vehicle.
) The baggage retrieval/storage method described in item ).