JPS61156474A - Command indicator having display unit for subordinate partition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to install display units concurrently with an item indicator and to connect plural display units which are installed at a lower partition than that of item by installing a lamp and reset switch to the display units for a subordinate partition. CONSTITUTION:Customer's order information is prepared by a host computer 1 and supplied to either an external storage which is housed in a control console 3 or the control console 3 by an On-Line system. A display 3a indicates information regarding an order number and an operator 3c checks its indication contents with delivery indication slips 3b. Once order information is indicated on the control console 3, a starting lamp will light and the operator 3c makes a slip box put on a conveyer 4 while the delivery indication slips 3b are put in the slip box which is prepared with each customer. Once its slip box will pass through a starting photo-switch 8, the control console 3 puts off the starting light 7 after receiving a signal from the switch 8. Simultaneously with its putting off of light 7, a monitoring of its slip box with each customer will commence over a whole picking area. Further according to users' requirement, this system provides realization of a picking command system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a command display for giving a picking command to a picker in a picking command system for a logistics system, and particularly to the realization of a picking command system that is more responsive to user requirements. The present invention provides a command display that makes it possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In distribution centers, warehouses, and the like, picking work is performed in a so-called distribution system, in which, for example, items to be shipped according to customer orders are picked, packed and shipped to each customer. In such logistics systems, shipping items to be picked are typically placed on storage shelves, such as flow racks, flanked on either side of a conveying device such as a belt conveyor, o-la conveyor, or gravity conveyor. Items are sorted and stored by type, and the picker picks the specified quantity of shipping items from the storage shelves and places them into returnable boxes for each customer that are sent on a conveyor.

% Kaisho st-/, No. 77 Co. No. 3 shows one form of such a logistics system, in which the entire picking area is divided into multiple zones (each type of shipping item is Each storage location (hereinafter referred to as item category)
A display device (hereinafter referred to as an item display device) is installed to display picking instructions and the quantity to be picked, and each zone is equipped with one returnable box for each customer or multiple returnable boxes for multiple customers. However, when the picking operation for the first returnable box in each zone is completed, for example, a belt conveyor, roller conveyor, gravity conveyor, etc. is automatically moved a distance outside the returnable box.

In addition, some display devices display the picking quantity for each type of shipping item on seven displays, dividing it into the number of cases and the number of loose items, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the picking operation.

Although these picking instruction methods greatly improve the work efficiency of the picker, further improvements are required in the following points. In other words, for example, when storing pharmaceutical products, there are cases where even the same product (item) must be managed by manufacturing loft number.
These products are essentially separate items that need to be stored in different lofts, and when they are shipped out, it is a matter of course that even if they are the same item, the shipping quantities must be specified for each different loft number. Must be.

In addition, when it comes to clothing, the size (S
EI, S, M, L, ILL) and colors (red, white, blue.

), etc., there are some items that must be treated as separate items.

If you try to deal with these cases of medicines, clothing, etc. using the picking system shown in the above-mentioned patent publication,
Even for the same item, item indicators must be installed for each item by loft number, or by size or color, that is, multiple item indicators must be installed for each item. Item display devices are expensive, and in most cases the delivery frequency or picking frequency for each loft number or size is not that high.

This method requires too much equipment cost, is unprofitable as an investment for the user, and may be impractical.

Therefore, for example, in the distribution system shown in the above-mentioned patent publication, item indicators are installed in each item category for items that can be handled by item indicators, but even for the same item, more detailed information can be displayed. For items that require classification, it is preferable to provide some kind of display unit in a lower-level category in which items of finer classification are stored, using a cheaper method. It is preferable that they can be used together within the same logistics system. (Item classification here does not mean classification of the same width.) Purpose and Summary of the Invention This invention has been made in view of the above points, and for example, the above-mentioned published patent publication To provide a command display that can be placed in parallel with an item display and connect a plurality of display units installed in a lower classification than an item classification in a logistics system as shown. It is an object.

To achieve this object, according to the present invention, a signal is transmitted on a signal bus including command display address data, subdivision address data, and accompanying command data to respond to an incoming signal. In order to display the respective commands for each address position to the operator, one is connected to each predetermined branch point of the signal bus through the signal connector, and each is connected to the subdivision through the cable connector. A command display is formed by connecting a plurality of display units for the command, and the command display includes a first address switch that can set a unique address different from each other, and a first address switch that can set a unique address different from the others; The command compares both the command display address data in the signal from the bus and the address set by the first address switch, and when the two match, sends an operating signal to the signal bus. Similarly, when the two match, the display control section provided in the display for the above-mentioned signal outputs, under the control of the display control section, the address data for the lower division indicated by # in the signal from the signal bus. a storage section provided in the command display for storing command data, which is capable of storing a plurality of sets of such data in the signal from the signal bus; and a storage section of the display control section. a lower division control unit for sending lower division address data of the plurality of sets of data stored in the storage unit to the lower divisions one by one via the cable connector; A command display for displaying, under the control of a display control unit, command data that is paired with the lower division address data sent to the lower division, out of the command data stored in the storage unit. a second address switch provided in each of the lower division display units and capable of setting a unique address different from the others; Both the address data for the spinning subdivision and the address set by the first address switch are compared, and when the two match, blinking is enabled under the control of one control circuit. A lamp provided on the lower classification display unit and a lamp provided on the lower classification display unit that is operated by the operator after the operator follows the command content displayed on the command display section. Provided is a command display having a display unit for a lower classification, characterized in that it is equipped with a reset switch and a reset switch.

Example Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a pinking command system in a logistics system in which a command display according to the present invention is preferably used. , Hiroshi Conveyor (
belt conveyor.

roller conveyor or gravity conveyor, etc.), a plurality of pay indicators BAY with a conveyor speed controller j, a movement detector 6°, a start light 7, a start photoswitch t1 bay indicator light, for a plurality of commands according to the invention Display unit ROU
It is composed of etc. As an example, the picking command system shown in FIG. 1 divides the entire picking area into g zones zI z zt * z3 and z4. , , SB, , SB, and 8B4 are wired. Each zone is shown divided into two pay areas as an example, and each pay area includes bay indicators BA sequentially connected to the signal bus within one zone.
Y-t, BAY-ko, BAY-j and BAY-Hiroshi are 1
Each pay display has an output signal bus (represented by 8B' in FIG. 2) for connection to the lower section.

Subdivisions of each pay area (hereinafter referred to as item categories)
The storage items of the same type are stored respectively, and one item display ROU is installed for each item category, or
Alternatively, a command display 8RO1J according to the present invention is installed.

As shown in FIG. 2, each command display includes a display unit for lower classifications (hereinafter referred to as lot classifications), that is, a lot display unit L-L construction.
is connected to each lot division one by one. In this loft division, items of the same type but with different loft numbers, or different sizes and colors are stored separately.0 The control console J has floppy disks, magnetic disks,
Or a display or ORT, which is provided with a section for housing an external storage device such as a magnetic tape, and also has keys for start-up operations and self-diagnosis of the system?
A is provided. Besides this ORT J&, the hard copy from the printer is the shipping instruction slip 3.
Preferably, it is placed as 111.

In the above configuration, customer order information is created by the host computer l and supplied to the control console J from an external storage device such as a floppy disk stored in the control console J, or directly from the computer online. be done. The display 3a on the control console 3 displays order number information, and the operator 3c checks the displayed content against the shipping instruction slip 3b. When the order information is displayed on the control console 3, the start light 7 lights up to indicate that the preparation is complete, and the operator 3c then places the hard copy, that is, the shipping instruction slip Jb, into the returnable box for each customer. Place the returnable box on the conveyor.

When the returnable box passes the start photo switch, the control console J receives a signal from the switch and turns off the start light 7, and starts tracking the returnable box for each customer's order over the entire picking area. .

The control console 3 is first placed in the first zone 2. A signal is sent to the signal bus 13B in order to give a picking command to the item display ROU and the command display SRO[T within. That is, the control console 3 is located in the zone 2. which is attached to the item section where the shipment items to be picked are stored.
A finger is given to the item display and a command display within the box to display the position, and a command is given to the item display and the command display to display the quantity to be picked. When a picking command is given to at least seven item indicators or command indicators in the pay area, the pay indicator light of the corresponding pay indicator BAY lights up, so the picker first looks at the pay indicator light and lights it up. If you do so, you will know that you should pick at least one shipment item of at least one type within that pay area.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an item display attached to each type of shipping item and a command display according to the present invention, and shows an output signal bus SB' from a control console J via a pay display. The order information signal for each customer sent above is sent to each item display ROU by the connector //.
and given to each command display 8ROU. Each item display and each command display have different addresses set within one zone, and when there is a picking command, the control console 3 sends a signal indicating the address and the quantity to be picked. A signal representing the item is digitally sent to the signal bus line. 〇When such a picking command is given to the item display, the picking command lamp /3 lights up or flashes, and the numerical display part l is picked. The exponent quantity is displayed. When the picker inserts the displayed number of corresponding shipping items into returnable boxes and completes picking there, the picker presses the display reset switch 13 to indicate on the control console 3 that picking for that item category has been completed. The lamp 13 is turned off and the display on the display section /F is also turned off.

When a picking command is given to the command display according to the present invention, the picking command lamp i of the command display
J lights up and the quantity to be picked is displayed on the numerical display section/II, and a plurality of loft display units L-l~ are connected to this command display via cable connectors/J%. One lamp it (hereinafter referred to as a loft lamp) of L-engine U-n blinks. The loft display unit where this lot lamp itr flashed first is the loft display unit that is the first among the loft categories in which the loft items to be picked (or items by size, items by color, etc.) are stored. The address is young. When the picker completes picking by placing the corresponding loft items into the returnable box in the quantity displayed on the numeric display section lda of the command display, next Press the reset switch lde to inform the command display that picking has been completed in that loft section. As a result, the lot lamp 7g of the lot display unit goes out, the lot lamp of the loft display unit with the lowest address among the loft divisions to be picked first flashes, and the numerical display section of the command display flashes. The picking quantity for that loft classification will be displayed. Similarly, once all other loft display units in that item category have been reset, the picking instruction lamp 13 on the command display will also turn off, and the picker will know that there is no longer anything to pick in that item category. be able to. The picker moves on to picking in other item categories in the same pay area. In this way, when all other item indicators and command indicators in the pay area have been reset, the pay indicator light turns off, and as a result, The picker can know that there are no more items to pick in that pay area.
Pitsuka is in the same zone 2. Move on to picking in other pay areas.

In this way, when the movement detector 6 detects that all the pay indicator lights in the first zone z1 go out and the returnable box has passed the end of the first zone, the control console J Next zone for the box 2. Give a picking command (sends a signal to the signal bus 8B, and at the same time lights up the starting light to inform the operator 3C that it is okay to start the next returnable box.

If the conveyor conveyor transports a returnable box near the end of a zone before the picking in that zone is complete, the control console 3 will display an item indicator to indicate that the picking in that zone is not complete. , the conveyor is stopped by a signal from the command display and a signal from the movement detector 6, and restarted when the remaining item display or command display has been reset.

Note that the conveyor speed controller 5 is capable of changing the speed of the conveyor depending on the scale and type of the system. Furthermore, the control console 3 is provided with a system self-diagnosis function to constantly monitor each pay display, item display, command display, wiring, etc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one internal circuit of the pay display BAY shown in FIG. It is shown running horizontally across the top of the diagram. A plurality of pay display devices are sequentially connected in parallel at each predetermined branch point of the signal bus line 8B, and here, one of the pay display devices is shown as BAY-/ and BAY-2. Each pay display is connected to its output side with an output signal bus SB' consisting of signal lines AI, BL, CI, DI and El, and this output signal bus EIB' is connected to an appropriate number of lower command lines. Display unit 5RO
U and item display ROU, 8ROU-t, R
OU-CO, .

The l kvolt power supply from lines C and A to the pay indicator is connected to the pay indicator BA in parallel via fuse FU.
A voltage conversion circuit including a voltage regulator and a voltage regulator is connected to the voltage converter circuit O#. Voltage conversion circuit -0 converts the input power supply voltage to t volts and outputs it to line 00, which serves as a power source for the lower command display and item display. If at least one of the lower command indicators or item indicators has not been picked and the reset switch IS (Fig. 2) has not yet been operated, a high signal is sent to the Noah circuit through the signal line B1. A potential signal is applied to the NOR circuit via the resistor R1, and the Darlington transistor TR in 21.
Turn on. Therefore, the pay indicator light BAL lights up, and the signal 1! is transmitted through the diode D! B is set as the low power level 1 and the control console 7 is notified that picking is not completed.

When all of the lower-order connected command indicators and item indicators are reset, a low potential signal is sent to the signal line B1, and the Darlington transistors TR,
is turned off, and therefore the pay indicator light BAL is turned off, indicating that all picking in this pay area has been completed.
(Figure 1).

Similarly, when the picking of all other pay areas within this zone is completed, the signal @B goes high and provides a zone clear signal to the control console 3. As a result, the control console 3 detects that all picking within that zone has been completed, and when the returnable box has passed the end of that zone, it issues a picking command for the returnable box in the next zone. Send a signal.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the internal circuit of the command display according to the present invention, which is represented as 8 ROU in FIGS. 2 and 3. On the left side of FIG. The illustrated signal cable connector l/ is conceptually represented;
The signal lines CI, AI, DT, shown in FIG.
Bl and B1 are connected.

The power lines AI and Ca+ receive a power supply voltage of t volts, and power is supplied to the circuit.At the time or after power is supplied from the power lines AI and Ql, the command is given to press the display reset switch IS. Display unit 8RO
U starts operation based on the program processing procedure recorded in the first storage unit 32.

Command data from the control console passes through the signal line DI as a serial input/output signal, and is given to the display control section 30 via the communication control section and yi. As shown in FIG. The 0 indicator address setting circuit is sent from the control console in a 2-bit binary code consisting of address data for classification (i.e., lower classification) and t-bit numerical display data (i.e., command data). I10 is the display for each command 8RO
This is to set the address of U, and uses 7 of switch group 3 consisting of 70 switches.
From bit ζ, logically 27=/2 different item classification addresses can be set.

The display controller 30 receives the address of 8ROt7 sent from the control console via the signal line DI and the communication controller 31.
When the data is received, it is compared with the address value set by address switch 3, and only if the address matches, the subsequent loft classification address data (g bit) and numerical display data ( t bits).

When the display controller 30 successfully completes receiving the input signal, it sends the received data as a reception confirmation signal back to the control console from the signal line DI via the communication controller and yi (half-duplex transmission). When the control console side receives this reception confirmation signal, it compares it with the previously transmitted data and when they match, it can know that the 5ROU has received the data normally, and in this way, the transmission system and the 5ROU
self-diagnosis.

The display control unit 30 holds the received loft classification address data and numerical display data in the second storage unit 33. When the first data is held, the picking instruction lamp 13 is turned on, and the lamp drive circuit Gl
/ is operated to output a high potential from the signal line B1. This high potential output lights up the pay indicator lamp BAT, + in FIG.

If the next address data subsequently sent from the signal line DI matches the own display device address, the display device control section 30 receives the data according to the above-mentioned procedure and sequentially stores it in the second storage section 33. I will do it.

When the final data for these 8 ROUs is stored in the first storage unit 3J, either address data different from the own address is received, or the next address data is received after a certain period of time set by the timer control unit 3t has elapsed. Therefore, the display controller 30 recognizes that the data to be sent to the ROU on this day has ended.

When the display control unit 30 determines that data reception is completed, the display control unit 30 retrieves the lot classification address data and numerical display data held in the first storage unit JJ from the one with the smallest loft classification address value, and selects the loft classification address data and numerical display data from the loft classification address data stored in the first storage unit Sorting control section 34
t, decodes it into a 7-bit parallel signal, and connects it from the output control driver 3S to the signal line H of the cable connector l.
Output to. At the same time, a strobe signal of a constant period is outputted to the signal lineworker to command the operation of the loft display unit Lworker U.

The numerical display data is sent to the numerical display control section 37, converted into binary coded decimal system (BCD), and then displayed at 7 of the numerical display section lv.
The segment LID is lit and the numerical value is displayed. The number of numerical display digits may be approximately 0 in practical use, but by increasing the numerical display data g bits of the 2ψ bit received data to 12 bits, 16 bits or more and adding LKD, It can also support 3 to 3 digits and n digits.

The loft display unit L/U is connected to the command display 5ROU via a cable connector 12.

The cable connector 12 has signal lines F, G, and H.

power lines F and G are connected to each other, and a power supply voltage of tV is received from power lines F and G to supply power to one circuit. In addition, the loft display unit receives loft classification address data from 8ROU using a 7-bit parallel signal from the signal line H. As shown in Figure 6, the loft display unit consists of 7 bits for setting the loft division address. Address setting circuit for 0 loft division with address switch up! compares the loft division address value set by the address switch FF with the 7-bit parallel loft division address data sent from the signal line H, and if they match, the data is sent to the control circuit Hiroshi 6. Outputs a match signal.

The control circuit 16 receives a constant cycle strobe signal for operating the lot display unit from the command display via the signal lineman, and receives both the address matching signal from the address setting circuit aS and the strobe signal from the signal lineman. The loft lamp/1 is maintained in the lighting command state with the input signal of
blinks at the frequency of the strobe signal. At the same time, a constant cycle strobe signal received from the signal lineman is sent back to the command display 8ROU through the signal line J.

The picker is the lot lamp/1 of this loft display unit.
Check that it is blinking, pick up the number of items stored there as indicated on the numerical display section /l of the command display, and press the reset switch /9f on the loft display unit.

When the control circuit 6 of the loft display unit receives a reset signal from the reset switch lde while the lighting command state is maintained, it modulates the period of the strobe signal of a constant period sent from the signal lineman. The display control unit 30 of the command display 8ROH uses the constant cycle strobe signal sent from the signal wirework of the output control driver 35 to If the signal line J is passed through the input control receiver 36 of the command display 8ROH at the same cycle and sent back, it is determined that the command from the command display has been normally received by the loft display unit L/U. If signal line J
If there is no response from LIU, it is determined that the loft display unit is not operating normally, that is, the loft display unit LIU at the commanded address is out of order or does not exist. In this way, a self-diagnosis of the loft display unit L and U is performed.

Once the display controller 30 receives a strobe signal of the same period from the signal line J and then receives a modulated strobe signal as a reset signal from the signal line J, the display controller 30 activates the reset switch l? of the loft display unit L? It is determined that the button has been pressed, and upon reception of this reset signal, the strobe signal being sent to the lot display unit L-L-U is stopped. When this strobe signal stops, the loft display unit LIU turns off the blinking of the lot lamp/9.

When the display control unit 30 also receives a reset signal from the loft display unit L, it retrieves the next loft classification address data and numerical display data held in the first storage unit 33, and performs the above-mentioned processing. Repeat.

In this way, upon receiving the reset signal from the loft display unit L engineering U for the last loft division address and address data and numerical display data held in the first storage unit 33, the display control unit 30 The numerical display on the display/LI is turned off, and the picking instruction lamp 13 is turned off.@Furthermore, the output from the lamp drive circuit II/ is set to a low potential, and the command display 5ROU receives a series of commands received from the control console. After completing the data processing, it is ready to receive the next data.

When all other command indicators and item indicators in the same pay area are reset in this way, the signal on signal line Bl is at a low potential, so that the Darlington type in the NOR circuit 21 of FIG. Transistor TR is turned off and pay indicator lamp BAL is turned off.

The function of the reset switch 16 of the command display 8ROU is the address switch, 7? (7)/o 2 depending on whether the specific 7 bits of the human switch are on or off.
Class 11 can be used properly 0 If that bit is off,
The reset switch 16 is the reset switch l? of the command display. It can be used instead of the reset signal to the display controller 3o.
Enter.

If that bit is on, the display control unit JO converts the numerical display data displayed on the numerical display unit ia and the address data for loft classification into special processing data when receiving the reset signal from the reset switch lB. and is stored in the first storage unit 33. The display control unit 3o inputs a strobe signal from the control console to the send strobe circuit via the signal line H1 of the signal cable connector // after the numerical display operation is completed.
The loft division address data and numerical display data held as special processing data in 3 are converted into serial output signals via the communication control unit 3/, and then sent to the signal cable connector 1.
It is sent back to the control console via the 4ff line DI of /.

By doing so, it is possible to carry out special processing such as informing the control console of information when there is a shortage in one loft section, for example.

The test switch operates as a self-diagnosis function for the command display 8ROU and the loft display unit L-U◇
That is, when this test switch /7 is pressed, an operation signal is output to the installed lot display unit 1-11 U, and the address value of the loft display unit L U is displayed on the numerical display section L. The lot lamp/1 of the loft display unit at that address blinks. This function makes it possible to determine in advance whether the command display and the loft display unit are properly connected and whether the set address value of the loft display unit is correct.

Furthermore, by retaining this state in the second storage unit 33, it becomes possible to pass the information to the self-diagnosis function between control operating vehicles.

The external reset connector 13 is provided to take out the contacts of the reset switch 16 to the outside, and switches having the same function as the reset switch 16 can be installed at a position different from the command display.

In the above embodiment, only the case where the command display is used for the picking command is explained, but the command display can be applied to any system in which commands are given to each side of the address position. .

Further, in the above embodiment, a specific physical distribution system to which the command display according to the present invention is applied is shown, but the present invention can be applied to any equivalent physical distribution system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a picking command system in a logistics system to which the present invention is applicable, and FIG. 2 shows a manner in which a command display according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. A schematic connection diagram, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit of the pay display used in the picking command system, and FIG. 1 shows the internal circuitry of the command display according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the form of a transmission signal, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a loft display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a display unit for lower classification. In the figure, 8B and SB' are signal bus lines, P is a picker (operator), 5ROU is a command display, L engineering U is a loft display unit (lower division display unit), // is a signal connector, and 12 is a cable Connector, llI is numerical display section (command display section), it is lot lamp, /9 is reset switch, 30 is display control section, JJ is storage section, 3'
l is the loft division control section (lower division control section), 3? is the first
address switch, Hiroshi is the address switch of
6 is a control circuit. Patent applicant: Toyo Kanetsu Co., Ltd. Figure 1

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) By responding to signals transmitted on the signal bus including command display address data, subdivision address data, and command data associated with the address, each address position is In order to display commands to the operator, one unit is connected to each predetermined branch point of the signal bus through a signal connector, and each unit is connected to a plurality of display units for lower divisions through cable connectors. a first address switch provided on the command display and each capable of setting a unique address different from the others; and the command display within the signal from the signal bus. An indicator control unit provided in the command indicator, which compares both the address data and the address set by the first address switch, and sends an operating signal to the signal bus when the two match. and the command display for storing the lower division address data and the command data in the signal from the signal bus under the control of the display control unit when the two match. a storage unit provided in the storage unit, which is capable of storing a plurality of sets of such data in the signal from the signal bus; and a storage unit configured to store data in the storage unit under the control of the display controller. Out of the plurality of sets of data, one address data for lower classification is sent via the cable connector.
a lower division control unit for sending the command data to the lower divisions one by one; and a lower division control unit for sending the command data to the lower divisions out of the command data stored in the storage unit under the control of the display control unit. a command display section for displaying command data combined with address data; and a second address switch provided in each of the display units for the lower divisions and capable of setting a unique address different from each other. , comparing both the lower division address data from the lower division control section in the command display and the address set by the second address switch;
a lamp provided on the display unit for the lower classification, which can blink under the control of one control circuit when the two match; operated by said operator,
A command display having a lower division display unit, characterized in that the lower division display unit is provided with a reset switch. (2) The lamp provided on the display unit for the lower classification issues a picking command to the operator in the lower classification in which the display unit is installed, and the lamp provided on the command display The display unit is a command display having a display unit for a sub-division according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the quantity to be picked in the sub-division.