JPS62186698A - Display device for slave equipment in selection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform a picking up operation in a short time by providing a display part for displaying information fed from a master equipment. CONSTITUTION:In the slave equipment corresponding to the code number designated from the master equipment, a recognizing LED 34 lights up and the quality of the picking instructed by the master equipment is displayed on the display part 32. An operator recognizes the lighting up of the LED 34 and the quantity displayed on the display part 32 and performs the picking from a parts accommodating box which is not shown in the drawing. When the picking is completed, an answer key 30e is operated, thereby, the LED 34 puts out the light and an answer back is carried out to the master equipment. Then, in the master equipment, at the time of receiving this answer back, the picking of the instructed parts is recognized surely and the information required for a inventory management is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention can be used as a parts selection device in which, for example, a child unit is attached to a parts storage box storing inventory parts, and a master unit instructs the main unit to take out a desired part. The present invention relates to a display device of a slave unit in a selection system used.

(Prior art) Conventionally, in parts bins that store inventory parts, a large number of parts are stored in parts boxes, etc. at predetermined positions with markings, and the necessary parts are taken out from the parts box and placed there. The remaining quantity was managed by recording the amount taken out on a slip, etc.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, such a component case has the following problems.

■ When taking out different types of parts from many parts boxes at once, it is easy for parts to be dropped. In addition, it is uncertain whether the parts were actually taken or not, so the only option is to make a memo, for example, in a memo attached to the parts box.

■ Mistakes may occur when writing the name of the removed parts on the slip.

■ Even if overall parts management is performed by a host computer, there are many mistakes because instructions such as parts removal cannot be given directly to the parts box.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is composed of a plurality of handsets that are distinguished from each other by codes, and a base unit that selects a desired handset from among the handsets. The base unit is capable of two-way communication either directly or via a communication repeater, and the slave unit compares the code sent from the base unit with the code of the slave unit, and if they match, displays the code externally. It is equipped with at least a display unit that displays information sent from the base unit.

(Operation) A desired slave unit is selected from the base unit. For example, the code (address number) of the slave unit is transmitted by digital optical space communication. Each handset is distinguished from other handsets by an address number, and the address number is compared to see if it matches the address number of the handset, and if they match, it is displayed externally on the display section, and the main phone displays the address number. Make the selected handset identifiable to other handsets. On the other hand, when information such as an address number or a pinking quantity is sent from device m, or furthermore, when the operating state of the slave device becomes abnormal, these pieces of information are displayed on the display section as appropriate.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a case where the selection system A according to the present invention is applied to a parts shelf 1 that stores inventory parts.

The selection system A includes a base unit 5, a plurality of slave units 30, and a communication relay 20 that relays communication between the base unit 5 and the slave units 30.

The parts shelf 1 consists of parts storage boxes 2, 2, . . . that separately store multiple types of inventory parts.
A slave device 30 with a built-in automatic response system is provided on the front of each of the devices. The handset 30 is a low power consumption digital optical space communication device configured by a microcomputer and powered by a battery.

The automatic response system allows the operator to identify the parts storage box 2 specified by the main device 5, and
This is a system that transmits signals corresponding to the operating status of the machine and the remaining quantity of parts.

The main device 5 is a part that controls the system, and in this example, a host computer 5a that instructs picking of desired parts and manages inventory data, and converts signal formats between this host computer 5a and the communication repeater 20. The control unit 5b mainly performs signal processing. Of course, the main device 5 may be one in which a keyboard (not shown) for issuing picking commands is integrated into the control unit 5b.

The control unit 5b analyzes the serial data sent from the host computer 5a through the R3-232C cable 5C, creates transmission data for communicating with the handset 30, and transmits it to all communication repeaters 20. . Furthermore, when the communication repeater 20 receives a signal sent back from the handset 30, it converts this signal into serial data and transfers it to the host computer 5a.

Communication repeater 20 includes control unit 5b and handset 30
This part corresponds to the antenna part that performs bidirectional optical space communication, and it converts the serial signal from the control unit 5b into an infrared modulated signal and emits light into space, while The emitted infrared modulated signal is demodulated and converted into an electrical signal, and the control unit 5b
It is intended to be transferred to

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the communication repeater 20, which includes a main body 20a and a communication section 20 formed in a shape that widens toward the end.
A plurality of high-output infrared LEDs 51 used for transmission and high-sensitivity photodiodes 50 used for reception are provided in parallel in two arc-shaped rows, for example, and the infrared LEDs 51 and photodiodes 50 are each At the same time, it creates an area where the same information can be communicated in a certain spatial area. Therefore, by connecting a plurality of such communication repeaters 20 with wires (for example, optical fibers) and installing them on the ceiling of a passage where the parts shelves 1 are provided at appropriate intervals, the parts shelves 1 facing the passage can be Two-way communication can be performed with all slave units 30, 30, and so on.

On the other hand, the host computer 5a sends an external code to the control unit 5b to select a specific slave device 30.
command to select, collect the serial data sent by the handset 30, and perform inventory management, quality control, etc.
It processes data into a form that can be used for labor management, etc.
In addition to a keyboard 6 serving as an operation section, a printer 8 for externally displaying data processing results is provided. keyboard 6
is used to input an address number that distinguishes the handset 30, and is composed of hexadecimal keys.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the handset 30.

The handset 30 demodulates the infrared modulated signal emitted from the IM repeater 20, converts it into an electrical signal, captures it, and displays the LED for confirmation.
After performing various processing such as lighting up the key 34 and displaying the numerical data sent from the base unit 5 side on the display unit 32, that is, the pinking quantity, input information of various keys 30a to 30e and the slave unit 30 itself are displayed. The information held by the communication relay 20 is returned to the communication repeater 20 as an infrared modulated output.

Initial settings such as address settings for distinguishing between the slave units 30 are performed by an initializer (not shown) and stored in a RAM (not shown) within the slave unit 30. Of course, the address settings may be stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) in the handset 30.

In this example, the various keys include a reset key 303, an initial key 30b, a cancel key 30c, and an address key 3.
It is composed of five keys: 0d and answer key 30e.

The reset key 30a is a system reset key that returns to the initial state. By pressing this key, all data on the memory is cleared and the filter amplifier 37 (fifth
(see figure) is always OFF, and six hyphens are displayed on the display unit 32 to indicate that the address number of the slave unit 30 has not yet been determined.

The initial key 30b resets all the various flags and then turns on the filter amplifier 37 at all times. This key is normally used when performing initial settings, and at the time of resetting, manual input of keys other than this initial key 30b becomes invalid.

The cancel key 30C is a key that is pressed to notify the base unit 5 of the fact that the specified quantity of objects to be picked does not exist.

The address key 30d is used to display the code number, mode display, flag display, etc. of the handset 30 on the display section 32.

The answer key aoe blinks the confirmation LED 34,
This key turns off the display, etc., and is usually pressed when the work on the handset 30 whose confirmation LED 34 is blinking is completed when it is used for picking work.

The display section 32 displays numerical data such as the big quantity sent from the main device 5 side and the initially set corresponding child device 3.
A 5-digit digital display such as an address number of 0 and an operation mode display is provided.

This numerical data is displayed when a predetermined flag is set by the data transmitted from the control unit 5b, and the address number is the address number that has already been initialized while the address key 30d of the handset 30 is pressed. is displayed.

FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of the base unit 5. As shown in FIG.

The signal responded from the handset 30 is input to the input/output interface circuit 14 via the communication repeater 20, and is sent to the host computer 5a by a command from the arithmetic processing section 16.
It is output via the tR3-232C serial interface. Further, the selection information G of the handset 30 outputted from the host computer 5a is transmitted to the communication repeater 20 via the opposite route. 1 in the diagram
7 is a storage section consisting of ROM and RAM, and 18 is a power supply section.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the handset 30. As shown in FIG.

This child [30 is mainly controlled by the one-chip microcomputer 31]
This one-chip microcomputer 31 is connected to various interface circuits. That is, the display section 32 consisting of an LCD, the buzzer 33 that displays commands from the master unit 5 to the operator, and the confirmation LE
D34 and the various keys 30a to 30e are provided. A receiving section that receives and receives information from the communication repeater 20 is composed of a photodiode 36 and a filter amplifier 37. A transmitter that answers back to the communication repeater 20 is composed of a high-output infrared (IR) LED 38, a driver circuit 39 that supplies current to the infrared (IR) LED 38, and an oscillation circuit 40 that modulates the infrared (IR) LED 38. The one-chip microcomputer 31 is provided with a 4-bit external input terminal 31a, and this 4-bit input signal is input with, for example, information on the remaining quantity in the parts storage box 2 detected by a weight sensor (not shown). Also, security information from a security sensor (not shown) is input and used as security input information.

Further, a voltage detection circuit 43 is provided to detect a drop in the power supply voltage of the power supply unit 41, and the one-chip microcomputer 31 that receives this detection result displays an abnormality on the display unit 32 to prompt battery replacement. There is.

Note that reference numerals 33a and 34a are driver circuits for supplying current to the buzzer 33 and confirmation LED 34.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the communication repeater 20.

The communication repeater 20 communicates with the control unit 5b by wire (for example, optical fiber) or wirelessly. Connection with the control unit 5b is made by an input/output interface circuit 42, which is composed of a high-output infrared (IR) LED 51 constituting a transmitter and a driver circuit 52 that supplies a predetermined current to this high-output infrared (IR) LED 51. The receiving section is comprised of a photodiode 53 that receives infrared light output from the handset 30, and a filter amplifier 54 that separates noise, amplifies it, and outputs it to the input/output interface circuit 42. Note that this communication repeater 20 only exchanges information with the base unit 5, so
Although the power supply section 55 is provided separately, it is of course possible to supply the same power from the control unit 5b, and furthermore, the power to the slave device 30 may also be supplied from the same power line.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the picking operation of the selection system A having the above configuration. This flowchart shows that by restoring product names in addition to restoring the part names of parts, if the names of the parts constituting the product are stored in the host computer 5a in advance, all parts names are automatically restored. There are instructions for picking up. When the target member is restored in step (2), it is determined in step (2) whether this member is a part name or a product name. If it is a part name, a code number is input in step (2), and the code number is transmitted to all child units 30 via the communication repeater 20 in step (2). On the other hand, if a product name is specified in step ■, parts development is performed in step ■ according to a program set by the user in advance, and all parts corresponding to the specified product are communicated in step ■. do.

On the other hand, in the handset 30 corresponding to the specified code number,
In step (2), the confirmation LED 34 is turned on, and the picking quantity instructed from the master device 5 is displayed on the display section 32. The operator turns on the confirmation LED 34 in step (2), confirms the quantity displayed on the display section 32 in step (2), and picks from the parts storage box 2. When the picking is completed in step (2), the answer key 30e is operated.

As a result, the confirmation LED 34 turns off in step [phase], and at the same time, a back signal to the base unit 5 is sent via the communication repeater 20. However, in step ■, the main unit 5
When this answer-back signal is received, it is confirmed that the instructed part has indeed been picked, and information necessary for inventory management is set (step @).

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, a desired part can be picked up from a plurality of types of parts based on the information G displayed on the handset, so it can be picked up in a short time. Able to perform work. In addition, inventory management can be performed accurately.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the selection system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a communication repeater, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the handset, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication repeater, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the picking operation. It is. 5...Main unit 5a...Host computer 20...Communication repeater 30...Slave unit 31...Wanchi sobu microcomputer Fig. 2 20a 3rd da 0c 1g4 Fig. b @6vi

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) Consisting of a plurality of handsets that are distinguished from each other by codes, and a base unit that selects a desired slave unit from among the slave units, these handsets and the base unit are connected directly or Two-way communication is possible via a communication repeater, and the handset compares the code sent from the base unit with the code of the slave unit, and if they match, it is displayed externally and at least the code sent from the base unit is displayed. 1. A display device of a slave device in a selection system, characterized in that the display device is provided with a display section for displaying information that is to be received. 2) A display device of a slave device in a selection system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays numerical information sent from the parent device. 3) A display device for a handset in a selection system according to claim 1, wherein the display section displays an operating state of the handset. 4) The display device of the slave unit in the selection system according to claim 3, wherein the operating state of the slave unit is a battery abnormality of the slave unit.