JPWO2018083726A1 - Weight management system and weight management method - Google Patents

Abstract

A processor; a storage device accessed by the processor; a plurality of containers; a weigh scale that measures the weight of the plurality of containers; and an entry / exit determination unit that determines storage and removal of articles in each of the plurality of containers. In the weight management system, the storage device holds work instruction information indicating the weight of the article to be stored and taken out in each container, and the processor stores and takes out the article in each container by the loading / unloading determination unit. The determination result and the amount of change in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale are acquired, and the weight of the article to be stored or taken out in the container determined to have been stored or taken out. Then, it is determined whether or not the change amounts of the weights of the plurality of containers measured by the weigh scale coincide with each other, and the result of the determination is output.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for assisting in and out of articles by an operator in a warehouse.

  In the logistics field, there is an operation of distributing a product designated by a customer order and sending it to the next delivery destination. In order to perform the work quickly, various devices and facilities are used. If the work is performed quickly, the risk of occurrence of a distribution error also increases. Therefore, a method of detecting a change in weight when a product is distributed with a weigh scale and preventing the distribution error has been devised and implemented. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that “providing a picking support device that improves the accuracy of sorting work of articles” is provided by including a plurality of weighing units and detecting the weight of the work in progress.

  Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-1781

  However, with the conventional method, the type of product to be distributed and the weight scale are always one-to-one, so when distributing one or more products, weigh scales are required for the number of product types. According to the method, the capital investment is expensive. In addition, the daily quantity in the warehouse often fluctuates, but the conventional method can always manage only fixed types of goods, so there is a shortage during busy periods and waste of capital investment costs during quiet periods. There is.

  An example of a representative example of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. That is, a processor, a storage device accessed by the processor, a plurality of containers, a weigh scale for measuring the weight of the plurality of containers, and an entry / exit determination for determining storage and removal of articles in each of the plurality of containers The storage device holds work instruction information indicating the weight of an article to be stored and taken out in each container, and the processor is configured by the access determination unit. Determination of storage and removal of articles in each container and the amount of change in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale, and determination obtained from the work instruction information and the entry / exit determination unit Based on the result and the amount of change in the weight obtained from the weighing scale, storage or removal in the container determined to have been stored or taken out is performed. And weight of the subject to an article of teeth, the weighing scale to determine whether the weight of the amount of change in the plurality of vessels measured matches, and outputs the result of the determination.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a system in which the number of necessary weighing scales is reduced without increasing or decreasing the weighing scales during busy periods and quiet periods by determining work results using a single weighing scale. Can be provided. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the weight management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the weight management terminal which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the work information management server which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process from work information acquisition to work result determination in the weight management terminal which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the work instruction information management database which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the work result management database which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the weight management system which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process from work information acquisition to work result determination in the weight management terminal which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the weight management system which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the work management terminal which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the weight management apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process from work information acquisition to work result determination in the work management terminal and weight management apparatus which concern on Example 3 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. Further, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to picking work in the physical distribution field, and an example is shown in which the number of products loaded on the weighing scale used at the time of work increases by one cycle of work.

  In the logistics field, it is always required to shorten the delivery time of packages from the start of delivery to arrival. The package being delivered is delivered to the next relay point close to the destination via a plurality of relay points. At the relay point, there is an operation of collecting (picking) designated goods from the warehouse, packing them into boxes, and sending them to the next delivery destination. In this work, an operator walks around a vast warehouse and collects a desired product. Therefore, in order to shorten the movement time, there is a method in which boxes for a plurality of delivery destinations are placed on a cart and picked into a plurality of boxes by one cycle of warehouse movement. At this time, a cart (weighing inspection cart) equipped with a weighing scale has been devised and realized in order to prevent a mistake of picking different from the instruction. When the weight inspection cart is used, the weight change when the worker picked the product in the box is compared with the weight of the product written in the work instruction information at that time, and if the input weight is different from the instruction information, It is possible to notify the operator that the picking mistake has been determined.

  Conventional weight inspection carts have a one-to-one correspondence between weighing units and boxes, so the number of boxes that can be inspected simultaneously is always constant. However, in a distribution warehouse, there are fluctuations in quantity depending on customer requirements. Therefore, if a large number of measuring units are prepared for a large quantity, at least a part of them becomes redundant when the quantity is small. On the other hand, if multiple boxes can be inspected by a single weighing unit, the number of boxes that can be picked in one warehouse movement can be changed, and this can be dealt with by increasing the number of objects picked at the same time when the quantity is large. When the quantity is small, the capital investment can be saved.

  In the present embodiment, a technique for enabling a picking operation that flexibly responds to a change in the quantity using a weight inspection cart that can easily change the number of weight inspection target boxes will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the weight management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The weight management system according to this embodiment includes an operator 10, a weight management terminal 11, a network 12, a work information management server 13, a product storage shelf 14, a work cart 15, and one or more boxes 16. .

  The weight management terminal 11 is a device having functions of weighing, displaying work instruction information, and registering the information in another device. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the weight management terminal 11 is configured separately from the work cart 15 and mounted on the work cart 15. However, the weight management terminal 11 is integrated with the work cart 15. Even so, the effects obtained in this embodiment are the same.

  The network 12 is, for example, the Internet, a local area network, USB (Universal Serial Bus), remote USB, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, infrared communication, IC tag function, Transfer JET, LTE, HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), or EV-DO ( Evolution Data Only). The weight management terminal 11 and the work information management server 13 can be connected to each other via the network 12.

  The work information management server 13 is, for example, a server computer, and is a device that manages merchandise in a warehouse, generates work instruction information for a plurality of workers 10, and records work results. The work information management server 13 has a function of sharing information with the weight management terminal 11 via the network 12.

  The product storage shelf 14 is a shelf for managing the products in the warehouse, and one or more shelves are installed in the warehouse. Each shelf is assigned a number (for example, A-1 to D-14) indicating the position of the shelf.

  The work cart 15 is a cart that can be moved by placing one or more boxes 16.

  The box 16 is a container in which products for the next delivery destination are stored. For example, the box 16 is made of corrugated paper or plastic and has a shape that can be folded.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the weight management terminal 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The weight management terminal 11 includes a CPU 111, a communication unit 112, a display unit 113, an instruction symbol reading unit 114, an input unit 115, a power supply unit 116, a memory 117, a storage 118, a weight measurement unit 119, an entry / exit determination unit 120, and a bus 121. Is provided.

  The weight management terminal 11 stores a reading processing unit 1171, a weight detection processing unit 1172, and a control processing unit 1173 in the storage 118, and the control processing unit 1173 stores program modules corresponding to the processing units from the storage 118. The processing of the weight management terminal 11 of the present embodiment is realized by expanding the memory 117 and executing the program module by the CPU 111.

  These program modules may be stored in the storage in advance before the device is shipped, or may be stored in a medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a BlueRay Disc such as a semiconductor memory. Then, it may be installed in the apparatus via a medium connection unit (not shown). It is also possible to download and install from the work information management server 13 via the network 12 via the communication unit 112.

  The CPU 111 is a general term for a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the like, and executes a predetermined program.

  The communication unit 112 includes wireless LAN, Bluetooth, infrared communication, IC tag function, Transfer JET, LTE (Long Term Evolution), HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), EV-DO (Evolution Data Only), wireless communication function, etc. Or, it has a wired communication function such as Ethernet, and transmits and receives various types of information. The wireless communication function includes an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, and the like. The wired communication function includes a connector, a modulation / demodulation circuit, and the like. For information transmission / reception, network communication performed via a network and direct communication performed directly between devices without using a network (for example, Bluetooth, wireless USB, Felica, ZigBee, Z-WAVE, visible light communication, infrared communication) Communication, NFC (Near Field Communication, etc.) etc. can be suitably switched and used. The communication unit 101 may be configured to support a plurality of communication methods.

  The display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or a panel such as an electronic paper, a driver circuit, and the like. Under the control of the control processing unit 122, arbitrary information (for example, characters, still images) , And video). The display unit 113 may include a plurality of panels that can display different information.

  The instruction symbol reading unit 114 is an apparatus for an operator to read information associated with a work instruction symbol. Examples of the instruction symbol include a bar code, a QR code, and a marker. The instruction symbol reading unit 114 is, for example, a bar code reader, and can read a bar code or a QR code. The instruction symbol reading unit 114 is a camera, for example, and may identify a target by recognizing a specific graphic or character arrangement as an image. The instruction symbol reading unit 114 may be included in the weight management terminal 11 or may be separated.

  The input unit 115 includes, for example, one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a cursor key, and a numeric keypad, receives a user operation, and inputs an input signal based on the operation to the CPU 111. Note that the input unit 115 may include a microphone or a camera, generate an input signal by voice recognition, image recognition, gesture recognition, or the like and input the input signal to the CPU 111. Moreover, the display part 113 and the input part 115 may be comprised integrally like a touch panel. The input unit 115 is installed as a processing unit having the same function at a location away from the weight management terminal 11 and inputs an input signal based on the operation to the CPU 111 via the network 12 or direct communication between devices. You may do it.

  The power supply unit 116 includes a battery, an AC adapter, a charging circuit, and the like, and supplies power to each unit of the weight management terminal 11 and charges the battery. In addition, the power supply unit 116 checks the remaining battery capacity of the weight management terminal 11.

  The memory 117 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and the like, and is controlled by an instruction from the control processing unit 122. The function part of the application program stored in the storage 118 is expanded in the memory 117.

  The storage 118 includes a recording medium built in the weight management terminal 11, a removable external recording medium, an optical disk, or the like, and stores various types of information. For example, the storage 118 is controlled by an instruction from the control processing unit 122 and can store an application program. The storage 118 stores various information created by the application program. For example, the storage 118 stores a work instruction information management database 1181 for managing work instruction information.

  The weight measuring unit 119 measures the weight of the loaded object. The weight measuring unit 119 may mechanically measure the weight change, or may electrically measure the weight change using a sensor whose resistance value changes due to weighting.

  The entry / exit determination unit 120 determines the input (storage) of the article into each of the one or more boxes 16. The entry / exit determination unit 120 may be, for example, a barcode reader that is attached to the inner periphery of each box 16 and reads a barcode displayed on an article that enters or exits each box 16, or is attached near the box, It may be a camera that captures the entry / exit of articles in each box 16, or may be a sensor that detects the entry / exit of articles in each box 16. Whichever of these is adopted, the entry / exit of the article into / from each box 16 can be determined.

  The bus 121 is a transmission path for each unit to transmit a signal to each other.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the work information management server 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The work information management server 13 includes a CPU 131, a communication unit 132, a display unit 133, an input unit 134, a power supply unit 135, a memory 136, a storage 137, and a bus 138. Unless otherwise noted, the function of the part having the same name as the part of the weight management terminal 11 shown in FIG. 2 is the same as the function of the part of the weight management terminal 11, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The storage 137 stores a work instruction information management database 1373 and a work result management database 1374. Further, the work information management server 13 stores a work instruction creation processing unit 1381 and a control processing unit 1362 in the storage 137, and the control processing unit 1362 expands a program module corresponding to the processing unit from the storage 137 to the memory 136. Then, when the CPU 131 executes the program module, the processing of the work information management server 13 of this embodiment is realized.

  Note that in this specification, processing executed by the CPU 111 or the CPU 131 based on a program module stored in the memory 117 or the memory 136 may be described as processing executed by a processing unit corresponding to the program module. For example, the processing executed by the control processing unit 1173 is actually executed by the CPU 111 in accordance with a program module corresponding to the control processing unit 122 stored in the memory 117. The same applies to other processing units.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing from work information acquisition to work result determination in the weight management terminal 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the instruction symbol is read by the instruction symbol reading unit 114 (S201), the reading processing unit 1171 passes the read information to the control processing unit 1173. Here, the instruction symbol reading unit 114 reads the instruction symbol when the operator 10 uses the instruction symbol reading unit 114 to read a bar code, a QR code, or a marker. .

  The control processing unit 1173 temporarily stores the read number in the memory 117 (S202). Next, when an instruction indicating completion is input from the instruction symbol reading unit 114 or the input unit 115 (Yes in S203), the control processing unit 1173 receives the work instruction information of the work information management server 13 via the communication unit 112. Work information is acquired from the management database 1373 and stored in the work instruction information management database 1181 (S204). When an instruction indicating completion is not input (No in S203), the processing after S201 is executed again. As a result, when the operator 10 reads the instruction symbol a plurality of times without performing the completion operation, a plurality of boxes 16 are prepared for sending to the next delivery destination, and products for a plurality of delivery destinations are obtained in one cycle. Collection will be done.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the work instruction information management databases 1181 and 1373 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The work instruction information management databases 1181 and 1373 include information related to a plurality of work instructions. Each work instruction is an instruction for picking one or more items of goods delivered to one delivery destination to one worker 10, and each record of the work instruction information management databases 1181 and 1373 includes one record. An instruction for picking goods of one item delivered to one delivery destination is stored. Specifically, each record includes a sequence number 1441, scheduled work date 1442, work instruction number 1443, product position 1444, product name 1445, box number 1446, number 1447, product weight 1448, and product code 1449.

  The sequence number 1441 is a number for identifying each record. The scheduled work date 1442 is the date on which the picking work corresponding to each record is scheduled. The work instruction number 1443 is a number for identifying each work instruction. The product position 1444 indicates the position of the shelf in which each product to be picked is stored. The product name 1445 is the name of each product. The box number 1446 is a number for identifying the box 16 that stores each picked product. In the present embodiment, one box 16 corresponds to one delivery destination (for example, one store), and there may be a case where products of a plurality of items are stored in one box 16. The number 1447 is the number of products of each item that is picked and stored in each box 16. The product weight 1448 is the weight per product of each item. In the example of FIG. 5, the product weight 1448 is the weight per product of each item, and the weight corresponding to the number indicated by the number 1447 is calculated by the process described later. The product weight 1448 may store the weight corresponding to the number indicated by the number 1447. The product code 1449 is a code for identifying each product.

  In the work instruction information management database 1373 of the work information management server 13, all workers 10 scheduled to be performed in a warehouse managed by the work information management server 13 during a certain period (for example, one day). Contains information about all work. On the other hand, it is sufficient that the work instruction information management database 1181 of each weight management terminal 11 includes information on work performed by each worker 10 using each weight management terminal 11.

  Next, the control processing unit 1173 outputs the instruction result to the display unit 113 (S205). For example, the control processing unit 1173 outputs information such as the product name 1445, the product position 1444, the box number 1446, and the number 1447 of any record that has been stored in the work instruction information management database 1181 and that has not yet been completed. May be. Looking at the output contents, the operator 10 moves to a designated place (that is, the place of the shelf 14 indicated by the product position 1444) in order to acquire the goods described in the output contents.

  Next, when the product code of the product taken out from the shelf 14 by the operator 10 is read using the instruction symbol reading unit 114 (S206), the reading processing unit 1171 passes the read information to the control processing unit 1173. The control processing unit 1173 collates the read product code with the product code 1449 of the work instruction information management database 1181, and confirms the weight 1448 of the corresponding product (S207).

  In S206, the instruction symbol reading unit 114 may read a shelf number for identifying the shelf 14 from which the operator 10 has taken out the product instead of the product code. Regardless of whether the product code or the shelf number is passed, the control processing unit 1173 identifies the item of the product taken out from the shelf 14 by the worker 10 based on the work instruction information management database 1181, and confirms its weight. be able to.

  Next, when the operator 10 puts the product into the designated box 16, the entry / exit determination unit 120 detects which box 16 the product has been put into, and the weight detection processing unit 1172 further includes a weight measurement unit. When a change in weight is detected via 119 (S208), the control processing unit 1173 acquires such information. The control processing unit 1173 makes an inquiry to the work instruction information management database 1181, compares the information read by the weight measurement unit 119 with the weight 1448 of the corresponding product, and further determines that the product has been inserted by the entry / exit determination unit 120. The box 16 is compared with the box number 1446 of the corresponding product (S209).

  For example, when the work instruction number 001-001 is read in S202, the work described in the record in which the work instruction number 1443 is stored in the work instruction information management database 1181 is 001-001 is performed. In this operation, it is assumed that the product code of the retort curry is read in S203. At this time, the read product code is 43901211 as described in the product code 1449 of the work instruction information management database 1181, the product weight 1448 corresponding to this product code is 120 g, the number 1447 is 3, The number 1446 is 001. In this case, the control processing unit 1173 collates the information read from the work instruction information management database 1181 as described above, the box number detected by the entry / exit determination unit 120, and the weight detected by the weight detection processing unit 1172. . From the above, in S209, the control processing unit 1173, if the weight read by the weight detection processing unit 1172 is 360 g corresponding to three retort curries, and the box number detected by the access determination unit 120 is 001. It is determined that the product has been correctly input. At this time, a predetermined error may be allowed in the weight read by the weight detection processing unit 1172.

  If the comparison result does not match as a result of S209 (No in S210), the control processing unit 1173 displays a message indicating that the product is wrong on the display unit 113. Thereafter, the processing after S208 is executed again. For example, when the worker 10 who has seen this message takes out the product put in the wrong box 16 and puts it back in the correct box 16, a change in weight is detected in S208, and the work result is determined in S209. As a result, it is determined in S210 that the comparison results match (that is, the product has been correctly input).

  On the other hand, when the comparison results match as a result of S209 (Yes in S210), the reading processing unit 1171 determines whether or not the instruction symbol reading unit 114 has read the instruction symbol (S211). The instruction symbol here is, for example, a symbol indicating that the picking work of the commodity from one shelf has been completed, and when the operator 10 recognizes that the work has been completed, the instruction symbol reading unit 114 is operated. And read. When the instruction symbol reading unit 114 has read the instruction symbol (Yes in S211), when the instruction symbol reading unit 114 has not read the instruction symbol (No in S211), S211 is repeated.

  Thereafter, the reading processing unit 1171 passes the read information to the control processing unit 1173. The control processing unit 1173 checks the work instruction information management database 1131. If all the work corresponding to the work instruction number (eg, 001-001) read in S202 is completed, the process in FIG. The result is transmitted to the work result management database 1374 of the management server 13 (Yes in S212). On the other hand, if there is an incomplete work, the process returns to S202, and the processes after S202 are repeated until the incomplete work is completed (No in S212).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the work result management database 1374 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  In the work result management database 1374, for each work content, a sequence number 1451, work date 1452, worker ID 1453, work instruction number 1454, and product name 1455 are recorded.

  In S211, the instruction symbol reading unit 114 has read the instruction symbol and proceeds to the next work flow. However, the operator 10 may proceed to the work flow by pressing a switch of the input unit 115.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the entry / exit determination unit 120 identifies the box 16 into which the product is input from one or more boxes 16, but the product is input without using the input / output determination unit 120. A method of identifying the box 16 is also conceivable. For example, the operator 10 may scan the product in the box 16 and put the product into the box 16 in S206. At this time, for example, a tag is attached to each product, and a sensor for reading the product tag is provided at the opening of each box 16, and the sensor of the box 16 is turned on each time the product is put into each box 16. By reading the tag of the product, the box 16 in which the product is placed may be specified. Alternatively, a camera provided in the weight management terminal 11 may photograph a product that is put into each box 16, and the box 16 into which the product is placed may be specified based on the photographed image. In this case, since the goods are scanned in the box 16 (or when passing through the opening of the box 16) and then put into the box, there is no mistake in putting it in another box. In this way, it is possible to manufacture the weight management terminal 11 at a lower cost by clearly defining the work procedure and reducing the number of access determination units 120.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the weight change detected by the single weighing scale, the detection result of the box in which the product has been put in, and the work instruction information held by the work management server, It is possible to determine what product is put in which box by the person. Further, with this configuration, even in a picking operation in which products of a plurality of items sequentially taken out from a plurality of shelves are stored in a box on a work cart, even if one work cart has one or more boxes A single weighing scale is enough. For this reason, it is possible to construct a work cart suitable for the quantity that varies from day to day by increasing or decreasing the number of boxes without increasing or decreasing the number of weighing scales installed in the work cart.

  A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Except for the differences described below, each part of the system of the second embodiment has the same function as each part denoted by the same reference numeral in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the case where one or more boxes are placed on a single weighing scale and the value indicated by the weighing scale is increased by picking a product has been described. Such a work method is also called a picking method. On the other hand, in the physical distribution field, there is a so-called seeding method sorting work in which products are distributed to the next delivery destination. In this case, a single product is loaded in one box 16 from the beginning, empty boxes are placed on the shelves in the warehouse, and the product taken out from the box 16 by the operator 10 is placed in the shelves. The work goes on. In this case, the products loaded in the box 16 are reduced as the work progresses. In such work, as in the first embodiment, a mechanism is considered in which a plurality of boxes 16 are installed on the work cart 15 and the worker 10 simultaneously carries a plurality of products and distributes them to each shelf. It is done.

  In the present embodiment, a method for determining whether or not work has been correctly performed when the value indicated by the weight scale decreases will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the weight management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The weight management system according to this embodiment includes a worker 10, a weight management terminal 11, a network 12, a work information management server 13, a work cart 15, one or more boxes 16, and a sorting destination shelf 17. Is done.

  The sorting destination shelf 17 is a shelf to which merchandise is distributed. Each shelf 17 is pasted with codes such as “A-1”, “A-2”, “B-1”, “B-2” indicating the respective arrangement locations, and the weight management terminal 11 By acquiring the arrangement code reading result and the collation result of the work information management server 13, the arrangement location of the sorting destination shelf 17 can be known. In the following description, for example, the shelf 17 whose location is “A-1” is also simply referred to as a shelf A-1. The same applies to the shelves 17 at other arrangement locations.

  In the present embodiment, each shelf 17 may be in any form as long as it is one divided area. In other words, each shelf 17 may actually include a plurality of physical shelves, or may include only one physical shelf, or one of the compartments obtained by further subdividing one physical shelf. It may be a movable shelf such as a so-called cart or a box-shaped section.

  Since the configurations of the weight management terminal 11 and the work information management server 13 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. However, the work instruction information management database 1181 held by the weight management terminal 11 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points.

  That is, in the first embodiment, one work instruction is a picking work instruction for one or more items of goods delivered to one delivery destination for one worker. Is different. For example, one work instruction in the second embodiment may be an instruction for sorting work to a plurality of delivery destinations for one item of goods for one worker, or one work instruction for one worker. It may be an instruction for sorting work from a plurality of boxes 16 installed in the cart 15 to a plurality of delivery destinations. The work instruction number 1443 according to the second embodiment identifies each such work instruction.

  The product position 1444 of the second embodiment is not a shelf number but a number for identifying the box 16 in which products to be sorted are stored. In this embodiment, in principle, only one item of merchandise is stored in one box 16.

  Further, the box number 1446 of the second embodiment is a number for identifying a sorting destination box installed on the shelf 17 instead of each box 16 installed on the work cart 15. In this embodiment, one sorting destination corresponds to one delivery destination (for example, a store). That is, in the present embodiment, usually, a plurality of items of merchandise are sorted into one sorting destination box. When only one box is installed on one shelf 17, the box number 1446 may be a number for identifying the shelf 17.

  In addition, the entry / exit determination unit 120 according to the second embodiment determines whether to take out the product from the box 16.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing from work information acquisition to work result determination in the weight management terminal 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Steps S301 to S305 in FIG. 8 are the same as steps S201 to S205 in FIG.

  When the operator 10 takes out the product from any of the boxes 16 specified by the product position 1444, the entry / exit determination unit 120 detects the removal of the product, and the weight detection processing unit 1172 causes the weight measurement unit 119 to change the weight. If there is (S306), the read information is transferred to the control processing unit 1173.

  Next, when the operator 10 distributes the product to the sorting shelf 17 and then reads the instruction symbol pasted on the sorting shelf 17 using the instruction symbol reading unit 114, the product code is read. The reading processing unit 1171 passes the read information to the control processing unit 1173 (S307). The control processing unit 1173 compares the read product code with the product code 1449 of the work instruction information management database 1181, and confirms the weight 1448 of the corresponding product (S308).

  Next, the control processing unit 1173 makes an inquiry to the work instruction information management database 1181, compares the information read by the weight measurement unit 119 with the weight 1448 of the corresponding product, and further, the product is taken out by the entry / exit determination unit 120. The determined box 16 is compared with the box number 1446 of the corresponding product (S309).

  The processing from S310 to S312 is the same as that from S310 to S312 of FIG.

  In S307, it has been described that the instruction symbol reading unit 114 reads the instruction symbol and proceeds to the next work flow. However, the operator 10 may proceed to the work flow by pressing a switch of the input unit 115.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the weight change detected by the single weighing scale, the detection result of the box from which the product is taken out, and the work instruction information held by the work management server, It is possible to determine what goods are put on which shelves. Further, according to this configuration, in the sorting operation in which products taken out from the boxes on the work cart 15 are sequentially stored on a plurality of shelves, even if there are one or more boxes on one cart 15, Only one total is required. For this reason, it is possible to construct a work cart suitable for the quantity that varies from day to day by increasing or decreasing the number of boxes without increasing or decreasing the number of weighing scales installed in the work cart 15.

  A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Except for the differences described below, each part of the system of the second embodiment has the same functions as the parts denoted by the same reference numerals of the first or second embodiment shown in FIGS. Description of is omitted.

  In the first and second embodiments, the mechanism in which the weight management terminal 11 is installed in the work cart 15 and the work result is determined based on the increase or decrease of the weight on the cart has been described.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in the sorting work described in the second embodiment, a weighing scale that can weigh the entire shelf for sorting destinations having a plurality of receptacles is installed, and the work result of the sorting work due to a change in the weight of the shelf. A mechanism for determining the above will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the weight management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The system according to the present embodiment includes a worker 10, a work management terminal 18, a network 12, a work information management server 13, a work cart 15, one or more boxes 16, a sorting destination shelf 19, and a weight management device 20. Consists of

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the work management terminal 18 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The work management terminal 18 includes a CPU 111, a communication unit 112, a display unit 113, an instruction symbol reading unit 114, an input unit 115, a power supply unit 116, a memory 117, a storage 118, and a bus 121. The work instruction information management database 1181 is the same as that in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, it is assumed that a small and light product is handled.

  The sorter shelf 19 is a shelf having one or more receptacles, and the sections corresponding to each receptacle (20 sections from “A-1” to “D-5” in the example of FIG. 10), Used as a container for storing sorted products. For example, this applies to cases where the products handled are lightweight and small, such as glasses and shelves for storing precision parts for medical equipment. In such a case, since the weight of the shelf itself is light, there is an effect that the weight management device 20 can be easily configured.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the weight management device 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The weight management device 20 includes a CPU 111, a communication unit 112, a display unit 113, an input unit 115, a power supply unit 116, a memory 117, a storage 118, a weight measurement unit 119, an entry / exit determination unit 120, and a bus 121. The weight measuring unit 119 measures the weight of the entire shelf 19 in which the product is placed. The entrance / exit determination unit 120 detects in which receptacle of the shelf 19 the product has been introduced.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing from work information acquisition to work result determination in the work management terminal 18 and the weight management apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Steps S401 to S405 are the same as steps S201 to S205 in FIG.

  When the worker 10 puts a product into a designated position in the sorting shelf 19 according to the instruction displayed in S405, the weight detection processing unit 1172 detects a change in weight via the weight measurement unit 119 (Yes in S406). . Further, the entrance / exit determination unit 120 of the weight management device 20 detects the position of the product on the sorting shelf 19 (S407), and passes the information read by the weight detection processing unit 1172 to the control processing unit 1173.

  In the weight management device 20, the control processing unit 1173 uses the communication unit 112 to transmit the shelf number (that is, the number for identifying the receptacle into which the product is inserted) and the weight value acquired in S 406 and S 407 to the work management terminal 18. (S408).

  In the work management terminal 18, the control processing unit 1173 receives the value transmitted in S408 (S409). Thereafter, the processing from S410 to S414 is the same as that from S309 to S312 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing a single weighing scale on the shelf, the weight change detected by the weighing scale, the detection result of the position where the product has been introduced, and the work management server have Based on the work instruction information, it is possible to determine what product the worker has placed in which shelf. Also, with this configuration, the configuration of the work cart can be simplified, and the available locations of the work cart can be generalized.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to an above-described Example, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for better understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

  Each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, and the like may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them with, for example, an integrated circuit. Further, each of the above-described configurations, functions, and the like may be realized by software by interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function by the processor. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function is stored in a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a computer-readable non-readable information such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD. It can be stored on a temporary data storage medium.

  Further, the control lines and information lines indicate what is considered necessary for the explanation, and not all the control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. Actually, it may be considered that almost all the components are connected to each other.

Claims (14)

A processor, a storage device accessed by the processor, a plurality of containers, a weigh scale for measuring the weight of the plurality of containers, and an entry / exit determination unit for determining storage and removal of articles in each of the plurality of containers A weight management system comprising:
The storage device holds work instruction information indicating the weight of an article to be stored and taken out in each container,
The processor is
A determination result of storing and taking out articles in each container by the entrance / exit determination unit, and an amount of change in weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale,
Based on the work instruction information, the determination result acquired from the entry / exit determination unit, and the change in weight acquired from the weighing scale, storage or removal in the container determined to have been stored or removed. Weight management, wherein it is determined whether or not the weight of an object to be subjected to the measurement and the amount of change in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale match, and the result of the determination is output system. The weight management system according to claim 1,
It further has a reading unit that reads information that identifies the item of the article on which the worker has worked,
The work instruction information includes a quantity for each item of an article to be stored in each container, and a weight of the article for each item,
The processor is
Based on the work instruction information, output the information indicating the quantity of the item of the item to be stored and the container to be stored of the item,
Obtaining information identifying the item of the article from the reading unit,
From the entry / exit determination unit, obtain the determination result of storage of the article in each container,
The article is stored based on the work instruction information, the judgment result obtained from the entry / exit judgment unit, the change in weight obtained from the weighing scale, and the information specifying the item of the article obtained from the reading unit. Whether the weight of the item of the item to be stored in the container determined to have been stored matches the weight of the quantity to be stored and the increase in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale. A weight management system characterized by determining whether or not. The weight management system according to claim 2,
The weigh scale and the plurality of containers are installed on a carriage carried by an operator,
Each container corresponds to a delivery destination of each article,
The work instruction information includes information identifying each shelf in which articles of each item are stored,
An article stored in each shelf is stored in each container by picking work based on the work instruction information. The weight management system according to claim 2,
Each container is a shelf corresponding to a delivery destination of each article,
The work instruction information includes information for specifying a box in which an article of each item is stored,
An article stored in each box is stored in each container by a sorting operation based on the work instruction information. The weight management system according to claim 1,
The work instruction information includes a quantity for each item of an item to be taken out in each container, and a weight of the item for each item,
The processor is
Based on the work instruction information, output information indicating the quantity of items of the item to be taken out and the container to be taken out of the item,
From the entry / exit determination unit, obtain the determination result of taking out the article in each container,
Based on the work instruction information, the determination result acquired from the entry / exit determination unit, and the change in the weight acquired from the weighing scale, the item to be extracted in the container determined to have been extracted. A weight management system for determining whether or not the weight of a quantity to be taken out of an article coincides with a decrease in weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale. The weight management system according to claim 5,
The weighing scale and the plurality of containers are installed on a movable carriage,
Each container stores an article of each article,
The work instruction information includes information specifying each shelf corresponding to a delivery destination of each article,
The weight management system according to claim 1, wherein the articles stored in the containers are taken out and stored in the shelves by sorting work based on the work instruction information. The weight management system according to claim 1,
The entry / exit determination unit includes a barcode reader that reads a barcode of an article that has been stored and taken out in each of the plurality of containers, a camera that captures storage and removal of the article in each of the plurality of containers, and A weight management system including any one of sensors for detecting storage and removal of articles in each of a plurality of containers. A processor, a storage device accessed by the processor, a plurality of containers, a weigh scale for measuring the weight of the plurality of containers, and an entry / exit determination unit for determining storage and removal of articles in each of the plurality of containers A weight management method executed by a weight management system comprising:
The storage device holds work instruction information indicating the weight of an article to be stored and taken out in each container,
The weight management method includes:
A first procedure in which the processor obtains determination results of storage and removal of articles in the containers by the access determination unit and changes in the weights of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale;
Based on the work instruction information, the determination result acquired from the entry / exit determination unit, and the change in weight acquired from the weighing scale, the processor determines that the article has been stored or removed. A second procedure for determining whether or not the weight of the article to be stored or taken out in the case matches the amount of change in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale, and outputting the result of the determination And a weight management method comprising: The weight management method according to claim 8,
The weight management system further includes a reading unit that reads information that identifies an item of an article on which an operator has worked,
The work instruction information includes a quantity for each item of an article to be stored in each container, and a weight of the article for each item,
The weight management method includes:
The processor outputs, based on the work instruction information, information indicating the quantity of items of the item to be stored and the container indicating the storage target of the item;
The processor further comprising: obtaining information identifying an item of an article from the reading unit;
In the first procedure, the processor acquires a determination result of storage of the article in each container from the entry / exit determination unit,
In the second procedure, the processor specifies the work instruction information, the determination result acquired from the entry / exit determination unit, the amount of change in weight acquired from the weighing scale, and the item of the article acquired from the reading unit. Based on the information to be stored, the weight of the item of the item to be stored in the container in which it is determined that the item has been stored, and the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale. A weight management method comprising: determining whether or not the increase amount is equal. The weight management method according to claim 9, wherein
The weigh scale and the plurality of containers are installed on a carriage carried by an operator,
Each container corresponds to a delivery destination of each article,
The work instruction information includes information identifying each shelf in which articles of each item are stored,
The storage determined in the second procedure is performed by a picking operation for storing articles stored in the shelves in the containers based on the work instruction information. The weight management method according to claim 9, wherein
Each container is a shelf corresponding to a delivery destination of each article,
The work instruction information includes information for specifying a box in which an article of each item is stored,
The storage determined in the second procedure is performed by a sorting operation in which articles stored in the boxes are stored in the containers based on the work instruction information. The weight management method according to claim 8,
The work instruction information includes a quantity for each item of an item to be taken out in each container, and a weight of the item for each item,
The weight management method includes:
The processor further includes a procedure for outputting, based on the work instruction information, information indicating a quantity of an item to be taken out and a container to be taken out of the item,
In the first procedure, the processor obtains a determination result of taking out an article from each container from the entry / exit determination unit,
In the second procedure, the processor determines that the article has been taken out based on the work instruction information, the determination result acquired from the loading / unloading determination unit, and the change in weight acquired from the weighing scale. Determining whether the weight of the item to be removed in the container is equal to the weight of the item to be removed and the decrease in the weight of the plurality of containers measured by the weighing scale. A weight management method. A weight management method according to claim 12,
The weighing scale and the plurality of containers are installed on a movable carriage,
Each container stores an article of each article,
The work instruction information includes information specifying each shelf corresponding to a delivery destination of each article,
The removal determined in the second procedure is performed by a sorting operation in which the articles stored in the containers are taken out and stored in the shelves based on the work instruction information. Method. The weight management method according to claim 8,
The entry / exit determination unit includes a barcode reader that reads a barcode of an article that has been stored and taken out in each of the plurality of containers, a camera that captures storage and removal of the article in each of the plurality of containers, and A weight management method comprising any one of sensors that detect storage and removal of articles in each of a plurality of containers.

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