JPH0453764B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention provides instructions for the position of the article to be taken out in response to a request for taking out the article from the outside, and for extracting a specified quantity from the designated position. The present invention relates to a picking instruction device that only takes out articles.

(Prior Art) As is well known, a device has an inclined shelf board, and the shelves facing the front are used as storage positions for separate articles, and the inclination of the shelf is used to remove the article cases in front. Fluid shelving systems in which new cases from the rear come to the front are becoming popular. Such floating shelf systems are installed in large numbers in storage locations such as warehouses, and are used in so-called order picking systems, in which workers take out a predetermined number of predetermined types of products one after another according to an order list. Widely used.

By the way, in conventional picking work, workers have a list (slip) to pick and take out a predetermined number of predetermined items based on the list, which takes a long time and causes a decrease in work efficiency. I have this problem.

Therefore, recently, a fluid shelf system has been developed that uses a computer-based centralized control system to automatically display the storage location and quantity of items to be removed based on an external item removal request. It is actively practiced.

This type of fluid shelf system generally includes a plurality of display sections that indicate the storage position of the article to be taken out corresponding to each article storage position on the shelf, and for example, the storage position indicated by the display section for each bay. A quantity display section is provided to indicate the quantity of articles to be taken out.

In this case, based on an external item removal request, first one of the items requested to be removed is
Only the display section corresponding to the storage position of one article is driven, and the quantity display section is used to indicate the number of articles to be taken out, which is indicated on the driven display section. After that, the picking worker starts picking work to take out the articles in the storage position indicated by the display section in the quantity indicated by the quantity display section.

After the picking operation is completed, the picking operator operates a reset switch arranged in parallel on the display section to inform the computer that the picking operation has been completed. Then, the display section that was driven earlier becomes non-driven, and instead only the display section corresponding to the storage position of one of the articles to be taken out next is driven, and the display section that was driven The quantity of articles to be taken out is indicated on the quantity display section, and the same operation is repeated to perform the picking operation.

However, there is still room for improvement in the technology that attempts to improve the efficiency of picking operations by centrally managing a fluidized shelving system using a computer, and the technology does not fully meet the needs of users in various respects. There is a strong demand for the development of a picking system that can obtain the desired results.

For example, in order picking, although the types of items to be picked vary depending on the order list, in most cases the picking quantity is a specified quantity, for example (1 piece), and in rare cases, a quantity other than the specified quantity is picked. There are cases where removal is required.

When picking in such a case, the quantity display section displays almost the same quantity, and in very rare cases it will display a quantity other than the specified quantity, so the picking worker may be unaware of the change in the quantity display. A problem arises in that it is difficult to notice and erroneous picking operations are more likely to be performed.

Conversely, as long as the position of the item to be taken out is indicated by the display part, all that is required is to take out the specified quantity, so the quantity display part is essentially unnecessary. However, it is necessary to install it only to display quantities other than the specified quantity that occur on rare occasions, which is economically disadvantageous.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) As described above, the conventional picking system based on centralized management does not support picking in various cases, and the advantages of using a computer are fully demonstrated. However, there is a strong desire to improve it to make it more practical.

Therefore, this invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and can be used in a picking system in which the picking quantity is a specified quantity in most cases, but occasionally there is a request to take out a quantity exceeding the specified quantity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a very suitable picking indicating device.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In other words, the picking instruction device according to the present invention issues an instruction to a shelf storing a plurality of types of articles based on an article pick-up request given from the outside. The target is a picking system that picks out the same predetermined number of items. Then, a plurality of display sections installed corresponding to the various article storage positions on the shelf, and a display section corresponding to the storage position of the article requested to be taken out based on the article removal request, are all driven simultaneously. The first step is to instruct the storage position of the requested article.
a plurality of operation means installed corresponding to each of the plurality of display sections and for setting the display section driven by the first drive means into a non-driving state; In a state where an item retrieval request requests the removal of a predetermined amount or more of the item that has been removed,
and second driving means for driving again the display section corresponding to the article that has been brought into a non-driving state by the operating means.

(Function) According to the above configuration, normally, after taking out the same predetermined quantity of articles indicated by the display unit that is in the driven state, the display unit is deactivated by the operating means. The picking operation is performed by adjusting the condition. In addition, if a quantity exceeding the specified quantity is requested to be taken out, the display section that has been set to a non-driving state by the operating means is driven again, so that the article specified on the driven display section is again driven. All you have to do is take out the specified quantity.

For this reason, it is economically advantageous because there is no need for a quantity display, and it also prevents the picking worker from making a mistake in picking the quantity. This system is suitable for use in a picking system where it is required to pick up a quantity of .

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a fluidized shelf system 11. FIG. This fluid shelf system 11
Each unit is called a bay, and multiple bays are installed so as to tilt forward (three in the case shown).
It has shelves 12, 12.... And each shelf 1
2, 12... have case 1 on the front by type.
Articles 14, 14, etc. placed in containers 3, 13, and so on are placed thereon. In addition, behind each case 13, 13..., case 1 of the same article 14, 14...
3, 13... are arranged.

Here, the above-mentioned articles 14, 14... are stored on shelves 12, 1
2..., but when one case 13 becomes empty, if you remove that case 13, the rear case 13 will come forward due to the slope, so take it out from there. is being done. In addition, the supply of goods 14, 14...
New cases 13, 1 are placed at the rear of shelves 12, 12...
3. This is done by placing...

Here, the shelves 12, 12... have item display sections 15,
15... are installed. This item display section 1
5, 15, . . . will be described in detail later, but each flashes independently to indicate the position of the article 14 to be taken out. These item display sections 15, 15, . . . have a push-type switch structure in which the illuminated portions can be pressed, and function as reset switches.

Furthermore, a bay display section 16 is installed above the fluidic shelf system 11 in the figure. This bay display section 16 indicates that a picking operation from the fluidized shelf system 11 is required when the bay display section 16 is lit. That is, in reality, a plurality of fluid shelf systems (bays) having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in parallel, and the bay whose bay display section 16 is lit indicates that it has been selected for the picking operation. .

Here, the item display sections 15, 15, . . . and the bay display section 16 are controlled by a central management system using a computer, which will be described later. That is, when data (order list) indicating the type and quantity of the ordered articles 14, 14... is input, this centralized management system first selects the bay in which the articles 14, 14... are accommodated. Lighting data is output to the display section 16, and the bay display section 16 is turned on.

Next, the centralized management system displays item display units 15, which are installed at positions corresponding to the cases 13, 13... containing the articles 14, 14... to be taken out;
15 Output display data to... In this case, all the item display sections 15, 15, . . . corresponding to the storage positions of all the articles 14, 14, . . . to be taken out from the selected bay 11 start blinking.
Then, the picking worker picks up the item 14 corresponding to any item display section 15 that is in the blinking state.
Predefined quantity (in this case, 1 piece)
Just pick.

When the picking operation for one type of article 14 is completed in this way, the picking worker presses the item display section 15 which is in a blinking state. Then, the centralized management system determines that the picking work for one type of article 14 has been completed, and turns off the blinking item display section 15.

Thereafter, the picking worker selects the item 1 corresponding to any other item display section 15 that is in the blinking state.
When only one item 4 is picked and the item display section 15 is pressed to turn off the light, the same operation is repeated and all the item display sections 15, 15, etc. that were in a blinking state are turned off. The picking operation for one bay 111 is completed.

Here, the quantity of each article 14, 14... to be taken out is normally one, but if, for example, two items are requested to be taken out only from a predetermined article 14,
First, the centralized management system blinks the item display section 15 corresponding to the article 14 in the same way as usual. The picking worker then picks the item 1.
After picking only one item 4 as usual, the item display section 15 is pressed.

Then, the central management system determines that only one item 14 has been taken out, and compares it with the input order list to determine whether the requested quantity has been reached. Then, when the quantity of articles 14 taken out does not reach the requested quantity, the central management system temporarily turns off the item display section 15 corresponding to the article 14, and, for example,
After a period of about seconds has elapsed, the item display section 15 is driven to blink again.

Therefore, after picking only one item 14 corresponding to the item display section 15 that has flashed again, the picking worker
Press again. Then, the central management system turns off the item display section 15, and two predetermined articles 14 are now taken out. In addition, the prescribed article 1
It can be easily seen from the above description that even if there are three or more requests for retrieval of ``4'', it can be sufficiently handled by repeating the above operations.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the centralized management system includes a computer 17 and n bays 11.
1, 112 to 11n are configured to exchange data via the main controller 18. The main controller 18 also drives an order number display 19. And each bay 111, 112
~11n are bay control devices 201 and 20, respectively.
2 to 20n, and by exchanging data between the main control device 18 and each bay control device 201, 202 to 20n, each bay 111,
112 to 11n item display sections 151, 152
~15n and bay display section 161, 162~16n
etc. are controlled.

The operation will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. First, when the process is started (step S1), the computer 18 transmits input picking data to the main controller 18 in step S2. This picking data includes order number, bay number, item display part number, quantity data, etc., and is sent to each bay 111, 112 to 11n in one order number unit. be.

Then, in step S3, the main controller 18 receives the picking data and displays the order number on the order number display section 19. After that, in step S4, the main controller 18 controls the bay controller 2 of the bay 111, 112 to 11n specified by the bay number.
Item display section for 01, 202 to 20n
Sends various display data such as No. and quantity data. At this time, the main control device 18 may cause a buzzer or the like to sound to notify the start of the picking operation.

Then, in step S5, the bay control device 20
1,202 to 20n receive various display data, in step S6, the bay control devices 201, 20n
202-20n are bay display parts 161, 162-
Turn on 16n. At the same time, the bay control devices 201, 202-20n blink all the item display sections 151, 152-15n corresponding to the products 14, 14, . . . that have been requested to be taken out.

Here, in step S7, the picking worker selects any item display section 1 that is being driven to blink.
Articles 14, 14 corresponding to 51,152-15n
Pick only one... When the picking work is completed, the picking worker
In step S8, the previously picked article 14,
14... The item display sections 151, 152 to 15n that are driven to blink are pressed.

Then, in step S9, the bay control device 20
1,202~20n is one type of article 14,14
The end of the picking operation for... is detected, and the item display sections 151, 152 to 15n corresponding to the articles 14, 14..., that is, pressed are turned off.

In this state, in step S10, the bay control devices 201, 202 to 20n determine whether the above-mentioned various display data still exists. If there is (YES), in step S11, the bay control device 2
01, 202 to 20n, it is determined whether the quantities of the articles 14, 14, . . . picked earlier in step S7 match the quantity data.

In this case, if they do not match, step S1
1, the bay controllers 201, 202 to 20n are
Item display section 1 that was previously turned off in step S9
51, 152 to 15n are turned on and off again after about 1 second, and the above-mentioned picking process is performed to take out two or more of the same items 14, 14, . . . , and then the process returns to step S7. If they match, the bay control devices 201, 202-20n directly return to step S7 and perform the picking process on other articles 14, 14, . . . .

On the other hand, if there is no data for various displays in step S10 (NO), the bay control devices 201, 202 to 20n control the bay display unit 16 in step S12.
1,162 to 16n are turned off, and step S13
Then, a picking completion signal is output to the main controller 18. Then, in step S14, the main controller 18 determines whether or not the picking work for all the bays 111, 112 to 11n has been completed. If the picking work has not been completed (NO), the process returns to step S7.

If the picking work for all bays 111, 112 to 11n has been completed (YES), the main controller 18 turns off the order number display 19 in step S15, and then in step S16, picking is completed. Send the signal to computer 17.
Then, in step S17, the computer 17
It is determined whether or not picking data still exists. If there is (YES), the process returns to step S2; if not (NO), the process ends (step S18).

According to the above embodiment, normally, after taking out a prescribed quantity, that is, only one item, of the articles 14, 14, . A picking operation is performed in which the light is turned off by pressing the buttons 151, 152 to 15n.

In addition, if two or more items of the same item 14, 14... are requested to be taken out, the item display section 1 is temporarily turned off by a pressing operation.
51, 152 to 15n are driven to blink again, so the item display section 151, 152 to 15n
It is only necessary to take out only one of the articles 14, 14, . . . indicated in .

This eliminates the need for a quantity display, which is economically advantageous, and also prevents picking workers from noticing changes in the quantity displayed on the quantity display and making mistakes in picking quantities. It is very suitable for use in a picking system in which a specified quantity is required in most cases, but occasionally a quantity other than the specified quantity is required to be taken out.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a specific configuration of the bay control device 201. As shown in FIG. However, since the other bay control devices 202 to 20n have similar configurations,
The explanation will be omitted. That is, the main controller 18
Data is exchanged with the input/output circuit 21 via the input/output circuit 21. This input/output circuit 21 is connected to a main control section 22 which includes, for example, a microcomputer or the like.

Further, a bay number setting circuit 23, a main storage section 24, a display data storage section 25, etc. are connected to the main control section 22. The data corresponding to the item display section No. output from the main control section 22 is transmitted to the lamp section 1 of the item display section 151 via the output buffer circuit 26 and the output circuit 27.
51a. Further, data corresponding to the bay number output from the main control section 22 is supplied to the bay display section 161 via the output buffer circuit 28 and the output circuit 19.

On the other hand, the operation section 1 of the item display section 151
The operation data 51b is supplied to the main control section 22 via the input circuit 30.

Bay control device 201 having such a configuration
The operation will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. First, when started (step S19), the main control section 22 displays display data (data indicating bay number, item display section number, quantity, etc.) output from the main control device 18 at step S20. , is received via the input/output circuit 21.

Then, in step S21, the main control section 22
The display data is stored in the display data storage section 25 in the order in which it was received, and in step S22 it is determined whether the bay number included in the display data corresponds to the bay 111 to be controlled by the user. Discern. Here, if it does not correspond (NO), step S2
At step S3, the main control section 22 clears the display data storage section 25, and the process returns to step S20.

Also, in step S22, the bay number included in the display data is determined to be the bay 111 to be controlled by the user.
If it is compatible (YES), in step S24,
The main control section 22 reads display data from the display data storage section 25, and outputs a display instruction for driving the bay display section 161 to light up to the output buffer circuit 28 in step S25.

After that, in step S26, the main control section 22
Based on the display data read from the display data storage section 25, the lamp 1 of the item display section 151
A display instruction for driving 51a is output to the output buffer circuit 26. In this case, the display instruction, as described above, indicates that all the lamp units 15 corresponding to the articles 14, 14, . . .
1a is brought into a blinking state.

Then, in step S27, the main control section 22
After the picking operation is executed, wait until the operating section 151b of any item display section 151 that has been put into a blinking state is operated, and if the operating section 151b is operated (YES), the main control section 22 will be activated in step S28. A display instruction is output to the output buffer circuit 26 to drive the lamp section 151a of the item display section 151 so that the item display section 151 that has been pressed is turned off and the item display section 151 that is not pressed continues to blink. , updates the contents of the output buffer circuit 26.

After that, in step S29, the main control section 22
"1" is subtracted from the quantity data of the articles 14, 14, . . . corresponding to the pressed item display section 151, and in step S30, the calculation result is "0".
Determine whether or not it has become. If it is not "0" (NO), in step S31, the main control unit 2
2 updates the contents of the output buffer circuit 26 so that the item display section 151 that was previously turned off will be in a flashing state again after about 1 second, and the process returns to step S27.

Further, if the calculation result is "0" in step S30 (YES), in step S32, the main control unit 2
Step 2 determines whether all picking operations for the bay 111 to be controlled by the bay control device 201 have been completed. This determination is made based on, for example, that all lamp portions 151a that were in a blinking state have been turned off.

If all the picking work has not been completed (NO), the process returns to step S27. Furthermore, if all the picking work has been completed (YES), in step S33, the main control unit 22
A display instruction is output to the output buffer circuit 28 to turn off the bay display section 161, and the contents of the output buffer circuit 28 are updated. After that, step S3
4, the main control section 22 outputs a picking completion signal to the main control device 18 via the input/output circuit 21, and then clears the display data storage section 25 at step S35, and the process ends (step S36).

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

[Effects of the Invention] Therefore, as detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform picking in cases where the picking quantity is a specified quantity in most cases, but occasionally a quantity exceeding the specified quantity is required to be picked. A very good picking indicating device suitable for use in the system can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a picking instruction device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central management system used in the same embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively A flowchart for explaining the operation of the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bay control device used in the same embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 each illustrate the operation of the bay control device. This is a flowchart for explanation. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Fluid shelf system, 12... Shelf, 13... Case, 14... Article, 15... Item display part, 16...
Bay display unit, 17... Computer, 18... Main control unit, 19... Order No. display unit, 20... Bay control unit, 21... Input/output circuit, 22... Main control unit, 23
...Bay No. setting circuit, 24...Main storage section, 25...Display data storage section, 26...Output buffer circuit, 27...
Output circuit, 28... Output buffer circuit, 29... Output circuit, 30... Input circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a picking system that takes out the same predetermined quantity of items from a shelf storing multiple types of items based on an item removal request given from the outside, the various item storage positions on the shelf A plurality of display units installed corresponding to the respective items, and the display unit corresponding to the storage position of the item requested to be removed based on the item removal request are simultaneously driven to display the item requested to be removed. a first driving means for instructing a storage position; and a plurality of operations for placing the display parts, which are installed corresponding to the plurality of display parts and put into a driving state by the first driving means, into a non-driving state. and in a state where the article retrieval request requests the removal of a quantity equal to or greater than the predetermined quantity for the article whose storage position is indicated by the display section, the operation means deactivates the article. a second driving means for driving again the display unit corresponding to the item that has been placed in the picking state;