JPH0320782B2 - - Google Patents

Description

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

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-137203 discloses one type of such a logistics system, in which the entire picking area is divided into multiple zones, and each storage location for each type of shipping item (hereinafter referred to as item) is divided into multiple zones. A display device (hereinafter referred to as an item display device) that displays picking instructions and the quantity to be picked is installed in each zone (referred to as a division), and each zone has one returnable box for one customer or multiple boxes for multiple customers. are arranged, and when the picking operation for the first returnable box in each zone is completed, for example, a belt conveyor, roller conveyor, gravity conveyor, etc. automatically moves the distance of one returnable box.

Furthermore, the display device displays the picking quantity for each type of shipping item on a single display, dividing it into the number of cases and the number of loose items, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the picking operation.

Although these picking instruction methods greatly improve the picking efficiency, further improvements are required in the following points. In other words, for example, in the storage of pharmaceutical products, there are some products (articles) that must be managed by manufacturing lot number even if they are the same, and storage of these products is essentially classified by lot as separate items. This is necessary, and as a matter of course, when shipping items, it is necessary to specify the shipping quantity for each different lot number even if the item is the same.

In addition, even when it comes to clothing, the size (SS, S, M, L, LL) and color (red, white,
There are some items that must be treated as separate items due to their color (blue, etc.).

If we were to deal with the picking system shown in the above-mentioned patent application in the case of these pharmaceutical products and clothing, even if they are the same item, it would be possible to display items as separate items by lot number or by size or color. In other words, multiple item indicators must be installed for each item. Item display devices are expensive, and in most cases the shipping frequency or picking frequency for each lot number and size is not that high, so this method requires too much equipment cost and is not considered an investment by the user. It may be unprofitable and impractical.

Therefore, for example, in a distribution system as shown in the above-mentioned patent publication, item indicators are installed in each item category for items that can be handled by item indicators, but even for the same item, For items that require detailed classification,
It is preferable to provide some sort of display unit in a lower-level category where these finely classified items are stored, using a cheaper method, and furthermore, these item display devices and display units can be used together within the same logistics system. preferable. (Item classification here does not mean classification of the same size.) Purpose and summary of the invention This invention was made in view of the above points,
For example, in a logistics system as shown in the above-mentioned patent publication, a command that can be placed side by side with an item display and connect multiple display units installed in a lower category than the item category. The purpose is to provide a display device for

To achieve this objective, according to the invention:
Manipulates each command for each address position by responding to signals transmitted on the signal bus including command display address data, subdivision address data, and command data associated with that address. A command display unit is connected to each predetermined branch point of the signal bus line through a signal connector, and each is connected to a plurality of display units for lower classifications through a cable connector in order to display the information to the operator. a first address switch provided on the command display and capable of setting a unique address different from each other; and the command display address data in the signal from the signal bus. an indicator control unit provided in the command indicator, which compares both addresses with the address set by the first address switch, and sends an operating signal to the signal bus when the two match; provided in the command display for storing the lower division address data and the command data in the signal from the signal bus under the control of the display controller when the two match; a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of sets of such data in the signal from the signal bus; and a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of sets of such data in the signal from the signal bus, and the plurality of sets stored in the storage unit under the control of the display control unit. a lower division control section for sending address data for lower divisions out of the data to the lower divisions one by one via the cable connector, and storage in the storage section under the control of the display control section; a command display unit for displaying the command data paired with the lower-class address data sent to the lower-class division among the command data sent to the lower-class division; and a display unit for the lower-class division; a second address switch that can each set a unique address different from the others, and the address data for the lower division from the lower division control section in the command display and the address set by the second address switch. A lamp provided in the display unit for the lower classification, which can be blinked under the control of one control circuit when the two match with the address, and a reset switch provided on the lower-class display unit, which is operated by the operator after following the instructions displayed on the lower-class display unit. A command display is provided.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a picking command system in a logistics system in which a command display according to the present invention is preferably used, and includes a host computer 1, a printer 2, a control console 3, a conveyor 4 (belt conveyor, roller conveyor or gravity conveyor, etc.), a plurality of bay indicators BAY with a conveyor speed controller 5, a movement detector 6, a starting light 7, a starting photo switch 8, a bay indicator light, a plurality according to the invention It consists of 1 command display ROU, etc. As an example, the picking command system shown in FIG. 1 divides the entire picking area into four zones Z ₁ , Z ₂ , Z ₃
The signal bus lines SB ₁ , SB ₂ , SB ₂ ,
SB ₃ and SB ₄ are wired. Each zone is shown divided into four bay areas as an example, and each bay area includes bay indicators BAY-1, which are sequentially connected to the signal bus within one zone,
One BAY-2, one BAY-3 and one BAY-4 are arranged, each bay indicator having an output signal bus (represented by SB' in Figure 2) for connection with the lower section. are doing. The same type of storage items are stored in the lower divisions of each bay area (hereinafter referred to as item divisions), and one item display ROU is installed in each item division, or a command display according to the present invention is installed. SROU will be installed.

Each command display has the following information as shown in Figure 2.
A display unit for a lower division (hereinafter referred to as a lot division), ie, a lot display unit LIU, is connected to each lot division. In this lot category, items of the same type but with different lot numbers, sizes, and colors are separated and stored.

The control console 3 is equipped with a section for storing an external storage device such as a floppy disk, magnetic disk, or magnetic tape, and also has a display, that is, a CRT 3a, with keys for starting operations and self-diagnosis of the system. It is equipped. this
It is preferable that a hard copy from the printer 2 is placed next to the CRT 3a as a shipping instruction slip 3b.

In the above configuration, customer order information is created by the host computer 1 and stored in the control console 3 from an external storage device such as a floppy disk, or directly from the computer online. 3. The display 3a on the control console 3 displays order number information, and the operator 3c checks the displayed content against the shipping instruction slip 3b. When the order information is displayed on the control console 3, the start light 7 turns on to indicate that the preparation is complete, and the operator 3c then prints the hard copy, ie, the shipping instruction slip 3b.
is placed in a returnable box for each customer, and the returnable box is placed on the conveyor 4. When the returnable box passes the start photo switch 8, the control console 3 switches the switch 8.
In response to this signal, the starting light 7 is turned off, and tracking of returnable boxes for each customer's order is started over the entire picking area.

The control console 3 first sends a signal to the signal bus SB to give a picking command to the item display ROU and the command display SROU in the first zone _Z1 . That is, the control console 3 gives a command to display the position on the item display and command display in the zone Z ₁ attached to the item category in which the shipping items to be picked are stored, and the items to be picked are picked. Give a command to display the exponent quantity. When a picking command is given to at least one item indicator or command indicator in a bay area, the corresponding bay indicator
The bay indicator light of the BAY is lit, so the picker first sees the bay indicator light and knows that if it is lit, he should pick at least one shipment item of at least one type within that bay area. Can be done.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an item display attached to each type of shipping item and a command display according to the present invention. The order information signal for each customer sent above is sent to the connector 11.
is given to each item display ROU and each command display SROU. Each item display and each command display are set to different addresses within one zone, and the control console 3
When there is a picking command, it digitally sends a signal representing the address and a signal representing the quantity to be picked to the signal bus.

When such a picking command is given to the item display, the picking command lamp 13
lights up or blinks, and the quantity to be picked is displayed on the numerical display section 14. When the picker puts the displayed number of corresponding shipping items into returnable boxes and the picking is completed there, the display reset switch 15 is pressed to indicate on the control console 3 that picking has been completed for that item category.
The lamp 13 is turned off and the display on the display section 14 is also turned off.

When a picking command is given to the command display according to the present invention, the picking command lamp 13 of the command display lights up and the quantity to be picked is displayed on the numerical display section 14, and at the same time,
A plurality of lot display units LIU are connected to this command display via cable connector 12.
-1 to LIU-n, one lamp 18 (hereinafter referred to as a rotary lamp) blinks. The lot display unit on which the lot lamp 18 first flashed is the one with the youngest address in the item category in which the lot items to be picked (or size-sorted items, color-coded items, etc.) are stored. be. When the picker puts the corresponding lot items into the returnable box in the quantity displayed on the numerical display section 14 of the command display and the picking is completed, the next step is to reset the display unit provided on the lot display unit. Press switch 19 to notify the command display that picking for that lot section is complete. As a result, the lot lamp 18 of that lot display unit goes out, and the lot lamp of the lot display unit with the second lowest address among the lot categories to be picked next flashes, and the numerical display section of the command display shows that lot category. The picking quantity will be displayed. Similarly, once all other lot display units in that item category have been reset, the picking instruction lamp 13 on the command display will also turn off, and the picker will know that there is no longer anything to pick in that item category. be able to. Picking moves to picking in other item categories in the same bay area.

Once all other item indicators and command indicators in the bay area have been reset in this way, the bay indicator light will turn off, and the picker will know that there are no more items to pick in that bay area. Can be done. Pitsuka is in the same zone
Moving on to picking in other bay areas in Z ₁ .

In this way, when all the bay indicator lights in the first zone _Z1 go out and the movement detector 6 detects that the returnable box has passed the end of the first zone, the control console 3 The operator sends a signal to the signal bus SB to give a picking command in the next second zone Z ₂ for the returnable box, and at the same time turns on the starting light 7 to indicate that it is OK to start the next returnable box. Inform 3c.

If the conveyor 4 carries a returnable box near the end of a zone before picking in that zone is complete, the control console 3 displays an item indicator or Signal from command display The conveyor 4 is stopped by the signal from the movement detector 6, and restarted when the remaining item display or command display has been reset.

Note that the conveyor speed controller 5 is capable of changing the speed of the conveyor depending on the scale and type of the system. In addition, the control console 3 is equipped with a system self-diagnosis function, and each bay display, item display,
The command display, wiring, etc. are constantly monitored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one internal circuit of the bay display BAY shown in FIG. 1, in which the signal bus SB consisting of signal lines A, B, C, D and E for the corresponding zone Z It is shown running horizontally across the top of the diagram. A plurality of bay indicators are successively connected in parallel at each predetermined branch point of the signal bus SB, two of which are shown here as BAY-1 and BAY-2. Each bay indicator has a signal line on its output side.
Output signal bus consisting of A′, B′, C′, D′ and E′
SB' is connected to this output signal bus SB', and an appropriate number of lower command display units SROU and item display units ROU are connected to the output signal bus line SB', SROU-1, ROU-2,
. . . are sequentially connected in parallel at predetermined branch points as shown as SROU-n.

The 12 volt power supplied to the bay indicator from lines C and A is connected in parallel via fuse FU to the bay indicator light BAL and a voltage conversion circuit 20 including a voltage regulator. Voltage conversion circuit 20
converts the input power supply voltage to 8 volts and connects it to the line
It outputs to C' and serves as the power source for the lower command display and item display. Picking of at least one of the lower order display or item display has not been completed and the reset switch 15 (Fig. 2) is activated.
If not yet operated, the signal line
A high potential signal is applied to the NOR circuit 21 through B', and the Darlington transistor TR ₁ in the NOR circuit 21 is turned on via the resistor R ₁ . Therefore, the bay indicator light BAL lights up, and the signal line B is set to a low potential via the diode _D1 to inform the control console 3 that picking is not completed.

When all lower-level connected command displays and item displays are reset, the signal line
A low potential signal is sent to B', which turns off the Darlington transistor TR ₁ and thus turns off the bay indicator light BAL, indicating that all picking in this bay area has been completed. Figure).

Similarly, when picking of all other bay areas within this zone is completed, signal line B goes to a high potential and provides a zone clear signal to the control console 3. As a result, the control console 3 detects that all picking within that zone has been completed, and when the returnable box has passed the end of that zone, the control console 3 detects that all picking within that zone has been completed, and when the returnable box has passed the end of that zone, the control console 3 detects that all picking within that zone has been completed. Sends a picking command signal.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the internal circuitry of the command display according to the invention, designated as SROU in FIGS. 2 and 3. On the left side of the figure, the signal cable connector 11 shown in FIG. 2 is conceptually represented, and the signal lines C', A', D', E', and B' shown in FIG. is connected.

Power lines A' and C' receive a power supply voltage of 8 volts and supply power to the circuit. When power is supplied from power lines A' and C', or after power is supplied, by pressing the display reset switch 15, the command display SROU starts the program processing procedure recorded in the first storage section 32. Start the operation.

Command data from the control console passes through the signal line D' as a serial input/output signal to the communication control unit 31.
The signal is sent to the display controller 30 via the . As shown in Fig. 5, this serial input/output signal includes 8-bit item classification address data for identifying each of the command display SROU and item display ROU, and 8-bit lot classification which is the command content. It is sent from the control console in a total of 24-bit binary code, including address data (for lower divisions) and 8-bit numerical display data (command data).

The display device address setting circuit 40 is a display device for each command.
This is for setting the SROU address,
By using 7 of the switch group 39 consisting of 10 switches, 2 ⁷ =128 different item classification addresses can be logically set using these 7 bits.

When the display controller 30 receives the SROU address data sent from the control console via the communication controller 31 via the signal line D', it compares it with the address value set by the address switch 39. Only when the addresses match, the subsequently sent lot classification address data (8 bits) and numerical display data (8 bits) are received. When the display controller 30 successfully completes receiving the input signal, the display controller 30 sends the received data as a reception confirmation signal back to the control console via the communication controller 31 via the signal line D' (half-duplex transmission). When the control console side receives this reception confirmation signal, it compares it with the previously transmitted data, and when they match, it can know that the SROU has received the data normally.In this way, the transmission system and the SROU I'm doing a self-diagnosis.

The display control section 30 stores the received lot classification address data and numerical display data in the second storage section 33. When the first data is held, the picking instruction lamp 13 is turned on and the lamp drive circuit 41 is activated to control the signal line.
Outputs high potential from B′. This high potential output lights up the bay indicator light BAL in FIG.

If the next address data subsequently sent from the signal line D' matches the display address of itself, the display control section 30 receives the data in the above-mentioned procedure and stores it in the second storage section 33 one by one. I will do it.

When the final data for this SROU is stored in the second storage unit 33, either address data different from the own address is received, or the next address data is received after a certain period of time set by the timer control unit 38 has elapsed. Therefore, the display controller 30 recognizes that the data to be sent to this SROU has ended.

When the display control section 30 determines that data reception has been completed, the display control section 30 retrieves the lot classification address data and numerical display data held in the second storage section 33 in descending order of the lot classification address value.
It is sent to the lot classification control section 34, decoded into a 7-bit parallel signal, and then output to the output control driver 3.
5 to the signal line H of the cable connector 12. At the same time, a constant cycle strobe signal is outputted to the signal line I to instruct the operation of the lot display unit LIU.

The numerical display data is sent to the numerical display control section 37, converted into binary coded decimal system (BCD), and then the 7-segment LED of the numerical display section 14 is turned on to display numerical values. The number of numerical display digits may be approximately 2 digits in practice, but by increasing the 8-bit numerical display data of the 24-bit received data mentioned above to 12 bits, 16 bits, or more, and adding an LED, It can also support 3 to 4 digits and n digits.

Lot display unit LIU has cable connector 1
2 is connected to the command display SROU. The cable connector 12 has signal lines F, G, H, I,
J is connected, and receives a 5V power supply voltage from power lines F and G, which supplies power to the circuit. Further, from the signal line H, address data for lot classification is received from SROU using a 7-bit parallel signal.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lot display unit has an address switch 44 consisting of 7 bits for setting a lot classification address. The lot classification address setting circuit 45 compares the lot classification address value set by the address switch 44 with the 7-bit parallel lot classification address data sent from the signal line H, and if they match, the lot classification address value is set by the address switch 44. outputs a coincidence signal to the control circuit 46.

The control circuit 46 receives a constant cycle strobe signal for operating the lot display unit from the command display via the signal line I, and sends it to the address setting circuit 45.
Both the address match signal from the signal line I and the strobe signal from the signal line I are kept in the lighting command state, and the rotary lamp 18 is blinked at the cycle of the strobe signal. At the same time, the constant cycle strobe signal received from the signal line I is sent back to the command display SROU through the signal line J.

The picker confirms that the lot lamp 18 of this lot display unit is flashing, picks the items stored there by the number indicated on the numerical display section 14 of the command display, and then switches the reset switch of the lot display unit. Press 19.

When the control circuit 46 of the lot display unit receives the reset signal from the reset switch 19 while the lighting command state is maintained, it modulates the cycle of the constant cycle strobe signal sent from the signal line I. This is sent back to the command display SROU from the signal line J as a reset signal.

The display control unit 30 of the command display SROU causes the strobe signal of a fixed period sent from the signal line I of the output control driver 35 to pass through the signal line J to the input control receiver 36 of the command display SROU at the same period. , if it is sent back, it is determined that the command from the command display has been normally received by the lot display unit LIU. If there is no response from the signal line J, it is determined that the lot display unit LIU is not operating normally, that is, the lot display unit LIU at the commanded address is out of order or does not exist. In this way, the lot display unit
I am doing a self-diagnosis with LIU.

Once the display controller 30 receives a strobe signal of the same period from the signal line J, and then receives a modulated strobe signal as a reset signal from the signal line J, the reset switch 19 of the lot display unit LIU is pressed. Upon receiving this reset signal, the lot display unit LIU
Stop the strobe signal that was being sent. When this strobe signal stops, the lot display unit LIU turns off the blinking of the lot lamp 19.

The display controller 30 is also a rotary display unit.
When the reset signal from the LIU is received, the address data and numerical display data for the next lot classification held in the second storage section 33 are retrieved, and the above-described process is repeated.

In this way, upon receiving the reset signal from the lot display unit LIU for the last lot classification address data and numerical display data held in the second storage section 33, the display control section 30 resets the numerical display section 14. The numerical display is turned off, and the picking instruction lamp 13 is turned off. Further, the output from the lamp drive circuit 41 is set to a low potential, and the command display SROU finishes processing the series of command data received from the control console, and is ready to receive the next data.

When all other command and item indicators in the same bay area are reset in this manner, the signal on signal line B' will be at a low potential, so that the Darlington type in the NOR circuit 21 of FIG. Transistor TR turns off and bay indicator light BAL goes out.

The reset switch 16 of the command display SROU can be used in two ways depending on whether a particular bit of the 10-bit switch of the address switch 39 is on or off. When that bit is off, reset switch 16 can be used in place of command display reset switch 19 and inputs a reset signal to display control section 30.

If that bit is on, indicator control 30
When the reset signal from the reset switch 16 is received, the numeric display data displayed on the numeric display section 14 and the lot classification address data are identified as special processing data and stored in the second storage section 33. . After the numerical display operation is completed, the display control unit 30 connects the signal line of the signal cable connector 11.
When a strobe signal is input from the control console to the send strobe circuit 42 via E', the lot classification address data and numerical display data held as special processing data in the second storage section 33 are
It is converted into a serial output signal via the communication control section 31 and sent back to the control console via the signal line D' of the signal cable connector 11. By doing so, it is possible to carry out special processing such as, for example, when a certain lot category is out of stock, the information can be notified to the control console.

The test switch 17 operates as a self-diagnosis function for the command display SROU and the lot display unit LIU. That is, when this test switch 17 is pressed, an operating signal is output to the installed lot display unit LIU, the address value of the lot display unit LIU is displayed on the numerical display section 14, and the lot lamp of the lot display unit at that address is displayed. Flash 18. This function makes it possible to determine in advance whether the command display and the lot display unit are properly connected and whether the set address value of the lot display unit is correct. Furthermore, by retaining this state in the second storage section 33, it becomes possible to pass the information to the self-diagnosis function between the control consoles.

The external reset connector 43 is provided to take out the contacts of the reset switch 16 to the outside, and a switch having the same function as the reset switch 16 can be installed at a location other than the command display.

In the above embodiment, only the case where the command display is used for picking commands has been described, but the command display is applicable to all systems in which commands are given to individual address positions.

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

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a picking command system in a logistics system to which the present invention is applicable, and Fig. 2 schematically shows a manner in which a command display according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit of the bay display used in the picking command system, and FIG. 4 shows the internal circuitry of the command display according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the form of a transmission signal, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a lot display unit (lower division display unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, SB and SB' are signal bus lines, P is a picker (operator), SROU is a command display, and LIU
11 is a signal connector, 12 is a cable connector, 14 is a numerical display section (command display section), 18 is a lot lamp, 19 is a reset switch, 30 is a display control section, 33 34 is a storage section, 34 is a lot division control section (lower division control section), 39 is a first address switch, 44 is a second address switch, 4
6 is a control circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. The address position can be determined by responding to a signal transmitted on a signal bus including command display address data, subdivision address data, and command data accompanying the address. In order to display each command to the operator, one unit is connected to each predetermined branch point of the signal bus through a signal connector, and each unit connects a plurality of display units for lower divisions through a cable connector. a first address switch provided on the command display and capable of setting a unique address different from the others; A command display device is provided on the command display device that compares both the command display address data and the address set by the first address switch, and sends an operating signal to the signal bus when the two match. a display controller; and a display controller for storing the lower division address data and the command data in the signal from the signal bus under the control of the display controller when the two match. a storage section provided in the command display, which is capable of storing a plurality of sets of such data in the signal from the signal bus; a lower division control section for sending address data for lower divisions of the plurality of sets of stored data to the lower divisions one by one via the cable connector; and under control of the display control section. a command display unit for displaying command data paired with the address data for the lower division sent to the lower division out of the command data stored in the storage unit; and a display for the lower division. a second address switch provided in each of the units and capable of setting a unique address different from the others; a lamp provided in the display unit for the lower division, which compares the address with the address set by the address switch of the lower division, and when the two match, the lamp can be blinked under the control of one control circuit; A reset switch provided on the lower classification display unit is operated by the operator after the operator follows the instructions displayed on the instruction display section. A command display having a display unit for the subdivisions. 2. The lamp provided on the display unit for the lower classification issues a picking command to the operator in the lower classification in which the display unit is installed, and the lamp provided on the command display unit is a command display having a display unit for a subdivision according to claim 1, which displays the quantity to be picked in the subdivision.