JPH0550404B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a picking instruction system in a logistics system, and in particular to a picking instruction system that aims to further improve the efficiency of the picking system by making it possible to use a combination of various systems. It is related to.

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. 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 (hereinafter referred to as an item display), and each zone has one returnable box for one customer or multiple returnable boxes for multiple customers. Once the boxes have been placed and the picking operation for the first returnable box in each zone has been completed, a belt conveyor, roller conveyor, or gravity conveyor, for example,
The conveyor etc. automatically moves the distance of one returnable box.

In addition, if there is a large number of items to be shipped, the number of items to be shipped is converted to the number of cases, and the picking quantity for each type of shipping item is displayed on one display, divided into the number of cases and the number of fractional items (number of loose items). There is also a system equipped with a display device (hereinafter referred to as a composite display device), and systems equipped with the above-mentioned item display device or systems equipped with this composite display device are used depending on the shipping characteristics of the goods. .

However, these two types of display devices differ in the number of digits of display data they handle and the weight of the data (number of cases, number of objects), and therefore the display control methods are also different, and systems have been installed by selecting one of the methods. This is because when two types of display devices are controlled by the same control system, the control of display data and the data transmission method between the control device and the display device become complicated and the equipment becomes expensive. For example, if a large number of items are managed that require frequent case removal, it is customary to use a display system with a case display function. For this reason, in the case of a display system equipped with an item display, the host computer converts a large quantity of items to the number of cases in advance, and fractional quantities can be ordered on the display, but the number of cases is This involves outputting to a list and collecting items using the conventional slip list.

In addition, in the case of a display system equipped with a composite display, there is a case display function for items that are not delivered in large quantities, that is, items that are only displayed in quantity and have no possibility of being displayed in cases, which is wasteful.

There is also a system described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-275600 by the applicant of the present invention, which aims to further improve the efficiency of the picking system. In this system, a command display is installed in the item category and has a display unit for the lower category, which can connect multiple display units installed in the lower category than the item category. . This makes it possible, for example, to manage identical products (articles) by manufacturing lot number when storing pharmaceutical products, or to manage identical articles by size, color, etc. in the case of clothing. However, it is possible to effectively manage items that require more detailed classification. In this case, each subdivision stores goods classified by lot number, and the display unit for the subdivision contains the following information:
A rotary lamp that flashes to indicate that there is something to be picked in the subdivision, and a reset switch that resets the flashing of the rotary lamp after being picked by the picker are provided. The quantity to be picked is then displayed on the numeric display section of the command display that connects the plurality of display units.

Even in a system equipped with a command display that has a display unit for this sub-category, not all items handled, such as pharmaceuticals, are lot-controlled items, so the command display can be used as one display system. Although the display control method of each command display is the same for each item, in reality, there are usually many items that are not lot-controlled items, and for those items, it may be an excessive function. It's a waste.

A system equipped with a plurality of automatic picking devices or article delivery devices is also conceivable, and in this system, a corresponding article delivery device automatically sends out a predetermined number of articles onto a conveyance device based on a picking instruction signal.

As mentioned above, various systems can be considered depending on the shipping characteristics of the goods, but in general, the shipping characteristics of stored goods are the above-mentioned bulk delivery,
There are many cases where various characteristics such as case shipping and lot designated shipping are mixed. In such a case, if display systems are installed for each display method suitable for each of these shipping characteristics, the number of display system installations will increase and the equipment cost will be too high. Therefore, we have installed a display system suitable for the most frequently shipped product groups,
In reality, manual picking using slips is applied to other product groups.

In addition, it is possible to install multiple systems for each shipping characteristic of goods, but in this case, the storage system will differ depending on the shipping characteristics even for goods of the same type (grouping), so inventory management of goods and replenishment management of goods on shelves will be required. becomes complicated.

Purpose of the invention This invention was made in view of the above points,
By allowing items with different shipping characteristics to be mixed on the same shelf and performing picking processing that is appropriate for each shipping characteristic, shipping operations can be easily operated and costs can be reduced for all items. The purpose of this invention is to provide a picking instruction system that can be realized in the following manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve this object, item indicators, command indicators, composite indicators, and automatic article delivery devices, etc., which constitute various systems as described above prepared for different shipping characteristics, are provided. The method of transmitting control signals and data from the control console to the equipment is standardized.

More specifically, according to the present invention, items on storage shelves in a picking area that are classified by type can be picked online in a picking system in a distribution system that picks items based on picking instructions. Therefore, there is provided a control console for giving picking instructions to each area of the picking based on picking instruction information supplied from a computer or an external storage device, and dividing the entire area of the picking into a plurality of zones, and dividing the entire area of the picking into a plurality of zones. A signal bus line for each zone that communicates with the control console, and a bay indicator that divides each zone into a plurality of bay areas and is installed in each bay area, and a predetermined number of the signal bus lines for each zone. Each branch point is connected in parallel in sequence and each has an output signal bus, and each bay area is divided into a plurality of item divisions for each type of item to be picked, and installed for each item division. various indicators, etc., which are sequentially connected in parallel at each predetermined branch point of the output signal bus from the bay indicator; and a conveyance device that conveys the picked item through the picking area. , a movement detector for detecting movement of the conveying device, and at least one of the various indicators connected to the output signal bus of the bay display receives a picking instruction from the control console. The control console has a bay indicator light that lights up when picking is completed, and the control console displays the various indicators based on signals indicating that picking is completed from the movement detector and the various indicators, etc. Picking instructions are given to the devices for each zone, each display device, etc. has a different address setting within one zone, and the control console is given picking instructions within that zone. A digital signal representing the same address set on each of the various display devices, etc. is sent to the signal bus line by a serial transmission method, and the digital signal includes the address of the item. A picking instruction system in a logistics system is provided that also includes a signal representing a quantity to be picked in a section.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams for schematically explaining the picking instruction system according to the present invention, which includes a host computer 1, a printer 2, a control console 3, a conveyor 4, a conveyor speed controller 5, and a belt movement detection system. 6, a starting light 7, a starting photo switch 8, a plurality of bay indicators BAY with bay indicator lights, an item indicator ROU shown in Fig. 2, and a command unit with display units for subdivisions. Display unit SROU, composite display unit CROU,
It consists of an automatic picking device (i.e. automatic article delivery device) ADCU, etc.

As an example, the picking instruction system shown in Fig. 1 divides the entire picking area into four zones.
It is divided into Z ₁ , Z ₂ , Z ₃ and Z ₄ , and the operation console 3
From then on, one signal bus line will be installed in each zone.
SB ₁ , 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 connected sequentially to the signal bus within one zone.
BAY-1, BAY-2, BAY-3, and BAY
-4 is installed one by one, and each bay indicator has an output signal bus (second
(denoted as SB' in the figure). The same type of storage items are stored in the lower divisions of each bay area (hereinafter referred to as item divisions).
Each item classification is provided with one of an item display ROU, a command display SROU, a composite display CROU, an automatic article feeder ADCU, etc.

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 sorted 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 system self-diagnosis. It is equipped. 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, i.e., 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, the command display SROU, the composite display CROU, the automatic article delivery device ADCU, etc. in the first zone _Z1 . That is, the control console 3 has an item indicator in zone Z ₁ attached to the item category in which shipping items to be picked are stored;
A command is given to a command display, a composite display, an automatic article delivery device, etc. (hereinafter referred to as various displays) to display the position, and also a command to display the quantity to be picked. When a picking command is given to at least one of the various indicators in the 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. I can do it.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing examples of various indicators etc. that are attached to each type of shipping item, Fig. 2a shows an example of how these indicators etc. are connected, and Fig. 2b shows an example of how these indicators etc. are connected. The arrangement of these indicators on the article storage shelves is shown.

Order information signals for each customer sent from the control console 3 to the output signal bus SB' via the bay display are sent to various displays, etc. by the connector 11.
That is, it is given to each item display ROU, each command display SROU, each composite display CROU, automatic article delivery device ADCU, etc. Different addresses are set for each display device within one zone, and when there is a picking command, the control console 3 digitally transmits 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, the picking command lamp 1 of the command display
3 lights up and the quantity to be picked is displayed on the numerical display section 14, and a plurality of lot display units LIU-1 to LIU-n connected to this command display via the cable connector 12 are displayed.
One of the lamps 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.

When a picking command is given to the composite display, the quantity display is divided into the number of cases and the number of loose pieces, but other operations are the same as with the item display.

Further, when a picking command is given to the article delivery device, the device automatically delivers the designated quantity of articles onto the conveyance device based on the order information signal.

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. I can do it. 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 lights up 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 the picking in that zone is complete, the control console 3 will display various indicators indicating that the picking in that zone is not complete. The conveyor 4 is stopped by the signals from the conveyor 4 and the movement detector 6, and is restarted when the remaining various indicators, etc. have 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, various displays, etc.
and wiring related matters are constantly monitored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal circuit of one of the bay indicators BAY shown in FIG. 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-order display devices, etc. are mixed and connected sequentially in parallel at each predetermined branch point.

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 is output to C' and is used as a power source for various lower-level displays, etc. If picking has not been completed for at least one of the lower-level various indicators, etc., a high potential signal is applied to the NOR circuit 21 through the signal line B', and the Darlington type signal in the NOR circuit 21 passes through the resistor _R1 . Turn on transistor TR 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 the various displays etc. connected to the lower level are reset, a low potential signal is sent to the signal line B', and the Darlington transistor _TR1
is turned off, and thus the bay indicator light BAL is extinguished, indicating to the picker P (FIG. 1) that all picking in this bay area is complete.

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 the internal circuitry of the item display, which in FIGS. 2 and 3 is represented as an ROU. _{On the} left side _{of the} diagram, _the signal cable connector 11 shown in FIG. signal lines C′, A′, D′, E′,
and B′ are connected.

The 8 volt power supply voltage received from lines C' and A' is connected to capacitor C and then fed to the respective circuits through symbols 〓 and ▽C.

The serial input/output signal input through the signal line D' is applied to the terminal tm ₁₁ of the discriminator 22 via the resistor R ₂ . This serial input/output signal is sent from the control console 3 as a digital signal of a total of 14 bits, for example, 7 bits for address discrimination and 7 bits for quantity display.

For example, seven address setting switches 16,
It is shown connected to the terminal group tm ₁₂ of the determining unit 22. Even with this switch 16, theoretically 2 ⁷ =
It is possible to set different addresses for 128 item indicators.

When the address in the serial input/output signal input to the terminal _tm11 matches the address set by the switch 16, the determination unit 22 first passes the signal from the terminal _tm13 through the resistor _R3 , the Darlington transistor _TR2 , and the terminal _tm3 . Sends a reception confirmation signal to signal line D' (half-duplex transmission). This reception confirmation signal is returned by the oscillation circuit 23 connected to terminals TM ₁₄ and TM ₁₅ .
This is done by sending out an oscillating signal from the terminal tm ₁₃ , which allows the control console 3 to know that the corresponding item indicator is connected normally, and in this way the system I'm doing a self-diagnosis.

When the address signal of the serial input/output signal input from the terminal tm ₁₁ correctly matches the address of the item display, a 7-bit digital signal for displaying the quantity of the serial input/output signal is input to the terminal group tm _16.
from there to the code conversion circuit 24. terminal group
Upon receiving the signal from tm ₁₆ , this circuit 24 switches to the second
The quantity to be picked is displayed in decimal notation on the numerical display section 14, which is also shown in the figure, and a high potential is output from the terminal _tm17 .

In this embodiment, since the numerical display section 14 is a liquid crystal display, the code conversion circuit 24 is shown including an oscillation circuit 25 for lighting the liquid crystal.

High potential output from terminal tm ₁₇ is flashing display circuit 1
3' to blink the lighting light emitting diode, that is, the blinking light 13 (also shown in FIG. 2), and the diode D ₂ and the terminal of the socket 12.
tm ₅ and signal line B' to the NOR circuit 21 of the bay display shown in FIG.

After the picker P completes picking the quantity shown on the numerical display section 14, the reset switch 15 (also shown in FIG. 2) shown in the reset circuit 15' is operated to send a reset signal to the discriminating section 22. When applied to the terminal tm ₁₈ , the numerical display on the numerical display section 14 disappears, and the terminal of the code conversion circuit 24
The blinking light 13 is turned off by setting the output of tm ₁₇ to a low potential.

When all the other various indicators in the same bay area are reset in this way, the signal on signal line B' goes to a low potential, so that the Darlington transistor TR ₁ in the NOR circuit 21 of FIG. is turned off and the bay indicator light BAL goes out.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 4, the reading of the serial input/output signal is performed by the discriminator 22 itself, but in FIG. 5, the strobe signal for reading the quantity display signal among the serial input/output signals is It shows what is sent from the control console 3 through lines E and E'. In FIG _. 5, a strobe signal receiving circuit 26 is shown connected between the terminal tm ₄ of the socket ₁₂ , _which was not used in FIG. Although,
The configuration of other parts is the same as in FIG. 4 and is therefore not shown.

A strobe signal is sent from the control console 3 through signal lines E and E', but in the discriminator 22, reception is confirmed from the terminal tm ₃ only after the strobe signal is received by the strobe signal receiving circuit 26. Reply the signal for.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the internal circuitry of the command display, 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 shown, and the signal lines C', A', D', and
E ¹ and B′ are 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. 7, this serial input/output signal includes 8-bit item classification address data for identifying each of the various displays, etc., and 8-bit lot classification address data (i.e., lower classification) that is the command content. It is sent from the control console in a total of 24-bit binary code, including address data (for use with the controller) and 8-bit numerical display data (i.e., 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 control section 30 receives the SROU address data sent from the control console via the signal line D' and the communication control section 31, 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 own display address, the display control unit 30 receives the data in the above-mentioned procedure and stores it in the second storage unit 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 is complete, 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 outputted by 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. 8, 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 up the number of articles stored therein as instructed 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 malfunctioning 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 the other various displays in the same bay area are reset in this way, the signal on signal line B' goes to a low potential, so that the Darlington transistor TR in NOR circuit 21 of FIG. It turns off and the bay indicator light BAL goes out.

The reset switch 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 to the outside, and a switch having the same function as the reset switch 10 can be installed at a location other than the command display.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the internal circuitry of the composite display represented as CROU in FIGS. 2 and 3.

This composite item display CROU uses a blinking LED to indicate to the picker the item to be picked based on commands from the control console, and displays the number of cases and fractions (number of pieces) of the item to be picked, or the inventory. This is a display device that displays the number of items, etc., and allows the picker to pick the displayed number of items or to ensure the displayed number of items in stock by inventory, etc., and the reset switch indicates the completion of picking or confirmation of the number of items in stock on the control console. It has multiple functions such as notification.

When the display control unit 114 receives the address data from the communication control unit 102, it compares the CROU's own address value set in the address switch 111 with the received address data, and if the addresses match, the display control unit 114 displays the address data from the communication control unit 102. The data is taken in and the display data is output to the numerical display decoder 107 in order to display the number of cases and the number of fractions or pieces according to the set value of the function selection SW 112.

The numerical display decoder 107 decodes the numerical data and causes the numerical display section 14 to display the numerical value. In this example, the case display is 14a as an example of the numerical display section.
In the figure, fractional numbers are displayed at 14b, and pieces are displayed at 14a and 14b.

The display control unit 114 outputs an activation signal to the LED blinking drive circuit 109 at the same time as displaying numerical data, and the LED blinking drive circuit 109 displays the item.
The LED is blinked, and the lamp drive circuit 103
The lamp drive circuit outputs a lamp drive signal to the signal cable SB' to light the bay indicator light.

The item display LED 13 is used to indicate the item to be picked to the picker, the bay indicator light is used to indicate the bay (rack shelf) in which the item to be picked is located, and the numerical display section 14 is used to indicate the quantity to be picked. .

When the picker picks the specified quantity on the numerical display section 14 and presses the reset switch 15, a reset signal is taken into the display control section 114 via the one-shot circuit 115, the display control section 114 is reset, and the lamp drive circuit 103 , the numerical display decoder 107, and the LED blinking drive circuit 109 are also reset, returning to the initial state.

After the display control unit 114 takes in the numerical data, it transmits its own address data and numerical data to the control console (computer) via the communication control unit 102 to notify that the data has been processed normally.

When the display control unit 114 receives a send strobe signal from the control console via the signal control circuit 104, it sends its own address data and numerical data to the control console via the communication control unit 102. do.

This allows the control console to know the status of the CROU. This is also used for CROU fault self-diagnosis.

By setting the function selection switch 112 of a CROU on the same party line, that CROU transmits address data and numerical data to other CROUs, and each CROU
By checking the return response of address data and numerical data from the CROU, it is possible to self-diagnose failures of CROUs on the same party line not only from the control console but also between CROUs.

In this case, the error display displays the address data and the error type code on the display section of the original CROU that sent the data, that is, the master CROU.

In this case, the range of CROU addresses that can be diagnosed is sequentially tested from address 0 to the address of the CROU that has become the master.

Figure 10 shows the ADCM in Figures 2 and 3.
An example of an article dispensing device is shown, and FIG. 11 shows an example of a control circuit for controlling the device. The control circuit of FIG. 11 has the same interface as the other indicators to the signal bus to automate the picking of the articles of FIG. 10 from a bay or shelves in a bay in a picking system. The feeding device can be controlled and mixed with other display devices at the same level from the same control console.

The purpose is to free pickers from the tiring task of handling large quantities of single items by allowing them to automatically pick some bays or shelves in one picking line.

ADCU is signal cable from signal connector 11
It is connected to the control console via the bay indicator light by SB' and is controlled by commands from the control console.

Signal cable SB′ is common ground wire A′, DC+
8V power supply source C′, bay indicator lamp drive wire
B', a control signal line E', and a bidirectional communication data line D'.

When the ADCU is first supplied with power from the control console and the voltage rises from 0V, a one-shot reset signal is generated by the internal reset circuit 205 and input to the sending control section 214.
is reset to its initial state.

After the ADCU is automatically initialized by power supply from the control console, the communication control unit 202 detects when ADCU address data and sending instruction data are sent from the control console to the data line D'. Data is input to the sending control unit 214.

When the sending control unit 214 receives address data from the communication control unit 202, it switches the address switch 2
The self-address value of the ADCU set to 11 is compared with the received address data, and if the addresses match, the sending instruction data is fetched from the communication control unit 202, and the case (box) is selected according to the set value of the function selection switch 212. It is determined whether it is a combination of a unit and a piece (individual) or a piece unit sending instruction data, and the case unit data is stored in the case register 214a in the sending control unit 214, and the piece unit data is stored in the piece register. 214b.

The sending control unit 214 is the case register 21
If the numerical value stored in 4a is not zero, a case delivery signal is output to case delivery drive circuit 207a, and 1 is subtracted from the value of case register 214a.

The case delivery drive circuit 207a outputs a case delivery signal to the external case delivery device 216a via the signal connector 215, and the case delivery device 216a delivers one case from the chute or case storage conveyor 222 to the collection conveyor 220. At this time, the case 221 sent out by the case sending device 216a
A pulse signal generated by the case detector 217a as the case passes is inputted to the case passage detection circuit 208a via the signal connector 215.

The case passage detection circuit 208a receives the pulse signal from the case detector 217a, confirms that the case has been reliably fed out, and then controls the feeding control unit 2.
A case delivery confirmation signal is output to 14.

The sending control unit 214 recognizes that one case has been sent by inputting the case sending confirmation signal, and if the numerical value stored in the case register 214a is not zero, the value of the case register 214a is zero. Repeat the above operation until .

At the same time as the above-described case feeding operation, the feeding control unit 214 outputs a piece feeding signal to the piece feeding drive circuit 207b if the numerical value stored in the piece register 214b is not zero,
Subtract 1 from the value of piece register 214b.

The piece feeding drive circuit 207b outputs a piece feeding signal to the external piece feeding device 216b via the signal connector 215, and the piece feeding device 216b is connected to the piece stacker 22.
One piece from No. 4 is sent to the collection conveyor 220.

At this time, the piece 223 sent out by the piece sending device 216b is detected by the piece detector 217b.
The pulse signal accompanying the passage of the piece is transmitted through the signal connector 215 to the piece passage detection circuit 2.
08b.

Piece passage detection circuit 208b is piece detector 2
After receiving the pulse signal from 17b and confirming that the piece has been sent out, the delivery control unit 2
A piece delivery confirmation signal is output to 14.

The delivery control unit 214 recognizes that one piece has been sent out by receiving the piece delivery confirmation signal, and if the numerical value stored in the piece register 214b is not zero, the value in the case register 214b becomes zero. Repeat the above operations until the

The display control unit 214 outputs a case or piece sending signal, and at the same time outputs the lamp drive circuit 2.
03 and outputs an operating signal to the lamp drive circuit 203.
outputs the lamp drive signal to the signal cable SB′ to light the bay indicator light.

The sending control unit 214 is the case register 21
4a and the piece register 214b, when their values become zero, it is assumed that the sending out of the case and piece articles according to the sending out instruction data has been completed, and the internal logic generates a reset signal and outputs it to the lamp drive circuit 203. The lamp drive circuit 203 resets the output of the lamp drive signal and returns to the initial state.

The reset switch 206 is
This is for forcibly resetting the feed control section in the event of a trouble in the a or 216b. When the reset switch 206 is pressed, the reset signal is taken into the sending control section via the one shot circuit 206a. This reset signal has the same function as the reset signal generated by the internal logic of the delivery control section 214 when the delivery of the cases and pieces according to the delivery instruction data is completed.

After taking in the numerical data, the sending control unit 214 transmits its own address data and numerical data to the control console (computer) via the communication control unit 202 to notify that the data has been processed normally.

When the sending control unit 214 receives a send strobe signal from the control console via the signal control circuit 204, it transmits its own address data and numerical data to the control console via the communication control unit 202. .

This allows the control console to know the status of the ADCU. This is also used for ADCU fault self-diagnosis.

In this example of automatic feeding device, case feeding device 216a and piece feeding device 2
In addition to a stopper and a pusher, the embodiment of 16b may be a delivery device driven by a belt or chain.

The collection conveyor 220 is the case delivery device 2
16a and the piece feeding device 216b, but each may be independent.

In the above embodiment, each zone is provided with a bay display, but it is also possible to wire directly from the control console to various displays without providing a bay display.

Further, in the above embodiments, a belt conveyor is used as the conveying device, but this may also be a manual conveying device such as a trolley or a roller conveyor, and such a manual conveying device is used. In this case, Pitzka P is used instead of the belt movement detector 6.
Each zone is equipped with a switch operated by
The control console 3 can detect the position of each transport device (which zone it is in) based on the signals from these switches.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1, 2, 2a, and 2b are diagrams for schematically explaining a picking instruction system in a logistics system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram that can be used for a picking instruction system. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing the internal circuit of the bay display device. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing the internal circuit of the item display device that can be used in the picking instruction system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is another embodiment of FIG. 4. 6 is a block circuit diagram showing an internal circuit of a command display that can be used in the picking instruction system of the present invention, and FIG. 7 explains the form of a signal transmitted to the circuit of FIG. 6. Figure for, No. 8
The figure is a block diagram showing a lower division display unit connected to the lower level of the circuit of FIG. 6, FIG. 10
The figure shows an article feeding device (automatic picking device) that can be used in the picking instruction system of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block circuit diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the article feeding device of FIG. 10. In the figure, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a printer, 3 is a control console, 3a is a display device, 3b is a shipping instruction slip, 3c is an operator, 4 is a belt conveyor (conveying device),
5 is a conveyor speed control unit, 6 is a belt movement detector, 7 is a starting light, 8 is a starting photo switch, P is a picker, SB is a signal bus, SB' is an output signal bus,
Z ₁ , Z ₂ , Z ₃ and Z ₄ are zones, BAY is a bay indicator, BAL is a bay indicator, ROU is an item indicator, CROU is a composite indicator, ADCU is an article delivery device, and SROU is a command indicator. , LIU is a lower division display unit, 11 is a signal connector, 12 is a cable connector, 13 is a flashing light, 14 is a numerical display section, 15 is a reset switch, 16 is an address setting switch, 18 is a lot lamp, and 19 is a reset switch. be.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a picking system in a logistics system in which items in storage in a picking area that are divided into categories are picked based on picking instructions, the items are picked from a computer online or externally. a control console for giving picking instructions to each area of the picking based on picking instruction information supplied from a storage device; and a control console for dividing the entire area of the picking into a plurality of zones; A signal bus line for each zone that communicates, and each zone is divided into a plurality of item classifications for each type of item to be picked, and various indicators etc. are installed for each item classification, and the zone a conveyance device for conveying the picked item through the picking area, and a movement detector for detecting movement of the conveyance device; The control console issues picking instructions for each zone to the various indicators based on signals indicating that picking is completed from the movement detector and the various indicators, etc. and the various indicators, etc. have different addresses within one zone, and the control console is configured to address all of the various indicators, etc. to which picking instructions are to be given within the zone. and transmits a digital signal representing the same address as set on the various indicators etc. to the signal bus in a serial transmission manner, and the digital signal represents the quantity to be picked in the item category. A picking instruction system in a logistics system that also includes signals. 2 In a picking system in a logistics system that picks items on storage shelves in a picking area that are divided into categories based on picking instructions, items are picked online from a computer or from an external storage device. a control console for giving picking instructions to each area of picking based on picking instruction information; The signal bus and each zone are divided into a plurality of bay areas, and a bay indicator is installed in each bay area, and is connected in parallel in sequence at a predetermined branch point of the signal bus for each zone, and each The bay area is divided into a plurality of item classifications for each type of item to be picked, and various indicators etc. are installed for each item classification. a conveyance device for conveying the picked item through the picking area; a movement detector, and the bay indicator has a bay indicator light that lights up when at least one of the various indicators connected to the output signal bus is receiving a picking instruction from the control console. and the control console issues picking instructions for each zone to the various indicators based on signals indicating that picking is completed from the movement detector and the various indicators, etc. The various indicators, etc. have different addresses within one zone, and the control console addresses all the various indicators, etc. to which picking instructions are to be given within the zone. A digital signal representing the same address as set on various displays etc. is sent to the signal bus line by a serial transmission method, and the digital signal includes a signal representing the quantity to be picked in the item classification. A picking instruction system in a logistics system that also includes. 3. One of the various indicators etc. includes a signal connector connectable to the output signal bus, a display section for informing the picker of the quantity of the corresponding item to be picked, and a display section for informing the picker of the quantity of the corresponding item to be picked; 3. A picking instruction system in a distribution system according to claim 2, which is an item display having an operated reset switch. 4. One of the various indicators, etc. is responsive to a signal transmitted on the signal bus including command display address data, subdivision address data, and command data associated with the address. Therefore, in order to display each command for each address position to the operator, one is connected to each predetermined branch point of the signal bus through the signal connector, and a display for the lower division is connected through the cable connector. A picking instruction system in a logistics system according to claim 2, which is a command display formed by connecting a plurality of units. 5. One of the various indicators includes a signal connector connectable to the output signal bus, a display section that displays the quantity of the corresponding item to be picked, divided into a case display and a loose quantity display; 3. The picking instruction system in a logistics system according to claim 2, which is a composite display having a reset switch operated by a picker when the picking is completed. 6. One of the various indicators, etc. is a control circuit having a signal connector connectable to the output signal bus, and an automatic picking device whose operation is automatically controlled by this circuit. A picking instruction system in the logistics system described in Section 2.