Apparatus and system for managing work
The work management device and system address the challenge of undetected work errors by using a device with a storage unit, acquisition unit, detection unit, judgment unit, and notification control unit to assess and notify workers of their task completion in real-time, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023186281
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing work management systems, such as the described picking system, are unable to determine whether tasks like removing or storing items are performed correctly, leading to potential work errors that may only be detected after the fact.
A work management device and system that includes a storage unit for work identification information, an acquisition unit to gather worker information, a detection unit to monitor operations, a judgment unit to assess task completion based on stored information and detection data, and a notification control unit to inform workers of their performance.
This solution reduces work errors by enabling immediate detection and notification of task completion or errors during the work process, thereby minimizing the need for separate checks and improving operational efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure 2025075245000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a work management device and a work management system. [Background technology]
[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a picking system that detects the operation of picking products or parts stored in a warehouse or the like. This picking system includes an RF (Radio Frequency) tag provided on a work shelf and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader / writer worn on the wrist of a worker. When the worker places his / her hand wearing the RFID reader / writer on the work shelf, the RFID reader / writer reads the RF tag on the work shelf and detects the worker's picking operation. The detection result is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID reader / writer to an external computer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-137748 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] If the task is to take out goods or other items from a storage location, it is possible to determine whether the task has been performed using a picking system such as the one described above. However, if the task involves taking out goods from a storage location or storing the goods, the picking system cannot determine whether each task has been performed properly. Therefore, even if an operational error occurs, it cannot be noticed during the task, and a separate task of checking whether an operational error occurred after the task has been completed is required.
[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique for reducing operational errors when taking items in and out and the work required to check for such errors. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The work management device according to the present disclosure includes a memory unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, a determination unit, and an alarm control unit. The memory unit stores work information that defines the work, including work identification information that identifies the work of putting items in and taking items out of the work area. The acquisition unit acquires the work identification information carried by the worker performing the work. The detection unit detects the worker's actions relative to the work area. The determination unit determines whether the work defined in the work information has been performed in the work area based on the work information stored in the memory unit, the work identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the detection result of the detection unit. The alarm control unit causes the alarm unit to notify the determination result of the determination unit.
[0007] A work management system according to the present disclosure includes the work management device and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is capable of communicating with the work management device. The wireless communication device stores work identification information and transmits the work identification information to the work management device when connected for communication with the work management device. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce operational mistakes when taking items in and out, and the work of checking for operational mistakes. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a work management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of how information terminals are installed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the information terminal as viewed from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of work information. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing the temperature change in the detection area when a worker puts an item into the work area. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing the temperature change in the detection area when a worker removes an item from the work area. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an operation flow of the information terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing a change in temperature in the detection area when a worker puts an article into the work area in the first modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing a change in temperature in the detection area when a worker removes an article from the work area in the first modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a work management system according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and will not be described repeatedly.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a work management system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the work management system 100 includes a work management terminal 1 and an RFID tag 2. For convenience, Fig. 1 shows an example of one work management terminal 1, but multiple work management terminals 1 may be provided. In this embodiment, the work management terminal 1 is an example of a work management device, and the RFID tag 2 is an example of a wireless communication device.
[0012] The RFID tag 2 is carried by a worker who performs the work of taking items in and out of a warehouse, etc. The work of taking items in and out is performed for each work section installed on a work shelf. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 2 is a passive RFID tag. The RFID tag 2 is driven by electromagnetic waves from the work management terminal 1 and performs wireless communication with the work management terminal 1. The RFID tag 2 stores in advance a worker ID and a work ID, which will be described later. The RFID tag 2 receives electromagnetic waves from the work management terminal 1 and transmits the worker ID and the work ID to the work management terminal 1.
[0013] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an installation image of the work management terminal 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the work management terminal 1 is arranged, for example, for each of the eight work sections R (R1 to R8) on the work shelf T. Note that, although Fig. 2 shows an example of eight work sections R, the number of work sections R is not limited to this. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the work sections R are not limited to this.
[0014] When a worker performs work of putting in or taking out an item in a certain work section R, the work management terminal 1 wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag 2 carried by the worker, and determines whether or not the work in that work section R is appropriate. The configuration of the work management terminal 1 will be specifically described below.
[0015] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the work management terminal 1 as viewed from the front. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the work management terminal 1.
[0016] 4, the work management terminal 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation unit 11, a notification unit 12, a communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a detection unit 15. Although not shown, the work management terminal 1 also includes a power supply unit. The power supply unit may receive power from, for example, a built-in battery, or may receive power from a wired outlet.
[0017] The operation unit 11 includes operation buttons such as a power button, and receives operation of the operation buttons from an operator or the like, and outputs information indicating the received operation to the control unit 10.
[0018] The notification unit 12 includes a display unit 12a and a lighting unit 12b. The work management terminal 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and as shown in Fig. 3, the display unit 12a and the lighting unit 12b are provided on the front side. The display unit 12a is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays images such as characters under the control of the control unit 10. The lighting unit 12b includes, for example, an LED that lights up in multiple colors by switching between them. The lighting unit 12b lights up one of the colors under the control of the control unit 10.
[0019] The communication unit 13 includes an antenna 13a. As shown in Fig. 3, the antenna 13a is provided on the front side of the work management terminal 1. Under the control of the control unit 10, the communication unit 13 transmits electromagnetic waves from the antenna 13a to the RFID tag 2 and reads the worker ID / work ID from the RFID tag 2. In this embodiment, the communication unit 13 is an example of an acquisition unit.
[0020] The storage unit 14 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory. The storage unit 14 stores installation information indicating the work section R (see FIG. 2) in which the device is installed, work information for each worker, and operation determination information. The work information is information that predefines the work of a worker putting in and taking out an item in each work section R. The operation determination information includes a detection pattern, which will be described later. The detection pattern is set in advance for the work content.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of work information. As shown in FIG. 5, the work information associates a work ID, work order, work section, work content, etc. with each worker ID. The worker ID is information that uniquely identifies the worker. The work ID is information that identifies the work in one work section R. The work order indicates the order of the work sections R in which the worker performs work. The work section indicates the section in which the worker performs work. The work content specifies the type of work performed by the worker. In this example, one of the work types "Pout" and "Pin" is specified as the work content for each work ID. "Pout" indicates the work of removing an item from the target work section, and "Pin" indicates the work of putting an item into the target work section.
[0022] The detection unit 15 detects the actions of the worker with respect to the work section R in which the work management terminal 1 is installed. Specifically, the detection unit 15 includes a two-dimensional infrared sensor, and detects temperature changes in a predetermined two-dimensional area (hereinafter, the detection area) under the control of the control unit 10. The detection unit 15 is provided in front of the work management terminal 1 as shown in Fig. 3, and the predetermined detection area is set near the entrance to the work section R, not inside the work section R.
[0023] The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The CPU executes a program pre-stored in the ROM, whereby the control unit 10 transmits electromagnetic waves from the antenna 13a to perform wireless communication with the RFID tag 2 and acquires the worker ID and the work ID from the RFID tag 2 via the antenna 13a. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 is an example of a determination unit and a notification control unit.
[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 10 has a standby mode and a detection mode as operation modes for the detection unit 15, and operates the detection unit 15 in either operation mode. The standby mode is a state in which wireless communication with the RFID tag 2 is not performed, and a worker carrying the RFID tag 2 is not near the work section R. The detection mode is a state in which wireless communication with the RFID tag 2 is performed, and a worker carrying the RFID tag 2 is near the work section R. The control unit 10 controls the sensing interval in the detection unit 15 so that it is shorter in the detection mode than in the standby mode.
[0025] The control unit 10 judges whether the worker's behavior in the work area R is appropriate based on the detection results of the detection unit 15 in the detection mode, the installation information, the work information (FIG. 5), and the motion judgment information described below. The motion judgment information includes a detection pattern that is set in advance for each work content. The detection pattern is a pattern of temperature change detected by the detection unit 15 when each work content defined in the work information is performed. The control unit 10 judges that the worker's behavior is appropriate when the temperature change detected by the detection unit 15 matches the detection pattern corresponding to the work content defined in the work information.
[0026] Here, the detection pattern of the action determination information will be described. Fig. 6 is an image diagram showing the temperature change in the detection area when a worker puts an item into the work area R. Fig. 7 is an image diagram showing the temperature change in the detection area when a worker takes out an item from the work area R.
[0027] Steps S1 to S2 in FIG. 6 show a state where a worker starts to extend his / her hand Dh toward one work section R while holding an item Dg. The item Dg and the worker's hand Dh have different temperatures. Therefore, in the detection area 150 of the two-dimensional infrared sensor, the parts corresponding to the item Dg and the worker's hand Dh are detected at different temperatures (t1, t2). Furthermore, in the state where the worker extends his / her hand Dh toward the work section R (step S3), in addition to the item Dg and the worker's hand Dh, the parts corresponding to the worker's forearm Dc wearing clothes are detected at different temperatures (t1, t2, t3) in the detection area 150. The further the worker's hand Dh is extended toward the one work section R, the larger the area in the detection area 150 where the temperatures of the item Dg, the hand Dh, and the forearm Dc are detected.
[0028] After that, the worker places the item Dg in one work section R and returns his / her hand toward the entrance of that work section R. Steps S4 to S6 in FIG. 6 show a state in which the worker pulls his / her hand Dh toward the outside of the work section R after the item Dg is placed in the work section R, that is, the state of the hand Dh and forearm Dc that are not holding the item Dg. In this case, in the detection area 150, the parts corresponding to the hand Dh and the forearm Dc are detected at different temperatures (t2, t3). The further the worker's hand Dh is from the work section R, the smaller the area in the detection area 150 where the temperatures of the hand Dh and the forearm Dc are detected.
[0029] In steps S1 to S3 of FIG. 7, a worker extends his / her hand Dh toward one work section R to take out an item from that work section R. In other words, the worker is not holding the item at this time. In this case, as the worker's hand Dh approaches the work section R, the area in which the temperatures (t2, t3) of the hand Dh and forearm Dc are detected increases. In addition, steps S4 to S6 of FIG. 7 show a state in which the worker grabs an item in the work section R with his / her hand Dh and then tries to take it out of the work section R. In other words, the worker is holding the item in his / her hand. In this case, as the worker's hand Dh moves away from the work section R, the area in which the temperatures (t1, t2, t3) of the item Dg, hand Dh, and forearm Dc are detected decreases.
[0030] In this way, the areas in which the temperatures of the item Dg, the hand Dh, and the forearm Dc are detected change according to a series of movements of the worker near the entrance of one work section R. In this embodiment, patterns of temperature change in the detection area 150 corresponding to the work of removing an item from the work section R (Pout) and the work of putting an item into the work section R (Pin) are set in advance as detection patterns of the action determination information. Note that multiple detection patterns are set for each work. Hereinafter, the detection pattern during the work of removing an item shown in FIG. 7 may be referred to as detection pattern_out, and the detection pattern during the work of putting an item into the work section shown in FIG. 6 may be referred to as detection pattern_in.
[0031] (operation) Fig. 8 is an operation flow of the work management terminal 1 in the embodiment. The following describes the operation of the work management terminal 1 when, for example, a worker removes an item from work section R1 (see Fig. 2) of work shelf T. The operation flow starts from a state in which the detection unit 15 of the work management terminal 1 is in standby mode and the RFID tag 2 carried by the worker is wirelessly connected to the work management terminal 1.
[0032] The RFID tag 2 receives electromagnetic waves from the work management terminal 1 and transmits the worker ID and the work ID to the work management terminal 1. In step S101, when the work management terminal 1 acquires the worker ID and the work ID from the RFID tag 2 via the antenna 13a (step S101: YES), it judges the process of step S102. Specifically, in step S102, the work management terminal 1 uses the control unit 10 to judge whether or not a certain area or more in the detection area 150 (FIG. 6) has a sensor value equal to or greater than a threshold value.
[0033] When the sensor value in a certain area or more of the detection area 150 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S102: YES), the work management terminal 1 switches from the standby mode to the detection mode (step S103). That is, the control unit 10 controls the sensing interval of the two-dimensional infrared sensor of the detection unit 15 to a predetermined interval shorter than that in the standby mode, and detects a temperature change in the detection area 150.
[0034] Then, the work management terminal 1 determines the work of the worker corresponding to the temperature change in the detection area 150 based on the temperature change in the detection area 150 and the detection pattern_out (FIG. 7) and the detection pattern_in (FIG. 6) (step S104). Specifically, when the temperature change in the detection area 150 matches the detection pattern_in shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 10 determines that the work of putting an item into the work section R1 has been performed. Also, when the temperature change in the detection area 150 matches the detection pattern_out shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 10 determines that the work of removing an item from the work section R1 has been performed.
[0035] The work management terminal 1 judges whether the work determined in step S104 is a defined work (step S105). That is, the control unit 10 refers to the installation information and work information (FIG. 5) stored in the storage unit 14 and judges whether the determined work is a work defined by the work content corresponding to the worker ID and work ID acquired in step S101.
[0036] Specifically, the work section in which the work management terminal 1 is installed is "R1", and the worker ID and work ID acquired in step S101 are "H001" and "100-102...", respectively. In this case, the control unit 10 extracts the work ID "100", work order "1", and work content "Pout" that correspond to the worker ID "H001" and the installation information "work section R1" from the work information (FIG. 5).
[0037] If the work determined in step S104 is a work specified in the work information (step S105: YES), the work management terminal 1 performs the process of step S106. If the work determined in step S104 is not a work specified in the work information (step S105: NO), the work management terminal 1 performs the process of step S108.
[0038] In this example, it is determined whether or not the work content "Pout" corresponding to work section "R1", work order "1", and work ID "100" in the work information has been performed. If the work determined in step S104 is the work of removing an item, the control unit 10 determines that it is a work specified in the work information. On the other hand, if the work determined in step S104 is the work of putting an item in, the control unit 10 determines that it is not a work specified in the work information.
[0039] In step S106, the work management terminal 1 notifies the worker that the work is completed and the next work section. Specifically, the control unit 10 causes the lighting unit 12b to light up an LED of a color indicating work completion, and notifies the worker that the work with work ID "100" for work section "R1" has been completed. The control unit 10 also reads out work section "R4" corresponding to work order "2" in the work information (FIG. 5). The control unit 10 then causes the display unit 12a to display information indicating the next work section "R4."
[0040] In step S108, the work management terminal 1 notifies the worker of the work error. Specifically, the control unit 10 causes the lighting unit 12b to light up an LED of a color indicating a work error, and notifies the worker that the work performed in the work section R1 is incorrect.
[0041] After step S106 or step S107, the work management terminal 1 switches the detection unit 15 from the detection mode to the standby mode (step S107).
[0042] In step S101, the work management terminal 1 waits until it acquires the worker ID and the work ID from the RFID tag 2 via the antenna 13a (step S101: NO). Also, the work management terminal 1 operates the detection unit 15 in the standby mode until a certain or larger area in the detection area 150 has a sensor value equal to or greater than the threshold (step S102: NO).
[0043] In the above embodiment, the work management terminal 1 acquires a worker ID and a work ID from the RFID tag 2 carried by the worker. The work management terminal 1 also determines the action performed by the worker by comparing the pre-stored detection pattern_out and detection pattern_in with the temperature change in the detection area 150 detected by the detection unit 15. The work management terminal 1 then determines whether the determined action is the work content defined in the work information, and issues a notification according to the determination result.
[0044] That is, when work corresponding to the worker ID and work ID is performed in the work section R where the work management terminal 1 is installed, information indicating the completion of the work is reported. On the other hand, when work corresponding to the worker ID and work ID is not performed in the work section R where the work management terminal 1 is installed, a report is issued that there has been a work error. Therefore, when a worker performs work in the work section R, the worker can immediately check whether the work is appropriate or not, thereby reducing the effort of separately checking whether a work error has occurred. Furthermore, since the work management terminal 1 reports the next work section together with information indicating the completion of the work, the worker can be guided to the next work section.
[0045] The embodiment of the work management device and the work management system has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the work management device and the work management system are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiment. The drawings are shown mainly in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual number due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, each component shown in the above embodiment is an example, and is not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effect of this configuration.
[0046] (1) In the embodiment, the detection unit 15 includes a two-dimensional infrared sensor, but the detection unit 15 may be configured by combining a plurality of infrared sensors. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are conceptual diagrams showing temperature changes in the detection area in this modification. More specifically, Fig. 9 shows temperature changes in the detection area when a worker puts an item into work area R, and Fig. 10 shows temperature changes in the detection area when a worker takes an item out of work area R.
[0047] The detection unit 15 in this modified example includes eight infrared sensors (not shown), each of which detects a circular area indicated by F1 to F8 in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. The entire area F1 to F8 is referred to as a detection area 250. Note that the number and arrangement of the infrared sensors are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, as long as they can detect a temperature change caused by a series of actions of the worker.
[0048] 9 and 10, when a worker's hand Dh and an object Dg enter the detection area 250, the temperatures of the hand Dh, the object Dg, and the forearm Dc are detected in parts of the areas F1 to F8. Note that the hatched areas in the detection area 250 in Figs. 9 and 10 are areas where the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold, and are represented by hatching according to the temperature.
[0049] Steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 9 show the movement of a worker grasping an item Dg and extending his / her hand Dh toward one work section R (see FIG. 2). Through the series of movements in steps S1 to S3, the area in which the worker's hand Dh and forearm Dc and the item Dg are detected transitions from (area F1 to F3) → (area F2, F4, F5) → (area F2, F4 to F8). Furthermore, steps S4 to S6 show the movement of the worker placing the item Dg in the work section R and then moving his / her hand Dh away from the work section R toward the entrance. Through this series of movements, the area in which the worker's hand Dh and forearm Dc are detected transitions from (area F2, F4, F5, F7) → (area F2, F4, F5) → (area F2).
[0050] 10, the regions where the temperatures of the hand Dh, the item Dg, and the forearm Dc are detected change. Specifically, in steps S1 to S3, which show the movement of the worker stretching the hand Dh toward one work section R (see FIG. 2), the region where the hand Dh and the forearm Dc of the worker are detected changes from (region F2) to (regions F2, F4, F5) to (regions F2, F4, F5, F7). In addition, in steps S4 to S6, which show the movement of the worker taking out the item Dg from the work section R and gradually moving the hand Dh holding the item Dg away from the work section R, the region where the hand Dh and the forearm Dc of the worker and the item Dg are detected changes from (regions F2, F4 to F8) to (regions F2, F4, F5) to (regions F1 to F3).
[0051] In this modified example, similarly to the embodiment, the transition of temperature and area detected in response to the movement of work (taking in and out of items) in one work section R is associated with each work as a detection pattern and stored in advance in the work management terminal 1. By configuring in this way, similarly to the embodiment, the work performed by the worker can be determined based on the detection pattern.
[0052] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the work management terminal 1 may determine whether the item put in and taken out of the work area is appropriate along with the worker's actions. In this case, item information regarding the appearance of the item to be worked on, such as the size and shape, is stored in advance in the work information. The work management terminal 1 identifies at least one of the size and shape from the temperature range corresponding to the item in the detection area 150, and determines whether it matches the item information.
[0053] That is, in this modification, in step S104 of Fig. 8, the work management terminal 1 judges the motion and object in the detection area based on the work information, and in step S105, judges whether the motion and object match the work content and object information defined in the work information. If either the motion or object does not match the work content or object information defined in the work information, the work management terminal 1 judges it to be a work error. With this configuration, it is less likely that an incorrect object is put in or taken out, and work errors can be reduced more than when only the worker's motion is judged.
[0054] (3) In the above-described embodiment and modified example 2, the actions of the worker and the appearance of the item are determined by the work management terminal 1, but these may be performed by a device other than the work management terminal 1. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a work management system 100a according to this modified example.
[0055] 11, the work management system 100a includes a server 3 in addition to multiple work management terminals 1 and RFID tags 2. That is, in this modification, the work management terminal 1 and the server 3 are examples of a work management device, and the server 3 functions as a storage unit, an acquisition unit, and a determination unit.
[0056] The work management terminal 1 and the server 3 are connected for communication. If the communication function of the work management terminal 1 is only wireless communication, a repeater may be provided between the server 3 and the work management terminal 1. In this case, the work management terminal 1 and the repeater may be connected wirelessly, and the repeater and the server 3 may be connected by wire.
[0057] The server 3 stores the work information shown in the embodiment or the modified example (2). The work management terminal 1 transmits the worker ID and work ID acquired from the RFID tag 2 and the detection result of the detection unit 15 to the server 3. The server 3 judges whether the work content defined in the work information has been performed appropriately based on the worker ID and work ID, the work information, and the detection result from the work management terminal 1, and transmits the judgment result to the work management terminal 1. If the server 3 judges that the work content has been performed appropriately, it transmits information indicating the next work section together with the judgment result to the work management terminal 1. The work management terminal 1 notifies the judgment result and information indicating the next work section transmitted from the server 3.
[0058] In this modified example, the server 3 judges whether or not work in the work area has been performed appropriately. In order to improve the judgment accuracy compared to the work management terminal 1, the variation of detection patterns for each work may be increased compared to the work management terminal 1. Also, the server 3 may make the judgment using a trained program that inputs the detection results and outputs the judgment results. By configuring in this way, the judgment accuracy is improved compared to when the work is judged by the work management terminal 1, and the number of work mistakes and the work of confirming work mistakes are further reduced.
[0059] Furthermore, the server 3 may further have the function of a notification control unit. When the server 3 determines that the work specified in the work information has been properly performed, it transmits first notification instruction information to the work management terminal 1 of the work section where the work has been performed, instructing it to notify completion of the work. The work management terminal 1 that has received the first notification instruction information turns on the lighting unit 12b in a color indicating completion of the work. Furthermore, the server 3 transmits second notification instruction information to the work management terminal 1 provided in the next work section, instructing it to turn on the light indicating the next work section. The work management terminal 1 that has received the second notification instruction information turns on the lighting unit 12b in a color indicating the next work section.
[0060] (4) In the work management systems 100, 100a of the above-described embodiment and modification example 3, a camera may be installed instead of an infrared sensor as the detection unit 15. In this case, the work management terminal 1 or the server 3 may determine the actions of the worker and the appearance of the item from an image captured by the camera. Specifically, the work management terminal 1 or the server 3 may determine the actions and items using, for example, a trained program that receives the captured image as input and outputs a determination result.
[0061] (5) In the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 4, the determination result is notified from the notification unit 12 provided in the work management terminal 1. However, for example, the determination result may be notified to a portable device such as a smartphone carried by the worker. In this case, the work management terminal 1 and the portable device are configured to be wirelessly connected. In other words, the notification unit may be provided outside the work management terminal 1. The determination result may be notified by at least one of an image, a sound, and a vibration on the portable device.
[0062] (6) In the embodiment, an example was shown in which the work ID is linked to the worker ID in the work information (FIG. 5), but as long as the work ID is assigned so that each work can be uniquely identified regardless of the worker, it does not have to be linked to the worker ID. In this case, the work management terminal 1 only needs to acquire at least the work ID from the RFID tag 2.
[0063] (7) In the embodiment and modifications 1 to 6, the detection area of the detection unit 15 is set near the entrance to the work area R. However, it may be set inside the work area R. [Industrial Applicability]
[0064] The present disclosure can be used for picking systems in factories, warehouses, etc. [Explanation of symbols]
[0065] 1: Work management terminal 2: RFID tags 3: Server 10: Control section 12: Notification Department 12a: Display section 12b: Lighting section 13: Communications Department 14: Storage section 15: Detection unit 100,100a: Work management system 150,250: Detection area R, R1~R8: Work area
Claims
1. a storage unit that stores work information that defines a work, the work information including work identification information that identifies a work of putting in and taking out an item in a work section; an acquisition unit that acquires the work identification information carried by a worker performing the work; A detection unit that detects the movement of the worker relative to the work section; a determination unit that determines whether or not a task defined in the task information has been performed in the work section based on the task information stored in the storage unit, the task identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a detection result by the detection unit; and a notification control unit that notifies a notification unit of a determination result of the determination unit; A work management device comprising:
2. The work information includes item information that defines an appearance of the item, The detection unit detects the appearance of the item placed in the work area as well as the movement of the worker with respect to the work area; The work management device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the work specified in the work information is not being performed in the work area if the appearance of the item detected by the detection unit does not match the appearance of the item specified in the item information.
3. The notification unit is provided, The notification unit includes a lighting unit that lights up a plurality of colors, The work management device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification control unit causes the lighting unit to light up with a color corresponding to the determination result.
4. A plurality of the work sections are provided, and the work information specifies the work identification information, an order of the work sections to be worked on, and the work to be performed in each work section, The detection unit is provided for each work section, The determination unit determines, based on a detection result of one of the work sections, whether the work defined in the work information has been performed in the one of the work sections; The work management device of claim 3, wherein when the judgment unit determines that the work specified in the work information has been performed in one of the work sections, the notification control unit notifies the notification unit of information indicating the work section that will be the next work target based on the work information.
5. The detection unit detects a temperature change in a predetermined detection area, The work management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines that the work defined in the work information has been performed in the work area when the temperature change detected by the detection unit is a temperature change corresponding to the work defined in the work information.
6. The work management device according to claim 1 ; A wireless communication device capable of communicating with the work management device, A work management system, wherein the wireless communication device stores the work identification information, and when the wireless communication device is communicatively connected to the work management device, transmits the work identification information to the work management device.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Picking system
JP2009137748A