Sorting system

Abstract

To provide a sorting system that enables workers to check whether they have accurately picked the specified commodities and to accurately associate the picked commodities with delivery notes for collection.SOLUTION: The sorting system includes: a management computer that creates badge information using the picking and collection of sorting tasks as one unit; a work instruction terminal that presents the work for each badge to workers based on the badge information; a wireless tag with commodity information that is affixed to a commodity; a first reader-writer that writes tag information as commodity-related information into the wireless tag; a collecting shelf that collects commodities with a badge unit; and a worker terminal that has a second reader-writer that reads the tag information from the wireless tag affixed to the picked commodities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a sorting system, and more particularly to a sorting system for collecting picked products.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional sorting system, for example, orders for one week are aggregated in a database, information related to products is registered, and the picking work and the collecting work of products are managed for each order.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, there is a storage shelf having a plurality of storage parts for storing articles, an instruction means for instructing an operator of the storage part in which the article to be taken out is stored, a confirmation means for confirming whether access has been made to the storage part instructed by this instruction means, a plurality of collecting containers into which the articles taken out from the storage part are put, an instruction means for instructing an operator of the collecting container into which the taken-out article should be put, and a confirmation means for confirming whether access has been made to the collecting container instructed by this instruction means. The confirmation means includes a light projecting part that projects detection light toward a two-dimensional area within a predetermined angular range in the vicinity of the plurality of storage parts and in the vicinity of the plurality of collecting containers, which is a semi-circular two-dimensional area centered on a reference point, a light receiving part that receives the reflected light reflected by at least one of the article inserted into the two-dimensional area and the hand of the operator, and a position information acquisition part that acquires position information based on the distance information to at least one of the article inserted into the two-dimensional area and the hand of the operator and the angular information corresponding to the position when the light receiving part receives the reflected light. It also has a determination part that determines whether the position information acquired by the position information acquisition part is within the detection area information set for each storage part and the detection area information set for each collecting container corresponding to the storage part and the collecting container instructed by the instruction means. It is a picking system characterized by this. However, even if it is possible to confirm that the storage part or the collecting container where the article is stored has been correctly accessed, it is not possible to confirm whether the picked article is the same article as the instructed content, or whether the article has been put into the collecting container as the same article as the instructed content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] To solve such problems, a sorting system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a system for assisting a sorting operation of picking and collecting products for each delivery note. As the sorting operation, picking and collecting of products described in one delivery note are regarded as one unit of badge, and a management computer that creates badge information for one day's sorting operation, a work instruction terminal that presents the work for each badge to a worker from the badge information, a wireless tag attached to a product to be sorted, a first reader / writer that writes tag information as information related to the product into the wireless tag, a collection shelf that collects products in units of the badge, and a worker terminal having a second reader / writer that reads the tag information from the wireless tag attached to the picked product.

[0005] As a sorting system according to a second aspect, in the first aspect, it may be provided with a product shelf for temporarily storing products to which the wireless tags with the tag information recorded are attached.

[0006] As a sorting system according to a third aspect, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the collection shelf has a plurality of fronts, and for each front, it may be configured to include an opening / closing gate and a driving unit that drives the opening and closing of the opening / closing gate according to an instruction from the work instruction terminal or the management computer.

[0007] As a sorting system according to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, when the work instruction terminal or the management computer collates and matches the badge information, the tag information read by the worker terminal, and the number of the read tag information, the driving unit may open the opening / closing gate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the sorting system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting system 1 includes a management computer 10, a work instruction terminal 20, a wireless tag 30, a first reader / writer 40, a collection shelf 50, a worker terminal 60, a second reader / writer 70, and a product shelf 80, which are communicably connected by communication means (including wireless or wired). However, the connection is not limited to always being connected. The first reader / writer 40 and the second reader / writer 70 are connected to the management computer 10 and / or the work instruction terminal 20, and read and write tag information for identifying products to the wireless tag 30. There may be an embodiment in which the product shelf 80 is not connected to the logistics system 1 of the present invention.

[0010] A plurality of work areas are set within the facility, and for each work area, the work instruction terminal 20, the wireless tag 30 attached to the product, the first reader / writer 40, the collection shelf 50, the collection shelf 50, (the product shelf 80, and) the worker with the worker terminal 60 in hand are arranged in proximity.

[0011] As the hardware configurations of the management computer 10 and the work instruction terminal 20, it includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic processing such as program execution and data processing, a memory (RAM) used for temporarily storing data and programs necessary for the CPU to perform processing, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) used for long-term data storage, input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, and a microphone for inputting information, output devices such as a monitor, a printer, and a speaker for displaying and transmitting the processed information, and is composed of a motherboard, expansion cards, a power supply device, cables, buses, communication devices, etc. (not shown).

[0012] The hardware of the wireless tag 30 is composed of an IC chip that stores, saves, and processes the unique identifier of the tag, additional data, etc., an antenna responsible for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and a substrate on which the IC chip and other components are arranged.

[0013] In response to receiving an RF wave for power supply, the wireless tag 30 uses the RF wave as a power source and stores tag information for identifying a product by receiving a tag information-containing wave. Alternatively, it radiates a tag information-containing wave to the reader / writer. It is a passive type that operates by receiving an RF wave from the reader / writer and does not require a battery (not shown).

[0014] The first reader / writer 40 radiates an RF wave from the antenna, supplies power to the wireless tag 30, and transmits and receives tag information. The RF wave uses a frequency in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band of, for example, 860 MHz to 960 MHz.

[0015] The collection shelf 50 is configured to include a control microcomputer (including memory), an LED for display, a communication interface, one opening / closing gate for each frontage, and a gate drive unit (including a gate control unit) (not shown). The collection shelf 50 is partitioned into sections each having an opening / closing gate for each of the input frontages of the products, and the gate drive unit is controlled by the control microcomputer to open and close the opening / closing gate (not shown). For example, Gate Assort System of Tactech Co., Ltd. (https: / / takutech.tokyo / solution / gas) is suitable.

[0016] The worker terminal 60 is worn on the worker's hand, and for example, the serial number of the second reader / writer 70 is registered in the management computer 10 as the worker ID for each worker for associated management.

[0017] The worker terminal 60 is configured to include a conductive member, a second reader / writer 70 (including an antenna), and a communication interface (not shown). The second reader / writer 70 emits RF waves from the antenna, supplies power to the wireless tag 30 via the conductive member of the worker terminal 60, and sends a command requesting transmission of tag information. The RF waves use a frequency in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band of, for example, 860 MHz to 960 MHz. The conductive member performs transmission and reception of RF waves with the antenna provided in the wireless tag 30, and further relays the RF waves to the antenna provided in the second reader / writer 70. Preferably, the conductive member is configured in a form that allows the product to be grasped with the finger and does not impede the freedom of movement of the hand, and is in a shape that wraps the hand like a finger-out glove with the fingertips of fingers other than the index finger exposed, and is preferably close to the second reader / writer 70 installed on the back of the hand.

[0018] In the product shelf 80, products corresponding to at least one-day worth of badges are temporarily stored in each of a plurality of partitioned sections. Each section is provided with an LED for display for indicating the quantity of products to be picked from the section and the position of the section to be picked, and is configured to include a control microcomputer (including memory) and a communication interface (not shown).

[0019] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the functional blocks of the management computer and the work instruction terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the management computer 10 has a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input / output unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15 as its functional block configuration. The work instruction terminal 20 has a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input / output unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25 as its functional block configuration.

[0020] The management computer 10 creates product information related to products through the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, and stores it in the storage device through the processing of the storage unit 12. The product information includes information such as product name, supplier, purchase unit price, selling unit price, order lead time, etc.

[0021] The management computer 10 creates delivery note information related to the delivery note through the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, and stores it in the storage device through the processing of the storage unit 12. The delivery note information includes information such as consignee name, consignee address, product name, order quantity, unit price, delivery fee, consumption tax, total billing amount, etc.

[0022] The management computer 10 creates badge information that associates tag information, delivery note information, information related to the product shelf 80, information related to the section, information related to the collection shelf 50, and information related to the input width through the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, and stores it in the storage device through the processing of the storage unit 12. Badge numbers, etc. are assigned to each badge in the badge information. One badge is the unit for picking the products per order and sorting the picked products at the input width for collection, and is associated with one unit of the delivery note. One badge may target multiple products or one product. Information related to the products corresponding to one badge is described in the delivery note.

[0023] <Case 1>: An embodiment of picking and sorting products deployed on a workbench. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of Case 1 showing the flow of operations, information, etc. between devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the order of each step is not limited to this.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the management computer 10 creates tag information as information for identifying products from the product information stored in the storage device for each product by the information processing by the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13, the display unit 14, and the storage unit 12, and transmits the tag information from the first reader / writer connected to the management computer 10 to the wireless tag 30 attached to the product in step 1 (S1).

[0025] The management computer 10 allocates badge processing corresponding to the sorting work in units of delivery notes and sorting work in units of workplaces by the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, stores it in the storage device by the processing of the storage unit 21, and transmits the badge information allocated for each workplace to the work instruction terminal 20 by the processing of the communication unit 15 in step 2 (S2). For example, the badge information corresponding to the sorting work for one day is allocated to each of a plurality of workplaces in the product center.

[0026] The management computer 10 displays an instruction to deploy the products necessary for at least one day's work from the delivery note information stored in the storage device on the display by the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, and instructs the worker to deploy the products with the tag information stored in the wireless tag 30 from the product shelf 80 to the workbench in step 3 (S3).

[0027] The worker inputs the worker ID into the work instruction terminal 20. The work instruction terminal 20 stores the worker ID in the storage device by the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22, and transmits the worker ID to the management computer 10 by the processing of the communication unit 25. The management computer 10 stores the worker ID in the storage device of the management computer 10 by the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22 in step 4 (S4).

[0028] Alternatively, when the worker terminal 60 is equipped with a function to receive tag information, the second reader / writer 70 of the worker terminal 60 worn on the hand transmits the worker ID associated with the worker to the work instruction terminal 20. The work instruction terminal 20 stores the worker ID in the storage device through the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22, and transmits the received worker ID to the management computer 10 through the processing of the communication unit 25. The management computer 10 stores the worker ID in the storage device through the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22.

[0029] If the worker terminal 60 and the worker ID have been previously associated and managed by the management computer 10, step 4 may not be necessary.

[0030] The work instruction terminal 20 displays on the monitor a plurality of badge numbers stored in the storage device through the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the input / output unit 23, the display unit 24, and the storage unit 22. The worker selects one batch number from the plurality of badge numbers displayed on the monitor of the work instruction terminal 20 (step 5 (S5)).

[0031] The work instruction terminal 20 prints the delivery note associated with the badge information of the selected badge number from the printer through the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the input / output unit 23 (step 6 (S6)).

[0032] The worker picks the products described in the delivery note from the products spread out on the workbench, for example, temporarily places them on the workbench, and completes the picking of all the products described in the delivery note. However, the worker terminal 60 transmits the tag information of the product at the timing of picking from the second reader / writer to the work instruction terminal 20 (step 7 (S7)).

[0033] The work instruction terminal 20 collates the badge information stored in the storage device, the received tag information, and the quantity of the picked products (for example, counts the quantity of the products by counting the number of received tag information) through the information processing of the control unit 21 (step 8 (S8)).

[0034] When the verification is successful, the work instruction terminal 20 determines the collection shelf 50 assigned to the corresponding delivery destination and the input slot from the matched badge information, and through the processing by the communication unit 25, transmits the information related to the corresponding input slot to the collection shelf 50, controls the gate driving unit by the control microcomputer, and opens the opening / closing gate of the corresponding input slot. The operator puts the temporarily placed goods and the delivery note into the input slot where the opening / closing gate is open. For example, by stepping on a foot switch with the foot or pressing a switch provided on the shelf with the hand, etc., the gate driving unit is controlled to close the opening / closing gate of the corresponding input slot in step 9 (S9).

[0035] In this way, the picked goods can be surely put into the input slot assigned to the corresponding delivery destination. Also, in addition to the foot-operated foot switch and the switch provided on the shelf, the use of the fact that the optical path of the light receiving and emitting means is blocked by the foot may be utilized.

[0036] When the badge information stored in the storage device, the received tag information, and the quantity of the picked goods do not match, the work instruction terminal 20 generates an alarm from the speaker or displays NG on the display, etc., to notify the operator that the picked goods are not the goods described in the delivery note or the quantity of the picked goods is not the quantity described in the delivery note. The operator checks the delivery note and repeats steps 7 to 8 until the goods described in the delivery note match the picked goods. If step 9 is not completed, the next badge number cannot be selected.

[0037] Through the above-described steps, picking of goods related to one badge without error and surely putting the goods into the input slot assigned to the delivery destination can be achieved, assisting efficient picking and goods collection work.

[0038] <Case 2>: An embodiment of picking goods from the goods shelf and sorting FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of Case 2 showing the flow of operations, information, etc. between devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the order of each step is not limited thereto.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the management computer 10 creates tag information as information for identifying a product from the product information stored in the storage device for each product by the information processing by the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13, the display unit 14, and the storage unit 12, and transmits the tag information from the first reader / writer connected to the management computer 10 to the wireless tag 30 attached to the product in step 51 (S51).

[0040] The management computer 10 performs badge processing corresponding to the sorting work in units of delivery notes and assigns sorting work to workplaces in units of workplaces by the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, stores it in the storage device by the processing of the storage unit 21, and transmits the assigned badge information to the work instruction terminal 20 by the processing of the communication unit 15 in step 52 (S52). For example, the badge information corresponding to the sorting work for one day is assigned to each of a plurality of workplaces in the product center.

[0041] The management computer 10 performs desired processing for temporarily storing the products necessary for at least one day's work from the delivery note information stored in the storage device in the sections of the product shelf 80 by the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the input / output unit 13 and the display unit 14, and temporarily stores the products with the tag information stored in the wireless tag 30 in the sections of the product shelf 80 in step 53 (S53).

[0042] The worker inputs the worker ID into the work instruction terminal 20. The work instruction terminal 20 stores the worker ID in the storage device by the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22, and transmits the worker ID to the management computer 10 by the processing of the communication unit 25. The management computer 10 stores the worker ID in the storage device of the management computer 10 by the information processing of the control unit 21 and the processing of the storage unit 22 in step 54 (S54).

[0043] Alternatively, if the worker terminal 60 has a function for receiving tag information, the second reader / writer 70 of the worker terminal 60 worn on the hand transmits the worker ID linked to the worker to the work instruction terminal 20. The work instruction terminal 20 stores the worker ID in a storage device through information processing by the control unit 21 and processing by the storage unit 22, and transmits the received worker ID to the management computer 10 through processing by the communication unit 25. The management computer 10 stores the worker ID in the storage device through information processing by the control unit 21 and processing by the storage unit 22.

[0044] If the worker terminal 60 and the worker ID are linked and managed in advance by the management computer 10, step 54 may be omitted.

[0045] The work instructing terminal 20 displays on a monitor the multiple badge numbers stored in the storage device through information processing by the control unit 21 and processing by the input / output unit 23, display unit 24, and storage unit 22. The worker selects one batch number from the multiple badge numbers displayed on the monitor of the work instructing terminal 20 (step 55 (S55)).

[0046] In step 56 (S56), the work instruction terminal 20, through information processing by the control unit 21 and processing by the input / output unit 23, prints out a delivery note linked to the badge information from the selected badge number, lights up the display LED of the section of the product shelf 80 where the product linked to the badge number is temporarily stored, and clearly indicates to the worker the section to be picked and the quantity to be picked.

[0047] Instead of step 56, the work instruction terminal 20, through information processing by the control unit 21 and processing by the input / output unit 23, may print out a delivery note linked to the badge information from a printer and transmit the selected badge number to the management computer 10, and the management computer 10 may turn on an indication LED for the section of the product shelf 80 where the product linked to the received badge number is temporarily stored, and clearly indicate to the worker the section to be picked and the quantity to be picked.

[0048] The operator picks the quantity of the product displayed in the lit section of the product shelf 80, temporarily places it on, for example, the workbench, picks the next product from the lit section of the display LED and temporarily places it, and completes the picking for one badge. The operator terminal 60 transmits the tag information of the product to the work instruction terminal 20 from the second reader / writer at the timing of picking in step 57 (S57).

[0049] The work instruction terminal 20 collates, by information processing of the control unit 21, the badge information stored in the storage device, the received tag information, and the quantity of the picked product (for example, counts the quantity of the product by counting the number of received tag information) in step 58 (S58).

[0050] When the collation is consistent, the work instruction terminal 20 determines the sorting shelf 50 assigned to the corresponding delivery destination and the input slot from the consistent badge information, and transmits the information related to the corresponding input slot to the sorting shelf 50 by the processing of the communication unit 25, and controls the gate drive unit in the control microcomputer of the sorting shelf 50 to open the opening / closing gate of the corresponding input slot. The operator inputs the product temporarily placed at the input slot where the opening / closing gate is open and the delivery note. For example, step 59 (S59) of controlling the gate drive unit to close the opening / closing gate of the corresponding input slot by stepping on the foot switch with the foot or pressing the switch provided on the shelf with the hand.

[0051] Thereby, the picked product can be input into the input slot assigned to the corresponding delivery destination. In addition to the foot-operated foot switch and the switch provided on the shelf, it may also utilize the fact that the optical path of the light receiving / emitting means is blocked by the foot.

[0052] When the work instruction terminal 20 determines that the badge information stored in the storage device does not match the received tag information or the quantity of the picked products, it notifies the operator that the picked products are not the ones listed on the delivery note or the quantity of the picked products does not match the quantity listed on the delivery note by generating an alarm from the speaker or displaying "NG" on the display. The operator checks the delivery note and repeats steps 56 to 57 until the products picked match the products listed on the delivery note.

[0053] Instead of step 59, when the verification is successful, the work instruction terminal 20 transmits the matched badge information to the management computer 10. The received management computer 10 determines the collection shelf 50 and the input slot corresponding to the destination of delivery from the delivery note information stored in the storage device and the received badge information through the information processing of the control unit 11 and the processing by the communication unit 15 and the processing by the storage unit 12. Through the processing by the communication unit 15, it transmits the information related to the input slot corresponding to the relevant collection shelf 50 to the control microcomputer to control the gate driving unit to open the opening / closing gate of the relevant input slot. The operator puts the products temporarily placed at the input slot where the opening / closing gate is open and the delivery note into it. For example, the gate driving unit may be controlled to close the opening / closing gate of the relevant input slot by stepping on a foot switch with the foot or pressing a switch provided on the shelf with the hand.

[0054] After completing the work for one badge, when the operator selects the next badge number from the multiple badge numbers displayed on the monitor of the work instruction terminal 20, the work instruction terminal 20 transmits the information indicating the completion of the badge for the previously selected badge number and the next selected badge number to the management computer 10. The operator repeats steps 55 to 58 of selecting the next badge number from the multiple badge numbers displayed on the monitor of the work instruction terminal 20. If step 59 is not completed, the next badge number cannot be selected.

[0055] By the above steps, it is possible to process the error-free picking of the products related to one badge and the error-free input of the products into the input slot assigned to the delivery destination, and to support efficient picking and collection operations.

[0056] According to the logistics system of the present invention, it is possible to pick the instructed products without error and to collect the picked products without error by matching them with the delivery note.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 1 ··· Sorting system 10 ··· Management computer 11 ··· Control unit 12 ··· Storage unit 13 ··· Input / output unit 14 ··· Display unit 20 ··· Work instruction terminal 21 ··· Control unit 22 ··· Storage unit 23 ··· Input / output unit 24 ··· Display unit 30 ··· Wireless tag 40 ··· First reader / writer 50 ··· Collection shelf 60 ··· Operator terminal 70 ··· Second reader / writer 80 ··· Product shelf

Claims

1. A system for assisting in the sorting operation of picking and collecting goods for each delivery note, As the sorting operation, a management computer that creates badge information for one day's sorting operation by taking the picking and collecting of goods described in one delivery note as one unit of badge, A work instruction terminal that presents the work for each badge to the worker from the badge information, A wireless tag attached to the goods to be sorted, A first reader / writer that writes tag information as information related to the goods to the wireless tag, A collection shelf that collects goods in units of the badge, A worker terminal having a second reader / writer that reads the tag information from the wireless tag attached to the picked goods, A sorting system characterized by comprising the above.

2. The sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising a goods shelf for temporarily storing the goods to which the wireless tag with the tag information recorded is attached.

3. The collection shelf has a plurality of frontages, and is configured to include one opening / closing gate for one frontage and a driving unit that drives the opening and closing of the opening / closing gate according to an instruction from the work instruction terminal or the management computer. The sorting system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. When the work instruction terminal or the management computer, collates and matches the badge information, the tag information read by the worker terminal, and the number of the read tag information, the driving unit opens the opening / closing gate. The sorting system according to claim 3.

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