Retrofitted box identification system

Abstract

To provide a box identification system that can be retrofitted without conflicting with picking or assortment instruction devices and without requiring changes of a control device, enabling specific coordination with each digitally displayed product storage box and performing duplicate identification.SOLUTION: The retrofitted box identification system includes a digital display system comprising: multiple digital display means, in which quantity indicators 14A1-14A8 and light-off button integrated lamps 13A1-13A8 are paired respectively with each corresponding product container arranged on a shelf, to clearly indicate the number of products and identify a target product container based on a positional relation with an illuminated lamp; a control device for controlling the indication of each digital display; and a barcode reader. The digital display system comprises multiple light detection sensors 16A1-16A8, multiple LED lamps 17A1-17A8, multiple opening / closing doors 18A1-18A8, multiple switch circuits 20A1-20A8, and a power supply circuit 21A supplying power to the multiple switch circuits 20A1-20A8, which work in conjunction with each digital display to perform duplicate identification of product storage boxes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an add-on box identification system that identifies product storage boxes in conjunction with the digital display of a digital display device, for an existing digital display system equipped on a picking instruction device or assortment instruction device installed at a shipping station in a logistics center. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a dual-use system that includes the same components as a picking instruction device or an assortment instruction device installed in a delivery station of a logistics center (see FIG. 6).

[0003] Figure 6(A) shows a picking instruction device. The picking instruction device A has a work station with a shelf 1A on which multiple product storage boxes are arranged across a work aisle, and a conveyor 2A (or a shelf) on which multiple product storage boxes are arranged. Shelf 1A is equipped with extinguisher-incorporated lamps 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, and 3A4, each corresponding to a product storage box, and quantity indicators 4A1, 4A2, 4A3, and 4A4, each paired with an extinguisher-incorporated lamp and displaying the product quantity. A control device (PC) 5A controls each pair of extinguisher-incorporated lamps and quantity indicators to display digital information, and a barcode reader 8A. Figure 6(A) shows part of the digital display means of a conventional device, showing a pair of extinguisher-incorporated lamps 3A1 and 4A1 for a lower product storage box, and a pair of extinguisher-incorporated lamps 3A5 and 4A5 for an upper product storage box. Product storage boxes 6A1, 6A2, 6A3, 6A4, each containing a different product but containing multiple copies of the same product, are arranged on shelf 1A, and multiple empty boxes (sorting boxes for each customer) are prepared on conveyor 1A as product storage boxes 7A1, 7A2, .... When an operator uses barcode reader 8A to input a signal to scan the box ID attached to empty product storage box 7A1 at the picking position on conveyor 2A, control device 5A starts instructing the digital display on shelf 1A.

[0004] Figure 6(B) shows an assortment instruction device. The assortment instruction device B has a work station with a shelf 1B on which multiple product storage boxes are arranged across a work aisle, and a conveyor 2B on which multiple product storage boxes are arranged. Shelf 1B is equipped with: Turn-off button-integrated lamps 3B1, 3B2, 3B3, and 3B4, each corresponding to a product storage box placed thereon; quantity indicators 4B1, 4B2, 4B3, and 4B4, which display the product quantity paired with each turn-off button-integrated lamp; a control device 5B that controls each pair of turn-off button-integrated lamp and quantity indicator to display a digital value; and a barcode reader 8B. Shelf 1B is equipped with empty boxes serving as multiple product storage boxes 6B1, 6B2, 6B3, and 6B4 (sorting boxes for each customer). Conveyor 2B is equipped with product storage boxes 7B1, 7B2, ..., each containing a different product but containing multiple copies of the same product. The control device 5B starts to give instructions to the digital display provided on the shelf 1B when the worker inputs a signal to scan the box ID of the product storage box 7B1 at the most downstream position on the conveyor 2B with the barcode reader 8A.

[0005] The digital display will light up one of the required lamps with built-in extinguishing buttons in a predetermined order, and the quantity indicator paired with this lamp with built-in extinguishing button will display the quantity, thereby indicating which product storage box corresponds to the lit lamp with built-in extinguishing button and the number of products involved in one picking or sourcing operation.

[0006] The control device is configured so that when the worker pushes the built-in off button lamp to turn off the light after one picking or sourcing operation, the next digital display instruction is given. When the series of digital display instructions by the control device is finished, the picking or sorting operation for one product storage box at the collection position on the conveyor is complete. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-341817 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-79626 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The digital display of the picking instruction device shown in Fig. 6(A) and the assorting instruction device shown in Fig. 6(B) equipped with digital displays depends on the worker's ability to recognize the positional relationship between the lamps with built-in turn-off buttons and the product storage boxes. For this reason, in a two-tier configuration as shown in Fig. 6(C), in which shelves 1A1 and 1A2 are provided on two levels, upper and lower, and lamps with built-in turn-off buttons 3A1-3A8 and quantity indicators 4A1-4A8 paired with each lamp with built-in turn-off buttons are provided for each of the product storage boxes 6A1-6A8 arranged on shelves 1A1 and 1A2, respectively, fatigue accumulates during long work hours, causing distraction or a decrease in discrimination ability, which can lead to picking or assorting from the lower level product storage box 6A1 instead of the upper level product storage box 6A5 corresponding to the lamp with built-in turn-off button.

[0009] Therefore, in order to prevent picking or assorting of a product storage box that is different from the product storage box corresponding to the lit built-in light-off button, there is a demand for a means to clearly indicate the positional relationship between the built-in light-off button and the product storage box in a supplementary or redundant manner, separate from the positional relationship that the worker is able to recognize.

[0010] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above points, and relates to an add-on box identification system that can be retrofitted without competing with existing digital display systems that use digital displays installed at shipping stations in logistics centers to indicate the number of products to be picked or sorted and identify the target product storage box based on its position relative to the lighting lamp, and that identifies the box as an instruction aid when the digital display is displayed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A retrofit box identification system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a digital display means, which is composed of a quantity indicator and a lamp with a built-in off button, paired with each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on a shelf, and which indicates the number of products to be picked or sorted and identifies the target product storage box based on the positional relationship with the lighted lamp; and a barcode reader which scans box IDs attached to product storage boxes prepared separately from the plurality of product storage boxes arranged on the shelf; a control device that receives a scan signal from the barcode reader, reads data from a database, and controls the digital display means in a required order; and a box identification system that identifies overlapping product storage boxes in cooperation with the digital display means, a light detection sensor provided near the light-off button built-in lamp, which detects the lighting of the light-off button built-in lamp and outputs a detection signal while the lamp is lit; and a redundant identification means for redundantly identifying the product storage box. The overlapping identification means one or more LED lamps provided corresponding to the light detection sensor and redundantly irradiating light onto the product storage box identified by the light-off button built-in lamp to identify the product storage box; The device is configured to have at least one of a plurality of opening and closing doors that individually open and close the openings through which the upper hand is inserted into the product storage box, and a plurality of opening and closing doors that redundantly identify the corresponding product storage box by opening the openings.

[0012] The retrofit box identification system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, further comprises a switch circuit, which inputs the detection signal of the light detection sensor to the base of a transistor, the power supply is connected to the source of the transistor, and power is supplied to the LED lamp from the drain of the transistor.

[0013] The LED lamps are connected to a power source and have a switch circuit that supplies current from the power source to the corresponding LED lamp while the detection signal from the light detection sensor is being input. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, in addition to the existing digital display systems that use digital displays installed at the shipping stations of logistics centers to indicate the number of products to be picked or sorted and to identify the target product storage box based on its position relative to the lit lamp, it is possible to provide a retrofit box identification system that can be retrofitted and identifies boxes as an instruction aid when the digital display is displayed, without any conflict and without requiring any changes to the control device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the main parts of a post-attached box identification system added to a picking instruction device equipped with a digital display that gives picking instructions corresponding to each product storage box arranged on two shelves, one above the other, in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Fig. 2(A) is a plan view of an add-on box identification system added to a picking instruction device equipped with a digital display for each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on the lower shelf of Fig. 1. Fig. 2(B) is a plan view of an add-on box identification system added to a picking instruction device equipped with a digital display for each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on the upper shelf of Fig. 1. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the main parts of an after-market box identification system added to an assortment instruction device equipped with a digital display that gives assortment instructions corresponding to each product storage box arranged on two shelves, one above the other, in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]Fig. 4(A) is a plan view of an add-on box identification system added to an assortment instruction device equipped with a digital display for each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on the lower shelf of Fig. 3. Fig. 4(B) is a plan view of an add-on box identification system added to an assortment instruction device equipped with a digital display for each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on the upper shelf of Fig. 3. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view of an add-on box identification system without an opening / closing door, which is added to a picking instruction device or an assortment instruction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) is a schematic plan view of a conventional picking instruction device equipped with a digital display on a shelf. Fig. 6(B) is a schematic front view of a conventional assortment instruction device equipped with a digital display on a shelf. Fig. 6(C) is a schematic front view of a conventional picking instruction device or assortment instruction device equipped with digital displays on two shelves, one above the other. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view showing a digital display of a conventional picking instruction device or assortment instruction device having two shelves, one above the other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the add-on box identification system of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment relates to an add-on box identification system in a digital display system adopted in a picking instruction device, and the second embodiment relates to an add-on box identification system in a digital display system adopted in an assortment instruction device. The digital display system itself is the same for the picking instruction device and the assortment instruction device.

[0017] [First embodiment] The retrofit box identification system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that is retrofitted to existing digital display systems used in picking instruction devices installed at shipping stations in logistics centers, does not require changes to the control device, and identifies duplicate boxes as an instruction aid when the digital display is used. In the following explanation, we will first explain a picking instruction device (existing component) that can be equipped with a retrofit box identification system, and then describe the retrofit box identification system that identifies duplicate boxes as an instruction aid when boxes are identified using the digital display on the picking instruction device.

[0018] [Configuration of digital display system for picking instruction device] As shown in Figure 1, the picking instruction device A is composed of a box-shaped frame 11A including two upper and lower shelves 11A1 and 11A2 on which a plurality of product storage boxes 15A1-15A4, 15A5-15A8 are arranged, and as shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), a conveyor 24A on which a plurality of empty product storage boxes 25A1, 25A2, ... are arranged, lamps with built-in turn-off buttons 13A1-13A8 and quantity displays 14A1-14A8 that display the number of items to be picked as a means for giving picking instructions in digital display, a barcode reader 27A that scans the box ID attached to the empty product storage box 25A1 on the conveyor 24A, and a control device (PC) 26A that inputs the scan signal from the barcode reader 27A to read data from a database and control each pair of lamps with built-in turn-off buttons and quantity displays to give digital display instructions in the required order. The box-shaped frame 11A may be either a fixed facility or a facility that is moved by a traveling robot or human power. Also, the conveyor 24A may be replaced by a shelf or a movable table.

[0019] The space between the box-shaped frame 11A and the conveyor 24A is a space where a worker can move around to perform picking work.

[0020] In the box-shaped frame 11A, product storage boxes 15A1-15A4, which are cardboard boxes with four open top lids, are arranged on the lower shelf 11A1, and product storage boxes 15A5-15A8, which are cardboard boxes with four open top lids, are arranged on the upper shelf 11A2. Each product storage box 15A1-15A8 contains a different product, but multiple copies of the same product are to be picked. Furthermore, empty product storage boxes 25A1, 25A2,..., which are cardboard boxes with open top lids, are arranged on the conveyor 24A. The product storage boxes 15A1-15A4 and the product storage boxes are not limited to cardboard boxes and may be plastic boxes or wooden boxes.

[0021] In the middle of the front part of the box-shaped frame 11A, in the area including the front end face of the upper shelf 11A2, there is a display panel section 11A3, and on this display panel section 11A3, lamps 13A1-13A8 with built-in off buttons and quantity indicators 14A1-14A8 each paired with these lamps are arranged corresponding to the eight product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 on the top and bottom.

[0022] Each of the lamps 13A1-13A8 with built-in off button contains one or more light-emitting elements (LEDs) housed in a transparent or translucent case with a transparent or translucent front. A light-off button (unnumbered) that can be pushed from the front is built into a window (recess) recessed into the front of the case. When a turn-on signal is input from the control device 26A, the light-emitting element lights up and remains lit until the turn-off button is pushed. The quantity indicators 14A1-14A8 are, for example, seven-segment, two-digit, high-brightness red LEDs or liquid crystal panels (LCDs), and display a numerical value in response to a numerical signal from the control device 26A corresponding to the number of items picked. In the following description, the lamps with built-in off buttons may also be simply referred to as lamps.

[0023] To explain the layout relationship between the built-in extinguisher button lamps, quantity indicators, and product containers in more detail, for example, built-in extinguisher button lamp 13A1 and quantity indicator 14A1 are arranged side by side, and built-in extinguisher button lamp 13A5 and quantity indicator 14A5 above these lamps and quantity indicators are also arranged side by side. For example, when the lower built-in extinguisher button lamp 13A1 lights up, it indicates a picking operation to remove the displayed quantity of products from the lower product container 15A1 and place them in product container 25A1 on conveyor 24A. When the upper built-in extinguisher button lamp 13A5 lights up, it indicates a picking operation to remove the displayed quantity of products from the upper product container 15A5 and place them in product container 25A1 on conveyor 24A. The layout relationship between the other lamps, quantity indicators, and product containers is similar. Each horizontally arranged pair of built-in extinguisher button lamps and quantity indicators functions as a digital instruction means for picking from the corresponding lower or upper product container.

[0024] The barcode reader 27A is used to read the box ID (barcode) of the empty product storage box 25A1 located at the most downstream position (product storage position) on the conveyor 24A. The control device 26A stores the box IDs, product IDs, and arrangement positions of the box IDs attached to the product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 in a database. The control device 26A inputs a scan signal from the barcode reader 27A, reads data from the database, and controls each pair of extinguisher button-integrated lamps and quantity indicators to display digitally in the required order.

[0025] The control device 26A receives a signal from the barcode reader 27A scanning the box ID of the product storage box 25A1 at the picking position (the forwardmost position of the conveyor) on the conveyor 24A, and reads the picking data stored in the database (storage unit) to sequentially instruct the product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 to display digitally the number of items picked by turning on the corresponding lamps with built-in off buttons and displaying the number of items picked on the quantity display.

[0026] Therefore, the digital display system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a digital display system having a plurality of digital display means, each consisting of a quantity indicator and a lamp with an on / off button that are paired with each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on a shelf, and that indicate the number of products to be picked and identify the target product storage box based on their positional relationship with the on / off lamp, as described in claim 1, and a control device and barcode reader that control each pair of the lamp with an on / off button and the quantity indicator to display (indicate) a digital display.

[0027] [Picking instruction device operation] When an operator scans the box ID of the product container 25A1 located at the most downstream position on the conveyor 24A with the barcode reader 27A, the control device 26A issues a series of digital display instructions corresponding to the product containers 15A1-15A8 arranged on shelves 11A1 and 11A2. The series of digital display instructions illuminates a corresponding light-off button-integrated lamp and displays the quantity on a pair of quantity indicators for the product containers 15A1-15A8 in a predetermined order, for example, in the order of arrangement. This indicates which of the product containers 15A1-15A8 corresponds to the illuminated light-off button-integrated lamp and the number of items to be picked from each product container. The control device 26A may also issue digital display instructions for all product containers 15A1-15A8 at once. In this case, the picking order is determined by the operator's selection.

[0028] When a worker receives a digital display instruction from control device 26A and recognizes which of lamps 13A1-13A8 with built-in off buttons is lit, he or she recognizes the quantity displayed on the paired quantity display, picks the recognized quantity of products from the product storage boxes on the shelf corresponding to the lit lamp, and stores them in the product storage boxes on conveyor 24A. Here, the identification of the product storage boxes on the shelf by the lit lamp is not explicit but relies on the worker's recognition, and if an illusion occurs, the box identification may be inaccurate.

[0029] Then, when the worker pushes the turn-off button of the turn-off button built-in lamp that is lit after picking one product storage box to turn it off, the control device 26A issues an instruction to display the next digital display.

[0030] When the control device 26A completes a series of digital display instructions for the product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 on the shelf, the picking and collection work for one of the product storage boxes 25A1 at the most downstream position on the conveyor 24A is completed, and the product storage box 25A1 is transported to the delivery station by an output conveyor not shown.

[0031] Next, the next product storage box 25A2 on the conveyor 24A is advanced to the most downstream position, and when the worker scans the box ID of the product storage box 25A2 with the barcode reader 27A, the control device 26A issues the above-mentioned series of digital display instructions corresponding to the product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 on the shelf.

[0032] [Configuration of retrofit box identification system] A retrofit box identification system is added to the picking instruction device A. The reason for this addition is as follows: With the picking instruction device A configured as described above, the correspondence between the lamps 13A1-13A8 arranged vertically in the middle row and the product storage boxes on the upper and lower rows depends on the worker's perception. In reality, when a worker works all day, they may mistakenly believe that a light on the upper row indicates a product storage box on the lower row, or conversely, mistakenly believe that a light on the lower row indicates a product storage box on the upper row. Therefore, a retrofit box identification system with the following configuration is added to identify boxes as an instruction aid on each digital display, which does not compete with the picking instruction device and is retrofitted without requiring any changes to the control device.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the retrofit box identification system includes multiple light detection sensors 16A1-16A8, multiple LED lamps 17A1-17A8, multiple opening / closing doors 18A1-18A8, multiple switch circuits 20A1-20A8, and a power supply circuit 21A that supplies power to the multiple switch circuits 20A1-20A8. The multiple LED lamps 17A1-17A8 and the multiple opening / closing doors 18A1-18A8 are redundant identification means that redundantly identify each product storage box displayed digitally on the shelf, and it is sufficient to have at least one of them. The LED lamps 17A1-17A8 preferably emit light in colors such as red, purple, green, and light blue. Instead of the LED lamps 17A1-17A8, a string of LEDs may be provided surrounding each product storage box.

[0034] The multiple light detection sensors 16A1-16A8 are sensors that detect the intensity of light, convert it into an electrical signal, and output it. They are respectively provided near the off-button built-in lamps 13A1-13A8, and can detect the lighting of the corresponding off-button built-in lamp without contact because they detect the intensity of reflected light or transmitted light, and output a detection signal while the lamp is lit (until the off button is pushed).

[0035] The LED lamps 17A1-17A4 correspond to the light detection sensors 16A1-16A4, respectively, and are arranged to illuminate the interiors of the product storage boxes 15A1-15A8 on the shelves, with the door 18A1 opening inward so as not to block the lamp light. The LED lamps 17A5-17A8 correspond to the light detection sensors 16A1-16A8, respectively, and are arranged to illuminate the fronts of the product storage boxes 15A5-15A8 on the shelves widely. When powered and turned on, the LED lamps 17A1-17A8 overlappingly illuminate the corresponding product storage boxes to identify them.

[0036] The positional relationship between the built-in off-button lamp and the product storage boxes will now be described in detail. For example, the built-in off-button lamp 13A1 is configured to widely illuminate the interior of the product storage box 15A1 located below it, but this built-in off-button lamp 13A1 may be located in front of and below the product storage box 15A1, similar to the illumination relationship between the built-in off-button lamp 13A5 located above it, and illuminate the front of the product storage box 15A1. For example, the built-in off-button lamp 13A5 is configured to widely illuminate the front of the product storage box 15A5 located above it, but this built-in off-button lamp 13A5 may be located above the product storage box 15A5, and illuminate the front of the product storage box 15A1, similar to the illumination relationship between the built-in off-button lamp 13A1 located below it. In addition, when the lamp with built-in off button is to widely illuminate the inside of the product storage box located below, it is preferable to configure the shelf so that the front is lower, so that the inside of the product storage box on the shelf can be seen and the illumination of the lamp light can be clearly seen. Alternatively, LED lamps 17A1 to 17A8 may be configured with multiple LED lamps that illuminate the entire circumference of product storage boxes 15A1 to 15A8 to make it easier to see the product storage box to be picked (not shown).

[0037] The multiple opening / closing doors 18A1-18A8 individually open and close the openings through which a hand is inserted to pick product storage boxes 15A1-15A8, and by opening the openings, they simultaneously identify the corresponding product storage boxes. Each opening / closing door can be rotated back and forth by supporting support shafts (not shown) on both ends of the upper part of the door. The swing end of a crank (not shown) attached to one of the support shafts is connected to the piston head of the corresponding cylinder device 19A1-19A8, and the door is opened and closed by the extension and contraction of the piston. The cylinder device may be pneumatic, electromagnetic, or motor-driven, and the cylinder device and crank may be replaced by a motor with a reducer or a motor-direct acting device that uses a pinion and rack mechanism.

[0038] The plurality of switch circuits 20A1-20A8 each include, for example, a flip-flop that maintains an ON state when a turn-on command signal is input from the control device 26A and maintains an OFF state when a signal from the turn-off button of the built-in lamp is input, and a transistor connected to the flip-flop. The transistor receives the signal from the flip-flop at its base terminal, has a source terminal connected to a power source and is connected to supply power to the LED lamps 17A1-17A8, and has a drain terminal connected to an element of the actuator for driving the opening and closing doors 18A1-18A8.

[0039] The power supply circuit 21A is configured to include a power supply line 21A1 connected to supply power to a plurality of switch circuits 20A1-20A8, a plug 21A2 provided at the end of the power supply line 21A1, and an existing or new outlet power supply 21A3 that supplies power when the plug 21A2 is inserted and connected.

[0040] With the retrofit box identification system added to the picking instruction device A configured as described above, for example, when lamp 13A1 with a built-in off button lights up to identify product storage box 15A1 on a shelf based on its up-and-down position, light detection sensor 16A1 detects that lamp 13A1 is on, and switch circuit 20A1 supplies drive current to LED lamp 17A1 and opening door 18A1 based on the input sensor signal, thereby illuminating with light from LED lamp 17A1 and opening door 18A1 to allow a worker to insert their hand, thereby identifying overlapping product storage boxes 15A1 on the shelf. Therefore, when a worker removes the required number of products from product storage box 15A1 on the shelf and stores them in product storage box 25A1 on conveyor 24A, the worker can avoid the mistaken impression that they are placing them in product storage box 15A5 above. Similarly, the LED lamp 17A2 and the door 18A2 can identify overlapping product container 15A2 on the shelf through the cooperation of light detection sensor 16A2, LED lamp 17A2, door 18A2, and switch circuit 20A2 with product container 15A2 on the shelf. The same applies to overlapping product containers 15A3-15A8.

[0041] [Second embodiment] The add-on box identification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to the existing digital display system used in the assortment instruction device without interfering with it, and identifies overlapping boxes as an instruction aid when the digital display is displayed. Note that in the assortment instruction device, the movement of products is reversed from that in the picking instruction device, and the function of the digital display in the assortment instruction device does not change compared to the picking instruction device, nor does the configuration and function of the add-on box identification system added to the assortment instruction device change, so only a brief explanation will be given.

[0042] [Configuration of digital display system for assortment instruction device] As shown in Figure 3, the assortment instruction device B is composed of a box-shaped frame 11B including two upper and lower shelves 11B1 and 11B2 on which a plurality of empty product storage boxes 15B1-15B4, 15B5-15B8 are arranged, a conveyor 24B on which a plurality of product storage boxes 25B1, 25B2, ... are arranged as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), lamps with built-in turn-off buttons 13B1-13B8 and quantity displays 14B1-14B8 that display the number of items to be assorted as a means for giving assortment instructions in digital display, a control device 26B that controls each pair of lamps with built-in turn-off buttons and quantity displays to give digital display instructions, and a barcode reader 27B that scans the box ID attached to the product storage box 25B1 on the conveyor 24B.

[0043] Each of the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8 is provided with an empty cardboard box with its top lid open, and the conveyor 24B is provided with product storage boxes 25B1, 25B2, ..., each containing a different product and multiple copies of the same product to be assorted, in cardboard boxes with their top lids open, which is different from a picking instruction device.

[0044] On the display panel section 11B3 in the middle of the front section of the box-shaped frame 11B, lamps 13B1-13B8 with built-in turn-off buttons and quantity indicators 14B1-14B8 that are paired with these lamps are arranged corresponding to the eight product storage boxes 15B1-15B8 on the top and bottom.

[0045] The light-off button built-in lamps 13B1-13B8 function so that when a light-on command signal is input from the control device 26B, the light-emitting element lights up and remains lit until the light-off button is pushed. The quantity displays 14B1-14B8 display a numerical value according to a numerical command signal corresponding to the assortment number from the control device 26B.

[0046] For example, when the lower built-in off button lamp 13B1 lights up, it indicates that products should be removed from product storage box 25B1 on conveyor 24B and stored in lower product storage box 15B1, and when the upper built-in off button lamp 13B5 lights up, it indicates that products should be removed from product storage box 25B5 on conveyor 24B and stored in upper product storage box 15B5.

[0047] The control device 26B stores the box IDs attached to the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8, the product IDs to be stored, and the arrangement positions of the box IDs. The barcode reader 27B is used to read the box ID (barcode) of the product storage box 25B1 located at the most downstream position (product storage position) on the conveyor 24B.

[0048] The control device 26B receives a signal from the barcode reader 27B scanning the box ID of the product storage box 25B1 at the assortment position (the forwardmost position of the conveyor) on the conveyor 24B, and reads the assortment data stored in the memory unit, and sequentially issues digital display instructions to the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8 by lighting up the corresponding off button built-in lamps and displaying the number of assorted items on the quantity display.

[0049] Therefore, the digital display system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a digital display system having a plurality of digital display means, each consisting of a pair of quantity indicators and lamps with built-in off buttons corresponding to each of a plurality of product storage boxes arranged on a shelf, for indicating the number of products to be sorted and identifying the target product storage box based on its positional relationship with the light-on lamp, as described in claim 1, and a control device and barcode reader that control each pair of the lamps with built-in off buttons and the quantity indicators to instruct them to display digital information.

[0050] [Assortment indicator function] When an operator uses barcode reader 27B to scan the box ID of product container 25B1 at the most downstream position on conveyor 24B, control device 26B issues a series of digitally displayed instructions corresponding to product containers 15B1-15B8 arranged on shelves 11B1 and 11B2. The series of digitally displayed instructions turns on a corresponding light-off button-integrated lamp for product containers 15B1-15B8 in a predetermined order, for example, in the order of arrangement, and causes a pair of quantity indicators to display the quantity. This indicates which of product containers 15B1-15B8 corresponds to the lit light-off button-integrated lamp, and also indicates the number of items to be assorted in each product container.

[0051] When control device 26B issues a digital display instruction and one of lamps 13B1-13B8 with built-in off button lights up, the worker recognizes the quantity displayed on the pair of quantity indicators, removes the recognized quantity of products from product storage box 25B1 on conveyor 24B, and assorts them into product storage boxes on the shelf corresponding to the lit lamp. Here, the identification of product storage boxes on the shelf by the lit lamp is not explicit but relies on the worker's recognition, and if an illusion occurs, the box identification may be inconsistent.

[0052] Then, when the worker pushes the turn-off button of the turn-off button built-in lamp that is lit after assorting one product storage box to turn it off, the control device 26B issues an instruction to display the next digital display.

[0053] When the control device 26B completes a series of digital display instructions for the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8 on the shelf, the sorting and collection work for one of the product storage boxes 25B1 at the most downstream position on the conveyor 26B is completed, and the product storage box 25B1 is transported to the delivery station by an output conveyor not shown.

[0054] Next, the next product storage box 25B2 on the conveyor 26B is advanced to the most downstream position, and when the worker scans the box ID of the product storage box 25B2 with the barcode reader 27B, the control device 26B issues the above-mentioned series of digital display instructions corresponding to the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8 on the shelf.

[0055] [Configuration of retrofit box identification system] A retrofit box identification system is added to the assortment instruction device B. The reason for this addition is as follows: With the assortment instruction device B configured as described above, the correspondence between the lamps 13B1-13B8 arranged vertically in the middle row and the product storage boxes on the upper and lower rows depends on the worker's perception, and in reality, when a worker works all day, they may mistakenly believe that a light on the upper row indicates a product storage box on the lower row, or conversely, mistakenly believe that a light on the lower row indicates a product storage box on the upper row. Therefore, a retrofit box identification system with the following configuration is added so that it does not compete with the assortment instruction device and can identify boxes as an instruction aid when each digital display is displayed.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the retrofit box identification system includes a plurality of light detection sensors 16B1-16B8, a plurality of LED lamps 17B1-17B8, a plurality of opening / closing doors 18B1-18B8, a plurality of switch circuits 20B1-20B8, and a power supply circuit 21B that supplies power to the plurality of switch circuits 20B1-20B8.

[0057] The plurality of light detection sensors 16B1-16B8 can detect the lighting of the corresponding built-in lamps in the off-buttons without contact, and output a detection signal while the lamps are lit.

[0058] When the plurality of LED lamps 17B1-17B8 are powered and turned on, they irradiate the corresponding product storage boxes with light in an overlapping manner to identify them.

[0059] The plurality of opening / closing doors 18B1-18B8 individually open and close the openings through which the hand is inserted for sorting the product storage boxes 15B1-15B8, and by opening the openings, the corresponding product storage boxes are identified in a redundant manner.

[0060] The plurality of switch circuits 20B1-20B8 maintain the ON state when a turn-on instruction signal is input from the control device 26B, and maintain the OFF state when a turn-off button signal of the built-in lamp is input.

[0061] The power supply circuit 21B includes a power supply line 21B1 connected to supply power to a plurality of switch circuits 20B1-20B8, a plug 21B2, and a power outlet 21B3.

[0062] With the add-on box identification system added to the assortment instruction device B configured as described above, for example, when lamp 13B1 with built-in off button lights up to identify product storage box 15B1 on a shelf based on its up-and-down position, light detection sensor 16B1 detects that lamp 13B1 is on, and switch circuit 20B1 supplies drive current to LED lamp 17B1 and opening / closing door 18B1 based on the input sensor signal, thereby illuminating with light from LED lamp 17B1 and opening / closing door 18B1 to allow an operator to insert their hand, thereby identifying overlapping product storage boxes 15B1 on the shelf. Therefore, when an operator removes the required number of products from product storage box 25B1 on conveyor 24B and stores them in product storage box 15B1 on the shelf, the operator can avoid the mistaken impression that they are placing them in product storage box 15B5 above. Similarly, the LED lamp 17B2 and the door 18B2 cooperate with each other to identify overlapping product storage boxes 15B2 on the shelf. The same applies to overlapping product storage boxes 15B3-15B8. Alternatively, LED lamps 17B1-17B8 may be configured with multiple LED lamps that illuminate the entire circumference of product storage boxes 15B1-15B8, making it easier to identify the product storage box to be picked (not shown). [Example]

[0063] FIG. 5 is a front view of an add-on box identification system without an opening / closing door, which is added to a picking instruction device or an assortment instruction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The device is not limited to an LED lamp, and may be, for example, a projector, as long as it can illuminate the target product storage box. Furthermore, the device is not limited to illumination, and may detect with a light detection sensor and emit a sound from a speaker, etc. Furthermore, the device is not limited to identifying the product storage box in conjunction with the digital display on the digital display, and may use an added light detection sensor to detect, for example, the lighting of a pilot lamp, which may be used as a trigger to emit a sound from a speaker, etc., to notify surrounding workers that something unusual has occurred. [Explanation of symbols] A...Picking instruction device, B...Assortment indicator, 1A, 1B...shelf, 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2... shelves 2A, 2B... conveyor, 3A1-3A8...Built-in lamp with off button, 4B1―4B8…Quantity display, 5A, 5B...control device, 6A1-6A8...Product storage box, 7A1,7A2…Product storage box, 7B1, 7B2...product storage box, 8A, 8B...Barcode reader, 11A, 11B...Box frame, 11A1, 11A2, 11B1, 11B2...Shelf, 11A3, 11B3...display panel section, 13A1-13A8, 13B1-13B8...Built-in lamp with off button, 14A1-14A8, 14B1-14B8...Quantity display, 15A1-15A8, 15B1-15B8...product storage boxes, 16A1-16A8, 16B1-16B8...light detection sensors, 17A1-17A8, 17B1-17B8...LED lamps, 18A1-18A8, 18B1-18B8...opening and closing doors, 19A1-19A8, 19B1-19B8... Cylinder device, 20A1-20A8, 20B1-20B8...switch circuit, 21A, 21B...power supply circuit, 21A1, 21B1...Power line, 21A2, 21B2...plugs, 21A3, 21B3...power outlet, 24A, 24B...Conveyor, 25A1, 25A2, 25B1, 25B2...Product storage boxes, 26A, 26B...control device, 27A, 27B...Barcode reader.

Claims

1. a digital display means for indicating the number of products to be picked or sorted and for identifying the target product storage box based on the positional relationship with the light-on lamp, the digital display means being composed of a quantity indicator and a light-off button built-in lamp that are paired in correspondence with each of the multiple product storage boxes arranged on the shelf; and a barcode reader for scanning box IDs attached to product storage boxes prepared separately from the multiple product storage boxes arranged on the shelf; a control device that receives a scan signal from the barcode reader, reads data from a database, and controls the digital display means in a required order; and a box identification system that identifies overlapping product storage boxes in cooperation with the digital display means, a light detection sensor provided near the light-off button built-in lamp, which detects the lighting of the light-off button built-in lamp and outputs a detection signal while the lamp is lit; and a redundant identification means for redundantly identifying the product storage box. The overlapping identification means one or more LED lamps provided corresponding to the light detection sensor and irradiating light redundantly onto the commodity storage box identified by the light-off button built-in lamp when turned on, thereby identifying the commodity storage box; and at least one of a plurality of opening / closing doors that individually open and close openings for inserting a hand on the upper side of the product storage box, and a plurality of opening / closing doors that redundantly identify the corresponding product storage box by opening the openings. A retrofit box identification system for identifying a product storage box.

2. 2. The retrofit box identification system for identifying product storage boxes according to claim 1, further comprising a switch circuit, wherein the switch circuit is configured to input the detection signal of the light detection sensor to the base of a transistor, the power supply is connected to the source of the transistor, and power is supplied to the LED lamp from the drain of the transistor.

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