Commodity management device, commodity management method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a commodity management device comprising an identification information assignment unit, a storage processing unit, and an output unit. The identification information assignment unit assigns, to each of a plurality of commodities present inside a warehouse, commodity identification information for identifying each commodity. The storage processing unit causes a storage means to store link information. The link information is information in which container identification information assigned to a container for transport used in the warehouse and the commodity identification information for a commodity accommodated in said container are linked to each other. The output unit executes an output process. The output process includes at least one of the following: a process for outputting, upon acquiring commodity identification information, the container identification information linked to said commodity identification information; and a process for outputting, upon acquiring container identification information, the commodity identification information corresponding to said container identification information.

Description

Item management device, item management method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to an article management device, an article management method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Management of goods using information processing devices in warehouses installed at logistics centers and the like is being considered. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a management device for accurately identifying luggage to be loaded onto a transport vehicle such as a truck, airplane, or ship. This management device has a loading determination unit and an association unit. The loading determination unit determines that a luggage has been loaded onto a transport device when a luggage ID, which is identification information of the luggage, can be recognized within the loading area of ​​the transport device. The association unit associates the transport device with the luggage ID of the luggage determined by the loading determination unit to be loaded onto the transport device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-77955

[0004] In a warehouse, items are sometimes moved in transport containers. In such cases, it is desirable to be able to efficiently manage the location of items in the warehouse. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 makes it difficult to perform such management.

[0005] The item management device of the present disclosure comprises an identification information assigning means for assigning item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse; a storage processing means for storing link information in a storage means that links together container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse and the item identification information of the items contained in the containers; and an output means for executing output processing including at least one of a process for outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process for outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

[0006] The item management method disclosed herein includes a computer: assigning item identification information to each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse to identify the item; storing link information linking container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the items contained in the containers in a storage means; and performing an output process including at least one of a process of outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process of outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

[0007] The recording medium of the present disclosure records a program that causes a computer to have: an identification information assigning means that assigns item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse; a storage processing means that stores link information that links container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse to the item identification information of the items contained in the containers; and an output means that executes output processing including at least one of a process of outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process of outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the location of items in a warehouse can be efficiently managed.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of an item management device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an item management device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an item management device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by an item management device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process performed by an item management device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display by a communication device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of an item management device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an item management device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage unit.

[0010] Hereinafter, in this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. In addition, in all drawings, similar components are given similar reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the item management device 10 is used with a plurality of containers 40. The containers 40 are arranged in a warehouse and are used to transport items 60 within the warehouse. An example of a container 40 is a cart, but is not limited to this. The containers 40 may be moved manually or may be self-propelled. An example of an item 60 is luggage. In this case, a warehouse is installed at each of a plurality of logistics bases. However, the item 60 may be something other than luggage.

[0012] In a warehouse, the items 60 are transported to a predetermined position by a transport path 50. An example of the transport path 50 is a transport conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a chain conveyor. The items 60 are then stored in a container 40 at this position. As an example, the items 60 are stored in different containers 40 depending on their destination. Here, storing includes loading the items 60 into the containers 40. The items 60 may be stored in the containers 40 by an item moving device 30, such as a robot having an arm and an imaging device, or by a worker.

[0013] Furthermore, the items 60 stored in the container 40 may be removed from the container 40 by the item moving device 30 or by a worker.

[0014] The article moving device 30 can identify the articles 60 stored in the container 40 and can also identify the articles 60 removed from the container 40, for example, by processing an image generated by an imaging device included in the article moving device 30. The article moving device 30 may also identify these articles 60 using other methods.

[0015] The item management device 10 assigns item identification information for identifying each of the multiple items 60, and manages information linking the containers 40 with the items 60 contained in the containers 40. The item management device 10 may output necessary information to the communication device 20, or may output control information to the item moving device 30 for loading and unloading the items 60.

[0016] The communication device 20 is used by, for example, a worker in a warehouse. The communication device 20 may be a portable communication device such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, or may be a fixed communication device. The communication device 20 preferably has a display as an output device.

[0017] 2, the item management device 10 includes an identification information assigning unit 110, a storage processing unit 120, and an output unit 130, and can utilize a storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 may be a part of the item management device 10, or may be located outside the item management device 10.

[0018] The identification information assigning unit 110 assigns item identification information for identifying each of the multiple items 60 present in the warehouse. For example, when the identification information assigning unit 110 detects that the conveying path 50 has transported the item 60 to a predetermined position, i.e., when it detects that the item 60 to be stored in the container 40 has arrived at the predetermined position, the identification information assigning unit 110 assigns item identification information to the item 60. This item identification information is, for example, identification information used only within the warehouse, and is often not transmitted to devices unrelated to the warehouse. This item identification information is newly issued by the identification information assigning unit 110, for example, every time the item 60 arrives at the predetermined position.

[0019] The arrival of the article 60 at the predetermined position is detected, for example, by a sensor installed on the conveying path 50. This sensor may be installed at the predetermined position described above, or may be installed on the conveying path 50 before the predetermined position.

[0020] The storage processing unit 120 stores the link information in the storage unit 140. The link information is information that links the container identification information assigned to the transport container 40 used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the item 60 contained in this container 40.

[0021] The output unit 130 executes output processing. A first example of the output processing is processing in which, when item identification information is acquired, container identification information linked to this item identification information is output. This example is performed, for example, when an item 60 contained in a container 40 is unloaded from the container 40. A second example of the output processing is processing in which, when container identification information is acquired, item identification information corresponding to this container identification information is output. This example is performed, for example, when checking the item 60 contained in the container 40. The output processing may include these two.

[0022] As described above, the storage unit 140 stores link information. The link information is, for example, a combination of container identification information and item identification information, as shown in FIG. 3. However, the link information is not limited to this. For example, the link information may be information in which item identification information is stored for each container identification information. Furthermore, the link information may further include the date and time when the link information was generated.

[0023] The article management device 10 has, as a hardware configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0024] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0025] The processor 1020 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

[0026] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0027] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, or a read-only memory (ROM), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the item management device 10 (e.g., the identification information assignment unit 110, the memory processing unit 120, and the output unit 130). The processor 1020 loads and executes each of these program modules into the memory 1030, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module. The storage device 1040 may also function as the memory unit 140.

[0028] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the item management device 10 to various input / output devices.

[0029] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the item management device 10 to a network. This network may be, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network wirelessly or via a wired connection. The item management device 10 may communicate with the communication device 20 and the item moving device 30 via the network interface 1060.

[0030] The article management device 10 may be realized by a plurality of devices each having the configuration shown in FIG.

[0031] When an item 60 is stored in a container 40, the item management device 10 operates, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. First, when it is detected that the item 60 has arrived at a predetermined location (step S10), the identification information assigning unit 110 issues item identification information. The issued item identification information is treated as information assigned to the currently detected item 60 (step S20).

[0032] Next, the storage processing unit 120 identifies the container identification information of the container 40 that contains the item 60 (step S30). Next, the storage processing unit 120 generates link information that links the item identification information assigned in step S20 with the container identification information identified in step S30, and stores this link information in the storage unit 140 (step S40).

[0033] For example, when a worker carries an item 60 to a container 40, the worker inputs the container identification information of the container 40 into, for example, the communication device 20. This input may be performed, for example, by having the communication device 20 read a code attached to the container 40. This code indicates the container identification information. The communication device 20 then transmits the container identification information corresponding to this code to the item management device 10. The storage processing unit 120 then generates link information to link this container identification information to the container identification information issued in step S20.

[0034] Furthermore, when the item moving device 30 carries the item 60 to the container 40, the item moving device 30 identifies the container identification information of the container 40, for example, by having the communication device 20 read a code attached to the container 40. The item moving device 30 then transmits this container identification information to the item management device 10. The storage processing unit 120 then generates link information to link this container identification information to the container identification information issued in step S20.

[0035] When the items 60 are unloaded from the container 40, the item management device 10 operates, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0036] First, the output unit 130 of the item management device 10 acquires the item identification information of the item 60 to be unloaded (step S112). For example, the output unit 130 generates a list of item identification information using the storage unit 140 and outputs this list to the communication device 20. The user of the communication device 20 then selects the target item identification information from this list. The communication device 20 transmits the selected item identification information to the output unit 130.

[0037] Next, the output unit 130 reads out container identification information corresponding to the acquired item identification information from the storage unit 140 (step S114), and outputs the read-out container identification information to an output device recognizable by the worker, for example, the communication device 20 (step S116). That is, the output unit 130 performs output processing on, for example, the communication device 20. The communication device 20 outputs the container identification information acquired from the output unit 130 to an output device, for example, a display. By recognizing this output, the worker can identify the container 40 that contains the item 60 to be unloaded.

[0038] The process shown in FIG. 6 may be performed when an operator checks the container 40 in which the item 60 is stored.

[0039] Furthermore, in step S116, the container identification information may be output to the item moving device 30. In this case, the item moving device 30 uses the container identification information acquired from the output unit 130 to identify the container 40 in which the item 60 is stored, and unloads the item 60 from the identified container 40. In this way, the item moving device 30 can identify the container 40 in which the item 60 to be unloaded is stored.

[0040] When an operator checks the items 60 contained in the container 40, the item management device 10 operates, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0041] First, the output unit 130 of the item management device 10 acquires the container identification information of the container 40 to be checked (step S122). For example, a worker inputs the container identification information of the container 40 into the communication device 20. This input may be performed, for example, by having the communication device 20 read a code attached to the container 40. The communication device 20 then transmits the container identification information corresponding to this code to the item management device 10.

[0042] Next, the output unit 130 reads out from the storage unit 140 the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information acquired in step S122 (step S124), and outputs the read item identification information to an output device recognizable by the worker, such as the communication device 20 (step S126). If multiple items 60 are stored in the container 40, the output unit 130 outputs the item identification information for each of these multiple items 60 to the communication device 20. The communication device 20 outputs the item identification information acquired from the output unit 130 to an output device such as a display. By recognizing this output, the worker can identify the items 60 stored in the container 40.

[0043] In this way, the identification information assignment unit 110 of the item management device 10 assigns item identification information to the item 60. Then, the storage processing unit 120 stores link information in the storage unit 140. The link information is information that links the item identification information to the container identification information of the container 40 in which the item 60 is stored. Therefore, when the output unit 130 acquires item identification information, it can output container identification information linked to the item identification information. Furthermore, when the output unit 130 acquires container identification information, it can output item identification information corresponding to the container identification information. Therefore, by using the item management device 10, the location of items in a warehouse can be efficiently managed.

[0044] 8, the link information may further link the container identification information with location information indicating the location of the item 60 within the container 40. The location information may be coordinates, or may indicate the location of the item 60 in the form of a row from the bottom and a number from the right. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the link information includes item identification information, container identification information, and location information, but the relationship between the link information and location information is not limited to this.

[0045] The output unit 130 of the item management device 10 then outputs the location information linked to the item identification information, allowing the worker or the item moving device 30 to recognize the location of the target item 60 within the container 40.

[0046] When the output unit 130 performs an output process on the communication device 20, the communication device 20 displays, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 9 on the display. This screen includes a first image showing an area of ​​the container 40 that can accommodate the item 60, and a second image showing the multiple items 60 accommodated in this area. The second image of each of the multiple items 60 is displayed at a position in the first image that corresponds to the position of the item 60 in real space. The second image of the target item 60a, for example, the item 60a to be unloaded, is displayed in a different display mode from the other items 60. Examples of display modes include at least one of the following: presence or absence of hatching, whether the outline is a solid line or a dotted line, and color. This allows the worker to easily grasp the location of the target item 60a.

[0047] Note that, when the shape and size of each of the multiple items 60 are known, the second image showing the multiple items 60 may have a shape and size that match the shape and size of the items 60. In this case, the ratio of the size of the second image to the size of the first image is, for example, 90% or more and 110% or less of the ratio of the size of the items 60 in real space to the size of the area in the container 40 that can accommodate the items 60. Note that the shape and size of each of the multiple items 60 are generated, for example, by the image processing unit 150, which will be described later.

[0048] 9, images showing items 60 other than the target item 60 do not need to be displayed. Even in this way, the worker can easily grasp the position of the target item 60.

[0049] The output unit 130 may apply at least one of AR (Augmented Reality) and MR (Mixed Reality) when displaying a screen on the display. For example, if the communication device 20 is a wearable device for augmented reality, such as glasses, the output unit 130 may generate display data for AR or display data for MR and transmit it to the communication device 20. When this display data is used, information about the item 60, such as a mark indicating the target item 60a, is displayed on the display at a position on the screen corresponding to the item 60.

[0050] The position information is generated, for example, by a sensor 70 shown in FIG. 10 . The sensor 70 generates data necessary to detect the position of the item 60. The sensor 70 is, for example, an imaging device. In this case, the sensor 70 is capable of capturing an image of at least the area of ​​the container 40 where the item 60 is stored. The sensor 70 may be a LiDAR. The sensor 70 may be attached to a wall or ceiling of the warehouse, or may be attached to the container 40. In the latter case, the sensor 70 is attached to each of the multiple containers 40.

[0051] When the sensor 70 is an imaging device, the item management device 10 has an image processing unit 150, as shown in Fig. 11 . The image processing unit 150 processes the image generated by the sensor 70, i.e., the image of the item 60, to identify the container 40 in which the item 60 is stored and to generate position information for the item 60. For example, the sensor 70 generates multiple frame images at a predetermined frame rate. The image processing unit 150 then processes these multiple frame images to track the item 60, identify the container 40 in which the item 60 is stored, and determine the position of the item 60 within the container 40.

[0052] After an item 60 is loaded into the container 40, the position of the item 60 within the container 40 may change. For example, if an item 60 located below the item 60 is removed from the container 40, the position of the item 60 is likely to change. In such a case, the image processing unit 150 performs the position information calculation process again. Then, the memory processing unit 120 updates the position information stored in the memory unit 140.

[0053] The image processing unit 150 may be located outside the article management device 10. The image processing unit 150 may process images in real time or in a batch format.

[0054] When the sensor 70 is an imaging device, the storage processing unit 120 may link the appearance information of the item 60 to the item identification information of the item 60 in the link information, as shown in FIG. 12 . For example, the storage processing unit 120 may include appearance information indicating the appearance of the item 60 in the link information. The appearance information may be an image of the item 60, or may be a feature amount of the appearance of the item 60. In either case, the appearance information is generated by, for example, the image processing unit 150.

[0055] In this way, the output unit 130 can output the appearance information of the item 60 to the communication device 20 and the item moving device 30. In this case, the worker and the item moving device 30 can identify the item 60 using the appearance information.

[0056] The appearance information may be generated each time an event occurs to the item 60 and stored in the storage unit 140. An example of an event is the occurrence of movement of the item 60, such as the item 60 being placed in the container 40 or the item 60 being removed from the container 40. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the appearance of the item 60 has changed in response to an event, for example, whether or not the packaging has been damaged and the timing of such damage.

[0057] 13, when the storage processing unit 120 acquires information indicating that the item 60 has been removed from the container 40, the storage processing unit 120 may add information indicating this to the link information stored in the storage unit 140. In this way, the item management device 10 can accurately manage the location of the item 60.

[0058] The removal of the item 60 from the container 40 can be detected by using, for example, the sensor 70. For example, if the sensor 70 is an imaging device, the image processing unit 150 detects that the item 60 has been removed from the container 40 by processing a plurality of frame images generated by the sensor 70.

[0059] In addition, information indicating that an item 60 has been removed from the container 40 may be transmitted to the item management device 10 by an operator via the communication device 20, or may be transmitted to the item management device 10 by the item moving device 30.

[0060] 14, the storage processing unit 120 may link weight information indicating the weight of the item 60 to the item identification information and store the weight information in the storage unit 140. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the storage processing unit 120 includes the weight information in the link information. The weight information is generated by a weight sensor provided on the conveying path 50 or a weight sensor provided on the item moving device 30.

[0061] 15, the item management device 10 may be configured to acquire information stored in a second storage unit 160. The second storage unit 160 may be, for example, a central device of a logistics company, and stores common identification information, shipper information, destination information, and package attribute information in association with one another. The common identification information is information commonly used by multiple warehouses, for example, multiple logistics bases, and is different from the item identification information assigned by the identification information assigning unit 110 of the item management device 10.

[0062] The common identification information is printed, for example, as code information, on a label attached to the item 60. This common identification information is read, for example, by a reading device installed on the transport path 50, and transmitted to the item management device 10. The output unit 130 of the item management device 10 reads information linked to this common identification information from the second storage unit 160, and outputs it to, for example, the communication device 20. The communication device 20 displays this information on a display so that a worker can recognize it.

[0063] 16, the storage processing unit 120 of the item management device 10 may store the common identification information linked to the item identification information in the storage unit 140. In the example shown in this figure, the storage processing unit 120 stores the common identification information as part of the link information in the storage unit 140. Linking the common identification information to the item identification information allows, for example, a worker to later identify the package indicated by the item identification information.

[0064] The item management device 10 may use the common identification information instead of the item identification information. In this case, the item management device 10 does not need to include the identification information assigning unit 110.

[0065] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0066] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show a sequence of steps (processes), the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the sequence shown in the flowcharts. In each embodiment, the order of steps shown in the diagrams can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0067] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. An item management device comprising: an identification information assigning means for assigning item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse; a storage processing means for storing link information linking container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the items contained in the containers; and an output means for executing output processing including at least one of a process for outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process for outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired. 2. The item management device described in above 1, wherein the link information further links the container identification information to position information indicating the position of the item in the container, and the output means outputs the position information linked to the item identification information. 3. The item management device described in above 2, wherein the item management device comprises image processing means for generating the position information by processing an image of the container. 4. 5. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 above, wherein the link information further links appearance information of the item to the item identification information of the item. 5. An item management device according to any one of claims 4 above, wherein the appearance information is linked to the item identification information each time an event occurs for the item. 6. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 above, wherein the storage processing means, when acquiring information indicating that the item has been removed from the container, adds information indicating this to the link information stored in the storage means. 7. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 above, wherein the output means, when acquiring the item identification information of the item to be unloaded, acquires the container identification information linked to the item identification information, and outputs the container identification information to an item moving device that unloads the item from the container.8. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 above, wherein the output processing is performed on an output device recognizable by workers working in the warehouse. 9. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 above, wherein the storage processing means acquires common identification information used in common by a plurality of the warehouses and identifying the plurality of items, and links the common identification information to the item identification information and stores it in the storage means. 10. An item management method in which a computer assigns item identification information for identifying a plurality of items present in the warehouse to each of the plurality of items, stores link information in the storage means that links container identification information assigned to a transport container used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the item contained in the container, and executes output processing including at least one of a process of outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process of outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired. 11. 12. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to have: identification information assigning means for assigning item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse, storage processing means for storing in storage means link information linking container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the items contained in the containers, and output means for executing output processing including at least one of a process of outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process of outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

[0068] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 9 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 above may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 10, 11, and 12 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 9. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 10, 11, and 12, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Item management device 20 Communication device 30 Item moving device 40 Container 50 Conveying path 60 Item 70 Sensor 110 Identification information assigning unit 120 Storage processing unit 130 Output unit 140 Storage unit 150 Image processing unit 160 Second storage unit

Claims

1. An item management device comprising: an identification information assigning means for assigning item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse; a storage processing means for storing link information linking container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse with the item identification information of the items contained in the containers; and an output means for executing output processing including at least one of a process for outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process for outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

2. In the item management device described in claim 1, the link information further links the container identification information to location information indicating the location of the item within the container, and the output means outputs the location information linked to the item identification information.

3. An article management device according to claim 2, further comprising image processing means for generating the position information by processing an image of the container.

4. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link information further links the appearance information of the item to the item identification information of the item.

5. An item management device according to claim 4, wherein the appearance information is linked to the item identification information each time an event occurs to the item.

6. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the storage processing means acquires information indicating that the item has been removed from the container, the storage processing means adds information indicating this to the link information stored in the storage means.

7. An item management device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output means, upon acquiring the item identification information of the item to be unloaded, acquires the container identification information linked to the item identification information, and outputs the container identification information to an item moving device that unloads the item from the container.

8. An article management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output processing is performed on an output device that can be recognized by a worker working in the warehouse.

9. An item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage processing means is used in common by a plurality of the warehouses, acquires common identification information that identifies a plurality of the items, and stores the common identification information in the storage means in association with the item identification information.

10. A method for managing goods in which a computer assigns goods identification information to each of a plurality of goods present in a warehouse to identify the goods, stores in a storage means link information linking container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse with the goods identification information of the goods contained in the containers, and executes output processing including at least one of a process of outputting the container identification information linked to the goods identification information when the goods identification information is acquired, and a process of outputting the goods identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

11. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to have: an identification information assigning means for assigning item identification information for identifying each of a plurality of items present in a warehouse; a storage processing means for storing in a storage means link information linking together container identification information assigned to transport containers used in the warehouse and the item identification information of the items contained in the containers; and an output means for executing output processing including at least one of a process for outputting the container identification information linked to the item identification information when the item identification information is acquired, and a process for outputting the item identification information corresponding to the container identification information when the container identification information is acquired.

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