JP4893568B2 - Wireless indicator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless display that is provided corresponding to the accommodation position of each article and performs display related to the article.

In a warehouse such as a distribution center, an operation for sorting a wide variety of articles to be delivered is performed for each delivery destination. The articles are displayed on the shelves, and the shelves are provided with a wireless display capable of wireless communication in association with each article. When picking instruction data for instructing the quantity for picking up an article is transmitted from the management apparatus to the corresponding wireless display, the quantity is displayed on the display unit of the wireless display. The worker performs a picking operation, which is an article sorting operation, according to the quantity displayed on the display unit.
Here, in the case where the wireless display is driven by a battery, after driving for a predetermined time, it is necessary to remove the wireless display from the shelf and charge it once, and return it to the original place after charging. Therefore, in order not to know where to return the wireless display after charging, an address indicating the location of the shelf to be installed in each wireless display is set, for example, a sheet on which the address is printed on the side of the wireless display And a method of storing an address in a wireless display and displaying its own address on a display unit of the wireless display when a predetermined operation is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-277425

However, the method of pasting paper has a problem that the paper is peeled off due to secular change or the printing of the paper becomes difficult to see, and the address to which the wireless display is to be returned cannot be known.
In addition, in the method described in Patent Document 1, an unfamiliar worker cannot understand the operation and cannot work efficiently, and a general distribution center or the like has a large number of wireless indicators corresponding to various items. Therefore, there is a problem that an operation of displaying an address on each wireless display device after charging is a complicated operation and cannot be efficiently performed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a place where the wireless display unit should be returned without extra operation when the wireless display unit is removed from the shelf installation place and charged. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless display that can be grasped.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one embodiment of the present invention is arranged corresponding to a position where an article is accommodated, driven by a rechargeable battery, and transmitted from a management device. And a storage unit for storing an address indicating a position at which the wireless display unit is disposed, the display unit displaying a quantity to be taken out from or stored in the position based on the instruction data. Control means for reading out the address from the storage means and displaying the address on the display unit based on a signal relating to charging when the wireless display device is removed from the position and the battery is charged by the charger. It is a wireless indicator.

  According to the present invention, the wireless display device displays its own address based on the charging signal when charging the wireless display device. As a result, it is possible to provide a wireless display capable of grasping the place where the wireless display is to be returned without extra operation when the wireless display is removed from the shelf installation location and charged.

  In the wireless display device according to the present invention, the wireless display device further includes determination means for determining whether or not charging of the battery is completed, and the control means displays the address when it is determined that charging is completed. It displays on the said display part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this invention, the wireless display displays the address on the display unit when the charging is completed. Thereby, it is possible to grasp that the charging is completed together with the display of the address.

  Further, the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the wireless display device is disconnected from the charger, and the control unit displays the address when the determination is made that the display unit is disconnected. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to this invention, when the wireless display device is detached from the charger, the wireless display device displays the address on the display unit. Thus, the address can be displayed at an appropriate timing when the worker attempts to return the wireless display device to the shelf.

  In the wireless display device according to the present invention, the management device transmits a command for hiding an address displayed on the wireless display device, and is transmitted from the management device to the wireless display device. Receiving means for receiving a command for hiding an address is provided, and the address displayed on the display unit is hidden based on the command received by the receiving means.

  According to this invention, the wireless display device hides the address displayed on the display unit based on the non-display command from the management device. As a result, when a wireless display that has been charged is returned to its original position, even if there are multiple wireless displays, the corresponding addresses can be hidden simultaneously by operating the management device. Can do.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when removing a wireless display from the installation place of a shelf and charging, the wireless display which can grasp | ascertain the place which should return a wireless display, without extra operation can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a distribution center system using a wireless display according to an embodiment of the present invention. The distribution center system includes a plurality of wireless display devices 10, a management device 20, and a wireless communication device 30. The distribution center system performs an operation of sorting a variety of articles to be loaded into each delivery destination. Etc. are provided. In the distribution center, articles are displayed on a shelf, and a wireless display 10 capable of wireless communication is provided on the shelf in association with each article.

  The wireless display 10 receives picking instruction data for instructing the quantity for picking up articles from the management device 20 and displays the quantity for picking up articles on the display unit based on the picking instruction data. The worker performs a picking operation, which is an article sorting operation, according to the quantity displayed on the display unit. In addition, the wireless display 10 is instructed by picking instruction data when the worker picks up the quantity of articles displayed and receives the pressing operation of the completion button (described later) by the worker when the picking work is completed. The obtained quantity is transmitted to the management apparatus 20 as the actual quantity.

  The management device 20 designates the wireless display 10 and transmits picking instruction data to each wireless display 10. In addition, the management device 20 recognizes that the picking operation has been completed by receiving the actual quantity from the wireless display 10 and transmits the next picking instruction data to the display unit 10. The management device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 communicate with each other through a wired LAN or the like, and the wireless communication device 30 and each wireless display device 10 are, for example, a radio wave communication method using a frequency of 2.4 GHz band or an infrared communication method. Communicate using.

  Thus, the picking work is performed by displaying the quantity of picking up the article on the display unit based on the picking instruction data received from the management device 20 by the wireless display 10 and picking up the article according to the quantity displayed by the worker. Done.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the wireless display device 10.
The display unit 13 displays the number of articles picked based on the picking instruction data received from the management device 20. The display unit 13 displays numbers in four digits using, for example, a screen using segments composed of seven light emitting diodes or a liquid crystal screen.
The antenna state display unit 61 displays the radio wave state of the antenna. For example, the radio wave state of the antenna is notified to the worker by changing the number of light emission of the light emitter provided in the antenna state display unit 61 according to the radio wave state of the antenna.
The battery status display unit 62 displays the remaining battery level. For example, by changing the light emission number of the illuminator provided in the battery state display unit 62 according to the remaining amount, the battery remaining amount is notified to the worker, and when the worker has a small amount of light emission or no light emission, The wireless display 10 is removed and charged with a charger.

The out-of-stock button 63 is a button operated by an operator when the quantity of articles stored on the shelf is less than the designated quantity. When the shortage button 63 is pressed, the wireless display 10 notifies the management device 20 that a shortage has occurred.
The completion button portion 64 is a button operated by the worker when the picking operation is completed according to the quantity displayed on the display portion 13. When the completion button unit 64 is pressed by the worker, the wireless display 10 transmits the quantity instructed by the picking instruction data to the management apparatus 20 as the actual quantity, and the next picking instruction data is transmitted from the management apparatus 20. Wait until The completion button unit 64 includes a light emitting diode therein, and repeats blinking when receiving picking instruction data from the management device 20, and lights up during charging to notify the worker of the state of the wireless display 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the wireless display device 10. The wireless display 10 includes a charging circuit 11, a control unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, a wireless module 15, a battery 16, a power supply circuit 17, a reset circuit 18, and a completion button unit 64. , Including.

  When the charging circuit 11 is connected to the charger 40, the charging circuit 11 charges the battery 16 and outputs a signal indicating a charging state to the reset circuit 18 and the completion button unit 64. Specifically, the charging circuit 11 measures the current value of a predetermined resistor R1 included in the charging circuit 11 while being connected to the charger 40, and when the current value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Outputs a signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress to the reset circuit 18 and the completion button unit 64. The signal indicating that charging is in progress continues to be output until the charging circuit 11 determines that charging of the battery 16 has been completed. When the current value of the resistor R1 becomes less than a predetermined value, the charging circuit 11 determines that the charging of the battery 16 is completed, and instead of charging the signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress, A signal (CHARGE) indicating completion is output to the reset circuit 18.

  The completion button unit 64 is configured to be supplied with power necessary for light emission of the light emitting diode provided therein from the charging circuit 11, and is turned on when a signal (IN CHG) indicating charging is input from the charging circuit 11, When the signal indicating that charging is in progress (IN CHG) is stopped, the light is turned off. For this reason, the completion button 64 is turned on during charging, and the completion button 64 is turned off when charging is completed. For this reason, the worker can determine that the charging is completed by seeing that the completion button 64 is turned off.

  The reset circuit 18 outputs a reset signal to the controller 12 when a signal indicating charging (IN CHG) or a signal indicating charging completion (CHARGE) is input from the charging circuit 11. That is, the reset circuit 18 is an OR circuit of a signal indicating charging (IN CHG) and a signal indicating charging completion (CHARGE), and when either signal is input, the reset signal is transmitted to the control unit 12. It is configured to output to.

The control unit 12 controls the overall processing operation of the wireless display 10. When the reset signal is input, the main program is reset. The reset state is a state where the main program is stopped. When the reset signal is no longer input, the control unit 12 starts the main program by releasing the reset state, initializes the registers and the like, and then installs the wireless display 10 stored in the storage unit 14. The display unit 13 is controlled to display an address indicating the shelf location.
As described above, in the first embodiment, when the charging is completed, the completion button unit 64 is turned off so that the worker can visually recognize that the charging is completed. When the wireless display 10 is attached to the shelf, that is, when the wireless display 10 is detached from the charger 40, the address of the wireless display 10 is displayed on the display unit 13.

  The storage unit 14 holds the address indicating the location of the shelf on which the wireless display 10 is installed. The battery 16 is recharged via the charging circuit 11. The power supply circuit 17 supplies power from the battery to each unit in the wireless display 10. The wireless module 15 communicates with the management device 20 via the wireless communication device 30.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow when charging the wireless display 10 according to the first embodiment. The charging circuit 11 determines whether or not the wireless indicator 10 has been inserted into the charger 40 (step S1). When the operator inserts the wireless indicator 10 into the charger 40, the reset circuit 18 and the completion button unit 64 are entered. A signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress is output. In response to the input of a signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress, the completion button 64 is turned on (step S2). Further, upon receiving a signal indicating that charging is in progress (IN CHG), the reset circuit 18 outputs a reset signal to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 receives the reset signal and sets the main program to the reset state (step S3).

  The charging circuit 11 determines whether or not the charging is completed (step S4). When the charging is completed, a signal (CHARGE) indicating the completion of charging is sent to the reset circuit 18 instead of the signal indicating the charging (IN CHG). Output. Since the reset circuit 18 is an OR circuit, the reset signal is continuously output to the control unit 12 even when a signal (CHARGE) indicating completion of charging is input instead of the signal (IN CHG) indicating charging. On the other hand, the completion button unit 64 is turned off because there is no input of the signal indicating charging (IN CHG) (step S5). Since the completion button 64 is turned off, the worker knows that the charging is complete, and removes the wireless display 10 from the charger 40.

  The charging circuit 11 determines whether or not the charger 40 is disconnected (step S6). When the operator removes the wireless display 10 from the charger 40, the power supply from the outside is cut off. Therefore, neither the signal indicating charging (IN CHG) nor the signal indicating charging completion (CHARGE) is output. The reset circuit 18 stops outputting the reset signal because neither the signal indicating charging (IN CHG) nor the signal indicating charging completion (CHARGE) is input. When the reset signal is no longer input, the control unit 12 starts the main program by releasing the reset state, initializes the registers and the like, and then displays the address stored in the storage unit 14 on the display unit 13. Control (step S7). Thereby, when the worker removes the wireless display 10 which is the timing to return the wireless display 10 to the original shelf position from the charger 40, the worker can use the wireless display 10 without any special operation for displaying the address. Know where to return.

  After the wireless display device 10 is returned to the shelf by the worker, the worker operates the management device 20 to identify the wireless display device 10 of the corresponding address, and the management device 20 does not display the address for the address. A non-display command which is a command to be transmitted to the wireless display 10 can be transmitted. If a plurality of addresses are specified, a non-display command is transmitted to the plurality of addresses at a time. The wireless display device 10 determines whether or not a non-display command has been received (step S8). When the non-display command is received, the wireless display 10 hides its own address displayed on the display unit 13 (step S9).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the wireless display device 10 is disconnected from the charger 40, the control unit 12 receives the signal output from the charging circuit 11 to the reset circuit 18 and the control unit 12 The reset state is canceled, and the display unit 13 displays its own address. Therefore, the worker can know the address without a special operation for displaying the address.

  Next, a wireless display 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the charging circuit 11 does not output a signal (CHARGE) indicating completion of charging in order to display an address when charging of the wireless display 10 is completed. In other words, only a signal (IN CHG) indicating charging is output.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow when charging the wireless display 10 according to the second embodiment. The charging circuit 11 determines whether or not the wireless indicator 10 has been inserted into the charger 40 (step S11). When the operator inserts the wireless indicator 10 into the charger 40, the reset circuit 18 and the completion button unit 64 are entered. A signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress is output. In response to the input of the signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress, the completion button 64 is turned on (step S12). Further, upon receiving a signal indicating that charging is in progress (IN CHG), the reset circuit 18 outputs a reset signal to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 receives the reset signal and sets the main program to a reset state (step S13).

  The charging circuit 11 determines whether or not the charging is completed (step S14). When the charging is completed, the charging circuit 11 stops inputting the signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is being performed to the reset circuit 18 and the completion button unit 64. The completion button unit 64 is turned off because there is no signal (IN CHG) indicating that charging is in progress (step S15). The reset circuit 18 stops outputting the reset signal when the signal indicating that charging is in progress (IN CHG) is not input. When the reset signal is no longer input, the control unit 12 starts the main program by releasing the reset state, initializes the registers and the like, and then displays the address stored in the storage unit 14 on the display unit 13. Control (step S16). Thereby, when the charging of the wireless display 10 is completed, the worker can grasp the place to return the wireless display 10 without a special operation for displaying the address. Further, since the address is displayed when the charging is completed, the address display can also indicate that the charging is completed, and not only the completion button unit 64 is turned off, but also prompts the worker to notify the completion of the charging. Can do.

  After the wireless display device 10 is returned to the shelf by the worker, the worker operates the management device 20 to identify the wireless display device 10 of the corresponding address, and the management device 20 does not display the address for the address. A non-display command which is a command to be transmitted to the wireless display 10 can be transmitted. The wireless display 10 determines whether or not a non-display command has been received (step 17). When the non-display command is received, the wireless display 10 hides its own address displayed on the display unit 13 (step S18).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the charging of the wireless display 10 is completed, the signal indicating the charging (IN CHG) is not output from the charging circuit 11 to the reset circuit 18, and the control circuit 12 When the reset signal is no longer output, the control unit 12 cancels the reset state of the main program and displays its own address on the display unit 13. Therefore, the worker can know the address without any special operation for displaying the address, and at the same time, it can be determined that the charging is completed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described one, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, the reset circuit 18 is provided separately from the control unit 12 and the reset signal output from the circuit is input to the control unit 12. Without being provided, a signal indicating that charging is being performed (IN CHG) and a signal indicating completion of charging (CHARGE) output from the charging circuit 11 are directly input to a predetermined port of the CPU that is the control unit 12. The CPU may directly determine the state of charging, and control the display unit 13 to display the address stored in the storage unit 14 so that the address is displayed even during charging.

In the above embodiment, the wireless display device 10 hides the address when receiving the non-display command. However, when receiving the picking instruction data from the management device 20, the wireless display device 10 hides the address and selects the picking command. The quantity of instruction data may be displayed. Alternatively, the address may be hidden by pressing the completion button portion 64.
Moreover, although the said embodiment has taken as one Example that it is a radio | wireless display in the distribution center system of a distribution center, For example, what is called an electronic shelf label wireless display which displays the price of goods on merchandise display shelves, such as a supermarket It can also be applied to.

In the above embodiment, the product is picked up from the shelf. However, the product may be used in a system that stores the product on the shelf by the amount displayed on the wireless display 10.
Further, the determination means for determining whether or not the charging of the battery has been completed may be determined to have been charged after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of charging.
In addition, a function for monitoring the voltage value input to the charging circuit 11 may be provided as means for determining that the battery charger 40 has been disconnected, and the function may be determined based on the function.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the radio | wireless indicator 10 showed the example arrange | positioned in a linear line on a shelf, it was not restricted to this, For example, it puts a basket on each of several trolley | bogies, and respond | corresponds to the basket The wireless display device 10 of the present invention may be attached and an article may be taken out from the basket, or the number of articles stored in the basket may be displayed on the wireless display device 10.
In addition, the position where the wireless display 10 is attached is not limited to a shelf or a basket, and may be disposed at a position corresponding to an article.

1 is a configuration diagram of a distribution center system using a wireless display according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the external appearance structure of the radio | wireless display concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the radio | wireless indicator concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process at the time of charging the wireless display concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process at the time of charging the radio | wireless display concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless display device 20 ... Management apparatus 30 ... Wireless communication apparatus 40 ... Charger 11 ... Charging circuit 12 ... Control part 13 ... Display part 14 ... Memory | storage part 15 ... Wireless module 16 ... Battery 17 ... Power supply circuit 18 ... Reset circuit 61 ... Antenna state display part 62 ... Battery state display part 63 ... Shortage button 64 ... Complete button part

Claims (4)

It is arranged corresponding to the position where the article is stored and is driven by a rechargeable battery. Based on the instruction data transmitted from the management device, the quantity to be taken out from the position or stored in the position is displayed on the display unit. A wireless indicator
Storage means for storing an address indicating a position where the wireless display is disposed;
Control means for reading out the address from the storage means based on a signal relating to charging when the wireless indicator is removed from the position and charging the battery by a charger, and displayed on the display unit;
A wireless display device comprising: Determining means for determining whether charging of the battery is completed;
The wireless display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the address on the display unit when it is determined that charging is completed. Having a judging means for judging whether or not the battery charger is disconnected;
The wireless display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the address on the display unit when it is determined that the control unit is detached. The management device transmits a command to hide the address displayed on the wireless display,
Receiving means for receiving a command to hide the address transmitted from the management device to the wireless display;
4. The wireless display device according to claim 1, wherein the address displayed on the display unit is hidden based on the command received by the receiving unit. 5.

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