JPH02245968A - Stock managing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of stock investigating work by reading article name information, which is expressed on each shelf, and processed to a bar code, etc., weighing the weight of the article with a weigher attached with a transmitter, calculating the number of stock, and transmitting the number to a data collection processor as stock data on a wireless basis. CONSTITUTION:When article information 2a, which is expressed on a shelf 1 of an article 2 to be investigated and processed to the bar code, etc., is read by a portable data input device 5, the number of units per the unit weight of the said article 2 is retrieved from a unit number table. Next when a weigher attached with a transmitter 3 is operated, and the weight of the said article 2 is weighed, a weight value is outputted on a wireless basis, and received by the portable data input device 5. Further based on the former number of the units and the present weight value, the number of housing of the said articles 2 is calculated in the portable data input device 5, and it is transmitted to a data collecting processor 6 as the stock data together with previously inputted article name information 2a. Thus the efficiency of the stock investigating work can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides an inventory management system in which the number of articles stored in each column is read in terms of weight using a portable data input device, and is aggregated and managed by a data aggregation processing device. Regarding.

[Prior Art] For example, the number of products in stock on display shelves in a store, or the number of parts stored in a parts shelf on an assembly line in a factory, etc., cannot always be managed to an optimal number. It has been demanded.

When checking the number of items stored in each column in this manner, a portable data input device is generally used to improve work efficiency.

A microcomputer is built into this type of portable data input device. In addition, the case of this portable data device is shaped so that it can be held with one hand, and includes a keyboard for inputting the product name or number to specify the item and the number of items stored, and a key to display the manually entered item name and number of items stored. indicator is installed. Inside the case, there is formed a storage section comprised of a RAM or the like that stores inventory data such as the product name (product number) and the number of items stored.

When conducting an inventory survey using this portable data input device, hold the case with one hand and the product name (
(item number), manually count the number of items stored on the shelf, and manually enter the number of items stored one by one. Once a certain amount of inventory data has been stored, the portable data input device is brought to the location where the data aggregation processing device consisting of a host computer is installed, connected to the data aggregation processing device, and this portable data input device is installed. Each inventory data stored in the device is manually input to the data aggregation processing device.

In addition, in order to simplify the data input operation on the portable data input device, barcodes indicating the product name (product number) of the items stored in the corresponding shelf in each column are pasted, and a pen scanner-type device is attached to the portable data input device. A portable data input device is also being considered in which a barcode reader is connected and the product name (product number) is read by the barcode reader.

However, in the portable data input device configured as described above, the storage capacity of the storage unit has a certain limit, so in order to carry out an inventory survey of a large number of shelves, it is necessary to store the inventory stored in the storage unit. Every time the number of data reaches a certain amount, it is necessary to connect the portable data input device to the data aggregation processing device and move the inventory data stored in the storage section to the data aggregation processing device. Therefore, the work efficiency of inventory investigation is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, if a pen scanner type barcode reader is connected to a portable data input device using, for example, a connection cable, the barcode reader will not only get in the way when carrying the data input device, making it difficult to handle; Storing the code reader becomes a hassle.

Furthermore, since the number of items stored in each column is manually counted, it is very tedious to count the number of items stored in a shelf, for example, if items are stored in multiple rows back and forth. It becomes work. Also, for example, bolts on a factory assembly line.

When small items such as nuts are stored in a disorderly manner on a shelf, it is almost impossible to manually count the number of items stored. Therefore, the efficiency of inventory investigation work is further reduced.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances,
By reading the product name information written in each column with a barcode reader and weighing the items stored in each column with a weighing device equipped with a transmitter, the number of items stored in each column is calculated from the weight value. An inventory that can automatically read the product name information and number of items stored in the column with a simple operation, and further improve the efficiency of inventory investigation work by wirelessly transmitting the obtained inventory data. The purpose is to provide a management system.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The inventory management system of the present invention has product name information written in each column and converted into a bar code that identifies the articles stored in the five shelves, A weighing device with a transmitter that measures the weight of an article and outputs it wirelessly; a portable data input device that has a reader such as a bar code and a transceiver and wirelessly outputs inventory data in each column; The data aggregation processing device receives inventory data wirelessly output from an input device and wirelessly outputs a reception response.

Then, from the unit number table that stores the number of units per unit weight of each article in the portable data input device, and the number of units corresponding to the product name information read with a reader such as a bar code, from the unit number table. A means for searching for the number of units to be searched; a means for calculating the number of stored items for the corresponding article from the number of searched units and a weight value received from a weighing device with a transmitter; The apparatus includes inventory data transmitting means for wirelessly outputting inventory data consisting of product name information read by a reader.

Furthermore, a portable data input device for an inventory management system according to another invention corresponds to a unit weight table that stores the unit weight of each article and product name information read by a reader such as a bar code. A unit weight search means for searching a unit weight from a unit weight table; a storage number calculation means for calculating the storage number of the corresponding article from the searched unit weight and the weight value received from the weighing device with a transmitter; It has inventory data transmitting means for wirelessly outputting inventory data consisting of the number of items stored and product name information read by a reader such as a bar code.

[Effect]

In the inventory management system of the present invention, an investigator carrying a portable data input device goes to the shelf and reads the barcode, etc., of the product name information written on the shelf of the item to be inspected. When the item is read with a device, the unit number of the corresponding article is searched from the unit number table. Next, when the weighing device with a transmitter is operated to measure the weight of the article, the weight value is wirelessly output and received by the portable data input device.

Then, the number of stored items is calculated in the portable data input device from the previous unit number and the current weight value. The information is then wirelessly transmitted as inventory data to the data aggregation processing device along with the product name information previously input using the barcode reader.

In another invention, when the product name information is read with a reader such as a barcode, one of the corresponding products is displayed from the unit weight table.
The weight per piece is searched. Next, when the weight value is received by the portable data input device, the number of stored items is calculated in this portable data input device from the previous weight per item and this current weight value. .

[Example〕 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inventory management system according to an embodiment. For example, a large number of shelves 1 are arranged along an assembly line in a factory. On the upper rail of each column 1, a barcoded product name 2a such as [Nut 1] including the product number of the product 2 such as a bolt or nut stored in the shelf 1 is written. A measuring device 3 with a transmitter is disposed in each shelf 1, and each article 2 mentioned above is stored in a basket 4 and transferred to the measuring device 3 with a transmitter.
is placed on the weighing stand 3a.

A transmitter is built in the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3, and when the transmission key 3b on the operation panel is operated, the weight of the article 2 stored in the basket 4 placed on the weighing table 3a is measured. is weighed, and the measured weight value is wirelessly output via the antenna 3C. The operation panel is provided with an adjustment knob for subtracting and correcting the weight of the basket 4 from the measured weight value, a lock lever for operating the lock mechanism when not measuring, a power switch, and the like.

Furthermore, as shown on the lower right shelf 1a, there are cases where the transmitter-equipped measuring device 3 is not disposed and the articles 2 are placed directly on the floor of the shelf 1a. In this case, the items 2 are of a size that allows the investigator to easily count the number of stored items visually.

The weight value wirelessly outputted from the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3 disposed in each shelf 1 is received by a portable data input device 5 carried by the investigator. And a portable data input device 5
Inventory data including product name and storage quantity is wirelessly transmitted to the data aggregation processing device 6.

The data aggregation processing device 6 is composed of a host computer and has a built-in transmitter/receiver, and when it successfully receives the inventory data wirelessly output from the portable data input device 5, it sends a reception response signal to the portable data input device 5. Wireless output to. The data aggregation processing device 6 performs various calculations on the received inventory data to perform process management and parts replenishment work.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the portable data input device 5. As shown in FIG.

A pen scanner type barcode reader 8 for reading barcodes is attached to the tip of the case 7, which is large enough to be grasped with fingers.

Furthermore, a lamp 9 indicating that the barcode has been correctly read along the longitudinal direction of the case 7 and that the inventory data has been correctly transmitted to the data aggregation processing device 6, the read product name 2a, the calculated storage quantity, etc. a display device 10 for displaying;
A keyboard 11 is attached for manually inputting the number of storage units and various data. moreover,
An antenna groove 7a is carved in the side surface of the case 7 to accommodate the antenna.

The keyboard 11 includes, in addition to a numeric keypad 11a for inputting numerical data such as storage quantity, a scroll key 11b for moving the display position of data displayed on the display 10, and a scroll key 11b for moving the display position of the data displayed on the display 10. Various function keys are arranged, such as a cancellation key 11c5 for canceling inventory data, etc., and a data transmission key 11d for transmitting calculated inventory data to the data aggregation processing device 6.

3(a) and 3(b) are a front sectional view and a side sectional view showing the inside of the portable data input device 5. FIG.

As shown in the figure, the photo sensor 8 of the barcode reader 8
A binarization circuit 8b and a code conversion circuit 18c are arranged adjacent to a, and a display 10 is provided in the center. Further, below the keyboard 11, a keyboard board 31a is arranged, in which switch elements are arranged, which are opened and closed in response to key operations for each key. Further, below this keyboard board 31a, there are two PC boards 31b and 31C% on which electronic components such as a CPU are arranged, and a transmitter/receiver 1.
6 is stored. Further, a battery 18 is housed below the display 10 to supply driving power to each electronic component. In addition, a connection socket 31d for retrieving various data is provided at the side end of the keyboard 11 of the Kelsuf.
is installed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable data input device 5. As shown in FIG. 11 in the figure is a CP that executes various calculation processes.
A central processing unit (Central Processing Unit) is connected to the CPU 1 via a pass line 12, including a ROM 13 for storing fixed data such as programs, a RAM 14 for storing various variable data such as a unit number table, a keyboard 11, a display 10.
Barcode reader 8, lamp drive circuit 15 for lamp 9,
A transmitter/receiver 16, a switching controller 16b for switching the transmitter/receiver 16 to a receiving state or a transmitting state, and the like are connected.

The transceiver 16 wirelessly transmits the inventory data of each article to the transceiver incorporated in the data aggregation processing device 6, and receives a reception response signal from the data aggregation processing device 6. Further, the transceiver 16 receives the weight value of the article 2 wirelessly outputted from the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3 . In addition, transmitter/receiver 1
The antenna 16a of No. 6 is housed in the antenna groove 7a of the case 7 so as not to interfere with the operations of the investigator (operator).

Further, a DC driving voltage VD is supplied from a power supply circuit 17 to each of the electronic components. And this power supply circuit 17
Power is supplied from the battery 18 mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the RAM 14 stores, for example, I
A unit number table 14a is formed that stores the number of units per unit weight such as kg.

Note that for items whose number can be easily counted, such as the [square timbers] stored on the shelf 1a at the bottom right of Figure 1 mentioned above, a unit number is not set, but based on the unit number, First, the weight per article, that is, the unit weight, can be set depending on the article.

Further, in the RAM 14, a product name memory 1 temporarily stores the product name 2a of the product 2 read by the barcode reader 8.
4b1 Unit number memory 14c1 that temporarily stores one unit number retrieved from the unit number table 14a; Reception weight memory 14d1 that temporarily stores the weight value of the article 2 received from the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3; numeric keypad 1 of the keyboard 11;
A numeric buffer 14e for temporarily storing numerical data entered manually in step 1a; a transmitting buffer 14f and a receiving buffer 14g for transmitting and receiving data wirelessly between the data aggregation processing device 6 and the measuring instrument with transmitter 3; It is formed.

When the power switch 19 of the power supply circuit 17 in the portable data input device 5 is turned on, the CPU
II is configured to execute the main routine shown in FIG. 6 according to the program in ROM 1B.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when code data is input from the barcode reader 8 in step S1, the product name 2a of the article indicated by the code data is stored in the product name memory 14b of the RAM 14.

Then, the unit number table L4a of the RAM 14 is searched for the corresponding product name 2a, and the unit number of the corresponding product name 2a is read out and stored in the unit number memory 14c of the RAM 14. In addition,
If the unit number is not set for the corresponding product name 2a, there is no need to store the unit number in the unit number memory 14c. Next, the corresponding product name 2a is displayed on the display 10.

In addition, the weight value wirelessly outputted from the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3 in S2 is sent to the transmitter/receiver 16 without inputting the code data manually in Sl.
, the received weight i is stored in the reception weight memory 14d.
Store in. Then, it is displayed on the display 10 for a certain period of time, such as 0.5 seconds, for example. Next, the weight value is divided by the unit weight such as IKg, and the quotient is added to the unit number memory 14.
By multiplying by the unit number c, the number of the corresponding articles 2 stored in the shelf 1 is calculated. Note that if a fraction below the decimal point occurs in the calculated storage number, it is a result of the n1 constant precision of the transmitter-equipped measuring instrument 3 being too high, so the fraction below the decimal point is rounded down to the final value. Then, the product name and the number of items stored are displayed on the display 10 as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, when a key signal is input from the cow board 11 in S3, the type of the key signal is checked.

Then, in S4, when numerical data is input using the numeric keypad 11a, the researcher (operator) determines that this numerical data is the number of stored items 2 that has been visually counted, and enters the numerical data. The data is stored in the number buffer 14e. Then, the product name in the product name memory 14b and the number stored in the number buffer 14e are displayed on the display 10.

Furthermore, the key signal input in S5 is the data transmission key 1.
If the key signal is 1d, the product name and the number of items currently displayed on the display 1o are sent as inventory data to the data aggregation processing device 6 via the transceiver 16. When the transmitter/receiver 16 receives the reception response signal from the data aggregation processing device 6 in S6, the lamp 9 is turned on for a predetermined short time such as 0.5 seconds, and then the product name memory 14b1 unit number memory 14c1 is received. Weight memory 14dS Five number buffer 14e
Clear.

The switching of the transmitting state or receiving state of the transmitter/receiver 16 of the portable data input device 5 is executed by the CPU II via the switching controller 16b according to the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the device is powered on, the transceiver 16 is switched to the receiving state via the switching controller 16b in S7. Then, when a transmission request occurs, the state is switched to the transmission state via the switching controller 16b at 88. When the transmission is completed, the process returns to S7 and the process immediately returns to the receiving state.

In this way, the transceiver 16 normally maintains the receiving state and shifts to the transmitting state only when a transmission request occurs.

In addition, the inventory data transmitted from the portable data input bag rIt5 to the data aggregation processing device 6 is converted into a digital value, and is FSK modulated while being incorporated into a transmission format as shown in FIG. Transmitted by radio.

That is, a header is placed at the beginning of the transmission format, followed by a start code STX. Following the start code STX, 14 pieces of data Di-Di4 are incorporated, followed by an end code EXT, upper parity data, and lower parity data. At the final position, a CR code indicating a printer line feed and an LF code for feeding the paper by one line are arranged. In this embodiment, data DI-D4 indicates the product name code, and data D5 to D8 indicate the number of items stored.

In addition, in the next upper parity data and lower parity data, as shown in the figure, the odd horizontal parity data [Pl to P8] of each data D1 to D14 is divided into upper and lower halves, and the divided 4 bits are divided into upper and lower halves. Each data [P1 to P4
], [P5 to P8 are respectively assigned to the lower four digit bits. Then, a preset specific code [Sl-S8] is divided and assigned to each of the upper four digits.

By dividing the odd horizontal parity data [Pl to P8] and assigning it to the upper and lower parity data in this way, the upper 4 digits of the specific code can be set to a code that will never match the next CR code. For example, each 8-bit parity data is prevented from having the same value as the next 8-bit CR code. Therefore, during transmission, each data D1 to D
If an error occurs in 14, it will be detected reliably, and if an error is detected, each data D1 to D14 can be transmitted again, so the reliability of the transmitted data D1 to D14 can be improved. It becomes possible.

It should be noted that the data transmission method for checking the validity of each data using the method described above is already described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-257836 and is well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted in this embodiment.

In the inventory management system configured as described above, when investigating the number of articles 2 stored on each side 1, the investigator brings a portable data input device 5, goes to the front of the shelf 1, and uses the portable data input device 5. The barcode reader 8 of the type data manual device 5 reads the product name 2a written in the barcode on the shelf 1 where the corresponding product 2 is stored. Next, the user operates the lock lever of the transmitter-equipped measuring instrument 3 in the relevant shelf 1 to release the lock mechanism, turns on the power, and then presses the transmission key 3b.

Through this operation, the weight value of the article 2 stored on the corresponding shelf 1 is wirelessly transmitted to the portable data-powered device 5. When the portable data-powered device 5 receives the weight value of the item 2, the number of stored items corresponding to the weight value is automatically calculated and displayed on the display 10 together with the item name 2a.

Therefore, when the investigator confirms the displayed item name and storage quantity and presses the data transmission key lid, inventory data consisting of the item name and storage quantity is wirelessly transmitted to the data aggregation processing device 6. When the inventory data is normally received by the data aggregation processing device 6, a reception response signal is transmitted, and when the portable data input device 5 receives this reception response signal, the lamp 9 lights up. Therefore, the investigator can confirm that the inventory data has been correctly input to the data aggregation processing device.

If the number of items 2 can be easily counted, such as on the lower right shelf 1a in FIG. When the key is pressed manually, the product name 2a and the number of stored items entered using the key are displayed on the display 10. When the data transmission key lid is operated, the inventory data consisting of the product name and the number of stored items of the corresponding item is displayed on the data aggregation processing device 6. wirelessly transmitted to.

Therefore, according to the inventory management system with such a configuration, the investigator reads the barcoded product name a written on the top rail of each side 1 with the barcode reader 8, By simply pressing the transmission key 3b, the product name 2a and the number of stored items are input into the portable data-powered device 5.

Therefore, there is no need to enter the product number or number of items stored using manual keys, unlike systems using conventional portable data devices, and there is no need to manually count the number of items 2 stored on the shelf 1. This greatly improves the efficiency of inventory data input work. Particularly, when a large number of small parts such as bolts and nuts are stored in each column 1, the work efficiency of the above-mentioned inventory data input work can be further improved because the trouble of counting the number of stored parts is saved.

In addition, the inventory data displayed on the display 10 of the portable data input device 5 can be immediately wirelessly transmitted to the data aggregation processing device 6 by operating the data transmission key lid, so that it can be stored and stored as required in conventional systems. There is no need to travel to the installation location of the data aggregation processing device every time a certain amount of inventory data is accumulated in the department and input the inventory data into the data aggregation processing device, greatly improving the work efficiency of the entire inventory survey operation. can.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the embodiment, the transmitter-equipped weighing device 3 has a structure in which the basket 4 containing the article 2 is placed on the weighing base 3a as shown in FIG. 1, but the structure shown in FIG. You can also use it as That is, a weight 22 is attached to one end of a belt 21 stretched over fixed shafts 20a and 20b, and the other end is connected to a shelf 1 via a stress meter (strain meter: load cell) 23 and a spring 24.
be fixed to the floor. In addition, a small transmitter 25 is attached to the stress meter 23.
Install. The fixed shafts 20a, 2O of the belt 21
A basket 4 containing an article 2 to be weighed is placed between b and b.

As a result, the weight of the article 2 is detected by the stress meter 23 and output wirelessly from the transmitter 25. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the inventory management system of the present invention, the barcoded product name information written in each column is read by a reader such as a barcode, and the information stored in each column is read by a reader such as a barcode. The ff1ffi of the articles is weighed using a measuring device with a transmitter, and the number of stored articles is calculated from the weight value. Therefore, the product name information and the number of items stored in each column can be automatically read with a simple operation, so the efficiency of inputting inventory data into the portable data input device can be greatly improved.

Furthermore, by wirelessly transmitting the inventory data input into the portable data input device using the method described above to the data aggregation processing device, the efficiency of the inventory survey work can be further improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the inventory management system according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system, FIG. 2 is an external view showing a portable data manpower device, Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal configuration of the portable data manpower device, Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the portable data manpower device, and Fig. 5 shows the memory contents of the portable data manpower device. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the portable data input device, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transmission format for data transmission, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a measuring instrument with a transmitter in an inventory management system according to an example. 1...Shelf, 2...Article, 2a...Product name, 3...
Weighing instrument with transmitter, 4... Basket, 5... Portable data input device, 6... Data aggregation processing device, 8... Barcode reader, 10... Display device, 11...・Keyboard, 12...CPU. 14...RAM, 14a...Unit number table. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Product name information written on each shelf and converted into a bar code that identifies the item stored on the shelf, and a weighing machine equipped with a transmitter that measures and wirelessly outputs the weight of the item stored on each shelf. a portable data input device having a bar code reader, a transceiver, and a transceiver, and wirelessly outputs inventory data of each shelf; and receiving and receiving inventory data wirelessly output from the portable data input device. an inventory management system comprising a data aggregation processing device that wirelessly outputs a response, the portable data input device having a unit number table that stores the number of units per unit weight of each article; unit number searching means for searching the unit number table for the number of units corresponding to the product name information read by the reader, and searching for the number of units corresponding to the number of units corresponding to the product name information read by a reader such as An inventory comprising storage number calculation means for calculating the storage number of articles, and inventory data transmission means for wirelessly outputting inventory data consisting of the calculated storage number and product name information read by the barcode reader or the like. management system. (2) Product name information written on each shelf and converted into a barcode that identifies the item stored on the shelf, and a weighing machine equipped with a transmitter that measures and wirelessly outputs the weight of the item stored on each shelf. a portable data input device having a bar code reader, a transceiver, and a transceiver, and wirelessly outputs inventory data of each shelf; and receiving and receiving inventory data wirelessly output from the portable data input device. An inventory management system comprising a data aggregation processing device that wirelessly outputs a response, wherein the portable data input device includes a unit weight table that stores the unit weight of each article, and the barcode, etc. unit weight search means for searching the unit weight table for the unit weight corresponding to the product name information read by the reader; Inventory management comprising: a storage number calculation means for calculating the storage number; and an inventory data transmission means for wirelessly outputting inventory data consisting of the calculated storage number and product name information read by the barcode reader or the like. system.