JP2017019588A - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, CARRYING AUXILIARY DEVICE AND CARRYING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication device, a conveyance auxiliary tool, and a conveyance system that can distribute the processing load of the system. A communication apparatus according to an embodiment includes a communication unit and a transport request control unit. The communication device is attached to a conveyance assisting tool on which a delivery object is loaded. The communication unit communicates with an external device. The transport request control unit is attached to the transport device capable of transporting the transport assisting tool to which the transport device is mounted based on the content of the instruction signal received from the external device by the communication unit. A transfer request signal for requesting transfer of the transfer auxiliary tool is transmitted to the communication unit. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a communication device, a conveyance auxiliary tool, and a conveyance system.

  There is known a picking system for unloading a combination of a plurality of packages in a warehouse or the like. In this picking system, the controller of the picking system performs control for driving the conveyor, and moves the bucket for loading the cargo to a desired position. However, when the bucket of the picking system is moved to a desired position, for example, by the control of the host device of the system, the control of the host device is complicated and the processing load may be localized.

JP 2010-52878 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a communication device, a conveyance auxiliary tool, and a conveyance system that can distribute the processing load of the system.

  The communication apparatus according to the embodiment includes a communication unit and a transport request control unit. The communication device is attached to a conveyance assisting tool on which a delivery object is loaded. The communication unit communicates with an external device. The transport request control unit is attached to the transport device capable of transporting the transport assisting tool to which the transport device is mounted based on the content of the instruction signal received from the external device by the communication unit. A transfer request signal for requesting transfer of the transfer auxiliary tool is transmitted to the communication unit.

The figure which shows typically the conveyance system 1 which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows a mode that the delivery target object P is received from a shipper. The figure which shows a mode that the delivery target object P is loaded in the box (conveyance auxiliary tool) 60 by the hand of the attendant A in an area collection place. The figure which shows a mode that the box 60 is loaded on truck TR (transportation equipment) in an area collection place. The figure for demonstrating the delivery processing in a large-scale collection place and a large-scale distribution place. The block diagram of the conveyance system 1. FIG. The block diagram of the master apparatus 50. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the information stored as the box information list 58 and the delivery target object list 59. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the function structure of the communication apparatus 70 attached to the box 60. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the information stored as the box information 77. FIG. The figure which shows the function structure of the conveying apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the conveying apparatus information 98. FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing executed by the transport system 1. The figure which shows the flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the communication apparatus 70 performs. The figure which shows a mode that the box 60 to which the communication apparatus 70 was attached is conveyed by the conveying apparatus 90. FIG. The functional block diagram of the conveyance system 1A of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display corresponding to a call signal displayed on the display device 110.

  Hereinafter, a communication device, a conveyance auxiliary tool, and a conveyance system of an embodiment are explained with reference to drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a transport system 1 according to the embodiment. The delivery object P is delivered from the shipper to the destination via the area depot, large-scale depot, large-scale depot, and area depot. The area depot and the large-scale depot are depots for the delivery object P. For example, the large-scale depot is a facility having a larger scale than the area depot. The large-scale distribution area and the area distribution area are distribution areas for the delivery object P. For example, the large-scale distribution area is a facility having a larger scale than the area distribution area. One or both of the large-scale collection facility and the large-scale distribution facility can communicate with the master device 50 via the network NW. In addition to this, one or both of the area depot and the area distributor may communicate with the master device 50 via the network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how the delivery object P is received from the shipper. The delivery object P is, for example, a parcel. The delivery object P may be delivered to the attendant A with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag TG1 attached in advance, or the RFID tag TG1 may be attached by the attendant A. The RFID tag TG1 transmits a tag ID that is its own identification information by communication.

  The handy terminal HT includes a code reading unit that reads a bar code and a QR code (registered trademark), a character reading unit that reads characters (OCR (Optical Character Recognition) unit), or a request unit that transmits an OCR request to an OCR processing device, RFID A tag communication unit that communicates with the tag TG1, an input unit that receives a user input operation, a network communication unit for connecting to the network NW via a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, and the like are provided. Some of these functional configurations may be omitted from the handy terminal HT.

  The handy terminal HT manages the tag ID, the transport information (shipper, delivery destination), the size of the delivery object P, and the characteristics (cracked, unusable, etc.) via the network NW according to the operation of the staff. (Shown).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the delivery object P is loaded on the box (conveyance aid) 60 by the hand of the attendant A at the area collection station. A communication device 70 is attached to the box 60. The communication device 70 may be fixedly connected to the box 60 to form a conveyance auxiliary tool with a communication function, or may be detachable from the box 60. Further, the communication device 70 may simply be placed at any place of the box 60.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the boxes 60 are stacked on the truck TR (transport equipment) in the area collection station. Thus, the box 60 is transported to a large scale collection place.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining delivery processing in a large-scale collection station and a large-scale distribution station. A sorter 10 is installed in a large-scale collection site and a large-scale distribution site. The sorter 10 includes an automatic unloader 20 and an automatic loader 30.

  The sorter 10 classifies the delivery object P placed on a belt conveyor or the like into a collection place corresponding to the destination. The automatic unloader 20 conveys the delivery object P loaded in the box to the sorting mechanism of the sorter 10 in a state where the delivery object P is sucked, held, or placed. The automatic loader 30 loads the sorted delivery object P on the box 60 in a state of being sucked, gripped, or placed. When the box 60 is carried to the sorter 10 and / or when it is carried out of the sorter 10, the box 60 is carried by a carrying device 90 described later. The transport system 1 of the embodiment is for assisting the control of the transport device 90.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the transport system 1. The transport system 1 includes a master device 50, a relay device 80, a box 60 to which a communication device 70 is attached, and a transport device 90. The transport system 1 may refer to the master device 50 and the box 60, or may refer to the box 60 and the transport device 90. The sorter 10, the master device 50, and the relay device 80 communicate via the network NW. Wireless communication is performed between the relay device 80 and the communication device 70 and between the communication device 70 and the transfer device 90.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the master device 50. The master device 50 includes a master side communication unit 52, an information processing unit 54, and a master side storage unit 56. The master side communication unit 52 communicates with the sorter 10 and the relay device 80. The information processing unit 54 stores the information acquired from the sorter 10 or the relay device 80 in the master-side storage unit 56. In addition, the information processing unit 54 performs transport control of the box 60 based on the transportation plan of the delivery object P stored in the master-side storage unit 56 and other information.

  The master-side storage unit 56 stores a processing result processed by the information processing unit 54, a box information list 58, and a delivery object list 59. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored as the box information list 58 and the delivery object list 59. The box information list 58 is information in which the box ID, which is identification information of the box 60, is associated with the state of the box 60, the load amount, the position, the identification information of the communication device 70, and the like. Each record of the box information list 58 is associated with a delivery object list 59.

  The “state” in the box information list 58 is, for example, a state in which the box 60 is being transported to the transport device 90, a state where it is palletized (loaded), a state where it is depalletized (unloaded), etc. It is information indicating which state it is.

  The “loading amount” in the box information list 58 is information indicating the amount of the delivery target P loaded in the box 60, and indicates, for example, the loading rate, the weight of the delivery target P loaded, and the like. Information. “Position” in the box information list 58 is information indicating the position of the box 60. The position is indicated by a coordinate point, for example.

  The master device 50 acquires the position of the box 60 based on, for example, an image captured by the camera CM. The camera CM that images the position of the box 60 is installed, for example, on a ceiling or a wall in a facility where the box 60 is transported, and images the identification information displayed in the box 60 and the box 60. The master device 50 recognizes the position of the box 60 based on the captured image. In this case, the master device 50 has functions for character recognition and image analysis in the captured image. Note that the master device 50 may estimate the state of the box 60 and the load amount from the image captured by the camera. The master device 50 may acquire the position of the box 60 from a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver attached to the box 60.

  The delivery object list 59 is list information in which a delivery object ID is associated with a destination of the delivery object P and the like. The delivery object list 59 is acquired from a delivery object P management system (not shown). In the present embodiment, the aspect of the management system is not particularly mentioned, but the management system may collect information corresponding to the delivery object list 59 using any method. For example, the management system is a communication device in the information input to the handy terminal HT, the image captured when the delivery object P is loaded on the box 60, and the place where the delivery object P is loaded on the box 60. Information corresponding to the delivery object list 59 is collected by integrating the results of communication with the network 70.

  Each time the sorter 10 loads a delivery object P in the box 60, information on the delivery object P loaded in the delivery object list 59 is added, and every time the delivery object P is unloaded from the box 60, Information on the delivery object P unloaded from the delivery object list 59 is deleted.

  The relay device 80 transfers the instruction signal transmitted from the master device 50 to the communication device 70 attached to the box 60.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a functional configuration of the communication device 70 attached to the box 60. The communication device 70 includes an antenna 71, a communication unit 72, an operation instruction interpretation unit 73, a call transmission control unit 74, a call stop control unit 75, and a storage unit 76. The operation instruction interpretation unit 73, the call origination control unit 74, and the call stop control unit 75 are executed by a processor (not shown) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in the storage unit 76, for example. It is a functioning software function unit. Also, some or all of these functional units may include hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and various interfaces. The storage unit 76 is realized by a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a flash memory.

  The communication unit 72 is a communication interface for communicating with external devices such as the relay device 80 and the transfer device 90. Note that the antenna 71 and the communication unit 72 may be provided separately for communicating with the relay device 80 and for communicating with the transfer device 90, respectively.

  The operation instruction interpreting unit 73 interprets signals transmitted from an external device such as the master device 50 and the transport device 90 and controls each unit of the device itself. Based on the content of the instruction signal received by the communication unit 72, the call transmission control unit 74 is attached to the communication unit 72 with respect to the transport device 90 capable of transporting the box 60 to which the own device is attached. A call signal (transport request signal) for requesting transport of the received box 60 is transmitted.

  The call stop control unit 75 causes the communication unit 72 to stop transmitting a call signal based on a signal transmitted from an external device such as the sorter 10 or the transport device 90.

  The storage unit 76 stores box information 77 and delivery object information 78. The box information 77 includes the box ID of the box 60 to which the device is attached, the position of the box 60, the destination, the state, the transmission state of the transfer request signal (call signal), the connection state with the transfer device, and the transfer device ID. The associated information.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored as the box information 77. The “position” in the box information 77 is a position where the box 60 exists. The “destination” in the box information 77 is a target position to which the box 60 should move in order to load the delivery object P or unload the delivery object P loaded in the box 60. The position and the destination are acquired from the master device 50. The operation instruction interpreting unit 73 stores the position and destination of the box 60 acquired from the master device 50 in the storage unit 76 as box information 77.

  The “state” in the box information 77 is information indicating whether the box 60 is moving, the box 60 is stopped, or the like. The “call signal” is information indicating a transmission state of the call signal. The “connected state with the transport device” is information indicating whether or not the transport device 90 is connected. The “transport apparatus ID” is identification information of the transport apparatus 90 connected to the box 60. The connection state with the transfer device 90 is recognized by communication with the transfer device 90, and the identification information of the transfer device 90 is acquired by communication with the transfer device 90.

  Each record of the box information 77 is associated with delivery object information 78. The delivery object information 78 is an information list in which the delivery object ID is associated with the destination of the delivery object P loaded in the box B. The delivery object information 78 is acquired from the master device 50. The operation instruction interpretation unit 73 causes the storage unit 76 to store the delivery object information acquired from the master device 50 as the delivery object information 78.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the transport device 90. The transporting device 90 is, for example, an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehcle) that transports the box 60 to the destination without requiring any human operation in a state where the box 60 is loaded. The conveyance device 90 detects, for example, magnetism of a magnetic tape or a magnetic bar laid on the floor in the facility, and travels to the destination based on the detection result and the set destination. The transport device 90 may be a device that moves to a set destination based on, for example, map information held by the transport device 90 and detection results of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like. Further, the transport device 90 may be a forklift, or a cart type device that lifts and transports the box 60 from between the box 60 and the floor. Moreover, the ceiling-type conveyance apparatus which moves along the rail laid on the ceiling and extends from the ceiling side grasps and conveys the box 60 may be used.

  The transport apparatus 90 includes a transport side communication unit 92, a transport side control unit 94, a transport drive unit 96, and a transport side storage unit 97. The conveyance-side communication unit 92 is a communication interface for communicating with the communication device 70, another conveyance device 90, and the like.

  The transport-side control unit 94 moves to the vicinity of the box 60 to which the communication device 70 is attached according to the call signal transmitted by the communication device 70, and transports the box 60 to the destination while being connected to the box 60. The conveyance drive unit 96 is controlled. In addition, the transport-side control unit 94 executes arbitration processing with another transport device 90 according to the call signal transmitted from the communication device 70, and determines whether to respond to the call signal according to the result of the arbitration processing. decide. The arbitration process refers to a process in which, for example, the transport device 90 closest to the communication device 70 (box 60) that communicates the mutual positional relationship and transmits the call signal determines that it responds to the call signal. The conveyance driving unit 96 is a driving unit that drives, for example, wheels, rollers, a belt conveyor, and the like. When the conveyance drive unit 96 is driven, the wheels and the like rotate, and the conveyance device 90 moves to the destination.

  In the transport side storage unit 97, transport device information 98 is stored. The transport apparatus information 98 is information in which the position, state, call signal reception state, and destination of the transport apparatus 90 are associated with the transport apparatus ID that is identification information of the transport apparatus 90. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transport apparatus information 98. The transport device information 98 is generated by, for example, communicating with each other between the transport devices 90 and exchanging the respective information.

  “Position” in the transport apparatus information 98 is information indicating the position of the transport apparatus 90. The position is indicated by a coordinate point, for example. The “state” in the transport device information 98 is information indicating whether the transport device 90 is in a moving state, a state in which the box 60 is transported, or a standby state. The reception state of the call signal in the transport device information 98 is information indicating whether the call signal is received from the communication device 70. “Destination” in the transport apparatus information 98 is a target position to which the transport apparatus 90 should move.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing executed by the transport system 1.
In this process, a process for loading the delivery object P into the box 60 will be described.

  First, the master device 50 selects a predetermined box 60 from the plurality of boxes 60 based on the box information list 58, and the position information of the box 60 and the position information of the box 60 are transmitted to the communication device 70 attached to the selected box 60. An instruction signal including the destination is transmitted (step S100). Note that the master device 50 may transmit a box ID and other information together with the instruction signal.

  Next, the communication device 70 attached to the box 60 selected in step S100 conveys the box B to which the communication device 70 is attached to the destination based on the transmitted instruction signal. A call signal to be requested is generated, and the call signal is transmitted (step S102).

  Next, the transport device 90 receives the call signal transmitted in step S102, and is connected to the box 60 to which the communication device 70 that transmitted the call signal based on the received call signal is attached (step S104). The communication device 70 of the box 60 connected to the transport device 90 in step S104 recognizes the connected state by communicating with the transport device 90 and stops the call signal (step S106). After stopping the call signal, the transport device 90 transports the box 60 to the destination. The transport device 90 that transports the box 60 to the destination may cancel the connection with the box 60 and return to another position, or waits until the delivery object P to be loaded is loaded on the box 60. It may be.

  Next, the sorter 10 recognizes the box 60 that has arrived at the destination, and loads the delivery object P into the recognized box 60 (step S108). The sorter 10 acquires the identification information of the box 60 by communicating with the communication device 70, for example. The sorter 10 compares the identification information of the box 60 and the identification information of the delivery object P transmitted from the master device 50 with the identification information of the box 60 acquired by communicating with the communication device 70. The sorter 10 receives the delivery object P acquired from the master device 50 when the identification information of the box 60 transmitted from the master device 50 matches the identification information of the box 60 acquired by communicating with the communication device 70. The delivery object P corresponding to the identification information is loaded on the box 60.

  Next, when the sorter 10 loads the delivery target object P to be loaded on the box 60 that has been transported by the transport device 90, the sorter 10 indicates that the loading of the delivery target object P to be loaded on the master device 50 has been completed. A signal is transmitted (step S110). The master device 50 that has acquired the completion signal in step S110 recognizes that the delivery object P to be loaded is loaded in the box 60, and transmits the next instruction signal to the communication device 70 attached to the box 60. Can do. Thereby, one routine of this process is completed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the communication device 70. First, the communication unit 72 of the communication device 70 stands by until an instruction signal including the position information of the box 60 and the destination of the box 60 is received from the master device 50 (step S150).

  When the position information and the destination of the box 60 are received, the operation instruction interpreting unit 73 receives a call signal requesting the transport device 90 to transport itself to the destination received in step S150 based on the received instruction signal. Generate (step S152).

  Next, the call transmission control unit 74 controls the communication unit 72 so as to transmit the call signal generated in step S152 to the transport apparatus 90 (step S154). Next, the call stop control unit 75 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the box 60 and the transport apparatus 90 are connected is received from the transport apparatus 90 (step S156). When receiving a signal indicating that the box 60 and the transport apparatus 90 are connected, the call stop control unit 75 controls the communication unit 72 to stop the transmission of the call signal (step S158).

  Note that the call signal may be transmitted to a plurality of transfer apparatuses 90. When receiving a call signal, the plurality of transfer apparatuses 90 recognize the positions and states of the other transfer apparatuses 90 by performing communication between the transfer apparatuses 90. For example, among the transfer apparatuses 90 that have received the call signal, the transfer apparatus 70 that is in a standby state and is closest to the communication apparatus 70 that has transmitted the call signal responds to the call signal. And the conveying apparatus 90 is connected with the box 60 to which the communication apparatus 70 which transmitted the call signal is attached, and conveys the box 60 to the destination. Further, when the plurality of transfer apparatuses 90 receive the call signal, the plurality of transfer apparatuses 90 may respond to the call signal based on a preset priority or a priority given from the outside.

  When the box 60 is transported to the destination by the transport device 90, the communication device 70 communicates with the sorter 10 and waits for the next instruction from the master device 50 (step S160). Thereby, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the box 60 to which the communication device 70 is attached is transported to the transport device 90. For example, the box 60 is disposed in a standby position of the box 60 in an empty state. When the communication device 70 attached to the box 60 receives the instruction signal from the master device 50, the communication device 70 transmits a call signal to the transport device 90. The transport device 90 is connected to the box 60 arranged in the standby place according to the call signal, and transports the box 60 to the destination. The box 60 arriving at the destination is recognized by the sorter 10. The automatic loader 30 of the sorter 10 loads the delivery object P to be loaded on the box 60. When the loading is completed, the communication device 70 attached to the box 60 enters a standby state. In the standby state, when the communication device 70 further receives an instruction signal from the master device 50, the communication device 70 transmits a call signal requesting to be conveyed to the next destination, and repeats the above-described processing. For example, when all the delivery objects P to be loaded are loaded in the box 60, the master device 50 sets the destination of the gate where the box 60 loaded on the truck TR is disposed.

  For example, the master device 50 specifies the box 60 and directly transmits a transport request signal requesting the transport device 90 to move to the box 60 and transport the box 60 to the transport device 90. In this case, the master device 50 needs to recognize the positions of the plurality of transport devices 90 and the boxes 60, and execute processing for selecting an optimal combination of the box 60 and the transport device 90 based on the recognized results. As a result, the processing of the master device may be complicated or the processing load may be excessive. In addition, when a failure occurs in the equipment or communication that constitutes the transfer system 1, the transfer system 1 may be affected by the failure. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the master device 50 transmits an instruction signal including the position information of the box 60 and the destination to the communication device 70. Then, the communication device 70 can move the box 60 to a desired position by requesting the transport device 90 to transmit the call signal and transport it to the destination. As a result, the control of the master device 50 can be simplified and the processing load can be reduced. In addition, even when a problem occurs in communication between the communication device 70 and the transport device 90, the influence on the entire transport system 1 is reduced. As a result, the processing load of the transport system 1 can be distributed.

  In the present embodiment, the scene in which the delivery object P is loaded on the box 60 has been described as an example. However, the communication apparatus 70 also handles the scene in which the delivery object P loaded on the box 60 is unloaded from the box 60. A box 60 to which is attached may be applied. In this case, for example, the master device 50 indicates, as a destination, a position where the delivery target P loaded in the box 60 is unloaded by the automatic unloader 20 or a waiting place where the empty box 60 waits in a large-scale distribution station. To do. In addition, the communication device 70 of the present embodiment may also be applied to an area collection station or an area distribution station.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the communication device 70 attached to the box 60 transmits the call signal to the transport device 90 based on the instruction signal acquired from the master device 50, so that the own device is attached. Request that the received box 60 be transported to the destination. As a result, the processing load on the system can be distributed.

  In the present embodiment, the master device 50 transmits the position information of the box 60 to the communication device 70 as an example. However, the box 60 or the communication device 70 acquires the position information from a position information specifying device such as GPS. The position of the device itself may be held. Further, the position information acquired from the position information specifying device by the box 60 or the communication device 70 may be transmitted to the master device 50.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the communication device 70 attached to the box 60 transmits a call signal to the display devices 110A and 110B, and causes the display devices 110A and 110B to display information corresponding to the call signal.

  FIG. 16 is a functional configuration diagram of the transport system 1A according to the second embodiment. A transport system 1A according to the second embodiment includes a display device 110A and a display device 110B. Hereinafter, when the display device 110A and the display device 110B are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the display device 110.

  When the communication device 70 acquires the instruction signal from the master device 50, the communication device 70 generates a call signal based on the instruction signal and transmits the call signal to the display device 110.

  The display device 110 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence). The display device 110 is installed, for example, in a place where an attendant who loads the delivery object P on the box 60 can easily watch. Display device 110A and display device 110B include antennas 110A and 110B that receive signals transmitted from communication unit 72 of communication device 70, respectively. When receiving the call signal from the communication device 70, the display device 110 displays information corresponding to the call signal. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display corresponding to the call signal displayed on the display device 110. The display device 110 displays the box ID, the current location, and the destination in association with each other according to the call signal.

  In the second embodiment, the device that outputs information corresponding to the call signal is described as a display device. However, instead of the display device, a human being such as an audio output device or a vibration output device may be used. It may be a device that outputs information so that it can be recognized by the five senses.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the display device 110 displays the destination of the box 60 according to the call signal transmitted from the communication device 70. As a result, in the second embodiment, user convenience can be improved with a simpler configuration.

  In addition, you may implement combining 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment. For example, the master device 50 selects an instruction signal for instructing the display device 110 to transmit a call signal and an instruction signal for instructing the transport device 90 to transmit a call signal, and includes the selection result. A signal may be transmitted to the communication device 70. The communication device 70 transmits a call signal to the transport device 90 or the display device 110 according to the instruction signal including the selection result.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the communication device is attached to a conveyance auxiliary tool on which a delivery object is loaded, and is received from the external device by the communication unit that communicates with the external device and the communication unit. Based on the content of the instruction signal, a transport request signal for requesting transport of the transport assisting tool to which the own apparatus is attached to a transport apparatus capable of transporting the transport assisting tool to which the own apparatus is attached, By having the transport request control unit to be transmitted to the communication unit, the processing load of the system can be distributed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance system, 10 ... Sorter, 60 ... Box (conveyance auxiliary tool), 70 ... Communication apparatus, 73 ... Operation instruction interpretation part, 74 ... Call transmission control part, 75 ... Call stop control part, 76 ... Storage part, 77 ... Box information, 78 ... Delivery object information, 90 ... Conveying device, 110 ... Display device

Claims (8)

A communication device attached to a conveyance auxiliary tool on which a delivery object is loaded,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
Based on the content of the instruction signal received from the external device by the communication unit, the transport assisting tool to which the own device is attached is configured to the transport device capable of transporting the transport assisting tool to which the own device is attached. A transport request control unit for transmitting a transport request signal for requesting transport to the communication unit;
A communication device comprising: The transport request control unit further causes the communication unit to transmit position information of the own device and information indicating a transport destination of the transport auxiliary tool to the transport device.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The transport request control unit causes the communication unit to stop transmitting the transport request signal based on a communication result with the transport device.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The communication unit receives position information of the conveyance assisting tool and a conveyance destination of the conveyance assisting tool from the external device;
The conveyance request control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the position information of the conveyance device and the conveyance destination of the conveyance auxiliary tool received by the communication unit to the conveyance device.
The communication apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3. A communication device attached to a conveyance auxiliary tool on which a delivery object is loaded,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
Based on the content of the instruction signal received from the external device by the communication unit, the own device is used with respect to the terminal device used by a staff member who transports the transport aid to which the own device is attached to the communication unit. A transport request control unit for transmitting a transport request signal for requesting transport of the attached transport aid;
A communication device comprising: A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
The transfer aid;
A transport aid with a communication function. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
In response to a transport request signal transmitted by the communication device, a transport device that transports the transport aid;
A transportation system comprising: A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
The external device for transmitting the instruction signal to the communication device;
A transportation system comprising:

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