Patent Publication Number: US-2018044112-A1

Title: Task aid system, terminal device, and server

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a technique for aiding tasks performed by a worker in a warehouse. 
     The field of physical distribution includes the tasks of sorting products designated by orders from customers, and then sending the products to the destination. In order to perform such tasks quickly and accurately, various devices and equipment are used. Previously, workers performed tasks while holding in their hand a task command terminal, which meant that one hand was in use, reducing task efficiency. In recent years, by using computer devices that could be worn on the body, known as wearable devices, the functions of the task command device could be substituted, and by therefore allowing both hands to be used, it is expected that the time required to perform tasks could be reduced. In JP 2014-122075 A (Patent Document 1), for example, a camera is provided in a head-mounted display, barcode label on the product or on the shelf is identified by image recognition, and the objects on which tasks are to be performed and the order in which tasks are to be performed are displayed, and thus, “with a device that aids the task of picking items from a warehouse or the like, a picking operation can be performed accurately and quickly”. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the worker has arrived at the location where a task needs to be performed, information pertaining to the task to be performed at the location is displayed, but it is not possible to display the next task location once a task at the current location is completed. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of this invention in order to solve the foregoing problems, there is provided a task aid system, comprising: a terminal device; and a server that manages task information, wherein the terminal device is configured to: determine, when information for identifying a position of the terminal device is inputted, a task location where a task was performed on the basis of the inputted information; compare the determined task location where the task was performed with task instruction information generated by the server, and deter mine a task location where a next task is to be performed; and output information indicating a direction of the determined task location where the next task is to be performed. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required to perform tasks by outputting information with instructions on the next location to perform a task. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task information management server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a descriptive view showing one example of a delivery destination management database stored in the task information management server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a descriptive view showing one example of a sorting item warehousing management database stored in the task information management server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a descriptive view showing one example of a task instruction information management database stored in the task information management server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a descriptive view showing one example of a task result management database stored in the task information management server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing one example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process executed by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a descriptive drawing of first example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a descriptive drawing of second example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a descriptive drawing of third example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a descriptive drawing of fourth example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a descriptive drawing of fifth example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a descriptive drawing of sixth example of task instruction outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task aid terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing one example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process executed by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a descriptive drawing showing one example of an instruction screen for direction initialization outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a descriptive drawing of an example of task instructions outputted by the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a descriptive view showing one example of a task range intensity management database stored in the task aid terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Below, embodiments will be explained with reference to drawings. In the drawings, the same reference character is used to label same or corresponding parts. Also, the present invention is not limited to the examples shown in the drawings. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 14 . 
     Embodiment 1 shows an example of a case in which the present invention is applied to a total picking sort task in the physical distribution field. In physical distribution, a shortening of package delivery time from the start of delivery to arrival is a goal that is always sought after. The package being delivered passes through a plurality of intermediate points, being transported to the next intermediate point closer to the destination along the way. At the intermediate points, a task must be performed to sort various designated products (items) according to sorting destination (shops that are the destinations of the respective products, for example). By performing this task quickly, it is possible to shorten the total transportation time. In one method of sorting, a few dozen shelves for each sorting destination are prepared in a one-dimensional direction, for example, and a worker carries the products to be sorted in this direction and places the products in the corresponding shelves by sorting destination. However, conventionally, a worker had to determine which product and how many thereof to place in each sorting destination while viewing the terminal display, and thus, a long time was spent making this determination. 
     In the present embodiment, a technique will be described in which, in an aspect in which products are sorted in a one-dimensional direction, tasks can be performed with both hands and determination time is shortened, thereby reducing the time required to perform tasks. 
       FIG. 1  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     The system according to the present embodiment is constituted of a worker  10 , a task aid terminal  11 , a network  12 , a task information management server  13 , and a plurality of sorting destination shelves  14 . 
     The task aid terminal  11  is a so-called wearable device, which is a category that includes all computers that can be worn on a portion of the body of the worker  10 . It is preferable that the task aid terminal  11 , worn by the worker  10 , be able to provide at least one of the following: image information equivalent to the visual field of the worker  10 , and voice information that can be heard by the worker  10 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the system of the present embodiment includes a plurality of workers  10  and a plurality of task aid terminals  11 . 
     The network  12  is, for example, the internet, a local area network, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a remote USB, a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, an IC tag function, TransferJet (registered trademark), LTE, HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), or EV-DO (Evolution Data Only). The task aid terminal  11  and the task information management server  13  can be connected to each other through the network  12 . 
     The task information management server  13  is a server computer, for example, and classifies the products to be sorted according to the number of each product and the sorting destination, and generates task instruction information to the plurality of workers  10 , enabling information to be shared with the task aid terminals  11  through the network  12 . 
     The sorting destination shelves  14  are shelves where products at the sorting destination are distributed. Each shelf  14  has a code such as “A-1”, “A-2”, “B-1”, or “B-2” attached thereto to indicate the location, and the task aid terminal  11  reads the location code and acquires verification results from the task information management server  13 , thereby acquiring information on the location of the sorting destination shelves  14 . In the description below, a shelf  14  with a location of “A-1”, for example, is indicated simply as “shelf A-1”. This similarly applies to shelves  14  in other locations as well. 
     In Embodiment 1, the shelves  14  are arranged as shown in the plan view of  FIG. 1  such that the shelves A-1 to A-10 are arranged in order in one row, and similarly, the shelves B-1 to B-10 are arranged in another row. The order in which the shelves A-1 to A-10 are arranged is the same as that of the shelves B-1 to B-10, and the rows are arranged such that when a worker  10  is working while facing the shelf A-1, the worker&#39;s back faces the shelf B-1. 
     In the present embodiment, the shelves  14  may be of any aspect as long as they remain in one partitioned area. In other words, each shelf  14  may in reality include a plurality of physical shelves or just one physical shelf, each shelf  14  may be one segmented area of a single physical shelf, each shelf  14  may be a movable shelf such as a so-called cage truck, or each shelf  14  may be a box-shaped area. In any case, as described above, each shelf  14  is identified by a code or the like, and the task information management server  13  can identify the position of each shelf  14  during a sorting task (at least the positional relationship between two shelves  14 ). 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task aid terminal  11  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     The task aid terminal  11  includes a CPU  111 , a communication unit  112 , a position acquisition unit  113 , a task information output unit  114 , an input unit  115 , a power supply unit  116 , a memory  117 , a storage  118 , and a bus  119 . The task aid terminal  11  stores a transmission/reception processing unit  120  and an output processing unit  121  in the storage  118 , a control processing unit  122  pulls a program module corresponding to each of the processing units from the storage  118  and places it in the memory  117 , and by the control processing unit  122  executing the program modules, the processes of the present embodiment can be realized. These program modules may be stored in advance in the storage by the time the task aid terminal  11  is shipped, or may be stored in optical media such as a CD (compact disc), a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a Blu-Ray Disc (registered trademark) or a medium such as semiconductor memory and then installed in the device through a medium connection unit (not shown). Also, the task aid terminal  11  can download these programs through the communication unit  112  and via the network  12  from the task information management server  13  and install the programs. 
     The CPU  111  is a general term for a CPU (central processing unit), MPU (microprocessing unit), DSP (digital signal processor), or the like, and executes prescribed programs. 
     The communication unit  112  is provided with a wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, an IC tag function, TransferJet (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), EV-DO (Evolution Data Only) or WiMAX, or a wired communication function such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and transmits/receives various types of information. The wireless communication function includes an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, and the like. The wired communication function includes a connector, a modulation/demodulation circuit, and the like. For transmission/reception unit of information, switching can be performed as appropriate between network communication through a network, and direct communication in which various devices directly communicate without the use of a network (Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless USB, Felica (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Z-WAVE (registered trademark), visible light communication, infrared communication, or NFC (near field communication) (registered trademark)). The communication unit  101  may be configured to be compatible with a plurality of communication modes. 
     The position acquisition unit  113  is a device that acquires information for identifying the location of the task aid terminal  11 . The position acquisition unit  113  is a barcode reader, a camera, or the like, for example, and can optically read a specific graphic or a character array including identification information for each shelf, displayed in a prescribed location on each shelf  14 , which is a location for performing a sorting task. The specific graphic or character array to be read in is a one-dimensional barcode, a QR code, a two-dimensional barcode, or characters such as the aforementioned “A-1”, including identification information for each shelf, for example. The position acquisition unit  113  may be integral with the task aid terminal  11  or may be a separate terminal worn on a glove, a wristband, or the like. If the position acquisition unit  113  is a separate terminal from the task aid terminal  11 , the read-in results are transmitted to the task aid terminal  11  by wireless communication. Such communication is performed by Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, remote USB (universal serial bus), infrared communication, TransferJet (registered trademark), LTE, HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), EV-DO (Evolution Data Only), or the like. The position acquisition unit  113  may be a camera that recognizes an object by recognizing a specific graphic or character array as an image. 
     If the input unit  115  includes a camera, a barcode reader, or the like, it is possible to identify the position of the task aid terminal  11  on the basis of the read-in information, and thus, the position acquisition unit  113  is unnecessary. In other words, the position acquisition unit  113  may be included in the input unit  115 . 
     The task information output unit  114  has the function of outputting task information or the like to be mentioned later to the worker  10 , for example, and specifically, the task information may be projected to the visual field of the worker  10  by optically reflecting the task information off of a reflection plate as a head-mounted display, or may be directly projected to the retina of the worker  10 . 
     The input unit  115  includes one or more of the following: a keyboard, a mouse, a cursor key, a 10-key, or the like, receives an operation from the user, and inputs an input signal based on the operation to the CPU  111 . The input unit  115  may include a microphone or a camera and generate an input signal by voice recognition, image recognition, gesture recognition, or the like, and input the generated input signal to the CPU  111 . A configuration in which the task information output unit  114  and the input unit  115  are integral such as a touch panel may be used. Also, the input unit  115  may be disposed in a location away from the task aid terminal  11  as a processing unit having a similar function, with an input signal based on the operation being inputted to the CPU  111  through the network  12  or direct communication between devices. 
     The power supply unit  116  is constituted of a battery, an AC adapter, a charging circuit, or the like, and supplies power to each part of the task aid terminal  11  and charges the battery. Also, the power supply unit  116  confirms the remaining power of the battery of the task aid terminal  11 . 
     The memory  117  is constituted of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) or the like, and is controlled by commands from the control processing unit  122 . The functional units of the application programs stored in the storage  118  are placed in the memory  117 . 
     The storage  118  is constituted of a storage medium installed in the task aid terminal  11 , a removable external recording medium or optical disc, or the like, and stores various types of information. The storage  118  is controlled by commands from the control processing unit  122  and can store application programs, for example. The storage  118  stores various information created by the application programs such as individual task instruction information  123  for managing task instructions to each worker  10 , for example. 
     The bus  119  is a transmission path through which the respective parts of the task aid terminal  11  transmit signals to each other. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task information management server  13  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     The task information management server  13  includes a CPU  131 , a communication unit  132 , a display unit  133 , an input unit  134 , a power supply unit  135 , a memory  136 , a storage  137 , and a bus  138 . Of these parts, the parts with the same names as those shown in  FIG. 2  will not be explained here since the previous explanations as those for the parts in  FIG. 2  apply thereto. 
     The display unit  133  is constituted of a panel such as liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescent) display, or electronic paper and a driver circuit or the like, and displays desired information (characters, still images, videos, etc., for example) according to controls by the control processing unit  141 . The display unit  133  may have a plurality of panels that can each display different information. 
     The memory  136  stores a transmission/reception processing unit  139 , a task instruction generation processing unit  140 , and a control processing unit  141 . The storage  137  stores a delivery destination management database  142 , a sorting item warehousing management database  143 , a task instruction information management database  144 , a task result management database  145 , and layout information  146 . Descriptions thereof will follow. 
     In the present specification, the processes executed by the CPU  111  or  131  on the basis of program modules stored in the memory  117  or  136  are sometimes described as processes executed by processing units corresponding to the program modules. For example, a process executed by the control processing unit  122  is actually executed by the CPU  111  according to a program module corresponding to the control processing unit  122  stored in the memory  117 . This similarly applies to other processing units as well. 
     Here, a task instruction information generation process executed by the task information management server  13  and information referred to in order to execute the process will be described. 
     The task instruction generation processing unit  140  refers to the delivery destination management database  142  and the sorting item warehousing management database  143 , and distributes tasks to each worker  10  on the basis of the delivery destination and the number of product items to be delivered. 
       FIG. 4  is a descriptive view showing one example of the delivery destination management database  142  stored in the task information management server  13  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     Each record in the delivery destination management database  142  corresponds to one product item delivered to each delivery destination. In other words each record corresponds to one sorting task in which one product item is sorted to one delivery destination. Each record includes a sequence number  1421 , a delivery destination shop name  1422 , a delivery destination shop code  1423 , a sorting location  1424 , a delivery product name  1425 , a number of boxes to be sorted  1426 , and a number of individual items to be sorted  1427 . 
     The sequence number  1421  is a number for identifying each record. The delivery destination shop name  1422  and the delivery destination shop code  1423  are information for identifying the delivery destination of the product corresponding to each record. 
     The sorting location  1424  is information for identifying the shelf  14  corresponding to the delivery destination of each record. If the shelves  14  are arranged as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, then the value of the sorting location  1424  is shelf A-1 to A-10 or shelf B-1 to B-10. The value of the sorting location  1424  may be information simply identifying each shelf  14  or may include information indicating the location of each shelf  14  (such as a coordinate value). In the example of  FIG. 1 , among the values A-1 to A-10 and B-1 to B-10, A and B respectively indicate rows to which the shelves  14  belong, and 1 to 10 indicates the distance from one end of the row of each shelf  14 . Thus, it can be said that values such as A-1 not only identify each shelf  14  but also include information indicating the location of the shelves. 
     The delivery product name  1425  is the name of each product item to be delivered corresponding to each record. The number of boxes to be sorted  1426  and the number of individual items to be sorted  1427  indicate the number of product items to be delivered corresponding to each record. As shown in  FIG. 5 , if a plurality of items of the same product are packed in the same box, then the number of boxes to be sorted  1426  represents the number of boxes, and the number of individual items to be sorted  1427  represents the number of products taken out of the box. In general, a prescribed number of product items are packed in a box and conveyed, and, if possible, are sorted as is, but if the number of product items delivered to the destination is not divisible by the number of product items packed per box, then the leftover amount is removed from the box and sorted. In such a case, the number of sorted boxes and the number of product items taken out of the boxes are respectively managed as the number of boxes to be sorted  1426  and the number of individual items to be sorted  1427 . 
     The delivery destination shop, the products to be sorted, and the number of products sorted differs depending on the orders of each day. In some cases, sudden changes occur within the day. 
       FIG. 5  is a descriptive view showing one example of the sorting item warehousing management database  143  stored in the task information management server  13  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     Each record in the sorting item warehousing management database  143  corresponds to one product item stored in the warehouse to be sorted. Each record includes a sequence number  1431 , a to-be-sorted product name  1432 , a to-be-sorted product code  1433 , a number of boxes  1434 , a number of individual items per box  1435 , and a goods arrival date  1436 . 
     The sequence number  1431  is a number for identifying each record. The to-be-sorted product name  1432  and the to-be-sorted product code  1433  are information for identifying each product item in the warehouse to be sorted. The number of boxes  1434  and the number of individual items per box  1435  respectively indicate the number of boxes containing product items in the warehouse and the number of product items per box. By these numbers, the number of product items in the warehouse is determined. 
     Next, the task instruction generation processing unit  140  creates task instruction information for each worker on the basis of the results of distributing tasks to be performed, and stores the information in a task instruction information management database  144 . 
       FIG. 6  is a descriptive view showing one example of the task instruction information management database  144  stored in the task information management server  13  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     Each record in the task instruction information management database  144  corresponds to a sorting task instruction to one worker  10  for one destination of one product item. The task instruction information management database  144  is generated by allocating to each worker  10  a sorting task corresponding to each record in the delivery destination management database  142 , for example. Specifically, each record includes a sequence number  1441 , a planned task date  1442 , a worker ID  1443 , a sorting location  1444 , a to-be-sorted product name  1445 , a product code  1446 , a number of boxes to be sorted  1447 , and a number of individual items to be sorted  1448 . 
     Of these, the sequence number  1441  is a number for identifying each record; the sorting location  1444 , the to-be-sorted product name  1445 , the number of boxes to be sorted  1447 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1448  correspond, respectively, to the sorting location  1424 , the delivery product name  1425 , the number of boxes to be sorted  1426 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1427  of the delivery destination management database  142 ; the product code  1446  corresponds to the to-be-sorted product code  1433  of the sorting item warehousing management database  143 ; and the planned task date  1442  and the worker ID  1443  are identification information, respectively, of the planned date when the sorting task corresponding to each record is to be performed, and the worker  10  to which the sorting task has been assigned. 
     The number of products determined according to the total number of boxes to be sorted  1447  of all workers pertaining to one item and the total number of individual items to be sorted  1448  matches the number of product items determined according to the number of boxes  1434  and the number of individual items  1435  of the sorting item warehousing management database  143 . The sorting location  1444  is associated with the shelves  14  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The layout information  146  is information indicating where each shelf  14  is arranged. A representative example of the layout information  146  is the coordinates of each shelf  14 , but as long as information enabling determination of the positional relationship between any two shelves  14  is included, any type of information may be used. If the sorting location  1444  of the task instruction information management database  144  includes information indicating the arrangement location of each shelf  14 , for example, then this information can be used as the layout information  146 . If the sorting location  1444  is simply identification information for each shelf  14 , then the layout information  146  includes information in which the identification information of each shelf  14  is associated with the coordinates of each shelf, for example. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing one example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process executed by the task aid terminal  11  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     The control processing unit  122  acquires task information from the task information management server  13  through the communication unit  112  and stores this information as the individual task instruction information  123  (S 201 ). The individual task instruction information  123  is equivalent to a portion of the information stored in the task instruction information management database  144  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Specifically, the task information management server  13  transmits, to the task aid terminal  11  used by the worker  10  identified by an identification number (ID) “001”, information of a record where the worker ID  1443  is “001”, among the task instruction information stored in the task instruction information management database  144 . The task aid terminal  11  stores the received information as individual task instruction information  123  in the storage  118  (S 201 ). In other words, the individual task instruction information  123  is a list identifying the type of sorting tasks to be performed by each worker  10  (sorting task location, number of products to be sorted, etc.) and the order of tasks, and the sequence number  1441  may indicate the order at which each task is to be executed, for example. 
     The task information management server  13  may transmit, to the task aid terminal  11  of each worker  10 , all information of records to be handled by each worker  10  included in the task instruction information stored in the task instruction information management database  144 , but alternatively, the task information management server  13  may transmit only the information of records at the top of the execution order. There is a possibility that the progress of tasks performed by each worker  10  would vary due to the weight of the load actually carried for each task as well as the abilities of each worker  10 , and thus, the task information management server  13  may switch the worker  10  to which tasks that have not yet been transmitted are assigned according to the actual task progress and transmit the tasks at an appropriate timing. In this manner, it is possible to optimize the allocation of sorting tasks throughout the warehouse. 
     If the sorting location  1444  corresponds to the layout information  146  as described above, then the layout information  146  is also copied to the task aid terminal  11 . If the sorting location  1444  is merely identification information, then the task information management server  13  may transmit to the task aid terminal  11  a copy of the layout information  146 , with the task aid terminal  11  storing the received copy in the storage  118 . 
     In the process shown in  FIG. 8 , when the next sorting location is identified, the layout information is used in order to determine the direction and distance from the current location of the worker  10  (current sorting location, for example) to the next sorting location. Thus, the task aid terminal  11  may, instead of storing such layout information, transmit information to the task information management server  13  identifying the current location of the worker  10  and the next sorting location, with the task information management server  13  referring to the layout information  146  to transmit to the task aid terminal  11  information indicating the positional relationship between the current location of the worker  10  and the next sorting location, and the task aid terminal  11  storing the received information as layout information, to determine on the basis thereof the direction and distance. 
     Next, the output processing unit  121  outputs the instruction results to the task information output unit  114  (S 202 ). 
       FIGS. 9 to 14  are descriptive drawings of examples 1 to 6 of task instructions outputted by the task aid terminal  11  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Below, the display screen will be described with reference to these drawings. 
       FIG. 9  is an example of a display of instruction results outputted in S 202 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the screen displayed by the task information output unit  114  of the task aid terminal  11  includes in the center thereof the sorting location  151 , and therebelow includes the number of boxes to be sorted  152  and the number of individual items to be sorted  153 . These are a portion of the information included in the individual task instruction information  123 . The screen in  FIG. 9  is displayed only during the task start time (that is, when the sorting task at the first sorting destination shelf  14  is started), and in screens thereafter, a graphic indicating the direction is shown as in  FIGS. 10, 11 , and  12 . 
     The worker  10  using the task aid terminal  11  views the display of  FIG. 9 , places the designated product (that is, the product conveyed by the worker  10 ) on the sorting destination shelf A-1, and the position acquisition unit  113  reads the sorting destination (S 203 ). Specifically, the worker  10  may operate a barcode reader or camera corresponding to the position acquisition unit  113  to read in the barcode displayed at the shelf A-1, or may operate the camera to read in the characters “A-1” displayed at the shelf A-1, for example. When the task of step S 203  is performed, the task aid terminal  11  can determine that the current sorting task location is the shelf A-1. 
     Next, the control processing unit  122  compares the read-in results from the position acquisition unit  113  with the sorting location  1444  of the individual task instruction information  123  (S 204 ). If the comparison results match (S 204 : Yes), then the transmission/reception processing unit  120  transmits the read-in date/time, the number of boxes to be sorted  1447 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1448  to the task information management server  13  through the communication unit  112  (S 205 ). 
       FIG. 7  is a descriptive view showing one example of the task result management database  145  stored in the task information management server  13  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     Each record in the task result management database  145  stores a sequence number  1451 , a task date/time  1452 , a worker ID  1453 , a sorting location  1454 , a to-be-sorted product  1455 , a number of boxes to be sorted  1456 , and a number of individual items to be sorted  1457 . If the task has been performed correctly, the date section of the task date/time  1452 , the worker ID  1453 , the sorting location  1454 , the product to be sorted  1455 , the number of boxes to be sorted  1456 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1457  become equal to the planned task date  1442 , the worker ID  1443 , the sorting location  1444 , the to-be-sorted product name  1445 , the number of boxes to be sorted  1447 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1448  of the task instruction information management database  144 , respectively, and the time at which the task was actually performed is added to the task date/time  1452 . 
     Next, the control processing unit  122  refers to the individual task instruction information  123  to confirm whether all tasks have been completed (S 206 ). If all tasks have been completed (S 206 : Yes), the control processing unit  122  ends the process. If the tasks are not complete (S 206 : No), then in S 207 , the output processing unit  121  determines the relationship between the current sorting location determined in S 203  and the next sorting location (S 207 ), and on the basis of these determination results, outputs information with instructions on the next sorting location and direction to the task information output unit  114  (S 208 ). 
     Specifically, in S 207 , the output processing unit  121  refers to the individual task instruction information  123  and determines which sorting task should be performed next after the immediately preceding completed sorting task, and with reference to the layout information, determines the positional relationship between the current sorting location (that is, the location where the immediately preceding sorting task was completed) and the next sorting location (that is, the location where the next sorting task should be performed). More specifically, the output processing unit  121  determines the direction of the next sorting location relative to the direction that the worker  10  is facing at the current sorting location, and the distance required for the worker  10  to reach the next sorting location from the current sorting location. The output processing unit  121  then outputs the information indicating the deter mined direction and distance to the task information output unit  114  in S 208 . 
     If, for example, the shelves  14  are arranged as shown in  FIG. 1 , the sorting task at the shelf A-1 is complete, and the next sorting location is the shelf A-3, then under the assumption that the worker  10  is facing the direction of the shelf A-1, which is the current sorting location, as soon as the position acquisition unit  113  has read in the sorting destination in S 203 , it is determined on the basis of the layout information that the shelf A-3, which is the next sorting location, is to the right of where the worker  10  is currently located, and that the movement distance thereto is equal to the distance of three shelves  14  (see plan view of  FIG. 1 ). The screen outputted in S 208  in such a case is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the next sorting location is indicated by the direction of the arrow-shaped graphic  161 , and the distance thereto is indicated by the number of graphics  161  displayed. In this example, the shelf A-3, which is the next sorting location, is to the right of where the worker  10  is currently located, and thus, a right-facing graphic  161  is displayed. Also, the distance to the shelf A-3 is less than or equal to the distance of three shelves  14 , and thus, only one graphic  161  is displayed. Also, similar to the example of  FIG. 9 , the next sorting location  162  (shelf A-3 in  FIG. 10 ), the number of boxes to be sorted  163 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  164  at the next sorting location are displayed on the screen. By this display, the worker  10  can be informed of the direction of the next sorting location. 
     When a screen such as that of  FIG. 10  is displayed, the worker  10  is directly facing the sorting destination shelf A-1, and the visual direction of the worker  10  is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the shelves A-1 to A-10 are arranged, and if the task aid terminal  11  has a head-mounted display, then the visual direction at that time is substantially the same as the visual direction when viewing the head-mounted display. Thus, by displaying the right-facing arrow graphic  161  with reference to the aforementioned perpendicular direction, the worker  10  can be instructed as to which direction to move. 
     However, thereafter, once the worker  10  starts moving in the direction of the shelf A-10, the worker&#39;s visual direction becomes substantially parallel to the direction in which the shelves A-1 to A-10 are arranged, and thus, if the task aid terminal  11  continues to display the screen of  FIG. 10 , this can confuse the worker  10 . Thus, after a prescribed time has elapsed since the graphic  161  indicating the direction in  FIG. 10  starts being displayed, the task aid terminal  11  stops displaying the graphic  161  (that is, the graphic  161  stops being displayed, and thereafter, only the next sorting location  162 , the number of boxes to be sorted  163 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  164  are displayed). Here, it is preferable that the prescribed time be a length of time sufficient for the worker  10  to view the graphic  161  and recognize the direction, while being a short enough not to confuse the worker  10  who has started moving. An example of such a length of time is approximately two seconds. 
       FIG. 11  shows an example of a screen displayed during S 208  for a case in which it is determined in S 207  that the next sorting location is the shelf B-1, which is across the passageway from the current sorting location (shelf A-1). In this example, a downward-facing graphic  171  is displayed to indicate that the shelf B-1, which is the next sorting location, is in the opposite direction to the visual direction of the worker  10  (that is, behind the worker). 
       FIG. 12  shows an example of a screen displayed during S 208  for a case in which it is determined in S 207  that the next sorting location is the shelf B-3, which is across the passageway from and diagonal to the current sorting location (shelf A-1). In this example, a lower right-facing graphic  181  is displayed to indicate that the shelf B-3, which is the next sorting location, is to the rear and right of the visual direction of the worker  10 . 
     As shown in the display of  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , if the direction of the next sorting location in relation to the current sorting location is displayed, then the worker  10  is made aware of the direction of the next sorting location, and is able to move more quickly in that direction, thereby increasing the speed at which tasks are accomplished. 
       FIG. 13  shows an example of a screen displayed during S 208  for a case in which it is determined in S 207  that the next sorting location is the shelf A 10, which is in the same row as the current sorting location (shelf A 1) but is farther way. In this example, two right-facing arrow graphics  191  and  192  are displayed. The fact that these arrows face right, similar to the example of  FIG. 10 , indicates that the next sorting location is to the right of the worker  10 . The fact that two graphics  191  and  192  are displayed indicates that the next sorting location is far from the current sorting location. It may be determined, for example, that if the distance from the current sorting location to the next sorting location is less than or equal to the distance of three shelves  14 , then the distance is short, and if this distance exceeds the distance of three shelves  14 , then the distance is far. Similar to  FIG. 10 , the graphics  191  and  192  are displayed for two seconds and then stop being displayed. If, as shown in  FIG. 13 , it can be determined that the distance between the current sorting location and the next sorting location is far, then the worker  10  can start moving earlier, and by not paying attention to shelves  14  close to the current sorting location when searching for the next sorting location, the time taken to search for the next sorting location can be shortened, thereby increasing the speed at which tasks are performed. 
     An example was described in which the right-facing arrow graphic  161  and the like in  FIGS. 10 and 13  are displayed on the right hand side of the screen, but if the next sorting location is to the left of the worker  10  such as a case in which the current sorting location is the shelf B-1 in  FIG. 1  and the next sorting location is the shelf B-10, then a left-facing arrow graphic is displayed on the left hand side of the screen. 
     If it is determined in S 204  that the comparison results do not match (S 204 : No), then the control processing unit  122  outputs, to the task information output unit  114 , the correct task location and direction (S 209 ) and returns the process to before S 203 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an example of a screen displayed in S 209 . Specifically,  FIG. 14  shows a case in which the correct sorting location is the shelf A-10 but the worker inadvertently performed a sorting task at one of shelves A-1 to A-9. In this example, the right-facing arrow graphic  191  indicates the direction of the next correct sorting location with respect to the direction of the worker  10  when the task results are being read in during S 203  (direction perpendicular to that in which the sorting destination shelves A-1 to A-10 are arranged). Similar to  FIG. 10 , the graphic of  FIG. 14  is displayed for two seconds and then stops being displayed, and then the screen of S 208  is displayed. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sorting location and direction are indicated by simple characters and graphics, and by displaying on a head-mounted display directly in front of the eyes of the worker  10 , the time needed for the worker  10  to determine the location of the next task location can be reduced. 
     In the present embodiment, a case was described in which there is only one worker  10 , but the task instruction information management database  144  can register a plurality of workers  10 , and a plurality of workers  10  may perform the task. 
     In the present embodiment, a case was described in which a sorting task is being performed, but the embodiment may be applied to a picking task in which a product is picked at a designated location. 
     Additionally, in the present embodiment, an example was described in which the direction of the next sorting location and the distance thereto are indicated by the direction and number of arrow graphics, but such information may be displayed in another form. For example, the task aid terminal  11  may display the direction of the next sorting location by a graphic other than an arrow. Also, the task aid terminal  11  may use a distance other than the distance of three shelves  14  as the standard for determining whether the distance to the next sorting location is far, the task aid terminal  11  may display display a more precise distance by a method such as displaying three arrow graphics if the distance to the next sorting location exceeds the distance of six shelves  14 , for example, or the task aid terminal  11  may, instead of indicating distance by the number of arrow graphics, indicate the distance by shape, length, or the like of the arrow graphic or display a numerical value indicating the distance. 
     A portion of the process of  FIG. 8  may be performed by the task information management server  13 . In S 203 , the task aid terminal  11  may transmit the read in task results to the task information management server  13 , with the task information management server  13  performing S 204  to S 207  with reference to information stored in the storage  137  and transmitting information outputted in S 208  or S 209  to the task aid terminal  11 , and the task aid terminal  11  executing S 208  or S 209  on the basis of the received information. 
     In the present embodiment, a mode was described in which the task information output unit  114  operates as a head-mounted display, and the information is displayed in front of the eyes of the worker  10 , but a mode may be adopted in which the task information output unit  114  is an earphone or a speaker and task instruction information (information such as the distance to the next sorting location and the number of product items to be sorted at the next sorting location, for example) is outputted as speech. In such a case, a head-mounted display is not required, and thus, a system with a less expensive configuration can be realized. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 15 to 20 . Aside from the differences described below, the various components of the system of Embodiment 2 have the same functions as the components of Embodiment 1 that are displayed in  FIGS. 1 to 14  and that are assigned the same reference characters, and thus, descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     In Embodiment 1, an example was described in which the sorting destination shelves  14  are arranged in two rows facing each other, and the worker moves in a one-dimension direction between these shelves in performing the sorting task. However, if the sorting shelves  14  are arranged two-dimensionally and the worker performs a sorting task while moving in two-dimensional directions, then with the method of Embodiment 1, the same direction for the sorting location can indicate a large number of sorting destination shelves  14 , which presents a difficulty in reducing the determination time. In the present embodiment, a method will be described in which the determination time for a sorting task is reduced when the sorting destination shelves  14  are arranged two-dimensionally. 
       FIG. 15  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     The system according to the present embodiment is constituted of a worker  10 , a task aid terminal  21 , a network  12 , a task information management server  13 , sorting destination shelves  14 , task range information transmitting devices  25  ( 25 ( a ) to  25 ( d )), and direction adjustment markers  26 . 
     The task range information transmitting devices  25  are devices that continuously emit a unique signal. The task aid terminal  21  can identify the task range information transmitting device  25  with the strongest signal even when there are a plurality of task range information transmitting devices  25 . Examples of such a signal include iBeacon (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), ZWAVE and the like. 
     The direction adjustment markers  26  are symbols pasted on a side to be the reference in setting the direction of the task aid terminal  21 . By the worker  10  wearing the task aid terminal  21  facing the direction of the direction adjustment marker  26 , a direction detection unit  212  of the task aid terminal  21  can adjust the initial position of the direction. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a task aid terminal  21  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     The task aid terminal  21  includes a CPU  111 , a communication unit  112 , a position acquisition unit  113 , a task information output unit  114 , an input unit  115 , a power supply unit  116 , a task range acquisition unit  211 , the direction detection unit  212 , a memory  117 , a storage  118 , and a bus  119 . Descriptions of parts with the same reference characters as Embodiment 1 will be omitted. 
     The task range acquisition unit  211  is a reception unit that can receive signals emitted by the task range information transmitting device  25 . The signal transmitted by the task range information transmitting device  25  includes information enabling acquisition of the position of the worker  10 . Specifically, as will be described later, the area in which the worker  10  is present is determined on the basis of identification information included in the signal emitted by the task range information transmitting device  25 , and the position of the worker  10  in the area is determined on the basis of the intensity of the signal. If the input unit  115  includes the reception unit such as described above, the task aid terminal  21  need not be provided with the task range acquisition unit  211 . In other words, the task range acquisition unit  211  may be included in the input unit  115 . 
     The direction detection unit  212  includes a gyro sensor or the like, for example, and detects the orientation of the task aid terminal  21 . 
     The memory  117  stores, in addition to a program module similar to that stored in the memory  117  of Embodiment 1, a program module corresponding to a task range determination processing unit  213 . Also, the storage  118  stores a task range intensity management database  214  in addition to the individual task instruction information  123 . Details thereof will be described later. 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing one example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process executed by the task aid terminal  21  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     The control processing unit  122  detects the current direction through the direction detection unit  212 , and designates, as the initial direction, the direction detected when the worker  10  wearing the task aid terminal  21  is facing the direction of the direction adjustment marker  26  (S 301 ). 
       FIG. 18  is a descriptive drawing showing one example of an instruction screen for direction initialization outputted by the task aid terminal  21  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the task information output unit  114  outputs a message screen instructing the worker to face the front of the direction adjustment marker  26 . After the screen of  FIG. 18  is displayed, the worker  10  wearing the task aid ter urinal  21  performs an operation, thereby completing adjustment of the initial direction. Specifically, if the worker  10  is in front of the row of shelves A-1 to A-10, for example, then he/she stands in front of the direction adjustment marker  26  at the end of the row while facing the direction adjustment marker  26  and performs a prescribed operation. Here, the operation method may be to recognize a verbal statement such as “completed”, which is spoken into a microphone provided in the input unit  115 , or to recognize a gesture, finger movement, or the like of the worker  10  by a camera provided in the input unit  115 . Alternatively, a barcode reader of the position acquisition unit  113  may be used to read in a barcode signifying “completed”. By this operation, the direction detection unit  212  detects the direction. This direction is designated as the initial direction. The direction detection unit  212  can detect the direction relative to the initial direction, and thus, by detecting the initial direction when the worker  10  is facing a predetermined direction (in other words, when the orientation of the task aid terminal  21  relative to the direction adjustment marker  26  satisfies a prescribed condition), it is thereafter possible for the task aid terminal  21  to determine the direction that the worker  10  is facing using the direction detection unit  212 . 
     The control processing unit  122  acquires task information from the task information management server  13  through the communication unit  112  and stores this information as the individual task instruction information  123  (S 302 ). The individual task instruction information  123  is equivalent to that disclosed in Embodiment 1, and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted. Next, the task range acquisition unit  211  receives signals emitted by the task range information transmitting device  25  and acquires the current area (S 303 ). In the example of  FIG. 15 , the areas are formed by dividing the region into four areas A, B, C, and D from the left. That is, each region indicates the front of the row of shelves A-1 to A-10, the front of the row of shelves B-1 to B-10, the front of the row of shelves C-1 to C-10, and the front of the row of shelves D-1 to D-10. The task range information transmitting devices  25  (that is, the respective task range information transmitting devices  25 ( a ) to  25 ( d )) are disposed in the respective areas. Below, a process for when the current location of the worker is the shelf A-1 and the next sorting location is the shelf D-10 will be described. 
     The task range determination processing unit  213  compares the area to which belongs the current location of the worker  10  (at this stage, the current sorting location) determined on the basis of the signal of the task range information transmitting device  25  received through the task range acquisition unit  211 , with the area to which the next sorting location belongs, and determines whether these are the same area (S 304 ). If the current area is A and the area of the next sorting location is D (S 304 : No), then the output processing unit  121  outputs the next sorting location and the direction thereof to the task information output unit  114  (S 306 ). The screen outputted at this time will be explained with reference to  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 19  is a descriptive drawing of an example of task instructions outputted by the task aid terminal  21  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     An arrow graphic  301  indicates the direction of the next sorting location and dynamically changes according to the direction that the worker faces. Meanwhile, the one or more (three in the example of  FIG. 19 ) triangle graphics  302  are a measure indicating the distance from the current sorting location to the next sorting location, and if the areas differ, then it is assumed that the distance is far, and three graphics are displayed. 
     The display method of  FIG. 19  is one example, and the task aid terminal  21  may display the direction of the next sorting location with a graphic other than an arrow, for example, or may indicate the distance according to the shape, number, or the like of the arrow graphic  301 , for example, without using the graphics  302 . 
     The control processing unit  122  confirms whether the position acquisition unit  113  has read in the sorting location in S 307 . This determination is performed similarly to S 203  of  FIG. 8 . If the sorting location has not been read in (S 307 : No), then the control processing unit  122  again performs the process of S 303 . 
     Next, a case will be described in which the worker  10  follows the task instructions to move from the area A to the area D. 
     The task range determination processing unit  213  compares the area to which belongs the current location of the worker  10  determined on the basis of the signal of the task range information transmitting device  25  received through the task range acquisition unit  211 , with the area to which the next sorting location belongs, and determines whether these are the same area (S 304 ). If it is determined that both the current area and the area of the next sorting location are D (S 304 : Yes), then the task range determination processing unit  213  determines whether the distance from the current location of the worker  10  to the next sorting location is less than or equal to a prescribed value (S 305 ). If it is determined that the distance from the current location of the worker  10  to the next sorting location is greater than the prescribed value (S 305 : No), then the output processing unit  121  outputs the next sorting location and the direction thereof to the task information output unit  114  (S 306 ). 
     Here, the distance from the current position of the worker  10  to the next sorting location, which are in the same area, is determined on the basis of the intensity of the signal received by the task aid terminal  21  from the task range information transmitting device  25 . The task range information transmitting device  25  emits radio waves radially, and thus, the signal intensity attenuates with greater distance. Relying on this principle, if the difference between the intensity of the signal received by the task aid terminal  21  from the task range information transmitting device  25  at the current location and the intensity of the signal that would be received by the task aid terminal  21  from the task range information transmitting device  25  if the worker  10  were located at the next sorting location is less than or equal to a prescribed value (20 dB, for example), then the task range determination processing unit  213  determines that the distance from the current location of the worker  10  to the next sorting location is less than or equal to the prescribed value. 
       FIG. 20  is a descriptive view showing one example of the task range intensity management database  214  stored in the task aid terminal  21  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     The task range intensity management database  214  records the intensity of signals from the task range information transmitting devices  25  received in each sorting location (that is, each shelf  14 ) of each area. For example, in the area A, the signal intensity of the task range information transmitting device  25 ( a ) is the strongest at the closest shelf A-1 and the weakest at the farthest shelf A-10. This similarly applies to the areas B to D. These intensity values are actual measurements taken in each area in advance, for example. 
     Each task range information transmitting device  25 ( a ) to  25 ( d ) transmits a different frequency signal, for example, such that the signals do not interfere with each other. Thus, the task aid terminal  21  can measure the intensity of the signal received from each of the task range information transmitting devices  25 ( a ) to  25 ( d ). If the signal received from the task range information transmitting device  25 ( d ) is the strongest, for example, then the task aid terminal  21  determines that the worker  10  is in the area D, and with reference to the task range intensity management database  214  determines a shelf  14  in the area D (that is, one of shelves D-1 to D-10) with a signal intensity that corresponds the closest to intensity of the received signal to be the current location of the worker  10 . 
     In S 305 , if the signal from the task range information transmitting device  25 ( d ) received by the task aid terminal  21  is the strongest, and the difference between that signal intensity and the signal intensity corresponding to the next sorting location (shelf D-19, for example) acquired from the task range intensity management database  214  is no less than 20 dB, then it is determined that the worker  10  is in the same area as the next sorting location, and that the distance between the current location and the sorting location exceeds a prescribed value. In such a case, the graphic  301  indicates the direction of the next sorting location relative to the current orientation of the worker  10  (that is, the orientation of the task aid terminal  21  worn by the worker  10 ). 
     In the present embodiment, the task aid terminal  21  includes the direction detection unit  212 , and acquires in advance the initial direction, and thus, the output processing unit  121  can acquire the direction relative to the next sorting location no matter what direction the worker  10  faces. The relative direction acquired by the output processing unit  121  in this manner is transmitted to the task information output unit  114 , and the task information output unit  114  outputs the graphic  301  indicating the direction, and thus, the graphic  301  dynamically changes direction according to the orientation of the worker  10 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike Embodiment 1, the display of the direction need not end after a prescribed time (two seconds, for example), but instead, the direction can continue to be displayed until the worker  10  arrives at the next sorting location. 
     Meanwhile, the graphics  302  show the distance from the current location of the worker  10  to the next sorting location. If the worker  10  is in the same area as the sorting location but the distance between the locations exceeds a prescribed value, then the task information output unit  114  may display two triangular graphics  302 , for example. 
     The control processing unit  122  confirms whether the position acquisition unit  113  has read in the sorting location in S 307 . If the sorting location has not been read in (S 307 : No), then the control processing unit  122  again performs the process of S 303 . 
     Next, the worker moves, and if the difference between the intensity of the signal received from the task range information transmitting device  25 ( d ) in the area D and the intensity of the signal at the next sorting location acquired from the task range intensity management database  214  is less than or equal to 20 dB (S 305 : Yes), the output processing unit  121  outputs the direction of the next sorting location to the task information output unit  114  (S 306 ). 
     Specifically, at this point, the graphic  301  indicates the direction of the next sorting location relative to the current orientation of the worker  10 , and dynamically changes according to the orientation of the worker  10 . Meanwhile, the graphics  302  show the distance from the current location to the next sorting location. If, in the same area, the difference in signal intensity from the task range information transmitting devices  25  is 20 dB or less, then the worker  10  may be considered to be in the area and close to the sorting location, and therefore, the task information output unit  114  may display one graphic  302 . 
     The control processing unit  122  confirms whether the position acquisition unit  113  has read in the sorting location in S 307 . If the sorting location has been read in (S 307 : Yes), the control processing unit  122  compares the read-in results from the position acquisition unit  113  with the sorting location  1444  of the individual task instruction information  123  (S 308 ). If the comparison results match (S 308 : Yes), then the transmission/reception processing unit  120  transmits the read-in date/time, the number of boxes to be sorted  1447 , and the number of individual items to be sorted  1448  to the task information management server  13  through the communication unit  112  (S 309 ), and the process ends. 
     If the comparison results do not match (S 308 : No), then the control processing unit  122  outputs, to the task information output unit  114 , the correct task location and direction (S 310 ), and then returns the process to before S 307 . 
     In the example above, a different number of graphics  302  are displayed for a case in which the current sorting location and the next sorting location belong to different areas, a case in which the sorting locations belong to the same area but the distance is greater than or equal to a prescribed value, and a case in which the sorting locations belong to the same area and the distance is less than or equal to the value. However, this manner of display is one example, and the task aid terminal  21  may determine how display is performed by another standard. For example, the task aid terminal  21  may merely display a number of graphics  302  that is substantially proportional to the distance that the worker would have to move. In any case, it is preferable that the display standard be determined such that the sense of distance felt by the worker in actual motion does not diverge from the sense of distance intuitively understood according to the graphics  302 . 
     A portion of the process of  FIG. 17  may be executed by the task information management server  13 . Information similar to the task range intensity management database is stored in the storage  137  of the task information management server  13 , for example. The task aid terminal  21  may transmit the area acquired in S 303  and the intensity of the received signal to the task information management server  13 , with the task information management server  13  performing S 304  and S 305  on the basis of information received by the task information management server  13  and information stored in the storage  137 , determining the information to be displayed in S 306 , and transmitting the information to the task aid terminal  21 . The task aid terminal  21  executes S 306  on the basis of the received information and transmits to the task information management server  13  the read in results of S 307 . The task information management server  13  executes S 308  and S 309 , and if necessary, transmits information to be displayed in S 310  to the task aid terminal  21 , and the task aid terminal  21  executes S 310  on the basis of the received information. 
     Also, the position of the worker  10  is deter mined on the basis of the intensity of the received wireless signal and the identification information included in the signal in this example, but a method may be used other than determining the position on the basis of the received wireless signal. In an environment where a GPS (Global Positional System) signal can be received, for example, the position of the worker  10  may be determined according to the GPS signal. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, by detection of the direction and simple detection of the direction by the task range information transmitting devices  25 , it is possible to reduce the time required for the worker  10  to determine the position of the next sorting location even with a sorting task that requires the worker  10  to move in a two-dimensional direction. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 21 . Aside from the differences described below, the various components of the system of Embodiment 3 have the same functions as the components of Embodiment 1 or 2 that are displayed in  FIGS. 1 to 20  and that are assigned the same reference characters, and thus, descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     In Embodiment 1, the position acquisition unit  113  was a barcode reader, and in S 203 , the position acquisition unit  113  read in a graphic or characters to identify the position of the sorting shelves  14 . 
     On the other hand, in Embodiment 3, a case will be described in which a task range information transmitting device  25  is installed at each sorting destination, and the process of S 203  is performed by the task range acquisition unit  211  reading in the intensity of the signal emitted by the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
       FIG. 21  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
     The system according to the present embodiment is constituted of a worker  10 , a task aid terminal  21 , a network  12 , a task information management server  23 , sorting destination shelves  14 , and task range information transmitting devices  25 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , one task range information transmitting device  25  is installed at each sorting shelf  14 . 
     The task aid terminal  21  of the present embodiment is similar to the task aid terminal  21  of Embodiment 2 (see  FIG. 16 ) other than that the storage  118  further stores a sorting location signal management database (not shown). However, the task aid terminal  21  of the present embodiment may not be provided with a direction detection unit  212 . 
     An example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process in the task aid terminal  21  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 . S 201  and S 202  are the same process as in  FIG. 8 , and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     In S 203 , when the worker  10  sorts the relevant products at the designated sorting shelf  14 , the worker notifies the task aid terminal  21  of completion of the sorting task. Speech, gestures, finger movements or the like indicating that the worker has completed sorting may be inputted into a microphone, camera, or the like included in the input unit  134 , for example. When the control processing unit  122  receives a notification from the worker  10  through the input unit  134 , the task range determination processing unit  213  confirms the intensity of the signal received by the task range acquisition unit  211  from the task range information transmitting devices  25 , and if the signal intensity is greater than or equal to a prescribed value (80 dB, for example), then the process progresses to S 204 . 
     Here, the fact that the intensity of the signal received from the task range information transmitting devices  25  is greater than or equal to the prescribed value indicates that the worker  10  has come to within a prescribed distance from the shelf  14  at which the task range information transmitting device  25  is installed. In the present embodiment, when the worker  10  comes to within a prescribed distance of the shelf  14 , it is determined that the sorting task at that shelf  14  has been performed (that is, task results were read in during S 203 ). The shelf  14  identified by the signal ID is the shelf at which a sorting task was performed (that is, the current sorting location). 
     In S 204 , the task range determination processing unit  213  refers to the sorting location signal management database and determines the sorting location matching the ID of the confirmed signal (signal having an intensity of 80 dB or greater in the above example), compares the identified sorting location with the sorting location  1444  of the individual task instruction information  123 , and determines whether the two sorting locations match. 
     The task range information transmitting device  25  installed at each sorting shelf  14  has a unique ID. The sorting location signal management database manages the unique IDs of each of the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
     If, as a result of comparison, the IDs match (S 204 : Yes), then the process progresses to S 205 . If, as a result of comparison, the IDs do not match (S 204 : No), then the process progresses to S 209 . The process after S 205  is the same as the process of  FIG. 8 , and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sorting location determination process can be easily performed by determining the sorting location on the basis of the signal received from the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
     Embodiment 4 
     Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 22 . Aside from the differences described below, the various components of the system of Embodiment 4 have the same functions as the components of Embodiments 1 to 3 that are displayed in  FIGS. 1 to 21  and that are assigned the same reference characters, and thus, descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     In Embodiment 2, the position acquisition unit  113  was a barcode reader, and in S 307 , the position acquisition unit  113  read in graphic or characters to identify the position of the sorting shelves  14 . 
     In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a task range information transmitting device  25  is installed at each sorting destination, and the process of S 307  is performed by the task range acquisition unit  211  reading in the intensity of the signal emitted by the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
       FIG. 22  is a descriptive view of an example of a system configuration according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
     The system according to the present embodiment is constituted of a worker  10 , a task aid terminal  21 , a network  12 , a task information management server  23 , sorting destination shelves  14 , and task range information transmitting devices  25 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , one task range information transmitting device  25  is installed at each sorting shelf  14 . 
     The task aid terminal  21  of the present embodiment is similar to the task aid terminal  21  of Embodiment 2 (see  FIG. 16 ) other than that the storage  118  further stores a sorting location signal management database (not shown). 
     An example of a task information acquisition process and a task direction display process in the task aid terminal  21  will be described with reference to  FIG. 17 . 
     S 301  to S 306  are the same process as in  FIG. 17 , and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     In S 307 , when the worker  10  sorts the relevant products at the designated sorting shelf  14 , the worker notifies the task aid terminal  21  of completion of the sorting task. This notification method is similar to S 203  of Embodiment 3, for example. When the control processing unit  122  receives a notification from the worker  10  through the input unit  134 , the task range determination processing unit  213  confirms the intensity of the signal from the task range information transmitting devices  25 , and if the signal intensity is greater than or equal to a prescribed value (80 dB, for example), then the process progresses to S 308 . The determination of the signal intensity has a similar significance to the determination executed when progressing from S 203  to S 204  in Embodiment 3. 
     In S 308 , the task range determination processing unit  213  refers to the sorting location signal management database, determines the sorting location matching the ID of the confirmed signal, compares the identified sorting location with the sorting location  1444  of the individual task instruction information  123 , and determines whether the two sorting locations match. 
     The task range information transmitting device  25  installed at each sorting shelf  14  has a unique ID. The sorting location signal management database manages the unique IDs of each of the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
     If, as a result of comparison, the IDs match (S 308 : Yes), then the process progresses to S 309 . If, as a result of comparison, the IDs do not match (S 308 : No), then the process progresses to S 310 . The process after S 309  is the same as the process of  FIG. 17 , and thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sorting location determination process can be easily performed by determining the sorting location on the basis of the signal received from the task range information transmitting devices  25 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments above, and includes various modification examples. The embodiments above were described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy to understand manner, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to including all configurations described, for example. It is possible to replace a portion of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is possible to add to the configuration of the one embodiment a configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, other configurations can be added or removed, or replace portions of the configurations of the respective embodiments. 
     Some or all of the respective configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, and the like can be realized with hardware such as by designing an integrated circuit, for example. Additionally, the respective configurations, functions, and the like can be realized by software by the processor interpreting programs that execute the respective functions and executing such programs. Programs, data, tables, files, and the like realizing respective functions can be stored in a storage device such as a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or a solid state drive (SSD), or in a computer-readable non-transitory data storage medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD. 
     Control lines and data lines regarded as necessary for explanation have been described, but not all control lines and data lines in the product have necessarily been shown. In reality, almost all components can be thought of as connected to each other.