CN111415110A - Method and device for inventorying shelves - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and a device for inventorying shelves, and relates to the technical field of storage. A specific implementation of the method includes: issuing a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; separately calculating the inventory time of the shelves, and according to the inventory time of each shelf, to the automatic guided transportation that transports each shelf The vehicle sends an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or sends an instruction to stay at the workstation; receive the identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector, and determine the item details associated with the identifier according to the identifier of the shelf information, and deliver the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector. This embodiment can solve the technical problems of low inventory efficiency and occupied resources.

Description

Method and device for inventorying shelves

technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of warehousing, and in particular, to a method and a device for inventorying shelves.

Background technique

At present, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are required to take inventory of shelves in the warehouse to drag the shelves to the workstation for inventory. If there are many inventory shelves, many AGVs will be occupied. At present, only one shelf can be counted, and the AGVs behind are always in queue, and some shelves have a large number of inventory, which wastes a long time. After waiting for the inventory to be completed, an AGV and a shelf can be released, resulting in a waste of AGV and shelf resources, resulting in no Enough AGVs to perform warehousing/outbound tasks will also cause a large number of shelves to perform inventory, unable to locate warehousing/outbound tasks, reducing the warehouse's warehousing/outbound efficiency. The existing solution is to control the issuance of inventory tasks by controlling the number of cache bits for inventory, reduce the number of inventory tasks issued at the same time, and reduce the occupancy of shelves and AGVs.

In the process of realizing the present invention, the inventor found that there are at least the following problems in the prior art:

The existing technology actually sacrifices the efficiency of inventory to release part of AGV resources, but some AGVs will still be occupied by inventory, especially for long-term inventory tasks, AGVs will still occupy a long time, and lead to a large number of shelves. When performing inventory, the inbound/outbound tasks cannot be located, resulting in a waste of resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for inventorying shelves, so as to solve the technical problems of low inventory efficiency and occupied resources.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a method for inventorying shelves is provided, including:

Sending a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported;

When the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to multiple arrival points of the workstation respectively, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and according to the inventory time of each rack, the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks gets off Issue an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation;

The identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector is received, the item detail information associated with the shelf is determined according to the identifier of the shelf, and the item detail information stored in the database is delivered to the data collector.

Optionally, after the item detailed information is sent to the data collector for collection, the method further includes:

When multiple data collectors are used to collect item detail information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by a plurality of the data collectors;

According to the received item detail information, the item detail information stored in the database is updated.

Optionally, according to the inventory time of each shelf, an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or an instruction to continue to stay in the workstation is issued, including:

If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation:

1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2;

2) The total number of items to be counted on one side of the inventory shelf is greater than one-half of the total of the side.

number of goods;

3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5;

4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10.

Optionally, also include:

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or,

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks.

In addition, according to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a device for inventorying shelves is provided, including:

a handling module, configured to issue a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported;

The calculation module is used to calculate the inventory time of the shelves when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective shelves to multiple arrival points of the workstation, and according to the inventory time of each shelf, to the automatic transport of each shelf. The guiding transport vehicle issues an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation;

The delivery module is configured to receive the identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector, determine the item detail information associated with the shelf identifier according to the identifier of the shelf, and deliver the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector.

Optionally, it also includes a receiving module for:

When multiple data collectors are used to collect item detail information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by a plurality of the data collectors;

According to the received item detail information, the item detail information stored in the database is updated.

Optionally, according to the inventory time of each shelf, an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or an instruction to continue to stay in the workstation is issued, including:

If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation:

1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2;

2) The total number of items to be counted on one side of the inventory shelf is greater than one-half of the total of the side.

number of goods;

3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5;

4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10.

Optionally, the sending module is also used for:

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or,

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks.

According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device is also provided, including:

one or more processors;

storage means for storing one or more programs,

When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any of the above embodiments.

According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided a computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, implements the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

One embodiment of the above invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects: because when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to multiple arrival points of the workstation, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and the inventory time of each rack is calculated according to the inventory time of each rack. , the technical means of issuing instructions to leave the workstation after unloading the shelves or to continue to stay in the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, so it overcomes the technical means of low inventory efficiency and resource occupation. question. The embodiment of the present invention not only improves the efficiency of the inventory, but also maximizes the release of the AGV based on the workstation with multiple arrival points and the mode in which the data collector is operated by multiple people at the workstation and the flexible control of the AGV according to the time-consuming time of different inventory tasks. and shelf resources, it will not cause long-term occupation of AGV resources due to inventory operations, and will also reduce the occupied time of inventory operations. It can also release AGV and shelf resources as soon as possible, and carry out warehouse operations or warehousing operations, and resources are fully utilized. utilization, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the warehouse.

Further effects of the above non-conventional alternatives will be described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings are used for better understanding of the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. in:

1 is a schematic diagram of the main flow of a method for inventorying a shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram of a workstation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram of the main flow of a method for inventorying a shelf according to a referenced embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of the main flow of a method for inventorying a shelf according to another referenced embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a schematic diagram of the main modules of the device for inventorying shelves according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary system architecture diagram to which an embodiment of the present invention may be applied;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a computer system suitable for implementing a terminal device or a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include various details of the embodiments of the present invention to facilitate understanding and should be considered as exemplary only. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted from the following description for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a main flow of a method for inventorying a shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 , the method for inventorying shelves may include:

In step 101, a transport instruction is issued to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles.

After receiving the inventory task, the workstation notifies the intelligent production scheduling system to issue a handling instruction to the idle AGV, thereby calling the idle AGV to transport the rack corresponding to the inventory task to the workstation. Wherein, the transport instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported. Therefore, the AGV can drive to the position of the rack to be transported according to the received transport instruction, and then transport it to the arrival point of the workstation. Among them, the workstation is a work area for the arrival of the AGV consignment shelf, and carries out the picking operations of outbound, inbound, inventory and other businesses; the intelligent production scheduling system refers to the control of AGVs, shelves and other resources through algorithms, in order to complete out, Load and tray tasks, and select the optimal AGV and shelf.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the workstation 1 in the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of arrival points, which are a first arrival point 11 , a second arrival point 12 , a third arrival point 13 and a fourth arrival point 14 . The coordinates are stored on the ground. When the workstation receives the inventory task of a certain shelf in storage location 2, the workstation will occupy a certain arrival point and issue a handling instruction to an idle AGV, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the shelf and the arrival point. coordinate of. FIG. 2 only exemplarily shows multiple arrival points. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the 4 arrival points shown in FIG. 2 , and multiple arrival points can be set according to actual needs, such as 3, 6, 8 one and so on.

It should be pointed out that different inventory tasks will generate different handling tasks and occupy different arrival points until all arrival points are occupied. The workstation issues these handling tasks to multiple AGVs for execution. Each AGV is responsible for consigning a shelf, allowing multiple AGVs to drag their respective shelves to different arrival points.

Step 102, when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to a plurality of arrival points of the workstation, respectively calculates the inventory time of the racks, and according to the inventory time of each rack, to the automatic guide for transporting each rack. The transport vehicle issues an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation.

When the AGV transports the respective racks to their respective arrival points, it sends an arrival command to the workstation, and the workstation can receive the arrival commands of multiple AGVs at the same time. Therefore, when the workstation receives the arrival instruction sent by a certain AGV, it starts to calculate the inventory time of the shelf carried by the AGV, and issues the AGV to the AGV according to the calculated inventory time to unload the shelf and then leave the workstation. Or issue an instruction to stay on the workstation.

Optionally, according to the inventory time of each shelf, an instruction to leave the work station after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or an instruction to continue to stay in the work station is issued, including: If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, the instruction to unload the shelf and leave the workstation will be issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the shelf, otherwise it will be issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the shelf Instructions for the workstation:

1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2;

2) The total number of items to be counted on one side of the inventory shelf is greater than one-half of the total of the side.

number of goods;

3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5;

4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10.

As long as any of the above conditions are met, it is judged that the inventory of the shelf takes too long. After the AGV arrives at the workstation, the shelf can be unloaded, and the AGV can be notified to leave, thereby releasing AGV resources. Therefore, during the inventory of the shelves, the intelligent production scheduling system can let the AGV do other tasks to improve the utilization rate of the AGV. If it is calculated that the shelf takes a short time, then the AGV will always wait for the shelf to complete the inventory at the workstation.

Step 103: Receive the identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector, determine the item detail information associated with the shelf identifier according to the identifier of the shelf, and deliver the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector.

When the AGV transports the shelf to the arrival point, the staff scans the logo on the shelf with the data collector, the data collector reports the collected shelf logo to the workstation, and the workstation receives the shelf logo reported by the data collector, and according to the The shelf identification determines the item information detail associated with the shelf identification, and then sends the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector. After the data collector receives the item detail information, it can be displayed on the screen to guide the workstation staff to count the corresponding item quantities in each cargo compartment in the item detail information, so as to facilitate the staff to carry out shelf inventory.

Specifically, after the inventory of one cargo compartment is completed, the inventory count result of the cargo compartment is uploaded, and the entire inventory task is not completed until the detailed inventory of all items on the current shelf surface is completed. After the inventory is over, the AGV transports the racks back to any available storage location. It can be seen that the embodiment of the present invention shortens the waiting time of the shelves, thereby shortening the inventory time of the shelves, and allows the shelves to return to the warehouse to perform other tasks more quickly.

It should be pointed out that since the shelf has multiple sides, different sides of each shelf can have different shelf identifiers, so that the detailed information of items matching the side can be obtained according to the shelf identifiers. Among them, the data collector can be a scanning gun, a barcode collector, an inventory machine, a radio frequency inventory gun, etc. This is a handheld device used for scanning, mainly through the laser head, infrared head, and self-sensing device brought by the device itself. and so on to identify the barcode or special chip.

According to the various embodiments described above, it can be seen that in the present invention, when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to the multiple arrival points of the workstation respectively, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and the inventory of the racks is calculated according to the inventory of the racks. The technical means of issuing instructions to leave the workstation after unloading the shelves or to continue to stay in the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each rack, thus solving the problems of low inventory efficiency and occupied resources. question. The embodiment of the present invention not only improves the efficiency of the inventory, but also maximizes the release of the AGV based on the workstation with multiple arrival points and the mode in which the data collector is operated by multiple people at the workstation and the flexible control of the AGV according to the time-consuming time of different inventory tasks. and shelf resources, it will not cause long-term occupation of AGV resources due to inventory operations, and will also reduce the occupied time of inventory operations. It can also release AGV and shelf resources as soon as possible, and carry out warehouse operations or warehousing operations, and resources are fully utilized. utilization, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the warehouse.

3 is a schematic diagram of the main flow of a method for inventorying shelves according to a referenced embodiment of the present invention, and the method for inventorying shelves may specifically include:

Step 301 , issue a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the racks to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival points corresponding to the racks to be transported.

When the workstation receives the inventory task of the shelf, it sends a handling instruction to the idle AGV through the intelligent production scheduling system. The handling instruction includes the coordinates of the AGV to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the to-be-transmitted shelf. The AGV Go to the location of the rack to be transported and transport the rack according to the received transport instruction, and then transport it to the arrival point.

Step 302, when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to a plurality of arrival points of the workstation, respectively calculates the inventory count duration of the racks, and according to the inventory count duration of each rack, to the automatic guide for transporting the respective racks. The transport vehicle issues an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation.

After each AGV transports the racks to the designated arrival point according to the transport instructions it receives, the workstation calculates the inventory time of the racks at each arrival point respectively. If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation:

1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2;

2) The total number of items to be counted on one side of the inventory shelf is greater than one-half of the total of the side.

number of goods;

3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5;

4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10.

Therefore, during the inventory of the shelves, the intelligent production scheduling system can let the AGV do other tasks to improve the utilization rate of the AGV. If it is calculated that the shelf takes a short time, then the AGV will always wait for the shelf to complete the inventory at the workstation.

Step 303: Receive the identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector, determine the item detail information associated with the shelf identifier according to the identifier, and deliver the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector.

When the AGV transports the shelf to the arrival point, the staff scans the logo on the shelf with the data collector, the data collector reports the collected shelf logo to the workstation, and the workstation receives the shelf logo reported by the data collector, and according to the The shelf identification determines the item information detail associated with the shelf identification, and then sends the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector. After the data collector receives the detailed information of the items, it can be displayed on the screen, so that the staff can carry out inventory inventory.

Step 304, when multiple data collectors are used to collect item information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by multiple data collectors.

When the AGV transports the shelves to the arrival point, multiple data collectors can be used to collect the detailed information of the items on each shelf, and upload the collected item information to the workstation, thereby improving the efficiency of shelf inventory. For example, the No. 1 data collector collects the detailed information of the items on the shelf at the first arrival point 11, the No. 2 data collector collects the detailed information of the items on the shelf at the second arrival point 12, and the No. 3 data collector collects The item detail information on the shelf at the third arrival point 13 , and the No. 4 data collector collects the item detail information on the shelf at the fourth arrival point 14 . The four data collectors report separately according to the data they collect, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of shelf inventory.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention supports multiple arriving inventory tasks. For multiple shelves arriving at the workstation at the same time, multiple people can use multiple data collectors to scan multiple shelves at the same time to receive inventory tasks, and use the data collectors to operate the inventory at the same time. work without interfering with each other. This saves the time of waiting for the next shelf to arrive after the inventory of shelves is completed. After completing the inventory of one of the shelves, you can also pick up the shelves at another arrival point.

Since the data collector is used to collect the item information on the shelf, it is not necessary to transport the shelf to the turning point for changing sides, and then transport the shelf back to the arrival point. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention eliminates the need to move the shelf to the turning point for face changing during manual inventory, but keeps on arriving at the point, and uses a data collector to collect data on items on multiple sides of the shelf.

Step 305: Update the item detail information stored in the database according to the received item detail information.

After receiving the item detail information reported by the data collector, the workstation updates the item detail information stored in the database to ensure that the stored item detail information is up-to-date, thereby completing the inventory work of the shelves.

Step 306: After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage space is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicles; or, after the inventory of the racks is completed, to the automatic guided transport vehicles that transport the racks An instruction to transport the shelf from the arrival point to the storage position is issued.

After the shelf inventory is completed, the workstation can issue an instruction to transport the shelf from the arrival point to the storage position to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or, after the shelf inventory is completed, to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the shelf. A command is issued to transport the rack from the point of arrival to the storage location. When the shelf inventory task is completed, the workstation will notify the intelligent production scheduling system to call an idle AGV to carry the shelf. After the AGV reaches the bottom of the shelf, the workstation will let the AGV carry the shelf away from the workstation. At this point, the handling tasks of the shelf are all completed. If the AGV has been waiting at the workstation for the inventory of the shelf to be completed, the workstation will notify the AGV to drag the shelf away from the workstation after the inventory is completed. Whenever a shelf inventory task is completed, the occupied arrival point resources need to be released, so that other inventory tasks can continue to be occupied and issued. It can be seen that the embodiment of the present invention shortens the inventory time of the shelves, and allows the shelves to be returned to the warehouse to perform other tasks.

In addition, the specific implementation content of the method for inventorying a shelf in a referenced embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail in the method for inventorying a shelf, so the repeated content will not be described here.

4 is a schematic diagram of the main process of a method for inventorying shelves according to another referenced embodiment of the present invention, and the method for inventorying shelves may specifically include:

The workstation issues a handling instruction to the AGV;

Multiple AGV handling racks arrive at each arrival point of the workstation;

Multiple operation data collectors (RF) scan the shelves, report the shelf identification to the workstation, and the workstation calculates the inventory time of each shelf;

Determine whether the inventory time is time-consuming;

If not, issue an instruction to the AGV to stay at the workstation until the inventory is completed, and the workstation issues an instruction to the AGV to move the shelf from the arrival point to the storage location;

If so, issue an instruction to the AGV to unload the rack and leave the workstation; when the inventory is completed, the workstation issues an instruction to transport the rack from the arrival point to the storage location to an idle AGV, the said The instructions include the coordinates of the arrival point and the coordinates of the storage position; when the idle AGV reaches the arrival point, it will carry the rack and leave the workstation.

In addition, the specific implementation content of the method for inventorying shelves in another reference embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail in the method for inventorying shelves above, so the repeated content will not be described here.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of main modules of an apparatus for inventorying shelves according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. Wherein, the handling module 501 is used to issue a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported; The calculation module 502 is used to calculate the inventory time of the racks respectively when the automatic guided transport vehicles transport the respective racks to the multiple arrival points of the workstation respectively, and according to the inventory time of each rack, to the operator who transports the racks. The automatic guided transport vehicle issues an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the rack, or issue an instruction to stay in the workstation; the issuing module 503 is used to receive the identifier of the rack reported by the data collector, The item detail information associated with the shelf is determined according to the identifier, and the item detail information stored in the database is delivered to the data collector.

Optionally, it also includes a receiving module for:

When multiple data collectors are used to collect item detail information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by a plurality of the data collectors;

According to the received item detail information, the item detail information stored in the database is updated.

Optionally, according to the inventory time of each shelf, an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or an instruction to continue to stay in the workstation is issued, including:

If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation:

1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2;

2) The total number of items to be counted on one side of the inventory shelf is greater than one-half of the total of the side.

number of goods;

3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5;

4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10.

Optionally, the issuing module 503 is also used for:

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or,

After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks.

According to the various embodiments described above, it can be seen that in the present invention, when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to the multiple arrival points of the workstation respectively, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and the inventory of the racks is calculated according to the inventory of the racks. The technical means of issuing instructions to leave the workstation after unloading the shelves or to continue to stay in the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each rack, thus solving the problems of low inventory efficiency and occupied resources. question. The embodiment of the present invention not only improves the efficiency of the inventory, but also maximizes the release of the AGV based on the workstation with multiple arrival points and the mode in which the data collector is operated by multiple people at the workstation and the flexible control of the AGV according to the time-consuming time of different inventory tasks. and shelf resources, it will not cause long-term occupation of AGV resources due to inventory operations, and will also reduce the occupied time of inventory operations. It can also release AGV and shelf resources as soon as possible, and carry out warehouse operations or warehousing operations, and resources are fully utilized. utilization, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the warehouse.

It should be noted that, the specific implementation content of the device for inventorying shelves according to the present invention has been described in detail in the method for inventorying shelves above, so the repeated content will not be described here.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary system architecture 600 of a method for inventorying a shelf or an apparatus for inventorying a shelf to which embodiments of the present invention may be applied.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the system architecture 600 may include terminal devices 601 , 602 , and 603 , a network 604 and a server 605 . The network 606 is the medium used to provide the communication link between the terminal devices 601 , 602 , 603 and the server 605 . Network 604 may include various connection types, such as wired, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables, among others.

The user can use the terminal devices 601, 602, 603 to interact with the server 604 through the network 604 to receive or send messages and the like. Various communication client applications may be installed on the terminal devices 601 , 602 and 603 , such as shopping applications, web browser applications, search applications, instant messaging tools, email clients, social platform software, etc. (just examples).

The terminal devices 601, 602, 603 may be various electronic devices having a display screen and supporting web browsing, including but not limited to smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, and the like.

The server 605 may be a server that provides various services, such as a background management server that supports shopping websites browsed by the terminal devices 601 , 602 , and 603 (just an example). The background management server can analyze and process the received product information query request and other data, and feed back the processing results (such as target push information, product information—just an example) to the terminal device.

It should be noted that the method for inventorying shelves provided by the embodiments of the present invention is generally executed on terminal devices 601, 602, and 603 in public places, and may also be executed by the server 605. Correspondingly, the device for inventorying shelves is generally set in The terminal devices 601 , 602 , and 603 in public places may also be installed in the server 605 .

It should be understood that the numbers of terminal devices, networks and servers in FIG. 6 are merely illustrative. There can be any number of terminal devices, networks and servers according to implementation needs.

Referring next to FIG. 7 , it shows a schematic structural diagram of a computer system 700 suitable for implementing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal device shown in FIG. 7 is only an example, and should not impose any limitations on the functions and scope of use of the embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, a computer system 700 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 701 which can be loaded into a random access memory (RAM) 703 according to a program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 702 or a program from a storage section 708 Instead, various appropriate actions and processes are performed. In the RAM 703, various programs and data necessary for the operation of the system 700 are also stored. The CPU 701 , the ROM 702 , and the RAM 703 are connected to each other through a bus 704 . An input/output (I/O) interface 705 is also connected to bus 704 .

The following components are connected to the I/O interface 705: an input section 706 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc.; an output section 707 including a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., and a speaker, etc.; a storage section 708 including a hard disk, etc. ; and a communication section 709 including a network interface card such as a LAN card, a modem, and the like. The communication section 709 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. A drive 710 is also connected to the I/O interface 705 as needed. A removable medium 711, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., is mounted on the drive 710 as needed so that a computer program read therefrom is installed into the storage section 708 as needed.

In particular, the processes described above with reference to the flowcharts may be implemented as computer software programs in accordance with the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. For example, embodiments disclosed herein include a computer program product comprising a computer program carried on a computer-readable medium, the computer program containing program code for performing the method illustrated in the flowchart. In such an embodiment, the computer program may be downloaded and installed from the network via the communication portion 709 and/or installed from the removable medium 711 . When the computer program is executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 701, the above-described functions defined in the system of the present invention are executed.

It should be noted that the computer-readable medium shown in the present invention may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium, or any combination of the above two. The computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, or a combination of any of the above. More specific examples of computer readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optics, portable compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the present invention, however, a computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code therein. Such propagated data signals may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer-readable signal medium can also be any computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium that can transmit, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device . Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium including, but not limited to, wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more logical functions for implementing the specified functions executable instructions. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It is also noted that each block of the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented in special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or operations, or can be implemented using A combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions is implemented.

The modules involved in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a software manner, and may also be implemented in a hardware manner. The described module can also be set in the processor, for example, it can be described as: a processor includes a handling module, a calculation module and a delivery module, wherein the names of these modules do not constitute the module under certain circumstances. its own limitations.

As another aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device described in the above embodiments; or may exist alone without being assembled into the device. The above-mentioned computer-readable medium carries one or more programs, and when the above-mentioned one or more programs are executed by one of the equipment, the equipment includes: issuing a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided vehicles; The transport instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the corresponding arrival point of the rack to be transported; when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to the multiple arrival points of the workstation, respectively calculates the coordinates of the racks. Count the time, and according to the inventory time of each shelf, issue an instruction to unload the shelf and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation; receive data collector The reported identifier of the shelf is determined according to the identifier of the shelf to determine the item detail information associated therewith, and the item detail information stored in the database is sent to the data collector.

According to the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to the multiple arrival points of the workstation, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and according to the inventory time of each rack, each rack is transported to The automatic guided transport vehicle is a technical means of issuing an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf or issuing an instruction to stay in the workstation, so the technical problems of low inventory efficiency and resource occupation are overcome. The embodiment of the present invention not only improves the efficiency of the inventory, but also maximizes the release of the AGV based on the workstation with multiple arrival points and the mode in which the data collector is operated by multiple people at the workstation and the flexible control of the AGV according to the time-consuming time of different inventory tasks. and shelf resources, it will not cause long-term occupation of AGV resources due to inventory operations, and will also reduce the occupied time of inventory operations. It can also release AGV and shelf resources as soon as possible, and carry out warehouse operations or warehousing operations, and resources are fully utilized. utilization, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the warehouse.

The above-mentioned specific embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and substitutions may occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent replacements and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. a method for taking stock of shelves, is characterized in that, comprises: Sending a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported; When the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective racks to multiple arrival points of the workstation respectively, the inventory time of the racks is calculated respectively, and according to the inventory time of each rack, the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks gets off Issue an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation; The identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector is received, the item detail information associated with the shelf is determined according to the identifier of the shelf, and the item detail information stored in the database is delivered to the data collector. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, after sending the item detailed information to the data collector for collection, the method further comprises: When multiple data collectors are used to collect item detail information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by a plurality of the data collectors; According to the received item detail information, the item detail information stored in the database is updated. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, according to the inventory time length of each shelf, an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or the instruction to continue to stay Instructions at the workstation include: If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation: 1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2; 2) On a certain side of the inventory shelf, the number of items to be counted is greater than one-half of the total number of items on that side; 3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5; 4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or, After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks. 5. A device for taking stock of shelves, characterized in that, comprising: a handling module, configured to issue a handling instruction to a plurality of idle automatic guided transport vehicles; wherein, the handling instruction includes the coordinates of the rack to be transported and the coordinates of the arrival point corresponding to the rack to be transported; The calculation module is used to calculate the inventory time of the shelves when the automatic guided transport vehicle transports the respective shelves to multiple arrival points of the workstation, and according to the inventory time of each shelf, to the automatic transport of each shelf. The guiding transport vehicle issues an instruction to leave the workstation after unloading the shelf, or issue an instruction to stay at the workstation; The delivery module is configured to receive the identifier of the shelf reported by the data collector, determine the item detail information associated with the shelf identifier according to the identifier of the shelf, and deliver the item detail information stored in the database to the data collector. 6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a receiving module for: When multiple data collectors are used to collect item detail information on each shelf respectively, receive item detail information reported by a plurality of the data collectors; According to the received item detail information, the item detail information stored in the database is updated. 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein, according to the inventory time of each shelf, an instruction to leave the work station after unloading the shelf is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports each shelf, or to continue to stay Instructions at the workstation include: If the shelf satisfies one of the following conditions, issue an instruction to unload the rack and leave the workstation to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack, otherwise, send it to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the rack to continue Instructions to stay on said workstation: 1) The number of faces that the shelf needs to be counted is greater than or equal to 2; 2) On a certain side of the inventory shelf, the number of items to be counted is greater than one-half of the total number of items on that side; 3) The total number of items to be counted on the shelf is greater than 20, and the number of item types is greater than 5; 4) The number of items that need to be counted on the shelf is greater than 10. 8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the issuing module is further used for: After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the idle automatic guided transport vehicle; or, After the inventory of the racks is completed, an instruction to transport the racks from the arrival point to the storage position is issued to the automatic guided transport vehicle that transports the racks. 9. An electronic device, characterized in that, comprising: one or more processors; storage means for storing one or more programs, The one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any one of claims 1-4. 10. A computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that, when the program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-4 is implemented.

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