CN209980302U

CN209980302U - Warehouse system

Info

Publication number: CN209980302U
Application number: CN201690000676.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.鲁斯坦伯格
Original assignee: Dizhisheng Holding Co
Current assignee: Dizhisheng Holding Co
Priority date: 2015-04-15
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2020-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-14
Also published as: WO2016166698A1; CH710976A2; EP3284038A1

Abstract

A warehouse system (1) has a detection device, preferably in the form of a scale (3), for detecting warehouse items stored in a storage location and a computer (11) operatively connected to the detection device for continued management of a warehouse inventory. The detection device is configured to detect a change in the amount of warehouse items in the storage location, generate a corresponding flare signal and transmit the flare signal to the computer. Furthermore, an identification means (8) for identifying the code is provided, which is operatively connected to the computer and is designed to generate an identification signal in the case of an identified code and to transmit the identification signal to the computer (11). Thus, the computer can assign the identification signal to the mutated warehouse item during operation, detect it in the warehouse list and record accordingly: which person takes from the warehouse how many warehouse units or puts into the warehouse how many warehouse units.

Description

Warehouse system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a warehouse system.

Background

The management of warehouses, large warehouses in industrial production or small warehouses for all types of items, such as office items, pharmaceuticals or foodstuffs, is complex and often carried out with the aid of computer support, in which a warehouse list with the current nominal inventory is stored and the task of reordering warehouse items is automatically triggered, for example, below a predefined minimum. The warehouse inventory may be directed based on the components produced or based on units of warehouse items extracted from the warehouse, independently of the warehouse itself.

A problem that remains despite automated warehouse management is that unauthorized or incorrect removal from the warehouse is often carried out.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage system having a storage location for storage items, which allows unauthorized or incorrect removal of the storage items to be recognized or prevented.

To this end, the warehouse system has unique features according to the present invention.

By means of the simultaneous detection of the mutation signal and the identification signal in the warehouse inventory, the amount of removed or added warehouse items can be allocated to a person, which in turn allows a check in the respective authorization or correctness of a mutation (removal or addition) of a warehouse item. The correctness of the retrieval from the warehouse or the storage into the warehouse can be checked automatically at any time by the computer program product, for example a computer-readable data carrier, having program code for a computer, by means of which the warehouse inventory is updated by means of the registered identification signals and the mutation signals assigned to these identification signals.

Particular embodiments are described in terms of various examples.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 schematically shows a diagram of a warehouse system according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a warehouse system 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention, having containers 2 for warehouse items. Each receptacle 2 is located on a scale 3, wherein the scales 3 are arranged here on shelves 4 which form a storage position and which are in turn arranged in a closed space 5 which is accessible via a closable door 6. The door 6 is equipped with a remotely controllable locking device 7 and an identification tool 8. The scale 3, the locking device 7 and the identification means 8 are connected via a data line 9 to a computer 11, which is in turn preferably connected via a further data line 9 to an intranet or to the internet I.

The scales 3 together form a weighing device for a predetermined detection device of the warehouse items, i.e. defined with respect to the properties to be detected. Each scale 3 generates a weight signal from the weight of a full, partially filled or empty container 3, from which the number of units of the warehouse item stored in the container 3 can in turn be determined (since the weight of one unit of the warehouse item is defined, i.e. known). In the case of small parts, the weight of the minimum number of storage units, for example screws, can also be determined by means of a suitable algorithm. If the weight of the container changes, it can be determined from the weight difference how many units of warehouse items are added to or removed from the container. It should be noted here that the container 3 may naturally also contain a fluid, which can be taken off or introduced into the container by means of a suitable tapping. Also, all types of bulk items can be stored in the container 3. There is essentially no restriction on the type and amount of warehouse items to be stored. The difference in weight of the stored warehouse units before and after the change (removal or addition) yields a change signal that quantifies the removal or addition, which the scale 3 can generate and transmit to the computer 11 via the data line 9.

A warehouse system is obtained in which the detection device has a weighing device (here, a scale 3) for at least one predetermined warehouse item, which weighing device detects the weight of the currently stored warehouse item during operation and is designed to generate a corresponding sudden change signal in the event of a change in the weight of the warehouse item and to transmit said sudden change signal to the computer 11. The mutation signal may already contain the number of mutation units of the warehouse item, or the number is determined by the computer 11, depending on where the property to be detected, in this case the weight of the units of the warehouse item, is stored.

In an embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, instead of the scale 3, a further type of sensor is provided, which, as part of the detection device, generates a mutation signal as a function of the mutation in the number of units of the stored warehouse items and transmits this mutation signal to the computer 11. Such sensors can detect the filling level in the case of fluids, for example, or a magnetic field in the case of metallic warehouse items, monitor the defined storage locations by means of a light barrier, or else have sensors for image recognition in the case of arbitrarily designed components to be stored, so that the number of stored units of the warehouse item can be determined via image processing.

A warehouse system is obtained, wherein a detection device has at least one sensor for the units of warehouse items introduced into the warehouse system 1 and for the units extracted from the warehouse system, and wherein the detection device is designed to generate a sudden change signal for the warehouse items and to transmit the sudden change signal to the computer. Preferably, the mutation signal is time-stamped by the detection device, the time stamp proving the moment of the warehouse mutation.

In this case, the following should be added: the space 5 may naturally be constructed as a convenient warehouse space, but may also be constructed, for example, as a suitable type of cabinet or container, depending on the storage requirements. The door 6 is then constructed as a flexible door or as a door to a cupboard or the like.

The identification means 8 has an identification sensor, which is embodied, for example, as a camera, an RFID reader, a barcode reader or a fingerprint sensor, or as an input device for an identification code to be entered by a person. The person who is to access (or fill up) the stock can thus be identified by an identification code, wherein the identification code is understood here to be not only a barcode or an RFID code, but also a fingerprint or, in the case of a camera with an attached image processing device, an image of a person's face. Basically, the manner of identification is not limited. The recognition tool generates an identification signal from the identified code, which is transmitted to a computer 11 operatively connected to the recognition tool. The identification signal comprises the identity of the person being certified by the identification means 8 and preferably also a time stamp identifying the moment.

The computer 11 therefore has an identification signal and a mutation signal, which relates to the number of units of the warehouse item that are inserted into the warehouse system 1 or removed from the warehouse system 1. If the time stamps overlap within a predetermined time interval, for example within a few minutes, the computer 11 changes the inventory stored in the memory abruptly, for example, in that the computer supplements the inventory with new inventory and at the same time enters the inventory the person identified by the identification signal. It is thus possible to trace back at any time who and when has stored in or removed from the warehouse how many warehouse item units. Unauthorized or incorrect warehouse changes are identified and can be corrected.

In summary, a warehouse system is provided, which has a storage location for warehouse items, a detection device for detecting warehouse items stored in the storage location, and a computer 11 operatively connected to the detection device for further management of warehouse inventories, wherein the detection means are configured for detecting a change in the amount of warehouse items in the storage location, generating a corresponding mutation signal and transmitting the mutation signal to the computer 11, and wherein furthermore an identification means for an identification code is provided which is operatively connected to the computer 11, the recognition means are configured to generate an identification signal in the case of an identified code and to transmit the identification signal to the computer 11, wherein the computer is further designed to assign the identification signal to the mutated warehouse item and to detect it in the warehouse list during operation.

Preferably, the warehouse system 1 has an access locking device for the warehouse items, which is designed here as a remotely controllable locking device 7 of the door 6, which can be opened directly by an identification signal or remotely controlled on the basis of instructions from the computer 11. In other words, the matter is that the warehouse system can only be entered if the identification of the person requesting access is actually successful, since the identification signal is only generated in the case of an identified code. Advantageously, the locking device 7 is automatically closed again after a predetermined period of time or is automatically brought into the locked state again after the door 6 has been closed. By means of the remote control of the locking device 7, the computer 11 can open the access locking device on the basis of the identification signal and can also record the opening time in the warehouse list in combination with the recognized person and the sudden change in the warehouse. It is also advantageous to store a white list in the memory of the computer 11, which identifies authorized persons by means of the permitted codes. When access to the warehouse is substantially permitted for the respective person, then the personal badge can be read, for example, by means of the identification means 8 and the access locking means can be released by means of the computer 11.

A warehouse system is provided, which has an access locking device for lockable warehouse items, wherein the locking device 7 is designed to be opened by an identification signal under remote control and preferably to be closed again after a period of time, wherein particularly preferably the computer 11 has a stored white list of identification signals which are authorized for the opening of the access locking device.

In contrast, the computer 11 is preferably designed to trigger an alarm signal if a sudden change signal is received in the absence of a previously or at least simultaneously received identification signal, since a removal from the warehouse without identifying a person (with the exception of a system defect) is very likely to be an unauthorized removal. Such an alarm can be used at the same time for the initialization of the camera which monitors the warehouse system and its access area.

Preferably, the computer 11 is arranged in the warehouse system, but the computer can also be easily connected to the warehouse system 1 via an intranet or via the internet. The skilled person may suitably determine the location of the warehouse system 1 and the computer 11 in the specific case.

It follows that, according to the invention, the computer 11 is programmed by means of a program code (which may be stored on a data memory internal or external to the computer 11) containing instructions for establishing a warehouse list with entries for the identification signal and the catastrophe signal assigned to said identification signal, said entries preferably having time stamps for the identification signal and for the catastrophe signal.

Preferably, the program code in turn comprises instructions for opening an access locking device to the warehouse item in case the identification signal is present in the white list and in turn comprises instructions for an entry for the opening of an unlocking device of the access locking device, the opening having the assigned time stamp.

The program code according to the invention can also be stored on an external data carrier of any configuration, where the data carrier or the computer itself (with internal data memory) is referred to herein as a computer program product.

Claims

1. A warehouse system (1) having a storage location for warehouse items, a detection device for detecting warehouse items stored in the storage location, and a computer (11) operatively connected to the detection device for continued management of warehouse inventories,

characterized in that the warehouse items are stored in a container (2) forming a storage location and the detection device is designed to detect a change in the quantity of warehouse items in the storage location by means of a sensor determining the number of units of warehouse items stored in the container (2), to generate a corresponding mutation signal and to transmit the mutation signal to the computer, and furthermore an identification means (8) for an identification code is provided, which is operatively connected to the computer, which identification means is designed to generate an identification signal in the case of an identified code and to transmit the identification signal to the computer (11), wherein the computer (11) is furthermore designed to assign the identification signal to mutated warehouse items and to detect them in a warehouse list during operation.

2. Warehouse system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection device has a weighing device configured as a sensor for at least one predetermined warehouse item, which weighing device detects the weight of the currently stored warehouse item in operation and is configured to generate a corresponding sudden change signal in the event of a change in the weight of the warehouse item and to transmit the sudden change signal to the computer (11).

3. Warehouse system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification tool (8) has an identification sensor.

4. Warehouse system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the identification sensor has a camera, an RFID-reading device, a barcode-reading device or an input device for an identification code or a fingerprint sensor.

5. Warehouse system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the warehouse system has a lockable access locking device for the warehouse items, wherein the locking device is configured for being opened remotely by an identification signal and closed again after a period of time, wherein the computer has a stored white list of identification signals which are authorized for the opening of the access locking device.

6. Warehouse system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer (11) is configured for triggering an alarm signal in case of reception of an abrupt signal in the absence of a previously or at least simultaneously received identification signal.

7. Warehouse system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer (11) is arranged in the warehouse system (1).

8. Warehouse system according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer (11) is arranged separately from the warehouse system (1) and in operation is connected to the warehouse system via the internet.