DE102016120648A1 - Kanban system, method for operating a Kanban system and computer program product - Google Patents

Abstract

A kanban system (1) for detecting a minimum quantity of at least one type of consumer goods (101-108) is described, the consumables (101-108) can be quantified by a volume inventory and stored in a defined container. The kanban system (1) is designed with a camera device (6) with an image evaluation device (7), with which one of the consumer goods (101-108) exposable surface of the bottom of the container by means of the camera device (6) can be detected with a specific, individualized surface texture (5) on the bottom of the container, wherein in each case a specific type of consumer goods (101-108) is associated with an individualized surface texture (5) and with a controller (8) connected to the image evaluation device (7) of Camera device (6) and a merchandise management system (9) electrically communicating is designed such that upon reaching a defined threshold (degree) of the undersized exposed surface of the soil with the surface texture (5) a data message to refill the at least one type of consumer goods ( 101-108) to a merchandise management system (9).

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a kanban system for detecting a shortage of at least one type of consumables that are quantifiable by volume inventory and storable in a defined container, a method of operating a kanban system, and a computer program product.

Kanban is known as a method to control the consumption of goods in a production process. In a temporary storage always a minimum quantity is stored, thus the local stocks in the production can be reduced.

Systems and methods for managing inventories in a plurality of fillers filled with different commodity elements are known.

Problem to be solved

The aim is to develop a Kanban system described above, a method for this and a computer program for operating it for refilling small parts, so-called C-parts, which are not quantified by the number but by the volume inventory in the container, so that they with constructed as simple and few resources.

Solution, advantages and refinements

There is provided a kanban system for detecting a minimum quantity of at least one type of consumer goods that are quantifiable by volume inventory and storable in a defined container: a camera device having an image evaluation device that exposes a surface of the floor that is disposable of the consumer goods of the container by means of the camera device is detectable, with a specific, individualized surface texture on the bottom of the container, each with a specific type of consumables associated with an individualized surface texture and with a controller that communicates with the image evaluation device of the camera device and a merchandise management system so electrically is formed, so that the control upon reaching a defined threshold (degree) of the surface of the soil exposed by the reduced amount, a data message for refilling the at least one type of Sends consumer goods to the merchandise management system.

Advantages are that with a single detection device, a plurality of different containers with associated, different types of consumables can be monitored and controlled with respect to their reduced amount according to the Kanban method. The inventory management system may also include, instead of or in addition to, a production planning and control (PPS) system. It exploits the effect that with increasing small amount of the bottom of a container is visible in small parts. From the degree of the exposed surface is closed back to the volume inventory by means of the controller, or derived from a filling volume. Once this level reaches a threshold, a refill data message is triggered, with the specific information about the location of the container and the associated type of consumable being communicated to the inventory control system.

In order to achieve the highest possible number of specific containers with associated types of consumer goods, the individualized, defined surface texture has a repeating pattern sequence with a specific light / dark sequence, in particular with different hues and / or hatching and / or line thicknesses and Line spacing, more preferably in defined angles (α, β) aligned with the camera device, particularly preferably with a self-similarity as in fractal geometries, on. Since there are many different types of small parts, at least about 10,000 differentiation variants of surface textures can be realized in this way. These can also be realized by different angles both in the pattern, for example as a diamond pattern or in the specific angle of rotation to a permanently installed camera device. The surface texture is identifiable by virtue of its repetitions with the camera apparatus and the image evaluator, regardless of which cut-outs of the surface of the floor are exposed. Important for a recognition is that a sufficiently large surface of the soil is exposed on the container.

In order to inexpensively realize the system and optionally retrofit, the individualized, defined surface texture is designed in particular as a bottom insert or bottom foil. The bottom insert or bottom foil is printed.

Advantageously, the camera device comprises a motion sensor coupled to a switching device for activating the camera device. Thus, resources are saved, both energy resources and electrical work. The camera device and the Kanban system are turned on by the motion sensor and are turned off by means of a timer.

In order to efficiently store a variety of different types of consumer goods, the container is designed as a drawer, and a plurality of drawers is arranged in a drawer cabinet. Thus, these drawers can be detected in a concentrated manner by means of a camera device and their data processed.

Basically, the container is stationary and the camera device is stationary with respect to the container. In order to assist mobile workers when they are traveling with mobile vehicles, more preferably, the at least one container and the camera device are arranged in a vehicle and thus installed mobile with respect to a merchandise information system.

In order to detect a plurality of drawer cabinets and / or larger loading areas in commercial vehicles or to avoid possible occlusion of the bottoms of the containers of operating personnel, the camera device comprises at least two cameras. Thus, a larger, possibly multiple backup image processing area is created.

In order to realize the system with as simple as possible, resource-saving means, the camera device and the image evaluation device, in particular together with the controller as a smart computer, in particular as a smartphone, are formed. A smart computer or a smartphone works with about 3.3 volts, an ARM cortex or similar microprocessor with a special smart computer operating system. Thus, an extremely low power requirement is incurred. The low power requirement can be provided in vehicles.

There is also provided a method of operating a Kanban system for detecting a shortage of at least one type of consumable that is quantifiable by volume inventory. The type-specific consumables are storable in a defined container, with a camera device with an image evaluation device, with a specific, individualized surface texture on the bottom of the container, wherein the at least one individualized surface texture is associated with a single type of consumables and with a controller, with the following steps by visually capturing the surface of a floor from a container by means of the camera device as soon as a motion detector activates the system, evaluating the image acquisition by checking whether an individualized surface texture is recognizable, checking as soon as an assignment to an individualized texture surface is possible, if a defined threshold value the size of the undersized surface is reached by the individualized surface texture and transmitting a data message to a merchandise management system via a n Shortage of the specific type of consumables in the specific container as soon as the defined threshold is reached.

The method can be executed by means of smart computers such as, for example, smartphones, smart tablets or other known single-board computers. The image processing can be done locally, in the vicinity of the camera device, so that only a short data message must be carried out by means of cable or wirelessly using known radio technologies.

There is also provided a computer program product for operating a networked kanban system for detecting a reduced amount of at least one type of consumable that is quantifiable by volume inventory and storable within a defined container. The kanban system is provided with a camera apparatus having an image evaluator having a specific, individualized surface texture on the bottom of the container, wherein the at least one individualized surface texture is associated with a single type of consumable and formed with a controller, the computer program product being at least one computer readable storage medium each comprising a program code contained therein, wherein each program code is executable by a processor to perform a method, comprising the following steps: optical image recording of the surface of a bottom of a container by means of the camera device, evaluating the image capture by checking whether an individualized surface texture recognizable is, Check as soon as an assignment to an individualized texture surface is possible, whether a defined threshold with respect to the size of the exposed by the reduced amount surface v on the individualized surface texture, transmitting a data message to a merchandise management system about a shortfall of the specific type of consumables in the specific container as soon as the defined threshold is reached. The computer program product has the advantage that existing resources are inexpensive to use and essentially to implement the process steps are in addition to the additional cabling. Thus, the component cost is reduced.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations.

list of figures

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Kanban-Systems,
• 2 ein Muster einer Oberflächentextur und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Kanban-Systems.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a kanban system,
• 2 a pattern of a surface texture and
• 3 a flowchart of a method for operating a Kanban system.

Detailed description of the drawings

The 1 schematically shows a Kanban system 1 for detecting a shortage of at least one type of consumables 101 - 108 that are quantifiable by a volume balance.

The specific types of consumer goods 101 - 108 are each in defined containers 21 - 28 stored. These containers 21 - 28 are again in cupboards 31 . 32 in the example of 1 opposite to an access corridor 4 arranged. On the surface of each tank bottom 21 - 28 is an individualizable surface texture 51 - 58 arranged, each one a special type of consumer goods 101 - 108 assigned.

For a normal filling of each container 21 - 28 becomes the bottom of the consumer goods 101 - 108 and thus the individualized surface texture 51 - 58 covered.

The pattern of the individual surface texture 51 - 58 is therefore not recognizable. In 2 exemplifies a pattern of an individualized surface texture 51 - 58 described.

The Kanban system 1 further includes a camera device 6 , with one of the consumer goods 101 - 108 uncoverable surface of the soil from the container 21 to 28 by means of the camera device 6 is detectable. The camera device 6 like in the 1 shown several cameras 61 . 63 include. The cameras 61 . 63 are positioned so that they are at a specific angle to the cabinet 31 . 32 with the containers used 21 - 28 are assigned and the respective bottom surface of the container 21 - 28 capture if one container at a time 21 - 28 and as in the 1 is shown, for example, containers 23 and 27 out of the wardrobe 31 respectively. 32 pulled out. Thus, the camera is arranged as vertically as possible above the container bottom and can detect the surface of the container bottom. In order for the energy to be used efficiently for taking the camera images, a motion detector is preferred 64 with the camera device 6 connected. The motion detector 64 thus ensures that the camera device 6 is turned on when a user is in the cabinets 31 . 32 approaches, for example, consumer goods 101 - 108 from one of the containers 21 - 28 refer to. Alternatively, on the containers 21 - 28 in the cupboard 31 - 32 Buttons are arranged, which detect whether the container 21 When closed, they are in the cupboard or the container 21 - 28 out of the wardrobe 31 - 32 is drawn. These buttons can thus be an on / off switch for the camera device 6 be. motion detector 64 have the advantage, however, that the cabling effort is lower and a shutdown is generated by means of a timer.

The image evaluation device 7 is with a controller 8th electrically connected. The control 8th includes a microprocessor 81 , a store 82 as well as a communication interface 83 , The control is preferred 8th and the image evaluation device 7 in a device 78 executed. The device 78 may also be designed as a smartphone or as a smart tablet or a single-board computer according to the prior art and detect a computer program product as an application device. Each individualized surface texture 51 - 58 each is a specific type of consumables 101 - 108 assigned. The image evaluation device checks whether a specific surface texture 51 - 58 is recognizable. If this is the case, it is further checked whether a defined threshold value, ie a certain degree of the surface texture 51 - 58 is recognizable. Depending on the degree of recognizability of the texture surface is due to a small amount of consumables 101 - 108 closed and on reaching a data averaging of the specified detected type of consumables occurs 101 - 108 to a merchandise management system 9 , The merchandise management system 9 can be connected to a production planning system (PPS system). The data messages may preferably be either by cable between the controller and the merchandise management system 9 done or by known radio transmission technologies. This includes the controller 8th a communication interface 83 ,

The Kanban system 1 can be arranged stationarily stationary. Alternatively, the Kanban system 1 for example, in the cargo compartment of a vehicle 10 be arranged. The data transfer to the merchandise management system 9 For example, via the in-house radio network, for example, a wireless network can be done as soon as the vehicle 10 in its radio range. Alternatively, the merchandise management system 9 be coupled to a SIM mobile network and the controller 8th with image evaluation device 7 with the communication interface 83 may also include a SIM mobile network connection.

The defined and individualized surface structure 5 . 51 - 58 is either as a ground deposit on the container bottom of the container 21 - 28 Layable or stickable as a floor foil. Thus, a subsequent installation or installation of a Kanban system 1 possible.

The 2 shows in an enlarged view the surface texture 5 , This surface texture 5 has a repeating pattern sequence with a specific light / dark sequence. It can be varied, for example by different shades and / or specific hatching or line thickness / line spacing. These are shown, for example, with rhombuses with a length a and a width b, which have an angle α. They are at a specific angle of rotation β to the vertical axis Z of a camera 61 . 63 from the camera device 6 with respect to the tank bottom. The lines between the rhombuses 59 have specific widths c and d, giving a variety of different variations of surface textures 51 - 58 can be generated. Alternatively, the surface textures 5 have self similarity as in fractal geometries known in the art.

The 3 shows a process flow diagram, as of a Kanban system 1 is performed. The system is started in step S1, for example by switching on a switch, a power supply, the switch here from the battery of a vehicle 10 is turned on. In the next step, a query A2 follows by means of the motion sensor 64 whether a movement in the access corridor 4 was detected. If this is not the case, this query is repeated almost continuously. If a movement is detected, then in the next step S3, the camera device 6 with cameras 61 . 63 switched on and in query step A4, it is checked whether specific surface texture 51 - 58 from the cameras 61 . 63 is recognizable. This image analysis is done with the image evaluation device 7 in the device 78 performed. As long as no surface texture 51 - 58 is recognizable, this step is repeated continuously. Is a surface texture 51 - 58 recognizable, that's how the controller works 8th the device 78 in the next query step A5, in which it is checked whether a defined threshold in terms of the size of the exposed surface of the container bottom is reached by the volume. If this is the case, it will be reduced to a certain defined shortage of the specific type of consumer goods 101 - 108 closed, so in the next step by the controller 8th via the communication interface 83 a data message S6 to the merchandise information system 9 the specific type of consumer goods 101 - 108 there is a shortage so that the specific container 51 - 58 with the specific type of consumables 101 - 108 is to be filled. This method can be realized by means of a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium with a program code contained therein. Each program code is executable by a processor.

All figures show only schematic not to scale representations. For the rest, reference is made in particular to the drawings as essentials.

Claims (10)

Kanban system (1) for detecting a reduced quantity of at least one type of consumer goods (101-108), which are quantifiable by a volume inventory and can be stored in a defined container, with a camera device (6) with an image evaluation device (7), with one of the consumer goods (101-108) exposable surface of the bottom of the container (51-58) is detectable by means of the camera device (6), with a specific, individualized surface texture (5) on the bottom of the container (51-58) , wherein in each case a specific type of consumables an individualized surface texture (5) is assigned and with a controller (8) which is electrically communicating with the image evaluation device (7) of the camera device (6) and a merchandise management system (9) formed such that at Achievement of a defined threshold (degree) of the surface of the soil exposed by the reduced amount with the surface texture (5) e a data message for replenishing the at least one type of consumer goods to the merchandise information system (9). System after Claim 1 wherein the individualized, defined surface texture (5) has a repeating pattern sequence with a specific light / dark sequence, in particular with different hues and / or hatchings and / or line thicknesses and line spacings, more preferably at defined angles (α, β) to the camera device (6) aligned, particularly preferably with a self-similarity as in fractal geometries having. System after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the individualized, defined surface texture (5) is designed in particular as a bottom insert or bottom foil. System after Claim 1 . 2 or 3 wherein the camera device (6) comprises a motion sensor (64) coupled to a switching device for activating the camera device (6). System according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , wherein the container as a drawer (21-28) is formed, and a plurality of drawers (21-28) in a drawer cabinet (31, 31) are arranged. System according to one of Claims 1 to 5 in that the container (51-58) and the camera device (6) are arranged in a vehicle (10) and mobile with respect to the merchandise management system (9). System according to one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the camera device (6) comprises at least two cameras (61, 63). System according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , wherein the camera device (6) and in particular together with the controller (8) as a smart computer, in particular as a smartphone, are formed. Method for operating a kanban system (1) for detecting a reduced quantity of at least one type of consumer goods (101-108) which can be quantified by a volume inventory and can be stored in a defined container, with a camera device (6) having an image evaluation device ( 7), with a specific, individualized surface texture (5) on the bottom of the container, wherein the at least one individualized surface texture (5) is associated with a single type of consumable and with a controller (8), comprising - Optical image recording of the surface of a bottom of a container (51-58) by means of the camera device (6), - evaluating the image acquisition by checking whether an individualized surface texture (5) is recognizable, Check, as soon as an assignment to an individualized texture surface is possible, whether a defined threshold with regard to the size of the surface exposed by the reduced quantity is reached by the individualized surface texture (5), - transmitting a data message to a merchandise management system (9) about a shortfall of the specific type of consumables in the specific container as soon as the defined threshold is reached. A computer program product for operating a networked kanban system (1) for detecting a minimum quantity of at least one type of consumable (101-108) quantifiable by volume inventory and storable in a defined container, comprising a camera device (6) having an image evaluator (7) having a specific, individualized surface texture (5) on the bottom of the container, the at least one individualized surface texture (5) being associated with a single type of consumable and having a controller (8), the computer program product being at least one computer readable storage medium each comprising a program code contained therein, wherein each program code is executable by a processor to perform a method, comprising the following steps: - Optical image recording of the surface of a bottom of a container by means of the camera device (6), - evaluating the image acquisition by checking whether an individualized surface texture (5) is recognizable, Check, as soon as an assignment to an individualized texture surface is possible, whether a defined threshold with regard to the size of the surface exposed by the reduced quantity is reached by the individualized surface texture (5), - transmitting a data message (S6) to a merchandise management system (9) about a shortfall of the specific type of consumables in the specific container as soon as the defined threshold is reached.

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