EP0721807B1 - Handling installation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a control system for conveyor systems, in particular for General cargo sorting systems, with the conveyed data of the conveyed goods in a data memory are stored and can be fed to the control devices of the conveyor line devices are.

a) direkter Datenverfolgung

b) und indirekter Datenverfolgung

unterscheiden. Bei der direkten Datenverfolgung befindet sich die Information z.B. in Form eines Barcodes auf dem Fördergut und wird durch ein Gerät gelesen, während bei der indirekten Datenverfolgung die Fördergutinformation in der Anlagensteuerung abgelegt wird. Die Speicherung der Daten in der Anlagensteuerung erfordert

a) die Ablage von Daten über den momentanen Aufenthaltsort des betreffenden Fördergutstückes und

b) eine Daten-Vorgabe über das weitere Ziel, zu dem das Fördergut befördert werden soll.

In the known conveyor systems that form sorting systems, you can choose between

a) direct data tracking

b) and indirect data tracking

differ. In the case of direct data tracking, the information is, for example, in the form of a barcode on the conveyed goods and is read by a device, while in the case of indirect data tracking, the conveyed goods information is stored in the system control. The storage of the data in the system control requires

a) the storage of data on the current location of the item in question and

b) a specification of the data about the further destination to which the material is to be conveyed.

To ensure indirect data tracking (implemented by e.g. Shift registers, moving pointers and the like), must be a significant effort in the Control software operated, and uncontrolled material movements on the conveying medium (e.g. conveyor belt) must be as far as possible by mechanical or electrical precautions are prevented. For example, mechanical Speed coupling through gearbox, speed controller, servo motors etc.. used. Nevertheless, there are often deviations from the theoretically desired situation can not be avoided. It is not uncommon for there to be a difference between the medium and the material being conveyed Slip on. On roller conveyors, the conveying speed is from the material to be conveyed dependent. A disadvantageous offset occurs when cornering. On incline and Downhill gradients are shifts between the goods to be conveyed and the Fluid often inevitable. When the goods are handed over by one fully occupied and therefore slower running belt conveyor to an empty, faster current, there are also deviations in the location of the conveyed goods.

EP-A-0 489 267 is concerned with a sorting device for reusable packaging which is passed through a recognition device and a device for goods-related allocation is marked. A bottle, for example, is initially recognized in terms of their shape and color, this bottle being given an identification index becomes. This index is compared with an index stored in a computer, so that if there is a match, the bottle is assigned to a specific assigned sorter can be.

The principle of this solution is therefore to determine certain product criteria from the outset Store calculator, for example brown bottle - green bottle; high bottle - low Bottle; thick bottle - thin bottle. By identifying who the sponsor is The bottle supplied can now be supplied with the correct bottle in shape, color and size correct storage location and be outsourced there. However, this system sets It is essential that the goods to be transported and sorted are known beforehand and the known identification features are stored in such a way that they determine Sorting devices can be assigned.

The invention has for its object the electrical and / or mechanical elaborate data tracking of the conveyed goods by the electrical and / or to replace mechanical effort reducing solution.

The object is achieved in that the material to be conveyed by means of a recording camera whose signals Image processing can be processed, subjected to an optical input identification and characteristics of the material to be conveyed are stored in a characteristics data memory that data about a location-dependent position and a command for the subsequent conveyor sections continuously in the Characteristics data stores are managed and processed in such a way that the Conveyed goods in each case by means of at several points on the conveyor section Recording cameras arranged at fixed locations optically identified again and compared with the data already stored and if the data match, the other commands to the Adjustment devices of the conveyor track devices for sorting operations become. This eliminates an electrically and mechanically complex Data tracking. Furthermore, the fact is a higher mechanical effort not to have to operate in order to secure the goods against displacement more relevant. Overall, the effort and costs are reduced due to less effort in the mechanics of the conveyor systems, a lower control effort and the saving of special Information carrier on the material to be conveyed.

It is also advantageous that this optical identification by means of one at a time Fixed location arranged recording camera, whose signals are over Image processing can be edited.

According to further features, it is proposed that the recording cameras signals of color saturation, shape, gray values, reflection values and the like. are evaluable.

If necessary, this optical identification can be supported by additionally signals from inductive metal sensors, capacitive sensors, light sensors, Encoders and the like managed in the data storage and after processing on the Setting devices are given.

In the single figure of the drawing, an embodiment is shown, which in following is described in more detail.

The previous indirect data tracking itself and the necessary for it electrical and mechanical requirements can be due to Measures according to the invention are omitted. In the drawing is in the form of a Block diagram as a conveyor system for a general cargo sorting system 1 shown in sections. Funding data for material 2 is in one Data storage 3 filed. The conveyed good 2 consists of general cargo different shape 2a or color or colors 2b. It will be on a conveyance task 4 abandoned on a conveyor belt 5. At a fixed location 6, like e.g. the conveyed goods task 4, a recording camera K1, K2, K3, etc. is fixed Installed.

On the basis of these cameras K1, K2, K3 etc., the material to be conveyed 2 becomes an optical one Input identification 7 subjected, depending on the type of goods to be conveyed 2a and / or Conveyed goods color 2b and the like Criteria, the peculiarities of the conveyed good 2 in one Data storage 8 are stored for characteristics. This data will last as long the material to be conveyed 2 is on one of the conveyor sections 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d etc. is held in the data memory 8 which e.g. through associative memory or neural networks can be formed. The material to be conveyed 2 can thus be reached when Recording camera K2 or K3 can be identified by the newly recorded Data with those already determined in the recording camera K1 and in the data memory 8 existing data are compared. If the data match - being a Degree of agreement in essential criteria is sufficient - can then further commands to the actuators of conveyor line devices 11, such as e.g. be given to a pusher 10. By default, a Target identification 12 actuates a control 13, which in turn actuates the devices a conveyor section device 11 acts.

The work of the recording cameras K1, K2, K3 is completely independent of that Slippage of the material to be conveyed 2 on the conveyor belt 5, also from Conveying speed dependent on the conveyed material on roller conveyors, as well as on the offset in cornering and of displacements of the material 2 on incline and Downgrades. Also a handover from a fully occupied and therefore slower belt conveyor running on an empty, faster running belt conveyor or other conveyor is in terms of through the recording cameras K1, K2, K3 etc. given identification practically irrelevant.

The identification obtained via the cameras K1, K2, K3 as a rough knowledge of the Order of goods to be conveyed can make identification much easier. The camera system "knows" what to look for. Also the disadvantage of being direct Data tracking necessary labeling or coding of the conveyed goods 2 can be circumvented. The barcodes, transponders, responders used so far (Readable or read-readable code carrier) and the like. are therefore no longer necessary and mean a considerable saving of effort.

The control works as follows:

The material to be conveyed 2 is fed into the system, e.g. in the conveyance task 4 of the conveyor belt 5, identified by the recording camera K1, i.e. "measure" and the characteristics of the material to be conveyed 2 are stored in the characteristics data memory 8 stored. As soon as the material to be conveyed 2 reaches the location 6 of the recording camera K2 has been reached, it is identified again, essential data are already compared with those in the Characteristics data memory 8 compared existing data and accordingly The material to be conveyed 2 could immediately follow the predetermined transport route there can be discharged via the pusher 10. The process takes place analogously for the Recording camera K2 and any number of other discharge points instead. During the Transport process is the control of the exact location of the conveyed goods 2 and Assignment of data not known. All data tracking and all precautions, so that the material to be conveyed 2 does not move and move inadmissible to one another, can be omitted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Cargo sorting

2

conveyed

2a

Conveyed shape

2 B

Conveyed color (s)

3

data storage

4

Conveyed task

5

conveyor belt

6th

Location

K1, K2, K3

Recording cameras

7

Input identification

8th

Characteristics data storage

9a, 9b, 9c, 9d

Conveying line sections

10

pusher

11

Conveying line device

12

Target identification

13

control

Claims (3)

1. Materials handling plant, in particular a sorting plant for mixed goods, in which data on the goods which are being handled are held in a data memory and can be passed to the setting controls of the conveyor,
   characterised by the fact that
   the goods being conveyed (2) are subjected to an initial optical identification process (7) by means of a camera, the signals from which are processed by image processing, and characteristics of the goods are stored in a characteristics data memory (8), that data relating to a location-dependent position and to the issue of instructions for subsequent sections of the conveyor (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) are continuously handled in the data memory (8) and are processed in such a way that the goods (2) are again identified optically by means of cameras (K1, K2, K3 etc.) placed at fixed locations at several places in the conveyor sections (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) and are compared with the stored data, and if the data match, further instructions are passed immediately to the setting controls of the conveyor (11) for the sorting processes.
2. Materials handling plant as in Claim 1,
   characterised by the fact that
   the cameras (K1, K2, K3) permit the evaluation of signals showing colour saturation, shape, grey-scale values, reflectance values and similar.
3. Materials handling plant as in one of Claims 1 or 2,
   characterised by the fact that
   signals from inductive metal sensors, capacitance sensors, light scanners, pulse generators or similar are additionally handled in the data memory and are passed to the setting controls after being processed.

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