JP2023099278A - Warehouse control system and transport control method of storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a warehouse control system.SOLUTION: The warehouse control system includes: a storage rack for storing a plurality of storage containers provided at the upper part of a store space; a lifting device connected to the storage rack and including a lifting platform for transporting the storage container between an initial position and the storage rack; a photographic device provided in the lifting device, for photographing an interior space of the storage container to generate image data; and a server including a processor and a memory device, communicatively connected to the lifting platform and the photographing device. The photographing device transmits the image data to the server, and the processor determines the remaining capacity of the interior space based on the image data and creates capacity data based on the remaining capacity and stores the same in the memory device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present application relates to warehouse management systems, and more particularly to warehouse management systems for transporting storage containers.

With the rapid development of electronic commerce, online shopping has become popular among consumers, thus bringing warehousing problems to stores responsible for temporary storage of goods. In many stores, online shopping shipments can be found piled up on the floor and shelves, and when the consumer goes to the store to pick up the shipment, the store clerk spends a lot of time locating the consumer's shipment. It is also necessary and inconvenient for both the store and the consumer.

One embodiment of the present application includes a storage shelf provided above a store space for storing a plurality of storage containers, and a storage shelf connected to the storage shelf for transporting the storage containers between the initial location and the storage shelf. a lifting device including a lifting platform; an imaging device provided in the lifting device for imaging an internal space of the storage container to generate image data; a processor and a memory communicably connected to the lifting platform and the imaging device a server containing the device, the imaging device transmitting image data to the server, the processor determining the remaining capacity of the interior space based on the image data, and determining the remaining capacity of the reservoir based on the remaining capacity. To provide a warehouse management system that creates capacity data to be recorded and stores it in a memory device.

Another embodiment of the present application is to photograph the interior space of each of a plurality of storage containers one by one to determine the remaining capacity of the interior space and record the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers based on the remaining capacity. maintenance steps including creating volume data; measuring the weight of each of the storage containers one by one and creating weight data recording the weight of each of the storage containers based on the weight; transporting a first one of the containers from the storage shelf to an initial location; and scanning a barcode or image on the first shipment to obtain first shipment data including personal data of the first consumer. and creating binding data recording a correspondence between the first consumer and the first storage container transported to the initial location based on the first cargo data; After the storage container is transported from the storage shelf to the initial position, the internal space of the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is photographed to create capacity data for recording the remaining capacity of the first storage container. and weighing the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored after transporting the first storage container from the storage shelf to the initial location, and recording the weight of the first storage container After photographing the internal space of the first storage container to measure the weight of the first storage container, transporting the first storage container from the initial position to the storage shelf; A method for controlling transportation of a storage container comprising:

The warehouse management system and transportation control method of the storage container store the cargo on the storage shelf by the lifting device, and better manage the storage of the cargo by the photographing device, the weighing device and the scanning device, and appropriately adjust the capacity of the storage container. It can be used to avoid the storage container being too heavy, improve the efficiency when the consumer receives the goods later, and improve the efficiency when the consumer receives the goods and the store clerk returns the goods.

A description of the accompanying drawings to make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present disclosure more clear and comprehensible follows.
1 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a localized schematic diagram of a warehouse management system, according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of transmitting signals between elements of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transport of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application; 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transport of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application; 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transport of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application; 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transport of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application;

Examples are described in detail below in connection with the drawings, but the examples provided are not intended to limit the scope of coverage of this disclosure, and the description of structural operations does not imply the order of their execution. By no means limiting, any recombined structure of elements or devices of equivalent effect are within the scope of this disclosure. It should be noted that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale. For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar elements in the following description.

Terms used throughout the specification and claims generally have their common meanings as they are used in the field and herein disclosed, unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, "comprise," "comprise," "have," and similar terms are used to denote features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components that are described, but not necessarily described. does not exclude one or more of the modified or additional features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. Also, as used herein, the term "and/or" includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

In this text, when an element is described as being "connected" or "electrically connected" to another element, that element is either directly connected or directly electrically connected to that other element. There may be additional elements between the two elements such that the one element is indirectly or electrically connected to another element. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., used herein describe different elements, but the terms are merely used to distinguish between elements or operations described by the same terminology. It's nothing more than

One embodiment of the present application provides a warehouse management system. Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, warehouse management system 100 is deployed in a store including floor FLR, ceiling CEL and store space STO. The store space STO is between the floor FLR and the ceiling CEL and is the primary activity area for store clerks and consumers in the store. A counter COU is provided in the store space STO, and the counter COU is the area where the clerk serves the consumers in the store. In some embodiments, the point of sale information management device 110 and the scanning device 112 It is provided in the counter COU. In some embodiments, the point of sale device 110 is a computer host used as a point of sale (POS) or cash register, and the scanning device 112, for example, collects the recipient's name and contact information. Used to scan barcodes or images on shipments (eg, shipments A1 and A2 in FIG. 1) to capture shipment-related information such as the last three digits of the destination phone number and the arrival date. In some embodiments, scanning device 112 is connected to point of sale device 110 .

In some implementations, the warehouse management system 100 primarily includes a lifting device 120 and a storage shelf 130 connected to the lifting device 120 . The lifting device 120 is provided in the store space STO, extends upward from the floor FLR and is connected to the storage shelf 130 . The storage shelf 130 is provided above the store space STO and close to the ceiling CEL. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage shelf 130 is supported by posts PIL that are perpendicular to the floor FLR so that it can withstand significant weight. The number of pillar PILs in FIG. 1 is exemplary only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application; Supports storage shelf 130 . In a different embodiment, the storage shelves 130 are fixed above the store space STO by being directly connected to the ceiling CEL without being supported by the pillars PIL. The warehouse management system 100 transports the cargo upward by the lifting device 120 and further stores the cargo on the storage shelf 130 in order to avoid the cargo from being piled up in the store space STO.

In some embodiments, a storage shelf 130 is provided above the store space STO, and the storage shelf 130 is provided with a plurality of storage compartments 132 . The storage compartment 132 is used to store the storage container 140 and there is correspondence between the storage compartment 132 and the storage container 140 . In some embodiments, one storage compartment 132 is used to store only one storage container 140 corresponding to one storage container 140 . In different embodiments, one storage compartment 132 is used to store multiple storage containers 140 corresponding to multiple storage containers 140 .

In some embodiments, lift device 120 includes a lift platform 122 for mounting storage container 140 and for transporting storage container 140 between an initial position and storage shelf 130 . Storage containers 140 are used to store cargo (eg, cargo A1, A2). In some embodiments, the storage container 140 includes a lid to indicate that the storage container 140 can be later stored in the storage compartment 132 of the storage shelf 130 after a store clerk has placed multiple shipments into the storage container 140 . To ensure that, it can be checked whether the lid can be closed. 1 and 2 together, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the elevator platform 122 has not yet begun to operate, and FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the storage container 140 is lifted onto the storage shelf 130 after the elevator platform 122 has been operated. In FIG. 1, the platform 122 is in a lower initial position, making it easier for the store clerk to load the cargo into the storage container 140 . In FIG. 2, the platform 122 is in a higher position and aligned with the height of the storage shelf 130 to facilitate later storage of the storage container 140 in the storage compartment 132 .

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 is connected to the ramp 122 to weigh the storage containers 140 one by one as cargo is placed into the storage containers 140. weighing device 124 . In some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 includes an imager 126 , shown in FIG. 1, that is mounted on the elevator 120 to move the storage container 140 when cargo is loaded into the storage container 140 . It is used to photograph the internal space of 140 one by one. In some embodiments, warehouse management system 100 includes control interface 128 for controlling elevator platform 122 by a store clerk to lift and store storage containers 140 on storage shelves 130 . Each element of the storage shelf 130 and the lifting device 120 and their operation will be described in detail below.

In some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 includes a transport device 134 for moving in the storage shelf 130 to transport the storage container 140, such that when the elevator platform 122 lifts the storage container 140 onto the storage shelf 130 ( 2), the storage container 140 is transported by the transport device 134 to a particular storage compartment 132 for storage. In some embodiments, the transport device 134 also transports the storage containers 140 stored in the storage compartments 132 from the storage compartment 132 to the lift platform 122 to facilitate the transport of the storage containers 140 down the lift platform 122 . Used for transportation. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrier 134 may be mounted on a frame 136 and move with the frame 136 . In some embodiments, a frame 136 is provided connected to the storage shelf 130 and used by the carrier 134 to move over the storage shelf 130 . In some embodiments, frame 136 is used as a rail on which carrier 134 moves over platform 122 and between different storage compartments 132 . In some embodiments, frame 136 is fixed directly to ceiling CEL without being connected to storage shelf 130 .

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a local schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. To illustrate how the storage compartments 132 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided in the storage shelf 130 and how the transport device 134 transports the storage containers 140 in FIGS. 3 primarily illustrates the elements in the storage shelf 130 . For clarity of the drawing, FIG. 3 omits several elements in the warehouse management system 100, for example, the frame 136, which is the moving rail of the conveyor 134. FIG. In some embodiments, the frame 136 has rectangular rails that pass over the hoist 122 and in front of each storage compartment 132 , e.g., the corners of the rectangular rails are located above the hoist 122 . , one long side of the rectangular rail corresponds to storage compartments 132a, 132b, 132c in FIG. 3, and the other long side of the rectangular rail corresponds to storage compartments 132d, 132e, 132f in FIG. The above embodiments are not intended to be limiting of the frame 136 herein, as different embodiments of the frame 136 allow the carrier 134 to transport the storage container 140 between the platform 122 and the storage compartment 132. may have different structures.

In FIG. 3, storage compartments 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e, 132f are the same storage compartments as storage compartment 132 in FIGS. It is the same reservoir as reservoir 140 in FIGS. After the elevator platform 122 lifts the storage container 140 onto the storage shelf 130 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, transport apparatus 134 clamps storage container 140a lifted onto storage shelf 130 by elevator platform 122 and prepares to transport storage container 140a to the corresponding storage compartment 132a. 3, storage container 140a corresponds to storage compartment 132a, storage container 140b corresponds to storage compartment 132b, storage container 140c corresponds to storage compartment 132c, and storage container 140d corresponds to storage compartment 132c. , storage compartment 132d, storage container 140e corresponds to storage compartment 132e, and storage container 140f corresponds to storage compartment 132f. In other words, storage container 140a is always stored in storage compartment 132a, and storage containers 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e, and 140f are similarly stored only in their corresponding storage compartments 132a.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of transmitting signals between elements of warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. The warehouse management system 100 includes a server 150 that receives data or signals from a plurality of elements and controls the elevator platform 122 and transporter 134 to transport storage containers 140 . Server 150 includes processor 152 and memory device 154 . In some embodiments, the server 150 is a computer host and is managed by the company that operates the store, so it is not located in the store space STO shown in FIGS. Server 150 is communicatively connected to scanning device 112 , imaging device 126 , weighing device 124 , control interface 128 , point of sale device 110 , platform 122 and transport device 134 . Each of the warehouse management system 100 in a different process (e.g., a process in which the store stores the cargo in the warehouse, a process in which the consumer goes to the store to receive the cargo, a process in which the store returns the cargo that has not been received by the consumer, etc.). Signal transmission between elements is described in detail in the following paragraphs.

The operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 in the process in which a store stores (that is, receives) goods in the warehouse will be described below. See FIG. When a freight forwarder (e.g., a logistics company) transports a consumer's shipment to a store, a store clerk first scans a bar code or image on the shipment with scanning device 112 to identify the consumer's corresponding shipment. Capture shipment-related data such as customer name, consumer phone number and/or arrival date. In some embodiments, the scanning device 112 scans images on the shipment to directly obtain data such as the consumer's name and/or the consumer's phone number. In some embodiments, scanning device 112 scans a barcode on the shipment and transmits the barcode to server 150 for decoding, such as the name and/or telephone number of the consumer of the shipment. Get the data of After the clerk scans the shipment, the clerk puts the shipment into storage container 140 . For example, in FIG. 1, shipment A1 has already been placed in storage container 140, and shipment A2 is placed in storage container 140 by a clerk after being scanned by scanning device 112. FIG.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the scanning device 112 scans the barcode or image on the shipment, the shipment data D1 (i.e., the consumer's name, the consumer's phone number and/or the arrival date, etc.) and transmits the cargo data D1 to the server 150 , and the processor 152 of the server 150 creates the binding data D2 based on the cargo data D1 and stores the binding data D2 in the memory device 154 . The binding data D2 records the correspondence between the consumer and the storage container 140 that stores the cargo, for example, the consumer corresponding to the cargo A1 in FIG. 1 is bound with the storage container 140 that stores the cargo A1. , cargo A2 in FIG. 2 is also placed in storage container 140, the consumer corresponding to cargo A2 is also bound with storage container 140 that stores cargo A2. In other words, the binding data D2 records in which storage container 140 the goods purchased by a particular consumer are stored. In a subsequent process, the binding data D2 may be used to quickly recognize in which storage container 140 the consumer's consignment(s) are stored when the consumer receives the consignment, The same consumer's cargo can be concentrated in the same storage container 140 if the consumer's other cargo corresponding to the newly arrived cargo at the time of arrival is stored in a storage container 140 and the consumer receives the cargo at a later time. To increase time efficiency, the warehouse management system 100 may select that particular storage container 140 to store newly arrived shipments. In some embodiments, binding data D2 also records arrival dates for all shipments stored in storage container 140 based on shipment data D1.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , when a store clerk puts cargo into the storage container 140 , the imaging device 126 photographs the interior space of the storage container 140 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging device 126 generates image data D3 (for example, digital data of an internal image of the storage container 140) after capturing an image of the internal space of the storage container 140, and also generates the image data D3. to the server 150, the processor 152 of the server 150 determines the remaining capacity of the interior space of the reservoir 140 based on the image data D3. Specifically, in some embodiments, processor 152 recognizes the length, width and height of cargo A1 in storage container 140 shown in FIG. 1 based on image data D3 by an associated image analysis application program; Calculate the volume of cargo A1 (ie equal to the product of the length, width and height of cargo A1). In some embodiments, memory device 154 contains volume data for storage container 140 such that subtracting the volume of cargo A1 from the volume of storage container 140 provides the remaining capacity of storage container 140 . Subsequently, processor 152 creates capacity data D4 based on the remaining capacity and stores capacity data D4 in memory device 154 . Capacity data D4 records the remaining capacity of storage container 140 .

Referring again to FIG. 1 , when a store clerk places cargo in storage container 140 , weighing device 124 measures the weight W of storage container 140 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, after measuring the weight W of the storage container 140, the weighing device 124 transmits the weight W to the server 150, and the processor 152 of the server 150 calculates the weight data D5 based on the weight W. , and the weight data D5 is stored in the memory device 154 . Weight data D5 records the weight W of each storage container 140 .

In other words, the warehouse management system 100 records the remaining capacity and the weight W of the storage container 140 when cargo is put into the storage container 140 by the imaging device 126 and the weighing device 124 . The order of both the process of photographing the interior space of the storage container 140 with the imaging device 126 and the process of measuring the weight W of the storage container 140 with the weighing device 124 can be freely adjusted, and the order is Note that there is no limit. For example, when the cargo A2 in FIG. 1 is also put into the storage container 140 by the clerk, the photographing device 126 again photographs the internal space of the storage container 140, and the weighing device 124 again measures the weight W of the storage container 140. and transmit the relevant data to the server 150 to update the volume data D4 and the weight data D5 in the server 150 .

After the imaging device 126 has photographed the interior space of the storage container 140 and the weighing device 124 has measured the weight W of the storage container 140, the store clerk discovers that the storage container 140 does not have room for more cargo. , to input a basket exchange command to the control interface 128 of the elevator 120, and the elevator 122 and carrier 134 transport the filled storage container 140 to the storage shelf 130 for storage, and to store subsequent cargo. It may be controlled to take another storage container 140 from the storage shelf 130 . In some embodiments, the control interface 128 is a touch panel or display device having an input interface such as a keyboard or buttons, so that it can be used to receive basket change commands given by a store clerk. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the control interface 128 receives a basket replacement command (not shown), it transmits a basket replacement signal S1 to the server 150, and the server 150 indicates that the platform 122 is the storage container. A lift signal S2 is transmitted to the platform 122 to lift 140 from the initial position onto the storage shelf 130 . Subsequently, when the storage container 140 is lifted onto the storage shelf 130, the server 150 also transmits a storage signal S3 to the transport device 134 so that the transport device 134 transports the storage container 140 to the corresponding storage compartment 132. do. The warehouse management system 100 lifts the storage container 140 from the initial position to the storage shelf 130 by the above signal transmission and the operation of the elements, and further, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. It can be transported and stored in the storage compartment 132a.

After storing the storage containers 140 in which the cargo is stored in the storage compartment 132, the server 150 further determines that the transport device 134 transports one storage container 140 to the platform 122 of the lifting device 120, as shown in FIG. A basket pick-up signal S4 is transmitted to the transport device 134 so as to do so. Subsequently, the server 150 further transmits a lowering signal S5 to the platform 122 so that the platform 122 transports the storage container 140 down to the initial position. Referring to FIG. 3, for example, in one embodiment, transport apparatus 134 stores storage container 140a in storage compartment 132a and then moves to storage compartment 132b based on pick-basket signal S4 transmitted from server 150. After transporting the storage container 140b by the transport device 134 and transporting the storage container 140b to the elevator platform 122, the elevator platform 122 receives the descent signal transmitted from the server 150 to facilitate the loading of the cargo into the storage container 140b by the store clerk. Based on signal S5, storage container 140b is transported downward to the initial position.

Note that in the above example, warehouse management system 100 selects storage container 140b as the next container for cargo storage after storage of storage container 140a is exemplary only. In different embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 generates the pick-basket signal S4 based on the binding data D2, the volume data D4 and/or the weight data D5 stored in the memory device 154 of the server 150 and stores the next cargo. choose a container for Different ways in which the server 150 selects the next bin 140 are described below.

In some embodiments, after warehouse management system 100 stores storage container 140a in storage compartment 132a, server 150 generates pick-basket signal S4 based on capacity data D4 to select the largest remaining storage container 140. The one with capacity is selected as the storage container 140 for the next cargo storage. Specifically, since the capacity data D4 records the remaining capacity of each storage container 140, the server 150 recognizes the storage container 140 with the largest remaining capacity based on the capacity data D4, and further based on the signaling. The storage container 140 with the highest remaining volume can be transported to the initial position. In some embodiments, if server 150 recognizes that multiple storage containers 140 have the same remaining capacity based on capacity data D4, and this remaining capacity is greater than the remaining capacity of other storage containers 140, The server 150 may select any one of the plurality of storage containers 140 as the next storage container 140 for cargo storage.

In some embodiments, after warehouse management system 100 stores storage container 140a in storage compartment 132a, server 150 generates pick-basket signal S4 based on weight data D5 to determine which of storage containers 140 has the smallest weight. The one with W is selected as the storage container 140 for the next cargo storage. Specifically, since the weight data D5 records the weight W of each storage container 140, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 having the smallest weight W (i.e., the lightest storage container 140) based on the weight data D5. The lightest storage container 140 can be recognized and transported to the initial position based on said signal transmission. In some embodiments, if server 150 recognizes that multiple storage containers 140 have the same weight W based on weight data D5, and this weight W is less than the weight W of other storage containers 140, then: The server 150 may select any one of the plurality of storage containers 140 as the next storage container 140 for cargo storage.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, after the warehouse management system 100 stores the storage container 140 in the storage compartment 132, the clerk scans the barcode or image of the newly received shipment with the scanning device 112 again. Then, the scanning device 112 again generates cargo data D1 corresponding to the new cargo and transmits the cargo data D1 to the server 150, and the server 150 stores the existing binding data D2 and the new cargo data D1. A basket pick-up signal S4 is generated based on. If the new cargo data D1 includes the consumer's personal data and if any one of the storage containers 140 on the storage shelf 130 contains this consumer's cargo, the server 150 combines the binding data D2 with the new cargo. By comparison of the relevant cargo data D1, the storage container 140 in which the consumer's cargo is stored can be identified. Subsequently, the server 150 generates a pick-basket signal S4 to drive the transport device 134 and the platform 122 to transport the storage container 140 in which the consumer's cargo is stored to an initial position. Thus, in this embodiment, if the new cargo and the cargo stored in storage container 140 correspond to the same consumer, the new cargo and the existing cargo may be stored in the same storage container 140 and the consumer When the goods are to be picked up at the store later, the warehouse management system 100 only needs to transport a small number of storage containers 140, and the same consumer goods are distributed and stored in different storage containers 140. Low efficiency when consumers receive goods can be avoided.

In the above examples, server 150 uses capacity data D4, weight data D5, and binding data D2, respectively, to determine how to select a new storage container 140 to store the cargo, but some implementations In an example, server 150 may use capacity data D4, weight data D5, and binding data D2 simultaneously to determine how to select a new reservoir 140. FIG. For example, the server 150 may first store a plurality of cargoes in the storage containers 140 based on the capacity data D4, and if the remaining capacities of all the storage containers 140 are all less than a certain number, the server 150 may alternatively Then, based on the weight data D5, the lightest storage container 140 may be selected to store subsequent cargo. Further, for example, after the store clerk scans newly arrived shipments with the scanning device 112, the server 150 recognizes the particular storage container 140 in which the same consumer shipment is stored based on the binding data D2, but the server If the server 150 finds that the remaining capacity of a particular storage container 140 is too small or the weight W is too large based on the volume data D4 or the weight data D5, the server 150 determines whether the storage container 140 other than the specific storage container 140 is stored. may be selected to store newly arrived cargo. The above examples are only illustrative and not intended to limit the present application, and those skilled in the art can adjust or combine the above examples according to the actual warehouse requirements and situations. , may be modified and should be considered within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

The operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 in the process of a consumer going to a store to pick up (i.e., receive) goods will be described below. Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, after the consumer goes to the store and provides the clerk with the consumer's name and the last three digits of the phone number, the clerk will provide the consumer with the consumer's name and phone number. The last three digits are input to the point-of-sale information management device 110, and the point-of-sale information management device 110 transmits to the server 150 recipient data D6 including personal data such as the consumer's name and the last three digits of the telephone number. The server 150 recognizes the storage container 140 in which the recipient's shipment is stored based on the recipient data D6 and the binding data D2. Based on the information of the last three digits of the number, a matching consumer is searched in the binding data D2, and the correspondence between the consumer and the storage container 140 recorded in the binding data D2 determines whether the recipient's cargo is stored. Find the storage container 140 that is Subsequently, the server 150 transmits a signal to the transport device 134 to control the transport device 134 to transport the storage container 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored to the lifting device 120, and further raises and lowers the signal. The transmission to the platform 122 controls the lifting platform 122 to transport the storage container 140 containing the recipient's cargo down to the initial position.

In some embodiments, if server 150 recognizes that a total of two or more storage bins 140 contain the recipient's shipment based on recipient data D6 and binding data D2, the consumer may choose to ship the shipment. For ease of receipt, the server 150 sends signals to the transport device 134 and the ramp 122 to transport all bins 140 containing the recipient's cargo in sequence to their initial positions.

The operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 in the process of the store returning (ie, returning) goods that have not been received by the consumer will now be described. In some embodiments, if a certain number of days of return threshold (e.g., 7 days) has been reached since the shipment was stored in storage container 140, but the consumer has not yet come to the store to pick up the shipment. The store clerk returns the shipments via the point of sale device 110 and returns these shipments to the seller or e-commerce merchant. Referring to FIG. 4, when the store clerk inputs a return command to the point-of-sale information management device 110, the point-of-sale information management device 110 transmits a return signal S6 to the server 150, and the server 150 retrieves the binding data D2. to obtain the date of arrival of all the cargo stored in the storage container 140, determine the number of days from the date of arrival of all the cargo stored in the storage container 140 to the current date, If the number of days is equal to or greater than the number of returnable days threshold as a result of the comparison by the server 150, the server 150 transmits a signal to the carrier device 134 so that the cargo is stored by the carrier device 134. The storage container 140 is transported to the lifting device 120 and a signal is transmitted to the lifting platform 122 so that the lifting platform 122 transports the storage container 140 downward to the initial position. In other words, the server 150 finds the storage container 140 in which the goods exceeding the threshold number of returnable days are stored based on the arrival dates of all the goods recorded in the binding data D2, and the store clerk picks up the goods. To facilitate return, the carrier 134 and platform 122 are controlled to transport these storage containers 140 to their initial position.

In some embodiments, if server 150 determines based on binding data D2 that a total of two or more storage containers 140 contain shipments that exceed the returnable days threshold, server 150 signals to the transport device 134 and the platform 122, thereby transporting the storage containers 140 in which all the goods exceeding the threshold of the returnable days are stored to the initial position in order.

In summary, the warehouse management system 100 stores cargo on the storage racks 130 by means of the lifting device 120 to make better use of the store space. The warehouse management system 100 also better manages the storage of cargo by means of the imaging device 126, the weighing device 124 and the scanning device 112, properly utilizes the capacity of the storage container 140, and avoids the weight of the storage container 140 being too large. and improve efficiency when the consumer later receives the shipment. It should be noted that the combination of the above storage method and the data stored by the server 150 also improves efficiency when the consumer receives the shipment and when the clerk returns the shipment.

Another embodiment of the present application also discloses a method of controlling transport of a reservoir. Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. The control method 200 includes steps S210, S220, S230, S240 and S250. The control method 200 can be described by the examples of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 above. In step S210, the storage container 140 was originally stored in the storage compartment 132 of the storage shelf 130, and when the distributor sends the cargo to the store and the clerk is about to start storing the cargo, the server 150 sends the transport device 134 and Lift platform 122 controls transport of one storage container 140 from storage shelf 130 to an initial position. In step S220, the clerk scans the barcode or image on the shipment (eg, shipment A1 or A2 in FIG. 1) with scanning device 112 to generate shipment data D1, and server 150 receives shipment data D1. Binding data D2 is created later based on cargo data D1. In step S230, the photographing device 126 photographs the internal space of the storage container 140 storing the cargo A1 in FIG. capacity data D4 is created based on the remaining capacity. In step S240, the weighing device 124 measures the weight W of the storage container 140 storing the cargo A1 in FIG. do. In step S250, the server 150 transmits a signal to the transport device 134 and the elevator platform 122 to transport the storage container 140 from the initial position to the storage shelf 130 for storage. Here, steps S230 and S240 performed for each storage container can be collectively referred to as a "maintenance step."

In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S260, S270 and S280. After the storage container 140 is stored on the storage shelf 130 in step S250, the clerk again scans another shipment with the scanning device 112 to generate new shipment data D1 in step S260. In step S270, the server 150 selects a second storage container 140 to be used to store another cargo from the storage container 140 anew. In step S280, the server 150 transmits signals to the transport device 134 and the elevator platform 122 to transport the second storage container 140 selected in step S270 from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, step S270 further includes S271, S272 or S273. When the server 150 selects the second storage container 140 to be used to store another shipment again in step S270, there are different selection modes. In some embodiments, server 150 recognizes the consumer of this shipment based on the new shipment data D1 for another shipment and the store in which this consumer's shipment is stored based on the binding data D2. It determines if there is a container 140, and if so, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 in which this consumer's shipment is stored to store another shipment. In some embodiments, server 150 selects storage container 140 with the largest remaining capacity among storage containers 140 based on capacity data D4 to store another shipment. In some embodiments, server 150 selects storage container 140 having the smallest weight W among storage containers 140 based on weight data D5 to store another shipment.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S310, S320 and S330. At step S310, the server 150 identifies the storage container 140 in which the recipient's shipment is stored based on the recipient data D6 and the binding data D2. In step S320, the server 150 transmits a signal to the carrier 134 and the elevator 122 so that the carrier 134 and the elevator 122 move the storage container 140 containing the cargo of the recipient from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position. control to transport to In some embodiments, when server 150 recognizes that more than one bin 140 contains recipient shipments, server 150 may transmit a signal to carrier 134 and elevator 122 to , the carrier 134 and the elevator 122 to sequentially transport the storage containers 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S410 and S420. In step S410, the server 150 determines the number of days from the arrival date of the cargo to the current date, and compares the number of days with the threshold for the number of days that the product can be returned. In step S<b>420 , if the number of days is equal to or greater than the threshold number of returnable days as a result of comparison by the server 150 , the server 150 transmits a signal to the conveying device 134 and the elevator 122 so that the return can be returned by the conveying device 134 and the elevator 122 . The storage container 140 in which cargo that has reached the threshold of possible number of days is stored is controlled to be transported from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position.

Details regarding the embodiments of the above control method 200 can be referred to the relevant paragraphs of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 above. Persons skilled in the art can adjust or change the order of each step of the control method 200 according to the above embodiments according to actual requirements and circumstances, which should also be considered within the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Note one thing.

In summary, the control method 200 transports the storage container 140 in a particular configuration to further improve efficiency when stores store and return shipments and consumers receive shipments.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed with embodiments as described above, it is not limited thereto and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on what is specified in the following claims.

100 warehouse management system 110 point of sale device 112 scanning device 120 lifting device 122 lifting platform 124 weighing device 126 imaging device 128 control interface 130 storage shelves 132, 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e, 132f storage compartment 134 transport device 136 Frame 140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e, 140f Storage container A1, A2 Cargo CEL Ceiling COU Counter FLR Floor PIL Pillar STO Store space 150 Server 152 Processor 154 Memory device D1 Cargo data D2 Binding data D3 Image data D4 Capacity data D5 Weight data D6 Recipient data S1 Basket change signal S2 Raise signal S3 Storage signal S4 Basket pickup signal S5 Lower signal W Weight 200 Control method S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260, S270, S280, S271, S272, S273 , S310, S320, S330, S410, S420 Step

Claims (10)

a storage shelf provided above the store space for storing a plurality of storage containers;
a lifting device connected to the storage shelf and including a lift for transporting one of the storage containers between an initial position and the storage shelf;
a photographing device provided in the lifting device for photographing the interior space of one of the storage containers to generate image data;
a server communicatively connected to the platform and the imaging device and including a processor and a memory device;
with
The photographing device transmits the image data to the server, and the processor determines the remaining capacity of the internal space based on the image data, and determines the remaining capacity of the storage container based on the remaining capacity. Capacity data to be recorded is created and stored in the memory device, and the photographing device photographs the internal space of each of the plurality of storage containers one by one and records the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers. A warehouse management system that creates data. further comprising a weighing device connected to the platform and communicatively connected to the server for weighing one of the storage containers mounted on the platform;
The weighing device transmits the weight to the server, the processor creates weight data recording the weight of the storage container based on the weight and stores it in the memory device, the weighing device comprises: 2. The warehouse management system according to claim 1, wherein the weight of each of the plurality of storage containers is measured one by one to create weight data recording the weight of each of the storage containers. further comprising a scanning device communicatively connected to the server for scanning barcodes or images on the shipment to generate shipment data including consumer personal data;
The scanning device transmits the cargo data to the server, and the processor directs a link between the consumer and one of the bins storing the cargo in the memory device based on the cargo data. 3. The warehouse management system according to claim 2, wherein binding data for recording correspondence is created. further comprising a transport device communicatively connected to the server for moving with the storage shelf to transport the storage container;
The lifting device further includes a control interface communicatively connected to the server, the control interface transmitting a basket replacement signal to the server when receiving a basket replacement command, the server communicating with the platform. transmits a lift signal to the platform such that a first one of the storage containers is lifted from the initial position onto the storage shelf, and the transport device lifts the first storage container from the initial position onto the storage shelf; 4. The warehouse management system of claim 3, further transmitting a storage signal to said transport device to transport said storage container to said first storage compartment corresponding to said storage container. the server is further used to transmit a pick-basket signal to the transport device such that the transport device transports a second storage container stored in a second storage compartment to the lifting device; and further transmitting a lowering signal to the platform such that the platform transports the second storage container down to the initial position;
5. The warehouse management system according to claim 4, wherein said basket pick-up signal is generated by said processor of said server based on said capacity data, said weight data and/or said binding data in said memory device. The internal space of each of a plurality of storage containers is photographed one by one, the remaining capacity of the internal space is determined, and capacity data for recording the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers is created based on the remaining capacity. and measuring the weight of each of said storage containers one by one and generating weight data recording said weight of each of said storage containers based on said weight;
transporting a first one of the storage containers from the storage shelf to an initial position;
scanning a barcode or image on a first shipment to generate first shipment data including personal data of a first consumer; creating binding data that records correspondence with the first reservoir transported to the initial location;
After transporting the first storage container from the storage shelf to the initial position, photographing the internal space of the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored, creating capacity data for recording remaining capacity;
After transporting the first storage container from the storage shelf to the initial position, weighing the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored, and determining the weight of the first storage container. creating weight data recording the weight;
After photographing the interior space of the first storage container and measuring the weight of the first storage container, transporting the first storage container from the initial position to the storage shelf;
A storage container transport control method comprising: scanning the bar code or image on the second shipment to generate second shipment data including personal data of the second consumer;
selecting a second reservoir from the reservoir;
after selecting the second storage container from the storage containers, transporting the second storage container from the storage shelf to the initial location;
The step of selecting the second reservoir from the reservoirs comprises:
selecting, as the second storage container, the storage container in which the second consumer's cargo is stored based on the binding data and the second cargo data; or
selecting, as the second storage container, one of the storage containers that has the highest remaining capacity based on the volume data; or
7. A control method as claimed in claim 6, comprising one of the three steps of selecting said one of said reservoirs having the lowest weight as said second reservoir based on said weight data. recognizing, based on the recipient data including the recipient's personal data and the binding data, which of the storage containers holds the recipient's cargo;
after recognizing the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored among the storage containers, transporting the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored from the storage shelf to the initial position;
7. The control method of claim 6, further comprising: upon recognizing that more than one of said storage containers contains said recipient's cargo, transporting said storage containers in which said recipient's cargo is stored in sequence from said storage shelf to said initial position; 9. The control method of claim 8, further comprising: The first cargo data further includes an arrival date, and the control method includes:
determining the number of days from the arrival date to the current date and comparing the number of days to a threshold returnable days;
After comparing the number of days with the threshold number of returnable days, if the number of days is equal to or greater than the threshold number of returnable days as a result of the comparison, the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is transferred to the 10. A control method according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, further comprising the step of transporting from a storage shelf to said initial position.

Images