KR102559275B1 - Distribution management system using modules - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an article distribution management system. The item distribution management system comprises: a warehouse including a plurality of modules for storing items; a warehouse control terminal for controlling the present condition of the items in the warehouse; and a central control terminal for controlling the present condition of the warehouse control terminal. The warehouse includes: a plurality of modules inside the warehouse; shelves for accommodating the plurality of modules and moving the items through a conveyor belt; and a fixed mechanical device for moving the plurality of modules between the conveyor belt and an external transport device at a fixed position. The warehouse includes: an external transport device outside the warehouse; and a movable mechanical device for transporting the external transport device from a first position to a second position.

Description

Distribution management system using modules {DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING MODULES}

The embodiments below relate to a distribution management system using modules.

In the case of using a module for loading goods, there are advantages in that it is possible to improve efficiency in moving goods, reduce labor costs, improve stability, improve accuracy, and monitor distribution conditions in real time. In this regard, the importance of technology for appropriately managing the distribution of goods in consideration of various situations in the target area where the unmanned warehouse is located is growing.

An article distribution management system according to an embodiment includes a warehouse including a plurality of modules for storing articles; A warehouse control terminal for controlling the status of goods in the warehouse; and a central control terminal for controlling the status of the warehouse control terminal, wherein the warehouse includes: the plurality of modules in the warehouse; a shelf accommodating the plurality of modules and moving the product through a conveyor belt; and a stationary mechanical device for moving the plurality of modules between the conveyor belt and an external conveying device at a fixed location, wherein the warehouse comprises: outside of the warehouse, the external conveying device; and a mobile mechanical device for transporting the external transport device from a first location to a second location, wherein each of the modules includes: a plurality of cameras for photographing the interior of the module; a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the item located inside the module; a display displaying the status of the item located inside the module; and an occupancy sensor for determining whether the user is occupied through different sensors according to the user's location, wherein the occupancy sensor determines whether the user is occupied through a first sensor included in each of the other sensors when the user's location is less than a first distance from the occupancy sensor, and when the user's location is greater than or equal to the first occupancy sensor and less than a second distance greater than the first occupancy sensor, determines whether the user is occupied through a second sensor included in each of the different sensors, and The control terminal may predict real-time product demand based on Equation 1 below.

[Equation 1]

Real-time demand for goods = (Value corresponding to the current time X 1st weight) + (Value corresponding to real-time temperature X 2nd weight) + (Value corresponding to the inflation rate X 3rd weight) + (Value corresponding to the wage increase rate X 4th weight) + (Value corresponding to the current exchange rate X 5th weight) + (Value corresponding to the rate of change in the population of the target region X 6th weight) + (Value corresponding to the rate of change in average age of the members of the target region X 7th weight)

1 is a diagram for explaining a distribution management system using a module according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram for explaining a process of transporting a module to and from a warehouse in a distribution management system using a module according to an embodiment.
3, 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining modules of a distribution management system using modules according to an embodiment.
6 is a diagram for explaining an operation between a module of a distribution management system using a module and a warehouse control system according to an embodiment.

Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and may be changed and implemented in various forms. Therefore, the form actually implemented is not limited only to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of the present specification includes changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the technical idea described in the embodiments.

Although terms such as first or second may be used to describe various components, such terms should only be construed for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that the described features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof exist, but it should be understood that the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the target technology field. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and are not interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components regardless of reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

1 is a diagram for explaining a distribution management system 101 using a module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a distribution management system 101 according to an embodiment includes a warehouse 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 including a plurality of modules for storing goods; a warehouse control terminal 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 that controls the status of goods in the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3; and a central control terminal 130 that controls the status of the warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3. The warehouse 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 including a plurality of modules may be a physical location where goods are stored before being shipped to a final destination. In one embodiment, the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 may serve to provide a place for storage and management of goods, and a plurality of modules will be discussed in detail below. In one embodiment, the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 may provide a function of transporting modules through a fixed mechanical device and a mobile mechanical device, and the fixed mechanical device and the mobile mechanical device are described in detail below.

The warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 may be software platforms used to manage goods through the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3. The warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 may provide users of the warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 with real-time information about stock status, including inventory levels, order statuses, and delivery tracking of goods existing in the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3. In addition, the warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 may provide a function for managing the movement of goods in the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3, including receipt, storage, picking, and delivery of goods.

The central control terminal 130 may be a software platform that provides centralized management for the entire distribution management system 101 . The central control terminal 130 may provide real-time information on product and order status by integrating with other modules such as a transportation management system and a customer service system based on the information on the goods existing in the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 received from the warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3. Through the central control terminal 130, the user can determine the distribution management direction of goods based on information based on real-time data. In one embodiment, the user can manage the inventory of goods in the warehouses 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 and the warehouse control terminals 120-1; 120-2; 120-3 and the central control terminal 130 through mutual communication. When the stock of a specific product in each warehouse 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 is less than the order quantity, the user can check the real-time product status through the display on the distribution management system 101.

The central control terminal 130 may determine whether or not the remaining inventory of each warehouse 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 is at an appropriate level based on current time information, real-time temperature information, inflation rate information, wage increase rate information, current exchange rate information, population change rate information in the target area, and average age change rate of members of the target area.

In one embodiment, the central control terminal 130 may perform an operation of predicting demand for goods in real time based on Equation 1 below.

In one embodiment, the central control terminal 130 may perform an operation of adjusting at least one value of the first to seventh weights of Equation 1 based on past product demand.

In one embodiment, the central control terminal 130 may predict demand for goods in real time based on Equation 1 above, and perform an operation to notify the user. For example, the central control terminal 130 may display a warning window to the user regarding product shortage when the inventory of a specific product in each warehouse 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 is less than 30% of the predicted real-time demand for the product. For example, the central control terminal 130 may display a confirmation window regarding whether to reorder a specific product to the user when the stock of a specific product in each warehouse 110-1; 110-2; 110-3 is less than 10% of the predicted real-time demand for the product. The user may determine a distribution management direction based on a predicted value of real-time product demand provided by the distribution management system 101 .

2 is a diagram for explaining a process of transporting a module to and from a warehouse in a distribution management system using a module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the warehouse 110 in the system may transport the module 210-1 through a stationary machine device 240 and a mobile machine device 260.

In one embodiment, the warehouse 110 may include a plurality of modules 210-1 and a shelf for storing the plurality of modules 210-1 and moving items through a conveyor belt (eg, a first floor conveyor belt 220 and a second floor conveyor belt 230). The shelf has compartments capable of accommodating a plurality of modules 210-1 and can supply power to each module 210-1. When there is a call signal for each module 210-1, the shelf may perform an operation of moving each module 210-1 to each conveyor belt targeting the floor of each module 210-1.

In one embodiment, the warehouse 110 may include a stationary mechanical device 240 that moves a plurality of modules 210-1 between a conveyor belt and an external transport device 260 at a fixed location therein. The stationary mechanical device 240 may move the module between the conveyor belt and the transport device 250 based on input/output signals at a fixed location.

In one embodiment, the warehouse 110 may include an external transport device 250 that transports modules between the inside and outside of the warehouse and a mobile mechanical device 260 that transports the external transport device 250 from a first location to a second location different from the first location. The mobile machine device 260 is capable of autonomous driving and can perform an operation of transporting the external transport device 250 to a product assembly area or a designated specific target location based on an input/output signal.

3, 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining modules of a distribution management system using modules according to an embodiment.

The module 210 according to an embodiment may include a plurality of cameras 216 for photographing the inside of the module 210, a weight sensor 218 for detecting the weight of items located inside the module 210, a display 212 displaying the current status of items located inside the module 210, and an occupancy sensor 214 for determining whether the user is occupied through different sensors according to the user's location.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the module 210 according to an embodiment may have the same shape in width, length, and height. The module 210 according to an embodiment may include a display 212 displaying the current status of items located therein. The module 210 according to an embodiment may include two or more types of sensors in the center portion, and an occupancy sensor 214 that determines whether the user is occupied through different sensors according to the user's location.

Display 212 according to one embodiment may show the current status of items inside module 210 . The display 212 may provide information to the user, including relevant status information, such as the number of items stored therein, the location of the items within the module 210, and whether the item is out of stock or out of stock. The user can efficiently manage and replenish the module 210 by checking the state of the items stored in the module 210 through the display 212 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , a module 210 according to an embodiment may include one or more cameras 216 and a weight sensor 218 in an inward direction.

The module 210 may include a groove for attaching and detaching the camera 216 on each of its four inner surfaces and an empty space for attaching and detaching the weight sensor 218 at the lower end, and the camera 216 and the weight sensor 218 may be mounted on the module 210 through the aforementioned groove, respectively.

A camera 216 that photographs items inside module 210 may serve as a visual inventory system. Camera 216 may capture images of items inside module 210 and provide the user with a record of present or missing items. The camera 216 may transmit images of items inside the module 210 to software located in the warehouse control terminal, and the software located in the warehouse control terminal may integrate with other technologies such as machine learning algorithms to automate the process of tracking the inventory of items. By analyzing images of items inside captured by camera 216, machine learning algorithms in software located at the warehouse control terminal can identify items inside module 210 and update the item inventory record accordingly.

The weight sensor 218 located at the lower end of the module 210 may serve as a tool for monitoring the weight of items stored in the module 210 . The weight sensor 218 can sense the weight of an item and provide real-time measurement information about how many items are inside the module 210 to the user.

The user can monitor the weight inside the module 210 based on the information from the weight sensor 218 and prevent items from being overloaded or underloaded inside the module 210 . For example, when the weight sensor 218 detects that the module 210 has reached its maximum capacity, it can trigger an alert to the user, allowing the user to manage inventory of items within the module 210. Through the weight sensor 218, the user can monitor the movement of items in and out of the module 210, and through this, the current status of the items can be grasped and unauthorized bringing in or taking out of the items can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the module 210 according to an embodiment may include an occupancy sensor 214 that determines whether the user is occupied through different sensors according to the user's location. In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor 214 determines whether the user is occupied through a first sensor (eg, a capacitive sensor) included in each other sensor when the user's location is less than a first distance (eg, 30 cm) from the occupancy sensor 214, and when the user's location is greater than or equal to a first distance from the occupancy sensor and less than a second distance (eg, 200 cm) farther than the first distance, a second sensor (eg, FMCW) included in each other sensor (eg, FMCW) It is possible to determine whether the user is in the room through a sensor). The occupancy sensor 214 according to an embodiment may include a capacitive sensor and a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) sensor. The capacitive sensor may be a sensor that detects the proximity of the human body through a change in the amount of charge of the sensor when the human body approaches. The FMCW sensor transmits a frequency that changes over time and compares, processes, and determines the transmitted signal and the received signal reflected by a specific object when the specific object exists within a specific distance, and detects the existence of the object based on this. It may be a sensor. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor and the FMCW sensor may be sensors that are turned on and operate when a call signal is applied, and the occupancy sensor 214 may determine, for example, whether a user is present at a short distance (eg, within 0 to 30 cm) through a capacitive sensor, and at a medium distance (eg, 30 cm to 200 cm), use an FMCW sensor to determine whether a user is occupied within 2 m from the location of the module. A more user-friendly experience may be provided when the user checks the state of the goods stored in the module 210 through the occupancy sensor 214 .

6 is a diagram for explaining an operation between a module of a distribution management system using a module and a warehouse control system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the module 210 in the warehouse 110 in the distribution management system according to an embodiment may communicate with the warehouse control terminal 120 . Here, the module 210 in the warehouse 110 may include a display 212 capable of displaying the items stored in the module 210 and the amount of stock, and may include a user occupancy sensor 214 that determines whether or not the user is occupied through different sensors according to the user's location. Hereinafter, a description of the module 210 will be omitted to the extent that it overlaps with the previously described content.

In one embodiment, the warehouse control terminal 120 transmits or receives signals capable of cross-transmission in order to prevent interference in the sensor signal receiving operation of other modules when the FMCW sensor in the occupancy sensor 210 transmits electromagnetic waves in the module 210. For example, the warehouse control terminal 120 may generate and transmit an appropriate timing signal. In one embodiment, the warehouse control terminal 120 may support a 5G standard communication standard for communication between the module 210 and the warehouse control terminal 120, for example, in a 5G standard communication standard, and the 5G standard communication standard may provide URLLC (ultra reliable low latency communications) and mIoT (massive IoT) functions, but the embodiment according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on this. For example, even if the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form from the described method, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (2)

In the product distribution management system,
A warehouse including a plurality of modules for storing goods;
A warehouse control terminal for controlling the status of goods in the warehouse; and
Including a central control terminal for controlling the status of the warehouse control terminal,
the warehouse,
Inside the warehouse, the plurality of modules; a shelf accommodating the plurality of modules and moving the product through a conveyor belt;
a stationary mechanical device for moving the plurality of modules between the conveyor belt and an external transport device at a fixed location;
the warehouse,
Outside of the warehouse, the external conveying device; and a mobile mechanism for conveying the external conveying device from a first location to a second location;
Each of the plurality of modules,
A plurality of cameras to photograph the interior of the module;
a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the item located inside the module;
a display displaying the status of the item located inside the module; and
A room sensor for determining whether the user is in the room through different sensors according to the location of the user;
The occupancy sensor,
When the location of the user is less than a first distance from the occupancy sensor, determining whether the user is occupied through a first sensor included in each of the other sensors;
When the location of the user is equal to or greater than the first distance from the occupancy sensor and less than a second location farther than the first distance, determining whether the user is present through a second sensor included in each of the different sensors;
The first sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects the proximity of the human body through a change in the amount of charge of the sensor when the human body approaches,
The second sensor is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) sensor that transmits a signal of a frequency that changes over time and detects the existence of an object based on a signal reflected by a specific object and received,
The warehouse control terminal,
When the FMCW sensor of the module transmits electromagnetic waves, transmitting a timing signal capable of cross-transmission to prevent interference with the reception operation of sensor signals of other modules,
Goods distribution management system. delete