KR102587435B1 - Logistics management system based on wireless mesh network - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system is disclosed. A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on shelves of a logistics warehouse, is connected to at least one sensor, and is wirelessly connected to at least one other sensor node to form a wireless mesh network. Forming a plurality of sensor nodes, receiving sensing information from the sensor nodes through the wireless mesh network, transmitting the sensing information to a server through a wireless network method different from the wireless mesh network, and controlling the server A sensor gateway that controls the sensor nodes based on a signal receives the sensing information from the sensor gateway, generates a log that maps the sensing information to a unique identification number of the sensor gateway, and It may include a server that transmits a unique identification number to the corresponding manager terminal and transmits a control signal for the sensor nodes to the sensor gateway based on an input signal from the manager terminal.

Description

Logistics management system based on wireless mesh network {LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BASED ON WIRELESS MESH NETWORK}

The present invention relates to a wireless mesh network-based logistics management system, and more specifically, to a system for providing a logistics management service based on a wireless mesh network.

The content described below simply provides background information related to an embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute prior art.

In logistics management systems, as technology advances, the demand for automation of process management, security, supply/demand-based profitability analysis, and inventory analysis in the logistics chain is increasing.

If logistics management is divided into step-by-step PL (Party Logistics), logistics services that perform logistics tasks generated by a company internally are called 1PL, and logistics services that perform logistics tasks generated by a company through a separate, independent subsidiary or affiliate are called 1PL. 2PL, a logistics service that outsources a company's logistics tasks to an external logistics specialist, is referred to as 3PL, and a logistics service that provides integrated solutions including IT and consulting in addition to the existing 3PL is referred to as 4PL.

In this way, the need for 5PL, an integrated logistics service that manages the entire supply chain from raw material supply to the final customer contact point by utilizing cutting-edge information technology in addition to the existing 4PL, is emerging.

The present invention is a wireless mesh network-based logistics management system that provides smart devices that can be easily installed in a logistics warehouse to which an existing 3PL logistics management system is applied, enabling the construction of a 5PL logistics management system through gradual smartization. The purpose is to provide.

A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention to achieve the above object is installed on the shelves of a logistics warehouse, connected to at least one sensor, and wirelessly connected to at least one other sensor node. A plurality of sensor nodes forming a wireless mesh network, receiving sensing information from the sensor nodes through the wireless mesh network, and transmitting the sensing information to a server through a wireless network method different from the wireless mesh network, A sensor gateway that controls the sensor nodes based on a control signal from the server and a log that receives the sensing information from the sensor gateway and maps the sensing information to a unique identification number of the sensor gateway. It may include a server that generates and transmits the unique identification number to a manager terminal corresponding to the unique identification number, and transmits a control signal for the sensor nodes to the sensor gateway based on an input signal from the manager terminal.

The shelves and the sensor nodes correspond one-to-one or one-to-many, and each of the sensor nodes may be connected to at least one different sensor based on characteristics of cargo to be stored on each of the shelves.

The at least one sensor may be a sensor for at least one of temperature and humidity measurement, inventory detection, picking detection, and spoilage detection.

The sensor nodes are switched to power saving mode when they do not transmit the sensing information or do not receive the control signal for a preset reference time, and the sensor gateway is switched to the average power saving mode of the sensor nodes at the time. Based on this, determine whether to turn off the power for each of the sensor nodes in the power saving mode and a power-off time zone, and automatically turn on/off the power of the sensor nodes in the power saving mode based on the power-off time zone. It can be turned on/off.

Each of the sensor nodes may include a battery module with a different capacity determined based on the expected power consumption of each of the sensor nodes.

The expected power consumption may be determined by considering the average power consumption of each of at least one sensor connected to each of the sensor nodes and the traffic concentration of each of the sensor nodes on the wireless mesh network.

The sensor gateway stores a reference value and a response preparation time corresponding to each of the sensor nodes, and determines the sensing value by considering the degree of change in the sensing value of each of the sensor nodes and the response preparation time based on the sensing information. It is possible to predict whether the reference value will deviate from the response preparation time, and to transmit a notification message to the server when the sensed value is about to deviate from the reference value.

The server receives failure information and location information of the agricultural machinery from an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) mounted on the agricultural machinery managed by the manager owning the manager terminal, and determines the location of the agricultural machinery according to the failure information. Identify parts to repair a malfunction, if the parts are in stock at the warehouse, set a picking reservation for the parts, assign a repair technician to repair the agricultural machinery, and assign the parts to the repair technician. Picking information and location information of the agricultural machinery can be provided.

According to the present invention, by providing smart devices that can be easily installed in a logistics warehouse to which an existing 3PL logistics management system is applied, a logistics management system that enables construction of a 5PL logistics management system through step-by-step smartization can be provided.

1 and 2 are diagrams showing the entities of a logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an operation flowchart showing a method for controlling power of a sensor gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an operation flowchart showing a method of connecting an administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a connection screen of an administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an operation flowchart showing a logistics management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows. Here, repeated descriptions, known functions that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, and detailed descriptions of configurations are omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

Throughout the specification, when a part “includes” a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1 and 2 are diagrams showing the entities of a logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a server 110, a sensor gateway 120, and sensor nodes 130.

Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of sensor gateways 120 may be connected to one server 110, and a plurality of sensor nodes 130 may be connected to one sensor gateway 120.

The server 110 may be a device that communicates with the devices of the warehouse and the manager terminal, provides information about the warehouse to the manager, and receives signals from the manager to control the warehouse.

The server 110 may perform the function of a platform for logistics management.

In particular, the server 110 receives sensing information from the sensor gateway 120 installed in the warehouse, generates a log that maps this to the unique identification number of the sensor gateway 120, and identifies the unique identification number. The information can be transmitted to the corresponding manager terminal.

Additionally, the server 110 may transmit an input signal from the manager terminal or autonomously transmit a control signal for the sensor gateway 120 or the sensor nodes 130 to the sensor gateway 120.

The administrator terminal (not shown) may be a terminal corresponding to an administrator who wishes to connect to the server 110 and manage logistics.

The administrator terminal refers to a communication terminal that can use a terminal application in a wired or wireless communication environment. For example, the manager terminal may be a portable terminal such as a smart phone or a personal computer. The scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a terminal equipped with a terminal application may be used without limitation.

Here, the terminal application may be a dedicated application for logistics management or a browser for performing logistics management on a web page.

The sensor gateway 120 is a device installed in a logistics warehouse, and collects and analyzes sensing information from the sensor nodes 130, transmits valid data to the server 110, and detects and transmits valid data by a control signal from the server 110 or autonomously. It may be a device that controls the sensor nodes 130.

The sensor gateway 120 may monitor the status of the sensor nodes 130 and transmit a notification message when an emergency situation occurs.

For example, the sensor gateway 120 stores the reference value and response preparation time corresponding to each of the sensor nodes 130, and determines the degree of change in the sensing value of each of the sensor nodes 130 and the response based on the sensing information. Considering the preparation time, it is predicted whether the sensing value will deviate from the reference value within the corresponding preparation time, and if the sensing value is about to deviate from the reference value, a notification message may be transmitted to the server 110.

The sensor nodes 130 are devices installed on each shelf where cargo is loaded in a logistics warehouse, and can be connected to at least one different sensor based on the characteristics of the cargo.

Here, the sensor may be a sensor that performs at least one of temperature and humidity measurement, inventory detection, picking detection, and spoilage detection.

Additionally, the sensor may be comprised of at least one sensor selected from a shock detector and a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensor to perform the above function.

A logistics warehouse is equipped with multiple shelves, and multiple sensor nodes can be installed on one shelf for more accurate sensing. In other words, shelves and sensor nodes can correspond in a one-to-one or one-to-many relationship.

The sensor nodes 130 can be powered by a battery module so that they can be easily installed on shelves without wires.

The battery module is removable, and the capacity of the battery module may be determined differently based on the expected power consumption of each of the sensor nodes 130.

Here, the expected power consumption may be determined by considering the average power consumption of each of at least one sensor connected to each of the sensor nodes and the traffic concentration of each of the sensor nodes on the wireless mesh network.

For example, the first expected power consumption is determined based on the average power consumption of each sensor, but for sensor nodes installed in sections with low traffic concentration, the first expected power consumption is determined based on the second expected power consumption that is less than the first expected power consumption. The capacity of the battery module may be determined.

The sensor nodes 130 may switch to a power saving mode when they do not transmit sensing information or receive a control signal for a preset reference time.

In addition, at least one of the sensor nodes 130 transmits and receives a series of data as an intermediate node on the wireless mesh network. In this way, when there is no transmission or reception during the reference time, including the series of data transmission and reception, it switches to power saving mode. It can be.

As an optional embodiment, the sensor gateway 120 may automatically control power for sensor nodes switched to a power saving mode. A specific method related to this will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

The sensor gateway 120 may be connected to the sensor nodes 130 through a first communication network and may be connected to the server 110 through a second communication network.

Here, the first communication network may be a wireless mesh network that wirelessly connects devices within the warehouse, and the second communication network may be a sensor gateway 120 installed within the warehouse and a server installed remotely outside the warehouse. (110) may be a wirelessly connected cellular network.

In one embodiment, the first communication network may be a wireless mesh network using Bluetooth, and the second communication network may be a cellular network using Cat.M1, but the spirit of the present invention is limited thereto. It doesn't work.

For example, the second communication network may be adopted without limitation, including wireless networks such as wireless LANs, CDMA, and satellite communications.

Figure 3 is an operation flowchart showing a method for controlling power of a sensor gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the power control method of the sensor gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, the sensor gateway 120 may determine the average power saving mode conversion time for sensor nodes that have been switched to the power saving mode. (S310).

Next, the sensor gateway 120 may determine whether to power off a specific sensor node depending on whether the length of the average power saving mode transition time exceeds a preset second reference time (S320).

Next, when the sensor gateway 120 decides to power off a specific sensor node, it determines when and how much to power off and the power off time period based on the sensor node's history of power saving mode transition times, and determines the power off time period. It can be registered in the control scheduler (S330).

Next, the sensor gateway 120 can automatically turn on/off the power of sensor nodes according to the automatic power control scheduler (S340).

Figure 4 is an operation flowchart showing a method of connecting an administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the connection method of the administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the administrator terminal can first access the login page provided by the server 110 (S410).

The login page may provide a user interface for entering an administrator ID and entering a password.

Next, the administrator terminal can access the registration page provided by the server 110 (S420).

The registration page may provide a user interface for entering names and IDs of devices.

Administrators can enter the names and IDs of the server gateway and server nodes through the user interface of the registration page.

The server 110 can map data for registration of devices and connected administrator IDs, and store the IDs of the devices by mapping them with information pre-stored on the server, such as manufacturer and model type.

Next, the administrator terminal can access the test page provided by the server 110 (S430).

On the test page, infographics can be provided to visually display the connection status of all devices, and as a test result of the device selected by the administrator, the test signal provided in each device can be activated.

For example, each device may be equipped with a test LED so that the LED blinks according to a test signal sent from the manager terminal.

Through this, the administrator can easily determine whether each device is properly connected to the network or installed on an appropriate shelf before, during, or after installation of each device.

Next, the administrator terminal can access the main page provided by the server 110 (S440).

The main page can provide various pages for warehouse management, such as real-time monitoring of all devices and device management pages.

As an optional embodiment, the main page may further include management pages for external devices linked to the warehouse in addition to pages for warehouse management.

For example, when a logistics warehouse is linked to agricultural machinery, additional management pages related to agricultural machinery may be provided.

A specific logistics management method using a logistics warehouse linked to agricultural machinery will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a connection screen of an administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device log monitoring page among various pages that may be included in the main page.

Referring to Figure 5, the device log monitoring page may provide device name, device ID, device registrant, manufacturer, model type, activation status, disclosure status, and registration date and time information.

Figure 6 is an operation flowchart showing a logistics management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the logistics management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the server 110 may first receive failure information and location information of agricultural machinery (S610).

Here, the agricultural machinery is managed by an administrator, and each agricultural machinery is equipped with an on-board diagnostics (OBD), and fault information and location information of a specific agricultural machinery can be received from the on-board diagnostics.

Next, the server 110 can identify parts for repairing a malfunction of the agricultural machinery using a pre-stored agricultural machinery database (S620).

Next, the server 110 checks inventory to see if the part is available in the warehouse, and if there is an available part, a picking reservation can be set for the part (S630).

Next, the server 110 can use a pre-stored repair technician database to search for and assign a repair technician suitable for repairing the breakdown of the agricultural machinery (S640).

Next, the server 110 may provide picking information about the parts and location information of the agricultural machinery to the repair technician (S650).

Figure 7 is a diagram showing a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The server 110 and sensor gateway 120 of the wireless mesh network-based logistics management system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in a computer system 1000 such as a computer-readable recording medium.

Referring to FIG. 7, the computer system 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, memory 1030, user interface input device 1040, user interface output device 1050, and storage that communicate with each other through a bus 1020. It may include (1060). Additionally, the computer system 1000 may further include a network interface 1070 connected to the network 1080. The processor 1010 may be a central processing unit or a semiconductor device that executes processing instructions stored in the memory 1030 or storage 1060. Memory 1030 and storage 1060 may be various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, memory may include ROM 1031 or RAM 1032.

The specific implementations described in the present invention are examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For the sake of brevity of the specification, descriptions of conventional electronic components, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. In addition, the connections or connection members of lines between components shown in the drawings exemplify functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections, and in actual devices, various functional connections or physical connections may be replaced or added. Can be represented as connections, or circuit connections. Additionally, if there is no specific mention such as “essential,” “important,” etc., it may not be a necessary component for the application of the present invention.

Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of the patent claims described below as well as all scopes equivalent to or equivalently changed from the scope of the claims are within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. It will be said to belong to

110: server
120: sensor gateway
130: sensor nodes
1000: computer system 1010: processor
1020: Bus 1030: Memory
1031: Rom 1032: RAM
1040: User interface input device
1050: User interface output device
1060: Storage 1070: Network Interface

Claims (8)

A plurality of sensor nodes installed on shelves in a logistics warehouse, connected to at least one sensor, and wirelessly connected to at least one other sensor node to form a wireless mesh network;
Receive sensing information from the sensor nodes through the wireless mesh network, transmit the sensing information to a server through a wireless network method different from the wireless mesh network, and control the sensor nodes based on a control signal from the server. Controlling sensor gateway; and
Receives the sensing information from the sensor gateway, generates a log that maps the sensing information to a unique identification number of the sensor gateway, and transmits it to a manager terminal corresponding to the unique identification number, and A server that transmits a control signal for the sensor nodes to the sensor gateway based on an input signal from an administrator terminal
Including,
The shelves and the sensor nodes correspond one-to-one or one-to-many,
Each of the sensor nodes is
Connected to the at least one different sensor based on the characteristics of the cargo to be stored on each of the shelves,
Each of the sensor nodes is
Includes battery modules of different capacities determined based on the expected power consumption of each of the sensor nodes,
The estimated power consumption is
A logistics management system based on a wireless mesh network, which is determined by considering the average power consumption of each of the at least one sensors connected to each of the sensor nodes and the traffic concentration level of each of the sensor nodes on the wireless mesh network. delete According to paragraph 1,
The at least one sensor
A logistics management system based on a wireless mesh network, comprising sensors for at least one of temperature and humidity measurement, inventory detection, picking detection and spoilage detection. According to paragraph 1,
The sensor nodes are
If the sensing information is not transmitted or the control signal is not received during a preset reference time, the device switches to power saving mode,
The sensor gateway is
Based on the average time when the sensor nodes are in the power saving mode, determine whether to turn off the power for each sensor node in the power saving mode and determine the power-off time period, and determine the power-off time period for each sensor node in the power saving mode. A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system that automatically turns on/off the power of sensor nodes in the power saving mode. delete delete According to paragraph 1,
The sensor gateway is
Store the reference value and response preparation time corresponding to each of the sensor nodes,
Based on the sensing information, predicting whether the sensing value will deviate from the reference value within the response preparation time by considering the degree of change in the sensing value of each of the sensor nodes and the response preparation time,
A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system that transmits a notification message to the server when the sensing value is about to deviate from the reference value. According to paragraph 1,
The server is
Receiving failure information and location information of the agricultural machinery from an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) mounted on the agricultural machinery managed by the manager owning the manager terminal,
Identifying parts for repairing a malfunction of the agricultural machinery according to the malfunction information,
If the part is in stock in the warehouse, a picking reservation is set for the part,
Assign a repair engineer to repair the agricultural machinery,
A wireless mesh network-based logistics management system that provides picking information about the parts and location information of the agricultural machinery to the repair technician.