WO2017085237A1

WO2017085237A1 - Logistics system for manual commissioning

Info

Publication number: WO2017085237A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/078089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Sören EMMERICH; Michael PROF. DR. TEN HOMPEL
Original assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Priority date: 2015-11-18
Filing date: 2016-11-17
Publication date: 2017-05-26
Also published as: DE102015222793A1

Abstract

The invention comprises a logistics system for manual commissioning, comprising wireless signalling devices, which are each associated with the compartments of a storage facility. Via a wake-up transmitter (204), the signalling devices can be put into an active operating state and then receive data from a central communications unit (206) for the manual commissioning via a transmitter-receiver unit (305) and control device (301) of the signalling device, and change at least one of the display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) of the signalling device depending on the useful data. In addition, the invention relates to a signalling device designed as an electronic card (202).

Description

Logistics system for manual picking

The present application relates to a logistics system for manual picking and a wireless signaling device.

In the paperless manual picking, shelves or containers are equipped with electronic displays that signal to a user from which bin how many objects are to be taken. The electronic displays have a display and several switches that allow user confirmation or error input. To achieve the desired manual picking speed, each tray has attention control, such as a bright or flashing LED that makes it easier for the user to find the relevant subjects. The attention control can be integrated in the electronic display or located separately on the tray.

Due to the power consumption of the displays and the attention control, all shelves must be wired to ensure a permanent power supply.

In the field of manual order picking, seasonal fluctuations occur in some sectors, for example in online trading, which, for example, requires significantly more storage space for manual picking in the pre-Christmas business. For this purpose, temporary warehouses for manual picking, for example in tents, built and wired time-consuming and money-consuming, only to be dismantled again a few weeks later.

A corresponding system for manual picking is disclosed for example in the utility model DE 297 10044 Ul.

From US 2011/0241843 a device for wireless, energy-efficient display is also known. Here, an electronic shelf label with an e-paper display is disclosed, as well as a system for wirelessly updating the display. The shelf labels are attached to special rails and serve only to display product information.

An object of the present application is therefore to provide a cost, time and / or energy efficient logistics system for manual picking.

This object is achieved by a logistics system and a wireless signaling sierungsvorrichtung according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are disclosed in the subclaims.

A logistics system for manual picking comprises at least one storage device with a plurality of compartments and a plurality of wireless signaling devices, each having a control device, a wake-up receiver, a transceiver unit and a plurality of bistable display elements. Furthermore, at least one subset of the compartments is each assigned a signaling device. With manual picking, the current task of a user at a specific compartment can thus be indicated by the display elements of the signaling device of the compartment. For example, the display elements may indicate how many products should be removed from a bin or that the products in the bin should be counted for inventory.

In addition, the logistics system comprises at least one wake-up transmitter and a central communication unit, wherein the wake-up transmitter is configured to generate a wake-up signal upon receipt of a signal from a higher-level control unit by the at least one of the signaling devices via the wake-up Receiver of the signaling device can be converted into an active operating state.

The wake-up signal can be, for example, a low-frequency signal (low-frequency signal LF signal) or designed as a magnetic field, preferably as a coded magnetic field, in the transmission range of the wake-up transmitter. However, it is also conceivable that the wake-up signal can be an electromagnetic signal, for example in the radio range from 10 kHz to several gigahertz, or the wake-up signal can be transmitted by means of visible or invisible light or via acoustic sound waves. In this case, wake-up signals by means of a magnetic field, induction or electromagnetic signal have the advantage that, in contrast to an optical signal, no visual axis between a transmitter and the respective signaling device is necessary. Thus, a wake-up transmitter, which operates by means of a magnetic field, induction or radio signal, can address significantly more signaling devices at the same time, as a result of which the logistics system can be set up with less effort.

By the wake-up signal, for example, all wake-up receiver, which are within the range of the wake-up transmitter, be turned on. For example, simultaneously or subsequently, the wake-up receivers receive a signal which, possibly encoded, includes addressing information. For example, a coded magnetic field can be used for this purpose. Only the wake-up receiver or its associated control devices to which the addressing formation, remain in an active operating state, while the remaining automatically turn off again. Thus, it is possible to minimize the power consumption of the wireless signaling devices, since they are only briefly put into an active, energy-consuming state, if there is a current order picking task for the assigned compartment.

The transceiver unit of the signaling device is designed to establish bi-directional radio communication with the communication unit when the control device is in an active operating state.

In this case, it is possible for the radio link to be short-lived and the transceiver unit to return to an inactive operating state after a predetermined short time or after receipt of a signal of predetermined length in order to save power. At the same time, for example, the control device and / or further components of the signaling device can remain in an active operating state, and the control device can, for example, cause the transceiver unit to change back to an active operating state at a later time.

The communication unit is furthermore designed to carry out radio communication with the at least one signaling device for transmitting user data via the transceiver unit to the control device, depending on the signal of the superordinate control unit. The control device is further configured to change at least one of the display elements depending on the payload.

The display elements here are preferably bistable segments which, based on the e-paper technology, maintain their state even without power supply. To further save energy, a display may be divided into several large e-lnk segments because the power consumption for changing a segment is nearly constant regardless of the size of the segment. Preferably, the signaling device includes less than 100 segments, more preferably less than 50 segments.

Furthermore, the signaling device of the logistics system at least have an input element. In this case, the control device can be designed to change the state of the display elements upon actuation of the input element and / or to control the transceiver unit for emitting radio signals to the communication unit and / or to control the signaling device or its components to the inactive state.

The input element may in this case be an input element for tactile input, for example a switch or touch sensor, an input element for inputting audio signals, for example via a microphone, or an input element for inputting visual signals, for example a camera. The input may preferably be by a human user.

By the input element, the user can confirm, for example, a task performed or an error message, such as a shortage, enter.

Thus, the input element may for example be an input element for acknowledgment, is acknowledged by the operation that a task is completed. In this case, a distinction can preferably be made between a successful execution of the task and an unsuccessful execution of the task. For this purpose, for example, several input elements may be included in the signaling device, one of which serves to acknowledge a successfully completed task and one to acknowledge an error message. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out several different inputs via an input element.

Upon actuation of an input element for acknowledgment, the control device of the signaling device can also be designed to send an acknowledgment signal to the communication unit via the transceiver unit and / or to put components of the signaling device into an inactive operating state.

By transmitting acknowledgment information, which may include, for example, whether the task has been successfully completed, how many products are in the compartment, and / or how many products were missing in the compartment, a paperless picking is possible in which the users do not have to carry a work sheet. This saves time and allows a direct reaction by the higher-level system when an error message triggers an acknowledgment message. Thus, missing products can be reordered, for example, immediately.

Furthermore, the displacement of at least individual components of the signaling device in an inactive operating state serves to save energy. Preferably, in this case at least the control device and / or the transceiver unit are put into an inactive operating state, since these components consume the most energy.

The wake-up receiver is thus preferably permanently in an active operating state. The further components of the signaling device are preferably in an inactive operating state and only change to an active operating state if a suitable wake-up signal was received via the wake-up receiver if a manual operation, for example via the input element, is undertaken is or after a predetermined time, for example, at regular intervals, such as once a day.

The display elements may optionally be left in their last state when the control device is inactive, as any change in the display elements costs energy, or the display elements may be changed by the controller to a predetermined inactive configuration, for example, all display elements in the inactive configuration may be the same color in order to be as inconspicuous as possible and not to unnecessarily distract the user, especially when using several signaling devices.

Furthermore, the communication unit of the logistics system can have an RF transceiver unit and / or the wake-up transmitter and the wake-up receiver can be designed as inductive transmitters and inductive receivers. An inductive wake-up transmitter and receiver are particularly energy-saving and require no visual axis between transmitter and receiver. In addition, in the case of a wake-up signal via induction, magnetic induction, a wake-up transmitter can simultaneously address a large number of wake-up receivers. Thus, the number of wake-up stations can be kept as low as possible, for example, only one wake-up station per row of shelves is necessary. For example, all wake-up transmitters can thus be mounted along a wall or along an axis, as a result of which the number of power cables required and thus the assembly effort of the logistics system is considerably reduced. A complex assembly of various optical wake-up transmitter along the respective rows of shelves can thus be avoided. In addition, the signaling devices comprising the respective wake-up receivers can be moved in the area of the associated wake-up transmitter without requiring further changes to the system.

The subsequent communication between the transceiver unit of the signaling device and the communication unit on a more powerful frequency, for example by a high-frequency transmitter (RF transmitter), is used for fast and low-error data transmission to the signaling device in the active operating state.

The logistics system may further comprise the higher-level control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the wake-up transmitter wireless or wired. In addition, it is connected to the communication unit wireless or wired or contains the communication unit. It is also possible that the control unit is located remotely from the logistics system, for example in a central office or data center of a logistics company.

Furthermore, it is possible that the compartments are containers to which the signaling device can be fastened, preferably that the containers have a holder into which the signaling device is inserted, preferably loose and / or one-handed insertion, so that no further fastening means are necessary.

In this case, the signaling device may preferably be designed as a flat, at least partially flexible electronic card, which for example has the size of a kanban card, so that the signaling device tion in a kanban slot on a container can be inserted. This makes it possible to use existing containers, as they are currently used with cardboard or paper Kanban cards in logistics. Since the signaling devices are wireless and energy-efficient, containers to which a signaling device is attached or attachable, in simple, inexpensive and / or quickly buildable storage facilities, such as commercial storage shelves made of wood, metal and / or plastic are provided. In particular, in the case of seasonal, temporary order-picking devices, this makes it possible to save a great deal of money, since no expensive custom-made products and / or complicated cabling of the individual compartments are necessary.

The storage facility of the logistics system may include, for example, one or more storage racks, or a portion of a storage rack.

Preferably, the size and design of the storage device is tied to the range of the wake-up transmitter. In the case of large order-picking devices, correspondingly, a plurality of storage devices and associated wake-up transmitters can be used. The range of the wake-up transmitter may be e.g. a few meters, with magnetic induction up to 20m or even up to 50m. Thus, only a few, possibly wired wake-up transmitters are required to cover a large storage area, whereby a faster, cost-effective construction and dismantling of temporary, short-term or long-term and / or permanent picking facilities or warehouses for manual picking is possible ,

In addition, the control device of the signaling device can be designed to control the display elements to carry out an attention-generating function, preferably by repeated color or brightness changes or by flashing of at least one display element.

For example, one or more large e-lnk display segments may change color at predetermined time intervals to simulate flashing when the controller is in an active operating state. This allows the user's attention to a particular signaling Device and its associated compartment are steered. Upon input by the user via one of the input elements, this alertness generating function may be selectively terminated to save energy or it may be continued until the user is quoted with the respective task.

Optionally, the attention generating function may also be performed by an LED or other actively illuminated display element.

The wireless signaling device comprises an electronic module, which in turn comprises a control device, a transceiver unit for bidirectional radio communication, a wake-up transmitter and a plurality of bistable display elements, wherein components of the electric module depending on a received by the wake-up receiver wake-up signal from a inactive state can be put into an active state.

In this case, at least some of the bistable display elements may preferably be large-area e-ink segments which, based on the e-paper technology, maintain their state even without power supply and which are already fixed permanently in their size and shape during the production process. Preferably, at least some of the e-ink segments have a size between 1 cm ² and 100 cm ² , more preferably more than 5 cm ² or more than 10 cm ² and / or less than 50 cm ² or less than 25 cm ² . However, in exceptional cases, individual segments can be up to 1250cm ² (Din A3) or larger to enable signaling over long distances. Also, there is usually a background segment, which encloses all other segments and together with all other segments represents a large, continuous signaling surface. Each of the e-ink display segments has at least two, preferably two, three or at least three colors or brightness levels, the color and / or brightness level being changed by application of a voltage by the control device. The color and / or brightness of e-Ink display segments remains stable even without power, saving energy.

In this case, it may be advantageous, for example, to use a few large e-ink segments as display elements, since the energy consumption for changing a segment is virtually constant, regardless of the size of the segment. Preferably, the signaling device includes less than 100 segments, more preferably less than 50 segments.

The signaling device is designed as a flat, releasably attachable to a carrier electronic card and the electronic module has at least one input element, which may be associated with at least one display element.

The input element may in this case be an input element for tactile input, for example a switch or touch sensor, an input element for inputting audio signals, for example via a microphone, or an input element for inputting visual signals, for example a camera. Via the input element, a user can confirm a task signaled to him by the electronic card and / or acknowledge the execution of the task. Furthermore, errors detected by the user can be entered. For this purpose, for example, several input elements may be included in the signaling device, one of which serves for quoting a successfully completed task and one for acknowledging an error message. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out several different inputs via an input element.

Furthermore, the control device is configured, upon actuation of the input element by a user, for example, to control the transceiver unit for transmitting a signal, for example an acknowledgment signal, or to change at least one display element and / or to place at least individual components of the electronic module in an inactive operating state.

The displacement of at least individual components of the electronic module in an inactive operating state serves to save energy. Preferably, in this case, at least the control device and / or the transceiver unit are put into an inactive operating state, since these components consume the most energy.

The display elements can be left in the inactive state of the control device, for example, in its last state, since any change the display elements energy costs, or the display elements can be changed by the control device to a predetermined inactive configuration, for example, all the display elements in the inactive configuration can have the same color to appear as inconspicuous as possible and not distract the user unnecessarily.

The electronic card may be constructed in layers and include, for example, a front layer, a back layer and an intermediate functional layer comprising the electronic module. In this case, the display elements may preferably be arranged on or in the front layer.

Furthermore, the electronic card may comprise an energy store, which is preferably designed as a flat, flexibly flexible, permanently installed and / or disposable energy store, wherein preferably the functional layer of the electronic card comprises the energy store. Due to the energy-efficient design of the electronic card, it is not necessary to replace or recharge the energy store when using a long-life energy storage. With average usage of the electronic card, an energy storage, such as a special flat, flexible, and / or multi-cell battery, can last for several years, potentially outlasting the entire useful life of the electronic card.

It is also possible that the electronic card is completely enveloped, preferably with a watertight envelope and / or an envelope without external connections. Such a manufactured electronic card is particularly robust, since the envelope can prevent ingress of dirt or water.

The electronic card can continue to be particularly flat, for example under learning, preferably less than 5mm thick at the thickest point. In the edge region, the card can be even flatter, for example, less than 5mm, preferably less than 2mm, more preferably less than 1mm. By a flat structure of the electronic card, the electronic card is suitable to be inserted into kanban bays on commercial storage containers. The electronic card can be adapted to the size of Kanban cards, for example, 1/3 DIN A4. This makes it possible to use the electronic card in combination with existing containers, as they are currently used with cardboard or paper Kanban cards in logistics.

The electronic card can continue to be flexibly flexible at least on the edge, preferably everywhere. This facilitates insertion into Kanban bays, since the electronic card can be bent substantially similar to cardboard.

It is also possible that the input element is designed as a switch element, preferably as a mechanical switch, and that the switch element is associated with a display element such that a touch of the display element can be detected by the switch element. In this case, it is preferably possible to integrate the switch element in the functional layer of the electronic card, so that it lies behind the associated display element. Now, if a pressure above a predetermined threshold force is exerted on the display element, the switch element is actuated. Depending on the current configuration of the associated display element, the switch element may be active or inactive. For example, depending on the color and / or brightness level of the display element, an actuation of the switch element by the control device can be registered or ignored. When using a flexible electronic card can continue to serve the carrier or container to which the electronic card is attached, as a solid base and / or counter bearing for the actuation of the switch element.

To attract the attention of a user, the control device of the electronic card may be formed, the display elements, preferably one, two or more large-scale display elements, for performing an attention-generating function, preferably by repeated color and / or brightness changes or by flashing at least one of Display elements to control.

For example, one or more large e-lnk display segments may be given intervals change the color when the control device is in an active operating state. This allows the user's attention to be directed to the electronic card. Upon input by the user via one of the input elements, this attention-creating function may be selectively terminated to save energy or it may be continued until the user posts the respective task.

A signaling device as described above may be used in the logistics system described above. Such a use creates a particularly cost-effective, quick to assemble and disassemble manual picking system which can be used, for example, to increase capacity during seasonal bottlenecks.

Further aspects of the logistics system or the wireless signaling device according to the present application can be found in the following examples, which are described with reference to the following figures. Hereby show:

1 shows a device for manual picking,

FIG. 2 a shows a schematic structure of a logistics system for manual picking;

FIG. 2b shows an alternative schematic structure of a logistics system for manual picking,

FIG. 3 a shows a schematic structure of a signaling device,

FIG. 3b shows an alternative schematic structure of a signaling device,

FIG. 4 shows a display with segments of an electronic card,

FIG. 5 shows a display configuration of the display of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 shows a box with a kanban slot into which the electronic card can be inserted;

Figure 7a is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the flexible

displays,

FIG. 7b shows a further view of the display from FIG. 7a,

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the flexible display;

FIG. 9a shows a top view of the flexible electronic card with thickened housing at the upper edge,

Figure 9b Cross-sectional views of three embodiments of the flexible electronic card with thickened housing at the top

Edge.

FIG. 1 shows a logistic system for manual picking with a storage rack 101 with boxes 104, from which a user 103 removes products in order to place the products in a further box 106 located on a cart 105. Electronic boxes 102, which may contain information about the products and / or work instructions to the user, are attached to the boxes in Kanban slots. Since the boxes 104, 106 are provided with kanban trays, which are actually intended for product cards made of paper or cardboard, the electronic cards 102 must be flat and flexible in order to fit into the existing kanban trays.

The electronic card 202 has a waterproof enclosure and an inner functional layer on which an electronic module is disposed. The sheath consists of a front layer and a back layer, wherein a display is arranged on or in the front layer.

In the order picking system, as shown in Figure 1, it is also possible the user 103 places products from the further boxes 106 on the cart 105 into the boxes 104 on the shelf.

Figure 2a shows a schematic structure of the logistics system for manual picking in a warehouse with several storage facilities 201, each containing multiple subjects, each of which an electronic card 202 is assigned. The storage facilities can consist of simple storage racks and are wireless.

Each storage device 201 is associated with an inductive wake-up transmitter 204, which can generate a magnetic field 213 with respective effective range 205, by which the electronic cards, which are located within the action range from an inactive state are put into an active state. Each of the inductive wake-up transmitters, which are mounted along a wall of the bearing on an axis, is connected via a power cable 212 to the power supply and further has a data connection 211 to a higher-level control unit 203, such as a server, which also over another data connection 209 is connected to a communication unit 206. The data links 209, 210 may be implemented as network connections, radio links or fixed wiring or the like.

The communication unit 206 may establish a bidirectional wireless connection 207 with individual electronic cards 202 in the warehouse via an RF transceiver 207 as long as the respective electronic card 202 is in an active, ready to receive state. The communication unit 206 may, for example, be fastened to the hall ceiling of the storage hall in order to ensure the best possible range of the wireless connection 207 to the electronic cards 202. The communication unit 206 further has a power cable 208, which ensures the power supply of the communication unit 206.

Figure 2b shows a schematic structure of the logistics system with an alternative embodiment of the wake-up station and wake-up receiver on an optical basis with coding over different wavelengths. In this case, an optical wake-up transmitter 214 is used which is illuminated by means of light sources a, b, c and d can transmit information to the electronic cards 202.

In this case, digital information can be transmitted unidirectionally from the wake-up transmitter to electronic wake-up receivers located in the electronic cards 202 (see also the description of FIG. 3b) via different light sources a, b, c and d by simultaneous or temporally separate transmission with different wavelengths whereby the electronic card 202 is woken up and put into an active operating state.

For example, the light sources a, b, c and d shown in FIG. 2b may have the following frequency centers:

Light source a: frequency center "red" = 630nm,

Light source b: frequency center "green" = 538nm,

Light source c: frequency center "blue" = 470nm and

Light source d: frequency center "near infrared" = 850nm.

The effective region 205 'of an optical wake-up transmitter 214 can in this case comprise one or more shelf devices.

The information is encoded on the one hand on the distinguishable wavelengths as well as on the distinguishable intensities as well as on the time. For this purpose, a clock is either agreed (fixed or variable via the normal communication path, ie the communication path of the electronic card 202 with the control unit 203 via the communication unit 206) or the clock is predetermined by a wavelength. An agreed (fixed or variable, over the normal communication path) wavelength provides by simply switching on and off the clock for the evaluation of the total signal.

Also, the presence of the clock can be understood as a message. A heartbeat may mean, for example, that wake-up messages are present. If there is no clock, then the wake-up receiver can directly switch back to a power saving state and will only try to receive a clock again after an agreed time. If one or more wake-up messages are present, this is signaled by the presence of the clock. The other available wavelengths are used to transmit the address of the receiver to be awoken.

When a wake-up message is received from the addressed receiver (electronic card 202), electronic card 202 acknowledges its readiness to receive messages via its normal communication path also at the wake-up transmitter. The wake-up transmitter 214 no longer sends a wake-up message for this electronic card 202 from this point in time, thus reducing the number of wake-up messages.

If there is extraneous light (other artificial lighting, sunlight through windows, etc.), a specific light spectrum is available as the basic level. This level is regularly recognized by the electronic card (e.g., in transmission pauses regularly inserted for this purpose) and stored. The radiation of the wake-up radiation source adds to this baseline level. By predetermined timings and orders, the electronic board 202 can measure and store the individual radiation levels (ground and signal radiation).

If these differences are not good or can only be distinguished with a higher resolution, the electronic card reports this via its normal communication facility (that is to say via the communication unit 206 and control unit 203) to the wake-up transmitter 214. For example, the electronic card 202 determines that at the wavelength 470nm it can not be clearly distinguished from 3 states (on, off, 50%), since the radiation intensities are too close to each other. This notifies the electronic card 202 to the wake-up transmitter 214. Thereupon the wake-up transmitter 214 modifies its modulation and uses with the wavelength 470nm in the next time only two states (on, off). It is also possible to cancel a wavelength temporarily or permanently for communication if too many disturbances prevail there.

At regular intervals, this calibration is repeated to enable on the one hand a secure communication on the other hand to determine the maximum possible distinguishable states for a maximum bandwidth. The optical wake-up transmitter 214 can also be integrated into a lighting. For example, own a LED lighting especially well. As white room lighting is usually required, it is mixed with LED lighting in different colors. If these colors are controlled individually, they are also suitable for the method described here. These light sources can also be supplemented with radiation sources outside the visible range (IR, UV).

If the modulation is fast enough, the resulting light appears white to the human viewer.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the electronic card 202 consists of a processor 301 embodied as a processor, a memory 306 connected to the controller 201, for example for storing current status information and past status information and / or user inputs. The display elements 307-1, 307-2, 307-3 are also driven by the control device 301 and are bistable e-ink segments that maintain their display state without power supply.

Furthermore, the electronic card 202 comprises a transceiver unit 305, which is actuated by the control device in the active operating state for the wireless transmission and reception 309 of data.

The electronic card further includes at least one switch 304 for user input, a battery 303 and an inductive wake-up receiver 302. In an inactive operating state, a permanent power supply 312 of the inductive wake-up receiver and the switch is provided via the battery.

Since the inductive wake-up receiver 302 consumes only small amounts of energy in an inactive operating state of the electronic card and the electronic card only for very short periods of, for example, less than 1 minute, preferably less than 20 or 10 seconds, in the presence of a specific order picking task in one active operating state, the life of the battery 303 is several years, preferably at least one or two years or even more than five years. The battery 303 is a flat, flexible, disposable battery.

The functional layer of the electronic card contains on the electronic module the electronic components of the electronic card, such as wake-up transmitter 302, switch 304, control device 301, battery 303, memory 306 and / or transceiver unit 305.

Now, if there is a picking task for a particular product, the control unit 203 determines based on stored information which electronic card 202 is associated with the product and in which storage unit 201 it is located. The control unit then activates the wake-up transmitter 204 belonging to the storage unit via the data connection 211, whereupon the associated wake-up transmitter 204 generates a coded magnetic field 213, whose effective range 205 the storage unit 201 in which the electronic card 202 belonging to the product encloses. Through the magnetic field is received via the inductive wake-up receiver 302 of all electronic cards 202 in the effective range 205 of the magnetic field 213 via the unidirectional wireless connection 311, a coding by the inductive wake-up receiver 302 or the control devices 301 with a stored identification number of respective electronic card 202 is compared.

If the identification number of the electronic card 202 corresponds to the received coded signal, the control device 301, the transceiver unit 305 and the display elements 307-1, 307-2, 307-3 are put into an active operating state. Almost at the same time, the control unit 203 transmits data to the present picking task to the communication unit 206, which then transmits the data wirelessly via the transceiver unit 305 of the electronic card 202 to the control unit 301 of the electronic card 202. After receiving the data, the transceiver unit 305 may again switch to an inactive mode to save power.

Alternatively, the communication between the transceiver unit 305 and the communication unit 206 may be initiated by the transceiver unit 305. in which the transceiver unit 305 communicates the receipt of a wake-up signal to the communication unit 206. Furthermore, it is also possible that the data necessary for a picking task are already encoded in the wake-up signal. In this case, the transceiver unit 305 may then confirm receipt of the message to the communication unit with a message.

The control device now controls some of the large-area display elements 307-1, 307-2, 307-3 so that they flash by repeated color changes, and thus attract the attention of the user. Thereafter, for example, after the user has confirmed his attention via an input element on the electronic board 202, or after lapse of a predetermined time, the display elements 307-1, 307-2, 307-3 of the electronic board 202 are driven by the controller 301 to visually communicate relevant data for the present picking task to the user.

After completion of the picking task by the user, the user confirms the execution of the task via the switch 304, whereupon the control device 301 in turn activates the transceiver unit 305 for establishing a wireless, bidirectional connection 310 to the communication unit 206. After transmission of acknowledgment data for the current picking task from the control device 301 via the transceiver unit 305 to the communication unit 206, the communication unit 206 confirms receipt of the acknowledgment data, whereupon the control device 301, the transceiver unit 305 and the display elements 307-1, 307- 2, 307-3 switch to an inactive, de-energized operating state.

FIG. 3b shows an alternative schematic structure of the electronic card 202, wherein, in contrast to the embodiment described in FIG. 3a, instead of an inductive wake-up receiver, an optical wake-up receiver 302 'is present. The optical wake-up receiver has a plurality of sensors e, f, g and h, through which light of different frequencies can be received by the light sources a, b, c and d of the optical wake-up transmitter. As an optical wake-up receiver here is every sensor that can distinguish between visible and invisible radiation (UV, IR) with different wavelengths.

For example, photodiodes (or photoresistors, solar cells) provided with different color filters can be used. Each color filter lets a particular wavelength pass very well. If this wavelength is tuned to the transmitter (the radiation source, LED), this can be used to transmit a state (radiation source on, off). Also, other states may be distinguished (eg, 50% intensity, or other intensity) if the receiver can distinguish the received radiation intensity.

Alternatively, for example, prisms with photodiode arrays can be used as optical receivers. Incident light is deflected in the prism depending on the wavelength and impinges on photodiodes (or photoresistors, solar cells). By placing them in the right places, you can achieve a sensitivity for a specific wavelength.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the various segments 401-407 of the display of an electronic card. The segments 401-407 are determined in the manufacture of the display of the electronic card 202. Each segment 401-407 may be separately driven to accept one of two or three intended colors and / or levels of brightness. A segment 401-407 is not visible if it has the same color as its background.

Some segments 401 are used to display a number, while the arrows 402 indicate to the user whether the predetermined number of products should be removed or loaded. The box 405 in which the products reside may also be represented by a segment, as well as a question mark segment 406 may prompt the user to count the existing products, for example as part of an inventory.

The large segments 407 serve as background and can attract the user's attention by repeated color changes. The button 403, 404-1, 404-2 are for user input. Behind these buttons, flat switches are integrated in the functional layer of the electronic card 202, which can be actuated by a pressure on the button segments 403, 404-1, 404-2.

Depending on the present picking task, some of the segments 401-407 may now be visible, as shown in FIG. Here, the background segments 502 have a first color while the foreground segments 501 have a second color (shown hatched).

In the example shown in Figure 5, the task for the user is to remove 23 products from the box to which the electronic card 202 is attached. The user has the possibility to change the number, for example if there are not enough products left in the box. If all products have been successfully removed from the box as specified by the task, the user will acknowledge his successfully executed task by pressing check mark segment 404-2. If an error occurs, the user can enter the missing quantity via the button segments 403 and then trigger an error message by pressing the cross segment 404-1.

In the case of an error input by the user, the error message is forwarded to the control unit 203, from which a fault elimination, for example by refilling missing products, can be caused.

FIG. 6 shows the insertion of the electronic card 202 from FIG. 5 into the kanban slot 602 of a box 601. The electronic card is particularly flat and flexible in order to enable insertion; in the center of the card, the card is only a few millimeters thick, at the edge even less than 1 mm. To further facilitate insertion, the corners of the card may be rounded.

Figures 7a and 7b show a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the flexible display 702 and the mechanical switch 701 of the electronic card. Here, the mechanical switches 701 are arranged between the flexible display 702 and a flexible board 703. On the flexible display 702, the mechanical switches 701 are preferably only kiert, if an operation is possible and useful for the program flow. To actuate the switch 701, the user presses with a finger 705 on the display 702 and deforms this and thus gives the force selectively on the mechanical switch (eg configured as Domtaster) on. The operation of the switches 701 only works if there is a solid layer 704 behind the card, since the mechanical switch requires a counterforce. For example, this solid layer 704 may be part of the box to which the electronic card is attached, or in the slot of which the electronic card is inserted. Thus, the box or other substrate to which the electronic card is attached becomes a structural element of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the flexible display 702 and the flexible board as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, with the difference that the mechanical switches 801 in this embodiment lie behind the flexible board 703 and thus the force of the finger upon actuation of the Switch 801 is passed through the display 702 and the board 703 on the switch 801.

The advantage of using mechanical switches is that they provide haptic feedback to the user. A haptic feedback is advantageous, especially if, for example, in order to save energy, no direct optical feedback takes place or is possible. Thanks to the haptic feedback, the user can be sure that they have operated the switch correctly and thus proceed directly to the next task.

FIG. 9a shows an electronic card 202 which has a thickening 901 at the upper edge of the electronic card 202. In this embodiment, the uppermost 0.5-4 cm of the electronic card 202 in the middle (30% -100% of the total width of the card 202) may be thickened and / or rigid and clearly in the shape of the rest of the flexible electronic card 202 different. This thickening 901 can serve the better grip, but also include electronic components, antennas or batteries and / or rechargeable batteries. The thickness of the thickening 901 is preferably limited such that the thickening 901 upon attachment of the electronic card to a box (for example, by inserting the flexible electronic card in a Kanban insert) does not protrude beyond the outer dimensions of the box, otherwise the function of the box is impaired. The thickening 901 may additionally have grooves 902 for better grip.

FIG. 9b shows three different embodiments of flexible electronic cards 202-a, 202-b, 202-c with thickened portions 901-a, 902-b, 902-c in cross section along the line A-A in FIG. 9a. In the electronic card 202-a, 202-b, 202-c shown in FIG. 9b, the front side is at the top and the back at the bottom. Thus, in the electronic card 202-a, the thickening 901-a is applied to the front side of the electronic card, while in the electronic card 202-b, the thickening 202-b includes both the front and the back of the electronic card 202-a. c is the thickening 901-c applied to the back. Depending on the application scenario and available space at the mounting location of the electronic card, one of the embodiments electronic cards 202-a, 202-b or 202-c can be selected.

Claims

claims

1. Logistics system for manual picking, comprising

a storage device (201) with several compartments,

a plurality of wireless signaling devices each having a controller (301), a wake-up receiver (302), a transceiver unit (305), and a plurality of bistable display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) , wherein at least one subset of the compartments is assigned a respective signaling device,

at least one wake-up transmitter (204) associated with at least one of the storage devices (201),

a central communication unit (206),

wherein the at least one wake-up transmitter (204) is adapted to generate a wake-up signal (213) upon receipt of a signal from a higher-level control unit (203) and at least one of the signaling devices via the associated wake-up receiver (302) into an active one Operating state is transferable,

the transceiver unit (305) of the signaling device is designed to establish bidirectional radio communication (310) with the communication unit (206) when the control device (301) is in an active operating state,

and / or the communication unit (206) is designed to perform radio communication with the at least one signaling device for transmitting payload data via the transceiver unit (305) to the control device (301), which configuration is dependent on the signal of the higher-level control unit (203) is to change at least one of the display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) depending on the payload.

Logistic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the signaling device has at least one input element and the control device (301) is designed to change the state of the display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) and / or upon actuation of the input element to control the transceiver unit (305) to deliver radio signals to the communication unit (206).

Logistic system according to claim 2, characterized in that the input element is an input element for acknowledgment and upon actuation of the input element, the control device (301) is configured to send and / or via the transceiver unit (305) an acknowledgment signal to the communication unit (206) to put the components of the signaling device in an inactive operating state.

Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication unit (206) has an RF transceiver unit and / or the wake-up receiver (302) and the wake-up transmitter (204) as inductive receiver and inductive transmitter, which preferably emits a coded magnetic field are formed.

Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the superordinate control unit (203) which is connected to the wake-up transmitter (204) wirelessly or by wire and which is connected to the communication unit (206) wirelessly or by wire or which Communication unit (206) contains.

Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartments are containers to which the signaling device is releasably securable, preferably in a holder (602) can be inserted.

Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing device (201) is designed as a section of a storage rack, as a storage rack (101) or as a plurality of storage shelves.

Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (301) of the signaling device is formed, the display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) for performing an attention-generating function, preferably by repeated coloring or Brightness change or by flashing at least one display element (307-1, 307-2, 307- 3), to control.

A wireless signaling device having an electronics module comprising

a control device (301),

a transceiver unit (305) for bidirectional radio communication (310),

a wake-up receiver (302),

a plurality of bistable display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3),

wherein components of the electronic module depending on a wake-up signal received from the wake-up receiver (302) from an inactive state to an active state is put bar;

characterized in that

the signaling device is designed as a flat electronic card (202) which can be fastened detachably to a carrier,

the electronic module has at least one input element which is preferably associated with at least one display element (307-1, 307-2, 307-2) and

the control device (301) is configured, upon actuation of the input element by a user, to control the transceiver unit (305) to transmit a signal, at least one display element (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) and / or to change to an inactive operating state.

10. Signaling device according to claim 9, characterized in that the electronic card (202) has a front layer, a back-side layer and an intervening, the electronic module comprehensive functional layer.

11. Signaling device according to claim 10, characterized in that the electronic card (202) further comprises an energy store (303), which is preferably a flexibly flexible, permanently installed and / or one-way energy store, wherein the functional layer of the card Energy storage includes.

12. Signaling device according to one of claims 9 - 11, characterized in that the electronic card (202) is formed with a complete enclosure, preferably a watertight wrapping and / or an enclosure without external connections.

13. Signaling device according to one of claims 9 - 12, characterized in that the electronic card (202) is at most 5mm and / or at the edge less than 1mm thick.

14. Signaling device according to one of claims 9 - 13, characterized in that the electronic card (202) is flexible at least at the edge.

15. Signaling device according to one of claims 9-14, characterized in that the input element is designed as a switch element (304), preferably as a mechanical switch, and which is assigned to a display element (307-1, 307-2, 307-2) in such a way in that a contact of the display element with the switch element (304) can be detected.

16. Signaling device according to one of claims 9-15, characterized in that the display elements (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) comprise a plurality of brightness levels and / or a plurality of colors. Signaling device according to claim 16, characterized in that the control device (301) is formed, the display element (307-1, 307-2, 307-3) for performing an attention-generating function, preferably by repeated color and / or brightness change or by flashing at least one display element to control.

Use of the wireless signaling device according to one of claims 9 - 17 in a logistics system according to one of claims 1-8.