A storage system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of monitoring the status of a storage system, comprising the steps of: a. providing a sensing device and a data entry device within at least one storage container; b. providing a communication device within said at least one storage container to transmit communication data to a central data entry facility; c. locating one or more containers within said storage system to be monitored; and d. monitoring the received data.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. 20211064271.7, filed on April 15, 2016, entitled "Storage System and Method", filed by the same applicant. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to storage systems. Specifically, but not exclusively, it relates to storage systems comprising stacked storage boxes or containers. Background Technology

[0003] This application claims priority to the following UK patent applications: GB1506365.4, filed April 15, 2015; GB1514428.0, filed August 13, 2015; GB1518089.6, filed October 13, 2015; GB1602332.7, filed February 9, 2016; and GB1518091.2, filed October 13, 2015. GB1518094.6, filed on October 13, 2015; GB1518111.8, filed on October 13, 2015; GB1518115.9, filed on October 13, 2015; GB1518117.5, filed on October 13, 2015; and GB1603328.4, filed on February 25, 2016, are all incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Some commercial and industrial activities require systems capable of storing large quantities of different products. One well-known system for storing items across multiple product lines involves stacking bins or containers into pallets and arranging these pallets in rows. The bins or containers are accessed from above, eliminating the need for aisles between rows and allowing for the storage of more containers within a given space.

[0005] In the known storage and retrieval systems described more fully below, the containers are not operational and are only used to store goods. Methods such as barcodes are used to identify specific containers and their contents; the containers in the system do not contain automated components or onboard intelligent devices.

[0006] In shipping container systems, containers have monitoring systems, such as containers that can refrigerate their contents, containers with gas monitoring systems, such as those that can monitor fruit ripening, and containers with positioning devices that allow individual containers to be tracked and traced within the port.

[0007] Methods for handling stacked rows of containers have been well-known for decades. Some such systems, such as those described in Bertel's US2701065, incorporate rows of independent container stacks to reduce storage volume while still allowing specific containers to be retrieved when needed. Relatively sophisticated lifting mechanisms can stack and unload specific containers within the stack, enabling retrieval of particular containers. However, the cost of such systems is impractical in many situations, and their commercialization is primarily seen in the storage and handling of large shipping containers.

[0008] The concept of using independent container stacking and providing mechanisms for accessing specific containers has been further developed, as described in, for example, Cimcorp's EP0767113B. Patent 113 discloses a mechanism for unloading multiple stacked containers, employing a rectangular tubular automated load handling device that is lowered around the container stack, its construction allowing it to grasp containers at any height within the stack. In this way, multiple containers can be lifted from the stack at once. The movable tube can be used to move multiple containers from the top of one stack to the top of another, or from one stack to an external location and vice versa. Such systems are particularly suitable when all containers within a single stack contain the same product (referred to as a "single-product stack").

[0009] In the system described in patent 113, the pipe must be at least as tall as the largest container stack in order to remove the tallest container stack in a single operation. Therefore, when used in enclosed spaces such as warehouses, the maximum height of the stack is limited by the pipe requirements for adapting to the load handling equipment.

[0010] The contents of EP1037828B1 (Autostore, Inc.) are included here by reference, which describes a system for setting container stacking as a frame structure. Such systems are described in the appendix. Figure 1-4 As shown in the diagram, the automated load handling equipment can be controlled to move around the stack via a track system located on the uppermost surface of the stack.

[0011] Other forms of automated load handling equipment are further described, for example, Norwegian Patent 317366, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the rear and front of a load handling device, respectively, and Figure 3(c) is a front perspective view of a load handling device for lifting storage boxes.

[0012] UK patent application 1314313.6 (Ocado) describes a further development of load processing equipment in which each automated load processing device covers only one grid space, thereby increasing the density of load processing devices and the throughput of a system of a given size.

[0013] In such known storage systems, numerous containers are densely stacked. The contents of these containers may decompose, requiring lighting, heating, or cooling, or some form of monitoring or control that is not currently available in known systems. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The present invention provides a storage system comprising: a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks, the second set of parallel rails or tracks extending perpendicularly to the first set in a generally horizontal plane to form a grid pattern containing multiple grid spaces; a plurality of containers 10 disposed below the rails and arranged in a stack; at least one load handling device disposed on the grid and moving laterally above the stack on the rails, the load handling device including a lifting device configured to lift one or more containers or portions thereof from the stack; wherein the plurality of containers includes a service device for servicing one or each container to enable individual containers in the stack to perform additional functions.

[0015] The present invention further provides a method for monitoring the status of a storage system, comprising the following steps: providing a sensing device and a data input and storage device in a container; providing a communication device to transmit data input by a central data input device; locating the container to be monitored in the storage system; and monitoring the received data.

[0016] Advantageously, according to one form of the invention, individual containers in the storage system can be configured with services in addition to goods. Furthermore, individual containers in the storage system can contain services instead of goods, which are provided to other containers or used for monitoring or controlling the system's state.

[0017] In this way, the contents of a single container can be controlled or monitored based on the services provided, to obtain data related to the contents of the container before transfer to a central processing system. Furthermore, the service and status of the container, or the container itself, can be controlled, for example, by adjusting parameters such as temperature, humidity, lighting, or others. Control functions can be provided by the container's local control system or by a central system that sends signals to actuators within the container. Control and monitoring can be achieved end-to-end via wireless or other means between non-adjacent containers. The transmitted data can provide information about the container's status and its contents, or can provide information about adjacent containers to a status monitor of the entire storage system. Additionally, in this way, the container can be heated or cooled according to the specific needs of its contents.

[0018] In this way, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art and provides a system and method to improve the reliability of large box processing storage systems and reduce their overall cost. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of a frame structure used to store stacked containers in a storage system;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial top view of the frame structure shown;

[0022] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the rear and front of a type of automated load handling device, respectively. Figure 1 , 2 The frame structure shown is used together. Figure 3(c) is a perspective view of the known load handling equipment of the lifting box in use.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a known storage system, which includes an automated service device installed together with an automated service equipment device according to a form of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multiple load processing devices of the type shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) on the frame structure shown;

[0024] Figure 5a , 5b This is a perspective view of a container according to one form of the present invention. Figure 5a One side is shown. Figure 5b The opposite side of the same container is shown, the container having services and programs connected by a connecting device provided by a path device located on at least one side of the container;

[0025] Figure 6a , 6b This is a perspective view of a container according to another form of the invention, the container including a lighting device and a fluid supply device;

[0026] Figure 7a for Figure 5a An unfolded view of the connecting device on the container shown;

[0027] Figure 7b for Figure 5b An unfolded diagram of the path arrangement on the container shown;

[0028] Figure 8a , 8b 8c is a perspective view of a container of a third form according to the present invention, wherein the container has a lighting device inside or part of its interior;

[0029] Figure 9 for Figure 6a, 6b The perspective diagram of the container stack shown illustrates the engagement of the connecting devices on the containers when they are stacked together.

[0030] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The diagram shown is a perspective view of a container stack according to another form of the present invention, wherein the containers are located within a frame of a storage system, and the connecting device is further connected to a supply device located at the bottom of the storage system.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the connection between the bottom of the access system and the bottom container inside the stack.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a container according to a third form of the present invention, the container including a fluid supply device and a fluid chamber; and

[0033] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which the container includes a plurality of smaller containers, each of which has a specific service and can be connected by a connecting device located on at least one side of the container. Detailed Implementation

[0034] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, stackable containers, also known as boxes 10, are stacked one by one to form a stack 12. The stack 12 is placed within a frame structure 14 located in a warehouse or production environment. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of frame structure 14. Figure 2 This is a top view of a single stack 12 of boxes 10 housed within a frame structure 14. Each box 10 typically contains multiple products (not shown), and the products in the box 10 may be identical or, depending on their application, may be different types of products.

[0035] The frame structure 14 includes a plurality of vertical members 16 supporting the horizontal members 18, 20. A first set of generally parallel horizontal members 18 is configured to be perpendicular to a second set of generally parallel horizontal members 20 to form a plurality of horizontal grid structures supported by the vertical members 16. The members 16, 18, 20 are typically made of metal. The boxes 10 are stacked between the members 16, 18, 20 of the frame structure 14, thereby preventing horizontal movement of the stack 12 of boxes 10 and guiding vertical movement of boxes 10.

[0036] The top layer of the frame structure 14 includes a grid of rails 22 arranged to span the top of the stack 12. Furthermore, referring to Figures 3 and 4, the rails 22 support multiple automated load handling devices 30. A first set 22a of parallel rails 22 guides the load handling devices 30 to move across the top of the frame structure 14 in a first direction (X), while a second set 22b of parallel rails 22 perpendicular to the first set 22a guides the load handling devices 30 to move in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction. In this way, the rails 22 allow the load handling devices 30 to move in two dimensions within the XY plane, enabling them to be moved to any position above the stack 12.

[0037] Each load handling device 30 includes a transport component 32 configured to move along the X and Y directions above the stack 12 and on the rails 22 of the frame structure 14. A first set of wheels 34, consisting of a pair of wheels 34 at the front and a pair of wheels 34 at the rear of the transport component 32, is configured to engage two adjacent rails in the first set 22a of the rails 22. Similarly, a second set of wheels 36, consisting of a pair of wheels 36 on each side of the transport component 32, is configured to engage two adjacent rails in the second set 22b of the rails 22. Each set of wheels 34, 36 can be raised and lowered, thus engaging either the first set of wheels 34 or the second set of wheels 36 with their respective set of rails 22a or 22b at any given time.

[0038] When the first set of wheels 34 engages with the first set of rails 22a and the second set of wheels 36 is lifted from rails 22, the wheels 34 can be driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) enclosed in the transport component 32 to move the load handling device 30 in the X direction. To move the load handling device 30 in the Y direction, the first set of wheels 34 is lifted from rails 22, and the second set of wheels 36 is lowered to engage with the second set of rails 22b. At this time, the drive mechanism can be used to drive the second set of wheels 36 to complete the movement in the Y direction.

[0039] In this manner, one or more automated loading and unloading devices 30 can move around the top surface of the stack 12 on the frame structure 14 under the control of a central picking system (not shown). Each automated loading and unloading device 30 is equipped with means for lifting one or more boxes or containers from the stack 12 to obtain the desired product. In this way, multiple products can be obtained from multiple locations within the grid and stack at a time.

[0040] It should be understood that if the required container 10 is not on top of the stack 12, and each load handling device can only handle one container 10, then multiple load handling devices need to cooperate to obtain the target container 10.

[0041] Figure 4 A typical storage system described above is illustrated, comprising multiple load processing devices 30 operating on a stack 12 to cooperate in removing containers 10 from or replacing containers 10 on the stack 12. Unwanted containers 10 removed from the stack 12 during the retrieval of a target container 10 are returned to vacant positions within the stack 12.

[0042] Figure 1 , 4 The box 10 in a stack 12 within a storage system is shown. It should be understood that any given storage system may include a large number of boxes, and the stacks may store many different goods. Each box in a single stack 12 may store different goods, similar goods may be stored in similar stacks, or multiple inventory items may be stored in individual containers 10. Furthermore, while the system is designed for storing and retrieving groceries in online shopping e-commerce solutions, it should be understood that other uses are also considered in the design; packages, letters, and other items may also be stored in the containers 10.

[0043] Figure 5a , 5b A container 10 according to one form of the present invention is shown, which can be stacked into a stack by forming an interference fit between adjacent containers 10 through mating surfaces. Figure 5a , 5b The container 10 shown also includes a connecting device 40 on the mating surface, where the containers cooperate with each other to form a stack 12 of containers 10. Figure 5a , 5b The connecting device 40 shown includes a push-fit plug 40 located at the top edge of the container 10. A socket is included at the bottom edge of the container. The two containers are connected via a path device molded onto the container portions or via a conduit, cable, wire, or other path device mounted on the side surface of the container 10. It should be understood that this type of connecting device and path device is only one of the possible connecting devices and path devices, and any applicable form of detachable connecting device that can be locked or engaged, unlocked or disconnected as needed when the containers are moved into or out of the stack 12.

[0044] For example, the connection device 40 may include a conductive layer placed on the mating surfaces of the containers 10, or include a spring-loaded contactor, or a spring used as a contactor, or any other connection device capable of transmitting power, data, or other signals between two or more containers 10. Power transmission may also employ non-contact methods, such as magnetic induction or radio frequency induction, and optical methods. Furthermore, the connection device 40 may include a carbon rubber contactor capable of transmitting signals or data between two or more mating containers 10 within a stack.

[0045] Containers 10 can be stacked in a stack 12 via mating devices or adjacent containers 10 with shaped mating surfaces. Simultaneously, containers 10 can be locked by a suitable locking device (not shown). The locking device can simultaneously and releasably lock two or more containers 10 in the stack 12. The locking device must be remotely operable so that the load handling equipment can lift a single container 10 or multiple containers 10 locked together. Any form of remote locking and unlocking device can be used, such as an electromagnetic locking device or any other suitable device for performing this function.

[0046] Figure 5a , 5b A single box 10 is further shown, which includes, for example, a heating device 56, a cooling device 58, a data entry device 44, a communication device 46, and / or Figure 6a , 6b The lighting fixture 60 shown is powered by a power supply device. The container 10 further includes a power control device for controlling the power supplied to a particular service or service, and for controlling the power supplied to other containers 10 in the stack 12 when power is transferred to adjacent containers 10 in the stack 12. It should be understood that the container 10 includes a power control device that can supply power to the heating device 56, cooling device 58, lighting fixture 60, or any other service requiring electricity. Any component requiring electricity can utilize the power supply device. The power supply device may include batteries or other devices that transmit power from an external power source via connection means on the container 10 from the bottom of the storage system or via the vertical members 16 of the grid.

[0047] Furthermore, electricity, data, or any other signals can be supplied to the containers 10 in the stack 12 via electrical and / or data connection devices located on the warehouse floor. Electricity can be transmitted upwards in the stack 12 via connection devices on the mating surfaces of the containers 10. Moreover, services can be applied from the bottom surface along the stack 12 of containers 10; for example, cooling or heating fluids can be applied in this manner.

[0048] Figure 5a , 5b A single container 10 is further illustrated, which includes at least a data entry device 44 and a communication device 46 for transmitting data recorded at a remote central data entry device. The data entry device 44 includes sensors adapted to monitor the state of the container 10, such as temperature affected by fruit decomposition, weather humidity, and any gas emissions. The data entry device 44 and the communication device 46 enable the monitoring of the contents and state of the individual container 10.

[0049] Furthermore, by understanding the information of specific containers 10 within the stack 12 of the system, the status of the entire storage system can be monitored. Simultaneously, when a container 10 itself has no name, each box 10 in the storage system needs to be assigned a unique name. In this way, the system can track and identify the location of each box 10 (and its contents) via a communication device. In this way, each container 10 can obtain the identification information of adjacent containers 10, and any container 10 at the bottom of the stack can know that there are no containers 10 below it, thereby establishing the topology of the containers 10.

[0050] It should be understood that any type and method of communication may be used, such as wireless networks, Bluetooth, three-wire serial, SigFox, or other proprietary systems, such as the proprietary system described in UK patent application GB 1509793.4 of Ocado Innovation Limited, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should also be understood that any other applicable communication device or protocol may be used.

[0051] Figure 5a , 5b A single box 10 of the stack 12 is further shown, the box 10 including a heating device 56 and / or a cooling device 58 and a temperature monitoring device for monitoring the temperature inside the box 10. The heating device 56 may contain a hot fluid through a direct device such as hot air or an indirect device such as a heat dissipation device, and may further include an electric heater or an electromagnetic induction heater.

[0052] The cooling device 58 may contain Peltier coolers, or contain a cold fluid via a direct device such as cold air or an indirect device such as a heat dissipation device, the cold fluid including compressor-driven ice slurry.

[0053] In the above manner, the temperature of a single container 10 can be monitored, controlled, and changed according to the contents of the single box 10. If the contents of the box need to be refrigerated or frozen, the refrigeration temperature of the single box can be maintained at 5°C, and the freezing temperature is even lower, without the need to use space heaters and coolers to maintain a portion of the space in the stack 12 of the storage system at a preset temperature.

[0054] It should be understood that the above are merely examples, and any suitable type of heater or refrigerator can be used to achieve the desired effect. Containers 10 can be designed and installed such that each 10 is sealed by means of an upper box 10. The top box 10 in each stack 12 can be sealed with a lid (not shown). Sealing the containers 10 in this way makes it easier to control the temperature inside each individual box using suitable heating or cooling devices.

[0055] Figure 6a , 6bAn alternative form of container 10 is shown, which includes a lighting device 60 and a fluid supply device 72. The same connection devices 40, 17 described above can be used to supply electricity to the lighting device 60, or to supply water, for example, to the fluid supply device 72.

[0056] Figure 7a , 7b The plug 40 and socket 17 located on one side or inside the container 10 are shown and unfolded. Figure 7a , 7b Only one example of a connecting device is shown, which can connect adjacent containers 10 in a stack 12 of containers 10.

[0057] Figure 8 shows three examples of a single box 10 in the container stack 12, the box 10 containing a lighting device. The lighting device 60 may be located at the bottom of the box to illuminate the box 10 below. Alternatively, the lighting device 60 may include a lid containing a suitable light bulb, LED, or any other suitable form of lighting. The lid is detachably attached to the box 10 and can be folded when the box 10 is removed from the stack 12. Power supply to the lighting device 60 is still provided by the connecting devices 40, 17 located on the container 10.

[0058] Figure 9 Figure 8 shows a stack of containers 10. Each container 10 contains a fluid supply device and a lighting device 60. Connecting devices 40 and 17 cooperate to connect each container 10 to its upper and lower containers. In this way, services such as power supply to the lighting device 60 and water for irrigating the contents of individual containers 10 can be delivered through the containers within the stack 12.

[0059] Figure 10 A partial framework of a storage system comprising multiple containers located therein is shown, said containers 10 carrying services within the system via wires, cables, pipes, or any other suitable means. Figure 10 As shown in the details, the bottom container 10 within the stack 12 is connected to a supply device passing through the base of the storage system via a connecting device 72. It should be understood that the supply device at the bottom can be placed... Figure 10 The system shown is mounted on a base 76, but it can also be placed underground in a building containing a storage system or otherwise.

[0060] Figure 11 The connection between the container stack 12 and the supply unit within the system base 76 is shown in more detail. It should be understood that this example is merely one instance of a suitable connection device, and any connection system that detachably connects the container 10 to power, electronics, lighting, communications, or other supplies can be incorporated into the design concept.

[0061] Figure 12 A single container 10, in another form of the stack 12 according to the invention, is shown. This container 10 includes a fluid supply device 72 and further includes a fluid chamber 74. The contents of the container 10 may require a water supply. Therefore, the container 10 is provided with a fluid chamber 74 that can be filled with liquid or gas. To fill the fluid chamber 74, the container 10 can be removed from the stack 12 and placed within the system at a location where the fluid chamber can be filled as needed, via an automated loading and unloading device. Alternatively, the required fluid can be diverted to a specific container 10 via the vertical members 16 of the grid system.

[0062] Figure 13 Another embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein container 100 includes a plurality of smaller containers 110, each smaller container 110 containing a specific service, the specific service being connected via connection means 17, 40 located on at least one side of the container.

[0063] In use, the storage system described above with reference to the accompanying drawings includes a large number of containers 10 disposed within the stack 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the storage system includes different types of containers 10 distributed throughout the system. For example, empty containers 10, containers 10 containing goods to be stored, containers including services such as power supply or communication devices, heatable containers 10, coolable containers 10, and containers 10 containing goods requiring fluid and / or light. It should be understood that some or all of the containers 10 may include one or more of the aforementioned services or devices. For example, a container 10 including a fluid chamber 74 may also be provided with a lighting device 60.

[0064] The inner container 10 of the stack 12 is equipped with a data entry and status monitoring device, which can generate a schematic diagram of the system's status and topology. Conversely, the schematic diagram can only be obtained after a specific container 10 is unloaded and inspected. Furthermore, several containers 10 contain photographic devices, allowing the containers to move around the system to detect the grid and / or the status of any container 10.

[0065] Furthermore, by providing service to a specific individual container 10 through the vertical member 16 or the contact between boxes, goods with different needs can be stored in the same storage system without the need for an allocation system or storing goods with different needs in different parts of the grid.

[0066] Furthermore, the connections between containers 10 and the communication between containers 10 and the stack 12 constitute a real-time information database for the storage system, which can assist in the event of a power failure, such as providing help in potential fault recovery. An alternative method would require emptying all containers and rebuilding the stack, which is inefficient and costly.

[0067] The above system has a variety of different uses. The above description provides details of specific control and monitoring services, which can be used in some of the following situations. According to the present invention, non-limiting examples of some applications of the smart box or container 10 may include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0068] The container 10, which includes a temperature sensor, can be used to monitor the temperature of the refrigerated, frozen, or peripheral parts of a storage system. For example, a rise in temperature in the peripheral parts of the system can cause chocolate to melt or flammable materials to catch fire. This problem may be particularly pronounced during the warm summer months.

[0069] Container 10, which includes a camera, can be used to monitor the status of other containers 10 within the grid and stack 12. An automated load handling device 30 can be used to move containers 10 around the storage system to inspect various parts of the system, other containers 10, or the stack 12 as needed. Its importance lies in the event of system leaks or other problems related to the entire system, grid, or containers.

[0070] Each individual container 10 contains an identification device. The communication devices between the containers 10 or the stack 12 can be used to create a topology map of the storage system, where end-to-end identification is available. When the system controlling the stack encounters a failure, the topology information can be used to create a fault recovery scenario.

[0071] Each container 10 may be equipped with a lighting device 60, which can be used in conjunction with monitoring and photographic devices to assist in the detection of the individual container 10 or the entire system. Furthermore, the contents of the container 10 can benefit from light of a specific wavelength or wavelength range. For example, unripe fruit can be stored in it and receive suitable light. In addition, any container 10 can also be used for cultivation.

[0072] The storage box and container 10 may be equipped with sensors to detect gas, smoke, flames or heat sources, and the sensors may activate an automatic sprinkler system to extinguish any fire.

[0073] If the storage system is used, for example, as described in UK patent application GB1514428.0 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), to store vehicles in a mechanized parking lot, a sensor that detects a flame or smoke can activate a water spraying device, and at the same time, a communication device can be set up to transmit messages directly to a central monitoring system or emergency services.

[0074] The container 10, containing a gas sensor, can be used to monitor the condition of the fruit stored in the refrigerated section of the system. Ripe fruit releases gases, so monitoring these specific gases can detect signs of overripeness in the stored fruit. If this is detected, the container 10, which contains a cooling device, can be cooled to prevent its contents from overripening.

[0075] If any container 10 is used to store optional goods such as parcels, the container 10 may contain a weighing device such as a scale to monitor the weight of the parcels in the warehouse before subsequent distribution.

[0076] In a second embodiment of the invention, container 10 includes intelligent devices such as a router, calculator, and server (not shown). These intelligent devices can transmit messages between containers 10 within the system via end-to-end communication. Furthermore, such message transmission can be achieved through contactless optical communication, but any other suitable communication device can also be used.

[0077] The power supply and power control of the intelligent device can be accomplished by suitable power supply and power control devices, such as the devices described above.

[0078] By utilizing the space surrounding container 10, the communication distance between intelligent devices located within container 10 can be shortened to some extent. This relatively shorter distance reduces latency between intelligent devices, enabling faster and more efficient system operation.

[0079] Such systems may require extensive cooling. Such cooling devices may be provided as described above, or may be provided by means of a cooling device that extends upwards from the base of the system along the vertical member 16 of the frame structure 14.

[0080] During operation, each calculator or server can connect to at least six adjacent calculators or servers via an optical channel. For example, each calculator with a slightly transparent mirror can transmit or receive through this channel without interfering with any other communication, such as using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). In this way, each node connects to other nodes within the system at the speed of light with a precisely defined delay.

[0081] For example, the communication device may have laser transmission capability using air as the medium. However, other communication devices may also be provided, such as connecting adjacent servers or calculators via extended fiber optic tentacles.

[0082] For example, 100,000 containers 10, including effective smart devices, can be incorporated into a single unit located in a 60x60 grid with a height of 28 square feet within a 1.4 square foot space. Alternatively, one million containers can be incorporated into a 200x160 grid with a height of 33 square feet within a 125,000 square foot building.

[0083] It should be understood that such instantaneous and explicit connections between nodes can benefit numerous applications. For example, aircraft design, weather forecasting or climate modeling, financial and trade calculations, protein synthesis calculations, and process simulations of chemical reactions throughout an organism can all benefit from such densely packed, large-scale intelligent devices. However, it should be understood that the above are merely examples, and practical applications are much broader.

[0084] It should also be understood that a single container may provide one service, multiple services, or all of the services described herein. Furthermore, the listed services are not limited to these. Any form of service that can be carried or transferred to container 10 may be incorporated into the design concept.

[0085] Furthermore, the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings provide a detailed description of the system, in which the container 10 has a uniform size and shape. However, it should be understood that this is not necessarily the case in practice. As described in UK Patent Application GB1506364.7 filed on April 15, 2015 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), such a system can be configured to operate containers 10 of different sizes by employing load handling devices 30 of different sizes capable of lifting and moving containers 10 of different sizes.

[0086] Furthermore, the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings assume that the storage system contains containers 10 within the stack 12 located within the frame structure 14, and are unrestricted. It should be understood that the system can be divided into smaller areas based on temperature, etc., using suitable partitioning devices. In this way, peripheral areas, refrigerated areas, frozen areas, etc., can be defined. It should also be understood that such partitioning can have other advantages, such as separating areas within the storage system from other areas. For example, in the event of a fire, fire suppression devices will be used in specific areas for fire extinguishing, highlighting the necessity of such partitioning. Furthermore, when the system is used for other purposes, it is beneficial to have different air compositions in different parts of the system. This can be achieved through system partitioning. It should be understood that the partitioning devices can be deployed temporarily and remotely, for example, as roller shutters installed under a grid.

[0087] As described in the appended claims, there may be many variations and modifications not explicitly stated above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the status of a storage system, said storage system comprising: a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending perpendicular to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern containing a plurality of grid spaces; a plurality of containers arranged in stacks below the rails; at least one load handling device arranged on the grid to move laterally on the rails above the stacks, the load handling device comprising a lifting device arranged to lift one or more containers or parts thereof from a stack; wherein a number of the containers comprise service devices to provide a service to a or each container to perform an additional function to an individual container in the stack; said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a sensing device and a data entry device in at least one storage container; b. providing a communication device in the at least one storage container to transmit communication data to a central data entry device; c. locating one or more containers in the storage system to be monitored; and d. monitoring the received data.

2. A method of operating a storage system according to claim 1 for cooling goods, comprising the steps of: a. providing a device to control the temperature in the at least one storage container; b. providing a device to monitor the temperature in the at least one storage container; and configuring a cooling device for the at least one storage container such that the at least one storage container is cooled and not the entire storage system. ​

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