Material management method, device, equipment, storage medium and system

Abstract

The invention discloses a material management method, device and equipment, a storage medium and a system, relates to the technical field of intelligent warehousing, and is used for caching materials in a warehouse according to orders and responding to material requirements in time so as to effectively support efficient and stable operation of operation nodes. And the problems that the cost is high and the occupied space is large due to the arrangement of the material cache region are solved. The method comprises the steps of determining a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and a target order in response to a material distribution instruction of the target order; the material distribution instruction is used for instructing to distribute materials corresponding to the target order; the stock container is a container for storing undistributed materials in a warehouse; the matching result is used for indicating a first inventory container in which all the stored undistributed materials are matched with the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of the stored undistributed materials are matched with the target order; and executing a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result so as to distribute a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of intelligent warehousing technology, and in particular to a material management method, device, equipment, storage medium and system. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the efficiency of material processing at operating nodes such as production lines and distribution stations, materials can usually be moved from the warehouse to the material buffer area next to the operating node in advance, so that materials can be taken as needed at the operating node. However, this way of setting up a material buffer area requires the material buffer area to be equipped with facilities such as shelves and transport vehicles, which is costly and occupies a large space. However, the space in the actual operating scenario may be relatively small, making it difficult to support the setting up of a material buffer area. Therefore, this way of setting up a material buffer area is difficult to effectively support the efficient and stable operation of the operating node. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a material management method, apparatus, equipment, storage medium and system for caching materials in a warehouse according to orders and responding to material demands in a timely manner, thereby effectively supporting the efficient and stable operation of operation nodes and avoiding the problems of high cost and large space occupied due to setting up a material cache area.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present application provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, a material management method is provided, comprising: determining a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and a target order in response to a material allocation indication of a target order. The material allocation indication is used to indicate the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order. The inventory container is a container for storing unallocated materials in a warehouse. The matching result is used to indicate a first inventory container in which all stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the target order. A batching strategy corresponding to the matching result is executed to allocate a corresponding target container to the target order in the warehouse. The target container is used to cache materials corresponding to the target order. The batching strategy includes configuring a first inventory container as a target container, and / or performing picking scheduling on a second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain a target container.

[0006] In this technical solution, the server can determine the inventory container that matches the target order from multiple inventory containers storing unallocated materials in the warehouse. If the inventory container that matches the target order is the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order, the server can configure the first inventory container as the target container to achieve caching of the materials corresponding to the target order in the target container in the warehouse. If the inventory container that matches the target order is the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the target order, the server can perform picking and scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container, to achieve caching of the materials corresponding to the target order in the target container in the warehouse.

[0007] In this way, the server can accurately divide the containers in the warehouse into inventory containers and target containers, realize the coexistence of inventory materials and cache materials in the warehouse, and can directly transport the target container out of the warehouse when the materials corresponding to the target order need to be processed, so as to respond to material needs in a timely manner. Therefore, this application can effectively support the efficient and stable operation of the operation node without setting up a material cache area, avoiding the problem of high cost and large space occupation caused by setting up a material cache area.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the method for configuring a first inventory container as a target container specifically includes: configuring a corresponding relationship between the first inventory container and the target order.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, a method for performing picking scheduling on a second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain a target container specifically includes: scheduling a robot to perform a container transporting and outbound task, and outputting a material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to a newly added container; the container transporting and outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from a storage location in the warehouse to a picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to be picked to the newly added container; in response to a picking completion indication, configuring a corresponding relationship between the newly added container and the target order, and scheduling a robot to perform a container transporting and inbound task; the picking completion indication is used to instruct the completion of the picking of the material matching the target order in the second inventory container; the container transporting and inbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, after executing the batching strategy corresponding to the matching result, the method further includes: in response to a material request for the target order, determining an outbound container that matches the material request from the first inventory container and / or the newly added container; the material request is used to request the delivery of materials to the operating location of the materials corresponding to the target order; the newly added container is used to store the materials picked from the second inventory container that match the target order; and the outbound container is dispatched to deliver the outbound container to the operating location.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, when there are multiple target orders, a method for determining matching results between multiple inventory containers and target orders specifically includes: merging target orders that meet preset merging conditions among the multiple target orders to obtain at least one merged order; the preset merging conditions include at least one of the following: the material processing areas of the sources are the same and the corresponding material processing times are in the same time interval; the material processing area is the area where the materials are processed; determining the matching results corresponding to each of the at least one merged order; the matching results corresponding to the merged orders are used to indicate inventory containers in which all stored unallocated materials match the merged orders, and / or inventory containers in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the merged orders.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, the target order includes at least one material type and the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the at least one material type; the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are no materials of other material types other than at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order; the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are materials of any material type in at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and there are materials of other material types.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, a method for determining matching results between multiple inventory containers and a target order in response to a material allocation instruction of a target order specifically includes: a workbench operating system sends a material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to a warehouse management system in response to a target order editing operation; and the warehouse management system determines matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, a method for performing picking scheduling on a second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain a target container specifically includes: a warehouse management system sends a container transporting and outbound task to a robot control system, and sends a material picking task to a workbench operating system; the container transporting and outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from a storage location in the warehouse to a picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the material in the second inventory container that matches the target order to be picked to a newly added container; the robot control system controls the robot to perform the container transporting and outbound task; the workbench operating system outputs the material picking task to pick the material in the second inventory container that matches the target order to the newly added container; the workbench operating system sends a picking completion indication to the warehouse management system in response to a picking completion confirmation operation; the picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of the picking of the material matching the target order in the second inventory container; the warehouse management system configures the corresponding relationship between the newly added container and the target order in response to the picking completion indication, and sends a container transporting and inbound task to the robot control system; the container transporting and inbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container and the newly added container to be transported to the warehouse for storage; the robot control system controls the robot to perform the container transporting and inbound task.

[0015] In a second aspect, a material management device is provided, including: a processing unit.

[0016] The processing unit is used to determine the matching results between the plurality of inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction of the target order. The material allocation instruction is used to indicate the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order. The inventory container is a container for storing unallocated materials in the warehouse. The matching result is used to indicate a first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the target order.

[0017] The processing unit is further configured to execute a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse. The batching strategy includes configuring the first inventory container as the target container and / or performing picking scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit is specifically configured to: configure a corresponding relationship between the first inventory container and the target order.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit is specifically used to: schedule the robot to perform a container transport outbound task, and output a material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to a newly added container; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from a storage location in the warehouse to a picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to be picked to the newly added container; in response to a picking completion indication, configure the correspondence between the newly added container and the target order, and schedule the robot to perform a container transport inbound task; the picking completion indication is used to instruct the completion of the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; the container transport inbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit is also used to respond to the material request of the target order and determine the outbound container that matches the material request from the first inventory container and / or the newly added container; the material request is used to request the delivery of materials to the operating location of the material corresponding to the target order; the newly added container is used to store the materials picked from the second inventory container that match the target order; and the outbound container is dispatched to deliver the outbound container to the operating location.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit is specifically used to: merge target orders that meet preset merging conditions among multiple target orders to obtain at least one merged order; the preset merging conditions include at least one of the following: the material processing areas of the sources are the same and the corresponding material processing times are in the same time interval; the material processing area is the area where materials are processed; determine the matching results corresponding to at least one merged order; the matching results corresponding to the merged orders are used to indicate inventory containers in which all stored unallocated materials match the merged orders, and / or inventory containers in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the merged orders.

[0022] In a possible embodiment, the target order includes at least one material type and the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the at least one material type; the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are no materials of other material types other than at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order; the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are materials of any material type in at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and there are materials of other material types.

[0023] In one possible embodiment, the processing unit includes a workbench operating system and a warehouse management system; the workbench operating system is used to send a material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system in response to the target order editing operation; the warehouse management system is used to determine the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

[0024] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit also includes a robot control system; a warehouse management system is further used to send a container transport outbound task to the robot control system, and send a material picking task to the workbench operating system; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from the storage position in the warehouse to the picking position; the material picking task is used to instruct the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to be picked to the newly added container; the robot control system is used to control the robot to perform the container transport outbound task; the workbench operating system is further used to output the material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container; the workbench operating system is further used to send a picking completion indication to the warehouse management system in response to a picking completion confirmation operation; the picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; the warehouse management system is further used to configure the corresponding relationship between the newly added container and the target order in response to the picking completion indication, and send a container transport inbound task to the robot control system; the container transport inbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container and the newly added container to be transported to the warehouse for storage; the robot control system is further used to control the robot to perform the container transport inbound task.

[0025] In a third aspect, a server is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory. The processor is connected to the memory, the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, thereby implementing any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, comprising computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed on a server, the server executes any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0027] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a server, cause the server to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0028] In a sixth aspect, a material management system is provided, comprising: a server and a robot. The server is used to implement any one of the material management methods provided in the first aspect. The robot is used to carry materials.

[0029] The technical effects brought about by any implementation method in the second to sixth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding implementation method in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a material management scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a server provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a material management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of another material management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 5 A flow chart of another material management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of another material management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of another material management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram of a material management device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. The words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit them to be different.

[0039] It should be noted that, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0040] First of all, in order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the relevant elements involved in the present application are described.

[0041] A robot is an intelligent mobile robot that can carry materials or boxes. In addition, robots of different types, sizes, or functions can be deployed in different scenarios. For example, a large storage robot (such as a box robot) can be deployed in a warehouse. Another example is that a small loading robot (such as a lurking robot) can be deployed in a factory production line.

[0042] A bin is a container for storing materials placed on a warehouse shelf. Labels, barcodes and other identification information can be set on the surface of the bin to indicate bin code, material type and quantity. In addition, bins in the same warehouse can have uniform specifications and sizes to facilitate stacking, handling and storage management in the warehouse.

[0043] The docking position is the location where materials are delivered between different robots, and is used to achieve accurate material delivery. The docking position can be configured with a docking shelf. Different robots can deliver materials through the docking shelf. For example, a storage robot deployed in a warehouse can move a material box on a storage shelf to a docking shelf. Furthermore, a loading robot deployed on a factory production line can take a material box from the docking shelf to deliver materials.

[0044] The workbench is where the warehouse keeper performs various material management operations. For example, the warehouse keeper can perform material picking operations on the workbench. In another example, the warehouse keeper can use the scanner and other equipment equipped on the workbench to scan materials and / or material boxes to achieve material out of the warehouse or material in the warehouse.

[0045] The operation location is the location where materials are processed, packaged, etc. in the material handling area such as the factory production line or the distribution center assembly line. For example, the workstation where the operator is located, the workshop, etc. The operation location can be equipped with a supply shelf. The loading robot can place the material box on the supply shelf to facilitate the operator to take the material in the material box.

[0046] The robot control system (RCS) can reasonably dispatch multiple robots in the warehouse according to the priority of material handling tasks, the status of the robots, the layout of the warehouse, etc. For example, RCS can select a robot that is in an idle state from multiple robots and dispatch the selected robot to perform tasks such as material handling inbound and outbound.

[0047] The intelligent warehouse management system (IWMS) is used to manage materials stored in the warehouse and can support the configuration of warehouse shelf layout and storage area division information. IWMS can usually be deployed in conjunction with a workbench to facilitate material management. For example, IWMS can match materials stored in the warehouse with orders and generate material handling and outbound tasks or material picking tasks based on the matching results.

[0048] Manufacturing execution system (MES) is a management information system for the workshop level, which is used to provide production information management services for operators and managers in order to improve production efficiency and quality. Production information can be information about materials, equipment status, production requirements, production progress, etc., as well as guidance information about production and operations.

[0049] Secondly, the application scenarios involved in this application are briefly introduced.

[0050] In order to improve the efficiency of material processing at operating nodes such as production lines and distribution stations, materials can usually be moved from the warehouse to the material buffer area next to the operating node in advance, so that materials can be taken as needed at the operating node. However, this way of setting up a material buffer area requires the material buffer area to be equipped with facilities such as shelves and transport vehicles, which is costly and occupies a large space. However, the space in the actual operating scenario may be relatively small, making it difficult to support the setting up of a material buffer area. Therefore, this way of setting up a material buffer area is difficult to effectively support the efficient and stable operation of the operating node.

[0051] Next, the implementation environment (implementation architecture) involved in this application is briefly introduced.

[0052] The embodiment of the present application provides a material management method, which can be applied to a server in a material management system. The server can have a material management function for managing materials in a warehouse. For example, the server can determine the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction of the target order, and execute the batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate the corresponding target container to the target order in the warehouse, so as to achieve the caching of the materials of the target order in the warehouse. Furthermore, the server can respond to the material request of the target order, determine the outbound container that responds to the material request based on the target container corresponding to the target order, and perform distribution scheduling on the outbound container to deliver the outbound container to the operation location.

[0053] In actual applications, the server can be connected to a front-end management device set on a workbench in the warehouse. The front-end management device can be configured with a display module and an input module. The display module can be a liquid crystal display screen, etc., for displaying information about orders, materials, or boxes, etc. The input module can be a keyboard, a mouse, or a voice input device, etc., for supporting warehouse managers to edit information about orders, materials, or boxes, etc. In this way, the server can obtain the material allocation instructions of the target order edited by the warehouse manager through the display module and the input module configured by the front-end management device, so as to enable the warehouse manager to manage the materials in the warehouse.

[0054] The server can also be connected to a front-end operation device set at the operation position. The front-end operation device can be configured with a display module and an input module. The display module can be a liquid crystal display screen, etc., for displaying information of orders, materials or material boxes, etc. The input module can be a keyboard, a mouse or a voice input device, etc., for supporting operators to edit information of orders, materials or material boxes, etc. In this way, the server can obtain the material request of the target order edited by the operator through the display module and the input module configured by the front-end operation device, so as to realize the real-time allocation of materials by the operator.

[0055] In an optional implementation, the server can be configured with a workbench operating system, a manufacturing execution system, a warehouse management system, and a robot control system, and can implement the material management function through the interaction between the warehouse management system and the workbench operating system, the manufacturing execution system, and the robot control system. Among them, the workbench operating system is used to receive material allocation instructions from the front-end management device. The specific implementation of the manufacturing execution system, the warehouse management system, and the robot control system can be found in the description of the above-mentioned related elements, which will not be repeated here.

[0056] For example, Figure 1 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a material management scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. The workbench operating system can identify the material allocation operation of the warehouse keeper on the target order, and send a material allocation instruction to the warehouse management system. The warehouse management system can determine the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction. Furthermore, the warehouse management system can configure the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order as the target container in the warehouse corresponding to the target order. Furthermore, the warehouse management system can also interact with the warehouse robot control system to perform picking scheduling on the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order, so as to control the warehouse robot in the warehouse to transport the inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order from the storage position on the storage shelf to the picking position for picking, so as to split and obtain the target container corresponding to the target order.

[0057] In addition, the manufacturing execution system can obtain the operator's material request for the target order through the front-end operating device, and send the material request for the target order to the warehouse management system. The warehouse management system can respond to the material request for the target order and determine the outbound container that responds to the material request based on the target container corresponding to the target order. Furthermore, the warehouse management system can interact with the robot control system to dispatch the outbound container, control the storage robot in the warehouse to move the outbound container from the storage position to the docking position for outbound delivery, and further control the loading robot to move the outbound container from the docking position to the operating position, so as to achieve timely delivery of materials.

[0058] Optionally, the workbench operating system, manufacturing execution system, warehouse management system and robot control system may be functional modules integrated into the same server, or may be devices independently arranged from each other, which is not limited in the present application.

[0059] It is easy to understand that the interaction process between the workbench operating system, manufacturing execution system, warehouse management system and robot control system when they are independently set as devices is the same as the interaction process between the workbench operating system, manufacturing execution system, warehouse management system and robot control system when they are integrated into the same server.

[0060] For ease of understanding, the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the example of integrating a workbench operating system, a manufacturing execution system, a warehouse management system, and a robot control system into the same server.

[0061] Optionally, the server may be a physical or logical server, or may be two or more physical or logical servers that share different responsibilities and cooperate with each other to implement various functions of the server. The embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on the specific form of the server.

[0062] In terms of hardware implementation, the above server can be implemented as follows Figure 2 The server 10 shown is implemented. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a server 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The server 10 can be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned server.

[0063] Figure 2 The server 10 shown may include: a processor 101 , a memory 102 , a communication interface 103 , and a bus 104 . The processor 101 , the memory 102 , and the communication interface 103 may be connected via the bus 104 .

[0064] The processor 101 is the control center of the server 10, and may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU) or other general-purpose processors, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0065] As an example, the processor 101 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 2 CPU0 and CPU1 are shown in the figure.

[0066] The memory 102 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the memory 102 may exist independently of the processor 101. The memory 102 may be connected to the processor 101 via a bus 104 and used to store data, instructions, or program codes. When the processor 101 calls and executes the instructions or program codes stored in the memory 102, the material management method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented.

[0068] In another possible implementation, the memory 102 may also be integrated with the processor 101 .

[0069] The communication interface 103 is used for connecting the server 10 with other devices through a communication network, which may be Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The communication interface 103 may include a receiving unit for receiving data and a sending unit for sending data.

[0070] The bus 104 may be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 2 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0071] It should be pointed out that Figure 2 The structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the server 10, except Figure 2 In addition to the components shown, server 10 may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0072] For ease of understanding, the material management method provided in this application is specifically introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] like Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a material management method provided by the present application. The method includes: S201-S202.

[0074] S201: In response to a material allocation instruction of a target order, determining a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and the target order.

[0075] The material allocation instruction is used to instruct the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order. The material allocation instruction may include order information of the target order and instruction information used to instruct the allocation of materials for the target order.

[0076] Optionally, the target order may be a material order planned according to the production demand of an industrial production line. The materials corresponding to the target order may be raw materials such as metal materials and plastic materials processed in the production process of the industrial production line, or may be parts such as electronic components and mechanical parts. Alternatively, the target order may be a shopping order generated when a user conducts online shopping. The materials corresponding to the target order may be various types of goods purchased by the user. Alternatively, the target order may also be an order generated in other scenarios, and the materials corresponding to the target order may be materials that meet the needs of other scenarios. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0077] Inventory containers are containers in the warehouse that store unallocated materials. Unallocated materials refer to materials in the warehouse that have not been allocated to any order. In other words, materials in the warehouse that have not been allocated to any order can be considered inventory. Containers that store inventory can be considered inventory containers.

[0078] It should be understood that the container may also be alternatively described as a material box, a material box, a storage box, a container or other names without limitation.

[0079] Optionally, the warehouse can be a lineside warehouse, a semi-finished product warehouse, or a commodity distribution warehouse. Lineside warehouses and semi-finished product warehouses can be warehouses deployed close to industrial production lines to support timely response to production needs. Lineside warehouses can be used to store raw materials, parts, etc. related to industrial production lines. Semi-finished product warehouses can be used to store semi-finished products that need further processing or assembly during the production process.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the server may store material information of each inventory container in the warehouse. The material information of the inventory container may include the material type and material quantity of the unallocated materials stored in the inventory container. In addition, the server may receive multiple orders for materials to be allocated. The multiple orders may come from one or more industrial production lines, or from one or more online shopping systems, etc.

[0081] Furthermore, the server can obtain the material allocation instructions of the target order through interaction with the front-end management device of the workbench in the warehouse. The material allocation instructions can be used to instruct the warehouse staff to select the target order to be allocated materials from multiple orders. In this way, the server can identify the material allocation instructions of the target order, and in response to the material allocation instructions of the target order, match the target order based on the material information of each stored inventory container, and obtain the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order, so as to pre-allocate the unallocated materials in the warehouse to the corresponding target order, thereby supporting the efficient and accurate completion of the order's material delivery.

[0082] Alternatively, the server may automatically identify the order that meets the batching conditions among multiple orders as the target order, and trigger the material allocation instruction of the target order. The batching conditions may be the order with the highest priority of the industrial production line from which the multiple orders come, and / or the order with the earliest receiving time among the multiple orders, etc. Furthermore, the server may respond to the material allocation instruction of the target order, match the material information of each stored inventory container with the target order, and obtain the matching result between the multiple inventory containers and the target order.

[0083] In an optional implementation, the target order may include at least one material type and the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the at least one material type. When the server matches the target order based on the material information of each stored inventory container, it may determine to match the material information of each inventory container with the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the target order until a material that satisfies the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the target order is matched.

[0084] If the unallocated materials stored in an inventory container do not contain materials of other material types except for at least one material type, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order, the server can determine that the inventory container is the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order.

[0085] If the unallocated materials stored in an inventory container include materials of at least one material type and materials of other material types, the server may determine that the inventory container is the second inventory container whose stored unallocated material portion matches the target order.

[0086] That is, the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are no materials of other material types other than at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order. The second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are materials of any material type in at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and there are materials of other material types.

[0087] The matching results between the multiple inventory containers and the target order may be used to indicate a first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the target order. The number of the first inventory containers may be one or more, and the number of the second inventory containers may also be one or more. That is, the matching result may include one or more first inventory containers, and / or one or more second inventory containers.

[0088] In other words, the materials allocated corresponding to the target order may include all unallocated materials stored in each of the one or more first inventory containers. Alternatively, the materials allocated corresponding to the target order may include part of the unallocated materials stored in each of the one or more second inventory containers. Alternatively, the materials allocated corresponding to the target order may include all the unallocated materials stored in each of the one or more first inventory containers, and part of the unallocated materials stored in each of the one or more second inventory containers.

[0089] S202: Execute a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse.

[0090] The target container is used to cache materials corresponding to the target order. The batching strategy includes configuring the first inventory container as the target container, and / or performing picking and scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container.

[0091] If the matching result includes a first inventory container in which all stored unallocated materials match the target order, it can be indicated that a whole box of materials stored in the first inventory container can all be allocated to the target order without the need for picking. In this case, the first inventory container can be stored in the original warehouse location without the need to schedule a robot for transportation and movement. The batching strategy corresponding to the matching result may include configuring the first inventory container as a target container. The server can configure the first inventory container as a target container for caching materials allocated corresponding to the target order in the warehouse by updating the configuration information of the first inventory container, so as to improve the material allocation efficiency and reduce the robot's transportation cost.

[0092] If the matching result includes a second inventory container in which a portion of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order, it may indicate that the unallocated materials stored in the second inventory container need to be picked to obtain the materials allocated corresponding to the target order. In this case, the batching strategy corresponding to the matching result may include picking and scheduling the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container. The server may schedule a robot to move the second inventory container to a location convenient for the staff to pick, thereby configuring the container picked by the staff and storing the materials matching the target order as the target container.

[0093] Based on this, the server can configure a target container in the warehouse for caching materials allocated corresponding to the target order. That is, the materials corresponding to the target order can be cached in the warehouse. When the materials corresponding to the target order need to be processed, the robot can be directly dispatched to move the target container out of the warehouse to respond to material needs efficiently and accurately, and to meet material needs in a timely manner.

[0094] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, it is a flow chart of another material management method provided by the present application. In the case where there are multiple target orders, when the server determines the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target orders in the above S201, the server can merge the multiple target orders to generate a merged order, and match the merged order with the multiple inventory containers to obtain a matching result, thereby improving the material allocation efficiency. Figure 4 The material management method shown is an optional implementation of the process, including: S2011-S2012.

[0095] S2011: Merge target orders that meet preset merging conditions among multiple target orders to obtain at least one merged order.

[0096] The preset merging conditions include at least one of the following: the source material processing areas are the same, and the corresponding material processing times are in the same time interval. The material processing area is the area where materials are processed, which can be a factory, workshop, production line, workstation, station, etc. The material processing time is the time when the material processing area starts to process the material. For example, the time when the production line starts to process the material. For another example, the time when the workstation starts to process the material. The time interval refers to a time period with a start time and an end time.

[0097] If the material handling area of ​​two or more order sources in multiple target orders is the same, it can be indicated that the types of materials to be allocated for the two or more orders are the same or similar, and need to be transported to the same or similar locations. Then the server can merge the two or more orders into one merged order, so as to allocate materials for the two or more orders by matching materials for the one merged order, thereby improving the material allocation efficiency and material transportation efficiency.

[0098] If the material processing time corresponding to two or more orders among the multiple target orders is in the same time interval, it can be indicated that the materials corresponding to the two or more orders need to be transported out of the warehouse at the same or similar time. Then the server can merge the two or more orders into one merged order, so as to allocate materials for the two or more orders by matching materials for the one merged order, thereby improving the material handling efficiency.

[0099] S2012: Determine the matching results corresponding to at least one merged order.

[0100] The matching result corresponding to the merged order is used to indicate the inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the merged order and / or the inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the merged order.

[0101] It should be understood that the specific implementation method of S2012 can refer to the relevant description of the server matching the target order based on the material information of each inventory container stored in the above S201, which will not be repeated here.

[0102] In one embodiment, when the server configures the first inventory container as the target container in the above S202, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method, including: S2021.

[0103] S2021: Configure a correspondence between the first inventory container and the target order.

[0104] Optionally, the server may configure the correspondence between the first inventory container and the target order by adding identification information of the target order to the configuration information of the first inventory container. Alternatively, the server may configure the correspondence between the first inventory container and the target order by creating a mapping relationship between the first inventory container and the target order in a mapping table. Alternatively, the server may also configure the correspondence between the first inventory container and the target order in other ways. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0105] Based on this, the present application can configure the corresponding relationship between the first inventory container and the target order in the server, so that when the first inventory container is stored in the original warehouse location, the first inventory container is allocated to the target order in its entirety, without the need for a robot to carry the first inventory container, thereby improving the efficiency of material distribution and reducing the robot's handling cost. In addition, the first inventory container storing the target order's materials in the present application is stored in the warehouse, and there is no need to set up a material buffer for storage. This can support the caching of materials in the warehouse when the space of the operating scene is relatively small, and can avoid the problem of high cost and large space occupied due to setting up a material buffer area.

[0106] In one embodiment, when the server performs picking and scheduling on the second inventory container in the above S202 to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method, including: S2022-S2023.

[0107] S2022: Dispatching the robot to perform the container transport outbound task, and outputting the material picking task to pick the materials matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container.

[0108] The container transport outbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location. The material picking task is used to instruct the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container.

[0109] The picking position may be the position of the workbench in the warehouse. The equipment supporting the staff to pick the materials at the picking position may be in the form of a distribution wall or a conveyor line, without limitation.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the server may generate a container transport outbound task, and select a robot that is idle or around the second inventory container from the managed plurality of robots. Furthermore, the server may send the container transport outbound task to the selected robot, so that the selected robot transports the second inventory container from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location.

[0111] Furthermore, the server can generate a material picking task and display the material picking task through a configured display module. Thus, the staff can learn about the material picking task through the display module configured by the server and pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container at the picking location.

[0112] S2023: In response to the picking completion indication, configure the newly added container as the target container corresponding to the target order, and schedule the robot to perform the container transportation and warehousing task.

[0113] The picking completion instruction is used to indicate the completion of picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container. The container transport and warehousing task is used to indicate the transport of the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

[0114] In one possible implementation, after the staff picks the materials matching the target order from the second inventory container to the newly added container, they can perform a picking completion confirmation operation (e.g., click a completion button) through the input module configured by the server to indicate that the picking is complete. In this way, the server can recognize the picking completion indication and configure the newly added container as the target container corresponding to the target order. Furthermore, the server can generate a container transport warehousing task and schedule the robot to perform the container transport warehousing task to transport the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

[0115] It should be understood that, in the case where the configuration result includes both the first inventory container and the second inventory container, the numbering of S2021 and S2022-S2023 does not limit the execution order between S2021 and S2022-S2023. For example, the server may first execute S2021 and then execute S2022-S2023. For another example, the server may first execute S2022-S2023 and then execute S2021. For another example, the server may simultaneously execute S2021 and S2022-S2023.

[0116] Based on this, the present application can realize the disassembly of the second inventory container, and can pick the materials in the second inventory container that match the target order to the newly added container. In addition, after the picking is completed, the present application can also realize the storage of the second inventory container and the newly added container for storing the remaining materials. In this way, the present application can store the newly added container storing the materials of the target order in the warehouse without setting up a material buffer for storage, and can support the caching of materials in the warehouse when the space of the operation scene is relatively small, and can avoid the problem of high cost and large space occupied by setting up a material buffer area. Furthermore, when the server receives a material request for the target order, it does not need to perform material matching and picking scheduling, and can directly dispatch the robot to transport all the stored materials out of the warehouse from the newly added container that matches the target order, so as to support the timely response to the material request, thereby effectively supporting the efficient and stable operation of the operation node.

[0117] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, it is a flow chart of another material management method provided by the present application. The server may be configured with a workbench operating system and a warehouse management system. Based on this, when the server responds to the material allocation instruction and determines the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the material allocation instruction, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method, including: S301-S302.

[0118] S301: In response to the target order editing operation, the workbench operating system sends a material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system.

[0119] S302: The warehouse management system determines matching results between the plurality of inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the workbench operating system can identify the target order editing operation performed by the staff through the front-end management device, and determine the material allocation instruction of the target order. Further, the workbench operating system can send the material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system. The warehouse management system can respond to the material allocation instruction of the target order, match the target order based on the material information of each inventory container, and obtain the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order, so as to pre-allocate the unallocated materials in the warehouse to the target order, thereby supporting the efficient and accurate completion of the order's material delivery.

[0121] In one embodiment, Figure 6As shown, it is a flow chart of another material management method provided by the present application. The server may also be configured with a robot control system. Based on this, when the server performs picking and scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method, including: S401-S406.

[0122] S401: The warehouse management system sends a container transport outbound task to the robot control system, and sends a material picking task to the workbench operating system.

[0123] The container transport outbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location. The material picking task is used to instruct the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container.

[0124] S402: The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting containers out of the warehouse.

[0125] S403: The workbench operating system outputs a material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container.

[0126] S404: The workbench operating system sends a picking completion indication to the warehouse management system in response to the picking completion confirmation operation.

[0127] The picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container.

[0128] S405: The warehouse management system configures the correspondence between the newly added container and the target order in response to the picking completion indication, and sends a container transport and warehousing task to the robot control system.

[0129] The container transport and warehousing task is used to instruct the second inventory container and the newly added container to be transported to the warehouse for storage.

[0130] S406: The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting containers into storage.

[0131] It should be understood that the specific implementation of S401-S406 can be understood by referring to the relevant description of S202 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0132] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, it is a flow chart of another material management method provided by the present application. Figure 7 The material management method shown can configure a target container for caching materials allocated corresponding to a target order in the warehouse through the interaction between the warehouse management system and the workbench operating system and the robot control system, including: S501-S510.

[0133] S501: In response to the target order editing operation, the workbench operating system sends a material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system.

[0134] S502: The warehouse management system determines matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

[0135] S503: The warehouse management system determines whether all stored unallocated materials are matched.

[0136] S504: The warehouse management system configures the first inventory container as the target container.

[0137] S505: The warehouse management system sends a task for transporting the container out of the warehouse.

[0138] S506: The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting the container out of the warehouse.

[0139] S507: The workbench operating system outputs the material picking task.

[0140] S508: The workbench operating system sends a picking completion indication.

[0141] S509: The warehouse management system configures the correspondence between the newly added container and the target order, and sends a container transport and warehousing task to the robot control system.

[0142] S510: The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting containers into storage.

[0143] It should be understood that the specific implementation of S501-S510 can be understood by referring to the related descriptions of S201-S202 and S301-S302 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0144] In one embodiment, after the above S201, the material management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: S601-S604.

[0145] S601: The server responds to the material request of the target order, determines the outbound container that responds to the material request from the target container corresponding to the target order, and sends an outbound task to the warehouse robot.

[0146] The material request is used to request the delivery of materials to the work area that processes the materials corresponding to the target order. For example, the material request may include delivery instruction information for instructing the delivery of materials to the work area, so that the server can identify the request for delivery of materials to the work area. The material outgoing task is used to take out the outgoing container on the material storage shelf and move it to the docking shelf.

[0147] The storage robot drives in the storage area. Storage racks are placed in the storage area. The storage racks are multi-layer racks. The docking racks are single-layer racks. The vertical projection of the docking rack on the ground does not overlap with the vertical projection of the storage rack on the ground. In other words, the docking rack and the storage rack are set at different positions on the ground in the storage area to avoid the problem of easy conflict between the storage robot and the loading robot when the docking rack and the storage rack are set adjacent to or close to each other.

[0148] The operation area is the area where materials are processed. The operation area can be set up with workstations, production lines and workshops, etc.

[0149] The number of containers that can be transported by the storage robot is greater than that of the loading robot, and the allowable operating height of the storage robot is greater than that of the loading robot. The number of containers that can be transported is the number of containers that can be transported. The allowable operating height is the height of the shelf that can be operated.

[0150] Optionally, the driving passage of the storage robot is located on a first side of the docking rack, and the driving passage of the loading robot is located on a second side of the docking rack opposite to the first side.

[0151] Optionally, the docking rack is deployed in the storage area and adjacent to the operation area.

[0152] Optionally, the operating height range of the storage robot includes the shelf height of the storage shelf and the shelf height of the docking shelf. The operating height range of the loading robot includes the shelf height of the docking shelf and the shelf height of the supply shelf. The shelf height of the storage shelf is greater than the shelf height of the docking shelf and the shelf height of the supply shelf.

[0153] In one possible implementation, the operator can perform a material order editing operation on a front-end operating device corresponding to the operating position. The front-end operating device can identify the operator's material order editing operation on the target order and send a material order request for the target order to the server. The server can respond to the material order request and determine all target containers corresponding to the target order as outbound containers responding to the material order request.

[0154] Alternatively, the material request may include material indication information for indicating the type and / or quantity of the material to be delivered. In this way, the server may also respond to the material request of the target order and determine the target container that matches the material indication information among the target containers corresponding to the target order as the outbound container for responding to the material request.

[0155] Optionally, the work location may be a workshop, a production line in a workshop, or a workstation on a production line, etc., without limitation.

[0156] In one possible implementation, after the server determines the outbound container that responds to the material request from the target container corresponding to the target order, it can generate an outbound task and select a storage robot that is idle or around the outbound container from the multiple storage robots managed. Then, the server can send the outbound task to the selected storage robot so that the selected storage robot moves the outbound container from the storage location in the warehouse to the docking location.

[0157] S602: The storage robot performs the unloading task, takes out the outbound container on the storage shelf and moves it to the docking shelf.

[0158] Based on this, the storage robot can place the outbound container on the docking shelf, so that the loading robot can easily take out the outbound container on the docking shelf. In this way, the storage robot and the loading robot can automatically and efficiently complete the material handover.

[0159] S603: The server sends a loading task to the loading robot.

[0160] In one possible implementation, when the storage robot moves the outbound container to the docking shelf, the server can generate a loading task and select a loading robot that is idle or around the docking position from the managed multiple loading robots. Furthermore, the server can send a loading task to the selected loading robot so that the selected loading robot moves the outbound container from the docking position to the work area for loading.

[0161] The loading robot drives in the working area. The driving channel of the storage robot and the loading robot do not overlap, so as to avoid mutual interference between the storage robot and the loading robot during driving, and improve the efficiency and stability of the material management system.

[0162] S604: The loading robot performs the loading task, takes out the outbound container from the docking shelf and moves it to the work area.

[0163] Considering that the space in the area where the work location is located may be relatively narrow, it is difficult to support the setting of a material buffer area, which may easily lead to the problem of not being able to pre-equip materials next to the work location, resulting in low work efficiency at the work location. Therefore, in order to respond to the material needs of the work location in a timely manner, a loading robot can be set up to adapt to the narrow space in the area where the work location is located, so that the loading robot can transport the materials to the work location, making the most of the narrow space in the area where the work location is located, and avoiding problems such as high costs caused by the transformation of the work location.

[0164] In this way, the present application can use the server to dispatch the storage robot and the loading robot to move the outbound container, so as to move the outbound container to the operating area, so that the operating personnel or operating equipment at the operating position can process the materials in the outbound container. In this way, the server can support direct dispatching of the robot to move the target container out of the warehouse when the materials corresponding to the target order need to be processed, so as to respond to material needs efficiently and accurately and meet material needs in a timely manner. In addition, the present application can efficiently complete material distribution through the material handover between the storage robot and the loading robot, avoiding the complex problems of the intermediate handling links caused by setting up a material buffer area.

[0165] Furthermore, by allowing a storage robot with a larger operating height to carry the outbound containers on the storage shelves to the docking position, it is also possible to allow a loading robot with a smaller operating height to take out the outbound containers on the docking shelf and carry them to the operating area. In other words, the embodiments of the present application can support a loading robot with a smaller allowable operating height and a smaller allowable number of containers to be carried. In this case, the size of the loading robot can be smaller to better adapt to the situation where the allowed passage space in the operating area is relatively narrow, so that the loading robot can be used to carry materials to the operating area, thereby maximizing the use of the narrow space in the operating position area and avoiding problems such as high costs caused by the transformation of the operating area.

[0166] Optionally, a supply rack is placed in the working area, and the supply rack is deployed at a position adjacent to the working position in the working area, or deployed at the starting position of the production line in the working area. Based on this. After the loading robot moves the outbound container to the working area, the outbound container can be placed on the supply rack. In this way, the loading robot can complete the loading conveniently, so as to facilitate the processing of the materials.

[0167] In one embodiment, the material management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: S701.

[0168] S701: Update the correspondence between the target order and the outbound container in the warehouse.

[0169] If the outbound container is part of the target container corresponding to the target order, the server can delete the information of the outbound container from the target containers corresponding to the target order in the recorded warehouse. Subsequently, the server can accurately respond to the material request of the new target order based on the remaining target containers corresponding to the target order in the warehouse.

[0170] If the outbound containers are all target containers corresponding to the target order, the server may delete the information of the target containers corresponding to the target order in the recorded warehouse.

[0171] In one embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method for matching a material order request with a warehouse-out container, including: S801-S802.

[0172] S801: The manufacturing execution system sends a material request for a target order to the warehouse management system.

[0173] S802: The warehouse management system responds to the material request and determines a delivery container that responds to the material request from the target containers corresponding to the target order.

[0174] The server may establish a connection with the operating device corresponding to the operation position. The server may be configured with a warehouse management system. Furthermore, the operating device corresponding to the operation position may be configured with a manufacturing execution system. The warehouse management system and the manufacturing execution system may be understood with reference to the description of the previous architecture part, and will not be repeated here.

[0175] Based on the material requirements during the operation, the operator can perform the material editing operation on the target order through the input module configured on the operating device. The manufacturing execution system on the operating device can identify the material editing operation on the target order by the operator and send the material request for the target order to the warehouse management system. The warehouse management system can respond to the material request for the target order and determine the outbound container that responds to the material request based on the target container corresponding to the target order. Subsequently, the warehouse management system can perform distribution scheduling on the outbound container to deliver materials to the operation location.

[0176] In one embodiment, the server may also be configured with a robot control system. The robot control system may be understood with reference to the description of the previous architecture part, and will not be described in detail here. Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides an optional implementation method for dispatching the outbound container, including: S901-S902.

[0177] S901: The warehouse management system sends scheduling task information to the robot control system.

[0178] The dispatching task information may include at least one of the following: container handling unloading task, container handling loading task, storage location of the outbound container in the warehouse, and operation location. The container handling unloading task is used to transport the outbound container from the storage location in the warehouse to the docking location. The container handling loading task is used to transport the outbound container from the docking location to the operation location.

[0179] After the warehouse management system can determine the outbound container, it can generate scheduling task information and send the generated scheduling task information to the robot control system so that the robot control system schedules the robot for delivery.

[0180] In one possible manner, the warehouse management system may also generate container handling and unloading tasks and / or container handling and loading tasks based on the storage location and operating location of the outbound container in the warehouse, and then generate scheduling task information for the container handling and unloading tasks and / or container handling and loading tasks to facilitate delivery scheduling by the robot control system.

[0181] Alternatively, the warehouse management system can directly generate scheduling task information based on the storage location and operation location of the outbound container in the warehouse. Subsequently, the robot control system can generate container handling unloading tasks and container handling loading tasks based on the storage location and operation location of the outbound container in the warehouse for distribution scheduling.

[0182] S902: Based on the scheduling task information, the robot control system controls the storage robot to move the outbound container from the storage position in the warehouse to the docking position, and controls the loading robot to move the outbound container from the docking position to the operating position.

[0183] The robot control system can determine the container handling and unloading tasks and the container handling and loading tasks based on the scheduling task information. Furthermore, the robot control system can send the container handling and unloading tasks to the selected storage robot and send the container handling and loading tasks to the loading robot to complete the material distribution.

[0184] In one embodiment, an optional implementation method for updating a target container corresponding to a target order in a warehouse is provided, including: S1001-S1002.

[0185] S1001: When the outbound container is transported to the working position, the robot control system sends a loading completion message to the warehouse management system.

[0186] Among them, the loading completion information can be used to indicate that the outbound container has been transported to the operating location.

[0187] When the robot control system confirms that the loading robot has transported the outbound container to the working position, it can send loading completion information to the warehouse management system so that the warehouse management system can accurately manage the materials.

[0188] S1002: The warehouse management system updates the correspondence between the target order and the outbound container in the warehouse, and sends the loading completion information to the manufacturing execution system.

[0189] After receiving the loading completion information from the robot control system, the warehouse management system can update the target container corresponding to the target order in the warehouse to accurately manage the materials. In addition, the warehouse management system can send the loading completion information to the manufacturing execution system. In this way, the manufacturing execution system can output a prompt message to prompt that the material has been delivered, so as to facilitate the processing of the material.

[0190] In one embodiment, the warehouse management system can interact with the manufacturing execution system and the robot control system to achieve material distribution to the work location. The interaction process between the warehouse management system and the manufacturing execution system and the robot control system includes: S1101-S1108.

[0191] S1101: The manufacturing execution system sends a material request for a target order to the warehouse management system.

[0192] S1102: The warehouse management system determines the outbound container that responds to the material request from the target containers corresponding to the target order.

[0193] S1103: The warehouse management system sends a container handling and unloading task to the robot control system.

[0194] S1104: The robot control system controls the storage robot to perform container handling and unloading tasks.

[0195] S1105: The robot control system generates a container handling and loading task.

[0196] S1106: The robot control system controls the loading robot to perform the container handling and loading task, and sends loading completion information to the warehouse management system when the outbound container is transported to the operating position.

[0197] S1107: The warehouse management system updates the correspondence between the target order and the outbound container in the warehouse, and sends the loading completion information to the manufacturing execution system.

[0198] S1108: The manufacturing execution system receives the material loading completion information.

[0199] It should be understood that the specific implementation process of S1101-S1108 can refer to the description in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0200] The above mainly introduces the scheme of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the method. It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the server includes at least one of the hardware structure and software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present application.

[0201] The embodiment of the present application can divide the server into functional units according to the above method example. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0202] For example, Figure 8 The schematic diagram of the structure of a material management device is shown. The material management device 20 can be used to execute the method involved in the above embodiment. The material management device 20 includes: a processing unit 1201.

[0203] The processing unit 1201 is used to determine the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction of the target order. The material allocation instruction is used to indicate the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order. The inventory container is a container for storing unallocated materials in the warehouse. The matching result is used to indicate the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the target order.

[0204] The processing unit 1201 is further configured to execute a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse. The batching strategy includes configuring the first inventory container as the target container and / or performing picking scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container.

[0205] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 is specifically configured to: configure a corresponding relationship between the first inventory container and the target order.

[0206] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 is specifically used to: schedule the robot to perform a container transport outbound task, and output a material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to a newly added container; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to be picked to the newly added container; in response to a picking completion indication, configure the correspondence between the newly added container and the target order, and schedule the robot to perform a container transport inbound task; the picking completion indication is used to instruct the completion of the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; the container transport inbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

[0207] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 is also used to respond to a material request for a target order, determine an outbound container that matches the material request from the first inventory container and / or the newly added container; the material request is used to request the delivery of materials to the operating location of the material corresponding to the target order; the newly added container is used to store the materials picked from the second inventory container that match the target order; and the outbound container is dispatched to deliver the outbound container to the operating location.

[0208] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 is specifically used to: merge target orders that meet preset merging conditions among multiple target orders to obtain at least one merged order; the preset merging conditions include at least one of the following: the material processing areas of the sources are the same and the corresponding material processing times are in the same time interval; the material processing area is the area where materials are processed; determine the matching results corresponding to at least one merged order; the matching results corresponding to the merged orders are used to indicate inventory containers in which all stored unallocated materials match the merged orders, and / or inventory containers in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the merged orders.

[0209] In a possible embodiment, the target order includes at least one material type and the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the at least one material type; the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are no materials of other material types other than at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order; the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are materials of any material type in at least one material type among the stored unallocated materials, and there are materials of other material types.

[0210] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 includes a workbench operating system 1202 and a warehouse management system 1203; the workbench operating system 1202 is used to send a material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system 1203 in response to the target order editing operation; the warehouse management system 1203 is used to determine the matching results between multiple inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

[0211] In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 1201 also includes a robot control system 1204; the warehouse management system 1203 is further used to send a container transport outbound task to the robot control system 1204, and send a material picking task to the workbench operating system 1202; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct to transport the second inventory container from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct to pick the materials matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container; the robot control system 1204 is used to control the robot to execute the container transport outbound task; the workbench operating system 1202 is also used to output the material picking task to pick the materials matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container Materials matching the target order are picked to the newly added container; the workbench operating system 1202 is also used to respond to the picking completion confirmation operation and send a picking completion indication to the warehouse management system 1203; the picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; the warehouse management system 1203 is also used to respond to the picking completion indication, configure the corresponding relationship between the newly added container and the target order, and send a container transporting and warehousing task to the robot control system 1204; the container transporting and warehousing task is used to indicate that the second inventory container and the newly added container are transported to the warehouse for storage; the robot control system 1204 is also used to control the robot to perform the container transporting and warehousing task.

[0212] For the specific description of the above optional manner, please refer to the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here. In addition, the explanation of any server provided above and the description of the beneficial effects can refer to the above corresponding method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] As an example, combining Figure 2 , some or all of the functions implemented by the processing unit 1201 in the material management device 20 can be realized by Figure 2 Processor 101 in the Figure 2 The program code in the memory 102 is implemented.

[0214] An embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed on a server, the server executes any of the methods performed by the thermal imaging devices provided above.

[0215] For the explanation of the relevant contents and description of the beneficial effects of any of the readable storage media provided above, reference may be made to the corresponding embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0216] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, when the instructions are run on the server, the server executes any one of the methods in the above embodiments. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the server, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The server can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a readable storage medium, or transmitted from one readable storage medium to another readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by the server or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more servers that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), etc.

[0217] It should be noted that the above-mentioned devices for storing computer instructions or computer programs provided in the embodiments of the present application, such as but not limited to the above-mentioned memories, readable storage media, etc., are all non-transitory.

[0218] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the server, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The server can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a readable storage medium, or transmitted from one readable storage medium to another readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by the server or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more servers that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), etc.

[0219] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0220] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A material management method, characterized in that: include: In response to a material allocation instruction of a target order, determining a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and the target order; The material allocation instruction is used to indicate the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order; the inventory container is a container in the warehouse that stores unallocated materials; the matching result is used to indicate a first inventory container in which all stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of stored unallocated materials match the target order; Execute a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse, wherein the target container is used to cache materials corresponding to the target order; the batching strategy includes configuring the first inventory container as the target container, and / or performing picking scheduling on the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The configuring the first inventory container as the target container comprises: A corresponding relationship between the first inventory container and the target order is configured.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The picking and scheduling of the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container includes: The dispatching robot executes a container transport outbound task, and outputs a material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct the second inventory container to be transported from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to be picked to the newly added container; In response to a picking completion indication, a correspondence between the newly added container and the target order is configured, and a robot is scheduled to perform a container transporting and warehousing task; the picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of the picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; the container transporting and warehousing task is used to indicate the transport of the second inventory container and the newly added container to the warehouse for storage.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: After executing the batching strategy corresponding to the matching result, the method further includes: In response to the material request of the target order, determine the outbound container matching the material request from the first inventory container and / or the newly added container; the material request is used to request the delivery of materials to the operation location for processing the materials corresponding to the target order; the newly added container is used to store the materials picked from the second inventory container and matching the target order; The outbound container is dispatched to deliver the outbound container to the operation location.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In the case that the quantity of the target order is multiple, determining the matching results between the multiple inventory containers and the target order includes: Merging the target orders that meet the preset merging conditions among the multiple target orders to obtain at least one merged order; the preset merging conditions include at least one of the following: the source material processing areas are the same, and the corresponding material processing times are in the same time interval; the material processing area is the area where the materials are processed; Determine the matching results corresponding to each of the at least one merged order; the matching results corresponding to the merged order are used to indicate the inventory containers in which all the stored unallocated materials match the merged order, and / or the inventory containers in which part of the stored unallocated materials match the merged order.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The target order includes at least one material type and the material quantity corresponding to each material type in the at least one material type; the first inventory container in which all the stored unallocated materials match the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are no materials of other material types other than the at least one material type in the stored unallocated materials, and the material quantity corresponding to each material type is not greater than the material quantity corresponding to the same material type in the target order; the second inventory container in which part of the stored unallocated materials matches the target order satisfies the following relationship: there are materials of any material type in the at least one material type and there are materials of the other material types in the stored unallocated materials.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of determining a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction of the target order includes: The workbench operating system sends the material allocation instruction corresponding to the target order editing operation to the warehouse management system in response to the target order editing operation; The warehouse management system determines a matching result between the plurality of inventory containers and the target order in response to the material allocation instruction.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The picking and scheduling of the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container includes: The warehouse management system sends a container transport outbound task to the robot control system, and sends a material picking task to the workbench operating system; the container transport outbound task is used to instruct the transport of the second inventory container from the storage location in the warehouse to the picking location; the material picking task is used to instruct the picking of the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to the newly added container; The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting the container out of the warehouse; The workbench operating system outputs the material picking task to pick the material matching the target order in the second inventory container to a newly added container; The workbench operating system sends a picking completion indication to the warehouse management system in response to the picking completion confirmation operation; the picking completion indication is used to indicate the completion of picking of materials matching the target order in the second inventory container; The warehouse management system configures the correspondence between the newly added container and the target order in response to the picking completion indication, and sends a container transporting and warehousing task to the robot control system; the container transporting and warehousing task is used to instruct the second inventory container and the newly added container to be transported to the warehouse for storage; The robot control system controls the robot to perform the task of transporting the container into storage.

9. A material management device, characterized in that: include: Processing unit; The processing unit is used to determine a matching result between a plurality of inventory containers and the target order in response to a material allocation instruction of the target order; The material allocation instruction is used to indicate the allocation of materials corresponding to the target order; the inventory container is a container in the warehouse that stores unallocated materials; the matching result is used to indicate a first inventory container in which all stored unallocated materials match the target order, and / or a second inventory container in which part of stored unallocated materials match the target order; The processing unit is further used to execute a batching strategy corresponding to the matching result to allocate a corresponding target container for the target order in the warehouse, and the target container is used to cache materials corresponding to the target order; the batching strategy includes configuring the first inventory container as the target container, and / or picking and scheduling the second inventory container to split the second inventory container to obtain the target container.

10. A server, characterized in that: include: processor; The processor is connected to a memory, the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the server implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A readable storage medium, characterized in that: Used to store computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed on a server, the server is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A material management system, characterized in that: include: Server, robot; wherein the server is used to implement the material management method according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The robot is used for carrying materials.

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