Device for optimizing volume utilization in logistics applications

Abstract

Device (1) for optimising volume utilisation in logistics applications, comprising - at least one image sensor (2) for generating raster image data of at least part of a transport item (90), wherein the transport item (90) is designed as a pallet (91) for receiving transport objects (92) and for use in aircraft; - at least one location sensor (3) for supplementing the raster image data of the image sensor (2) with location information on transport goods data comprising the dimensions of the transport goods; - a processing device (4) which compares the transport goods data with a predetermined volume, wherein the comparison comprises checking whether the transport goods data are arranged within the predetermined volume, wherein a database (6) connected to the processing device (4) is provided with a plurality of predetermined volumes for different transport goods types, wherein the predetermined volumes result from predetermined positions of pallets in a cargo space, and wherein the processing device (4) is designed to determine the transport goods type of the transport goods (90) from predetermined characteristics of the transport goods (90) in the raster image data and to select and use the predetermined volume from the database (6) corresponding to the determined transport goods type for the comparison, and - a data output unit (5) which outputs the result of the comparison of the transported goods data with the specified volume.

Description

The invention relates to a device for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications.In addition to its weight, the volume of cargo is one of the central cost drivers in logistics, in particular when transporting cargo. In order that transport means, such as aircraft, ships, trains or trucks, can be operated efficiently, it is attempted to utilize the cargo capacity of a transport means as optimally as possible during each transport movement.The weight of cargo can be compared comparatively easily with the load-bearing capacity of a transport means, in order to thus at least avoid overloading. Furthermore, various possibilities are known from the prior art for utilizing an available cargo capacity as optimally as possible with regard to the volume.One possibility for optimized utilization of available cargo volumes is the use of standardized containers for holding the actual cargo, wherein one or more corresponding containers optimally utilize the capacity of a transport means designed for corresponding containers. An example of corresponding standardized containers are ISO containers which are designed for alternative use on ships, trains or trucks. Corresponding containers offer the advantage that, due to their use, the outer volume is fixed and limited, so that loading, at which the available cargo volume is exceeded, is ruled out.However, a disadvantage of this prior art is that the corresponding containers have an own weight which must be taken into account when considering the weight to be transported. In the case of ISO containers, the dead weight is, for example, in the range from 10% to 20% of the maximum permissible payload. In particular in the case of transport means in which the transport costs are driven over the weight, such as, for example. Aircrafts, corresponding standardized containers are therefore frequently undesirable on account of their own weight.It is also known to arrange goods or objects to be transported on pallets and, if appropriate, to secure them with a load unit securing film or a load securing network. The use of pallets offers the advantage of a lower dead weight compared to the standardized containers described above. It is disadvantageous that when using pallets, the cargo volume ultimately available in the transport means is not defined by handling or the like. In practice, the loading of a pallet is regularly checked by an employee entrusted with the loading "according to the trained eye", optionally with the aid of a contour curve which reflects the volume available for the pallet in the transport means.However, overloading of the pallet can occur in this case, in which items or objects pass beyond the volume available for the pallet in the transport means and consequently cannot be loaded into the transport means. A complicated reloading and loading of the pallet is then necessary. Also, pallets are usually not loaded in such a way that the volume available for the pallet in the transport means is optimally utilized. Cargo hold is thus "squeezed" which is disadvantageous in particular in the case of requested transport routes.Document WO 2010 / 045 391 A2 describes a system for forklift trucks in which the size of an object located on the fork of the stacker can be detected and a minimum packing size can be determined with the aid of suitable 3-D cameras.The object of the invention is to create a device for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications, with which the disadvantages occurring in the prior art can be avoided or at least reduced.The object is achieved by a device according to the main claim and an arrangement based thereon according to the subordinate claim. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applicationsat least one image sensor for generating raster image data of at least a part of a transport item, wherein the transport item is designed as a pallet for receiving transport items and for use in aircraft;at least one location sensor for supplementing the raster image data of the image sensor with location information to form transport goods data comprising the dimensions of the transport goods;a processing device which matches the transport goods data with a predetermined volume, wherein the matching comprises checking whether the transport goods data are arranged within the predetermined volume, wherein a database connected to the processing device and having a plurality of predetermined volumes is provided for different transport goods types, wherein the predetermined volumes are obtained by provided positions of pallets in a cargo space, and wherein the processing device is designed to determine the transport goods type of the transport goods in the raster image data and to select and use the predetermined volume corresponding to the determined transport goods type from the database for the matching, anda data output unit which outputs the result of the comparison of the transport goods data with the predetermined volume.Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a device according to the invention for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications and a transport goods.First, some terms used in connection with the invention will be explained:The term "transport goods" covers both a (single) transport object to be transported or a group of transport objects to be transported which are grouped for the purpose of transport and are to be treated as a single freight item from the transport point of view. Thus, for example, it can be a pallet with several transport objects arranged thereon, such as, for example, a transport object. Goods.The term "raster image data" is understood to mean data which, when suitably processed, produce a raster or pixel graphic suitable for reproduction, the individual pixels being defined with respect to their color, for example in the RGB, HSV or CMY color space. Corresponding raster image data of an object can be generated, for example, via a CCD image sensor.Raster image data can be supplemented by "location information" by obtaining at least a portion of the pixels of the pixel graphics represented by the raster image data with further information regarding the position of the point represented by a pixel in space in addition to the color information. The location information can be, in particular, the relative position with respect to the location sensor, wherein the distance of a point from the location sensor and / or its angular position with respect to the location sensor can be determined. As a rule, the angular position of a point determined via the position sensor is used to assign the determined distance to a pixel of the pixel graphics represented by the raster image data, wherein the color information of the pixel graphics is then often supplemented only by the information relating to the distance. If the location sensor determines the distances according to a grid, the information relating to distances can be assigned by superimposing the grids of location sensor and image sensor. The grid of the location sensor can substantially match that of the image sensor, so that location information is available for each pixel of the pixel graphics represented by the grid image data.In the context of the present invention, it is preferred if the location information on at least a part of the grid points of the grid image data comprises the distance between the image sensor or location sensor and the transport goods imaged by the grid image data. The distance information determined by the location sensor can be converted into the named distance from the image sensor for this purpose when the location sensor is known relative to the image sensor.In the device according to the invention, a three-dimensional image of a part of the transport goods is generated with the aid of the image data of the image sensor and the location information of the location sensor, wherein the three-dimensional image is fundamentally limited to the part of the transport goods that is recorded by the image sensor. It is preferred in this case if the three-dimensional image captures all regions of the transport goods visible from the position of the image sensor-and thus in particular the delimitation with respect to the environment. However, it can also be sufficient if only a section of such a three-dimensional image is present. In this case, however, it is preferred if at least one edge and / or corner of the transport goods is captured by the three-dimensional image. In the case of transport objects arranged on a pallet, it is preferred if the pallet itself is captured by the three-dimensional image.According to the invention, the processing device is designed to match the transport goods data formed from raster image data supplemented by location information with a predefined volume. For this purpose, already when supplementing the raster image data with location information or by the processing device, the data from the transport goods data, which actually depict the transport goods, are filtered in order to determine from this the dimensions visible from the position of the image sensor and the shape condition of the transport goods. It is then checked whether the dimensions and the shape of the material to be transported determined in this way are within the predefined volume. The predefined volume can be defined as a three-dimensional space for this purpose, so that the described comparison is a check as to whether the three-dimensional image of the transport goods lies completely within this three-dimensional space.Preferably, the processing device can also determine the position of the transport goods from the transport goods data and then the volume with which the above-described balancing is to be carried out can be aligned according to the position of the transport goods. For example, in the case of a rectangular transport goods, the edges of the transport goods visible in the image captured by the image sensor can be recognized in the three-dimensional image and the predefined volume or its edges can be aligned in an automated manner at up to three (preferably non-parallel) edges of the three-dimensional image of the transport goods. The same applies if the transport goods are a pallet with transport objects arranged thereon, wherein the predefined volume is then preferably aligned with visible edges of the pallet. Alternatively or additionally to the observation of the visible edges, defined markers can also be provided on the transport goods, which markers can be read out from the transport data by the processing device. For example, the markers can be colored points, the position of which can be determined by image recognition from the raster image data contained in the transport data, whereby the position of the transport goods can then also be determined. By a corresponding alignment of the predefined volume, it can be ensured that the provided adjustment does not lead to a negative result due to a misalignment of the predefined volume with respect to the transport goods, wherein in the case of a correct alignment of the volume the adjustment would have led to a positive result.The result of the comparison of the transport goods data with the predefined volume is output via the data output unit. At least the information as to whether the transport goods are within the predefined volume is output.With the device according to the invention, the above-described volume check can only be carried out in each case for the part of the transported goods represented in the transported goods data. However, by repeated use of the device according to the invention on a transport item-for example from several sides of the transport item-a comprehensive check can be carried out.A database with a plurality of predefined volumes for different transport goods types is provided, which database is connected to the processing device, wherein the processing device is then designed to determine the transport goods type of the transport goods in the raster image data and to select and use the predefined volume corresponding to the determined transport goods type from the database for the comparison. In other words, the processing device is designed to distinguish different items being transported on the basis of predefined characteristics and to select the "comparison volume" suitable for a respective item being transported. Different volumes are specified for different pallets for receiving transport objects, wherein the specified volumes can be obtained by the provided positions of the pallets in a cargo hold, for example of an aircraft. The characteristics of the transport goods or the pallet, which are used to select the suitable predefined volume, are the dimensions of the transport goods; in addition, it can also be, for example, a special coloring, a clear inscription or bar codes on the transport goods or the pallet itself. The dimensions of the transport goods can be read from the location information in the transport data, the other characteristics mentioned from the raster image data of the transport goods data.The location sensor may be a 3D depth sensor. A corresponding depth sensor can operate, for example, according to the travel time method, i.e., determine a distance between sensor and the reflecting object over the travel time of an emitted and reflected light pulse (frequently in the infrared range). In another embodiment of the depth sensor, the distance can also be determined by measuring a pattern projected onto an object, wherein the pattern is preferably projected from a position close to the depth sensor and is generally distorted when it impinges on the object. Alternatively, it is possible that the location sensor comprises a second image sensor arranged at a distance from the first image sensor, wherein the processing device is then preferably configured to determine location information from the differential observation of the image data of the first and of the second image sensor.The data output unit is preferably designed for the graphic output of the image data, preferably in real time. In other words, the image "live" recorded by the image sensor is preferably displayed on the data output unit. It is further preferred if the data output unit is designed to superimpose the output image data on a representation of the volume with which the comparison was carried out, wherein the superimposition is preferably also carried out in real time, in particular in the case of the real-time representation of the image data. For example, the predefined volume with which the adjustment was carried out can be superimposed as a wire mesh or semi-transparent body on the image of the image sensor. To represent the result of the performed comparison, a corresponding message can be output on the data output unit. However, it is also possible that in the case of a negative result of the comparison, the representation of the image, of the wire grid and / or of the semitransparent body is at least partially colored. The data output unit can also be a data transmission module which transmits at least the data required for the desired display to an external display module.The device is preferably designed as a mobile device. This ensures flexible use. For example, a corresponding device can be moved once around a transport item, wherein the image sensor remains directed at the transport item, so that the transport item can be captured from all sides and the comparison with the predefined volume can take place for all sides. It is also possible to move the device with the aid of a drone, optionally also automatically, in order to move a transport item to be checked.The transport goods are preferably a pallet for receiving transport objects, which is preferably designed for use in aircraft.For explanation of the arrangement according to the invention, reference is made to the above explanations.The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the appended drawings on the basis of an advantageous embodiment. The following are shown: FIG. 1 : a first exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of an apparatus according to the invention and a transport item; and FIG. 2 : shows an exemplary illustration of the display on the data output unit of the device from FIG. 1.FIG. 1 schematically shows an arrangement of an apparatus 1 according to the invention and a transport item 90, wherein the transport item 90 is a pallet 91 having a plurality of transport items 92 arranged thereon.The device 1 for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications comprises an image sensor 2, a location sensor 3, a processing device 4 and a data output unit 5, which is a display unit in the exemplary embodiment shown. Furthermore, a database 6 is provided which can be accessed by the processing device.The image sensor 2 is designed to record raster image data, while the location sensor 3 can capture location information. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the detected location information is in particular the distance of a point from the location sensor 3, which is designed as a 3D depth sensor. The image sensor 2 and the location sensor 3 are arranged-as can be seen with reference to the dashed lines in FIG. 1-such that the respective recording region of the two sensors 2, 3 already completely overlap at a short distance from the device 1. In addition, the two sensors 2, 3 are matched to one another in such a way that a distance is determined by the location sensor 3 for each image point of the raster image captured by the image sensor 2.The combination of the raster image data of the image sensor 2 and the location information of the location sensor 3 to form transport goods data is carried out by the processing device 4. The raster image data are supplemented with the location information, wherein the distances measured by the location sensor 3 are converted into distances starting from the image sensor 2. A corresponding conversion is easily possible on account of the fixed relative position of the position sensor 3 with respect to the image sensor 2.The processing device 4 is furthermore designed to filter out from the transport goods data those data which actually depict the transport goods 90, but not the environment. Furthermore, the processing device 4 can determine from the transport goods data (in particular the raster image data contained therein) which type of transport goods 90 is detected by the sensors 2, 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pallet 91 has a lateral inscription 93, which can be recognized by the processing direction 4. On the basis of this information, the processing device 4 selects a suitable comparison volume from the database 6, which contains a multiplicity of predefined volumes. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a predefined volume for pallets of the type "A14" is stored in the database 6, among other things.A comparison is then carried out between the transport goods data and the selected predefined volume from the database 6 before the result is displayed in real time on the data output unit 5.The adjustment will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the view of the pallet 91 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the result of the matching as displayed on the data output unit 5. The display 20 is effected in real time, i.e. any movements of the device 1 with respect to the transport goods 90 or any changes of the transport goods 90 are reproduced directly.The display 20 comprises a live representation 21 of the image raster data from the transport goods data, which is supplemented by additional information. In addition, the display also comprises an information area 22, by means of which additional information is displayed, on the basis of which, inter alia, the correctness of the comparison carried out by the method unit 4 can be checked. This information includes the reproduction of the type of transport goods 90 or the type of pallet 91 determined by the method unit 4, as well as an indication of which volume is assigned to this transport goods 90 by the predefined volume. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the type of pallet 91 "A14" is obviously recognized correctly by processing device 4, thus also resulting in the type of item to be transported 90 (namely, the pallet with items to be transported arranged thereon). Also, the volume associated with this type of pallet 91 is displayed. If the information indicated in the information area 22 is not correct, the type of item to be transported 90 or the type of pallet 91 can be corrected manually.For the actual matching of the transport goods data with the predefined volume, the method unit 4 first determines the position of the transport goods 90 from the transport data. Instead of the edges 94 of the pallet 91, the markings 95 arranged thereon can also be used. The predefined volume is then virtually aligned corresponding to the position of the transport goods 90.The orientation of the predefined volume can be recognized in the live representation 21. There, the predefined volume is superimposed on the image of the image sensor 2 in the determined orientation by dashed lines 23. Already by means of this representation, the user of the device 1 according to the invention can in many cases identify whether the transport objects 92 arranged on the pallet 91 protrude beyond the predefined volume.However, a corresponding comparison of the actual volume of the transport objects 92 with the predefined volume is also carried out by the processing device 4. The result is then displayed in the information area 22 ("ok").In addition, the processing device 4 still determines the largest free cuboid volume in the view shown in the live representation 21 (represented by a dash-dotted line) and specifies its size in the information area 22. On the basis of this information, the free volume can be occupied by a further transport object to be transported, so that the volume utilization increases. The information about the free volume can also be transmitted to a logistics center, which can then determine a transport object that is particularly suitable for the free volume.As can be seen from FIG. 2, the device according to the invention carries out the above-described adjustment only for the visible range captured by the image sensor 2. However, by configuring the device 1 as a mobile device, the device 1 can be moved around the transport object 90, such that the alignment can be carried out "on all sides" of the transport object, whereby a complete check is obtained.

Claims

Device (1) for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications, comprising - at least one image sensor (2) for generating raster image data of at least part of a transport goods (90), wherein the transport goods (90) are designed as a pallet (91) for receiving transport goods (92) and for use in aircraft; - at least one location sensor (3) for supplementing the raster image data of the image sensor (2) with location information to form transport goods data comprising the dimensions of the transport goods; a processing device (4) which matches the transport goods data with a predetermined volume, wherein the matching comprises checking whether the transport goods data are arranged within the predetermined volume, wherein a database (6) connected to the processing device (4) with a plurality of predetermined volumes is provided for different transport goods types, wherein the predetermined volumes are obtained by provided positions of pallets in a cargo hold, and wherein the processing device (4) is designed to determine the transport goods type of the transport goods (90) in the raster image data and to select and use the predetermined volume corresponding to the determined transport goods type from the database (6) for the matching, and - a data output unit (5) which outputs the result of the matching of the transport goods data with the predetermined volume.Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the location information on at least some of the raster points of the raster image data comprises the distance between the image sensor or location sensor (2, 3) and the transport item (90) imaged by the raster image data.Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the processing device (4) is designed to determine the position of the transport goods (90) from the transport goods data and then to align the predefined volume corresponding to the position of the transport goods (90).Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the location sensor (3) is a 3D depth sensor or comprises a second image sensor (2) arranged at a distance from the first image sensor (2), wherein the processing device (4) is preferably designed to determine location information from the differential observation of the image data of the first and of the second image sensor (2).Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data output unit (5) is designed for the graphic output of the image data, preferably in real time.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data output unit (5) is designed to superimpose the output image data on a representation of the volume with which the comparison was carried out, preferably in real time.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is designed as a mobile device.Arrangement comprising a device (1) for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications and a transport goods item (90), wherein the transport goods item (90) is designed as a pallet (91) for receiving transport objects (92) and for use in aircraft, characterized in that the device (1) is designed for optimizing the utilization of volume in logistics applications according to one of Claims 1 to 7.

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