Computer-aided warehouse system

Abstract

Computer-aided warehouse system with - a storage room or storage area for storing goods, wherein in the storage room or storage area storage elements, such as shelves or similar, with storage areas at different levels are arranged along aisles and wherein the aisles, storage areas and levels are coded with symbols, - with a warehouse management computer that records incoming and outgoing goods and assigns a storage area to an item to be stored, - with a client device that is suitable to communicate directly or indirectly with the warehouse management computer, whereby - the warehouse management computer converts the location of the storage area into a coded warehouse address, wherein the code contains at least one identifier for the aisle, at least one identifier for the storage area along an aisle and one identifier for the storage level, - characterized in that the identifiers for the aisles, the identifiers for the storage areas and the identifiers for the storage levels each consist of elements from different character sets, which prevent the identifiers from being exchanged.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a computer-aided warehouse system. Due to the increasing demands of customers regarding speed and flexibility, it is becoming ever more important to focus on the factors of time and efficiency, particularly in the areas of warehousing and shipping.

[0002] This applies not only to internationally operating mail-order companies, but also to smaller businesses or mail-order retailers.

[0003] Numerous solutions and proposals for increasing efficiency in warehousing and shipping are known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2009 042 144 A1 describes a picking warehouse and a method for configuring a picking warehouse by a user. The picking warehouse has a large number of storage locations of different types, such as rack and / or pallet storage locations, a control system, a central computer, and at least one controller. The controller is connected to the storage locations via controller cables or wirelessly in order to transmit commands from the central computer to the storage location displays and to output them to a storage location display. A similar storage system is disclosed in CN 1 10 378 661 A.

[0004] In principle, computerized warehouse systems have a storage room or area for storing goods. Shelving or similar structures with compartments at different levels are frequently used. These systems also generally have a warehouse management computer that records incoming and outgoing goods. During the storage process, each item to be received is assigned a storage location. A storage location refers to a specific shelf compartment or a section thereof.

[0005] This is usually either the location where identical or similar items are already located, or an empty shelf compartment. The computer then outputs information about the location, i.e., the shelf compartment, where the item should be placed, for the purpose of storage. This information is then output, for example, via a client device connected to the central computer.

[0006] Often, numerous client devices exist, connected in parallel to the warehouse management computer and operable by multiple warehouse employees simultaneously. During putaway, the employee receives an item, and the warehouse management computer sends a notification via the client device indicating which shelf and compartment the item should be stored in.

[0007] The aisles in a warehouse, the shelves in each aisle, and the compartments within a shelf are usually numbered according to established systems. A compartment code output by the warehouse management computer via the client device would then look like this, for example:

[0008] Aisle 3, Shelf 5, Level 2. In most warehouses, the layout and allocation of individual storage locations are very static. Often, a square floor plan is used as a basis, fitted with shelves (which have several levels), and then numbered accordingly.

[0009] Such a system, known from the state of the art, has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is its susceptibility to errors, and another is its lack of flexibility. Errors can occur at the interface if the address codes transmitted by the warehouse management computer and subsequently output, for example, via a client device, are mixed up during storage or retrieval, the so-called "picking" process. Picking is often performed by warehouse employees. However, it can also be supported by electronic tools or carried out fully automatically. In any case, mix-ups can occur when transferring the address code for the storage locations. For example, aisle 3, shelf 5, level 2 might be mistakenly transferred to aisle 2, shelf 3, level 5. This results in the wrong item being picked and potentially even shipped to the customer.

[0010] The object of the invention is to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and thereby save time, gain flexibility and reduce the susceptibility to errors.

[0011] This problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention, a computer-aided storage system is proposed. The storage system comprises a storage room or storage area for storing goods, or is designed and usable for such a storage room. Storage rooms can, in principle, have any size and shape. Storage elements are set up or housed in the storage room or on the storage area and arranged along aisles. Usually, the storage elements are arranged on both sides of the aisles, but aisles can also be provided in which the storage elements are arranged only on one side of the aisle, to the right or left.

[0013] Shelves or similar structures can be used as storage elements. The term "storage elements" is preferably to be interpreted broadly. However, in the context of the invention, it is important that the storage elements have storage areas arranged at different levels along aisles. For example, the storage areas can be arranged on the shelf levels of the racks. It is not necessary for the storage areas along the aisles to be separated from each other by, for example, partitions. It is important that the individual storage areas are marked or can be marked so that it is possible to identify the storage areas when "picking" goods. For this purpose, the storage areas, and also the aisles, possibly aisle sections, and preferably also the storage levels, are coded with symbols. The symbols can be, for example,Visual symbols can be arranged on the storage elements, visually identifying the different aisles, aisle sections, storage areas, and levels. In principle, however, the symbols can also be in the form of invisible radiation, waves, haptics, sound, or a combination of different forms. Depending on the specific design, the symbols can also be detected electronically, optically, or acoustically by a client device.

[0014] The system also has a warehouse management computer that records incoming and outgoing goods.

[0015] When an item is stored, the warehouse management system automatically or manually assigns it a storage area by selecting an option provided by the system. Preferably, the system checks whether the corresponding item is already stored and assigns a suitable storage area to the newly stored item; or, if no such item is yet stored, the system assigns an unused storage area or creates one first and then assigns it. In doing so, the system converts the location of the storage area into a coded warehouse address.

[0016] This coding includes at least one identifier for the aisle, at least one identifier for the storage area along an aisle, and one identifier for the storage level. Preferably, it also includes an identifier for the aisle segment.

[0017] According to the invention, the identifiers for the aisles, the identifiers for the storage areas, and the identifiers for the storage levels, and preferably also for the aisle sections, are each formed from elements of different character sets. This prevents the identifiers between aisle, aisle section, storage area, and level from being interchanged.

[0018] As described, according to a preferred embodiment, aisles can also be subdivided into different aisle sections, each with identifiers derived from a separate character set, thus preventing any confusion between the identifiers of the aisle sections and the storage areas, or between the aisles and levels. Within each aisle section, the individual identifiers of the storage areas appear only once on each of the different levels. Preferably, the identifiers of the storage areas start again from the beginning for each new aisle section.

[0019] For example, the aisles can be named after cities, the storage areas to the left along the aisles can be named after fruits, the storage areas to the right along the aisles can be named after vegetables, the different levels of the storage elements can be color-coded, and the aisle sections can have animal names.

[0020] Preferably, the identifiers of a given character set have a common property that defines a specific or preferred order of the identifiers.

[0021] If, for example, the identifiers on the right are vegetable names or on the left are fruits, then the character set preferably includes elements that are recognizably of different sizes. When creating the individual storage areas, the individual identifiers are then preferably assigned in ascending or descending order with respect to size.

[0022] For example, at the beginning of a corridor, a small fruit could be placed on the left and a small vegetable on the right, with the sizes of the identifiers (vegetable types or fruits, numbers, signal strengths) increasing along the corridor. The city names of the corridors could, for example, be assigned alphabetically.

[0023] Preferably, the identifiers of the storage areas along the aisles on the different levels can be defined independently. This means, for example, that the first storage area along an aisle to the left on the lowest level can be much wider than the first storage area of ​​the same aisle on the top level. According to this design, there can also be fewer storage areas on one level along an aisle than on another.

[0024] It may be provided that the aisles can be divided into different aisle sections and that the storage areas in these aisle sections are visually displayed to scale.

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the warehouse management computer interactively displays the warehouse premises visually and to scale. This includes the aisle sections within an aisle, or the aisles within the warehouse.

[0026] For this purpose, the warehouse management computer has an interface for inputting or recording the dimensions of the warehouse and / or the length of the aisles, and / or the width of the storage elements or the width of the aisles, and / or the width of the aisle sections, and / or the width of the storage areas along an aisle (preferably related to the respective level) or to the aisle sections. Preferably, the storage space and / or the aisles with the aisle sections and the storage areas are then graphically displayed according to the stored lengths.

[0027] According to one implementation, the warehouse management system determines whether a corresponding item is already stored when a new item is requested. If not, it checks which aisles and levels still have available space and automatically assigns a new storage area. According to another implementation, the warehouse management system offers the option of manually creating a storage area and placing it in a desired aisle / aisle section and on a desired level. The system graphically displays whether the desired width of the storage area can actually be accommodated on the desired level of the aisle / aisle section.

[0028] Preferably, the warehouse management system allows for the separate creation and control of interactively generated storage areas, aisle sections, aisles, and levels. Ideally, the positions of storage areas can be moved within individual aisles / aisle sections via drag and drop. However, moving storage areas between aisles / aisle sections and / or levels is also possible, depending on the implementation. When a storage area is moved, its identifier is automatically updated if an identical identifier is already assigned in the desired aisle / aisle section or level. Each storage area, once created, preferably receives and retains an ID that remains unchanged until it is deleted, even if the identifiers themselves change.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the aisles, including the aisle sections, the levels, and the storage areas arranged therein, can also be moved within the warehouse layout. Preferably, each identifier can be moved within the higher-level identifier.

[0030] Preferably, the storage system according to the invention also includes a client device that communicates directly or indirectly with the warehouse management computer. In this case, the items to be stored or retrieved are transmitted to the client device during the picking process and preferably output. In addition to an identifier for the items, the identifier for the aisle / aisle section, the level, and the storage area are also transmitted and preferably output or further processed.

[0031] According to the invention, the accounting-based storage system also features symbols arranged in the warehouse, e.g., on the storage elements, which identify the aisles, aisle sections, storage areas, and levels. Preferably, the symbols are arranged in a variably positionable manner. Variable positioning is particularly important for the storage areas. This makes it possible to enlarge, reduce, or even omit the storage areas. Similarly, new levels can be added, populated, and labeled, or unused levels can be removed.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the storage system has display devices connected to the warehouse management computer, which allow for variable positioning of the identifiers of the storage areas and / or storage levels and / or aisles / aisle sections.

[0033] For example, if a new item not yet in the warehouse is to be stored, the warehouse management computer, according to one embodiment of the invention, can automatically create a new storage area and mark it at the corresponding location in an aisle and on a specific level via a display device connected to the warehouse management computer. For this purpose, the warehouse management computer selects an identifier, or outputs the option for this, and positions or displays it at the corresponding location in an aisle and on a specific level. Even if storage areas are moved within the warehouse management computer, for example via drag and drop (this is displayed graphically), the identifiers are automatically repositioned according to this embodiment.

[0034] In this embodiment, the corresponding display board, screen, movable signs or the like, with which the storage areas can be marked, is connected or connectable to the warehouse management computer as a client device or has an interface for data transmission.

[0035] If such a connection is not provided, variably positionable signs can still be helpful, displaying identifiers for storage areas and / or levels, and / or aisle or aisle sections. This allows a warehouse employee to mark the positions assigned by the warehouse management system, for example, in a newly created or relocated storage area.

[0036] The system according to the invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to drawings.

[0037] They show: • Fig. A visual representation of the warehouse with the aisles arranged within it; • Fig. a visual representation of a corridor with sections within it; • Fig. a visual representation of a corridor section with storage areas arranged within it.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows a visual representation of the warehouse, in which aisles with storage elements are arranged on both sides. Not shown here, the warehouse itself is assigned a length and width for scaling purposes. A new aisle with storage elements can now be created in the warehouse management computer's database via a user interface. When creating a new aisle, an identifier for the aisle is preferably assigned, or a selection of different identifiers is provided. Manual entry is also possible. When creating an aisle, its length and width are requested and stored in the management computer or in a connected database. According to the invention, the aisles with their stored lengths and widths are displayed scaled to the length and width of the warehouse. The aisles can be moved within the warehouse using drag and drop.

[0039] Fig. This is a visual, scaled representation of a passage with sections of a passage within it. The passage shown here is designated Alva, is 3 meters wide and 8.11 meters long. Within the camp, the passage is shifted so that it is located directly against the upper camp wall, i.e., at a distance of 0 meters from the upper wall, and is offset 8.74 meters from the left wall of the camp towards the right wall. The entire camp has a width of approximately 25 meters.

[0040] Once an aisle is selected, the aisle sections arranged within that aisle are displayed. These aisle sections are named after animals: Bear, Beaver, Bull, Cat, and Chicken. The length of each aisle section is shown. This is visually scaled to the length of the aisle, so that when selecting an aisle, it is clear whether there is still free space in the shelving for an aisle section and how large that section would be. The aisle section "Beaver" shown here has a length of 1.3 meters. At the end of the aisle, there is still room for another aisle section of a similar length. This overview is an advantage of the system according to the invention.

[0041] Fig.This diagram shows the storage units on the left-hand side in a selected aisle section. The section shown here has seven different levels, each color-coded. The "red" level is at the top, and the "white" level is at the bottom. In all levels, the aisle section begins with the "blueberry" storage area, followed by the "cherry" storage area. In some levels, only the first "blueberry" storage area is used, while in others, up to seven different storage areas are arranged side by side.

[0042] Here, too, each storage area is assigned a width, which is displayed visually. Storage areas on different levels can therefore have different widths. By scaling and visually displaying the width of the storage areas in relation to the aisle sections, it can be determined whether and how much space remains for potential additional storage areas on the different levels within an aisle section. It is also possible to adjust the width of individual storage areas either manually or automatically. For example, a width can be assigned to an item being stored, and a storage area can be automatically enlarged when the item is stored and / or reduced when it is retrieved. In another variant, not shown here, sensors detect the occupancy of the storage areas and adjust the width accordingly, displaying the current width visually.

Claims

[1] Computer-aided storage system with - a storage room or storage area for storing goods, wherein in the storage room or storage area storage elements, such as shelves or similar, with storage areas at different levels are arranged along aisles and wherein the aisles, storage areas and levels are coded with symbols, - with a warehouse management computer that records incoming and outgoing goods and assigns a storage area to an item to be stored, - with a client device that is suitable to communicate directly or indirectly with the warehouse management computer, whereby - the warehouse management computer converts the location of the storage area into a coded warehouse address, wherein the code contains at least one identifier for the aisle, at least one identifier for the storage area along an aisle and one identifier for the storage level, - characterized by, that the identifiers for the aisles, the identifiers for the storage areas and the identifiers for the storage levels each consist of elements from different character sets, which prevent the identifiers from being swapped. [2] Computer-aided storage system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the elements from a character set have properties that define a specific order of identifiers. [3] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that on the right-hand and left-hand side of a corridor, identifiers from two different character sets are used for the storage areas. [4] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the aisles can be divided into aisle sections, whereby the identifiers of the storage areas are assigned only once in each aisle section of an aisle. [5] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the identifiers for the storage areas along a corridor on the different levels can be set independently of each other. [6] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the warehouse management computer interactively displays the warehouse premises visually and to scale, whereby in the application case in particular an entered aisle length and width is graphically displayed on a warehouse overview plan. [7] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that new identifiers for aisles, new identifiers for the storage areas along an aisle separately for each level and for each side of an aisle, as well as identifiers for each level can be generated interactively. [8] Computer-aided storage system according to claim 6, characterized by, that the positions of the storage areas can be moved via drag and drop in the individual aisles and / or aisle sections, or also between the aisles and / or levels. [9] Computer-aided storage system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the width of the storage areas on the different levels may vary. [10] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by , that the aisles, including the storage areas on each level, can be moved within the warehouse floor plan via drag and drop. [11] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that items to be stored on or retrieved from the client device, as well as their addresses, are transferable and outputtable. [12] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the storage elements in the different levels have variably positionable characters arranged which have the identifiers for the storage areas. [13] Computer-aided storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that client devices are arranged on the storage elements, via which the identifiers for the storage areas can be displayed. [14] Computer-aided storage system according to claim 12, characterized by , that on client devices, the identifiers are automatically generated on the storage elements when new storage areas or aisles are created. [15] Computer-aided storage system according to claim 12, characterized by , that when storage areas are moved, the identifiers displayed on the storage elements are automatically adjusted.

Images