AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE FOR STORING OBJECTS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic warehouse for storing objects and a method for controlling an automatic warehouse.

[0002] Such warehouses often have a storage area with multiple storage locations for the objects, with the storage locations being operable by a manipulator for storing and retrieving the objects. In such warehouses, the storage area is at least partially enclosed by housing walls.

[0003] Such automated warehouses include, for example, automated storage systems for pharmacies. In these warehouses, the manipulator moves at high speeds. Therefore, for safety reasons, no persons are allowed to enter the storage area when the manipulator is operating the storage locations. To provide a means of monitoring the storage area, such automated warehouses are equipped with viewing windows through which the user can look into the interior of the warehouse. Since the line of sight from the viewing window into the storage area must be unobstructed, this places restrictions on the design of the automated warehouses.

[0004] The automated warehouses have a control device for controlling the manipulator and managing the storage areas. Data communication takes place between a conventional display device, such as a computer monitor, and the control device, and data from the control device is output to the display device. In previously known warehouses, the display device is often permanently installed, so there are no adjustment options for the user.

[0005] EP 3 438 023 A1 discloses an automatic warehouse for storing pharmaceuticals according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, DE 20 2017 105345 U1 and US 8 788 341 B1 describe further automatic warehouses.

[0006] When operating an automated warehouse, for example a pharmacy warehouse, it can happen that an operator is busy for several hours storing the items, maintaining the warehouse or managing the warehouse, so that the permanently installed display device and the lack of or only limited adjustment options for the display device can lead to uncomfortable postures for the user.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an automatic warehouse of the type mentioned above that offers improved handling for the user. Furthermore, the automatic warehouse should preferably offer greater design freedom than conventional warehouses.

[0008] It is further the object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling an automatic warehouse.

[0009] The automatic warehouse according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. The method according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 9.

[0010] The automatic warehouse for storing objects according to the invention comprises a storage area with a plurality of storage locations for the objects, wherein the storage locations can be operated by a manipulator for storing and removing the objects, or only for removing the objects. The storage area is at least partially surrounded by housing walls, with an access door preferably arranged in at least one of the housing walls. The automatic warehouse comprises a control device for controlling the manipulator and for managing the storage areas, as well as a display device with a display, wherein data communication takes place between the display device and the control device.

[0011] In the automatic warehouse according to the invention, the display device is arranged on or in one of the housing walls or on or in the access door, wherein the display has an elongated, rectangular shape and is arranged in portrait format.

[0012] The invention is characterized in that the control device controls a position of a display section that can be displayed on the display in the vertical direction by means of a control command generated as a function of control data and / or a control command generated as a function of an input command for adaptation to habits of a user or to a size of a user.

[0013] The display can, for example, have dimensions with aspect ratios between 1.5:1 and 3:1, with the longer aspect ratio extending vertically. By providing such a display device in portrait format, it is possible, according to the invention, to change a display section on the display in the vertical direction using the control command and thus adapt it to the habits or size of a user.

[0014] In particular, when the automatic warehouse according to the invention is used for a long time, such as when storing a large number of objects, the user can, for example, position a display section necessary for storage at a height that is comfortable for the user, so that the use of the warehouse according to the invention is significantly more ergonomic for the user.

[0015] The display section can, for example, display data from the control device. It can also be provided that the display section occupies the entire width of the display. In other words, the display section extends horizontally across the entire width of the display.

[0016] It can also be provided that the display device is arranged in the housing wall or access door flush with the outer surface of the housing wall or access door surrounding the display device. This enables a space-saving arrangement, an aesthetically pleasing design for the viewer, and easy cleaning of the housing wall or access door.

[0017] In addition to the aforementioned display section, further display sections, such as a second and / or third display section, can be displayed on the display according to the invention. For example, data necessary for using the warehouse according to the invention, such as storage, can be output on the display section. A further display section, which can be arranged above or below the display section, for example, offers the possibility of outputting further data from the control device that is not relevant to the storage process, such as data relating to the manipulator or warehouse management.

[0018] According to the invention, it is provided that the display section does not take up the entire display, but rather unused areas of the display remain above and below the display section. The further display section, which displays data that is not absolutely necessary for the current use of the warehouse, such as a storage process, can be arranged in these areas. It can be provided that the control device determines the vertical position of the further display section depending on the vertical position of the display section or depending on the control data or the input command. Thus, for example, an automatic positioning of the further display section can take place above or below the display section, depending on whether there is sufficient space in the vertical direction above or below the display section for the further display section.It can also be provided that the vertical position of the further display section is changed if there is no longer sufficient space for the further display section due to the vertical positioning of the display section.

[0019] The positioning of the additional display section can also be performed or specified via user input. It can also be provided that the control device divides the additional display section and, for example, if the display section is positioned vertically centrally on the display, arranges the parts of the additional display section above and below the display section.

[0020] The warehouse according to the invention preferably has an input device via which the input command can be entered. The user can thus use the input device to enter the input command, in dependence on which the control command for controlling the vertical position of the display section is controlled, so that the user can control the vertical position of the display section via the input device. Of course, it is also possible to enter further commands to the control device via the input device, for example, commands regarding the use of the warehouse, such as the storage and / or retrieval of objects.

[0021] The bearing according to the invention can have a first camera that serves to record an image of an area arranged in front of the display device, wherein the control device generates the control data by evaluating the image. In other words: The first camera captures the space in front of the display device and evaluates the image generated by the camera. Thus, for example, a person located in front of the display device can be detected via the image evaluation, and their size or the position of their eyes can be determined by means of the image evaluation. Depending on the determined data, the control data can then be generated, from which the control command for controlling the vertical position of the display section on the display is then issued.By means of the bearing according to the invention, the vertical position of the display section on the display can thus be automatically adjusted depending on the person located in front of the display device. For example, at the start of use, the person's height can be determined using the first camera and the position of the display section can be adjusted accordingly.

[0022] It is also possible for the control data to be generated by the input command and stored in the control device, with the control data for controlling the position of the display section being retrievable via an identification input. In the bearing according to the invention, it can thus be provided that the control data for generating the control command that controls the position of the display section are generated once and stored in the control device. A user can thus set the desired position of the display section once, and the corresponding control data can be retrieved again at a later time via an identification input to control the position of the display section.

[0023] The identification input can be done, for example, by analyzing images of the user’s body parts.

[0024] Preferably, the storage device has an identification sensor through which the identification input is made. The identification sensor can be, for example, a fingerprint sensor or an iris scanner.

[0025] Basically, there is also the possibility that the first camera serves as an identification sensor and an identification input is made by evaluating the image of the first camera and identifying a person located in front of the display device in the image, in particular by face recognition.

[0026] The identification made via the image of the first camera or the identification via the identification sensor can also be used for a user to log in to the control device for operating the automatic storage device.

[0027] Preferably, the display is a touchscreen. Thus, data, control commands, and the like can be entered directly via the display and transmitted to the control device via data communication. The touchscreen can also serve as an input device for entering the input command.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the bearing according to the invention, the bearing according to the invention has at least one second camera, wherein the at least one second camera is directed at the bearing area, and wherein image data recorded by the at least one second camera can be displayed by the display device. Since the at least one second camera records image data of the bearing area, which is then displayed on the display device, a viewing window can be dispensed with in the bearing according to the invention. Any design limitations that have arisen in previously known bearings due to the viewing window are therefore no longer present in the bearing according to the invention.Since the at least one second camera can be arranged at almost any position in the storage area, the degree of design freedom in the storage according to the invention is significantly increased, and areas in the storage that had to remain free in previously known storage systems in order not to block the line of sight between the viewing window and the storage area can be used for other purposes. Furthermore, the image data generated by the at least one second camera can provide significantly more information than a view through a viewing window, since, for example, magnifications are possible, or a pivoting device can be provided for the second camera so that the storage area can be viewed from different angles using the second camera.

[0029] The image captured by the at least one second camera can be displayed, for example, in a further display section and, for example, simultaneously with the display section used for operating the warehouse.

[0030] The invention can also provide for the warehouse according to the invention to have a plurality of second cameras that record different areas of the storage area. The images recorded by the plurality of second cameras can be displayed in a further display area or in several further display areas.

[0031] The invention further provides a method for controlling an automatic warehouse for storing objects, comprising a storage area with multiple storage locations for the objects, wherein the storage locations can be operated by a manipulator for storing and removing the objects or for removing the objects. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: Generating a control command depending on control data and / or depending on an input command, controlling a position of a display section shown on the display of a display device in the vertical direction by means of the control command, outputting data of a control device of the warehouse in the display section shown on the display.

[0032] The method according to the invention can be used in particular for controlling the bearing according to the invention described above.

[0033] By means of the method according to the invention, an automatic warehouse can be advantageously controlled by an operator, since the position of a display, by means of which data of the control device is displayed to the operator, can advantageously be adjusted to a height that is advantageous for the operator.

[0034] Preferably, the input command is entered via an input device.

[0035] In the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the control data is generated by the input command and stored in the control device, wherein the control data for controlling the position of the display section is retrieved via an identification input. Thus, with the method according to the invention, the vertical position of the display section can be automatically adjusted via an identification input from the user.

[0036] In the method according to the invention, it can also be provided that an image of an area arranged in front of the display device is recorded and evaluated and the control data is generated on the basis of the evaluated image.

[0037] It can be provided that, during the evaluation of the image, a face and / or eyes of a person located in front of the display device are recognized, and the control data is generated based on the position of the face and / or the position of the eyes. Thus, a vertical position of the display section adapted to the person can be achieved using the method according to the invention.

[0038] The method according to the invention can also provide for the person to be identified by evaluating the image, so that the identification input is based on the result of the image evaluation. The person can be identified, for example, through facial recognition.

[0039] The method according to the invention can also provide for image data of the storage area to be recorded and output by the display device. The image data of the storage area can be output in one or more additional display sections.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic warehouse according to the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic detailed view of the access door of the warehouse according to the invention with integrated display device and Figure 3 is a schematic detailed view of the display device of the warehouse according to the invention.

[0041] In Figures 1 and 2 an automatic warehouse 1 is shown schematically in a perspective view.

[0042] The automatic warehouse 1 is used to store items such as medicine packaging.

[0043] A storage area with several storage locations is surrounded by housing walls 3. In a front area, an access door 5 is arranged in one of the housing walls. Access to the storage area is possible via the access door 5, as can be seen from Figure 2 This allows an operator to enter the storage area to carry out maintenance or cleaning tasks, for example.

[0044] The storage locations are operated by a manipulator, which is not shown, so that the objects can be stored in or removed from the storage locations using the manipulator.

[0045] The automatic warehouse 1 has a storage opening 7 through which the objects can be stored in the automatic warehouse.

[0046] A display device 9 is arranged in the access door 5. The display device 9 is, as can be seen from Figure 2 , attached to the rear wall of the access door 5. The access door 5 has a recess into which the display device 9 is inserted, so that the display device 9 is flush with the outer surfaces 5a of the access door 5 surrounding the display device 9.

[0047] The display device 9 has a display 11 with an elongated rectangular shape. For example, the display 11 can have an aspect ratio of 1.77:1, with the display device 9 being arranged on the access door 5 with the display 11 arranged in portrait format.

[0048] The display device 9 communicates with a control device for controlling the manipulator and managing the storage areas and, for example, outputs data for a user. Data can, for example, be output in a display section 13 that occupies the entire width (extension in the horizontal direction) of the display 11. The vertical position of the display section 13 on the display 11 can be changed by means of the control device, wherein the control device controls the vertical position of the display section 13 based on a control command. The control command can, for example, be controlled by means of an input command or depending on control data that were, for example, previously stored in the control device. In this way, the display section 13 can be adjusted to a vertical position desired by the user or to a vertical position adapted to the user.

[0049] The adjustment of the display section 13 is best done from Figure 3 , which shows a schematic detailed representation of the display device 9. The adjustment is indicated by a corresponding double arrow. As can be seen from Figure 3As can be seen, the display section 13 does not take up the entire display 11, but above and below the display section 13 there remain unused areas of the display 11. A further display section 15 can be arranged in these areas, which displays data that is not absolutely necessary for the current use of the warehouse, such as a storage process. It can be provided that the control device determines the vertical position of the further display section 15 depending on the vertical position of the display section 13 or depending on the control data. Thus, for example, an automatic positioning of the further display section 15 above the display section 13 can take place if, due to the vertical position of the display section 13 below the display section 13, there is insufficient space in the vertical direction for the further display section 15.It can also be provided that the control device divides the further display section 15 and, for example, if the display section 13 is positioned centrally on the display in the vertical direction, arranges the parts of the further display section 15 above and below the display section 13.

[0050] The storage device 1 according to the invention can have a fingerprint sensor 17, which serves for user identification input. Based on the identification thus performed, the user can, on the one hand, log in to the control device of the storage device 1. Furthermore, the identification input can be used to retrieve previously stored control data, which are used to control the vertical position of the display section 13.

[0051] In addition or alternatively to the fingerprint sensor, a first camera 19 can be provided, which is located in the Figure 1illustrated embodiment is arranged above the display device 9 and records the area in front of the display device 9. The images recorded by the camera 19 can be subjected to image analysis, via which a face and / or eyes of a person located in front of the display device 9 are recognized, so that the position of the display section 13 can be adapted to the position of the face and / or eyes by determining corresponding control data through the image analysis.

[0052] The first camera 19 can also be used to identify a person located in front of the display device 9, for example by performing facial recognition during image evaluation.

[0053] On the side of the access door 5 facing the storage area, a second camera 21 is arranged, which Figure 2is shown schematically. The second camera 21 is directed toward the storage area and records image data of the storage area. This image data can be displayed on the display 11, for example, in the second display section 15. In this way, a viewing window for the storage area can be dispensed with.

[0054] In Figure 2 The second camera is located at the rear of the access door 5. Of course, the second camera 21 can also be located at another position in the warehouse.

[0055] The display 11 of the display device 9 is designed as a touch display, so that the display device 9 can serve as an input device via which inputs for the control device can be made or the input command from which the control command for controlling the position of the display section 13 is issued can be entered.

[0056] The storage device 1 according to the invention enables particularly advantageous operation, since the display section 13 can be arranged in a vertical position that is advantageous for a user. Furthermore, the provision of the second camera, which records image data of the storage area, eliminates the need for a viewing window, thus allowing greater freedom in the design of the storage device 1 according to the invention. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1Automated warehouse 3Housing walls 5Access door 5aExterior surfaces 7Storage opening 9Display device 11Display 13Display section 15Second display section 17Fingerprint sensor 19First camera 21Second camera

Claims

1. An automatic warehouse (1) for storing objects, comprising a storage region having multiple storage areas for the objects, wherein the storage areas can be operated for storing and removing the objects or for removing the objects from a manipulator, wherein the storage region is at least partially surrounded by housing walls (3), wherein an access door (5) is arranged preferably in at least one of the housing walls (3), comprising a control device for controlling the manipulator and for managing the storage regions and comprising a display device (9) having a display (11), wherein data communication is performed between the display device (9) and the control device, wherein the display device (9) is arranged on or in one of the housing walls (3) or on or in the access door (5), wherein the display (11) has an elongated, rectangular shape and is arranged in the portrait position, characterized in that the control device controls a position of a display section (13) that can be displayed on the display (11) in the vertical direction by means of a control command generated as a function of control data and / or as a function of an input command to adapt to the habits of a user or to the size of a user.

2. The warehouse according to claim 1, characterized by an input device via which the input command can be inputted.

3. The warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a first camera (19) for capturing an image of a region located in front of the display device (9), the control device generating the control data by evaluating the image.

4. The warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control data can be generated and stored in the control device by the input command, with the control data being retrievable via an identification input to control the position of the display section (13).

5. The warehouse according to claim 4, characterized by an identification sensor via which the identification input is made.

6. The warehouse according to claim 5, characterized in that the identification sensor is a fingerprint sensor (17).

7. The warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the display (11) is a touch display.

8. The warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a second camera, wherein the second camera (21) is directed towards the storage region and wherein the image data captured by the second camera (21) can be displayed by the display device (9).

9. A method for controlling an automatic warehouse (1) for storing objects comprising a storage region having multiple storage areas for the objects, wherein the storage areas can be operated for storing and removing the objects or for removing the objects from a manipulator, the method comprising the steps of: generating a control command as a function of control data and / or as a function of an input command, controlling a position of a display section (13), which is displayed on the display (11) of a display device (9) having an elongated, rectangular shape and arranged in a portrait position, in the vertical direction by means of the control command to adapt to the habits of a user or to the size of a user, outputting data of a control device of the warehouse (1) in the display section (13) displayed on the display (11).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the input command is inputted via an input device.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the control data are generated and stored in the control device by the input command, wherein the control data for controlling the position of the display section (13) are retrieved by an identification input.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that an image of a region located in front of the display device (9) is captured and evaluated and that the control data are generated based on the evaluated image.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that upon the evaluation of the image, a face and / or the eyes of a person present in front of the display device (9) are recognized and that the control data are generated based on the position of the face and / or the position of the eyes.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that image data of the storage region are captured and are output by the display device (9).