Storage rack, arrangement having a storage rack, and method for managing the contents of a storage rack

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage rack having a plurality of storage areas for the manual placement and removal of articles, in which storage rack each storage area is assigned an identification means, wherein: the identification means is designed and arranged so as to identify the article when the article is placed in the storage area, when the article is removed from the storage area, and / or after the article has been positioned in the storage area; a computing unit is provided, in particular a stationary or mobile computing unit; the computing unit is designed to generate, in particular by means of a storage management software executed on the computing unit and on the basis of information from the identification means, information about the current storage occupancy, specifically what article is stored in what quantity in which storage area; a target storage occupancy plan is stored in the computing unit or the computing unit can access a stored target storage occupancy plan and the computing unit is designed, in particular by means of a storage management software executed on the computing unit, to generate a variance comparison between the target storage occupancy plan and the current storage occupancy.

Description

[0001] Storage rack, arrangement with a storage rack and method for managing the contents of a storage rack

[0002] The invention relates to a storage rack with multiple storage locations for the manual insertion and removal of items. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising a storage rack. The invention also relates to a method for managing the contents of a storage rack.

[0003] Storage racks with multiple storage locations for manual insertion and removal of items are used, for example, in craft businesses to store screws, nuts, and small parts, and generally items, and to arrange them in a clear and easily accessible manner. For example, a worker takes a box of screws from the rack before starting work. This usually happens in the morning at the start of work. If the worker then

[0004] If, in the evening, any unused screws or boxes of screws are returned to the shelf, generally articles, the worker is usually in a great hurry in the evening because he wants to start his workday. It can therefore be observed that the placing of articles or packages with articles on a storage shelf is sometimes extremely careless. This consequently leads to the contents of the storage shelf no longer being organized. If a specific article, for example a specific screw, is then searched for, this is extremely time-consuming, since in the worst case, the entire shelf has to be searched. In the example of a craft business, for example, a foreman monitors the contents of the storage shelf. He can be supported, for example, by a salesperson or salesperson who regularly checks the contents of the storage shelf and ensures that all

[0005] There is always a sufficient number of items available. If new items are to be added to the storage shelves, this is usually done in consultation with the foreman.

[0006] The invention aims to improve a storage rack, an assembly comprising a storage rack, and a method for managing the contents of a storage rack. According to the invention, a storage rack having the features of claim 1, an assembly having the features of claim 8, and a method having the features of claim 16 are provided. Advantageous developments of the invention are recited in the respective subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a storage rack with several storage locations for the manual insertion and removal of articles is provided, in which each storage location is assigned an identification device, wherein the identification device is designed and arranged to identify the article when the article is inserted into the storage location, when the article is removed from the storage location and / or after the article has been positioned in the storage location, wherein a computing unit is provided, in particular a stationary or mobile computing unit, wherein the computing unit is designed, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, to create information on a current warehouse occupancy on the basis of information from the identification device, namely at which storage location which article is stored in which quantity,wherein a target warehouse occupancy plan is stored in the computing unit or the computing unit can access a stored target warehouse occupancy plan and the computing unit, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to create a target-actual comparison between the target warehouse occupancy plan and the current warehouse occupancy.

[0008] The target warehouse occupancy can not only contain the storage location for a specific item, but also a target quantity for a specific item. Because the computing unit can perform a target-actual comparison, an operator can immediately determine where on the storage rack which items may be incorrectly stored. It should be noted that with fully automated storage racks, such a target-actual comparison is not actually required, as it is completely sufficient for the warehouse management computer to know the location of a stored item. However, with storage racks with multiple storage locations for manual insertion and removal of items, a target-actual comparison is extremely advantageous. On the one hand, incorrect occupancy must be expected due to the manual insertion and removal of items, and on the other hand, incorrectly stored items can be easily located, either to be removed or to be sorted correctly.In the specific case of a storage rack with multiple storage locations for manual insertion and removal of items, the ability to perform a target-actual comparison between a target storage occupancy plan and the current storage occupancy offers surprising advantages that significantly facilitate the use of the storage rack as well as its maintenance or care, i.e., maintaining a predetermined order in the storage rack and / or maintaining a target storage occupancy. The computing unit can be designed as a stationary or mobile computing unit and can be implemented, for example, as a smartphone, tablet, notebook, or the like. The invention also includes the use of a computing unit in a cloud, in other words, a computing unit in the form of an internet-based application.The invention also provides for the separation of data and software, meaning that, for example, a mobile computing unit runs software that accesses data in a network, such as an intranet or the internet. In the case of a stationary computing unit, data can also be accessed in a network, or the data can be stored locally in the computing unit's memory. If the storage rack is located in a vehicle, a vehicle-mounted computing unit can be provided in which the data is also stored, enabling operation independent of mobile phone coverage.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, a smartphone can be used as a mobile computing unit, including access to data via a mobile phone connection.

[0010] Warehouse management software running on the computing unit can be implemented in the form of a simple table, but can also provide access to a database. The separation of software and data is provided for within the scope of the invention.

[0011] In addition to information about current warehouse occupancy, such as the quantity of a particular item on the warehouse shelf, the warehouse management software can also contain further information about the item, such as a best-before date. For example, so-called chemical anchors or injection anchors use resin and hardener and have an expiration date. Shortly before the expiration date, the warehouse management software can prompt the use of the item or, for example, reduce its price. If the expiration date has passed, the processing unit or the warehouse management software can prompt the item to be sorted out. Of course, further data about the individual items can be retained, such as processing instructions and the like.

[0012] The storage rack and / or the computing unit can be arranged in a vehicle, for example, in a tradesman's service vehicle. Such storage racks can be of considerable size and contain a large number of items, so that the storage rack according to the invention offers significant advantages. In a further development of the invention, the identification device comprises an RFID reader arranged at the storage location.

[0013] In this case, every item, for example every package, should have an RFID chip with a unique identifier. When the RFID chip is read by the RFID reader, the RFID chip outputs this unique identifier, and this identifier can then be assigned to a data set that describes the item or the small parts within a package. Since the RFID reader is located at a defined storage location, the processing unit determines which storage location the RFID reader belongs to. When an item is identified by a specific RFID reader, the processing unit knows not only the item but also its storage location on the warehouse shelf.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the identification device comprises a reading device arranged at the storage location for reading a code on the article. Such a reading device can, for example, comprise a camera or a barcode reader. This can also be used to identify an article in the storage rack. Each reading device is assigned to a specific storage location, so that the processing unit can determine which reading unit received a signal. The processing unit thus knows which article is stored at which storage location on the storage rack.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, each storage location is assigned an electronic display device.

[0016] Using such an electronic display device, for example, the article stored in the storage location can be shown - in the case of screws, for example, the type, diameter and length. The display can also be in the form of an image or symbol representing the article. In addition, the number of articles in the storage location can also be shown, for example. When an article is removed, the computing unit can automatically decrease the number of articles displayed; when an article is inserted, the number shown on the electronic display can be increased. If the wrong article is inserted, for example, a warning message can be displayed or the display can light up in a signal color.If a specific item is being searched for, the processing unit can, for example, also cause the display unit at the storage location where the item is located to light up in a signal color, particularly by means of software running on the processing unit. The electronic display device is controlled by the processing unit, particularly by means of warehouse management software running on the processing unit.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the identification device has at least one camera arranged at the storage location for capturing at least one image of the article and an electronic image processing unit for processing the image and identifying the article. An article, for example a package containing several articles, can also be identified by means of electronic image processing. For example, a package or an article can be photographed using the camera and then an image of the packaging or the article can be created. A code, a description, or a symbol on the packaging, or even the article itself, can then be recognized by means of electronic image processing of the image, whereby the article can be identified. A code can be a barcode, QR code, letter code, and / or numeric code.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to adopt a current warehouse occupancy as a new target warehouse occupancy plan in the event of deviations from the target warehouse occupancy plan, wherein the adoption must be acknowledged by a user.

[0019] In this way, the warehouse layout can be adjusted dynamically, for example if the projects to be processed change and, as a result, different items are required to process these projects. For example, different screws must be provided for the construction of a load-bearing wooden structure than for the creation of decorative interior fittings. With the storage rack according to the invention, the warehouse layout can be changed accordingly. For example, it is also possible to simply swap the storage locations of items so that particularly frequently used items are arranged directly at handle height. A change to the target warehouse layout plan caused by this can be easily adopted as a new target warehouse layout plan by acknowledging the current warehouse layout.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software running on the computing unit, is designed to set up different authorizations for different users for display and acknowledgement. For example, different authorizations are useful in the sense that a worker who, for example, takes items to his construction site in the morning can only determine storage locations for specific items on the warehouse shelf. A foreman or warehouse manager, on the other hand, can also change the warehouse occupancy and consequently change the target warehouse occupancy plan. A salesperson who is responsible for stocking and restocking as well as maintaining the warehouse shelf can, for example, also change the target warehouse occupancy plan; however, this may require not only the salesperson's acknowledgement but also the warehouse manager's or foreman's acknowledgement.The invention makes it possible to implement individually adapted operation of a storage rack for manual insertion and removal of items.

[0021] The object underlying the invention is also achieved by an arrangement with a storage rack according to the invention and at least one mobile display and / or computing unit, in particular a smartphone, in which the result of the target-actual

[0022] Comparison of the computing unit can be displayed on the mobile display and computing unit.

[0023] In this way, an operator can use the mobile display and / or computing unit, in particular using a smartphone with suitable software installed, to immediately identify which storage location contains incorrectly sorted items and / or which storage location contains too few items. This makes it much easier for a salesperson to care for and maintain the storage rack. A warehouse manager or foreman can also quickly determine whether the storage rack is sufficiently stocked for the coming working days or whether the storage rack needs to be refilled. In a further development of the invention, in the event of deviations from the target storage plan for incorrectly sorted items, a correct storage location corresponding to the target storage plan is displayed for these items in the mobile display and computing unit.

[0024] The mobile display and processing unit not only shows the storage location of incorrectly sorted items, but can also indicate the location of the correct storage location corresponding to the target warehouse allocation plan. This display can be provided either by the storage location number or in the form of an image or a graphic representation of the storage rack. If the storage rack is equipped with an electronic display device at each storage location, the electronic display device at the correct storage location can also be illuminated. For example, the electronic display device at the current storage location of the incorrectly sorted item will light up.

[0025] article in a first signal color and the electronic display device at the correct storage location lights up in a second signal color.

[0026] In a further development of the invention, in the event of deviations from the target warehouse occupancy plan, the current warehouse occupancy can be acknowledged as a new target warehouse occupancy plan using the mobile display and computing unit. This allows the storage rack to be rearranged as needed, for example, to arrange frequently used items at a convenient height.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, the computing unit is designed, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, to set up different authorizations for display and acknowledgment.

[0028] In a further development of the invention, an article search in the storage shelf can be carried out by means of the mobile display and calculation unit, so that the mobile display and calculation unit displays the current storage location of the product being searched for.

[0029] In this way, every worker can easily find the item they are looking for on the warehouse shelf, for example using their smartphone and software installed on the smartphone.

[0030] In a further development of the invention, the current storage location is displayed on a display of the mobile display and computing unit and / or each storage location is assigned a display device arranged on the storage rack, wherein the current storage location is displayed by means of the assigned display device.

[0031] In a further development of the invention, a stock level corresponding to a number of a specific article at a storage location and / or in the entire storage shelf can be determined by means of the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, wherein in particular the mobile display and computing unit displays the current number of a specific article at a storage location and / or in the entire storage shelf.

[0032] In this way, for example, a salesperson can determine whether a sufficient number of items are available at a particular storage location and whether there may be similar, incorrectly sorted items in other storage locations. Based on this, a decision can be made as to whether the incorrectly sorted items simply need to be reordered or whether items need to be reordered. A warehouse manager or foreman can also use this method to determine whether there are still enough of the required items on the storage shelves.

[0033] In a further development of the invention, the computing unit is designed, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, to enable dynamic warehouse management, wherein the target warehouse occupancy plan is automatically changed, in particular when a storage location of one or more articles changes.

[0034] In this way, the storage rack can be adapted very easily to any changing requirements. The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a method for managing the contents of a storage rack, comprising the steps of automatically identifying an article manually inserted or removed by an operator into a storage location of the storage rack by means of an identification device, wherein the identification of the article occurs when the article is inserted into the storage location, when the article is removed from the storage location, and / or after the article is positioned in the storage location; transferring a data record relating to the removed or inserted article to a computing unit, in particular a stationary or mobile computing unit, wherein the data record contains an identification of the article, information as to whether the article was inserted or removed, and information for identifying the storage location;and determining a current storage occupancy of the storage rack by means of the computing unit and performing a target-actual comparison of the storage occupancy based on a target storage occupancy plan stored in the computing unit or based on a stored target storage occupancy plan to which the computing unit can access.

[0035] The method according to the invention makes it possible to electronically manage warehouse occupancy and inventory levels in a storage rack for manual insertion and removal of items. This allows the advantages of a storage rack for manual insertion and removal of items and electronic warehouse management to be combined. Above all, however, the method according to the invention can be used to determine whether all items in the storage rack are located in the intended storage location or whether there are discrepancies between a target warehouse occupancy plan and the actual warehouse occupancy. This significantly simplifies the care and maintenance of the storage rack, and in particular, it is possible to quickly and easily place any incorrectly sorted items in the storage rack into the correct storage locations.In a further development of the invention, the current warehouse occupancy is adopted as a target warehouse occupancy plan by means of user confirmation. This allows the target warehouse occupancy plan to be changed very easily. This can be done, for example, by replacing items with more advanced items, adjusting the contents of the warehouse shelf to accommodate projects to be processed, or simply increasing or decreasing the target number of items in a specific storage location.

[0036] In a further development of the invention, the authorization of a user is checked before accepting the acknowledgment.

[0037] Advantageously, not every user can change the target stock allocation plan. This is reserved, for example, only for the warehouse manager or foreman and, if necessary, a salesperson, possibly in consultation with the warehouse manager or foreman. However, a worker who merely removes items from the warehouse shelf and replaces unneeded items should generally not have authorization to change the target stock allocation plan.

[0038] In a further development of the invention, the computing unit provides information about the storage location of a specific item. This way, when a specific item is sought, an electronic query can easily determine the location of the item, for example, a package containing several small parts. Consequently, accidentally or carelessly placing items in the wrong storage location no longer requires searching the entire storage rack for a specific item. This results in significant time savings and can prevent significant frustration for the users of the storage rack.

[0039] In a further development of the invention, the determination of a refill requirement of the storage rack is provided.

[0040] Since the processing unit knows the current warehouse occupancy, it can determine a replenishment requirement. For example, a replenishment requirement can be detected whenever only two units of a specific item are left.

[0041] In a further development of the invention, when determining the replenishment requirement for at least one item, the number of items removed during a predefined period is taken into account. For example, the number of items removed can be taken into account over a period of one week. If only this number or a smaller number remains on the storage shelf, a replenishment requirement is detected.

[0042] A further development of the invention provides for automatic ordering of the determined refill requirements. This ensures that a sufficient stock of the required items is always available.

[0043] In a further development of the invention, the article is identified by means of querying an RFID chip on or in the article, by reading a code on the article or on a packaging of the article and / or by capturing at least one image of the article or the packaging of the article by at least one camera and subsequent electronic image processing of the image.

[0044] Using RFID chips, by reading a code, such as a barcode or QR code, or even a designation written in plain text, or by using cameras and electronic image processing, an article can be reliably identified, even if the article is inserted into or removed from the storage shelf very quickly and manually. RFID chips can be particularly advantageous here, as an RFID chip can be read during insertion or removal, or even after it has been positioned in the storage location. Reading an RFID chip is done using radio waves and is therefore relatively independent of the position of the article in the storage location. Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings.Individual features of the various illustrated and / or described embodiments can be combined with one another in any way without exceeding the scope of the invention. This also applies to the combination of individual features without other individual features with which they are shown in connection. The drawings show:

[0045] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a storage rack according to the invention according to a first embodiment and

[0046] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a storage rack according to the invention in a second embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a storage rack 10 with a plurality of storage locations 12, 14, 16. In Fig. 1, only three storage locations or shelf compartments are shown as an example. Of course, significantly more or fewer storage locations 12, 14, 16 can be provided within the scope of the invention. The storage rack 10 is provided for the manual insertion and removal of articles 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b. Within the scope of the invention, articles generally refer to products, components, small parts, for example screws, nuts or dowels, as well as packaging with a plurality of products, components or small parts. This is illustrated in Fig. 1 by an operator 24, for example a worker, holding an article 18b in their hand. The operator 24 can manually place the article 18b into one of the storage locations 12, 14, 16 of the storage rack 10.The operator 24 can also remove one or more of the articles 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b from a respective storage location 12, 14, 16 of the storage rack 10.

[0047] The storage rack 10 is provided with an identification device 26a, 26b, 26c at each of the storage locations 12, 14, 16. The identification device 26a is assigned to storage location 12, the identification device 26b is assigned to storage location 14, and the identification device 26c is assigned to storage location 16.

[0048] The identification devices 26a, 26b, 26c are connected to a computing unit 28, which can be configured, for example, as a stationary warehouse management computer. However, the computing unit 28 can also be configured, for example, as a mobile computing unit and, in particular, can also be configured as a smartphone running suitable warehouse management software.

[0049] A connection between the identification devices 26a, 26b, 26c and the computing unit 28 is symbolized in Fig. 1 by data lines. However, a connection can also be established wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth, in other words, a suitable radio connection.

[0050] Each of the articles 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b is provided with an RFID chip 30. Each of the RFID chips 30 carries a unique identifier, which it outputs when read. Therefore, even though all RFID chips 30 in Fig. 1 are labeled with the reference number 30, the RFID chips 30 are different in that each RFID chip 30 has a different identifier.

[0051] This identifier is usually designed as a multi-digit number for RFID chips. The multi-digit number is assigned to only a single RFID chip, so that no two RFID chips have the same number as an identifier. Using the unique identifier, a data set can be assigned to each article 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b in the computing unit 28. This data set contains, for example, the properties of the individual articles 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b. The properties can include, for example, dimensions, material, as well as the number of articles, e.g., screws, in a package. The computing unit 28 also detects which of the identification devices 26a, 26b, 26c transmits the identifier of one of the RFID chips 30 to the computing unit. This means that the computing unit 28 knows at which of the storage locations the respective article 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b is stored.In other words, the current storage occupancy of the storage rack 10 can be determined by means of the computing unit 28.

[0052] When the operator places the article 18b into the storage rack 10, the RFID chip 30 in the article 18b, for example, a package containing several small parts, is read during insertion or only when the article 18b is positioned in the respective storage location 12, 14, or 16. The result of this identification is then transmitted by the identification devices 26a, 26b, or 26c, respectively, to the computing unit 28. If the operator 24 places the article 18b, which he is holding in his hand, into the uppermost storage location 12 in Fig. 1, this is the designated storage location for the article 18b. The identification device can then transmit a data set to the warehouse management computer 28, which, on the one hand, identifies the article 18b and, on the other hand, contains the storage location 12 in which the article 18b is stored.A target warehouse allocation plan is stored in the processing unit 28, or the processing unit 28 can access a target warehouse allocation plan stored elsewhere. In this target warehouse allocation plan, items 18, i.e., items 18a and 18b, are assigned storage location 12. Items 20, i.e., items 20a and 20b, are assigned storage location 14, and items 22, i.e., items 22a and 22b, are assigned storage location 16. The target warehouse allocation plan can also contain the respective target number of items 18, 20, and 22 at a storage location 12, 14, or 16.

[0053] Should the operator 24 mistakenly place the article 18b he is holding in his hand in the storage location 14, this will be detected when the RFID chip 30 in the article 18b is read. In this case, the identification device 26b would then transmit a data set to the warehouse management computer 28, identifying the article 18b and containing the storage location 14 where the article 18b is now located.

[0054] The computing unit 28 therefore always has information about the current stock occupancy of the storage rack 10. Using warehouse management software running on the computing unit 28, the computing unit 28 can create a target / actual comparison between the target stock occupancy plan and the current stock occupancy. The result of such a target / actual comparison is then which items are stored in storage locations that do not correspond to the target stock occupancy plan and, in particular, which items are not present in the target quantity. Such a target / actual comparison makes it very easy to identify which items were not stored in the storage rack 10 according to the target stock occupancy plan. Even if the items were not stored according to the target stock occupancy plan, the computing unit 28 still knows that and where the incorrectly stored items are positioned on the storage rack.On the one hand, the target / actual comparison between the target warehouse occupancy plan and the current warehouse occupancy can therefore be used to locate an incorrectly stored item or to restore the occupancy of the warehouse shelf in accordance with the target warehouse occupancy plan.

[0055] The target warehouse allocation plan can contain not only the designated storage location for specific items, but also the designated number of items in a storage location. The target-actual comparison can therefore also provide information about which items may need to be restocked or which items are in excess on the warehouse shelves.

[0056] For example, if the operator 24 is looking for a specific article 22, i.e., one of the articles 22a, 22b, they can query the storage location of the articles 22, i.e., the articles 22a, 22b, using a mobile display and computing device 32, such as a smartphone. During this query, the mobile display and computing unit 32 accesses information from the computing unit 28 and thereby receives the information that the articles 22a, 22b are located in storage location 16. The computing unit 28 can, for example, also transmit additional information indicating that only two articles 22a, 22b are still available at storage location 16.However, it is essential within the scope of the invention, on the one hand, that the operator 24 does not have to laboriously search for a specific article in all storage locations 12, 14, 16, for example because the article being sought is stored in the wrong storage location, but can obtain the current storage location of the article from the computing unit 28 via their smartphone. Furthermore, a target / actual comparison between the current storage occupancy and the target storage occupancy plan provides information about which articles in the storage shelf 10 are arranged in the wrong storage location. For example, if the article 22a were incorrectly stored in storage location 12, the storage location 12 would also be displayed to the user on the mobile display and computing unit 32. In addition, within the scope of the invention, the computing unit 28 can also provide information about the storage location to which an incorrectly stored article must be moved in order to comply with the target storage occupancy plan.The storage rack 10 thus combines the advantages of a storage rack for manual insertion and removal of articles, namely the quick and easy insertion and removal of articles, with the possibility of obtaining the storage location of a desired article by means of an electronic query and with the further possibility of locating incorrectly sorted articles by means of a target / actual comparison and, if necessary, also the correct one.

[0057] Storage space for the incorrectly sorted items. Especially in large storage racks with numerous storage locations for manual insertion and removal, as well as when numerous workers or operators 24 are working on a storage rack 10, this can result in considerable time savings when searching for items. The care and maintenance of the storage rack 10 is also made considerably easier. A salesperson or a

[0058] The warehouse manager responsible for the care and maintenance of storage rack 10 can, based on the results of the target-actual comparison between the target storage plan and the current storage capacity, immediately identify which storage locations contain incorrectly sorted items. They can also immediately determine which items are too many or, more importantly, too few in the storage location designated in the target storage plan. This eliminates the tedious task of scanning and, if necessary, sorting storage rack 10, allowing a salesperson or warehouse manager to fill storage rack 10 correctly and completely in a very short time.

[0059] In addition to identifying the article and the storage location of an article, an identifier of the respective RFID chip or the data set assigned to the identifier can of course also be assigned further information, for example a manufacturer, an address of the manufacturer, processing information such as speed and torque and the like.

[0060] The computing unit 28 can also trigger an automatic reorder so that there are always enough items 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b available to fill the storage shelf 10.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a storage rack 100 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The storage rack 100 has a total of twelve storage locations 112 to 136. An article 18a is shown in storage location 112 purely as an example. Each of the storage locations 112 to 136 is intended for different articles; for example, articles 20a, 20b are stored in storage location 114, and articles 22a, 22b are stored in storage location 118. For the sake of clarity, only article 18a is shown as the sole article in the storage rack 100. The article 18a and all other articles stored in the storage rack 100 each have an RFID chip 30, and each storage location 112 to 136 is provided with an RFID reader 126a to 126m. The RFID chips 30 on the articles or on the article packaging are read by means of the RFID reading devices 126a to 126m.The RFID readers 126a then transmit the unique identifier of a respective RFID chip 30 to a mobile processing unit 128. In addition to the unique identifier, each RFID reader 126a to 126m also transmits the respective storage location. The mobile processing unit 128, which can also be configured as a smartphone or tablet, for example, can then assign a data set to the unique identifier of a respective RFID chip 30. Using the storage locations additionally transmitted by the RFID readers 126a to 126m, the mobile processing unit 128 can thus create a current warehouse occupancy. The current warehouse occupancy contains information about which storage location the items are located in and which ones.

[0062] Number of items located at a respective storage location. The mobile computing unit 128 can thus perform or create a target-actual comparison between a target warehouse occupancy plan stored in the mobile computing unit 128 and the current warehouse occupancy. Consequently, the storage rack 100 is managed in the same way as already described with reference to the storage rack 10 in Fig. 1.

[0063] A mobile display and computing unit 132 is also provided in the form of another tablet or smartphone. Using the mobile display and computing unit 132, an operator can, for example, determine the current storage location of a desired article 18a. When searching for an article 18, the mobile display and computing unit 132 would then display storage location 112. Additionally, it could be indicated that there is only one article 18a left at storage location 112. The storage location of the article 18a can be displayed in data form, for example, "Storage location 112, quantity 1" is displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the storage location can also be displayed with a stylized representation of the storage shelf 100, in which the storage location 112, i.e. the top left storage location, is displayed in a signal color.

[0064] The storage rack 100 is provided with an electronic display device 150 at each storage location. Each electronic display device 150 has a display 152 and a signal light 154, although within the scope of the invention, only one display or only one signal light can also be provided. The article that is stored or is to be stored at the respective storage location can be shown on the display 152. By way of example, in Fig. 2, the number "18" is shown on the display 152 of the storage location 112, since the storage location 112 is intended for article 18, i.e., article 18a and possibly another article 18b. The display 152 of the electronic display unit of the storage location 114 shows the number "20" because the storage location 114 is intended for article 20. The electronic display unit 150 of the storage location 118 shows the number "22" because the storage location 118 is intended for article 22.Alternatively, an image of the article or properties of the article can be shown in the display 152 of the individual storage locations, for example wood screw, 5x20 mm or the like.

[0065] The signal light 154 is intended to indicate the desired storage location when searching for an article. If, for example, the article 18a is searched for using the smartphone 132, the storage location 112 can be indicated on the display of the smartphone 132 and, in addition, the signal light 154 of the storage location 112 can, for example, light up yellow. This visually signals to the operator 24 where the desired article 18a can be found in the storage shelf 100. The signal light 154 can, for example, light up green when a respective storage location is correctly occupied, i.e., when a sufficient number of articles are arranged at the respective storage location. If the minimum number of articles specified in the target warehouse occupancy plan is not met, the signal light 154 can, for example, light up red or yellow.If an operator 24 incorrectly sorts an article, for example, placing article 18a in storage location 132 instead of 112, this is detected by the identification device 126k, and, for example, the signal light 154 of storage location 132 can then illuminate in a suitable signal color, such as red or orange. This immediately visually alerts the operator 24 that they are about to place article 18a in the wrong storage location. In other words, the signal lights 154 can indicate at which of the storage locations deviations from the target storage plan have occurred. The deviations from the target storage plan can thus be displayed not only on the mobile computing unit 28 or on the smartphone 132, but also on the storage rack 100 itself.

[0066] For example, the storage rack 100 is located in a craft workshop. The storage rack 100 is used by several workers or fitters as well as a foreman, all of whom are

[0067] They can remove the items they need for their respective assembly orders from shelf 100. The company also has a warehouse manager who is responsible for ensuring that shelf 100 is completely and correctly stocked, as well as a salesperson from the screw supplier who, for example, accepts an order from the warehouse manager and, if necessary, also ensures that storage shelf 100 is correctly stocked.

[0068] As already described, if, for example, a technician cannot immediately find item 18a in storage shelf 100, they can enter the desired item 18a on their smartphone 132. The storage location 112 of item 18a will then be displayed on the smartphone 132. Additionally, the signal light 154 of storage location 112 can illuminate, allowing the technician to quickly grasp and take item 18a with them.

[0069] If the article 18a is not sorted at storage location 112 according to the target warehouse allocation plan, but for example at storage location 132, this is also displayed to the technician on his smartphone 132 and he can quickly remove the article 18a he is looking for without having to search for it laboriously and for a long time.

[0070] The foreman, if necessary together with the warehouse manager, can determine the number of items of each type in the storage rack 100. In the storage rack 100 according to the invention, the mobile processing unit 128 also knows the storage location of any incorrectly sorted items. The foreman can thus determine whether there are still sufficient items on the rack, possibly in the incorrect storage location, and then, if necessary, instruct the warehouse manager to restore the correct storage location based on the target storage location plan. The warehouse manager can also use the smartphone 132 or the mobile processing unit 128 for this purpose, which shows him the storage location of incorrectly sorted items as well as the correct storage location for these incorrectly sorted items. As explained, the correct storage location can also be indicated by means of the respective signal lights 154 at the storage locations.

[0071] The foreman can also change the target stock allocation plan using the mobile computing unit 128 or the smartphone 132. For example, they can conveniently arrange very frequently used items at a convenient height and then acknowledge this changed current stock allocation, so that the current stock allocation is then saved as a target stock allocation plan. For example, the foreman has different authorization for this than the warehouse manager, so only the foreman can acknowledge a current stock allocation so that it is saved as a target stock allocation plan. The warehouse manager and the fitters, however, do not have the authorization to save a current stock allocation as a target stock allocation plan.

[0072] A salesperson can identify a need for replenishment in storage shelf 100, either using the mobile computing unit 128 or also using the smartphone 132. This can be done, for example, by the warehouse management software running on the smartphone 132 displaying on the smartphone 132 which items have too few or too many in the respective storage locations in the storage shelf 100. The salesperson can then, for example, bring the missing items and immediately sort them into the storage shelf 100. The smartphone 132 can display the correct storage location in the storage shelf 100, for example by scanning a barcode on the item packaging. As explained, the correct storage location for a specific item can also be displayed by the electronic display device 150 at a respective storage location, in particular by the signal light 154.The display 152 of each electronic display device 150 can, for example, also show the number of items currently in the storage location when an article is inserted.

[0073] Display the number of items. When an item is removed from the storage location, the displayed number is decreased; when an item is placed into a storage location, the current number is increased.

[0074] Depending on the salesperson's authorization, the salesperson can also make the current warehouse occupancy the target warehouse occupancy plan by confirming the current warehouse occupancy. The allocation of authorizations, of course, depends on the specific case.

[0075] The storage rack according to the invention, as well as the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 with the storage rack 100 and the mobile computing unit 128, enables an operator to very quickly locate a desired article in the storage rack 100. The target / actual comparison between the current storage capacity and a target storage capacity plan performed by the mobile computing unit 128 allows deviations from the target storage capacity plan to be determined very quickly and easily and corrected if necessary. This makes the work of both a warehouse manager and a salesperson considerably easier. Finally, the storage rack 100 according to the invention and the mobile computing unit 128 also enable dynamic warehouse management. If, for example, a foreman considers a different storage capacity to be more suitable, this can be implemented very easily by acknowledging the current storage capacity and then saving it as a new target storage capacity plan.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Storage rack (10) with several storage locations (12, 14, 16) for manually inserting and removing articles (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B), characterized in that each storage location (12, 14, 16) is assigned an identification device (26A, 26B, 26C), wherein the identification device (26A, 26B, 26C) is designed and arranged in such a way that when the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) is inserted into the storage location (12, 14, 16), when the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) is removed from the storage location (12, 14, 16) and / or after positioning of the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) in the storage location (12, 14, 16), further characterized by a computing unit (28), in particular a stationary or mobile computing unit, wherein the computing unit (28) is designed, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit,to create information about a current warehouse occupancy based on information from the identification device (26A, 26B, 26C), namely at which storage location (12, 14, 16) which article, (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) in which quantity is stored, wherein a target warehouse occupancy plan is stored in the computing unit or the computing unit can access a stored target warehouse occupancy plan and the computing unit, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to carry out a target-actual comparison between the target To create a warehouse occupancy plan and the current warehouse occupancy.

2. Storage rack according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification device (26A, 26B, 26C) has an RFID reading device arranged at the storage location (12, 14, 16).

3. Storage rack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the identification device has a reading device arranged at the storage location for reading a code on the article.

4. Storage rack according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each storage location is assigned an electronic display device.

5. Storage rack according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification device has at least one camera arranged at the storage location for capturing at least one image of the article and an electronic image processing unit for processing the image and for identifying the article.

6. Storage rack according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to adopt a current warehouse occupancy as a new target warehouse occupancy plan in the event of deviations from the target warehouse occupancy plan, wherein the adoption must be acknowledged by a user.

7. Storage rack according to claim 6, characterized in that the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to set up different authorizations for different users for display and acknowledgement.

8. Arrangement with a storage rack according to one of the preceding claims and at least one mobile display and / or computing unit, in particular a smartphone, characterized in that the result of the target-actual comparison of the Calculation unit can be displayed on the mobile display and calculation unit.

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that in the event of deviations from the target warehouse allocation plan for incorrectly sorted articles, a correct storage location for these articles corresponding to the target warehouse allocation plan is displayed in the mobile display and computing unit.

10. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the event of deviations from the target warehouse occupancy plan, a current warehouse occupancy can be acknowledged as a new target warehouse occupancy plan by means of the mobile display and computing unit.

11. Arrangement according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to have different authorizations for To set up display and acknowledgement.

12. Arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that an article search in the storage shelf can be carried out by means of the mobile display and computing unit, so that the mobile display and computing unit displays the current storage location of the product sought.

13. Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the current storage location is shown on a display of the mobile display and computing unit and / or that each storage location is assigned a display device arranged on the storage rack, wherein the current storage location is displayed by means of the assigned display device.

14. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that by means of the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, a stock level corresponding to a number of a specific article at a storage location and / or in the entire storage shelf can be determined, wherein in particular the mobile display and computing unit displays the current number of a specific article at a storage location and / or in the entire storage shelf.

15. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the computing unit, in particular by means of the warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, is designed to enable dynamic warehouse management, wherein in particular when a storage location of one or more articles is changed, the target warehouse occupancy plan is automatically changed.

16. A method for managing the contents of a storage rack (10), characterized by automatically identifying an article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) manually inserted or manually removed into a storage location (12, 14, 16) of the storage rack (10) by an operator (24) by means of an identification device (26A, 26B, 26C), wherein the identification of the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) when inserting the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) into the storage location (12, 14, 16), when removing the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) from the storage location (12, 14, 16) and / or after positioning the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) in the storage location (12, 14, 16), transferring a data set relating to the removed or inserted article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) to a computing unit (28), in particular a stationary or mobile computing unit, wherein the data set contains an identification of the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B), information,whether the article, (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) was inserted or removed and contains information for identifying the storage location (12, 14, 16), and determining a current storage occupancy of the storage rack (10) by means of the computing unit (28), in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, and carrying out a target / actual comparison of the storage occupancy on the basis of a Computing unit (28) stored target warehouse occupancy plan or based on a stored target warehouse occupancy plan to which the computing unit can access.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized by adopting a current warehouse occupancy as a target warehouse occupancy plan by means of acknowledgment by a user.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized by checking a user's authorization before accepting the acknowledgment.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by providing Information is provided by the computing unit (28), in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit, as to the storage location (12, 14, 16) in which a specific article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) is located.

20. Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized by determining a refill requirement of the storage rack (10), in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that when determining the refill requirement for at least one article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B), the number of articles (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) removed during a predefined period of time is taken into account.

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized by automatically ordering the determined refill requirement, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit.

23. Method according to one of claims 16 to 22, characterized by identifying the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B) by means of querying an RFID chip (30) on or in the article (18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B), by reading a code on the article or on a packaging of the article and / or by capturing at least one image of the article or the packaging of the article by at least one camera and subsequent electronic image processing of the image, in particular by means of warehouse management software executed on the computing unit.

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