method and system to aid in sorting items in a work area of ​​a sorting station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sorting aid system (100) for an item (C) in a work area (Z) comprising: - a network of cameras (10) for capturing an image (I) of said item (C); - a processing unit (20) configured to receive and process the image (I) in order to determine an identifier (ID); said processing unit (20) being configured to: a) determine from information external or internal to the identifier (ID) at least one work instruction (dA, dB); b) generate a signal comprising at least one work instruction (dA, dB) assigned to the identifier (ID) of said item (C); c) transmit said signal to display means (40) configured for displaying visual information (EV).

Description

Title of the invention: method and system for assisting in sorting articles in a work area of ​​a sorting station Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of logistics within a closed or open enclosure, also called intra-building logistics, and relates more specifically to the management of the sorting of articles.

[0002] The object of the present invention relates in particular to a method and a system for assisting in the sorting of an article in a work area of ​​a sorting station, for example in a logistics warehouse.

[0003] By article in the sense of the present invention, is meant throughout the following description any object of the type package or aggregate of packages (in a container) and / or merchandise or aggregate of merchandise intended to transit from one place to another such as for example from a storage warehouse to a means of transport, another location of the warehouse or even a container (box, pallet, bag, carton, etc.) for preparing an order or batch for a customer.

[0004] The present invention will thus find numerous advantageous applications in the logistics sector, and more particularly for “e-commerce” order preparation platforms and parcel sorting centers.

[0005] Obviously, it will be understood here that other advantageous applications in other sectors such as in the industrial sector and the preparation of packages could be envisaged within the framework of the present invention. Prior art

[0006] Until now, logistics centers have mainly used automatic or semi-automatic sorting machines and the labor force of sorting operators responsible for manually sorting items moving on a conveyor or equivalent (at the exit or entry of machines).

[0007] Less modern warehouses also use operators as the sole sorting body (without machines or conveyors).

[0008] We can distinguish several types of sorting operator depending on the profession and the activity.

[0009] We speak thus: - “B to C retail” logisticians who are responsible for sorting items to assemble customer orders; - “retail store” logisticians who are responsible for sorting items to prepare store orders; and - transport logisticians who are responsible for sorting items by final or transit destination based on, for example, a postal code, a postal address, a relay point, a locker, a carrier, a next destination agency, a country, etc.

[0010] Conventionally, it is most often planned to carry out these sorts according to "sorting plans", general or local, which indicate at each stage of the process the place where the article to be sorted must be sent.

[0011] These sorting elements being by definition either included visually on the label via a series of letters or numbers, or included in the bar code and extracted with the help of reading means (PDA type, English acronym for "Personal Digital Assistant" or electronic personal assistant in French or reading arch), or included on a computer database which requires a query with a package identifier in order to obtain information on the sorting destination.

[0012] We will discuss the description of the work instructions in the following.

[0013] Manual sorting plots or sorting machines are therefore designed to sort automatically The conveyor belt is used to automatically identify items moving on the conveyor belt based on information extrapolated from the item such as a barcode and / or a matrix code (2D or 3D) such as a QR code and / or an RFID tag and / or any identifier such as size or color.

[0014] These plots or machines generally carry out an initial sorting.

[0015] On the other hand, the automation of this first sorting is generally not sufficient in terms of the number of sorting keys and requires human intervention at the output by a sorting operator whose intellectual and manual intervention consists of multiplying the destinations.

[0016] Thus, the sorting operator, positioned at the exit of the machines, must sort the article according to information extrapolated from the label: one or more letters and / or one or more numbers, a specific code, etc.

[0017] This information corresponds to predetermined work instructions.

[0018] On the other hand, these instructions remain difficult for an operator to understand and memorize. This requires a significant amount of training time and a very high level of concentration, which makes work at sorting stations tiring and stressful and involves specific rest periods and working conditions.

[0019] We also note a very high rate of turnover in this type of position.

[0020] Solutions with the help of portable readers equipped with a screen (PDA type) exist to this day.

[0021] These solutions, however, remain very cumbersome: they require holding an often heavy organ in the hand or on the hand, requiring a manual scanning step, then a screen viewing step.

[0022] These steps can represent up to 30% of the operator's working time.

[0023] Alternatively, some logisticians set up an operator or a system which affixes a second, very visual label, colored or not, to each item, having already extracted the sorting information necessary for the following operators.

[0024] This operation also remains very time-consuming and requires consumables (labels).

[0025] The Applicant submits that to date the solutions of the prior art are not satisfactory and do not effectively relieve the work of an operator at a sorting station. Summary of the invention

[0026] The present invention aims to improve the current situation.

[0027] The present invention aims more particularly to remedy the various inconveniences advantages mentioned above by offering a configurable solution to assist in sorting an item in a work area of ​​a sorting station without the use of portable reading terminals, screens or additional labels.

[0028] One of the other objectives of the present invention is to propose a solution which is also ergonomic, improves productivity and allows the creation of new manual distribution plots.

[0029] To this end, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for assisting in sorting an article in a work area, said method comprising the following steps: - an acquisition by at least one camera oriented towards said work area of ​​at least one image of said article when said article is in said work area; - a first transmission of said at least one image to a central unit; - processing of said at least one image to determine an identifier associated with said article; - a determination of a work instruction by querying a database assigning a plurality of predetermined work instructions to a plurality of predetermined identifiers;

[0030] - a generation of a signal comprising at least one assigned work instruction to the identifier of said article; - a second transmission of said signal to display means; - a display by said display means of visual information according to said work instruction.

[0031] It thus becomes possible, thanks to the present invention, to significantly improve the working comfort of a sorting operator at his sorting station by limiting his concentration efforts and cognitive assistance in sorting choices.

[0032] This facilitates in particular the training and recruitment of operators and improves productivity by limiting sorting errors and the arduousness of the work.

[0033] Advantageously, the step of processing the at least one image comprises detecting a bar code and / or a matrix code on said article and reading said bar code and / or said matrix code.

[0034] Advantageously, the work instruction includes information relating to the destination of the article and / or information relating to the organization of sorting in the work area.

[0035] Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a preliminary step of constructing the database during which at least one work instruction is assigned for each identifier associated with a type of article.

[0036] Advantageously, the display comprises a projection of visual information onto the article.

[0037] Advantageously, the display may also comprise the projection of a predefined route linking the article to a predefined destination.

[0038] Advantageously, the display comprises the projection of a pictogram and / or a visual element presenting a color according to a predetermined color code and / or a series of one or more numbers and / or letters.

[0039] Advantageously, during the acquisition step, the camera captures a plurality of images of the article and transmits, during the first transmission step, the plurality of images so that the central unit implements an image processing algorithm, such as for example a point and / or shape tracking algorithm applied to the successive images, for tracking the article moving in the work area.

[0040] It is thus understood that the present invention, by the combined implementation of this tracking and the projection of a visual element onto the article, allows a continuous projection of said element during the movement of the article in the work area, which facilitates the work of the operator and in particular avoids neck pain. Indeed, on a 360° workstation, the operator must, in a conventional solution, look around him continuously with risks for his neck. By projecting the information continuously onto the article to be sorted and not onto the destination, it becomes possible to avoid the step of scanning the article to obtain its identifier and to avoid an operator having to turn his head systematically for each article in order to look for its destination.In a variant in which the work instruction includes information relating to the destination of the article, it can be provided that the processing unit checks whether the article complies with the work instruction based on the monitoring carried out.

[0041] Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a historization tracking of each item moving in said work area, including in particular the times of entry and / or exit from the work or sorting area.

[0042] The subject of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a computer program product which comprises instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0043] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0044] Correlatively, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a third aspect, to a recording medium readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program product comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0045] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can comprise a storage means, potentially shared between several devices, such as a ROM memory, a memory card or a ROM memory of the internal or external microelectronic circuit type, or even a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0046] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded onto a network of the Internet or intranet type.

[0047] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

[0048] The subject of the present invention relates, according to a fourth aspect, to a system for assisting in sorting an article in a work area of ​​a sorting station, said system comprising: - one or more cameras oriented towards the work area and configured to capture at least one image of the item when it is in the work area; - a processing unit configured to receive and process the at least one image in order to determine an identifier associated with the article; - a database assigning a plurality of predetermined work instructions to a plurality of predetermined identifiers; in which the processing unit is configured to: a) query the database; b) determines at least one work instruction from the database; c) generating at least one signal comprising at least one work instruction assigned to the identifier of said article; d) transmitting the at least one signal to display means configured for displaying visual information according to the work instruction.

[0049] Advantageously, the system according to the present invention comprises means configured for the implementation of at least one of the steps of the method as described above according to the first aspect.

[0050] Finally, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a fifth aspect, to a sorting station for a logistics warehouse comprising a sorting assistance system as described above according to the fourth aspect.

[0051] Thus, the object of the present invention, through its various functional and structural aspects described above, makes it possible to assist a sorting operator in his daily work by visually indicating to him the sorting operation to be planned according to a predetermined work instruction. Such assistance improves the latter's working comfort, limits sorting errors, allows several operators to work at the same workstation, makes it possible to increase the number of sorting keys at each sorting station, increases the rate while reducing fatigue and stress in particular. Description of the figures

[0052] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0053] [Fig.l]

[0054] [Fig.l] represents a schematic view of a sorting station comprising a sorting assistance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] [Fig.2]

[0056] [Fig.2] represents another schematic view of a sorting station comprising a sorting assistance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] [Fig.3]

[0058] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a sorting assistance system according to the present invention;

[0059] [Fig.4]

[0060] [Fig.4] represents a flowchart of the different stages of a sorting assistance method according to the present invention; and

[0061] [Fig.5]

[0062] [Fig.5] represents a schematic view of another sorting station comprising a sorting assistance system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0063] A sorting assistance system 100 and the method associated therewith will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0064] The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0065] As explained in the preamble, one of the objectives of the present invention is to improve the capabilities of the sorting operator(s) and / or to improve his / her / their productivity while reducing the cognitive capacity requirements of the operator(s).

[0066] One of the other objectives is to improve the quality of item tracking (packages / objects / goods) by systematic and real-time scanning of the work area.

[0067] The present invention achieves this objective in the following example.

[0068] In the example described here, we position ourselves in the context of a logistics warehouse including a 200 sorting station equipped with a 100 sorting assistance system.

[0069] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate such a sorting station 200 with a sorting assistance system 100.

[0070] In this example, operator O is responsible for sorting package C into container A or in container B depending on its final destination. This could be, for example, preparation of an order for shipment.

[0071] It is understood here that the destination information A or B is included in the barcode of the package C and is therefore not directly accessible to the operator O.

[0072] In the example described here, the operator O is assisted by a sorting assistance system 100 according to the present invention to assist him in this sorting operation which is, admittedly not very complex, but which requires a high level of concentration to maintain a reasonable work rate and limit break times.

[0073] In the first embodiment described here and illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the sorting assistance system 100 comprises several cameras 10 (here we speak of a network of cameras) each oriented towards a production line LP, here for example a conveyor, on which a package C moves.

[0074] It is understood that the package C can also be static in the work zone Z, for example a package C stored on a pallet or in a storage area. This is a second example of embodiment which is illustrated here in [Fig.5].

[0075] In the first embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the package C therefore moves on a conveyor LP. When the package C enters the work zone Z of the sorting operator O, the cameras 10 capture during a step SI one or more images I of the package C.

[0076] It can be understood that the camera network 10 comprises a single camera such as a wide-angle camera such as a fish-eye.

[0077] In this example, the acquired images I are, during a step S2, sent in real time to a central processing unit 20, for example an integrated circuit, a processor, a microprocessor, a calculator or any processing means or any equivalent electronic circuit.

[0078] In this example and as illustrated in [Fig.2], this processing unit 20 incorporates real on-board intelligence to assist the operator.

[0079] This unit 20 is characteristic of the present invention.

[0080] In this example, the unit 20 processes the acquired images I by applying an image processing algorithm making it possible to determine an identifier ID associated with the article C.

[0081] This image processing step S3 corresponds for example to a shape, contour or character recognition. Here, the implementation of any image processing algorithm ensuring this recognition function can be envisaged.

[0082] This determination step S3 makes it possible, for example, to determine during a step S3_l the presence of a bar code C_id or a matrix code of the QR-code type, for example, and to read during a step S3_2 this code C_id to obtain the identifier ID of the package C.

[0083] In this example, the central unit 20 then determines during a step S4 a work instruction dA or dB; this instruction is determined as a function of the identifier ID.

[0084] It is understood here that step S4 comprises the interrogation of a database 30 which contains a spreadsheet listing a list of determined identifiers, each identifier being assigned to a predetermined work instruction (dA, dB).

[0085] For example, according to this base 30, the instruction dA corresponds to “containing A” and the instruction dB corresponds to “containing B”.

[0086] It is understood in this example that the package C whose identifier is ID must be positioned by the operator O to be placed in the container A or the container B.

[0087] In this example, this database 30 is constructed upstream of the process during a step S0. This step S0 can be configured for each order preparation according to its specificities. It mainly consists of assigning to each identifier ID (each type of package for example) a work instruction aimed for example at defining a destination or information relating to the organization of sorting in the work zone Z.

[0088] The database 30 is integrated into the system 100 or can be transferred to a server.

[0089] In this example, once the work instruction has been determined during step S4, the processing unit 20 generates during a step S5 a signal comprising said work instruction and transmits this signal during a step S6 to means display 40, here a projector.

[0090] On receipt of the signal, the projector 40, positioned above the work zone Z, projects a visual element EV onto the package C as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0091] To facilitate sorting by operator O and make his work even more intuitive, it is planned to project this visual element EV continuously onto the package C as it moves along the conveyor.

[0092] To do this, the processing unit 20 implements a tracking algorithm (or “tracking”, tracking step S8) aimed at continuously tracking the relative movement of the package in the zone Z.

[0093] This continuous projection of a visual element EV onto the package C is characteristic of the present invention.

[0094] In the example described here, the projection of a pictogram, a visual element presenting a color according to a predetermined color code and / or a series of one or more numbers and / or letters is provided. This makes it possible to greatly facilitate the work of the operator O who will intuitively assimilate the meaning of these visual elements EV projected onto the package O, without prior training.

[0095] The implementation of the tracking algorithm coupled with the location of the destination of the package also makes it possible to define in zone Z the projection of a predefined route linking the article C to a predefined destination, for example the container A or B. The display of this route further facilitates the work of the operator O.

[0096] In this example, a verification step S9 is also provided, implemented by the processing unit 20, which will continuously compare the position of the package with respect to the predefined route so as to be able to detect any sorting errors that may appear during order preparation, for example.

[0097] This continuous monitoring, step S9, is made possible by the implementation of the image processing technologies provided here within the framework of the present invention.

[0098] The processing unit 20, thanks to this on-board technology, makes it possible to continuously assist the work of the sorting operators by assisting them using intuitive visual means so as to facilitate their decision-making in often difficult working conditions (fast pace, repetitive work, stress, noise conditions, etc.).

[0099] For reasons of liability, security and traceability, provision is also made for a history S10 of the tracking of each package C moving in the work zone Z on storage means 50 which may for example take the form of a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, or other.

[0100] The present invention thus makes it possible to provide the logistics industry with a reliable tool, simple to set up, facilitating the work of sorting articles.

[0101] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character with respect to the subject matter of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to remove any possible imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims which follow. It should also be noted that the reference signs placed in parentheses in the claims which follow are in no case limiting in character; these signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for assisting in sorting an article (C) in a work area (Z), said method comprising the following steps: - an acquisition (SI) by at least one camera (10) oriented towards said work area (Z) of at least one image (I) of said article (C) when said article (C) is in said work area (Z); - a first transmission (S2) of said at least one image (I) to a central unit (20); - a processing (S3) of said at least one image (I) to determine an identifier (ID) associated with said article (C); - a determination (S4) of a work instruction (dA, dB) by interrogating a database (30) assigning to a plurality of predetermined identifiers (ID) a plurality of predetermined work instructions (dA, dB); - a generation (S5) of a signal comprising at least one work instruction (dA, dB) assigned to the identifier (ID) of said article (C);- a second transmission (S6) of said signal to display means (40); - a display (S7) by said display means (40) of visual information (EV) as a function of said work instruction (dA, dB).;

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of processing (S3) said at least one image (I) comprises a detection (S3_l) of a bar code (C_id) and / or a matrix code on said article and a reading (S3_2) of said bar code (C_id) and / or said matrix code.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the work instruction (dA, dB) comprises information relating to a predefined destination (A, B) of said article (C).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a preliminary step of construction (S0) of the database (30) during which at least one work instruction (dA, dB) is assigned for each identifier (ID) associated with a type of article.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (S7) comprises a projection of visual information (EV) onto the article (C).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the display (S7) comprises projecting a pictogram, a visual element having a color according to a predetermined color code and / or a series of one or more numbers and / or letters.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the display (S7) comprises projecting a predefined route connecting the item (C) to a predefined destination (A, B).

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, during the acquisition step (S1), said at least one camera (10) captures a plurality of images (I) of said article (C) and transmits, during the first transmission step (S2), said plurality of images (I) so that the central unit (20) implements an image processing algorithm for tracking (S8) of said article (C) in the work area (Z).

9. Method according to claim 8, the work instruction (dA, dB) comprising information relating to the destination of said article (C), in which the processing unit (20) checks (S9) whether said article (C) complies with said work instruction (dA, dB) based on said monitoring carried out.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, which comprises a historization (S 10) of the tracking of each article (C) moving in said work zone (Z).

11. Computer program product comprising instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 10, when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

12. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 10.

13. Sorting assistance system (100) for an article (C) in a work area (Z), said system (100) comprising: - at least one camera (10) oriented towards said work area (Z) and configured to capture at least one image (I) of said article (C) when said article is in said work area (Z); - a processing unit (20) configured to receive and process said at least one image (I) in order to determine an identifier (ID) associated with said article (C); a database (30) assigning to a plurality of predetermined identifiers (ID) a plurality of predetermined work instructions (dA, dB);

14.

15. wherein said processing unit (20) is configured to: a) querying said database (30); b) determining from said database (30) at least one work instruction (dA, dB); c) generating a signal comprising at least one work instruction (dA, dB) assigned to the identifier (ID) of said article (C); d) transmitting said signal to display means (40) configured for displaying visual information (EV) as a function of said work instruction (dA, dB). System (100) according to claim 13 comprising means configured for implementing at least one of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 2 to 10. Sorting station (200) for a logistics warehouse comprising a sorting assistance system (100) according to claim 13 or 14.

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