System and method for optical communication in storage system

Abstract

To provide a system and method for optical communication in a suitable storage system.SOLUTION: An automated storage system includes a central communication system with a three-dimensional storage grid for storing a storage container, at least one container handling vehicle operating on the storage grid, and a system transmitter and a system receiver for controlling and communicating with the at least one container handling vehicle for handling the storage container within the storage grid. The at least one container handling vehicle includes a vehicle communication system with a vehicle transmitter and a vehicle receiver for communication with a central communication system. The system and the vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver are configured to use light for wireless communication. The system transmitter and the system receiver are positioned on or around the storage grid within the automated storage system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a system and method for wireless communication between a central control device of a storage system and a container handling vehicle, and more particularly, to a system and method for wireless communication between a central control device of a storage system using light as a communication medium and at least one container handling vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] (Background and Prior Art) FIG. 1 discloses a typical prior art automated storage and retrieval system 1 with a framework structure 100, and FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose two different prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301 suitable for operating on such a system 1.

[0003] The framework structure 100 includes several upright members 102 and several horizontal members 103 supported by the upright members 102. The members 102, 103 can typically be made of metal, such as extruded aluminum profiles.

[0004] The framework structure 100 defines a storage grid 104 with storage rows 105 arranged in rows. Within the storage rows 105, storage containers 106, also known as bins, are stacked on top of each other to form a stack 107. The storage grid 104 prevents horizontal movement of the stack 107 of storage containers 106 and guides vertical movement of the containers 106, but typically does not otherwise support the storage containers 106 when stacked.

[0005] The automated storage and retrieval system 1 comprises a rail system 108 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the storage 104, on which a plurality of container handling vehicles 201, 301 are operated to lift the storage container 106 out of the storage row 105, lower the storage container 106 into the storage row 105, and transfer the storage container 106 above the storage row 105. The rail system 108 comprises a first set 110 of parallel rails arranged to guide the movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 in a first direction X across the top of the framework structure 100, and a second set 111 of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set 110 of rails to guide the movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. In this way, the rail system 108 defines grid columns 112, above which the container handling vehicles 201, 301 can move laterally above the storage row 105 (i.e., in a plane parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane).

[0006] Each prior art container handling vehicle 201, 301 comprises a vehicle body 201a, 301a and a first set 201b, 301b of wheels and a second set 201c, 301c of wheels, the first set 201b, 301b and the second set 201c, 301c of wheels enabling lateral movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 in the X and Y directions respectively. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the two wheels in each set are fully visible. The first set 201b, 301b of wheels is arranged to engage two adjacent rails of the first set 110 of rails, and the second set 201c, 301c of wheels is arranged to engage two adjacent rails of the second set 111 of rails. Each set of wheels 201b, 301b, 201c, 301c can be lifted and lowered, whereby the first set 201b, 301b and / or the second set 201c, 301c of wheels can be engaged with the respective sets 110, 111 of rails at any time.

[0007] Each of the prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301 also includes a lift device (not shown) for vertically transferring the storage container 106. The lift device, for example, raises the storage container 106 from the storage row 105 and lowers the storage container 106 into the storage row 105. The lift device includes one or more gripping / engagement devices (not shown) adapted to engage the storage container 106, and the gripping / engagement devices can be lowered from the vehicles 201, 301, whereby the position of the gripping / engagement devices with respect to the vehicles 201, 301 can be adjusted in a third direction Z orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0008] Each of the prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301 includes a storage compartment or space for receiving and storing the storage container 106 when transferring the storage container 106 across the rail system 108. The storage space is shown in FIG. 2 and may include a cavity disposed at the center within the vehicle body 201a, such as described in, for example, WO2015 / 193278A1 (Patent Document 1), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration of the container handling vehicle 301 involving the construction of a cantilever. Such a vehicle is described in detail, for example, in No. 317366, the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0010] The central cavity container handling vehicle 201 shown in FIG. 2 may have an occupied area covering a region of dimensions in the X and Y directions, such as described in, for example, WO2015 / 193278A1, and the dimensions in the X and Y directions are generally equal to the lateral extent of the grid columns 112 (i.e., the extent of the grid columns 112 in the X and Y directions), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the term "lateral" may mean "horizontal".

[0011] Alternatively, the central cavity container handling vehicle 101 may have a footprint larger than the lateral area defined by the grid columns 112, as disclosed, for example, in WO2014 / 090684A1 (Patent Document 2).

[0012] In the X and Y directions, adjacent grid cells are arranged in contact with each other such that there is no space between them.

[0013] In the storage grid 104, most of the grid columns 112 are storage columns 105, that is, the grid columns 105 in which the storage containers 106 are stored in the stack 107. However, although the grid 104 is not normally used to store the storage containers 106, it has at least one grid column 112 provided with a location where the container handling vehicles 201, 301 can drop off and / or pick up the storage containers 106, whereby the storage containers 106 can be transferred to an access station (not shown), where the storage containers 106 can be accessed from outside the grid 104 or transferred inside and outside the grid 104. In the art, such a location is usually referred to as a "port", and the grid columns 112 where the ports are located can be referred to as "port columns" 119, 120. The transfer to the access station can be in any direction, horizontal, diagonal, and / or vertical. For example, the storage containers 106 can be placed randomly within the storage grid 104 or within a dedicated grid column 112 and then picked up by any container handling vehicle and transferred to the ports 119, 120 for further transfer to the access station. Note that the term "diagonal" means the transfer of the storage container 106 having a general transfer direction somewhere between horizontal and vertical.

[0014] When a storage container 106 to be stored within grid 104 disclosed in FIG. 1 is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 is instructed to retrieve the target storage container 106 from its position within grid 104 and transfer it to the drop-off port 119. This operation involves moving the container handling vehicle 201, 301 to a grid location above the storage row 105 where the target storage container 106 is positioned, retrieving the storage container 106 from the storage row 105 using a lift device (not shown) of the container handling vehicle 201, 301, and transferring the storage container 106 to the drop-off port 119. When the target storage container 106 is located deep within stack 107, i.e., when one or more other storage containers 106 are positioned above the target storage container 106, the operation also involves temporarily moving the storage container 106 positioned above prior to lifting the target storage container 106 from the storage row 105. This step, sometimes referred to as "mining" in the art, can be performed using the same container handling vehicle that is subsequently used to transfer the target storage container 106 to the drop-off port 119, or using one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles. Alternatively, or in addition, the automated storage and retrieval system 1 can have a container handling vehicle dedicated specifically to the task of temporarily removing the storage container 106 from the storage row 105. Once the target storage container 106 has been removed from the storage row 105, the temporarily removed storage container 106 can be repositioned within the original storage row 105. However, the removed storage container 106 can alternatively be transferred to another storage row.

[0015] When the storage container 106 is to be stored within the grid 104, one of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 is instructed to pick up the storage container 106 from the pickup port 120 and transfer it to a grid location above the storage row 105 where the storage container 106 is to be stored. After any storage container 106 positioned at or above the target position within the storage row stack 107 has been removed, the container handling vehicles 201, 301 position the storage container 106 at the desired location. The removed storage container 106 can then be lowered back into the storage row 105 or transferred to another storage row.

[0016] To monitor and control the automated storage and retrieval system 1, for example, so that the desired storage container 106 can be delivered to the desired location at the desired time without the container handling vehicles 201, 301 colliding with each other, the automated storage and retrieval system 1 includes a control system that is typically computerized and typically includes a database for tracking the storage containers 106 to monitor the location of each storage container 106 within the grid 104, the contents of each storage container 106, and the movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301.

[0017] WO2018002143A1 (Patent Document 3) describes a system covered by the input of the independent claims of the present invention.

[0018] In the prior art system shown in FIG. 1, the central communication system uses Wi-Fi as the communication platform throughout the storage system. The drawback of using Wi-Fi for communication is that wireless communication uses the same frequency band as other Wi-Fi systems, Bluetooth (registered trademark), microwave ovens, etc., and this can be a problem with respect to the available bandwidth. A further problem is that Wi-Fi signals can be received from outside the area where it is installed, and thus it is potentially a security risk. Furthermore, it can be a problem that Wi-Fi cannot be installed in some places due to too much interference.

[0019] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems associated with using radio waves as a communication means between components of a storage system.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0020]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0021] (Summary of the Invention) The present invention is set forth in and characterized by the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the present invention.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is defined by an automated storage system comprising a three-dimensional storage grid for storing storage containers, at least one container handling vehicle operating above, around, or below the storage grid, and a central communication system with a system transmitter and a system receiver, the system transmitter and the system receiver controlling and communicating with at least one container handling vehicle for handling storage containers within the storage grid, the at least one container handling vehicle comprising a vehicle communication system with a vehicle transmitter and a vehicle receiver for communication with the central communication system, the system and the vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver being configured to use light for wireless communication, and the system transmitter and the system receiver being located above, around, or below the storage grid within the automated storage system.

[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver of the vehicle communication system are located on the upper surface of the container handling vehicle, and the vehicle communication system comprises two or more vehicle transmitters and two or more vehicle receivers.

[0024] Alternatively, at least one vehicle transmitter and at least one vehicle receiver can be located on each side surface of the container handling vehicle.

[0025] The transmitters and receivers of the vehicle communication system are configured to communicate with other container handling vehicles with at least one vehicle communication system with transmitters and receivers using a local communication system.

[0026] The vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver of the vehicle communication system are configured to communicate commands for opening and closing a barrier.

[0027] The vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver are located on the vehicle so as to communicate with all directions above and around the container handling vehicle.

[0028] The automated storage system comprises two or more system transmitters and two or more system receivers, and the central communication system is configured to transmit the same communication from all transmitters. The light used for communication is visible light communication (VLC), Li-Fi, Irda, optical wireless communication (OWC), or Reasonable Optical Near Joint Access (RONJA).

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is further defined by a method for controlling a container handling vehicle of an automated storage system, the automated storage system comprising a three-dimensional grid for storing storage containers, at least one container handling vehicle operating above, around, or below the storage grid, and a central communication system with system transmitters and system receivers, the system transmitters and system receivers controlling and communicating with at least one container handling vehicle, the container handling vehicle comprising a vehicle communication system with vehicle transmitters and vehicle receivers, the method comprising transmitting a wireless communication signal between the central communication system and the vehicle communication system of the container handling vehicle using light, and controlling the operation of the container handling vehicle above, around, or below the storage grid based at least on the wireless communication signal.

[0030] Transmitters and receivers of the vehicle communication system for at least one other container handling vehicle with at least one vehicle communication system with transmitters and receivers using a local communication system.

[0031] When the automated storage system comprises two or more system transmitters and two or more system receivers, the same communication is transmitted from all transmitters of the central communication system.

[0032] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to overcome these problems by introducing optical communication. By using optical communication such as Li-Fi, a potential hacker needs to be in the same room as the container handling vehicle in order to hack the communication between the container handling vehicle and the system.

[0033] Furthermore, there is a benefit in having the possibility of communicating a huge amount of data very quickly by using optical communication (e.g., Li-Fi).

[0034] When using light as a communication medium (e.g., Li-Fi, etc.), the transmitter and the receiver must be on each other's line of sight. One solution is to place a number of transmitters and receivers at strategic locations within the housing of the storage facility at regular intervals over a large area to be communicated with. The communication between the central communication system and the container handling vehicle can take the form of a communication system that transmits messages simultaneously from all transmitters.

[0035] There can also be several transmitters and receivers placed on different sides of the container handling vehicle. There can be one transmitter and receiver (e.g., at the top) that communicates with the central computer system and transmitters and receivers on each side that communicate with other container handling vehicles.

[0036] By using Li-Fi or other solutions, the possibility of communicating even more information bidirectionally in the system is opened up, which is beneficial for tracking all container handling vehicles and their statuses related to charging, reducing latency, and more frequent updates. Regarding system shutdown, this reduces the time taken to shut down the system. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) An automated storage system (1), wherein the system (1) has a three-dimensional storage grid (104) for storing storage containers (106), At least one container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) operating above, around, or below the storage grid (104), and a central communication system (500) with a system transmitter (401) and a system receiver (401). Comprising The system transmitter (401) and the system receiver (401) control and communicate with the at least one container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) for handling storage containers (106) within the storage grid (104). The at least one container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) comprises a vehicle communication system with a vehicle transmitter and a vehicle receiver for communication with the central communication system (500). The system (1) is characterized in that the system, the vehicle transmitter, and the vehicle receiver are configured to use light for wireless communication. The system transmitter (401) and the system receiver are located above, around, or below the storage grid (104) within the automated storage system (1). (Item 2) The vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver of the vehicle communication system are located on the upper surface of the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404). The system (1) according to Item 1. (Item 3) The vehicle communication system comprises two or more vehicle transmitters and two or more vehicle receivers. The system (1) according to Item 1. (Item 4) At least one vehicle transmitter and at least one vehicle receiver are located on each side surface of the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404). The system (1) according to Item 2 or Item 3. (Item 5) The transmitter and the receiver of the vehicle communication system are configured to communicate with other container handling vehicles (201, 301, 404) with at least one vehicle communication system with a transmitter and a receiver, using a local communication system (501), according to any one of items 1 to 4 of the system (1). (Item 6) The vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver of the vehicle communication system are configured to communicate an instruction for opening and closing a barrier (402), according to any one of items 1 to 5 of the system (1). (Item 7) The vehicle transmitter and the vehicle receiver are located on the vehicle (201, 301, 404) so as to communicate with all directions above and around the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404), according to item 3 or item 4 of the system (1). (Item 8) The automated storage system (1) includes two or more system transmitters (401) and two or more system receivers, and the central communication system (500) is configured to transmit the same communication from all the transmitters (401), according to any one of items 1 to 7 of the system (1). (Item 9) The light used for the communication is visible light communication (VLC), Li-Fi, Irda, optical wireless communication (OWC), or Reasonable Optical Near Joint Access (RONJA), according to any one of items 1 to 8 of the system (1). (Item 10) A method for controlling the container handling vehicles (201, 301, 404) of an automated storage system (1), the automated storage system (1) comprising a three-dimensional grid for storing storage containers (106), at least one container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) operating above, around, or below the storage grid (104), a central communication system (500) with a system transmitter (401) and a system receiver comprising, the system transmitter (401) and the system receiver control and communicate with at least one container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404), and the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) comprises a vehicle communication system with a vehicle transmitter and a vehicle receiver. The method comprises transmitting a wireless communication signal between the central communication system (500) and the vehicle communication system of the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) using light; controlling the operation of the container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) above, around or below the storage grid (104) based at least on the wireless communication signal; A method, characterized in that the method includes the above. (Item 11) Communicating from the transmitter and receiver of the vehicle communication system to another container handling vehicle (201, 301, 404) with at least one vehicle communication system with a transmitter and a receiver using a local communication system (501), the method according to item 10. (Item 12) When the automated storage system (1) comprises two or more system transmitters (401) and two or more system receivers, transmitting the same communication from all the transmitters (401) of the central communication system (500), the method according to item 10.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037] (Brief Description of the Drawings) To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the following drawings are attached. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention and are described herein by way of example only.

[0038]

Figure 1

[0039]

Figure 2

[0040]

Figure 3

[0041]

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] (DETAILED DESCRIPTION) The present invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the subject matter depicted by the present invention.

[0043] An automated storage and retrieval system 10 with a typical prior art framework structure 100 was described above in the background section.

[0044] The container handling vehicle rail system 108 enables the container handling vehicle 201 to move horizontally between different grid locations, each grid location being associated with a grid cell 122.

[0045] In FIG. 1, a storage grid 104 with a height of eight grid cells 122 is shown. However, it should be understood that the storage grid 104 can in principle be of any size. The storage grid 104 can be considerably wider and / or longer than that disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the grid 104 can have a storage row 105 with a horizontal spread greater than 700×700. The grid 104 can also be considerably deeper than that disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the storage grid 104 can be deeper than twelve grid cells 122 (i.e., in the Z direction shown in FIG. 1).

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle, the container handling vehicle having a cavity disposed centrally therein for containing a storage container 106.

[0047] The central cavity container handling vehicle 201 can have an exclusive area covering an area of dimensions in the X and Y directions, such as those described in, for example, WO2015 / 193278A1, the dimensions in the X and Y directions being approximately equal to the lateral spread of the grid row 112 (i.e., the spread of the grid row 112 in the X and Y directions), the content of WO2015 / 193278A1 being incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] Alternatively, the central cavity container handling vehicle 101 can have an exclusive area larger than the lateral area defined by the grid row 112, as disclosed in, for example, WO2014 / 090684A1.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle, the container handling vehicle having a cantilever for containing a storage container 106 directly below.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central communication system 500 using light as a medium for communication in the storage system 1.

[0051] The storage system 1 includes at least one container handling vehicle 201, 301, 404 for transporting the container 106. These container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 can be vehicles 201, 301 that move to the top of the storage grid 104 and lift the container 106 out of the grid 104, but can also be a remotely operated delivery vehicle 404 for transporting the storage container 106 between the storage grid 104 and, for example, a port 403 for handling the storage container 106. The system 1 further includes a central communication system 500 for communicating information to all parts of the system 1. The system 1 can also include at least one port 403, and the container is transported to the port 403, where related articles are picked outside the container for shipping. After the related articles are picked outside, the container 106 is sent back to the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 for transportation back to the storage grid 104. Further, the system 1 can include one or more barriers 402 connecting separate compartments of the storage grid 104. The system 1 can also include other parts.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central communication system 500 communicates information to different parts of the storage system 1 via a plurality of transmitters 401. These transmitters 401 use light as a medium for communication. The transmitters 401 are positioned around the storage grid 104 within the facility housing the storage system 1 to ensure that the entire area of the storage system 1 is on the line of sight of at least one transmitter 401.

[0053] To transmit information, the transmitter 401 can take the form of an LED lamp. To receive information, a camera can be used. However, any other form of device for transmitting and receiving information using light as a medium for communication can be used.

[0054] In the solution presented in the present invention where light is used as the communication medium, it is essential that the transmitter 401 and the receiver are on each other's line of sight. Therefore, in a large storage facility, in order to target the entire area of the storage system 1 for communication, it may be necessary to use several transmitters 401 and receivers that are distributed and positioned within the facility housing the storage system 1. Therefore, a container handling vehicle moving either at the top or around the storage grid 104 will move between the communication target areas of the transmitters 401 with each other. This can occur even during communication with the central communication system 500. To ensure that the communication between the central communication system 500 and the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 is not interrupted when the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 are moving between the communication target areas of the transmitters 401 with each other, the central communication system 500 can transmit the same information to all the transmitters 401. The information is transmitted simultaneously from all the transmitters. This ensures seamless transfer between the transmitters 401 with each other and prevents interference.

[0055] In an alternative solution, the system 1 can predict the location of the container handling vehicle based on the speed at which the container handling vehicle is moving and knowledge of the container handling vehicle's current task. Therefore, the system 1 can communicate information via the transmitter and receiver closest to the target container handling vehicle, or via the best-positioned transmitters and receivers. This enables the central communication system 500 to transmit information simultaneously to several parts of the storage system 1.

[0056] If the transmitter 401 does not operate properly, there may be an area in the storage system 1 that cannot transfer the communication signal. In this case, the signal can be retransmitted via other container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 that are on the line of sight of the area. In this scenario, a mesh network could be a solution. In a mesh network, each node is connected to some other nodes within the network (if not all other nodes of the network). The benefit associated with this type of network is that it does not matter if one of the nodes is not functioning properly as it is possible to bypass that node. The mesh network is dynamic and will find alternative routes by itself.

[0057] In certain embodiments of the present invention, all parts of the system 1 such as the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404, the port 403, the barrier 402, etc. can both transmit and receive information. This means that all different parts of the present invention can both receive information from the central communication system 500 and transmit information back to the central communication system 500.

[0058] In an alternative solution, this enables different parts of the system 1 to communicate directly with each other. An example of this could be the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 that communicate with each other (for example, to inform the surrounding vehicles that it is either decelerating or accelerating). The container handling vehicle can also retransmit information from the central communication system 500 to another container handling vehicle outside the communication target area, for example. Further, the container handling vehicle can communicate with the barrier 402 and instruct the barrier 402 to open to allow the container handling vehicle to pass. This communication where different parts of the storage system 1 communicate with each other without the need to go through the central communication system 500 is called the local communication system 501.

[0059] The container handling vehicle has at least one vehicle receiver and one vehicle transmitter. These transmitter and receiver should be placed so as to cover the largest possible area for communication. Thus, a preferred location could be the upper surface of the container handling vehicle. This would cover a large area both above and around the vehicle for communication.

[0060] In addition to this topmost transmitter and receiver, transmitters and receivers can be present on each side of the container handling vehicle. This increases the chance that the surrounding container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 receive the information sent to them. Further, the container handling vehicle can communicate different messages in different directions simultaneously using different transmitters and receivers around the body of the container handling vehicle.

[0061] If the topmost transmitters and receivers of the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 do not operate properly, communication can be directed to the container handling vehicle via neighboring container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 that relay the message via the transmitters and receivers placed on the sides of the body.

[0062] If all transmitters and receivers of the container handling vehicle cannot communicate via optical signals, the container handling vehicle automatically drives to the service station. Alternatively, the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 404 can have a backup communication system. This backup communication system can be Wi-Fi. If the communication system using light as the medium for communication fails for some reason, the Wi-Fi system can take over the communication with the central communication system 500.

[0063] In yet another alternative solution, the communication between the central communication system 500 and the rest of the storage system 1 can be done by using both optical and Wi-Fi as communication channels. As a medium for communication, optical can be used for communication from the central communication system 500 to vehicles, ports, and barriers, and Wi-Fi can be used for communication from vehicles, ports, and barriers to the central communication system 500.

[0064] To prevent optical interference, the storage system 1 can be divided into compartments. These compartments can be separated by light-blocking partitions. These partitions can be curtains, screens, or barriers that can be raised and lowered as needed. This makes it possible to separate the communication in one compartment from the rest. One such compartment can be one grid separated from other grids, or a part of a grid separated from the rest of the grid. The storage grid can be separated into several such compartments.

[0065] The associated benefit is that it becomes easier to perform maintenance on the container handling vehicles on the grid. Furthermore, these compartments can be security zones in case of a fire. A further benefit of using optical as a communication means is that it is safer when there is a need for an emergency stop for the entire storage system. Since Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference from signals outside the storage system 1, there is a chance that interference will cause the container handling vehicle to perform unintended operations. By using optical as a communication means in the storage system 1 blocked from external optical interference, the chance of unintended operations of the container handling vehicle can be reduced until it is almost eliminated.

[0066] Furthermore, by separating the storage grid into compartments that can be blocked from communication from outside the compartment, it becomes easier to ensure that the container handling vehicle within a particular compartment is shut down, or to ensure that the container handling vehicle within a compartment is operable while the rest of the storage system 1 is shut down.

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention described in this specification.

Images