Electronic device and information management method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is an information management method of an electronic device. The information management method includes the steps of: checking a plurality of items warehoused in a center; acquiring one or more pieces of zone identification information configured to correspond to preset zones in which the plurality of items are located before being displayed in a picking zone; checking zone identification information corresponding to an area in which at least one tote is to be located, from among the one or more pieces of zone identification information; checking tote identification information for the at least one tote to be located in the area; and mapping the checked tote identification information for the at least one tote to the checked zone identification information.

Description

Electronic devices and methods for managing information therein

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information management method for managing zone identification information and tote identification information by mapping them so as to provide relevant information to workers based on the zone identification information mapped to the identification information of the tote that is the subject of an emergency operation.

[0002] Users can search for and purchase items using applications installed on their devices. Each service provider manages its own unique applications. Users can purchase items online using the applications provided by each service provider, and the rate of online item purchases is steadily increasing.

[0003] In this online e-commerce market, fast delivery of items is a crucial factor for consumers when making purchase decisions. Therefore, many service providers are working to shorten delivery times by securing fulfillment centers that stock as many items as possible.

[0004] At this time, the fulfillment center is managed with distinct areas, such as a picking zone and packing zone, to ensure efficient operations and enable prompt delivery. Specifically, items received at the fulfillment center and displayed in the picking zone, upon receiving a customer order, are packed in the packing zone for prompt delivery to the customer.

[0005] However, depending on the size of the fulfillment center, items received at the fulfillment center may take a certain amount of time (e.g., from 12 hours to a week) to be displayed in the picking zone. If a customer order is received before the items are displayed in the picking zone, delivery cannot be guaranteed on the expected delivery date. This can lead to a decrease in customer satisfaction due to a decrease in reliability and, consequently, a decrease in sales.

[0006] Therefore, a technology is needed to manage items received at the fulfillment center so that they can be delivered quickly even if an order is received from a customer before they are displayed in the picking zone.

[0007] The disclosed embodiments disclose an information management method that maps zone identification information and tote identification information to provide relevant information to workers based on the identification information of the tote, which is the subject of an emergency operation, and the mapped zone identification information. The technical challenges to be achieved by the present embodiments are not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges can be inferred from the following embodiments.

[0008] According to a first embodiment, an information management method of an electronic device includes the steps of: confirming a plurality of items received into a center; obtaining at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which the plurality of items are located before being displayed as a picking zone; confirming zone identification information corresponding to an area in which at least one tote is to be located among the at least one zone identification information; confirming identification information of the at least one tote to be located in the area; and mapping the identification information of the at least one tote identified to the confirmed zone identification information, wherein the plurality of items located in the preset zone may be managed in a state in which an order can be received from a customer even before being displayed as the picking zone.

[0009] According to an embodiment, an item ordered from a customer among a plurality of items located in the preset zone may be managed as a priority display target in the picking zone among the plurality of items located in the preset zone.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the method may further include a step of providing at least one worker with information about at least one item that is a priority display target.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the step of providing the information may include the step of providing zone identification information mapped to identification information of a tote including the item that is the priority display target.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the step of providing the information may include a step of determining a priority by considering the number of items included in a tote containing the items that are priority display targets when there are multiple items that are priority display targets; and a step of providing identification information of a tote determined by considering the priority and zone identification information mapped thereto.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the step of providing the information may include a step of determining a priority by considering the number of items already displayed that are to be packaged together with the items subject to priority display when there are multiple items subject to priority display; and a step of providing identification information of a tote determined in consideration of the priority and zone identification information mapped thereto.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned displayed items may be characterized in that they correspond to items previously displayed in the picking zone rather than in the preset zone.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the step of verifying identification information of the at least one tote may include the step of verifying identification information of at least one container grouping the at least one tote.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the step of mapping the identification information of the at least one tote to the identified zone identification information may include the step of mapping the identified zone identification information and the at least one container identification information.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the step of providing the information may include a step of providing identification information of at least one tote grouped by at least one container identification information mapped to the zone identification information.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the step of checking a plurality of items received at the center may include a step of checking an item set as a blacklist to be managed so as not to be placed in the preset zone among the plurality of items.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the method may further include: receiving an input from at least one worker regarding the tote not being located in the preset zone when the tote containing the item to be managed as the priority display target is not located in the preset zone; and managing the tote input by the at least one worker in an inactive state.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the tote managed in the inactive state may be characterized in that it is removed from the priority display target list when it is displayed in the picking zone by another worker.

[0021] According to a second embodiment, an electronic device includes a communication unit; a memory; and a controller configured to identify a plurality of items received into a center, obtain at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which the plurality of items are located before being displayed as a picking zone, identify zone identification information corresponding to an area in which at least one tote is to be located among the at least one zone identification information, identify identification information of the at least one tote to be located in the area, and manage the identified identification information of the at least one tote by mapping it to the identified zone identification information, wherein the plurality of items located in the preset zone are managed in a state in which an order can be received from a customer even before being displayed as the picking zone.

[0022] According to a third embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium includes a non-transitory recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the above-described method on a computer.

[0023] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, even before being displayed in the picking zone, items managed in the NYS zone among items received in the fulfillment center can be managed in a state where they can be ordered by customers. This allows for the sale of items that could otherwise be sold but were prevented from being sold due to management procedures within the fulfillment center, thereby increasing sales. In this case, among the items managed in the NYS zone, only those items that meet certain conditions can be managed as urgent display items, and workers can quickly display totes eligible for urgent display in the picking zone, enabling faster delivery to customers.

[0025] The effects of the invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a drawing for explaining a process processed in a fulfillment center according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining a NYS zone according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining zone identification information corresponding to a NYS zone according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIGS. 5A to 5D are drawings for explaining an application installed on a worker terminal according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information managed in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0032] FIGS. 7A to 7G are drawings for explaining an application installed on a worker terminal according to another embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining container identification information according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating application operations when a worker identifies a lost tote during a work process according to one embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are drawings for explaining a process in which a scanned tote is released while a worker uses a terminal according to one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of an information management method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0038] The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from widely used and common terms, taking into account the functions of the present disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present disclosure.

[0039] When a part of the specification is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "part" and "module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0040] The expression "at least one of a, b, and c" described throughout the specification may encompass 'a alone', 'b alone', 'c alone', 'a and b', 'a and c', 'b and c', or 'all of a, b, and c'.

[0041] The "terminal" mentioned below may be implemented as a computer or portable terminal that can connect to a server or other terminal via a network. Here, the computer includes, for example, a notebook, desktop, laptop, etc. equipped with a web browser, and the portable terminal may include, for example, a wireless communication device that guarantees portability and mobility, and may include all types of handheld-based wireless communication devices such as communication-based terminals such as IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.

[0042] Below, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the system may include an electronic device (10), terminal 1 (20), terminal 2 (30), terminal 3 (40), and a network (50). The electronic device (10) may manage information related to the process from receipt of an item to delivery, and workers may use the terminals they use to check or record information related to their work.

[0046] Terminal 1 (20), Terminal 2 (30), and Terminal 3 (40) may be terminals used by workers. For example, Terminal 1 (20) may correspond to a terminal used by a stocking worker, Terminal 2 (30) may correspond to a terminal used by a display worker, and Terminal 3 (40) may correspond to a terminal used by a picking worker. Terminal 1 (20), Terminal 2 (30), and Terminal 3 (40) are merely examples, and the scope of the present specification is not limited thereto. The system illustrated in FIG. 1 only illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be included in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] The electronic device (10) and terminal 1 (20), terminal 2 (30), and terminal 3 (40) can communicate with each other within a network (50). The network (50) includes a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a value-added network (VAN), a mobile radio communication network, a satellite communication network, and a combination thereof, and is a comprehensive data communication network that allows each network component illustrated in FIG. 1 to communicate smoothly with each other, and may include wired Internet, wireless Internet, and a mobile radio communication network. Wireless communication may include, but is not limited to, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct), UWB (ultrawideband), infrared communication (IrDA, infrared Data Association), NFC (Near Field Communication), etc., for example.

[0048] Items ordered according to a Purchase Order (PO) and delivered to the Fulfillment Center (FC) are displayed and stored according to rules. When an order is received from a customer, the displayed items undergo various tasks such as picking and packing so that they can be delivered to the customer. Since the Fulfillment Center is a large space, efficient use of space is important. After the received items are displayed according to the rules, they can be managed so that the items can be ordered by customers. However, before being displayed, the items are not in a state where customers can order them, so even though they are received, they can not be sold, resulting in losses.

[0049] The electronic device (10) can manage items received and placed in preset zones within a fulfillment center so that they are available for sale to customers even before being displayed according to rules. Here, the preset zone may correspond to a NYS (Not Yet Stowed, NYS) zone, which is a zone where items are temporarily stored before being displayed in a picking zone according to rules. In this case, even before being displayed in a picking zone, items located in the preset zone can be managed so that they are available for ordering from customers.

[0050] Below, the contents of managing items in a state where orders can be received using a preset zone even before the electronic device (10) is displayed in the picking zone are described.

[0051] Figure 2 is a drawing for explaining a process processed in a fulfillment center according to one embodiment.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, a fulfillment center (200) is a physical location that stores items to be shipped to customers upon receipt of an order, and may be divided into a number of zones, each of which is illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition to the zones illustrated in FIG. 2, various zones may be included in the fulfillment center (200).

[0053] The inbound zone (203) represents the area of ​​the fulfillment center (200) where items delivered according to a purchase order are received. For example, suppliers may use trucks (201) to deliver items (202A and 202B). Item (202A) may represent a single item that is large enough to occupy its own shipping pallet, while item (202B) may represent a set of items that are stacked together on the same pallet to save space. A receiving worker may receive items at the inbound zone (203) and check them for damage and accuracy. For example, the receiving worker may compare the quantity of items (202A and 202B) to the ordered quantity of the items, and if the quantities match, move these items to the NYS zone (205) (e.g., using a dolly, hand truck, forklift (206), or manually).

[0054] The NYS zone (205) may be an area where items are temporarily stored before being displayed in the picking zone (209). The NYS zone (205) may be a preset zone within a fulfillment center, where received items are temporarily stored in order. At this time, the NYS zone (250) may be distinguished based on the type of the item, and the item may be temporarily stored in the corresponding NYS zone based on the type of the item. For example, if the item is a frozen type, it may be temporarily stored in the NYS zone corresponding to the frozen item. If the item is a refrigerated type, it may be temporarily stored in the NYS zone corresponding to the refrigerated item. If the item is a room temperature type, it may be temporarily stored in the NYS zone corresponding to the room temperature item. An item stored in a NYS zone may represent a single item or a set of items of the same type. Alternatively, the items stored in a NYS zone may represent a predetermined quantity of items corresponding to the same stock keeping unit (SKU). Items can be stored in a NYS zone within a tote, a storage unit. Therefore, the location of an item stored within a tote can be identified by matching the zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone with the tote's identification information. Here, a tote is a storage unit capable of storing items and may be referred to by various terms, such as a box.

[0055] The buffer zone (207) is similar to the NYS zone (205), but is distinct from it, and may be a temporary storage area for items that are not currently needed in the picking zone (209). For example, if there is a sufficient quantity of an item in the picking zone (209) to meet the predicted demand, the item may be temporarily stored in the buffer zone (207) without being moved to the picking zone (209). The buffer zone (207) may be an area where items that are stored in sufficient quantity in the picking zone (209) are temporarily stored, and the NYS zone (205) may be an area where items are temporarily stored before being displayed in the picking zone (209) after being received. That is, items may be moved from the NYS zone (205) to the picking zone (209) to be displayed, or, if there is a sufficient quantity in the picking zone (209), they may be moved from the NYS zone (205) to the buffer zone (207) to be stored. The worker can move the confirmed item through the terminal used in the NYS zone (205) or buffer zone (207) to the picking zone (209). If the item ordered by the customer is located in the picking zone (209), the worker can pick the item from the picking zone and send it to the packing zone (211). At this time, if the quantity in the picking zone is below a reference value, the worker can bring the item located in the buffer zone (207) to the picking zone (209) and display it. At this time, the reference value can be set differently for each item, taking into account the different speeds at which the inventory displayed in the picking zone (209) decreases. Alternatively, if the item ordered by the customer is not in both the picking zone (209) and the buffer zone (207) but is located in the NYS zone (205), a worker can take the item from the NYS zone (205) and display it in the picking zone (209), and another worker can pick the item from the picking zone (209) and send it to the packing zone (211). In other words, the actions of workers within the fulfillment center may differ depending on whether the item is located in the buffer zone (207) or the NYS zone (205).

[0056] A picking zone (209) may be an area of ​​a fulfillment center (200) where items (208) are stored on storage units (210). A worker according to the present disclosure may use storage units (210) to place items within the picking zone (209) at assigned locations according to a picking plan to create display space. In some embodiments, the storage units (210) may include one or more of physical shelves, bookshelves, boxes, totes, refrigerators, freezers, cold storage, etc. In some embodiments, the picking zone (209) may consist of multiple floors. Additionally, in some embodiments, a worker or a machine (e.g., a forklift, an elevator, a conveyor belt, a cart, a hand truck, a dolly, an automated robot, or a device) may move items into the picking zone (209) in various ways or manually.

[0057] When a customer places an order, a worker can retrieve one or more items (208) from a storage unit (210), recognize the identification information of the items (208), and place the items on a transport mechanism (214). The items (208) can then arrive at a packing zone (211) via the transport mechanism (214).

[0058] The packing zone (211) may be an area of ​​the fulfillment center (200) where items are received from the picking zone (209) and packaged before final delivery to the customer. The hub zone (213) may be an area of ​​the fulfillment center (200) that receives all packages (218) from the packing zone (211). A worker in the hub zone (213) may search for packages (218), determine which part of the delivery area each package is scheduled to be delivered to, and route the packages to the appropriate camp zone (215). In FIG. 2, the camp zone (215) may be an area where packages (218) are loaded onto trucks (222) and automobiles (226) by delivery workers (224A and 224B).

[0059] The present disclosure relates to methods for managing information in electronic devices with respect to the NYS zone (205), among various areas within a fulfillment center (200).

[0060] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining a NYS zone according to one embodiment.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, the NYS zone (300) is an area corresponding to a preset zone within a fulfillment center, and items received at the fulfillment center can be temporarily stored in order in the NYS zone (300). Previously, only items that had been displayed in the picking zone were managed in a state in which orders could be received from customers, but the process of displaying items in the picking zone after receiving them at the fulfillment center took from 12 to 16 hours at the shortest to over a week at the longest, depending on the size of the fulfillment center. During this period, items were received at the center, but there was a problem in that they were managed in a state in which they could not be sold to customers.

[0062] Accordingly, if items are stored in the NYS zone (300) in order after they are received at the center and before being displayed in the picking zone, sales performance can be improved if they are managed in a state where orders can be received from customers. However, the NYS zone (300) is an arbitrary space within the fulfillment center, and when an order is received from a customer, there is a problem that a lot of time is spent in the process of workers finding ordered items within the NYS zone (300) in order to display them first in the picking zone, which reduces work efficiency. In other words, the NYS zone (300) is an area where items are temporarily stored in the order they are received, and since there is no procedure to manage this, there is a concern that a lot of time may be spent in the process of workers finding items ordered from customers.

[0063] If zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone (300) is set within the fulfillment center, the worker can use the zone identification information to more quickly find the tote mapped to the corresponding zone and arrange it in the picking zone, thereby improving work efficiency. For example, if the 1st NYS ID, the 2nd NYS ID, the 3rd NYS ID to the Nth NYS ID are set in advance as zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone (300), the worker can move to the location corresponding to the zone identification information provided through the terminal he uses and more quickly find the tote. At this time, the zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone (300) can be set in advance by the manager according to a certain rule, and if there are multiple NYS zones within the fulfillment center, the zone identification information can be set so as to distinguish each NYS zone.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining zone identification information corresponding to a NYS zone according to one embodiment.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, at least one tote mapped to a first NYS ID (400) corresponding to a NYS zone can be identified. For example, the first tote, the second tote, the third tote, and the Nth tote can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400). At this time, through the process of assigning the first tote to the first NYS ID (400), the identification information of the first tote can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400), through the process of assigning the second tote to the first NYS ID (400), the identification information of the second tote can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400), through the process of assigning the third tote to the first NYS ID (400), the identification information of the third tote can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400), and through the process of assigning the Nth tote to the first NYS ID (400), the identification information of the Nth tote can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400). Accordingly, the worker can quickly move to the corresponding location based on the identification information of the tote storing the ordered item and the identification information of the zone to which the tote is assigned, find the tote containing the item, move it to the picking zone, and display it. This means that workers can quickly act based on the information provided without having to examine every tote in every NYS zone.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the electronic device can manage the relationship between the totes and the zone identification information through a process of mapping the identification information of the first tote and the first NYS ID (400), a process of mapping the identification information of the second tote and the first NYS ID (400), a process of mapping the identification information of the third tote and the first NYS ID (400), and a process of mapping the identification information of ~ N-th tote and the N-th NYS ID (400). Alternatively, unlike the above, container identification information grouping the first tote, the second tote, the third tote, and ~ N-th tote can be managed, and through a single process of mapping between the container identification information and the first NYS ID (400), all totes corresponding to the container identification information can be mapped to the first NYS ID (400), thereby improving the work efficiency of the worker.

[0067] FIGS. 5A to 5D are drawings for explaining an application installed on a worker terminal according to one embodiment.

[0068] The terminal used by the worker may be equipped with an application that maps zone identification information to the tote's identification information. The electronic device can use the application to provide the worker with information related to the task, and the worker can perform the task based on the information provided to the terminal.

[0069] Area (501) may display information about the fulfillment center currently being worked on and the worker logged in via the terminal. Area (503) may display the text "NYS ID Display Assignment," and the worker may select area (503) to map the zone identification information to the tote identification information, as shown in FIGS. 5b to 5d.

[0070] Specifically, the text "Scan NYS ID" may be displayed in the area (505), and the worker may scan the NYS ID among multiple NYS IDs corresponding to the NYS zone according to the information displayed on the terminal to map the identification information of the tote. The NYS ID is zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone, and the worker may scan the NYS ID through a process such as scanning a barcode. The NYS ID is zone identification information set for a specific location within the NYS zone in advance according to rules.

[0071] Area (507) may display information related to the NYS ID scanned by the worker (e.g., identification information A). A screen requesting scanning of the identification information of the tote to be assigned to identification information A may be displayed on the terminal. At this time, the worker may scan the identification information 1 of the tote, as in area (509). In addition, the worker may additionally scan the identification information 2, identification information 3, and identification information 4 of the tote, as in areas (511, 513, 515), and the scanned totes may be mapped to the NYS ID corresponding to the identification information A. Accordingly, the electronic device may confirm the identification information of at least one tote mapped to the NYS ID based on the scanned information through the application.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information managed in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic device can manage information related to multiple items located in a NYS zone. The information illustrated in FIG. 6 is merely an example for illustrative purposes, and various other types of information can be managed by the electronic device.

[0074] The electronic device can manage the relationship between the zone identification information and the identification information of the tote mapped through the process described above. The relationship between the zone identification information and the identification information of the tote can be confirmed based on the area (601) and the area (605). For example, the tote corresponding to the identification information W can be located at a position corresponding to the identification information E which is the NYS ID, the tote corresponding to the identification information X can be located at a position corresponding to the identification information F which is the NYS ID, the tote corresponding to the identification information Y can be located at a position corresponding to the identification information G which is the NYS ID, and the tote corresponding to the identification information Z can be located at a position corresponding to the identification information H which is the NYS ID.

[0075] The area (603) can display information about the priority of a task with respect to a plurality of totes located in the NYS zone. Among the plurality of totes located in the NYS zone, if a first condition is satisfied, the priority can be set to 'urgent', and the worker can prioritize the totes set to 'urgent' over the totes set to 'normal' and display them in the picking zone. At this time, the first condition can include cases where i) an order has been received from a customer for an item included in the tote, ii) the quantity displayed in the picking zone is insufficient to deliver the ordered item, iii) the insufficient quantity cannot be replenished by the buffer zone, and iv) the ordered item is located in the NYS zone. The electronic device can manage by setting it to 'urgent' when the first condition is satisfied. Only when all four conditions are satisfied can the tote be managed by setting it to 'urgent'. The electronic device can provide information to the worker via the application regarding totes set to 'urgent', and the worker can perform tasks on totes set to 'urgent' with priority over totes set to 'normal'.

[0076] Additionally, the electronic device can manage information such as the company that delivered the tote, quantity information, the date it arrived at the center, and the worker who performed the delivery. This information is only one example, and the electronic device can manage a variety of other information.

[0077] FIGS. 7A to 7G are drawings for explaining an application installed on a worker terminal according to another embodiment.

[0078] The electronic device can provide information to the worker about totes urgently managed in the NYS zone through an application installed on the worker terminal, and the worker can obtain the tote from the location corresponding to the NYD ID based on the information provided through the terminal and display it in the picking zone.

[0079] Specifically, referring to FIG. 7A, information regarding the fulfillment center currently being worked on and the worker logged in via the terminal may be displayed in area (701). The text "Urgent Display NYS" may be displayed in area (703), and when the worker selects area (703), information regarding the tote subject to urgent display may be provided.

[0080] In the area (705) of Fig. 7b, information regarding at least one NYS zone may be displayed, and when a worker selects one NYS zone, the zone identification information corresponding to the zone and the number of totes subject to emergency work for each zone identification information may be displayed, as in Fig. 7c. For example, as in the area (707), the number of totes subject to emergency work, 68, may be displayed corresponding to zone identification information 15 within the NYS zone.

[0081] When a worker selects zone identification information 15, a screen such as FIG. 7D may be displayed on the terminal. Identification information corresponding to zone identification information 15 may be displayed in area (709), and identification information of totes mapped to zone identification information 15 may be displayed in areas (711, 713, 715, 717). At this time, totes corresponding to the identification information displayed in areas (711, 713, 715, 717) may correspond to totes that are targets of emergency work among a plurality of totes mapped to zone identification information 15. That is, among a plurality of totes mapped to zone identification information 15, totes classified as targets of emergency work according to conditions may be displayed in areas (711, 713, 715, 717).

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7e, when a worker scans the identification information of one of the totes displayed in areas (711, 713, 715, 717), the identification information of the scanned tote may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from the identification information of other totes. This allows the worker to more clearly identify the scanned tote. For example, when a worker scans identification information 1, area (711) may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from areas (713, 715, 717) corresponding to other identification information 2 to 4.

[0083] When a worker moves to the picking zone with only the tote corresponding to identification information 1 in zone identification information 15, the worker can select area (719). At this time, the text "Tote scan completed" may be displayed in area (721) as in FIG. 7F, and identification information 1 may be excluded from the urgent work target as in FIG. 7G. Since identification information 1 is the one the worker is scheduled to work on, identification information 1 is excluded from the urgent work target, and identification information 2 to 4 corresponding to the remaining totes not assigned to the worker may be displayed on the terminal. In this case, the remaining urgent work target totes may be worked on by another worker or after the worker returns from the picking zone.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining container identification information according to one embodiment.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic device can manage container identification information that groups identification information of at least one tote, thereby improving the convenience of management and the efficiency of a worker's work. For example, identification information of a first tote, identification information of a second tote, and identification information of an Nth tote can be mapped to container identification information, and when the container identification information is scanned, the electronic device can confirm identification information of multiple totes mapped to the container identification information.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 8, the identification information of the tote corresponding to the zone identification information A, which is the NYS ID, can be displayed through an application installed on the terminal. At this time, the identification information of the tote that is not managed by the container identification information can be preferentially displayed in the area (810), and the identification information of the tote that is managed by the container identification information can be displayed in the area (820). For example, the container identification information 3 can be mapped to the identification information 3-1 of the tote and the identification information 3-2 of the tote, and when the container identification information 3 is scanned, the identification information 3-1 of the tote and the identification information 3-2 of the tote mapped to the container identification information 3 can be confirmed.

[0087] When there is multiple container identification information in the area (820), the electronic device can control the order of container identification information displayed on the terminal by considering the priority. Specifically, the order of priority can be determined by first considering the time elapsed since the tote was classified as an emergency task target, and then considering the number of identification information of the tote mapped to the container identification information. For example, the order of priority displayed on the terminal between container identification information 1 and container identification information 3 can be determined by comparing the time elapsed since the tote mapped to identification information 3-1 mapped to container identification information 3 was classified as an emergency task target and the time elapsed since the tote mapped to identification information 1-1 mapped to container identification information 1 was classified as an emergency task target.

[0088] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are diagrams for explaining application operation when a worker identifies a lost tote during a work process according to one embodiment.

[0089] If worker 1 moves to the picking zone with the tote corresponding to identification information 4 without selecting “Tote Scan Complete” in the aforementioned FIG. 7e, the electronic device can determine that the tote corresponding to identification information 4 is currently at the location corresponding to the NYS ID because “Tote Scan Complete” is not selected.

[0090] The electronic device can provide information that the tote corresponding to identification information 4 is currently located in the NYS ID through the terminals used by Worker 1 and Worker 2, but Worker 2 cannot find the tote corresponding to identification information 4 in the NYS ID. At this time, if Worker 2 selects “Modify Tote” on the screen of FIG. 7d or FIG. 7e displayed on the terminal used by Worker 2, a screen such as area (901) may be displayed on the terminal. If Worker 2 checks “No Tote” in area (903) to report to the electronic device that the tote corresponding to identification information 4 is lost, the tote corresponding to identification information 4 may be displayed on the screen in a lost state as shown in FIG. 9b. In this case, work cannot be performed on the tote corresponding to identification information 4, and if Worker 1 completes the display work of the tote corresponding to identification information 4 in the picking zone, the tote corresponding to identification information 4 may no longer be displayed on the screen as shown in FIG.

[0091] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are drawings for explaining a process in which a scanned tote is released while a worker uses a terminal according to one embodiment.

[0092] In a screen such as FIG. 7d or FIG. 7e described above, if the operator selects area (1001) in FIG. 10a without selecting "Complete Tote Scan," an alarm message saying "Release Scanned Tote" may be displayed through area (1003) as in FIG. 10b. Thus, the operator's attention may be drawn, and the operator may decide whether to release the scanned tote or cancel the release and continue the operation.

[0093] Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart of an information management method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment. The above description may also be applied here.

[0094] Referring to Figure 11, in step S1110, the electronic device can verify multiple items received at the center. At this time, the multiple items received at the center can be sequentially stored in the NYS zone and then displayed in the picking zone by a worker. Previously, customer orders could be received for items displayed in the picking zone. However, the display process took from 12 hours to a week, depending on the size of the fulfillment center, which could result in losses due to unsold items during this period. Therefore, if items managed in the NYS zone could be sold even before being displayed in the picking zone, losses could be reduced and sales could be increased.

[0095] However, if a blacklisted item is included among multiple items, the receiving and storage procedures differ from those of non-blacklisted items. Therefore, these items may be managed separately from the NYS zone. Therefore, when reviewing multiple items received at the center, it is necessary to verify whether they comply with the blacklist.

[0096] In step S1120, the electronic device can obtain at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which a plurality of items are positioned before being displayed in a picking zone.

[0097] Within a fulfillment center, there may be at least one NYS zone, which is a preset zone. At this time, at least one zone identification information may be set to correspond to each NYS zone. For example, zone identification information 1-1 to 1-5 may be set to correspond to the first NYS zone, and zone identification information 2-1 to 2-7 may be set to correspond to the second NYS zone. Such zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zones may be set and managed in advance by an administrator, and the location of the NYS zone may be confirmed based on the zone identification information.

[0098] In step S1130, the electronic device can identify the zone identification information corresponding to the area where at least one tote is to be located among at least one piece of zone identification information. When the operator scans the zone identification information corresponding to the area where the tote is to be located among at least one piece of zone identification information corresponding to the NYS zone, the electronic device can identify the scanned zone identification information.

[0099] In step S1140, the electronic device can identify the identification information of at least one tote to be located in the area.

[0100] When the worker scans the identification information of at least one tote to be placed in the corresponding area after scanning the zone identification information, the electronic device can confirm the identification information of at least one scanned tote. For example, when the worker scans the identification information of the first tote to the identification information of the third tote after scanning the first zone identification information, the electronic device can confirm that the first tote to the third tote will be located in the area corresponding to the first zone identification information. At this time, for the convenience of work, at least one container identification information that groups at least one tote can be confirmed. For example, when the identification information of the first tote to the identification information of the third tote are grouped into the first container identification information, when the first container identification information is scanned after the first zone identification information is scanned, the first tote to the third tote included in the first container identification information can be managed to be located in the area corresponding to the first zone identification information.

[0101] In step S1150, the electronic device may map the identification information of at least one of the identified totes to the identified zone identification information. If container identification information is identified, the identified container identification information may be mapped to the identified zone identification information. In this case, the electronic device may provide the identification information of at least one tote grouped by container identification information through the worker terminal.

[0102] At this time, multiple items located in the NYS zone, a preset zone, can be managed so that they can be ordered by customers even before being displayed in the picking zone. If an item ordered by a customer is located in the preset zone, it can be prioritized for display in the picking zone among the multiple items located in the preset zone. Here, the priority display target can be managed as an item that needs to be displayed in the picking zone more urgently than other items.

[0103] An electronic device can provide information about at least one item that is a priority display item via a terminal used by at least one worker. At this time, the electronic device can provide identification information for the tote containing the priority display item and zone identification information mapped to it. Accordingly, the worker can identify the area where the tote is located based on the zone identification information, and then move the tote to the picking zone with the identification information in that area.

[0104] If there are multiple items that are priority display items, the electronic device can determine the priority by considering the number of items contained in the totes containing the priority display items. For example, if the first tote corresponding to zone identification information A contains five priority display items, and the second tote corresponding to zone identification information A contains three priority display items, the electronic device can instruct the worker to perform the task by giving priority to the first tote over the second tote. Accordingly, the electronic device can provide the identification information of the tote determined by considering the priority and the zone identification information mapped thereto to the worker terminal.

[0105] Alternatively, if there are multiple items subject to priority display, the electronic device may determine the priority by considering the number of previously displayed items scheduled to be packed together with the items subject to priority display. The electronic device may provide the identification information of the tote determined based on the priority and the mapped zone identification information. In this case, the previously displayed items may correspond to items previously displayed in a picking zone other than the NYS zone. For example, Items 1, 2, 3, and 4, which are scheduled to be delivered to Customer 1 on the same date, may all correspond to items delivered to the fulfillment center by separate suppliers. Among them, if Items 2, 3, and 4 were previously delivered and displayed in the picking zone, but Item 1 is not displayed in the picking zone, the delivery of Items 2, 3, and 4 may be delayed due to Item 1. Alternatively, Item 5 and Item 6, which are scheduled to be delivered to Customer 2 on the same date, may correspond to items that were delivered to the fulfillment center by separate suppliers, and Item 6 may be on the picking zone, but Item 5 may not be on the picking zone, which may delay the delivery of Item 5. In other words, the electronic device can determine the priority among the priority display items by considering the number of items already on the picking zone that are scheduled to be packed together with the items in the NYS zone. For example, the electronic device may consider a situation where there are three items already on the picking zone and one item, and provide information to the worker to give priority to the tote containing Item 1 over the tote containing Item 5.

[0106] More specifically, in order for the items to be delivered to the customer on the scheduled delivery date (e.g., early morning delivery), the items must be displayed in the picking zone by a preset first time (e.g., 24:00) in the fulfillment center, and the picking work for the items displayed in the picking zone must be completed by a preset second time (e.g., 26:00). At this time, from a preset time (e.g., 21:00) to the preset first time ~ the preset second time, all workers in the fulfillment center perform work with minimal rest. In other words, from a preset time to the preset first time ~ the preset second time can correspond to the peak time period in which all workers perform maximum work. If picking work for multiple items is assigned during the peak time period, there is a risk that the workers may become overloaded. In the above-described embodiment, if Item 2, Item 3, and Item 4 are already displayed in the picking zone and Item 1 is located in the NYS zone, a worker may be assigned a picking task for four items if Item 1 is displayed in the picking zone during the peak time period. Alternatively, if Item 6 is already displayed in the picking zone and Item 5 is located in the NYS zone, a worker may be assigned a picking task for two items if Item 5 is displayed in the picking zone during the peak time period. In this case, since assigning a picking task for four items to a picking worker is more overloaded than assigning a picking task for two items, the electronic device may display Item 1 in the picking zone before Item 5 to allow the picking worker time to perform the task. Accordingly, the electronic device may provide relevant information to the worker with a priority over a tote containing Item 1 when responding to a peak time period. If the peak time period is not responded to, the electronic device can provide relevant information to the worker regardless of the priority of Item 1 and Item 5.

[0107] In an embodiment, if a tote containing an item to be prioritized for display is not located in a NYS zone, the worker can input relevant information into the terminal, and the electronic device can manage the tote in a deactivated state based on the input information. A deactivated tote is a tote that has not been accidentally scanned by another worker and is currently undergoing display work. The deactivation state can be released when the display work is completed. In other words, if another worker completes displaying the item in the picking zone, the deactivation state can be released and the item can be removed from the emergency display target.

[0108] According to an embodiment, in the process of checking multiple items received during a preset time period at a fulfillment center, items that have not yet been ordered from customers but are expected to be ordered and satisfy a second condition may be managed to be located in a zone distinct from the NYS zone. At this time, the second condition may include i) when there is no stock in the fulfillment center, ii) when the stock is below a reference value, and iii) when the item is a new item that did not previously exist in the fulfillment center. The first condition of setting an urgent priority in the NYS zone and the second condition of managing in a zone distinct from the NYS zone may be different conditions. That is, items located in the NYS zone include items subject to urgent display and items subject to general display, but multiple items that satisfy the second condition and are managed through a separate zone distinct from the NYS zone may all be managed as items subject to urgent display.

[0109] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0110] The electronic device (1200) may include, according to one embodiment, a communication unit (1210), a memory (1220), and a controller (1230). The electronic device (1200) illustrated in FIG. 12 only illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 12, other general components may be included. The electronic device (1200) may include information related to the aforementioned electronic device, and thus, descriptions of overlapping information will be omitted.

[0111] The communication unit (1210) can transmit and receive related information through the terminal and the network. The control unit (1230) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (1200) and process data and signals. The control unit (1230) can be composed of at least one hardware unit. In addition, the control unit (1230) can operate by one or more software modules generated by executing program codes stored in the memory (1220). The control unit (1230) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (1200) and process data and signals by executing the program codes stored in the memory (1220). In addition, in an embodiment, the control unit (1230) can include at least one processor.

[0112] The control unit (1230) may include a controller that verifies a plurality of items received into the center, obtains at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which the plurality of items are located before being displayed as a picking zone, verifies zone identification information corresponding to an area in which at least one tote is to be located among the at least one zone identification information, verifies identification information of the at least one tote to be located in the area, and manages the identified identification information of the at least one tote by mapping it to the verified zone identification information. In this case, the plurality of items located in the preset zone can be managed in a state in which orders can be received from customers even before being displayed as a picking zone.

[0113] The electronic device or terminal according to the above-described embodiments may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a customer interface device such as a touch panel, a key, a button, etc. The methods implemented as software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium as computer-readable codes or program instructions executable on the processor. Here, the computer-readable recording medium includes a magnetic storage medium (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) and an optical reading medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD: Digital Versatile Disc)). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed to computer systems connected to a network, so that the computer-readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium may be readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executed by a processor.

[0114] The present embodiment may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented by various hardware and / or software configurations that perform specific functions. For example, the embodiment may employ direct circuit configurations such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., which may perform various functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the present embodiment may be implemented in a programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, etc., including various algorithms implemented as a combination of data structures, processes, routines, or other programming configurations. Functional aspects may be implemented as algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the present embodiment may employ conventional techniques for electronic configuration, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms like "mechanism," "element," "means," and "composition" can be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical components. These terms can also encompass a series of software routines, such as those associated with a processor.

[0115] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be implemented within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. As a method for managing information in an electronic device, Step of checking multiple items received at the center; A step of obtaining at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which the above plurality of items are positioned before being displayed in a picking zone; A step of identifying zone identification information corresponding to an area where at least one tote is to be located among at least one zone identification information; A step of verifying the identification information of at least one tote to be located in the above area; and A step of mapping the identification information of at least one of the confirmed totes to the above-mentioned confirmed zone identification information, A plurality of items located in the above preset zone are characterized in that they are managed in a state in which orders can be received from customers even before being displayed in the picking zone. How to manage information.

2. In paragraph 1, Among the multiple items located in the above preset zone, the items ordered by the customer are: Among the plurality of items located in the above preset zone, it is characterized in that it is managed as a priority display target in the picking zone. How to manage information.

3. In paragraph 2, Further comprising the step of providing at least one worker with information about at least one item that is a priority display target, How to manage information.

4. In paragraph 3, The steps for providing the above information are: A step of providing identification information of a tote including the above priority display target item and mapped zone identification information, How to manage information.

5. In paragraph 4, The steps for providing the above information are: A step for determining priority by considering the number of items included in the tote containing the items that are the priority display targets when there are multiple items that are the priority display targets; and A step of providing identification information of a tote determined by considering the above priorities and mapped zone identification information, How to manage information.

6. In paragraph 4, The steps for providing the above information are: In case there are multiple items subject to the above priority display, a step for determining the priority by considering the number of items already displayed that are scheduled to be packaged together with the items subject to the above priority display; and A step of providing identification information of a tote determined by considering the above priorities and mapped zone identification information, How to manage information.

7. In paragraph 6, The items displayed above are: Characterized in that it corresponds to an item displayed in advance in the picking zone other than the above preset zone. How to manage information.

8. In paragraph 3, The step of verifying the identification information of at least one of the above totes is: comprising a step of verifying at least one container identification information grouping at least one tote; How to manage information.

9. In paragraph 8, The step of mapping the identification information of at least one tote to the above-mentioned confirmed zone identification information is: Comprising a step of mapping the above-mentioned confirmed zone identification information and the at least one container identification information, How to manage information.

10. In paragraph 9, The steps for providing the above information are: A step of providing identification information of at least one tote grouped by at least one container identification information mapped to the zone identification information, How to manage information.

11. In paragraph 1, The step of checking multiple items received at the above center is: A step of checking an item set as a blacklist to be managed so as not to be located in the preset zone among the above multiple items, How to manage information.

12. In paragraph 3, A step of receiving an input for the tote that is not located in the preset zone from at least one worker, when the tote containing the item managed as the priority display target is not located in the preset zone; and Further comprising the step of managing the input tote by at least one worker in an inactive state, How to manage information.

13. In paragraph 12, The above totes managed in an inactive state are: It is characterized by being removed from the priority display target list when displayed in the picking zone by another worker. How to manage information.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of paragraph 1 on a computer.

15. As an electronic device, Department of Communications; memory; and A controller is included that verifies a plurality of items received into the center, obtains at least one zone identification information set corresponding to a preset zone in which the plurality of items are located before being displayed in a picking zone, verifies zone identification information corresponding to an area in which at least one tote is to be located among the at least one zone identification information, verifies identification information of the at least one tote to be located in the area, and manages the identification information of the at least one tote by mapping it to the verified zone identification information. A plurality of items located in the above preset zone are characterized in that they are managed in a state in which orders can be received from customers even before being displayed in the picking zone. Electronic devices.

Images