DE10200912B4 - Device for recognizing and controlling piece goods with a code, preferably in a picking system - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for recognizing and controlling piece goods (1) provided with a code, preferably of piece goods (1) of a complete order-picking order picked in a picking system,
marked by
A control computer (4) for controlling the piece goods (1), which is preferably part of the picking system,
An industrial PC (9) bidirectionally communicating with the control computer (4) for comparing the target data obtained from the control computer (4) with actual data of piece goods (1),
If appropriate, a database (6) for managing setpoint and actual data of piece goods (1) in each case in bidirectional connection to the control computer (4) and to the industrial PC (9),
- A to the industrial PC (9) bidirectionally connected control / reception unit (5) for energizing and receiving or detecting actual data of general cargo (1) via their associated transponder (1a) and previously for storing Ist Data in the transponders (1a) of the piece goods (1),
- One to the control / reception unit (5) bidirectionally connected scan tunnel (8) with preferably three orthogonally arranged transmitting / receiving antennas ...

Description

The The invention relates to a device for detecting and controlling piece goods with a code, preferably of piece goods of a complete order picked in a picking plant Picking order.

To The prior art different pieces of goods are sorted by varieties in stored on shelves at a certain location. Upon issue a picking order of a customer will be the desired Goods or general cargo manually by an operator or, for example, at a wholesaler automatically in taken from a picking the destination in the warehouse and a transport container, for example a tub, fed. The tub contains preferably the products of a complete picking order, is directed to a shipping area and from there to finally Transports customers.

The Difficulty now is to ensure that everyone Picking order the correct products have been assigned. Around to ensure this everyone has to Order to be controlled.

A possibility For example, the control is weighing one empty and one filled container at a picking order and the calculation of the total weight of the filled one container from the known individual weights of the piece goods together with the known empty weight of the container. Own many different piece goods However, in many cases an approximately equal weight, so that the weighing method only partially reliable is. If weighing results in no difference between the target weight and the actual weight of a picking order, so can not necessarily on the correct composition of a desired picking order getting closed. If there is a difference between the target weight and the actual weight, so the error is largely unknown and can only laborious often solved by all Tank individual products again from the container need to be taken and checked manually to determine definitively which product is missing or too much available. That does not mean only a huge amount of time, but also a high cost factor, which is reflected not least in the price of the product.

Around Cost and effort to lower something, according to the state of Technology the products or general cargo in advance, i.e. even before storage of the cargo in the Warehouse, provided with its own barcode. The so marked Piece goods become for one Control from the container taken and manually fed to a reading device or a scanner, the or who is able to identify the product via the barcode. It is understood that a Such identification method is nevertheless expensive.

task The invention is the creation of a device of the aforementioned Kind, which is able to handle a variety of general cargo simple means and great reliability Quickly detect, if necessary, fast and reliable corrective action to be able to initiate.

Is solved the problem underlying the invention by a device characterized by the features of claim 1, advantageous further developed by the features of claim 2.

• – einen Steuerrechner zum Steuern der Stückgüter, welcher vorzugsweise Bestandteil der Kommissionieranlage ist,
• – einen mit dem Steuerrechner bidirektional kommunizierenden Industrie-PC zum Vergleichen der vom Steuerrechner erhaltenen Soll-Daten mit Ist-Daten von Stückgütern,
• – gegebenenfalls eine Datenbank zum Verwalten von Soll- und Ist-Daten von Stückgütern jeweils in bidirektionaler Verbindung zum Steuerrechner und zum Industrie-PC,
• – eine an den Industrie-PC bidirektional angeschlossene Steuer-/Empfangs-Einheit zum Erregen und Empfangen bzw. Erkennen von Ist-Daten von Stückgütern über deren zugeordnete Transponder sowie zuvor zum Einspeichern von Ist-Daten in die Transponder der Stückgüter,
• – einen an die Steuer-/Empfangs-Einheit bidirektional angeschlossenen Scan-Tunnel mit vorzugsweise drei orthogonal angeordneten Sende-/Empfangsantennen an der Tunnel-Oberseite und an einer Tunnel-Breitseite sowie über den Tunnel-Querschnitt zum Erzeugen eines elektromagnetischen Feldes im Scan-Tunnel und Erregen von Transpondern durchgeleiteter Stückgüter, und
• – ein durch den Scan-Tunnel angeordnetes Förderband, gegebenenfalls ein Ausgangsförderband einer Kommissionieranlage, welches mit einer Fördergeschwindigkeit von weniger als 0,1 m/s betrieben ist und auf welchem eine Menge an zu er kennenden und gegebenenfalls zu steuernden mit Transpondern versehenden Stückgütern, vorzugsweise kommissionierte Waren eines kompletten Kommissionierauftrages, lose oder gesammelt in einem Behälter, gefördert wird, wobei
• – das Förderband nach dem Scan-Tunnel eine vom Steuerrechner angesteuerte Weiche oder Ausschleuseinrichtung zum Aussteuern einer fehlerhaften Menge an Stückgütern vorzugsweise eines kompletten Kommissionierauftrages gegebenenfalls über einen Förderbandabschnitt zu einer manuellen Kontrollstation besitzt und
• – das Förderband nach dem Scan-Tunnel eine an den Steuerrechner angeschlossene Druckerstation durchläuft, in welcher ein Kontrollbeleg oder Fehlerbeleg der erkannten Menge der Stückgüter ausgedruckt und vorzugsweise automatisch durch Schwerkraft der Menge der Stückgüter auf das Förderband bzw. in den Behälter beigegeben wird.

The device according to the invention for recognizing and controlling piece goods provided with a code, preferably of piece goods of a complete order-picking order picked in a picking system, is characterized by

• A control computer for controlling the piece goods, which is preferably part of the picking system,
• An industrial PC bidirectionally communicating with the control computer for comparing the target data received from the control computer with actual data of piece goods,
• - if necessary, a database for managing setpoint and actual data of piece goods in each case in bidirectional connection to the control computer and to the industrial PC,
• A control / reception unit bidirectionally connected to the industrial PC for exciting and receiving or recognizing actual data of piece goods via their assigned transponders as well as previously for storing actual data in the transponders of the piece goods,
• - A bidirectionally connected to the control / reception unit scan tunnel with preferably three orthogonally arranged transmit / receive antennas at the tunnel top and at a tunnel broadside and the tunnel cross-section for generating an electromagnetic field in the scan tunnel and exciting transponders of transmitted cargo, and
• - A arranged by the scan tunnel conveyor belt, optionally an output conveyor of a picking plant, which is operated at a conveying speed of less than 0.1 m / s and on which a lot of he-to-know and possibly to be controlled with transponders providing piece goods, preferably picked goods of a complete picking order, loose or collected in a container, is promoted, wherein
• - The conveyor belt after the scan tunnel controlled by the control computer turnout or ejection device for controlling a faulty amount of cargo, preferably a complete order picking optionally has a conveyor belt section to a manual control station and
• - The conveyor belt after the scan tunnel passes through a connected to the control computer printer station, in which a control document or error document of the detected amount of cargo printed and preferably automatically added by gravity to the amount of cargo on the conveyor belt or in the container.

at the apparatus for recognizing and controlling coded Piece goods, preferably of piece goods picked in a picking plant complete order picking, will be a lot of each with preferably a piece of transponder with its own code piece goods lying close together on a conveyor by an electromagnetic field of at least one transmitting / receiving antenna promoted and thereby by one to a parent Control computer connected control / reception unit automatically recognized and possibly subsequently by control actions of Control computer in conjunction with an industrial personal computer further treated.

in this connection the piece goods are opened the conveyor with a conveying speed promoted by the electromagnetic field of less than 0.1 m / s, wherein preferably the conveyor this is slowed down, i. before and after the electromagnetic Field with a larger conveying speed is operated.

The Quantity of piece goods can up to 1000 pieces be. Nevertheless, the cargo is virtually error free in detected electromagnetic field of the transmitting / receiving antenna because the conveying speed the conveyor less than 0.1 m / s.

The Piece goods can be loose or collected in a container on the conveyor the transmitting / receiving antenna are supplied.

The Piece goods become through a scan tunnel with three orthogonal to each other Transmit / receive antennas directed.

The Transponders use a serial number as their own code and in addition with information about general cargo, For example, with the product name, date of manufacture, expiration date, Lot number, deliverer, delivery date, customer name and / or Delivery address, linked or described.

The Serial numbers of the transponder and the additional information about the cargo are expediently managed in a database of the control computer.

The transmit in the electromagnetic field excited transponder on the one hand the serial number and on the other hand the transponder previously stored information as actual data of the control / reception unit. The control / reception unit communicates with the industrial personal computer. The industrial personal computer compares the actual data with the from the higher-level control computer received target data preferably a complete picking order.

results a deviation, becomes the parent Control computer causes to initiate a control action for the further processing of the piece goods, in particular therein exists that the Piece goods one supplied to manual control station become. In addition, a fault document is then printed, that of the quantity the piece goods added becomes. In the control station, an operator can then quickly selectively correct the error and procure the missing product or remove the excess product.

results If there is no deviation, the parent becomes Control computer causes the piece goods one Supply area. The quantity of piece goods becomes a control document attached to the proper control the picking order confirmed.

special Advantage of the device according to the invention is that extra Information of the transponder, in particular customer name, delivery address, Supplier, delivery date, delivered by, by a customer returned to a deliverer Piece goods, i. of singular returned goods, be read by reading or scanning the transponder as mentioned above can. Thus, for example, products from the customer become a wholesaler Returned goods returned, The wholesaler can check if the customer the product at all sourced from this wholesaler Has. So the customer has to not a separate proof, for example, by presenting a Delivery note and an invoice to get any warranty claims fulfilled. If the transponder is firmly attached to unpacked returned goods itself, the piece goods can be properly identified even without original packaging. The Original packaging does not need of the customer for complaint purposes then to be kept.

By The invention can thus be quickly and safely and in particular Combination with a picking system fully automatic control preferably of a complete order picking, a variety of of products - number up to 1000 pieces - includes. The control The picking order can be done with relatively simple additional Control operations by a parent Control computer performed be, preferably the central computer of the picking system itself is, and often with an already existing Database communicates. For the implementation The control becomes a simple device with few additional anyway commercially available Hardware components needed, like an industrial personal computer, as well as a commercially available one Control / receiving unit using simple transmit / receive antennas combined according to the invention becomes. The control measures does a comparatively simple software. The required transponders for the individual Piece goods are also available commercially. Conveyors Like conveyor belts are also in picking generally known and sufficient proven components that are suitable for the invention can be used passing through a scan tunnel. By the invention used Transponder can on the above-mentioned known barcodes and Consequently, be dispensed with optical detection. That's what happens practically not to faulty controls, due to dust, dirt or interference with light or mechanical damage the sticker containing the bar code in the known Packaged goods. Also the transponder, in contrast to bar coding, can be simple with additional Information rewritten or re-encoded.

Although details of the invention are already known, for. B. off DE 199 11 033 A1 a device for data transfer and / or data transmission of objects equipped with an electronic data carrier, wherein the stationary device comprises a plurality of antennas, or from DE 692 14 459 T2 a device for automatic reading of a badge of a passive transponder type, but not in the inventive combination.

in the The following will be the device according to the invention using preferred embodiments explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 a device according to the invention for detecting and controlling piece goods provided with transponders in a picking system in a basic configuration with a scanning tunnel and a conveyor in the form of a conveyor belt,

2 the scan tunnel and the conveyor after 1 in a perspective schematic representation, wherein the piece goods to be controlled are illustrated once as a containerless amount and the other time symbolically as a container in which the amount of piece goods, not shown here is located, and

3 the scan tunnel after the 1 and 2 schematically in perspective in greater detail.

The in the 1 to 3 shown device for detecting and controlling with transponders 1a provided piece goods 1 is part of a picking system, in which the provided with the transponders cargo 1 stored in unillustrated shelves and the piece goods 1 can be picked in a conventional manner.

The commissioned piece goods arrive fully automatic in a first embodiment according to the order, computer-controlled 2 , Middle, in container 7 , or in a second embodiment according to 2 , left front, without container loose in a group on a conveyor 2 in the form of a conveyor belt.

The device for detecting and controlling the with the transponders 1a provided piece goods 1 includes according to 1 a control computer 4 , a database 6 , an industrial PC 9 , a control / reception unit 5 , a scan tunnel 8th with transmitting / receiving antennas 3a . 3b and 3c , as well as the aforementioned conveyor belt, which passes through the scan tunnel 8th leads. After the scan tunnel, the conveyor belt is routed via an unillustrated printer station to an unillustrated shipping station. After the printer station is located in the conveyor belt, a non-illustrated switch or a discharge device with a further conveyor belt section to a manual control station, also not shown.

The control computer 4 is the central computer of the picking system and central to controlling the piece goods 1 provided in the device.

The control computer 4 stands in a bidirectional connection to the industrial PC 9 which for comparing the control computer 4 received target data with actual data of general cargo 1 is provided.

Database 6 manages target and actual data of general cargo 1 and is each in bidirectional connection to the control computer 4 and to the industrial PC 9 ,

To the industrial PC 9 is the tax / Emp fangs unit 5 bi-directionally connected, which for exciting and receiving or recognizing actual data of general cargo 1 via their assigned transponder 1a and previously for storing actual data in the transponder 1a the piece goods 1 is provided.

The control / reception unit 5 is bidirectional with the scan tunnel 8th which has three orthogonally arranged transmit / receive antennas 3a . 3b . 3c at the tunnel top 8a and on a tunnel broadside 8b As well as the tunnel cross-section, which is used to generate an electromagnetic field in the scan tunnel 8th and for the excitation of transponders 1a passed through piece goods 1 are provided.

The conveyor belt, an output conveyor of the picking system, is operated at a conveying speed v of less than 0.1 m / s. On the conveyor belt is the aforementioned amount to be recognized and controlled with the transponders 1a providing general cargo 1 , namely picked goods of a complete picking order.

The after the scan tunnel 8th arranged by the control computer 4 controlled diverter or discharge device is to control a faulty amount of piece goods 1 a complete Kommissionierauftrages provided on the aforementioned conveyor belt section to the manual control station.

In the scan tunnel 8th arranged on the control computer 4 The connected printer station becomes a control document or error document of the recognized quantity of piece goods 1 printed and automatically by gravity of the amount of cargo on the conveyor or in the container 7 added.

The general cargo 1 has a cubic shape of a package or of the actual or substantially unpackaged piece itself and has a volume of at least 15mm in length, 15mm in width and 0.1mm in height, and a plane attachment surface to the package or the actual or substantially unpackaged package of at least 15mm × 15mm, on which the transponder 1a firmly attached.

The general cargo 1 may also have a cylindrical shape or bottle shape and then has on the package or the cargo itself a substantially planar mounting surface in the size of also at least 15mm × 15mm, to which the transponder 1a firmly attached.

The general cargo 1 may have a recess or recess in which the transponder 1a preferably conformed with at least approximately flush surface to the cargo 1 taken up and fixed firmly in it.

A permanent attachment of the transponder 1a on general cargo 1 , especially on the actual, unpackaged cargo itself, is achieved by bonding a two-component adhesive or by welding by means of a plastic film.

The individual piece goods 1 each have a transponder 1a on, each of which has its own code in the form of a serial number.

In addition, the transponders 1a with the information about general cargo 1 described, such as product name, date of manufacture, expiry date, lot number and more.

Prepared like that, with transponders 1a firmly packed piece goods 1 are now recognized and controlled as follows in the aforementioned device.

In a picking system, the piece goods in the form of a complete commissioning order in a first embodiment in the container 7 according to 2 , Middle, picked or entered. The on the conveyor 2 in the form of a conveyor belt located container 7 is slowed down on the conveyor belt at a conveying speed v = 0.09m / s through the scanning tunnel 8th emotional.

Through the control / reception unit 5 becomes the scan tunnel 8th activated by the located at the tunnel surface three orthogonal transmit / receive antennas 3a . 3b and 3c be excited and generate an electromagnetic field. That way in the scan tunnel 8th generated electromagnetic field causes, in turn, the transponder therein 1a the transported piece goods 1 be stimulated. As a result, the individual transponders respond 1a by putting the serial number on the one hand and the transponder in the other 1a previously stored information and the control / reception unit 5 to transfer.

This allows immediate the contents of the container 7 be determined.

The control / reception unit 5 in turn communicates with the industrial personal computer 9 , The software of the industrial personal computer 9 Now determine which piece goods 1 or products for the order were determined by making this data as target data from the parent control computer 4 gets. This target data is with the Actual data or the information from the control / reception unit 5 compared. If there are deviations, the higher-level control computer 4 caused the container 7 to control the manual control station. In addition, the software causes a fault slip to be printed in the printer station, indicating why the offset has occurred. This error document is automatically sent to the container 7 added. With the help of the error document, the order can be corrected quickly.

If there is no deviation when comparing setpoint data and actual data, this is done by the higher-level control computer 4 the container 7 controlled in the shipping area. There the container can 7 be taken over by a carrier for onward transport. Before controlling the container in the shipping area, the printer station is caused to print a control document, which also automatically the container 7 is added. The control document serves as confirmation of the execution of a faultless order picking order.

In a second embodiment variant in the aforementioned order picking the piece goods without container loosely close together according to 2 , front left, picked on the conveyor belt or the device entered. The piece goods 1 are then loose through the scan tunnel 8th promoted. The method for recognizing and controlling the piece goods 1 does not differ in further consequence from the first embodiment.

Particularly noteworthy is that in the transponder 1a the piece goods 1 through the control / reception unit 5 the additional information customer name, date of delivery, delivery address and name of the deliverer can be stored. Be such with transponders 1a assembled piece goods 1 or return products from the customer to a deliverer such as a wholesaler as so-called returned goods, the wholesaler can check whether the customer has ever purchased the product from this wholesaler.

By The invention can thus easily, reliably and quickly a large number of piece goods or Automatically detected products at once. Thus, on the one hand Determine whether an order the right number of products and on the other hand, if anything the right products have been assigned. Depending on the result of Detecting the detected products directly to a shipping station or fed to a manual control station in the event of a fault. The The result of the determination shall be established by establishing a or error record is logged and preferably the amount of controlled products automatically settled. Based on the error document can an operator faster the error of picking order correct.

Claims (2)

Device for detecting and controlling piece goods with a code ( 1 ), preferably of piece goods picked in a picking plant ( 1 ) of a complete picking order, characterized by - a control computer ( 4 ) for controlling the piece goods ( 1 ), which is preferably part of the picking system, - one with the control computer ( 4 ) bidirectionally communicating industrial PC ( 9 ) for comparing the control computer ( 4 ) received target data with actual data of general cargo ( 1 ), - where appropriate, a database ( 6 ) for managing target and actual data of general cargo ( 1 ) in each case in bidirectional connection to the control computer ( 4 ) and to the industrial PC ( 9 ), - one to the industrial PC ( 9 ) bidirectionally connected control / reception unit ( 5 ) for exciting and receiving or recognizing actual data of piece goods ( 1 ) via their assigned transponder ( 1a ) as well as previously for storing actual data in the transponder ( 1a ) of general cargo ( 1 ), - one to the control / reception unit ( 5 ) bidirectionally connected scan tunnel ( 8th ) with preferably three orthogonally arranged transmit / receive antennas ( 3a . 3b . 3c ) at the tunnel top ( 8a ) and on a tunnel broadside ( 8b ) and over the tunnel cross section for generating an electromagnetic field in the scan tunnel ( 8th ) and excitation of transponders ( 1a ) transported by piece ( 1 ), and - through the scan tunnel ( 8th ) arranged conveyor belt, optionally an output conveyor of a picking plant, which is operated at a conveying speed (v) of less than 0.1 m / s and on which a lot of to be recognized and optionally to be controlled with transponders ( 1a ) general cargo ( 1 ), preferably picked goods of a complete picking order, loose or collected in a container ( 7 ), whereby - the conveyor belt after the scan tunnel ( 8th ) one from the control computer ( 4 ) controlled diverter or ejection device for controlling a defective quantity of general cargo ( 1 ) preferably has a complete picking order optionally via a conveyor belt section to a manual control station and - the conveyor belt after the scan tunnel ( 8th ) one to the control computer ( 4 ) passes through a connected printer station, in which a control document or error document of the detected quantity of piece goods ( 1 ) printed and preferably automatically by gravity the amount of cargo on the conveyor belt or in the container ( 7 ) is added. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt ( 2 ) after the scan tunnel ( 8th ) leads to a shipping station.