Handling system and indication system for same

• US 6,711,458 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apport Systems A/S
• Original Assignee: Apport Systems A/S
• Inventors: Kofoed, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Application Number:
  US10/031,906
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/225, 700/229, 700/236, 700/244, 700/216, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/10.1, 235/385
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1375 the orders being assembled on a commissioning stacker-crane or truck
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2209/04 Indication location means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A system for handling of items constituting a range of items is provided including at least one central control unit, at least one mobile communication unit designed to generate audio and/or visual location signals on the basis of preferably wireless communication signals generated by or the central control units, and at least one return signal path between the communication unit and the central control unit. The items are located in macro zones with at least one underlying hierarchy of elementary zones and each macro zone includes one visual indication system directly or indirectly controlled by the central control unit on the basis of the current location action.

Claims

1. System for handling of items constituting a range of items, said system comprising:

at least one central control unit;

at least one mobile communication unit designed to generate audio and/or visual location signals on the basis of wireless communication signals generated by the central control unit; and

at least one return signal path between the communication unit and the central control unit,

wherein the items are located in macro zones with at least one underlying hierarchy of elementary zones, each macro zone comprises one visual indication system directly or indirectly controlled by the central control unit on the basis of a current location action, and the system is designed to open a macro zone in response to a macro zone location signal.

2. System according to claim 1 wherein the central control unit is designed to store digitally stored handling lists comprising a number of standardized actions and the central control unit comprises means for transmission of a signal to initiate a standardized action to one or more specifically addressed communication units on the basis of the handling list stored in the central control unit.

3. System according to claim 1 wherein the system is wholly or partially activated by the central control unit by transmission of a signal of initiation of a location action.

4. System according to claim 1 wherein the mobile communication unit comprises a code scanner for scanning of item and/or elementary zone numbers and the system is designed to open a macro zone on the basis of the central control unit upon receipt of a macro zone location signal by the mobile communication unit from the central control unit when a code has been scanned by the scanner, said code corresponding to the macro zone location signal of the elementary zone or item.

5. System according to claim 1 wherein the system is designed for wholly or partially automatic transmission of a new signal to initiate a location action upon receipt of a return signal by an operator.

6. System according to claim 5 wherein the mobile communication unit is designed to transmit the return signals activated by the operator.

7. System according to claim 5 wherein the signal initiates a location action comprising or generating instructions to the operator or to the mobile communication units identifying a macro zone where one or more items must be located.

8. System according to claim 1 further comprising at least one laser pointer for each macro zone, said laser pointer being arranged in such a manner that it may point to the relevant elementary zones of the macro zone on the basis of control signals provided by the central control unit.

9. System according to claim 8 further comprising stationary display units for indication of at least one elementary zone.

10. System according to claim 1 wherein the mobile communication unit comprises:

a means for receipt and transmission of wireless communication signals;

a means for generation of audio signals and/or visual signals on the basis of received signals in order to initiate a location action from a central unit; and

a device for manual activation of a wireless return signal to the central control unit,

said return signal indicating that a location action is completed, said communication unit being designed for generating a macro zone locating signal, and said audio signals and/or visual signals being able to identify part of or all macro zones to an operator carrying the communication unit.

11. System according to claim 10 wherein the mobile communication unit further comprises a display unit for displaying a macro zone, wherein identification of an item and information of number and/or quantity of items are picked or distributed.

12. System according to claim 1, wherein the visual indication system comprises a number of markers and a control unit, said control unit comprising a communication means for receipt and transmission of control signals, and said control unit comprising an activation means for activation of the markers, wherein the markers and the control unit are incorporated in an indication unit of the visual indication system.

13. System according to claim 12 wherein one or more elementary zones are adjustably controlled by the control unit.

14. System according to claim 12 wherein the markers are located in such a manner that they may identify elementary zones with a predetermined width.

15. System according to claim 12 wherein the markers are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. System according to claim 12 wherein the communication means of the control unit is able to communicate wirelessly.

17. System according to claim 12 wherein the indication unit is shaped as a rail.

18. System according to claim 17 wherein a length of the rail corresponds to a length of at least one shelf in a rack.

19. System according to claim 17 wherein the markers are uniformly dispersed along the rail.