Automated paperless order selection system
First Claim
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1. A system for aiding order picking personnel in picking orders comprising:
- (a) a system computer;
(b) a storage frame;
(c) a substantially horizontal track system mounted to said storage frame, with one or more order picking units each having a motor drive movably secured to said track system;
(d) rotary encoder operably connected to the motor drive of each of said one or more order picking units for generating a feedback pulse signal in accordance with the rotational movement of said motor drive, and a means for tallying said pulse signals to provide a continuous data signal representing the incremental and absolute positions and direction of movement of each of said of one or more picking units, enabling the location of each of said order picking units relative to the track system and relative to each other to be continuously monitored, and further enabling the movements of said order picking units to be precisely controlled by an operator so that the movement of one picking unit does not interfere with the movements of other picking units on the same track system and vice versa;
(e) means for communicating information between the system computer and the order picking units; and
(f) means for communicating information between said order picking units and order picking personnel.
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Abstract
Provided is an automated paperless order selection system of the type wherein an electronic order picking unit moves horizontally along a rail directly to a product storage location, thereby decreasing the distance traveled by the order picker and improving the accuracy of the order picking process, such order picking unit having an incremental encoder means for determining its exact location on the rail, and having a wireless radio frequency data communication (RF/DC) capability, and preferably including a printer, bar code scanner as well as audit and inventory report features.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for aiding order picking personnel in picking orders comprising:
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(a) a system computer;
(b) a storage frame;
(c) a substantially horizontal track system mounted to said storage frame, with one or more order picking units each having a motor drive movably secured to said track system;
(d) rotary encoder operably connected to the motor drive of each of said one or more order picking units for generating a feedback pulse signal in accordance with the rotational movement of said motor drive, and a means for tallying said pulse signals to provide a continuous data signal representing the incremental and absolute positions and direction of movement of each of said of one or more picking units, enabling the location of each of said order picking units relative to the track system and relative to each other to be continuously monitored, and further enabling the movements of said order picking units to be precisely controlled by an operator so that the movement of one picking unit does not interfere with the movements of other picking units on the same track system and vice versa;
(e) means for communicating information between the system computer and the order picking units; and
(f) means for communicating information between said order picking units and order picking personnel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An order picking system comprising:
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(a) a rail line as an integral part of the order picking system arranged in a fixed path above the floor;
(b) a support means for supporting the rail line at a selected height above the floor;
(c) a picking device mounted for movement along the rail line, said device including an incremental rotary position encoder operable to provide continuous signals which are converted into data indicative of the precise location and direction of the movement of the picking device relative to said rail line, and one or more homing devices spaced along said rail line to check the accuracy of said signals;
(d) means for powering the picking device;
(e) a touch sensitive display apparatus mounted on the picking device connected to a computer system for controlling said order picking system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for aiding order picking personnel in picking items of inventory comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving an order for an item of inventory stored in an inventory system at a predetermined storage location in a linearly extended storage rack system along a track arrangement;
(b) keying of the order into the paperless automated order selection control system;
(c) communicating the order and instructions regarding said order to one or more order picking units, wherein said one or more order picking unit move along the track arrangement, counting increments of track over which it is moved by monitoring rotational movement of the drive systems of said one or more picking units and stopping when a predetermined count has been reached at the storage location where the item of inventory is stored;
(d) picking of the ordered goods by order picking personnel; and
(e) verifying said picking by inputting such information into a touch sensitive display screen on an order picking unit, wherein such information is transmitted to the order selection control system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification