阅读说明：本技术 具有能自动切换色彩的醒目器的仓库管理系统、分拣和仓储系统和分拣方法 (Warehouse management system with eye catcher capable of automatically switching colors, sorting and warehousing system and sorting method ) 是由 伊曼纽尔·哈德 于 2020-02-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种仓库管理系统(6)、一种分拣和仓储系统(1)以及一种分拣方法和一种计算机程序产品(77)。为了直观地且可灵活变化地设计物品的分拣,根据本发明,提出一种仓库管理系统(6),仓库管理系统用于借助于至少一个分拣车(11)和借助于至少一个仓储单元(5)来控制分拣,分拣车用于存放分拣订单(43)的集合(45)的物品(9),仓储单元具有用于仓储物品(9)的多个仓储位置(27)和用于通过分拣员(7)存取物品(9)的至少一个存取站(29),其中,分拣车(11)和存取站(29)分别设有醒目器(35、51),其中,醒目器(35、51)中的至少一个具有显示器区域(37、55),显示区域具有可远程控制切换的色彩(A、B),其中,仓库管理系统(6)设计用于自动识别集合(45)的至少一个物品(9)是否在存取站(29)中以对于分拣员(7)存取就绪的方式来定位,并且当识别到物品(9)存取就绪定位时,将至少一个可远程控制切换的醒目器(35、51)的色彩(A,B)自动地切换到另外的醒目器(35、51)的色彩(A、B)。针对分拣和仓储系统(1)提出,其具有根据本发明的仓库管理系统(6)并且还具有至少一个分拣车(11)和至少一个仓储单元(5),分拣车设有醒目器(51),醒目器具有彩色的显示区域(55),仓储单元设有另外的醒目器(35),另外的醒目器具有彩色的显示区域(37),其中至少一个显示器区域(37、55)具有由仓库管理系统(6)可远程控制切换的色彩(A,B)。(The invention relates to a warehouse management system (6), a sorting and warehousing system (1) as well as a sorting method and a computer program product (77). In order to design the sorting of the items intuitively and flexibly, according to the invention, a warehouse management system (6) is proposed for controlling the sorting by means of at least one sorting cart (11) for storing the items (9) of a collection (45) of sorting orders (43) and by means of at least one storage unit (5) having a plurality of storage locations (27) for storing the items (9) and at least one access station (29) for accessing the items (9) by a sorter (7), wherein the sorting cart (11) and the access station (29) are each provided with a spotter (35, 51), wherein at least one of the spotters (35, 51) has a display region (37, 55) having a color (A, B) that can be switched over in a remote control manner, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically identifying whether at least one item (9) of the collection (45) is at the access station (29) Is positioned in a manner ready for access by the sorter (7) and, when the ready-for-access positioning of the item (9) is recognized, the color (a, B) of at least one remotely controllable switching eye-catcher (35, 51) is automatically switched to the color (A, B) of the other eye-catcher (35, 51). It is proposed for a sorting and warehousing system (1) having a warehouse management system (6) according to the invention and also having at least one sorting cart (11) provided with a spotter (51) having a colored display area (55) and at least one warehousing unit (5) provided with a further spotter (35) having a colored display area (37), wherein at least one display area (37, 55) has a color (A, B) which can be switched remotely controlled by the warehouse management system (6).)

1. Warehouse management system (6) for controlling sorting by means of at least one sorting cart (11) for storing items (9) of a collection (45) of sorting orders (43) and by means of at least one storage unit (5) having a plurality of storage locations (27) for storing the items (9) and at least one access station (29) for accessing the items (9) by a sorter (7), wherein the sorting cart (11) and the access station (29) are each provided with a spotter (35, 51) and at least one of the spotters (35, 51) has a display area (37, 55) with a remotely controllable switchable color (A, B), wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically identifying whether at least one item (9) of the collection (45) is in the access station (29) or not -positioning in an access-ready manner for the sorter (7), and automatically switching the color (a, B) of at least one remotely controllable switching eye-catcher (35, 51) to the color (A, B) of the other eye-catcher (35, 51) when it is recognized that the item (9) is positioned in an access-ready manner within a predetermined time.

2. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 1, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically switching the determined display area (37) of the eye-catcher (35) of an access station (29) which is ready for access to the items (9) of the set (45) of sorting carts (11) to the color (A, B) of the display area (55) of the eye-catcher (51) of the sorting cart (11) in the presence of a plurality of access stations (29) each provided with a remotely controllable switchable eye-catcher (35).

3. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically switching the determined display area (37) of the eye-catcher (35) of an access station (29) which is ready for access to the item (9) of the collection (45) of one sorting vehicle (11) to the color (A, B) of the display area (55) of that sorting vehicle (11) in case there are a plurality of sorting vehicles (11) each having the eye-catcher (51) with a display area (55) of a different color (A, B) and in case there are a plurality of access stations (29) each provided with the eye-catcher (35) which can be switched remotely controlled.

4. Warehouse management system (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to automatically switch the color (A, B) of the eye-catcher (35) of the access station (29) after accessing the items (9) of the collection (45) that are all provided for access from the access station (29).

5. Warehouse management system (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to automatically control one or more warehousing units (5) so that each item (9) of the collection (45) is provided simultaneously in more than one of the access stations (29).

6. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to derive a position of at least one sorting car (11) and/or a position (63) of the eye-catcher (51) of at least one sorting car (11).

7. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to control one or more of the storage units (5) in a predetermined area (65) near the derived position (63) of one sorting cart (11) such that the items (9) of the collection (45) of that sorting cart (11) are provided simultaneously in more than one of the access stations (29) of the area (65).

8. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to switch the color (A, B) of the display areas (37, 55) of the eye-catchers (35, 51) according to location.

9. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically switching the color (A, B) of the display area (55) of the eye-catchers (51) of a plurality of sorting carts (11) to a respective different color (A, B).

10. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed for automatically setting the same color (A, B) at a display area (17) with a remotely controllable switchable color (A, B) of an information transmitter (15) that can be carried at the body of the sorting operator (7) and at a display area (55) of the eye-catcher (51) of one sorting vehicle (11) depending on the association of the sorting operator (7) with a sorting vehicle (11).

11. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to automatically derive a position (61) of an information transmitter (15) that can be carried at the body of the sorter (7), and to change the color (A, B) of the display area (17) of the information transmitter (15) depending on the position (61).

12. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 11, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to automatically match the color (A, B) of the display area (17) of an information transmitter (15) to the color (A, B) of the eye-catcher (35) of an access station (29) when the information transmitter (15) is in a predetermined position relative to the access station (29).

13. Warehouse management system (6) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to determine an access area (59) by means of a geo-fence in front of the access stations (29) and to automatically set the color (A, B) of the display area (17) of an information transmitter (15) located within the access area (59) to the color (A, B) of the display area (37) of the eye-catcher (35) of the access station (29) of the access area (59).

14. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to reset the color (A, B) of the display area (17) of the information sender (15) set to the color (A, B) of the eye-catcher (35) of the access station (29) back to the previously set color (A, B) when all articles (9) of the set (45) of sorting carts (11) having the same color (A, B) as the display area (17) of the information sender (15) before the switch back are extracted from the access station (29).

15. The warehouse management system (6) according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the warehouse management system (6) is designed to output an optical signal (21) at a wearable device (19) that can be carried by a sorting operator (7), wherein the signal (21) represents a location of an operating unit (41) on the sorting cart (11) to which the item (9) extracted from the access station (29) is deposited, and/or the signal represents a number and/or type of the items (9) to be deposited in the operating unit (41) of the sorting cart (11).

16. Sorting and warehousing system (1) with a warehouse management system (6) according to one of claims 1 to 15, with at least one sorting car (11) provided with a spotter (51) with a colored display area (55) and with at least one warehousing unit (5) provided with a further spotter (35) with a colored display area (37), wherein at least one display area (35, 51) has a color (A, B) that is remotely controllable switchable by the warehouse management system (6).

17. Sorting and warehousing system (1) according to claim 16, having an information transmitter (15) designed as a wearable device (19) which has a display area (17) with a remotely controllable switchable color (A, B) and which is connected in a data-transmitting manner via the warehouse management system (6) with the eye-catchers (35, 51) of at least one sorting car (11) and of at least one warehousing unit (5).

18. Sorting and warehousing system (1) according to claim 16 or 17, having an access area (59) which is determined by the warehouse management system (6) by means of geo-fencing and which is accessible to the sorting operator (7) for accessing an access station (29) of a warehousing unit (5), and a position transmitter (25) which can be carried by the sorting operator (7) for determining a position (61) of the sorting operator (7) relative to the access area (59), the access area being arranged in front of the access station (29).

19. A method for sorting a plurality of materials,

wherein a collection (45) of sorting orders (43) with a plurality of articles (9) is associated with a sorting cart (11),

wherein it is automatically determined that at least one of the items (9) of the collection (45) is ready for access by a sorter (7) at least one access station (29) of at least one storage unit (5),

wherein the sorting cart (11) and the access station (29) each have a highlight (35, 51) which has a colored display region (37, 55) and the color (A, B) of at least one display region (37, 55) can be switched in a remotely controlled manner, wherein the color (A, B) of at least one remotely controllable switched display region (37, 55) is automatically switched to the color (A, B) of the other display region (37, 55) after the readiness of access is determined.

20. A computer program product (77) or a computer-readable storage medium, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 19.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a warehouse management system for controlling sorting, in particular receipt-free sorting, by means of at least one sorting cart for storing items of a collection of sorting orders and by means of at least one storage unit having a plurality of storage locations for storing the items and at least one access station for accessing the items by a sorter. The invention also relates to a sorting and warehousing system designed by at least one warehouse management system of the aforementioned type. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sorting method, wherein a collection of sorting orders with a plurality of items is associated with a sorting cart. Finally, the invention relates to a computer program product or a computer-readable storage medium.

Background

In the following, sorting is to be understood as warehousing the articles from the sorting carts into the warehousing units and/or discharging the articles from the warehousing units into the sorting carts, in particular by a sorter. To design the sorting efficiently, it may be helpful: the sorters are guided at least partially in their activities, so that the sorters can quickly and simply find the storage units intended to be accessed and/or the sorting carts intended to be accessed. The guidance by the warehouse management system should be intuitive and easy to understand and should be as effortless as possible for the sorter.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a warehouse management system, a sorting and warehousing system, a sorting method and a computer program product, respectively, of the above-mentioned type, with which such guidance can be achieved.

In the case of the above-described warehouse management system, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the sorting carts and the access stations are each provided with a highlight and at least one of the highlights has a display region with a color which can be switched over remotely controlled, wherein the warehouse management system is designed to automatically recognize whether at least one item of the collection is positioned in the access station in a manner ready for access by the sorting staff and, when it is recognized that an item is positioned ready for access within a predetermined time, automatically switch over the color of at least one highlight which can be switched over remotely controlled to the color of a further highlight.

With regard to the sorting and warehousing system mentioned at the beginning, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the sorting and warehousing system comprises at least one sorting cart which is provided with a spotter having a colored display area, and in that the sorting and warehousing system comprises at least one warehousing unit which is provided with a further spotter having a colored display area. At least one of the display areas has a color that can be switched over remotely by the warehouse management system.

In the case of the sorting method mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the access readiness of at least one article of the collection for the sorting operator at least one access station of at least one storage unit is automatically determined, wherein the sorting carts and the access stations each have a highlight, the highlight having a colored display region, and the color of at least one display region is switched in a remotely controllable manner, wherein the color of at least one remotely controllable switched display region is automatically switched to the color of the other display region after the access readiness is determined.

With regard to the initially mentioned computer program product or computer-readable storage medium, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the computer program product or computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions, in particular a computer program with instructions, which, when the program or the instructions are executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method or the steps of the method according to the invention.

The color balance of the two eye-catchers with respect to each other can be achieved by the solution according to the invention. In other words, the eye-catchers of the sorting carts show the same color as the eye-catchers of the access stations. In this way, it is easy for the sorters to associate the access station, in which the collected items are stored or stocked, with the sorting carriage and access station, which are provided for the collection or the collected sorting orders, and to carry out the access accordingly.

Access is to be understood here as the transport of articles from the sorting carts to the storage units at the access station or the removal of articles from the storage units and transport to the sorting carts at the access station. By designing the warehouse management system in such a way that the color of at least one of the two eye-catchers is switched remotely, the corresponding situation, in particular a change, can be flexibly dealt with. The predetermined time within which the item is positioned in a ready-to-access manner can be understood as the maximum time within which the item is ready to be accessed. If the item is en route to the access station, it has been possible to inform the item of the impending arrival at the access station by switching the color of the eye-catcher. Conversely, if a duration of 0 seconds is selected as the predetermined time, the color can only be switched at the present time in such a way that the article is actually positioned in a ready-to-access manner. It is proposed that a time between approximately 5 and 10 seconds is selected as the predetermined time.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by different designs which are each advantageous in their own right and can be combined with one another at will. The design and advantages associated therewith are discussed below.

For example, the color can also be switched already at the point in time at which the previous goods that are ready for access have been warehoused or warehoused. Alternatively, the color can also be switched as soon as the article intended for access moves towards the access station. For example, the warehouse management system can calculate the remaining time still needed to reach an item in the access station, for example, based on a known item location within the warehousing unit, based on a known speed and/or a known route. A predetermined threshold value lower than the remaining time can be used as a trigger signal for switching the color.

The collection or its sort order is bookable. In other words, it can exist, for example, according to a customer's order of items, a determined list of items to sort. Alternatively, the warehouse management system can also dynamically change the sort orders. The collection of sorting orders can also be predetermined, in particular by a warehouse management system. Preferably, the set is associated with exactly one sorting car.

The sorting cart represents an item collection area for items. Such a picking truck is commonly referred to as a "Pick-up truck (Pick-Cart)".

The storage units can be stationary racks, automated storage systems with conveying devices, for example, storage lifts, storage racks with tunnel conveyors or bucket conveyors. Other mechanisms for warehousing and/or providing items can also form a warehousing unit.

The at least one eye-catcher of the access station is preferably arranged at the magazine unit and is arranged in a manner visible from outside the magazine unit. Preferably, at least one access station is provided with a spotlighter which enables remote control of the switching. A storage unit can have a plurality of spatially separated access stations. In this case, each access station is preferably associated with a highlight which can be switched remotely. For example, a spotlighter capable of remotely controlling the switching is arranged at each access station. The access station can be, for example, a warehousing and/or delivery station.

As an alternative to a storage unit having one or more access points, the entire storage unit can also be an access point, for example in the case of a rack.

The magazine unit can be prepared for access if at least one item is available in an access station of the magazine unit. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the storage unit can be prepared for access if the at least one article arrives at the access station within a predetermined transport time and/or is separated from the access station by a predetermined transport distance. This can be the case in particular in a storage unit having a conveyor device which is designed to transport articles between a storage location and at least one access station.

The warehouse management system can comprise a representation, in particular a virtual or digital representation, of the items and their positions within the items warehoused or stored in the warehouse unit. The warehouse management system can be designed to detect access readiness based on such representatives of the location of the item. In other words, the warehouse management system can be designed to track, i.e., "track," items.

The warehouse management system can include hardware, such as a computer having at least one CPU (central processing unit) or a plurality of computers networked to each other. Alternatively, the warehouse management system can also comprise software, in particular a computer program product. The warehouse management system can also include a combination of hardware and software.

For example, the display area of the eye-catcher can have, for example, at least one color-variable light-emitting member. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the display area can also be formed by a suitable display device, for example a display, which can display various colors, for example. For this purpose, LCD, TFT and OLED displays are merely exemplary. It is likewise possible to use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colors or RGB-LEDs, which can be operated to emit light with different colors.

The display area can be designed for displaying additional information. For example, a display area of a highlight at a sorting cart can display an identification, such as a number, representative of the sorting cart. Preferably, the eye-catcher is at least an eye-catcher formed at the sorting cart by eye-catching light means, which are arranged at the sorting cart in a manner visible from as far as possible. If in the following the color of a highlight is referred to, this means the color of the display area of the corresponding highlight or the color displayed by the display area.

The collection of sort orders includes at least one sort order. Particularly for the case where individual sort orders relate to only a few items or only small items, the collection preferably comprises a plurality of sort orders. The collection preferably comprises so many sorting orders that the items belonging to a sorting order can be placed in a sorting cart.

For placing the articles, the sorting cart preferably has a plurality of storage article containers, so-called "handling units". Such operating units can be formed, for example, by a lattice in the sorting cart. During sorting, the operating units are each associated with a sort order, preferably with exactly one sort order. A sort order can also include a plurality of operating units if the quantity of items of the sort order exceeds the capacity of the operating units.

The access station is provided with a eye-catcher. It may be understood that the eye-catcher is visually associated with the access station, that is to say, for example, closer to the access station than at another access station. Thus, the eye-catcher does not necessarily have to be positioned at or in the access station. Preferably, the eye-catcher is arranged at the magazine unit in the vicinity of the access station, for example at the housing of the magazine unit. The eye-catchers are preferably arranged at the magazine unit in a manner visible from a distance.

As described above, the warehouse management system according to the invention can be used to color-correlate sorting carts and ready-to-access stations with each other in a manner immediately recognizable to the sorting operator. Furthermore, the warehouse management system can also be designed to: color associations between the operating units of the sorting carts and/or with the access stations are also generated. For example, at least one operating unit of the sorting cart can likewise be provided with a display device having a remotely controllable switchable color.

Depending on the same color at the access station and the eye-catcher of the sorting cart, the sorter can first associate the sorting cart with the access station. Furthermore, the operating unit can then be associated with the access station by means of a corresponding display device at the operating unit. Associating an item with a color-coded operating unit when the item is picked from the stocker unit is referred to as color picking, and warehousing the item into the stocker unit is referred to as color placement.

The term "color" in the sense of the teaching of the present invention can also encompass white, black, colorless or off, i.e. non-luminous, display areas. Furthermore, color is also understood to mean different color patterns that vary temporally and/or spatially.

The warehouse management system can be further improved in that, in the case of a plurality of access stations each provided with a remotely controllable switchable eye-catcher, the determined display region of the eye-catcher of the access station which is ready for access to the items of the collection of sorting carts is automatically switched to the color of the display region of the eye-catcher of the sorting cart. In this way, all access stations which are ready for access can be color-coded, so that the sorting operator can approach the access stations with his sorting vehicle and can access them.

If the eye-catchers of a plurality of access stations display the same color, the sorter can decide himself which of the access stations the sorter first handles when processing its collection or its sort orders. Due to the feasibility of this selection, the personal responsibility of the sorting operator is increased. Thus, sorting can be less laborious for the sorter. In other words, the avoidance of fatigue can be improved. In the long run, this makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the sorting process, even if the sorter does not always select the shortest route for processing its collection or its sorting orders. In order to support the sorting operator in his selection, at least one access station can be provided with a remaining time display which indicates how long the time period has elapsed until the access is ready, i.e. for example until the item has entered the access station.

The warehouse management system can be designed to automatically switch the display regions of the eye-catchers of the access stations determined to be ready for access to the collection of sorting carts to the color of the display regions of the sorting carts in the case of the presence of a plurality of sorting carts each having eye-catchers with display regions of different colors and in the case of the presence of a plurality of access stations each provided with a remotely controllable switchable eye-catcher. This enables a plurality of sorting carts to be used with a plurality of access stations. In this case, access stations and sorting carts ready for access to the sorting carts can be identified by one color, and access stations and at least one further sorting cart ready for at least one further sorting cart can be identified by another color. Since the risk of confusion is low due to the fact that the access stations and the sorting carts, which are intuitively easily distinguishable according to different colors, a plurality of sorting carts and/or access stations can be used simultaneously for processing a plurality of collections or sorting orders.

In order to display all of the extracted determined items of the access station for access in a readily identifiable manner, the warehouse management system can be designed to automatically switch the color of the eye-catcher of the access station after access of all items of the set provided for access from the access station. For this purpose, the warehouse management system is advantageously designed to automatically detect access to all items offered in the collection, i.e. the picking up or depositing of warehouse items. The extraction of all items can be recognized, for example, by confirmation by the sorter or automatically by monitoring of the access station, for example by means of a camera. The color of the eye-catchers of the access station can then be set, for example, to a neutral value or to the color of the display areas of the eye-catchers of the further sorting carts, and the articles of the further sorting carts are then provided in the access station.

The sorting of the articles can be designed more efficiently by the fact that the warehousing system is designed for automatically controlling one or more warehousing units such that individual articles of a collection are provided simultaneously in more than one access station. The sorter can then access and access a plurality of access stations simultaneously or sequentially.

Switching the color of the eye-catchers of the sorting carts to the color of the access stations provided for access can be simplified in that the warehouse management system is designed to determine the position of at least one sorting cart and/or of the eye-catchers of at least one sorting cart. For this purpose, for example, position detection means, such as known tracking systems, can be used.

The warehouse management system is preferably designed to control one or more warehousing units in a preset area near the determined location of the sorting cart such that individual items of the collection of sorting carts are provided simultaneously in more than one access station of the area. This embodiment can be used to supply the sorting carriages with articles when they approach the access point. According to a further development, the storage management system is designed to control the storage units of the region such that the individual items of each group of sorting carts are provided simultaneously in different access stations when the positions of the plurality of sorting carts determined by the storage management system are in a predetermined region.

The warehouse management system can be designed to automatically switch the display areas of the eye catchers of a plurality of sorting carts to different colors, respectively. In this case, a highlight of the sorting car and/or of the access station can be meant. Furthermore, the color of the information transmitter carried by the sorter can also be switched in a location-dependent manner.

According to a further development of the warehouse management system, the warehouse management system can be designed to automatically switch the display areas of the eye-catchers of a plurality of sorting carts to the respective different colors. The warehouse management system can be designed in particular for automatically switching the display areas of the eye-catchers of a plurality of sorting carts which are located within a predetermined, preferably dynamically configurable, sorting zone to the respectively different color. In this way, collisions can be avoided. In other words, the same color can be prevented from being accidentally used for different sets. Such collision prevention can occur in particular in predetermined sorting zones. Within the sorting zone, the number of colors assigned is kept as low as possible. It is easier to select colors that are as simple as possible to distinguish in the case of a small number of colors.

The warehouse management system is preferably designed for determining at least one sorting zone by means of a geo-fence. Virtual areas can be determined and separated from each other by geofences.

A plurality of sorting zones arranged in succession can form a sorting route. Such a sorting route can be determined by a temporal sequence of sorting zones in which the collected articles can be simultaneously presented for access. The sorting zone can be a spatial area comprising a plurality of access stations that allow simultaneous access to the articles of the collection. The sorter can thus process several sorting zones in sequence in such a way that the sorter pushes the sorting carriages into the individual sorting zones. Preferably, each sorting area comprises at least one storage unit or at least one plurality of storage units.

A stocker unit including a collection of articles can be arranged along a sort route. The size of the sorting zones can be determined from ergonomic perspectives. For example, the display area of the eye-catcher can then be identified and/or the storage unit can be reached with a collection vehicle. The size of the sorting zone can then also be determined as how many sorting carts should be arranged in the sorting zone at the same time. Preferably, the sorting zone has a length of less than 50 meters, particularly preferably less than 25 meters. The sorting zones following each other along the sorting route can overlap. Preferably, however, the two sorting zones following one another do not overlap.

The warehouse management system can be designed to automatically set the same color at the display area with remotely controllable switchable colors of the information transmitter that can be carried at the body of the sorting operator and at the display area of the eye-catcher of one sorting vehicle depending on the association of the sorting operator with the sorting vehicle. This enables the sorter user to easily find the sorting cart assigned to him. The collection of sort orders is typically associated with a sorter. Since the collection of sort orders is associated with a sorting cart, the sorting cart is automatically associated with a sorter. In order to provide the same color at the display area of the information transmitter and at the display area of the eye-catcher of the sorting cart, at least one of the two display areas is color-variable. To ensure a high degree of flexibility in the warehouse management system, the two display areas are preferably color variable.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the warehouse management system can be designed to automatically set the same color at the information transmitters of the sorters and at the display regions of the spotters of the sorting carts, depending on the association of the sorters with the respective sorting cart, in the case of the presence of a plurality of sorters each having an information transmitter and in the case of the presence of a plurality of sorting carts each having a spotter. Each sorter can thus easily find the sorting cart assigned to it. Thereby confusion can be avoided.

In order to further improve the warehouse management system, it can be designed to automatically determine the position of the information transmitter that can be carried on the body of the sorting operator, in particular relative to the access station and/or relative to the sorting carts, and to change the color of the display area of the information transmitter as a function of the position. Depending on the location of the sorter, a particular sort order can be associated with the sorter.

The information transmitter preferably has at least one position transmitter, so that the warehouse management system can detect the position of the information transmitter and thus the position of the sorter. Alternatively, the position transmitter can also be formed separately from the information transmitter. Thus, for example, the position transmitter can be a separate wearable device, which can also be integrated in such a device. As a further alternative or additional option for determining the position of the sorter, at least one optical system can also be used. The position can be determined by means of at least one camera system with automatic recognition of the sorter, for example.

The warehouse management system is preferably designed to automatically match the color of the display area of the information transmitter to the color of the eye-catcher of an access station when the information transmitter is in a predetermined position relative to an access station. This embodiment makes it possible to associate a sorting order with a sorter when the sorter approaches the access point. This is advantageous in particular when a sorter, which is already associated with a sorting order and has access to an access station, needs help.

This can occur, for example, when a particularly large number of items, large items or heavy items have to be moved. In this case, jamming of the sorting operator and/or of the sorting car can occur. At least one further sorter can then assist the first-mentioned sorter. In particular, at least one subsequent sorter of the sorters can assist the limitedly mentioned sorter. In this case, at least one further sorter can initially be associated with a further group or a different sort order. If at least one further sorter is then approaching the access station of the first sorter, it is also possible to associate, at least temporarily, the collection of sorters or the sorting order with the at least one further sorter as well. During this time, at least two sorters display the same color at the display area of their information transmitters. At least two sorters can then collectively process the collection of first sorters or the sort order at least partially. If assistance is no longer required, at least one further sorter can leave the access station, wherein the color of the display area of its information transmitter can again adopt its original set or its original sort order. In this way, the blockage can be quickly resolved again.

In order to simplify the previously described position-dependent switching of the color of the display region of the information transmitter of the sorter, the warehouse management system is preferably designed to determine the access zone by means of a geo-fence in front of the access stations and to automatically set the color of the display region of the information transmitter located within the access zone to the color of the display region of the eye-catcher of the access station of the access zone. In other words, as soon as the sorter enters the access area, the color of the display area of the information transmitter switches to the color of the eye-catcher of the access station. The sorting zone mentioned above can comprise a plurality of access zones.

The access area can also be determined by geo-fencing in front of a plurality of access stations. Alternatively, exactly one access zone can be determined in front of each access station.

The warehouse management system can be designed to reset the color of the display area of the information transmitter, which is set to the eye-catcher color of the access station, back to the previously set color when an article of the collection of sorting carts, the display area of which has the same color as the display area of the information transmitter before the switch back, is taken from the access station.

In other words, a sorter who temporarily processes a further collection returns to its original collection after resetting the color of the display region of its information transmitter and continues to process the collection.

The warehouse management system is preferably designed to receive an extraction confirmation signal representing all the items of a collection extracted from the access station. The access station and/or the information transmitter can have an acknowledgement transmitter for this purpose. The confirmation transmitter can be, for example, mechanical, in particular a switch, or a touch-sensitive element, for example a touch screen. The operation of the acknowledgment transmitter can generate the extracted acknowledgment signal in total.

In addition, the warehouse management system can be designed to receive a deposit confirmation signal, which represents the deposit of the item picked up from the access station on the sorting vehicle. For this purpose, the sorting carts and/or the information transmitters can have a confirmation transmitter, the actuation of which automatically generates a deposit confirmation signal. According to one advantageous embodiment, the acknowledgement transmitter for extracting the acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement transmitter for storing the acknowledgement signal can be identical. In other words, the acknowledgement transmitter for extracting the acknowledgement signal automatically becomes the acknowledgement transmitter for storing the acknowledgement signal when the extraction is acknowledged, and the opposite is true when the storage is acknowledged.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the warehouse management system can be designed to output an optical signal at a wearable device that can be carried by the sorting operator, wherein the signal represents a position on the sorting cart of an operating unit, in particular associated with the sorting order, in which position an item extracted from the access station can be deposited and/or represents a number and/or type of items that can be deposited in the operating unit of the sorting cart. In other words, the operating unit can display for the sorting operator which operating unit of the sorting cart the item should be deposited in. Further, the number and/or type of items can be displayed.

The signal can be represented by a color representation or by the display of at least one symbol, for example at least one arrow. The information transmitter can be integrated into the wearable device. Alternatively, the wearable device can be a separate element. Merely by way of example, the possibility is to list the possibility that the information transmitter can be carried at the wrist and that the wearable device has the shape of a pair of glasses, wherein the sorters can see the signal while carrying the glasses. Such glasses can be, for example, augmented reality glasses. The wearable device is capable of optically authenticating an operating unit for an aggregated sort order. Of course, the mentioned wearable device can also be a device that can be carried at other parts of the body. For example at the wrist, at the upper arm, at the lower arm or in the hand. The same applies to the information transmitter.

The sorting and warehousing system according to the invention can be further improved by including a plurality of sorting carts, each having a highlight, in particular each having a display area that can be switched in a color-wise remote-controlled manner.

The sorting and warehousing system according to the invention preferably comprises a plurality of warehousing units each having a respective eye-catcher, in particular one eye-catcher per access station. Here, each eye catcher is preferably provided with a display area having a color that can be switched over remotely by the warehouse management system.

The sorting and warehousing system can comprise at least one information transmitter designed as a wearable device, which has a region with a color that can be switched remotely and is connected in a data-transmitting manner via a warehouse management system to at least one warehousing unit and to the eye-catcher of at least one sorting cart.

The sorting and warehousing system preferably comprises a plurality of eye-catchers for the sorting carts, wherein the eye-catchers are designed in such a way that they can be fastened to the sorting carts repeatedly without tools. The sorting cart can thus be provided quickly and simply with eye-catching lamps and equipped for sorting and warehousing systems.

Preferably, the sorting and warehousing system comprises an access area, which is determined by the warehouse management system by means of the geo-fence, and a position transmitter that can be carried by the sorting operator for determining the position of the sorting operator relative to the access area, which is accessible to the sorting operator for accessing the warehousing units, the access area being arranged in front of the access station. Thereby, the location of the sorter, and in particular its presence in the access area, can be determined. In particular, the identification of the position transmitter and thus of the sorter can also be determined. The location transmitter can be part of a wearable device or an information transmitter. However, the position transmitter can also be formed by a separate mechanism.

In the simplest case, the term "relative to the access area" can denote a distinction between a position within the access area and a position outside the access area. Alternatively or additionally, however, the exact position with respect to the access area can also be detected. In this case, a precise position can be understood as a sufficiently precise position. Which can be, for example, with an accuracy of one meter, half a meter, or more.

The position can be determined, for example, by means of trigonometry. The sorting and warehousing system preferably has at least one electromagnetic and/or ultrasonic wave-based location detection system for the geo-fences. The position detection system can comprise at least one position transmitter, which can be carried by the sorter, in particular designed as a wearable device.

Drawings

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail, exemplarily according to advantageous embodiments, with reference to the drawings. The combinations of features shown by way of example in the embodiments can be supplemented by further features according to the embodiments described above for specific applications. Also according to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to dispense with this feature in the described embodiments if the effect of the individual features is not important in an application situation.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are always used for the same functions and/or the same configuration of elements.

The figures show:

fig. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a warehouse with a sorting and warehousing system according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a sorter with a portable information transmitter;

FIG. 3 shows a stocker unit with an access station;

figure 4 shows a sorting vehicle; and

fig. 5 shows the steps of the method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the sorting and warehousing system 1 according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to fig. 1.

The sorting and warehousing system 1 can be used in particular for warehouses 3 comprising at least one warehousing unit 5. The sorting and warehousing system 1 preferably includes at least one warehouse management system 6 designed to monitor and/or control at least a portion of the sorting and warehousing system 1. The warehouse management system 6 is preferably connected to the components to be monitored and/or controlled, in particular in a data-transferring manner. The warehouse management system can comprise, in particular, one or more computers and/or software, in particular networked to each other.

The warehouse management system 6 is preferably provided with a computer program product 77 comprising instructions by means of which the warehouse management system 6 can be at least partially controlled.

The storage unit 5 can be, for example, a storage system, such as a storage lift, a rack, a bucket magazine, a rotary rack magazine or other units. The access points of the transport tracks or transport routes can also be understood as storage units 5. Provided only that the operator 7, i.e. the sorting operator 7, is able to extract the items 9 from the storage unit 5 at the storage unit 5 or to deliver the items 9 to the storage unit. In the field of warehouse logistics, it is common to speak of the loading and/or extraction of warehouse items. The operator 7 is also commonly referred to as "Picker" 7. The item 9 is commonly referred to as a "warehouse item". Loading items 9 into the warehouse unit 5 or extracting items from the warehouse unit is hereinafter referred to as "access".

Sort order 43 can be assigned to sorter 7. The sort order typically includes a list of items 9. The articles 9 can be taken out, i.e. "picked up" from one or more storage units 5 and collected in a collection container, a so-called sorting car 11. Instead, it is also possible that the sort order 43 comprises a list of items 9, which are to be transferred, in particular, from the sorting cart 11 to one or more storage units 5.

In addition to the description of the type of article, sort orders 43 typically include a description of the number of articles 9 that should be warehoused and/or warehoused. One or more sort orders 43 can be aggregated in aggregate 45.

Sorter 7 can process the collection 45 or sort orders 43 by finding one or more storage units 5 and accessing the access stations 29 of the storage units 5. If the sorter 7 has to search for a plurality of storage units 5, a sorting route 13 can be derived from the movement of the sorter 7 within the storage 3.

To simplify sorting, sorter 7 can be guided through technical aids when processing collections 45 or sort orders 43. The sorting and warehousing system 1 uses color markings here in order to guide the sorter 7 visually. Color identification is advantageous because color identification can be intuitively understood compared to text or numbers.

For example, each set 45 can be associated with a color. Alternatively, a color can also be associated with sort order 43. However, the association of colors with the set 45 should preferably be done. Thus, different colors can identify different sets 45. The color of the identification set 45 can be displayed at different points in the warehouse 3 in order to support the sorter 7 when sorting.

The colors belonging to the set 45 can be displayed in particular at the eye-catchers 35, 51. The eye-catchers 35, 51 are preferably light sources visible from a distance, wherein the light sources are preferably self-luminous. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a conspicator as passive light source, i.e. a light source that is excited by an active light source to emit light. However, colors belonging to the set 45 can also be displayed by other devices, such as a display.

Fig. 2 to 4 schematically show the storage unit 5, the sorting cart 11 and the sorter 7 with the wearable information transmitter 15. Which is briefly discussed below.

Sorter 7 is equipped with at least one wearable information transmitter 15. The wearable information transmitter 15 has at least one display area 17 whose color can be switched remotely controlled.

The information transmitter 15 is preferably integrated into a wearable device 19, which is shown in fig. 2 as a device that can be carried at an arm, for example only. The wearable device 19 is preferably also designed to output an optical signal 21 for the sorter 7. The optical signal 21 is only shown as a part of the display area 17 of the information transmitter 15. In this case, the display area 17 can display the signal 21. Alternatively, the optical signal 21 can also be displayed at a display device at another device, in particular at the information transmitter 15. Another alternative consists in providing a separate wearable device 19, which can be worn separately from the information transmitter 15 and which is designed to output the optical signal 21. For example, a separate wearable device (not shown) can have a glasses shape.

The information transmitter 15 preferably also has at least one confirmation transmitter 23, at which the removal and/or storage of the item can be confirmed. The confirmation transmitter 23 can be a mechanical switch, a touch-sensitive switch, for example as part of a touch display, or can also be a bar code reader or other input device. It is also possible for the display region 17 of the information transmitter 15 to be designed in a touch-sensitive manner, so that the information transmitter can simultaneously be the confirmation transmitter 23. The acknowledgement transmitter 23 can also be formed on a separate device, in particular a device that can be carried on the body.

Sorter 7 preferably carries at least one position transmitter 25. The position transmitter 25 can be part of the information transmitter 15. Alternatively, the position transmitter can also be formed separately from the information transmitter 15. The position transmitter 25 can preferably be worn at the body of the sorter 7.

The information transmitter 15, the confirmation transmitter 23 and/or the position transmitter 25 can be connected to the warehouse management system 6 in a data-transmitting manner, in particular in a wireless data transmission manner.

One example of a stocker unit 5 is schematically illustrated in fig. 3. The magazine unit 5 can have a plurality of magazine locations 27, which are only indicated in fig. 3 by dashed lines. The articles 9 emerging from the storage location 7 can be moved to the access station 29 or can be moved from the access station 29 toward the storage location 27. The access station 29 can be in particular a loading and/or extraction station 31.

The storage units 5, in particular the control devices 33 of the storage units 5, are preferably connected in a data-transmitting manner to the warehouse management system 6.

The access station 29 is provided with a viewer 35. The eye-catcher 35 is arranged in the vicinity of the access station 29 so that it can be visually associated with the access station 29.

The eye-catcher 35 has a display area 37, the color of which can be switched remotely controlled by the warehouse management system 6. For this purpose, the eye-catcher 35 can be connected in a data-transmitting manner directly to the warehouse management system 6 or indirectly via the control device 33 of the warehousing unit 5.

The display area 37 can be a color-variable light-emitting member, or a display device, in particular a display, which is designed to display different colors.

The storage unit 5 can be provided with a position detection system 39 which is designed to detect the position of the position transmitters 25, 49. The position detection system 39 is shown only by way of example on the storage unit 5. The position detection system 39 can be part of the sorting and warehousing system 1 independently of the warehousing units 5 and can be arranged within the warehouse 3.

The position detection system 39 can be formed by a plurality of transmitting and/or receiving devices which are adapted to detect at least one position transmitter 25, 49 and to determine its position. For example, the position detection system 39 can use trigonometry for this purpose. The location detection system 39 may be used to define a zone within the sorting and warehousing system 1 or warehouse 3 by means of geo-fencing. In particular, sorting zones and access zones can be determined. As will be discussed below.

The sorting cart 11 is schematically shown in fig. 4. The sorting carts 11 are used for collecting and transporting the articles 9. For this purpose, the sorting cart 11 has a warehouse goods container, a so-called handling unit 41. The operating units 41 are only shown in fig. 4 as an example as compartments in the sorting carts 11.

Operating unit 41 is preferably associated with exactly one sort order 43. Sort orders 43 are only schematically shown in fig. 4 as a collection of items 9. Alternatively, sort orders 43 can also be extended by a plurality of operating units 41 if the capacity of operating units 41 is insufficient for sort orders 43.

A plurality of different sort orders 43 can be combined into a collection 45 of sort orders 43. The sorting carts 11 are preferably associated with exactly one collection 45. Two different sort orders 43 are represented in fig. 4 by the different items 9 included therein. Each operating unit 41 can be provided with a display device 47 which can display for the sorting operator 7 in which operating unit 41 an item 9 is to be deposited or from which operating unit 41 an item 9 is to be extracted. The display device 47 is preferably capable of displaying colors and/or characters.

The sorting carts 11 are preferably provided with position transmitters 49, from which the positions of the sorting carts 11 within the warehouse 3 can be determined. The identification of the sorting cart 11 can also be communicated to the warehouse management system 6, preferably on the basis of the position transmitter 49. The position transmitter 49 can preferably be detected by the position detection system 39.

The sorting cart 11 is provided with a striking device 51, which is formed in particular by a striking lamp 53 that can be placed repeatedly and without tools. Eye-catcher 51 has a display area 55, the color of which can be switched remotely. In particular, the switching of colors can be remotely controlled by the warehouse management system 6. For this purpose, the spotters 51 are connected to the warehouse management system 6 in a data-transmitting manner. This can be done in particular wirelessly.

The eye-catchers 51, in particular their display areas 55, are preferably visible from each side of the sorting cart 11. The sorter user 7 can thus quickly find or identify the sorting vehicle 11 assigned to him.

The eye-catcher 51 preferably has a reading device for the identification mechanism of the sorting cart 11. The eye-catcher 51 can thus read the identifier of the sorting car 11 on which the eye-catcher 51 is arranged and forward it to the warehouse management system 6. The sorting car 11 and the eye-catcher 51 for the warehouse management system 6 can thus form one unit. The reading device can be, for example, a bar code reader or a reading device for reading RFID tags. Accordingly, the identification mechanism at the sorting cart 11 can be formed by a bar code, an RFID tag, or other suitable mechanism.

The sorting carts 11, in particular the eye catchers 51 of the sorting carts 11, can be provided with at least one projection device (not shown) designed for generating light images suitable for indicating a direction. For example, an arrow can be generated. In particular, the projection device is capable of projecting downwards, i.e. onto the ground. Thus, the direction to the next access station 29 ready for access can be displayed based on the communication with the warehouse management system 6. This may be significant in large warehouse rooms where it may be necessary to travel long distances and where the eye-catchers 35 of the access station 29 cannot be easily identified remotely. The sorting zones 57 can then be divided into different sections which are distributed over the face between the warehouses and are connected to one another by the sorting lines 13.

The use of the inventive warehouse management system 6 and the inventive sorting and warehousing system 1 is described below with reference to the warehouse 3 shown in fig. 1, wherein the components of the sorting and warehousing system 1 described with reference to fig. 2 to 4 are used here.

The sorting route 13 already mentioned at the outset can be determined by a temporal sequence of so-called sorting zones 57, in which the articles 9 of the collection 45 are simultaneously presented for access. Such a sorting zone 57 is indicated in fig. 1 by means of a dash-dot line.

Each access station 29 is associated with an access area 59. The access area 59 is preferably arranged in front of the access station 29, so that the sorters 7 located in the access area 59 can access the access station 29.

For the sake of clarity, fig. 1 shows the storage units 5, each of the storage units 5 having exactly one access station 29. For example, the warehouse unit 5 in fig. 1 can be configured similar to the warehouse unit 5 described with reference to fig. 3. However, the storage unit 5 can also have a plurality of access stations 29 and/or access zones 59.

The access area 59 can be a virtual area. In other words, the access area can be determined, for example, via a geofence. For example, one or more location detection systems 39 (particularly through a connection with the warehouse management system 6) can determine the access zone 59.

Since each sorter 7 is preferably provided with a position transmitter 25, it is possible to identify whether the sorter 7 is located inside or outside a particular access zone 59. From this, the position 61 of the sorter can be derived. It is also possible, moreover, to determine the position 61 of the sorter 7 absolutely, i.e. without a relationship to a specific access station 59. For this purpose, a position detection system 39, in particular of the type using trigonometry, can be provided.

Since each sorting car 11 is preferably also provided with a position transmitter 49, it is preferably possible to determine the position 63 of the sorting car 11. In the simplest case, it is possible here to detect only the presence of a sorting vehicle 11 in the access area 59. In addition, however, it is also possible to derive the position 63 within the warehouse 3.

According to the invention, at least one of the eye-catchers 35 or 51, i.e. at the access point 29 or at the sorting cart 11, has a display region 37 or 55, which has a switchable color. For simplicity, this is explained below in terms of two different colors a and B. Obviously, other colors can also be used, or more than two colors, especially in the case of a plurality of sorters 7.

Color a is represented by simple hatching in fig. 1, and color B is represented by cross-hatching. Advantageously, the two colors a and B are significantly different from each other. For example, color pairs of red and green or yellow and blue can be used for this purpose. Here, it may also be advantageous to use only two colors a and B that are complementary to one another. For example, complementary colors of blue and yellow, red and cyan, or green and magenta can be used as the colors a and B. This enables a very rapid and unambiguous distinction of the two colors a and B by the sorter 7.

Eye-catchers 35 and 51 preferably have display areas 37 and 55, respectively, with automatically switchable colors A, B. Furthermore, the sorter 7 also carries an information transmitter 15 with a display area 17, the color of which can be switched remotely controlled by the warehouse management system 6.

In the sorting and warehousing system 1 of fig. 1, as a preferred embodiment, the eye-catcher 35, the eye-catcher 51 and the information transmitter 15 are each provided with a display area, the color of which can be switched automatically.

Only the eye-catchers 35 and 51 and the information transmitter 15 are indicated in fig. 1 and are filled with hatching representing the respective colors. For clarity, access area 59 is also filled with hatching corresponding to the color of eye-catchers 35 of respective access stations 29.

Sorting carts 11 are associated with sorters 7 at the start of sorting, i.e., when sorters 7 need to process collection 45 or sort orders 43, and at the beginning of the work day.

In fig. 1, for this purpose, the sorter 7 and the sorting cart 11 are shown at the upper left, wherein both display color a. The lower right hand side shows the sorter user 7 and the sorting carriage 11 associated therewith, wherein both the information transmitter 15 and the eye-catcher 51 display the color B.

The sorting operator 7 can thus quickly and easily identify the sorting vehicle 11 assigned to him when visually comparing his information transmitter 15 or his display area 17 with the display area 55 of the eye-catcher 51 on his sorting vehicle 11. The sorter can then use the sorting carriages 11 to control the access stations 29 of the storage units 5 in order to access them. Here, different scenarios can be envisaged.

In a simple scenario, the items 9 for the collection 45 or for the sorting order 43 are provided in the access station 29 of the storage unit 5.

Eye-catchers 35 of the respective access stations can then be displayed by color a or B representing collection 45 or sort order 43. Sorter 7 can compare the color a or B displayed at eye-catcher 35 with the color of its information transmitter 15 and/or the color of its eye-catcher 51 of sorting cart 11.

If the colors are identical, as in color a on the upper left in the figure, the sorter 7 can access the access station 29 and extract the articles 9 therefrom and place them in the operating units 41 of its sorting carts 11. The sorter 7 can likewise take the articles 9 from the operating units 41 of its sorting carriages 11 and place them in the access station 29.

As described above, each operation unit 41 can also be provided with the display device 47 for this purpose. If the access is finished, the sorter 7 can acknowledge this, for example via the acknowledgement transmitter 23. The sorter can then proceed to the access station 29 and proceed with processing its collection 45 or its sort orders 43.

Alternatively to the above-described procedure, the position 61 of the sorter 7 and/or the position 63 of the sorting cart 11 can also be detected. For example, a virtual zone 65 around the sorting cart 11 can be determined.

If the area 65 overlaps the access area 59 or if one of the access stations 29 is within the area 65 around the sorting cart 11, this causes the respective access station 29 to provide the collection 45 associated with the sorting cart 11 with the item 9.

Once one or more items 9 are provided, the color of eye-catcher 35 is switched to the color of eye-catcher 51 and vice versa. In other words, in this case, the storage unit 5 reacts to the presence of a sorting cart 11 and provides the sorting cart 11 or its sorting order 43 or its collection 45 with the respective item 9.

The present invention also provides other advantages. Thus, for example, the association of a sorter 7 and/or a sorting vehicle 11 with a particular collection 45 or a particular sort order 43 can be exchanged at least temporarily. This can be indicated by exchanging colors at eye-catcher 51 and/or at information transmitter 15.

To illustrate this, the following is illustrated in fig. 1:

sorter 7, shown in the lower right of fig. 1, accesses access station 29, wherein collection 45 or sort order 43 is associated with sorter 7. The information transmitter 15, the eye-catcher 51 and the eye-catcher 35 all display color B, respectively.

The sorters 7 access the storage stations of the stocker unit 5. At the same time, the magazine unit 5 shown in fig. 1 above the previously presented magazine unit 5 is also ready for access by the sorter 7. Thus, the eye-catcher 35 of the stocker unit 5 also displays the color B.

Due to the size of collection 45 or sort order 43, the weight of item 9, or the urgency of collection 45 or sort order 43, sorter 7 needs assistance.

The sorter can now request the second sorter 7 shown in fig. 1 to assist him. Alternatively, the second sorter 7 associated with color a can also identify that the sorter 7 associated with color B needs assistance. Obviously, it is also possible that this is recognized by the warehouse management system 6 and communicated to the sorter 7 associated with color a.

The sorter 7 associated with color a can then at least temporarily proceed to an access zone 59 whose access stations 29 are likewise identified with color B by a highlight, but access to the access stations 29 is not made, however. This change of sorter 7 from one access area 59 to another 59 is indicated by arrow 67 in fig. 1.

At the moment when the sorter 7 previously associated with color a enters the further access area 59, this is recognized by the warehouse management system 6, in particular via the at least one position detection system 39, and the color in the display area 17 of its information transmitter 15 is switched from a to B. This is shown in fig. 1 in the upper right-hand area in the magazine unit 5 by a dashed line. Sorter 7 is then at least temporarily also associated with the collection 45 of sorters or with sort order 43, which was provided with color B from the beginning.

Thus, both sorters 7 are able to process collection 45 or sort order 43 identified with color B. Here, two sorters 7 can also use a sortation carriage 11 which is identified with a color B.

If the collection 45 identified with color B or the sorting order 43 is processed completely or sufficiently highly, the sorter 7 whose color is switched can return to the access station 29 which it was operating in, again, wherein the color of its information transmitter 15 is switched to color a again as soon as it enters the access zone 59 of the access station 29 marked with color a. Now, both sorters 7 can again process their respective collections 45 or sort orders 43.

Thus, with the warehouse management system 6 according to the invention, it is possible to flexibly associate sorters 7, sorting carts 11 and access stations 29 with a specific collection 45 or sorting order 43 and/or with each other.

The information transmitter 15 and/or the wearable device 19 can be designed for generating an acoustic signal. The acoustic signal can be triggered in particular by the warehouse management system 6. Instead of or in addition to an acoustic signal, a haptic signal, for example a vibration alarm, can also be generated. Such a signal can be triggered by the warehouse management system 6, for example, when a color change occurs at the display area 17 of the information transmitter 15.

This may be relevant, for example, in the above-described case in which the sorter 7 enters the further access area 59 and triggers a color change of the display region 17 of its information transmitter 15. A corresponding signal can also be generated when a sorting car 11 associated with a sorting car 7 is subjected to a color change or the color of the display area 55 of the eye-catcher 51 of the sorting car 11 is switched. This enables the sorter 7 to be visually informed that it should now process another collection 45 or another sort order 43.

Some optional modifications of the warehouse management system 6 and/or the sorting and warehousing system 1 are also described below. The warehouse management system 6 can be designed in particular for preventing color conflicts. In other words, it can be ensured that a color is not assigned twice, unless the association is temporarily changed as described above, so that a plurality of sorters 7 or also a plurality of sorting carts 11 are additionally used for processing already working collections 45 or already working sorting orders 43. It is advantageous to prevent color conflicts, particularly in sorting area 57. For example, if there are multiple sorting zones 57 in a warehouse bay, the same color can be used in different sorting zones 57.

The eye-catchers 51 of the sorting carts 11 are preferably designed so that once the sorting carts 11 can be seen, the colors can be identified. The orientation of the sorting cart 11 is preferably not critical here. This is in contrast to the optional display device 47 of the operating unit 41, which is usually only visually detectable if the sorting operator 7 is positioned near the operating unit 41 on the one hand and the operating unit 41 with its display device 47 is oriented towards the sorting operator 7 on the other hand.

The warehouse management system 6 is preferably connected at least in a data-transmitting manner, in particular wirelessly, to all the eye-catchers 35, 51 and the information transmitter 15. Furthermore, the warehouse management system is preferably also connected directly or indirectly to the position transmitters 25 and 49 and/or to one or more position detection systems 39. Finally, the warehouse management system 6 is preferably also connected in data-transmitting manner to the confirmation transmitter 23 and to the control device 33 of the warehousing unit 5.

In the following, the sorting method according to the invention is described with reference to the block diagram in fig. 5.

In a first method step 69, a collection 45 of sort orders 43 with a plurality of articles 9 is associated with a sorting cart 11.

In a further method step 71, it is determined by the warehouse management system 6 whether at least one item 9 of the collection 45 is ready to be accessed at the access station 29.

If this is the case, method step 73 is carried out, in which the color A, B of at least one display region 37 and/or 55 is switched. It can thereby be ensured that the eye-catchers 35 of the control device 33 and the eye-catchers 51 of the sorting carts 11 display the same color A, B.

At least one optional method step 75 can then be carried out, in which the color of at least one further display region 17, 37 and/or 55 is switched in a location-dependent manner.

Various situations that may occur, for example, are described with reference to fig. 1. Likewise, the use of the warehouse management system 6 and/or the sorting and warehousing system 1 described above with reference to fig. 1 to 4 can be understood as being an optional method step.

List of reference numerals

1 sorting and warehousing system

2 warehouse

3 warehousing unit

5 warehouse management system

7 sorter

9 article

11 sorting vehicle

13 sorting route

15 information transmitter

17 display area

19 wearable device

21 optical signal

23 acknowledgment transmitter

25 position transmitter

27 storage location

29 Access station

31 loading and/or extraction station

33 control device

35 eye-catching device

37 display area

39 position detection system

41 operating unit

43 sort order

45 collection of sort orders

47 display device

49 position transmitter

51 eye-catching device

53 eye-catching lamp

55 display area

57 sorting area

59 access area

61 location of sorter

63 location of sorting carts

Region 65

67 arrow

69-75 method steps

77 computer program product.