Search

KR-102963095-B1 - OPTICAL SENSOR-BASED ENTRANCE/EXIT STATUS DETECTION SYSTEM AND THE CONTOLLING METHOD THEREOF

KR102963095B1KR 102963095 B1KR102963095 B1KR 102963095B1KR-102963095-B1

Abstract

An optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system is disclosed. The optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system includes a barcode reader that scans a barcode label attached to a product pallet to obtain loading position information for the inbound or outbound of the product pallet; an inbound/outbound lift unit for linking with a stacker crane for the inbound or outbound of the product pallet; an optical sensor unit installed at the bottom of the inbound/outbound lift unit to detect the movement of the product pallet; and a processor that generates a movement command based on the loading position information, transmits the movement command to the inbound/outbound lift unit and the stacker crane, and obtains status information of the product pallet on the inbound/outbound lift unit based on the movement of the product pallet detected through the optical sensor unit. Accordingly, during the process of linking products to an ASRS stacker crane, the inbound/outbound status information of the product can be accurately identified, and the inbound or outbound of additional products can be controlled, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system.

Inventors

  • 김찬규

Assignees

  • 한국전자기술연구원

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20241014

Claims (12)

  1. A barcode reader that scans a barcode label attached to a product pallet to obtain loading location information for receiving or shipping the product pallet; An inbound/outbound lift unit for linking with a stacker crane for the inbound or outbound of the above-mentioned item pallet; A light sensor unit installed at the lower part of the above-mentioned incoming/outgoing lift unit to detect the movement of the above-mentioned item pallet; and A processor that generates a movement command based on the above loading location information and transmits the movement command to the above loading/unloading lift unit and stacker crane, and acquires status information of the above goods pallet on the above loading/unloading lift unit based on the movement of the above goods pallet detected through the above optical sensor unit; The above-mentioned inbound/outbound lift unit is, A loading frame capable of sliding movement by loading the above-mentioned item pallets is positioned on the receiving lift section and the shipping lift section, respectively, and each includes a receiving lift section and a shipping lift section. The above optical sensor unit is, It includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor positioned at the bottom of the receiving lift unit, and includes a third optical sensor and a fourth optical sensor positioned at the bottom of the shipping lift unit. The above processor is, Based on the status information of the item pallet on the above-mentioned incoming/outgoing lift unit, it is determined whether to generate an additional item pallet incoming or outgoing order to the above-mentioned incoming/outgoing lift unit, and The above processor is, If the item pallet is detected by the first optical sensor and then also by the second optical sensor on the above-mentioned incoming/outgoing lift unit, it is determined that the item pallet is currently being moved to the stacker crane, and an additional order for receiving the item pallet is generated after a first set of time. If the item pallet is detected by the third optical sensor on the input/output lift unit but is not detected by the fourth optical sensor, it is determined that the item pallet has been transferred from the stacker crane to the loading frame and is sliding along the output lift, and the system waits without generating an additional output command for the item pallet. An optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system that, when the item pallet is detected by the third optical sensor on the inbound/outbound lift section and then also detected by the fourth optical sensor, determines that the item pallet has completed sliding movement and is waiting to be moved from the loading frame, and generates an additional item pallet outbound command after a second set of time.
  2. delete
  3. delete
  4. In paragraph 1, An optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system, wherein the first optical sensor is attached adjacent to the point where the item pallet is loaded and sliding movement begins in the receiving lift section, the second optical sensor is attached adjacent to the point where the item pallet is transferred to the stacker crane in the receiving lift section, the third optical sensor is attached adjacent to the point where the item pallet is transferred from the stacker crane and sliding movement begins in the outbound lift section, and the fourth optical sensor is attached adjacent to the point where the item pallet is transferred from the stacker crane and sliding movement ends in the outbound lift section.
  5. In paragraph 4, The above optical sensor unit is, A light sensor-based entry/exit status detection system comprising a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, wherein the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are arranged to face an upper region, and when the loading frame slides to be positioned in the upper region of the light sensor unit, the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are covered to detect the movement of the loading frame.
  6. delete
  7. In paragraph 5, The above optical sensor unit is, It further includes a fifth optical sensor located at the bottom of the stacker crane, and The above processor is, An optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system that acquires operation status information of the stacker crane based on the movement of the item pallet detected through the fifth optical sensor, and determines whether to generate an additional order for receiving or releasing item pallets to the inbound/outbound lift section based on the status information of the item pallet on the inbound/outbound lift section and the operation status information of the stacker crane.
  8. In Paragraph 7, The above processor is, An optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system that visualizes a virtual item pallet modeled with the item pallet in a virtual structure object and a virtual inbound/outbound lift unit and virtual stacker crane object modeled with the item pallet and the item pallet and stacker crane, and displays the inbound or outbound location of the item pallet through a management screen.
  9. A step of obtaining loading location information for receiving or shipping the said item pallet by scanning a barcode label attached to the item pallet at a reader; A step of generating a movement command according to the above loading position and transmitting the movement command to the loading/unloading lift unit and the stacker crane; A step of obtaining status information of the item pallet on the loading/unloading lift unit based on the movement of the item pallet detected through the optical sensor unit; and The method includes a step of determining whether to generate an order for receiving or releasing additional item pallets to the receiving/releasing lift section based on status information of the item pallets on the receiving/releasing lift section; The above-mentioned inbound/outbound lift unit is, A loading frame capable of sliding movement by loading the above-mentioned item pallets is positioned on the receiving lift section and the shipping lift section, respectively, and each includes a receiving lift section and a shipping lift section. The above optical sensor unit is, It includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor positioned at the bottom of the receiving lift unit, and includes a third optical sensor and a fourth optical sensor positioned at the bottom of the shipping lift unit. The step of determining whether to generate an incoming or outgoing order for the above additional item pallets is, If the item pallet is detected by the first optical sensor and then also by the second optical sensor on the above-mentioned incoming/outgoing lift unit, it is determined that the item pallet is currently being moved to the stacker crane, and an additional order for receiving the item pallet is generated after a first set of time. If the item pallet is detected by the third optical sensor on the input/output lift unit but is not detected by the fourth optical sensor, it is determined that the item pallet has been transferred from the stacker crane to the loading frame and is sliding along the output lift, and the system waits without generating an additional output command for the item pallet. A control method for an optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system, wherein when the item pallet is detected by the third optical sensor on the inbound/outbound lift section and then also detected by the fourth optical sensor, it is determined that the item pallet has completed sliding movement and is waiting to be moved from the loading frame, and an additional item pallet outbound command is generated after a second predetermined time.
  10. delete
  11. In Paragraph 9, A control method for an optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system, further comprising the step of visualizing a virtual item pallet modeled of the item pallet in a virtual structure object and a virtual inbound/outbound lift unit and virtual stacker crane object modeled of the inbound/outbound lift unit and stacker crane, and displaying the inbound or outbound location of the item pallet through a management screen.
  12. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing on a computer the control method of the optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system described in paragraph 9 or 11.

Description

Optical Sensor-Based Entrance/Exit Status Detection System and the Control Method Thereof The present invention relates to an optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to a system and a control method thereof for detecting the inbound/outbound status of goods pallets on an inbound/outbound lift connected to a stacker crane by utilizing an optical sensor. An Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) is used to automate and streamline the processes of storing and retrieving products in large-scale warehouses or logistics centers. These ASRSs primarily include stacker cranes, which are one of the core components of an ASRS and are equipment mainly used to store and retrieve items located at high warehouse heights. This equipment generally takes the form of a crane capable of moving vertically and horizontally along rails, and like a robotic arm, it typically lifts products using a slide. ASRS stacker cranes have the advantage of maximizing warehouse height to store more products in a smaller space, reducing human error as an automated system, and quickly locating the precise position of products. In addition, ASRS stacker cranes have the advantage of fast work speeds because they quickly locate and retrieve products, minimize manpower, and increase work efficiency through an automated system. However, during the process of receiving or shipping products linked to the ASRS stacker crane, control commands related to receiving or shipping may be entered redundantly. In such cases, commands for receiving or shipping other products may be entered even though there are products currently in motion. Consequently, the system must remain on standby until the previous procedure is completed, and in rare instances, the redundant input may have an adverse effect on the system. Accordingly, there is an increasing need to accurately track the status of product inflow and outflow during the process of linking ASRS stacker cranes with products. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are drawings for explaining a stacker crane used in an ASRS according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining an incoming/outgoing lift unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a light sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the specific configuration of an optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing relating to a software module stored in a storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Additionally, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intentions or relationships of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an optical sensor-based entry/exit status detection system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a barcode reader (110), an entry/exit lift unit (120), an optical sensor unit (130), and a processor (140). Here, the optical sensor-based inbound/outbound status detection system (100) is designed to acquire status information of goods pallets on an inbound/outbound lift section by additionally installing an optical sensor in the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). In addition, the barcode reader (110) can scan the barcode label attached to the item pallet to obtain loading location information for receiving or shipping the item pallet. Specifically, the barcode reader (110) is configured to read code information attached to a pallet of goods and obtain movement control information for a stacker crane for receiving and sending goods (e.g., information on the loading position of goods), and to this end, it may include an optical scanner, a decoder, a wireless communication interface, and a microcontroller unit. Here, the code information includes a barcode or a QR code (Quick Response Code