DE202010017808U1 - Identification and / or delivery tracking of items combined in consignments - Google Patents

Abstract

Logistics system for the identification and / or delivery tracking of objects combined in shipments comprising at least a first and at least a second RFID reader, a computer system with at least one server and a network via which the first and second RFID readers are connected to the server, wherein the first RFID reading device is designed in such a way that a plurality of RFID transponders can be detected at the same time and their identification codes can be read out, and the server has means for storing data records and for summarizing these data records in a database, in which each of them has a Objects to be transported whose unique identification code and the identification code of at least one further object of the shipment can be stored, a) wherein at least one of the RFID transponders is assigned to each of the objects with a unique identification code; b) wherein at least two objects are combined into one of the programs; c) the first RFID reader being provided and all the RFID transponders combined in one of the shipments ...

Description

The present invention relates to a logistics system for the identification and / or delivery tracking of items combined in consignments in a logistics system.

The detection, identification and tracking of individual objects during transport in a logistics system are known from the prior art. For this purpose, various methods are used to electronically detect or identify the objects during transport. So are in the US 2004/0249652 A1 Such a method and a device are described in order to monitor the transport and delivery of objects, in particular postal items. Each item to be transported is provided with two "bar codes" which uniquely identify the item During transport, the item passes through several processing stations, where the bar patterns of the item are scanned, respectively Processing station is scanned is detected and transmitted together with an identification of the processing station to a central monitoring station with database ("electronic shipping Office" with "integrated data system"). This tracks the path of the item. Although the scanning of line patterns is in principle a well-developed technique, the method assumes that the line pattern is optically accessible. This requirement is not always immediately given mass throughput of differently shaped packages. In addition, each package must be scanned individually, which takes a long time.

In the US 2003/0050874 A1 It is proposed to track the location where an item to be transported is currently located. For this purpose, the item is provided with an electronic ticket, eg in the form of a bar pattern or an RFID tag Upon delivery of the item, the accompanying note will be read and the actual place and time of delivery will be stored.

In the DE 100 43 752 A1 describe a procedure and a system for organizing logistics processes. The moving in the logistics system packages are equipped with repeatedly writable RFID transponders, so that the information contained on the transponders can be constantly updated to, for example, logistics operations, in particular individual transport operations to confirm and to acknowledge.

From the DE 10 2006 053 671 A1 a method is known for processing mailpieces within a postal transport and postal distribution system, the latter comprising at least a first postal distribution center, a second postal distribution center and an electronic parcel deposit box facility in the area of the second mail distribution center. In the method, data located on the mail item in the first mail distribution center is acquired by a reading device. The data collected is at least information that uniquely identifies the item of mail and information about the recipient of the item. These acquired data are transmitted to a first data processing unit in the area of the first mail distribution center and processed there. On the basis of a database connected to the data processing unit, diversion orders of the determined recipient are taken into account. The data of the mailpieces can be stored in an RFID transponder.

In the latter method, although each package is equipped with an RFID transponder, it is not comprehensible which individual objects are in the package. Although, according to these methods, the bundling of a large number of objects into larger shipments is fundamentally possible, each individual object must subsequently be identified by means of its RFID transponder, which is a time-consuming work step. Among other things, this is due to the fact that powerful RFID readers are not present on all links in a logistics chain, for example on a transport vehicle. For this reason, the practical benefit of using the RFID technology is limited compared to the above-described markings.

The present invention has for its object to provide a logistics system in which a large number of objects can be combined into larger units and their identification at any location of the logistics chain with little effort is possible. In addition, the possibility should be offered, with little effort and within the logistics chain to allow a re-sorting of the individual objects to other shipments or the further summary of several shipments.

• a) wobei wenigstens einer der RFID-Transponder mit einem einmaligen Identcode zu jedem der Objekte zugeordnet wird;
• b) wobei wenigstens zwei Objekten zu einer der Sendungen zusammengefasst werden;
• c) wobei das erstes RFID-Lesegerät bereitgestellt wird und alle in einer der Sendungen zusammengefassten RFID-Transponder zur Ermittlung deren Identcodes ausgelesen werden;
• d) wobei der Datensatz zu jedem Objekt generiert wird, umfassend zumindest seinen Identcode sowie den Identcode wenigstens eines der weiteren Objekte der Sendung, der das Objekt angehört und der Datensatz in der Datenbank abgelegt wird;
• e) wobei die Datenbank für weitere Glieder des Logistiksystems und/oder für die Kundensysteme bereitgestellt wird;
• f) die Sendung an ein weiteres Glied des Logistiksystems und/oder für die Kundensysteme übergeben wird;
• g) wobei das zweites RFID-Lesegerät bereitgestellt wird und wenigstens einen der RFID-Transponder in der Sendung zur Ermittlung des hierauf gespeicherten Identcodes ausgelesen wird, wobei nicht alle RFID-Transponder der Sendung ausgelesen werden müssen;
• h) wobei der mit dem zweiten RFID-Lesegerät ausgelesene Identcode mit den Datensätzen der Datenbank verglichen und das Objekt anhand des ausgelesenen Identcodes identifiziert wird; und
• i) wobei wenigstens ein weiteres Objekt der Sendung aus der Datenbank ermittelt wird.

This object is achieved by a logistics system for identifying and / or delivery tracking of items combined in consignments, comprising at least a first and at least a second RFID reader, a computer system with at least one server and a network, via which the first and second RFID reader connected to the server, the first RFID reader is configured so that hereby a plurality of RFID transponders can be detected at the same time and their ident codes can be read and wherein the server has means for storing records and summarizing these records in a database in which to each in a broadcast transporting objects whose unique identity code and the identity code of at least one further object of the shipment can be deposited,

• a) wherein at least one of the RFID transponders is associated with a unique identity code to each of the objects;
• b) wherein at least two objects are combined into one of the transmissions;
• c) wherein the first RFID reader is provided and all in one of the broadcasts summarized RFID transponder to determine their identity codes are read;
• d) wherein the data record is generated for each object, comprising at least its identity code and the identity code of at least one of the further objects of the program to which the object belongs and the data record is stored in the database;
• e) the database being provided to other members of the logistics system and / or to the customer systems;
• f) the consignment is handed over to another link in the logistics system and / or for the customer systems;
• g) wherein the second RFID reader is provided and at least one of the RFID transponders in the mail item is read to determine the identity code stored thereon, wherein not all the RFID transponders of the mail item have to be read out;
• h) wherein the identity code read with the second RFID reader is compared with the data records of the database and the object is identified on the basis of the read-out identity code; and
• i) wherein at least one further object of the transmission is determined from the database.

The present invention is based on the finding that the problems mentioned in the introduction can be solved by providing all objects to be transported in a logistics chain with an individual RFID tag. Since it is known which object carries which RFID tag, each of these objects can be uniquely identified on the basis of this. An RFID tag is understood to mean an RFID transponder which is provided with an individual identification code, or identity code for short.

These provided with RFID transponders objects can then be packaged in any way to larger shipments, for example, in boxes, summarized and then passed through a first RFID reader, which is capable of a plurality of RFID transponders in one step, in particular read at the same time. For this purpose, stationary readers are preferably used according to the invention, in particular RFID tunnel readers.

Since each object can be immediately identified on the basis of its individual identity code, this step electronically determines which objects are actually located in a specific carton. The assignment object identity code transmission is then stored as a record in a database, so that it is possible, for example, based on an object or its identity code to determine which other objects are together with this object in a delivery. In this case, at least one further object from the shipment can be determined.

If such a consignment is sent with a large number of objects, it is sufficient to identify a single object of this consignment in order to determine at least one further object of the consignment, or even the entire contents of the consignment, using the abovementioned database. For this purpose, a second RFID reader can be used, which can be designed technically much less expensive than the first RFID reader. For this purpose, for example, an RFID hand-held device is in question, with which only a few individual RFID transponders can be read in a scan. Since it is only important to identify any object from the shipment, the reading can be done by the closed packaging of the shipment, so that the shipment does not even have to be opened. If, for example, a particular object is searched in the program, it can be checked in this way whether it is in this program without it having to be found immediately. This eliminates the need to open and empty the shipment to find the object you are looking for. The scanning of the shipment with a second RFID reader can be repeated as often and at different positions within the logistics chain.

The term logistics chain and the logistics system is understood in the present invention in the broadest sense possible. A logistics chain encompasses all stations that pass through a shipment or an object from the sender to the last recipient, that is, different warehouses, transshipment points, means of transport and so on. In addition to the aforementioned components, the term "logistics system" additionally includes the devices that are required for processing the items or objects, such as computers, networks, measuring and control stations and so on. The term logistics system In particular, it includes systems which include the means and means necessary to carry out the transport of items from a point of departure to a delivery point on a transport path within a transport system. Furthermore, the devices according to the invention are part of the logistics system. The point of departure is, for example, a storage location or place of delivery of, for example, an item to be sold or sold.

However, the unambiguous assignment of an RFID transponder with an individual identity code to an object not only enables its easy identification within the logistics chain. On the contrary, it is possible to use the identity code to check the origin of the object, in particular whether it is original. In this respect, at the same time the protection against product piracy is improved.

The information compiled in the database or parts thereof can be made available to customers, for example. For this purpose, automatically generated messages can be sent with the corresponding information, for example when recording the shipment in the first RFID reader. Also, in further reviews with second RFID readers, further automatically generated messages may be sent, including, for example, information about the current location of the shipment.

Conversely, information can also be provided by the customer. For this purpose, for each object its exact name and / or its article number and its identity codes can be transmitted. This information can then also be fed into the database used.

According to a preferred embodiment, the data record for each object may comprise the identity codes of all other objects of the program to which the object belongs. In this way, the entire content of a program can be determined at a later time. For this reason, it is further preferred that in step i) all other objects of the transmission are determined from the database. This is particularly advantageous because hereby a consignment check both when sending and when receiving the shipment with very little effort is possible. At the same time a reliable check of the completeness of a shipment is opened.

In addition to its identity code, as well as the identity code of at least one further object of the program to which the object belongs, each data record can contain additional information about the object and / or the program, in particular country of destination, destination, time and place of manufacture, packaging , Name of the object, article number, time of creation of the data set and / or information on previous detections and / or detection points. If this information is made available on request in the logistics system, this data can be displayed at any point in the logistics chain by simply querying with a second, eg mobile, RFID reader.

In a further development, the first RFID reading device is a stationary reading device, in particular an RFID tunnel reading device, the readout of all the RFID transponders combined in one transmission being carried out in one step, preferably simultaneously.

The inventively particularly preferred RFID tunnel readers, which are also referred to as "RFID TunnelReader", is a equipped with RFID technology reading device, which is able to in real time the entire contents of a program, ie For example, to capture a box without this must be opened for this. An RFID tunnel reading device consists of the RFID reader itself, as well as other optional components which, for example, simplify handling or facilitate connection to other components of the logistics system. For this purpose, the RFID reader can be connected by LAN cable to a local network or equipped with antennas for wireless data transmission of the collected information in a wireless network. The data transmission can take place via all methods known for this purpose, for example WLAN or Bluetooth. In this way, the records can be transferred to a computer system in real time, where the records are stored in the database.

The first RFID reader can be equipped with a light barrier for switching on. The device then expediently turns off at a predeterminable time of non-use in a sleep mode and is put back into the read mode when the light barrier is triggered. At the same time the reading process can be started by the light barrier.

The first RFID reader is expediently coupled to a manual or electrical conveyor belt, so that the device can be used in operational processes, in particular in warehouses, and can achieve a high throughput.

Furthermore, first RFID readers used according to the invention can be equipped with a traffic light, with which the operating state of the device is shown. A more accurate indication of the operating state and also of the results of the readings of the programs can alternatively or additionally take place via a monitor which is connected to the first RFID reader.

Since the electromagnetic radiation emitted by such RFID readers can sometimes be very strongly propagated into the room, a metal construction for shielding and focusing the electromagnetic radiation inside the tunnel may be provided at appropriate places.

For controlling the first RFID reader, it can be provided with software, preferably an RFID edgeware (or also called a local RFID middelware component).

For data storage or data buffering, the first RFID readers used according to the invention may have a memory and be programmed with appropriate software, preferably a central RFID middleware for data storage.

In a further development, the second RFID reader is a mobile reader, in particular an RFID hand-held reader. Such devices are known in principle. These usually have their own power supply, a display, the actual RFID reader, a data memory for storing the scanned information, as well as an interface for data transmission. The interface for data transmission may be physical, i. a cable connection such as USB, FireWire or the like or, which is preferred, a radio transmission interface. In principle, all transmission options come into consideration, such as WLAN or Bluetooth, to name but two examples.

With such a mobile reader shipments can be examined at any point within the logistics chain. Since the performance of such mobile readers is very limited, usually when scanning a broadcast with a plurality of RFID tags provided with individual objects any of the objects is detected. This information, that is to say the identity code of the arbitrarily detected object, is subsequently fed into the computer system via the interface, if appropriate after previous intermediate storage and / or checking. By accessing the database stored in the server, the remaining objects of the program to which the scanned object belongs can be determined. This result, determined in the server, is then transmitted back to the mobile reader via the network, which displays the result on its display.

In a preferred manner, exactly one or very few RFID transponders are read out per shipment with the second RFID reader. As a result, the effort is kept as low as possible. Since each identity code is assigned only once, it is sufficient to identify a single object based on its identity code, so that with the help of the information stored in the database all other objects belonging to the program can be identified.

In an advantageous embodiment, the program for reading the RFID transponder is not opened.

Particularly useful is the use in the clothing industry or for the transport of garments. For this reason, according to a preferred embodiment, the object is a garment.

The assignment of the RFID transponder to the object can be done for example by fixing on or in the object. If the object is a garment, the assignment of the RFID transponder can be done in particular by sewing into the garment.

Preferably, each shipment comprises 2 to 500 objects, more preferably 15 to 300 objects, especially 20 to 200 objects. In particular, each shipment comprises at least 30, more preferably at least 50 objects.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the consignment is a box, a carton, a pallet and / or a container. It is therefore within the scope of the present invention to package a plurality of objects in boxes, then put together on pallets and deliver them to a container, the latter also constitutes a consignment within the meaning of the present invention. It is sufficient to identify an object from a container in order to determine all remaining objects in the container by recourse to the database. This procedure can be extended as desired, for example to a whole truck or shipload.

The aggregation into consignments and their division can also take place at one location of the logistics chain. Thus, at a transhipment point, a container with a series of cartons can be accepted, each carton containing a large number of objects. These boxes are reloaded on unloading the container on pallets, which allow a bundled transport within the Umschlagplatzes. For forwarding, the boxes can then be picked up from the pallets and returned to larger groups be summarized, which leave then as shipments the Umschlagplatz again.

For this purpose, the additional information, which object is placed in which box on which pallet in which container, is expediently stored in the database. According to a further embodiment of the present invention is therefore stored in the record of each object on which pallet or in which container it is summarized.

Although all types of transponders can be used within the scope of the present invention, passive RFID transponders are advantageously used as RFID transponders. These are considerably less expensive, which is an important aspect given that each of the objects is provided with its own RFID transponder.

In an advantageous embodiment of the logistics system according to the invention, the first RFID reader is designed such that it can detect at least 30, preferably at least 50, RFID transponders simultaneously and read out their identcodes. More preferably, first RFID readers up to 200, preferably up to 300, more preferably detect up to 500 RFID transponder at the same time and read their ident codes.

• – RFID-Tunnel-Lesegerät,
• – gewünschtenfalls eine Ampel zur Anzeige des Betriebszustandes,
• – gewünschtenfalls einen Monitor,
• – gewünschtenfalls eine elektromagnetische Abschirmung,
• – gewünschtenfalls ein Barcodescanner zur Erfassung eines Sendungs- beziehungsweise Kartonbarcodes,
• – eine RFID-Edgeware zur Steuerung des RFID-Tunnel-Lesegeräts,
• – eine RFID-Middleware zur Datenspeicherung, bevorzugt zentral auf einem Server, insbesondere in einem Rechenzentrum sowie
• – gewünschtenfalls ein Förderband zur Weiterleitung der Sendungen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the logistics system according to the invention, the first RFID reader comprises the following components:

• RFID tunnel reader,
• If desired, a traffic light for displaying the operating state,
• If desired, a monitor,
• If desired, an electromagnetic shield,
• If desired, a barcode scanner for detecting a consignment or carton barcode,
• An RFID edgeware for controlling the RFID tunnel reader,
• - An RFID middleware for data storage, preferably centrally on a server, especially in a data center and
• - If desired, a conveyor belt for forwarding the broadcasts.

The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to FIG 1 to 4 discussed in more detail. This shows

1 The procedure at goods receipt,

2 the information processing at the goods receipt,

3 the procedure for goods issue and

4 the information processing at goods issue.

Goods Receipt:

The procedure as well as the information processing at the goods receipt are in the 1 and 2 shown schematically. At the goods receipt, a cardboard box with a large number of objects, in this case garments, is pushed through an RFID tunnel reader, the RFID reader being switched on via a light barrier with the aid of an RFID middleware component (RFID edgeware) coupled thereto. Each of the garments has an RFID tag provided with a unique identity code.

Using a tag log and a reader-specific reader protocol or the standardized low-level reader protocol, the ID codes of the RFID transponders of all objects in the box are read out and transmitted as reading events first to the reader and then to the RFID edgeware. If the carton has an RFID tag, this tag is also transferred to the RFID edgeware. If the carton has a barcode label, the label can be scanned and also transferred to the middleware. The RFID edgeware validates, consolidates and filters the reading events. Subsequently, the events are converted into Application Level Events (ALE) and sent to the central RFID middleware component. The ALE manager of the central RFID middleware component validates the message and transforms it into a standardized EPC Object Event (EPC-OE) event type. This event is stored via a standard interface (EPIS Capture interface) in a repository (EPC Information Services (EPCIS)). If this process has been carried out successfully, the central RFID middleware and the RFID edgeware give the signal to display a signal at a traffic light of the tunnel reader.

Outbound:

The procedure and the information processing at the goods issue are in the 3 and 4 shown schematically. Using a mobile RFID reader, an "RFID handheld", any number of boxes can be detected during the goods issue. After each read by the RFID handheld, the detected RFID transponders or the identity code stored thereon are transmitted to the RFID edgeware. The RFID edgware converts the acquisition into an ALE message and sends it to the central RFID component. The ALE manager of the central RFID middleware component validates the message and converts it into a standardized EPC Object Event (EPC-OE) event type and stores the event in the EPCIS. By means of the standardized EPCIS Query Interfaces, the goods receipt information associated with the cartons collected during the goods receipt is searched for in the EPCIS. The number of cardboard identifications found are then transferred to the handheld via central and local RFID middleware components and displayed on the handheld display.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2004/0249652 A1 [0002]
• US 2003/0050874 A1 [0003]
• DE 10043752 A1 [0004]
• DE 102006053671 A1 [0005]

Claims (17)

Logistics system for the identification and / or delivery tracking of items combined in consignments comprising at least a first and at least a second RFID reader, a computer system with at least one server and a network, via which the first and second RFID reader are connected to the server the first RFID reader is configured so that hereby a plurality of RFID transponders can be detected at the same time and their ident codes can be read out and wherein the server has means for storing data records and for combining these data records in a database in which to each in a Consignment to be transported objects whose unique identity code and the identity of at least one other object of the consignment can be deposited a) wherein at least one of the RFID transponders is associated with a unique identity code to each of the objects; b) wherein at least two objects are combined into one of the transmissions; c) wherein the first RFID reader is provided and all in one of the broadcasts summarized RFID transponder to determine their identity codes are read; d) wherein the data record is generated for each object, comprising at least its identity code and the identity code of at least one of the further objects of the program to which the object belongs and the data record is stored in the database; e) the database being provided to other members of the logistics system and / or to the customer systems; f) the consignment is handed over to another link in the logistics system and / or for the customer systems; g) wherein the second RFID reader is provided and at least one of the RFID transponders in the mail item is read to determine the identity code stored thereon, wherein not all the RFID transponders of the mail item have to be read out; h) wherein the identity code read with the second RFID reader is compared with the data records of the database and the object is identified on the basis of the read-out identity code; and i) wherein at least one further object of the transmission is determined from the database. Logistic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data record for each object comprises the identity codes of all other objects of the program to which the object belongs. Logistic system according to claim 2, characterized in that in step i) all other objects of the consignment are determined from the database. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each record further information about the object and / or the shipment includes, in particular country of destination, destination, place and time details for the production, packaging, name of the object, item number, time of creation of the record and / or information about previous detections and / or detection points. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first RFID reader is a stationary reading device, in particular an RFID tunnel reading device, wherein the readout of summarized in a shipment RFID transponders in one step, preferably at the same time takes place. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second RFID reader is a mobile reading device, in particular an RFID hand-held reader. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the object is a garment. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assignment of the RFID transponder by attaching on or in the object takes place, in particular by sewing into the garment. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or a few RFID transponders per consignment are read out with the second RFID reader. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each consignment comprises 2 to 500 objects. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each shipment comprises at least 30, in particular at least 50 objects. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consignment is a box, a carton, pallet and / or a container. Logistics system according to claim 12, characterized in that in the record of each object is deposited, on which pallet or in which container it is summarized. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Transmission for reading the RFID transponder is not opened. Logistic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that passive RFID transponders are used as RFID transponders. Logistic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first RFID reader at least 30, preferably at least 50 RFID transponders simultaneously detect and read their ident codes. Logistic system according to claim 1, characterized, the first RFID reader comprises the following components: RFID tunnel reader, If desired, a traffic light for displaying the operating state, If desired, a monitor, If desired, an electromagnetic shield, If desired, a barcode scanner for detecting a shipment barcode, A (local) RFID edgeware for controlling the RFID tunnel reader, - a (central) RFID middleware for data storage as well - If desired, a conveyor belt for forwarding the broadcasts.

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