JP2018039674A - Transport system and method for associating data with goods being transported by the transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for associating data with an article in transit by a transport system is provided.
Receiving an article 1 in a first zone 10 of a transport system; receiving data associated with the article 1 and storing the data in a first storage device associated with the first zone 10; And transporting the article to the second zone 20 of the transport system; and transmitting the data stored in the first storage device to the second storage device associated with the second zone 20. Including.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 595,098, filed February 5, 2012, for all purposes as if set forth in full. Incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates to a transport system and method, and more particularly to a transport system and a method for associating data with an article in transit by the transport system.

  The transport system has a wider application than before, and is used in, for example, a packing system, an order procurement system, a manufacturing system, a shipping sorting system, a return processing system, and the like. Some of these transport systems use a centralized multi-horsepower AC motor to drive a shaft, belt, or chain that in turn moves a group of rollers that transport articles throughout. There are also roller-based transport systems with an internal direct current “micro-horsepower” motor that drives localized roller sections. The latter system includes a brushless DC roller transport system. The brushless DC roller transport system is formed around several parts and functions and includes a drive roller with built-in brushless DC motor, intelligent local controller, and networking between controllers based on bidirectional communication protocol .

  As a methodology for controlling brushless DC roller transport systems, local controllers are used to control local functions within each zone of the transport system, but centralized controllers are used to transport through the entire transport system. Track the item "(cardboard box, plastic bag or pallet, etc.). Such tracking is done by uniquely identifying the article at a decision point in the transport system using a centralized controller. These decision points include, for example, transfer, transmission, merging, order picking zone, weighing, sorting and printing.

  In order to uniquely identify the article, the transport system utilizes a barcode that is usually printed on an adhesive label that can also be adhered to the article. Alternatively, in the case of a reusable bag for holding the item, a permanent barcode label is assigned to the item in the bag. The barcode ID associated with the permanent label is reused or reassigned when the bag contents are changed.

  Since the article is transported through the entire conveyance system, a barcode scanner is arranged at the determination point and reads the barcode. At each decision point, the bar code information is sent electronically to a centralized controller that determines what data needs to be done on the item or what data is stored on the item at the bar code scan location. Determine what is needed. This methodology has a slight downside. First, barcode scanning and related equipment that can read barcodes on moving articles is expensive and can account for most of the costs associated with a typical automated transport system. Second, the bar code scanner must be electronically coupled to the central control system, which requires extensive and costly data communication networks and associated cabling. Third, since the information required at the decision point is stored in the central database, timely access to the database is rewarding on a large automated transport system. This is because the central controller must process all decision points simultaneously.

  Usually, the barcode used in the automatic conveyance system is a one-dimensional barcode that uniquely identifies an article. However, the one-dimensional barcode does not include additional data regarding the article. Instead, the data necessary to determine the function to be performed by the transport system is stored remotely in a database associated with the centralized controller. This data can be the route that the article should take with respect to the transport system, order data, sorting points, return points, etc.

  By using a two-dimensional barcode, some of the additional data can be passed along with the article, but the data in the barcode cannot be updated. These two-dimensional barcodes can simplify some of the sorting systems by including data regarding the prescribed routes of specific articles within the automated transport system. However, the data on the two-dimensional barcode cannot be updated.

  A method for associating data with an article in transit by a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving the article in a first zone of the transport system; receiving data associated with the article; and Storing the data in a first storage device associated with the first storage device, transporting the article to a second zone of the transport system, and storing the data stored in the first storage device in the second Transmitting to a second storage device associated with the other zone.

  Receiving data associated with the article may include reading data from a data tag associated with the article using a data reader associated with the first zone. The data read by the data reader may be stored in the first storage device. Alternatively, the data read by the data reader may be sent to a central database, and the data received from the central database may be stored in the first storage device. The data reader may include at least one of a barcode reader and an RFID reader.

  The method may further include sensing a property of the article using a sensor associated with the second zone. Sensing the property of the article using a sensor associated with the second zone may include sensing the weight of the article using a weighing device associated with the second zone. Data associated with the sensed characteristic may be stored in the second storage device.

  The method further includes transporting the article to a third zone of the transport system and transferring data stored in the second storage device to a third storage device associated with the second zone. A transmitting step. The data transmitted to the third storage device may include data transmitted from the first storage device and sensed characteristic data stored in the second storage device.

  The method may further include processing an article in the third zone based on sensed property data stored in the third storage device. Processing the article includes transporting the article to a fourth zone of the transport system and data associated with the sensed characteristic if data associated with the sensed characteristic meets a predetermined criterion. Transporting the article to a fifth zone of the transport system if the data provided does not meet the predetermined criteria. The sensed property may be the weight of the article, and the predetermined criteria may be a predetermined tolerance within an expected weight of the article.

  Processing the article may include printing a label using a label printer associated with the third zone based on sensed characteristic data stored in the third storage device.

  A transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of zones, each of which stores a conveyor unit that transports an article, a drive that drives the conveyor unit, and data associated with the article. A storage device that communicates with a controller in an adjacent zone, controls the drive device to transport the article to the adjacent zone, and controls the storage device to transmit the stored data to the storage device in the adjacent zone Controller.

  One of the plurality of zones may include a data reader that reads data from a data tag associated with the article. The data reader may include at least one of a barcode reader and an RFID reader.

  One of the plurality of zones may include a sensor that senses a property of the article. The sensor may be a weighing device that senses the weight of the article.

  The plurality of zones may include first, second and third zones, and when the data stored in the storage device associated with the first zone satisfies a predetermined criterion, the first zone The controller in one zone controls the drive to transport the article to the second zone, and the data stored in the storage device associated with the first zone is the predetermined If the criteria are not met, the controller in the first zone controls the drive to transport the article to the third zone.

  One of the plurality of zones may include a processor that processes the article based on data stored in the storage device. The processor may be a label printer that prints the article label based on characteristics of the article.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method of associating data using a barcode with a transport system and articles being transported by the transport system. FIG. 2 illustrates a method of associating data with an RFID data tag to a transport system and an item being transported by the transport system. FIG. 3 illustrates a transport system and a method for associating data with an item being transported by the transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the first and second embodiments of the transport system, the first embodiment does not include a storage device, and the second embodiment includes a storage device.

  FIG. 1 shows a transport system and a method for associating data with an article 1 being transported by the transport system, and a one-dimensional barcode 2 is attached to the article 1. As shown, the transport system includes a first zone 10 and a second zone 20. Each zone includes a conveyor unit 11 and 21 for transporting the article 1, a drive unit 12 and 22 for driving the conveyor unit 11 and 21, and a data tag reader 13 and 23 (for reading data encoded in the one-dimensional barcode 2). In this case, a bar code reader) and local controllers 14 and 24 are included. The first zone 10 further includes a weighing device 16 and the second zone 20 further includes a label printer 27. The transport system further includes a centralized controller 40 and a centralized database 41.

  In the method of FIG. 1, an article 1 having a one-dimensional barcode 2 is received in a zone 10, in which a data tag reader 13 reads the one-dimensional barcode 2 and the data associated with the one-dimensional barcode 2 is stored locally. The data is sent to the controller 14, and the local controller 14 sends the data to the centralized controller 40. The centralized controller 40 then retrieves the expected weight of the article 1 from the database 41 and sends the predicted weight data to the local controller 14. On the other hand, the weighing device 16 measures the weight of the article 1 and sends data associated with the actual weight of the article to the controller 14. The controller 14 receives the weight obtained by the weighing device 16 from the expected weight received from the centralized controller 40. Compare. When the local controller 14 determines that the actual weight is not equal to the expected weight within a predetermined allowable range, the local controller 14 transfers the article 1 to another zone (not shown). Otherwise, the local controller 14 queries the local controller 24 to determine whether the second zone 20 can accept the article 1 that currently occupies the first zone 10. When the second zone 20 is clear (has no article), the second zone 20 controls the driving device 22 to turn on the conveyor unit 21, and the second zone 20 can receive the article 1. This is notified to the first zone 10. When receiving a notification from the second zone 20, the first zone 10 controls the driving device 12 to turn on the conveyor unit 11 and transport the article 1 to the second zone 20. On the other hand, data associated with the weight sensed by the weighing device 16 is sent to the centralized controller 40 and stored in the database 41. In the second zone 20, the data tag reader 23 reads the one-dimensional barcode 2 and sends the barcode data associated with the one-dimensional barcode 2 to the local controller 24. The local controller 24 then concentrates the data. Send to controller 40. The centralized controller accesses the database 41 to retrieve the weight data associated with the one-dimensional barcode and then sends the weight data to the local controller 24, which then selects the appropriate shipping label 28 based on the item weight. To the label printer 27 to print. The problem with the system and method of FIG. 1 is the nature of a one-dimensional barcode 2 that merely contains a single number or code representing the item 1 but does not include actual data such as estimated weight associated with the item 1. Can be mentioned. Another problem is the static nature of the one-dimensional barcode 2 in which weight data cannot pass through the article 1 from the first zone 10 to the second zone 20.

  By using a two-dimensional barcode, some actual data such as estimated weight can be included in the barcode, but the actual data included in the barcode cannot be updated.

  FIG. 2 shows a transport system and a method for associating data with an article 1 being transported by the transport system, in which an RFID tag 3 is affixed to the article 1. As shown, the transport system includes a first zone 10 and a second zone 20. Each zone includes a conveyor unit 11 and 21 for transporting the article 1, a drive unit 12 and 22 for driving the conveyor unit 11 and 21, and a data tag reader 13 and 23 for reading the encoded data in the RFID tag 3 (in this case) , RFID reader) and local controllers 14 and 24. The first zone 10 further includes a weighing device 16 and the second zone 20 further includes a label printer 27.

  In the method of FIG. 2, an article 1 having an RFID tag 3 is received in the zone 10, where the data tag reader 13 reads the RFID tag 3 and sends data associated with the RFID tag 3 to the local controller 14. If the data includes expected weight data, there is no need to access the centralized controller and retrieve the expected weight of the article 1. Meanwhile, the weighing device 16 measures the weight of the article 1 and sends data associated with the actual weight of the article to the local controller 14, which compares the weight from the weighing device 16 with the expected weight. When the local controller 14 determines that the actual weight and the expected weight are not the same within a predetermined allowable range, the article 1 is transferred to another zone (not shown). Alternatively, the local controller 14 queries the local controller 24 to determine whether the second zone 20 can accept the article 1 that currently occupies the first zone 10. When the second zone 20 is clear (has no article), the second zone 20 controls the driving device 22 to turn on the conveyor unit 21, and the second zone 20 can receive the article 1. This is notified to the first zone 10. When receiving a notification from the second zone 20, the first zone 10 controls the driving device 12 to turn on the conveyor unit 11 and transport the article 1 to the second zone 20. On the other hand, data associated with the actual weight sensed by the weighing device 16 is written to the RFID tag 3. After transporting the article to the second zone 20, the data tag reader 23 reads the RFID tag 3 and sends data associated with the RFID tag 3 to the local controller 24. After retrieving the actual weight data from the RFID tag 3, the local controller 24 instructs the label printer 27 to print an appropriate shipping label 28 based on the article weight.

  The advantage of the system and method of FIG. 2 is that data can be moved with the item by the RFID tag and updated with new data created after the RFID tag is assigned to the item. However, RFID tags are expensive and are not an option for applications where goods are inexpensive or goods are shipped and not returned. This problem can be overcome to some extent by attaching an RFID tag to a reusable bag, in which case the RFID tag is assigned to one or more items contained within the bag and the contents of the bag change. Reused or reassigned. However, in this case, another problem is that RFID is write-limited. This means that writing can only be performed a limited number of times before failing a reliable operation. Another problem is that an RFID data tag reader is required at each decision point in the transport process. Yet another problem is that the speed at which the RFID tag can be accessed is limited during the movement of the article, which is particularly problematic when reading large amounts of data.

  In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates a transport system and a method for associating data with an item being transported by the transport system, wherein a storage device is associated with each zone of the transport system. . As shown, the transport system includes a first zone 10 and a second zone 20. Each zone reads the data encoded in the one-dimensional barcode 2 associated with the article 1, the conveyor parts 11 and 21 transporting the article 1, the drive units 12 and 22 driving the conveyor parts 11 and 21, and the article 1. Data tag readers 13 and 23 (in this case, barcode readers), local controllers 14 and 24, and storage devices 15 and 25 are included. The first zone 10 further includes a weighing device 16 and the second zone 20 further includes a label printer 27. The transport system further includes a centralized controller 40 and a centralized database 41.

  In the method of FIG. 3, an article 1 having a one-dimensional barcode 2 is received in a zone 10 in which a data tag reader 13 reads the one-dimensional barcode 2 and the data associated with the one-dimensional barcode 2 is stored locally. The data is sent to the controller 14, and the local controller 14 sends the barcode data to the centralized controller 40. The centralized controller 40 then retrieves the expected weight of the article 1 from the database 41 and sends the predicted weight data to the local controller 14. On the other hand, the weighing device 16 weighs the article 1 and sends data associated with the actual weight of the article to the controller 14, and the controller 14 receives the weight obtained by the weighing device 16 from the centralized controller 40. Compare with When the local controller 14 determines that the actual weight is not equal to the expected weight within a predetermined allowable range, the article 1 is transferred to another zone (not shown). Otherwise, the local controller 14 queries the local controller 24 to determine whether the second zone 20 can accept the article 1 that currently occupies the first zone 10. When the second zone 20 is clear (has no article), the second zone 20 controls the driving device 22 to turn on the conveyor unit 21, and the second zone 20 can receive the article 1. This is notified to the first zone 10. When receiving the notification from the second zone 20, the local controller 14 of the first zone 10 controls the driving device 12 to turn on the conveyor unit 11 and transport the article 1 to the second zone 20. On the other hand, the data from the one-dimensional barcode 2 and the weight data from the weighing device 16 stored in the storage device 15 in the first zone 10 are transmitted to the storage device 25 in the second zone 20. In the second zone 20, the local controller 24 retrieves the actual weight data from the storage device 25 and then instructs the label printer 27 to print an appropriate shipping label 28 based on the article weight.

  According to FIG. 3, the data can move with the article and can be updated with new data created after the one-dimensional barcode is assigned to the article. It is also possible to avoid data tag readers at each decision point in the transport process, saving time required to read physical data tags such as barcodes and RFID tags, and to access the centralized controller 40. Save time needed.

  It will be appreciated that the system method is an embodiment and the system may have variations as well as additional features based on the above description. Some of them are described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the article is encoded with a one-dimensional barcode that simply contains a single number or code representing the article, but does not contain actual data such as estimated weight associated with the article. To illustrate that the benefits of using a two-dimensional barcode or RFID data tag are obtained by the system and method of FIG. 3 that also uses a one-dimensional barcode, a one-dimensional barcode was selected in FIG. However, any data tag can be used, including a one-way barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, and an RFID data tag. As shown in FIG. 3, the data tag is attached to the article. However, it is possible to affix the data tag to a container that holds the article or is integral with the container that holds the article, or is otherwise associated with the article.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first zone includes a weighing device and the second zone includes a label printer. These functions of the first zone and the second zone have been selected to illustrate the advantages over the system and method, which includes transfer, transmission, merge, order picking zone, metering, sorting and It is applicable to various situations where benefits can be gained by moving data with the article through the transport system, such as at a decision point in the transport system that can include printing.

  The transport system can also use a roller with an internal direct current “micro-horsepower” motor that drives localized roller sections, including a brushless direct current roller transport system. The brushless DC roller transport system can include a drive roller with a built-in brushless DC motor, an intelligent local controller, and networking between local controllers based on a bidirectional communication protocol. These types of transport systems can divide the long term operation of the conveyor into zones that hold one article in a "zone". Each zone may have its own motorized roller and can be started and stopped independently of the other zones on the system.

  In addition to driving brushless motors, the local controller can also include the ability to communicate with external control components via digital I / O (input and output). These devices include, but are not limited to, photo eye sensors, limit switches, operator interfaces, solenoid valves, motor contactors and the like. Each controller can also include a microprocessor and a storage device. Compared to the use of rewritable RFID tags, the storage device can also have a much larger storage capacity and does not exist as a physical device that moves with the item, but instead virtual data that moves with the item Acts as a tag. Also, since the data tag is virtual, the reading / writing device conventionally required throughout the transport system to read and write the tag itself or the RFID tag is inexpensive. In addition, since data is transmitted electronically, there is no speed problem with respect to data transmission.

  The transport system may include a motor driven roller conveyor line, which is basically a series of individual conveyors (zones) connected end to end to further increase the length of the conveyor. ). Each section of the conveyor can also include its own drive roller coupled to other rollers in the zone. In general, as an article is transported on a conveyor line, each local controller communicates with one or more adjacent controllers to move the article from one zone to another. A storage device may reside on the zone controller card of each local controller. When an article enters or is placed in a (introduced) conveyor line, specific data associated with the article can be extracted from a central database and electronically transmitted to the controller and zone controller card storage Is done.

  In the following description, the first embodiment and the second embodiment are compared in more detail. In the first embodiment, the bar code is associated with an article to be transported in a transport system that does not include a storage device. In the second embodiment, a storage device is included.

  According to the first and second embodiments, the shipping inventory system generally places a completed customer order in a box or bag, weighs the item, the item is the exact weight, Decide if you want to forward to the reject lane or go ahead and print a specific shipping label on the order.

  According to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the box (article) enters zone 1. A barcode scanner reads the barcode on the article and identifies it as article 12345. Article 12345ID is sent to a central database (host) to indicate to the host that the article is being processed and is already in the system.

  Once the data has been captured and sent to the host, Zone 1 queries Zone 2 to determine whether Zone 2 can accept an article that currently occupies Zone 1. If zone 2 is clear and has no items, zone 2 turns on and notifies zone 1 that it is clear. Zone 1 then turns on its motor and sends the article to zone 2. As the article is transmitted from zone 1 to zone 2, the zone 2 barcode scanner reads the identification barcode on the article.

  Currently, the article is in zone 2. In this embodiment, the zone 2 has a weighing device function. Zone 2 weighs the article and then sends the article weight to the host. Zone 2 then queries zone 3 to see if it can accept the items currently in zone 2. Zone 3 indicates to zone 2 that it is powered on and can accept articles. Zone 2 powers up and transmits the article to Zone 3. As the article is transmitted from zone 2 to zone 3, the barcode scanner in zone 3 reads the identification barcode on the article. The bar code ID is then sent to the host to determine if the actual weight of the articles collected in zone 2 is the same as the expected weight stored in the central database on the host. The host compares the expected weight with the actual weight. If the host determines that the actual weight is not the same as the expected weight within a predetermined tolerance, it instructs Zone 3 to transfer the article to Zone 6, that is, a reject conveyor for orders that may have a picking error . To complete this transmission, zone 3 queries zone 6 to see if the item is acceptable. When there is no article in the zone 6, the zone 3 is notified that it can be used while turning on its drive motor. Thereafter, zone 3 transmits the article to zone 6.

  If the actual weight matches the expected weight, the host commands zone 3 to transmit the article to zone 4 in the same manner as the transmission occurred above. Zone 4 then attempts to transmit the article to zone 5 as well.

  As the article is transmitted from zone 4 to zone 5, the barcode scanner in zone 5 reads the identification barcode on the article. When the article arrives in zone 5, the label printer in that zone needs to print the shipping label for that order. The barcode ID for the article is sent to the host, and the host retrieves necessary information from the central database and creates a shipping label. The host then sends label information to the label printer to inform the conveyor when the label is ready for printing. Zone 5 then powers up the roller and transports the article past the label printer.

  This methodology requires a central process for each decision and a number of barcode scanners, one at each control point.

  According to the second embodiment, a box (article) enters zone 1 as shown in FIG. The bar code scanner reads the bar code on the item and identifies it as the item 12345. Article 12345ID is sent to a central database to retrieve specific information (one database record) about the order. This information generally includes customer address information required to print the label, expected order weight, preferred shipping method (USPS, UPS, Fed-x, etc.), and possibly even SKU details and order quantity. This data from the database is sent directly to the storage device on the zone 1 control card.

  Once the data has been written to the control card, zone 1 queries zone 2 to determine if zone 2 can accept the articles that currently occupy zone 1. If zone 2 is clear and has no items, zone 2 is powered on and notifies zone 1 that it is clear. Zone 1 then turns on its motor and sends the article to zone 2. When the article is transmitted from zone 1 to zone 2, zone 1 sends the entire data record stored in the storage device to zone 2 and clears its storage device.

  Currently, the article resides in zone 2 and all data associated with the article has already been electronically transmitted to the zone 2 storage device. In this embodiment, the zone 2 has a weighing device function. Zone 2 weighs the article and then writes the weight to the appropriate field storage. Zone 2 then queries zone 3 to see if it can accept the items currently in zone 2.

  Zone 3 indicates to zone 2 that it is powered on and can accept articles. Zone 2 powers up, transmits the article to Zone 3, and sends data associated with the article, including actual weight, to Zone 3. Zone 3 then compares the expected weight with the actual weight using the data recorded in the storage device. If zone 3 determines that the actual weight is not the same as the expected weight within a predetermined tolerance, zone 3 transfers the article to zone 6, i.e. a reject conveyor for orders that may have a picking error. To complete this transfer, zone 3 queries zone 6 to see if the item is acceptable. When there is no article in the zone 6, the zone 3 is notified that it can be used while turning on its drive motor. Thereafter, zone 3 sends data associated with the article to zone 6 while transmitting the article to zone 6.

  If the actual weight matches the expected weight, Zone 3 will attempt to transmit the article to Zone 4 in the same way as the transmission was made above. After that, zone 4 tries to transmit the goods to zone 5 as well.

  When the article arrives in zone 5, the label printer in that zone needs to print the shipping label for that order. Since all the data needed to ship the goods resides directly in the storage device of zone 5, the control card for that zone only prints the label directly and marks the shipped order. Completed order information including shipping tracking number, weight, shipping time, etc. is then sent back to the main controller database.

  This is just a few examples, but at each point where data is needed or generated, any number of conveyor functions that require specific data for the article without the aid of a barcode scanner or other identification device Indicates whether will be fulfilled. Another advantage is that this method requires only a few barcode scanners. The fewer the scanner means, the more the initial investment will be reduced, but in proportion there will be fewer “no-read” opportunities. Whenever the scanner cannot properly decode the barcode, the article must be processed differently and sent to a special lane on the transport system to be inspected, relabeled, or reintroduced. This represents the current cost as well as the initial investment increase for the subsystem to handle no reads.

  Another advantage of the present invention is that each controller makes a decision locally and does not require real-time data from the central controller (host), so the host reacts quickly to the decision required by the transport system. There is no need to do that. A system configured as in the first embodiment relies on a host timely response to a request. If the host receives several requests at the same time throughout the system, the processing capacity of the system may be reduced because the article may continue to wait for a response from the host.

  Since the control card for each zone also has serial data communication capabilities, the wiring and associated costs associated with connecting to systems such as barcode scanners, weighing devices, printers, etc. are significantly reduced. Instead of cabling these “data” devices to the remote host, each data device is wired directly to the local zone controller.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration and based on what is generally considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, such details are solely for that purpose and the present invention is disclosed. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to include modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates that one or more features of any embodiment can be combined as much as possible with one or more features of other embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Goods 2 ... One-dimensional barcode 3 ... RFID tag 10 ... 1st zone 11 ... Conveyor part 12 ... Drive device 13 ... Data tag reader 14 ... Local Controller 15 ... Storage device 16 ... Weighing device 20 ... Second zone 21 ... Conveyor unit 22 ... Drive device 23 ... Data tag reader 24 ... Local controller 25 ... Storage Equipment 27 ... Label printer 28 ... Shipping label 40 ... Centralized controller 41 ... Centralized database

Usually, the barcode used in the automatic conveyance system is a one-dimensional barcode that uniquely identifies an article. However, the one-dimensional barcode does not include additional data regarding the article. Instead, the data necessary to determine the function to be performed by the transport system is stored remotely in a database associated with the centralized controller. This data can be the route that the article should take with respect to the transport system, order data, sorting points, return points, etc.
Prior art document information related to the invention of this application includes the following (including documents cited in the international phase after the international filing date of the original application and documents cited when entering the country in other countries) .
(Prior art documents)
(Patent Literature)
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Claims (21)

A method of associating data with an item being transported by a transport system comprising:
Receiving the article in a first zone of the transport system;
Receiving data associated with the article and storing the data in a first storage device associated with the first zone;
Transporting the article to a second zone of the transport system;
Transmitting the data stored in the first storage device to a second storage device associated with the second zone.   2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data associated with the article comprises reading data from a data tag associated with the article using a data reader associated with the first zone. The way that is.   3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data read by the data reader is stored in the first storage device.   3. The method of claim 2, wherein data read by the data reader is sent to a central database and data received from the central database is stored in the first storage device.   3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data reader includes at least one of a barcode reader and an RFID reader. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
Sensing a property of the article using a sensor associated with the second zone.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein sensing a property of the article using a sensor associated with the second zone comprises measuring the weight of the article using a weighing device associated with the second zone. A method comprising the step of sensing.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data associated with the sensed characteristic is stored in the second storage device. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
Transporting the article to a third zone of the transport system;
Transmitting the data stored in the second storage device to a third storage device associated with the second zone;
The data transmitted to the third storage device includes data transmitted from the first storage device and sensed characteristic data stored in the second storage device. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
A method comprising processing an article in the third zone based on sensed property data stored in the third storage device. The method of claim 10, wherein processing the article comprises:
Transporting the article to a fourth zone of the transport system if the data associated with the sensed property meets a predetermined criterion;
Transporting the article to a fifth zone of the transport system if data associated with the sensed property does not meet the predetermined criteria.   12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensed property is a weight of the article and the predetermined criterion is a predetermined tolerance within an expected weight of the article.   11. The method of claim 10, wherein processing the article comprises printing a label using a label printer associated with the third zone based on sensed characteristic data stored in the third storage device. A method comprising the steps of: A transport system,
It has a plurality of zones, and each of the zones
A conveyor section for transporting goods;
A driving device for driving the conveyor unit;
A storage device for storing data associated with the article;
A controller that communicates with a controller in an adjacent zone, controls the drive device to transport the article to the adjacent zone, and controls the storage device to transmit the stored data to the storage device in the adjacent zone. Conveying system.   15. The transport system according to claim 14, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a data reader that reads data from a data tag associated with the article.   16. The transport system according to claim 15, wherein the data reader includes at least one of a bar code reader and an RFID reader.   15. The transport system according to claim 14, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a sensor that senses characteristics of the article.   18. The transport system according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is a weighing device that senses the weight of the article.   15. The transport system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of zones include first, second, and third zones, and data stored in the storage device associated with the first zone is a predetermined reference. If so, the controller of the first zone controls the drive to transport the article to the second zone and the data stored in the storage device associated with the first zone If the controller does not satisfy the predetermined criteria, the controller of the first zone controls the driving device to transport the article to the third zone.   15. The transport system according to claim 14, wherein one of the plurality of zones includes a processor that processes an article based on data stored in the storage device.   21. The transport system according to claim 20, wherein the processor is a label printer that prints the label for the article based on characteristics of the article.

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