US 12,330,873 B2
Inventory region integrating goods preparation and picking, and inventory management system and method
Kai Liu, Beijing (CN); Jinguo Li, Beijing (CN); and Mengdi Wang, Beijing (CN)
Assigned to BEIJING GEEKPLUS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., Beijing (CN)
Appl. No. 17/288,820
Filed by BEIJING GEEKPLUS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., Beijing (CN)
PCT Filed Aug. 23, 2019, PCT No. PCT/CN2019/102365
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 26, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/082881, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 201811261310.3 (CN), filed on Oct. 26, 2018; and application No. 201910285592.9 (CN), filed on Apr. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0395012 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1373 (2013.01) 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inventory system for preparing and picking goods, comprising a control server, a robot, an access device, a workstation, and an inventory zone for preparing and picking goods, wherein the access device and the robot communicate with the control server respectively; the inventory zone comprises a plurality of high shelves and a plurality of picking shelves, any high shelf of the plurality of high shelves comprises at least one plate, the at least one plate divides the high shelf into at least two layers, a picking shelf is placed at a bottom layer of at least one high shelf of the plurality of high shelves, at least one storage container is placed at each of layers other than the bottom layer where the picking shelf is placed, the storage container contains inventory items for replenishment of the picking shelf, and the picking shelf contains inventory items available for picking; wherein
the control server is configured to determine, in response to an item replenishment request, a target picking shelf where the inventory item to be replenished is located, a first robot for transporting the target picking shelf, a target storage container for replenishment of the target picking shelf, a target high shelf for storing the target storage container, a first access device for taking out the target storage container, and a target workstation for replenishment operations; and is configured to plan traveling paths for the first robot and the first access device; and configured to send a control instruction to the first robot and the first access device;
the first robot is configured to travel, in response to the control instruction, to the high shelf where the target picking shelf is located according to the planned traveling path, and to identify the target picking shelf from the bottom layer of the high shelf and transport the target picking shelf to the target workstation; and
the first access device is configured to travel, in response to the control instruction, to the target high shelf according to the planned traveling path, and to take out the target storage container from the target high shelf and transport the target storage container to the target workstation.