Patent Description:
As the logistics industry develops rapidly, high-density, highly automated warehouse storage methods are becoming a major trend in the construction of logistics warehouse storage systems. Under this trend, intensive storage has developed rapidly. As a type of intensive storage, a multi-layer shuttle trolley storage system has also been increasing used.

At present, the multi-layer shuttle trolley storage system mainly includes a multi-layer storing shelf, and a shuttle trolley, elevator, and control system provided on each layer. In actual use, the shuttle trolley and the elevator are used together to complete goods loading and delivering operations. When the goods need to be loaded into a warehouse, for example, the goods may be lifted from the ground to a specified location on one of the layers of the storing shelf by the elevator, and then transported from the specified location on the layer to a storage area by the shuttle trolley. When the goods need to be delivered, for example, the goods may be transported by the shuttle trolley from the storage area to a specified location on the storing shelf layer where the storage area of the goods is located, and then transported from the specified location to the ground by the elevator. Patent application <CIT> discloses a system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. The document further discloses a method for transporting goods comprising: receiving a label of a piece of goods; determining, based on the label, whether a storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track; in response to determining that the storage shelf layer of the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track, sending an instruction to a shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track, to cause the shunting apparatus to shunt the piece of goods to the input transport sub-track. In particular <CIT> discloses a material handling system having an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) with vertically spaced levels storing articles. In this application, each level has at least one pickup and deposit (P/D) station serviced by a shuttle and that is horizontally positioned to define a ramped orientation with a wave conveyor to move products selectively in at least one flow direction to each of the P/D stations. An article transfer mechanism at each P/D station respectively moves an article in a selected at least one direction between the wave conveyor and the respective P/D station. Patent application <CIT> discloses a bar code system to convey and identify an article by a bar code. In this application, when the bar code cannot be read because of contamination, failure to attach it, etc., a temporary bar code label is attached by a bar code labeller, and the article is housed in a position of a rack group in an automatic warehouse. The no-read article is carried out in a selected spare time or the like during work to be delivered to a delivery line, where a correct bar code label is issued and attached by a bar code labeller. Patent application <CIT> discloses a conveyor system including a rack having a first level with an input conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a first direction of travel, a first storage conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a second direction of travel, a second storage conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a third direction of travel, and a cross transfer assembly being movable with respect to the input conveyor in both the second direction of travel and the third direction of travel so that the cross transfer assembly moves the object from the input conveyor onto one of the first storage conveyor and the second storage conveyor. The second direction of travel and the third direction of travel are transverse to the first direction of travel. Patent application <CIT> discloses a branching apparatus including a main transfer path and a branch path, an address assigned to a branch path and a destination address assigned to a transfer body. This application also discloses a branching device for automatically selecting a branching direction based on comparison and transferring the transfer body to a destination address point. Patent application <CIT> discloses an automated warehouse storage system including a multilevel storage array. Each aisle has a set of storage levels and each level has storage locations distributed along the aisle. The guideway network extending through the multilevel storage array is configured for autonomous vehicles to move along the guideway network within the multilevel storage array. The guideway network including an inter-aisle guideway spanning at least two of the multiple aisles and a set of guideway levels extending in an aisle of the multiple aisles and disposed so that each guideway level is at a different one of the storage levels and the vehicles on the guideway level can access the storage locations distributed along the aisle. Each set of guideway levels is connected to the inter-aisle guideway forming a common guideway path so that a vehicle can move between inter-aisle guideway and each guideway level along the common guideway path.

Embodiments of the present disclosure propose a system, and method for transporting goods.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a system for transporting goods, including: a storing shelf comprising a plurality of shelf layers, each shelf layer comprising a goods buffer area and a plurality of goods storage areas; an input transport track, used for transporting goods to the storing shelf, the input transport track comprising an input transport main track and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks; each input transport sub-track corresponding to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf, one end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks being connected to a goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf, and an other end being connected to the input transport main track; a shuttle trolley, used for transporting the goods between the goods buffer area and goods storage areas of the shelf layer; a server, configured to determine a storage location corresponding to a piece of goods, and dispatch the input transport track and the shuttle trolley to transport a piece of goods to a corresponding storage location of the piece of goods, wherein the storage location comprises a shelf layer and a goods storage area; a second label scanner, provided at a connection point between an input transport sub-track and the input transport main track; and configured to scan a label of a piece of goods moving on the input transport main track, and send the scanned label to the server, so that the server determines whether to transport the piece of goods to said input transport sub-track according to the scanned label; and a third label scanner, provided in a goods buffer area of a shelf layer; and configured to scan a label of a piece of goods transported from an input transport sub-track to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer, and send an identity of the piece of goods and a storage location indicated by the scanned label to the server, so that the server dispatches a shuttle trolley corresponding to the shelf layer to transport the piece of goods from the goods buffer area of the shelf layer to the goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods according to the scanned label.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for transporting goods, the method includes: receiving a label of a piece of goods moving on the input transport main track scanned by a second label scanner provided at a connection point between an input transport sub-track and an input transport main track of an input transport track; the input transport track comprising the input transport main track and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks, each input transport sub-track corresponding to one shelf layer of a multi-layer storing shelf, one end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks being connected to a goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf, and an other end being connected to the input transport main track; determining, based on the label, whether a storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track; in response to determining that the storage shelf layer of the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track, sending an instruction to a shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track, to cause the shunting apparatus to shunt the piece of goods to the input transport sub-track; and in response to receiving a label of the piece of goods moving on the input transport sub-track, the label being scanned by a third label scanner provided in the goods buffer area of the shelf layer corresponding to the input transport sub-track, sending an instruction to a shuttle trolley corresponding to the input transport sub-track, to transport the piece of goods from the goods buffer area to a goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a server, including: one or more processors; a memory storing instructions, the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to cause the system according to the first aspect to perform the method according to the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable storage medium, storing a computer program thereon, the program, when executed by a processor, causes the server according to the third aspect to implement the method according to the second aspect.

According to the system, method and apparatus for transporting goods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, by transporting goods to the storing shelf using an input transport track, transporting the goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas by a shuttle trolley, thereby the efficient delivering capacity of the transport track is effectively utilized, and the efficiency of transporting goods between storing shelves is improved.

In some embodiments, the system for transporting goods further includes an output transport track. The system for transporting goods may transport the goods from the input transport track to the storing shelf, and at the same time output the goods to the outside by the output transport track, thereby increasing the circulation speed of goods stored on the storing shelf, and improving the utilization rate of the storing shelf.

By reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the following accompanying drawings, other features, objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent:.

The present disclosure will be further described below in detail in combination with the accompanying drawings and the embodiments. It may be appreciated that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used for explaining the relevant disclosure. In addition, it should also be noted that, for the ease of description, only the parts related to the relevant disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that the embodiments in the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other on a non-conflict basis. The present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

With reference to <FIG> is a schematic plan view <NUM> of a system for transporting goods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the system for transporting goods includes an input transport track <NUM> and a shuttle trolley <NUM>.

The system for transporting goods is used for implementing goods transport with a storing shelf <NUM>.

The storing shelf <NUM> may be various types of storing shelves for storing goods. The storing shelf <NUM> may be provided in a logistics warehouse, for example. The storing shelf <NUM> has a rack structure, which may make full use of warehouse space and expand the storage capacity of the warehouse. The storing shelf has a plurality of shelf layers. Each shelf layer may include a plurality of goods storage areas for storing goods. In addition, in each shelf layer, a goods buffer area is provided for temporarily storing goods.

The input transport track <NUM> is used for delivering goods to the storing shelf <NUM>. The input transport track <NUM> includes an input transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks <NUM>. Each input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponds to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM>. In some application scenarios, each input transport sub-track <NUM> may correspond to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM> one-to-one. In some other application scenarios, at least two input transport sub-tracks <NUM> may correspond to the same shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>. One end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM> is connected to the goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the input transport main track <NUM>. That is, goods may be directly transported from an input transport sub-track <NUM> to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer connected to the input transport sub-track <NUM>.

The shuttle trolley <NUM> may be various types of shuttle trolleys. The shuttle trolley <NUM> is used for transporting goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas of a shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>. For each shelf layer, the shuttle trolley <NUM> may transport goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas of the shelf layer. In some application scenarios, each of the shelf layers may correspond to a shuttle trolley <NUM>, and the shuttle trolley <NUM> corresponding to the each shelf layer may transport goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas of the shelf layer.

In the present embodiment, the input transport main track <NUM> of the input transport track <NUM> may transport goods to one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM>. The input transport sub-track <NUM> then transports the goods to the goods buffer area of one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM>. The shuttle trolley <NUM> then transports the goods from the goods buffer area to a goods storage area.

The system for transporting goods provided by the present embodiment, uses an input transport track to transport goods to the respective shelf layers, so that a plurality of goods transported to the shelf layers may be transported on the input transport track at the same time, which improves the efficiency of the system for transporting goods for transporting goods to the storing shelf. In addition, a goods buffer area is provided at each shelf layer, and a shuttle trolley transports goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas of the each shelf layer, so that the system for transporting goods may continuously transport goods to the same shelf layer, further improving the efficiency of transporting goods to the storing shelf.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, when storing goods to the storing shelf <NUM>, each piece of goods may correspond to a goods storage area. Before a piece of goods is transported to the input transport track <NUM>, a storage shelf layer and a goods storage area may be allocated for the piece of goods. In some application scenarios, the code corresponding to the storage shelf layer and the goods storage area storing the piece of goods may be set in a label corresponding to the goods. Before the piece of goods is placed on the input transport track <NUM>, the label may be attached to the corresponding piece of goods. Here, the label may be used to identify the identity of the piece of goods, and the shelf layer and the goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods and specified in advance. The label may be a label in the form of a barcode or a label in the form of a two-dimensional code, which is not limited herein.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, a first label scanner (not shown in the figure) may be provided at a connection point between any one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>. The first label scanner may be configured to scan and recognize the label of the piece of goods moving on the input transport main track <NUM>, and then determine the shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods according to a result of the identification on the label, thereby determining the input transport sub-track <NUM> that the piece of goods need to enter. In these alternative implementations, since the first label scanner scanning and recognizing the label of the goods is provided at the connection point between an input transport sub-track <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>, for any piece of goods having specified storage shelf layer and goods storage area, the first label scanner may recognize the storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods from the label, and determine whether the recognized shelf layer for storing the piece of goods is the same as the corresponding shelf layer of the first label scanner. If same, it is determined that the input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponding to the piece of goods is the input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the first label scanner.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, a shunting apparatus (not shown in the figure) may be provided at the connection point between any one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>. The shunting apparatus may be configured to shunt the goods moving on the input transport main track <NUM> to the input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponding to the goods.

In some application scenarios, after the first label scanner determines that the shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods on the input transport main track <NUM> is the shelf layer corresponding to the input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the first label scanner, the shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the first label scanner and the input transport main track <NUM> may be triggered to shunt the piece of goods from the input transport main track <NUM> to the above input transport sub-track <NUM>. Specifically, for example, after determining that the storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods is the same as the shelf layer corresponding to the input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the first label scanner, the first label scanner may send a pulse signal to trigger the shunting apparatus to divert the piece of goods from the input transport main track <NUM> to the above input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the shelf layer corresponding to piece of goods.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the system for transporting goods may further include an output transport track <NUM>. The input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> may be respectively provided at opposite ends of the storing shelf <NUM> in the direction AA' in which the goods are transported from the goods buffer area to the goods storage area, as shown in <FIG>.

The output transport track <NUM> is configured to output goods from the storing shelf <NUM>. The output transport track <NUM> may include an output transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of output transport sub-tracks <NUM>. Each output transport sub-track <NUM> is connected to one of the shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the output transport main track <NUM>. In this way, when a piece of goods need to be output from the storing shelf <NUM>, the shuttle trolley <NUM> may transport the piece of goods from its storage area to the output transport sub-track <NUM> corresponding to the shelf layer where its storage area is located, then the output transport sub-track <NUM> transports the piece of goods to the output transport main track <NUM>, and finally the output transport main track <NUM> transports the piece of goods to a location specified in advance. In this way, the system for transporting goods may transport the piece of goods from the input transport track <NUM> to the storing shelf <NUM>, and at the same time may output the piece of goods from the storing shelf <NUM> by the output transport track <NUM>, which increases the circulation speed of goods stored on the storing shelf, thus improving the utilization rate of the storing shelf.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the shuttle trolley <NUM> may be a two-station shuttle trolley. Each station of the shuttle trolley <NUM> may accommodate at least one piece of goods at the same time. Since the shuttle trolley <NUM> is a two-station shuttle trolley, each station may accommodate at least one piece of goods at the same time, so that the shuttle trolley may transport a plurality of pieces of goods at the same time, which is beneficial to improving the transport efficiency for transporting goods between the system for transporting goods and the storing shelf.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, a schematic side structural view <NUM> of an alternative implementation of an input transport track/output transport track according to the present disclosure is shown. The transport track shown in <FIG> may be an input transport track or an output transport track.

In the following, the input transport track will be used as an example.

The input transport main track <NUM> of the input transport track <NUM> may include a plurality of transport segments <NUM> connected end to end. Each transport segment <NUM> includes a first transport sub-segment <NUM> and a second transport sub-segment <NUM> connected to each other. The first transport sub-segment <NUM> may be parallel to the horizontal plane. The second transport sub-segment <NUM> may be at a predetermined angle with the horizontal plane. As shown in <FIG>, the first transport sub-segment <NUM> of any one of the transport segments <NUM> may be connected to an input transport sub-track <NUM>. The first transport sub-segment <NUM> of one of any two adjacent transport segments <NUM> is connected to the second transport sub-segment <NUM> of the other transport segment. It may be understood that if the transport track shown in <FIG> is an output transport track, the first transport sub-segment <NUM> of any one transport segment <NUM> may be connected to one output transport sub-track <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> is a schematic side structural view <NUM> of another alternative implementation of the input transport track/output transport track according to the present disclosure. The transport track shown in <FIG> may be an input transport track or an output transport track.

The input transport main track <NUM> of the input transport track <NUM> may include a plurality of transport segments <NUM> connected end to end. Each transport segment <NUM> includes a first transport sub-segment <NUM> and a second transport sub-segment <NUM> connected to each other. The first transport sub-segment <NUM> may be parallel to the horizontal plane. The second transport sub-segment <NUM> may be at a predetermined angle with the horizontal plane. As shown in <FIG>, a first transport sub-segment <NUM> of a transport segment <NUM> is connected to at least two input transport sub-tracks <NUM>. The first transport sub-segment <NUM> of one of any two adjacent transport segments <NUM> is connected to the second transport sub-segment <NUM> of the other transport segment. It may be understood that if the transport track is an output transport track, the first transport sub-segment <NUM> of a transport segment <NUM> may be connected to at least two output transport sub-tracks <NUM>.

In some application scenarios, at least two input transport sub-tracks/output transport sub-tracks may be connected to the same shelf layer. In this way, the at least two input transport sub-tracks/output transport sub-tracks connected to the same shelf layer may be connected to the same first transport sub-segment <NUM> at the same time. In some other application scenarios, at least two input transport sub-tracks/output transport sub-tracks connected to different shelf layers may be connected to the same first transport sub-segment <NUM> at the same time.

In practical applications, the input transport track and/or the output transport track shown in <FIG> may be selected according to the actual size of the location space for setting the input transport track and the output transport track.

With reference to <FIG>, a schematic plan view <NUM> of another embodiment of the system for transporting goods according to the present disclosure is shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the system for transporting goods may include an input transport track <NUM>, an output transport track <NUM>, and a shuttle trolley <NUM>.

The input transport track <NUM> includes an input transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks <NUM>. Each input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponds to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM>. One end of an input transport sub-track <NUM> is connected to the goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the input transport main track <NUM>. A connection point between the input transport sub-track <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM> may be provided with a first label scanner (not shown in the figure) and a shunting apparatus (not shown in the figure).

The output transport track <NUM> is configured to output goods from the storing shelf <NUM>. The output transport track <NUM> may include an output transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of output transport sub-tracks <NUM>. an output transport sub-track <NUM> is connected to a shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the output transport main track <NUM>.

The shuttle trolley <NUM> may be provided in a track provided between shelf layers of the same height between two adjacent storing shelves <NUM>. The shuttle trolley <NUM> may travel on the track.

In the present embodiment, the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> may be connected to the same storing shelf, respectively, and the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are respectively disposed at opposite ends of a line segment <NUM>, the line segment is formed by a traveling track of the shuttle trolley <NUM> between the shelf layers of the same height of two adjacent storing shelves <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, a label attached to a piece of goods may include an identifier characterizing the identity of the piece of goods and the storage location for storing the piece of goods. For example, the label attached to a piece of goods may include an identifier for indicating the piece of goods are to be stored in which goods storage area of which shelf layer of which storing shelf. When the piece of goods are to be transported to the storing shelf <NUM>, the piece of goods may be placed on the input transport main track <NUM>. The above label may be attached to the piece of goods. When the piece of goods are transported to the connection point between an input transport sub-track <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>, a first label scanner provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM> may scan the label attached on the piece of goods, and recognize the storing shelf, shelf layer, and goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods from the label. When the first label scanner determines that the input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponding to the piece of goods is the input transport sub-track <NUM> connected to the first label scanner according to the shelf layer indicated by the label, the shunting apparatus may be triggered to shunt the piece of goods from the input transport main track <NUM> to the input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponding to the piece of goods. After the piece of goods reaches the goods buffer area of the shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods, the shuttle trolley <NUM> then transports the piece of goods from the goods buffer area to the goods storage area of the corresponding storing shelf according to the storage location indicated by the label of the piece of goods. When the goods is output from the storing shelf <NUM> to the outside, the shuttle trolley <NUM> may transport different pieces of goods in a plurality of storage areas of two adjacent storing shelves <NUM> to the output transport track <NUM> for output during one transporting process of the goods.

The system for transporting goods provided by the present embodiment may transport goods with two adjacent storing shelves at the same time, which may improve the utilization rate of the system for transporting goods.

With reference to <FIG>, another schematic plan view <NUM> of another embodiment of the system for transporting goods according to the present disclosure is shown.

Same to the system for transporting goods shown in <FIG>, the system for transporting goods may include an input transport track <NUM>, an output transport track <NUM>, and a shuttle trolley <NUM>.

The system for transporting goods is used for transporting goods with two adjacent storing shelves <NUM>. The shuttle trolley <NUM> may travel in a track provided between the shelf layers of the same height of two adjacent storing shelves.

Different from the embodiment shown in <FIG>, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are connected to one of the two adjacent storing shelves <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence, respectively, and the input transport tracks <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are provided at the same end of the line segment <NUM> formed by the traveling trajectory of the shuttle trolley <NUM>.

In practical applications, the setting mode of the input transport track and/or the output transport track shown in <FIG> or <FIG> may be selected according to the actual size of the location space for setting the input transport track, the output transport track and the storing shelf.

With further reference to <FIG>, a schematic plan view <NUM> of another embodiment of the system for transporting goods according to the present disclosure is shown.

The system for transporting goods includes an input transport track <NUM>, a shuttle trolley <NUM>, an output transport track <NUM>, and a server <NUM>.

The system for transporting goods transports goods with a storing shelf <NUM>. The storing shelf <NUM> includes a plurality of shelf layers. Each shelf layer may include a goods buffer area and a plurality of goods storage areas.

The server <NUM> may be a server that provides various services, for example, may determine a storage location corresponding to a piece of goods, and dispatch the input transport track and shuttle trolley to transport the piece of goods to the corresponding storage location of the goods. In the present embodiment, the storage location may include a shelf layer and a goods storage area.

The input transport track <NUM> transports goods to the storing shelf. The input transport track <NUM> includes an input transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks <NUM>. Each input transport sub-track <NUM> corresponds to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM>. One end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM> is connected to the goods buffer area of a shelf layer, and the other end is connected to the input transport main track <NUM>.

The shuttle trolley <NUM> transports goods between the goods buffer area and the goods storage areas of one of the shelf layers.

The output transport track <NUM> may output goods from the storing shelf <NUM>. The output transport track <NUM> may include an output transport main track <NUM> and a plurality of output transport sub-tracks <NUM>. Each output transport sub-track <NUM> corresponds to one shelf layer of the storing shelf <NUM>. One end of any one of the output transport sub-tracks <NUM> is connected to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the output transport main track <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> may be respectively provided at opposite ends of the storing shelf <NUM> in the direction BB' in which the goods are transported from the goods buffer area to the goods storage area.

In the present embodiment, each goods may correspond to one goods storage area. In some application scenarios, the server <NUM> may allocate a storage location for the goods before the goods are input to the input transport track. A label for identifying the identity and storage location of the goods may be attached to the corresponding goods. In some other application scenarios, the label attached to the goods may only be used to identify the identity of the goods, and when the goods are placed on the input transport track <NUM>, the storage location is allocated to the goods by the server.

A second label scanner (not shown in the figure) is provided at a connection point between any one of the input transport sub-tracks <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>. The second label scanner is configured to scan the label of the goods moving on the input transport main track, and send the scanned label to the server <NUM>, so that the server <NUM> determines whether to transport the goods to the input transport sub-track <NUM> according to the scanned label. That is, the second label scanner, which is provided at the connection point between an input transport sub-track <NUM> and the input transport main track <NUM>, sends the scanned label of the goods moving on the input transport main track <NUM> to the server <NUM>, for the server <NUM> to recognize the identity of the goods and its storage location on the label and determine whether to transport the goods to this input transport sub-track <NUM>.

A third label scanner (not shown in the figure) is provided in the goods buffer area of any one of the shelf layers. The third label scanner may be configured to scan a label of the goods transported from the input transport sub-track <NUM> to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer, and send the storage location indicated by the scanned label to the server <NUM>, so that the server <NUM> dispatches a shuttle trolley <NUM> corresponding to the shelf layer to transport the goods from the goods buffer area of the shelf layer to the goods storage area corresponding to the goods according to the scanned label. That is, the third label scanner provided in the goods buffer area of a shelf layer may scan the label of the goods transported from the input transport sub-track <NUM> to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer in real time, and send the scanned goods label to the server <NUM>. The server <NUM> may recognize the storage location of the goods according to the label of the goods. The server <NUM> dispatches the shuttle trolley <NUM> corresponding to the shelf layer according to the shelf layer indicated by the storage location of the goods to take the goods out from the buffer area and transport the goods to the storage area indicated by the storage location of the goods.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> may be connected to the same storing shelf <NUM>, respectively, and the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are respectively disposed at opposite ends of a line segment formed by a traveling track of the shuttle trolley <NUM> between storing shelf layers of the same height of two adjacent storing shelves <NUM>. In these alternative implementations, a label attached to the goods may include an identifier characterizing the identity of the goods and the storage location for storing the goods. Here, the identifier of the goods storage location of the goods is, for example, an identifier used to indicate the goods are to be stored in which goods storage area of which shelf layer of which storing shelf.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the input transport track <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are connected to one of two adjacent storing shelves <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence, respectively, and the input transport tracks <NUM> and the output transport track <NUM> are provided at the same end of a line segment formed by the traveling track of the shuttle trolley <NUM> between the shelf layers of the same height of two adjacent storing shelves <NUM>. In these alternative implementations, the label attached to the goods includes an identifier characterizing the identity of the goods and the storage location for storing the goods. Here, the identifier of the goods storage location of the goods is, for example, an identifier used to indicate the goods are to be stored in which goods storage area of which shelf layer of which storing shelf.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the shuttle trolley <NUM> may be a two-station shuttle trolley. Each station of the shuttle trolley <NUM> may accommodate at least one piece of goods at the same time. Since the shuttle trolley <NUM> is a two-station shuttle trolley, each station may accommodate at least one piece of goods at the same time, so that the shuttle trolley may transport a plurality of goods at the same time, which is beneficial to improving the goods transport efficiency of the system for transporting goods.

Compared with the system for transporting goods shown in <FIG>, the system for transporting goods provided by the present embodiment uses a server to dispatch to transport goods to the storing shelf and output goods from the storing shelf. Because the server controls the input and output of the goods to and from the storing shelf, it may control the status of each storage area of the storing shelf in real time, which is beneficial to strengthening the management of goods and increasing the utilization rate of the storage areas of the storing shelf.

With reference to <FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method for transporting goods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the method for transporting goods includes the following steps:.

Step <NUM>, receiving a label of a piece of goods moving on the input transport main track scanned by a second label scanner provided at a connection point between an input transport sub-track and an input transport main track of an input transport track.

In the present embodiment, the input transport track includes the input transport main track and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks. Each input transport sub-track corresponds to one shelf layer of a multi-layer storing shelf. For example, each input transport sub-track may correspond to one shelf layer of the plurality of shelf layers in one-to-one correspondence. As another example, at least two input transport sub-tracks may correspond to the same shelf layer of the plurality of shelf layers. One end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks is connected to the goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf, and the other end is connected to the input transport main track. That is, the goods may be input into the goods buffer area of the storing shelf through the input transport sub-track.

In the present embodiment, an electronic device (for example, the server shown in <FIG>) on which the method for transporting goods operates may receive the label of the piece of goods moving on the input transport main track scanned by the second label scanner at the connection point between any one of the input transport sub-tracks and the input transport main track on the input transport track through a wired connection or a wireless connection. Here, the label may include the identity of the piece of goods. In some application scenarios, the label may also include a storage location corresponding to the piece of goods. The storage location may include a shelf layer and a goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods.

When the piece of goods on the input transport main track is transported to a proximity of an input transport sub-track, the second label scanner between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track may scan the label attached on the piece of goods, and send the scanned label to the electronic device.

Step <NUM>, determining, based on the label, whether a predefined storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track.

After receiving the label of the piece of goods scanned by the second label scanner provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track in step <NUM>, the electronic device may recognize the identity of the piece of goods based on the label and allocate a storage location suitable for the goods. If a shelf layer allocated by the electronic device for the piece of goods is the same as the shelf layer connected to the input transport sub-track connected to the second label scanner, it is determined that the shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track. In some application scenarios, the above label may further include a storage location allocated for the piece of goods in advance. The electronic device may recognize the storage location indicated in the label. When the shelf layer indicated in the label is the same as the shelf layer connected to the input transport sub-track connected to the second label scanner, it is determined that the shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track.

Step <NUM>, in response to determining that the storage shelf layer of the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track, sending an instruction to a shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track, to cause the shunting apparatus to shunt the piece of goods to the input transport sub-track.

When it is determined that the storage shelf layer of the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track, the electronic device may send an instruction to the shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track to, cause the shunting apparatus to shunt the piece of goods to the input transport sub-track. After receiving the instruction sent by the electronic device, the shunting apparatus performs an operation of shunting the goods to the input transport sub-track. The piece of goods is transported thorough the above input transport sub-track to the buffer area of the shelf layer connected to the input transport sub-track.

Step <NUM>, in response to receiving a label of the piece of goods transported from the input transport sub-track to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer, the label being scanned by a third label scanner provided in the goods buffer area of the shelf layer corresponding to the input transport sub-track, sending an instruction to a shuttle trolley corresponding to the input transport sub-track, to transport the piece of goods from the goods buffer area to a goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods.

When the goods are transported from an input transport sub-track to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer connected to the input transport sub-track, the third scanner provided in the goods buffer area of the shelf layer may scan the label of the piece of goods and send the label to the electronic device. When receiving the label of the piece of goods scanned by the third scanner, the electronic device may send an instruction to the shuttle trolley corresponding to the input transport sub-track, so that the shuttle trolley transports the piece of goods from the goods buffer area to the goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the method for transporting goods further includes: the electronic device receives a delivery instruction of the piece of goods, where the delivery instruction includes a storage location of the piece of goods, and the storage location includes a shelf layer and a goods storage area in which the piece of goods is stored. The electronic device sends an instruction to a shuttle trolley corresponding to the shelf layer indicated by the delivery instruction, to transport the piece of goods from the goods storage area to an output transport sub-track connected to the shelf layer of an output transport track. The output transport track includes an output transport main track and a plurality of output transport sub-tracks, each output transport sub-track corresponds to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf, one end of any one of the output transport sub-tracks is connected to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf, and the other end is connected to the output transport main track.

With reference to <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram <NUM> of an apparatus for transporting goods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the apparatus for transporting goods includes: a receiving unit <NUM>, a determination unit <NUM>, a first sending unit <NUM>, and a second sending unit <NUM>. The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive a label of a piece of goods moving on the input transport main track scanned by a second label scanner provided at a connection point between an input transport sub-track and an input transport main track of an input transport track; the input transport track including the input transport main track and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks, each input transport sub-track corresponding to one shelf layer of a multi-layer storing shelf, one end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks being connected to a goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf, and the other end being connected to the input transport main track. The determination unit <NUM> is configured to determine, based on the label, whether a redefied storage shelf layer corresponding to the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track. The first sending unit <NUM> is configured to send, in response to determining that the predefined storage shelf layer of the piece of goods corresponds to the input transport sub-track, an instruction to a shunting apparatus provided at the connection point between the input transport sub-track and the input transport main track, to cause the shunting apparatus to shunt the piece of goods to the input transport sub-track. The second sending unit <NUM> is configured to send, in response to receiving a label of the piece of goods moving on the input transport sub-track, the label being scanned by a third label scanner provided in the goods buffer area of the shelf layer corresponding to the input transport sub-track, an instruction to a shuttle trolley corresponding to the input transport sub-track, to transport the piece of goods from the goods buffer area to a goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods.

In some alternative implementations of the present embodiment, the apparatus for transporting goods further includes a delivering unit, and the delivering unit is configured to: receive a delivery instruction of the piece of goods, where the delivery instruction includes a storage location of piece of the goods, and the storage location includes a shelf layer and a goods storage area in which the piece of goods is stored; and send an instruction to a shuttle trolley corresponding to the shelf layer, to transport the piece of goods from the goods storage area to an output transport sub-track connected to the shelf layer of an output transport track. The output transport track includes an output transport main track and a plurality of output transport sub-tracks; and each output transport sub-track corresponds to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf, one end of any one of the output transport sub-tracks is connected to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf, and the other end is connected to the output transport main track.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic structural diagram of a computer system <NUM> adapted to implement a server of the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The server shown in <FIG> is just an example, and should not bring any limitation to the function and usage range of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the computer system <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, which may execute various appropriate actions and processes in accordance with a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) <NUM> or a program loaded into a random access memory (RAM) <NUM> from a storage portion <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> also stores various programs and data required by operations of the system <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the ROM <NUM> and the RAM <NUM> are connected to each other through a bus <NUM>. An input/output (I/O) interface <NUM> is also connected to the bus <NUM>.

The following components are connected to the I/O interface <NUM>: a storage portion <NUM> including a hard disk and the like; and a communication portion <NUM> comprising a network interface card, such as a LAN card and a modem. The communication portion <NUM> performs communication processes via a network, such as the Internet. A driver <NUM> is also connected to the I/O interface <NUM> as required. A removable medium <NUM>, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory, may be installed on the driver <NUM> as needed to facilitate the retrieval of a computer program from the removable medium <NUM>, and the installation thereof on the storage portion <NUM>.

In particular, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the process described above with reference to the flow chart may be implemented in a computer software program. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer program product, which comprises a computer program that is hosted in a machine-readable medium. The computer program comprises program codes for executing the method as illustrated in the flow chart. In such an embodiment, the computer program may be downloaded and installed from a network via the communication portion <NUM>, and/or may be installed from the removeable medium <NUM>. The computer program, when executed by the central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, implements the above mentioned functionalities as defined by the methods of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the computer readable medium in the present disclosure may be computer readable signal medium or computer readable storage medium or any combination of the above two. An example of the computer readable storage medium may include, but not limited to: electric, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, elements, or a combination any of the above. A more specific example of the computer readable storage medium may include but is not limited to: electrical connection with one or more wire, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a fibre, a portable compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), an optical memory, a magnet memory or any suitable combination of the above. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing programs which can be used by a command execution system, apparatus or element or incorporated thereto. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the computer readable signal medium may include data signal in the base band or propagating as parts of a carrier, in which computer readable program codes are carried. The propagating signal may take various forms, including but not limited to: an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal or any suitable combination of the above. The signal medium that can be read by computer may be any computer readable medium except for the computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium is capable of transmitting, propagating or transferring programs for use by, or used in combination with, a command execution system, apparatus or element. The program codes contained on the computer readable medium may be transmitted with any suitable medium including but not limited to: wireless, wired, optical cable, RF medium etc., or any suitable combination of the above.

The flow charts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate architectures, functions and operations that may be implemented according to the systems, methods and computer program products of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each of the blocks in the flow charts or block diagrams may represent a module, a program segment, or a code portion, said module, program segment, or code portion comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing specified logic functions. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions denoted by the blocks may occur in a sequence different from the sequences shown in the figures. For example, any two blocks presented in succession may be executed, substantially in parallel, or they may sometimes be in a reverse sequence, depending on the function involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and/or flow charts as well as a combination of blocks may be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system executing specified functions or operations, or by a combination of a dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

The units involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of software or hardware. The described units may also be provided in a processor, for example, may be described as: a processor including a receiving unit, a determination unit, a first sending unit, and a second sending unit. In an example, the receiving unit may also be described as "a unit configured to receive a label of a piece of goods, the label being scanned by a second label scanner".

Claim 1:
A system for transporting goods, comprising;
a storing shelf (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of shelf layers, each shelf layer comprising a goods buffer area and a plurality of goods storage areas;
an input transport track (<NUM>), used for transporting goods to the storing shelf, the input transport track (<NUM>) comprising an input transport main track (<NUM>) and a plurality of input transport sub-tracks (<NUM>); each input transport sub-track (<NUM>) corresponding to one of the shelf layers of the storing shelf (<NUM>), one end of any one of the input transport sub-tracks (<NUM>) being connected to a goods buffer area of a shelf layer of the storing shelf (<NUM>), and the other end being connected to the input transport main track (<NUM>);
a shuttle trolley (<NUM>), used for transporting the goods between the goods buffer area and goods storage areas of the shelf layer;
a server (<NUM>), configured to determine a storage location corresponding to a piece of goods, and dispatch the input transport track (<NUM>) and the shuttle trolley (<NUM>) to transport a piece of goods to a corresponding storage location of the piece of goods, wherein the storage location comprises a shelf layer and a goods storage area;
characterized in that the system further comprises:
a second label scanner, provided at a connection point between an input transport sub-track (<NUM>) and the input transport main track (<NUM>); and configured to scan a label of a piece of goods moving on the input transport main track (<NUM>), and send the scanned label to the server (<NUM>), so that the server (<NUM>) determines whether to transport the piece of goods to said input transport sub-track (<NUM>) according to the scanned label; and
a third label scanner, provided in a goods buffer area of a shelf layer; and configured to scan a label of a piece of goods transported from an input transport sub-track (<NUM>) to the goods buffer area of the shelf layer, and send an identity of the piece of goods and a storage location indicated by the scanned label to the server (<NUM>), so that the server (<NUM>) dispatches a shuttle trolley (<NUM>) corresponding to the shelf layer to transport the piece of goods from the goods buffer area of the shelf layer to the goods storage area corresponding to the piece of goods according to the scanned label.