System for monitoring and supervising the distribution of materials and goods

The subject of the invention is a system for controlling and supervising the distribution of materials and goods. Many systems are known in which the distribution of materials, e.g. transport, storage or preparation of goods, is supervised at least in part, semi-automatically or automatically. This occurs e.g. in the internal transport system for storing goods by means of data carriers, which are placed on the transport containers for goods and contain destination addresses, and by means of a data station that selects these destination addresses for the arriving transport container, and the transport route is set so that is the destination address (see DE Patent No. 3 010 637).

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From DE 2 508 201 a device is known for contactless control of the entry and exit of transport containers that are each connected to a transmitter / receiver which has a programmable data memory. The transmitter / receiver is supplied with energy from the outside by means of a high frequency energy transmitter and polls, and then gives the external data receiver the data characterizing the goods, e.g. information about the type of goods, owner or recipient. Received data are in the central unit assessing processing in the sense of inventory.

Passive identification cards are known which, similar in shape and view to the Eurocheque cards, have an integrated connection system in which the characteristic data of the card owner are stored (see application description DE No. 3 143 915).

Access to data and possible data changes are possible through a stationary computer with a team for asking questions and answers, whereby in known identification cards data communication takes place without wires, while the identification / transmission unit is provided with a microwave transmitting antenna and receiving antenna. Such identification cards are used as account cards, company IDs with access control, insurance IDs, etc.

All these systems, however, partly take into account the aspect of material separation, container transport, or packaged goods and materials, however, require constant supervision and control from the goods manufacturer to the recipient, especially with regard to product liability and safety, and in the sense of the economics of the transport system. In addition, the transport system for goods and materials in commerce is essentially a so-called open system, in which continuous documentation from the manufacturer to the recipient is often not possible, it is desirable to constantly prove the economic and technical course of transport, primarily in relation to environmental hazards. Semi-automatic or automatic operation control systems are generally known only in relation to internal transport systems, in partial aspects also in relation to target systems in rail vehicles. For economic supervision, shipping documents are almost exclusively used. At the same time, unacceptable violations of the transport of goods are possible, which in the systems used are practically impossible to exclude.

The task underlying the invention is to improve the system for controlling and supervising the distribution of materials and goods, that it is possible to continuously control the transport of goods and impede the unacceptable violation of their proper separation.

According to the invention, this task was solved by the fact that the first unit as a control and monitoring unit comprises a computer as well as a sensor and effectors for determining the state of storage and possibly for indicating the temporary state of the separation process and / or goods; the second unit is shaped as an active, programmable memory card with an integrated connection system with data memories · and a program that is communicable via a standard connector for entering and receiving data from the control and supervision unit, and the evaluation unit has standard connectors for a memory card.

Preferably, the control and supervision unit and the memory card have a code connection system accessible only by a code, entered into the memory card, and the memory of the data of the memory card is assigned to the control and supervision unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the control and supervision unit has an input / output connection system which has a standard connector for a memory card and, additionally, a standard connector for an address bus, on which a number of control and supervision units are connected.

Preferably, the common address bus is a fiber optic cable through which a series of control and supervision units are connected to the central unit to which important data from all control and supervision units are transferred.

Accordingly, the first unit as a control and supervision unit is permanently connected to the separated goods or transport container and directs the goods along a common separation process. Next to the computer, it also contains a sensor and effectors, by means of which the temporary state of the separation process is marked, stored and, if necessary, indicated.

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Access to this control and supervision unit is only possible with an actively programmable memory card as the second unit, with the security being effected by an appropriate code so that only authorized persons receive access to the data of all units.

The evaluation unit as the third unit has a reading connection system for the memory card, data is stored in it and deleted by communication with the control and supervision unit and collecting for the separation process protocol.

The whole system, especially the control and supervision unit, can be built in the smallest kind of construction, like a microstructure.

The control and supervision unit is e.g. a compact, sealed box, which has a standard connector for data communication by means of a memory card and, depending on the type of application, is equipped with various sensors and effectors and can be programmed for various functions. The inspection and supervision unit should ensure that manipulation is prevented as quickly as possible and it is mounted approximately on the container truss, i.e. it cannot be visible and difficult to access. This applies, in particular, to the elements of the control and supervision unit which contain or repeat relevant data for materials and / or goods, and / or the separation process, e.g. a computer. Of course, the standard interface to which an active memory card can be inserted remains easily accessible.

The memory card is shaped in accordance with said actively programmable card. It not only serves to access data to the control and supervision unit, but also replaces the existing shipping and transport documents, thus it serves as an electronic waybill and can also be issued and activated as such.

With it, you can confirm, e.g. receipt or delivery of guaranteed transport and control entries, or you can confirm the temporary state of the transport process, e.g. an alarm state indicated by the control and supervision unit, or document the state of the goods within the availability area. For the sender or recipient of the separated item, the memory card can document the entire path of the separation process, e.g. taking over the goods from a truck to a rail vehicle, at the same time giving dates, participating persons, etc. It can also be carried out by means of a unit assessing the identification of each owner of the memory card, storage in the memory card by indicating the current state of the goods and the separation process so that e.g., any alarm conditions or limit values ​​exceeded. The memory card not only replaces delivery documents, but also provides opportunities for a range of information and control.

With the help of a third unit, an assessment unit, e.g. with each transfer of a transport good, you can select the data stored up to the time of handing over to the control and supervision unit and, as evidence, document for your efficiency. The recipient of the goods has, for his part, access to the data storage during the entire distribution process and thanks to it it is possible to determine whether the limit values ​​were exceeded during this process and which persons were responsible during the separation process of the transported goods. The third unit can be additionally used as a portable quick inspection unit for quick inspection of the Good and the separation process. This portable unit can also include a printer with which the facts of the separation process can be printed, such as time, supervision event supervision, transport speed, etc. The memory in the control and supervision unit and inside the memory card is programmed by the programming unit. Thanks to this, it is possible to determine, among others, the necessary steps and criteria for supervision within the separation process and the separation route. Also here, coded connection systems are provided to allow programming only to authorized persons, which is necessary for maintaining security.

In a privileged version, the control and supervision unit are connected with supporting modules, by means of which additional control and supervision functions are introduced.

Preferably, the control and supervision unit has an identification unit in which the data characterizing the goods and / or the separation process is stored and that the identification unit cooperates with an external call unit which is connected via a signal bus to an evaluation unit.

The system according to the invention is therefore extended to modules, e.g. sensors, safety or position modules, which are installed at the place where the goods are stored and which provide

164 757 supervision and release signals for transport or signals regarding exceeding of limit values. If, for example, such supervision signals arise, an appropriate alarm is triggered by the effectors. Position modules are also possible which, directly with the control and supervision unit, are placed on the goods to be separated or the transport container and still give the location coordinates of this container so that the path of the transported goods can be constantly monitored. These types of safety and location modules also allow you to protect personal property such as containers, suitcases, passenger cars and more. Further provided are e.g. transmission modules with laser transmitters and receivers, infrared, acoustic or optical, which are associated with the control and supervision unit. Transmission modules are programmed through the standard connectors of the control and supervision unit. If e.g. a truck that transports a container with a control and supervision unit passes near the gate, border or tp, in general near the so-called supervision center, the container is automatically identified by the transmitting module, the central supervision has an appropriate receiving switch and optionally a transmit switch.

Automatic position and safety modules can also be used on dangerous goods, which also improves surveillance.

The data of a number of goods or transport containers can be read on a common address rail, whereby it is possible by addressing data into the memory of individual control and supervision units. As a result, supervision through effectors and displays is also possible, for example in the control cabin of a freight train.

The subject of the invention is shown in the embodiment in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the system, Fig. 2 - schematic view of a transport container with the control and supervision unit, Fig. 3 - concept of the system family for transporting many goods, in this case using a freight train, fig. 4 - a truck transporting a number of transport containers, in order to present the concept of the layout of the system, and Fig. 5 - functional and block diagram of the control and supervision unit.

The distribution and control system for the distribution of goods according to Fig. 1 consists of a first unit 1, namely a control and supervision unit, a second unit 2, namely an actively programmable memory card, a third unit 3, namely an evaluation unit and a fourth peripheral unit 4, namely a programming unit, which is available through the real code. The control and supervision unit 1 is permanently connected to the transport container 5 for the transported goods 6, e.g. in the corner area of ​​the transport container 5. The control and supervision unit 1 has a computer 11 with data memory and program and a real-time clock which is connected to the input / output unit 12. It also contains sensors 13, effectors 14 and identification unit 15.

Sensors 13 measure e.g. mechanical loading of the transported goods, e.g. acceleration or pressure, climatic conditions, e.g. temperature, humidity; chemical conditions, e.g. odor, vapors, and other factors important for the goods being transported.

Effectors 14 that cooperate with sensors 13 exhibit e.g. the ability to function of various components of the transport system or cause, when exceeding set limits, e.g. in relation to time or mechanical load of the transported goods, an acoustic or optical alarm.

Computer 11 with data memory and program and real time clock is available only to authorized persons; sender and recipient as follows by means of an access code. With it, the program sequence is started, stopped or changed, i.e. the separation process. Individual coding for persons and for the transport route is currently programmed by programming unit 4 and actual coding and only by a third authorized person can be neutralized by real coding or re-entered. Information on the limit values ​​for each transport material that is needed for supervision is also entered.

The power supply of the computer 11 from one of the components of the system is logged during the course of the transported goods for all relevant parameters, including the date and time, for example the moment when the limit value is exceeded, the time of this exceeding,

164 757 stop, response to alarm or cancellation, or other operational data, e.g. the moment of transferring responsibility from one forwarding to another.

The input / output unit 12 is built in three parts and has standard connectors 21 for memory card 2, standard connectors 22 for address bus and standard connectors 23, for the module, where the last two standard connectors can form a common standard connector. The control and supervision unit 1 communicates with the outside world only via standard connectors.

For programming, coding, supervision and control, the control and supervision unit 1 can be read or read all data by means of a memory card 2. The control and supervision unit 1, and in particular its data processing elements, i.e. in particular the computer is located in a hidden place goods or the transport container to prevent any manipulation.

A series of such control and supervision units 1, e.g. when, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a series of transport containers are transported by truck or train, are connected via standard connector 22 to common address rail 24 and connected to central unit 25, so called the supervision center, in which the data of all control and supervision units are collected 1. By means of this supervision center 25 is facilitated e.g. controlling the passage of all goods transport to specific transition stations. The address rail 24 is e.g. a fiber optic cable, by means of which the control and monitoring units 1 indicate e.g. in the control panel 25 the type of alarm or the place of alarm in one of the transport containers, also in it the mentioned signals from the sensors can be centrally collected in relation to mechanical or climatic loads on transported goods. The power supply of the control panel 25 is given priority by the address bus 24, and for its power supply as well as for supplying the control and supervision units 1 batteries are provided which are normally provided with a charge status tester to prevent data erasure. Preferential current switches can be used. Regardless of whether or not several control and monitoring units 1 are connected to the address bus 24, each control and supervision unit 1 can only be accessed via memory card 2.

The identification unit 15 contains the identification code of the assigned transport container and thus also of the transported goods. The identification unit 15 consists e.g. of a sensor, e.g. of a Bar code and connected intelligent electronics. The identification code needed for the technical concept of rotation of the fast transport of goods is transferred directly to the control and supervision units 1 by means of memory card 2. The identification code containing the type of goods, destination address, sender's and recipient's names, etc. is also an input signal to the entire system, in relation to loading and unloading of transport containers. The automatic identification unit 15 is essentially an effector with attached signal transmitters and thus signal members, firstly for external logistics and secondly for internal control and supervision of goods on the transport route.

As indicated in Fig. 1, it is also possible that the data of the identification unit 15 cannot be read only by the active memory card 2, but rather it is also possible to communicate data by means of an external response unit 16 which is in signal contact e.g. with the evaluation unit 3 Memory card 2 is the access unit to the control and supervision unit 1 is the actively coded unit. It contains all required systems of an interdisciplinary direct system (Online system). Memory card 2 has, next to the standard connector 31, as an I / O switch, computer 32, program and data memory 33 and access code 34. In this access code 34 there is coding according to benefits, which, among others it is possible to clearly assign the real time to the transported goods. Thanks to the standard interface 31, the program card 2 can be programmed from the outside with the programming unit 4 and the real code; the standard interface 31 also enters and downloads data from and to the control and monitoring unit 1. In addition, the standard interface 31 can be used to delete data in the evaluation unit 3.

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The evaluation unit 3 has as its main component a stationary evaluation unit 41 with a standard connector 42 for memory card 2, an interface. 43 for the computer and basic program module for the basic software. This block can be connected to e.g. a computer 45, e.g. a personal computer. With this system, all data can be read and processed from memory card 2, and it is also possible for the computer 45 to enter the program for memory card 2. In addition to this stationary evaluation unit 41, there is also a portable unit 51, which also has a standard connector 52 for memory card 2 and a printer 53. This portable unit 51 can be made in a pocket format as so-called Quick-look unit and indicates to the operator each time the current date of inspection during the separation process. This can be done e.g. according to the yes / no principle.

There is also a fixed reading unit 61, which e.g. works in the workplace with the already mentioned personal computer 45 and therefore has the usual peripherals such as a screen, keyboard, printer, plotter, etc. This unit has a standard connector 62 for memory card 2, interface 63 for the computer and 64 software module for the basic software, referring to the documentation. In this unit, stored data is processed using a given program.

There is also a unit 71 with a standard connector 72 for memory card 2, a standard connector 73 and a software module 74 with respect to the documentation, whereby this unit is connected to the terminal 75. With the help of a suitably modified standard connector of the memory card, the data delivered to terminal 75 and transferred from it to the second data station.

As indicated in Figure 1, the individual control and supervision units 41 are extended with support modules 81 for coupling to the vehicle tachograph, which are connected via modular standard connectors 22 or combined standard connectors 22.23. The support modules 81 may be e.g. plug-in modules. The control panel 25 and support modules 81 enable the creation of a family concept for the entire control and supervision system.

In Fig. 3, three freight wagons 91 are shown with a series of transport containers 5, to which inspection and supervision units 1 are connected, which are interconnected by an address rail 24, leading to the supervision center 25. Similarly in Fig. 4, which shows the truck 92, which contains a series, in this case three transport containers 5, which have control and supervision units 1, which are interconnected by means of an address rail 24, which ends at the supervision center 25. Said support modules 81, e.g. said position and transmission modules, may be part of this control panel or additionally to it. In the control center 25, if necessary, the data of all control and monitoring units 1 are collected. It is possible, as shown in Fig. 4, that a passing truck 92 is automatically identified by the gate 94, provided that the gate 94 also has central monitoring 93 is provided, which is programmable for receiving data. If the truck 92 has a load different from the agreed goods or the quantity of the goods does not correspond to the fixed quantity, then an alarm is triggered by the central supervision 93. By means of central monitoring, the follow-up reactions and the position of the transport containers 5 can be activated, and their operation is reported and read. Data from the support modules 81 with the existing, fixed data can also be compared in the control panel 93.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the operation of the control and supervision unit 1. The basic unit 81 essentially comprises a computer that manages the so-called surveillance system, data and program memory, real time clock, reading unit and slide-in panel for the active memory card, and thus components 11, 12, 21, 22 and 23 of unit 1 shown in figure 1. Sensors 13 have a mechanical sensing system 83 with respect to climate and temperature and a chemical sensing system 84. These sensors measure the weight of the goods being transported, possibly impacting the goods, vibrations or also the position of the material being transported, or the temperature, humidity and barometric pressure or odor, formation of gases, acids and lye. The sensors 13 are connected to the base unit 81, whereby it is also possible to connect to the effectors unit 14 to be able to trigger directly e.g. an alarm. The identification unit 15 is connected to the unit 1,

164 757 as well as with the effectors unit 14 so that any data of the transported goods are indicated e.g. by the effectors directly with the unit 1 the active memory card 2 communicates, which can be inserted into the portable quick inspection unit 51 to be able to print the data quickly.

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FIG. 2

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FIG. 4

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FIG. 5

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