Real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity through laser ranging

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of inventory management, and discloses a real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity through laser ranging, which comprises a laser ranging and vaccine box height measuring module for measuring the height of the top of a vaccine box through a laser sensor so as to indirectly calculate the quantity of the vaccine box; the motion control and laser distance measuring sensor configuration module is used for controlling a laser distance measuring sensor to be accurately positioned among a plurality of goods channels and performing height measurement; and the environment data acquisition and error compensation module is used for acquiring environment temperature and humidity data. By combining the laser ranging and environment compensation technology, the automatic control inventory calculation method and the automatic inventory rechecking technology, the problems of manual operation errors, measurement instability, data lag and the like in traditional vaccine inventory management are solved, the automation, accuracy and real-time performance of inventory management are remarkably improved, the labor cost is reduced, and the vaccine inventory management efficiency is improved. And efficient updating and accuracy of inventory data in a large-scale warehouse environment are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of inventory management, specifically a real-time inventory system for converting the number of vaccines by laser ranging. Background Art

[0002] In traditional vaccine inventory management, especially in a low-temperature environment (such as a cold storage), the monitoring and updating of inventory have always been a difficult and error-prone link. Most of the existing technologies rely on manual methods such as manual inspections or barcode scanning. These methods are inefficient and prone to errors. Staff usually need to manually record and check the number of vaccines in each batch. Especially when the storage method of vaccines is irregular or the environmental factors are complex, this method often leads to a lag in inventory data or the occurrence of measurement errors. For example, in a cold storage environment, due to large temperature and humidity changes, traditional measurement methods cannot effectively cope with these changes, resulting in low measurement accuracy and difficulty in ensuring the accuracy of inventory quantities.

[0003] Although there are some automated inventory management systems in the prior art, such as RFID tags or barcode technologies, although these technologies can improve efficiency, they still cannot effectively solve the problems of inventory real-time and the influence of environmental factors. These systems often rely on manual scanning and manual input of inventory data and cannot provide real-time and accurate inventory updates. Especially in the case of large changes in environmental temperature and humidity, the existing technologies are easily affected by external factors such as temperature fluctuations and humidity changes in practical applications, resulting in inaccurate calculation results of inventory quantities. Especially in an environment with strict temperature control such as a cold storage, traditional technical means are difficult to adapt to these changes and the probability of errors is relatively high.

[0004] In addition, the existing inventory reconciliation and calibration technologies usually require manual intervention. When vaccines are replaced in the lanes or new vaccines are added, manual calibration must be carried out to ensure the accuracy of inventory information. However, this manual operation is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also easily affected by human negligence, resulting in errors in inventory data. Especially when the lane changes are frequent or new vaccines are added, the workload of manual calibration increases greatly, resulting in a lag in data update, thus affecting the efficiency and accuracy of inventory management. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a real-time inventory system for converting the number of vaccines by laser ranging, which solves the problems of inaccurate inventory data and poor real-time performance caused by manual measurement errors and environmental changes in vaccine inventory management.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: A real-time inventory system for converting the number of vaccines by laser ranging, comprising:

[0007] Laser ranging and vaccine box height measurement module, which is used to measure the height of the top of the vaccine box through a laser sensor, and indirectly calculate the number of vaccine boxes;

[0008] Motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module, which is used to control the precise positioning of the laser ranging sensor between multiple lanes and perform height measurement;

[0009] Environmental data acquisition and error compensation module, which is used to collect environmental temperature and humidity data, and compensate for the change of the speed of light according to environmental changes to correct the error of laser ranging;

[0010] Data processing and inventory calculation module, which is used to receive the data of the laser ranging sensor, calculate the number of vaccine boxes, and update the inventory information;

[0011] Real-time calibration and inventory review module, which is used to perform height calibration when the vaccine changes lanes or new vaccines are added, and provide a batch inventory review function;

[0012] User interface and control system module, which is used to display inventory information, perform system operations, and control the coordinated work of each module.

[0013] Preferably, the laser ranging and vaccine box height measurement module includes:

[0014] Laser ranging sensor unit, which is used to emit laser pulses and receive reflected signals, and calculate the distance to the top of the vaccine box according to the propagation time of the reflected signals;

[0015] Distance calculation unit, which is used to convert the time data obtained by the laser ranging sensor into the actual distance between the top of the vaccine box and the laser sensor;

[0016] Data acquisition unit, which is used to collect the measured height data and transmit it to the data processing module for further calculation.

[0017] Preferably, the motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module includes:

[0018] Motion module control unit, which is used to control the precise positioning of the laser ranging sensor at the position of each lane and perform height measurement;

[0019] PLC control system unit, which is used to receive instructions and control the movement of the laser ranging sensor, so that it can automatically switch between lanes and perform measurements.

[0020] Preferably, the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module includes:

[0021] Temperature and humidity sensor unit, which is used to monitor the environmental temperature and humidity in real time;

[0022] An environmental data analysis unit, which is used to adjust the laser ranging data according to the real-time collected environmental data and compensate for the change of the speed of light;

[0023] A speed of light compensation algorithm unit, which is used to calculate the speed of light correction coefficient according to the change of environmental temperature and correct the laser ranging data in real time.

[0024] Preferably, the data processing and inventory calculation module includes:

[0025] A laser data receiving unit, which is used to receive the data of the laser ranging sensor and perform preliminary processing;

[0026] A data conversion unit, which is used to calculate the number of vaccine boxes according to the laser ranging data and update the inventory data;

[0027] An error correction and optimization unit, which is used to correct the measurement data by the least squares method or other optimization algorithms.

[0028] Preferably, the real-time calibration and inventory review module includes:

[0029] A single lane initialization calibration unit, which is used to start the height calibration of the lane and input the actual number of vaccines when the vaccine changes lanes or a new vaccine is added;

[0030] A batch inventory review unit, which is used to automatically review the inventory of multiple lanes during the operation of the system and update the inventory data in real time;

[0031] An inventory statistics unit, which is used to statistically calculate the inventory quantity of each lane in real time and display it on the user interface.

[0032] Preferably, the user interface and control system module includes:

[0033] A user interface unit, which is used to display real-time inventory information, input operation instructions and start system functions;

[0034] A control system unit, which is used to coordinate the work between modules and adjust system settings according to user input.

[0035] Preferably, the data conversion unit calculates the number of vaccine boxes according to the laser ranging data by using the following formula:

[0036]

[0037] Where N boxes represents the number of vaccine boxes in the inventory, H total represents the total height of the measured vaccine stack, H box represents the height of a single vaccine box, is a floor operation, which is used to ensure that the calculated quantity is an integer.

[0038] The present invention provides a real-time inventory system for converting the number of vaccines by laser ranging. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0039] 1. By combining laser ranging with environmental compensation technology, the present invention effectively corrects the laser ranging error by measuring the stacking height of vaccine boxes in real time and compensating the light speed in combination with temperature and humidity data, so as to achieve high-precision measurement in complex environments, such as cold storage environments with low temperature or high humidity. Compared with the prior art that relies on manual counting or traditional measurement methods, this technical solution solves the problems of easy error generation and unstable measurement in manual operation, and significantly improves the automation and accuracy of inventory management.

[0040] 2. The present invention adopts an inventory calculation method based on laser ranging data and automatic control. By accurately calculating the number of vaccine boxes in each lane, it avoids the errors brought by traditional manual statistics, achieves the effect of real-time monitoring of inventory and automatic update, greatly reduces the labor cost and reduces the possible errors in the manual verification process. Compared with the manual recording or other traditional calculation methods in the prior art, the present invention significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of inventory data update.

[0041] 3. By combining laser ranging with the technology of automatic inventory verification, the present invention can not only automatically perform height calibration when vaccines are changed lanes or new vaccines are added, but also support batch inventory verification of multiple lanes. It achieves the effect of automatic management in a large-scale warehouse environment. Compared with the prior art of manually checking inventory or using a single measurement method, the automatic verification and real-time update functions of the present invention solve the problems of lagging inventory data and inaccurate management, and effectively improve the real-time performance and reliability of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 is the system framework diagram of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 is the framework diagram of the laser ranging and vaccine box height measurement module of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 is the framework diagram of the motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 is the framework diagram of the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 is the framework diagram of the data processing and inventory calculation module of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 6 is the framework diagram of the real-time calibration and inventory verification module of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 7 This is a framework diagram of the user interface and control system module of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0049] Next, in combination with the accompanying drawings of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0050] Please refer to the attached Figure 1 , the embodiment of the present invention provides a real-time inventory system for converting the number of vaccines by laser ranging, including:

[0051] Please refer to the attached Figure 2 , a laser ranging and vaccine box height measurement module, which is used to measure the height of the top of the vaccine box through a laser sensor, so as to indirectly calculate the number of vaccine boxes;

[0052] In this embodiment, the laser ranging sensor unit mainly measures the distance between the top of the vaccine box and the sensor through the emission and reception of laser pulses. Specifically, after the laser ranging sensor emits a laser pulse, the pulse will irradiate on the target (i.e., the top of the vaccine box), and then be reflected back and received by the sensor. After the sensor receives the reflected signal, it calculates the distance of the target object by measuring the round-trip propagation time of the laser.

[0053] Specifically, in the laser ranging sensor unit, the laser ranging sensor calculates the distance of the target object through the following formula:

[0054]

[0055] Where: d represents the actual distance of the measured target object (such as a vaccine box), that is, the distance from the top of the vaccine box to the laser sensor; c represents the speed of light, usually 3×108 m / s; t represents the time for the laser signal to be emitted from the sensor and return, in seconds.

[0056] This measurement process is based on the time-of-flight principle, and the target distance is obtained by calculating the speed of light and the propagation time of the reflected signal.

[0057] The function of the distance calculation unit is to convert the time data obtained by the laser ranging sensor into an actual distance value. Through the time t and the speed of light c, the system can convert the signal propagation time data obtained by the sensor into the actual distance of the target. This process is realized based on the known laser propagation speed and propagation time.

[0058] In this embodiment, the main operation performed by the distance calculation unit is to convert the propagation time t of the laser signal into the object distance d. This is accomplished through the above formula:

[0059]

[0060] This formula indicates that by knowing the speed of light c and the propagation time t, the system can accurately calculate the distance between the object and the laser ranging sensor, thereby inferring the height of the stacked vaccine boxes in each cargo lane.

[0061] The task of the data acquisition unit is to collect the height data from the laser ranging sensor in real time and transmit this data to the data processing module for further calculation. This unit first collects the measurement data of the laser ranging sensor and performs necessary filtering and preprocessing on the original data. The purpose of the data acquisition unit's work is to ensure the accuracy and real-time nature of data transmission and to avoid measurement errors caused by noise or abnormal signal interference.

[0062] During the data transmission process, the acquisition unit also performs some necessary processing, such as signal amplification and noise filtering, etc. Especially in a low-signal environment, it can improve the accuracy of laser ranging. These preprocessed data will be transmitted to the data processing module for further inventory calculation and update.

[0063] The laser ranging result may be affected by environmental factors, especially changes in temperature and humidity, which in turn affect the speed of light and cause measurement data deviation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the system corrects the errors caused by these environmental changes through the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module. Specifically, the speed of light is a function of temperature, and as the temperature changes, the speed of light will change slightly.

[0064] To compensate for this change, this embodiment uses a speed of light correction formula to dynamically adjust the measurement result:

[0065] v(T) = v 0 (1 - α(T - T 0 ))

[0066] where: v(T) represents the speed of light at temperature T, v 0 represents the speed of light at standard temperature, usually 3×10^8 m / s, T represents the current ambient temperature in degrees Celsius, T 0 represents the reference temperature, usually 20°C, and α represents the temperature coefficient of the speed of light, with a value of 1.2×10^-6 °C^-1.

[0067] Through this formula, the system adjusts the speed of light value according to the real-time ambient temperature T to ensure that the ranging result is not affected by temperature changes.

[0068] The working process of the system starts with the emission and reception of laser ranging. The sensor calculates the distance based on the propagation time of the reflected signal. During the calculation process, the distance calculation unit converts the laser ranging data into the actual distance and transmits it to the data acquisition unit. The data acquisition unit preprocesses the data during this process and transmits the measured height data to the data processing module.

[0069] The data processing module performs further calculations based on the transmitted data, including the estimation of inventory quantity, error correction, and optimization, etc. Finally, the corrected data will be transmitted to the inventory management module to update the inventory quantity.

[0070] During this process, the system always performs temperature compensation to ensure that the measurement results remain accurate under different environmental conditions. In addition, all data and measurement results will be updated in real time in the system and displayed to the staff through the user interface to provide the latest inventory information.

[0071] Please refer to the attached Figure 3 , the motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module, is used to control the precise positioning of the laser ranging sensor among multiple lanes and perform height measurement.

[0072] In this embodiment, the motion module control unit is responsible for the precise positioning of the laser ranging sensor. Through this unit, the system can control the movement of the laser ranging sensor to ensure that it can accurately reach the position of each lane. After receiving the instruction from the PLC control system unit, the motion module control unit starts the corresponding drive system to push the laser ranging sensor to move among multiple lanes.

[0073] In some embodiments, the motion module control unit can achieve precise positioning through a stepper motor or a servo motor. The accuracy and response speed of these motor controls ensure that the sensor can reach and measure each lane within a short time. The control system uses a reverse control mechanism to ensure that when the sensor moves to the designated position of the lane each time, it can accurately perform the height measurement task.

[0074] As an option, the motion module control unit can also be equipped with a positioning sensor to monitor the precise position of the sensor in real time, prevent the sensor from shifting in position, and thus ensure the accuracy of each measurement result. The stability of the motion module is crucial for ensuring the overall accuracy of the system.

[0075] The main task of the PLC control system unit is to receive instructions issued by the host computer or other control systems and control the movement of the laser ranging sensor. The PLC control system realizes the automatic switching of the laser ranging sensor among multiple lanes through cooperation with the motion module control unit. The PLC control system coordinates the work of each module by monitoring the status of the sensor in real time to ensure that the sensor moves precisely along the predetermined route.

[0076] In this embodiment, the PLC control system controls the working process of the laser sensor through programming logic. It decides the next operation (such as switching to the next lane, starting measurement, etc.) according to the current position of the sensor and the task instructions. The response speed of the PLC control system determines the real-time performance of the system and the efficiency of measurement. It can quickly control the motion module and adjust the moving speed of the sensor after receiving a new instruction, avoiding unnecessary delays.

[0077] Specifically, the PLC control system can ensure the accurate measurement of the sensor on each lane through a feedback control mechanism. When the sensor completes the measurement task of one lane, the PLC control system will judge whether to measure the next lane according to the measurement result and system settings. If necessary, the PLC system will start the motion module control unit to guide the laser distance sensor to accurately transfer to the next lane.

[0078] In this embodiment, the work of the motion control and laser distance sensor configuration module is based on the close cooperation between the laser distance sensor and the motion control system. During the operation of the whole system, the PLC control system unit adjusts the position of the sensor in real time according to the requirements and operation instructions of the inventory management system, and ensures its smooth switching to each lane for measurement. After the measurement of one lane is completed, the control system instructs the motion module to move the sensor to the next lane and start a new measurement.

[0079] Through this precise control, the motion control and laser distance sensor configuration module can ensure highly accurate measurement of the system among multiple lanes without manual intervention. The accuracy of each measurement is jointly determined by the positioning accuracy of the sensor and the reaction speed of the PLC control system. Specifically, the system realizes the efficient and automatic monitoring of inventory quantity by controlling the moving path and measurement process of the laser sensor.

[0080] In this embodiment, the motion control and laser distance sensor configuration module is not only responsible for precise position control, but also needs to handle the tiny errors generated by movement. Due to factors such as environmental temperature changes and sensor wear, the measurement accuracy of the sensor may be affected. Therefore, the system will adjust the operation parameters of the motion module in real time during actual operation and perform error correction through a feedback control mechanism.

[0081] In some embodiments, the system ensures that the sensor accurately reaches the specified position each time it moves by collocating with a high-precision encoder and a position sensor. In this way, the system can dynamically correct the errors generated due to sensor drift or other reasons, further improving the accuracy of inventory calculation.

[0082] Please refer to the appendix Figure 4, the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module is used to collect environmental temperature and humidity data, and compensate for the change of the speed of light according to environmental changes to correct the error of laser ranging.

[0083] The temperature and humidity sensor unit is the first link of the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module, mainly used to monitor the temperature and humidity in the working environment in real time. Generally, temperature changes will directly affect the change of the speed of light, and then affect the laser ranging result. Therefore, obtaining temperature data in real time is crucial for compensating and correcting the laser ranging error.

[0084] In this embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensor unit uses a high-precision digital temperature and humidity sensor, which can collect temperature T and humidity H data at a very high frequency (such as multiple times per second). The temperature and humidity data are transmitted to the environmental data analysis unit through a standard communication protocol (such as I2C or SPI).

[0085] Specifically, the temperature data T is in degrees Celsius, and the humidity data H is in relative humidity percentage. The accuracy requirements of the sensor are usually within the range of ±0.1°C and ±1% humidity to ensure that the environmental data is accurate enough to meet the requirements of high-precision ranging.

[0086] After receiving the data from the temperature and humidity sensor unit, the environmental data analysis unit is responsible for processing and analyzing the impact of environmental changes on the speed of light. Temperature and humidity changes not only affect the speed of light but also may cause ranging errors. Especially in environments with low or high temperatures, the fluctuation of the speed of light may be more significant. Therefore, this unit converts the temperature and humidity data into the impact amount on laser ranging and generates a speed of light correction coefficient.

[0087] In this embodiment, the change of the speed of light is closely related to the change of temperature. For every 1°C increase in temperature, the speed of light changes approximately 1.2×10-6m / s (that is, the speed of light will accelerate or decelerate relatively). This relationship is modeled by the formula:

[0088] v(T) = v 0 (1 - α(T - T 0 ))

[0089] where: v(T) represents the speed of light at temperature T, v 0 represents the speed of light at standard temperature, usually 3×108m / s, T represents the current environmental temperature in degrees Celsius, T 0 represents the reference temperature, usually 20°C, and α represents the temperature coefficient of the speed of light, with a value of 1.2×10-6°C-1.

[0090] Based on the collected temperature and humidity data, the environmental data analysis unit calculates the correction coefficient of the speed of light through the above formula and makes corresponding adjustments to the laser ranging results. This adjustment ensures that the laser ranging data will not have significant errors due to environmental changes, further improving the accuracy of the system.

[0091] The speed of light compensation algorithm unit is the core of this module and is responsible for applying the correction coefficient of the speed of light provided by the environmental data analysis unit to the laser ranging data. Since the change in the speed of light is closely related to the environmental temperature, the laser ranging data will deviate to varying degrees with the change of the environmental temperature. Therefore, the accuracy of the compensation algorithm directly affects the reliability of the ranging data.

[0092] In this embodiment, the speed of light compensation algorithm unit adjusts the laser ranging data by calculating the correction coefficient at the real-time environmental temperature. This process mainly includes the following steps:

[0093] Receive real-time data from the temperature and humidity sensors.

[0094] Calculate the correction coefficient of the speed of light in the current environment according to the temperature and humidity data.

[0095] Use this correction coefficient to compensate the laser ranging data.

[0096] Transmit the corrected ranging data to the subsequent inventory calculation module to ensure the accuracy of the inventory data.

[0097] For example, if the current temperature T is 25 °C, the correction coefficient of the speed of light v(T) can be calculated through the above formula, thereby correcting the laser ranging result and eliminating the error caused by temperature change. The compensated laser ranging data is transmitted to the data processing module for further inventory calculation.

[0098] In practical applications, the changes in temperature and humidity may be very frequent. To cope with this change, a dynamic feedback mechanism is adopted in the system. Whenever the temperature and humidity data change, the speed of light compensation algorithm unit will immediately update the compensation coefficient to ensure that each laser ranging can be corrected in a timely manner. Through this dynamic feedback mechanism, the system can efficiently adapt to the changes under different environmental conditions and ensure the stability of the measurement results.

[0099] Through the real-time compensation of the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module, the system can effectively reduce the ranging error caused by temperature and humidity changes. For example, in a low-temperature environment (such as a cold storage), the speed of light may slow down slightly, resulting in a shorter ranging result. Through compensation, the system can correct the ranging data in real time to ensure the accuracy of the calculation result of the number of vaccine boxes in each lane.

[0100] The real-time performance and accuracy of the compensation algorithm are crucial for ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of inventory management. Through the operation of this module, the system can operate stably under different environmental conditions, avoid inventory calculation deviations caused by temperature and humidity changes, and improve the automation level of inventory management.

[0101] In some embodiments, the environmental data acquisition and error compensation module can also incorporate various types of sensors, such as barometric pressure sensors or radiometers, etc. These sensors can further improve the accuracy of environmental data. Especially in a more complex environment, multiple sensors working together can further reduce errors and ensure the accuracy of ranging.

[0102] In another possible implementation, the light speed compensation algorithm unit can adopt a more complex compensation algorithm according to different actual application scenarios. For example, an adaptive algorithm can be used to adjust the compensation coefficient in real time to ensure that the compensation effect always matches the environmental conditions.

[0103] Please refer to the appendix Figure 5 , the data processing and inventory calculation module, is used to receive the data from the laser ranging sensor and calculate the number of vaccine boxes, and update the inventory information.

[0104] The main task of the laser data receiving unit is to receive the measurement data from the laser ranging sensor and perform preliminary processing. The laser sensor calculates the distance to an object through the time difference between the emission and reflection of a laser pulse. After receiving this data, the data receiving unit first performs signal amplification, filtering, and verification.

[0105] In this embodiment, the laser data receiving unit also has an error detection function, which can identify abnormal data that may occur in the sensor and transfer the valid data to the data processing module. Due to the interference of environmental changes, sensor stability, and other external factors, the laser ranging data may contain noise. This unit processes the data through noise suppression algorithms (such as low-pass filtering, Kalman filtering, etc.) to ensure the data quality.

[0106] In this way, the laser data receiving unit can efficiently and accurately acquire and filter the original ranging data, transfer the preliminarily processed data to the data conversion unit, and provide reliable input for subsequent calculations.

[0107] The data conversion unit is responsible for converting the received laser ranging data into the number of vaccine boxes in the inventory. In this embodiment, the system calculates the total stacked height of the vaccine boxes to estimate the number of boxes. The height data measured by the system is the stacked height of all vaccine boxes in the cargo channel. Through the known height of each vaccine box, the data conversion unit can calculate the number of vaccine boxes stored in the cargo channel.

[0108] Specifically, the data conversion formula is as follows:

[0109]

[0110] Among them, N boxes represents the number of vaccine boxes in the inventory, and H total represents the total measured height of the vaccine stack, and H box represents the height of a single vaccine box, is the floor function operation, which is used to ensure that the calculated quantity is an integer.

[0111] The application of this formula is to divide the total stack height H total by the height of a single vaccine box N boxes , to obtain the approximate number of vaccine boxes in the cargo channel. Since the stacking method of vaccine boxes may sometimes deviate, the floor function operation is used to avoid overestimating the calculation result and ensure that the inventory quantity does not exceed the actual quantity.

[0112] In addition, the data conversion unit also has an adaptive ability and can adjust the height parameter H box of each vaccine box according to the real-time feedback data. Especially in the case of environmental changes or changes in vaccine types, the system will automatically adjust the parameters in the calculation formula to ensure the calculation accuracy.

[0113] The main task of the error correction and optimization unit is to correct and adjust the measurement data through an optimization algorithm to eliminate errors caused by various factors. In actual operation, the laser ranging data may be affected by various factors such as measurement conditions, sensor instability, and environmental changes, resulting in certain errors in the results. Therefore, the error correction and optimization unit optimizes the data through algorithms such as the least squares method and the Kalman filter to further improve the accuracy of the inventory quantity calculation.

[0114] In this embodiment, the error correction and optimization unit uses the least squares method to correct the laser ranging data. The least squares method is a commonly used optimization algorithm that can optimize the result by minimizing the difference between the measured value and the predicted value. Its basic principle is to minimize the sum of the squares of the errors.

[0115] The objective function of the least squares method can be expressed as:

[0116]

[0117] Where: h i represents the actual height of the i-th measurement point (from the laser ranging sensor), and f(x i , θ) represents the predicted height calculated based on the prediction model, and θ is the parameter to be optimized, usually including the calibration parameters of the sensor, and x iis the input data (such as the time data of laser ranging), and n is the total number of data points.

[0118] By minimizing the objective function, the least squares method can find the optimal parameter θ to correct the error in the laser ranging data. This method is especially applicable when there are a large number of data points and can effectively optimize the overall measurement accuracy.

[0119] In this embodiment, the error correction and optimization unit also adopts the Kalman filter algorithm to further reduce the influence of noise and unstable factors. The Kalman filter is an algorithm based on recursive statistical methods and is applicable to the dynamic correction of time series data, especially when there is random noise in the data.

[0120] The Kalman filter algorithm realizes the real-time optimization of the inventory quantity by predicting and updating the weighted average of the measurement data and the system state.

[0121] The basic formula of the Kalman filter is as follows:

[0122]

[0123] Where: is the state estimate at the current time (such as the inventory quantity), is the state estimate at the previous time, K k is the Kalman gain, which is used to balance the weights of the predicted value and the measured value, z k is the current measured value (such as the height obtained by laser ranging), H k is the measurement matrix, which represents the relationship between the measured value and the system state.

[0124] The Kalman gain K k is calculated as:

[0125]

[0126] Where: P k-1 is the estimated error covariance at the previous time, R k is the covariance of the current measurement noise.

[0127] Through the Kalman filter algorithm, the error correction and optimization unit can dynamically correct the laser ranging data in real time, reduce the influence of noise, and further improve the calculation accuracy of the inventory quantity.

[0128] During the entire data processing process, the laser data receiving unit first receives the height data from the laser ranging sensor and performs preliminary processing. Then, the preprocessed laser data is transmitted to the data conversion unit, which converts the laser ranging data into inventory quantities. After that, the error correction and optimization unit corrects these calculation results to eliminate possible errors and ensure the accuracy of the final inventory quantities.

[0129] These processed data will finally be transmitted to the inventory management module to update the real-time inventory information. The processing of all data streams is completed automatically, reducing the interference of human errors and improving the efficiency and accuracy of the overall system.

[0130] Please refer to the attached Figure 6 , the real-time calibration and inventory review module, which is used to perform height calibration when the vaccine lane is changed or a new vaccine is added, and provides a batch inventory review function.

[0131] In this embodiment, the single-lane initialization calibration unit is used to start the height calibration process of the lane when the vaccine lane is changed or a new vaccine is added. Whenever a new vaccine is added or the lane is changed, the system needs to recalibrate the height of the lane to ensure the accuracy of the laser ranging data. This calibration process corrects the height of the lane and updates the lane information in the system by inputting the actual vaccine quantity into the system and combining it with the laser ranging data.

[0132] Generally, the working process of the single-lane initialization calibration unit is as follows:

[0133] When the system detects a lane change or a new vaccine addition, it starts the calibration program.

[0134] The calibration process first requires emptying the lane and ensuring the bottom is flat. To ensure flatness, the system may require placing a white paper or other flat object, which helps reduce measurement errors caused by an uneven lane bottom.

[0135] After calibration, the system requires inputting the actual vaccine quantity in the lane. The staff inputs the quantity data according to the actual situation, and the system completes the calibration by combining the laser ranging data.

[0136] The system automatically updates the height parameters of the lane according to the calibration results and synchronizes this data with the inventory management module to ensure the accuracy of the inventory data.

[0137] In some embodiments, the system can also adapt to temperature and humidity changes in different environments by measuring in real time and dynamically correcting the calibration data.

[0138] In this embodiment, the batch inventory verification unit is used to automatically verify the inventory of multiple lanes during the operation of the system. The system will automatically start the inventory verification function regularly or according to requirements to ensure that the number of vaccines in each lane is consistent with the actual storage. Through this process, the system can update the inventory data in real time and promptly detect any inventory inconsistencies.

[0139] The key to the batch inventory verification process lies in automation. Generally, the workflow of the batch inventory verification unit is as follows:

[0140] The system automatically starts the inventory verification function and verifies the inventory data of all lanes when a specified time or condition is triggered.

[0141] The laser distance sensor performs height measurements on each lane, and the system calculates the number of vaccine boxes in each lane.

[0142] The system makes real-time corrections to the measurement results and updates the inventory data. If the inventory quantity does not match the actual measurement results, the system will perform data correction and automatically update the data in the inventory management system.

[0143] After the verification process is completed, the system generates an inventory verification report, and the staff can view the verification results on the user interface and promptly handle any inconsistent inventory data.

[0144] Through this process, the batch inventory verification unit improves the automation level of the system, reduces the time and cost of manual verification, and improves the accuracy of inventory management.

[0145] The inventory statistics unit is another important part of the real-time calibration and inventory verification module. The task of this unit is to statistically calculate the inventory quantity of each lane in real time and display the results on the user interface for the convenience of the staff to view and manage. The function of the inventory statistics unit ensures that the system can display the most accurate inventory data at any time, thus facilitating operations such as inventory management, inventory adjustment, and replenishment.

[0146] The workflow of the inventory statistics unit is as follows:

[0147] The system obtains the measurement data of each lane from the laser distance sensor.

[0148] Through data processing and conversion, the system calculates the actual inventory quantity in each lane.

[0149] Compare the calculated inventory quantity with the stored inventory data and update the inventory information in real time.

[0150] Present the updated inventory data to the staff through the user interface to ensure that the data is always accurate.

[0151] In some embodiments, the inventory statistics unit not only displays the inventory quantity of each lane on the user interface, but also provides functions such as inventory trends, expired vaccine information, and warnings for replenishment needs, helping the staff to better manage the inventory. For example, if the inventory quantity of a certain lane is below the set threshold, the system will automatically display a replenishment reminder to ensure the efficiency of inventory management.

[0152] During the operation of the entire system, each unit of the real-time calibration and inventory verification module achieves real-time calibration, automatic verification, and inventory statistics through close cooperation. Whenever the system detects a change in the lane or new vaccines are added, the single-lane initialization calibration unit will start the calibration function to ensure that the height data of each lane is accurate; while the batch inventory verification unit will automatically verify all lanes during the system operation and update the inventory data; the inventory statistics unit will statistically calculate the inventory in real time after each data update and display it to the staff through the user interface.

[0153] Through these operations, the system can maintain efficient and automated inventory management, greatly reducing manual intervention and improving the accuracy and timeliness of inventory data.

[0154] In some embodiments, the real-time calibration and inventory verification module can work in combination with other sensors or data sources. For example, the system can dynamically adjust the frequency of inventory verification or calibration algorithms based on factors such as environmental temperature and humidity changes and feedback from laser ranging data, thereby improving the adaptability and accuracy of the system under different environmental conditions.

[0155] In addition, the real-time calibration and inventory verification module can also be extended to other fields, such as drug management, warehousing logistics, etc., to achieve automated and precise inventory management in different application scenarios.

[0156] Please refer to the appendix Figure 7 , the user interface and control system module, which is used to display inventory information, perform system operations, and control the coordinated work of each module.

[0157] In this embodiment, the user interface unit displays the real-time inventory information through a graphical interface. The staff can view key information such as the inventory quantity, inventory trend, and expired vaccines of each lane on the interface. The system can also dynamically display the inventory status based on real-time data updates and provide warning prompts (such as replenishment reminders when the inventory is below the set threshold).

[0158] Specifically, the user interface unit may include the following:

[0159] Real-time inventory display: Displays the current inventory quantity of each lane, using bar charts, line charts, or other forms of visual charts to help the staff quickly understand inventory changes.

[0160] Historical inventory data: Allows staff to view past inventory records, helping to analyze inventory change trends and predict future inventory requirements.

[0161] Operation buttons and input boxes: Staff can enter operation instructions through the interface to activate system functions such as inventory verification, system calibration, data update, etc.

[0162] System alarm function: When the inventory reaches the warning value, the interface will automatically display a warning message to remind staff to replenish stock or perform other operations.

[0163] Staff can enter operation instructions through the user interface unit to control the execution of the system. For example, staff can choose to activate functions such as inventory verification, initialization calibration, or inventory update. In this case, the system will adjust the control system unit according to the user's instructions, enabling the system to perform tasks in a predetermined manner.

[0164] In addition, the user interface also supports configuring system parameters. Staff can modify certain system settings (such as measurement frequency, inventory threshold, etc.) to make the system more flexible to adapt to different work requirements.

[0165] In this embodiment, the main tasks of the control system unit include:

[0166] Module collaboration: According to user instructions, the control system unit coordinates the work of each module (such as laser range finder sensor, inventory verification module, data processing module, etc.). For example, when the user selects to perform an inventory verification task, the control system unit will activate the laser range finder sensor for measurement and synchronously update the inventory data.

[0167] Real-time feedback and adjustment: The system monitors the status of each module in real time through the control system unit to ensure the stability of system operation. The system can automatically adjust certain parameters, such as inventory verification frequency, laser ranging accuracy, etc., to cope with different operation requirements.

[0168] Data synchronization and storage: The control system unit ensures data synchronization between each module to ensure the immediate update of inventory information. All data during the operation process will be stored in real time for subsequent query and analysis.

[0169] The control system unit is also responsible for receiving and processing instructions from the user interface unit. When staff enter operation instructions through the interface, the control system unit will analyze the instruction content and make a response according to the current state of the system. For example, when the user instructs the system to perform a batch inventory verification, the control system unit will activate relevant modules (such as laser range finder sensor, data processing module, etc.) and coordinate them to complete the task in sequence.

[0170] In some embodiments, the control system unit can also handle abnormal situations of the system (such as sensor failures, data anomalies, etc.) and provide relevant alarm information to the staff so that the staff can take timely measures.

[0171] System startup: The staff starts the system through the user interface unit, and the system sends an initialization instruction to the control system unit to start each module.

[0172] User operation: The staff views the real-time inventory data on the user interface unit and inputs operation instructions as needed (such as conducting inventory verification, starting calibration, etc.). These instructions are transmitted to the control system unit.

[0173] Function execution: After receiving the instructions, the control system unit coordinates the work among various modules. For example, it starts the laser rangefinder sensor for measurement, calls the data processing module for inventory calculation, or starts the inventory verification function.

[0174] Real-time update: The system will update the inventory data in real time and display the latest inventory status to the staff through the user interface unit. The staff can also view the inventory historical data or adjust the system settings according to their needs.

[0175] Task completion: After the task is completed, the control system unit will confirm that all operations have been completed and feedback the execution result to the staff.

[0176] The control system unit is also responsible for the monitoring and fault detection of the system. For example, when a sensor fails, the control system unit will issue an alarm and prompt the staff to conduct corresponding inspections and repairs. The system can also automatically adjust the working frequency or parameters according to the operating conditions to ensure that the system is always in the best working state.

[0177] In some embodiments, the user interface unit can also support multi-language operations, facilitating the use by staff in different regions. In addition, the user interface unit can be connected to mobile devices (such as smartphones or tablets) through a wireless network, enabling the staff to view the inventory data or input operation instructions anytime and anywhere.

[0178] In some advanced implementations, the control system unit can also combine machine learning and big data analysis to predict inventory requirements through historical data analysis and automatically adjust the inventory management strategy, thereby further improving the intelligence level of the system.

[0179] Working principle: When the system starts, initialization is performed first. The laser distance sensor is moved to each lane to prepare for measurement. During each measurement, the laser sensor emits a laser pulse, which reflects back after hitting the vaccine box. The system calculates the round-trip time of the laser and converts it into the height of the top of the vaccine box. This data is immediately transmitted to the data processing module for subsequent inventory calculation.

[0180] To cope with the impact of environmental factors, the system is equipped with an environmental monitoring unit, which continuously monitors temperature and humidity data. Changes in environmental temperature and humidity can cause deviations in laser measurement results. The system automatically adjusts the speed of light through the environmental data compensation module to ensure the accuracy of measurement. This is like making real-time "corrections" to the ranging data, avoiding errors caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations.

[0181] After the measurement is completed, the system processes the measured height through the inventory calculation module. By knowing the height of the vaccine box, the number of vaccine boxes in each lane is calculated. If the measurement data is inaccurate, the system will be adjusted through the error correction unit, usually optimized through algorithms such as the least squares method. The corrected data will be transmitted to the inventory update module to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the inventory data.

[0182] The laser distance sensor does not stay in one place. It needs to switch between multiple lanes. The motion control module in the system controls the movement of the sensor to ensure that each lane can be measured. The PLC control system unit will move the laser distance sensor according to the instructions, allowing it to move precisely between the lanes. After each lane is measured, the sensor will automatically switch to the next lane, and the whole process does not require manual intervention.

[0183] When new vaccines are added or the lanes change, the system will start the calibration function to ensure accurate measurement. The system empties the lanes and places flat objects through the automatic calibration unit, ensures the bottom is flat, then re-measures and inputs the correct data. After that, the inventory review unit will batch review the inventory of multiple lanes and update the inventory data to ensure no omissions.

[0184] During the operation process, the real-time update of the inventory is continuously refreshed through the inventory statistics unit, and any data changes can be immediately reflected. Staff can view the inventory information at any time through the user interface unit and input new operation instructions. The control system module coordinates the work of each part to make the whole process efficient and smooth. All data is saved, and the data synchronization unit ensures data consistency to prevent data loss.

[0185] If necessary, the system can also perform a timed review function, automatically conduct an inventory review by setting a timer, further reducing manual intervention. These data will be updated to the database in the system through the automatic synchronization function to ensure that the inventory information is always up-to-date.

[0186] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Laser ranging to convert vaccine quantity into real-time inventory system, characterized by: include: Laser distance measurement and vaccine box height measurement module, used to measure the height of the top of the vaccine box through a laser sensor, thereby indirectly calculating the number of vaccine boxes; Motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module, used to control the laser ranging sensor to accurately locate and measure the height between multiple aisles; Environmental data collection and error compensation module, used to collect environmental temperature and humidity data, and compensate for changes in light speed according to environmental changes, and correct laser ranging errors; Data processing and inventory calculation module, used to receive data from the laser range sensor and calculate the number of vaccine boxes and update inventory information; Real-time calibration and inventory review module, used to perform height calibration when vaccines are changed or new vaccines are added, and provide batch inventory review function; The user interface and control system module is used to display inventory information, perform system operations and control the coordinated work of each module.

2. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The laser distance measurement and vaccine box height measurement module includes: a laser ranging sensor unit, which is used to emit laser pulses and receive reflected signals, and calculate the distance to the top of the vaccine box based on the propagation time of the reflected signals; A distance calculation unit, used to convert the time data obtained by the laser distance sensor into the actual distance between the top of the vaccine box and the laser sensor; The data acquisition unit is used to collect the measured height data and transmit it to the data processing module for further calculation.

3. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The motion control and laser ranging sensor configuration module includes: The motion module control unit is used to control the laser distance sensor to accurately locate the position of each cargo aisle and perform height measurement; The PLC control system unit is used to receive instructions and control the movement of the laser ranging sensor so that it can automatically switch between cargo aisles and perform measurements.

4. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The environmental data acquisition and error compensation module includes: Temperature and humidity sensor unit, used to monitor ambient temperature and humidity in real time; An environmental data analysis unit, used to adjust the laser ranging data according to the real-time collected environmental data and compensate for the change of light speed; The light speed compensation algorithm unit is used to calculate the light speed correction coefficient according to the change of ambient temperature and make real-time corrections to the laser ranging data.

5. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The data processing and inventory calculation module includes: A laser data receiving unit, used for receiving data from the laser ranging sensor and performing preliminary processing; A data conversion unit, used to calculate the number of vaccine boxes based on the laser ranging data and update the inventory data; The error correction and optimization unit is used to correct the measurement data by using the least square method or other optimization algorithms.

6. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The real-time calibration and inventory review module includes: Single-aisle initialization calibration unit, used to start the aisle height calibration and input the actual vaccine quantity when the vaccine aisle is changed or new vaccines are added; Batch inventory review unit, used to automatically review the inventory of multiple aisles while the system is running and update inventory data in real time; The inventory statistics unit is used to count the inventory quantity of each aisle in real time and display it in the user interface.

7. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The user interface and control system module includes: A user interface unit for displaying real-time inventory information, inputting operating instructions, and activating system functions; The control system unit is used to coordinate the work between modules and adjust the system settings according to user input.

8. The real-time inventory system for converting vaccine quantity by laser ranging according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The data conversion unit calculates the number of vaccine boxes based on the laser ranging data using the following formula: Among them, N boxes represents the number of vaccine boxes in stock, H total Represents the measured total vaccine stack height, H box Indicates the height of a single vaccine box, This is a round-down operation used to ensure that the calculated quantity is an integer.

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