A robot that tracks inventory within a facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a robot comprising a moving movement platform (10), a first sensor (20) that detects images, at least a second sensor (30) that is provided at a distance with the first sensor (20) and collects obstacle information on a route, a controller (40) that is provided on the movement platform and is in communication with the first sensor (20) and the second sensor (30). The robot comprises a processor (42) configured to reverse the information of the controller (40) received from the first sensor (20) and the second sensor (30), create a reverse second route information by reversing the forward first route information and the forward route information, and drive the travel platform (10) according to the second route information when a recall function is activated, and a memory unit (44) that is connected to provide signal transmission and stores the first route information and the second route information.

Description

[0001] A ROBOT THAT TRACKS INVENTORY WITHIN A FACILITY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to robotic devices, in particular customer service robots, and related systems and methods.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In the facilities, it is necessary to check whether there is a sufficient number of products on the shelves in the stores and to check the price regularly. Performing these operations in a facility with excess products causes problems in terms of manpower and time. Manual stock tracking causes the error rates to increase. Errors such as incorrect counting, incorrect labeling or incorrect product placement can often be seen in manual counts. Manual stock tracking is a time-consuming process and can increase labor cost. In addition, manual tracking can be less efficient and slow down business processes compared to automation. Manual stock tracking can have difficulties providing real-time updates. This can reduce the ability to react quickly to changes in inventory.

[0006] Publication EP3209468A1 relates to a robot designed to provide customer service in a facility. The robot includes a movement platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects in the upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects in the lower field of view of the robot, a screen and movement platform, an upper sensor, and a robot computer in communication with the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to detect whether a customer is present in the facility based on information received from at least one upper sensor or lower sensor. In addition, the robot computer is configured to access one or more databases that store information about the products available at the facility and to provide customer service based on the information accessed.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a robot that tracks products within a facility. In order to achieve said object, the invention is a robot comprising a moving movement platform within a facility, a first sensor that detects images, at least a second sensor that is provided at a distance with the first sensor and collects obstacle information on a route, a controller provided on the movement platform and communicating with the first sensor and the second sensor, characterized in that the controller creates a first forward route information and a second reverse route information by reversing the information received from the first sensor and the second sensor and a memory unit configured to provide a processor and signal transmission that is configured to drive the movement platform according to the second route information when a recall function is activated and stores the first route information and the second route information. In this way, it can optimize inventory management within the facility, reduce errors, increase inventory efficiency, and generally make operations within the facility more effective. In addition, it is possible to move quickly and detect quickly in the facility by driving the robot forward and backward by the controller.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first sensor of the robot is configured to detect the images of the shelves provided on the route in the facility and transmit them to the controller. Detecting images of the shelves allows the robot to optimize its course within the facility and move effectively. In this way, it can be ensured that the robot follows the shortest and most efficient route.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to analyze the space in the shelves with the images provided from the first sensor. In this way, with automatic gap analysis, the time spent manually checking the shelves and detecting missing products is significantly reduced. In addition, automatic analysis minimizes human error and can more precisely determine the gaps in the shelves. This provides an advantage for obtaining accurate stock information.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to perform price verification by comparing the label price data obtained by the optical character recognition method from the images transmitted from the first sensor with the current price data provided in the memory unit. Thus, by performing automatic price verification, it can reduce human errors in the process and enable price updates within the facility to occur faster. The invention comprises a drive element configured to provide upward movement and associated with the robot controller in a preferred embodiment. In this way, it is ensured that the shelves of different heights in the facility can be controlled.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to activate the recall function in the event that the charge percentage falls below a predetermined threshold value during the movement of the robot in the facility. In this way, it is ensured that the robot does not leave incomplete in in-facility operations such as sudden stop in the facility or stock tracking and inventory arrangement.

[0013] The invention comprises a screen in which the robot is connected to the controller in a way that transmits a signal. In this way, it is ensured that the shelf control made by the robot can be read on the screen by an employee in the facility.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first sensor comprises a camera and the at least one LIDAR sensor of the at least second sensor. In this way, it is ensured that the robot loads the image information while controlling the shelf and that it has the ability to detect the obstacles in the route of the robot and drive without error thanks to the LIDAR sensors.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] Figure 1 shows the inventive robot schematically.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the route information of the robot of the invention schematically.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained without any restriction and only with reference to the examples to better explain the subject.

[0020] Figure 1 shows the inventive robot schematically. The robot performs operational tasks such as inventory management and stock tracking within the facility. It consists of a head (1) part and a body (2) part of the robot. There is a movement platform (10) that allows the robot to move within the facility on the opposite side of the body (2) contacting the head (1). The movement platform (10) comprises at least one wheel (12) provided in contact with the ground. Thanks to the wheels (12), the robot is enabled to move easily within the facility. It detects the image of the shelves through a first sensor (20) containing a camera during the movement of the robot within the facility. The camera in the first sensor (20) is two used cameras that provide depth detection. It is used to analyze the three-dimensional structures of objects. The first sensor (20) is provided on the head (1). The image information obtained with the first sensor (20) is transmitted to a controller (40) to which it is connected in a way that transmits a signal. It can determine the occupancy rate of the shelves by performing the gap analysis of the images sent from the first sensor (20). In addition, the controller (40) determines the price accuracy on the shelves with artificial intelligence and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) models. There is at least one second sensor (30) distance from the first sensor (20) and connected to the controller (20). The second sensor (30) comprises TOF (Time-of-Flight) sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, 12 flight sensors were used. Flight sensors are sensors that determine the distance of objects by using flight time measurement. These sensors are used for distance measurement and 3D mapping. The second sensor (30) also comprises two LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. A forward route information is created by the controller (40) by performing three-dimensional modeling and obstacle detection of the facility by using 3D mapping, distance measurement and obstacle detection with the LIDAR sensor. The forward route information created is stored in a memory unit (44) within the controller (40). The stored forward route information is reversed by a processor (42) provided in the controller (40) to form a reverse route information. The reverse route information created by the processor (42) is transmitted to the controller (40) and enables the movement platform (10) to move in the reverse direction. It can be used as reverse route information by three-dimensional modeling of the obstacles on the route used before, for example, creating a new route in the return to the charging station mode of the robot in a recall mode within the facility. The robot comprises a drive element (50) connected to the controller (40) and enabling the robot to move up and down in order to detect the products in the shelves with varying height within the facility. The drive element (50) comprises a high torque motor.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the route information of the robot of the invention schematically. A forwardfacing first route information (3) is created by the obstacle detection and three-dimensional modeling method collected from the second sensor (30) during the movement of the robot with the movement platform (10) within the facility. In the event that the first route information (3) completes the movement of the robot within the facility, or its charge falls below a predetermined threshold value, when a recall function is activated by the controller(40), its movement towards the starting point or a charging station is reversed by the processor (42) and recorded in the memory unit (44) as a second route information (4). With the second route information (4), the movement platform (10) is driven, and the robot returns to the starting point or charging station.

[0022] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0023] 1 Head

[0024] 2 Body

[0025] 3 First Route Information

[0026] 4 Second Route Information

[0027] 10 Movement Platform

[0028] 12 Wheel

[0029] 20 First Sensor

[0030] 30 Second Sensor

[0031] 40 Controller

[0032] 42 Processor

[0033] 44 Memory Unit

[0034] 50 Drive Element

[0035] 60 Screen

Claims

CLAIMS1- A robot comprising a movement platform (10) moving within a facility, a first sensor (20) for detecting images, at least a second sensor (30) provided at a distance with the first sensor (20) and collecting obstacle information on a route, a controller (40) provided on the movement platform and in communication with the first sensor (20) and the second sensor (30), characterized in that the controller (40) comprises a processor (42) configured to generate a forward first route information (3) from the information received from the first sensor (20) and the second sensor (30) and a reverse second route information (4) by inverting the forward route information, and to drive the motion platform (10) according to the second route information (4) when a recall function is activated and a memory unit (44), to which it is connected for signal transmission and which stores the first route information (3) and the second route information (4).2- A robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sensor (20) of the robot is configured to detect the images of the shelves provided on the route within the facility and transmit them to the controller (40).3- A robot according to claim 2, characterized in that the controller (40) is configured to analyze the space in the shelves with the images provided from the first sensor (20).4- A robot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (40) is configured to perform price verification by comparing the label price data obtained by the optical character recognition method from the images transmitted from the first sensor (20) with the current price data provided in the memory unit (44).5- A robot according to anyone of the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a drive element (50) connected to the controller (40) and configured to enable the robot to move up and down.6- A robot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (40) is configured to activate the recall function in the event that the charge percentage falls below a predetermined threshold value during the movement of the robot within the facility.7- A robot according to any one of the preceding claim, characterized in that robot comprises a screen (60) in signal-transmitting connection with the controller (40). 8- A robot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor(20) comprises a camera and the at least second sensor (30) comprises at least one LIDAR sensor.

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