System and method for inventorying objects in an environment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method that allow controlled displacement of an identification means along a plurality of positions, in order to autonomously inventory a plurality of objects in an environment that includes a plurality of spaces (10) for storing objects (20), wherein each object (20) is associated with at least one respective identification means (21), said system including at least one movement assembly (30) that carries at least one identification means (31) capable of identifying the identification means (21), wherein said at least one identification means (31) comprises and / or is associated with at least that is associated with and / or comprised in a computer system, and wherein said movement assembly (30) comprises means for horizontal and vertical movement of said at least one identification means (31) along a first plane (xy) transverse to the floor of the environment, so that said at least one identification means (31) can be positioned at a plurality of positions in said first plane (xy) aligned with respective storage spaces (10). The method executed by said system is also claimed.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVENTORYING OBJECTS IN AN ENVIRONMENT Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for inventorying objects in an environment, such as a logistics warehouse. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that allows for the controlled movement of an identifying device along a plurality of positions, in order to autonomously inventory a plurality of objects. Fundamentals of the Invention

[0002] Logistics warehouses are environments with intense movement of people and equipment transporting cargo, essential for maintaining the flow of delivery and receipt of materials within the established times and according to the production or storage order.

[0003] The growing demand for a wide variety of products and the need to meet those demands with greater speed and efficiency is making the supply chain increasingly complex. One of the stages in the supply chain is the warehousing of goods / objects. This stage presents numerous challenges, such as accuracy in storage, optimization of physical storage space, and speed in locating and dispatching stored items.

[0004] To address these challenges, warehouse managers need accurate information about stored items, such as location, quantity, frequency of item requests, and storage time, as well as the distribution and intensity of movements and / or processes. This information is used for inventory control and optimization of warehouse physical space.

[0005] This is because, when an item is requested, employees or equipment are activated to retrieve it. If a stored item is not located in the designated position, the entire inventory needs to be reviewed. Furthermore, if a frequently requested item is located far from the dispatch location and a rarely requested item is located near the dispatch location, the efficiency of the supply chain can be considerably impaired.

[0006] In view of this and the need for digitalization of solutions for the logistics chain, some warehouse management systems ("Warehouse Management System" or "WMS") are already available. These systems aim to monitor the flow of stored items to allow for their relocation within the warehouse. Such systems serve to store data about the warehouse and stored items in databases and are subsequently used to generate reports or maps containing information such as position and handling frequency, which assist in the relocation of items, for example.

[0007] To correctly relocate items, users of warehouse management systems utilize these reports and verify information such as handling frequency and the most suitable location for stored items. If the relocation of stored items is done efficiently, the time spent retrieving the requested items can be significantly reduced in the long term, generating cost reductions and increased speed of receiving and dispatching items.

[0008] However, all this organization and agility still depends on one factor: the correct storage of the item and its proper registration in the warehouse management system, for example.

[0009] In this sense, the state of the art already provides solutions for autonomously inventorying items in a logistics warehouse, such as those disclosed in documents US2018029797 and US11069081. However, the solutions in these documents are quite complex and, consequently, costly from a construction standpoint. Furthermore, these solutions do not foresee verifying the condition / integrity of the item to be inventoried during the inventory process.

[0010] It is based on this scenario that the present invention arises. Objectives of the Invention

[0011] Thus, the fundamental objective of the invention in question is to disclose a system and a method for orientation in an environment;

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to provide a solution that allows for the autonomous inventory of objects stored in storage spaces;

[0013] Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, robust, reliable, and automated solution to ensure the accuracy / precision in the processing of information contained in a warehouse management system.

[0014] It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a solution in which the integrity of the stored object is verified and duly recorded in the warehouse management system. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The objectives summarized above are achieved through a system for inventorying objects in an environment that includes a plurality of object storage spaces, wherein each object is associated with at least one respective means of identification, said system including at least one movement set that carries at least one identifier capable of identifying the identification means, said at least one identifier means comprising and / or being associated with at least one processor that is associated with and / or comprised by a computer system, said movement set comprising means for horizontal and vertical movement of said at least one identifier means along a first transverse plane in relation to the floor of the environment, so that said at least one identifier means can be positioned in a plurality of positions in said first plane aligned with respective storage spaces.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for inventorying objects in an environment run by the system of the present invention. More specifically, it relates to a method comprising, among other possible steps, the following:

[0017] A first step that consists of moving at least one identifier, through a set of movements, to a predetermined spatial coordinate corresponding to the respective storage space;

[0018] A second step that consists of capturing an image, or at least one identifying means, of a region of interest that includes a means of identifying the respective object stored in the storage space relative to the respective predetermined spatial coordinate;

[0019] A third step involves determining, by means of said at least one identifying means or by means of a processor comprised of and / or associated with it, whether it is possible to recognize an identification means associated with the object in question, and if so, a fourth step is executed;

[0020] Said fourth step consists of determining, by means of said at least one identifying means or by means of a processor comprised of and / or associated with it, whether it is possible to read information recorded in said at least one identifying means, and, if so, a fifth step is executed;

[0021] Said fifth step consists of recording the information read in the fourth step in a computer system that is in data communication with said at least one identifying means, in order to inventory the object in question by associating it with said predetermined spatial coordinate; and then, said method comprises repeating the previous steps up to an nth predetermined spatial coordinate. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The invention in question will now be described in detail, by way of example, based on the illustrative figures listed below:

[0023] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates the system of the present invention, according to a first preferred embodiment;

[0024] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the system of the present invention, according to a second preferred embodiment, highlighting the identifying means in a first position;

[0025] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the system of the present invention, according to a second preferred embodiment, showing the identifying means in a second position;

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of the method of the present invention, comprising fundamental steps as well as preferred but not mandatory steps. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] Thus, focusing on achieving the aforementioned objectives, and describing in an exemplary, but not limiting, manner, the present invention relates to a system for inventorying objects in an environment that includes a plurality of object storage spaces10, wherein each object20 is associated with at least one respective identification means21, said system including at least one movement set30 that carries at least one identifier means31 capable of identifying the identification means21, said at least one identifier means31 comprising and / or being associated with at least one processor that is associated with and / or comprised by a computer system.

[0028] Specifically, according to the present invention, said movement assembly30 comprises means for horizontal and vertical movement of said at least one identifying means31 along a first planexy transverse to the floor of the environment, so that said at least one identifying means31 can be positioned in a plurality of positions in said first planexy aligned with respective storage spaces10. More specifically, said first planexy extends longitudinally along the corridor of an environment and / or, in other words, extends parallel to the height of a pallet rack (shelf) that defines the storage spaces10.

[0029] According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, said drive assembly30 comprises at least one first guide element34, such as an eyelet, wheel, or roller, and at least one second guide element37, such as a cable or rail(s), such that said at least one first guide element34 and said second guide element37 cooperate with each other to provide movement of said at least one identifying means31 along a first direction, for example, horizontal. Said drive assembly30 further includes a body35 to which the first guide element34 is attached.

[0030] Still according to this first preferred embodiment, said second guide element37 is horizontally arranged, preferably in a position above the storage spaces10, so that said body35 is able to move along said at least one second guide element37 in that direction, in the case of the example above, horizontal, along the first transverse plane in relation to the floor of the environment.

[0031] Additionally, according to this first preferred embodiment, said movement assembly30 comprises at least one lifting mechanism36 to provide vertical movement of said at least one identifying means31 along the first transverse plane relative to the floor of the environment. Alternatively, said second guide element37 could be arranged vertically. In this case, the means for horizontal movement could be an electrically actuated telescopic tube, for example.

[0032] According to this first preferred embodiment, said movement assembly30 comprises and / or is associated with at least one motive source, associated with the first guide element34 and / or the lifting mechanism36.

[0033] According to a second preferred embodiment, said movement assembly30 comprises at least one first tensionable element41 and a second tensionable element42, said first tensionable element41 being, at a first end, physically associated with said at least one identifying means31 and / or a support thereof and, at a second end, physically associated with a respective reel43 actuatable by a respective motor source40, said first tensionable element41 also being supported by a respective support element45, such as a fixed pulley;and whereby said second tensionable element42 is, at a first end, physically associated with said at least one identifying means31 and / or a support thereof and, at a second end, physically associated with a respective reel44 actuatable by a respective motor source40, said second tensionable element42 being further supported by a respective support element46, such as a fixed pulley.

[0034] By “tensionable element” one should understand a connecting element capable of being subjected to tension (traction) and, therefore, transmitting that tension (traction) to said at least one identifying means31, so as to pull it and, consequently, position it along said first planoxy. As an example of a “tensionable element” one can cite a cable or chain, among other similar items.

[0035] Here, it is worth highlighting that, in both the first and second preferred embodiments, said motor source(s)40 are controllably actuatable. In this way, according to both the first and second preferred embodiments of the invention, by controlling the respective motor sources40, an infinite plurality of positions (x1, y1; x1, y2; x1, y3;x2, y1; x2, y2;x2, y3; ... xn, yn) ao longo do primeiro planoxypode ser assumida pelo dito pelo menos um meio identificador31, de modo que é possível fazer uma "varredura”, inclusive de maneira autônoma, de todas as coordenadas espaciais predeterminadas relativas a cada um dos espaços de armazenagem10ao longo de dito primeiro planoxy, ou seja, ao longo de um corredor de um armazém logístico.

[0036] In the second embodiment, therefore, such positions are achieved by tensioning, in a controlled manner, each of the respective tensionable elements more or less, while in the first embodiment such positions are achieved by means of displacement, in a horizontal and / or vertical direction, provided by the respective motive sources.

[0037] Additionally, and preferably, in both the first and second embodiments, said movement set30 may also include means for horizontal movement of said at least one identifying means31 along a second plane xz (not illustrated) parallel to the floor of the environment.For example, said means for horizontal movement along a second plane xz being a rail (not shown) for the second guide element itself 37, so that a single second guide element 37 associated with respective wheels and / or rollers (not shown), is able to move along said rail, so as to move from a first aisle to a second aisle adjacent to the first and then to a third aisle adjacent to the second and so on, so that the objects 20 of a plurality of aisles, i.e., of a plurality of pallet racks (which define the storage spaces 10) can be inventoried by a single system of the present invention.

[0038] In this sense, said means for horizontal movement of said at least one identifying means31 along a second planexzen are preferably located above the storage spaces10.

[0039] Preferably, in both embodiments of the present invention, said at least one identifying means31 is one of: a camera, an RFID identifier, a barcode identifier, a QR code identifier, or an NFC identifier. Even more preferably, said at least one identifying means31 is specifically a camera. Still preferably, said at least one identifying means31 and / or said at least one processor that is associated with and / or comprised therein comprises at least one respective artificial intelligence model.

[0040] In parallel, and also preferably, said at least one means of identification21 is one of the following: label, RFID tag, barcode, QR code, NFC tag. Even more preferably, said at least one means of identification21 is specifically a common label.

[0041] Having described the system of the present invention, the method for inventorying objects in an environment is described below, with the steps detailed as follows.

[0042] A first stepS1 which consists of moving at least one identifying means31, by means of a movement set30, to a predetermined spatial coordinate corresponding to the respective storage space10;

[0043] A second stepS2 which consists of capturing an image, by said at least one identifying means31, of a region of interest comprising an identifying means21 of the respective object20 stored in the storage space10 relative to the respective predetermined spatial coordinate;

[0044] A third stepS3 which consists of determining, by means of said at least one identifying means31 or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether it is possible to recognize an identification means21 associated with the object20 in question, and, if so, a fourth stepS4 is executed;

[0045] Said fourth stageS4 consists of determining, by means of said at least one identifying means31 or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether it is possible to read information recorded in said at least one identifying means21, and, if so, a fifth stageS5 is executed;

[0046] Said fifth stepS5 consists of registering the information read in the fourth stepS4 in a computer system that is in data communication with said at least one identifying means31, in order to inventory the object20 in question by associating it with said predetermined spatial coordinate; and

[0047] Furthermore, the method in question involves repeating the previous steps up to a predetermined nth spatial coordinate.

[0048] Preferably, if the third stage S3 or the fourth stage S4 is unsuccessful, a sixth stage S6 is executed, which consists of registering in the computer system that the reading of the information recorded in said at least one means of identification21 was not successful, and then the method is restarted from the first stage S1.

[0049] Additionally, and preferably, said method also includes a first preferred step S21, subsequent to the second step S2 and prior to the third step S3, which consists of determining, by said at least one identifying means31 or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether the object20 is, in fact, stored in said storage space10, and if so, the third step S3 is executed, but if not, a sixth step S6 is executed, and in this case, the third, fourth and fifth steps S3, S4, S5 are skipped;

[0050] This sixth step (S6) consists of registering, in the computer system, that the reading of the information registered in said at least one means of identification (21) was not successful; and then the method is restarted from the first step (S1).

[0051] Additionally, and preferably, said method also includes a second preferred stepS22, subsequent to the first preferred stepS21 and prior to the third stepS3, which consists of determining, by said at least one identifying means31 or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, the integrity of the object20, the result of which determination is recorded in a computer system that is in data communication with said at least one identifying means31.

[0052] In this sense, it is worth highlighting that this determination is made based on the comparison of the object20 contained in the captured image with an expected standard of the object20 (which represents an intact object, for example, a closed pallet), and if the object20 in the captured image differs, by a predetermined percentage, from the expected standard of the object20, the object20 is considered to be non-intact.

[0053] It should also be noted that the determinations of the first preferred stage S21, the second preferred stage S22, the third stage S3 and the fourth stage S4 are preferably made by means of at least one respective artificial intelligence model associated with said at least one identifying means31 and / or said means of a processor comprised and / or associated with the same.

[0054] Thus, according to the system and method of the present invention, all the aforementioned objectives are achieved.

[0055] It is important to emphasize that the description above serves solely to illustrate a particular embodiment of the invention in question. Therefore, it is clear that modifications, variations, and constructive combinations of the elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results remain within the scope of protection delimited by the appended claims.

Claims

A system for inventorying objects in an environment that includes a plurality of object storage spaces (10) (20), wherein each object (20) is associated with at least one respective identification means (21), said system including at least one movement set (30) that carries at least one identifier means (31) capable of identifying the identification means (21), said at least one identifier means (31) comprising and / or being associated with at least one processor that is associated with and / or comprised by a computer system, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said movement set (30) comprises means for horizontal and vertical movement of said at least one identifier means (31) along a first plane (xy) transverse to the floor of the environment, such that said at least one identifier means (31) can be positioned in a plurality of positions in said first plane (xy) aligned with respective storage spaces (10). System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said first plane (xy) extends longitudinally along the corridor of an environment and / or that it extends parallel in relation to the height of a shelving unit (pallet rack) that defines the storage spaces (10). System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said movement assembly (30) comprises at least one first guide element (34) and at least one second guide element (37), such that said at least one first guide element (34) and said second guide element (37) cooperate with each other, so as to provide movement of said at least one identifying means (31) along a first direction. System, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that said movement assembly (30) also includes a body (35) to which the first guide element (34) is associated. System, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that said second guide element (37) is horizontally arranged, so that said body (35) is able to move along said at least one second guide element (37) in that direction. System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said movement assembly (30) comprises at least one lifting mechanism (36) to provide vertical movement of said at least one identifying means (31). System, according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, CHARACTERIZED in that said movement assembly (30) comprises and / or is associated with at least one motive source, associated with the first guide element (34) and / or the lifting mechanism (36). System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that: said movement assembly (30) comprises at least one first tensionable element (41) and a second tensionable element (42); said first tensionable element (41) being, at a first end, physically associated with said at least one identifying means (31) and / or a support thereof and, at a second end, physically associated with a respective reel (43) actuatable by a respective motor source (40), said first tensionable element (41) being further supported by a respective support element (45);said second tensionable element (42) is, at a first end, physically associated with said at least one identifying means (31) and / or a support thereof and, at a second end, physically associated with a respective reel (44) actuatable by a respective motor source (40), said second tensionable element (42) being further supported by a respective support element (46). System, according to claim 7 or 8, CHARACTERIZED in that said motor source(s) (40) is / are controllably actuatable. System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said movement assembly (30) further comprises means for horizontal movement of said at least one identifying means (31) along a second plane (xz) parallel to the floor of the environment. System, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that said means for horizontal movement of said at least one identifying means (31) along a second plane (xz) are arranged above the storage spaces (10). System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said at least one identifier means (31) is one of: camera, RFID identifier, barcode identifier, QR code identifier, NFC identifier. System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said at least one means of identification (21) is one of: label, RFID label, barcode, QR code, NFC label. System, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said at least one identifier means (31) and / or said at least one processor that is associated with and / or comprised by the same comprises / in at least one respective artificial intelligence model. Method for inventorying objects in an environment that includes a plurality of object storage spaces (10) (20), wherein each object (20) is associated with a respective means of identification (21), CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it is executed by the system as defined by any of claims 1 to 11. Method for inventorying objects in an environment that includes a plurality of object storage spaces (10) (20), wherein each object (20) is associated with a respective identification means (21), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a first stage (S1) which consists of moving at least one identification means (31), by means of a set of movements (30), to a predetermined spatial coordinate corresponding to the respective storage space (10); a second stage (S2) which consists of capturing an image, by said at least one identification means (31), of a region of interest which includes an identification means (21) of the respective object (20) stored in the storage space (10) relative to the respective predetermined spatial coordinate;a third stage (S3) which consists of determining, by means of said at least one identifying means (31) or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether it is possible to recognize an identifying means (21) associated with the object (20) in question, and, if so, a fourth stage (S4) is executed; said fourth stage (S4) consists of determining, by means of said at least one identifying means (31) or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether it is possible to read information recorded in said at least one identifying means (21), and, if so, a fifth stage (S5) is executed; said fifth stage (S5) consists of recording the information read in the fourth stage (S4) in a computer system that is in data communication with said at least one identifying means (31), in order to inventory the object (20) in question by associating it with said predetermined spatial coordinate;Repeat the previous steps until a predetermined nth spatial coordinate. Method, according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that, if the determination of the third step (S3) or the fourth step (S4) is unsuccessful, a sixth step (S6) is executed which consists of registering, in the computer system, that the reading of the information registered in said at least one means of identification (21) was not successful and, then, the method is restarted from the first step (S1). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises: a first preferred step (S21), subsequent to the second step (S2) and prior to the third step (S3), which consists of determining, by said at least one identifying means (31) or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, whether the object (20) is in fact stored in said storage space (10); wherein, if so, the third step (S3) is executed, but if not, a sixth step (S6) is executed, wherein, in this case, the third, fourth and fifth steps (S3, S4, S5) are skipped; said sixth step (S6) consists of registering, in the computer system, that the reading of the information registered in said at least one identifying means (21) was not successful; and then the method is restarted from the first step (S1). Method, according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: a second preferred step (S22), subsequent to the first preferred step (S21) and prior to the third step (S3), which consists of determining, by said at least one identifying means (31) or by means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith, the integrity of the object (20), the result of which determination is recorded in a computer system that is in data communication with said at least one identifying means (31). Method, according to claim 19, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: said determination is made based on the comparison of the object (20) contained in the captured image with an expected standard of the object (20), such that if the object (20) in the captured image is different, by a predetermined percentage, from the expected standard of the object (20), the object (20) is considered as not intact. Method, according to claim 16, 18 or 19, CHARACTERIZED in that: the determinations of the first preferred step (S21), the second preferred step (S22), the third step (S3) and the fourth step (S4) are made by means of at least one respective artificial intelligence model associated with said at least one identifying means (31) and / or said means of a processor comprised and / or associated therewith.

Images