AR Headset Cargo Placement Guidance for Forklift Unloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face difficulty in accurately placing cargo at a target position due to blocked forward view during container unloading, especially when the container is lifted high, making it challenging to grasp the placement position and angle.

Innovation Solution

A display device worn on the head of an operator, which includes a display unit, target position acquisition, and control unit to superimpose a predicted placement range and target placement range on the real-world view, using AR glasses to guide accurate cargo placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the container is lifted high to secure the forward view, then the operator's forward view is improved, but the operator's ability to grasp placement position and placement angle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforward viewVSAvoidplacement position and placement angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fourth dimension (virtual overlay) by displaying AR information that shows the placement position and placement angle superimposed on the real-world view. This allows the operator to see both the elevated container and the placement guidance simultaneously without needing to lower the container, resolving the contradiction between forward view and placement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The AR display acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the operator's elevated view and the placement target. By overlaying virtual placement information on the real-world view, the AR display mediates the operator's ability to grasp placement position and angle while maintaining the elevated container position for forward view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the container is lifted high to secure forward view, then the operator can see forward, but the operator cannot accurately place the container at target position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforward viewVSAvoidcontainer placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The AR display provides real-time feedback to the operator by showing the placement position and placement angle overlaid on the real-world view. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to accurately place the container at the target position while maintaining the elevated container position, thus improving both ease of operation and placement accuracy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By adding the virtual AR overlay dimension, the system enables the operator to access placement precision information without compromising forward view. The operator can see both the real-world environment and the precise placement guidance in the same field of view, eliminating the trade-off between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If the operator checks a monitor to confirm placement position, then placement accuracy may improve, but the operator loses continuous real-world awareness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidloss of real-world awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the placement guidance information with the real-world view by overlaying AR information directly in the operator's field of view. This combination eliminates the need to switch between monitor checking and real-world observation, allowing the operator to maintain continuous real-world awareness while achieving accurate placement through the superimposed guidance information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The AR display serves as an intermediary that integrates placement accuracy information with the real-world view. Instead of requiring the operator to check a separate monitor, the AR display mediates by presenting both the real-world environment and placement guidance simultaneously, thus improving placement accuracy without sacrificing real-world awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4390641B1Display device, cargo unloading support system, industrial vehicle, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO LTD
  • EP4390641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390641B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390641B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Object Provided is a display device by which a place at which a cargo having been conveyed by an industrial vehicle is to be placed can be confirmed in advance when the cargo is unloaded. Solution The display device is a display device worn on a head of a person, the display device including: a display unit having transparency and being capable of displaying image data; a target position acquisition unit acquiring position information of a conveyance destination of a cargo conveyed by an industrial vehicle; a position information acquisition unit acquiring position information of the industrial vehicle; and a control unit displaying the image data including a target placement range of the cargo based on information of a positional relationship between the person boarding the industrial vehicle and the industrial vehicle and the position information of the industrial vehicle and the conveyance destination, and a predicted placement range of the cargo when the cargo is unloaded from the industrial vehicle, the image data being displayed such that the target placement range included in the image data is superimposed on the target placement range in a real world viewable through the display unit.