Article Retrieval Planning Using Reverse Sequential Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article search systems face significant computational load when identifying and retrieving articles from large storage units due to inefficient retrieval operations.

Innovation Solution

An article search device and method that employs a retrieval target article identification unit to identify articles based on retrieval completion state, a reverse sequential operation calculation unit to calculate a reverse sequential operation, and a retrieval operation calculation unit to reproduce this operation in reverse, thereby optimizing the retrieval process and reducing computational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a search is performed to identify a desired article from a large number of candidates in the storage unit, then the retrieval operation can be completed, but the calculation load becomes enormous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval operation efficiencyVSAvoidcalculation load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing the positional relationships between storage positions and retrieval lanes. The management device maintains a database that records which articles are stored at which positions and their corresponding retrieval routes. This preliminary organization of data allows the system to quickly identify retrieval targets without performing complex real-time searches, thereby reducing the calculation load during actual retrieval operations while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the retrieval completion state is calculated from the storage unit state, then the retrieval operation can be planned, but the calculation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval planning timeVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the calculation approach by determining the retrieval completion state from the retrieval lane perspective rather than from the storage unit perspective. Instead of calculating which articles can be retrieved from current storage positions, the system determines what articles should be present in retrieval lanes based on the retrieval completion state. This inversion simplifies the calculation process and reduces both calculation complexity and time required for retrieval planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4151560B1Article search device and article search method
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP4151560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151560B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151560B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The control unit includes a retrieval target article identification unit configured to identify a retrieval target article from among the articles stored in the storage unit on the basis of retrieval information indicating a retrieval completion state, a reverse sequential operation calculation unit configured to calculate a reverse sequential operation when it is assumed that the retrieval target article is moved to the storage position in the storage unit in a reverse sequence from the retrieval completion state, and a retrieval operation calculation unit configured to calculate a retrieval operation in which the retrieval target article is moved from the storage position in the storage unit and is in the retrieval completion state by reproducing the reverse sequential operation in reverse.