Autonomous Inventory Vehicles for Real-Time Warehouse Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inventory management systems in warehouses and storage yards lack continuous monitoring and updating capabilities without requiring sensors on every item or pallet, limiting their ability to provide real-time inventory levels.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous vehicle equipped with a beacon for position detection via signal triangulation, sensors for item counting, and a wireless data link to transmit inventory data to a computing device, which updates inventory records based on measured item quantities and positions within the storage area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual inspection or sensor-based manual inspection is used for inventory management, then some inventory data can be obtained, but continuous monitoring and real-time updating of inventory levels cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory monitoring speedVSAvoidautomation of inventory surveying

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle performs self-navigation and self-inventory counting without human intervention. It autonomously moves through the warehouse, detects inventory items using onboard sensors, and automatically transmits data to update inventory records, enabling continuous monitoring without manual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an autonomous vehicle system that uses electronic sensors (optical, RFID, barcode scanners) and automated navigation. This substitution enables continuous, real-time inventory monitoring that cannot be achieved through manual methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are placed on every item or pallet for continuous monitoring, then real-time inventory data can be obtained, but system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory counting accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle acts as an intermediary between the inventory items and the central inventory management system. Instead of requiring sensors on every item, the vehicle serves as a mobile detection platform that periodically surveys inventory levels and transmits aggregated data, simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of inventory data through sensor detection and data transmission. The autonomous vehicle captures optical images, RFID signals, or barcode information to create virtual representations of inventory items, which are then processed and stored in the inventory management system without requiring physical sensors on each item

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If manual inspection methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but inventory monitoring is not continuous and real-time updating is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidinventory update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle enables continuous inventory monitoring by periodically traversing the warehouse and detecting inventory levels. Unlike manual inspection which occurs at discrete intervals, the automated vehicle can operate continuously or on scheduled intervals, providing ongoing updates without interrupting warehouse operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous vehicle performs preliminary inventory surveys at scheduled intervals or based on triggers, proactively detecting inventory levels before stockouts occur. This preliminary detection allows the system to maintain up-to-date inventory records without waiting for manual counting or reactive inquiries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous, precise monitoring and updating of inventory levels within storage areas, improving efficiency and accuracy without the need for sensors on every item, allowing for real-time data generation and reporting.

Implementation Method 1

a beacon configured to facilitate detection of a current position of the autonomous vehicle based on signal triangulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal triangulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11941579B2Autonomous vehicles performing inventory management

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 FOINA AISLAN GOMIDE

AI summary

An inventory management system managing a plurality of inventory items stored in a storage area. The inventory management system includes an autonomous vehicle configured to move within the storage area and a computing device communicatively coupled to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle includes a beacon configured to facilitate detection of a current position of the autonomous vehicle based on signal triangulation, a sensor configured to detect information indicative of a number of inventory items at the current position of the autonomous vehicle, and a wireless data link configured to transmit a signal indicative of the number of inventory items. The computing device may detect a position of the autonomous vehicle based on the signal transmitted from the beacon, and update an inventory of the storage area based on the signal indicative of the number of inventory items.