Beacon-Based Container Transition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material handling systems face computational challenges in detecting the presence and movement of material handling vehicles, such as forklifts, due to the complexity of image or depth-based detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses beacons mounted near the boundaries of containers and a sensor on a transporter to detect beacon identifiers and proximity indicators, determining transitions across the boundary and the direction of travel, thereby generating transition events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image or depth-based detection methods are used to detect material handling vehicles, then detection capability is improved, but computational resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex image/depth-based detection systems with a simpler beacon-based acoustic or electromagnetic signaling system. Instead of using computational vision to detect vehicles, the system uses beacons that emit signals detected by receivers on vehicles, substituting a mechanical/computational detection approach with a direct signal-based approach that consumes far fewer computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary elements between the detection system and the material handling vehicles. These beacons emit signals that serve as intermediaries to convey presence and location information, eliminating the need for direct image processing and reducing computational burden while maintaining effective detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If image or depth-based detection methods are used to detect material handling vehicles, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex image processing systems with a simpler beacon signaling system. The detection mechanism is substituted from computational analysis of images/depth data to direct signal reception and processing, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining vehicle detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into discrete beacon units distributed throughout the workspace. Each beacon independently emits signals, and receivers independently process signals from nearby beacons, dividing the complex detection task into simpler, parallel operations that reduce overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: obtaining, from a sensor disposed on a transporter, a set of beacon identifiers and proximity indicators, the beacon identifiers emitted by respective beacons mounted proximate to a boundary separating an exterior of a container from an interior of the container; determining whether the set of beacon identifiers and proximity indicators indicates a transition of the transporter across the boundary; when the determination is affirmative, detecting, based on the set of beacon identifiers and proximity indicators, a direction of travel of the transporter relative to the boundary; and generating a transition event including an identifier of the transporter, an identifier of the container, and the direction of travel.