Industrial Truck Coordinate Calibration via Camera-Tracked Trajectories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual calibration of coordinate systems in automated industrial trucks is time-consuming and prone to errors, requiring extensive personnel and multiple measurements for precise navigation within logistics facilities.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using visual markers and optical cameras to determine movement vectors and spatial states, allowing for autonomous calibration of coordinate systems by comparing desired and actual trajectories, reducing the need for manual measurements and increasing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration methods are used to calibrate coordinate systems in automated industrial trucks, then measurement precision can be achieved through iterative measurements, but the productivity is reduced due to time-consuming processes and requirement for trained personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial position measurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with an automated optical measurement system. A camera records the position of a visual marker on the industrial truck, and a control unit automatically calculates spatial positions and calibration offsets, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and trained operators while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The industrial truck performs its own calibration process autonomously. The truck navigates to calibration positions, the camera records the marker positions, and the control unit automatically processes the data to determine calibration offsets, enabling the system to calibrate itself without external human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual calibration processes are used with multiple measurements and iterations, then manufacturing precision of coordinate system calibration is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repeated measurements and data input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordinate system calibration precisionVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-positions visual markers at known locations on the industrial truck and pre-configures the camera at predetermined positions. During calibration, the system only needs to capture images and automatically calculate offsets, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual setup and repeated measurements while maintaining calibration precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated optical measurement and calculation system replaces manual measurement and iterative adjustment processes. The control unit automatically processes camera images to determine spatial positions and calibration offsets in a single operation, eliminating time loss from repeated measurements and manual data input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual measurement and data input processes are used during calibration, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the reliability decreases due to operator errors in measurement and data input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial position measurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual measurement and data input with an automated optical measurement system. The camera objectively records marker positions, and the control unit automatically calculates spatial coordinates and calibration offsets, eliminating human errors in measurement and data entry while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an accurate digital copy of the physical calibration process. The camera captures images of visual markers, and the control unit processes these digital images to determine precise spatial positions and calibration offsets, ensuring consistent and error-free measurement data without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This method significantly reduces operator errors and increases efficiency by enabling automated calibration of industrial truck coordinate systems, allowing for precise navigation with minimal operator intervention and improved precision through iterative data processing.

Implementation Method 1

recording the visual marker on the industrial truck by means of the optical camera which is remote from the industrial truck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS12091301B2Method for calibrating coordinate systems in industrial trucks

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 JUNGHEINRICH AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for calibrating a coordinate system of an automated industrial truck, to a method for calibrating a coordinate system of a fleet of automated industrial trucks of the same vehicle type having uncalibrated coordinate systems, and to a system for carrying out one of these methods.