Configurable Lighting System for Dynamic Storage Area Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shipping warehouses, the manual reconfiguration of lighting systems to adjust storage area sizes is time-consuming and requires specialized knowledge, leading to inefficiencies in item retrieval and storage processes.
Innovation Solution
A configurable lighting system with an I/O controller and display device allows associates to easily reassign light strips and buttons to reflect changes in storage area sizes, using confirmation devices like buttons, light curtains, or capacitive sensors, enabling quick updates without specialized knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting system uses fixed light strips and buttons for storage areas, then the lighting configuration is stable and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to changes in storage area sizes without time-consuming manual reconfiguration and specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where light strips can be automatically repositioned and reassigned based on current storage area boundaries. The system continuously adapts its lighting configuration to match the physical layout, eliminating manual reconfiguration time when storage areas change size or position.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system performs self-configuration and self-repositioning without requiring specialized human intervention. The controller automatically detects storage area boundaries and reassigns light strips accordingly, making the system self-sufficient for adaptation to layout changes.
2Ease of operation
If the lighting system requires specialized knowledge for reconfiguration, then the system maintains precision and reliability, but the ease of operation deteriorates as associates cannot easily update lighting configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reconfiguration with an automated electronic control system. The controller automatically detects storage area boundaries and reassigns light strips based on detected positions, eliminating the need for specialized knowledge while maintaining accurate light-to-area assignments through automated detection and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the physical storage area layout and the lighting system. It receives input about storage area boundaries and automatically translates this information into appropriate light strip assignments, shielding users from complex configuration details while ensuring accurate mapping.
3Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming updates when storage areas change
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages light strip positioning, detects storage area boundaries, reassigns lights to appropriate areas, and coordinates with the item location system. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated controller, achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the controller monitors storage area boundaries and automatically adjusts light strip assignments in response to detected changes. This feedback mechanism enables rapid adaptation to layout changes without manual intervention, significantly improving productivity while the feedback control logic manages the complexity of automated adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe a configurable lighting system that can be used to redefine the size of the storage areas holding items. When changing the dimensions of the storage areas, an associate may also want to change the assignment of lights disposed near the storage areas. To do so, the configurable lighting system includes a series of lights disposed along a first axis and a set of confirmation devices corresponding to the series of lights. The lighting system can receiving first and second input signals from the set of confirmation devices and identify a first subset of the series of lights corresponding to the first input signal and a second subset of the series of lights corresponding to the second input signal. The first and second subsets can define respective lengths of first and second storage areas when illuminated.