Electronic Label Guidance for Interference-Free Order Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Pick To Light (PTL) system in picking systems experiences inefficiencies due to pickers interfering with each other and manual control issues, leading to missed or improperly triggered electronic label indicators, which reduces picking efficiency and causes mutual interference when multiple orders are picked simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A target object determination method and apparatus that uses a handheld terminal to determine a current location based on positioning electronic labels, identify target objects within a preset distance range, and send guiding instructions to accurately trigger electronic label indicators, thereby improving picking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic label indicators for all to-be-picked goods are turned on simultaneously, then pickers can see all available items, but pickers interfere with each other reducing picking efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates electronic label indicators selectively based on the picker's current location and the specific order being fulfilled. Instead of uniformly turning on all indicators, only the relevant indicator for the nearest to-be-picked item is activated, creating localized guidance that prevents interference between multiple pickers while maintaining visibility of needed items.
2Ease of operation
If picker manually triggers electronic label indicator when far away from to-be-picked goods, then picker has time to prepare, but picker may miss the to-be-picked goods due to excessive distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the picker's location via positioning electronic labels and automatically determines when to activate the next indicator based on distance thresholds. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual timing judgments by the picker, ensuring the indicator is activated at the optimal moment when the picker is at the correct distance from the to-be-picked goods.
3Measurement precision
If picker triggers electronic label indicator when excessively close to to-be-picked goods, then picker can see the item clearly, but system latency causes the indicator to not turn on in time
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and prepares to activate the electronic label indicator in advance based on the picker's approaching velocity and distance. By anticipating when the picker will reach the optimal viewing distance and pre-calculating the activation timing, the system compensates for its own latency, ensuring the indicator turns on precisely when needed rather than when the picker is already too close.
4Ease of operation
If picker manually determines trigger occasion for electronic label indicator, then picker has control over timing, but picking process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic location tracking, distance calculation, and indicator activation timing without requiring manual intervention from the picker. The positioning electronic labels and control system work together to autonomously determine the optimal trigger moment, eliminating the complexity of manual timing decisions while maintaining operational simplicity for the picker.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this specification provide a target object determination method and apparatus. The method is applied to an object scanning device, and includes: determining, in response to an object selection instruction, a current location according to a positioning electronic label; determining, according to the current location and object attribute information of initial objects, a target object electronic label of a target object whose distance to the current location falls within a preset distance range; and sending a guiding instruction to the target object electronic label, to cause the target object electronic label to guide, according to the guiding instruction and in a preset guiding manner, a user to select the target object. According to the method, based on a handheld terminal location, an electronic label indicator corresponding to a commodity in an order within a specific distance range may be triggered to be turned on, thereby avoiding a problem of mutual interference caused when electronic label indicators corresponding to all commodities in a plurality of orders are turned on simultaneously in a case that picking is performed for the plurality of orders, and improving the commodity picking efficiency.