Image-Based Store Mapping for Faster Order Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing order-filling systems in retail environments face challenges in efficiently locating and picking items from large retail spaces, particularly when customer orders need to be fulfilled both in-store and remotely, due to varying store layouts and product distributions.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing mobile scanning devices with image-based mapping capabilities, connected to a central computing system, that wirelessly receives customer orders and generates or updates maps indicating item locations, allowing for efficient item arrangement and inventory management, including image-based item adjacency maps and location indicators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional manual item location methods are used in large retail spaces, then employees can locate items, but the time required to pick items increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem picking speedVSAvoidtime to locate and pick items

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-mapping the retail store layout and item locations using images captured by mobile scanning devices. The central computing system processes these images to create a digital map with item locations stored in a database before picking operations begin, allowing employees to quickly locate items without manual searching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical searching methods with an automated digital system. Mobile scanning devices capture images, the central computing system processes these images to identify item locations, and the system transmits location data to handheld devices, substituting physical manual location methods with automated optical and computational systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If detailed manual inventory tracking is implemented, then inventory accuracy improves, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service functionality where mobile scanning devices automatically capture images of items and their locations, and the central computing system automatically processes these images to update inventory databases. The system serves itself by autonomously performing inventory tracking without requiring complex manual intervention or additional specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile scanning devices serve multiple functions: they capture images for inventory tracking, map store layouts, locate items, and transmit data to the central system. The central computing system performs multiple tasks including image processing, database management, and location calculation. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high inventory accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If image-based mapping is implemented to track item locations, then picking efficiency improves, but the use of computational resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder fulfillment efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the large retail store into smaller manageable zones or sections. The mobile scanning device captures images of specific areas, and the central computing system processes images to create zone-based location data. This segmentation allows the system to handle computational tasks in smaller increments rather than processing the entire store at once, reducing peak energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary image processing and location mapping during off-peak hours or when computational demand is low. The central computing system pre-processes images captured by mobile scanning devices to create location databases before picking operations begin, reducing the computational energy required during active order fulfillment when time is critical

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250384391A1Image-based mapping and order filling

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 FRANCIS THOMAS

AI summary

A system includes a plurality of stocked items arranged throughout a store for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders, a computing system configured to wirelessly transmit the electronic customer orders, and a mobile scanning device including a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order from the computing system. The electronic customer order includes a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked. The mobile scanning device is configured to store an image-based map that indicates locations of the stocked items in the store and arrange at least one of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on the image-based map.