Warehouse Load Carrier Status Detection Using Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated management of load carriers and goods units in a warehouse is challenging due to the dynamic environment, making it difficult to accurately determine the loading status and control industrial trucks for efficient transport.
Innovation Solution
A data processing device with a communication interface and processor that receives sensor data from various sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, to determine the loading status of load carriers using machine learning models, enabling the management of load carriers and industrial trucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated management systems are used to determine loading status, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the warehouse into multiple zones with sensors strategically positioned to monitor specific areas. Each sensor captures data for particular load carriers or goods units, and the processor device segments the analysis by identifying individual load carriers and their contents separately. This segmentation allows automated management of multiple pallets without requiring a single complex sensor to analyze the entire warehouse.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor device performs multiple functions: it identifies load carriers, recognizes goods units, determines loading status, and manages inventory control. The same processing system handles diverse sensor inputs (images, radar, lidar) and generates comprehensive management information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems while maintaining high productivity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types are used to accurately determine loading status, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple sensor types (cameras, radar, lidar) into a unified analysis process. The processor device combines image data with radar and lidar information to comprehensively determine loading status. This merging approach achieves high measurement precision by cross-validating information from different sensor modalities while managing complexity through integrated processing rather than separate analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor device acts as an intermediary that receives raw data from multiple sensor types and transforms it into meaningful loading status information. It mediates between the diverse sensor inputs and the inventory management system, performing object recognition and data fusion. This intermediary role allows the system to handle multiple sensor types without requiring complex direct integration between all sensor components.
3Reliability
If real-time sensor data processing is implemented, then reliability of inventory management is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of load carriers and goods units rather than continuous analysis of all data streams. Sensors periodically capture images and data, and the processor device periodically updates loading status determinations. This periodic action maintains reliable inventory management by detecting changes at appropriate intervals while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of load carriers and goods units before detailed loading status analysis. The processor device first recognizes objects in sensor data, then focuses processing resources on determining loading status for identified items. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain reliability by ensuring accurate identification before detailed analysis, while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding processing of irrelevant data.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (110) for the automated management of a plurality of load carriers (140) and a plurality of goods units (160a,b), particularly in a warehouse, wherein one or more of the plurality of goods units (160a,b) are arranged on one or more of the plurality of load carriers (140). The device (110) comprises a communication interface (113) configured to receive a plurality of sensor data from a plurality of sensors (130a,b), wherein the plurality of sensor data contains information about at least one load carrier (160) of the plurality of load carriers (160) and/or information about the one or more goods units (160a,b) arranged on the load carrier (160). Furthermore, the device (110) comprises a processor (111) configured to determine a loading status of the load carrier (160) based on the plurality of sensor data.Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for the automated management of a plurality of load carriers (140) and a plurality of goods units (160a,b).