Mobile Data Capture Device Location Accuracy Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locationing systems in indoor venues, such as retail stores and warehouses, face inaccuracies due to multi-path reflections, signal interference, and ambient conditions, leading to erroneous item location data and inaccurate inventory records.
Innovation Solution
A mobile data capture device with a real-time locationing system that modifies its reading state based on performance thresholds, alerting operators to take corrective action or preventing data capture when locationing system performance falls below a reference threshold, ensuring accurate device and item positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If locationing systems use RF, optical, or acoustic signals to determine device position, then location data can be collected, but multi-path reflections and signal interference cause erroneous location reports
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors locationing performance through confidence levels returned by the locationing system and uses this feedback to determine whether to capture item data. When the confidence level falls below a threshold, the system prevents data capture, thereby avoiding erroneous location records while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Before capturing item data, the system performs a preliminary check of locationing performance by obtaining the current confidence level from the locationing system. This preliminary action filters out potentially erroneous location data before it affects inventory records, ensuring only reliable location information is used.
2Productivity
If the mobile device operates continuously to maintain location tracking, then location data is always available, but erroneous locations during poor signal conditions corrupt inventory records
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the locationing system's confidence levels to dynamically control data capture operations. When signal conditions are poor and confidence levels are low, the system pauses data capture, preventing corruption of inventory records while maintaining high productivity during good signal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time locationing performance. The reading state is modified based on confidence level thresholds, allowing the system to adapt between continuous operation mode and restricted operation mode, optimizing both productivity and reliability.
3Productivity
If workers rush to fulfill orders quickly, then productivity increases, but the risk of picking wrong items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to workers through the mobile device, displaying their current location and the location of items that need to be picked. This feedback mechanism helps workers verify they are in the correct position, reducing picking errors while maintaining fast order fulfillment speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary location verification before allowing data capture during order fulfillment. By checking that the worker is in the correct location zone before enabling item scanning, the system prevents wrong item selection while maintaining efficient workflow.
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
Enhances data collection accuracy by preventing erroneous location data from being recorded, resulting in more reliable inventory records and improved operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
RF identification (RFID) reading technology... A known RFID system includes a handheld RFID reader or mobile data capture device for interrogating at least one RFID tag... The RFID reader receives an RF signal from the tag(s)
Implementation Method 2
The locationing system may employ RF signals, or optical (usually infrared) signals... An optical system may also be subject to interference from ambient bright light
Implementation Method 3
acoustic (usually ultrasound) signals to locate the mobile device... Each ultrasonic emitter transmits ultrasonic energy, preferably in a short burst, which is received by an ultrasonic transducer
Implementation Method 4
Each RFID tag is usually attached to, or associated with, an individual item... The RFID reader receives an RF signal from the tag(s) and decodes the signal into data
Implementation Method 5
a handheld reader or mobile data capture device, for example, either a moving laser beam-based reader or a solid-state imager-based reader, for electro-optically reading a bar code symbol... The bar code reader decodes return light from the symbol
Data Source
AI summary
Accuracy of data collection for items located in a venue is enhanced by moving a mobile data capture device in the venue toward the items, by capturing information data from each item in a reading state of operation of the mobile device, by determining device position data of the mobile device in the venue at a variable level of locationing system performance, by determining item position data of each item in the venue based on the determined device position data of the mobile device, and by modifying the reading state of operation of the mobile device when the variable level is below a reference threshold level of locationing system performance.