Modular Hanger with RFID Transceiver for Automated Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inventory management systems are inefficient as they require manual location of products in storage areas, leading to difficulties in accurately identifying and retrieving ordered goods, especially when multiple orders are placed simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of modular hangers with a hook unit and a storage unit, equipped with a microprocessor, indicator light, and transceiver, which emit a unique hanger address as a radio frequency signal, allowing for automated tracking and retrieval of ordered goods through a computer database system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual location of products is used in storage areas, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage area into multiple storage locations, each equipped with independent identification devices (RFID tags, barcodes) and indicators (lights, displays). This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple orders simultaneously, improving productivity without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system performs self-identification through automated RFID readers, barcode scanners, and indicator lights that automatically locate and identify products and storage locations without human intervention. This self-service capability eliminates manual location tasks while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If manual sorting through items is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where indicator lights (visual) and display screens provide real-time confirmation of product locations and identification. This feedback loop ensures 100% accuracy in product identification by allowing workers to verify locations before retrieval, eliminating errors associated with manual sorting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting and visual searching with automated electronic identification systems including RFID readers, barcode scanners, and electronic indicators. This substitution dramatically improves measurement precision while the modular architecture keeps overall system complexity manageable.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple orders are stored in the same storage area, then loss of space is reduced, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each storage location within the shared storage area is equipped with unique identification features (RFID tags, barcodes) and local indicators (lights, display screens) that provide specific information about the order stored at that location. This local quality differentiation allows easy detection and measurement of order locations even when multiple orders are densely packed together.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded indicator lights (e.g., red, yellow, green) to differentiate between various orders and their statuses within the storage area. These visual color changes provide immediate identification of specific order locations, making it easy to detect and measure the position of individual orders even in densely utilized storage spaces.
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
This system enhances efficiency by enabling easy location and retrieval of ordered goods, reduces errors in inventory management, and allows for real-time tracking and confirmation of order status, improving the overall inventory management process.
Implementation Method 1
The modular hanger can also include a microprocessor, an indicator light and a transceiver. The storage unit can include an electronic memory storing a unique hanger address and a bar code or other identification mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for locating goods stored in modular hanging units in a storage area. Ordered goods are placed in storage units at a central filling center. The filled storage units are shipped to local storage areas where they are coupled to hook units to form modular hanging units that are then stored on rails in a storage structure. The identifications of the goods and the hanger addresses for the modular hanging units are stored on a local computer database. When a user wants to pick up stored goods, the user inputs the identification or order information for the goods and the computer will search the inventory to locate the goods in a specific stored modular hanger. The modular hanger will be illuminated to facilitate locating the goods.