Mote Sensor Network for Multi-Destination Picking Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional materials handling facilities face inefficiencies in picking items for multiple destinations, leading to increased complexity and error rates, as pickers are typically limited to picking for a single destination at a time, which reduces pick density and productivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system using motes with sensors and indicators on receptacles allows agents to pick items for multiple destinations simultaneously, with motes communicating via an ad-hoc network to ensure correct placement and reduce errors by activating indicators on the correct receptacles for each item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pickers are limited to picking for a single destination at a time, then error rates are reduced, but pick density and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback through sensors that detect item placement and indicators that provide immediate visual confirmation to pickers. The mote communicates placement status back to the picker via indicators, enabling continuous monitoring and correction of placement accuracy while maintaining multi-destination picking operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification and mechanical sorting processes with an automated electronic system using motes, sensors, and indicators. This substitution enables pickers to handle multiple destinations simultaneously while the electronic system ensures placement accuracy through automated detection and feedback mechanisms
2Productivity
If pickers are limited to picking for a single destination at a time, then placement accuracy is maintained, but overall efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the picking process into independent modular units with individual motes, sensors, and indicators for each receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to function independently while contributing to the overall multi-destination picking system, managing complexity through modularity
Solution Approach 2:
The mote serves multiple functions: it detects item placement via sensors, communicates status through indicators, and coordinates with the central system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while enabling advanced capabilities
3Productivity
If multi-destination picking is implemented without verification systems, then pick density increases, but error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects when an item is placed in a receptacle and sends this information to the mote, which then activates the appropriate indicator to provide real-time feedback to the picker. This closed-loop feedback system ensures placement precision is maintained even as pick density increases through multi-destination operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification through automated sensor detection and indicator feedback, eliminating the need for manual verification by pickers. The receptacle system itself verifies correct placement and communicates this information, enabling high-speed multi-destination picking without sacrificing precision
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle. The sensor may be coupled via a wired or wireless connection to a mote that may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, each mote may also include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent.