Pallet Facility Matching Using Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet tracking systems in supply chains face challenges in accurately locating pallets within facilities due to unreliable GPS in harsh indoor environments, leading to incomplete latitude and longitude data that cannot be mapped to specific facility addresses, hindering actionable metrics on asset movement.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses location data from devices on pallets, including geographic, pressure, light, temperature, and humidity data, to intelligently match and prioritize information with business context heuristics, aiding machine learning algorithms for facility mapping and localization, even in GPS-unreliable conditions, by comparing data to facility attributes stored in a database to determine the correct facility location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for tracking pallets in indoor facilities, then location data can be obtained, but GPS reliability deteriorates in harsh indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary systems (WiFi positioning, Bluetooth beacons, RFID tags, cellular towers) as mediators to bridge the gap when GPS fails in indoor environments. These intermediaries provide alternative location determination methods that work specifically in indoor facility contexts where satellite-based GPS is unreliable or unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes positioning parameters by switching between different location determination technologies based on environmental conditions. When GPS signal strength falls below a threshold in indoor environments, the system transitions to alternative positioning parameters such as WiFi access point triangulation, Bluetooth beacon proximity, or cellular tower positioning to maintain location tracking accuracy.
2Loss of information
If latitude and longitude data is collected, then location information is available, but the data cannot be mapped to specific facility addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to location data by incorporating facility-specific identifiers and contextual attributes beyond simple latitude and longitude. The system enriches location information with facility address mappings, building floor levels, department identifiers, and contextual metadata that enable precise mapping from generic coordinates to specific facility addresses and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing mapping relationships between GPS coordinates and facility addresses during facility setup and registration phases. Location mapping tables and geofence definitions are created in advance, enabling rapid resolution of facility identities when location data is collected without requiring real-time complex calculations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a unified location determination system that can operate with multiple sensor types (GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, cellular) but only activates the necessary subset based on environmental context. The same hardware infrastructure serves multiple purposes: GPS for outdoor tracking, WiFi for indoor facility-level positioning, Bluetooth for room-level precision, and RFID for asset-specific location verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary sensors and positioning methods required for the current operational context rather than continuously using all available technologies. The system determines the minimum sufficient set of location determination techniques needed based on whether the pallet is indoors or outdoors, in which facility, and what precision level is required, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods, including computer-implemented methods, devices, and computer-program products applying systems and methods for facility matching and localization. According to some embodiments of the invention, the location of a pallet at a facility within a supply chain may be determined from location data received from a beacon on the pallet. In some embodiments, the position of the pallet within the facility may also be determined. Thus, the status of pallets may be monitored as they move through the supply chain.