Portable Scanner Detecting Missing Labels via Accelerometer Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large facilities, accurately tracking the positions of labels is difficult and prone to errors due to potential misplacement or omission, which can disrupt inventory management and product placement strategies.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a portable scanning device with accelerometers and a computing system that maps the expected locations of machine-readable labels using acceleration data, allowing for real-time detection of missing or misplaced labels by comparing actual and expected distances, and transmitting alerts when discrepancies exceed a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual tracking of label positions is used in large facilities, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of label position tracking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidlabel position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking with an automated system using portable scanning devices equipped with accelerometers. The accelerometers capture motion data to calculate distances and determine label positions automatically, eliminating the need for manual measurement and tracking while significantly improving position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces portable scanning devices as intermediaries between the labels and the tracking system. These devices contain accelerometers that serve as mediators to capture motion data, calculate distances, and determine positions, thereby enabling automated tracking without direct human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If automated scanning with accelerometers is implemented, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel position accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable scanning device is designed to perform multiple functions: scanning machine-readable labels, capturing accelerometer data, calculating distances, and determining positions. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable scanning device autonomously performs measurements and calculations without requiring external equipment or complex infrastructure. The accelerometer data is processed locally to determine distances and positions, enabling the device to serve itself and reducing the need for additional system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If real-time detection of missing labels is implemented, then reliability of inventory management is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures accelerometer data and processes it in real-time as the portable scanning device moves through the facility. This continuous processing enables immediate detection of missing or misplaced labels without batch processing delays, maintaining high reliability while minimizing time loss through ongoing analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback by comparing actual label positions (determined from accelerometer data) with expected positions (from the database). When discrepancies are detected, the system generates alerts in real-time, enabling prompt corrective action and maintaining high inventory management reliability without significant time delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables accurate tracking and alerting of misplaced labels, improving inventory management and ensuring correct product placement, thereby reducing errors and enhancing operational efficiency in facilities.

Implementation Method 1

The portable scanning device can be configured to scan machine-readable elements included on labels distributed in an environment and transmit information about the scanned machine-readable elements and information about the acceleration of the portable scanning device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10346798B2Systems and methods for detecting missing labels

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

Described in detail herein are methods and systems for detecting missing or miss positioned labels. The system can include a portable scanning device to scan machine-readable elements included on labels at a first and second location. The portable scanning device can detect the acceleration and the cumulative change between the first and second location. The portable scanning device or a computing system can determine the distance between the first and second location based on the acceleration data. The computing system can place a data point on a map of an estimated location of the location of the first scan and the location of the second scan.