Projection Indicator for Parcel Sorting Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing volume of parcel circulation and diversity of parcel types pose challenges for effective and precise sorting, as existing manual sorting methods are inefficient and prone to errors, particularly in high-speed environments.
Innovation Solution
A parcel sorting system comprising a label reader, distance image sensor, instruction projecting device, and projector that generates and projects directional arrows on parcels based on identification information, guiding workers to sort parcels efficiently and accurately by indicating the correct destination area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sorting methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but sorting efficiency and precision deteriorate under increasing parcel volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service sorting by projecting destination information directly onto parcels, allowing workers to automatically identify and sort parcels to correct destinations without manual checking of labels or documents, thus improving sorting efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting operations with an automated optical system that uses projectors to display destination information on parcels, substituting human visual search and decision-making with automated information projection, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing operational complexity
2Measurement precision
If manual sorting is used, then device complexity is low, but sorting precision deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The projector acts as an intermediary between the parcel identification system and the worker, translating parcel destination data into visually prominent projected images on the parcel surface, ensuring accurate information transmission and eliminating human error in reading and interpreting destination labels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded projected images to indicate different destination zones, with colors providing immediate visual differentiation of sorting destinations, thereby improving sorting precision through enhanced visual recognition while keeping the system relatively simple
3Productivity
If traditional sorting methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but throughput increases are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-projecting destination information onto parcels before they reach the sorting worker, allowing workers to immediately identify and sort parcels without pause for information retrieval, thus increasing throughput and reducing sorting time
Solution Approach 2:
The projector continuously projects destination information onto moving parcels throughout the sorting process, ensuring that useful information is always available to workers as parcels move through the system, maintaining continuous sorting action without interruptions or delays
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a projection indicator which specifies a position of a parcel based on an image including the parcel, the indicator including: a processor; and a memory, in which by cooperating with the memory, the processor determines whether or not each of pixels in the image is a pixel included in a processing target space in which the parcel is to be present based on coordinates of each of the pixels, regards only the pixel included in the processing target space as a processing point to be processed and registers the processing point in the memory, and obtains the image of the parcel based on the registered processing point to specify the position of the parcel.