3D Projection Mapping Visual Guidance for Order Fulfillment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inefficient and time-consuming processes for locating and picking inventory items in large storage facilities, where similar items are stored together, leading to increased difficulty in identifying specific items and quantities, especially in e-commerce environments with high order volumes.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional projection mapping-based visual guidance system that uses light projection devices to display item identifiers and quantities directly on storage bins, enabling associates to accurately locate and pick items, with the system updating guidance in real-time based on retrieved items and order information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual inventory picking methods are used, then employees can locate and pick items, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient especially when similar items are stored together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light projection devices as an intermediary between the inventory system and the picker. These devices project visual cues (lights, arrows, highlights) directly onto storage bins and items, serving as a mediator that guides the picker's attention to the correct location and item, eliminating the need to manually search through similar items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different colors of light projections to indicate various states and instructions: green lights indicate items to be picked, red lights indicate items already picked or out of stock, yellow lights indicate items needing attention. This color-coding system enables rapid visual processing and decision-making by the picker.
2Reliability
If similar items are stored together to facilitate inventory management, then inventory tracking is improved, but identifying the specific item to pick becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing unique visual identification for each specific item or storage bin location. Even though similar items are stored together, each bin or item position receives a distinct light projection or visual marker that differentiates it from adjacent similar items, enabling the picker to identify the exact item required.
Solution Approach 2:
The light projection system acts as an intermediary that overlays digital information onto the physical storage bins. This intermediary layer provides real-time visual guidance that distinguishes between similar items stored together, showing the picker which specific bin or item to select without requiring manual inspection of each item.
3Speed
If visual guidance is displayed on storage bins, then item identification speed increases, but the system complexity increases due to additional projection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The light projection devices serve multiple functions: they indicate item locations, display quantity information, show picking priorities, and provide real-time feedback on picking status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving multiple goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual information display methods (such as physical labels, signs, or handheld devices) with optical projection technology. This substitution eliminates the need for physical display components on each bin and reduces the mechanical complexity while enabling dynamic, real-time visual guidance.
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
Significantly enhances the speed and accuracy of order fulfillment, increasing efficiency by over 1300% compared to traditional methods, allowing staff to process many more orders with the same resources.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light projection devices, wherein the one or more light projection devices are three-dimensional light-based projectors
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional projection mapping data display system, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for ubiquitous online order fulfillment, comprising a plurality of material storage bins, each configured to store a particular material, one or more light projection devices, and processing circuitry configured to receive first order information, communicate with the one or more light projection devices to display visual guidance onto a surface of one of the plurality of material storage bins based on the received first order information, the displayed visual guidance indicating a material to be retrieved, receive data corresponding to the material to be retrieved, and update the communication with the one or more light projection devices to display updated visual guidance onto the surface of the one of the plurality of material storage bins based on the received data.