Radio Beacon Product Guidance System for Energy-Efficient Order Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing order picking systems in supermarkets, which use flashing electronic shelf labels (ESLs) to guide order pickers, result in high energy consumption due to prolonged activation of multiple ESLs, affecting battery life in battery-operated devices and increasing power usage in power supply-operated ones.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing radio beacons emitted by products to guide order pickers, where the action is triggered only when the radio beacon receiver is within a predefined proximity, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and enhancing productivity by focusing guidance within a specific area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electronic shelf labels flash simultaneously to guide the order picker, then the guidance effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different ESLs have different operational states based on their spatial relationship to the order picker. Only ESLs within the action-triggering area of a specific product flash to guide the picker, while other ESLs remain inactive. This localized activation approach maintains effective guidance for the current task while minimizing overall energy consumption across the entire system.
2Ease of operation
If ESLs flash for long periods until products are collected, then the order picker can easily locate products, but the battery lifetime of battery-operated ESLs is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by activating ESLs only during specific periods when they are needed - namely, when the order picker enters the action-triggering area of a product. The ESLs flash intermittently during this period to guide the picker, then stop flashing when the picker leaves the area or the product is collected. This time-based activation pattern ensures product visibility is maintained during critical moments while preserving battery life during non-critical periods.
3Reliability
If a large number of ESLs are activated simultaneously, then comprehensive product guidance is provided, but the power supply load increases for power supply-operated ESLs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ESL system into multiple independent operational zones, each associated with a specific product and its action-triggering area. Instead of activating all ESLs simultaneously across the entire store, the system segments activation to only those ESLs whose associated products are currently within the picker's vicinity. This spatial segmentation maintains comprehensive guidance coverage for active products while significantly reducing the total power supply load by leaving other ESLs inactive.
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 approach reduces energy consumption and enhances picking productivity by ensuring that actions are only taken when the order picker is near the product, minimizing unnecessary energy usage and maintaining focus on product location.
Implementation Method 1
emitting a radio beacon from a radio beacon emitter, which is assigned to a product and is essentially located in the spatial proximity of this product or the intended place of the product
Data Source
AI summary
A method of guiding a person to products, wherein the method comprises the following steps, namely: emitting a radio beacon from a radio beacon emitter, which is assigned to a product and is essentially located in the spatial proximity of this product or the intended place of the product, receiving the emitted radio beacon by a radio beacon receiver which is locally movable with the person, triggering an action when the radio beacon receiver is moved into a predefined action-triggering area around the radio beacon emitter.