Remedial Tag Layout for Restricted-Zone Vehicle Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing materials handling vehicle operating systems face issues with tag reading errors, potential tag failures, and missing tags in restricted navigation zones, which can lead to operational inefficiencies and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of remedial indicator tags in a sequenced layout, along with a tag reader and reader module, to identify and correct tag errors by initiating remediation operations, ensuring accurate vehicle navigation and operational functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tag layout is used for vehicle navigation in restricted zones, then navigation control is improved, but tag reading errors and potential tag failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation control reliabilityVSAvoidtag reading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation by comparing each read tag against the expected tag sequence before executing navigation commands. This advance checking prevents erroneous tag readings from causing navigation errors, thereby maintaining navigation reliability despite potential tag reading inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where tag readings are continuously monitored and compared against the expected sequence. When a mismatch is detected, the system generates an error signal that triggers remedial actions, such as requesting re-reading of the tag or switching to alternative navigation methods, thus maintaining navigation control reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If remediation operations are initiated for tag errors, then navigation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tag layout is segmented into multiple distinct tags positioned at different locations along the travel path. This segmentation allows the system to identify and remediate errors at specific locations without affecting the entire navigation system, thereby improving navigation accuracy while managing system complexity through localized error handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on tag reading results. When an error is detected, the system alters its behavior by initiating remediation sequences, such as re-reading tags, adjusting vehicle position, or changing navigation mode. This parameter adaptation improves navigation accuracy without requiring permanent system complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple sequenced tags are positioned along the travel path, then navigation control is improved, but the quantity of tags and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation controlVSAvoidnumber of tags
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each tag in the sequence is designed to serve multiple functions: identification, location marking, and error detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, allowing the system to achieve reliable navigation control with a manageable number of versatile tags rather than requiring separate tags for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4365699B1Materials handling vehicle operating system comprising remedial indicator tags
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 CROWN EQUIP CORP
  • EP4365699B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4365699B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4365699B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A materials handling vehicle operating system is provided comprising a tag layout where entry/exit tag sets are arranged along a travel path at respective entry/exit thresholds of a restricted navigation zone. The entry tag set comprises a restriction tag and an indicator tag. positioned between the restriction tag and the restricted navigation zone. The exit tag set comprises a release tag, and the restricted navigation zone is positioned between the indicator tag and the release tag. The tag reader and the reader module cooperate to compare identified tag data with stored tag data and execute restricted or unrestricted operational functionality in accordance with the identification of the respective restriction tag or release tag, and to initiate a remediation operation when an indicator tag is identified in place of a restriction tag.