Synchronized Shelf Localization for Low-Battery Inventory Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inventory management systems face challenges in maintaining the service life of ESLs and cameras powered by embedded batteries due to high power consumption during localization processes, leading to unexpected replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving controlling shelf devices and sensors to switch from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode at a predetermined time for localization processes, minimizing battery consumption by synchronizing their wake-up times to perform localization concurrently and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ESLs and cameras are continuously powered to perform localization processes, then localization accuracy and real-time monitoring are improved, but battery consumption increases leading to reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic localization processes where ESLs and cameras are activated only at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The synchronization server coordinates wake-up events to occur at predetermined times, allowing the system to maintain measurement capability while dramatically reducing overall power consumption during non-active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization server sends commands in advance to both ESLs and cameras to wake up at predetermined times before the actual localization process begins. This preliminary activation ensures that all components are ready to perform localization simultaneously, maintaining accuracy while minimizing the duration of high-power states.
2Loss of energy
If ESLs and cameras are activated simultaneously at predetermined times, then power consumption is reduced through synchronized operation, but coordination complexity between devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronization server acts as an intermediary between ESLs and cameras, centralizing the coordination logic. The server sends synchronized wake-up commands to all devices, managing the complexity of timing coordination in a centralized manner rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization protocols between multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where ESLs and cameras send status information and acknowledgments to the synchronization server. This feedback loop allows the server to adjust timing and coordination as needed, ensuring synchronized operation while managing system complexity through centralized control and monitoring.
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
Minimizes battery consumption and extends the service life of shelf devices and sensors by optimizing their power usage, reducing the need for frequent replacements and associated costs.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a camera arranged to capture images of the fixture during the localization process, the localization signal emitted by each of the shelf devices during the localization process is an optical signal and localizing each of said shelf devices comprises determining a position of each of said shelf devices within the captured images
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inventory management method which comprises the steps of: controlling shelf devices (AID) arranged on shelves of a fixture to cause the shelf devices to implement a localization process: controlling a sensor (CAM) to acquire sensor signals during the localization process: and localizing each of said shelf devices based on the acquired sensor signals. Controlling the shelf devices comprises sending a device command (D-Cd) to each of said shelf devices (AID), wherein the device command includes a localization process execution time and causes each of said shelf devices to have been switched from a sleep mode (SLPd) to a wake-up mode (WU-BLK) at the localization process execution time and to emit a localization signal before switching back to the sleep mode. Controlling said sensor comprises sending a sensor command (C-Cd) to the sensor (CAM), wherein the sensor command includes the localization process execution time and causes the sensor to have been switched from a sleep mode (SLPc) to a wake-up mode (WU-CAP) at the localization process execution time and to capture the localization signal emitted by each of said shelf devices before switching back to the sleep mode.