Storage Occupancy Monitoring with Hierarchical Zone Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current warehouse management systems face inefficiencies due to sub-optimal stocking patterns and data quality issues, leading to longer order picking times and wasted labor, which are not effectively addressed by existing sensor systems.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system that monitors storage spaces by registering occupancy in zones with hierarchical orders (A, B, C) and generates an alarm when the occupancy of a higher-order zone falls below that of a lower-order zone, facilitating automated detection of abnormal states and suggesting item transfers between zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate monitoring devices are used to detect different parameters (temperature, humidity, light, etc.), then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent monitoring functions (temperature, humidity, light, motion detection) into a single integrated sensor system. The control unit consolidates data from multiple sensors, and a single communication interface transmits all parameters together, reducing the number of separate devices while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed as a multi-functional monitoring device that can simultaneously detect various environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, light intensity) and motion events. The system adapts to different storage space requirements by monitoring multiple parameters through a unified platform, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices
2Loss of information
If continuous monitoring of multiple parameters is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sampling of environmental parameters rather than truly continuous monitoring. The control unit collects data at defined intervals and transmits information periodically when changes exceed thresholds, ensuring complete information is captured while reducing unnecessary energy consumption from constant transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses threshold-based feedback mechanisms where the control unit compares current sensor readings against predefined limits. Transmission is triggered only when parameter changes exceed these thresholds, ensuring information completeness is maintained while energy is conserved by avoiding unnecessary communications during stable conditions
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for data transmission, then ease of operation and installation are improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless transmission is performed periodically based on parameter changes rather than continuously. The system transmits data only when environmental conditions change beyond predefined thresholds, maintaining ease of wireless installation while minimizing energy consumption through selective transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when transmission is necessary based on its own sensor readings and threshold comparisons. The control unit self-manages the transmission schedule without external intervention, balancing the ease of wireless operation with energy conservation by transmitting only when information becomes relevant
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor system (100) for monitoring a storage space comprising a plurality of items, comprising sensor(s) (110) configured to register occupancy of objects (120) in a plurality of zones (130) of the storage space, wherein each zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, a processor (140) configured to determine a level of occupancy of the objects in at least two zones, compare a first level of occupancy of the objects of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the objects of the second zone, and an alarm (150) configured to generate an alarm signal if the first level of occupancy of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B.