Synchronized Shelf Device Localization with Low-Power Sensor Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inventory management systems face challenges in maintaining battery life of ESLs and cameras due to high power consumption during localization processes, leading to unexpected replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving shelf devices and sensors that switch to a wake-up mode at a predetermined time for localization processes, minimizing battery consumption by concurrent waking and immediate return to sleep mode, using synchronized commands from a server to manage device and sensor operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the localization process is implemented for each ESL to initialize or update the planogram, then the position accuracy of shelf devices is improved, but the battery consumption increases
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 devices to remain in sleep mode between localization cycles, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization server sends commands in advance to ESLs and cameras to wake up at a specific predetermined time. This preliminary scheduling allows devices to prepare for the localization process efficiently, activating only when needed and returning to sleep mode immediately after, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If ESLs and cameras are activated continuously for localization processes, then the localization accuracy is improved, but the service life of batteries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system uses periodic activation where ESLs and cameras are awakened only at scheduled localization intervals. The synchronization server manages wake-up events to ensure both devices are active simultaneously for the brief localization window, then returns them to sleep mode, preserving battery service life while maintaining localization accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system schedules and sends wake-up commands in advance to both ESLs and cameras before the localization process begins. This preliminary action ensures devices are activated at the optimal moment for localization while minimizing their active duration, thereby extending battery service life without compromising localization precision.
3Loss of time
If the localization process is performed frequently to maintain real-time planogram accuracy, then the data freshness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements scheduled periodic localization processes coordinated by the synchronization server. ESLs and cameras are activated at predetermined intervals to perform localization, ensuring data remains sufficiently fresh for inventory management while minimizing the frequency of activation to reduce power consumption. The periodic cycle balances data freshness requirements with energy conservation.
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 reducing waking time, thereby reducing replacement costs and maintaining system efficiency.
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
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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.