Automated Warehouse Dual-Image Capture for Transfer Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated warehouses, confirming transfer operations from multiple directions is challenging due to the limitations of existing image capture systems, which can lead to inefficiencies and production disruptions when abnormalities occur.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-image capture system comprising a moving-side image capturer and a fixed-side image capturer, supported by an elevation platform with illuminators, allows for simultaneous image capture from different angles, enabling comprehensive monitoring of transfer operations and efficient data recording for chronological analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single image capturer is used on the transporter, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to confirm transfer operations from multiple directions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture system is segmented into two distinct components: a moving-side image capturer attached to the transporter and a fixed-side image capturer positioned at a predetermined location. Each capturer serves a specific viewing angle, with the moving-side capturer providing close-up views of the transfer operation and the fixed-side capturer providing an overview from a different direction. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling multi-directional confirmation without requiring a single complex omnidirectional device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple image capturers (moving-side and fixed-side) into a coordinated system where both capturers work together to provide comprehensive coverage of the transfer operation. The images from both capturers are displayed simultaneously or sequentially, allowing operators to confirm transfer operations from multiple directions using a unified monitoring interface, thus achieving multi-angle observation without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple image capturers are deployed to capture from different directions, then the measurement precision of transfer operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each image capturer is positioned to capture specific local aspects of the transfer operation with high precision. The moving-side image capturer focuses on the immediate transfer area with detailed views, while the fixed-side image capturer captures the broader context. This local quality approach ensures that each capturer optimizes its capture for its specific viewing angle and distance, improving overall verification precision without requiring each individual device to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that receives images from both the moving-side and fixed-side image capturers, processes them, and presents them in a coordinated manner. This intermediary function manages the complexity of handling multiple image sources by automatically synchronizing, displaying, and potentially comparing the images, thereby improving measurement precision through multi-angle verification while keeping the operational interface simple.
3Reliability
If image capturing is performed from a single direction, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reliability of transfer operation confirmation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-direction (one-dimensional) image capturing to multi-directional (three-dimensional) observation by deploying image capturers at different spatial locations and angles. The moving-side capturer provides views from the transporter's perspective, while the fixed-side capturer provides orthogonal or angled views from a stationary position. This dimensional expansion of the observation space significantly improves the reliability of transfer operation confirmation by enabling verification from multiple perspectives simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed-side image capturer is pre-positioned at a predetermined location to capture images from a complementary angle before, during, or after the transfer operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that alternative verification perspectives are already in place and ready to capture critical moments of the transfer operation, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time repositioning or additional processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated warehouse includes a plurality of transfer destinations at which articles can be placed; and a transporter that moves between the plurality of transfer destinations and that transfers the article to the transfer destination, the automated warehouse including: moving-side image capturer provided on the transporter and image-captures the transfer destination and a part or all of an operation of transferring the article to the transfer destination performed by the transporter; and a fixed-side image capturer provided at a predetermined position in the automated warehouse, and image-captures, from a direction different from that of the moving-side image capturer, the transporter and a part or all of the operation of transferring the article to the transfer destination performed by the transporter.