Warehouse Object Identification Through Transparent Obstacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying objects in a warehouse environment using industrial trucks often fail when objects are concealed by partially transparent obstacles, such as film wrappings or strip curtains, leading to incorrect identification of obstacles or failure to detect objects behind these obstructions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves emitting identification signals and evaluating signal echoes based on their solid angle and receiving time, prioritizing the last signal echo for object identification, allowing the industrial truck to distinguish between objects and transparent obstacles, and enabling reliable identification even when pallet pockets are covered by transparent film or when driving through strip curtains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If template matching is used for object identification, then the method is simple and fast, but identification fails when objects are concealed by partially transparent obstacles such as film wrappings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal echo evaluation process by time, dividing it into multiple evaluation moments. The first evaluation moment processes initial signal echoes, while the second evaluation moment processes subsequent signal echoes. This temporal segmentation allows the system to handle partially transparent obstacles by evaluating echoes at different times, improving identification reliability without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary evaluation of signal echoes at a first evaluation moment before final identification. This preliminary action allows the system to detect and filter out echoes from partially transparent obstacles, then perform a second evaluation at a later moment to identify the actual object. This preliminary filtering action improves reliability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If all signal echoes are evaluated for object identification, then comprehensive data is collected, but transparent obstacles are incorrectly identified as objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic evaluation of signal echoes at distinct evaluation moments. The first evaluation moment processes initial echoes, and the second evaluation moment processes subsequent echoes. This periodic, multi-stage evaluation allows the system to distinguish between echoes from transparent obstacles and echoes from actual objects, improving both measurement precision and identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the first signal echo evaluation to inform the second evaluation moment. By comparing results from the first evaluation with subsequent echoes, the system can identify and correct misidentifications of transparent obstacles. This feedback mechanism ensures that comprehensive data collection does not lead to false identifications, maintaining both precision and reliability.
3Speed
If the first signal echo is used for identification, then the identification is fast, but transparent obstacles are mistaken for objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs signal echo evaluation at multiple periodic moments rather than relying on a single echo. The first evaluation moment provides rapid initial identification, while the second evaluation moment confirms or corrects the identification by evaluating subsequent echoes. This periodic multi-stage approach maintains speed while improving reliability by filtering out false positives from transparent obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the first signal echo evaluation as a preliminary, fast screening step, then performs a second evaluation as a confirmation step. This preliminary-action approach maintains identification speed by quickly processing initial echoes, while the subsequent evaluation ensures reliability by verifying the identification and eliminating false positives from transparent obstacles.
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
This approach enhances the reliability of object identification by ignoring earlier signal echoes from transparent obstacles, ensuring accurate detection of pallets and free spaces, and allowing the truck to automatically pick up pallets and navigate through transparent barriers without interference.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an identification signal by means of a transmitting apparatus of the industrial truck. The identification signal reflected by objects in the environment is detected as a signal echo by means of a receiving apparatus of the industrial truck.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying objects in a warehouse comprises emitting an identification signal into an environment using a transmitting apparatus. Reflected identification signals by objects in the environment are detected as a signal echo using a receiving apparatus. A solid angle and a receiving time are assigned to each of the signal echoes. It is then determined whether a same solid angle has been assigned to a plurality of signal echoes, and if so, then for those plurality of signal echoes, the signal echo which arrived last in the receiving apparatus according to a receiving time is evaluated. The object is then identified based on the evaluated signal echoes.