Warehouse Sign Navigation System for Operator Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warehousing/shipping-operation support systems become complex and costly as the size of the storage area increases, leading to increased installation costs and management complexities due to the need for multiple communication devices, which can result in communication malfunctions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A simplified system that uses a map-information saving unit, storage-location information saving unit, and positional information acquisition unit to select signs near article storage locations, allowing operators to efficiently navigate storage areas without complex wireless communication environments by using signs as navigation aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If communication devices are provided on each parts rack and parts box to calculate operator position, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual signs as simplified copies or representations of the communication devices. Instead of requiring actual communication devices on every rack and box, visual signs are placed at storage locations to indicate article positions, achieving the navigation function with much simpler, lower-cost elements that don't require complex wireless communication infrastructure.
2Area of stationary object
If the storage area size is increased, then storage capacity is improved, but the number of communication devices and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large storage area into multiple zones with signs placed at strategic locations within each zone. This segmentation allows the system to scale to larger areas without proportionally increasing the number of communication devices, as signs can be added independently to new zones without requiring integration with existing communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual signs serve multiple functions: they indicate storage locations, show article positions, and guide operator navigation. This multi-functionality allows a single simple element to replace what would otherwise require multiple specialized communication devices, enabling the system to scale to larger areas without linearly increasing device count.
3Area of stationary object
If more communication devices are deployed, then coverage area is improved, but installation cost and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive visual signs instead of costly communication devices. These signs are simple, low-cost elements that can be easily manufactured and deployed across large areas without significant installation investment, making the system economically viable for large-scale deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
A warehousing/shipping-operation support system selects, for a first article in a warehousing/shipping operation, by using acquired positional information of an operator, a sign closer to a position of the operator among signs in the vicinity of a storage location of the article, and the warehousing/shipping-operation support system selects, for a second and following articles, by using the storage-location information of the article whose warehousing/shipping has been completed as the positional information of the operator, a sign closer to the position of the operator among the signs in the vicinity of the storage location of the article.