Wearable AR Picking Guide Using Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional picking work support systems require numerous and expensive indicators for guiding workers in physical distribution and warehousing, leading to complex and costly setups.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an imaging unit to detect automatically-readable optical features on articles or storage locations, processing this information with an information processing unit, and displaying it on a display to guide workers efficiently, reducing the need for multiple indicators and enabling quick and accurate picking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional indicator systems are used to guide picking work, then workers can be guided to storage locations, but the system becomes large-scale and expensive with many indicators required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses augmented reality to create a virtual copy of the warehouse layout and storage locations, displaying picking information through a wearable display device. This virtual representation replaces the need for numerous physical indicators throughout the warehouse, allowing workers to see picking instructions overlaid on their field of view without requiring actual signs or labels at every storage location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical indicator system with an optical/information-based system. Instead of using physical signs, lights, or labels distributed throughout the warehouse, the system uses a camera to capture the warehouse environment and a wearable display to present picking information digitally, substituting physical infrastructure with electronic information processing and display.
2Reliability
If multiple indicators are installed throughout the warehouse to display picking information, then picking accuracy can be maintained, but the cost and setup complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal wearable display device that can serve multiple functions: displaying picking location information, showing item details, providing navigation guidance, and presenting quantity information. This single device replaces the need for multiple specialized indicators distributed throughout the warehouse, consolidating functionality into one portable unit that workers wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an information processing unit as an intermediary between the warehouse management system and the worker. This unit receives picking information, processes it by matching it with image data from the camera, and generates the augmented reality overlay. This intermediary layer simplifies the system architecture by centralizing information processing rather than requiring direct connections between multiple indicators and the control system.
3Productivity
If traditional picking support systems are used, then picking work can be performed, but the system requires numerous expensive indicators and becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information display function from the physical environment and relocates it to the worker's visual field through a wearable device. By taking out the picking information from fixed locations throughout the warehouse and presenting it through the worker's personal display, the system eliminates the need for indicators to be physically present at every storage location, thereby reducing the total quantity of indicators required.
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
The system allows for accurate and efficient article picking by guiding workers using optical features, reducing the complexity and cost of indicator setups, while enhancing picking reliability and work efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit that obtains image information having automatically-readable, optical feature information associated with an article or a storage location of an article
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to a device that supports work of picking or sorting an article from a warehouse and the like, which allows the picking work to be carried out accurately and quickly. The device includes: a camera that photographs an automatically-readable identifier that is attached to a storage location of an article; an information processing unit that detects the identifier from an image photographed by the camera and processes the image of the identifier; and a display that displays information such as image information and text information. The information processing unit processes, based on the detected identifier and picking work order information, image on a specific identifier, and the processed image is displayed on the display at a location related to the identifier.