Work Site Inventory Tracking Using Vehicle Sensors and Aerial Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inventory tracking methods at work sites are inefficient, prone to human error, and pose safety concerns due to manual estimations in complex environments, leading to variations in quality and time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing on-board sensors in transporting vehicles to measure inventory volume and weight, combined with aerial vehicles for storage location scanning, to accurately track inventory in real-time, enabling flexible estimation based on weight or volume, and incorporating machine learning for predictive inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual estimation by operator is used to track inventory, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to human error and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical estimation with automated sensor-based measurement systems. On-board sensors in transporting vehicles automatically measure inventory volume and weight, while aerial vehicles use scanning systems to detect storage location inventory levels. This substitution eliminates human error and improves measurement precision while reducing operational complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system enables self-service inventory monitoring where transporting vehicles and aerial vehicles automatically perform measurements and transmissions without human intervention. The system uses the vehicles' own onboard sensors and communication capabilities to autonomously track inventory, eliminating the need for manual operators and improving both accuracy and safety.
2Device complexity
If manual inventory estimation is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time consumption worsen due to time-consuming estimations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual estimation with automated sensor-based measurement systems. On-board sensors in transporting vehicles automatically measure inventory volume and weight during transport, while aerial vehicles use scanning systems to rapidly detect storage location inventory levels. This automation dramatically increases productivity and reduces time consumption compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated measurement system enables continuous inventory tracking as vehicles move through storage locations and transport inventory. The on-board sensors and aerial scanning systems operate continuously during vehicle operations, providing real-time inventory data without interruption, thereby improving productivity and eliminating downtime associated with manual counting.
3Device complexity
If manual estimation is used in complex work site environments, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability worsens due to safety concerns and estimation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual estimation with automated sensor-based measurement systems that provide consistent and reliable inventory tracking. On-board sensors in transporting vehicles automatically measure inventory volume and weight with high precision, while aerial vehicles use scanning systems to detect storage location inventory levels. This automation eliminates the variations in quality and consistency associated with manual estimation, improving reliability while maintaining safety by removing operators from hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system enables self-service inventory monitoring where transporting vehicles and aerial vehicles automatically perform measurements and transmissions without human intervention. The system uses the vehicles' own onboard sensors and communication capabilities to autonomously track inventory, eliminating the need for manual operators and improving both accuracy and safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method performed by a monitoring unit (70) for tracking inventory at a work site (1). The inventory is stored in a plurality of storage locations (10, 11, 12). The method comprises receiving at least one first measurement result of the inventory from at least one transporting vehicle (30, 31, 32). The at least one first measurement result is indicative of at least part of the inventory (20, 21, 22) transported to, from, and/or between the plurality of storage locations (10, 11, 12) in the work site (1). The at least one first measurement result is measured by an on-board sensor of the at least one transporting vehicle (30, 31, 32). The at least one first measurement result comprises at least one volume measurement result, and/or at least one weight measurement result. The method further comprises estimating an amount of the inventory based on the received at least one first measurement result.