Workspace Sensor Localization for Retrofitted Mobile Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logistics automation systems, such as AGVs, require a high number of sensors and complex on-board processors to determine position coordinates, leading to high costs and limitations in retrofitting non-automated vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method for mobile unit localization using active sensors, such as cameras or laser radars, with fiducial marks on mobile units and carried objects, allowing sensors placed in the workspace to calculate positions and orientations, reducing the need for on-board sensors and processors, and enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple AGVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-board sensors are used to identify AGV positions, then position monitoring is achieved, but the number of sensors and costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on each AGV to detect its own position, the patent inverts the approach by placing sensors in the workspace environment to detect AGV positions. The workspace sensors capture images of fiducial marks on AGVs, and the management unit calculates positions centrally, eliminating the need for expensive on-board sensors on each vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiducial marks as an intermediary element between the AGV and the workspace sensors. These marks serve as mediators that enable the workspace sensors to accurately detect and calculate AGV positions without requiring complex sensors on the AGVs themselves. The fiducial marks translate physical position into detectable visual information.
2Extent of automation
If on-board sensors and processors are used for position calculation, then autonomous operation is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex position calculation functionality from the individual AGVs and consolidates it in the central management unit. The AGVs themselves are simplified to only carry fiducial marks and basic navigation equipment, while the computationally intensive tasks of position calculation and path planning are performed centrally by the management unit that has access to data from all workspace sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the position monitoring and calculation functions from multiple individual AGV systems into a single centralized management unit. Instead of each AGV having its own independent sensor suite and processing capability, the system combines all detection and calculation functions into one central system that manages the entire fleet, reducing overall complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple AGVs use individual on-board sensors, then each AGV can be monitored, but the overall system cost increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the workspace sensors universal by designing them to monitor multiple AGVs simultaneously rather than dedicating separate sensors to each vehicle. A single workspace sensor can capture images of multiple fiducial marks on different AGVs, and the management unit processes all position data centrally, enabling one sensor to perform the function of multiple individual sensors at a fraction of the cost.
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
Significantly reduces sensor costs and complexity, allowing for efficient automation of existing vehicles and large-scale logistics operations with lower requirements for AGV on-board controllers, enabling cost-effective and efficient position monitoring and autonomous operation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensors are active sensors
Implementation Method 2
the sensors are cameras or laser radars
Implementation Method 3
the sensors are cameras or laser radars
Implementation Method 4
the fiducial marks are two-dimensional codes
Implementation Method 5
the management units identify the images, and calculate the positions and/or orientations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a mobile unit, an inventory management system, and a method for mobile unit localization. Sensors are immovably disposed in the workplace, actively identifying the positions of the mobile units. The individual sensor disposed in the workplace can monitor the positions of a plurality of mobile units simultaneously, and the number of sensors is only related to the size of workspace, which is independent of the number of mobile units. Since no complicated position calculations are needed for the mobile units, it reduces the requirements for on-board processors, which is more advantageous to monitor the preexisting non-automated vehicles or retrofit them into automated vehicles. With the method of the present invention, position calculations are not carried out on the bodies of AGVs, the requirements for the on-board controllers of AGVs are low, and it is easier to retrofit the non-intelligent mobile units, and thereby position monitoring and autonomous operation are implemented.