Load tracking utilizing load identifying indicia and spatial discrimination
US8561897B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30204
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for determining the location of one or more unit loads in a coordinate space in a facility, comprising an integrated system that identifies a load by reading indicia on the load, determines the position of the indicia in the coordinate space, and stores the indicia position and load identity in a Label Map. A mobile subsystem on each conveying vehicle identifies the location and orientation of that vehicle using a position/orientation sensor, determines the identity of the load, establishes a Target Cube to discriminate the desired load from nearby loads, confirms acquisition of the load, and communicates the information to a fixed-base subsystem. Load identity and the location and orientation of the vehicle when a load is deposited are used to create a Load Map that contains the identity, position and orientation of all identified loads in the coordinate space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.