U.S. patent application number 15/248518 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for methods, systems and apparatus for detecting object location and generating alerts.
The applicant listed for this patent is SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Nicholas J. Ford, Edward W. Geiger, Vinh-Phuong T. Le, David Tan Nguyen, Sudhakar Reddy, Sunalini Sankhavaram, Guy Solimine, Mahender R. Vangati, Yu Wan, Christopher S. Wuest.
Application Number | 20180060625 15/248518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59381704 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180060625 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sankhavaram; Sunalini ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING OBJECT LOCATION AND
GENERATING ALERTS
Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatus for detecting object location and
generating alerts are disclosed herein. An example disclosed method
includes determining an assigned area for an object being handled
by a loader; detecting a first location of the loader; determining
whether the first location corresponds to the assigned area for the
object; and in response to the first location not corresponding to
the assigned area for the object, generating a first output
indicative of a difference between the first location and the
assigned area for the object.
Inventors: |
Sankhavaram; Sunalini;
(Saratoga, CA) ; Wuest; Christopher S.; (Milton,
GA) ; Solimine; Guy; (Morris Plains, NJ) ;
Ford; Nicholas J.; (Parsippany, NJ) ; Le; Vinh-Phuong
T.; (Fremont, CA) ; Geiger; Edward W.; (San
Martin, CA) ; Wan; Yu; (Sunnyvale, CA) ;
Vangati; Mahender R.; (San Jose, CA) ; Nguyen; David
Tan; (Morgan Hill, CA) ; Reddy; Sudhakar;
(Bridgewater, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Lincolnshire |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59381704 |
Appl. No.: |
15/248518 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
H04W 40/244 20130101; G06K 7/10544 20130101; G06K 7/10009 20130101;
G06K 17/0022 20130101; G06F 16/2455 20190101; G06Q 10/087 20130101;
H04W 4/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; H04W 40/24 20060101 H04W040/24; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; G06Q 10/08 20060101
G06Q010/08; G06K 17/00 20060101 G06K017/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: determining, by a logic circuit, an
assigned area for an object being handled by a loader; detecting,
by the logic circuit, a location of the loader; determining, by the
logic circuit, whether the location corresponds to the assigned
area for the object; and in response to the location not
corresponding to the assigned area for the object, generating, by
the logic circuit, a first output indicative of a difference
between the location and the assigned area for the object.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising, in response
to the location corresponding to the assigned area for the object,
generating a second output indicative of a correspondence between
the location and the assigned area for the object.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the determining of the
assigned area for the object includes: obtaining identifying
information associated with the object; and obtaining the assigned
area for the object based on the identifying information.
4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein: the obtaining of the
identifying information associated with the object includes
capturing a code carried by the object; and the obtaining the
assigned area for the object based on the identifying information
includes querying an information source using the code.
5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the detecting the
location of the loader includes receiving, by an antenna in
communication with the logic circuit, a beacon from a wireless
transmitter positioned proximate the location, the beacon including
identifying information associated with the location.
6. A method as defined in claim 5, further comprising: identifying
a value of a parameter of the wireless transmitter; and changing,
by the logic circuit, the value of the parameter, wherein the
parameter is a broadcast strength or location identifying data.
7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the assigned area is an
interior space of a container.
8. An apparatus comprising: an assigned area identifier to
determine an assigned area for an object being handled by a carrier
of the apparatus; a location identifier to detect a location of the
carrier of the apparatus; a comparator to determine whether the
assigned area corresponds to the location; and an output generator
to, in response to the assigned area not corresponding to the
location, generate an output indicative of a difference between the
assigned area and the location, at least one of the assigned area
identifier, the location identifier, the comparator or the output
generator being implemented by a logic circuit.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, the output generator to, in
response to the location corresponding to the assigned area for the
object, generate a second output indicative of a correspondence
between the location and the assigned area for the object.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the assigned area
identifier is to determine the assigned area for the object by:
obtaining identifying information associated with the object; and
obtaining the assigned area for the object based on the identifying
information.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: the obtaining of
the identifying information associated with the object includes
capturing a code carried by the object; and the obtaining the
assigned area for the object based on the identifying information
includes querying an information source using the code.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the location
identifier is to detect the location of the loader by receiving a
beacon from a wireless transmitter positioned near the location,
the beacon including identifying information associated with the
location.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising an
updater to: identify a value of a parameter of the wireless
transmitter; and change the value of the parameter, wherein the
parameter is a broadcast strength or location identifying data.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the assigned area
is an interior space of a container.
15. A tangible machine-readable medium comprising machine readable
instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:
determine an assigned area for an object being handled by a loader;
detect presence of the loader in a first area based on a location
of the machine; determine whether the first area corresponds to the
assigned area for the object; and in response to the first area not
corresponding to the assigned area for the object, generate a first
output indicative of a difference between the first area and the
assigned area for the object.
16. A tangible machine-readable medium as defined in claim 15,
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to, in
response to the first area corresponding to the assigned area for
the object, generate a second output indicative of a correspondence
between the first area and the assigned area for the object.
17. A tangible machine-readable medium as defined in claim 15,
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to
determine the assigned area for the object by: obtaining
identifying information associated with the object; and obtaining
the assigned area for the object based on the identifying
information.
18. A tangible machine-readable medium as defined in claim 17,
wherein: the obtaining of the identifying information associated
with the object includes capturing a code carried by the object;
and the obtaining the assigned area for the object based on the
identifying information includes querying an information source
using the code.
19. A tangible machine-readable medium as defined in claim 15,
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to
detect the presence of the loader in the first area by receiving,
via an antenna in communication with the logic circuit, a beacon
from a wireless transmitter positioned in the first area, the
beacon including identifying information associated with the first
area.
20. A tangible machine-readable medium as defined in claim 19,
wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:
identify a value of a parameter of the wireless transmitter; and
change the value of the parameter, wherein the parameter is a
broadcast strength or location identifying data
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication
systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for
detecting object location and generating alerts.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless communication systems, such as radio frequency
identification (RFID) systems, are utilized in different
environments and applications. For example, RFID systems are
utilized for product tracking, product identification and, more
generally, inventory control in manufacturing, warehouse,
transportation and retail environments. Some RFID systems include
one or more tags and one or more readers. The tags transmit radio
frequency (RF) signals that are readable by the reader. The signals
transmitted by the tag typically include or convey identification
information corresponding to, for example, an object associated
with the tag. For example, the tag may be carried by (e.g., adhered
to, mounted to, attached to, fixed to, or integrated with) a
product, a label, a package, packaging, a person, or any other
suitable object. The reader receives the signal transmitted by the
tag and processes (e.g., stores, displays, communicates or
otherwise processes) data conveyed via the signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 depicts an example environment including an example
locating system constructed in accordance with teachings of this
disclosure.
[0004] FIG. 2 is block diagram representative of an example
implementation of the example container identifying transmitters
(CITs) of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is an end view of a container including an example
arrangement for the example CITs of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a top view of the container of FIG. 3.
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates a first example radiation pattern for one
or more of the CITs of FIGS. 1-3.
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates a second example radiation pattern for
one or more of the CITs of FIGS. 1-3.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a block diagram representative of an example
implementation of the object placement verifier (OPV) of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 8 is flowchart representative of an example workflow
for the loader of FIG. 1 enabled by the example locating system of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example operations
that may be executed to implement the example OPV of FIGS. 1 and/or
7.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example logic circuit for
implementing the example operations of FIG. 9 to implement the
example OPV of FIGS. 1 and/or 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Advancements in communication technology, such as
Internet-based purchasing and ordering, have increased the number
of consumers and enterprises that rely on accurate and timely
delivery of goods and materials. In turn, demands on those tasked
with providing such services have amplified. In addition to greater
volumes of packages to be delivered, allotted delivery times have
shortened to meet demand as the transportation and logistics
industry grows and competition intensifies. Moreover, many entities
operate under guarantees in terms of accurate and timely delivery
of packages, thereby heightening the importance of accurate and
timely performance.
[0014] To meet these and other challenges, transportation and
logistics entities seek improvements across different aspect of
various operations. For example, the process of loading packages
into containers (e.g., delivery truck trailers, package cars,
aircraft loading units, or rail cars) involves determining which
packages should be loaded onto which containers, assigning the
packages to the determined containers, informing loaders (e.g.,
persons or machines tasked with physically placing the packages
into the containers) of the assigned container for the individual
packages, and loading of the packages into the proper containers by
the loaders. In many instances, the loader is faced with high
volumes of packages and strict time constraints. Moreover, a
loading dock may include a plurality of different containers that
are difficult to distinguish on a consistent basis due to, for
example, the containers having similar markings, poor visibility
conditions, and proximity of openings into the different
containers.
[0015] Of course, problems arise when a package is placed into an
incorrect container. As the different containers likely have
different destinations, the incorrectly loaded package may not
arrive at the correct destination on time and additional cost
associated with special handling may be incurred. Additionally, the
incorrectly loaded package occupies valuable space in the incorrect
container, which could have otherwise transported additional
correctly loaded packages. Additionally, packages are often
assigned to the containers in accordance with a route optimization
algorithm and the driver has expectations of particular packages
being in the container as the driver progresses through the route.
Thus, the driver may travel to a destination of package only to
find the package missing from the container. In such instances,
delivery of other packages in the container are negatively affected
by incorrect loading of the package at the loading dock.
[0016] While the foregoing explains challenges associated with
package loading and delivery, similar challenges exist in other
environments and applications that involve a need for accurate and
efficient placement of objects in assigned locations. For example,
inventory stocking operations and warehouse management operations
suffer when objects are not accurately placed in assigned
locations.
[0017] Example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein
improve accuracy and efficiency of applications involving placement
of objects in assigned locations. In particular, examples disclosed
herein detect an event indicative of an incorrect placement of an
object. Additionally, examples disclosed herein provide one or more
alerts that draw attention to the detected event. Notably, examples
disclosed herein detect the event and provide the alert immediately
(e.g., during the event or seconds after the event) such that the
error can be corrected or altogether avoided. To continue the above
transportation and logistics scenario, examples disclosed herein
detect an entrance or presence of a loader handling a package in a
first container, despite the package having been assigned to a
second container different than the first container. For example,
while carrying a package destined for a first city, the loader may
mistakenly walk into a container bound for a second, different
city. In such instances, examples disclosed herein detect that the
loader has entered the incorrect container and alert the loader to
the mistake that has occurred or that is about to occur.
[0018] To detect an event indicative of an incorrect placement of
an object, example systems disclosed herein include wireless
transmitters mounted in different areas (e.g., containers, portals,
etc.) and mobile computing devices (e.g., wearable computing
devices to be worn by a package loader) capable of receiving
transmissions from the wireless transmitters. Example mobile
computing devices disclosed herein are configured to determine an
assigned location for the object by, for example, obtaining an
identification code carried by the object and querying a database
having location assignment information. For example, mobile
computing devices disclosed herein include or are in communication
with a reader capable of reading an identification code (e.g.,
indicia, a barcode, a RFID transponder, or machine readable text)
carried by a tag adhered to the object.
[0019] Example mobile computing devices disclosed herein utilize
transmissions received from the wireless transmitters to detect
events indicative of a placement of the object in a particular
area. For example, mobile computing devices disclosed herein detect
entrance of the mobile computing device (and, thus, a carrier of
the mobile computing device) into the particular area based on
receipt of transmissions from one or more specific wireless
transmitters dedicated to that particular area. Using
identification information associated with the particular area and
the determined assigned location for the object, example mobile
computing devices disclosed herein determine whether the object is
being incorrectly placed. If so, example mobile computing devices
disclosed herein generate an alert by, for example, causing an
output device to generate an alert, thereby avoiding the
realization of the detected error. Instead, the loader can respond
to the alert by relocating the object to the assigned location for
that object.
[0020] While example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed
herein are described below in connection with package loading
operations at a loading dock, example methods, systems and
apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented in any other suitable
context or environment such as, for example, a distribution center,
a warehouse, a factory, a farm, a retail establishment, an airport,
a train loading location, or a shipping port. Moreover, while
example methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein are
described below using terminology associated with packaging loading
operations at a loading dock, example methods, systems and
apparatus disclosed herein are applicable to alternative
environments involving different terminology. For example, while
examples described below include determining whether a loader is
located in a particular container and determining an assigned
container for a package, examples disclosed herein may apply to any
suitable type of user and determining whether such a user is
located in any suitable type of area, location, or position and
determining an assigned area, location or position for any suitable
type of object.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which example
methods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein may be implemented
to detect incorrect placement of objects and to generate alerts
indicative of such detections. The example of FIG. 1 is
representative of a loading dock 100 including a first, second and
third containers 102a-c each bound for a different destination. For
example, the first container 102a is bound for Lincolnshire, Ill.,
the second container 102b is bound for Holtsville, N.Y., and the
third container 102c is bound for Agoura Hills, Calif. In the
example of FIG. 1, a loader 104 is tasked with loading packages,
one of which is shown with reference numeral 106, into the
containers 102a-c. While the loader 104 of FIG. 1 is a person,
alternative examples include one or more machines programmed as
loaders of the packages into the containers 102a-c.
[0022] In the example of FIG. 1, the loader 104 carries a mobile
computing device 108 configured to assist the loader 104 in the
task of loading packages into the containers 102a-c. The example
mobile computing device 108 of FIG. 1 is a wearable device capable
of being mounted to or otherwise carried by the loader 104. For
example, the mobile computing device 108 is mountable to a forearm
of the loader 104 (e.g., via one or more straps), a head of the
loader 104 (e.g., as a heads up display (HUD) device), or an
article of clothing worn by the loader 104 (e.g., via a belt clip).
Alternatively, the mobile computing device 108 may be carried by a
hand of the loader 104 during package loading operations. As
described in greater detail below, the example mobile computing
device 108 includes data capture device capable of obtaining
identifying information from, for example, indicia 110 printed on
or adhered to the package 106. Additionally, the example mobile
computing device 108 an antenna to receive wireless transmissions,
a logic circuit (e.g., the processing platform 1000 of FIG. 10)
capable of processing information, and a user interface having one
or more output components capable of generating alerts.
Additionally or alternatively, the example mobile computing device
108 may communicate with one or more external output components
capable of generating alerts.
[0023] To facilitate proper loading of packages by the loader 104,
an example locating system constructed in accordance with teachings
of this disclosure is implemented at the loading dock 100. The
example locating system of FIG. 1 includes container identifying
transmitters (CITs) 112a-c implemented on the containers 102a-c and
an object placement verifier (OPV) 114 implemented on the example
mobile computing device 108. While the example of FIG. 1 includes a
plurality of CITs 112 in each of the containers 102a-c, one or more
of the containers 102a-c may include a single CIT 112 or no CITs.
In the example of FIG. 1, each of the containers 102a-c includes a
group of the CITs 112, which are each configured to transmit data
indicative of a corresponding one of the containers 102a-c. In
particular, first CITs 112a transmit data indicative of the first
container 102a, second CITs 112b transmit data indicative of the
second container 102b, and third CITs 112c transmit data indicative
of the third container 102c. As such, a processing device, such as
the mobile computing device 108, that receives a transmission from
one of the first CITs 112a is capable of identifying the received
transmission as originating from the first container 102a.
[0024] In the example locating system of FIG. 1, the CITs 112a-c
are arranged and configured such that the transmissions of each
group of CITs 112a-c are not readable outside of the corresponding
one of the containers 102a-c. In particular, the CITs 112a-c are
arranged to direct transmissions into an interior space of the
corresponding container 102a-c and configured to limit a broadcast
strength of the transmissions according to one or more dimensions
of the interior space of the corresponding container 102a-c.
Additionally, as described in detail below, the example CITs 112a-c
include various RF propagation patterns to enable improved accuracy
with low latency within the corresponding container 102a-c. Due to
the arrangement and configuration of the CITs 112a-c disclosed
herein, the mobile computing device 108 is unlikely to receive
transmissions from the second CITs 112b when the mobile computing
device 108 is located in the first container 112a. Additionally,
due to the arrangement and configuration of the CITS 112a-c
disclosed herein, the mobile computing device 108 can be worn by
the loader 104 in any desirable orientation. The example CITs 112
are discussed further below in connection with FIGS. 2-6.
[0025] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 1 utilizes the CITs 112a-c to
verify that the package 106 is being loaded into the correct one of
the containers 102a-c. To determine a correct one of the containers
102a-c for the package 106, the example OPV 114 of FIG. 1
identifies the package 106 via, for example, the indicia 110. For
example, the loader 104 uses the data capture device of the mobile
computing device 108 to image or scan the indicia 110.
Alternatively, the loader 104 uses a data capture device of a
workstation 116 to image or scan the indicia 110, and the
workstation 116 communicates the captured data to the mobile
computing device 108. In the illustrated example, the mobile
computing device 108 sends identifying information (e.g., a
universal identifier, a stock keeping unit (SKU), a universal
product code (UPC), an address, a physical size, a weight,
identification of hazardous materials, or special handling
instructions) provided by the indicia 110 as a query to a data
source 118. The data source 118 is implemented on, for example, the
workstation 116, the mobile computing device 108, and/or a server
accessible over a network. In the illustrated example, the data
source 118 returns an assigned one of the containers 102a-c for the
package 106. The assignment of the package 106 is based on, for
example, a route optimization algorithm.
[0026] To detect which one of the containers 102a-c the loader 104
enters while handling the package 106, the example OPV 114 of FIG.
1 listens for transmissions generated by the CITs 112 and
determines a location of the loader 104 based on received
transmission. For example, when the mobile computing device 108 is
receiving beacons corresponding to the first CITs 112a, the example
OPV 114 determines that the mobile computing device 108 (and, thus,
the loader 104 handling the package 106) is located in the first
container 102a.
[0027] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 1 compares the current location
of the loader 104 to the assigned one of the containers 102a-c for
the package 106. If the loader 104 has entered one of the
containers 102a-c other than the assigned one of the containers
102a-c for the package 106, the example OPV 114 of FIG. 1 generates
a first alert, such as an audio alert and/or a visual alert.
Additionally or alternatively, if the loader 104 has entered the
assigned one of the containers 102a-c for the package 106, the
example OPV 114 of FIG. 1 generates a second alert different than
the first alert. Accordingly, the example OPV 114 alerts the loader
104 to the potential incorrect placement of the package 106,
thereby affording the loader 104 an opportunity to avoid placing
the package 106 in an incorrect one of the containers 102a-c.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram representative of an example
implementation of one of the CITs 112a-c of FIG. 1. For ease of
reference, the example CIT 112 of FIG. 2 corresponds to one of the
CITs 112a implemented on the first container 102a. The example CIT
112 of FIG. 2 is implemented by, for example, a Bluetooth.RTM. low
energy (BLE) device configured to generate beacons at defined
intervals (e.g., adjustable intervals beginning with one hundred
(100) milliseconds (ms)). To generate the beacons, the example CIT
112 of FIG. 2 includes an antenna 200. In some examples, the
antenna 200 is omnidirectional. In some examples, the antenna 200
is a directional antenna such that beams carrying the beacons
generated by the CIT 112 can be directed to an interior space of
the first container 102a. In some examples, the antenna 200 of
certain ones of the first CITs 112a is a first type of directional
antenna having a first radiation pattern, and the antenna 200 of
certain other ones of the first CITs 112a is a second type of
directional antenna having a second radiation pattern. To focus the
beams carrying the beacons into the interior space of the first
container 102a, CITs 112a having the first radiation pattern are
positioned differently than CITs 112a having the second radiation
pattern. That is, in some examples, the type of radiation pattern
for each of the CITs 112a depends on, for example, a position at
which the CITs 112a are mounted on the container 102a. Example
directional configurations and arrangements for the CITs 112 are
described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 3-6.
[0029] In the example of FIG. 2, the beacons transmitted by the
antenna 200 carry container identifying data 202. As the example
CIT 112 of FIG. 2 corresponds to one of the first CITs 112a of FIG.
1, the container identifying data 202 of FIG. 2 is indicative of
the first container 102a. The container identifying data 202 of
FIG. 2 is programmable by a parameter manager 204 of the CIT 112.
The example parameter manager 204 of FIG. 2 receives instructions
and/or data from, for example, the mobile computing device 108, the
workstation 116 or any other suitable processing device, regarding
a value for the container identifying data 202. The example
parameter manager 204 stores the received value as the container
identifying data 202. As such, the example CIT 112 can be
reprogrammed to correspond to a different container when, for
example, the CIT 112 is deployed on a different container.
[0030] Additionally, the example parameter manager 204 of FIG. 2
manages a range setting 206 of the CIT 112. The range setting 206
controls the transmit power or broadcast strength of the signals
carrying the beacons. For example, the range setting 206
corresponds to a transmit power for the antenna 200. That is, the
range setting 206 controls a propagation distance of the beacons
transmitted by the antenna 200 by selecting a transmit power for
the antenna 200. The range setting 206 is based on, for example,
one or more dimensions (e.g., height, depth, width, and/or RF
obstruction or attenuation of a surrounding environment or volume)
of the first container 102a. If the CIT 112 is deployed on a
different container having different dimensions, the parameter
manager 204 updates the range setting 206. Accordingly, the example
CIT 112 is programmable to limit (e.g., minimize) the detectability
of the beacons outside of the first container 102a. Thus, despite
the second container 102b being proximate to the first container
102a, the beacons generated by the first CITs 102a are not likely
to be detected by a device (e.g., the mobile computing device 108
of FIG. 1) located in the second container 102b. In some examples,
the range setting 206 for a particular one of the CITs 112a depends
on a position at which that particular one of the CITs 112a is
mounted on the container 102a. For example, the range setting 206
of a certain ones of the first CITs 112a is a first value, and the
range setting 206 of certain other ones of the first CITs 112a is a
second value. Example range settings and arrangements for the CITs
112 are described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 3-6.
[0031] The example CIT 112 of FIG. 2 includes a display manager 208
to control a display 210. In the illustrated example, the display
210 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that indicate
a mode or state of the CIT 112. For example, the CIT 112 includes
an airplane mode, a configuration mode, a sleep mode, and a
transmit mode. In some examples, the CIT 112 includes a switch to
control the current mode. The display manager 208 determines a
current mode of the CIT 112 and causes the display 210 to generate
an output indicative of the current mode. For example, each mode is
assigned a color and/or pattern of flashes for the display 210. In
some examples, the indication of the selected mode occurs at a time
of the selection.
[0032] The example CIT 112 of FIG. 2 includes a power source 212,
such as a battery. The example CIT 112 of FIG. 2 may provide
information regarding the power source 212. For example, the mobile
computing device 108 communicates with the CIT 112 to determine a
status of the power source 212. The status of the power source 212
is indicative of, for example, a remaining lifetime of the power
source 212 and can be used to understand whether a replacement CIT
is required or will be required in a particular time frame. The
example CIT 112 of FIG. 2 includes a programmable auto sleep mode
in which the CIT 112 transmits for a programmable amount of time
and returns to sleep mode. The programmable auto sleep mode
conserves battery life for extending a useful life of the CIT
112.
[0033] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example arrangement of the first
CITs 112a of FIG. 1 on the first container 102a. In particular,
FIG. 3 is an end view, looking into the first container 102a and
FIG. 4 is a top view, looking down on the first container 102a. In
the illustrated example, the container 102a includes a left upper
shelf 300, a right upper shelf 302, a left bottom shelf 304, and a
right bottom shelf 306. In the illustrated example, a first CIT 308
is mounted to the left upper shelf 300, a second CIT 310 is mounted
to the right upper shelf 302, a third CIT 312 is mounted to the
left bottom shelf 304, and a fourth CIT 314 is mounted to the right
bottom shelf 306. As shown in FIG. 4, the first and the second CITs
308 and 310 are mounted in a front region 400 of the container 102a
and the third and fourth CITs 312 and 314 are mounted in a rear
region 402 of the container 102a. While the illustrated example of
FIGS. 3 and 4 are referred to using relative terms (e.g., upper,
lower, right, left, front, and rear), these terms are used for
clarity and any spatial relationship between alternative
arrangements are possible.
[0034] In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second CITs
308 and 310 are mounted to the upper shelves 300 and 302 such that
the directional radiation pattern of the corresponding antennas 200
are aimed downward towards a floor of the container 102a. That is,
the antennas 200 of the first and second CITs 308 and 310, which
are mounted to the upper shelves 300 and 302, are vertically tilted
downward. In some examples, the antennas 200 of the first and
second CITs 308 and 310 are additionally aimed inward towards a
center 404 of the container 102a. That is, the antennas 200 of the
first and second CITs 308 and 310 are oriented sideways towards the
center 404 of the container 102a. FIG. 5 illustrates an example
radiation pattern 500 for the first and second CITs 308 and 310 of
FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the example radiation pattern
500 includes a vertical tilt of twenty-five (25) degrees from a
vertical (Z) axis. As such, energy radiating from the first and
second CITs 308 and 310 is directed towards a floor of the
container 102a. Additionally, the example radiation pattern 500 of
FIG. 5 is directed in a horizontal (X) direction corresponding to
the center 404 of the container 102a.
[0035] In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the third and fourth CITs
312 and 314 are mounted to the bottom shelves 304 and 306 such that
the directional radiation pattern of the corresponding antennas 200
are aimed toward the front region 400 of the container 102a. That
is, the antennas 200 of the third and fourth CITs 312 and 314 are
sideways oriented away from a door 408 of the container 102a. FIG.
6 illustrates an example radiation pattern 600 for the third and
fourth CITs 312 and 314 of FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the
example radiation pattern 600 is horizontally oriented at a
seventy-five (75) degree angle towards the front region 400 of the
container 102a. As such, energy radiating from the third and fourth
CITs 312 and 314 is directed away from the door 408.
[0036] In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the range setting 206 for
the first and second CITs 308 and 310 controls the transmit power
of the corresponding antennas 200 to -16 dB. Further, the range
setting 206 for the third and fourth CITs 312 and 314 controls the
transmit power of the corresponding antennas 200 to -23 dB.
Placement and transmit power of the CIT 112 are adjustable such
that a status of the beacons within the corresponding container are
strong (e.g., maximized) and the status of the beacons at the
outside of the container are concise.
[0037] In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second CITs
308 and 310 are spaced apart from the third and fourth CITs 312 and
314, respectively, by a distance of one hundred and thirty-two
(132) feet for a first type of container (e.g., a container having
a roll up style door) and by a distance of one hundred and twenty
(120) feet for a second type of container (e.g., a container have
swing out style doors). In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the third
and fourth CITs 312 and 314 are each spaced apart from the door 408
by a distance of thirteen (13) feet for the first type of container
and by a distance of ten (10) feet for the second type of
container.
[0038] In the illustrated example, the CITs 112 are strategically
positioned to account for a possibility that the mobile computing
device 108 may be worn by the loader 104 in different positions
(e.g., on a belt, on an arm, as a heads-up display, etc.). In
particular, the CITs are positioned in the container 102 at one or
more heights depending on, for example, antenna propagation
characteristic(s) such as directionality and/or a polarization
property. In some examples, one or more of the CITs 112 are
positioned at one height and other one(s) of the CITs 112 are
positioned at another, different height. As such, example
arrangements disclosed herein provide a plurality of patterns at a
plurality of heights in the container 102 to increase (e.g.,
maximize) a likelihood that the transmissions are received at the
mobile computing device 108.
[0039] While FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example arrangement and
configuration for the CITs 112, additional or alternative
arrangements and/or configurations are possible to focus the
beacons generated by the CITs 112 into the interior space of the
corresponding container 102.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation of the OPV 114
implemented on the example mobile computing device 108 of FIG. 1.
The example OPV 114 of FIG. 7 includes an assigned container
identifier 700 that determines which of the containers 102a-c is
the assigned container for a package currently being handled by the
loader 104. In the illustrated example, the assigned container
identifier 700 of the OPV 114 receives data from data capture
device 702 of the mobile computing device 108, which has captured
the indicia 110 of the package 106 being handled by the loader 104.
Alternatively, the assigned container identifier 700 of the OPV 114
receives data from a data capture device of the workstation 116.
For example, as the loader 104 picks up the package 106 to be
loaded into one of the containers 102a-c, the loader 104 uses a
barcode scanner to scan the indicia 110 and the captured data is
provided to the assigned container identifier 700. Alternatively,
as the loader 104 picks up the package 106 to be loaded into one of
the containers 102a-c, the loader uses an RFID reader to read a
code stored in an RFID tag adhered to the package 106.
[0041] The example assigned container identifier 700 queries the
data source 118 with the received data (e.g., barcode data or a
code provide by an RFID tag) to determine which of the containers
102a-c is the assigned container for the package 106. In the
illustrated example, the data source 118 returns a container ID
corresponding to the first container 102a. In the illustrated
example, the loader 104 is responsively provided with an
instruction regarding the assigned one of the containers 102a-c for
the package 106. For example, the container ID may be displayed to
the loader 104 via a display device 704 of the mobile computing
device 108.
[0042] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 7 includes a beacon detector 706
and a loader location identifier 708 to determine a current (e.g.,
real time) location of the mobile computing device 106 associated
with the loader 104. In particular, the example beacon detector 706
is, for example, an antenna capable of receiving transmission from
the CITs 112 mounted in the containers 102a-c. Thus, when the
mobile computing device 108 is located in the first container 102a,
the beacon detector 706 receives beacons originating from the first
CITs 112a. When the mobile computing device 108 is located in the
second container 102b, the beacon detector 706 receives beacons
originating from the second CITs 112b. When the mobile computing
device 108 is located in the third container 102c, the beacon
detector 706 receives beacons originating from the third CITs 112c.
As described above, the beacons generated by the CITs 112a-c
include the container identifying data 202. The example loader
location identifier 708 extracts the container identifying data
202, thereby obtaining a current location of the mobile computing
device 108 if the loader 104 has entered one of the containers
102a-c.
[0043] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 7 includes a comparator 710 to
determine whether the container ID obtained by the assigned
container identifier 700 corresponds to the container identifying
data 202 obtained by the loader location identifier 708. If not,
the comparator determines that the loader 104 is about to or has
incorrectly loaded the package 106 into the incorrect one of the
containers 112a-c. For example, if the container ID obtained by the
assigned container identifier 700 corresponds to the first
container 102a and the container identifying data 202 obtained by
the loader location identifier 708 corresponds to the second
container 102b, the comparator 710 determines that the loader 104
is in the incorrect container 102b for the package 106 (i.e., the
most recently scanned package). On the other hand, if the obtained
container ID corresponds to the obtained container identifying data
202, the comparator 710 determines that the package 106 is being
correctly loaded.
[0044] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 7 includes an output generator
712 that receives data indicative of the result of the
determination performed by the comparator 710. The example output
generator 712 is in communication with the output device 704 of the
mobile computing device 108. The example output generator 712
causes the output device 704 to generate an alert, such as a buzzer
sound, a symbol on a display, and/or a red flashing light, when the
package 106 is being incorrectly loaded. Additionally or
alternatively, the output generator 712 cause the output device 704
to generate a different alert, such as a pleasant tone and/or a
green light, when the package 106 is being correctly loaded.
[0045] In the example of FIG. 7, the OPV 114 stores timestamped
data indicative of the obtained data (e.g., the container
identifying data 202) and the determinations made by, for example,
the comparator 710 in memory 714 of the mobile computing device
108. The example memory 714 is accessible by, for example, the
workstation 116 and/or any other suitable device.
[0046] The example OPV 114 of FIG. 7 includes a CIT updater 716 to
obtain current values (e.g., the container identifying data 202)
and/or configuration settings (e.g., the range setting 206) of
individual ones of the CITs 112a-c to, if necessary, update the
same. For example, the CIT updater 716 changes the container
identifying data 202 when the corresponding CIT 112 is being
deployed in a different container by, for example, interacting with
the parameter manager 204 of the CIT 112. Additionally or
alternatively, the example CIT updater 716 changes the range
setting 206 when the corresponding CIT 112 is being deployed in a
differently sized container, at a different position in the
container 102, and/or if it is determined that the corresponding
CIT 112 is generating signals too strongly or too weakly.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates an example workflow of the loader 104
while using the example locating system of FIG. 1 including the OPV
114 and the CITs 112a-c. In the example of FIG. 8, the loader 104
picks up the package 106 because, for example, the package 106 is
the next package to be loaded into the containers 102a-c (block
800). In some examples, the package 106 is delivered to the loader
104 via a conveyor belt system, a slide, or moving cages. The
example loader 104 uses a data capture device, such as a ring
scanner in wired communication with the mobile computing device
108, to capture the indicia 110 carried by the package 106 (block
802). As described above, the mobile computing device 108 provides
the loader 104 with an indication of which of the containers 102a-c
has been assigned to the package 106 (e.g., by a central system
implementing a planning algorithm) (block 804). With the assigned
container 102a-c in mind and the package 106 in hand, the loader
104 travels to one of the containers 102a-c believed to be the
assigned one of the containers 102a-c (block 806).
[0048] In response to the loader 104 entering one of the containers
102a-c, the OPV 114 determines whether the loader 104 is in the
process of placing the package 106 in the correct one of the
containers 102a-c and provides an indication to the loader 104 as
to the determination. Thus, in response to the loader 104 entering
one of the containers 102a-c, the loader 104 receives feedback from
the mobile computing device 108 such as, for example, a red
flashing light combined with an unpleasant or a green flashing
light combined with a pleasant sound (block 808). If the feedback
is indicative of the loader 104 being in the correct one of the
containers 102a-c (block 810), the loader 104 places the package
106 in the container 102a-c (block 812) and obtains the next
package (block 814). On the other hand, if the feedback is
indicative of the loader being in an incorrect one of the
containers 102a-c (block 810), the loader 104 relocates the package
106 to a different one of the containers (block 816) until the
package 106 is correctly loaded.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example operations
executed by the example OPV 114 of FIGS. 1 and/or 7. The example of
FIG. 9 begins with the mobile computing device 108 being engaged by
(e.g., powered on by) the loader 104 (block 900). When the loader
104 selects or is given the package 106, the loader 104 uses the
data capture device 702 of the mobile computing device 108 (or any
other suitable data capture device) to determine one of the
containers 102a-c to which the package 106 has been assigned. For
example, the loader 104 uses the data capture device (e.g., a
barcode scanner or an RFID reader) to capture the indicia 110
(e.g., a barcode or a code carried by an RFID tag) carried by the
package 106. In the example assigned container identifier 700 of
the OPV 114 receives the captured data (block 902) and uses the
received data to query the data source 118 to determine an assigned
one of the containers 102a-c for the package 106 (block 904). For
example, the data source 118 returns a container ID indicative of
the assigned one of the containers 102a-c for the package 106.
[0050] In the example of FIG. 9, the beacon detector 706 of the OPV
114 is capable of detecting beacons generated by the CITs 112a-c.
If the beacon detector 706 receives such beacons (block 906), the
loader location identifier 708 determines a current location of the
mobile computing device 108 and, thus, the loader 104, based on the
received beacon (block 908). For example, the loader location
identifier 108 identifies the container identifying data 202
carried by the beacon and, thus, determines which of the containers
102a-c corresponds to the received beacon.
[0051] The example comparator 710 is provided with the container
identifying data 202 and the assigned one of the containers 102a-c
for the package 106. The example comparator 710 uses the provided
information determine whether the loader 104, who is currently
handling the package 106 marked with the indicia 110, is currently
located in the assigned one of the containers 102a-c for the
package 106 (block 910). If the comparator 710 determines that the
loader 104 is incorrectly loading the package 106 (i.e., that the
mobile computing device 106 associated with the loader 104 is
located in one of the containers 102a-c other than the assigned one
of the containers 102a-c) (block 912), the output generator 712
generates an output indicative of an incorrect placement of the
package 106 (block 914). Conversely, if the comparator 710
determines that the loader 104 is correctly loading the package 106
(i.e., that the mobile computing device 106 associated with the
loader 104 is located in the assigned one of the containers 102a-c
for the package 106), the output generator 712 generates an output
indicative of a correct placement of the package 106 (block 916).
Alternatively, if the comparator 710 determines that the loader 104
is correctly loading the package 106, the output generator 712 does
not generate an output, which can be taken by the loader 104 to
mean that the package 106 is being loaded correctly. If the OPV 114
receives an indication that a new package is being handled by the
loader 104 (e.g., if data corresponding to new indicia is received)
(block 918), control proceeds to block 902. Otherwise, control
proceeds to from block 918 to block 906.
[0052] FIG. 10 is a block diagram representative of an example
logic circuit that may utilized to implement, for example, the
mobile computing device 108, the example OPV 114 of FIGS. 1 and/or
7, the example CITs 112a-c of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 and/or the example
workstation 116 of FIG. 1. The example logic circuit of FIG. 10 is
a processing platform 1000 capable of executing instructions to,
for example, implement the example operations represented by the
flowcharts of the drawings accompanying this description. As
described below, alternative example logic circuits include
hardware (e.g., a gate array) specifically configured for
performing operations represented by the flowcharts of the drawings
accompanying this description.
[0053] The example processing platform 1000 of FIG. 10 includes a
processor 1002 such as, for example, one or more microprocessors,
controllers, and/or any suitable type of processor. The example
processing platform 1000 of FIG. 10 includes memory (e.g., volatile
memory, non-volatile memory) 1004 accessible by the processor 1002
(e.g., via a memory controller). The example processor 1002
interacts with the memory 1004 to obtain, for example,
machine-readable instructions stored in the memory 1004
corresponding to, for example, the operations represented by the
flowcharts of this disclosure. Additionally or alternatively,
machine-readable instructions corresponding to the example
operations of the flowcharts may be stored on one or more removable
media (e.g., a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, removable
flash memory, etc.) that may be coupled to the processing platform
1000 to provide access to the machine-readable instructions stored
thereon.
[0054] The example processing platform 1000 of FIG. 10 includes a
network interface 1006 to enable communication with other machines
via, for example, one or more networks. The example network
interface 1006 includes any suitable type of communication
interface(s) (e.g., wired and/or wireless interfaces) configured to
operate in accordance with any suitable protocol(s).
[0055] The example processing platform 1000 of FIG. 10 includes
input/output (I/O) interfaces 1008 to enable receipt of user input
and communication of output data to the user.
[0056] The above description refers to block diagrams of the
accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the examples
represented by the block diagrams include one or more additional or
alternative elements, processes and/or devices. Additionally or
alternatively, one or more of the example blocks of the diagrams
may be combined, divided, re-arranged or omitted. Components
represented by the blocks of the diagrams are implemented by
hardware, software, firmware, and/or any combination of hardware,
software and/or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the
components represented by the blocks is implemented by a logic
circuit. As used herein, the term "logic circuit" is expressly
defined as a physical device including at least one hardware
component configured (e.g., via operation in accordance with a
predetermined configuration and/or via execution of stored
machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines
and/or perform operations of one or more machines. Examples of a
logic circuit include one or more processors, one or more
coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers,
one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units
(MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more
special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-a-chip
(SoC) devices. Some example logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs,
are specifically configured hardware for performing operations
(e.g., one or more of the operations represented by the flowcharts
of this disclosure). Some example logic circuits are hardware that
executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g.,
one or more of the operations represented by the flowcharts of this
disclosure). Some example logic circuits include a combination of
specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes
machine-readable instructions.
[0057] The above description refers to flowcharts of the
accompanying drawings. The flowcharts are representative of example
methods disclosed herein. In some examples, the methods represented
by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block
diagrams. Alternative implementations of example methods disclosed
herein may include additional or alternative operations. Further,
operations of alternative implementations of the methods disclosed
herein may combined, divided, re-arranged or omitted. In some
examples, the operations represented by the flowcharts are
implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and/or
firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable
medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g.,
processor(s)). In some examples, the operations represented by the
flowcharts are implemented by one or more configurations of one or
more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., ASIC(s)). In some
examples the operations of the flowcharts are implemented by a
combination of specifically designed logic circuit(s) and
machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible
machine-readable medium) for execution by logic circuit(s).
[0058] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable
medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and
"machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage
medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a digital versatile
disc, a compact disc, flash memory, read-only memory, random-access
memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program
code in the form of, for example, software and/or firmware) can be
stored. Further, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible
machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium"
and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined to
exclude propagating signals. That is, as used in any claim of this
patent, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium,"
"non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable
storage device" can be read to be implemented by a propagating
signal.
[0059] As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable
medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and
"machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage
medium on which machine-readable instructions are stored for any
suitable duration of time (e.g., permanently, for an extended
period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the
machine-readable instructions is executing), and/or a short period
of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached
and/or during a buffering process)).
[0060] Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.
* * * * *