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DE-112021006129-B4 - Monitoring and feedback system for processing container loads to control performance results

DE112021006129B4DE 112021006129 B4DE112021006129 B4DE 112021006129B4DE-112021006129-B4

Abstract

Method for generating feedback for a container loading process, wherein the method comprises: Store, in a memory (154) of a computing device, a set of load stage definitions that define sequential load stages of the container loading process, each stage definition including: i) an intermediate performance target and ii) a stage duration; at a processor (150) of the computer device, in response to the arrival of a container (112) at the loading ramp (108-2), receiving a task definition that defines a performance target for the loading process; on the processor (150), retrieving the loading stages in sequence and, for each stage: i) Receiving sensor data depicting the interior of the container (112) from a sensor array (136) located at the loading ramp (108-2), ii) Determining a performance measurement of the container loading process based on the sensor data, iii) Comparing the performance measurement with the intermediate performance target corresponding to the stage, and iv) based on the comparison, generating an alarm for transmission to a client computing device (124).

Inventors

  • Seth David Silk
  • Gamaethige Sulak Soysa
  • Andrew Ehlers

Assignees

  • ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20211025
Priority Date
20201125

Claims (20)

  1. Method for generating feedback for a container loading process, the method comprising: storing, in a memory (154) of a computing device, a set of loading stage definitions defining sequential loading stages of the container loading process, each stage definition including: i) an intermediate performance target and ii) a stage duration; on a processor (150) of the computing device, in response to the arrival of a container (112) at the loading ramp (108-2), receiving a task definition that includes a performance target for the loading process. The process is defined as follows: at the processor (150), retrieving the loading stages sequentially and, for each stage: i) receiving sensor data depicting the interior of the container (112) from a sensor array (136) located at the loading ramp (108-2), ii) determining a power measurement of the container loading process based on the sensor data, iii) comparing the power measurement with the intermediate power target corresponding to the stage, and iv) based on the comparison, generating an alarm for transmission to a client computing device (124).
  2. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the stage duration of each stage definition is defined as one of i) a period of time or ii) a percentage of a total time corresponding to the loading process; and wherein the task definition defines the total time.
  3. Procedure according to Claim 1 , where generating the alarm involves determining that an alarm period has elapsed within the stage.
  4. Procedure according to Claim 3 , wherein the stage definition defines a sequence of alarm periods; and wherein the procedure further comprises: repeating the determination of a power measurement and generating an alarm for each alarm period.
  5. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the client computing device (124) comprises at least one worker device and one supervisor device; and wherein the method further comprises: in response to the generation of the alarm, selecting at least one of the worker device and the supervisor device to receive the alarm.
  6. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the charging stages include an initial stage which has an intermediate performance target that defines a non-zero fill level of the container (112).
  7. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the charging stages include an active charging stage which has an intermediate power target which defines at least one of a final container fill level (112) and a filling rate.
  8. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the charging stages include a final stage which has an intermediate performance target that specifies a closed state for a door of the container (112).
  9. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the charging stages include a transition stage which has an intermediate power target that indicates an occupied state for the loading ramp (108-2).
  10. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the performance measurement includes at least one container fill level, an estimated time to completion (ETC) and a container door condition.
  11. Computing device for generating feedback for a container loading process, the computing device comprising: a memory (154) in which a set of loading stage definitions is stored, defining sequential loading stages of the container loading process, each stage definition including: i) an intermediate performance target and ii) a stage duration; a communication interface (158); and a processor (150) configured to: in response to the arrival of a container (112) at the loading dock (108-2), receive a task definition that defines a performance target for the loading process; to retrieve the loading stages sequentially and for each stage: i) receive sensor data depicting the interior of the container (112) from a sensor array (136) located at the loading ramp (108-2), ii) determine a performance measurement of the container loading process based on the sensor data, iii) compare the performance measurement with the intermediate performance target corresponding to the stage, and iv) generate an alarm for transmission to a client computing device (124) based on the comparison.
  12. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the stage duration of each stage definition is defined as one of i) a period of time or ii) a fraction of a total time corresponding to the loading process; and wherein the task definition defines the total time.
  13. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the processor (150) is configured to generate the alarm by determining that an alarm period has elapsed within the stage.
  14. Computer device according to Claim 13 , wherein the stage definition defines a sequence of alarm periods; and wherein the processor (150) is further configured to repeat the determination of a power measurement and to generate the alarm for each alarm period.
  15. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the client computing device (124) comprises at least one worker device and one supervisor device; and wherein the processor (150) is further configured to: select at least one worker device and one supervisor device to receive the alarm in response to the generation of the alarm.
  16. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the charging stages include an initial stage which has an intermediate performance target that defines a non-zero fill level of the container (112).
  17. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the charging stages include an active charging stage which has an intermediate power target which defines at least one of a final container fill level (112) and a filling rate.
  18. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the charging stages include a final stage which has an intermediate performance target that specifies a closed state for a door of the container (112).
  19. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the charging stages include a transition stage which has an intermediate power target that indicates an occupied state for the loading ramp (108-2).
  20. Computer device according to Claim 11 , wherein the performance measurement includes at least one container fill level, an estimated time to completion (ETC) and a container door condition.

Description

BACKGROUND Material handling facilities, such as warehouses and the like, are increasingly computerized to cope with growing freight volumes and handling complexity while limiting the need for additional personnel. Machine and computer vision technologies can enable the monitoring of individual container operations within such facilities. However, the volume of such operations can overload recipients of monitoring information as well as the communication networks that relay this information. DE 11 2018 005 979 T5 This document describes systems and methods for estimating the time associated with completing the loading and/or unloading of a container. It further specifies a method for estimating the estimated time to completion (ETC) of loading a container. The method comprises: acquiring, via an image acquisition device, a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional formation, wherein the three-dimensional image has a plurality of points with three-dimensional point data; determining an active loading time for the container, at least partially based on a first submultiple of the points; determining a fill level of the container, at least partially based on a second submultiple of the points; and estimating the ETC by a controller, based on the active loading time and the fill level. US 2016 / 0 239 790 A1 describes devices, systems, non-transient media and methods that use a detachable scan sensor node to control a loading process associated with a container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MULTIPLE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements across the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are included and form part of the description and further serve to illustrate the embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for monitoring and providing feedback on a container loading and unloading process. 2 is a schematic representation showing the interior of the 1 The depicted facility illustrates this. 3 is a schematic representation illustrating exemplary stages of a container loading process. 4 is a flowchart of a procedure for monitoring and generating feedback for a loading and unloading process. 5 is a schematic representation illustrating exemplary stages of a container loading process. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure for performing block 420 of the procedure of 4 . 7 is a schematic representation that provides exemplary explanations of the procedures of 4 and 6 illustrated. 8 is a schematic representation showing exemplary alarms that occur during the execution of the procedures of 4 and 6 generated, illustrated. 9 is a schematic representation that includes further exemplary alarms and status messages generated by an execution of the procedures of 4 and 6 generated, illustrated. 10 is a schematic representation that includes additional exemplary alarms and status messages resulting from an execution of the procedures of 4 and 6 generated, illustrated. 11 is a schematic representation illustrating exemplary stages of a container unloading process. Those familiar with this field will recognize that elements of the figures are illustrated for the sake of simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily shown to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the embodiments of the present invention may be exaggerated relative to other elements to further aid understanding of these embodiments. Components of the apparatus and the method have been represented in the drawings, where appropriate, by conventional symbols which show only those specific details necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details which would be obscure to the average person skilled in the art in this field without Further details will become apparent once he has received the description given here. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The examples disclosed herein are directed to a method for generating feedback for a container loading process, the method comprising: storing, in a memory of a computing device, a set of load stage definitions that define sequential load stages of the container loading process, each stage definition including: i) an intermediate performance target and ii) a stage duration; on a processor of the computing device, in response to the arrival of a container at a loading dock, receiving a task definition that defines a performance target for the loading process; on the processor, retrieving the load stages sequentially and, for each stage: i) receiving sensor data mapping an interior of the container from a sensor array located at the loading dock, ii) determining a performance measurement of the container loading process based on the sensor data, iii) comparing the performance measurement with the interm