US-12623854-B2 - Early package damage detection

Abstract

Detecting damaged packages is disclosed. Transport mechanisms, such as pallets, are equipped with sensors including inertial sensors. The inertial data, in conjunction with characteristics of the packages such as fragility values, can be used to determine whether a package may be damaged. If damage is suspected, the package can be inspected. The ability to detect damage may also use package geometries and the like. When damage is suspected, remedial actions can be performed.

Inventors

• Eric L. Caron
• Vinicius Michel Gottin
• Jason Bonafide
• Nalinkumar Mistry
• Eric Bruno

Assignees

• DELL PRODUCTS L.P.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230227

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method comprising: associating a transport mechanism with a package, including reading an identifier of the package and an identifier of the transport mechanism; collecting sensor data from sensors associated with the transport mechanism, wherein the sensor data is associated with the package, the sensors being configured to transmit data to a node or collection device within an environment; determining whether the sensor data indicates that the package is damaged by evaluating the sensor data in conjunction with a fragility value encoded in the identifier of the package and using a damage detection service comprising a decision engine trained with normative sensor data to identify deviations based on reconstruction error thresholds related to a fragility index; and performing a remedial action when the sensor data indicates that the package is damaged by directing the package to an inspection location prior to shipment.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising loading the package on the transport mechanism, the transport mechanism comprising a pallet.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensors comprise inertial sensors and a gyroscope, wherein the sensors include telemetric capabilities.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the associating step comprises storing the identifiers in a database.
5. 5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the fragility value defines the reconstruction-error threshold.
6. 6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether a geometry of the package is typical or atypical.
7. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the damage detection service includes a rules engine when sufficient training data in unavailable.
8. 8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein multiple packages are loaded on the transport mechanism, further comprising determining a fragility index based on fragility values of the multiple packages.
9. 9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein input to the damage detection service includes the sensor data and contextual data.
10. 10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the node and the collection device are configured to communicate with the central node via a telemetric network.
11. 11 . A non-transitory storage medium having stored therein instructions that are executable by one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising: associating a transport mechanism with a package, including reading an identifier of the package and an identifier of the transport mechanism; collecting sensor data from sensors associated with the transport mechanism, wherein the sensor data is associated with the package, the sensors being configured to transmit data to a node or collection device within an environment; determining whether the sensor data indicates that the package is damaged by evaluating the sensor data in conjunction with a fragility value encoded in the identifier of the package and using a damage detection service comprising a decision engine trained with normative sensor data to identify deviations based on reconstruction error thresholds related to a fragility index; and performing a remedial action when the sensor data indicates that the package is damaged by directing the package to an inspection location prior to shipment.
12. 12 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , further comprising loading the package on the transport mechanism, the transport mechanism comprising a pallet.
13. 13 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the sensors comprise inertial sensors and a gyroscope, wherein the sensors include telemetric capabilities.
14. 14 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the associating step comprises storing the identifiers in a database.
15. 15 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the fragility value defines the reconstruction-error threshold.
16. 16 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , further comprising determining whether a geometry of the package is typical or atypical.
17. 17 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the damage detection service includes a rules engine when sufficient training data in unavailable.
18. 18 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 17 , wherein multiple packages are loaded on the transport mechanism, further comprising determining a fragility index based on fragility values of the multiple packages.
19. 19 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 17 , wherein input to the damage detection service includes the sensor data and contextual data.
20. 20 . The non-transitory storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the node and the collection device are configured to communicate with the central node via a telemetric network.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to logistics operations. More particularly, at least some embodiments of the invention relate to systems, hardware, software, computer-readable media, and methods for detecting damage to packages. BACKGROUND There are many environments in which logistics operations are performed. A warehouse environment, including large warehouse environments, are often associated with multiple dynamic and mobile entities. For example, forklifts (manual or automated), autonomous automated robots (AMRs), and the like are examples of devices that may operate within a warehouse. These devices are often used to perform logistics operations, which may including moving goods from one location to another location. More specifically, packages that are shipped may pass through various warehouse environments. In each of these environments, the packages may be unloaded, stored, loaded and shipped. Thus, there is a need to move packages of different types, shapes, and sizes. Logistics operations may include the operations and procedures followed to manage and perform the movement and storage of these packages. As packages are moved or processed, some of the packages may become damaged or may arrive at the warehouse damaged. The damage can be caused for multiple reasons. Warehouses often include hazards and the devices used to move the packages do not always operate in a smooth manner. These devices may experience sudden accelerations/decelerations, turn too sharply, or the like. When packages (or the goods therein) are damaged, dealing with the damage can incur costs in terms of time, resources, and money. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to describe the manner in which at least some of the advantages and features of the invention may be obtained, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 discloses aspects of performing logistics operations in an environment; FIG. 2 discloses aspects of recognizing or determining package geometries; FIG. 3A discloses aspects of a logistics service; FIG. 3B discloses aspects of a damage detection service; FIG. 4 discloses aspects of a device logistics service; FIG. 5 discloses aspects of determining whether a package is damaged or may be damaged; and FIG. 6 discloses aspects of a computing device, system, or entity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to logistics operations. More particularly, at least some embodiments of the invention relate to systems, hardware, software, computer-readable media, and methods for detecting damaged packages. Warehouses are examples of environments in which logistics operations are performed. Embodiments of the invention relate to performing various logistics operations in order to avoid incidents that may damage goods or packages that may be in transit. Embodiments of the invention further relate to identifying packages that may have been damaged (e.g., during transport) by tracking inertial measurements associated with the packages and characteristics (e.g., fragility, geometry) of the packages. By detecting damaged packages or potentially damaged packages, delivery times and delivery costs can be reduced. As a package is shipped, the package may spend time in a warehouse or in transport. Thus, the package may be moved from one hub (e.g., warehouse) to another hub and may be moved inter-warehouse. In order to determine whether a package may have been damaged, the transport mechanism in or on which the package is loaded or place may be provided with a plurality of sensors such as inertial sensors. By relating the transport mechanism to the package, which may be performed by linking an identifier of the transport mechanism to an identifier of the package that is loaded on the transport mechanism, movements or other data acquired by the sensors of the transport mechanism can be used to determine whether a package may have been damaged. The data of the sensors may be evaluated in the context of package characteristics, such as fragility. In a simple example, the sensors may report that the pallet experienced a certain acceleration. If that acceleration is more than what the package can sustain, based on the fragility value, embodiments of the invention may direct the package for inspection on the assumption that the package has been damaged. More specifically, the ability to detect damage to packages can be at least partially achieved by tracking the movement of the transport devices (