US-12626218-B2 - Systems and methods for assessing a condition of a package in a facility

US12626218B2US 12626218 B2US12626218 B2US 12626218B2US-12626218-B2

Abstract

Various embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for assessing a condition of a package in a facility. In this regard, first data from one or more first sensors is received once a worker picks the package at a first location in the facility. Further, based on the first data it is determined if the worker is holding the package. If the worker holds the package, second data is received from one or more second sensors such that the one or more second sensors are different from the one or more first sensors. Based on the second data, a package handling pattern for the package is determined. One or more notifications are provided to a mobile device associated with the worker if it is determined that the package handling pattern causes damage to the package.

Inventors

Karthik GUNDLAPALLI
Sunil Mishra
Ashwini Kumar Vangala

Assignees

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230925

Claims (20)

1 . A method for assessing a condition of a package in a facility, the method comprising: picking, by a worker, the package at a first location in the facility, wherein the package is linked to a scanning assembly positioned on the worker and comprises one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors; receiving first data from the one or more first sensors in response to picking the package by the worker; determining if the worker is holding the package based on the first data received from the one or more first sensors; receiving second data from the one or more second sensors in response to determining that the worker is holding the package, wherein the one or more second sensors are different from the one or more first sensors; determining a package handling pattern by the worker for the package based at least in part on the second data and application of one or more machine learning algorithms trained on training dataset comprising one or more package handling patterns, activity data, or health data associated with one or more workers associated with the facility; and providing one or more notifications to a mobile device associated with the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications is configured at least in part to direct one or more operations associated with package.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if the worker is holding the package based on the first data comprises: comparing the first data with one or more first threshold values, wherein the first data received from the one or more first sensors comprises at least one of muscle stiffness and muscle contraction data of the worker, and wherein the one or more first sensors comprises a mechanomyogram (MMG) sensor and an electromyogram (EMG) sensor; and determining that the worker is holding the package if the comparison of the first data exceeds the one or more first threshold values.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising: identifying a package holding pattern of the worker based at least in part on the first data; and providing one or more first notifications to the mobile device if the package holding pattern causes damage to the package.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprises: comparing the second data with one or more second threshold values, wherein the second data received from the one or more second sensors comprises data associated with orientation, position, and velocity of at least one of worker's hand and worker's body, and wherein the one or more second sensors comprises a gyroscope and an accelerometer; and identifying that the package handling pattern causes damage to the package if the comparison of the second data exceeds the one or more second threshold values.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices associated with a supervisor of the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications comprises at least one of: an audio notification and a visual notification; and identifying a cause for damage based at least in part on the first data and the second data.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: placing, by the worker, the package at a second location in the facility; determining the package handling pattern for the package based at least in part on the second data in response to placing the package at the second location; and identifying damage to the package based on the package handling pattern upon placing the package at the second location in the facility.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing one or more instructions to the worker via the mobile device, wherein the one or more instructions comprises at least one of: a pick instruction, a place instruction, and a corrective instruction.
8 . A system for assessing a condition of a package in a facility, the system comprising: a processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises one or more instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive first data from one or more first sensors in response to a worker picking the package at a first location in the facility, wherein the package is linked to a scanning assembly positioned on the worker and comprises the one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors; determine if the worker is holding the package based on the first data received from the one or more first sensors; receive second data from the one or more second sensors in response to determining that the worker is holding the package, wherein the one or more second sensors are different from the one or more first sensors; determine a package handling pattern for the package based at least in part on the second data and application of one or more machine learning algorithms trained on training dataset comprising one or more package handling patterns, activity data, or health data associated with one or more workers associated with the facility; and provide one or more notifications to a mobile device associated with the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications is configured at least in part to direct one or more operations associated with package.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: compare the first data with one or more first threshold values, wherein the first data received from the one or more first sensors comprises at least one of muscle stiffness and muscle contraction data of the worker, and wherein the one or more first sensors comprises a mechanomyogram (MMG) sensor and an electromyogram (EMG) sensor; and determine that the worker is holding the package if the comparison of the first data exceeds the one or more first threshold values.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to: identify a package holding pattern by the worker based at least in part on the first data; and provide one or more first notifications to the mobile device if the package holding pattern causes damage to the package.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: compare the second data with one or more second threshold values, wherein the second data received from the one or more second sensors comprises data associated with orientation, position, and velocity of at least one of worker's hand and worker's body, and wherein the one or more second sensors comprises a gyroscope and an accelerometer; and identify that the package handling pattern causes damage to the package if the comparison of the second data exceeds the one or more second threshold values.
12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: provide the one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices associated with a supervisor of the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications comprises at least one of: an audio notification and a visual notification; identify a cause for damage based at least in part on the first data and the second data; and provide one or more instructions to the worker via the mobile device, wherein the one or more instructions comprises at least one of: a pick instruction, a place instruction, and a corrective instruction.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to: determine the package handling pattern based at least in part on the second data in response to the worker placing the package at a second location in the facility; and identify damage to the package based on the package handling pattern upon placing the package at the second location in the facility.
14 . A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive first data from one or more first sensors in response to a worker picking a package at a first location in a facility, wherein the package is linked to a scanning assembly positioned on the worker and comprises one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors; determine if the worker is holding the package based on the first data received from the one or more first sensors; receive second data from the one or more second sensors in response to determining that the worker is holding the package, wherein the one or more second sensors are different from the one or more first sensors; determine a package handling pattern for the package based at least in part on the second data and application of one or more machine learning algorithms trained on training dataset comprising one or more package handling patterns, activity data, or health data associated with one or more workers associated with the facility; and provide one or more notifications to a mobile device associated with the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications is configured at least in part to direct one or more operations associated with package.
15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: compare the first data with one or more first threshold values, wherein the first data received from the one or more first sensors comprises at least one of muscle stiffness and muscle contraction data of the worker, and wherein the one or more first sensors comprises a mechanomyogram (MMG) sensor and an electromyogram (EMG) sensor; and determine that the worker is holding the package if the comparison of the first data exceeds the one or more first threshold values.
16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: identify a package holding pattern by the worker based at least in part on the first data; and provide one or more first notifications to the mobile device if the package holding pattern causes damage to the package.
17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: compare the second data with one or more second threshold values, wherein the second data received from the one or more second sensors comprises data associated with orientation, position, and velocity of at least one of worker's hand and worker's body, and wherein the one or more second sensors comprises a gyroscope and an accelerometer; and identify that the package handling pattern causes damage to the package if the comparison of the second data exceeds the one or more second threshold values.
18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: provide the one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices associated with a supervisor of the worker if the package handling pattern causes damage to the package, wherein the one or more notifications comprises at least one of: an audio notification and a visual notification; and identify a cause for damage based at least in part on the first data and the second data.
19 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: provide one or more instructions to the worker via the mobile device, wherein the one or more instructions comprises at least one of: a pick instruction, a place instruction, and a corrective instruction.
20 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to: determine the package handling pattern based at least in part on the second data in response to the worker placing the package at a second location in the facility; and identify damage to the package based on the package handling pattern upon placing the package at the second location in the facility.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to a facility management system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assessing a condition of a package in a facility based on package handling patterns by workers. BACKGROUND Generally, a facility like a material handling system, a warehouse, a distribution center, a sortation center, etc., often requires handling of numerous packages. Workflows such as picking, placing, sorting, truck loading, and/or the like can be part of package handling process in the facility. As the packages go through these workflows, there is a high possibility that the packages can be subjected to damage. There can be multiple reasons due which the packages can be subjected to damage. One possible reason can be that the packages are mishandled by personnel in the facility. Whereas another reason can be that equipment or environment in the facility is responsible for the damage. There can be several other possible reasons too for the damage. But this eventually results in damaged packages that are unfit to be shipped to an end customer as faulty end products decrease customer satisfaction. In addition, if such damaged packages are shipped to customers, then it may add a burden on the customer to raise a receipt of damaged package and arrange a return/replacement request. This can significantly result in a negative customer experience along with an impact on finances, labor, and brand reputation of the facility. So, it becomes vital to monitor conditions or statuses of the packages as they transit through different workflows in the facility. However, given that the number of packages in the facility is humongous, tracking condition or status of each package has its associated challenges. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram showing a facility management system comprising multiple facilities, in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram showing a framework of an Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform utilized in a facility management system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram showing an exemplary implementation of a controller that may execute techniques in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram showing an exemplary implementation of facility management system in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic diagram showing an exemplary scanning assembly in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic diagram showing another exemplary scanning assembly in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing a method described in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart showing a method described in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing a method described in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart showing a method described in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart showing a method described in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. SUMMARY The details of some embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. In accordance with one or more example embodiments of the current disclosure, a method for assessing a condition of a package in a facility is described herein. In some example embodiments, the method comprises picking, by a worker, the package at a first location in the facility. In this regard, in some example embodiments, the method further comprises receiving first data from one or more first sensors in response to picking the package by the worker. Further, in some example embodiments, the method further comprises determining if the worker is holding the package based on the first data received from the one or more first sensors. In this regard, in some example embodiments, the method further comprises receiving second data from one or more second sensors in response to determining that the worker is holding the package, wherein the one or more second sensors are different from the one or more first sensors. Also, in some example embodiments, the method further comprises determining a package h