US20140214631A1 - Inventory assistance device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and system for assisting with inventory ordering and management. In an embodiment, a personal device may be used by a worker to assist with identifying and retrieving items in an inventory or warehouse setting. The device includes a communications module suited to interface with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that may be attached to the items to be selected or a bin that holds the items to be selected. If the worker has maneuvered the device close enough to a correct RFID tag, then the device can provide positive feedback to the worker indicating selection of a needed item. Similarly, if the worker has come into communicative proximity with an item not needed, then negative feedback at the device may be initiated.

Description

BACKGROUND
• Inventory systems (sometimes called “order picking” systems) employ various devices that interact through wired or wireless communication to assist workers in locating, identifying, and selecting items in a warehouse setting when such items need to be retrieved to fulfill an order, or the like. A worker may use a handheld device that communicates with a backend inventory system such that the worker may be given directions to a specific location in a warehouse to retrieve the item needed. However, because of the sheer number of items in many warehouses and the smaller size of some inventory items, difficulty results in quickly retrieving items and correctly so. That is, in a large inventory environment, a particular difficulty arises when there are so many possible locations for specific items within the warehouse environment. Even if a row or aisle is identified by a system, a great number of items may be located in such a row or aisle and may be stacked into different height levels. Further yet, smaller items may be located in rather small bins or containers. Such granularity in an inventory system may prove challenging even if very specific directions or locations are provided.
• For example, a location identification of aisle 4, section 23A, shelf B may still leave a large area for a worker to look for a needed item. Often, a worker may be right on top of a needed item, but spend a significant amount of time verifying a specific item by a SKU number or part number. Further, with such numbers often so very redundant or similar, a worker may select an incorrect item in a bin next to the correct item all the while thinking that the correct item has been retrieved. Without specific feedback from an inventory picking system, workers may be prone to mistakes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claims will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an inventory assistance device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of an inventory assistance system according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of an inventory assistance system according to a further embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of a tool assistance system according to a further embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter disclosed herein. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present detailed description. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed or suggested herein.
• By way of overview, the subject matter disclosed herein may be directed to a device that may be used within a system for assisting with inventory ordering and management. In an embodiment, a personal device may be used by a worker to assist with identifying and retrieving items in an inventory or warehouse setting. Such a personal device may be worn on a wrist or hand or any other convenient manner of moving the device into proximity with possible items for selection and retrieval. In this sense, the worker may maneuver a hand having the device toward various items. The device includes a communications module suited to interface with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that may be attached to the items to be selected or a bin that holds the items to be selected. If the worker has maneuvered his or her hand (e.g., the device itself worn on or near the hand) close enough to a correct RFID tag, then the device can provide positive feedback to the worker indicating selection of a needed item. Similarly, if the worker has come into communicative proximity with an item not needed, then negative feedback at the device may be implemented. Further, the device may be suited to interface with a portable handheld computing device such that upon selection of a needed item, inventory levels and order fulfillment databases in a larger back-end inventory system may be updated accordingly. These and other aspects and features of the device and corresponding system are discussed below with respect toFIGS. 1-4.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of aninventory assistance device100 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. The device as described herein may be a personal device typically carried or worn by a person. Various embodiments of the device, such as glove embodiments and wristband embodiments, are discussed below with respect to other FIGS. With respect toFIG. 1, the device will be discussed in terms of functional blocks regardless of the physical embodiment.
• Thedevice100 is configured to communicatively interface with both a larger back-end inventory system (not shown inFIG. 1) as well as individual items or item bins (also not shown inFIG. 1). Such communications may be realized through one or both of two different communications modules within thedevice100. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the two communications modules are a radio frequency (RF)circuit110 for communicating with RF tags at local items or item bins and anetwork interface130 for communicating with a packet-based switched network coupled to the larger back-end inventory system. Further, in some embodiments, thecircuit110 may be a near field communication (NFC) module.
• A first communication module includes anRF circuit110 configured according to an ultra-low-power wireless (ULPW) standard (e.g., BlueTooth™ or the like). TheRF circuit110 may include atransmitter114 as well as areceiver112. In a typical configuration, thedevice100 may be set to continuously scan for detection of RF tags that may be disposed on or near specific items that a user seeks. Such a continuous scanning may be accomplished via thereceiver112 of theRF circuit110. As various RF tags are detected, thereceiver112 may send tag information (e.g., information that identifies an item in which the RF tag is assigned) to acontroller125 to determine if the recently scanned RF tag is a match to an item being sought or not a match. Thecontroller125 may access amemory120 that contains RF tag information of items being sought.
• Thecontroller125 is further configured to provide a feedback signal to afeedback module140 based on whether or not the item scanned is a match or is not a match. If the item is a match, then a feedback signal may be a positive feedback signal to thefeedback module140. If the item is not a match, then the feedback signal to thefeedback module140 will be a negative signal. Thefeedback module140 may be used to receive the positive or negative feedback signal from thecontroller125 and provide one or more indications to a user about whether the feedback is positive or negative. Such indications may be haptic, aural, and/or visual.
• For example, if the feedback signal is positive, thefeedback module140 may vibrate with two short bursts via a haptic device141 (or similar haptic vibration motor circuit or piezoelectric circuit). If the feedback signal is negative, thefeedback module140 may vibrate with one long sustained burst via thepiezoelectric circuit141. Additional indications may be used as well, such as an audible sound via aspeaker142 indicating positive (e.g., a bell) or negative (e.g., a buzzer) feedback or visual indications such as a green LED flash via anLED143 for positive feedback and a red LED flash for negative feedback. One or more indications may be used to indicate to the user a positive item selection or a negative item selection.
• As feedback indications are implemented, atimer150 or clock module may be used by thecontroller125 interrupt theRF circuit110 scanning for a specified amount of time so as to allow a user to acknowledge the feedback. Such a time duration may be between 2 and 10 seconds in one embodiment although other time durations are possible. This allows a user enough time to replace any incorrectly selected items (and indicated by a negative feedback indication) or to acknowledge selection of the correct item so as to remove the correctly selected item's RF tag information from thememory120 of items being sought.
• Turning attention back to theRF circuit110, thetransmitter114 may be configured to send ULPW signals to various other devices, such as a handheld computer, a personal computer or other device having an ULPW receiver. In this manner, thedevice100 may engage in two-way communications with other devices for updating other computers and databases about the actions of the worker.
• Such communication via theRF circuit100 may be under the control of thelocal controller125 in conjunction with a remote device (not shown inFIG. 1) communicating with thedevice100 via theRF circuit110. As such, if a user of a remote device (such as a handheld computer) initiates a procedure for selecting a specific item from an inventory, the remote device may communicate RF information to the device100 (to be stored in the memory120) that corresponds to a specific item is to be detected and selected. As thedevice100 comes into proximity with various items that have RFID tags thereon, the aforementioned feedback signals may be generated to indicate positive or negative feedback.
• In one embodiment, thedevice100 may also communicate (or instead of) via the second communications module, awireless network interface130, with various other devices, such as a handheld computer, a personal computer or other device having a wireless network interface therein. Thus, using known wireless commination protocols, thedevice100 and other device communicatively coupled to thedevice100 may exchange inventory information as described above. In the next paragraphs, overall system embodiments are discussed that incorporate other devices in communication with thedevice100 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of an inventory assistance system according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this system embodiment, aworker201 may be tasked with retrieving one or more items from an inventory of items. Thus, theworker201 may be equipped with thedevice100 ofFIG. 1 as well as ahandheld computing device250 or other similar portable computing device. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, thedevice100 comprises a wristband embodiment, although as discussed above, other embodiments are contemplated such as a glove, a coat or vest, headphones, eyeglasses, visor, or any other wearable device (all of which are not shown in the figures).
• As discussed above with respect toFIG. 1, thedevice100 may be communicatively coupled220 with various items, such asitem203a, via an RFID or NFC communication standard. Theitem203amay include an RFID tag ofNFC tag202asuch that thecommunicative coupling220 provides identifying information to thedevice100 for theitem203aheld in the worker's hand. If this helditem203ais identified by the controller (not shown inFIG. 2) of thedevice100 as an item to be retrieved, thedevice100 may provide a positive feedback to theworker201 by vibrating quickly twice (or some other manner or providing positive feedback, be it haptic, aural, or visual). Similarly, if theitem203ais not the item that is needed, thedevice100 may provide negative feedback (e.g., a longer sustained vibration).
• As theworker201 is typically in an environment with several items available for selection, such asitems203band203cas shown, thedevice100 may have a specifically calibrated communication range such that only items in the worker's hand are within communication range. In this manner, RFID ofNFC tags202band202con other items are not detected by the device when not in the worker's hand. The range may be calibrated to have different ranges such that in different settings a larger range is applicable, such as when a worker is to retrieve items stored on shelves in a warehouse.
• As theworker201 begins using the system, the worker may enable proximity assistance with thedevice100 for selecting one or more items to be retrieved using a portable computing device, such ashandheld computer250, which is communicatively coupled225 to thedevice100. Thus, in initiating a session, the memory of the device100 (memory not shown inFIG. 1) may be populated with one or more codes corresponding to RFID tags or NFC tags associated with desired items. Then, as theworker201 comes into proximity with an item associated with a code in the memory (e.g., the RF receiver of thedevice100 as shown inFIG. 1 reads an RFID tag or NFC tag from a needed item), the device may then indicate to thehandheld computer250 that the item has been selected (in addition to the positive feedback at the device itself. In other embodiments, theworker201 may acknowledge the positive feedback prior to the device communicating back to thehandheld computing device250. Such an acknowledgement may be haptic, such as a wrist shake, or may be theworker201 actuating an acknowledgment input on thedevice100 or thehandheld computer250.
• Thehandheld device250 may also be communicatively coupled280 to a back-end inventory system290 wherein inventory levels may be incremented or decremented by the actions of theworker201. Additional automated events may occur via the back-end inventory system290 as well, such as order fulfillment communications, inventory restocking orders, or any other inventory action. Such actions may be accomplished in response to positive or negative feedback generated by the worker coming into proximity with items to be selected or items that are not among items to be selected.
• Such a system as described may have multiple applications. In one example, consider a hospital worker that is tasked with dispensing the correct medication to the correct patient in the correct dosage. The system ofFIG. 2 tracks the grasping of various tagged medication containers. The task managing intelligence (e.g., the controller125) determines what operation is to be performed next in time and determines the worker's location. Communications between the personal device and the item being grasped confirms whether or not the item is the appropriate association for the task at the current location at the current time. Further communications between worker and item may confirm the correct dispensing of medication. The location of the patient, the worker, and the medication are all confirmed as appropriate and presented to the worker as feedback in a haptic, aural or visual manner.
• Further tracking may be done to ensure that unused medication is restored to its correct location once the task is completed. Feedback may then indicate to the worker that another task is to be performed, thereby repeating the process.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of aninventory assistance system300 according to a further embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, a worker (only the worker'shand325 is shown inFIG. 3) may be using adevice100 as discussed above in conjunction withFIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, thedevice100 is a glove-like embodiment worn on the worker'shand325. Further, the worker may be engaging with items that are stored in a group ofbins305. As shown, there are none bins shown inFIG. 3 including bins311-318. Further, each of the bins311-318 may include an alphanumeric indicator to assist in identifying the bins that is also an RFID tag or NFC tag. For example, thebin311 includestag320 that may interface with thedevice100 when proximity is detected.
• In this embodiment, the RFID tags may communicate with thedevice100 when it is within the calibrated range as has been described. As described above, the device may then indicate positive and negative feedback accordingly. Additionally, or in some embodiments associated withFIG. 3, instead of, providing the feedback to a feedback module in thedevice100, the local RFID tag may include a feedback module (not shown in detail) for positive or negative feedback. As shown, anindicator light321 may be enabled when the correct bin (in thiscase bin311 having RFID tag320). For example, a worker may need to retrieve an item frombin311, but not know thatbin311 contains the item for which the worker is attempting to retrieve. Thus, the worker could maneuver ahand325 in front of all of the bins311-318 until one of the bins lights up; in this example, the light321 onbin311 will light up. This will light up because thedevice100 came into communicative coupling with theRFID tag320 ofbin311 and generated a positive feedback. Further, thedevice100 itself may provide positive haptic, visual or aural feedback as well.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of atool assistance system400 according to a further embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, atool450 may be used in conjunction with thedevice100 ofFIG. 1. Thetool450 may include anRFID tag451 thereon that may communicatively interface with thedevice100 worn by a worker who may be using thetool450. As the worker's hand (with thedevice100 worn thereabout) comes into proximity with thetool450, the identifiedRFID tag451 may trigger a communication from thedevice100 to a back-end system (not shown inFIG. 4) to download specific information about thetool450 to be used to thedevice100. Such information may be specifics about thetool450, such as an amount of torque to apply to particular bolts410a-410cin the case of a torque wrench.
• Thus, the tool may be calibrated in conjunction with the RFID tag to generate an RF signal for a series of different torques reached when being used. Once the correct torque is reached by the particular application, thedevice100 may identify an RFID signal associated with the required torque, thereby generating a positive feedback to the wrist-worn device. Then a worker may continue torqueing a bolt until positive feedback is sensed. In this manner, the worker needs not remember how much torque for various applications, but rather simply apply torque until thedevice100 indicates that enough torque has been reached. Additionally, once the correct torque has been reached, the device may communicate with the back-end system to indicate that the task has been completed. Thus, the back end system may be used to track worker activity for consistency and accuracy as well. With various tools being equipped with RFID tags, a worker wearing thedevice100 may be assisted by thedevice100 itself, since thedevice100 may be used to indicate proper use of the identified tool for particular applications.
• Consider as another example, an aircraft mechanic performing maintenance on an aircraft engine. Thesystem400 is able to track and time his or her tasks and ensure the correct tools (objects) and handling procedures are carried out. Since the system is aware of the object, the mechanic, the mechanic's manipulation of the object, and where and when the task is performed, the system is able to guide, audit, and otherwise measure the performance of the mechanic via updating of backend databases and haptic, visual or aural feedback to the mechanic. The system allows a remote intelligence in a back end system to track and or modify the behavior of the mechanic's activity in association with objects in the environment needed for a specific interaction.
• While the subject matter discussed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the claims to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims (16)

1. A device, comprising:

a wireless communication module configured to detect wireless signals that correspond to items, respectively;

a controller coupled to the wireless communication module and configured to identify an item based on a detected wireless signal and configured to generate a feedback signal in response to the identification; and

a feedback module coupled to the controller and configured to provide feedback in response to the feedback signal;

wherein said device continuously scans for detection of wireless signals that correspond to items.

2. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to the controller and configured to store data corresponding to items that correspond to wireless signals.

3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the device comprises a wristband.

4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the device comprises a glove.

5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the feedback module further comprises a haptic feedback module configured to generate a haptic indication in response to the feedback signal.

6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the haptic indication comprises two vibrations with short durations to indicate a positive feedback signal and one vibration with a duration longer than the short duration to indicate a negative feedback signal.

7. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the haptic feedback module further comprises a haptic vibration motor circuit.

8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the feedback module further comprises an aural feedback module configured to generate an aural indication in response to the feedback signal.

9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the feedback module further comprises a visual feedback module configured to generate a visual indication in response to the feedback signal.

10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a network interface module coupled to the controller and configured to communicate with a switched packet network.

11-15. (canceled)

16. A method, comprising:

providing a device having personal device memory;

storing data in the personal device memory about one or more specific items, the one or more specific items a subset of a plurality of items;

selecting an item from the plurality of items;

determining an identification of the selected item by continuously scanning, with the device, to detect a wireless signal generated by a wireless communication tag disposed on the selected item;

generating a positive feedback signal, with the device, if the identified item is one of the one or more specific items; and

generating a negative feedback signal, with the device, if the identified item is not one of the one or more specific items.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the positive feedback and the negative feedback further comprises haptic, aural, or visual feedback.

18. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising:

communicating the positive feedback signal to a remote computer system; and

updating a record stored in the remote computer system.

19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising communicating data to the device from the remote computer system in response to the updating.

20. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising communicating data to the device from a remote computer system having data about a plurality of items in response to the positive or negative feedback.

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