Patent Application
20170227624
The present disclosure relates generally to an arrangement for, and a method of, accurately locating targets in a venue, such as a retail, factory, or warehouse environment, by operating overhead, sensing network units, each preferably having a plurality of mutually cooperating sensor modules, such as a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader module for reading RFID tag targets, and/or a video module for capturing a video stream of images of the targets, and/or an ultrasonic locationing module for locating the targets by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy between the ultrasonic module and the targets, and/or a wireless communications module for transmitting and receiving wireless communications between the targets and the sensing network units.
Radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) systems are known for product locationing, product tracking, product identification, and inventory control in retail, factory, or warehouse environments. For example, as shown in
Instead of the RFID system, it is also known to position a plurality of device locationing devices of a device locationing system in the venue 10 to determine the location of mobile devices, such as handheld RFID tag readers, handheld bar code symbol readers, phones, radios, watches, tablets, radios, or computers, that are carried and/or worn by people movable within the venue 10. The mobile devices can also be product movers, such as trucks or forklifts, movable within the venue 10. For example, as also shown in
Instead of the RFID and device locationing systems, it is still further known, as further shown in
It is yet also known to install a wireless communications system by deploying, as yet further shown in
Although
The spaced-apart installation of each such piece of equipment, together with the routing and connections of the multiple data and power cables, represents a significant installation burden and cost. Furthermore, the spaced-apart installation of all these individual pieces of equipment, if not carefully planned, can often be regarded as unsightly, particularly in a retail setting. The installation of the cameras 20 is particularly problematic, because many people 24, especially customers, do not appreciate being under surveillance. Most importantly, the spaced-apart installation of each such piece of equipment also introduces non-negligible signal processing delays since data generated at the different locations of the different pieces of equipment have to be individually identified as to their individual points or nodes of origin, and have to be correlated with each other from an analytics perspective. Managing data from a multitude of such nodes is a complex task that increases overall system complexity, processing, and associated latency. Such delays can negatively impact the accuracy of locating and tracking the targets, especially when the targets are moving.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to simplify, and reduce the cost and time of, installing RFID tag readers and/or device locationing devices and/or video cameras and/or access points in a venue, as well as to install such pieces of equipment in an aesthetic manner in the venue, and, furthermore, to minimize signal processing delays to thereby more accurately locate and track the targets than heretofore.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and locations of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The arrangement and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
One aspect of this disclosure relates to a sensing network unit for accurately locating targets in a venue, such as a retail, factory, or warehouse environment. The unit includes a common housing mounted at a single overhead location in the venue, and a plurality of electrically-powered sensor modules supported by the common housing, for sensing the targets in the venue, and for generating target data indicative of location of the targets. For example, the plurality of the sensor modules could include a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reader module for reading targets configured as RFID tags in the venue over a coverage range, and/or a video module for capturing a video stream of images of targets in the venue over an imaging field of view, and/or an ultrasonic locationing module for locating targets in the venue by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy between the ultrasonic locationing module and the targets, and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN) communications module for wireless communication between the targets and the ultrasonic locationing module. The unit also includes a power and data distribution system for transmitting network control data and electrical power to the sensor modules, and for transmitting the target data away from the sensor modules.
At least two of the modules mutually cooperate with other to accurately locate the targets. For example, the RFID module may determine the general location or neighborhood of the tag with a certain level of accuracy, and the video module may determine the location of the tag with a higher or finer level of accuracy by locating the person who is holding or moving the tag. As another example, the ultrasonic locationing module may determine the general location or neighborhood of the mobile device with a certain level of accuracy, and the communications module may determine the location of the mobile device with a higher or finer level of accuracy by advising the ultrasonic locationing module when the ultrasonic energy was actually received by the mobile device. As still another example, all the modules may cooperate with each other to locate the target with a high degree of precision.
In a preferred embodiment, the power and data distribution system includes a networking control switch mounted in the common housing, an exterior power and data cable connected to the unit, and a plurality of interior Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cables each connected between a respective module and the networking control switch. Each PoE cable supplies the electrical power and transmits the control data to the respective module over a single cable.
Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to an arrangement for accurately locating targets in a venue. The arrangement includes a network or host computer or server, and a plurality of the above-described sensing network units operatively connected to the network server and deployed in the venue.
A further aspect of this disclosure is directed to a method of accurately locating targets in a venue. The method is performed by supporting a plurality of electrically-powered sensor modules on a common housing, and by mounting the common housing with the supported sensor modules at a single overhead location in the venue. The method is further performed by generating first target data indicative of location of the targets with a first of the sensor modules, by generating second target data indicative of the location of the targets with a second of the sensor modules in cooperation with the first sensor module, by supplying electrical power to the sensor modules, by transmitting network control data and electrical power to the sensor modules, and by transmitting the target data away from the sensor modules.
In accordance with this disclosure, the installation of multiple RFID tag readers and/or device locationing devices and/or video cameras and/or access points at a venue has been simplified, and can be performed in less time and at less cost than heretofore. Individual pieces of such equipment are no longer separately installed and spaced apart from one another, but instead, they are configured as modules that are incorporated or built into each network sensing unit. Thus, one of the modules could be configured as an RFID tag reader module, and another of the modules could be configured as a video module, and still another of the modules could be configured as an ultrasonic locationing module, and yet another of the modules could be configured as a communications module. Any two or more of such modules could be selected and incorporated into each single sensing network unit, thereby reducing the number of pieces of equipment that needs to be installed at a particular venue. Individual data and power cables are no longer separately routed to and from each such piece of equipment. Now, a single PoE cable is exteriorly connected to each sensing network unit to carry power and data to all the modules, and PoE cables are interiorly connected to each module to carry both the power and the data. The installation of the cameras within each unit is especially advantageous not only because the installation is more aesthetic than heretofore, but also because the cameras are substantially hidden within the housing of each unit and, therefore, are less noticeable to any persons who object to being under surveillance. Signal processing delays are minimized since all the data generated at each unit have the same point or node of origin, and no longer have to be correlated with each other from an analytics perspective. Managing data from a single node is a simpler and less complex processing task with lower latency than heretofore. Minimizing such delays greatly increase the accuracy of locating and tracking the targets, especially when the targets are moving.
Turning now to the drawings,
The server 16 comprises one or more computers and is in wired, wireless, direct, or networked communication with the interface 28 and with each sensing network unit 30. The interface 28 provides a human/machine interface, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI), that presents information in pictorial and/or textual form (e.g., representations of bearings of the RFID-tagged products 104, 106) to the employee 24, and to initiate and/or alter the execution of various processes that may be performed by the server 16. The server 16 and the interface 28 may be separate hardware devices and include, for example, a computer, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and various other hardware peripherals, or may be integrated into a single hardware device, such as a mobile smartphone, or a portable tablet, or a laptop computer. Furthermore, the user interface 28 can be in a smartphone, or tablet, etc., while the server 16 may be a local computer, or can be remotely hosted in a cloud server. The server 16 may include a wireless RF transceiver that communicates with each sensing network unit 30. For example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® are open wireless standards for exchanging data between electronic devices.
A preferred embodiment of each sensing network unit 30 is depicted in
As best shown in
As also shown in
As further shown in
As still further shown in
At least two of the modules mutually cooperate with other to accurately locate the targets. For example, the RFID module 42 may determine the general location or neighborhood of the tag with a certain level of accuracy, and the video module 46 may determine the location of the tag with a higher or finer level of accuracy by locating the person who is holding or moving the tag. As another example, the ultrasonic locationing module 52 may determine the general location or neighborhood of the mobile device with a certain level of accuracy, and the communications module 58 may determine the location of the mobile device with a higher or finer level of accuracy by advising the ultrasonic locationing module 52, as described below, when the ultrasonic energy was actually received by the mobile device. As still another example, all the modules 42, 46, 52, 58 may cooperate with each other to locate the target with a high degree of precision.
Each ultrasonic speaker 56 periodically transmits ultrasonic ranging signals, preferably in short bursts or ultrasonic pulses, which are received by a microphone on the mobile device. The microphone determines when the ultrasonic ranging signals are received. The communications module 58 advises the ultrasonic locationing module 52 when the ultrasonic ranging signals were received. The locationing module 52, under the control of the server 16, directs all the speakers 56 to emit the ultrasonic ranging signals such that the microphone on the mobile device will not receive overlapping ranging signals from the different speakers. The flight time difference between the transmit time that each ranging signal is transmitted and the receive time that each ranging signal is received, together with the known speed of each ranging signal, as well as the known and fixed locations and positions of the speakers 56 on each sensing unit 30, are all used to determine the position of the microphone mounted on the mobile device, and, in turn, the position of the mobile device, also known as target data, using a suitable locationing technique, such as triangulation, trilateration, multilateration, etc.
A power and data distribution system is employed for transmitting network control data and electrical power to the sensor modules 42, 46, 52, and for transmitting the target data away from the sensor modules 42, 46, 52. The power and data distribution system includes a networking control switch 62 mounted within the housing 32, an exterior power and data cable, preferably a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cable, connected between each unit 30 and the server 16, and a plurality of interior PoE cables each connected between a respective module 42, 46, 52, 58 and the networking control switch 62. Each PoE cable connected to the modules 42, 46, 52 transmits the electrical power and transmits the control data thereto from the networking control switch 62, and transmits the target data away from the respective module 42, 46, 52 to the networking control switch 62. The PoE cable connected to the communications module 58 transmits the electrical power and transmits the control data thereto from the networking control switch 62, and transmits communications data away from the communications module 58 back to the server 16.
The exterior PoE cable is connected between a power source (not illustrated) and an input port 64 on the networking control switch 62. An optional DC power line 66 can be connected to the networking control switch 62. A spare module 68 can be accommodated within the housing 32. The spare module can be another sensor module, or, advantageously, can be another communications module operating under a different protocol, such as the Bluetooth® protocol or the ultra wideband protocol.
The aforementioned access door 38 is hinged at hinge 70 to the housing 32 for movement between an open position (
A safety switch 80 (see
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Although the invention has been described for use with modules 42, 46, 52, 58, different modules, or different combinations of modules, can be mounted in each unit 30. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” or “contains . . . a,” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about,” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
