Patent Application
20250171233
The present invention generally relates to monitoring of storage spaces and/or optimization of such storage spaces. More specifically, the present invention is related to a sensor system and a method for monitoring a storage space comprising items, and a lighting system comprising the sensor system.
Warehouses are a critical part of any supply chain: they act as buffers to store goods between the various stages of a supply chain. Operational efficiency of warehouses is essential to the overall supply chain. Order picking accounts for almost 60% of the annual operating costs of a warehouse, and over 50% of those costs are spent on traveling within the warehouse. Thus, minimizing the travel time during order picking is a key strategy to improve the operational efficiency.
The central concept in minimizing travel time is storing the most frequently accessed items in the easiest to reach places. In other words, the most frequently accessed items should be stored closest to the receiving, staging, and shipping areas. The so called “ABC” stock classification ensures that most frequently accessed/valuable items are closest to the staging area, thereby minimizing the travel time. The most frequently accessed items are stored in a (first) zone A, which is usually closest to the staging area. The second-most frequently accessed class of items are stored in a (second) zone B, and so on.
In the state of the art, warehouse management relies on analysis related to ABC to routinely check management system(s) for sub-optimal stocking patterns. However, management systems of this kind are often limited by the quality of data entered into the systems. Furthermore, another significant barrier to ABC analysis is that non-optimal ABC classification is perceived as the main cause of longer order picking times and wasted labor. Moreover, ABC analysis may be time-consuming and data-intensive, and the value of conducting extensive ABC analysis in warehouses is often questioned by warehouse managers.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to try to overcome at least some of the deficiencies and to provide systems and/or methods which are able to increase the operation efficiency of a storage space such as a warehouse.
It is of interest to overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the current warehouse management operations, and to provide systems and/or methods which are able to increase the operation efficiency of a warehouse.
This and other objects are achieved by providing a sensor system and a method having the features in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor system for monitoring a storage space comprising a plurality of items. The sensor system comprises at least one sensor configured to register occupancy of at least one object in a plurality of zones of the storage space. Each zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C. A level of occupancy of the at least one object of a zone of a first hierarchic order, A, is predicted to be higher than a level of occupancy of the at least one object of a zone of a second hierarchic order, B, during a predetermined time interval, wherein the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B. The sensor system further comprises a processor connected to the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to, via the at least one sensor, determine a level of occupancy of the at least one object in at least two zones, as a function of time, wherein the at least two zones comprise a first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, and a second zone of the second hierarchic order, B. The processor is further configured to compare a first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, during a predetermined time interval. The sensor system further comprises an alarm connected to the processor. The alarm is configured to generate an alarm signal if the first level of occupancy of at least one object of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of at least one object of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, whilst the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a storage space comprising a plurality of items. The method comprises registering occupancy of at least one object in a plurality of zones of the storage space, wherein each zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, wherein a level of occupancy of the at least one object of a first zone of a first hierarchic order, A, is predicted to be higher than a level of occupancy of the at least one object of a zone of a second hierarchic order, B, during a predetermined time interval, wherein the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B. The method further comprises determining a level of occupancy of the at least one object in at least two zones as a function of time, wherein the at least two zones comprise a first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, and a second zone of the second hierarchic order, B. The method further comprises comparing a first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone during a predetermined time interval. The method further comprises generating an alarm signal if the first level of occupancy of at least one object of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of at least one object of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, whilst the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B.
Thus, the present invention is based on the idea of providing a sensor system for monitoring a storage space, such as a warehouse, comprising a plurality of items. Via the sensor(s), occupancy of object(s) may be registered in a plurality of zones of the storage space associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C. Upon comparison of the occupancy of two zones, the processor may determine (detect) an unpredicted or unexpected (abnormal) state in which the first level of occupancy of object(s) of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of object(s) of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, whilst the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B, and the alarm of the system may consequently generate an alarm signal.
The present invention is advantageous in that it may conveniently identify an abnormal or unusual state of the storage space in terms of object occupancy, in case the first level of occupancy of object(s) of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of object(s) of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B. Consequently, by the alarm generated upon such indication or observation, a storage space observer (e.g. a storage space manager, personnel, or the like) may be made aware of this state or situation.
The present invention is further advantageous in that an unpredicted or unexpected (abnormal or unusual) state of the storage space in terms of object occupancy may be detected to a relatively high degree of automation. In other words, the system of the present invention may require little, or even no manual operation by personnel, staff, etc., in order to provide the indication and observation operation of the system.
The sensor system of the present invention is arranged or configured to monitor a storage space, such as a warehouse, comprising a plurality of items. It will be appreciated that the items may be substantially any kind of items such as goods, products, etc. The sensor system comprises at least one sensor configured to register occupancy of at least one object. The sensor(s) may be any kind of sensor arranged or configured to detect and/or register occupancy and/or motion of object(s) such as e.g. persons, vehicles, etc. The one or more sensors are configured to register occupancy of object(s) in a plurality of zones of the storage space, wherein each zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C. Hence, the storage space is divided into a plurality of zones, wherein each zone has a unique hierarchic order, A, B, C. A level of occupancy of the at least one object of a zone of a first hierarchic order, A, is predicted to be higher than a level of occupancy of the at least one object of a zone of a second hierarchic order, B, during a predetermined time interval, wherein the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B. In other words, a zone of a first hierarchic order, A, is predicted or expected (either upon predetermination and/or computation) to have a level of occupancy of object(s) which is higher than a level of occupancy of object(s) of a zone of a second hierarchic order, B. The sensor system further comprises a processor connected to the at least one sensor. Hence, the processor is configured to receive information from the sensor(s). The processor is configured to, via the at least one sensor, determine a level of occupancy of the at least one object in at least two zones, as a function of time, wherein the at least two zones comprise a first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, and a second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, and to compare a first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, during a predetermined time interval. Hence, based on the information received from the sensor(s), the processor is configured to compare the object occupancy of the first zone with the second zone. The sensor system further comprises an alarm connected to the processor. The alarm is configured to generate an alarm signal if the first level of occupancy of at least one object of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of at least one object of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, whilst the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B. Hence, the alarm is configured to operate based on the comparison of the first and second zones as performed by the processor, and to generate an alarm signal in case of an unexpected or unpredicted case determined by the processor, in which the average first level of occupancy of object(s) of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the average second level of occupancy of object(s) of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be configured to, via the at least one sensor, identify, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, at least a first portion of the zone having a level of occupancy of at least one object being below a first threshold, T1, and at least a second portion of the zone having a level of occupancy of at least one object being above a second threshold, T2. The processor may further be configured to, via the at least one sensor, indicate, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, a transfer of at least one item from the at least a first portion of the zone to the at least a second portion of the zone. Hence, based on information received from the sensor(s), the processor may identify first portion(s) of zone(s), wherein the first portion(s) has (have) a level of occupancy of object(s) being below a first threshold, T1, i.e. being relatively small. First portion(s) of this kind may be denoted “cold spots”. Analogously, the processor may identify second portion(s) of zone(s), wherein the second portion(s) has (have) a level of occupancy of object(s) being above a second threshold, T2, i.e. being relatively high. Second portion(s) of this kind may be denoted “hot spots”. Based on this identification, the processor may further be configured to indicate a transfer (i.e. transportation) of item(s) from the first portion(s) to the second portion(s), i.e. from the “cold spot(s)” to the “hot spot(s)”. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the system may efficiently detect and/or register (first) zone(s) of relatively low occupancy and (second) zone(s) of relatively high occupancy, and thereby indicate that one or more items could be transferred from the (first) zone(s) to the (second) zone(s). Consequently, the system may hereby indicate a transfer of items from low occupancy zones to high occupancy zones which to an even further extent improves the operation efficiency of the storage space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, each zone of the plurality of zones may be associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, based on a predetermined setting of the plurality of zones. Hence, each zone may be associated, set and/or linked with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, in a predetermined manner, i.e. in advance. For example, first and second zones may be associated with first and second hierarchic orders, A, B, respectively, if it (in advance) is assumed, predicted and/or expected that the first level of occupancy of object(s) of the first zone is higher than the second level of occupancy of at least one object of the second zone. The present embodiment is advantageous in that a definition of the zones of the storage space with respect to hierarchy may be performed in a convenient manner.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, each zone of the plurality of zones may be associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, based on the at least one sensor being configured to register occupancy of the at least one object in the plurality of zones of the storage space during a nominal time interval, wherein the processor is configured to, via the at least one sensor, determine a level of occupancy of the at least one object in at least two zones as a function of time, wherein the at least two zones comprise a first zone and a second zone, compare a first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, during the nominal time interval, if the first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone is higher than the second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, the processor being configured to associate the first zone with a first hierarchic order, A, and associate the second zone with a second hierarchic order, wherein the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B. In other words, during a nominal time interval, the processor may compare levels of occupancy of object(s) of two or more zones, and associate a first zone with a first (higher) hierarchic order, A, and associate the second zone with a second (lower) hierarchic order, B, in case the first level of occupancy of the object(s) of the first zone is higher than the second level of occupancy of the object(s) of the second zone. Hence, the system, via the processor and sensor(s), is configured to determine (calculate) the hierarchic orders, A, B, C, of the zones, and the present embodiment is advantageous in that a definition of the zones of the storage space with respect to hierarchy may be assumed or predicted to have a high level of accuracy. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the system, via the processor, may conveniently predict the hierarchic orders via sensor data and/or calculations in a convenient manner.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first threshold, T1, and the second threshold, T2, may fulfill and −2·σ<T1<−1.5·σ and 1.5·σ<T2<2·σ, respectively, wherein a is the standard deviation from the mean level of occupancy for at least one zone of the plurality of zones. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the thresholds may be conveniently determined or defined for one or more first portions having a level of occupancy of object(s) being below the first threshold, T1, and analogously, for one or more second portions having a level of occupancy of object(s) being above the second threshold, T2, leading to an even more efficient and/or convenient indication of transfer of items from first to second portions, i.e. from “cold spot(s)” to “hot spot(s)”. Alternatively, it should be noted that the thresholds may be chosen heuristically and/or be chosen as a function of at least one property of the storage space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first threshold, T1, and the second threshold, T2, may be set based on at least one property of the storage space. For example, the first threshold, T1, and/or the second threshold, T2, may be dependent on the size, design, etc., of the storage space (warehouse). The present embodiment is advantageous in that the threshold may be conveniently set and/or determined based on the storage space property(ies).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be configured to identify, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, a first cluster of at least two spatially contiguous first portions of the zone, and a second cluster of at least two spatially contiguous second portions of the zone. The processor may further be configured to indicate, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, a transfer of at least one item from the at least a first portion of the zone to the at least a second portion of the zone as a function of at least one of at least one property of the first cluster, and at least one property of the second cluster. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the sensor system, via the processor, may identify one or more clusters of spatially contiguous portions of zones, e.g. with a relatively high or a relatively low occupancy.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sensor may be a passive infra-red sensor, PIR. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the PIR sensor(s) may efficiently register and/or monitor objects in the storage space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one object may be a person.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lighting system. The lighting system may comprise at least one lighting device. The lighting system may further comprise a sensor system according to any one of the preceding embodiments, connected to the at least one lighting device. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the sensor system may be arranged within, or adjacent to, a lighting system, such that the lighting system may provide a combination of illumination and monitoring.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sensor may be configured to control an operation of the at least one lighting device. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the sensor(s) may provide feedback to the lighting device, which may even further improve the operation of the lighting device(s).
According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein, if the first level of occupancy of at least one object of the first zone of the first hierarchic order, A, is lower than the second level of occupancy of at least one object of the second zone of the second hierarchic order, B, whilst the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B, the method may comprise identifying, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, at least a first portion of the zone having a level of occupancy of at least one object being below a first threshold, T1, and at least a second portion of the zone having a level of occupancy of at least one object being above a second threshold, T2. The method may further comprise indicating, for at least one zone of the plurality of zones, a transfer of at least one item from the at least a first portion of the zone to the at least a second portion of the zone.
According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, each zone of the plurality of zones may be associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, based on a predetermined setting of the plurality of zones.
According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, each zone of the plurality of zones may be associated with a respective hierarchic order, A, B, C, based on the steps of registering occupancy of the at least one object in the plurality of zones of the storage space during a nominal time interval, determining a level of occupancy of the at least one object in at least two zones as a function of time, comparing a first level of occupancy of the at least one object of the first zone with a second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, during the nominal time interval, if the first level of occupancy of the at least one object of a first zone is higher than the second level of occupancy of the at least one object of the second zone, associating the first zone with a first hierarchic order, A, and associating the second zone with a second hierarchic order, wherein the first hierarchic order, A, is higher than the second hierarchic order, B.
Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.
This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.
The sensor system 100 in
The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the number and/or size of the plurality of zones 130, the first 200 and/or second portions 210 of the zones, etc., may vary from those shown.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22151259.3 | Jan 2022 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/087705 | 12/23/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63296909 | Jan 2022 | US |
