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    • 专利摘要:
    A method of collecting inventory scan data to a mobile scanner comprising: obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location that includes a plurality of inventory tags for wireless scanning; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicates a target position and target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner correspond to the target position and target orientation; when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data from the inventory labels in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    公开号:BE1026255B1
    申请号:E20195302
    申请日:2019-05-07
    公开日:2020-07-03
    发明作者:Ahmed M S F A K Fahmy
    申请人:Zebra Tech Corp；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COLLECTING INVENTORY SCAN DATA
    BACKGROUND
    Various facilities, such as shops, supermarkets and the like, can contain a significant amount of objects (e.g. store goods, packages, etc.). Conducting an inventory check, for example to establish an accurate list of which products are in the facility and their location within the facility, is a task often performed manually by one or more of the facility's employees. However, performing a manual inventory check is a time consuming and error prone process. Certain systems therefore use radio frequency identification (RFID) labels affixed to each of the objects in a facility, which allow an RFID reader to detect which objects are present. However, such RFID-based systems may require a substantial investment in infrastructure, and may also be susceptible to interference (e.g., from physical obstructions in the facility, from interfering wireless transmissions, etc.) introducing errors into the inventory control process.
    RESUME
    According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a method of collecting inventory scan data to a mobile scanner is provided, comprising: obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of wireless scanning inventory labels; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria gives
    BE2019 / 5302 at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria; when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data from the inventory labels in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    Furthermore, obtaining the location identifier may include recording the location identifier of a location indicator deployed at the location.
    Also, the location indicator may be one of a wireless short-range beacon, a radio frequency identification (RFID) label, and a machine-readable image.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, obtaining the scan criteria may include sending the location identifier of the mobile scanner to a server, and receiving the scan criteria from the server.
    Furthermore, obtaining the scan criteria may include storing the scan criteria in a memory of the mobile scanner, and retrieving the scan criteria in response to obtaining the location identifier.
    The method may further include: in response to initiating the wireless scan, collecting motion data from a motion sensor of the mobile scanner; and when the motion data indicates a motion of the mobile scanner exceeding a limit value; abort the wireless scan.
    The method may further include: when the determination is negative, presenting a further positioning instruction, and repeating the determination.
    BE2019 / 5302
    Furthermore, the method may include: in response to completing the wireless scan, sending the inventory scan data to a server.
    Alternatively and / or additionally, the scan criteria may indicate at least one of a plurality of target positions and a plurality of target orientations at the location including the plurality of inventory tags.
    The method may further include: initiating an additional scan of the inventory tags corresponding to at least one of an additional target position and an additional target orientation in response to a determination that the inventory scan data does not meet a limit. For example, the limit value can be an amount of unique inventory tags.
    In another aspect, a mobile scanner for collecting inventory scan data is provided, the mobile scanner comprising: a label reader; a memory; a processor associated with the label reader and the memory, the processor configured to: obtain a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of wireless scanning inventory labels; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicating at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner corresponds to at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria; when the determination is affirmative, directing the label reader to initiate a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data of the inventory labels in memory in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    BE2019 / 5302
    The processor may be configured to obtain the location identifier by capturing the location identifier of a location indicator deployed at the location. For example, the location indicator is one of a wireless short-range beacon, a radio frequency identification (RFID) label, and a machine-readable image.
    The mobile scanner may further include a communication interface connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to obtain the scan criteria by controlling the communication interface to:
    sending the location identifier to a server; and receiving the scan criteria from the server.
    Furthermore, the processor can be configured to obtain the scan criteria by:
    storing the scan criteria in memory; and retrieving the scan criteria from memory in response to obtaining the location identifier.
    The mobile scanner may further include a motion sensor; the processor further being configured to: collect motion data from the motion sensor in response to initiating the wireless scan; and when the motion data indicates motion of the mobile scanner exceeding a limit value, terminating the wireless scan.
    The processor can be further configured to: when the determination is negative, presenting a further positioning instruction, and repeating the determination.
    The mobile scanner may also include a communication interface connected to the processor; wherein the processor is further configured
    BE2019 / 5302 becomes: in response to the completion of the wireless scan, sending the inventory scan data to a server via the communication interface.
    For example, the scan criteria may be indicative of at least one of a plurality of target positions and a plurality of on-site target orientations comprising a plurality of inventory tags.
    The processor may further be configured to: initiate an additional inventory tag scan corresponding to at least one of an additional target position and an additional target orientation in response to a determination that the inventory scan data does not meet a limit. The limit value can be, for example, a minimum number of unique inventory labels.
    In another aspect, non-temporary computer readable memory is provided with computer executable instructions stored thereon for collecting inventory scan data on a mobile scanner, the instructions comprising: obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a multiple of inventory labels for wireless scanning; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicative of at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria; when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data of the inventory labels in memory in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    BE2019 / 5302
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES
    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the different views, together with the detailed description below, are included in and form part of the specification, and serve to illustrate embodiments of concepts embodying the claimed invention. , and explain several principles and advantages of this embodiment.
    FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for collecting inventory scan data.
    FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an environment in which the system of FIG. 1 is employed.
    FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams of certain internal hardware components of the mobile scanner and the server of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of collecting inventory scan data.
    FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of instructions presented by the mobile scanner of FIG. 1 during the execution of the method of FIG. 4.
    FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of collecting inventory scan data, in accordance with another embodiment.
    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily shown to scale. The dimensions may, for example, be exaggerated relative to other elements to lead to a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention.
    BE2019 / 5302
    The device and method components are represented in the figures by conventional symbols where applicable, showing only those specific details necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention so that the disclosure is not overshadowed by details apparent to those skilled in the art. taking advantage of the description.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    The examples disclosed herein are directed to a method of collecting inventory scan data on a mobile scanner comprising: obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of wireless scanning inventory labels; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicates a target position and target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner correspond to the target position and target orientation; when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing the inventory scan data in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    Additional examples disclosed herein are directed to a mobile scanner for collecting inventory scan data, comprising: a label reader, a memory, a processor associated with the label reader and the memory, the processor configured to: obtain a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of wireless scanning inventory labels; obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicates at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner; determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the ten
    BE2019 / 5302 at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria; if the determination is positive, controlling the label reader to initiate a wireless scan of inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data of the inventory labels in memory in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for collecting inventory scan data. The system 100 includes a plurality of inventory tags 102, such as RFID tags, attached to objects in a location 104, such as a shop, a department store, a storage facility in a medical facility (e.g., a hospital), or the like. The system 100 also includes a mobile scanning device 108 (also described as a mobile scanner 108), such as a portable RFID scanner. The mobile scanner 108 may be implemented as a standalone integrated device, or as a combination of devices, such as a portable RFID reader connected to a mobile processing device, such as a smartphone.
    The mobile scanner 108 is configured to scan the labels 102 (which include product identifiers such as stock keeping unit (SKU) IDs or the like) and send the data obtained during the scan to a storage location, such as a server 112. The mobile scanner 108 and the server 112 are connected via a network 116, which can be any suitable combination of wireless or wired networks. The server 112 can be deployed at location 104 or at a distance from the location. The server 112 can be deployed as a discrete computing device or as a virtual computing device implemented in one or more computing devices (e.g., a cloud-based server).
    Although a single location 104 is shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 may include a plurality of locations 104, and the mobile scanner 108 is movable to collect inventory scan data as noted above at each of the locations. The system 100 therefore also includes a location indicator 120 deployed at each location 104. The mobile scanner
    BE2019 / 5302
    108, as explained in more detail below, is configured to cooperate with the location indicator 120 to identify an identifier of the location 104 where the mobile scanner 108 is located (eg, allowing the server 112 to receive received inventory scan data associate with the corresponding location 104). Furthermore, each location 104 can have a different physical layout. The position of the mobile scanner 108 at a given location 104 may affect the quality of collected scan data. For example, at certain positions, the mobile scanner 108 may fail to detect certain labels 102. Therefore, the system 100 also includes a position indicator 124 at each location 104. As explained below, the position indicator 124 is deployed as a guide to the mobile scanner 108, to perform an inventory scan at a predetermined position at the location 104.
    FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary location 104, in the form of a retail space comprising a point of sale 200. The server 112, in some examples, is located at the point of sale 200, while the server 112, in others, is remote from the location 104. The location 104, in the illustrated example, also includes a fitting room 204, and a plurality of objects with RFID tags, such as handbags 208, clothing 212 and the like. Thus, each object 208, 212 has an associated RFID tag 102 (not visible in FIG. 2), for example, through a physical connection of the RFID tag to the object. In other examples, a group of objects is associated with a single RFID tag 102 (e.g. a pallet of objects in a warehouse).
    Also located at location 104 is the aforementioned location indicator 120. In the illustrated example, the location indicator 120 (eg an RFID tag, a machine-readable graphic indicator such as a barcode, a QR code or the like) is associated with the point of sale 200. In other examples, the location indicator 120 may be placed at any other suitable position on the site, such as next to an entrance 216 of the
    BE2019 / 5302 location 104. Also shown in location 104 is the aforementioned position indicator 124. In the illustrated example, the position indicator 124 is placed on the floor of location 104, but in other examples, the position indicator 124 may be placed on a ceiling, a wall, or the like. Generally, the position indicator 124 is placed at or near a predetermined position from which an inventory scan can be initiated by the mobile scanner 108.
    Before discussing the functionality of the system 100 in more detail, some components of the mobile scanner 108 and the server 112 are discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.
    As shown in FIG. 3A, the mobile scanner 108 includes a central processing unit (CPU), also referred to as a processor 300, interconnected with a non-temporary digitally readable storage medium, such as a memory 304. The memory 304 includes any suitable combination of volatile memory (eg Random Access Memory (“RAM”)) and non-volatile memory (eg Read Only Memory (“ROM”), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory). Generally, processor 300 and memory 304 each comprise one or more integrated circuits.
    The mobile scanner 108 also includes at least one input device 308 interconnected with the processor 300. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the input device 308 is configured to receive input and provide data representative of the received data to the processor 300 The input device 308 includes any, or a suitable combination of, a touch screen, a keypad, a trigger button, a microphone, and the like. The mobile scanner 108 also includes at least one output device 312 interconnected with the processor 300. The output device 312, in the present example, includes a display (e.g., a flat screen integrated with the above touch screen). The output device 312 may also,
    BE2019 / 5302 additionally or instead of the above-mentioned display, one of, or a suitable combination of, a loudspeaker, a notification LED, and the like.
    The mobile scanner 108 also includes a communication interface 316 interconnected with the processor 300. The communication interface 316 includes any suitable hardware (eg transmitters, receivers, network interface controllers and the like) that allow the mobile scanner 108 to communicate with other computing devices, such as the server 112, via a link to the network 116 or directly to the other computing devices. The specific components of the communication interface 316 are selected based on the network type or other connections over which the mobile scanner 108 is expected to communicate.
    The mobile scanner also includes a data capture module 320 interconnected to the processor 300. In this example, the data capture module 320 allows the mobile scanner 108 to interrogate the labels 102 at the location 104 to store the data stored on the labels 102, such as the above product identifiers. In other words, the data capture module 320 is an RFID reader assembly, including an appropriate set of antenna elements and associated control hardware and software for outputting RFID interrogation signals, as well as detecting and encoding response signals from the labels 102.
    The memory 304 of the mobile scanner 108 stores a plurality of applications, each comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 300. The execution of the above instructions by the processor 300 causes the mobile scanner 108 to implement certain functionalities, as herein described. The applications are therefore described as configured to perform the functionality described below. Memory 304
    BE2019 / 5302 of the mobile scanner 108 stores, in the present example, an application for scanning the inventory 324, further referred to as the application 324. The mobile scanner 108 is configured, through the execution of the application 324 by the processor 300, to interact with the server 112, just like the infrastructure elements (eg, indicators 120 and 124) deployed at location 104, to collect inventory scan data by controlling the data capture module 320.
    In other examples, the processor 300, as configured by the implementation of the application 324, is implemented as one or more specifically configured hardware elements, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and / or application-specific integrated circuits (application-specific integrated circuits, ASICs).
    Referring to Fig. 3B, the server 112 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), further referred to as a processor 350, interconnected with a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as a memory 354. The memory 354 includes a suitable combination of volatile memory (eg, "Random Access Memory", RAM) and non-volatile memory (eg, "read only memory", (ROM), "Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory", (EEPROM), flash memory). Generally, processor 350 and memory 354 each include one or more integrated circuits.
    The server 112 also includes a communication interface 358 interconnected with the processor 350. The communication interface 358 includes some suitable hardware (eg transmitters, receivers, network interface controllers and the like) that allow the server 112 to communicate with other computing devices, such as the mobile scanner 108, via a link to the network 116 or directly to the other computing devices. The specific components of communication
    BE2019 / 5302 interface 358 are selected based on the network type or other connections over which the server 112 is expected to communicate.
    The memory 354 of the server 112 stores a plurality of applications, each comprising a plurality of computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 350. The execution of the above instructions by the processor 350 causes the server 112 to implement certain functionalities, as discussed herein. The applications are therefore described as configured to perform the functionality described below. The memory 354 of the scanner 112, in the present example, stores an application for controlling the scanning 362, further referred to as the application 362. The server 112 is configured, through the execution of the application 362 by the processor 350, to interact with the mobile scanner 108 to provide data to the mobile scanner 108 to allow the aforementioned collection of inventory scan data, and to receive of the resulting inventory scan data. The data provided for, and received from, the mobile scanner 108 by the server 112 may be stored in a repository 366, such as a database.
    Fig. 4 illustrates a method 400 for collecting inventory scan data. The method 400 will be described in conjunction with its operation in the system 100. In particular, certain blocks of the method 400 are executed by the mobile scanner 108 (eg via execution of the application 324), while other blocks of the method 400 are executed by the server 112 (eg via execution of the application 362).
    In block 405, the mobile scanner 180 is configured to obtain a location identifier corresponding to the location 104. The location identifier is obtained from the location indicator 120 at the location 104. The location indicator 120 is, in some examples, a beacon (eg a Bluetooth TM Low Energy (Bluetooth TM Low Energy, BLE) beacon,
    BE2019 / 5302
    UWB transmitter or the like) configured to periodically transmit a beacon signal including a location identifier. In other examples, the location indicator 120 is an RFID tag that stores the location identifier. In further examples, the location indicator 120 is a machine-readable image, such as a barcode, encoding the location identifier.
    Therefore, upon arrival at location 104, the mobile scanner 108 may be configured to obtain the location identifier by detecting the above beacon signal, reading the above RFID tag, scanning the above barcode, or the like. The mobile scanner 108 may be configured to send authentication parameters (eg, a login and password) to the server 112 prior to block 405. Following successful authentication, the mobile scanner 108 may be configured to submit a query via the output device 312 for causing the operator of the mobile scanner 108 to locate the location indicator 120 and activate the input device 308 to obtain the location identifier.
    After obtaining the location identifier, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to send the location identifier to the server 112 over the network 116. In some examples, the mobile scanner 108 is pre-configured with a store network identifier (eg a URL) for the server 112. In other examples, the network identifier itself is also obtained from the location identifier.
    In block 410, the server 112 is configured to receive the location identifier from the mobile scanner 108, and to retrieve a set of scan criteria from the memory 354 (e.g., from the storage location). The server 112 stores, for each location identifier (e.g. corresponding to each individual location 104), the scan criteria for
    BE2019 / 5302 use by the mobile scanner 108 in completing an inventory scan. The scan criteria include, for example, an indication of a predetermined scan position (also called a target position) at location 104. The scan criteria may also include an orientation or a sequence of orientations (also called target orientations) in which the mobile scanner 108 is to be placed during the inventory scan operation.
    In block 415, the server 112 is configured to send the scan criteria received in block 410 to the mobile scanner 108. In block 420, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to generate a positioning instruction based on the received scan criteria. For example, the scan criteria for location 104 illustrated in Fig. 2 may include a map of the location (eg, an image file or the like) indicating the position of the position indicator 124 at the location 104. In block 420, the mobile scanner 108 may therefore be configured to display the map, together with a question (e.g., via text displayed on a screen, sound played from a speaker, or the like) instructing the driver of the mobile scanner 108 to transport the mobile scanner 108 to the position indicator 124. The mobile scanner 108 may also ask the driver to activate the input device 308 upon arrival at the position indicator 124, to initiate a validation of the position of the mobile scanner 108 before performing the inventory scan.
    Fig. 5A shows an example of a positioning instruction as generated on the output device 312 (e.g. a display). In particular, the positioning instruction includes an image 500 representative of a map of the location 104, with a mark 504 indicating the position of the position indicator 124. The positioning instruction may also include a text string 508 (audio may additionally or alternatively to the text string generated) indicating the location identifier to which the positioning instruction belongs, and the operator of the mobile scanner 108
    Instruct BE2019 / 5302 to go to the position indicator 124 as shown on map 500.
    In block 425, the mobile scanner 108 (e.g., in response to the activation of the input device 308 as noted above) is configured to determine whether the mobile scanner 108 is in the correct position and / or orientation to perform an inventory scan. The position and / or orientation may be defined in the scan criteria provided by the server 112 in block 415. For example, in addition to specifying the position of the mobile scanner 108 on the floor (eg, relative to a predetermined floor space coordination system) , the scan criteria can specify an angle orientation for the mobile scanner 108 (eg both the direction, as detected by the compass of the mobile scanner 108, and the angle of inclination relative to the floor of location 104, as determined by a gyroscope or other sensor of the mobile scanner 108). Such criteria can be displayed to the operator of the mobile scanner 108 through the output device 312.
    The scan criteria may also specify that, for example, the mobile scanner 108 must receive data from the position indicator 124 while the above orientation is met. The position indicator 124 may be an RFID tag, a graphical indicator (e.g., a barcode) or the like, from which the mobile scanner 108 can obtain data only when the mobile scanner is adjacent to the position at which the position indicator 124 is attached. The aforementioned activation of the input device 308 in response to the positioning instruction causes the mobile scanner 108 to scan or otherwise record the position indicator 124 when the mobile scanner 108 is positioned and oriented to successfully scan or record the indicator 124.
    In other words, the scan criteria has been selected to limit the mobile scanner 108 to a given position and orientation within the location 104 for the purpose of optimizing the quality of the scan.
    BE2019 / 5302
    When the determination at block 425 is negative (eg, when the data stored or encoded by the position indicator 124 has not been successfully obtained, when the orientation of the mobile scanner does not meet the above criteria, or both), the mobile scanner 108 returns back to block 420. Due to a negative determination in block 425, the mobile scanner 108 may be configured to display further queries with additional positioning instructions (eg via the output device 312). For example, a detected current orientation of the mobile scanner 108 may be displayed on a display relative to the target orientation. However, if the determination in block 425 is affirmative, the execution of method 400 proceeds to block 430.
    In block 430, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to initiate the collection of inventory scan data. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the collection of inventory scan data may include controlling the data capture module 320 to transmit one or more interrogation signals, and to detect and encode a plurality of response signals emitted by the tags 102. The execution of block 430 may begin automatically in response to an affirmative determination in block 425, or the operator of the mobile scanner 108 may be asked to, in response to an affirmative determination in block 425, activate the input device 308 and scan according to block 430 to start.
    During the execution of the inventory scan, the mobile scanner 108 may be configured to display (e.g., through the output device 312) a graphical indication, and / or an audible indication, of an orientation in which the mobile scanner 108 is to be placed. Referring briefly to FIG. 2, to record data from each label 102 at location 104, the mobile scanner 108 may need to rotate through an arc (e.g., 360 degrees) during the scan. The scan criteria
    BE2019 / 5302 of the server 112 may, as noted above, specify a sequence of orientations according to which the mobile scanner 108 is to be placed during the scan. For example, the sequence of orientations can be specified as compass directions and associated durations (e.g., north for two seconds, east for two seconds, and so on). The mobile scanner 108 may be configured to display the next specified orientation in the sequence through the executing device, and to continue the scan when the specified orientation is reached.
    The sequence of orientations can define two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional arcs or other motion segments. The sequence may include, for example, a substantial vertical arc (e.g., from thirty degrees below horizontal to thirty degrees above horizontal) to be performed on any of a plurality of compass directions. Referring to Fig. 5B, an example instruction is generated as generated on the execution device 312 (eg, a display) during the scan initiated in block 430. The instruction includes a plurality of circle sectors 512 defining a sequence of orientations through which the mobile scanner 108 must pass during the scan. , as well as an arrow 516 indicating the current orientation of the mobile scanner 108 and a text string 520 instructing the operator of the mobile scanner 108 to place the mobile scanner 108 in an orientation aligned with the target arc 512t.
    In block 435, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to determine if movement of the mobile scanner 108 exceeds a predetermined limit value. The mobile scanner 108 may, for example, include an accelerometer on top of the above gyroscope and compass. The above sensors can be monitored during the inventory scan to detect a deviation from the required position and orientation that were validated in block 425. An acceleration
    BE2019 / 5302 beyond a limit value may indicate, for example, that the mobile scanner 108 is no longer next to the position indicator 124, or that the mobile scanner 108 has moved over one of the arcs defined in the scan criteria at a speed greater than the speed specified by the scan criteria. If the determination in block 435 is affirmative, the scan is stopped, and the execution of the method 400 returns to block 420 to reposition the mobile scanner 108.
    If the determination in block 435 is negative (ie when the mobile scanner 108 remains at the validated position and orientation), the mobile scanner 108 determines whether the scan is completed in block 440. The determination in block 440 may include, for example, a determination whether any orientation in the sequence included in the scan criteria has been passed. In other examples, the determination in block 440 may include a determination of whether any previously undetected label identifier has been received (eg, once all label responses include label identifiers previously received during the scan, it is likely that all labels 102 at location 104 have been read) .
    If the determination in block 440 is negative, the scan continues until either an affirmative determination in block 435 or an affirmative determination in block 440 is made.
    When the determination in block 440 is affirmative, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to send the results of the scan (ie, the collected identifiers of the labels 102 at the location 104) to the server 112 in block 445. The server 112 is configured to receive and store (eg, in repository 366) the scan results in block 450.
    In some examples, a location 104 (e.g., the sales floor of Fig. 2) may be large enough that more than one scan is required to capture data from inventory labels 102. In such examples,
    BE2019 / 5302 defines the scan criteria received in block 420 two or more scan positions. A corresponding number of position indicators 124 (eg, one per scan position) can be deployed at location 104. In such examples, the mobile scanner, which has completed a scan, is configured to proceed to block 455, and to determine whether further scan positions have yet to be performed. When the determination in block 455 is affirmative, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to return to block 420, and to generate a further positioning instruction for the next scan position. When the determination in block 455 is negative, the execution of method 400 ends. In some examples, the collected scan data can be stored on the mobile scanner 108 until all scans are completed, and sent following a negative determination in block 455.
    In some examples, the determination in block 455 may include a scan quality assessment of the scan completed in block 440. The scan criteria may include, for example, a minimum number of expected label readings; if a number of labels 102 smaller than the minimum were detected during the scan, then the determination in block 455 is affirmative, and a next scan position and / or scan orientation is initiated (or a previous scan position and / or scan orientation can be repeated), since the low number of detected labels 102 is indicative of insufficient scanning performance. The above scan quality assessment may also be performed by the server 112, and the determination in block 455 may include a determination of whether further scan criteria have been received from the server 112 (eg comprising a further scan position and / or orientation or a command to repeat a previous one scan).
    Variations on the above systems and methods are possible. In some embodiments, for example, the location and position indicators 120 and 124 can be used as a single indicator, such as
    BE2019 / 5302 a barcode, a QR code or the like which encode the location identifier and are placed at the predetermined scanning position. In other embodiments, the indicators 120 and 124 are different from each other (e.g., an RFID tag and a barcode, respectively), but implemented in a shared physical package, such as a barcode tag with an embedded RFID tag. In further embodiments, a plurality of location and / or position indicators are deployed at location 104. For example, a plurality of RFID tags may be deployed as one or both of the indicators 120 and 124, and the mobile scanner 108 may be configured for triangulating a position on the site, eg of flight time data and known predetermined locations of the labels.
    In some embodiments, certain functionalities have been described above as being implemented on the server 112 performed by the mobile scanner 108. Referring to FIG. 6, a method 600 for collecting inventory scan data is illustrated, the blocks having common suffixes with the blocks of FIG. 4 as described above. For example, blocks 620-655 of the method 600 are described above in connection with blocks 420455 of the method 400. However, in the method 600, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to store the scan criteria and the location identifiers in memory 304. The server 112 may, for example, periodically, in block 602, put location identifiers and scan criteria on the mobile scanner 108. The mobile scanner 108 is configured to store the location identifiers and scan criteria in block 603. Furthermore, in block 604, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to obtain a location identifier (as described above in connection with block 405) and to receive the corresponding scan criteria from the memory. The server 112 is configured to put updated data on the mobile scanner 108 in response to, for example, changes to the physical layout of the location 104, an addition of new locations
    BE2019 / 5302
    104, scan quality assessments (e.g., indicating that a recently completed scan has not detected some of the labels 102) or the like.
    In further embodiments, some functionality described above is performed by the mobile 108 performed by the server 112. The mobile scanner 108 may be configured, for example, to report motion sensor data to the server 112, and the server 112 may be configured performing the determinations in one or more of blocks 425 and 435. More specifically, in some examples, the mobile scanner 108 is configured to record initial motion sensor data during the execution of block 425 and, upon positive validation, sending the initial motion sensor data to the server 112. The mobile scanner 108 is then configured to send motion sensor data to the server 112 during the scan, and the server is configured to perform the determination at block 435 by comparing the received motion sensor data with the the initial motion sensor data. Other distributions of the functionality illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6 between the mobile scanner 108 and the server 112 are possible.
    In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims below. Therefore, the description and figures are to be understood by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention of the present description.
    The benefits, solutions to problems, and any element (s) that could cause any benefit or solution to become or become more apparent should not be construed as critical, mandatory, or essential features
    BE2019 / 5302 or elements of one or all of the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any changes made during the course of this application and any equivalents of those claims as published. For clarity and brief description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments containing combinations of all or some of the features described. It can be understood that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components, except where they are described as being different.
    In addition, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top, bottom, and the like can only be used to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or constraining an actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. imply. The terms "include", "comprising", "has", "having", "contains", "containing" or any variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or assembly that a list includes, has, contains not only those elements but may also contain other elements that are not explicitly named or inherent in such a process, method, article, or assembly. An element preceded by “includes .. a”, “has .. a”, “contains .. a” does not, without limitation, exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or arrangement that includes, has or contains the element. The term “one” is defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially", "essential", "near", "about" or any other version thereof are defined as close to what is understood by those skilled in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as being within
    BE2019 / 5302
    10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "linked" is defined herein as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in some way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in ways not described.
    It will be understood that some embodiments may be contained in one or more generic or specialized processors (or processing devices) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control one or more processors to, in combination with certain non-processor circuits, implement some, most or all of the functions of the method and / or arrangement described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions may be implemented by a state machine that does not contain stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
    In addition, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer readable storage medium with computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g. comprising a processor) to perform a method as described herein and for which rights are claimed. Examples of such computer readable storage media 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
    BE2019 / 5302 programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) and a flash memory. Furthermore, notwithstanding potentially considerable efforts and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology and economic considerations, the skilled artisan is expected, when guided by the concepts and principles described herein, to be easily able to read such software instructions and - generate programs and ICs with minimal experiments.
    The “summary” is provided to give the reader a quick idea of the background to the technical description. It is filed 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 different features are grouped together in different embodiments to streamline the description. This description cannot be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed applications require more features than those expressly stated in any claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive matter lies in less than all of the features of a single described embodiment. Thus, the following claims are included in the "detailed description", with each claim standing on its own as subject matter for which separate rights have been claimed. The mere fact that certain measures are defined in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. A multitude of variants will be clear to the skilled person. All variants are understood to fall within the scope of the invention described in the following claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (23)
    [1]
    Conclusions
    A method for collecting inventory scan data on a mobile scanner, comprising:
    obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location including a plurality of wireless scanning inventory tags;
    obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicating at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner;
    determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria;
    when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data from the inventory labels in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    [2]
    The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the location identifier comprises capturing the location identifier of a location indicator deployed at the location.
    [3]
    The method of claim 2, wherein the location indicator is a short-range wireless beacon, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or a machine-readable image.
    [4]
    The method according to any of the preceding claims; wherein obtaining the scan criteria comprises sending the location identifier of the mobile scanner to a server, and receiving the scan criteria from the server.
    [5]
    The method according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein obtaining the scan criteria comprises storing the
    BE2019 / 5302 scan criteria in a memory of the mobile scanner, and retrieval of the scan criteria in response to obtaining the location identifier.
    [6]
    The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
    in response to initiating the wireless scan, collecting motion data from a motion sensor of the mobile scanner; and when the motion data indicates movement of the mobile scanner exceeding a limit value, terminating the wireless scan.
    [7]
    The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
    when the determination is negative, presenting a further positioning instruction, and repeating the determination.
    [8]
    The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
    in response to completing a wireless scan, sending the inventory scan data to a server.
    [9]
    The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the scan criteria indicates at least one of a plurality of target positions and a plurality of target orientations at the location comprising the plurality of inventory tags.
    [10]
    The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
    initiating an additional scan of the inventory labels corresponding to at least one of an additional target position and an additional target orientation in response to a determination that the inventory scan data does not meet a limit.
    [11]
    The method of claim 10, wherein the limit value is a minimum amount of unique inventory labels.
    BE2019 / 5302
    [12]
    12. A mobile scanner for collecting inventory scan data, comprising:
    a label reader;
    a memory;
    a processor connected to the label reader and memory, the processor configured for:
    obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of inventory tags for wireless scanning;
    obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicates at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner;
    determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria;
    when the determination is affirmative, directing the label reader to initiate a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data of the inventory labels in memory in response to initiating the wireless scan.
    [13]
    The mobile scanner according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to obtain the location identifier by capturing the location identifier of a location indicator deployed at the location.
    [14]
    The mobile scanner according to claim 13, wherein the location indicator is a short-range wireless beacon, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or a machine-readable image.
    BE2019 / 5302
    [15]
    The mobile scanner according to any of claims 12-14, further comprising a communication interface connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to obtain the scan criteria by controlling the communication interface for:
    sending the location identifier to a server; and receiving the scan criteria from the server.
    [16]
    The mobile scanner according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the processor is configured to receive scan criteria by:
    storing the scan criteria in memory; and retrieving the scan criteria from the memory in response to obtaining the location identifier.
    [17]
    The mobile scanner according to any of claims 12-16, further comprising a motion sensor; wherein the processor is further configured to:
    in response to initiating the wireless scan, collecting motion data from the motion sensor; and when the motion data indicates motion of the mobile scanner exceeding a limit value, terminating the wireless scan.
    [18]
    The mobile scanner according to any one of claims 12-17, wherein the processor is further configured to:
    when the determination is negative, presenting a further positioning instruction, and repeating the determination.
    [19]
    The mobile scanner of any of claims 12-18, further comprising a communication interface connected to the processor, the processor further configured to:
    in response to completing the wireless scan, sending the inventory data to a server via the communication interface.
    [20]
    The mobile scanner according to any of claims 12-19, wherein the scanning criteria is at least one of a plurality of target positions and a
    BE2019 / 5302 indicates multiple target orientations at the location that includes the multiple inventory tags.
    [21]
    The mobile scanner according to any one of claims 12-20, wherein the processor is further configured for:
    initiating an additional scan of the inventory labels corresponding to at least one of an additional target position and an additional target orientation in response to a determination that the inventory scan data does not meet a limit.
    [22]
    The mobile scanner of claim 21, wherein the limit value is a minimum amount of unique inventory labels.
    [23]
    A non-temporary computer-readable medium with computer executable instructions stored thereon for collecting inventory scan data to a mobile scanner, the instructions comprising:
    obtaining a location identifier corresponding to a location comprising a plurality of inventory tags for wireless scanning;
    obtaining scan criteria corresponding to the location identifier, the scan criteria indicates at least one of a target position and a target orientation for the mobile scanner;
    determining whether at least one of a current position and a current orientation of the mobile scanner matches the at least one of the target position and target orientation in the scan criteria;
    when the determination is affirmative, initiating a wireless scan of the inventory labels; and collecting and storing inventory scan data of the inventory labels in memory in response to initiating the wireless scan.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BE1026255A1|2019-11-29|
    US10397759B1|2019-08-27|
    WO2019222046A1|2019-11-21|
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    法律状态:
    2020-08-21| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20200703 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US15/983,311|US10397759B1|2018-05-18|2018-05-18|System, method and apparatus for collecting inventory scan data|
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