Modular shelving systems for package tracking

• US 10,148,918 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2016
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Position Imaging, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Position Imaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Seiger, Alex, Kirmani, Shahzad Farooq, Hill, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Huy T
• Application Number:
  US15/270,749
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/0091 Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements for elements or assemblies mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/047, sectional furniture A47B87/00, stackable furniture A47B87/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A shelving system has at least one shelf, a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf, and a controller in communication with the camera. The controller has a processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera within the camera'"'"'s field of view and to determine from the images whether a particular object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

at least one shelf;

a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;

a light source adapted to project a focused beacon of light at the at least one shelf;

a gimbal physically coupled to the light source, a positioning of the gimbal determining a direction in which the light source projects the beam of light; and

a controller in communication with the camera and with the gimbal, the controller having a processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera within the camera'"'"'s field of view and to determine from the images whether a particular object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf, the controller being configured to adjust the positioning of the gimbal to shine the beam of light at any location on the at least one shelf within the field of view of the camera.

2. The shelving system of claim 1, further comprising an apparatus for mounting the camera at the distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf.

3. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the apparatus for mounting the camera comprises an arm coupled to a member supporting or connected to the at least one shelf.

4. The shelving system of claim 3, wherein the arm extends from a shelf of the at least one shelf or from a member supporting or connected to the at least one shelf, and holds the camera for a view of the at least one shelf.

5. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the camera is in wireless communication with the controller for transmitting images thereto.

6. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the gimbal and light source are mounted to the camera.

7. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the light source is in wireless communication with the controller to receive positioning commands therefrom.

20. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the light source is interior to the gimbal.

21. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to guide handling of the particular object with respect to the at least one shelf by adjusting the positioning of the gimbal and manipulating operation of the light source.

8. A shelving system kit comprising:

a camera configured for mounting at a distance from at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;

a light source adapted to project a focused beam of light; and

a controller adapted to communicate with the camera and with the light source, the controller having a processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera within the camera'"'"'s field of view and to determine from the images whether a particular object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf, the controller being configured to shine the beam of light on any location on the at least one shelf within the field of view of the camera by manipulating the light source.

9. The shelving system kit of claim 8, further comprising an apparatus for mounting the camera at the distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf.

10. The shelving system kit of claim 9, wherein the apparatus for mounting the camera comprises an arm adapted to couple to a member supporting or connected to the at least one shelf.

11. The shelving system kit of claim 8, wherein the camera is configured for wireless communication with the controller for transmitting images thereto.

12. The shelving system kit of claim 8, further comprising:

a gimbal adapted for physically coupling to the light source, wherein controller is configured to determine a direction of the beam of light by adjusting the gimbal as determined by the controller.

13. The shelving system kit of claim 12, wherein the gimbal and light source are adapted for mounting to the camera.

14. The shelving system kit of claim 12, wherein the light source is configured for wireless communication with the controller to receive positioning commands therefrom.

15. The shelving system kit of claim 8, further comprising the at least one shelf.

22. The shelving system kit of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to guide handling of the particular object with respect to the at least one shelf by manipulating operation of the light source.

16. A package tracking system comprising:

a plurality of shelving systems disposed in a package tracking area, each shelving system including;

at least one shelf;

a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;

a light source adapted to project a focused beam of light;

a gimbal physically coupled to the light source, a positioning of the gimbal determining a direction in which the light source projects the beam of light; and

a controller in communication with the camera, the controller having a processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera within the camera'"'"'s field of view and to determine from the images whether a particular object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf, the controller being configured to adjust the positioning of the gimbal to shine the beam of light on any location on the at least one shelf within the field of view of the camera; and

a master controller in communication with each controller of the plurality of shelving systems.

17. The package tracking system of claim 16, wherein the package tracking area is one of a room, an open wall of a room, a cargo bay of a delivery vehicle or plane, a storeroom, or a warehouse.

18. The package tracking system of claim 16, wherein each shelving system further comprises an apparatus for mounting the camera of that shelving system at the distance from the at least one shelf of that shelving system such that a field of view of the camera of that shelving system faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf of that shelving system.

19. The package tracking system of claim 16, wherein the light source of each shelving system comprises:

a light projector facing the at least one shelf with a projection area that covers all shelving area and shines focused light only on shelving area of interest, as determined by the controller of that shelving system.