Operator identification and performance tracking

• US 10,198,706 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2015
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Locus Robotics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Locus Robotics Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Michael Charles, Powers, Bradley, Welty, Bruce, Johnson, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Amin, Bhavesh V
• Application Number:
  US14/815,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20170032306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1378 the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/39371 Host and robot controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0261 using magnetic plots
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/18 Eye characteristics, e.g. of the iris

Abstract

A system for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse. The system comprises at least one robot configured to interact with the operators in the warehouse. The at least one robot includes a first transceiver, a proximity detector, and a memory. The first transceiver defines a zone surrounding the robot and the proximity detector is coupled to the first transceiver. The proximity detector is configured to detect entry, into the zone, of an operator and to detect exit of the operator from the zone. The memory contains information identifying said operators who have entered and exited the zone.

Claims

1. A system for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse, the system comprising:

At least one robot configured to interact with the operators in the warehouse, the at least one robot including;

a first transceiver,

a proximity detector, and

a memory,

wherein said first transceiver defines a zone surrounding said robot,

wherein said proximity detector is coupled to said first transceiver,

wherein said proximity detector is configured to detect entry, into said zone, of an operator and to detect exit of said operator from said zone,

wherein said memory contains information identifying said operators who have entered and exited said zone; and

wherein said at least one robot includes a network interface configured to provide information indicative of operator activity to a management server, and wherein said management server is configured to track operator efficiency based at least in part on said information indicative of operator activity.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second transceiver associated with each said operator that carries information identifying said operator, wherein said second transceivers are with the operators.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said second transceiver comprises an RFID transceiver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one robot further comprises a contactless identification system, wherein said contactless identification system identifies said local operator without physically contacting said local operator.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said identification system comprises a camera, and a facial-recognition system coupled to said camera, wherein said facial-recognition system identifies said local operator.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said identification system comprises a retinal scanner and a retinal-identification system coupled to said retinal scanner, wherein said retinal-identification system identifies said local operator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one robot further includes a tablet, wherein said tablet comprises a tablet processor and a network interface, wherein, using said network interface, said tablet provides information to a management server, said information comprising information indicative of operator activity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said management server is configured to provide, to said operator, an incentive that is based at least in part on said information indicative of local operator activity.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said management server is configured to maintain warehouse statistics based at least in part on said information indicative of local operator activity.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said tablet provides operator identification information to said management server.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said operator identification information is used by said management server to determine if the operator is an authorized operator.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said operator identification information is used by said management server to set operator preferences for interaction with said tablet;

wherein said operator preferences include language.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein said information indicative of operator activity includes information regarding one or more of the amount of time for an operator to enter the zone after the robot arrives at a destination proximate the user, the amount of time the operator takes to exit the zone after the operator enters the zone, the amount of time the operator takes to perform a defined function.

13. A method for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse, said method comprising:

causing a robot to proceed to a location;

at said location, defining a zone around said robot;

detecting entry of a local operator into said zone;

without physical contact with said local operator, identifying said local operator;

providing information indicative of local operator activity to a management server; and

tracking local operator efficiency based at least in part on said information indicative of local operator activity.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising detecting exit of said local operator from said zone.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying said local operator comprises receiving, from a transceiver carried by said local operator, information identifying said local operator.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying said local operator comprises receiving, from an RFID tag carried by said local operator, information identifying said local operator.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying said local operator comprises performing identification based on data indicative of a face of said local operator.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying said local operator comprises performing identification based on data indicative of a retina of said local operator.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said information indicative of local operator activity includes information regarding one or more of the amount of time for an operator to enter the zone after the robot arrives at said location, the amount of time the operator takes to exit the zone after the operator enters the zone, the amount of time the operator takes to perform a defined function.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing, to a local operator, an incentive based at least in part on said information indicative of local operator activity.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising maintaining warehouse statistics based at least in part on said information indicative of local operator activity.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing operator identification information to said management server.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said operator identification information is used to determine if the operator is an authorized operator.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said operator identification information is used to set operator preferences for interaction with said operator;

wherein said operator preferences include language.