Virtual reality warehouse management system complement

• US 6,744,436 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony Chirieleison Jr, Tony Chirieleison Sr
• Original Assignee: Anthony Chirieleison Jr, Tony Chirieleison Sr
• Inventors: Chirieleison, Tony Sr., Chirieleison, Anthony Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/700,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/420, 345/427, 345/649, 345/672, 345/473, 345/474, 345/475
• US Class Current: 345/427
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An image generator system (5) with a warehouse database (3) that is integrated to an image generator system human interface (FIG. 6) (virtual reality) and integrated to a warehouse management system'"'"'s (WMS) stock location system (FIG. 1). This software and hardware combination performs warehousing functions in a simple, visual, real time, non real time and three-dimensional environment. This computer combination is intended for organizations to more efficiently manage the warehousing process—especially by locating key positions. World famine can be reduced with the capabilities of visualizing locations within any warehouse. All industries that use warehouses can ultimately use this virtual reality warehouse management system complement to augment their distribution process. The combination of two previous technologies: that of Virtual Reality (real time 3D graphics) and the field of warehousing and warehouse management systems.

Claims

1. A system for enhancing a warehouse management system comprising:

a virtual reality technology means comprising means for processing computer generated graphics imagery refreshed at a selected realtime or non-realtime update rate by computing a three dimensional perspective view of a supply chain surroundings or location from a viewpoint in a three dimensional world said viewpoint comprising roll, pitch, yaw or heading, coordinate information in relation to a central coordinate location where when said viewpoint changes an entire new image being calculated, created and displayed, whereby advances to ones of a warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry occur.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said virtual reality technology means comprises:

a) an image generator system comprising means for generating visual warehouse management system imagery;

b) an image generator system host computer for commanding said image generator system, said image generator system host computer including means for processing data to said image generator system;

c) a human eye interface for displaying generated imagery by said image generator system for viewing by a human eye;

d) a warehouse management system for locating stock items within supply chain operations of an organization; and

e) an interface to a host warehouse management system for integrating data from said warehouse management system to said image generator system host computer by translating the data into a form that said image generator system host computer understands, thus commanding said image generator system.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a simulated warehouse database for investigating warehouse management system issues, said simulated warehouse database including means to create said simulated warehouse database.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising means to create hardcopy images from said human eye interface visualizations.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for manipulating image generator system warehouse management system graphics and its internal elements.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a non see through head mounted display for presenting image generator system warehouse management system graphics directly in front of the human eye.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a see through head mounted display for presenting image generator system graphics directly in front of the human eye onto a transparent lens focused into infinity allowing a user to focus into a distance and see selected said image generator system warehouse management system graphics.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a hand held display system for presenting image generator system warehouse management system graphics.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a head down display system for presenting image generator system warehouse management system graphics.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a head up display system for presenting image generator system graphics onto a transparent material allowing a user to see into a distance with selected said image generator system warehouse management system graphics.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein said human eye interface comprises a projection system for projecting image generator system graphics onto projection screens, domes, or other media surrounding a user for immersing said user in said image generator system warehouse management system graphics.

12. The system of claim 2 further comprising tracking and positioning systems that are integrated into said image generator system host computer allowing mobility for said human eye interface by transferring this positioning data to said image generator system host computer and having corresponding said image generator system warehouse management system graphics simultaneously correlate with an exterior real world of the warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said coordinate information is Cartesian coordinate information and said central coordinate location is an x=0, y=0, z=0 Cartesian coordinate location.

14. A method of system for enhancing ones of a warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry comprising:

a virtual reality technology means comprising means for processing computer generated graphics real time imagery refreshed at an update rate above one hertz by computing a three dimensional perspective view of a supply chain surroundings or location from a viewpoint in a three dimensional world said viewpoint comprising roll, pitch, yaw or heading, coordinate information in relation to a central coordinate location where when said viewpoint changes an entire new image being calculated, created and displayed, whereby advances to the warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry occur.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said virtual reality technology means comprises:

a) an image generator system comprising means for generating real time visual warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry imagery;

b) an image generator system host computer for commanding said image generator system, said image generator system host computer including means for processing data to said image generator system; and

c) a human eye interface for displaying generated warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry imagery by said image generator system for viewing by a human eye.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a warehouse management system for locating stock items within supply chain operations of an organization, said warehouse management system including an interface to a host warehouse management system for integrating data from said warehouse management system to said image generator system host computer by translating the data into a form that said image generator system host computer understands, thus commanding said image generator system.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising a simulated warehouse database for investigating warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry issues, said simulated warehouse database including means to create said simulated warehouse database.

18. The system of claim 15 further comprising means to create hardcopy images from said human eye interface visualizations.

19. The system of claim 15 further comprising means for manipulating image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry imagery and its internal elements.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a non see through head mounted display for presenting image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics directly in front of the human eye.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a see through head mounted display for presenting image generator system graphics directly in front of the human eye onto a transparent lens focused into infinity allowing a user to focus into a distance and see selected said image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a hand held display system for presenting image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics.

23. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a head down display system for presenting image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics.

24. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a head up display system for presenting image generator system graphics onto a transparent material allowing a user to see into a distance with selected said image generator system graphics.

25. The system of claim 15 wherein said human eye interface comprises a projection system for projecting image generator system graphics onto projection screens, domes, or other media surrounding a user for immersing said user in said image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics.

26. The system of claim 15 further comprising tracking and positioning systems that are integrated into said image generator system host computer allowing mobility for said human eye interface by transferring positioning data to said image generator system host computer and having corresponding said image generator system warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry graphics simultaneously correlate with an exterior real world of the warehousing, logistics, distribution and supply chain industry.

27. The system of claim 14 wherein said coordinate information is Cartesian coordinate information and said central coordinate location is an x=0, y=0, z=0 Cartesian coordinate location.