Guidance system using changeable signs

Details Guidance system using changeable signs Guidance system using changeable signs

1998-12-21

2001-03-20

Nguyen, Tan (Department: 3661)

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Navigation

C701S207000, C342S357490

Reexamination Certificate

active

06205396

ABSTRACT:

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to guidance systems and in particular to such systems using changeable signs to lead a person to a predefined target.
Many human activities involve the need to reach a predefined location or object. Guidance means for choosing a preferred route or for identifying the target location or object are in common use, usually in the form of signs. Such signs, clearly visible from a fair distance, allow a person to choose the route to the target without interrupting the travel or risking travel safety. However, when the number of possible routes or targets is large, the use of common signs becomes impractical, because too much visual information must be displayed and then read and interpreted during travel. A changeable sign system capable of providing selectively guidance signals relating to a specific route or target of an individual, could be highly advantageous in such circumstances.
An example of an existing environment using changeable signs displaying route and target information is the so-called pick-to-light (PTL) system for warehouses. Such commercial systems and their advantages are described in the article “Pick-to-light directs productivity: however you store materials, PTL indicators make for timely and accurate orderpicking” by Schwind, Gene F., Material Handling Engineering, Dec. 1993, Page 43, downloaded through Compuserve Information Services. In such pick-to-light systems, the pick assignments are stored in a central computer. The central computer communicates with terminals positioned next to stock locations. When a certain pick assignment is activated by the central computer, lights in the corresponding terminals are turned on to provide the picker with clear visual guidance signals. Additional information may be generated by the central computer and displayed by the terminal, such as information relating to the pick quantity. The terminal may also include input means for keying-in and uploading pick reports. Other prior art references relating to pick-to-light systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,739,339 to Hilihouse et al., 3,908,800 to Drapeau and 4,346,453 to Drapeau et al.
While having many advantages regarding productivity and accuracy, the existing pick-to-light systems have two major limitations: they can serve only a single picker or a small number of pickers operating simultaneously, and they require a costly communication infrastructure between the central computer and all terminals.
OBJECT AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following terms will be used herein as follows:
1. Assignment—a task to be performed including traveling toward and reaching a target location.
2. Operator—a human individual executing an assignment while traveling by foot or by a vehicle.
3. Guidance—the information provided to an operator for aiding in choosing a preferred route and/or in identifying the target location or item.
4. Sign—an object positioned next to traffic routes or target locations for displaying guidance information viewable by an operator from a fair distance and usable by operator without interrupting travel. Signs may incorporate lights and symbols for visibility and clarity.
5. Changeable sign—a sign which changes the information displayed thereon upon receiving an external signal.
6. Central computer—a computer storing assignment information.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a guidance system using changeable signs, which system can serve simultaneously a large number of operators and does not require a central computer, or a communication link between a central computer and the signs. Another object of the present invention into provide an assignment reporting system operable in conjunction with said guidance system.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guidance system for guiding a user to selected targets among a plurality of targets located within a defined area, comprising:
a portable unit to be carried by the user, including a memory for storing target information identifying a selected target within said defined area, and a transmitter for signals identifying the selected target within said defined area;
and at least one changeable guidance sign at a predetermined location within said defined area, said changeable guidance sign including a receiver for receiving signals transmitted by said portable unit, a memory for storing guidance information relating the locations of said plurality of targets with respect to said predetermined location of the changeable guidance sign, a display for displaying the stored guidance information of the location of a target corresponding to as signal transmitted from said portable unit and received by the changeable guidance sign.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guiding system for guiding a user to selected targets among a plurality of targets located within a defined area, comprising:
a portable unit to be carried by the user, including a memory for storing target information identifying a selected target within said defined area, and a transmitter for transmitting signals identifying the selected target within said defined area;
a plurality of target devices, one at each of said target locations, each of said target devices including a receiver for receiving target signals transmitted by said portable unit, and a target indicator for indicating that a received target signal identifies the respective target;
and a computer for storing said target data identifying the targets within said defined area, and for communicating with said portable unit to download into their respective memories the target information identifying selected targets within said defined area.
A number of applications of the invention are described for purposes of example, including a warehouse for storing a large number of articles, a museum having a large number of exhibits, and a parking garage having a large number of parking spaces.


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Pick-to-Light Directs Productivity : however you store materials, PTL indicators make for timely and accurate orderpicking by Schwind, Gene F., Material Handling Engineering, Dec 1993, pp. 1-4.

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