Method and system for automatic contextual task presentation

1. A method, in a computing device, of automatic contextual task presentation, the method comprising:

storing, in a memory of the computing device, a sequence of task instructions for presentation to an operator of the computing device via an output assembly connected to the mobile computing device;

detecting, via an input assembly of the computing device, a task initiation event;

responsive to detecting the task initiation event:

controlling the output assembly to present a first task instruction from the sequence to the operator;

obtaining orientation data corresponding to the operator from an inertial measurement unit associated with the computing device;

based on the orientation data, tracking an accumulated operator orientation change since the detection of the task initiation event; and

when the accumulated operator orientation change exceeds a threshold, controlling the output assembly to present a second task instruction from the sequence to the operator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device includes at least one of a mobile computing device and a heads-up display (HUD).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the output assembly includes a heads-up-display (HUD) connected to the computing device; and

wherein controlling the output assembly to present the first and second task instructions includes transmitting the first and second task instructions to the HUD.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input assembly includes a data capture assembly connected to the computing device, and wherein detecting the task initiation event includes capturing, via the data capture assembly, data from a machine-readable indicium.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the machine-readable indicium is a barcode.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first task instruction defines a pick operation, and includes a location on a support structure, an object identifier and a quantity.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second task instruction defines a place operation, and includes a location on a cart.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the orientation data includes collecting the orientation data from the inertial measurement unit.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein obtaining the orientation data includes receiving the orientation data from the HUD; wherein the HUD includes the inertial measurement unit.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the task initiation event includes detecting an audible signal via a microphone of the mobile computing device.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: when the accumulated operator orientation change exceeds a threshold, resetting the accumulated orientation change.

12. A computing device, comprising:

a memory storing a sequence of task instructions for presentation to an operator of the computing device via an output assembly connected to the computing device;

an input assembly configured to detect a task initiation event;

a processor connected to the sensor and the memory; wherein the processor is configured to:

responsive to receipt of a detection of the task initiation event from the input assembly:

control the output assembly to present a first task instruction from the sequence to the operator;

obtain orientation data corresponding to the operator from an inertial measurement unit;

based on the orientation data, track an accumulated operator orientation change since the detection of the task initiation event; and

when the accumulated operator orientation change exceeds a threshold, control the output assembly to present a second task instruction from the sequence to the operator.

13. The computing device of claim 12 , further comprising at least one of a mobile computing device housing and a heads-up display (HUD) frame supporting the memory, the input assembly, the processor and the output assembly.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , wherein the output assembly includes a heads-up-display (HUD) connected to the computing device; and

wherein the processor is configured to transmit the first and second task instructions to the HUD.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , wherein the sensor includes a data capture device, and wherein the processor is configured, to detect the task initiation event, to receive data captured from a machine readable indicium from the data capture device.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 15 , wherein the machine-readable indicium is a barcode.

17. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , wherein the first task instruction defines a pick operation, and includes a location on a support structure, an object identifier and a quantity.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , wherein the second task instruction defines a place operation, and includes a location on a cart.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , further comprising the inertial measurement unit.

20. The mobile computing device of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured, to obtain the orientation data, to receive the orientation data from the HUD.

21. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , further comprising a microphone;

wherein the processor is configured, to detect the task initiation event, to detect an audible signal via the microphone.

22. The mobile computing device of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured, when the accumulated operator orientation change exceeds a threshold, to reset the accumulated orientation change.