PACKAGE-LOADING SYSTEM
An embodiment takes the form of a method carried out by a package-loading system. The system includes a processor and data storage containing instructions executable by the processor for carrying out the method. The method includes identifying a current package to be loaded by a user into a cargo container, and determining a target position in the cargo container for placement by the user of the identified current package. The method further includes providing for the user a visual indication of the determined target position.
1 . A method carried out by a package-loading system comprising a processor and data storage containing instructions executable by the processor for carrying out the method, the method comprising:
identifying a current package to be loaded by a user into a cargo container;
determining a target position in the cargo container for placement by the user of the identified current package; and
providing for the user a visual indication of the determined target position.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the current package comprises obtaining an identifier of the current package.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein obtaining the identifier of the current package comprises obtaining the identifier using a package-identity detector selected from the group consisting of an optical scanner, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner, a near field communication (NFC) scanner, and a proximity card scanner.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the current package comprises identifying a package that is in proximity to the user as being the current package.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the current package comprises identifying a package that is in proximity to a package-identity detector as being the current package.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the current package is selected from the group consisting of a corrugated box, a wooden box, a bulk box, a crate, a pallet, a drum, a pail, a unit load device, an insulated shipping container, an intermediate bulk shipping container, and an intermodal freight container.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the current package comprises identifying at least one of dimensions of the current package, a type of the current package, and a weight of the package using at least in part one of a range camera, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) system, and a sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) system.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the current package comprises obtaining an identifier of the current package, wherein determining the target position comprises determining the target position using the obtained identifier.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining the target position using the obtained identifier comprises querying a server with the obtained identifier and receiving from the server an indication of the target position.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining the target position using the obtained identifier comprises querying a server with the obtained identifier, receiving from the server a set of characteristics of the current package, and using the received set of characteristics to determine the target position.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the target position comprises determining the target position based on respective positions of one or more packages already loaded into the cargo container.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving data indicative of the respective positions of the one or more already-loaded packages.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising obtaining the respective positions of the one or more already-loaded packages using at least one of a range camera, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) system, and a sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) system.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication comprises projecting the visual indication on to the cargo container.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein projecting the visual indication comprises projecting the indication using an image projector, a laser projector, a light emitting diode (LED) projector, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the visual indication comprises presenting the visual indication on a video display.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein presenting the visual indication on the video display comprises presenting respective representations of both the cargo container and the visual indication of the determined target position.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein presenting respective representations of both the cargo container and the visual indication of the determined target position comprises presenting at least one of the respective representations along a sight line between the user and the determined target position.
19 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
subsequent to providing the visual indication of the determined target position, determining whether the current package was loaded in to the cargo container at the determined target position;
in response to determining that the current package was loaded in to the cargo container at the determined target position, providing a confirmation indication to the user; and
in response to determining that the current package was loaded in to the cargo container at a position other than the determined target position, providing an alarm indication to the user.
20 . A package-loading system comprising:
a processor; and
non-transitory data storage containing instructions executable by the processor for carrying out a set of functions, the set of functions comprising:
identifying a current package to be loaded by a user into a cargo container;
determining a target position in the cargo container for placement by the user of the identified current package; and
providing for the user a visual indication of the determined target position.