A system and methods for vehicle build information management in an assembly plant are disclosed. Once example method includes receiving, from a first information source, identification information for at least one vehicle being assembled in the vehicle assembly plant. The method further includes receiving, from a second information source, build instructions describing at least one work process to be performed for the at least one vehicle. The method further includes receiving, from a third information source, inventory information identifying a plurality of components required to comply with the build instructions. Finally, the method further includes sending for display, to a user interface, a visual representation of at least two of the identification information and the build instructions and the inventory information.

An operation monitoring device includes an analytical data obtaining unit for obtaining analytical data that contain history information of a machine; a non-operation reason analysis unit for analyzing the state of the machine by classifying the state of the machine for every predetermined time as either of an operating state and a plurality of kinds of non-operating states, based on the analytical data, the operating state being a state in which the machine is operating, and the non-operating states being classified based on a reason for non-operation; a storage unit for storing an analysis result storage database that stores the result of analysis; a display unit for presenting to a user the result of the analysis; and a correction unit for correcting the result of the analysis according to an instruction from the user.

A system and a method for validating items gathered (i.e., picked) as part of a logistics process are disclosed. The picking system uses one or more sensors to sense the physical attributes of an item (e.g., weight, color, size/shape, etc.). The sensed-physical attributes are compared to expected-physical attributes stored for the item. Based on the comparison, a user may receive feedback confirming or rejecting the picked item. In some embodiments, the picking system uses the collected physical data to improve, or add to, the expected-physical attributes. The picking system may also be integrated with a powered-industrial vehicle and/or a warehouse management system to improve usability and effectiveness.

Dimensioning systems may automate or assist with determining the physical dimensions of an object without the need for a manual measurement. A dimensioning system may project a light pattern onto the object, capture an image of the reflected pattern, and observe changes in the imaged pattern to obtain a range image, which contains 3D information corresponding to the object. Then, using the range image, the dimensioning system may calculate the dimensions of the object. In some cases, a single range image does not contain 3D data sufficient for dimensioning the object. To mitigate or solve this problem, the present invention embraces capturing a plurality of range images from different perspectives, and then combining the range images (e.g., using image-stitching) to form a composite range-image, which can be used to determine the object's dimensions.

Dimensioning systems may automate or assist with determining the physical dimensions of an object without the need for a manual measurement. A dimensioning system may project a light pattern onto the object, capture an image of the reflected pattern, and observe changes in the imaged pattern to obtain a range image, which contains 3D information corresponding to the object. Then, using the range image, the dimensioning system may calculate the dimensions of the object. In some cases, a single range image does not contain 3D data sufficient for dimensioning the object. To mitigate or solve this problem, the present invention embraces capturing a plurality of range images from different perspectives, and then combining the range images (e.g., using image-stitching) to form a composite range-image, which can be used to determine the object's dimensions.

An operation monitoring device includes an analytical data obtaining unit for obtaining analytical data that contain history information of a machine; a non-operation reason analysis unit for analyzing the state of the machine by classifying the state of the machine for every predetermined time as either of an operating state and a plurality of kinds of non-operating states, based on the analytical data, the operating state being a state in which the machine is operating, and the non-operating states being classified based on a reason for non-operation; a storage unit for storing an analysis result storage database that stores the result of analysis; a display unit for presenting to a user the result of the analysis; and a correction unit for correcting the result of the analysis according to an instruction from the user.

Dimensioning systems may automate or assist with determining the physical dimensions of an object without the need for a manual measurement. A dimensioning system may project a light pattern onto the object, capture an image of the reflected pattern, and observe changes in the imaged pattern to obtain a range image, which contains 3D information corresponding to the object. Then, using the range image, the dimensioning system may calculate the dimensions of the object. In some cases, a single range image does not contain 3D data sufficient for dimensioning the object. To mitigate or solve this problem, the present invention embraces capturing a plurality of range images from different perspectives, and then combining the range images (e.g., using image-stitching) to form a composite range-image, which can be used to determine the object's dimensions.

An inventory system can include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID tuners that can be brought into interacting proximity with one another to provide input or other information about the location or other condition of movable elements within the inventory system. For example, interactions of RFID tags and RFID tuners at different locations within an inventory system may be utilized to associate a container or other movable object with particular receiving surfaces at particular points in time to facilitate identification of the whereabouts of the container or other movable object.

An inventory system can include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID tuners that can be brought into interacting proximity with one another to provide input or other information about the location or other condition of movable elements within the inventory system. A wearable accessory that is wearable by a human operator can include RFID tuners thereon for interacting with RFID tags on other elements of the inventory system in order to communicate details about the elements and facilitate functions of the inventory system.

Example methods and systems relate to the modeling of production processes to include intermediate products. An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system receives user input to define an intermediate product, and generates a master data record for the intermediate product. The ERP system further receives user input to include the intermediate product in a production model within the ERP system. The production model is associated with a real-world production process. The production model is updated based on the master data record to integrate the intermediate product into a sequence of activities. The sequence of activities comprises a first activity that produces the intermediate product and a second activity that consumes the intermediate product. The ERP system executes a production order based on the production model. Execution of the production order includes tracking state information of the intermediate product within the ERP system.