Patent ID: 8146814
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G06K,G06Q,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for retrieving an item from a field of inventory using an overhead crane system, comprising: receiving an identifier for an item to be retrieved from the field of inventory; using the identifier to obtain, from an inventory control database, an item location, within the field of inventory, for the item to be retrieved; positioning a trolley of the overhead crane system above the item location to target a picker on the trolley to retrieve a target item in the item location; using an adjustable imaging system on an underside of the trolley to obtain an image of an identification tag attached to the target item; reading information identifying characteristics of the target item provided by the identification tag to confirm that the target item is the item to be retrieved; and responsive to confirmation that the target item is the item to be retrieved, using the picker to retrieve the item to be retrieved from the field of inventory; wherein using the imaging system carried by the trolley to obtain the image of the identification tag attached to the target item comprises: wherein aligning the identification tag within the image to obtain the image of the identification tag comprises: computing an average position of said markings to determine a deviation of said average position from a preferred position; and aligning the identification tag in the image according to the deviation.