Patent attributes
Disclosed are a method, device and system for navigation of an autonomous supply chain node vehicle in a storage center using virtual image-code tape. In one aspect, a layout diagram with a set of shelves is analyzed. A trajectory for movement of the autonomous supply chain node vehicle avoiding the shelves is determined. A training set of discrete overlapping images of peripheral area along the trajectory is captured with an imaging device on the autonomous supply chain node vehicle in a learning mode. A virtual image-code tape capturing a continuous area of storage center with globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) associated with the peripheral area is generated. The GUIDs include spatial information and identifiable image features from the training set capturing floor marks. An operating set of discrete overlapping images is captured in a normal mode and compared with GUIDs of the virtual image-code tape to determine a current location.