Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor and manage loading dock operations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor feedback analyzer to analyze feedback from sensors associated with a dock at a material handling facility to determine durations for completion of tasks in a sequence of operations associated with loading or unloading of a trailer at the dock based on the feedback. The apparatus also includes an efficiency analyzer to compare the durations to target thresholds associated with the tasks. The apparatus further includes a user interface generator to generate a user interface indicating at least one of the durations or the target thresholds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor and manage loading docks and facility operations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a data analyzer to: monitor first data indicating whether a truck trailer is present at a dock of the material handling facility; and monitor second data indicating a condition associated with a door at the dock, the second data being different than the first data. The apparatus further includes a notification generator to generate a notification based on the first data and the second data.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example safety system includes a first sensor to monitor a first area adjacent a dock, a bi-directional sensor to signal both incoming movement and outgoing movement of a vehicle relative to the dock, and an incoming sensor to signal only incoming movement of the vehicle relative to the dock. A signaling device is responsive to outputs of at least one of the first sensor, the bi-directional sensor, and the incoming sensor.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example safety system includes a first sensor to monitor a first area adjacent a dock, a bi-directional sensor to signal both incoming movement and outgoing movement of a vehicle relative to the dock, and an incoming sensor to signal only incoming movement of the vehicle relative to the dock. A signaling device is responsive to outputs of at least one of the first sensor, the bi-directional sensor, and the incoming sensor.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes sensing whether a person is within a certain area adjacent a dock face of a loading dock, emitting a first signal in response to sensing the person being present within the certain area, sensing rearward movement of a vehicle toward the dock face, emitting a second signal in response to sensing rearward movement of the vehicle while the person is not present in the certain area, and emitting a third signal in response to sensing both the rearward movement of the vehicle and the person being present within the certain area.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example detection system includes a light source attachable to a forktruck, where the light source projects an illuminated warning field on a floor on which the forktruck is to traverse. The light source projects the illuminated warning field at a distance from a front end of the forktruck. The light source is separate from a headlight of the forktruck.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example signal generation system for a vehicle capable of different modes of movement includes a detector to determine at least one property of vehicle movement and an output representative of that at least one property and a selectively variable signal generator includes an input to receive the at least one output representative of the at least one property of vehicle movement and, responsively, generates a selected signal based on the received output. In some examples, a detector on a pedestrian detects the selected signal from the signal generator and, responsively, provides an output indicative of a vehicle in proximity to the pedestrian. In some examples, a trajectory vector is generated for at least two entities of interest based on at least one characteristic of movement of each entity.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes sensing whether a person is within a certain area adjacent a dock face of a loading dock, emitting a first signal in response to sensing the person being present within the certain area, sensing rearward movement of a vehicle toward the dock face, emitting a second signal in response to sensing rearward movement of the vehicle while the person is not present in the certain area, and emitting a third signal in response to sensing both the rearward movement of the vehicle and the person being present within the certain area.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example warning device for conveying warning signals to a person includes a wearable device to be worn by the person, where the wearable device provides a non-visual warning to the person when the wearable device is activated. A controller receives hazard-indicative input signals to activate the wearable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example detection system includes a light source attachable to a forktruck, where the light source projects an illuminated warning field on a floor on which the forktruck is to traverse. The light source projects the illuminated warning field at a distance from a front end of the forktruck. The light source is separate from a headlight of the forktruck.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest.