Automated Article Dispensing With Real-Time Inventory Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated dispensing systems lack real-time management and indication of item quantity and quality, hindering effective inventory management.

Innovation Solution

An automated dispensing system with inventory management capabilities, featuring storage compartments, a gripper assembly, and sensors to detect quality and quantity parameters, along with a processing module to compute and provide instructions for item retrieval and dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated dispensing systems are used to dispense items, then dispensing automation is improved, but real-time inventory management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing automationVSAvoidreal-time inventory management information

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor item quantity and quality parameters in storage compartments. This real-time data is fed back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts dispensing operations and generates alerts when inventory thresholds are reached, thereby maintaining both automation and real-time inventory visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inventory checking and tracking with electronic sensor systems and automated data processing. Optical sensors, weight sensors, or RFID readers automatically detect item presence and conditions, substituting mechanical/manual inventory management with electronic monitoring systems that provide real-time information without interfering with automated dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If real-time detection of item parameters is implemented, then inventory management precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the inventory monitoring function into separate modular sensor units, each responsible for detecting specific parameters (quantity, quality, position). These segmented sensor modules can be independently selected and configured based on specific inventory management needs, providing high measurement precision without requiring a completely complex integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can process data from various types of sensors (optical, weight, RFID) and perform multiple operations including inventory tracking, quality assessment, dispensing control, and alert generation. This universal control unit reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11688223B2Item management, systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 POLYTEX TECH

AI summary

Provided herein are automated article dispensing systems having inventory management capabilities, and methods for managing inventory of articles in automated dispensing systems. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize an inventory management assembly which includes one or more sensors configured to detect directly or indirectly one or more parameters related to quality and/or quantity the articles and an inventory management processing module configured to compute inventory related data based at least on the one or more parameters.