Systems and methods for article inspections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The clothing and fashion industry faces challenges in efficiently inspecting and managing articles for rental services, as current methods are often cursory and lack data recording, making it difficult to track the condition and usage of items provided to multiple end users.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for accurate, trackable, and repeatable article inspections using an inspection processor that reads unique identifiers, updates an article tracking system, and facilitates data recording through a centralized database, enabling detailed inspection and tracking of articles across multiple users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If current rental services inspect items in a cursory manner, then inspection time is reduced, but inspection accuracy and data recording capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection timeVSAvoidinspection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing article images, reading identifiers, and pre-populating inspection data before the actual inspection decision is made. This preliminary data collection enables faster overall inspection while maintaining accuracy, as the foundation work is already completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inspection mechanics with automated image capture and data processing systems. Cameras and sensors automatically record article conditions, and software systems manage data storage and analysis, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inspection while improving accuracy through consistent automated measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If detailed inspection is performed without data recording, then inspection accuracy improves, but information management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoiddata recording capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by automatically recording inspection results, article identifiers, and condition data into a centralized database. This recorded information feeds back into the system for tracking article history, monitoring usage patterns, and informing future inspection criteria, ensuring that detailed inspection data is preserved and utilized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of article inspection data, storing images, measurements, and condition assessments in an electronic database. These digital copies preserve detailed inspection information without requiring physical storage of multiple inspection records, enabling efficient information management while maintaining full inspection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If vast amounts of information are collected in numerous different categories, then information completeness improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments information collection into distinct categories such as article identifiers, physical condition, usage history, and maintenance records. Each category is handled by specialized components (cameras, sensors, data entry interfaces), allowing comprehensive information gathering while managing complexity through modular organization of data types and processing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal database structure and software platform that can handle multiple types of inspection data across different article categories. The system is designed to accommodate various data formats and inspection criteria through configurable parameters, enabling complete information storage without requiring separate complex systems for each data type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10655271B1Systems and methods for article inspections
Publication Date: 2020.05.19 CAASTLE INC
  • US10655271B1 patent drawing
  • US10655271B1 patent drawing
  • US10655271B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of using an inspection processor includes receiving one or more articles at an inspection station, and identifying, by the inspection processor, one of the articles by reading a unique identifier associated with the one of the articles. The method also includes inspecting the article based on at least one quality criterion, and updating an article tracking system based on the result of the inspection and the identifier.