Automated Fastener Selection With Image-Based Inventory Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The task of locating necessary fasteners, such as screws, nuts, and bolts, often involves time-consuming and inefficient searches among numerous options, making it difficult to find the desired fastener.
Innovation Solution
An Automated Fastener Selection (AFS) system that includes a fastener inventory, a user delivery portion, a transfer assembly, a fastener attribute assembly, and a computer system to input and map desired fastener attributes, determine the selection, and transport the fastener to a retrieval location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual search methods are used to locate fasteners, then device complexity remains low, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical search with an automated system that uses image recognition (optical sensors) and computer processing to identify and locate fasteners. The system captures images of fasteners, processes them through recognition algorithms, and automatically determines fastener attributes, eliminating the need for manual inspection while reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the fastener through image capture and stores it in a database. This digital representation allows the system to analyze, compare, and identify fastener attributes without physically handling each fastener, thereby reducing search time while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If automated image recognition is implemented, then fastener identification accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fastener identification process into distinct segments: image capture, image processing, attribute extraction, and data storage. Each segment is handled by specialized modules (e.g., camera system, processing unit, database), which simplifies the overall system design while maintaining high accuracy through focused functionality at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the camera and the final identification result. This processing unit analyzes images, extracts attributes, and compares them with database records, serving as a mediator that enhances accuracy while managing system complexity through structured data flow.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive fastener inventory is maintained, then selection accuracy improves, but search time among options increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual search through physical inventory with automated image-based identification. The system captures images of fasteners in the inventory, processes them to extract attributes, and automatically identifies matching fasteners, eliminating the need for manual browsing while maintaining comprehensive inventory coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains a digital database of fastener images and attributes as copies of the physical inventory. This digital representation allows instant retrieval and identification of fasteners based on stored characteristics, enabling accurate selection without physically searching through the entire inventory.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that perform automated selection and delivery of a fastener. The system or apparatus may include a fastener inventory portion that retains a plurality of fasteners; a user delivery portion; a transfer assembly that affords physical transport of a fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion to the user delivery portion; a fastener attribute assembly that inputs desired fastener attribute data (DFA data) regarding a desired fastener; a computer system that interfaces with the fastener attribute assembly to input the DFA data; maps the DFA data to at least one fastener candidate; determines a fastener selection amongst the at least one fastener candidate; determines a number of discrete units of the desired fastener that comprise the fastener selection; and controls the transfer assembly to retrieve the fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion and physically transport the fastener selection to the user delivery portion.