Automated Item Imaging Apparatus for Electronic Marketplace Listings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of entering item details and creating images for electronic marketplaces is inefficient, requiring human intervention and time-consuming data entry for item profiles, dimensions, and three-dimensional renderings.
Innovation Solution
An automated item imaging apparatus captures data and media from multiple angles using a rotating platform, multiple lights, and an imaging device on a curved pathway, with an imaging control application determining and applying imaging sequences to generate high-quality images and three-dimensional renderings, and an item processing system analyzing and storing this data for electronic marketplaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual entry of item information is used, then data accuracy can be ensured through human review, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming data entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with an automated imaging system that captures item dimensions, weight, and visual information through cameras and sensors. The system automatically processes this data to generate product listings, eliminating the need for manual typing and data input while maintaining accuracy through automated measurement and recognition algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system enables items to 'self-document' by automatically capturing their own physical characteristics (dimensions, weight, appearance) and converting them into product listing data. The system performs self-measurement and self-description, eliminating the need for human operators to manually record item information.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple imaging devices and actuators are added to capture items from multiple angles, then image quality and completeness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging devices, lighting systems, and actuators into an integrated automated imaging station. The system merges these components into a coordinated unit where actuators automatically position items and control camera angles, lighting adjusts illumination levels, and multiple cameras capture simultaneous multi-angle views, reducing operational complexity despite increased hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a curved or rotational imaging pathway where cameras are positioned along an arc around the item placement area. This curved arrangement allows single or few cameras to capture 360-degree views by rotating or panning along the arc, reducing the number of fixed cameras needed while maintaining complete multi-angle coverage.
3Productivity
If automated imaging sequences are implemented, then productivity is improved by reducing manual intervention, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect item position, cameras verify capture quality, and actuators adjust based on real-time data. The system continuously monitors whether images are properly captured at required angles and lighting levels, automatically correcting positioning or re-capturing images that don't meet quality standards, thereby maintaining precision through closed-loop control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for automatically generating media and/or data associated with an item. An item imaging apparatus may apply an imaging sequence based on an item being imaged to gather media and/or data associated with the item. The media and/or data associated with the item may be used in the generation of additional data associated with the item. The media and/or data may be in a profile of the item in an electronic marketplace.