Automated Parcel Inspection System Using Machine Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The customs inspection process for parcels is labor-intensive and prone to human errors, leading to delays, increased operational costs, and inefficiencies due to the manual handling of foreign origin parcels, which are subject to varying customs regulations and often arrive with incomplete information.

Innovation Solution

An automated inspection and classification system that uses a data acquisition module with multiple sensors (barcode readers, weight sensors, geometry sensors, and OCR scanners) to acquire and process parcel data, communicating it to a customs data repository for automatic classification based on predefined parameters and attributes, utilizing machine learning algorithms to predict customs classifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual customs inspection procedures are used for foreign origin parcels, then customs classification can be performed, but labor intensity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustoms classification accuracyVSAvoidparcel inspection throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with an automated system comprising sensors (barcode readers, weight sensors, geometry sensors, OCR scanners), data acquisition modules, and machine learning algorithms. This substitution eliminates human labor from the inspection process while maintaining classification accuracy through automated data collection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables parcels to be automatically inspected and classified without human intervention. The automated inspection system collects data from multiple sensors, processes it through machine learning models, and determines customs classification independently, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on manual labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If foreign origin parcels are segregated for manual customs inspection, then customs regulations can be enforced, but processing delays and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustoms regulation complianceVSAvoidparcel delivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated inspection system operates continuously without interruption, processing parcels as they move through the facility. Unlike manual inspection that requires segregation and batch processing, the automated system maintains continuous parcel flow while performing inspections, eliminating delays and keeping the useful action of parcel movement uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs customs inspection activities in advance of final parcel delivery. By collecting data from multiple sensors and performing classification early in the process flow, the system ensures compliance is established before parcels reach their destination, preventing last-minute delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple sensors and data acquisition devices are deployed for automated inspection, then inspection efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection throughputVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data acquisition module serves multiple functions by interfacing with various sensor types (barcode readers, weight sensors, geometry sensors, OCR scanners). This universal interface consolidates the complexity of managing multiple specialized devices into a single modular component, making the system easier to manage while maintaining high inspection throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple sensor inputs and data processing functions into an integrated automated inspection system. By merging data acquisition, processing, and classification functions into a unified system architecture, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving high productivity through coordinated sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10026008B2Inspection and classification system

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 CLEAR SENSE TECH LTD

AI summary

Inspection and classification system have a customs data repository for automatic customs inspection of parcels comprising a data acquisition module configured to acquire information about parcels by input devices, wherein the information indicates customs classification criterias, the acquisition module further configured to communicate the information to the customs data repository; wherein the data repository stores the following data: information about parcels; parameters; attributes and big-data; a processor coupled with memory configured to map the information according with the parameters and attributes, wherein the mapped information of the parcel is a cluster; the processor is further configured for predicting customs classification of the parcel based upon comparison between parameters/attributes of the cluster and parameters/attributes of clusters stored in the big-data, wherein clusters stored in the big-data are were previously inspected, and wherein the cluster assumes a customs classification of a comparable cluster stored in the big-data.