Cigarette Rack Inventory Check Using Stack Dimension Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for counting prepackaged smoking materials in stacks lack accuracy due to varying dimensions, making it difficult to estimate the number of packs and their prices consistently.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a package rack, digital tape measures, and a control device that measures the outer dimensions of stacks of prepackaged smoking materials, allowing for precise counting and displaying the number of packs and their prices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting methods are used for prepackaged smoking materials in stacks, then the counting process is simple to perform, but the accuracy of counting is poor due to varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with an automated optical measurement system. Digital tape measures with optical sensors automatically measure the height of烟 pack stacks, and a control system calculates the number of packs based on measured dimensions, eliminating manual counting errors while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement and self-counting of烟 pack inventories. The digital tape measures automatically measure stack heights, and the control system autonomously calculates pack quantities based on the relationship between stack height and individual pack dimensions, enabling the system to monitor its own inventory without external intervention
2Measurement precision
If automated measurement systems are implemented to improve counting accuracy, then the precision of pack counting is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital tape measures are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as physical measuring devices and as data input interfaces for the control system. The same measurement infrastructure supports both inventory counting and price calculation functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is nested within the existing rack structure. Digital tape measures are integrated into the rack framework, and the control system is embedded within the same housing, creating a compact hierarchical structure where smaller components are nested within larger systems, minimizing space requirements and reducing apparent complexity
3Productivity
If consistent outer dimensions are assumed for all packs to enable estimation by measuring stack dimensions, then the productivity of inventory checking is improved, but the reliability of the estimation decreases when dimensions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of actual pack dimensions and establishes the relationship between stack height and pack count before inventory checking begins. By pre-calculating and storing the dimensional characteristics of different pack types, the system enables rapid subsequent counting through simple height measurements without requiring real-time dimension verification, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously compares measured stack heights against expected dimensions and provides feedback when deviations are detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust its counting calculations dynamically, maintaining high reliability even when pack dimensions vary slightly, while preserving the efficiency of automated measurement
Data Source
AI summary
The cigarette rack with inventory check comprises a package rack, a plurality of digital tape measures, and a control device. The package rack stores as individual packs each pack contained within the plurality of prepackaged smoking materials. The plurality of prepackaged smoking materials are organized into one or more stacks. Each of the plurality of digital tape measures measures the length of an outer dimension of a stack selected from the one or more stacks to determine the count of packs contained within the selected stack. The control system counts the number of packs contained within each of the one or more stacks. The control system displays: 1) the number of packs contained within each of the one or more stacks; and, 2) the price of an individual pack contained within the selected stack.