Consignment Label Reading With Surface Fingerprinting for Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Logistics processes face challenges in accurately reading labels on consignment units due to damage, wear, or loss, leading to inefficiencies and errors in inventory management and processing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving obtaining reference surface information of consignment units using cameras, associating it with label information, and using this information to provide label data when the label is unreadable by scanning current surface information, which includes fingerprinting or pattern recognition to enhance reading success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional label reading methods are used, then the process is simple, but the reading success rate is low (90%) due to label damage, wear, or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures an image of the consignment unit surface and extracts surface information (fingerprint, pattern, or texture) before the labeling process. This preliminary action allows the system to later identify and match the label even if it becomes damaged or lost during logistics, thereby improving reading success rate without requiring complex real-time recovery mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surface information (image data of the consignment unit surface) as an intermediary element that links the consignment unit with its label. Instead of directly reading the label, the system uses the surface information as a mediator to identify the consignment unit and retrieve label data from storage, enabling label recovery when traditional reading fails
2Reliability
If label information is stored externally, then label recovery is possible when labels are damaged, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capture of surface information and association with label data during the initial labeling process. This stored association enables later retrieval of label information even when the physical label is damaged or lost, improving data accessibility while using straightforward storage mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the surface information (image or extracted features) and stores it along with the label data. This copy serves as a reference that can be used to match and retrieve label information without requiring the original physical label to be intact, thereby enabling reliable data recovery
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Increases the success rate of retrieving label information from 90% to up to 96% by ensuring label data is accessible even when the label is damaged or lost.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining an image of the at least a part of the surface of the consignment unit and/or of at least a part of the surface of the label using a camera
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus, the method comprising obtaining or causing obtaining label information associated with a label assigned to a consignment unit; obtaining or causing obtaining reference surface information representative of at least one characteristic of at least a part of a surface of the consignment unit and/or of at least a part of a surface of the label; and associating or causing associating the label information with the reference surface information.