Container Screener Using UPC Barcode and Database Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container screeners do not effectively utilize the Universal Product Code (UPC) to identify containers and determine if they meet predetermined criteria, complicating the analysis by considering shape, size, and material, which hinders throughput and accuracy in security screenings.
Innovation Solution
A system combining barcode scanning with measurements of container properties (weight, acoustic, electromagnetic, etc.) and database comparison to rapidly identify and verify the properties of containers, eliminating the need to determine contents and simplifying the screening process by using a barcode scanner and a scale to correlate container data with reference data stored in a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If container screeners analyze container shape, size, and material to determine if containers meet criteria, then identification accuracy is improved, but analysis complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UPC barcode information from the container as a separate identification element. By scanning the UPC code, the system obtains reference data about the container's expected properties (shape, size, material) without directly measuring these physical characteristics. This separates the identification function from the physical measurement function, reducing analysis complexity while maintaining identification accuracy through database comparison.
2Measurement precision
If container screeners manually determine container contents and properties, then screening accuracy is improved, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using the UPC barcode to automatically retrieve container reference data from a database. The container itself provides its identification code, which the system uses to fetch expected properties and contents information. This eliminates the need for manual determination of container contents and properties, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining screening accuracy through automated database comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing container data (properties, contents, criteria) in a database associated with UPC codes before the screening process. When a container is scanned, the system retrieves pre-prepared reference data and comparison criteria, eliminating the need for real-time analysis of container contents and properties. This preliminary preparation of data enables rapid automated comparison, increasing throughput while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If contact measurements are performed on containers to verify properties, then measurement precision is improved, but screening time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by retrieving reference data about container properties from a database based on the UPC code. Instead of performing contact measurements to directly verify physical properties, the system copies expected property data from the database and compares it with actual measurements or visual inspection. This copying approach reduces screening time while maintaining measurement precision through comparison with pre-established reference values.
Data Source
AI summary
A container screener apparatus that uses container barcode (e.g. Universal Product Code) scanning, and one or more container and/or container content property measurements (e.g. photograph, description, weighing, acoustic measurement), and container comparison data stored in a database to determine if a container passes or fails a container screening based on predetermined pass/fail criteria.