Conveyor Belt Pattern Product Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing processes, particularly in food processing plants, products like meat cannot always be marked for tracking due to contamination risks or surface texture issues, making traditional identification methods impractical.
Innovation Solution
A method using a computer system to capture images of a conveyor belt with randomly distributed patterns, comparing these images to a pattern record to identify products based on visible and hidden patterns, assigning identifiers, and tracking products through their movement on the conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a marking (label, barcode, RFID tag) is applied to a product for tracking, then product identification and tracking capability is improved, but the risk of contamination increases and the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the conveyor belt pattern - that serves as a mediator between the product and the tracking system. Instead of marking the product directly, the system uses the conveyor belt's existing pattern as an indirect identifier. The camera captures the relationship between the product and the conveyor pattern, allowing tracking without physical contact or marking of the product itself, thus eliminating contamination risk while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically attaching markings (labels, barcodes, RFID tags) to products with an optical detection system. The system uses a camera to capture images of the conveyor belt pattern and product position, then processes these images to identify and track products. This substitution eliminates the need for physical marking materials and their associated contamination risks while maintaining effective product identification.
2Loss of information
If a marking is applied to a product for tracking, then product identification capability is improved, but the device complexity and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt serves itself as the identification medium by having its own inherent pattern. The system leverages the existing conveyor belt pattern rather than requiring separate marking materials, applicators, and associated equipment. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external marking systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining product identification capability through the conveyor-pattern-product relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt pattern serves multiple functions: it provides the tracking reference, acts as the identification medium, and eliminates the need for separate marking systems. By making the conveyor belt multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective product identification and tracking capabilities throughout the manufacturing process.
3Loss of information
If a marking is applied to a product for tracking, then product identification capability is improved, but the manufacturing process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt pattern is pre-established and continuously present before products arrive. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time marking operations. When products move along the conveyor, the identification system simply captures the existing pattern-product relationship, requiring no additional time for marking application while maintaining full product identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the entire marking application step by using the conveyor belt pattern as the identification medium. Instead of pausing the manufacturing process to apply labels, barcodes, or RFID tags, the system continuously captures images of the conveyor pattern and product positions, processing identification in real-time without interrupting the production flow, thus eliminating marking application time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises: receiving, in a computer system, a pattern record corresponding to a conveyor pattern of a conveyor belt in which patterns are randomly distributed; capturing, using the computer system, a first image of the conveyor belt while a first product is positioned on the conveyor belt; comparing, using the computer system, at least part of the first image with the pattern record to identify a first corresponding portion of the pattern record for the first image; assigning, using the computer system, a first identifier to the first product based on the first corresponding portion of the pattern record; and tracking, using the computer system, the first product using the assigned first identifier.