Automated Device Operability Verification via Image Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organizations face challenges in efficiently verifying the operability of a large number of distributed devices, such as telephones, due to the time-consuming and impractical nature of manual testing, especially when devices are geographically dispersed and upgrades or additions need to be verified within a short timeframe.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a processor to obtain and compare pre- and post-communication images of a target device, determining operability by analyzing changes in the images, potentially using hash functions or optical character recognition, to assess device functionality with minimal human interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual testing is used to verify device operability, then verification accuracy is improved, but verification time and human resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical testing with an automated image-based verification system. A processor captures images of the device display before and after initiating a communication, compares the images to detect changes indicating device operability, and automatically determines verification results without human intervention in the physical testing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image copies (photographs) of the device display as proxies for actual device testing. Instead of physically interacting with the device through manual testing, the system captures visual representations of the device state and analyzes these images to infer operability, enabling remote verification without direct physical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual testing is performed for each device, then verification completeness is improved, but productivity decreases due to large number of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification completenessVSAvoidverification throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated image comparison system enables simultaneous or sequential verification of multiple devices without the linear time constraints of manual testing. The processor can handle multiple image sets in parallel, dramatically increasing verification throughput while maintaining complete coverage of all devices in the fleet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If physical presence is required for device verification, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to geographical distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses digital images as copies of the device display state, enabling remote verification without physical presence. The image capture and comparison process can be performed from any location with network connectivity, eliminating the need for verifyers to travel to geographically dispersed device locations while maintaining verification accuracy through visual evidence analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If comprehensive device verification is performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases when time allocation is short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification completenessVSAvoidverification duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated image-based verification system performs comprehensive device checks instantaneously by comparing pre- and post-communication display images. This eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual testing while maintaining thorough verification, allowing complete validation of all devices within the short time allocation typical of device upgrade cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11528356B2Method and system for verifying the operability of a target device

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA

AI summary

A method and computing apparatus for verifying an operability of a target device are provided. The method includes sequentially obtaining first image information of the target device, initiating a communication with the target device, obtaining second image information of the target device, comparing the first image information with the second image information; and determining whether the target device is operational based on a result of the comparing wherein the target device is determined as being operational when the first image information is different from the second image information, and the target device is determined as at least one of not receiving communications and not operational when the first image information is identical to the second image information.