Distance Sensor Commodity Line Length Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing management systems in stores fail to accurately count the increased or decreased number of commodities on shelves due to difficulties in separating images and calculating changes in commodity lines.
Innovation Solution
A management device equipped with a sensor interface and processor that uses a distance sensor to measure the length of a commodity line, compares it to the thickness indicated by shelf label information, and calculates the number of commodities based on this data, while also utilizing a camera for image processing to verify the presence of commodities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If image processing is used to count commodities on shelves, then commodity extraction can be detected, but image separation fails导致 counting accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the commodity line into individual commodity units by measuring the distance between adjacent commodities. The distance sensor divides the continuous commodity line into discrete segments, each representing one commodity, enabling accurate counting without image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical image processing system with a distance-based measurement system. Instead of using cameras and image algorithms to detect and separate commodities, the system uses distance sensors to measure physical distances between commodities, substituting optical detection with direct physical measurement.
2Productivity
If distance sensor is used to measure commodity line length, then measurement speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a biasing mechanism as an intermediary that applies force to commodities to maintain them in contact with each other. This creates a stable, continuous commodity line where distance measurements between adjacent commodities are reliable, enabling accurate counting through the distance sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism causes commodities to self-organize into a continuous line where each commodity is in contact with its neighbors. This self-arrangement creates a natural measurement structure where the distance between commodities directly corresponds to the number of commodities, eliminating the need for complex image analysis.
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
Efficiently calculates the increase or decrease in the number of commodities by determining changes in the commodity line length and thickness, ensuring accurate inventory management and automatic adjustment of stock levels.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor that measures a distance between a predetermined position and a backmost side of a commodity line
Data Source
AI summary
A management device includes a distance sensor, a sensor interface, and a processor. The distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between a predetermined position and a backmost side of a commodity line having commodities biased in an arrangement direction and supported from a foremost side of the commodity line. The sensor interface transmits and receives data to and from the distance sensor. The processor calculates a length of the commodity line based on the distance before a change in the distance and the distance after the change in the distance when the distance is changed, and determines whether the length of the commodity line matches a thickness of the commodity indicated by shelf label information. The processor calculates the increased or decreased number of commodities based on the determination.