Drone-Based Property Cataloging for Accurate Digital Locker Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Property owners face a tedious and error-prone process when manually cataloging and tracking warranty, recall, and maintenance information for objects within their residential or commercial properties, which is time-consuming and burdensome.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a drone to navigate and survey properties, capturing image data to identify objects, including barcodes, and storing information in a digital locker database for comprehensive tracking, automating the cataloging process and reducing the burden on owners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cataloging is performed by property owners, then comprehensive tracking of objects can be achieved, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidcataloging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical cataloging process with an automated drone-based system that uses image capture, barcode scanning, and computer vision technology to automatically identify and catalog objects, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining comprehensive tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service cataloging where the drone autonomously navigates the property, captures images, identifies objects through barcode scanning or image recognition, and automatically updates the database without requiring property owner involvement in the actual cataloging process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual cataloging is performed by property owners, then object information can be recorded, but errors increase due to the tedious process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidcataloging accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data entry with automated optical recognition systems including barcode scanners and computer vision algorithms that accurately identify objects and extract information, eliminating human errors associated with manual transcription and data entry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the drone captures images, the system automatically processes and validates the data, and can re-scan or request clarification if identification is uncertain, ensuring high accuracy through iterative verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated drone cataloging is implemented, then time and effort are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecataloging efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional drone system that integrates navigation, image capture, barcode scanning, and object recognition capabilities in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple separate systems while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary database layer that standardizes data from various sources and provides a unified interface, managing system complexity by abstracting the complexity of drone operations, image processing, and data management from the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If comprehensive object coverage is achieved through automated cataloging, then tracking completeness improves, but the cataloging process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking completenessVSAvoidcataloging process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cataloging process into distinct phases: navigation planning, image capture, object identification, data extraction, and database update, allowing each segment to be optimized independently while achieving comprehensive coverage through systematic progression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from two-dimensional manual listing to three-dimensional spatial mapping by using drone aerial views and depth sensing to catalog objects in their physical context, improving completeness by capturing objects that might be missed in traditional flat-list approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11455897B1Drone digital locker builder

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 ALARM COM INC

AI summary

Systems and techniques are described for cataloging objects in a property using a drone. In some implementations, a system monitors a property that includes a drone configured to survey the property. A control unit accesses data identifying items and provides instructions to the drone to locate the items. The control unit receives data identifying a location of a portion of the items, image data associated with each identified items, and data indicating remaining items not located. In response, the data identifying the remaining items and data indicating that the drone did not locate the remaining portion of the items are transmitted to a client device. The control unit receives data indicating a location within the property of a first group of the remaining portion of the items and data indicating that a second group of the remaining portion of the items are not located within the property.