Dynamic Camera Positioning for Accurate Inventory Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-based inventory systems struggle to accurately count products in deep rows on shelves due to limitations in camera angles, leading to incomplete and inaccurate inventory counts.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes real-time analysis of camera angles for optimal object detection, adjusting the position and tilt of the image capturing device to improve visibility of products in deep rows, thereby enhancing the reliability of inventory counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed camera position is used for inventory counting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of product count deteriorates due to inability to capture deep rows on shelves
Solution Approach 1:
The camera positioning system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. The camera can be automatically repositioned to different angles and depths to capture products in deep rows on shelves, thereby improving counting accuracy without requiring manual intervention for each counting task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image analysis feedback to determine whether the current camera position provides sufficient visibility for accurate product counting. Based on this feedback, the camera automatically adjusts its position to optimize the view of products in deep rows, creating a closed-loop system that improves measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of camera position is used to improve visibility, then the measurement precision improves, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The camera positioning system performs self-adjustment based on automated image analysis. The system independently determines optimal camera positions and executes the positioning without human intervention, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated positioning system that uses computational algorithms to determine optimal camera positions. This substitution of manual operation with automated control maintains accuracy while significantly improving inventory counting speed and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple camera positions are captured to improve counting accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to multiple capture and processing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the current camera position to determine whether additional captures are necessary. By pre-assessing the adequacy of the current view, the system avoids unnecessary multiple captures, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while minimizing time loss through selective repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
In an approach to estimating product inventory count, one or more computer processors receive one or more images of one or more products residing on a product storage location from an image capturing device. Based on the received images, one or more computer processors determine a count of the one or more products. One or more computer processors determine a confidence in the count of the one or more products. In response to determining the confidence is below a threshold, one or more computer processors calculate a recommended position of the image capturing device to produce an improved image of the one or more products. One or more computer processors transmit instructions to the image capturing device to move to the recommended position. One or more computer processors determine whether the image capturing device is in the recommended position.