Automated Electronic Equipment Valuation via Optical Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for valuing and trading electronic equipment are inefficient, as they lack accurate identification of assets and their components, leading to misvaluation and logistical challenges, with neither party knowing the exact condition or software included, resulting in financial discrepancies and missed secondary market opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A computerized valuation system and method that uses a scanning application to provide an accurate identification and current value of assets, enabling users to determine market value, facilitate trading, and ensure proper disposal through a user-friendly interface and web-based platform, integrating with existing asset management systems like WMI for comprehensive inventory and valuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection of electronic equipment is performed to accurately identify assets and components, then measurement precision of asset value is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to man-hours required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasset value accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated optical scanning systems and image recognition technology. Cameras capture images of electronic equipment, and software automatically identifies assets, components, upgrades, and software installations, eliminating the need for manual physical inspection while maintaining accurate valuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies and records of electronic equipment through automated scanning and imaging. These digital representations capture all physical and software characteristics, allowing remote analysis and valuation without physical handling, thus saving time while preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If comprehensive inspection of electronic equipment is conducted to identify all components and software, then reliability of valuation is improved, but device complexity increases due to inspection logistics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaluation reliabilityVSAvoidinspection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal scanning system that can identify multiple types of assets, components, upgrades, and software installations through a single integrated process. The system handles diverse electronic equipment types and their variations uniformly, reducing the complexity that would arise from separate inspection procedures for each element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the identification of physical components and software installations into a single automated scanning process. By merging these previously separate inspection tasks into one unified system, the patent reduces logistical complexity while maintaining comprehensive and reliable valuation data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If automated scanning and identification systems are implemented, then productivity of valuation process is improved, but device complexity increases due to technology integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaluation speedVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the scanning system automatically captures images, identifies assets and components, determines upgrades, and calculates valuation without human intervention. This automation dramatically improves productivity while the modular design keeps system complexity manageable by having each component perform its specific function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10565629B2Computerized valuation of electronic equipment
Publication Date: 2020.02.18 CARRIER SERVICES GROUP INC
  • US10565629B2 patent drawing
  • US10565629B2 patent drawing
  • US10565629B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems for computerized valuation of electronic equipment. The computerized valuation method includes receiving an accurate identification of an asset, receiving a current value of the asset, and outputting the accurate identification of the asset and the current value of the asset to a user device. The receiving of the accurate identification of the asset includes receiving a computerized inventory of the asset.