Equipment Tag Location and Access Control via Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial facilities, users face challenges in accurately determining their location among similar equipment instances, and there is a need to restrict access to equipment controls based on user credentials to prevent unauthorized use.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a camera and processor identifies equipment tags within its view to determine the user's location and privileges, allowing only authorized users to access specific equipment information and controls by parsing the equipment reference code from the tags and matching it with credential data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users rely on visual identification of equipment in industrial facilities, then they can access equipment information, but they cannot accurately determine their location among similar equipment instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual tags (barcodes, QR codes, or augmented reality markers) as copies or representations of equipment identities. These tags are captured by the camera and processed to determine equipment identity and user location, replacing the need for direct visual inspection of equipment details while maintaining accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that captures images via camera, identifies tags using image processing algorithms, and cross-references them with equipment databases. This intermediary layer between the user and equipment enables precise location determination without requiring users to directly interpret complex equipment visual characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If all equipment controls are made accessible to users, then ease of operation is improved, but unauthorized users can misuse equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of equipment access to different users based on their credentials. The system dynamically determines which equipment controls should be accessible to each user, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific equipment functions while maintaining ease of operation for those who are authorized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors user credentials, equipment tags, and access requests. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts equipment accessibility in real-time, granting or revoking access permissions as needed to prevent unauthorized use while maintaining operational convenience for authorized users.
3Reliability
If the system implements credential verification for equipment access, then equipment security is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal credential verification system that handles multiple authentication methods (biometric, card-based, mobile device) through a single integrated framework. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate verification systems into one unified process, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service credential verification where users automatically present their credentials (via mobile device, card, or biometric data) and the system autonomously verifies them against the equipment access database. This eliminates the need for manual authorization processes or intermediary human verification, simplifying the system architecture while ensuring secure access control.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
For tag based location, a camera captures an image. A display presents the image. A processor identifies a given equipment tag within the image. The processor further determines a device location based on the given equipment tag.