Fluorescent Tag Reading via Infrared Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fully automated tag reading systems are constrained by requirements for specific sensor placement, alignment, and are costly, leading to time lags and limited deployment in inventory management systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescent tag system that uses infrared light to stimulate marks, which emit photons detectable by a camera with a filter, allowing for simpler image processing and efficient tag data extraction, enabling computationally lightweight and accurate tag reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional automated tag reading systems are used, then tag reading accuracy is maintained, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the imaging system by using infrared illumination instead of visible light and capturing fluorescence emission in the infrared spectrum. This parameter change allows the use of simpler, more cost-effective hardware (standard infrared cameras and illuminators) while maintaining or improving tag reading accuracy through the unique fluorescence signature of the tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluorescence conversion as an intermediary process between the tag and the camera. The infrared-reflective and fluorescence-converting layer acts as a mediator that transforms invisible or difficult-to-detect tag information into a strong, easily detectable fluorescence signal, enabling accurate tag reading with simpler hardware.
2Ease of operation
If traditional sensor placement and alignment requirements are imposed, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from visible light reflection/detection to infrared fluorescence detection, adding a spectral dimension to the tag reading process. This dimensional change in the electromagnetic spectrum allows the system to ignore visible light interference and focus solely on the fluorescence emission, eliminating the need for precise alignment and placement constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the detection parameter from visible light to infrared fluorescence, the system becomes much more tolerant of varying distances, angles, and environmental conditions. The fluorescence emission provides a strong, directional signal that can be detected reliably without the stringent geometric constraints of traditional optical systems.
3Productivity
If high-speed automated tag reading is implemented, then productivity increases, but network bandwidth and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential fluorescence signal information from the scene, filtering out all other visible light and background interference. By capturing only the infrared fluorescence emission wavelengths, the system minimizes data volume and processing requirements while maintaining high reading speeds, thus reducing network bandwidth consumption and processing latency.
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
The system enables high-speed, accurate, and cost-effective fully automated tag reading, reducing network bandwidth and latency, and allowing deployment in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescent tag system that uses infrared light to stimulate marks, which emit photons detectable by a camera with a filter
Data Source
AI summary
Tags comprising marks arranged in a predetermined pattern are applied to an item. The marks are made with an ink that fluoresces under infrared (IR) light. A camera with a filter acquires an image of the light emitted by the fluorescence of the ink. This image is processed to determine a portion of the image in which the tag is located. Once located, that portion is processed to rectify and align the tag. This rectified image is then processed to read out tag data that is encoded by the arrangement of marks. The tag data may then be used to identify the item, designate shipping information, and so forth.