Form Image Recognition for Work Transferability Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing the progress of jobs with multiple work processes in factories require manual entry of work object states, leading to inefficiencies and potential misidentification of transferable work objects.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system equipped with imagers, a management unit, and a recognition unit that captures and analyzes images to determine the transferability of work objects based on mark images, automating the management of work process progress and preventing misidentification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual entry of work object states is used, then the management system can track job progress, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of work object state managementVSAvoidtime for manual state entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The work object itself carries the form with mark images that automatically indicate its state. The imager and recognition unit automatically read this information without human intervention, making the system self-serve itself by utilizing the information already present on the work object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of entering state information with an automated optical system. The imager captures images and the recognition unit processes mark images to automatically determine work object states, substituting human manual entry with automated image recognition technology.

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

2Measurement precision

If manual entry methods are used to track work object transferability, then the system can manage job progress, but misidentification of transferable work objects occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of transferability determinationVSAvoidsimplicity of state tracking system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mark images with different visual characteristics (such as color codes, patterns, or symbols) to indicate different states of work objects. The recognition unit identifies these visual markers to accurately determine transferability, using visual differentiation similar to color-coding systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The form attached to the work object serves as a visual copy or representation of the work object's state information. Instead of manually entering data, the system reads the visual copy (mark images) directly from the form, eliminating manual transcription errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated image recognition is implemented, then manual errors are reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of work object managementVSAvoidcomplexity of automation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imager is associated with multiple work processes and can capture forms for different work objects across various processes. The recognition unit universally recognizes mark images indicating different states, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for each work process.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The form with mark images serves as an intermediary carrier of state information between the work object and the management system. Instead of direct complex communication, the simple visual mark images mediate the information transfer, simplifying the interaction between physical objects and the digital management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3882728A1Information processing system, information processing method, storage medium, and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3882728A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3882728A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3882728A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An information processing system (1) manages progress of a job including one or more work processes. The information processing system (1) includes one or more imagers (18) that are associated with the one or more work processes of the job and configured to capture a form being transferred together with a work object of the job, a management unit (14) configured to manage the one or more work processes of the job based on the one or more imagers (18) capturing the form, and a recognition unit (104) configured to recognize a mark image indicating transferability from image data of the form captured by the one or more imagers (18). The management unit (14) is configured to manage whether the work object is transferable to a next work process based on the mark image recognized from the image data obtained by capturing the form.