Hand-mounted imaging device for obstructed space item recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld scanners or readers require users to stop their motion and manually position items within the scanner's field of view, making it inefficient for tasks where a clear line of sight is obstructed or in confined spaces, such as in cluttered toolboxes or murky waters.
Innovation Solution
Hand-mounted networked imaging devices, integrated into wearable substrates like gloves, capture imaging data from the perspective of the hands, allowing for real-time image capture and identification of objects, even when a direct line of sight is obstructed, using digital cameras, illuminators, and processors for image analysis and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a handheld scanner or reader is used to identify items, then item recognition is achieved, but the worker must stop motion and manually position items within the field of view, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging device with the worker's hand by integrating it into a wearable substrate such as a glove. This merging allows the imaging device to move with the worker's hand, eliminating the need to stop and manually position items. The device captures images continuously as the worker moves, maintaining both recognition accuracy and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system on the hand serves itself by automatically capturing images of items as the worker moves their hand. The system does not require manual operation to position items or trigger captures - it autonomously identifies and images items within its field of view, freeing the worker to continue motion without interruption.
2Measurement precision
If a handheld scanner is used in cluttered or confined spaces, then item identification is possible, but the distance between eyes and hands creates a functional impediment, making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of operation by moving the imaging device from a separate handheld tool to an attachment on the worker's hand. This dimensional shift places the imaging device in the same workspace as the worker's eyes, eliminating the two-to-three-foot distance barrier and enabling effective operation in cluttered and confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable substrate (glove or hand mounting) acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the worker's hand and the imaging device. This intermediary allows the device to be positioned exactly where needed on the hand, providing both accurate item recognition and ease of operation in difficult-to-reach areas.
3Measurement precision
If manual positioning of items is required for scanning, then accurate identification is achieved, but the process requires multiple hands and stops motion, increasing task completion time
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-mounted imaging device enables continuous capture of item images as the worker moves their hand through the workspace. Unlike handheld scanners that require stopping and positioning, this system maintains continuous imaging action, capturing identifiers automatically whenever items enter the field of view, thereby eliminating time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is pre-positioned on the worker's hand in optimal locations (such as the palm or fingers) before the worker begins their task. This preliminary positioning ensures that the device is already in the correct location to capture images as soon as items are encountered, eliminating setup time and enabling immediate identification.
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
Enables efficient capture and analysis of imaging data from the user's hands, facilitating task completion in obstructed or confined environments without the need for manual repositioning, enhancing productivity and accuracy in environments like fulfillment centers or industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
The eyes are configured to receive light from direct or reflected sources
Data Source
AI summary
Imaging devices may be mounted to one or more hands of a worker, e.g., on a glove or other substrate that maybe worn on the hands of the worker, and used to capture images or imaging data from a perspective associated with the hands. The images or imaging data may be stored, analyzed or displayed on a computer display, e.g., a display provided on the glove or substrate. Additionally, the images or imaging data may be evaluated to determine whether a task has been properly performed by the worker, such as by identifying one or more markings (e.g., bar codes) that may be provided within the images or the imaging data.