Hardness Tester Image Pattern Matching Parts Program Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hardness testers face difficulties in managing multiple parts programs, leading to increased complexity and the risk of mistaken selections as the number of sample types increases, negatively impacting usability and administrative costs.

Innovation Solution

A hardness testing system that uses image acquisition and pattern matching to associate and retrieve the correct parts program based on the sample's shape, eliminating the need for manual file name identification and reducing administrative costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual file name identification is used for parts program management, then the system can handle multiple sample types, but the complexity of file management increases and the risk of mistaken selections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle multiple sample typesVSAvoidcomplexity of parts program management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical file management system with an automated image recognition and pattern matching system. The system captures images of sample shapes, performs pattern matching against stored sample images, and automatically retrieves the corresponding parts program, eliminating manual file name identification and reducing management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically identifying the sample type through image recognition and autonomously selecting the appropriate parts program without requiring operator intervention for file management, thereby reducing the risk of mistaken selections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of parts programs increases to handle more sample types, then the system becomes more versatile, but the difficulty of assigning identifiable names increases and file management becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sample types that can be handledVSAvoidease of parts program selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual parts program selection with automated image-based identification. The system captures the sample shape, performs pattern matching against a database of stored sample images, and automatically retrieves the corresponding parts program, making operation easier regardless of the number of sample types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores image copies of sample shapes in a database, associating each image with its corresponding parts program. This allows the system to recognize and retrieve the correct parts program by matching the captured sample image against the stored image database

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10163201B2Hardness test apparatus and hardness testing method

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A hardness tester includes a memory associating and storing a parts program having defined measurement conditions with respect to a sample, including a test position, and an image file acquired by capturing an image of the shape of the sample; an image acquirer acquiring image data of the sample to be measured; a pattern matcher performing a pattern matching process on the image data of the sample using the image file associated with the parts program; a determiner determining whether an image file exists which has a shape related to the image data of the sample; a retriever retrieving the parts program associated with the image file having a related shape; and a measurer measuring hardness of the sample based on the retrieved parts program.