Hide Grading System Using LED Light Table and RFID Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animal hide grading systems are prone to human errors, leading to discrepancies in grading between buyers and sellers, especially when they are in different locations, and lack objective verification methods, resulting in potential downgrades and financial losses for sellers.
Innovation Solution
A grading system that uses a light table with LED illumination, a touch screen monitor, and automated RFID and barcode readers to facilitate accurate grading, measurement, and data recording, allowing for high-resolution photography and storage of hide images for verification, reducing the need for manual measurements and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual grading methods are used with multiple people performing tasks, then the grading process can be completed, but human errors occur leading to grading discrepancies and financial losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the hide image and stores it in a database, allowing remote verification and eliminating the need for physical presence during grading. The digital record serves as an objective copy that can be reviewed by anyone, anywhere, ensuring grading consistency regardless of location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and grading with an automated image-based system. The light table captures images of the hide, and a ruler overlay on the image provides objective measurement criteria, substituting subjective human judgment with standardized visual reference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If buyers and sellers are in different locations, then trade can occur remotely, but verification of grading becomes difficult and sellers may be downgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the hide image and stores it in a database, allowing remote verification and eliminating the need for physical presence during grading. The digital record serves as an objective copy that can be reviewed by anyone, anywhere, ensuring grading consistency regardless of location.
Solution Approach 2:
The database serves as an intermediary between the seller and buyer, storing objective grading information and images that both parties can access and verify. This intermediary system eliminates the need for direct physical verification while maintaining trust in the grading process.
3Productivity
If manual measurements and data recording are used, then grading can be performed, but errors occur and tracking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement and grading with an automated image-based system. The light table captures images of the hide, and a ruler overlay on the image provides objective measurement criteria, substituting subjective human judgment with standardized visual reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the hide image and stores it in a database, allowing remote verification and eliminating the need for physical presence during grading. The digital record serves as an objective copy that can be reviewed by anyone, anywhere, ensuring grading consistency regardless of location.
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 enhances grading accuracy, reduces human error, provides a record for verification, and allows sellers to confidently defend their grades, thereby increasing profitability and reducing the likelihood of downgrades, while enabling remote verification and easier tracking of hide origins and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A led light source comprising a bank of multiple lights in spaced relationship is provided under the translucent top to uniformly and brightly illuminate the top
Implementation Method 2
An image of the animal hide is captured by a camera mounted above the top surface of the top
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and system for grading and verifying the grading of an animal hide. The animal hide is inspected on a light table to determine the grade of the hide. A tag on the hide is read by a reader to identify the hide. The hide is displayed on a monitor connected to a computer. Touch screen commands are be used for inputting information into the computer database to make a record of the inspection and grading of the hide. A camera connected to the computer is used to photograph the animal hide on the light table and store the data and image in a computer database to make a record of the inspection and provide the ability to verify the condition of the animal hide when it was inspected. The photograph of an animal hide and all information relating to the animal hide is stored in a database to identify the hide and to verify the inspection grade of the animal hide.