Image-Based Inventory Control for Tool Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory control systems for tools, especially in industries like aerospace, face challenges in accurately tracking the presence and type of tools returned to storage units, as they rely on sensors that can be costly, prone to malfunctions, and do not differentiate between correct and incorrect tools, leading to potential theft and misplacement issues.
Innovation Solution
An image-based inventory control system that uses machine vision to capture and process images of storage locations, employing image recognition to identify tool characteristics, adapt to image quality variations, and track user access, enabling precise tracking of tool usage and responsibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact sensors, magnetic sensors or infrared sensors are disposed in or next to each tool storage location to detect tool presence, then the inventory check capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from individual sensors at each storage location and consolidates it into a single image sensing device that captures images of the entire toolbox. This eliminates the need for numerous distributed sensors while maintaining detection capability through image analysis of tool presence, characteristics, and storage location identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying to create a visual representation of the toolbox contents. The image sensing device captures optical copies of tools and their locations, which are then processed by image recognition software to determine inventory status. This replaces physical sensors with optical information copying and analysis.
2Loss of information
If sensors are used to detect tool presence, then inventory tracking is enabled, but the system cannot differentiate between correct and incorrect tools placed in storage locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color and visual characteristics of tools as identification features. The image recognition system analyzes color, shape, size, and other visual attributes of tools in captured images to identify specific tool types and verify whether the correct tools are placed in designated storage locations, providing precise tool differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sensor detection (presence/absence) to multi-dimensional image analysis. The image sensing device captures spatial position, color, shape, size, and other visual dimensions simultaneously, enabling comprehensive tool identification and verification beyond simple presence detection.
3Reliability
If numerous sensors are disposed in the toolbox to monitor each storage location, then inventory determination is improved, but the system becomes prone to damages and malfunctions producing false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual sensor functions into a single integrated image sensing device. Instead of having separate sensors for each storage location, one image sensing device captures the entire toolbox interior, and image recognition software processes the image to determine the status of all storage locations simultaneously, reducing component count and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensing device serves multiple functions: detecting tool presence, identifying tool types, locating tools in storage positions, and monitoring toolbox interior conditions. This single multi-functional device replaces numerous specialized sensors, reducing system complexity while improving reliability through fewer components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present. A data processor of the system is configured to derive an image signature representing attributes of a region of interest corresponding to a drawer using a captured image of the drawer; and determine an inventory condition of the drawer according to the stored reference data corresponding to the region of interest and the derived image signature representing attributes of the captured image of the region of interest.