Image-Based Product Quantity Management for Time-Slot Cooking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to efficiently manage the number of products to be cooked in a store, particularly hot snacks like fried foods, considering expiration dates and sales patterns, making it difficult for employees to determine the right quantity to prepare.

Innovation Solution

A product management device that utilizes image acquisition, prediction models based on past sales data, and estimation algorithms to determine the number of products to be cooked for each time zone, outputting alerts for discard times and ingredient replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual monitoring and estimation of product quantities is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but accuracy and efficiency of product quantity management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct quantity estimation accuracyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and estimation methods with an automated image processing system. The camera captures images of products on shelves, and the processor automatically analyzes these images to determine product quantities, replacing the need for manual counting and estimation by employees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service monitoring where the image processing system automatically tracks product quantities without requiring continuous human intervention. The camera continuously captures images, and the processor autonomously analyzes them to update product quantity records, allowing the system to manage itself without constant manual oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated image processing system is implemented, then product quantity management efficiency is improved, but system complexity and initial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct quantity management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing system serves multiple functions: it counts product quantities, determines product types, tracks inventory levels, and provides data for demand prediction. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously captures images, processes them to determine product quantities, and feeds this information back to the management system. This feedback loop enables real-time updates of inventory records and triggers automated responses such as reordering alerts, improving efficiency through continuous monitoring and adaptive management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If real-time monitoring of product expiration dates is implemented, then food safety and waste reduction are improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct quality control reliabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual tracking of expiration dates with automated image recognition. The system captures images of products with their expiration date information, automatically reads and processes this data, and maintains real-time records without requiring employees to manually check and update expiration date information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring product expiration dates in advance. It identifies products approaching expiration before they become problematic, enabling proactive management such as prioritizing sales of near-expiration products or triggering advance reordering, thereby preventing waste and ensuring food safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250299273A1Product management device, product management method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 NEC CORP

AI summary

A product management device includes an acquisition means for acquiring a discard time of a product based on a photographed image obtained by photographing the product displayed on a furniture and an expiration date of the product; a prediction means for predicting a sales quantity for each time zone based on a prediction model created using past sales quantity information of the product; an estimation means for estimating a number of products to be cooked for each time zone based on the discard time and the sales quantity of the product; and an output means for outputting the number of products to be cooked.