Indicia Decoding Device Depth Perception Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In self-service indicia decoding devices, inexperienced users may incorrectly assume that an item's indicium has been decoded, leading to inaccurate inventory management, as these devices lack automated verification of indicium decoding for every item, resulting in potential loss of inventory.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a 2D imaging assembly and a depth imaging assembly, which analyzes data to determine the number of items and indicia within its field of view, compares these counts, and sends alerts when they do not match, ensuring accurate decoding and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated verification of indicium decoding is implemented, then decoding accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the verification process into distinct functional modules: a first imaging assembly for capturing item images, a second imaging assembly for capturing indicium images, and a processing device that separately processes each image type before comparing results. This segmentation allows complex verification to be broken down into manageable steps performed by specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device acts as an intermediary between the two imaging assemblies and the final verification decision. It receives images from both assemblies, extracts features, compares the extracted features, and determines whether the indicium decoding is accurate. This intermediary role distributes the complexity across multiple processing stages rather than requiring a single complex system.
2Reliability
If automated verification of indicium decoding is implemented, then inventory management accuracy is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by comparing the item image data with the indicium image data and providing verification results back to the inventory management system. The processing device extracts features from both images, compares them, and returns verification information that confirms whether the indicium accurately represents the item, thereby preventing inventory losses due to incorrect decoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by capturing and analyzing images of both the item and its indicium before finalizing inventory records. This preliminary action ensures that the indicium decoding is validated against the actual item characteristics, preventing erroneous inventory updates and potential losses from incorrect data entry.
3Measurement precision
If multiple imaging assemblies are used, then verification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into specialized assemblies: a first imaging assembly dedicated to capturing item images and a second imaging assembly dedicated to capturing indicium images. Each assembly is optimized for its specific function, and the processing device coordinates their operations. This segmentation improves verification capability by ensuring dedicated hardware for each imaging task while managing complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device serves multiple functions: it processes images from both imaging assemblies, extracts features from item and indicium images, compares the extracted features, and generates verification results. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single versatile component rather than requiring separate specialized processors for each imaging task.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides new and innovative devices, methods, and apparatuses for discerning the presence and characteristics of objects that are passing in front of an indicia decoding device. In an example, a device comprises a 2D imaging assembly, a depth imaging assembly, and a processing device configured to analyze data from the depth imaging assembly to determine a number of items that are in a field of view of the depth imaging assembly during a period of time, analyze data from the 2D imaging assembly to determine a number of indicia that are present in a field of view of the 2D imaging assembly during at least a portion of the period of time, compare the number of indicia with the number of items, output a determination as to whether the number of indicia matches the number of items, and responsive to determining that the number of indicia does not match the number of items, transmit a message to an alert module.