Indicia Tracking With Depth Imaging for Non-Decode Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Indicia decoding systems in self-service kiosks often fail to detect non-decode events, leading to inventory loss due to untrained users incorrectly assuming successful decoding when faced with decoding failures.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing depth and 2D imaging assemblies to capture item characteristics, comparing these characteristics between initial and subsequent items to detect non-decode events and alert supervisors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If indicia decoding systems operate with minimal supervision in self-service kiosks, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected non-decode events causing inventory loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddecode accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by capturing images of items, attempting indicia decoding, and using depth imaging to verify item characteristics. When a non-decode event is detected, the system provides feedback through alerts to supervisors, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliability while enabling minimal supervision operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The depth imaging assembly acts as an intermediary between the indicia decoding process and supervisory oversight. It captures additional item characteristics that serve as mediator data to verify whether decoding failures represent actual non-decode events or normal variations, reducing the need for direct human supervision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If depth imaging assembly is added to capture item characteristics, then reliability is improved by detecting non-decode events, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-decode event detectionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depth imaging assembly serves multiple functions: it captures item characteristics for verification, provides data for non-decode event detection, and works alongside the 2D imaging assembly. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering significant reliability improvements through a single versatile component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual verification (mechanical human oversight) with automated depth imaging and characteristic comparison. This substitution reduces the need for continuous supervisory intervention while maintaining high reliability in detecting non-decode events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If continuous supervisory monitoring is implemented to detect non-decode events, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to increased supervisory workload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecode verificationVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation by automatically performing indicia decoding and using depth imaging to detect non-decode events. Items are processed through the system with automatic verification, requiring minimal supervisory intervention and maintaining high operational efficiency while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If depth data is used to compare item characteristics, then measurement precision is improved for detecting non-decode events, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem characteristic comparisonVSAvoidimaging system power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The depth imaging assembly operates periodically to capture item characteristics at key moments: when an item is presented for decoding and when verification is needed. This periodic operation provides high measurement precision for non-decode event detection while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12353949B2Indicia tracking and decoding systems

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides new and innovative systems, methods, and apparatuses for detecting non-decode events in indicia scanning settings. In an example, a system comprises a depth imaging assembly, a 2D imaging assembly, and a processing device, wherein the processing device is configured to attempt to decode an indicium affixed to a first item that is passing through at least one of a field of view of the 2D imaging assembly or a field of view of the depth imaging assembly, determine a first characteristic associated with the first item based on depth data from the depth imaging array, and responsive to a failed attempt to decode the indicium, detect a second item that is passing through the field of view of the 2D imaging assembly and the field of view of the depth imaging assembly, determine a second characteristic associated with the second item based on depth data from the depth imaging assembly, determine if the first item is a same item as the second item based on comparing the first characteristic and the second characteristic, and responsive to determining that the first item and the second item are not the same item, transmit a message to an alert module that is indicative of a non-decode event.