Inspection Device Hash Value Extraction for Image Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inspecting captured images during product inspection do not provide a means to check for tampering after the images are transferred to a data management company, leaving the possibility of image alteration unverified.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus and method that generates a data group including article information, inspection results, captured-image information, and a hash value, storing these in separate units, allowing for the verification of image integrity by comparing hash values, with the data group stored as a blockchain to enhance security and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If captured images are transferred to a data management company for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but the ability to verify image integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification element (hash value) from the complete captured image data and stores it separately in the data group, while the full image is stored in the data management company's system. This allows verification of image integrity without storing the entire image locally, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hash values as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between stored image data and verification requirements. The hash value acts as a digital fingerprint that can be independently verified to confirm image integrity without requiring access to the original image data, enabling remote verification while maintaining storage efficiency.
2Reliability
If captured images are stored locally in the inspection apparatus, then image integrity verification is improved, but storage space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical verification component (hash value) from the complete image data and stores it locally in the data group, while the full image is stored externally. This dramatically reduces local storage space requirements while maintaining the ability to verify image integrity through hash comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy (hash value) of the original image data that retains the essential verification property. This digital fingerprint serves as a lightweight substitute for storing the entire image, enabling verification with minimal storage space consumption.
3Reliability
If complete captured images are transmitted to blockchain for storage, then data security is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the hash value from the complete captured image and transmits this condensed data to the blockchain system, while the full image is stored in the data management company's system. This reduces transmission time and data volume while maintaining security through hash verification and blockchain's immutable ledger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits a digital fingerprint (hash value) instead of the complete image data to the blockchain. This simplified copy contains all necessary verification information in a compact form, dramatically reducing transmission time while the blockchain ensures data security through its distributed and immutable storage mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inspection apparatus includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of an article, an inspection unit configured to inspect the article, a generation-processing unit, and a storage-processing unit. The generation-processing unit generates a data group related to an inspection result obtained by the inspection unit, the data group including article information for distinguishing the article, the inspection result obtained by the inspection unit, captured-image information for distinguishing a captured image captured by the image-capturing unit from another captured image, and a hash value of the captured image that are associated with each other. The storage-processing unit stores the data group and the captured image in respective different storage units.