Automated Item Identification via Image Parsing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for onboarding and managing item collections are time-consuming and prone to human errors due to manual data entry, requiring physical compilation and organization of inventory lists.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses image data from client devices to automatically identify and onboard items by parsing images, verifying item identities, and compiling inventory lists, reducing the need for manual data processing and minimizing computing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual data entry is used to create inventory lists, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption and human errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual data entryVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical data entry system with an automated image processing system. The system captures images of items, automatically parses them to extract item information, and populates inventory lists without human intervention. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual typing and copying processes while maintaining the ability to create and manage inventory lists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image copying as the input medium for inventory creation. Instead of manually typing item details, the system captures visual copies of items through imaging devices, parses the images to extract relevant information, and automatically creates inventory records. This copying approach dramatically reduces the time required to onboard items while maintaining data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If manual data entry is used to create inventory lists, then adaptability to different item types is maintained, but human errors and data accuracy issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual data entryVSAvoiddata accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data entry with automated image parsing to eliminate human errors. The system automatically extracts item information from images using parsing algorithms, verifying item identities through catalog matching and verification requests. This automated process removes the possibility of human typing errors, copying mistakes, and data entry inaccuracies while maintaining adaptability to various item types through flexible parsing rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated image processing is used to onboard items, then time consumption and human errors are reduced, but computing resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveonboarding efficiencyVSAvoidcomputing resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a verification request system that selectively processes items based on confidence levels. Instead of fully processing every single item through complete verification, the system uses partial processing: it parses images to extract information, makes preliminary identifications, and only requests verification for items that need confirmation. This approach maintains high onboarding efficiency while reducing unnecessary computing resource consumption for items that are clearly identifiable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive item verification is performed, then item identification accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a tiered verification approach where not all items undergo the complete verification process. Items with high confidence matches from catalog comparisons may skip certain verification steps, while items with lower confidence or ambiguous features undergo full verification. This selective processing maintains high identification accuracy for all items while reducing overall processing time by avoiding unnecessary verification steps for clearly identifiable items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12189679B2Item identification for item collection management
Publication Date: 2025.01.07 EBAY INC
  • US12189679B2 patent drawing
  • US12189679B2 patent drawing
  • US12189679B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A networked system receives, from a device of a user, a selection of an item from a list for monitoring. The network system also receives, from the device of the user, a condition that triggers the reporting of news for the selected item. The network system monitors for news for the selected item. A determination is made as to whether the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied. In response to determining that the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied, the networked system transmits a notification to the user indicating the news for the selected item.