Web-Service Tool Inventory Control Using Machine Vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inventory control systems for tools in manufacturing and service environments face challenges in accurately tracking tool placement, theft prevention, and efficiency, particularly in aerospace industries, where manual methods are time-consuming and prone to errors, and existing sensor-based systems are costly and prone to malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

An automated tool control system utilizing machine vision to identify inventory conditions by capturing and processing images of storage locations, applying visual contrast elements to indicate missing tools, and integrating with web services for network compatibility and data exchange, enabling efficient tracking and secure access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual inventory checking is used, then implementation cost is low, but productivity is low and time consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory checking efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on manual audits

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory checking with an automated electronic system that uses image capture devices (cameras) and image processing algorithms to automatically detect tool presence/absence in storage locations. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining accurate tracking, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sensor-based inventory tracking is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool presence detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor malfunction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image capture devices to create visual copies (photographs) of tool storage locations instead of relying on physical sensors. These image copies are then processed by image recognition algorithms to detect tool presence. This approach achieves accurate measurement without the reliability issues of physical sensors, as images can be stored, reviewed, and analyzed without component failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system between the physical tool storage and the detection mechanism. Instead of direct sensor contact with tools, the system captures images and uses algorithmic processing to determine tool presence. This intermediary layer eliminates direct mechanical/electrical contact points that could fail, improving reliability while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated image-based inventory control is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated tool tracking efficiencyVSAvoidsystem component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional integrated system where a single controller performs multiple functions: capturing images, processing images, storing inventory data, generating reports, and controlling access. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining automated productivity, directly addressing the complexity concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the image capture device, image processing unit, data storage system, and user interface into an integrated inventory control system. By combining these functions into a unified system rather than separate components, the patent reduces overall device complexity while preserving the productivity benefits of automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If network integration is added for data exchange, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication interface requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the central processing unit for inventory management and as the network communication interface. This integration allows the system to exchange data with external systems (enterprise resource planning, supply chain management) without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware, thus improving adaptability while minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10217307B2Enabling communication between an inventory control system and a remote system over a network

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 SNAP ON INC

AI summary

The instant application describes an inventory control system including an object storage device including a drawer or a tray for housing objects; a sensing device configured to acquire an image including information about the objects stored in the object storage device; an interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device and configured to generate object data based on the image acquired by the sensing device; and a processor configured to provide an integrated network access and transmit the object data across a network using a Web Service as defined by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Web Service being a data link interface between the inventory control system and a remote system.