Microscopic Pattern Alignment for Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object management methods using product numbers, barcodes, QR codes, IC tags, or RFIDs face challenges such as high costs, difficulty in applying these identifiers to small metal parts, and alignment errors due to the size difference between alignment patterns and microscopic patterns, which affects the accuracy of individual identification and authenticity judgment.
Innovation Solution
An object management device and method that aligns images based on microscopic patterns common to a plurality of objects, utilizing a first position correction unit to accurately align images using micrometer-scale patterns, thereby reducing alignment errors and improving identification accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If product numbers, barcodes, QR codes, IC tags or RFIDs are provided to individual products for management, then product identification and tracking capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases in proportion to production volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying to capture microscopic surface patterns of products instead of physical tagging. An imaging device captures images of the unique microscopic patterns that naturally occur on product surfaces during manufacturing, eliminating the need to attach physical identifiers like barcodes or RFID tags to each product.
Solution Approach 2:
The product surfaces themselves serve as identifiers through their inherent microscopic patterns. The natural variations in surface morphology, texture, or coating that occur during manufacturing provide unique identification characteristics, so the products identify themselves without requiring external tagging systems.
2Reliability
If product numbers or barcodes are directly written or tags are attached to small metal parts, then identification capability is improved, but it becomes impossible or difficult to apply these identifiers to small parts
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures optical images of the microscopic surface patterns on small parts without requiring physical contact or attachment. This non-contact copying method works regardless of the part size, shape, or material, making it applicable to small metal parts, screws, bolts, and other components that cannot accommodate traditional tags or barcodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tagging systems (physical attachment of barcodes, RFID tags, or direct writing) with an optical imaging system. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical interaction with the product surface, enabling identification of small parts that are too small or irregularly shaped for traditional mechanical tagging methods.
3Reliability
If barcodes or tags are physically attached or written on products, then identification capability is improved, but the design and appearance of products is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures optical images of the product surface, using the microscopic patterns as identifiers without adding any visible external elements. This preserves the product's design and appearance because no physical tags, barcodes, or markings are attached to the visible surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the identification function from the visible product surface by using invisible or microscopic surface characteristics. The unique microscopic patterns exist at a scale that does not affect the macroscopic appearance or design of the product, separating the identification function from the aesthetic function.
4Ease of operation
If alignment patterns of larger size are used for image alignment, then alignment process is simplified, but alignment errors increase due to size difference between alignment patterns and microscopic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scale parameter of the alignment patterns to match the microscopic scale of the identification patterns. By using alignment patterns at the micrometer level rather than millimeter or larger scales, the system maintains appropriate size relationships between alignment features and the microscopic surface patterns being measured, thereby achieving both ease of alignment and high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An object management device manages an object based on a microscopic pattern on the surface of the object included in an image of the surface of the object. The object management device has a position correction unit. The position correction unit aligns the image based on the microscopic pattern appearing in common on a plurality of objects.