Mixed-Item Storage Container Tracking With Image Bounding Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage and retrieval systems require each storage container to hold a single type of item, leading to suboptimal space usage and increased storage requirements for items of varying types.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that stores a contents record for each storage container, including item type and bounding box data, and uses image processing to detect and update items within the container, allowing multiple item types per container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each storage container holds only a single type of item, then the decant operation is simplified and item location is easier, but space utilization becomes suboptimal and more storage containers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is designed to serve multiple functions by storing different types of items simultaneously. The container becomes a multi-functional storage unit that can hold various item types based on dynamic assignment rather than being dedicated to a single item type, thereby reducing the total number of containers needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns item types to storage containers based on current storage needs and item characteristics. This dynamic reassignment allows containers to adapt their purpose over time, optimizing space utilization while maintaining operational efficiency through automated tracking and management.
2Loss of information
If each storage container holds only a single type of item, then item identification and location tracking is simplified, but storage space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
An automated image recognition system acts as an intermediary between the physical storage container and the digital inventory management system. The system captures images of container contents, automatically identifies and tracks multiple item types, and updates the inventory database, thereby maintaining accurate information tracking without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual tracking and identification process is replaced with an automated optical recognition system. Image capture devices and processing algorithms substitute for manual inspection and recording, enabling efficient tracking of multiple item types within containers while reducing operational complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple item types are stored per container, then space utilization improves, but the complexity of tracking and managing container contents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container system performs self-service through automated image capture and recognition. The system automatically documents its own contents by capturing images, processing them to identify items, and updating inventory records without external intervention, thereby managing multiple item types efficiently despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where images of container contents are captured, processed to identify items, and used to update the inventory database. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking of multiple item types while enabling dynamic reassignment and optimization of storage space.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a storage and retrieval system comprising a plurality of storage containers. The method comprises, for each storage container, storing a contents record comprising, for each item previously determined to be contained in the storage container, an item type and a bounding box. Upon receiving an indication that an item of a specified item type has been added to plurality of contents of a selected storage container: capturing one or more images of the plurality of contents; processing the images to detect individual items and generate a current bounding box for each; identifying one of the current bounding boxes as relating to the added item; and updating the contents record to include, for the added item, the specified item type and the identified current bounding box.