Optical Metal Element Tracking via Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking metal products in the iron and steel industry are inefficient, causing production slowdowns and complexity, and are prone to errors due to the loss or damage of identification codes, especially in high-temperature processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a coding step that acquires reference images of metal elements and associates them with their originating position within the metal product, allowing for subsequent recognition and tracking without additional production steps or external identification elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification codes (bar code, QR code, etc.) are affixed onto metal elements to track their position, then tracking capability is improved, but production process speed decreases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification systems (physical labels, bar codes, QR codes) with an optical/image-based identification system. Instead of affixing physical identification codes to metal elements, the system captures images of the elements and uses image processing to identify and track them. This substitution eliminates the need for additional mechanical attachment steps, maintaining production speed while achieving reliable tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of metal elements as identification markers. Instead of using physical identification codes, the system captures images of the metal elements themselves and uses these image copies for tracking. The image data serves as the identification record, replacing the need for physical labels and enabling non-contact identification that does not slow down production.
2Reliability
If identification codes are affixed onto metal elements, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical identification systems (label application equipment, code printing devices, manual tagging processes) with a simplified optical imaging system. The identification function is achieved through image capture and processing rather than through complex mechanical means of attaching and reading physical codes, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the identification function from the physical label/code structure and implements it through image data alone. By separating the identification function from physical carriers (labels, codes) and embedding it directly in image captures, the system eliminates the complexity of label application, code generation, and code reading mechanisms.
3Reliability
If physical identification codes are used on metal elements, then tracking is enabled, but the codes can be lost or damaged especially in high-temperature processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copies (digital images) instead of physical identification codes. The image data serves as the identification record and can be stored and processed without being physically attached to the metal element. This eliminates the risk of the identification being lost or damaged during high-temperature processes, as the image data remains intact in the system even if the physical element undergoes thermal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical identification codes with optical/image-based identification. Instead of relying on physical materials (labels, codes) that can degrade under heat, the system uses digital image data that is immune to thermal damage. The identification information is stored as image files rather than physical structures, ensuring integrity through high-temperature processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and reliable tracking of metal elements during normal production steps, maintaining production speed and reducing errors, while allowing for automatic and online management of metal product tracking.
Implementation Method 1
acquire reference images of at least one end of each metal element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for tracking metal elements (EM) obtained in a process for working metal products (PM) which provides to detect reference images (RI) and subsequent images (I) of the metal elements (EM) and compare them in order to identify a specific metal element (EM). The invention also concerns an apparatus (10) for tracking metal elements (EM) and a plant for working metal products (PM).