Optical Tracking for Object-Position Assignment in Sorting Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sorting devices, maintaining the assignment between a discharged object and its position is challenging due to overtaking or pushing of objects, leading to loss of unambiguous identification, and existing methods are complex and inefficient in restoring this assignment.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves capturing and storing identity data at the entry point, determining and storing sorting targets, tracking objects along a delivery path using optical data, and continuously updating positional data to maintain object-position assignment, allowing for efficient identification and tracking of objects even when obscured or moved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If objects are transported on a sorting conveyor with multiple transfer points, then sorting efficiency is improved, but the assignment between object and position is lost due to overtaking or pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates optical copies (images) of objects at the transfer point and uses these copies for tracking throughout the delivery path. Instead of physically tracking the actual object, the system tracks representations of the object through repeated image capture and comparison, maintaining the object-position assignment without requiring continuous physical monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tracking methods with optical tracking. Instead of using physical markers or mechanical sensors on objects, the system uses optical imaging devices to capture and compare images of objects, substituting a mechanical tracking system with an optical field-based system that can maintain assignment information throughout the delivery path.
2Reliability
If optical tracking is used to maintain object-position assignment, then identification reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to repeated image capture and comparison
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures an initial reference image of the object at the transfer point before the object enters the delivery path. This preliminary action of storing the reference image allows for subsequent comparison-based tracking without requiring complex real-time analysis, as the system only needs to compare current images against the pre-stored reference to maintain identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple image copying and comparison rather than complex object recognition. By capturing a reference image and comparing subsequent images against this copy, the system maintains reliable identification through a straightforward process of image matching, avoiding the need for sophisticated artificial intelligence or complex pattern recognition algorithms.
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
Ensures continuous tracking and identification of objects along the delivery path, preventing loss of assignment and enabling efficient sorting and discharge processes without substantial effort, even when objects are obscured or moved.
Implementation Method 1
capturing optical object data of each object discharged at the transfer point
Data Source
AI summary
Method for producing and maintaining an assignment of object data of an object to a changing physical position of the object in a sorting device, with the steps: feeding in an object at an entry point to the sorting device, capturing and storing identity data as part of the object data of the object; on the basis of sorting data, determining a transfer point assigned to the object; transporting the item as far as the specified transfer point; discharging the object at the specified transfer point; capturing optical object data of each object ejected at the transfer point once the object has reached a predetermined position on the sorting device, at the transfer point or along a delivery path extending from the transfer point to a removal point, and storing the optical object data as a further part of the object data of the object; transporting the object along the delivery path; and during that transportation, tracking the discharged object on the basis of the optical object data by means of tracking, and storing a current position of the object as a further part of the object data of the object, as well as a device for executing the process.