Package Identification Using Inherent Physical Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing supply chain management systems rely on adjunct identifiers like barcode labels and RFID tags, which increase costs, complexity, and time due to the need for additional identification methods.
Innovation Solution
A supply chain management system that captures and processes the physical characteristics of objects using cameras, such as dimensions, weight, and color, to uniquely identify objects at the point of origin and verify them at the destination, eliminating the need for additional identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barcode labels or RFID tags are used to identify packages and pallets, then object identification capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables objects to identify themselves by capturing and processing their own inherent physical characteristics (dimensions, weight, color, shape) through imaging systems, eliminating the need for external identification tags. The object's intrinsic properties serve as its own identifier, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the identification function from separate physical tags (barcodes, RFID) and integrates it directly into the imaging and processing system. By capturing physical characteristics through cameras and processing them computationally, the system removes the need for adjunct identifiers while preserving identification reliability.
2Reliability
If barcode labels or RFID tags are attached to packages, then object identification is enabled, but processing time and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification process with the existing imaging and handling operations. By capturing physical characteristics during normal package processing and immediately processing this data for identification, the system eliminates separate identification steps, reducing processing time while maintaining accurate object identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs identification by capturing physical characteristics at the point of origin before shipping, preparing the identification data in advance. This preliminary capture and processing of physical特征 information enables rapid identification at destination without adding time to the supply chain workflow.
3Reliability
If adjunct identifiers like barcode labels are added to packages, then tracking capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the object's inherent physical characteristics as its own tracking identifier, eliminating the need for external tags or labels. The object's intrinsic properties (dimensions, weight, color, shape) serve as a free, built-in identification system, reducing material costs while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive physical tags with computational processing of captured images. By using standard imaging equipment and software-based processing of physical characteristics, the system eliminates costly adjunct identifiers while achieving reliable tracking through digital analysis of object features.
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method disclosed herein uses the physical characteristics of a package, pallet, or any object for that fact to uniquely identify an object being shipped in the supply chain. The physical characteristics include, but are not limited to, the dimensions, weight, color, color variation and native markings (such as printing on the object) to make an identification. The object identifying physical characteristics may be captured at a point of origin and passed electronically from the originator/shipper to the receiving party. When an object is received by the recipient, it is uniquely identified by capturing the physical characteristics and matching those characteristics against the electronic information received from the shipper.