Package Inspection System Using Preliminary Image Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package inspection systems often experience processing stagnation when not all information on a form is ready at the time of inspection, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays in logistics and customs facilities.
Innovation Solution
A package inspection system that combines image capture by cameras, weight measurement by sensors, and advanced processing through sorting and inspection management apparatuses to ensure that all necessary information is acquired and processed efficiently, allowing for smoother inspection workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image capture and information acquisition are performed sequentially at the inspection point, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but processing speed decreases and bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images and acquiring information about packages before they reach the inspection point. Multiple cameras positioned at different locations capture package images in advance, and OCR processing extracts form information提前, so that when the inspection image is acquired, all necessary information is already ready, eliminating processing bottlenecks
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the information acquisition process into multiple parallel operations: multiple cameras capture different aspects of packages simultaneously, OCR processing extracts various form fields in parallel, and data is organized into separate data structures. This segmentation allows information acquisition to occur concurrently rather than sequentially, improving overall processing throughput
2Productivity
If multiple cameras and processing apparatuses are deployed to capture all package information in advance, then processing efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal apparatuses that perform multiple functions: cameras serve both for capturing package images for inspection and for acquiring form information; the same OCR processing system extracts both package identifiers and form content. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the image capture function and information acquisition function into a unified process. Cameras positioned for inspection purposes simultaneously capture images used for both visual inspection and OCR processing. The data management apparatus consolidates information from multiple sources into a single integrated data structure, simplifying system architecture despite the presence of multiple components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A package inspection system includes a data management portion, an alert portion and an output control portion. The data management portion generates and manages a data table in which identification information regarding a package is associated with recognized information regarding the package, based on first recognized information, which includes at least the identification information regarding the package that is the result of image recognition performed on an image of the package captured by the image capture portion and contents information indicating contents of the package, and on second recognized information that is input regarding the image of the package in any of one or more terminal apparatuses to which the image of the package captured by the image capture portion has been sent. The determination portion references the data table using the identification information regarding the package acquired by an acquisition portion provided before a radiographic apparatus for obtaining a radiographic image of the package, and determines whether or not all of the predetermined information required for inspection of the package among the recognized information regarding the package is ready. The output control portion causes an output portion to output notification information if it is determined that not all of the predetermined information required for inspection of the package is ready.