Packing Unit Identification via Optical Text Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for identifying packing units, primarily relying on barcodes, are cumbersome and non-standardized across logistics service providers and countries, complicating international services and requiring additional working steps.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses optical detection and text recognition to generate characteristic values based on statistical analysis of the text on packing units, allowing for flexible identification and comparison, independent of specific logistics providers or countries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If barcodes are used for identifying packing units, then identification can be achieved, but additional working steps are required and quality control of barcode application is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification efficiencyVSAvoidworking steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the identification function from the barcode itself and transfers it to the text content on the packing unit. Instead of relying on a separate barcode element, the text that already exists on the package (address, labels, etc.) is used directly for identification through optical character recognition, eliminating the need for barcode application and scanning steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The text on packing units serves multiple functions: it provides shipping information (address, recipient details) and simultaneously serves as the identification medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate barcodes, as the same text elements are used both for logistics information and for unique package identification through statistical analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If barcodes are used for identifying packing units, then identification can be achieved, but standardization across logistics service providers and countries is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternational service compatibilityVSAvoididentification standardization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the identification parameter from barcode patterns (which vary by provider and country) to statistical characteristics of text (character frequencies, word lengths, text structures). These text-based parameters are universal and can be analyzed consistently across different languages and regions, providing standardized identification without requiring provider-specific barcode standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If optical detection and text recognition are used for identification, then flexibility and efficiency are improved, but processor power and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification flexibilityVSAvoidprocessor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential statistical characteristics from the full text data (character frequencies, word lengths, text structures) rather than processing and storing the entire text. This extraction of key features reduces the data volume significantly while maintaining identification capability, thereby reducing processor power and storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different levels of statistical analysis to different aspects of the text. Instead of uniformly processing all text data with high computational intensity, it uses targeted statistical measures (character frequency distributions, word length patterns) that provide sufficient identification discrimination with lower computational overhead, optimizing the balance between flexibility and resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach provides a flexible and efficient means of identifying packing units, reducing the need for processor power and storage, while enabling the detection of changes in text over time, thus enhancing logistics services.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining data resulting from an optical detection of at least one surface of a packing unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9858505B2Identification of packing units

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 DEUT POST AG

AI summary

For an identification of packing units, data resulting from an optical recording of at least one surface of a packing unit undergo a text recognition to recognize individual characters. A plurality of characteristic values is determined, each characteristic value being based on another predetermined statistical analysis of the recognized characters. The plurality of characteristic values forms at least one part of an identification of the packing unit. The characteristic values are provided for storage and/or for comparison with previously stored characteristic values.