Automated Inventory Management for Paint Color Chip Display Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual determination and ordering of paint color chips that have run out of stock in retail display assemblies are time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An automated system comprising a shelving unit with sensors and a processor that measures the weight of each pocket, compares it to a predetermined value, and generates an order for paint chips when the weight is below the threshold, transmitting the order to a computing system for automatic reordering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If manual determination and ordering of paint color chips is used, then human judgment and flexibility are maintained, but time consumption and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime consumption for determining and ordering paint color chipsVSAvoidautomation level of inventory management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service inventory management where the display assembly automatically monitors its own stock levels through weight sensors and autonomously places reorder requests when paint color chips run low, eliminating the need for manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory checking with an automated electronic system that uses weight sensors to detect stock levels and a computing system to process reorder requests, substituting human labor with automated sensing and computation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If frequent manual inventory checks are performed, then stock availability is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestock availability of paint color chipsVSAvoidoperational efficiency of inventory management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The weight sensors continuously monitor the inventory levels of paint color chips in real-time, providing uninterrupted detection of stock status without requiring periodic manual checks, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where weight sensors continuously provide inventory status information to the computing system, which automatically triggers reorder requests when thresholds are met, ensuring continuous monitoring without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automated sensor systems are implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but device complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inventory management operationVSAvoidcomplexity of automated monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the monitoring function into discrete weight sensors for each pocket or section of the display assembly, allowing independent monitoring of individual paint color chip stocks and simplifying the overall system architecture through modular segmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The computing system serves multiple functions including receiving weight sensor data, determining inventory status, generating reorder requests, and communicating with suppliers, consolidating diverse operations into a single multi-functional device that reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Automates the identification and ordering of paint color chips, reducing manual labor and ensuring timely restocking without human intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The first sensor is associated with the first pocket and is configured to obtain a first parameter indicative of a weight of the first pocket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11710096B2Automated inventory management for a paint color chip display assembly

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 BEHR PROCESS CORP

AI summary

A system includes a shelving unit, a sensor and a processor. The shelving unit includes a pocket. The sensor is associated with the pocket and is configured to obtain a parameter indicative of a weight of the pocket. The processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium. The instructions include obtaining the parameter indicative of the weight of the pocket from the sensor, determining the weight of the pocket based on the parameter, comparing the weight of the pocket to a predetermined value, generating a paint chip order that includes a request in response to the weight of the pocket being below the predetermined value, and transmitting the paint chip order to a computing system.