Wood-Based Panel Edge Imaging for Label-Free Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying wood-based panels face challenges due to the need for precise panel alignment during image capture, contamination issues, and the inefficiency of using shipping labels, which can lead to inaccurate identification and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the capture of digital images of panel packages, where multiple panels form a stack, analyzing sections of their side edges to generate comparison datasets based on the structure of wood-based elements, and using hash values for unique identification, eliminating the need for physical labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If precise panel alignment is required during image capture, then identification accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identification task into two distinct phases: during manufacturing, only side edge images are captured without requiring full panel alignment, while during logistics, any visible portion (side edge or surface) can be used for identification. This segmentation removes the alignment constraint from the critical identification path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing side edge images during the manufacturing process when panels are still in controlled positions. These pre-captured images serve as reference data, eliminating the need for precise alignment during later logistics operations when panels are handled in uncontrolled environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If shipping labels are used for panel identification, then identification process is simplified, but reliability decreases due to contamination and loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification process simplicityVSAvoididentification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the panel's inherent side edge structure, which serves as a permanent, unalterable identification feature. This digital replica replaces physical shipping labels, eliminating issues with label contamination, loss, or misplacement while maintaining ease of identification through image-based matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The panel's own side edge structure serves as its identification marker. Instead of requiring external labels to be attached, the panel's manufactured side edge pattern inherently contains the identification information, making the identification system self-contained and eliminating reliance on separate labeling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple panels are stacked in a panel package, then logistics efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelogistics efficiencyVSAvoidimage capture precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from requiring top-down or front-view images to using side edge views for identification. By capturing images from the side dimension of stacked panels, the system can identify individual panels within a vertical stack without requiring the panels to be separated or repositioned, maintaining logistics efficiency while achieving identification precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4708229A1Method for generating a data record for identifying wood-based boards and method for identifying wood-based boards
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 FRITZ EGGER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP4708229A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4708229A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4708229A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating a data set for identifying wood-based panels, wherein at least two wood-based panels, in particular several wood-based panels, form a panel package, wherein at least one digital image of a part of the panel package is captured with sections of the side edges of the wood-based panels, wherein image sections from the digital image are determined with the sections of the individual side edges, wherein a comparison data set for each image section is determined based on the structure of the wood-based panel elements, wherein the comparison data set of each wood-based panel is stored, and wherein at least one piece of information about the respective wood-based panel and the respective panel package is linked to the comparison data set of each wood-based panel and stored in a database. The invention further relates to a method for identifying a wood-based panel.