Parcel Content Change Detection Using Feature Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional X-ray CT systems fail to detect changes in the contents of a parcel after inspection due to removal or addition of articles.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus equipped with a communication interface, memory, and processor to determine content changes by comparing feature information before and after inspection using a database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional X-ray CT inspection systems are used, then inspection of parcel contents is achieved, but detection of content changes after inspection is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcontent change information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of feature information from initial inspection results in a database before any content changes occur. This preliminary action creates a reference state that enables subsequent detection of any modifications to parcel contents by comparing against this pre-stored baseline data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where inspection results are registered in a database, then subsequent inspection results are compared against registered data. This feedback mechanism continuously monitors for changes and provides detection information when discrepancies are found, enabling ongoing surveillance of parcel contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If feature information is registered and compared in a database, then content change detection is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is designed to perform multiple functions: initial inspection, feature extraction, database registration, and change detection comparison. By making the system universal and multi-functional, it consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, managing complexity through functional consolidation rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates informational copies of parcel content features through X-ray imaging and stores these copies in a database. Instead of physically retaining or re-inspecting original parcels, the system works with digital replicas of inspection data, enabling change detection through comparison of these copies without requiring complex physical handling or storage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250370161A1Information processing apparatus and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.04 KK TOSHIBA
  • US20250370161A1 patent drawing
  • US20250370161A1 patent drawing
  • US20250370161A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus capable of detecting a change in a content of an inspection target is provided. According to an embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes a communication interface, a memory, and a processor. The communication interface obtains feature information related to the content of the inspection target. The memory stores a database in which the feature information is registered. The processor determines whether or not the content has been changed based on the obtained feature information and the feature information registered in the database, and transmits change detection information indicating a result of the determination through the communication interface.