Product Management System Barcode Inspection Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product management systems face challenges in efficiently identifying individual products and reducing the risk of nonconforming products being mixed with conforming ones, due to delays in product conveyance and difficulties in reading serial numbers.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an inspection unit, a first information acquisition unit, and a storage unit that associate individual identification information printed on products with inspection results, allowing for efficient identification and sorting of conforming and nonconforming products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If serial numbers are printed on packaging material to identify individual products, then individual identification is enabled, but the efficiency of identification is reduced due to the burden of visually locating and reading serial numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies barcode technology (a form of optical pattern recognition) to replace traditional serial numbers. The barcode is printed on the packaging film in a standardized format that can be automatically scanned and read by optical readers, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and significantly improving identification efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visually locating and reading serial numbers with an automated optical scanning system. The barcode reader uses optical sensors to automatically capture and decode the barcode information, substituting human visual inspection with machine-based optical detection to improve productivity.
2Productivity
If products are conveyed through the manufacturing line, then production flow is maintained, but delays occur when products touch objects in the conveyance path, causing sorting failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary verification step where the barcode on each product is scanned and its information is verified against the inspection results before the product reaches the sorting device. This preliminary action ensures that even if products experience delays or positional shifts during conveyance, the sorting system has advance knowledge of which products are nonconforming and can compensate for timing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where barcode identification information is continuously monitored and compared with inspection results. The sorting device receives real-time feedback about product conformity status, allowing it to adjust its operation dynamically despite variations in product conveyance timing, thereby maintaining sorting reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual identification information is printed on packaging film, then the film can be used for tracking and quality control, but the packaging film requires additional printing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the barcode printing function into the existing packaging film production process. The same printing mechanism that applies design elements and product information to the packaging film also prints the barcode, allowing the packaging film to serve multiple functions (branding, information display, and identification) without adding separate printing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the barcode printing process with the existing packaging film printing operations. By merging the identification marking function with the decorative and informational printing already required for packaging films, the system achieves multi-functionality without increasing overall printing mechanism complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A product management system (90) manages products (P) that are a food and have print surfaces. The product management system (90) has an inspection unit (30), a first information acquisition unit (41), and a storage unit (51). The inspection unit (30) performs an inspection of the products (P) and outputs inspection results as to whether the products (P) are conforming products or nonconforming products. Plural pieces of individual identification information (I) that are the same are printed on the print surfaces of the products (P). The first information acquisition unit (41) reads the individual identification information (I) from the products (P). The storage unit (51) associates and stores, with the inspection results, the individual identification information (I) that the first information acquisition unit (41) has read.