Radiation Imaging Inspection for Liquor Detection in Sealed Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inspection methods for liquor goods in containers are inefficient and prone to errors due to the large number of categories and the need for human interpretation, which can lead to fatigue and reduced accuracy, especially in large-scale smuggling scenarios where ordinary inspection approaches are insufficient.

Innovation Solution

An automatic inspection system using radiation imaging to acquire and process images, employing a liquor goods inspection model for detection, with online learning capabilities to update the algorithm and distinguish between liquor and non-liquor items, and to handle variations in bottle types and postures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If human inspectors manually examine radiation images to identify liquor goods, then flexibility in handling various bottle types is maintained, but inspection accuracy decreases due to fatigue and large number of categories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle various bottle typesVSAvoidinspection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical human inspection system with an automatic inspection system that uses radiation imaging technology combined with image processing algorithms. The system automatically identifies liquor goods by analyzing radiation images, eliminating human fatigue and subjectivity while maintaining the ability to handle various bottle types through algorithmic pattern recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system performs self-service by automatically analyzing radiation images to identify liquor goods without requiring continuous human intervention. The system uses built-in algorithms to process images, detect bottle shapes, and determine whether contents are liquid, enabling autonomous operation that maintains consistent accuracy across large volumes of inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If ordinary inspection approaches are used for containers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but detection capability fails to correctly identify all types of liquors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddetection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation imaging system serves multiple functions: it penetrates containers to view contents, captures images of various bottle types and orientations, and automatically analyzes whether contents are liquid. This multi-functional approach maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving detection capability across diverse liquor types.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the inspection parameter from surface-level visual examination to internal radiation imaging, allowing detection of liquor contents within sealed containers. By analyzing radiation attenuation patterns and image density characteristics, the system reliably identifies liquid contents regardless of container appearance or bottle type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If containers are opened for inspection, then direct verification of contents is achieved, but feasibility is reduced in practical smuggling scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent verification accuracyVSAvoidpractical feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical opening of containers with radiation imaging technology that penetrates container walls and bottle closures to image contents non-invasively. This substitution maintains verification accuracy by capturing internal structures and liquid characteristics while preserving container integrity and enabling inspection of sealed, stacked, or irregularly positioned containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If manual inspection of radiation images is performed, then system complexity is kept low, but productivity decreases due to human fatigue and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves self-service by integrating radiation imaging, image capture, and automatic analysis algorithms into an autonomous inspection process. The system continuously processes images, identifies liquor goods, and generates inspection results without human intervention, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized hardware and software integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic inspection system enables continuous operation by eliminating breaks associated with human fatigue. The system can process radiation images continuously at high speed, maintaining consistent inspection quality and significantly increasing throughput compared to manual inspection methods that require human rest periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The system significantly improves inspection accuracy and efficiency by automatically identifying liquor goods within containers without opening them, reducing false alarms and adapting to new types and postures of liquor bottles through continuous learning.

Implementation Method 1

X-ray imaging preforms radiography on goods, luggage and the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-Ray: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

acquire a radiation image of the goods being inspected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3040743B1Inspection methods and systems
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3040743B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3040743B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~5
  • EP3040743B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An inspection method and system for inspecting whether there is any liquor in goods is provided. The method comprises: acquiring (S21) a radiation image of goods being inspected; processing (S22) on the radiation image to obtain an ROI; inspecting (S23) on the ROI using a liquor goods inspection model to determine if the ROI of the radiation image contains liquor goods. The above solution performs liquor inspection on scanned images of goods, especially containers, so as to intelligently assist the image inspectors.