Automated Receiving Wall for Item Attribute Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing processes for sorting and receiving items in warehouses and fulfillment centers are time-consuming and labor-intensive, as they require manual sorting and individual scanning of items, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A system that automates the sorting and receiving process by using a receiving wall with openings of varying sizes, coupled with imaging devices and sensors to generate scan data for inventory management, which determines item attributes and provides feedback to workers on accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual sorting and individual scanning of items is used, then workers can process items with basic equipment, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinbound process speedVSAvoidtime for sorting and receiving

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting and scanning with an automated imaging system that uses cameras and image processing algorithms to identify, classify, and track items. The system captures images of items on conveyors, automatically determines item attributes, and updates inventory databases without manual intervention, thereby substituting mechanical human labor with automated optical and computational systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing items to be automatically identified and processed as they move through the conveyor system. The imaging system continuously captures and processes item images without requiring worker intervention at each station, and the automated classification routing directs items to appropriate destinations based on item attributes determined by the system itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual sorting into categories is performed, then items can be organized by worker judgment, but accuracy and consistency vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem classification accuracyVSAvoidsorting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human judgment in item classification with objective image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. The system consistently applies the same classification criteria to all items, eliminating variability in worker judgment while maintaining organizational flexibility through software-configurable categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of items through imaging, storing visual representations and extracted attribute data in databases. These digital copies enable automated comparison, classification, and tracking without requiring physical handling or subjective assessment of the actual items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If individual scanning of each item is done, then inventory records can be updated accurately, but the process is labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory record accuracyVSAvoidreceiving process throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual scanning with automated imaging and optical character recognition. Multiple cameras capture item images simultaneously as they pass through the system, and image processing algorithms automatically extract barcodes, text, and visual features to update inventory records, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically increasing throughput capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system operates continuously as items move along the conveyor, capturing and processing images without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates the stop-start nature of manual scanning, maintaining constant inventory update activity and enabling higher throughput while preserving data accuracy through consistent image capture and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Productivity

If automated imaging and processing is implemented, then sorting speed and accuracy improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting and receiving speedVSAvoidautomated system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional integrated system where the imaging infrastructure serves multiple purposes: item identification, classification, inventory tracking, and quality inspection. The same camera system and image processing platform handle various item types and categories, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifying overall system architecture despite the advanced capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10181108B1Item attribute collection

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for receiving objects into inventory are described. The objects are individually scanned to generate scan data. The scan data is processed to determine what the object is (and to add the object into inventory) and also to determine values for one or more additional attributes. The attribute values are stored in a data structure which may be analyzed to detect a change over time.