Reference Tag Image Measurement for Accurate Item Dimensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate measurement of items for charging purposes is cumbersome and often leads to overcharging or undercharging by service providers, necessitating a more efficient and precise method.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures an image of an item with a reference tag, identifies the tag's type and dimensions, and determines the item's dimensions using a ratio between the tag's known dimensions and the item's perimeter, converting pixel measurements to standardized units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated image-based measurement is implemented, then measurement speed and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases due to image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A reference tag is introduced as an intermediary element between the item and the measurement system. The reference tag contains known dimensions that serve as a mediator for scale calibration, allowing the system to convert pixel measurements to real-world dimensions without requiring complex calibration procedures or additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the physical item and performs measurements on this copy. By analyzing the image data and comparing it with the reference tag image, the system can determine item dimensions without physical contact or complex mechanical measurement devices
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and accuracy deteriorate leading to overcharging or undercharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools (rulers, tape measures) with an optical-based image analysis system. The camera captures the item and reference tag, and software algorithms automatically calculate dimensions by comparing pixel measurements with the known reference tag dimensions, eliminating human error in reading and recording measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The reference tag serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between simple image capture and accurate dimensional measurement. By incorporating a reference tag with known dimensions into the image, the system can automatically calculate the scale factor and derive accurate item dimensions without requiring complex calibration equipment
3Measurement precision
If reference tag with known dimensions is used, then measurement accuracy is improved through ratio calculation, but ease of operation decreases due to additional tagging step
Solution Approach 1:
The reference tag is designed to be self-identifying, containing machine-readable code or unique visual characteristics that allow the system to automatically recognize it and retrieve its known dimensions from a database. This eliminates the need for manual identification or complex setup procedures, making the process as simple as attaching the tag and capturing an image
Data Source
AI summary
An item measuring system and its relate processes may perform operations that include receiving an image of an item and a reference tag; identifying a perimeter of the item; identifying a type of the reference tag; identifying known dimensions of the reference tag based on the type; determining dimensions of the item in standardized units based on the known dimensions of the reference tag; and outputting information identifying the dimensions of the item.