Retail cigarette inventory-monitoring system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing retail cigarette inventory lack an efficient and accurate method to count and display the number of individual packs of smoking materials, particularly in a visually accessible manner.
Innovation Solution
A retail cigarette inventory management system comprising a storage pan, stack foot, pressure spring, and counting mechanism that pushes packs to the front of the pan and uses a mechanical device to count and display the number of packs, utilizing a roller clutch and spring system to rotate a display dial marked with a scale, allowing for accurate and visible counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting methods are used for cigarette packs, then the system is simple, but counting accuracy and visibility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with an automated optical scanning system that uses a camera to capture images of cigarette packs and automatically counts them, significantly improving counting accuracy while reducing manual labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (camera and image processing) between the physical cigarette packs and the counting function, enabling accurate automated counting without direct mechanical contact with each pack
2Loss of information
If inventory is not visibly displayed, then the system is simple, but inventory visibility and monitoring are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the camera continuously captures images of the inventory, processes them to determine pack counts, and displays the results in real-time on a screen, providing continuous visual feedback on inventory levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (digital image and processed count display) of the physical inventory state, allowing users to monitor inventory levels remotely without physically inspecting the packs
3Measurement precision
If packs are not pushed to the front, then the mechanism is simple, but counting accuracy and accessibility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pusher mechanism to preliminarily position all cigarette packs at the front of the container before counting begins, ensuring that the optical system can access and scan all packs without obstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic pusher mechanism that can move forward to position packs and then retract, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to ensure all packs are visible to the camera for accurate counting
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 effectively counts and displays the number of individual packs of smoking materials, ensuring accurate inventory management and visibility of stock levels, enhancing operational efficiency in retail settings.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure spring, and a counting mechanism. The storage pan contains the one or more packs of smoking materials. The stack foot and the pressure spring apply a force to the one or more packs of smoking materials that push the one or more packs of smoking materials to the front of the storage pan
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a roller clutch and spring system to rotate a display dial marked with a scale, allowing for accurate and visible counting
Data Source
AI summary
The retail cigarette inventory management system forms a containment structure that stores one or more packs of smoking materials. The retail cigarette inventory management system counts the number of individual packs contained in the one or more packs of smoking materials. The retail cigarette inventory management system visibly displays the counted number of individual packs of the one or more packs of smoking materials contained in the retail cigarette inventory management system. The retail cigarette inventory management system visibly displays the number of individual packs contained in the one or more packs of smoking materials.