Shoe Part Image Recognition for Precise Automated Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual methods of shoe manufacturing are resource-intensive and prone to high variability, while existing automated systems lack efficient part recognition and placement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses a part-recognition system to identify and orient shoe parts through image analysis, employing cameras and computing devices to determine the position and orientation of shoe parts, and a part-transfer apparatus to manipulate and attach them accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used for shoe manufacturing, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but resource consumption increases and variability is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated system that uses image capture devices to detect shoe part positions and coordinates, then uses a computing device to process this visual information and control automated placement. This substitution eliminates manual variability while maintaining efficient resource utilization through precise digital control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical shoe part positions through image capture and coordinate detection. This digital representation is then processed and used to control automated placement, replacing direct manual manipulation with a mediated digital control process that ensures consistency and reduces resource waste.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing automated systems are used, then productivity increases, but part recognition and placement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary image capture device and computing device between the shoe parts and the automated placement mechanism. This intermediary system detects positions and coordinates, processes this information, and translates it into precise placement commands, achieving high accuracy without requiring direct complex mechanical positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical positioning systems are replaced with a vision-based detection and coordinate processing system. The image capture device and computing device provide precise position detection through optical fields and digital processing, simplifying the mechanical requirements while improving placement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If image analysis is implemented for part identification, then placement precision improves, but measurement and detection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for placement - the positions and coordinates of shoe parts - from the captured images. The computing device processes images to identify and extract these key geometric parameters, ignoring unnecessary visual details. This extraction approach achieves high measurement precision while managing processing complexity by focusing only on critical data.
Data Source
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AI summary
Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement of shoe parts. For example, a method (310,710,810) comprising, receiving an image (228,230,254) depicting a two-dimensional representation (232) of an attachment shoe part; determining an identity of the attachment shoe part; determining from the image (228,230,254) a geometric coordinate (201,203,205) of the attachment shoe part in a geometric coordinate system (225); determining from a different image (228,230,254) a geometric coordinate (201, 203,205) of a base shoe part in the geometric coordinate (201,203,205) system (225); and transferring the attachment shoe part to the geometric coordinate (201,203,205) of the base shoe part.