Smart inventory management cabinet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inventory management systems for surgical implants, such as ophthalmic lenses, lack efficient tracking and control mechanisms, leading to difficulties in monitoring stock levels and ensuring accurate dispensing and inventory control, especially in environments where manual organization is required.

Innovation Solution

The development of a smart inventory management cabinet equipped with imaging devices, motion sensors, presence sensors, and a controller that captures images of products, detects activity, and extracts information using computer vision to automatically track and inventory items, including surgical implants, and communicates this data over a network for remote management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual organization and tracking methods are used for surgical implant inventory, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of inventory tracking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-tracking of inventory through imaging devices and sensors that autonomously detect product positions, capture images, and update inventory records without requiring manual intervention from staff

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical tracking methods are replaced with automated electronic systems including imaging devices, motion sensors, presence sensors, and computer vision algorithms that optically and electronically monitor inventory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring of inventory is implemented, then reliability of inventory control is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory control reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses event-triggered periodic monitoring where imaging devices and sensors are activated only when activity is detected or at scheduled intervals, rather than continuous operation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining monitoring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensors detect changes in inventory status and trigger appropriate responses, allowing the system to maintain reliability by responding to actual conditions rather than operating continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated imaging and detection systems are added to track inventory, then productivity of inventory management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging devices and sensors serve multiple functions including detecting product presence, capturing images for identification, monitoring activity in the storage area, and providing data for inventory records, reducing the need for separate specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple detection and monitoring functions are merged into integrated sensor systems and control units that simultaneously perform motion detection, presence sensing, and image capture, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution enables real-time tracking and inventory management, automates the identification of product positions, and facilitates efficient restocking and order management, improving the accuracy and efficiency of inventory control in healthcare settings.

Implementation Method 1

at least one imaging device configured to capture information about the product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a motion sensor configured to detect presence of an object within the storage area of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 3

each of the presence sensors includes a light emitter and a photodetector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and photodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230343444A1Smart inventory management cabinet

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SURGICAL VISION INC

AI summary

Inventory management cabinets, systems, and related methods are described herein. An example inventory management cabinet includes a housing defining a storage area, the storage area being configured to receive a product, and a plurality of slots arranged within the housing, each of the slots being configured to receive a respective unit of the product. The cabinet also includes at least one imaging device configured to capture information about the product. The cabinet further includes a controller operably coupled to the at least imaging device, where the controller includes a processor and a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon. The controller is configured to detect activity within the storage area of the housing, and control the at least one imaging device to initiate capture one or more images of the product in response to detecting activity within the storage area of the housing.