Sorting System Item Recognition via Reference Image Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing sets of similar items in sorting systems require individual codes or markings on each item, which can be space-consuming and disfiguring, and often necessitate separate handling and image creation for each item, complicating the sorting and tracking process.
Innovation Solution
A method where a reference image of a set is used to identify and sort items within a sorting system, allowing for automatic recognition and destination determination without individual item coding, and enabling mixed supply and reduced handling steps by using a computer-readable description transmitted to the sorting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual codes or markings are added to each item for identification, then item recognition accuracy is improved, but item area and visual appearance are worsened due to space consumption and disfigurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference image (a copy of the item's visual appearance) stored in the control device to identify items. Instead of adding codes to each item, the system captures an image of each item and compares it with the reference image to determine if it belongs to the set, thereby achieving identification without occupying additional item surface area.
2Loss of information
If individual codes are printed on each item, then item tracking is improved, but device complexity and processing steps are worsened due to separate handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/code-based identification systems with an optical/image-based system. The control device uses image processing and comparison algorithms to identify items belonging to a set, eliminating the need for physical codes, barcodes, or RFID tags on each item, thereby reducing device complexity and processing steps.
3Measurement precision
If separate image creation is performed for each item, then identification precision is improved, but productivity and processing time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by storing a reference image in the control device before items need to be identified. When items pass through the sorting system, the control device compares captured images against the pre-stored reference image, enabling rapid identification without requiring complex real-time analysis for each item, thus maintaining both precision and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transporting a set of items includes predetermining a destination point for each item of the set and for each further item which passes through the sorting system, generating for each item a current image of the item from a predetermined viewing direction, determining the predetermined destination point of the item, and initiating a transport of the item to the destination point. The method includes further transmitting a computer-readable description of the set to a data processing system which is connected to the sorting system. The description includes a reference image of the item from the viewing direction. For each item which passes through the sorting system, the method includes automatically deciding by the data processing system whether or not the item belongs to the set, wherein the data processing system compares the generated current image of the item with the reference image.