Stone Slab Imaging and Metadata for Remote Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing and distributing stone slabs are inefficient and require significant physical manipulation and human review, lacking automated and precise selection and matching processes.
Innovation Solution
Generating high-resolution images and metadata of stone slabs at the manufacturing stage, associating each slab with a unique identifier, and providing these images and metadata to remote parties for automated selection and management, reducing the need for physical handling and enhancing precision in cutting and inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical manipulation and human review are used for stone slab selection and matching, then quality control can be performed, but productivity is low and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates high-resolution digital images and metadata representations of stone slabs that serve as copies of the physical slabs. These digital representations can be viewed, compared, and selected without handling the actual stone slabs, enabling automated selection processes while maintaining quality control through detailed imaging that captures surface characteristics, veining, and other visual properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical manipulation and human visual inspection with an automated digital imaging and processing system. High-resolution cameras capture detailed images of stone slabs, and computer algorithms analyze these images to facilitate automated selection and matching, eliminating the need for manual handling while maintaining selection accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple stone slabs are physically handled for review and selection, then adequate evaluation can be performed, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically handling multiple stone slabs for evaluation, the system creates and provides high-resolution digital images and metadata of the slabs. Users can review multiple slab options by viewing these digital representations on computers or tablets, significantly reducing the time required for selection while maintaining thorough evaluation through detailed image quality that captures all necessary surface and structural characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs imaging and metadata generation of stone slabs during or before the selection process, so that when users need to review slabs, the digital information is already ready for immediate viewing and comparison. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming on-site imaging and allows users to evaluate slabs remotely in advance.
3Extent of automation
If high resolution images and metadata are generated for each stone slab, then automated selection and matching can be enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal digital imaging and data management platform that handles multiple functions: capturing high-resolution images, generating metadata, storing slab information in databases, and providing remote access to users. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated solution, reducing overall complexity while enabling automated selection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital image and metadata system as an intermediary between the physical stone slabs and the automated selection process. This intermediary layer captures and transmits essential slab information without requiring direct integration of complex sensing and analysis equipment into the manufacturing workflow, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling automation.
4Reliability
If physical manipulation of stone slabs is required for selection, then accurate matching can be performed, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates accurate digital copies of stone slabs through high-resolution imaging that captures all visual and surface characteristics necessary for matching. These digital representations can be stored, transmitted, and compared without the need to physically handle the actual slabs, eliminating costs associated with manual handling, transportation during selection, and potential damage to valuable stone materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical comparison and selection processes with automated digital image analysis and processing systems. Computer algorithms can objectively compare slab images against selection criteria and match slabs based on visual characteristics, eliminating the need for manual labor and reducing operational costs while maintaining or improving matching accuracy through consistent, objective evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes systems and processes manufacturing and distributing stone slabs, such as including distributing a stone slab and a slab image file associated with the stone slab. The slab image file may include an image and associated information to facilitate one or more operations related to the stone slab.