Surface Pattern Tracking for Faster Container-Based Object Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack efficiency in identifying and managing objects with distinctive surface patterns, particularly in reducing check time when identification information is not printed on objects stored in containers after manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An object information management system that includes an object information registration device and a check device, which associate surface pattern information of objects with container IDs based on time differences, allowing for accurate identification of container storage and reducing the number of patterns to be checked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If distinctive patterns on surfaces of individual objects are used for identification, then identification capability is provided, but check time increases when identification information is not printed on objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidcheck time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by recording the distinctive patterns and container IDs during the manufacturing process, before the checking phase. This pre-recording of identification information during manufacturing allows the checking process to simply retrieve and compare pre-stored data, dramatically reducing check time while maintaining identification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of the distinctive surface patterns and stores them in association with container IDs during manufacturing. These pattern copies are then used for rapid matching and identification during checking, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time analysis of original patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If all patterns are checked to identify which container stores individual objects, then accurate identification is achieved, but the number of patterns to be checked increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer identification accuracyVSAvoidnumber of patterns to be checked
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and utilizes the container ID as a key identifier during manufacturing, recording it in association with the distinctive patterns. During checking, the container ID is used to directly retrieve the associated pattern information, eliminating the need to check all patterns and reducing the quantity of patterns that must be examined

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The container ID serves as an intermediary between the distinctive patterns and the identification process. By recording and retrieving patterns through their associated container IDs, the system creates an efficient lookup mechanism that reduces the number of patterns that need to be directly checked while maintaining accurate container identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2757058B1Object information management system and program
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP2757058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2757058B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2757058B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

To specify individual objects stored in respective containers after a process of manufacturing objects respectively having distinctive patterns on surfaces and storing the objects in containers. An object information registration device (100) acquires distinctive image information obtained by imaging surface patterns of objects at predetermined imaging spots before the objects are stored in containers and imaging time instants so as to be associated with respective objects having distinctive patterns on surfaces respectively in a manufacturing process of the objects, acquires container identification information identifying the containers containing the objects and time ranges in which the objects are stored in the containers so as to be associated with each other and registers the container identification information corresponding to the obtained distinctive image information so as to be associated with respective objects based on a time difference from the imaging of the objects to the storing in the container, the imaging time instants associated with the distinctive image information of the objects and the time ranges associated with container identification information of containers containing the objects.