Product Identification via Textured Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bar codes used for quality control and distribution management are vulnerable to alteration and counterfeiting, and the use of RFID tags for accurate identification is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An identification system that extracts and matches image characteristics of textured patterns on products to perform identification, allowing for low-cost and efficient acquisition of information without unnecessary time consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags are used for accurate individual identification, then identification reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bar code information function with the textured pattern identification function into a single label structure. The bar code provides general product information while the textured pattern enables individual identification, merging two separate identification systems into one integrated solution that reduces cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive RFID tags, the patent uses optical copying techniques - capturing images of textured patterns with a camera and processing them computationally to achieve individual identification. This replaces electromagnetic RFID technology with a visual copying and analysis approach that is significantly cheaper.
2Reliability
If RFID tags are attached to each individual for accurate identification, then identification reliability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of reading RFID tags with an automated optical imaging and image processing system. A camera captures the textured pattern, and computer algorithms automatically extract features and perform identification, eliminating the need for manual RFID reading operations and significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The textured pattern on the label serves its own identification function without requiring external RFID readers or complex reading operations. The pattern itself contains the identification information that can be directly captured and processed, making the identification system self-sufficient and faster.
3Ease of manufacture
If bar codes are used for information display, then cost is reduced, but identification security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification function into two parts: the bar code handles general product information display (maintaining low cost), while the textured pattern handles individual identification and security verification. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving security.
Solution Approach 2:
The label uses a composite structure combining bar code elements with textured pattern elements. The bar code provides readable information while the textured pattern provides security features that are difficult to replicate, creating a composite identification system that leverages the strengths of both approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of acquiring information regarding a component or product and identifying said component or product easily and inexpensively. The present invention has an image-feature storage, an extracting means, an acquiring means, and an identifying means. The image-feature storage stores image features of texture patterns formed on components or products. The extracting means extracts an n-dimensional-symbol image and a texture-pattern image from a taken image containing at least the following: an n-dimensional symbol (n being a natural number) that represents information regarding a component, a product, or a product comprising said component; and a texture pattern formed on said component or product. The acquiring means acquires, from the extracted n-dimensional-symbol image, the aforementioned information regarding the component or product. The identifying means identifies the component, product, or component-comprising product by matching image features of the extracted texture-pattern image against the image features stored by the image-feature storage.