Monitoring removal and replacement of tools within an inventory control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory control systems for tools in manufacturing and service environments face challenges in accurately tracking tool placement, theft prevention, and efficiency, particularly in aerospace industries, where manual methods are time-consuming and prone to errors, and existing sensor-based systems are costly and prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An automated tool control system utilizing machine vision to identify inventory conditions by capturing and processing images of storage locations, applying visual contrast elements to indicate missing tools, and integrating with web services for network compatibility and data exchange, enabling efficient tracking and secure access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inventory checks are performed, then tool tracking accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory checking with an automated electronic system using cameras, image processing, and computer vision algorithms to detect tool presence and identify tools in storage locations, eliminating manual labor while maintaining tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the physical tool storage environment, processes these images to extract tool information, and uses this digital representation to track inventory status, replacing the need for physical manual inspection
2Extent of automation
If sensor-based inventory determination is implemented, then automated tool tracking is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inventory determination function from complex sensor systems and implements it using standard imaging devices combined with image processing algorithms, simplifying the hardware while maintaining automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-purpose imaging devices that can perform both security monitoring and inventory determination functions, reducing the need for specialized sensors and lowering overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are disposed in storage locations, then tool presence detection is improved, but cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing physical sensors in each storage location, the system uses optical copying through images to detect tool presence, eliminating the need for numerous physical sensors and their associated maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical and electronic sensors with an optical-based image processing system that has no moving parts and fewer failure points, improving reliability while maintaining detection accuracy
4Productivity
If automated imaging systems are used, then inventory check speed is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses digital image copying and processing to rapidly assess inventory status without requiring expensive specialized detection equipment, achieving high-speed automated inventory checks through software-based solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from requiring specialized sensor output to using standard image data, allowing the use of lower-cost imaging devices while maintaining automated inventory check speed through advanced image processing
Data Source
AI summary
An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.