System and method for tracking destruction of hardware

A system comprising:

• one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive image information from a camera via a receiving circuit;
• identify a quick response (QR) code® image within the image information using a machine learning model;
• enhance the QR code® image via an image enhancement circuit to generate an enhanced QR code® image;
• extract a unique identifier from the enhanced QR code® image via an extraction circuit;
• query a database with the unique identifier via an authentication circuit and return an authenticate code or a null code indicating no authentication;
• control the camera to record video information in response to receiving the authenticate code;
• control a motor of a shredder in response to receiving the authenticate code;
• and
• save the image information, the video information, and the unique identifier to the database.

A system comprising:

• a shredder including an opening sized to receive an electronic memory device, a platform positioned adjacent the opening and sized to hold the electronic memory device, a motor, and a cutter driven by the motor;
• a camera positioned above the platform;
• and
• one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive image information from the camera via a receiving circuit;
• identify a visual identifier image within the image information via an object detection circuit;
• extract a unique identifier from the visual identifier image via an extraction circuit;
• authenticate the unique identifier via an authentication circuit;
• receive video information from the camera in response to authenticating the unique identifier;
• allow operation of the motor in response to authenticating the unique identifier;
• and
• save the image information, the video information, and the unique identifier to a database.