Appliance Display Personalization via Optical Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household appliances lack the ability to allow users to easily customize and individualize display elements, such as colors and themes, to match physical objects and accessories, reducing user comfort and usability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an optical sensor, processing unit, and control device that detects activation information from objects or packaging, generates an activation signal, and transmits it to the household appliance to adjust display element properties like color, saturation, and theme settings, enabling users to customize display elements wirelessly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If display element properties are made adjustable and customizable, then user comfort and usability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service customization where the display element automatically adjusts its properties based on detected objects or user preferences stored in the database, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing operational complexity while maintaining high user comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the display element receives input from object detection sensors and automatically adjusts its properties (color, brightness, shape) based on the detected context, creating a closed-loop system that simplifies user interaction while achieving personalized display configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If display element properties are made adjustable to match physical objects, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display element autonomously adapts to physical objects by detecting them via sensors and automatically configuring its properties to match the detected objects, eliminating the need for manual user configuration and maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of display properties with an automated optical detection and processing system that senses physical objects and automatically configures the display, substituting complex manual operations with simplified sensor-based automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user comfort and usability by allowing users to personalize their appliances' display elements to match physical objects and accessories, providing optimal visual coordination and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

detecting activation information from an object by means of an optical sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3963128B1Method and device for operating a domestic appliance and system having a domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3963128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3963128B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance (1). The domestic appliance 1 comprises a display device (2) having at least one display element (3) comprising at least one adjustable property (4) and a control apparatus (5) for controlling the display device (2). The method comprises the following steps: a) detecting (S201) activation information (FI) from an object (O) by means of an optical sensor (8) of an external device (7), b) processing (S202) the detected activation information (FI) by means of a processing unit (10) of the external device (7) to generate an activation signal (FS), and c) transferring (S203) the activation signal (FS) generated to the control apparatus (5) to enable adjustment of the at least one property (4) of the display element (3).