AR Connector Identification via Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of home theater systems with numerous audio/visual devices and wires makes it difficult to determine compatible connectors and ports, especially with new connections and adaptors, leading to installation and troubleshooting challenges.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device captures images of cables and devices, analyzing non-text characteristics to determine connector and port compatibility, providing augmented reality guidance through real-time modifications and instructions for proper connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of components in a home theater system increases, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the number of wires and connection complexity increases, making it difficult to determine compatible connectors and ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile computing device with camera and image analysis software as an intermediary between the user and the complex connection system. The device captures images of connectors and ports, automatically analyzes compatibility, and provides guidance, thereby mediating the complex interaction between multiple audio/visual devices and their various connection types without requiring the user to manually understand each connection type
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device's image analysis software to automatically identify connector and port types, determine compatibility, and provide connection guidance without requiring external assistance or manual reference to documentation. The system serves itself by using the mobile device's existing camera and processing capabilities to resolve connection complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If new wire connectors, ports, and adaptors are introduced, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the difficulty of determining proper connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification methods (visually inspecting and matching connector types) with an optical/image-based system. The mobile device's camera captures images of connectors and ports, and software algorithms automatically analyze the images to identify connector types and determine compatibility, substituting manual detection with automated optical recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of connection identification from manual visual inspection to automated image analysis. By capturing images and analyzing non-text characteristics such as shape, size, color, and structural features of connectors and ports, the system transforms the identification process into a parameter-based automated recognition task that can handle diverse connector types
3Ease of operation
If manual identification of connector and port compatibility is performed, then the user has control over the connection process, but the time required and accuracy of connection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically analyzing connector and port compatibility before the user attempts to make connections. The mobile device's image analysis software pre-determines which connectors are compatible with which ports, providing connection guidance in advance, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually research or figure out compatibility during the connection process
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed toward analyzing images of cables or electronic devices to augment those images with information relating to the installation or troubleshooting of such cables and electronic devices. The images are analyzed to determine non-text characteristics of a connector of the cable or non-text characteristics of at least one port on the electronic device. These non-text characteristics can be compared with non-text characteristics of known connectors or ports to determine a type of the connector or a type of the ports on the electronic device. The images are then modified or overlaid with information identifying the type of connector or port.