Automatic Analyzer Unit Recognition via Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analysis systems require hardware modifications, such as embedding RFID or barcode, for mobile terminals to display maintenance and operation information, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis system and mobile terminal that utilize an image capturing unit to identify units within the system, allowing the display of maintenance and operation options without hardware modifications, using a mobile terminal to capture images of units and retrieve relevant information from a server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID or barcode identification means are installed on each functional unit, then mobile terminals can retrieve and display maintenance information, but hardware modification and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capturing to create a visual copy of the functional unit's identification mark. Instead of requiring RFID or barcode hardware, the system captures an image of the unit and extracts identification information from visual markings that already exist on the equipment, eliminating the need for additional identification hardware while maintaining information retrieval capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic identification system (RFID tags, barcodes, readers) with an optical system. The mobile terminal's camera captures images of the functional unit, and image processing algorithms extract identification information, substituting physical identification hardware with optical recognition technology
2Ease of operation
If mobile terminals are placed on identification means for information retrieval, then maintenance information can be displayed, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes images of functional units to extract and store identification information and associated maintenance data in advance. When a user points the camera at a unit, the system has already prepared the relevant information, allowing immediate display without requiring the user to manually input data or wait for complex processing
Solution Approach 2:
The functional units have identification marks that are inherently visible and can be captured by the camera. The system automatically recognizes these marks and retrieves corresponding information without requiring the user to perform additional actions beyond pointing the camera, making the operation self-service oriented
3Adaptability or versatility
If hardware modifications are made to install identification means, then automatic analyzer functionality is enhanced, but manufacturing cost and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal serves multiple functions: it acts as a camera for capturing unit images, an image processing device for extracting identification information, a database for storing maintenance information, and a display device for presenting data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification hardware, readers, and display systems that would need to be installed on each functional unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing technology as an intermediary between the functional unit and the mobile terminal. Instead of direct hardware communication requiring physical modifications, the image processing intermediary extracts identification information from visual markings and retrieves corresponding maintenance data, bridging the gap without hardware changes
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis system and a mobile terminal that make it possible to display information that a user wants to know through easier operation, without making any major changes to the hardware configuration of an analyzer. To this end, an automatic analysis system according to the present invention comprises: an automatic analyzer having a plurality of units necessary for analyzing a component contained in a sample; and a mobile terminal having an image capturing unit that captures, when a user holds the mobile terminal over one of the plurality of units, an image of the one unit and a display unit that displays, when the image capturing unit captures an image, a plurality of options for the user to perform next with respect to the one unit.