Camera-Based Appliance Control for Automatic Item Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current household appliances require users to manually input information about the items to be treated, such as type and condition, which can be time-consuming and creates a barrier to using advanced technology, even though automation can improve treatment results.
Innovation Solution
A domestic appliance with a controller that uses an input control part with a camera and computer-like supplementary control part, possibly external, to recognize items automatically or semi-automatically, eliminating the need for code marks on items and providing users with easy-to-understand input options, allowing for fully or partially automated treatment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual input of item information is required, then treatment accuracy can be ensured, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance automatically captures images of items using an integrated camera and processes them through image recognition algorithms to identify item type, material, and condition without requiring user input. The system serves itself by autonomously gathering and analyzing item information.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical input methods (buttons, dials, switches) are replaced with an optical system (camera) and computational image recognition process. The mechanical interaction between user and control panel is substituted by automatic visual detection and digital processing.
2Ease of operation
If automation is implemented to improve ease of operation, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera-based input control part serves multiple functions: capturing item images, detecting item presence, and providing visual feedback to users. This single component replaces multiple separate control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity despite adding automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary between the user and the control system. Instead of direct user input or complex sensor arrays, the camera mediates by capturing visual information that is then processed to determine treatment parameters, simplifying the interaction interface.
3Measurement precision
If code marks are required on items for detection, then measurement precision improves, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the item's natural visual characteristics (color, texture, shape, patterns) that already exist on the items without requiring any additional marking, coding, or preparation. The item serves itself by providing sufficient visual information in its natural state.
Solution Approach 2:
The requirement for artificial code marks is extracted and eliminated from the system. Instead of relying on added markers, the system extracts and utilizes the inherent visual features present on all items, removing the manufacturing burden of applying codes.
4Ease of operation
If comprehensive sensors are used to eliminate manual input, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera-based input control part performs multiple detection functions that would otherwise require separate sensors: identifying item type, detecting item condition, determining item presence, and providing user feedback. This multi-functional approach avoids the complexity of multiple specialized sensors.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance 1 for handling a product to be handled 3, wherein the household appliance 1 has a control system 4 for executing all required handling steps for achieving a proper handling sequence in respect of the product to be handled 3, wherein information about the product to be handled 3 can be input into the control system 4 of the household appliance 1 upon introducing the product to be handled 3 into the household appliance 1 via an input control part. According to the invention, the product to be handled 3 is recognized as such, based on type and condition, via the input control part 5; and the control system 4 of the household appliance 1 has a base control part 6 and a computer-like supplemental control part 7, characterized in that the control system 4, having the control parts 6, 7 thereof, causes the required handling steps to be automatically executable in respect of the recognized product to be handled 3. At least the input control part 5 can be allocated in particular to a device which is external to the household appliance 1. The invention further relates to a related method and a computer program product.