Concentration estimation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accurately recognizing a user's concentration degree is challenging due to various influencing factors, and existing methods are inadequate in providing precise estimation.

Innovation Solution

A concentration degree estimation apparatus that combines image analysis of the user with room environment information, including CO2 concentration and temperature, to accurately estimate concentration levels, using an imaging unit, sensor, and estimation unit, which also considers user-specific factors like age and sex, and adjusts air-conditioning operations to enhance concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If only image analysis is used to estimate concentration degree, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration degree estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (image processing from camera, CO2 concentration from sensor, temperature from sensor) into a unified concentration degree estimation system. The estimation unit integrates data from these different sources to produce a more accurate assessment of user concentration than any single modality could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioner system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls temperature and CO2 levels but also estimates user concentration degree and adjusts operations accordingly. This multi-functionality allows the system to address various factors influencing concentration through a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensing modalities are combined to improve estimation accuracy, then the measurement precision increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration degree estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls temperature and CO2 levels but also estimates user concentration degree and adjusts operations accordingly. This multi-functionality allows the system to address various factors influencing concentration through a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically estimates concentration degree and adjusts air conditioner operations without requiring manual input from the user. The estimation unit and control unit work autonomously to monitor environmental factors and user state, making real-time adjustments to maintain optimal concentration conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the system adjusts air-conditioning operations based on concentration degree, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser concentration degreeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user concentration degree and environmental parameters (CO2, temperature) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust air conditioner operations. The control unit modifies cooling/heating intensity and airflow based on the estimated concentration degree, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioner system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls temperature and CO2 levels but also estimates user concentration degree and adjusts operations accordingly. This multi-functionality allows the system to address various factors influencing concentration through a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3680567B1Concentration estimation device
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3680567B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680567B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680567B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera (26) takes an image of a user (U1, U2, U3). A room environment information sensor (13) detects room environment information about an environment in a room (r1) where the user (U1, U2, U3) is present. An estimation unit (66) estimates a concentration degree of the user (U1, U2, U3) based on the image of the user (U1, U2, U3) taken by the camera (26) and the room environment information sensed by the room environment information sensor (13).