Material determining device and autonomous cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous cleaning devices lack the ability to distinguish between liquid and transparent objects with light guide characteristics, leading to improper cleaning operations that can cause inconvenience, damage, or safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A material determining method and device that utilize a combination of first and second image sensors and a light source to differentiate between types of materials based on image locations and shapes, allowing the autonomous cleaning device to properly operate accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional autonomous cleaning devices use simple image recognition, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision of material type is insufficient leading to improper cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image sensing function into multiple specialized sensors: a first image sensor for capturing initial images and a second image sensor for capturing verification images. Each sensor can be optimized for specific detection purposes, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision for material type determination while managing device complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light source as an intermediary element that illuminates the detected object, enhancing the contrast and characteristics of light guide materials. This intermediary component enables the image sensors to better distinguish between liquid and transparent objects by modifying the optical properties of the target, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring overly complex sensor systems.
2Productivity
If the autonomous cleaning device attempts to clean all detected objects, then productivity is high, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to damage to transparent objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using the first image sensor to detect potential objects and then employing the second image sensor to verify whether the object is a light guide material before the cleaning operation commences. This preliminary verification step allows the system to maintain high productivity by quickly identifying cleanable objects while preventing harmful effects by avoiding cleaning of transparent objects that could shatter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the detection results from the first image sensor trigger verification imaging by the second image sensor. Based on the combined analysis of both images, the system provides feedback to control the cleaning operation, enabling it to proceed only when the object is confirmed to be safe for cleaning. This feedback loop ensures high productivity while preventing damage to transparent objects.
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
Enables the autonomous cleaning device to accurately determine the type of material it encounters, preventing improper cleaning actions and ensuring safe and effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a first image by the first image sensor according to light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
sensing a second image by the second image sensor according to the light
Data Source
AI summary
A material determining device comprising a first image sensor, a second image sensor, and a light source is provided. The material determining method comprises: (a) sensing a first image by the first image sensor according to light from the light source; (b) sensing a second image by the second image sensor according to the light; and (c) determining whether material corresponding to material images in the first image and the second image is first type of material or second type of material, according to locations of the material images in the first image and the second image and according to shapes of the material images in the first image and the second image. By this way an electronic device using the material determining device can properly operate according to the type of material.