Material determining device, material determining method, autonomous cleaning device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous cleaning devices lack the ability to distinguish between liquids 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 utilizing a combination of first and second image sensors and a light source to differentiate between materials based on image locations and shapes, allowing the autonomous cleaning device to properly identify and respond to various materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional autonomous cleaning device uses a single image sensor to detect materials, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of material type is insufficient leading to inability to distinguish between liquid and transparent objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple stages using different image sensors. A first image sensor (such as a TOF sensor) performs initial detection to identify potential liquid or transparent objects, while a second image sensor (such as a visible light camera) performs verification detection. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in detecting specific optical characteristics, thereby improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex sensor to handle all detection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional detection system where different image sensors serve multiple purposes. The first image sensor detects both liquid and transparent objects based on flight time information, while the second image sensor provides complementary visual information. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across different material types while managing device complexity through coordinated use of specialized sensors rather than a single universal sensor.
2Ease of operation
If the autonomous cleaning device attempts to clean all detected materials without differentiation, then the ease of operation is high, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to improper cleaning actions causing damage or safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary classification of materials before cleaning operations begin. The processing circuit analyzes images from both image sensors to determine whether detected objects are liquid or transparent objects with light guide characteristics. This preliminary action allows the system to identify potentially harmful objects (transparent objects that should not be mopped) before cleaning actions are executed, thereby preventing damage while maintaining simple operation through automated differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the processing circuit continuously monitors images from both image sensors and adjusts cleaning operations based on material type identification. When transparent objects are detected through the characteristic light guide patterns in the images, the system provides feedback to modify or avoid cleaning actions on those objects. This feedback loop ensures that cleaning operations are appropriately adapted to different material types, preventing harmful effects while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
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.