Image-Based IoT Robotic Cleaner Control to Reduce Manual Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling IoT devices, such as robotic cleaning devices, are complex and inefficient, requiring users to manually configure and navigate through multiple screens to control specific devices, leading to resource wastage and user frustration due to the inability to intuitively target soiled areas.
Innovation Solution
A messaging application that uses image recognition to identify real-world objects and locations, allowing users to capture images of soiled areas and automatically instruct connected robotic cleaning devices to clean specific areas, simplifying the control process and reducing resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually configure and navigate through multiple screens to control IoT devices, then device control capability is achieved, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and identifying IoT devices in the environment before user interaction is required. The image recognition system pre-processes the environment, identifies cleaning devices, and prepares control options, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through configuration screens and device lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary image recognition system that acts as a mediator between the user and the IoT device control system. Instead of directly interacting with complex device menus and configuration interfaces, users capture images through a camera interface, and the intermediary system translates these images into device identification and control commands, simplifying the interaction process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive device control features are provided, then functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction model (manual navigation through menus, buttons, and screens) with an optical recognition system. The image recognition technology uses computer vision algorithms to identify devices and their states, substituting complex mechanical interface navigation with automated visual processing and pattern recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the physical environment through image capture. Instead of requiring users to navigate abstract digital interfaces representing physical devices, the system works directly with visual copies (images) of the actual devices, making the control process more intuitive and reducing the complexity of the control system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If automated image recognition is implemented, then ease of use improves, but computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by focusing image recognition processing only on relevant portions of captured images. Rather than analyzing entire images in full detail, the system identifies key regions containing IoT devices and concentrates computational resources on recognizing and controlling these specific elements, reducing overall processing requirements while maintaining ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling connected devices. For example, a messaging application implemented on a client device detects a real-world object depicted in a received image and determines a current location of the client device. The messaging application identifies a plurality of robotic cleaning devices associated with an account of the messaging application. The messaging application transmits a message comprising the current location of the client device to a first robotic cleaning device of the plurality of robotic cleaning devices and causes the first robotic cleaning device to clean the real-world object depicted in the received image based on the message transmitted by the messaging application.