Image Recognition Product Identification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in locating electronic versions of appliance manuals online due to confusing websites and unclear product identification, leading to increased costs and resource inefficiencies for manufacturers who opt to forego paper documentation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an imaging device, processor, and memory that captures images of target objects, analyzes them using image recognition, and matches features to access corresponding document files from a database, providing users with the relevant documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manufacturers post documentation as a file on the Internet to reduce costs and resources, then production costs and resource usage are reduced, but consumers face confusing websites and difficulty in locating the electronic version of the manual
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of an imaging device, image recognition application, and model database that mediates between the consumer and the documentation. Instead of directly navigating complex websites, the consumer simply points the imaging device at the appliance, and the system automatically identifies the product and retrieves the corresponding manual, eliminating the need to navigate confusing websites.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically identifying the appliance model through image recognition and autonomously retrieving the corresponding documentation from the database. The consumer does not need to manually search or navigate; the system performs the identification and retrieval operations automatically based on the captured image.
2Measurement precision
If manufacturers use product numbers that resemble an unorganized jumble of letters and numbers for identification, then product identification is achieved, but consumers become confused when trying to locate documentation online
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual copying of the appliance's physical appearance through image capture and recognition. Instead of relying on abstract product numbers that are difficult to interpret, the system creates a visual copy (image) of the appliance and automatically extracts identifying features from this visual representation, making product identification intuitive and easy for consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of reading and typing product numbers with an optical/electronic system. The imaging device captures visual information, the image recognition application processes this visual data to identify features, and the system automatically matches these features to the correct product model, eliminating the need for consumers to manually interpret complex product numbers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user is disclosed. The method may include receiving an image of a target object using an imaging device, analyzing the image to identify one or more features, and accessing a model database to identify an object model having features that match the identified features from the image. When the system determines that more than one model may be a match, the method looks for distinguishing features of the target object and selects a model that includes the distinguishing features. The method then includes, retrieving a document file that corresponds to the identified model from a file database, and providing the document file to a user.