Insect Detection via Image Recognition and Targeted Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of insects such as thrips, mites, and aphids in food and home environments due to decreased pesticide use and effectiveness, with existing methods being inefficient or harmful to the materials being treated.
Innovation Solution
A computer image analysis system that captures and magnifies images of substrates, identifies insects using trained image recognition software, and triggers an action head to remove or destroy the insects, using various methods like suction, heating, or discarding the affected area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional washing methods are used to remove insects, then the cleaning process is simple, but insects are difficult to dislodge and resistant to removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical washing with an automated image recognition system that uses optical sensors to detect insects and triggers targeted removal actions, substituting mechanical cleaning effort with intelligent detection and selective intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service insect removal by automatically detecting insects on substrates and triggering appropriate removal actions without human intervention, allowing the system to service itself in identifying and eliminating pests
2Reliability
If pesticides are used to control insects, then insect population can be reduced, but effectiveness decreases over time and harmful effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes individual insects from substrates using targeted detection and removal mechanisms, separating the harmful insects from the treated material rather than applying broad-spectrum pesticides that harm the material itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces chemical pesticide application with mechanical/optical detection and targeted physical removal, eliminating the harmful chemical effects while maintaining effective insect control through precise identification and elimination of individual pests
3Reliability
If heating methods are used to eliminate insects, then insects can be destroyed, but the food or material to be cleansed is harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes individual insects from the substrate using targeted detection and removal mechanisms, separating the harmful insects from the food or material rather than applying destructive heat treatment that would damage the material
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces thermal destruction methods with optical detection and targeted physical removal, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating that would harm food or material while maintaining effective insect elimination through precise identification and targeted intervention
4Measurement precision
If manual inspection for insects is performed, then detailed examination is possible, but time consumption increases and detection of invisible insects is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated image recognition systems using optical sensors and computational algorithms, substituting human visual processing with machine vision that can detect invisible insects and process images rapidly without time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service inspection by automatically capturing, analyzing, and detecting insects on substrates without requiring human intervention, enabling continuous monitoring with no time loss while maintaining high detection precision for both visible and invisible insects
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
Effectively detects and disposes of insects, even those invisible to the naked eye, without harming the surrounding material, providing a targeted and efficient solution to insect control.
Implementation Method 1
magnifies an image of a substrate to be checked for bugs or small other small objects
Implementation Method 2
removing the bug by way of an action head associated with the imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting offending objects such as insects on substrates such as on leaves, plants or in fluid. The device has a microscope lens which magnifies a portion of the substrate and sends an image of the substrate portion to an image recognition system. If the image recognition system detects the presence of an offending object—further steps are taken to remove, neutralize or mark the area where the offending object is located for subsequent action.