Liquid Container Identification and Level Detection via Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems cannot manage the remaining amount of liquid in a specific liquid container, such as an ink bottle, and fail to identify the container from which the image is captured.
Innovation Solution
A control method executed in an information processing apparatus with an image-capturing unit, which involves obtaining a captured image of a liquid container, obtaining a unique identifier for the container, determining the remaining liquid amount, and transmitting this information to an external apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image capturing is used to derive remaining liquid amount, then measurement capability is improved, but identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The captured image is segmented into different regions: the liquid container portion and the label portion. By dividing the image processing task, the system can extract the container identifier from the label region while simultaneously analyzing the liquid level in the container region, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement and identification
Solution Approach 2:
The label on the container serves as an intermediary element that carries identification information. The image processing unit specifically targets the label region to extract the container identifier, which then links the visual measurement data to the specific container's management record in the storage unit
2Device complexity
If only image capturing is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures the container image, identifies the container type and identifier from the label, measures the liquid level, and retrieves management information. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle various container types and management scenarios without increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the container's identification information by extracting text from the label image. This digital copy is then used to retrieve and display management information from the storage unit, enabling comprehensive container management through image-based data acquisition
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to manage the remaining amount of liquid of a specific liquid container. A control method executed in an information processing apparatus including an image-capturing unit is characterized by: obtaining a captured image of a liquid container which is acquired by capturing an image using the image-capturing unit; obtaining a first identifier for uniquely identifying the liquid container from the captured image; identifying a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, based on the captured image; and transmitting the first identifier and the remaining amount of liquid to an external apparatus.