Near-IR Textile Recognition for Low-Cost Wash Program Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for identifying textile types and selecting appropriate washing programs in household appliances are costly due to the need for complex algorithms and significant computing power, making them impractical for medium-low cost appliances and those without analyzing devices.
Innovation Solution
A portable system using a smartphone to analyze textile articles via near-IR radiation, transmitting signals wirelessly to a processing unit that compares reflected spectra with reference data to select the optimal treatment program, reducing the need for expensive computing power within the appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex algorithms and high computing power are used for fabric analysis, then identification accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex computing functions from the household appliance and relocates them to a portable device. The appliance only needs to perform simple spectrum acquisition and transmission, while the portable device handles the computationally intensive spectrum analysis, algorithm processing, and database matching. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining high identification accuracy while dramatically reducing the computing requirements and cost of the appliance itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable device as an intermediary between the household appliance and the fabric analysis process. This intermediary contains the sophisticated algorithms and computing power needed for accurate fabric identification, while the appliance itself remains simple and cost-effective. The portable device acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between simple hardware and complex analysis requirements.
2Extent of automation
If article-analyzing devices and electronics are integrated into household appliances, then automated fabric recognition is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sophisticated analysis electronics and algorithms from the household appliance and places them in a portable device. The appliance retains only the essential spectrum acquisition capability and wireless communication function, which are much simpler and cheaper to manufacture. This extraction enables automated fabric recognition while keeping manufacturing costs low.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device serves itself by containing all the complex processing, database, and algorithm resources needed for fabric analysis. Users bring their own portable device with the necessary computational resources, eliminating the need for the appliance manufacturer to integrate expensive electronics and software. This self-service approach allows automated recognition without increasing appliance manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spectrum analysis capabilities are built into household appliances, then fabric type identification is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spectrum analysis capabilities, including the algorithms, databases, and processing power, from the household appliance and relocates them to a portable device. The appliance itself becomes a simple spectrum sensor with wireless communication capability. This extraction enables versatile fabric type identification while keeping the appliance system simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device serves multiple functions: it contains the database of fabric spectra, runs the analysis algorithms, processes the wireless signals from the appliance, and provides the user interface. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single universal device rather than distributing it across the appliance system, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 cost-effective identification and selection of textile treatment programs using mobile equipment, making advanced fabric analysis accessible to a wider range of household appliances without the need for high-powered processing units.
Implementation Method 1
a generating element 21 for generating an electromagnetic radiation in the range of IR frequencies, namely in the near-IR spectrum
Implementation Method 2
EP 612996 discloses a method and an instrument for optical detection of a fabric type by diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy
Data Source
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AI summary
System for treating textile articles comprising a household appliance (10) with a plurality of selectable programs, a portable apparatus (100) comprising first means (20) for analyzing at least one textile article (2), a portable equipment (30) in signal communication with said first means (20), an assessment unit (40) in signal communication with said portable equipment (30) for detecting the nature of said at least one textile article (2) analyzed by said first means (20), said first means (20) being configured to direct direct an electromagnetic radiation toward the textile article (2) to be analyzed, to receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the textile article (2) to be analyzed and to generate a first signal (S1) representative of the reflected electromagnetic radiation, to transmit the first signal (S1) to said portable equipment (30), said portable equipment (30) being configured to receive the first signal (S1) transmitted by said first means (20) and send the first signal (S1) to the assessment unit (40), said assessment unit (40) being configured to receive and process the first signal (S1) to generate, in response to the first signal (S1), a second signal (S2) representative of a treatment program of the household appliance (10), to be selected for the at least one textile article (2) that has been analyzed.