Method for exchanging information between a household appliance and a mobile device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances have limited graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that restrict the amount of information that can be provided to users or service technicians, making it difficult to convey complex or comprehensive information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method for exchanging information between a household appliance and a mobile device using optical information displayed on the appliance's GUI, where the mobile device captures and processes this information using markers and optical reference points to derive and display a more comprehensive information message, enabling real-time or quasi-real-time processing and error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited GUI is used at the household appliance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of information that can be provided to the user is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the household appliance's limited GUI and the user. The mobile device captures optical information from the appliance's display, processes it, and presents it in an enhanced format, thereby overcoming the information limitation of the simple GUI while keeping the appliance itself simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions information display from a two-dimensional limited appliance GUI to a multi-dimensional presentation on the mobile device, including potential 3D visualizations, interactive elements, and augmented reality overlays, thereby vastly increasing information capacity without complicating the appliance.
2Loss of information
If optical information is captured and processed by a mobile device, then comprehensive information messages can be provided, but the alignment precision between the mobile device and appliance must be high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses distinct visual markers with specific color patterns or luminance characteristics on the appliance display that are easily distinguishable by the mobile device camera. These markers serve as reference points for automatic alignment and calibration, enabling high measurement precision without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with an automated optical recognition system. The mobile device uses image processing algorithms to automatically detect markers, calculate transformation matrices, and align the display, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning.
3Ease of operation
If markers are displayed on the mobile device GUI for alignment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning system where the mobile device automatically detects markers on the appliance, calculates the necessary transformation, and adjusts the display accordingly without user intervention. This maintains ease of operation while the complexity is contained within the automated software routine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-defines marker patterns, colors, and positions on the appliance display that are optimized for automatic detection. The mobile device software is pre-programmed with the algorithms to recognize these specific markers and perform alignment, making the operation simple for the user while managing complexity in advance.
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
This method allows for the transfer of complex information from limited appliance GUIs to mobile devices, enhancing information provision and simplifying troubleshooting by enabling accurate alignment and processing of optical data, including error codes and usage statistics.
Implementation Method 1
receiving optical information at the mobile device by capturing said optical information provided at the household appliance by a camera of the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for exchanging information between a household appliance (1) and a mobile device (2), the method comprising the steps of: providing optical information at a graphical user interface (3) of the household appliance (1) (S10); preferably, aligning the mobile device (2) with respect to the household appliance (1) based on one or more markers (4) displayed at a graphical user interface (5) of the mobile device (2) or based on a time-invariant portion of provided optical information (S11); receiving optical information at the mobile device (2) by capturing said optical information provided at the household appliance (1) by a camera (6) of the mobile device (2) (S12); processing said received optical information at the mobile device (1) in order to derive an information message included in said received optical information (S13); providing said information message or information associated with said information message at a user interface of the mobile device (2) (S14).