Sensor-Based Ironing Coach System for Real-Time Technique Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for learning to use an ironing device are inefficient and require significant user experience through trial and error, leading to variable results, especially when transitioning to new irons or ironing boards.

Innovation Solution

An ironing system equipped with accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes, along with a multimedia learning system that uses these sensors to determine iron motion and provide feedback to a smartphone or media terminal, offering real-time guidance and multimedia tutorials to improve user technique.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users learn to use an iron through empirical trial and error, then they can eventually develop ironing skills, but the learning process is time-consuming and produces variable results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveironing result consistencyVSAvoidlearning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors (accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope) to detect iron movement and provides real-time feedback through a multimedia learning system that compares actual movements with ideal movements, enabling users to immediately adjust their technique and achieve consistent results without lengthy trial-and-error periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines ideal ironing movements and trajectories, allowing users to directly learn and replicate proven effective techniques rather than discovering them through random experimentation, thus reducing learning time and improving result consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users experiment with different irons and ironing boards, then they may find better performance, but the process is inefficient and results are not guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveironing efficiencyVSAvoidironing result quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback on iron movement quality, allowing users to immediately see whether their technique is correct and adjust accordingly, ensuring high ironing quality without needing to test multiple devices or spend excessive time experimenting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a new iron is introduced, then users gain access to new features or improved performance, but users must relearn how to use it effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron functionalityVSAvoidrelearning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The multimedia learning system adapts to the specific iron model and provides customized guidance for its features and optimal usage, allowing users to quickly master new iron functionalities without extensive relearning by providing targeted real-time feedback on correct techniques for that specific device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures learning content specific to each iron model, so when a user introduces a new iron, the system already has the appropriate ideal movements and techniques prepared, enabling immediate effective use without a lengthy relearning period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances the learning process by providing immediate feedback and guidance, allowing users to achieve optimal ironing techniques more quickly and consistently, regardless of their prior experience or the specific ironing device used.

Implementation Method 1

The iron comprises at least one accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

the iron comprises at least one magnetometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetometer: Magnetometer

Implementation Method 3

the iron comprises at least one gyroscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3497279B1Ironing system with coach et coaching method for ironing
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 LAURASTAR SA
  • EP3497279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3497279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3497279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ironing system with a coach, comprising an iron; the iron comprising at least one accelerometer; at least one magnetometer; at least one gyroscope; the ironing system further comprising a unit for determining the movement of the iron configured to make use of signals originating from the accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope, and calculate one or more from the list comprising a pitch axis, a yaw axis, a roll axis; and a multimedia learning system configured in particular to make use of the results originating from the movement determining unit, compare the results with an aim to be achieved for these results, and select a multimedia sequence to be presented to the user depending on the comparison.