Surface Treatment System with Image-Based Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for treating surfaces lack feedback mechanisms and gamification to enhance interaction efficacy, and fail to incorporate current treatment and fashion trends from social networks, leading to suboptimal surface treatment experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing machine learning and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to analyze digital images and audio data, identifying surface types, treatment implements, and practitioners, providing personalized treatment recommendations and gamified feedback through a network of computing devices, including mobile and remote servers, to enhance surface treatment interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional surface treatment methods are used without feedback mechanisms, then the treatment process is simple, but the interaction efficacy and user engagement are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction efficacyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through mobile applications that capture images of surfaces before and after treatment, track treatment progress over time, and provide real-time guidance to users. The system analyzes treatment results and delivers personalized feedback, transforming a simple treatment process into an engaging interactive experience that improves efficacy while managing complexity through automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual assessment of treatment results with automated image recognition and analysis systems. Machine learning algorithms evaluate surface conditions from captured images, eliminating the need for complex manual inspection procedures while enhancing interaction efficacy through objective, data-driven feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If surface treatment methods lack integration with social networks and trends, then the system is simpler, but the ability to provide personalized and trendy recommendations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional platform that combines surface treatment guidance, social network integration, trend analysis, and personalized recommendation capabilities within a single mobile application ecosystem. The system serves multiple functions including educational content delivery, progress tracking, social sharing, and personalized recommendation, thereby enhancing adaptability without requiring separate complex systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a mobile application that mediates between users, treatment devices, and social network platforms. This intermediary handles data collection, analysis, and dissemination, integrating social network trends and fashion data to provide personalized recommendations while managing system complexity through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If repeated surface treatments are performed without tracking and evaluation, then the process is faster, but the ability to evaluate progress and provide adaptive recommendations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment evaluation accuracyVSAvoidtime for tracking and evaluation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures baseline images of surfaces before treatment begins and establishes initial conditions for comparison. By pre-processing and storing these reference images, the system enables rapid subsequent evaluations without requiring time-consuming re-assessment of baseline conditions, thereby improving evaluation accuracy while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous tracking of treatment progress through repeated image capture and automated analysis across multiple treatment sessions. The system maintains continuous records of surface condition changes, enabling accurate evaluation of progress over time and adaptive adjustment of treatment recommendations without interrupting the treatment workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3644786B1Method for treating a surface
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Method for treating a surface includes: automatically evaluating at least one digital image which includes the target surface; determining the nature of the target surface according to the evaluation of the at least one digital image; determining at least one available treatment implement according to the evaluation of the at least one image; determining the nature of the surface treatment according to the evaluation of the at least one image; automatically determining a use of the determined treatment implement in the determined treatment of the determined surface; and providing information analogous to the determined use of the treatment implement.