Video Cleanliness Monitoring for Invisible Contamination Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately assessing the cleanliness of physical objects or areas over time is challenging due to the invisibility of contamination, making it difficult to determine their cleanliness through simple inspection.
Innovation Solution
A cleanliness monitoring system that utilizes video analytics to detect and classify cleaning and dirtying activities, adjusting an initial cleanliness estimate based on time and detected events, and outputs an indication of the cleanliness level through interface circuitry, incorporating sensors and video processing to provide real-time or updated cleanliness assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simple inspection is used to assess cleanliness, then the method is simple and quick, but the accuracy of cleanliness determination is insufficient because contamination may be invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated video monitoring system that uses cameras and image processing algorithms to detect contamination. The system captures video feeds, processes images to identify contaminants, and automatically updates cleanliness estimates, eliminating the need for human inspectors while providing continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces video analytics technology as an intermediary between the physical object and the cleanliness assessment. The system uses image processing algorithms and computer vision techniques to analyze video feeds, detect contaminants that are invisible to the naked eye, and provide objective cleanliness measurements without direct human contact with the monitored surfaces.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to track cleanliness changes over time, then the cleanliness assessment becomes more accurate and timely, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring by capturing video feeds at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The system updates cleanliness estimates at discrete time points based on detected activities and passage of time, balancing the need for timely information with energy conservation. This approach provides sufficient monitoring reliability while minimizing power consumption compared to truly continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of monitoring intensity based on detected activities. When activities are detected that may affect cleanliness, the system increases monitoring frequency and detail. During periods of no activity, monitoring intensity is reduced. This dynamic approach maintains high reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during stable periods.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to assigning and reporting the cleanliness of objects and areas, and particularly relates to utilization of object and area cleanliness states as determined by the opposing processes of cleaning and dirtying detected through various methods to provide an indication of the state of cleanliness potentially utilized to alter the process of cleaning and/or dirtying to reach a desired state of cleanliness. Detection of the cleaning and dirtying operations can be performed automatically through image processing and behavior detection of still images/video indicating the activity taking place in the area of interest and time. The state of cleanliness can then be reported to interested parties as textual reports and/or augmented reality overlays on still images/video.