Vision-Guided Appliance Control Using Visual Indicia Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances lack intuitive and enhanced interactivity methods beyond traditional manual inputs, limiting user convenience and efficiency in controlling operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a camera or imaging device coupled to appliances to recognize visual indicia on household objects, associating these with instructions or actions for automated control, using visual recognition techniques and databases for matching and executing appropriate operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual input methods (keypads, dials, levers) are used, then the appliance structure remains simple, but user interaction lacks intuitiveness and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input systems (keypads, dials, levers) with a vision-based optical system. A camera captures images of visual indicia on objects, and image processing algorithms automatically interpret the visual information to control appliance operations, eliminating the need for manual mechanical input while enhancing user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual indicia as an intermediary between the user and the appliance control system. Instead of direct manual input, users place objects with visual codes in the camera's field of view, and the system automatically processes these visual indicators to execute appropriate operations, creating an intuitive indirect control mechanism
2Extent of automation
If visual recognition systems are implemented, then user interaction and automation are enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to cameras and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the appliance to automatically perform control operations without user intervention after the initial visual input. The system autonomously processes images, recognizes visual indicia, retrieves corresponding operation parameters from stored data, and executes the appropriate functions, making the appliance self-sufficient in its control operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-stores operation parameters and visual indicia associations in the appliance's memory during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly match recognized visual codes with pre-configured operation parameters during actual use, reducing real-time processing complexity and enabling rapid automated response
3Productivity
If visual indicia recognition is used, then operation speed and efficiency are improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the recognition problem from interpreting complex visual patterns to matching simple parameter comparisons. By converting visual indicia into standardized digital parameters and comparing them against pre-stored reference parameters in memory, the system achieves rapid and accurate recognition through parameter matching rather than complex image analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is generally related to the systems and methods through which household appliances can provide intuitive and enhanced interactivity through visual inputs. In particular, the disclosure presents methods relating to control of a household appliance, such as a microwave or a refrigerator, via recognition of visual indicia, such as graphics, text, and the like, using a visual sensor such as a camera.