Water Purifier Automatic Output Control via Container Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purifiers require manual user selection of water output type, which is time-consuming and reduces efficiency, as they do not automatically adjust water quality based on the container or its content.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a water purifier that determines whether a container is placed and if it contains items, using recognition information to identify the container or content category, and adjusts the water output type and route accordingly, automating the water purification process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual selection of water output type is implemented, then user control over water quality is improved, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The water purifier automatically detects the container type and content through recognition modules, then autonomously selects the appropriate water output type without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions based on detected information, eliminating the time-consuming manual selection process while maintaining user control through automated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical selection process (user pressing buttons or switches) is replaced with an automated recognition and control system. Optical sensors, image processing, and control algorithms substitute for manual operation, enabling the system to automatically identify containers and select water output types, thereby reducing time consumption while preserving user control preferences.
2Productivity
If automated container recognition is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated recognition system is divided into distinct functional modules: container detection module, content recognition module, information processing module, and control execution module. Each module performs a specific function, making the complex system manageable and maintainable. The segmentation allows the system to achieve high operational efficiency through specialized sub-systems while keeping overall complexity controlled through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The recognition system is designed to handle multiple container types, sizes, and contents using a single unified detection and processing framework. The universal recognition module can identify various container categories (cups, bottles, pots) and their contents, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each container type. This multi-functionality improves operational efficiency across diverse scenarios while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling water output of a water purifier is provided. The method includes: determining whether a container is placed in a water collecting region of the water purifier; determining whether there is a content in the container when the container is placed in the water collecting region; acquiring recognition information of the container when there is no content in the container, and determining category information of the container based on the recognition information; determining water output type information corresponding to the container as reference water output type information based on the category information of the container; acquiring content information of the container when there is content in the container, and determining category information of the content based on the content information; and determining water output type information corresponding to the content as reference water output type information based on the category information of the content.