Don't laugh, this is the temperature control plan for Japanese vaccines

Bian Ce Yu Yang Jin Lei sent from Aofei Temple
Quantum Bit Report | Public Account QbitAI

Japanese vaccines are trending again. This time it is related to AI.

Here’s the thing. In order to prevent errors in vaccine storage (Pfizer vaccine requires storage at -80°C) , Saitama Prefecture, Japan has now introduced a new freezer detection system:

△ Camera monitoring refrigerator readings (Photo from NHK)

Use a camera to stare at the refrigerator's readings, and then use computer software to identify them.

When the temperature exceeds the set range, an email alert will be sent to the management staff.

△ Computer identification of storage temperature (Photo from NHK)

The staff are happy now that they don't have to keep an eye on it every day, but the operation of the camera reading numbers was posted online, and the joyful atmosphere is not so simple.

As a result, netizens on social platforms such as Weibo and Twitter are about to quarrel with each other.

△ Screenshot from Weibo @英式没品笑话百科

Some people laughed like crazy for a while:

Some people scoffed: This is the spirit of craftsmanship!

But some netizens also expressed the helplessness of this group of Japanese friends: this is also forced by reality.

This is where things get interesting.

Therefore, in the spirit of scientific (jiu) exploration (wan) (er), we decided to study it carefully: Is this operation of the Japanese staff "just like this" or is it reliable?

Stupid or clever?

As the saying goes, there are many experts among the people. Let’s first take a look at the comment section to see what little tricks netizens have.

Someone asked: Wouldn’t it be nice to directly receive the signal from the temperature data of the refrigerator?

Even if the equipment is too old and has no data output interface, wouldn’t it be more convenient to place a thermocouple in the refrigerator and then connect the thermocouple to the monitoring system?

If it really doesn't work, why not just replace the refrigerator with one with temperature monitoring? Doesn't the vaccine need a new refrigerator?

So, is it really that simple?

In fact, many netizens pointed out two key words - cost .

After all, to be honest, modifying the system is not just about installing a sensor.

Let's briefly summarize the opinions of netizens:

First, the refrigerator equipment may be too old. If the equipment itself does not provide a data interface, it is not convenient to obtain data, and even destructive modifications may be required to the equipment.

In addition, inserting the thermocouple into the refrigerator may damage the seal of the refrigerator opening, not to mention that the probe must operate with high precision at a temperature of -80°C.

Another point is that the refrigerator has a metal shell, so wireless data transmission is impossible.

Therefore, an external camera is undoubtedly the simplest and most effective way, a typical programmer's thinking.

1. The camera has a low coupling degree with the original system, so it can be used not only on this refrigerator, but also on other solutions.

2. The OCR recognition program for seven-segment digital tubes is already quite mature, and a programmer may only need one hour to complete the entire system transformation.

Many Japanese netizens agreed with this view:

This method is very clever, as it does not require modification of the refrigerator itself and will not destroy the original stability of the system.

However, some Japanese netizens have a hunch that a new scapegoat has been born. If something goes wrong in the future, the cause may be:

(1) The camera is broken; (2) The thermometer is broken; (3) The thermometer sensor is broken; (4) The monitoring system is broken.

Don’t ask, the answer is the Fukushima experience.

It's actually quite common

Ahem…

Let's follow this line of thought and search on GitHub. There are indeed many existing projects using OpenCV for seven-segment digital tube OCR recognition. Among them, a digital tube OCR project from 7 years ago can already achieve very high accuracy.

In addition, domestic AI commercial platforms also provide paid OCR recognition services, and the recognition situation is much more complicated than just reading the temperature of a refrigerator.

Where do you think such a mature solution is used?

In fact, in China, similar methods are also used to replace manual operations in the reading of substation meter readings. For example, inspection robots are already equipped with the ability to read readings.

Of course, the recognition complexity in this scenario is slightly higher, because it is not like the camera used to monitor vaccines in Japan, which is directly "inserted" in front of the counter, but is at a certain distance.

Due to the distance and natural environment, a series of problems will arise, such as difficulty in extracting light and background features.

But as computer vision technology becomes more advanced and camera costs become lower, this solution is increasingly being adopted in other areas.

Oh yeah, as our curiosity got the better of us, we also discovered…

The Japanese staff did not decide on the solution on a whim. The camera temperature reading system that caused this heated discussion is a mature, complete commercial system that is currently on sale.

The company is called Pacific Systems, and the official introduction is as follows:

Automate your daily monitoring tasks with IoT and reduce your workload!

The advantages of installing his products are also highlighted:

• Significantly cut working hours and reduce the workload of patrolling and recording data.

• Whether it is day or night, or even holidays, you can "work" non-stop.

• It can work normally and obtain data without Internet access.
  

And the installation is also very simple. You only need to connect the camera or other equipment, and there is no need to make any changes to the original machine.

Various sensor data are also supported, such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide sensors.

According to Japanese netizens, the price of such a set of equipment starts from 198,000 yen, which is about 10,000 yuan.

Okay, the whole story has been transmitted.

Now, do you think this approach by Saitama Prefecture, Japan, is stupid or smart?

Reference links:
[1] https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210610/k10013078621000.html
[2] https://weibo.com/2123664205/Kkaymt6V2
[3] https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000046.000061548.html