WO2021149068A1

WO2021149068A1 - Process and system for detecting cracks on back panel of an electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2021149068A1
Application number: PCT/IN2020/050236
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satish Suggala; Anson Bastos; Abhishek Nadgeri
Original assignee: Service Lee Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2020-03-16
Publication date: 2021-07-29
Also published as: EP4094222A1; EP4094222A4

Abstract

The present invention provides a process and system comprising one or more electronic devices, servers, processors, processing and/or memory units for determination of cracks on the back panel of electronic devices, such as mobile/cell phones. The process and system of the present invention provides an objective approach to determination of cracks on the back panel for determination of residual value of such devices for the purpose of insurance and/or resale.

Description

PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING CRACKS ON BACK PANEL OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to determination of condition of an electronic device, more particularly identification of one or more cracks on the back-panel screen of an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following description is intended to provide background information pertaining to the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is to be used only to prepare the mind of a reader with respect to the general art, and not as admission of prior art.

Mobile electronic devices, such as smart watches, tablets, communication devices such as cell/mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives, where the society is ever more reliant on such devices for carrying out basic personal and commercial activities such as communication, financial transactions, etc. Such devices have also become a form of personal expression, as a result of which, a wide variety of devices are available at various price points. There is also a market for resale of such devices, and given the price point and aftermarket value, insurance of such devices.

Currently, valuation for the purpose of insurance or resale is typically restricted to point of sale and evaluation of a device is primarily based on subjective human testing. Residual value determination and/or determination of physical status of a device post sale lacks objectivity in that there is no uniform/standard methodology of arriving at determination of device status for residual value determination. This can lead to inaccuracy and high degree of variability in determination of both physical status of device, and residual value. Lak of standardization can also lead to higher chances of fraud.

More recently, there have been multiple advances in the "back panel" of electronic devices, particularly mobile/cell phones, whereby the back panel incorporates decorative as well as functional features. The features can include glass body, aluminum body, brushed metal, etc. As a result of such innovation, not only the back panel has become "expensive", but is also more susceptible to damage, and thus the back panel condition also plays a detrimental factor in valuation of such a device. Therefore, there is a need to provide quantifiable and repeatable methodology for determination of the physical status of the device and also residual value of electronic devices, particularly mobile/cell phones, and more particularly, of the back panel of such devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for detection of cracks on the back panel [105a, 105b] of a first electronic device [101a], said process comprising the steps: (a) initiating a request on an application on the first electronic device or a second electronic device [102], wherein the first and second electronic device are linked; (b) displaying at least one unique identifier on the screen of the first electronic device or the second electronic device for authentication of the first electronic device; (c) detecting and adjusting the back panel visibility of the first electronic device; (d) capturing at least one image of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or the second electronic device; or capturing at least 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or second electronic device; (e) executing first or second electronic device side processing of the captured at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video to obtain at least one processed image, wherein processing comprises scanning at the pixel level; (f) communicating the at least one processed image to a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless network; and (g) communicating to the first or second electronic device the presence or absence of cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device by the remote server.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system [100] comprising one or more electronic devices, one or more remote servers, and any of one or more processors, one or more memory units, and one or more processing units configured to execute a process for detection of cracks on the back panel of a first electronic device, said process comprising the steps: (a) initiating a request on an application on the first electronic device or a second electronic device, wherein the first and second electronic device are linked; (b) displaying at least one unique identifier on the screen of the first electronic device or the second electronic device for authentication of the first electronic device; (c) detecting and adjusting the back panel visibility of the first electronic device; (d) capturing at least one image of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or the second electronic device; or capturing at least 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or second electronic device; (e) executing first or second electronic device side processing of the captured at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video to obtain at least one processed image, wherein processing comprises scanning at the pixel level; (f) communicating the at least one processed image to a remote server via a wired or a wireless network; and (g) communicating to the first or second electronic device the presence or absence of cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device by the remote server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

Although exemplary connections between sub-components have been shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that other connections may also be possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. All sub components within a component may be connected to each other, unless otherwise indicated. Fig. la illustrates an overview of an exemplary architecture of a system [100] for cracked back- panel detection, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. lb illustrates an exemplary view of the front panel of an electronic device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the front panel of an electronic device with the screen divided into 4 quadrants, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention Fig. Ba-b illustrate exemplary methods for detection of cracks on the back panel of an electronic device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary depiction of cracks on the back panel of an electronic device, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features.

Those skilled in the art will be aware that the invention described herein is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described herein. It is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all such steps, features, and methods referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

As used herein, "connect", "configure", "couple" and its cognate terms, such as "connects", "connected", "configured", "linked" and "coupled" may include a physical connection (such as a wired/wireless connection), a logical connection (such as through logical gates of semiconducting device), other suitable connections, or a combination of such connections, as may be obvious to a skilled person.

As used herein, "send", "transfer", "transmit", and their cognate terms like "sending", "sent", "transferring", "transmitting", "transferred", "transmitted", "communicating", "communicated" etc. include sending or transporting data or information from one unit or component to another unit or component, wherein the data or information may or may not be modified before or after sending, transferring, transmitting.

As used herein, the electronic device [101a, 101b, 102] refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and computing device. The electronic device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smartphone, a laptop, a screen, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant and any such device obvious to a person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device is a communication device such as a mobile/cell phone. Although only a limited number of electronic devices are shown with reference to Fig. 1, however, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the structure shown is merely illustrative and does not limit the number of the electronic devices in the system [100] Similarly, although only one server [109] has been shown in Fig.l, multiple server components and multiple servers are encompassed by the present disclosure.

As used herein, an "application" refers to an application program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user of the application installed on an first electronic device [101a, 101b] or a second electronic device [102], including any application that uses at least one of the IP communication protocol and the non-IP communication protocol for transmission.

As used herein, a "server" [109] includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A server may include a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The server may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure.

As used herein, a "processor" (not shown in Fig. 1) or "processing unit" includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.

A memory (not shown in Fig. 1) is configured to store software programs and modules. The memory is further configured to allow the processor to execute various functional disclosures and data processing by running software programs and modules stored in the memory. The memory may include, but is not limited to, a volatile memory, non-volatile memory, a remote storage, a cloud storage, high-speed random-access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, memory may further include memory remotely configured relative to processor which may be connected to the first electronic device and/or the second electronic device and the processor via a network. Embodiments of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof. The present invention provides a process for detection of cracks on the back panel [105a, 105b] of a first electronic device [101a, 101b], said process comprising the steps: (a) initiating a request on an application on the first electronic device; (b) displaying at least one unique identifier [111] on the screen [110] of the first electronic device for authentication of the first electronic device; (c) detecting and adjusting the back panel visibility [105a] of the first electronic device; (d) capturing at least one image of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first electronic device; or capturing at least 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first electronic device; (e) executing first electronic device side processing of the captured at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video to obtain at least one processed image, wherein processing comprises scanning at the pixel level; (f) communicating the at least one processed image to a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless network; and (g) communicating to the first electronic device the presence or absence of cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device by the remote server.

In an embodiment, the process further comprises the step of activating at least one flash [104a] of the first electronic device in a unique sequence for authentication of the first electronic device prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. This step is carried out after step b of the process for detection of cracks on the back panel of a first electronic device. The unique sequence is generated by the application on the first electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the first electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network. The unique sequence of flash activation is captured by the camera [103a] of the first device as reflected off a reflective surface, such as a mirror. In another embodiment, the unique sequence of flash activation is electronically captured by the application of the first electronic device.

In a preferred embodiment, the first electronic device is in landscape orientation prior to capturing of at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. In an embodiment, the application can detect the orientation of the electronic device prior to initiation of the process or at any step of the process and prompt the user to orient the device in landscape mode. Detection of orientation may be determined by inputs from one or more accelerometer(s) present in the device.

In an embodiment, the said at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is captured by at least one camera of the first electronic device off a reflective surface. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface can be a mirror.

In an embodiment, step d of the process further includes the concurrent step of panning the first electronic device along its vertical axis. This helps in capturing at least one image or at least one frame in the at least 0.1 seconds of video recording wherein the crack (if present) is optimally contrasted and is detectable relative to the background back panel.

In an embodiment, the back panel visibility of the first electronic device is detected by at least one camera on the first electronic device, and the visibility is adjusted in real-time by electronically enhancing the contrast and/or brightness of the image/video or by activating the at least one flash [104a] of the first electronic device. In an embodiment, the enhancement of image or activation of at least one flash of the first electronic device can be automated via the application on the first application device. In an alternate embodiment, the enhancement of image or activation of at least one flash of the first electronic device can be manually done by the user/operator.

In an embodiment, the at least one unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of QR code, bar code, and combinations thereof, preferably QR code. The said at least one unique identifier is generated by the application on the first electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the first electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network. The unique identifier, preferably QR code, is a single QR code positioned in any of quadrant 1 to 4 of the screen of the first electronic device, wherein quadrant 1 and 3 are diagonally opposite to each other (Fig. 2). It is to be understood that positioning of a single QR code in any of quadrant 1-4 can be randomly generated by the application or by a remote server and communicated to the application; or pre-determined by the application; or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server. In the event 2 or more unique QR codes are displayed, the two or more QR codes may be positioned in 1 or more quadrants 1- 4 of the screen of the first electronic device, position of which may be randomly generated by the application or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server or pre-determined by the application or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server. The one or more unique identifiers occupy at least 0.01% of the whole screen area.

In an embodiment, prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording, the application on the first electronic device projects the live image of the back panel on the screen of the first electronic device and superimposes the same on a virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen to optimize first device position relative to the reflective surface.

In an embodiment, at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording of the back panel is taken only after at least 2 edges of the of back panel live image intersects with the corresponding at least 2 edges of the virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen of the first electronic device. This allows for proper positioning of the device from the reflective surface and maintain proper ratio of image and/or video. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording of the back panel is taken only after at least 2 edges of the of back panel live image is at a pre-determined distance from the corresponding at least 2 edges of the virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen of the first electronic device.

In an embodiment, 1 image is captured. In another embodiment, 2-5 images are captured. In another embodiment, 2-10 images are captured. In yet another embodiment, 2-20 images are captured. In still another embodiment, 2-50 images are captured. In an embodiment, at least 0.1 seconds video recording capture comprises 1 frame. In an embodiment, the at least 0.1 seconds video recording capture comprises 2-5 frames. In another embodiment, the at least 0.1 seconds video recording capture comprises 2-10 frames. In yet another embodiment, the at least 0.1 seconds video recording capture comprises 2-20 frames. In still another embodiment, the at least 0.1 seconds video recording capture comprises 2-50 frames.

In an embodiment, first electronic device side processing to obtain at least one processed image comprises one or more of: (a) identification of back panel edges in at least one image; or identification of back panel edges in at least one frame of the at least 0.1 second video recording; (b) identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one image; or identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one frame of the at least 0.1 seconds video recording. In the event back panel edges are not identified in at least one image of in at least one frame of at least 0.1 seconds of video recording, no processed image is obtained. In the event fingers obstructing at least one image or at least one frame of at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is detected, no processed image is obtained. The determination of obstruction or detection of edges is done by device side processing. In an alternate embodiment, determination of obstruction or detection of edges is done by a remote server linked to the first electronic device via a wired or wireless network. If no processed image is obtained, the process further comprises the step of re capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. In an embodiment, if a pre-determined minimum number of processed images cannot be obtained, at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is re-captured. In a non-limiting embodiment, at least 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, or 15-20 processed images are obtained.

In an embodiment, analysis of at least one processed image at remote server side further comprises authenticating the first electronic device information based on a pre-determined method of authentication. The device authentication is based on the at least 1 unique identifier. In another embodiment, the device authentication is based on the unique sequence of flash activation of the first electronic device. In yet another embodiment, device authentication is based on both at least 1 unique identifier and unique sequence of flash activation of the first electronic device.

In an embodiment, information regarding presence of absence of at least one crack on the back panel of the first electronic device is communicated through the application. In another embodiment, the information is communicated via e-mail. In yet another embodiment, the information may be transmitted by visually/pictorially highlighting the crack on the captured image or frame of the back panel of the first electronic device.

The present invention provides a process for detection of cracks on the back panel [105b] of a first electronic device [101b], said process comprising the steps: (a) initiating a request on an application on a second electronic device [102], wherein first and second electronic device are linked; (b) displaying at least one unique identifier on the screen of the second electronic device for authentication of the first electronic device; (c) detecting and adjusting the back panel visibility of the first electronic device; (d) capturing at least one image of the back panel of the first electronic device by the second electronic device; or capturing at least 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device by the second electronic device; (e) executing second electronic device side processing of the captured at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video to obtain at least one processed image, wherein processing comprises scanning at the pixel level; (f) communicating the at least one processed image to a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless network; and (g) communicating to the second electronic device the presence or absence of cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device by the remote server.

In an embodiment, the process further comprises the step of activating at least one flash [104b] of the first electronic device in a unique sequence for authentication of the first electronic device prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. This step is carried out after step b of the process for detection of cracks on the back panel of a first electronic device. The unique sequence is generated by the application on the second electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the first electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network. The unique sequence of flash activation of the first electronic device is captured by at least one e camera [106] of the second electronic device. In another embodiment, the unique sequence of flash activation is electronically captured by the application of the second electronic device.

In an embodiment, the first and second electronic device are in landscape orientation prior to capturing of at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. In an embodiment, the application can detect the orientation of each of the electronic device(s) prior to initiation of the process or at any step of the process and prompt the user to orient the device(s) in landscape mode. Detection of orientation may be determined by inputs from one or more accelerometer(s) present in each of the device(s).

In an embodiment, the said at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is captured by at least one camera of the second electronic device.

In an embodiment, the back panel visibility of the first electronic device is detected by at least one camera on the second electronic device, and the visibility is adjusted in real-time by electronically enhancing the contrast and/or brightness of the image/video or by activating the at least one flash [107] of the second electronic device. In an embodiment, the enhancement of image or activation of at least one flash of the second electronic device can be automated via the application on the second application device. In an alternate embodiment, the enhancement of image of activation of at least one flash of the second electronic device can be manually done by the user/operator.

In an embodiment, the at least one unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of QR code, bar code, and combinations thereof, preferably QR code. The said at least one unique identifier is generated by the application on the second electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the second electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network. The unique identifier, preferably QR code, is a single QR code positioned in any of quadrant 1 to 4 of the screen of the first electronic device, wherein quadrant 1 and 3 are diagonally opposite to each other. It is to be understood that positioning of a single QR code in any of quadrant 1-4 is randomly generated by the application or a remote server and communicated to the application or pre-determined by the application or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server. In the event 2 or more unique QR codes are displayed, the two or more QR codes may be positioned in 1 or more quadrants 1-4 of the screen of the first electronic device, position of which may be randomly generated by the application or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server or pre determined by the application or based on instructions received by the application from a remote server. The one or more unique identifiers occupy at least 0.01% of the whole screen area.

In an embodiment, prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording, the application on the second electronic device projects the live image of the back panel on the screen of the second electronic device and superimposes the same on a virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen to optimize first device position relative to the second electronic device.

In an embodiment, at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording of the back panel is taken only after at least 2 edges of the of back panel live image intersects with the corresponding at least 2 edges of the virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen of the second electronic device. This allows for proper positioning of the first device from the second electronic device and maintain proper ratio of image and/or video. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording of the back panel is taken only after at least 2 edges of the of back panel live image is at a pre-determined distance from the corresponding at least 2 edges of the virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen of the second electronic device.

In an embodiment, second electronic device side processing to obtain at least one processed image comprises one or more of: (a) identification of back panel edges in at least one image; or identification of back panel edges in at least one frame of the at least 0.1 second video recording; (b) identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one image; or identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one frame of the at least 0.1 seconds video recording. In the event back panel edges are not identified in at least one image of in at least one frame of at least 0.1 seconds of video recording, no processed image is obtained. In the event fingers obstructing at least one image or at least one frame of at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is detected, no processed image is obtained. The determination of obstruction or detection of edges is done by device side processing. In an alternate embodiment, determination of obstruction or detection of edges is done by a remote server linked to the second electronic device via a wired or wireless network. If no processed image is obtained, the process further comprises the step of re-capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording. In an embodiment, if a pre-determined minimum number of processed images cannot be obtained, at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is re-captured. In a non-limiting embodiment, at least 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, or 15-20 processed images are obtained.

In an embodiment, information regarding presence of absence of at least one crack on the back panel of the first electronic device is communicated through the application. In another embodiment, the transmitted by visually/pictorially highlighting the crack on the captured image or frame of the back panel of the first electronic device.

In the process as substantially described herein in various embodiments, the steps and/or sub steps are implemented by at least one processor and/or other hardware components uniquely configured to implement the process as substantially described herein in this specification.

The present invention also provides a system [100] for detection of cracks in the back panel of a first electronic device, said system comprising a first electronic device [101a] or a first [101b] and second [102] electronic device; one or more remote servers [109], and any one or more of processors (not shown), memory units (not shown), and processing units (not shown) configured to execute a process as described substantially in this specification.

In an embodiment, the said system comprises at least a first processing unit configured in the first or second electronic device to initiate a request on an application in the first or second electronic device, wherein the first and second electronic device are linked to communicate with each other via wired or wireless means. The system comprises at least a second processing unit in the first or second electronic device connected to the screen of the first or second electronic device configured to display at least one unique identifier on the screen of the first or second electronic device. The system comprises at least a third processing unit connected to at least one flash unit of the first electronic device configured to initiate a flashing pattern. The system comprises at least a fourth processing unit connected to at least one camera of the first or second electronic device configured to detect and adjust back panel visibility. The system comprises at least a fifth processing unit connected to at least one camera of the first or second electronic device configured to capture at least one image or at last 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device. The system comprises at least a sixth processing unit in first or second electronic device configured to process at least one captured image or at least 1 frame of at least 0.1 seconds of recorded video to obtain at least one processed image. The system comprises at least a seventh processing unit in the first or second electronic device configured to communicate with at least one remote server via wired or wireless network.

In an embodiment, said at least one of first to eighth processing unit(s) can comprise one or more processors and/or one or more memory units. In an embodiment, said processing units and/or one or more processors and/or one or more memory units can be configured in any combination to implement the process for detection of cracks on the back panel of an electronic device. In an embodiment, the devices, servers, processors, processing units, and memory units can be individually or collectively configured to communicate with each other through a wired or a wireless network. In an embodiment, any two or more processing units may essentially be the same. In an embodiment, any two or more processors may essentially be the same. In an embodiment, any two or more memory units may essentially be the same.

The process and system as described substantially in the present description is useful in detecting one or more cracks in the back panel of an electronic device. The process and system of the present invention provides for a quantifiable and repeatable process for identification of cracks on the back panel of an electronic device. Such identification may be useful in imputing a value to the device based in-part of the back-panel condition. Such valuation may be useful for determining residual value/insurance value/resale value of the device. The process and system of the present invention is also useful in eliminating variations in manual evaluation and consequently chances of fraud in value determination.

In an exemplary illustration, as seen in Fig. la, there is provided a system [100] comprising a first electronic device [101a] comprising at least one camera [103a] and at least one flash unit [104a] located on the back panel [105a] of the said device, wherein the first electronic device is capable of communicating with a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless communication network. The first electronic device comprises at least one processing unit (not shown), which further may comprise one or more processors and/or one or more memory units (not shown). The system is capable of implementing a process of identifying cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device as described in various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. lb depicts the front side of the said first electronic device, comprising a screen [110] capable of displaying at least one QR code [111] The front side of the device may optionally comprise at least one camera and flash (not shown).

In another exemplary illustration, also as seen in Fig. la, there is provided a system comprising a first [101b] and second [102] electronic device, each comprising at least one camera [103b, 106] and at least one flash unit [104b, 107] located on the back panel [105b, 108], wherein the first and second electronic device are linked with each other via a wired or wireless communication network. The first and second electronic device comprises at least one processing unit, which further may comprise one or more processors and/or one or more memory units (not shown). The second electronic device is capable of communicating with a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless communication network. The system is capable of implementing a process of identifying cracks in the back panel of the first electronic device as described in various embodiments of the present invention.

In an exemplary illustration, as seen in Fig. 2, there is provided a first or second electronic device [200] comprising a screen [201], which can be divided into 4 quadrants capable of displaying at least one QR code [202] In an exemplary illustration, as seen in Fig. 3a, there is provided a first electronic device [300a] comprising a screen [301] on which, the image of the back panel [302] is displayed (as captured by at least one camera (located on the back panel) of the first electronic device off a reflective surface). The edges [303] of a virtual image of the back panel is also superimposed on the screen in order to optimize alignment and distance of the back panel of the device from the reflective surface. The device is also panned along with vertical axis in landscape mode while capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording whereby the plane of axis of the device is substantially parallel to the plane of the reflective surface.

In another exemplary illustration, as seen in Fig. 3b, there is provided a first [300b] and second [304] electronic device, whereby, the image of the back panel [302] of the first electronic device is displayed (as captured by at least one camera on the second electronic device). The edges [BOB] of a virtual image of the back panel of the first electronic device is also superimposed on the screen of the second electronic device in order to optimize alignment and distance of the back panel of the first electronic device from the second electronic device. The first device is also panned along with vertical axis in landscape mode while capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording whereby the plane of axis of the device is substantially parallel to the plane of the second electronic device. The first and second device both are preferably in landscape mode.

Fig.4 depicts an exemplary depiction of cracks [401] of the back panel [402] of an electronic device [400] It is to be understood that Fig.l through Fig. 4 highlights a sub-set of system features of the present invention implementing the process as described in this specification.

A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the intended scope of the invention can be appreciated by a combined understanding of each of the Figures and various embodiments related to the process and system described herein. It is understood to a person skilled in the art and in the context of the process for identification of at least one crack on the back panel of a first electronic device as described herein that the process steps/sequences are implemented by one or more processing units, where a processing unit may comprise one or more processors. The processing units (not shown) and/or processors (not shown) may be physically or functionally connected. It is also within the scope of the presently described process that one or more steps/sequences may be implemented by the same or different processing units and/or processors. Each processing unit and/or processors may also comprise memory unit(s) (not shown). It is also understood that the devices, camera, server are each hardware components comprise processing unit and/or processors as aforementioned, and may be interconnected in any combination(s) via known interfaces, such as, but not limited to wired links, wireless links, logical links and/or physical links.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the principles and scope of the present invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A process for detection of cracks on the back panel [105a, 105b] of a first electronic device [101a], said process comprising the steps: a. initiating a request on an application on the first electronic device [101a] or a second electronic device [102], wherein the first and second electronic device are linked; b. displaying at least one unique identifier on the screen of the first electronic device or the second electronic device for authentication of the first electronic device; c. detecting and adjusting the back-panel visibility of the first electronic device; d. capturing at least one image of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or the second electronic device; or capturing at least 0.1 seconds of a video recording of the back panel of the first electronic device by the first or second electronic device; e. executing first or second electronic device side processing of the captured at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video to obtain at least one processed image, wherein processing comprises scanning at the pixel level; f. communicating the at least one processed image to a remote server [109] via a wired or a wireless network; and g. communicating to the first or second electronic device the presence or absence of cracks on the back panel of the first electronic device by the remote server.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of activating at least one flash [104a] of the first electronic device in a unique sequence for authentication of the first electronic device prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording.

3. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said step is carried out after step b of claim 1.

4. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein said unique sequence is generated by the application on the first or second electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the first or second electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network.

5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is in landscape orientation prior to capturing of at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording.

6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording is captured by at least one camera of the first electronic device off a reflective surface; or by at least one camera [106] of the second electronic device.

7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step d further includes the concurrent step of panning the first electronic device along its vertical axis.

8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein back panel visibility of the first electronic device is detected by at least one camera on the first or second electronic device, and adjusted by enhancing the ambient light or by activating the at least one flash [104a, 107] of the first or second electronic device.

9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one unique identifier is selected from the group consisting of QR code, bar code, and combinations thereof, preferably QR code.

10. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one unique identifier is generated by the application on the first or second electronic device; or by a remote server and communicated to the first or second electronic device via the application through a wired or wireless network.

11. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein prior to capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 seconds of video recording, the application projects the live image of the back panel on the screen of the first or second electronic device and superimposes the same on a virtual back panel boundary projected on the screen to optimize first device position relative to the reflective surface or at least one camera of the second electronic device.

12. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein first or second electronic device side processing to obtain at least one processed image comprises one or more of: a. identification of back panel edges in at least one image; or identification of back panel edges in at least one frame of the at least 0.1 second video recording; b. identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one image; or identification of finger(s) obstructing at least one frame of the at least 0.1 seconds video recording.

13. The process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of re-capturing at least one image or at least 0.1 second of video recording if at least one or more processed image cannot be obtained.

14. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein analysis of at least one processed image at remote server side further comprises authenticating the first electronic device information based on a pre-determined method of authentication.

15. The process as claimed in claims 1-14, wherein any of said steps are implemented by at least one processor.

16. A system [100] comprising one or more electronic devices [101a, 101b, 102], one or more remote servers [109], and any of one or more processors, one or more memory units, and one or more processing units configured to execute the process as claimed in claims 1-14.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said at least one of one or more devices, servers, processors, memory units, and processor units are configured to communicate via a wired or wireless network.

18. The process as claimed in claims 1-15 or the system as claimed in claims 16-17 for use in identification of one or more cracks on the back panel of an electronic device.