Artificial intelligent refrigerator and method of storing food thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack the ability to identify stored food and provide customized information, such as storage methods and accident histories, which can lead to inefficient food management and usage.
Innovation Solution
An artificial intelligence-powered refrigerator system that uses cameras to capture images of the storage chamber, processes them to identify new food items, and displays relevant information, including storage methods and accident histories, through a display unit, with the option to provide recipe suggestions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional refrigerators are used to store food, then food storage function is provided, but the ability to identify stored food and provide customized information is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of stored food, and uses image processing technology as a mediator to extract food information. This allows the refrigerator to obtain food identification information without directly complex internal sensing mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by using external intermediary tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual food tracking methods with optical imaging and AI-based image processing systems. The camera captures visual information and machine learning algorithms automatically identify food items, substituting complex mechanical tracking with lighter optical and computational systems.
2Measurement precision
If AI image processing is implemented to identify food, then food identification accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image processing immediately when the refrigerator door is opened or closed, capturing food storage events at predetermined moments. This preliminary action ensures food information is recorded at the right time without requiring continuous processing, balancing accuracy with time efficiency by processing only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic image capture triggered by door opening/closing events rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic action reduces overall processing time and computational load while maintaining accurate food identification, as the refrigerator only processes images when storage events are likely to occur.
3Reliability
If multiple cameras are installed in storage compartments to improve image coverage, then food detection capability is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera system multi-functional by using it not only for food identification but also for monitoring storage conditions, tracking door opening events, and providing visual records for various food management tasks. This universal usage justifies the added complexity by extracting multiple benefits from a single camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system automatically identifies food items and generates storage information without requiring manual input or intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously processing captured images and updating food inventory data, reducing the need for additional sensors or user interaction mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of storing food in an artificial intelligent refrigerator including obtaining an image of a storage chamber through a camera installed in the storage chamber of the refrigerator; transmitting the obtained image to a server; receiving a recognition result of food newly stored in the storage chamber through AI image processing in the server from the server; and displaying notifying information related to the food in a display unit of the refrigerator based on the received result.