Smart Cabinet Tray Sensing for Item Quantity and Expiry Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current kitchen commodity management systems fail to efficiently track the levels and expiry dates of items, leading to stock shortages and wastage due to manual monitoring, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A smart cabinet system with tagged containers equipped with RFID, NFC, or QR code tags, and sensors that communicate with a server to monitor item quantities and expiry dates, providing real-time information and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring of kitchen commodities is performed, then tracking of item levels and expiry dates can be achieved, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service tracking where the cabinet automatically monitors commodity levels and expiry dates using sensors and RFID tags. The weight sensors continuously measure item quantities, and the system automatically compares current weight against registered initial weight, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while ensuring accurate tracking of stock levels and expiry dates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated electronic system. Weight sensors, RFID tags, and a server-based tracking system substitute for human manual checking. The system uses electronic data collection and processing to monitor commodity levels and expiry dates, replacing the mechanical act of manual inspection with automated sensing and computation.
2Productivity
If automated sensor systems are implemented in cabinets, then real-time tracking of item quantities and expiry dates is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet tray assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support for containers, incorporates weight sensors for quantity monitoring, includes RFID readers for identification, and provides communication interfaces for data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive automated tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tray structure with sensing elements by integrating weight sensors into the cabinet tray assembly. The RFID tags on containers are combined with RFID readers in the tray, creating an integrated identification and monitoring system. This merging of functions into unified components simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high tracking efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Automates the tracking of kitchen commodities, reducing the likelihood of stock shortages and wastage by ensuring timely replenishment and consumption within expiry dates.
Implementation Method 1
The cabinet tray may include a second tag sensor and a weighing sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor tray may include a first tag sensor... receive a first identification data signal corresponding to the tagged container from the first tag sensor
Implementation Method 3
tagged containers equipped with RFID, NFC, or QR code tags, and sensors that communicate with a server
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to smart cabinet system and method for smart cabinet. The smart cabinet system includes tagged container including predefined initial weight of item, and tray assembly. The tray assembly further includes sensor tray including first tag sensor, and cabinet tray including second tag sensor and weighing sensor. The smart cabinet system further includes server configured to receive first identification data signal corresponding to the tagged container from the first tag sensor; store registration details of the tagged container to obtain registered container; receive second identification data signal from the second tag sensor and current weight data signal from the weighing sensor, corresponding to the registered container; determine current quantity of the item within the registered container based on comparison between the predefined initial weight of the item and the current weight data signal; and determine time remaining from the expiration date of the item.