Camera-Guided Fill Dispensing for Overflow-Free Refrigerator Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator dispensers lack a hands-free select-fill capability, often requiring users to manually control dispensing operations or relying on container size for fill level, leading to potential overflow issues.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system equipped with a camera that senses the user's finger position within the dispenser well to determine the desired fill level, using image processing to regulate the dispensing of ice or water based on container shape and size, preventing overflow by adjusting dispensing rates accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is employed to dispense both ice and water, then the device complexity is reduced, but additional control elements are required to enable users to select between ice and water dispensing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ice and water dispensing controls into a single membrane switch assembly with integrated selection functionality. The switch includes a first portion for water dispensing and a second portion for ice dispensing, allowing users to select between different product types without requiring separate actuators or multiple control panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator system is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating a multi-functional control interface. The membrane switch serves dual purposes: controlling water dispensing when activated in its first portion and controlling ice dispensing when activated in its second portion, making the actuator universal for both product types.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are mounted in the dispenser well to automatically sense container presence and size, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of automatic dispensing become critical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems with an optical imaging system. A camera mounted in the dispenser well captures images of the container and user's finger, and image processing algorithms analyze the visual data to detect container presence, determine container characteristics, and identify desired fill levels indicated by the user's finger position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indication system where the user's finger serves as a mediator to indicate the desired fill level. The camera captures both the container and the finger position, and image processing extracts the fill level information from the relative positions of these objects in the image, providing a reliable interface between user intent and dispensing control.
3Ease of operation
If the dispensing system relies on container size to determine fill level, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision of fill level control deteriorates leading to potential overflow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic fill level indication system where the user can actively indicate the desired fill level by positioning their finger at the appropriate height on the container. The system processes images in real-time to detect the finger position relative to the container and adjusts the dispensing operation accordingly, allowing flexible and precise fill level control adaptable to different container sizes and user preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual feedback through the camera system that captures the container and user's finger position. The image processing provides feedback by detecting the finger's position on the container and using this information to determine the desired fill level. This feedback loop allows the system to accurately control the dispensing operation to achieve the user-specified fill level without overflow.
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
Enables a hands-free, precise control over the fill level of ice or water, optimizing fill rates to prevent overflow and allowing users to select desired amounts without manual control issues.
Implementation Method 1
Image data from the camera is transmitted to a controller and processed for distortion correction, and edge based image segmentation and morphological operations are carried out to remove background noise
Data Source
AI summary
A select-fill dispensing system and method for a dispenser assembly utilizes a camera to sense a desired fill level based on the location of a user's finger with respect to a container. In use, a consumer places his or her finger along a container to indicate the desired fill level of the container. Image data from the camera is transmitted to a controller and processed for distortion correction, edge based image segmentation and morphological operations are carried out to remove background noise. The processed image data is utilized to detect the presence of the container, as well as the shape of the container, the position of the container opening, and the top and bottom points of the container. The controller provides a means for controlling the dispensing operation, including a fill rate, based on the desired fill level and the shape of the container.