Control system and control method of refrigeration environment in closed space based on computer vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional refrigeration environment control systems in closed spaces are inefficient, leading to energy wastage and food spoilage due to lack of real-time monitoring and personalized temperature and humidity regulation.

Innovation Solution

A control system and method based on computer vision that includes a data collector, information processor, artificial intelligence processor, and environment regulator to monitor and regulate the refrigeration environment in real-time, providing timely reminders and personalized food preservation conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional refrigeration systems maintain low temperature continuously, then food freshness is ensured, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood freshnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts temperature and humidity parameters based on real-time food state detection. The environment regulator modifies refrigeration conditions according to the actual needs of stored food, transitioning from static continuous low-temperature maintenance to dynamic adaptive control, thereby reducing energy consumption while ensuring food freshness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters (temperature, humidity) based on detected food conditions. When food is in good condition, less stringent refrigeration is applied; when spoilage signs are detected, the system intensifies refrigeration, thus optimizing energy usage while maintaining food quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If traditional systems use uniform refrigeration for all food, then simplicity is maintained, but food waste increases due to inability to provide personalized preservation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidfood waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides differentiated refrigeration environments for different food items based on their specific preservation needs. The information processor analyzes food type, storage time, and condition to generate customized regulation instructions for the environment regulator, ensuring each food item receives appropriate preservation conditions rather than uniform treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of food state and predicts potential spoilage before it occurs. By identifying early signs of deterioration through image processing and sensor data, the system can take preventive action by adjusting environmental parameters or alerting users, thereby preventing food waste before it happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual food monitoring is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but monitoring accuracy and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidmonitoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and subjective judgment with automated computer vision technology. The data collector captures images and sensor data, the information processor analyzes food appearance and conditions objectively, and the artificial intelligence processor makes determination about food state, eliminating human error and subjectivity while providing timely, accurate monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If camera alone is used to capture food information, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy and robustness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidfood state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple detection modalities: visual information from the camera, environmental data from temperature and humidity sensors, and chemical information from gas sensors. The information processor integrates these diverse data sources to comprehensively assess food condition, overcoming the limitations of single-modality detection and significantly improving accuracy and robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12331988B2Control system and control method of refrigeration environment in closed space based on computer vision

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 TIANJIN CHENGJIAN UNIV

AI summary

A control system and a control method of refrigeration in a closed space based on computer vision are provided. An image of a food, temperature and humidity information in the closed space are collected, and a type of the food is identified according to the image. The image is processed through Euler video amplification when food is not packaged to obtain surface color distribution information of the food, a state of the food is determined according to the surface color distribution information and a historical learning result, and a state prompt corresponding to the state of the food is provided to a user. Temperature and humidity in the closed space are regulated according to the state of the food. The state of the food is determined according to storage time and a known quality guarantee period when the food is packaged, and another state prompt is provided to the user.