Connected Consumables Preparation Area for Automated Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in tracking and managing consumable items, leading to unnecessary purchases and waste due to forgetfulness and expired perishables, as existing smart refrigerator systems require manual input and do not account for all household items.
Innovation Solution
A connected consumables preparation area equipped with barcode scanners, QR code scanners, RFID tag readers, and digital scales that automatically update an electronically stored inventory, integrating with a system for order placement and expiration date management, using self-learning algorithms to predict needs and suggest purchases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual entry of consumable information is required, then the smart refrigerator can maintain inventory, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the burden of manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting consumables through barcode scanners, QR code scanners, and RFID tag readers when items are placed on the preparation area. The digital scales automatically weigh items, eliminating the need for manual data entry while maintaining accurate inventory tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry with automated optical and electromagnetic detection systems. Barcode scanners use optical patterns, QR code scanners use optical recognition, RFID tag readers use electromagnetic fields, and digital scales use load cell measurement to automatically capture consumable information without human intervention.
2Reliability
If only refrigerator storage is monitored, then the smart refrigerator can track perishables, but the adaptability deteriorates as it misses other household consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The consumables preparation area serves multiple functions: it acts as a food preparation surface, an automated inventory checking station, and a weighing scale. By placing this multi-functional unit in the kitchen, the system monitors consumables across different storage locations (pantry, cupboard, refrigerator) rather than being limited to refrigerator-only tracking.
3Ease of operation
If automated scanning devices are added to the preparation area, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection technologies (barcode scanner, QR code scanner, RFID tag reader, digital scales) into a single integrated consumables preparation area. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate devices, while maintaining automated detection capabilities across all consumable types.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect there is provided a consumables preparation area comprising an electronically stored consumables inventory update initiator, said update initiator: comprising one or more of: a barcode scanner, a quick response (QR) code scanner, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader, a scanner configured for optical character recognition (OCR) and digital scales; and being configured for use within the dwelling or establishment in which said consumables are to be transformed for use. According to another aspect there is provided a method of updating an electronically stored consumables inventory using such a consumables preparation area.