Refrigerator Dispenser Imaging for Hand Detection Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice and liquid dispensers in refrigerators lack a versatile safety system capable of distinguishing between human hands and other objects, failing to provide adequate warnings or automatic shutdown during dispensing operations.
Innovation Solution
A digital image capture device captures images of objects entering the dispensing area and analyzes them for human skin color, triggering audible or visual notifications and disabling the dispensing system if a hand is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a proximity detection circuit with a sensing plate is used to detect objects in the ice chute, then the system can detect the presence of an object, but it cannot distinguish between a human hand and other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple proximity detection circuit with a digital imaging system that uses optical fields (camera) and digital processing to identify objects. The imaging system captures visual information and analyzes it to distinguish human hands from other objects, substituting the mechanical/electrical sensing approach with an optical-digital hybrid approach that provides superior identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital image analyzing system as an intermediary between the detection device and the control system. This intermediary processes the raw image data, identifies skin color patterns, and determines whether a human hand is present, thereby enabling the system to distinguish between different types of objects in the dispensing area.
2Ease of operation
If manual button pushing or lever movement is required to dispense ice, then the dispenser can be actuated, but no automatic safety monitoring or warning system is activated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the digital imaging system continuously monitors the dispensing area and provides real-time information to the controller. When a human hand is detected, the system provides visual or audible warnings and can automatically stop the dispensing operation, creating a closed-loop safety monitoring system that responds to conditions in the dispensing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-protection by automatically detecting the presence of hands in the dispensing area and taking appropriate actions (warnings, shutdown) without requiring external intervention. The imaging system and controller work together to autonomously ensure safety during dispensing operations.
3Productivity
If the dispenser operates continuously until manually stopped or timer activation, then dispensing efficiency is maintained, but safety risks increase when hands are present in the dispensing area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the presence of a human hand before harmful effects can occur. The system proactively identifies potential safety risks and takes preventive measures (warnings, automatic shutdown) before the continuous operation can cause injury, thereby counteracting the harmful effects of unmonitored continuous dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic safety monitoring that adapts the dispensing operation based on real-time conditions. The system can transition between different operational states (normal dispensing, warning state, shutdown state) depending on whether a hand is detected in the dispensing area, making the safety response flexible and situation-dependent rather than static.
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
The system effectively alerts users and prevents dispensing operations when a human hand is inserted, enhancing safety by distinguishing between human presence and other objects.
Implementation Method 1
a digital image capture device which is focused upon a well of the dispensing station. The digital image capture device captures digital images of objects that enter an upper region of the dispensing well.
Implementation Method 2
The digital images are sent to a digital image analyzing system that analyzes the image to determine if human skin color is present in the image.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety system for an ice and liquid dispenser of a refrigerator is used to sense the presence of human skin in a dispensing well. The safety system includes a digital image capture device focused on a dispenser well for capturing images of objects, such as hands, in the dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device. The digital image analyzer evaluates the digital images captured by the digital image capture device to determine if human skin color is detected in the image of the object in the dispensing well. If human skin color is detected, thus indicating a hand in the dispensing area, any dispensing operation will be prevented and an alert will be provided.