Display Case Door with Interior Camera for Inventory Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring customer access and inventory levels in refrigerated enclosures is challenging, leading to improper stocking and inventory management issues.
Innovation Solution
A display case door equipped with a camera and sensor that captures images of the interior when the door is open, allowing for real-time monitoring and inventory management through object recognition algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time monitoring of customer access and inventory is implemented, then inventory management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and sensor are integrated into the display case door assembly, combining monitoring functions with the existing door structure. This merging approach enables real-time inventory monitoring while minimizing additional system complexity by utilizing the door as a unified platform for both access control and surveillance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display case door serves multiple functions: it provides structural access control, houses the camera for visual monitoring, incorporates sensors for detecting door state and customer presence, and acts as a mounting platform for the entire monitoring system. This multi-functionality improves inventory management efficiency without requiring separate dedicated monitoring infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If a camera is mounted on the display case door to capture interior images, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned at a specific location on the display case door optimized for capturing interior images, and the sensor is placed at the hinge location for optimal door state detection. This localized placement ensures high monitoring precision while keeping the overall door assembly design straightforward and manageable.
3Loss of information
If the sensor is configured to trigger camera capture when door is open, then information accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the camera captures images periodically only when the sensor detects that the door is opened. This event-triggered periodic action ensures accurate inventory information is captured at relevant moments while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
One broad aspect of the invention features a display case door. The display case door includes a transparent panel assembly, hinges, a camera, and a sensor. The hinges are coupled at a first peripheral edge of the transparent panel assembly. The camera is coupled to the transparent panel proximate to a second peripheral edge of the transparent panel assembly opposite the first peripheral edge. The camera is arranged to capture images of the interior of a display case with the display case door mounted to the display case. The sensor is coupled to the transparent panel assembly, and is in electronic communication with the camera. The sensor is configured to generate a signal that indicates that the display case door is in an open position. The camera is configured to capture an image of the interior of the display case based on the signal generated by the sensor.