Refrigerator Door Shelf Camera Layout for Interior-Only Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooling devices with visual detection means invade user privacy due to weak security in wireless network connections and require manual repositioning of tags when food items are moved within the device.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device design with a visual detection system positioned on the door's hinge side, limiting its field of view to the interior, combined with a control unit that automatically updates tags on an image display device as food items are relocated, eliminating the need for user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the visual detection means is positioned to capture the interior of the body, then the visual data of the interior can be obtained, but the privacy of the user is invaded by obtaining visual data related to the user and living environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual data of interiorVSAvoidprivacy invasion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The visual detection means is positioned on the first side wall (hinge side) of the door shelf, creating a localized field of view that is directed toward the interior of the body. This specific positioning ensures that only the interior space is captured while excluding the user and external environment from the detection range, thus resolving the privacy invasion issue while maintaining interior monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The door shelf structure acts as an intermediary element that houses the visual detection means on its first side wall. This intermediary positioning allows the detection means to capture interior visual data while the door shelf itself serves as a physical barrier that prevents direct line of sight to the user, thereby mediating between the need for interior monitoring and user privacy protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the visual detection means is positioned on the door to capture interior images, then the interior visual data can be obtained, but security threats arise due to weak wireless network connection measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual data transmissionVSAvoidsecurity measure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The visual detection means is extracted from the main door structure and positioned specifically on the first side wall of the door shelf, which is located at the hinge side. This extraction and repositioning creates a physically constrained field of view that is limited to the interior space, thereby reducing the security risks associated with widespread camera positioning while maintaining interior monitoring functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If tags are placed on images of foodstuffs on the image display device, then foodstuff information can be tracked, but manual repositioning of tags is required when foodstuffs are moved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoodstuff tracking informationVSAvoidtag repositioning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects when foodstuffs have been moved within the body and autonomously repositions the corresponding tags on the image display device to match the new foodstuff locations. This self-service functionality eliminates the need for manual tag repositioning by the user, thereby maintaining accurate foodstuff tracking information while significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the positions of foodstuffs through the visual detection means and provides feedback to the control unit. When a position change is detected, the control unit automatically updates the tag positions on the image display device accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that tag information remains synchronized with actual foodstuff locations without requiring user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3622232B1A cooling device
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3622232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3622232B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2); at least one shelf (3) arranged on the lateral walls of the body (2) for placing the foodstuffs to be cooled thereon; a door (4) that prevents user access to the interior of the body (2) in the closed position and enables the user to access to the interior of the body (2) in the open position, and a door shelf (8) that is arranged on the inner wall of the door (4) and that has a base (5), a first side wall (6) extending perpendicular to the base (5) at the side of the door (4) wherein the door (4) is hinged to the body (2) and a second side wall (7) that is arranged on the other end of the base (5) oppositely to the first side wall (6), wherein the base, the first side wall (5) and the second sidewall (7) define a storage space for placing the foodstuffs.