Usage notification device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators without a communication function cannot transmit usage information to communication terminals, limiting the functionality of existing watch-over systems.
Innovation Solution
A usage notification device is attached to the exterior of a refrigerator, utilizing a range sensor and wireless communication to detect and transmit door open or closed states to communication terminals, enabling notifications about door states and user abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a communication function is integrated into the refrigerator, then usage information can be transmitted to communication terminals, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the existing refrigerator that generates usage information, and a separate attachment device that contains the communication function. This segmentation allows the refrigerator to remain simple while the attachment handles all communication tasks, resolving the contradiction between information transmission capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device acts as an intermediary between the refrigerator and the communication terminal. It receives usage information from the refrigerator via simple local communication (such as UART or I2C) and handles all complex wireless communication protocols, thereby preventing complexity from being introduced into the refrigerator itself while still achieving usage information transmission.
2Loss of information
If a communication function is integrated into the refrigerator, then notification about usage can be provided to watchers, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the communication function into an independent attachment device, the refrigerator can be manufactured using existing simple components, while the attachment device is manufactured separately with communication capabilities. This reduces the overall manufacturing cost compared to integrating communication functions directly into the refrigerator.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is designed to be universal and can be attached to different refrigerator models. It serves multiple functions including receiving usage information from various sources (refrigerator, camera, sensor), processing the information, and transmitting notifications to communication terminals, thereby providing cost-effective multi-functionality without requiring custom communication modules for each refrigerator.
3Device complexity
If the refrigerator is not provided with a communication function, then the device complexity is reduced, but the function of providing notification about usage to communication terminal cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the simple refrigerator and the communication terminal. It translates usage information from the refrigerator into notification formats suitable for communication terminals, thereby providing adaptability and versatility without modifying the refrigerator's simple architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is self-contained with all necessary communication capabilities and processing logic. It autonomously receives usage information from the refrigerator, processes the data according to predefined rules, and generates notifications without requiring any modification to the refrigerator's core functionality, thus maintaining simplicity while adding adaptability.
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
Enables refrigerators without communication functions to provide notifications about door states and user safety to communication terminals, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a range sensor that detects a distance to an object within a detection area around a front surface of the refrigerator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a usage notification device that adds, to a refrigerator not provided with a communication function, the function of notifying a communication terminal of usage. The usage notification device includes an attachment portion, a wireless communication unit, a door open/closed recognition unit, and a notification control unit. The attachment portion attaches the usage notification device to an exterior of the refrigerator. The wireless communication unit performs a wireless communication with the communication terminal. The door open/closed recognition unit recognizes the open or closed state of the refrigerator. The notification control unit transmits the usage information on the refrigerator based on the door open or closed state of the refrigerator, to the communication terminal via the wireless communication unit.