Food storage apparatus and control method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food storage apparatuses, such as smart refrigerators, often have user interfaces that are not easily accessible for all users, particularly taller or shorter individuals and those with disabilities, due to their placement at the top, bottom, or center of the display screen, which can hinder user interaction and convenience when viewing applications or content.

Innovation Solution

The food storage apparatus provides a user interface that can be easily and rapidly used by allowing the UI to be moved according to user commands, with icons for controlling the execution screen displayed on the side region, enabling all users to access and operate the interface without disturbing the main execution screen, and includes features like voice command support for registering food information and guiding cooking recipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the UI is disposed at the upper end or lower end of the display screen, then the service can be provided, but taller or shorter users or disabled persons cannot easily operate the UI

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUI accessibilityVSAvoidUser adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The UI is made dynamically repositionable on the display screen. Users can drag and drop the UI to any desired location, or the system can automatically adjust the UI position based on detected user characteristics (such as height or disability status). This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the UI to be both easily operable (through flexible positioning) and adaptable to different user needs (through customization or automatic adjustment).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the UI is disposed at the center of the display screen, then the service can be provided, but users experience inconvenience when watching execution screens or contents due to the UI blocking the view

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUI accessibilityVSAvoidView obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into multiple regions, with the UI confined to a specific area (such as the side or corner) rather than occupying the center. This segmentation allows the execution screen and contents to be displayed in the remaining area without obstruction, while the UI remains accessible in its designated segment. Users can interact with the UI in its segmented location while viewing the main content without blockage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UI is fixed at a specific position, then the service can be provided, but the user interface cannot be easily accessed by all users with different heights and abilities

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInterface flexibilityVSAvoidUI accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The UI system is designed with multi-functionality to serve diverse user needs. It can operate in multiple modes: fixed position for simplicity, draggable position for user customization, or automatically adaptive position based on user characteristics. This universal design allows the same UI system to accommodate users of different heights, abilities, and preferences, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3764293B1Food storage apparatus and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3764293B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3764293B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3764293B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A food storage apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The food storage apparatus includes a display configured to display an execution screen of an application related to the food storage apparatus; and a processor configured to control the display to display a user interface (UI) including one or more icons for controlling the execution screen of the application on a side region of the execution screen of the application while the execution screen of the application is displayed, wherein the application a view inside application providing an image obtained by photographing the inside of the food storage apparatus, and the processor controls the display to display the UI on the image obtained by photographing the inside of the food storage apparatus. Accordingly, the food storage apparatus may provide various services as compared to the conventional food storage apparatus, and may provide the UI for the service execution in the form that the user may easily and rapidly use the UI.