Front Door Refrigerator Remote Control for Non-Face-to-Face Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of delivering fresh food without direct face-to-face interaction between the delivery person and the user, especially when the user is not at home, and the need for remote control and management of a front door refrigerator to maintain food freshness.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling and managing a front door refrigerator using an application installed in a mobile device, allowing users to remotely log in, check incoming items, and control the refrigerator's operations, including door access and refrigeration, through a mobile device application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a front door refrigerator is installed to enable non-face-to-face delivery, then the convenience of receiving food without direct interaction is improved, but the complexity of the delivery system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of receiving foodVSAvoiddelivery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front door refrigerator serves as an intermediary device between the delivery person and the user. It allows food to be deposited into the refrigerator by the delivery person without direct interaction with the user, who can later retrieve the food using authentication credentials. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling convenient non-face-to-face delivery while managing system complexity through a dedicated intermediate storage solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service functionality where the user can autonomously retrieve food from the refrigerator using authentication credentials (QR code, barcode, or PIN) without requiring direct interaction with the delivery person. The refrigerator automatically manages temperature control and access authorization, allowing users to service themselves and eliminating the need for complex manual coordination between delivery and receipt operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If remote control functionality is added to the front door refrigerator, then the user's ability to control the refrigerator from a distance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or manual control systems with electronic and wireless communication technologies. The refrigerator is equipped with communication modules that enable remote control via mobile devices through wireless networks. This substitution allows users to control refrigerator functions (such as monitoring temperature, receiving notifications, and managing access) from a distance, improving ease of operation while the modular electronic architecture helps manage the inherent complexity through standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If user authentication is required for refrigerator access, then the security of the system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidaccess convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses digital copies of authentication information (QR codes, barcodes, or PINs) that can be transmitted electronically to the user's mobile device. Instead of requiring physical presence or complex verification procedures, the system generates and transmits digital authentication credentials that the user can present for access. This copying approach enhances security by verifying user identity while maintaining ease of operation through simple credential presentation and automatic verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3933324B1Method for controlling and managing front door refrigerator using application installed in recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3933324B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3933324B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP3933324B1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

A method for controlling and managing a front door refrigerator using an application installed in a recording medium, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a step in which a user logs into a front door refrigerator control application installed in a recording medium including a mobile device, thereby allowing a main screen including menu display regions to be displayed on a display unit of the mobile device; and a step in which a storage information confirmation menu is selected from among a plurality of execution menus displayed in the menu display regions, wherein, when the storage information confirmation menu is selected, storage information of a product stored in the front door refrigerator is output to the display unit of the mobile device.