Modular Camera Module with Universal Mounting for Multi-Appliance Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules for household appliances lack flexibility in use, as they are typically designed for specific appliances and do not offer versatile mounting options or efficient power management, limiting their application across different household devices.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a standalone design, featuring a camera, control circuitry, transmitter, power supply, and fixation means, allowing for wireless data transmission and rechargeable battery management, along with a retractable reflection shield for ambient light protection, enabling flexible mounting on various appliances like ovens and refrigerators, and remote operation based on predefined or user-requested parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera module is designed for specific appliances with fixed mounting options, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability and versatility across different household appliances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed with a universal mounting system that can be attached to different household appliances (ovens, refrigerators, cookers) using various fixation means including adhesive mounts, magnetic mounts, and mechanical clips. The housing includes standardized mounting interfaces that accommodate different appliance surfaces and geometries, allowing one camera module design to serve multiple appliance types without requiring appliance-specific customization.
2Ease of operation
If a camera module uses a rechargeable battery for portable power, then the ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but the use of energy and power management complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module implements periodic operation modes where the camera captures images at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes during cooking) rather than continuously operating. The control circuitry manages power by putting the camera and transmitter into low-power sleep modes between capture cycles, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to provide timely cooking monitoring updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module allows dynamic adjustment of operational parameters including image capture frequency, transmission power levels, and sensor sensitivity based on ambient conditions and user preferences. The system can switch between different power modes (e.g., high-resolution continuous capture vs. low-resolution periodic capture) to optimize the balance between operational capability and energy consumption based on battery charge levels.
3Productivity
If a camera module is mounted inside harsh environments like ovens, then the functionality for monitoring cooking processes is improved, but the reliability and duration of action deteriorate due to temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed to be mounted on the exterior surface of the oven door rather than inside the high-temperature oven cavity. The camera lens is positioned to view through the oven door window, allowing the camera body and sensitive electronics to remain in the cooler external environment while still capturing images of the cooking process. This extraction of the camera from the harsh thermal environment maintains reliability while preserving monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The oven door window serves as an intermediary optical medium that transmits light from the hot oven interior to the camera positioned in the cooler exterior environment. The camera module includes optical elements and potentially a heated window interface to ensure clear image transmission through the glass barrier while maintaining the physical separation between the camera and the high-temperature zone.
4Productivity
If a camera module provides continuous image capture and wireless transmission, then the productivity and information availability are improved, but the use of energy and loss of energy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module captures images at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously, with the control circuitry managing power by putting the camera and transmitter into low-power sleep modes between capture cycles. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption while still providing timely updates on the cooking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module implements event-triggered operation where continuous monitoring is activated only when specific conditions are detected (e.g., door opening/closing events, temperature threshold changes, or user-initiated requests). During normal operation, the system transitions to periodic or on-demand modes, maintaining the ability to provide continuous monitoring when needed while minimizing energy consumption during stable cooking phases.
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera module (10) for use in a household environment comprising plural household appliances is described. The camera module comprises: a camera (22); control circuitry (24) configured to control operation of the camera module (10) and to generate a data signal from images picked up by the camera (22); a transmitter (26) for wireless transmission of the data signal; a power supply (28) for powering the camera module (10); a housing (14) for accommodating the afore-mentioned components; and fixation means (15) provided at the housing (14) for removably mounting the camera module (10) selectively at any of the plural household appliances.