Movable Camera Module for Refrigerator Inventory Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in tracking and identifying items within a refrigerator due to accumulation of items, leading to unnecessary purchases and failures in replenishing consumed items, as existing camera systems struggle to capture clear images of items on lower shelves or obscured by other objects.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance equipped with a movable camera module and light source that can be extended to capture images of the chilled chamber, allowing for improved visibility and inventory management by positioning the camera above the support shelves and illuminating the area for better image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is mounted within the chilled chamber to capture images, then image capture capability is provided, but the camera cannot capture items on lower shelves or items obscured by other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is made movable along the transverse direction between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the camera moves forward to capture items on lower shelves and obscured items that would be invisible from a fixed mounted position, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining a compact form and achieving comprehensive item coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module extends in the transverse direction (horizontal dimension) rather than only vertically, allowing it to reach around obstructions and capture items on lower shelves by changing its positional dimension, thus improving coverage without increasing vertical space occupation
2Ease of operation
If multiple users add/remove items from a common refrigerator appliance without communicating, then convenience is improved, but users may accidentally purchase excessive or undesired items
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module captures images of items in the chilled chamber and transmits them to a remote device, providing visual feedback to users about what items are already stored. This allows users to see existing items before purchasing, preventing duplicate purchases while maintaining the convenience of uncoordinated shopping
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of the physical items in the refrigerator and displays them on remote devices, allowing users to view and manage inventory without physically opening the refrigerator, thus preventing information loss while maintaining operational convenience
3Adaptability or versatility
If a camera module is movably mounted above the support shelf, then comprehensive item coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable camera module serves multiple functions: it captures images of items on upper shelves, lower shelves, and obscured items by extending forward. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple fixed cameras positioned at different locations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is extracted from a fixed mounted position and placed on a movable carriage that can extend forward. This extraction allows the camera to access previously unreachable areas (lower shelves and obscured items) without requiring complex multi-camera systems, achieving comprehensive coverage with a simpler single-camera solution
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a door, and a camera module. The cabinet may define a chilled chamber. The door may be rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber. The camera module may be movably mounted to the cabinet (e.g., above a support shelf). The camera module may be movable on the cabinet along a predefined direction between a retracted position proximal to a first end of the cabinet and an extended position proximal to a second end of the cabinet. The camera module may be directed at the chilled chamber in the extended position to capture an image thereof.