Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in managing stored contents in refrigerators without a display, as they cannot easily check contents without opening the door, leading to inefficient storage and expiration tracking.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with a first main body equipped with a display and camera for one storage chamber, and a second main body with a camera for another storage chamber, allowing images and information from both chambers to be displayed on the first display, enabling sequential or simultaneous viewing, and allowing classification and listing of stored contents based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display is installed on every main body of the refrigerator, then users can easily check stored contents in each storage chamber without opening doors, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit in the first main body serves multiple functions: it displays stored contents information from its own storage chamber and also receives and displays information from storage chambers in other main bodies. This multi-functionality allows users to check contents across all main bodies through a single display, eliminating the need for displays on every main body while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that collects stored contents information from cameras in multiple main bodies and transmits it to the display unit. This mediator approach enables centralized information gathering and display, allowing users to access contents information from any main body through a single interface without requiring direct display hardware in each main body.
2Ease of operation
If displays are installed on all main bodies, then users can manage stored contents in each chamber independently, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit in the first main body is designed to handle information from multiple storage chambers across different main bodies. It can display information from the first storage chamber directly and receive information from the second storage chamber through the controller, providing comprehensive management capability in a single location rather than requiring separate display systems in each main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the display functionality for multiple main bodies into a single display unit. Instead of having separate display systems in each main body, the invention combines all display functions into one centralized display that receives and processes information from all storage chambers, reducing the total number of displays needed and simplifying manufacturing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single display is used to show information from multiple main bodies, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring stored contents information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary that automatically collects information from cameras in multiple main bodies, processes this information, and transmits it to the display unit. This automation of information gathering and processing reduces the manual effort required to manage stored contents information, offsetting the increased complexity of handling multiple information sources through a single display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the display unit receives information from the controller about stored contents in multiple main bodies and presents it in an organized manner. This feedback loop allows users to easily access and manage information from all storage chambers through a single interface, with the controller handling the complexity of information aggregation and presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator including: a second main body including a second camera configured to photograph a second storage chamber; and a first main body including a first display provided on at least one side of the first main body, a first camera configured to photograph a first storage chamber, and a first controller allowing an image captured by the first camera and an image captured by the second camera to be displayed on the first display. The refrigerator allows information about stored contents stored in a plurality of main bodies to be displayed on a single display, and thus a user may easily manage the stored contents in the plurality of main bodies.