Refrigeration system with imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems lack the ability to efficiently track and manage inventory of stored items without requiring user intervention, such as determining the type, state, and orientation of bottles within a wine cooler, which is tedious and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system equipped with a camera array that captures images of items on racks as they are inserted or removed, performing image processing to determine information about the items, including type, state, and orientation, and transmitting this information to a user device for display or further analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual tracking of inventory is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and information accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory tracking with an automated imaging system. Cameras capture images of items on racks, and image processing algorithms automatically identify and track inventory items, their types, states, and orientations. This substitution eliminates manual intervention while providing accurate real-time inventory information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (images) of the physical inventory items using cameras. These images are then processed to extract inventory information, effectively creating a digital representation of the physical stock that can be tracked and managed without direct physical inspection.
2Productivity
If manual determination of item type, state, and orientation is required, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and analysis of inventory items as they are placed on racks or when racks are positioned. The cameras capture images and the processing system identifies item types, states, and orientations in advance, so this information is already available when needed for inventory management decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual inspection and determination of item characteristics is replaced by automated camera-based imaging and computer vision algorithms. The system automatically determines item type, state, and orientation from images, eliminating the time required for manual assessment.
3Ease of operation
If no automated imaging system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and information access worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system operates automatically without requiring user intervention. When racks are moved into position, the cameras automatically capture images and the system processes them to provide inventory information. The system serves itself by automatically detecting when imaging is needed and executing the imaging and analysis process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system that acts as a mediator between the physical inventory items and the user. Instead of users directly inspecting items, the camera system captures images and the processing system translates them into usable inventory information, making inventory checking convenient and accessible.
Data Source
AI summary
In examples, a refrigeration system includes one or more cameras that are positioned to capture images of items before the items are positioned inside the cabinet. The refrigeration system can include one or more moveable racks on which items can be placed. When the rack is moved out, items can be placed on the rack, and the set of cameras can image the rack to determine information about the items placed on the rack.