Method and system for providing information about objects in refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively provide information about objects stored in a refrigerator without opening the door, particularly for identifying contents of containers, especially when items are obscured or hard to recognize.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a camera and display integrated into the refrigerator, employing augmented reality (AR) to display substitute images and detailed information of selected objects, including expiration dates and container contents, through user input interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the door of the refrigerator is opened to check contents, then complete information about stored objects is obtained, but energy loss increases and convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about stored objectsVSAvoidconvenience of checking contents

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera to capture images of objects inside the refrigerator and displays these images on a display unit mounted on the refrigerator door. This creates a visual copy of the interior contents, allowing users to view stored items without opening the door, thereby preventing energy loss while maintaining full information access about stored objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If a camera is installed to display interior images, then information access improves without opening the door, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to stored object informationVSAvoidcomplexity of refrigerator system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerator door serves multiple functions: it acts as both the closure for the refrigerator compartment and as a mounting surface for the display unit. The display unit itself performs multiple functions by showing both the captured images and providing user interaction capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If substitute images are displayed for selected objects, then identification of obscured items improves, but processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracy of obscured objectsVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

When an object is obscured or difficult to identify in the captured image, the system displays a substitute image (such as an icon or simplified representation) as an intermediary. This substitute image provides clear identification information without requiring the system to perform complex image processing or enhancement on the original obscured image, thereby maintaining high identification accuracy while limiting processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11508166B2Method and system for providing information about objects in refrigerator

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of providing information about an object in a refrigerator is provided. The method includes: obtaining, using a camera, an image of a plurality of objects stored in the refrigerator; displaying the image on a display of the refrigerator; receiving a first user input indicating a first object from among the plurality of objects included in the image; and displaying a substitute image of the first object on the display based on the first user input.