Refrigerator Camera Control for Optimal Door Bin Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators struggle to capture optimal images of door bins, which are necessary for accurately tracking food stored in these areas.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system equipped with a camera that captures images of the inside of the body and door when the door is opened, identifies specific areas and lines within the images, and stores the image as an optimal door bin image if predetermined conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is provided on the refrigerator body to photograph the inside, then the refrigerator can obtain information on food stored in the main body, but it cannot capture optimal images of the door bin area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension by adding a second camera specifically positioned to capture the door bin area, which was previously blind to the first camera. This multi-dimensional imaging approach allows simultaneous capture of both the main body interior and door bin contents, resolving the information loss in the door bin region while maintaining comprehensive food tracking capability.
2Reliability
If the camera captures images continuously to ensure optimal door bin images are obtained, then complete food tracking is achieved, but energy consumption and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by triggering the camera to capture images only when the door is opened, rather than continuous operation. The control unit receives door opening signals and activates the camera at these specific moments, ensuring optimal door bin images are captured when actually needed while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption and data generation during closed-door periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the control unit monitors door opening events and uses this information to trigger appropriate camera operations. The feedback loop ensures the camera operates in sync with actual usage patterns, capturing images only when the door bin is accessed, thereby balancing reliability with energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If image processing is performed to identify specific areas and lines for optimal door bin image determination, then image accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the imaging conditions and processing criteria in the control unit. The system is pre-programmed with the logic to identify optimal door bin images based on specific area and line detection, allowing rapid processing when images are captured without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a body comprising a storage chamber; a door coupled to the body; a camera located on the body; and at least one processor operatively coupled to a memory and configured to execute one or more instructions stored in the memory, in which the one or more instructions cause the refrigerator to: based on detecting opening of the door, control the camera to capture the image of at least a part of the inside of the body and the door, identify, based on the image, whether at least one of a first area of the inside of the body included in the image or a first line included in the door included in the image satisfies a predetermined condition, and based on identifying that the predetermined condition is satisfied, store the image as an optimal door bin image.