Refrigerator Camera Imaging for Remote Food Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack the ability to provide users with information about the contents stored inside, leading to inconvenience when purchasing food, as users often buy duplicate items or forget necessary items.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a camera mounted above a second door that takes pictures of the stored food, combined with a control unit to correct and transmit images to a terminal device, allowing users to view the contents remotely and intuitively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera is installed inside the refrigerator to photograph food items, then users can recognize stored food without opening the door, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create visual copies (photographs) of the food items stored in the refrigerator. These images are then transmitted to a terminal device, allowing users to view the contents without physically opening the refrigerator door. This copying approach resolves the contradiction by providing full visual information while maintaining the physical integrity and simplicity of the refrigerator structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera, control unit, and terminal device that mediates between the user and the refrigerator contents. Instead of direct visual access requiring door opening, the intermediary captures and transmits images, eliminating the need for physical access while providing complete information about stored food items.
2Loss of information
If the refrigerator door is opened frequently to check contents, then users can see what is stored, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating visual copies of the refrigerator contents through photography, the system allows users to check stored food items remotely via terminal device. This eliminates the need to open the door for verification, thereby preventing cold air loss and reducing energy consumption while maintaining full visibility of food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous visual feedback about refrigerator contents through transmitted images to the terminal device. Users can monitor what is stored without physical access, receiving information feedback that replaces the need for door opening and visual inspection, thus conserving energy.
3Ease of operation
If a camera system is added to photograph food items, then users can manage stored food better, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera creates visual copies of food items that are transmitted to a terminal device, enabling users to manage their stored food inventory remotely. This approach simplifies food management operations while adding minimal complexity to the refrigerator system, as the core functionality relies on standard imaging and communication components.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves multiple functions: photographing food items, transmitting images to terminal devices, and enabling remote monitoring and management of refrigerator contents. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation while justifying the added complexity through versatile utility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body (2) having a first storage compartment (12) and a second storage compartment (18), in which food is stored, first doors (10) configured to open the first storage compartment (12) via pivotal rotation thereof, a second door (20) configured to be moved forward of the second storage compartment (18) to open the second storage compartment (18), a receptacle (30) configured to be moved along with the second door (20) and received in the second storage compartment (18), the receptacle (30) serving to store food therein, and a camera (100) installed to the main body (2) to take a picture of the receptacle (30). The refrigerator further includes a control unit (80) configured to combine a plurality of pictures taken by the camera (100) as the second door (18) is moved and configured to correct the images into an image showing the receptacle (30).