Refrigerator Camera-Based Inventory Feedback for Food Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack effective feedback mechanisms for users when stocking or removing food, making it difficult to manage inventory efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a camera, output portion, memory, and processor that provides feedback based on image analysis of food introduction or removal, including storage location information and user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera and image analysis system are added to detect food introduction or removal, then user feedback and inventory management capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images with a camera, analyzes them to detect food introduction or removal, and provides feedback to the user through an output portion (display or speaker). This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by automatically tracking inventory changes and informing users, eliminating the need for manual tracking while providing comprehensive information about food stock status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory checking with an automated optical system (camera) and image analysis processing. Instead of physically examining or manually recording food items, the system uses image capture and computational analysis to detect changes in inventory, substituting a complex mechanical/manual process with an automated sensing and processing system.
2Measurement precision
If real-time image analysis is performed to detect food introduction or removal, then inventory management accuracy is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image capture and analysis at periodic intervals or triggered by specific events (door opening/closing, user interaction) rather than continuously. This periodic operation maintains high detection accuracy for food introduction or removal while reducing overall processing time and energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures baseline images of the refrigerator interior before food introduction or removal occurs, and compares subsequent images against this baseline. This preliminary action of establishing a reference state enables accurate detection of changes without requiring continuous complex analysis, reducing processing time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and a control method therefor. The refrigerator includes a main body including a storage chamber, a door, a camera located in at least one of the body and the door to capture at least one of the storage chamber and the pantry, an output portion, a memory, and a processor that, based on introducing of an item to or withdrawing of the item from one of the storage chamber and the pantry is detected, controls the output portion to provide first feedback, obtains information about a storage location of the item that is detected, through the image captured by the camera, controls the output portion to provide second feedback including information about the storage location of the item, obtains information about the item that is detected, and controls the output portion to provide third feedback including the information about the item that is detected.