Refrigerator, server, and method for controlling the refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators require manual operation of doors, which can be inconvenient when a user's hands are occupied, especially when storing or retrieving items.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a camera, processor, door driver, and sensors that automatically open and close doors based on recognized objects, using image recognition and sensor data to determine the appropriate storage room and temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual door operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates when user's hands are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator system performs automatic object recognition and door operation without requiring manual user intervention. The camera captures images, the processor identifies objects, and the door driver automatically opens/closes doors based on recognition results, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for hands-free manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical door operation with an automated system combining optical sensing (camera), image processing (processor), and mechanical actuation (door driver). This substitution transforms the purely mechanical manual door operation into an integrated electromechanical system that automatically detects and responds to storage needs.
2Ease of operation
If automatic door opening is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of energy increases due to frequent door opening
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the storage environment using cameras and sensors to detect when objects need to be stored or retrieved. This feedback mechanism ensures doors are opened only when necessary, preventing unnecessary energy loss while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and processor perform preliminary detection and recognition of objects before door opening is triggered. By identifying objects in advance and determining their storage requirements, the system prepares for door operation only when truly necessary, minimizing energy-wasting premature or unnecessary door openings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If camera and object recognition are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera-based object recognition system provides universal adaptability to identify and categorize various types of objects (food items, containers, packages) without requiring separate specialized sensors for each object type. This multi-functional approach enhances adaptability while managing device complexity through a single versatile sensing system.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator for recognizing an object to be stored and automatically opening a door based on the recognized object, and a method therefor are provided. The refrigerator includes a main body, at least two doors provided on a front surface of the main body, two or more storage rooms provided in the main body or the at least two doors and configured to store objects, a cooler configured to cool the two or more storage rooms, a door driver configured to generate power for automatically opening and closing the at least two doors, a camera configured to photograph an image of surroundings around the at least two doors, and at least one processor configured to, in the case in which an object is recognized from the image of the surroundings, transmit a control signal for opening a door to the door driver based on the recognized object.