Refrigerator Camera Positioning to Reduce Image Blur and Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator systems that move cameras to take images of the interior suffer from blurring and distortion, especially when capturing items on the innermost shelves, leading to inaccurate image recognition and storage state determination.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with a camera moving device that moves the camera vertically within a predetermined range, stopping at specific points to take images between shelf plates and the inner surface, reducing blurring and distortion, and using a smaller number of cameras to capture clearer images of the innermost shelf areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the camera moves at a fixed speed to capture images, then the camera can continuously scan the storeroom, but blurring occurs in the taken image
Solution Approach 1:
The camera moves at a fixed speed to continuously scan the storeroom, but stops periodically at predetermined positions to capture images. This periodic stopping allows clear images to be taken at key locations (between shelf plates and inner surface) while maintaining efficient scanning coverage, resolving the contradiction between continuous scanning productivity and image clarity precision
2Measurement precision
If the camera takes images at certain timing, then the camera can capture specific areas, but distortion occurs in food items on shelf plates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned at specific local locations between shelf plates and the inner surface of the storeroom to capture images. This localized positioning ensures that food items on shelf plates are photographed from optimal angles, minimizing distortion while maintaining accurate coverage of the storage areas
3Loss of information
If the camera takes images at certain timing, then the camera can capture visible food items, but food items on the innermost side are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned in the depth dimension between shelf plates and the inner surface, rather than only from the front. This dimensional change allows the camera to capture food items on the innermost side of shelf plates that would be hidden from front-facing cameras, eliminating information loss while maintaining accurate storage state detection
4Measurement precision
If more cameras are used to capture the innermost shelf areas, then image coverage improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera is positioned to perform multiple functions: capturing images of food items on different shelf plates, viewing areas from various angles, and detecting storage states throughout the storeroom. This multi-functional positioning achieves comprehensive image coverage while minimizing device complexity by using fewer cameras
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is provided which can suppress shake and distortion of an image and can get a clearer storeroom image in which back of each shelf plates are appeared by smaller number of cameras. For this purpose, the refrigerator according to the invention is provided with: a main body having a storeroom for storing a food item; a shelf plate arranged in a storeroom, the shelf plate configured to be put a food item on; a door configured to open and close a side of the storeroom; a camera (2) arranged on an inner surface of the door, the camera (2) configured to take an image of an inside of the storeroom; a camera moving device (20) configured to move the camera (2) in a vertical direction. The camera moving device (20) is configured to stop the camera (2) at least one point for each of between the shelf plates lain next to each other, and between an inner surface of a top edge of the storeroom and the shelf plate lain next to the inner surface of the top edge of the storeroom, and the camera (20) is configured to take an image at each time when the camera moving device (20) stops the move of the camera (2) .