Refrigerator Camera Positioning for Accurate Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with cameras struggle to accurately track inventory when items are placed in locations that obscure the camera's view, leading to incomplete or inaccurate recording of inventory.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with multiple cameras positioned to capture images of items entering or leaving storage compartments through dedicated entrance openings, combined with a computing device that analyzes these images to determine the direction of movement and location of items using computer vision algorithms, including object detection and tracking, to assign a sensed door angle and object location, and update inventory status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera is positioned inside the refrigerator to monitor inventory, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because items placed in locations that obscure the camera's view cannot be accurately recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple cameras positioned at different locations (inside the refrigerator, on the door, and outside) to capture images from multiple angles. This segmentation allows the system to overcome blind spots and obscured views that a single camera would have, thereby improving inventory tracking accuracy without requiring an overly complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensions to the monitoring system by placing cameras in three-dimensional space around the refrigerator (inside, on door surfaces, and outside). This multi-dimensional positioning ensures that items at any location within the refrigerator are visible to at least one camera, resolving the obscuration problem that limits single-camera systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are positioned to capture images through entrance openings, then the measurement precision improves for tracking items, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the camera system to serve multiple functions: cameras positioned on the door and outside can capture both items being loaded/unloaded and the overall refrigerator state. The computing device processes images from multiple cameras to determine both inventory changes and door status, making the system versatile and justifying the increased complexity through enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the door's own structure and movement as part of the monitoring mechanism. The door-mounted cameras leverage the natural opening and closing of the door to capture inventory images without requiring additional active components or complex positioning mechanisms, allowing the system to serve itself using existing refrigerator components.
3Measurement precision
If cameras capture images only when the door is closed, then the measurement precision for inventory tracking improves, but the loss of time increases because items loaded or removed with the door open cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions cameras on the door and outside the refrigerator to capture images before the door is fully closed and items are fully loaded or removed. The computing device analyzes sequences of images to detect item movement during the door transition, enabling early detection of inventory changes and reducing the time lag associated with waiting for the door to close.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images across different door positions (open, closing, closed, opening) rather than only when the door is closed. This continuous monitoring ensures that item movement is detected regardless of door state, eliminating gaps in detection and reducing the time required to identify when items are loaded or removed.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body, a door, at least one camera mounted to the main body and/or the door and at least one computing device. The camera(s) is/are positioned to have a field of view that includes an entrance opening leading to a storage compartment and an interior side of the door when the door is open. The camera(s) is/are configured to capture images of an item being loaded into or being removed from the storage compartment. The computing device(s) can instruct the camera(s) to capture the images, analyze the captured images and determine whether the images contain an object of interest. The computing device(s) can assign a sensed door angle and an object location to images containing the object of interest. The computing device(s) can assign a direction of movement for the object of interest based on the sensed door angle and changes in the object location.