Refrigerator Camera Module with User-Detection for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems in refrigerators consume excessive power when in awake mode, leading to increased operational costs and potential regulatory issues, while low-power sleep modes degrade performance and responsiveness, making it difficult to capture images promptly during user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance with a camera module that can alternate between low-power sleep and high-power awake modes based on user detection, using a user-detection assembly to initiate the transition to awake mode only when a user is present, thereby reducing power consumption without degrading system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the camera remains in fully-powered awake mode, then the camera can capture images immediately and respond to user interactions, but the overall power consumption of the refrigerator appliance rises significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user approach in advance and preparing the camera for operation. The user-detection assembly identifies when a user is approaching the refrigerator, and the controller proactively transitions the camera from sleep mode to awake mode before the user actually opens the door or interacts with the refrigerator, ensuring immediate image capture capability while avoiding the need for continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The camera operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep mode and high-power awake mode based on user detection events. Rather than continuous operation, the camera is activated periodically only when needed - specifically when the user-detection assembly senses a user's approach - allowing the system to maintain responsiveness while dramatically reducing average power consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If the camera operates in low-power sleep mode, then the overall power consumption of the refrigerator is reduced, but the camera takes 1 to 5 seconds to wake and capture images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting user approach in advance of the actual interaction. When the user-detection assembly senses a user approaching the refrigerator, it triggers the camera to wake from sleep mode before the user opens the door or reaches for items. This preliminary detection and activation sequence eliminates the perceived delay, as the camera is already awake and ready by the time the user begins their interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The user-detection assembly serves as an intermediary between the user and the camera system. Rather than the user directly triggering the camera (which would cause delay), the detection assembly acts as an early warning system that activates the camera in advance, mediating the interaction to ensure the camera is ready before the actual image-capture event occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a camera module, a user-detection assembly, and a controller. The cabinet may define a chilled chamber. The camera module may be mounted to the cabinet within the chilled chamber. The camera module may be alternately activated in a low-power sleep mode and a high-power awake mode. The user-detection assembly may be mounted to the cabinet to detect a user presence independent from rotation of the door. The controller may be operably coupled to the camera module and the user-detection assembly. The controller may be configured to initiate an operation routine that includes receiving one or more detection signals from the user-detection assembly, determining a user presence based on the received one or more detection signals, and directing the camera module to the high-power awake mode from the low-power sleep mode in response to determining the user presence.