Refrigerators having internal content cameras, and methods of operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators do not allow users to view their contents without opening the door, leading to increased energy consumption and potential food waste due to unawareness of stored items, as existing solutions either require the door to be open or involve complex camera movements that miss crisper compartments and pantry bins.
Innovation Solution
Integration of internal content cameras and light sources within the refrigerator, controlled by a controller to capture images of different portions of the compartment with varying illuminations, allowing remote viewing of the contents through a user device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the door is closed to maintain refrigeration efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but users cannot view the interior contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cameras to create visual copies (images) of the refrigerator interior contents, which are then transmitted to user devices. This allows users to view the contents remotely without opening the door, thus maintaining the closed state and energy efficiency while providing visual access to the interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cameras and communication systems as intermediaries between the user and the refrigerator contents. Instead of direct visual access requiring door opening, the intermediary system captures and transmits images, enabling indirect viewing that preserves the closed-door state and associated energy benefits.
2Device complexity
If a single camera is used to view refrigerator contents, then device complexity is reduced, but comprehensive coverage of all compartments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into multiple segments by deploying several cameras at different locations within the refrigerator. Each camera is responsible for capturing a specific compartment or zone (e.g., main compartment, crisper, pantry bins), and the controller integrates these segmented views into a comprehensive monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point viewing perspective to a multi-dimensional coverage approach by positioning cameras throughout the refrigerator interior. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions (different heights, angles, and locations) enables comprehensive coverage of all compartments without requiring a single complex rotating mechanism.
3Loss of information
If the door is opened frequently to check contents, then visibility of stored items is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and transmits visual copies of the refrigerator contents to user devices, enabling users to check stored items remotely. This eliminates the need to physically open the door for inventory checks, thereby maintaining the closed-door state and preventing energy loss while providing complete awareness of contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where cameras continuously or periodically capture images of the interior contents and transmit them to user devices. This feedback loop provides users with real-time or near-real-time information about stored items, eliminating the need for door opening and enabling informed decisions about inventory without energy loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to view the entire contents of the refrigerator without opening the door, reducing energy consumption and preventing food waste by providing a comprehensive and efficient inventory management system.
Implementation Method 1
two light sources disposed in the compartment, and a controller communicatively coupled with the cameras and light sources and configured to control the light sources to provide two different illuminations for respective ones of the two cameras
Data Source
AI summary
Example refrigerators having internal content cameras, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example refrigerator includes a cabinet, an internal compartment disposed within the cabinet, a closing member operatively coupled to the cabinet providing selective access to the internal compartment, two cameras disposed in the compartment and positioned to capture images of different portions of the compartment, two light sources disposed in the compartment, and a controller communicatively coupled with the cameras and light sources and configured to control the light sources to provide two different illuminations for respective ones of the two cameras.