Refrigerator Multi-Camera System for Door-Closed Food Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with separate storage spaces in the door require the entire door to be opened to check the contents, leading to cold air leakage and inconvenience, and prior solutions compromise insulation or visibility.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with multiple cameras and a controller system that allows for checking storage contents through closed doors, using a storage space camera and door cameras to capture images which are combined and displayed on a door display, with independent operation and memory management to prevent errors and maintain insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the refrigerator door is made transparent to check food contents, then visibility is improved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cameras to capture images of food contents in the storage space and door storage, then displays these images on a display unit. This creates a visual copy of the interior contents, allowing users to view food without making the door transparent, thus maintaining insulation performance while achieving visibility.
2Loss of information
If the entire refrigerator door is opened to check food contents, then visibility is improved, but cold air leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images using cameras when the door is closed and displays them on a display unit. This allows users to view food contents without opening the door, eliminating cold air leakage while maintaining visibility of stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The cameras capture and store images of the interior contents in advance (when the door is closed). These pre-captured images are then displayed on demand, allowing users to check contents without opening the door, thus preventing cold air leakage.
3Loss of information
If multiple cameras are installed to photograph both storage space and door storage, then coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit serves multiple functions: it controls the storage space camera, door storage camera, display unit, and manages image processing and synthesis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, managing complexity while achieving comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control functions for multiple cameras and the display system into a single controller unit. The controller integrates image acquisition from multiple cameras, synthesizes the images, and manages display output, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite multiple sensing components.
4Loss of information
If a camera system is added to photograph interior contents, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit performs multiple functions including camera control, image processing, and display management. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated unit, managing the added complexity of the camera system.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator, according to the present embodiment, comprises: a cabinet having a storage chamber; a storage chamber camera provided in the cabinet to photograph the storage chamber; a first door for opening and closing the storage chamber; a second door spaced apart from the first door in a horizontal direction and including a main door including a door storage unit and a sub-door that opens and closes the door storage unit and is rotatable about a hinge with respect to the main door; a first camera and a second camera which are provided in the sub-door and photograph the door storage unit when the sub-door is opened; a controller to which the second camera is independently connected; and a USB hub which is connected to the controller and to which the first camera and the storage chamber camera are connected.