Networked Refrigerator RFID Sensor for Perishable Item Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perishable items stored in refrigerated units often have expiration dates that are difficult to monitor due to dense packing and faint printing, leading to items being retained past their expiration dates and not being replaced in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
A networked refrigeration system with sensors that read information from item tags, store food preferences, and provide automated meal suggestions and expiration date reminders, allowing users to manage their inventory and ordering based on item tags and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If perishable items are densely packed into refrigerated storage units to maximize storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but the ability to monitor expiration dates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary objects attached to perishable items. These tags store expiration date information and can be read by sensors in the refrigerated storage unit, serving as a mediator between the items and the monitoring system. This allows expiration date information to be accessed without requiring visual inspection of densely packed items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection mechanism with an automated sensor-based reading system. RFID sensors automatically detect and read expiration date information from tags on items, eliminating the need for users to physically locate and visually check expiration dates on densely packed items.
2Ease of manufacture
If expiration dates are printed faintly or poorly on perishable items, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the ease of monitoring expiration dates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag serves as an intermediary that carries expiration date information in machine-readable form. Instead of relying on visual printing quality, the system uses electronic tags that can be reliably read by sensors, eliminating the problem of faint or poorly printed expiration dates while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the expiration date information stored in RFID tags. This digital copy can be accurately read and processed by the monitoring system without being affected by printing quality issues, ensuring reliable expiration date tracking.
3Device complexity
If users manually monitor expiration dates of perishable items, then no additional system complexity is introduced, but the time required for monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring where the refrigerated storage unit automatically detects and tracks expiration dates of items using RFID sensors. The system autonomously identifies items nearing expiration and notifies users, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while reducing overall system complexity through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the monitoring system continuously tracks expiration dates and provides automatic notifications to users when items are approaching expiration. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual monitoring efforts while keeping the overall system simple and efficient.
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
The system effectively monitors and manages perishable items, reminding users of approaching expiration dates and suggesting meal plans and reordering based on available items, optimizing storage space and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to methods and systems for collected item information for stored items. In one embodiment, a networked food storage system comprises a first sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a storage unit. A data store is configured to store food preferences for at least a first user. Instructions, stored in computer readable memory, are configured to: cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user via which the first user can request a meal suggestion; retrieve preference information for the first user from computer readable memory; retrieve information read from at least a first item tag; and provide a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.