Rotatable Camera Assembly for Adjustable Refrigerator Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator appliances with built-in cameras lack versatility as they have a fixed orientation, leading to inefficient imaging and user dissatisfaction due to inability to adjust the field of view or monitor specific regions within the chilled chamber.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable camera assembly within the refrigerator that can be manually or automatically adjusted by the user to change its field of view, allowing for focused imaging of desired areas within the chilled chamber, coupled with a controller to obtain and modify images based on the camera's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed orientation camera is used in the refrigerator appliance, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability and versatility of the imaging system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly is made rotatable about a pivot axis, transforming it from a static fixed-orientation device to a dynamic adjustable one. The rotation mechanism allows the camera to change its field of view between different positions (e.g., first position for overall chamber view, second position for focused shelf view), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by introducing controlled motion without excessive mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotatable camera assembly serves multiple imaging functions by adjusting its orientation. It can capture wide-angle views of the entire chilled chamber, focused views of specific shelves or regions, and intermediate angles, replacing what would otherwise require multiple fixed cameras. This multi-functionality improves adaptability while avoiding the complexity of multiple camera systems
2Measurement precision
If a fixed orientation camera is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the imaging precision and relevance to user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera assembly can be rotated to specific positions (first position, second position) to achieve focused imaging of desired regions. This dynamic positioning allows the system to capture precise views of specific shelves or items when needed, improving imaging precision without requiring complex automated positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a controller that automatically crops and processes images based on the camera's detected position. This self-service approach refines the focused views without adding mechanical complexity, as the image processing software automatically adjusts the field of view based on where the camera is pointing, achieving precision through intelligence rather than mechanics
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable camera assembly with image cropping is implemented, then the adaptability and user satisfaction improve, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects the camera position and pre-determines the appropriate crop region based on the known field of view characteristics for each position. By having pre-programmed knowledge of what each camera position should capture, the system can quickly crop and process images without requiring complex real-time analysis, reducing processing time while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates cropped copies of the full images to generate the focused views. Rather than processing multiple full-resolution images from multiple cameras, it efficiently generates the needed focused views by cropping appropriate regions from the single camera's output, reducing computational overhead while providing customized views
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance is provided including a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, and a camera assembly positioned within the chilled chamber and being rotatable between a first position and a second position. A controller is configured to obtain one or more images using the camera assembly, determine a position of the camera assembly, and generate a modified image by cropping the one or more images based on a field of view associated with the position of the camera assembly.