Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators used by multiple users face challenges in maintaining reliability, recognizing individual users and items, and preventing unauthorized use, especially when items are left unattended or partially used.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a camera module to photograph the storage chamber, a user authentication system, and a controller to establish ownership relationships between recognized items and users, along with a communication module to notify mismatches and update ownership information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a refrigerator is shared by multiple users with individual storage chambers, then the refrigerator can be efficiently used by multiple users, but items may be frequently used by owners of other stored products regardless of an owner's will
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator is divided into multiple storage chambers with individual doors for each user, allowing separate access and control. Each user has their own designated space while sharing the overall refrigerator system, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability through physical segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator system implements a notification mechanism that alerts users when their items are accessed or used. This feedback loop allows owners to monitor and control access to their items, preventing unauthorized use while maintaining the shared nature of the refrigerator.
2Reliability
If the refrigerator recognizes users and items to establish ownership relationships, then unauthorized use can be prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical identification systems with electronic recognition technology. Users are identified through electronic means (such as RFID tags, biometric sensors, or mobile device communication), and items are tracked using electronic databases, simplifying the overall system while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies or representations of user identities and item information in a database. Instead of requiring physical verification, the system uses these digital copies to establish ownership relationships and control access, reducing physical complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a camera module is added to photograph the storage chamber interior, then item recognition and ownership establishment become possible, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module serves as an intermediary device that captures images of items in the storage chamber. These images are then processed by image recognition algorithms to identify and track items, establishing ownership relationships without requiring direct physical interaction between users and items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual item tracking and identification with automated image recognition technology. The camera module continuously monitors the storage chamber, and software algorithms automatically identify items and associate them with users, eliminating the need for manual tracking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and, specifically, to a shared refrigerator used by a plurality of users. An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a refrigerator, a shared refrigerator system including same, and a control method thereof, the refrigerator including: a case which forms a storage compartment; a door provided at the case to open and close the storage compartment; an authentication unit provided at the case or the door to recognize an individual who opens and closes the door; a camera module for photographing the inside of the storage compartment in order to recognize an item provided inside the storage compartment; and a control unit for matching an ownership relationship between an item recognized through the camera module and an individual recognized through the authentication unit.