Single-Camera Refrigerator Imaging Across Drawer Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator camera systems have limited photographing range, require multiple cameras, and face issues with dew condensation, power consumption, and providing optimal information about food storage regions, especially when drawers are involved.
Innovation Solution
A single camera system is installed inside the refrigerator to capture images of multiple storage regions without the need to open the door, using a fixed position and advanced sensors to provide intuitive information about food storage, with a heater to prevent dew condensation and optimized power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are installed to photograph various storage regions, then the photographing coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable mirror or rotating camera mechanism that dynamically adjusts the photographing angle to capture different storage regions sequentially. This dynamic adjustment allows a single camera to cover multiple areas that would otherwise require multiple fixed cameras, resolving the contradiction between coverage and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal dimension by capturing images at different time points when drawers are in different positions (open/closed states). A single camera photographs both the drawer interior when open and the exterior when closed, utilizing time-based separation to achieve multi-region coverage without adding spatial complexity
2Loss of information
If the door is opened to check food storage, then the user can identify food items, but energy loss and cooling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies (photographs) of the food storage regions and transmits these images to the user's terminal device. Instead of requiring the user to physically open the door to see food items, the system provides digital copies of the interior views, eliminating energy loss while maintaining full information access about stored food
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the camera, controller, and communication module that mediates between the user and the food storage regions. This intermediary transmits visual information electronically, allowing users to obtain food storage information without direct physical access to the refrigerator interior, thus preventing energy loss
3Measurement precision
If cameras are installed in multiple locations including drawers, then the photographing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic photographing triggered by drawer opening/closing events rather than continuous operation. The camera activates only when needed (when a drawer is opened or closed) and remains inactive otherwise, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining photographing accuracy at critical moments
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the drawer's own opening/closing action as the trigger signal for photographing. The drawer's movement automatically activates the camera and controller, eliminating the need for separate continuous monitoring systems and reducing overall power consumption while ensuring photographs are taken at the appropriate times
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
This solution allows users to access information about food storage without opening the refrigerator, reducing energy loss, enhancing information reliability, and reducing costs by using a single camera, while improving energy efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
concern about dew condensation occurring on the camera
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator and a control method for the same are disclosed. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening, a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer (50) provided in the storage compartment, a camera (70) fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a region (a first region) for storing of food arranged in an external space of the drawer (50) in the storage compartment and a region (a second region) for storing of food arranged in an internal space of the drawer (50) in the storage compartment, and a controller to separate, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a portion for the first region (a first region picture) and a portion for the second region (a second region picture) from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.