CN109000424B

CN109000424B - Method for acquiring refrigerator internal information and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN109000424B
Application number: CN201710423682.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 仲伟; 任相华; 周蔻华
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2017-06-07
Filing date: 2017-06-07
Publication date: 2022-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-07
Also published as: CN109000424A

Abstract

A method for obtaining internal information of a refrigerator and the refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator comprises a controller and a camera component connected with the controller, the method comprises the following steps: the controller receives a control instruction; the camera shooting component moves according to the control instruction, obtains the image in the refrigerator and transmits the image to the controller; and the controller transmits the image to the terminal in real time. According to the scheme, a user can use the mobile terminal to acquire the internal influence of the refrigerator in real time, check information such as food materials needing to be confirmed, and meanwhile can accurately control the moving position and the moving speed of the camera shooting component.

Description

Method for acquiring refrigerator internal information and refrigerator

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a method for acquiring information in a refrigerator and the refrigerator.

Background

The refrigerator intellectualization has become a trend, and more refrigerators will be able to connect with intelligent mobile terminals through the internet. Among them, the refrigerator with the camera is a typical representative of the development of the intelligent refrigerator. However, the existing refrigerator with a camera has the following disadvantages: a plurality of 12pcs cameras fixed in the refrigerator shoot a plurality of pictures at a time and show for the user, and this kind of scheme is not only with higher costs, and user experience is also not good. There is also a scheme in which a camera is installed at the top of the inside of the cabinet, and the photographing view range is limited. Still some schemes are installed the camera and survey in the refrigerator door body, also have the problem that can not shoot the article on the door body goods shelves.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention solves the problem of how to acquire the information in the refrigerator in real time and realize remote and accurate control of the camera.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for acquiring information inside a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes a controller and a camera connected to the controller, the method includes the following steps: the controller receives a control instruction; the camera shooting component moves according to the control instruction, obtains the image in the refrigerator and transmits the image to the controller; and the controller transmits the image to the terminal in real time. Wherein the control instruction is used for controlling the movement of the image pickup component. According to the scheme, a user can use the mobile terminal to obtain the images in the refrigerator in real time and check information such as food materials needing to be confirmed.

After the controller receives the control instruction, the built-in lighting component of the refrigerator is continuously lightened for a period of time T, so that the camera can acquire clear images.

Optionally, the image capturing component can move to a specified position according to the position information of the control instruction, or the image capturing component moves to the specified position at a specified speed, so that the moving position of the image capturing component is accurately controlled.

Optionally, when the camera shooting component moves from the first position to the second position according to the control instruction, the camera shooting component stops acquiring the image inside the refrigerator and returns to the first position. Wherein, the first position and the second position may be two ends of the moving track respectively.

Optionally, when the image capturing part moves to a certain position, the image capturing part is charged by a wireless charging part.

The invention also discloses a refrigerator, which comprises a controller and a camera part connected with the controller, wherein the controller is used for receiving a control instruction; the camera shooting component is used for moving according to the control instruction, acquiring an image in the refrigerator and transmitting the image to the controller; the controller is also used for transmitting the image to a terminal in real time.

Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the invention has the following advantages:

by adopting the scheme, most information in the refrigerator can be acquired as comprehensively as possible by controlling the movement of the camera component, and a complete internal image is displayed on the mobile terminal. Meanwhile, the user can remotely control the camera shooting component to move along the track through the mobile terminal, and information of a certain position in the refrigerator is obtained in real time. The scheme improves the experience of a user in using the refrigerator.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a movable image pickup device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another movable image pickup device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a movable image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a movable camera in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an application of a refrigerator with a movable camera device in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a control method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a control method for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a block diagram of a refrigerator having a wireless charging function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a refrigerator having a rotatable camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for acquiring information about the inside of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic view of an application scenario of a method for acquiring information inside a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a terminal control interface in an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 15 is a block diagram of a structure of another refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The foregoing detailed description will follow in order to better understand and enable embodiments of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a movable camera device 10 for a refrigerator, which includes a housing 101, a driving rod 102 fixed at both ends thereof to the housing, a camera 103 disposed on the driving rod 102, the camera 103 being connected to the driving rod 102 by a connecting part 107 (fig. 4), which may be a nut device (fig. 3A, B-B), a first driving part 104-1 (fig. 3C) for driving the camera 103 to move along the driving rod 102, and a first sensor 105-1 and a second sensor 105-2 disposed at both ends of the driving rod 102, respectively, for sending sensing signals when the camera 103 reaches respective sensing positions, wherein the first driving part 104-1 is adjusted according to the sensing signals sent by the first sensor 105-1 or the second sensor 105-2. Wherein the transmission rod is a screw rod; the first driving part is a stepping motor or a direct current motor, and the inductor can be an induction device such as a sensor or a microswitch.

Specifically, when the camera 103 approaches the first position of the transmission rod 102, the first sensor 105-1 sends a sensing signal, and the first driving part 104-1 changes the driving direction according to the sensing signal so as to change the moving direction of the camera 103.

When the camera approaches the second position of the transmission rod 102, the second sensor 105-2 sends a sensing signal, and the first driving part 104-1 stops driving according to the sensing signal.

The movable camera device 10 further comprises a conductive rail 106 for supplying power to the camera head 103, as shown in fig. 1, the conductive rail 106 is fixed to the housing in parallel with the transmission rod 102, and the camera head 103 is disposed on the transmission rod 102 and the conductive rail 106. Preferably, at least two conductive rails 106 are arranged in parallel on two sides of the transmission rod respectively, so that the camera 103 can be kept stable in the moving process, and a clearer shot image can be obtained.

The movable imaging device 10 is specifically powered in such a way that the camera 103 is in full sliding contact with the conductive rail 106 during the movement of the driving rod 102. Optionally, a charging mode may also be adopted to supply power to the camera 103. Specifically, the movable image pickup device 10 further includes an electrical storage member. When the camera 103 moves to at least one end of the transmission lever 102, the electric circuit that turns on the power storage means starts charging, so that power is supplied by the power storage means when the camera 103 moves on the transmission lever 106.

Alternatively, instead of using a conductive rail, a wireless charging member 106 'may be used, as shown in fig. 2, the wireless charging member 106' is disposed at one end of the bottom of the transmission rod 102, or at one end of the top of the transmission rod 102. The specific power supply mode adopting the wireless power supply mode comprises that a wireless power transmission coil is arranged at one end of the transmission rod 102, and a wireless receiving coil is arranged on the camera. When the camera 103 moves to one end of the transmission rod 102, the wireless charging component 106' is triggered to charge.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 3, the movable camera device 10 further includes a second driving part 104-2, at C in fig. 3, the second driving part 104-2 is disposed at the bottom of the first driving part 104-1 and connected to one end of the transmission rod 102, and the second driving part 104-2 can drive the first driving part 104-1, the camera 103 and the transmission rod 102 to rotate integrally around the transmission rod 102.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 4, the second driving part 104-2 may also be disposed on the connecting part 107, and the second driving part 104-2 is connected with the camera 103. Specifically, when the second driving part works, the driving shaft of the second driving part 104-2 drives the camera 103 to rotate. The second drive component 104-2 may be a stepper motor or a dc motor.

As shown in fig. 5, the embodiment of the present invention further includes a refrigerator 20 including a controller 12 and a movable image pickup device 10 connected to the controller 12, and a communication part 14 connected to the controller 12 and the movable image pickup device 10, respectively. Among them, the movable image pickup device 10 may be provided at least one side of the inner surface of the cabinet 201 of the refrigerator 20, as shown in fig. 6. Of course, the device can be installed at any suitable location where it is easy to take an image of the interior of the refrigerator. The communication component 14 may be a wifi communication module.

The embodiment of the invention also relates to a control method for a refrigerator, which comprises the following steps as shown in fig. 7 and 8:

1. the controller 12 determines that the refrigerator door 202 is closed, and then the illumination lamp (not shown) inside the refrigerator body is continuously turned on for a time T, such as 30 seconds;

2. a first driving part 104-1, such as a stepping motor, rotates forward to drive the camera 103 to move upward and take an image;

3. when the camera 103 contacts with the first sensor 105-1 or enters a sensing area of the sensor, the controller 12 judges that the camera 103 reaches the top of the track from the original position, and the camera 103 stops shooting and returns;

4. the first sensor 105-1 controls the stepping motor to rotate reversely, and drives the camera 103 to move downwards through the motor.

5. When the camera 103 contacts with the second sensor 105-2 or enters the sensing area of the sensor, the controller 12 determines that the camera 103 reaches the bottom of the motion track, the second sensor 105-2 controls the stepping motor to stop working, and the camera 103 transmits an image to the controller 12. Therein, both the camera 103 and the controller 12 have a communication component 14, such as a wifi module or the like. The camera 103 synthesizes all the photos obtained by the latest movement into a panoramic photo and sends the panoramic photo to the controller 12, and the controller 12 transmits the image to the server 30 through the wifi module. Alternatively, the camera 103 transmits all the photos obtained from the latest movement to the server 30, so that the server 30 synthesizes a panoramic photograph according to the photos.

As described in the foregoing embodiment, when the charging mode of the mobile image pickup apparatus 10 is wireless charging, the wireless charging section 106' is triggered to charge the camera 103 when the camera 103 returns to the bottom.

In specific implementation, in order to save the storage space, the acquired image may be compressed first and then stored. And the transmission resource can be transmitted after the acquired image is compressed, so that the transmission resource is saved.

The connection relationship between the respective components involved in the above control method is described in detail below with reference to fig. 9 to 11.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the connections between the various components involved in the inventive arrangements when the camera head is powered by conductive tracks. The refrigerator 20 includes a controller 12, a camera 103 connected to the controller 12, a first driving part 104-1, and a communication part 14. The controller 12 controls the movement of the camera 103 via the first driving part 104-1 while supplying power to the camera via the conductive rail 106. The image information acquired by the camera 103 by moving is transmitted to the controller 12 through the communication part 14, and then is transmitted to the server 30 by the controller 12.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of connections between the respective components according to the present invention when the camera 103 is powered by a wireless charging method. Unlike the scheme of fig. 9, the refrigerator 20 includes a wireless charging unit 106' connected to the controller 12, and when the camera 103 triggers a sensor or switch, the camera 103 is charged in a wireless charging manner.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of connections between respective components involved in the aspect of the present invention when the camera head 103 can control its rotation by the second driving component 104-2 such as a dc motor. Unlike the scheme of fig. 9, the refrigerator further includes a dc motor connected to the controller 12, and the dc motor can control the camera 103 to rotate or swing, so as to obtain a photographing view of a larger angle. Of course, this scheme may also adopt the wireless charging scheme as shown in fig. 10 to charge the camera.

In the scheme of the present invention, the intelligent terminal 40, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, etc., is used to remotely obtain the information in the refrigerator, as shown in fig. 12, the method includes the following steps:

s121, the controller receives a control instruction; the control instruction comprises designated position information and/or moving speed for indicating the camera to move along the transmission rod, or indicating the camera to rotate at a certain angle, and the like.

S122, the camera moves according to the control instruction and obtains an image in the refrigerator; specifically, the camera moves to a specified position according to the position information of the control instruction, or the camera moves to the specified position at a specified speed.

And S123, transmitting the image to a terminal in real time. The camera transmits the acquired photos or videos to the terminal in real time through the communication component.

Optionally, after the controller receives the control instruction, the lighting component in the refrigerator is continuously turned on for a time T, such as 30 s.

Optionally, when the camera moves from the first position (for example, the bottom of the conveying rod) to the second position (for example, the top of the conveying rod) according to the control instruction, triggering the camera to stop acquiring the image inside the refrigerator, and returning to the first position; when the camera moves to the first position and contacts with the sensor at the first position, the stepping motor is triggered to stop working, and the camera sends an image to the controller. If the camera is supplied with power in a wireless charging mode, the wireless charging component is triggered to charge the camera at the same time.

The above control method is described in detail with reference to specific application scenarios.

The user looks at the inside panoramic image of refrigerator that the last time acquireed when closing the refrigerator door at mobile terminal, finds that the image or the video of some corners are not clear enough in this image, and it is difficult to accurately discern the edible material. And therefore needs to be reviewed and confirmed again. In this case, the user may send a control command to the movable camera device inside the refrigerator through a terminal such as a mobile phone, so as to control the camera to move to a designated position at a certain speed, or to control the camera to rotate at a certain angle, so as to obtain more viewing angles. As shown in detail in fig. 13.

As shown in fig. 13, both the terminal 40 and the refrigerator 20 are connected to the server 30, such as a cloud, through a communication module. The user operates the interface of the terminal application (as shown in fig. 14), and dials the position control bar and the speed control bar of the interface to form a control command. Meanwhile, the terminal transmits the control command to the server 30 in real time through the network, and the server 30 transmits the command to the controller 12 of the refrigerator 20, so that the controller 12 controls the camera 103 to move according to the command. The controller 12 controls the illumination lamp inside the refrigerator to be continuously lit for a certain period of time after receiving the control command. After receiving the control command, the camera 103 moves to a designated position according to a designated speed and takes an image, and feeds back the image to the terminal 40 in real time. The controllable length of the position control strip is the same as the length of the moving track of the camera, and the position points of the position control strip are in one-to-one correspondence, so that the camera can be controlled to move to any position of the track of the camera through the position control strip. The scheme is not limited to sending the control command through the control bar, and other modes can be adopted to form a control command interface.

As shown in fig. 15, the present invention also relates to a refrigerator 20 'using the above method, the refrigerator comprising a controller 12' for receiving a control instruction; wherein the control instruction includes designated position information and/or moving speed and the like for instructing the camera 103 to move along the transmission rod 102; the camera 103 is used for moving and acquiring images in the refrigerator according to the control instruction; specifically, the camera 103 moves to a specified position according to the position information of the control instruction, or the camera 103 moves to the specified position at a specified speed; the controller 12 'is further configured to transmit the image to the terminal 40 in real time, that is, the controller 12' controls the camera 103 to transmit the acquired photo or video to the terminal 40 through the communication component 14 in real time.

The refrigerator further includes an illumination part 203 disposed in the cabinet, and the controller 12' controls the illumination part 203 to be continuously turned on for a time T, such as 30s, after receiving the control command.

When the camera 103 moves to the first position of the transmission rod 102 according to the control instruction and contacts with the first sensor 105-1 at the first position or enters the sensing area of the sensor, triggering the camera 103 to stop acquiring the image inside the refrigerator and returning to the second position; when the camera 103 moves to the second position and contacts with the second sensor 105-2 at the second position or enters the sensing area of the sensor, the stepping motor is triggered to stop working, and the camera 103 sends an image to the controller 12'.

As described above, the camera 103 further includes a wireless charging component, and if the camera 103 is powered by a wireless charging manner, when the camera 103 moves to the second position and contacts with the sensor at the second position or enters the sensing area of the sensor, the wireless charging component is triggered to charge the camera 103.

Optionally, the camera 103 further has a communication module 14 for transmitting the obtained image to the controller 12'.

By adopting the scheme, most of information in the refrigerator can be obtained as comprehensively as possible by controlling the camera to move, and a complete internal image is displayed on the mobile terminal. Meanwhile, the user can remotely control the movable camera device to move along the track through the mobile terminal, and information of a certain position in the refrigerator is obtained in real time. The scheme improves the experience of a user in using the refrigerator.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by instructions associated with hardware via a program, which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium may include: ROM, RAM, magnetic or optical disks, and the like.

Although the present invention is disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. The method for acquiring the internal information of the refrigerator comprises a controller, a camera shooting component connected with the controller, and a transmission rod arranged in the refrigerator, wherein the camera shooting component can move along the transmission rod; the controller is in communication connection with a terminal, and the terminal comprises a position control strip; the method is characterized by comprising the following steps:

the controller receives a control instruction sent by the terminal through a position control bar of the terminal, wherein the controllable length of the position control bar is consistent with the length of a moving track of the camera shooting component on the transmission rod, and the position points of the position control bar are in one-to-one correspondence with each other so as to control the moving position of the camera shooting component on the transmission rod through the position control bar;

the camera shooting component moves to the designated position of the transmission rod according to the control instruction, obtains the image of the corresponding position in the refrigerator and transmits the image to the controller;

and the controller transmits the image to a terminal in real time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller receives the control command and further comprises the step of continuously lighting the lighting component in the refrigerator for a lighting time T.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal further comprises a speed control bar; the camera shooting component moves to the appointed position of the transmission rod according to the control command, and the camera shooting component also moves to the appointed position of the transmission rod at the appointed speed according to the control command sent by the speed control strip and the position control strip.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera element moving to the designated position of the transmission rod according to the control command to capture the image of the corresponding position inside the refrigerator comprises the camera element moving from a first position to a second position according to the control command, the camera element stopping capturing the image of the inside of the refrigerator and returning to the first position;

when the image pickup section is moved to the first position, the image pickup section is charged by the wireless charging section.

5. The refrigerator is characterized by comprising a controller, a camera shooting component and a transmission rod, wherein the camera shooting component is connected with the controller and is arranged in the refrigerator and can move along the transmission rod; the controller is in communication connection with a terminal, and the terminal comprises a position control bar; the controller is used for receiving a control instruction sent by the terminal through a position control bar of the terminal, wherein the controllable length of the position control bar is consistent with the length of a moving track of the camera shooting component on the transmission rod, and the position points of the position control bar are in one-to-one correspondence with each other, so that the position of the camera shooting component moving on the transmission rod is controlled through the position control bar;

the camera shooting component is used for moving to a specified position according to the control instruction, acquiring an image of a corresponding position in the refrigerator and transmitting the image to the controller;

the controller is also used for transmitting the image to a terminal in real time.

6. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an illumination part disposed in the refrigerator body, wherein the illumination part is continuously turned on for a time T after the controller receives the control command.

7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the terminal further comprises a speed control bar; the camera shooting component is also used for moving to the appointed position of the transmission rod at an appointed speed according to the control command sent by the speed control strip and the position control strip.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the camera device is further configured to move from a first position to a second position according to the control command, stop acquiring the image of the inside of the refrigerator, and return to the first position;

9. The refrigerator of claim 5, further comprising a wireless communication module connected to the controller.