Claims:We claim:-

1. A system and method for Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT) wherein the Smart Refrigerator module is designed to convert any existing refrigerator into an intelligent cost effective appliance using sensors and is capable of sensing and monitoring its contents along with the capability to remotely notify the user about scarce products via SMS and email wherein:
a) The system comprises of minimum four sections where the sensors are placed Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) sensors are placed along with a counter which can be used to sense the number of eggs inside the refrigerator, also they are used to detect the level of milk and soft drinks in the container;
b) sensing the presence of vegetables in the refrigerator is done with the help of pressure sensors which has a threshold of 500gm approximately;
c) Whenever the contents inside the refrigerator go below the set threshold it generates a trigger which is being transmitted in the form of message to the user.

2. In the device as claimed in claim 1 the output is shown on a circuit board which consists of the smart refrigeration module wherein LED’s are placed at various places to indicate the flow of execution and A buzzer is used to highlight a trigger by any of the sensors.

3. In the device as claimed in claim 1 to recover from such an error, the module could be reset or a dedicated application could be implemented.

4. The smart refrigeration module as claimed in claim 1 communicates with the users via a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) module.

, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
The patent rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10: rule 13)

1. TITLE OF INVENTION
Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT)

2 APPLICANTS
Sr. No Name Nationality Address
1 Sandip Institute of Technology & Research Centre Indian Sandip Foundation's Sandip Institute of Technology & Research Centre, Mahiravani, Trimbak Road Nashik

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE
Following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

4. DESCRIPTION.

Technical field of invention:

Present invention in general relates to design a system and method for Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT) and in particular to develop a system capable of sensing and monitoring its contents using sensors.

Prior art:

Intelligent appliances with multimedia capability have been emerging into our daily life. Thanks to the fast advance of computing technology and the wide use of the Internet, smart home is one of the most prominent areas of intelligent appliances. Kitchen is one of the places where such intelligent appliances have been used. The products currently available are expensive as the user has to purchase the whole refrigerator. The Smart Refrigerator module must be designed to convert any existing refrigerator into an intelligent cost effective appliance using sensors. Many efforts in the development of the smart refrigerator have been made, none of which has been energy efficient or cost effective.

WO 2013189183 A1 discloses intelligent refrigerator based on internet of things and application system thereof. An intelligent refrigerator based on the Internet of Things and an application system thereof, relating to the technical field of the Internet of Things, and in particular, to the aspect of intelligent refrigerator system module improvement based on the Internet of Things. The intelligent refrigerator comprises a refrigerator main body and a refrigerator control module which is arranged in the refrigerator main body and used for controlling the operation of the refrigerator main body. The refrigerator main body also comprises a central processing system module, the refrigerator control module being in communication connection with the central processing system module through a UART interface. A touch display module for man-machine interaction and a network communication module for connecting the Internet network are also connected to the central processing system module. The intelligent refrigerator can realize managing the storage information of foods in a refrigerator in a graphical manner.

CN 104236244 B discloses based things smart refrigerator. The invention relates to a composition based networked intelligent refrigerator comprising a refrigerator body and a host CPU, also includes a remote communication modules nutritionist, supermarkets communication module and mobile terminal, provided on the refrigerator body with a touch screen, touch screen CPU, RFID reader and wired / wireless network card, a touch screen CPU and the host CPU is electrically connected to the touch screen CPU with the touch screen electrically connected to output terminals of the input terminal and the RFID reader touchscreen connection to the CPU, the remote dietitian communication module with the touch screen CPU via a wired or wireless two-way connected to the input terminal remote dietitian communication module communication module output terminals of the supermarket via a wired or wireless connection, supermarkets communication module and touchscreen CPU via a wired or wireless two-way connection, mobile terminals and wireless touch screen CPU via two-way connection. The invention provides a dietitian via remote communication module, and communication module supermarket refrigerator and consumers to share information, and to guide consumers on healthy eating things smart refrigerator. 1 ->

CN 203550407 U discloses an intelligent refrigerator based on the Internet of Things. The intelligent refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body and a main control CPU and further comprises a remote control nutritionist communication module, a supermarket communication module and a cell-phone terminal. The refrigerator body is provided with a touch screen, a touch screen CPU, an RFID reader-writer and a wire/wireless network card, wherein the touch screen CPU is electrically connected with the main control CPU; the touch screen CPU is electrically connected with the touch screen; an output port of the touch screen CPU is electrically connected with an output port of the RFID reader-writer; the remote control nutritionist communication module is in a wire or wireless bidirectional connection with the touch screen CPU; an output port of the remote control nutritionist communication module is in a wire or wireless connection with an input port of the supermarket communication module; the supermarket communication module is in a wire or wireless bidirectional connection with the touch screen CPU; and the cell-phone terminal is in a wire or wireless connection with the touch screen CPU. In the intelligent refrigerator based on Internet of Things, information can be shared between the refrigerator and consumers via the remote control nutritionist communication module and the supermarket communication module and healthy diet can be guided for consumers.

CN 204923624 U discloses a novel intelligent refrigerator of thing networking, including box, you men, left -hand door and foot rest, the foot rest is located the box below, foot rest and box threaded connection, right side door and left -hand door all are located the box, right side door and left -hand door all are connected with the box is articulated, be equipped with controlling means on the door of the right side, controlling means and right side door fixed connection, the last IOT chip that is equipped with of controlling means, IOT chip and controlling means data connection, be equipped with system ice device on the left -hand door, system ice device and left -hand door fixed connection, be equipped with a control panel on the door of the right side, a control panel and right side door fixed connection, be equipped with the USB interface on the control panel, a USB interface and a control panel data connection are stated the left -hand door and are equipped with the 2nd control panel, the 2nd control panel and left -hand door fixed connection, novel intelligent refrigerator of thing networking is novel in design, rational in infrastructure, convenient and practical.

CN 104457130 A discloses an intelligent refrigerator with an RFID function. The intelligent refrigerator comprises a refrigerator cavity, a refrigerating system, a main control system and an RFID power amplification module. The RFID power amplification module is used for collecting RFID information of food in the refrigerator, the refrigerating system and the RFID power amplification module are both connected with the main control system through signals, and the main control system is connected with a user terminal and/or a food supplier through a communication network and/or Internet wireless signals. According to the intelligent refrigerator with the RFID tag function, the RFID power amplification module is additionally arranged on a traditional refrigerator, the refrigerator can intelligently know the current state and the change of the food in the refrigerator, a user can remotely monitor the state of the food in the refrigerator and make a decision to dispose or adjust the food in the refrigerator, and the intelligent refrigerator is suitable for the current living state and tendency of people for the fast rhythm, material abundance and intelligent control, is a large constituent part of intelligent home and is a great progress.

Therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the existing system and technology of smart refrigerator there is need to design an improve, efficient and cost effective mechanism for implementing smart refrigerator. Hence the present invention designs and develops a system and method for Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT).

Object:

1. Primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT).

2. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of sensing and monitoring its contents using sensors.

3. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide to maintain with minimum effort an inventory list of food items.

4. Yet another object of the present invention is to monitor the items inside it and notify about scarce products.

5. Yet another object of the present invention is to generate a trigger which is being transmitted in the form of message to the user.

6. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide ON/OFF control through mobile phone.

7. Yet another object of the present invention is to send SMS for items to be order.

8. Yet another object of the present invention is to gives indication when ice is ready.

9. Yet another object of the present invention is to sends alert when smell in fridge exceeds threshold

10. Yet another object of the present invention is to detect volume of liquid in bottles.

11. Yet another object of the present invention is to gives alert when hot items are placed in refrigerator
12. Yet another object of the present invention is to save energy by sensing temperature during winter.

13. Yet another object of the present invention is to gives indication when main door or freezer door is opened for long time.

14. Yet another object of the present invention is to gives alert on expiry of products in refrigerator.

15. Yet another object of the present invention is to display temperature on front panel.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from detail description and appended claims to those skilled in art.

STATEMENT:
Accordingly following invention provides a system and method for Smart Refrigerator using Internet of Things (IOT). The Smart Refrigerator module is designed to convert any existing refrigerator into an intelligent cost effective appliance using sensors. The smart refrigerator is capable of sensing and monitoring its contents. The smart refrigerator is also able to remotely notify the user about scarce products via SMS and email. The smart refrigerator used to monitor the items inside it and notify about scarce products and provides ON/OFF control through mobile phone etc. The system comprises of minimum four sections where the sensors are placed Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) sensors are placed along with a counter which can be used to sense the number of eggs inside the refrigerator, also they are used to detect the level of milk and soft drinks in the container. The fourth application is to sense the presence of vegetables in the refrigerator which is being done with the help of pressure sensors which has a threshold of 500gm approximately. Whenever the contents inside the refrigerator go below the set threshold it generates a trigger which is being transmitted in the form of message to the user. The preferred embodiment mainly comprising of microcontroller, buzzer, speaker, LED, LCD display, sensors, refrigerator, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING:
This invention is described by way of example with reference to the following drawing where,

Figure 1 of sheet 1 shows block diagram of smart refrigerator using IOT.
Where,
1 denotes Shop
2 denotes Android App
3 denotes User
4 denotes Microcontroller (Arduino)
5 denotes Speaker, LED
6 denotes LCD display
7 denotes Sensors temperature sensor/gas sensor/IR/proximity/load cell/LDR, etc
8 denotes Refrigerator.

Figure 2 of sheet 2 shows the flow chart for fridge operation.
Where,
9 denotes detection of ICE
10 denotes If ice is ready
11 denotes Display message
12 denotes Temp detection
13 denotes If hot item is placed
14 denotes Buzzer
15 denotes Opening of doors
16 denotes If main door is open for time>t
17 denotes By default buzzer is off
18 denotes Measurement of weight
19 denotes Outer temperature detection
20 denotes Is outer tem <0.5dc
21 denotes Turn off relay
22 denotes Is overall weight in fridge > threshold
23 denotes Default.

Figure 3 of sheet 3 shows the flow chart for mobile application.
Where,
23 denotes Default
24 denotes Start
25 denotes Position of switch on mobile app
26 denotes Relay is off
27 denotes Relay is on
28 denotes Supply from relay
29 denotes Smell detection
30 denotes Is smell exceed threshold
31 denotes Alert to user through router
32 denotes Check items: egg, milk, vegetable, cold drinks
33 denotes Is any of above is empty
34 denotes SMS user through app & also SMS to shopkeeper to place the order of particular item
35 denotes Scan the expiry date of product
36 denotes Is product expiry?
37 denotes Alert on application.

In order that the manner in which the above-cited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be referred, which are illustrated in the appended drawing. Understanding that these drawing depict only typical embodiment of the invention and therefore not to be considered limiting on its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and details through the use of the accompanying drawing.

Detailed description:

Methodology:
The system comprises of minimum four sections where the sensors are placed Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) sensors are placed along with a counter which can be used to sense the number of eggs inside the refrigerator, also they are used to detect the level of milk and soft drinks in the container. The fourth application is to sense the presence of vegetables in the refrigerator which is being done with the help of pressure sensors which has a threshold of 500gm approximately. Whenever the contents inside the refrigerator go below the set threshold it generates a trigger which is being transmitted in the form of message to the user.

Sensors:
These field sensors are fitted in Refrigerator where bottles are stored, one for each bottle. They are object sensors and if not found any object in front of them, they produce NO Object signal which is fed to Object Detector Unit for further processing.

Object Detector Unit:
This unit generates NO Object alert signal corresponding to field sensors signal, which is server’s software format. This server understandable alert signal is fed to input port of server through suitable Interfacing stage.

Interfacing Stage:
As server needs TTL compatible level signals at its input port, suitable interfacing stage must be introduced before feeding field signals directly to it to avoid any kind of damage.

Design and Specifications:
A. High Level Design
This chapter discusses the High Level Design that will be used in the development of the SRIOT (Smart Refrigerator Using IOT) module. This chapter lists the techniques and approaches used during development of this module and also provide a detailed analysis. This module could be seen as a combination of smaller modules namely:
1. Sensing module
2. Control module
3. Transmission module

These modules work together to determine low contents of a particular product inside the refrigerator and notify the user about the scarce product via SMS (Short Message Service) or email.

B. Design Considerations
1. General Constraints
The following constraints must be kept in mind while developing the design.
• Power supply should be switched off when module not in use
• Module has to be installed such that there is availability of strong network in order to notify the user
• The food items have to be placed in their respective slots.
• The pressure sensor output has to be kept high.
• The design must be applicable any existing refrigerator.

2. Architectural Strategies
This section describes the design decisions and strategies that affect the overall organization of the system and its higher-level structures. These strategies will provide insight into the key abstractions and mechanisms used in the system architecture.

3. Programming Language
The programming language plays a major role in the efficiency as well as the future development of the project. ‘embedded C’ was the effective option among others to be chosen as programming language.

C. Future Plans
The device introduces many new possibilities that could be integrated with the existing system. The module can be extended to include many new and advanced sensors and new ways of communicating with the user. Current module supports a few essential applications but it can be designed to meet the needs of a particular user.

1. User Interface Paradigm
The output is shown on a circuit board which consists of the smart refrigeration module. LED’s are placed at various places to indicate the flow of execution. A buzzer is used to highlight a trigger by any of the sensors.

2. Error Detection and Recovery
The possible source of error includes replacing of food items without using them. If the user extracts an egg from the tray and places it again at the end the module will detect the use of one egg which could to lead to false notification. To recover from such an error, the module could be reset or a dedicated application could be implemented.

3. Data Storage Management
Data storage management is essential to the efficient nature of the program. It must be ensured that all dynamically allocated variables and objects are efficiently de-allocated and cleaned up.

4. Communication Mechanism
The smart refrigeration module communicates with the users via a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) module.
D. Design and Specification of Smart Refrigerator
This section deals with the implementation and design of the components used. For the first application i.e. detection of scarcity of eggs in the refrigerator an LDR is combined with a counter to keep track of the contents in the egg compartment. In this implementation as soon as 3 eggs are used, the user is notified. The second and third application involves the use LDR sensors for sensing items inside the refrigerator which are placed inside specific containers. Placing of sensors is to be done according to the requirement of the user or threshold level required. The next application makes use of a pressure sensor. As vegetables are measured according to weight and not size a pressure sensor is used to sense the scarcity of vegetables in a particular compartment. In this implementation the threshold kept is around 0.5 kg.

Hardware required:-
DHT22
ESP8266EX
MQ2 Gas Sensor
LoadcellHX711
Light Dependent Resistor

Software:
Arduino IDE
Android Studio

Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspect is not limited to specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general invention concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.