System and method of refrigerator content tracking

Abstract

A system and a method for tracking items stored in a refrigerator which includes the identifying unit comprising a few known devices such as bar code reader or voice command processor for identifying the incoming and outgoing items also including an olfactory sensor. Said sensor in addition to identification is to be used also for assessing the items' degree of freshness for the purpose of determination of its actual expected maximum storage time—this determination will be made by the computer processor accessing the pertinent database(s) while using the digital smell signature for said access, when necessary. Said database will contain the storage data for opened or unpacked or cooked items for which the storage time data on the package is not applicable as well as possibly the items ingredients and the nutritional content. The items actual shelf storage location will be determined by means of the miniature motion detectors in combination with the optical scanners located in each shelf compartment or by means of making the shelves and the horizontal surfaces of compartments electrostatically charged and detecting the capacitative change. On the way in or out the item will be identified and the content of the appropriate section on display will be updated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.