US 12,259,182 B2
Produce ripening detection in a refrigerator appliance
Reagan Murphy, Louisville, KY (US); and Michael Goodman Schroeder, Crestwood, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/094,146.
Prior Publication US 2024/0230216 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. F25D 29/00 (2006.01); F25D 25/02 (2006.01); G06T 7/90 (2017.01); G06V 20/68 (2022.01)
CPC F25D 29/008 (2013.01) [F25D 25/025 (2013.01); G06T 7/90 (2017.01); G06V 20/68 (2022.01); F25D 2700/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receiving a produce item and a camera assembly positioned with a field of view including the produce item, the method comprising:
obtaining an initial image of the produce item using the camera assembly;
analyzing the initial image using an image recognition process to identify an initial ripeness value of the produce item;
obtaining a subsequent image of the produce item using the camera assembly;
analyzing the subsequent image using the image recognition process to identify a subsequent ripeness value of the produce item;
comparing the subsequent ripeness value to the initial ripeness value to determine if a difference has reached a predetermined value; and
signaling that an optimal ripeness condition has been reached if the predetermined value has been reached.