SMART REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A smart refrigeration system includes at least one rotatable shelf having at least one storage compartment, the at least one storage compartment having an identification unit for identifying an item in the at least one storage compartment, where the smart refrigeration system is configured to track at least one of weight and freshness information of the item. The identification unit is configured to capture an image of the item or scan a barcode of the item. The smart refrigeration system further includes a reminder unit notifying a user to restock the item. The smart refrigeration system further includes a temperature control unit configured to adjust the temperature of the at least one storage compartment independently from other storage compartments in the smart refrigeration system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to a provisional patent application entitled “REFRIGERATOR,” Ser. No. 62/289,890, filed on Feb. 1, 2016. The disclosure in this provisional application is hereby incorporated fully by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to smart appliances. More specifically, the present application relates to a smart refrigeration system.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators are an essential household appliance for food storage. Unfortunately, due to people's modern busy lifestyles, at least a quarter of the food items, such as unappealing leftovers, wilted lettuce, and expired milk, in the refrigerator will ultimately end up in the trash. Thus, there is a need in the art for a smart refrigeration system with built-in intelligence that could track food inventory, monitor the freshness of perishable items, and provide restocking information to its users.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a smart refrigeration system, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram of an exterior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of an interior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1C is a diagram of an exterior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1D is a diagram of an exterior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1E is a schematic block diagram of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining to implementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary embodiments. However, the present application is not limited to merely these exemplary embodiments. Other variations and embodiments of the present application will occur to those skilled in the art. Unless noted otherwise, like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings and illustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, and are not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

Referring to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a diagram of an exterior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 1A, a smart refrigeration system 100 includes a storage unit 12 and a base unit 14. The storage unit 12 includes a door 10 and multiple shelves, each having a number of storage compartments (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1A). The base unit 14 includes, but is not limited to, a compressor, a condenser, expansion valves and liquid evaporators (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1A).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the door 10 includes a first button 30 for controlling the opening and closing of the door 10. For example, when the first button 30 is pressed, the door 10 can automatically open and close. The first button 30 can be accessed on both the exterior and the interior of the door 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the door 10 can swing open like a traditional door. In another exemplary embodiment, the door 10 can slide open.

The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes one or more second buttons (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1A) inside the storage unit 12 for controlling the opening and closing of the storage compartments in the storage unit 12. When one of the second buttons is pressed, a drawing of the corresponding storage compartment can automatically slide in and out of the shelf. That is, the storage compartments are automatically retractable storage compartment.

The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes a third button 50, which controls the rotation of the rotatable shelves in the storage unit 12. The third button 50 can be accessed on both the exterior and the interior of the door 10. When the third button 50 is pressed, one or more rotatable shelves inside the storage unit 12 can rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the door 10 includes a transparent portion 18, which allows items stored in the storage unit 12 to be seen without a need to open the door 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the transparent portion 18 is made of glass. In another exemplary embodiment, the transparent portion 18 is made of see-through plastic material. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the transparency of the transparent portion 18 can be adjusted if needed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 100 has a cylindrical shape. Also, the shelves inside the storage unit 12 each have a circular shape. As such, the shelves can rotate inside the smart refrigeration system 100 to maximize the utility of the interior space of the storage unit 12.

Since opening the door 10 exposes the interior of the smart refrigeration system 100 to the ambient temperature outside of the smart refrigeration system 100, readjusting the interior temperature to a predetermined level to keep the items refrigerated requires additional energy. Thus, by having the transparent portion 18 on the door 10 and the rotatable shelves controlled by the third button 50, the smart refrigeration system 100 allows the user to see what's stored in the storage unit 12 without a need to open the door 10, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the smart refrigeration system 100.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes a display 16 on the door 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the display 16 is integrated in the door 10, and can be accessed on both the exterior and the interior of the door 10. In another exemplary embodiment, the display 16 is attached to the door 10. The display 16 may be configured to display a graphic user interface 17 and provide inventory information of the smart refrigeration system 100 to the user. For example, the graphic user interface 17 may include a touch screen keyboard for the user to enter associated information when items are stored in or taken out of the storage unit 12. The display 16 also allows the user to enter inventory information through, for example, a touch screen panel of the display 16. The display 16 may also display inventory information associated with each item stored in the storage unit 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the display 16 may be a personal TV.

The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes a fourth button 60 for turning the display 16 on and off. The fourth button 60 can be accessed on both the exterior and the interior of the door 10. In the present exemplary implementation, the fourth button 60 is on the display 16. In an exemplary implementation, the first button 30 and the third button 50 can also be incorporated in the display 16.

Referring to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B is a diagram of an interior of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In an exemplary implementation, the smart refrigeration system 100 in FIG. 1B may substantially correspond to the smart refrigeration system 100 in FIG. 1A. With the door 10 open, the interior of the smart refrigeration system 100 is shown in FIG. 1B.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes the door 10 having the display 16 and the transparent portion 18, storage unit 12 having rotatable shelves 12A, 12B, and 12C the storage compartments 20 (e.g., storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D), the base unit 14, the first button 30, one or more second buttons 40, the third button 50, the fourth button 60, a plurality of identification units 70, a reminder unit 75, a processing unit 80, a temperature control unit 85, and a plurality of sensor units 90.

The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes a memory (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1B) for storing data received from the identification unit 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90, for example. The memory may include a main memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage devices. These memories may also be referred to as a computer-readable medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. The execution of the sequences of instructions contained in a computer-readable medium may cause the processor to perform functions such as identifying items, sensing the weight of the items, controlling the temperature of the storage compartments, and reminding the user to restock one or more items. The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes a processor (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1B) for executing programs stored in the memory of the smart refrigeration system 100.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes the rotatable shelves 12A, 12B, and 12C, each having a number of storage compartments. For example, the rotatable shelf 12A includes the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D. The storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D each have a sector shape, and are configured to store items, such as food and beverages. In an exemplary implementation, the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D each include a retractable drawer that can slide in and out of the rotatable shelf 12A. For example, the second buttons 40 are displaced on the front side of the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D. Each of the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D is configured to automatically slide in and out of the rotatable shelf 12A, when the corresponding second button 40 is pressed. It is noted that the drawers and their corresponding second buttons 40 for certain storage compartments (e.g., the storage compartments 20B and 20D on the rotatable shelf 12A) are omitted from FIG. 1B for clarity.

In FIG. 1B, the storage compartment 20A includes the identification unit 70 for identifying the items stored in the storage compartment 20A. In an exemplary embodiment, the identification unit 70 includes a camera that can capture an image of each of the items stored in the storage compartment 20A. In another exemplary embodiment, the identification unit 70 includes a scanner that can scan a barcode on the packaging of each of the items stored in the storage compartment 20A. The identification unit 70 can also track the history of a particular item, for example, the purchase date, how many time the item has been retrieved and put back, the expiration date, and etc. In yet another exemplary embodiment, if an item (e.g., a block of ham) does not have a barcode, the identification unit 70 can print a label having a barcode for the item, where the label can be attached to the item to identify the item type, the purchase date, the expiration date and etc. The identification unit 70 can provide a plurality of stickers that have random barcodes. In one exemplary embodiment, the identification unit 70 may capture and/or scan the items stored in the storage compartment 20A every time the storage compartment 20A is opened and/or closed to keep track of what items are added to or removed from the storage compartment 20A. For example, if a particular item is partially or entirely removed from the storage compartment 20A, upon closing of the storage compartment 20A, the identification unit 70 may capture and/or scan the items in the storage compartment 20A, compare the information from the new capture and/or scan with the information obtained from the previous capture and/or scan to determine what item has been removed from the storage compartment 20A, and update the inventory information. Similarly, if one or more new items are added to the storage compartment 20A, upon closing of the storage compartment 20A, the identification unit 70 may capture and/or scan the items in the storage compartment 20A, compare the information from the new capture and/or scan with the information obtained from the previous capture and/or scan to determine what item has been added to the storage compartment 20A, and update the inventory information.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes the processing unit 80. In one exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 80 includes an image processing unit, that can process the image of an item captured by the identification unit 70 to obtain information of the item. In another exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 80 includes a barcode processing unit, that can process the barcode information read by the identification unit 70 to obtain information of the item. The information obtained through the identification unit 70 may be stored in the memory of the smart refrigeration system 100, and can be displayed on the display 16 on the door 10. The display 16 may also allow the user to edit and/or provide further information about the item.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes the plurality of sensor units 90. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor units 90 include weight sensors for sensing the weight of the items in the storage compartments. For example, the sensor units 90 are positioned on each of the rotatable shelves 12A, 12B, and 12C. In FIG. 1B, the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D each have a corresponding sensor unit 90 positioned on the bottom. Similarly, the rotatable shelves 12B and 12C also include the sensor units 90 positioned under each of their storage compartments. In other exemplary embodiments, the sensor units 90 can be positioned in various other places in the smart refrigeration system 100. The sensed information from the sensor units 90 are stored in the memory of the smart refrigeration system 100, can be displayed through the display 16 on the door 10.

The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes the reminder unit 75 for reminding the user to restock an item, for example, when the weight of the item is below a predetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the reminder unit 75 may provide a voice command to remind the user to restock. In another exemplary embodiment, the reminder unit 75 may be coupled to the display 16 to display a message to remind the user to restock. The memory is further configured to store programs associated with the reminder unit 75 and the communication unit 65. The processor is further configured to execute the programs associated with the reminder unit 75 and the communication unit 65.

The smart refrigeration system 100 further includes the temperature control unit 85. The temperature control unit 85 is configured to control the temperature in each of the individual storage compartments, such as the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D in the rotatable shelf 12A. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the temperature control unit 85 may control the temperature of each of the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D individually. As such, the storage compartment 20A can store an item (e.g., a block of ham) at a temperature slightly above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., 38 or 42 □), while the storage compartment 20C can store another item (e.g., ice cream) at another temperature well below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., 0 or −4 □). The temperature control unit 85 is configured to allow the user to adjust the temperature in each of the storage compartments 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D through the display 16. The memory is further configured to store programs associated with the temperature control unit 85. The processor is further configured to execute the program associated with the temperature control unit 85.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the base unit 14 is below the storage unit 12 and at the bottom of the smart refrigeration system 100. In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, the base unit 14 is above the storage unit 12 and at the top of the smart refrigeration system 100. It should also be noted that, although in the present exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 100 has a cylindrical shape and a single door, in another exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 100 may have a cuboid shape with one or more doors, and one or more storage units with rotatable shelves. For example, as shown in FIG. 1D, the smart refrigeration system 100 has a cuboid outer shape and a cylindrical storage unit, where the base unit 14 is located in the spaces between the cylindrical storage unit 12 and the outer walls of the smart refrigeration system 100. The cylindrical storage unit 12 is maximized to fit into the cuboid outer shape of the smart refrigeration system 100. Various components (e.g., a compressor, a condenser, expansion valves and liquid evaporators) of the base unit 14 may be disposed in various empty spaces (e.g., back corners) between the cylindrical storage unit 12 and the outer walls of the smart refrigeration system 100. Referring to FIG. 1E, FIG. 1E is a schematic block diagram of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In the present exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 100 in FIG. 1E may substantially correspond to the smart refrigeration system 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The smart refrigeration system 100 includes the door 10 having the display 16, the storage compartments 20, the first button 30, the one or more second buttons 40, the third button 50, the fourth button 60, the identification units 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90.

The smart refrigeration system 100 includes a memory (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1E) for storing data received from the identification unit 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90, for example. The memory may include a main memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage devices. These memories may also be referred to as a computer-readable medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. The execution of the sequences of instructions contained in a computer-readable medium may cause the processor to perform functions such as identifying items, sensing the weight of the items, controlling the temperature of the storage compartments, and reminding the user to restock one or more items. The smart refrigeration system 100 also includes a processor (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1E) for executing programs stored in the memory of the smart refrigeration system 100.

In FIG. 1E, the door 10 includes the display 16. The display 16 may include a graphic user interface that allows the user to input and retrieve inventory information of the items stored in the smart refrigeration system 100.

In FIG. 1E, the identification units 70 are coupled to the processing unit 80. For example, the identification units 70 may each include a camera or a barcode scanner in each storage compartment. The processing unit 80 may perform image recognition on images captured by the identification units 70 to identify the items. The processing unit 80 may perform image recognition on images captured by the identification units 70 to determine the freshness of the items. The processing unit 80 may process the information scanned from barcodes on the items, and send the information to the display 16. The information may be stored in the memory (e.g., non-transitory memory) associated in the display 16, and displayed on the display upon user request. It should be noted that although the identification units 70 are positioned on the front of the drawers of each storage compartment, the identification units 70 can be positioned in various other places in the storage unit 12. In FIG. 1E, the sensor units 90 (e.g., weight sensors and temperature sensors) are coupled to the storage compartments 20, the door 10, the reminder unit 75, and the temperature control unit 85. The sensor units 90 may include weight sensors to sense the weight of the items in the storage compartments. The sensor units 90 may also include temperature sensors to sense the temperature in the corresponding storage compartments. In one implementation, the sensor units 90 are positioned under each of the storage compartments. In other embodiments, the sensor units 90 can be positioned in various other places in the smart refrigeration system 100. The sensed information from the sensor units 90 are stored in the memory (e.g., non-transitory memory) of the smart refrigeration system 100, can be provided through the display 16 on the door 10. The sensor units 90 may be coupled to the reminder unit 75 that can remind the user to restock through voice alert or messaging, when the inventory for a particular item is below a predetermined threshold. As such, the smart refrigeration system 100 is able to track the weight and freshness of one or more items in the storage compartments. Among other advantages, the smart refrigeration system 100 can prevent the user from over buying items that are still in stock, thereby substantially reducing food waste.

Also, the sensor units 90 are coupled to the temperature control unit 85. For example, when one of the sensor units 90 senses the weight of a particular storage compartment has increased, it can send the sensed information to the temperature control unit 85 to readjust the temperature in the storage compartment to keep the items refrigerated.

The smart refrigeration system 100 may include at least one multi-function area, which can store different types of food items according to the needs of different users. For example, a user can store wines in the multi-function area, while another user can store bread in the multi-function area. The multi-function area is connected to the temperature control unit. 85 which can adjust the temperature in the multi-function area based on the type of items stored therein.

Crystal clear ice cubes may be important to the smart refrigeration system 100. The smart refrigeration system 100 can dispense ice cubes from an icemaker first in last out instead of first in first out. The smart refrigeration system 100 may provide mists in one or more storage compartments to keep certain items (e.g., produce) fresh. The smart refrigeration system 100 may use the water for making ice to produce mists. The smart refrigeration system 100 may include a dry compartment that is substantially free of moisture to keep certain items crisp.

The smart refrigeration system 100 may use insulating films, such as a polyimide plastic film or a microporous insulation, which are used in aerospace applications, to provide both temperature and moisture isolation. The smart refrigeration system 100 may include an apparatus for insulating various components, such as motors and compressors, in the base unit 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus adopts sound proof technology used in submarines to substantially eliminate noises generated by the various components in the base unit 14. In another exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 100 may use active noise cancellation to cancel the noises from the various components in the base unit 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a smart refrigeration system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In the present exemplary embodiment, a smart refrigeration system 200 includes a door 10 having a display 16, storage compartments 20, a first button 30, one or more second buttons 40, a third button 50, a fourth button 60, identification units 70, a reminder unit 75, a processing unit 80, a temperature control unit 85, sensor units 90, and a communication unit 65.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the door 10 having the display 16, the storage compartments 20, the first button 30, the one or more second buttons 40, the third button 50, the fourth button 60, the identification units 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90 in FIG. 2 may substantially correspond to the door 10 having the display 16, the storage compartments 20, the first button 30, the one or more second buttons 40, the third button 50, the fourth button 60, the identification unit 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90, respectively, described above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 1E.

The smart refrigeration system 200 includes a memory (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2) for storing data received from the identification unit 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, and the sensor units 90, for example. The memory may include a main memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage devices. These memories may also be referred to as a computer-readable medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. The execution of the sequences of instructions contained in a computer-readable medium may cause the processor to perform functions such as identifying items, sensing the weight of the items, controlling the temperature of the storage compartments, and reminding the user to restock one or more items. For example, the memory may store data received from the identification units 70, the reminder unit 75, the processing unit 80, the temperature control unit 85, the sensor units 90, and the communication unit 65, for example. The smart refrigeration system 200 also includes a processor (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2) for executing programs stored in the memory of the smart refrigeration system 200.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the smart refrigeration system 200 includes the communication unit 65 coupled to the processing unit 80 and the sensor units 90. The communication unit 65 may include wireless transceivers for transmitting information to a portable device 120, and receiving information from the portable device 120. For example, the communication unit 65 may provide inventory information of one or more items in the storage compartments to the portable device 120 through a wireless link 110.

In one exemplary embodiment, the communication unit 65 may communicate with the portable device 120 through a Wi-Fi or a local area network. In another exemplary embodiment, the communication unit 65 may communicate with the portable device 120 through a radio access network (e.g., a cellular network). The portable device 120 can be a mobile phone. The communication unit 65 transmits the inventory information to the portable device 120. The inventory information may include the name of the items, the weight of each of the items, the expiration date of the items, and etc. For example, the items can be sorted by weight or expiration date. The inventory information may also include the names of the items that have recently been entirely consumed. Thus, when the user is grocery shopping, the user can buy items according to the inventory information. The memory is further configured to store programs associated with the reminder unit 75 and the communication unit 65. The processor is further configured to execute the programs associated with the reminder unit 75 and the communication unit 65.

For example, when the user is at a grocery store or supermarket, the user is able to retrieve inventory information of items stored in the smart refrigeration system 200 through the portable device 120. For example, the portable device 120 communicates with the communication unit 65 through a communication link. In another implementation, the communication unit 65 may upload the inventory information to a remote server (e.g., cloud), where the portable device 120 may access the inventory information through the remote server. The user may check and/or see what's in the storage compartments through the corresponding identification units 70.

The smart refrigeration system 200 also includes the reminder unit 75 for reminding the user to restock an item when the weight of the item is below a predetermined threshold, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the reminder unit 75 may provide a voice command to remind the user to restock. In another exemplary embodiment, the reminder unit 75 may be coupled to the display 16 to display a message to remind the user to restock.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reminder unit 75 may be coupled to the communication unit 65 for sending reminder messages to the portable device 120 to remind the user to restock one or more items. In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature control unit 85 may be coupled to the portable device 120 through the communication unit 65 to allow the user to adjust the temperature in a particular storage compartment remotely on the portable device 120. For example, if the user decides to make a pot pie for dinner, the user can send a user command through the portable device 120 to adjust the temperature of the storage compartment storing the frozen pot pie to let it thaw well before the user gets home. The memory is further configured to store programs associated with the temperature control unit 85. The processor is further configured to execute the programs associated with the temperature control unit 85.

The exemplary embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A smart refrigeration system comprising:

at least one rotatable shelf having at least one storage compartment;

the at least one storage compartment having an identification unit for identifying an item in the at least one storage compartment;

wherein the smart refrigeration system is configured to track at least one of weight and freshness information of the item.

2. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the identification unit is configured to capture an image of the item or scan a barcode of the item.

3. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 further comprising a reminder unit notifying a user to restock the item.

4. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 further comprising a temperature control unit configured to adjust a temperature of the at least one storage compartment independently from other storage compartments in the smart refrigeration system.

5. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface for a user to enter inventory information.

6. The smart refrigeration system of claim 5 wherein the user interface includes a touch screen panel.

7. The smart refrigeration system of claim 5 wherein the user interface is configured to display inventory information.

8. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the smart refrigeration system has a cylindrical shape or a cuboid shape.

9. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the smart refrigeration system includes a plurality of sensor units.

10. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 further comprising a door, wherein at least a portion of the door is transparent, and wherein the transparency is adjustable.

11. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the smart refrigeration system is configured to adjust a temperature of the at least one storage compartment in response to a user command.

12. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage compartment is an automatically retractable storage compartment.

13. The smart refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the at least one rotatable shelf is configured to rotate in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

14. A smart refrigeration system comprising:

at least one rotatable shelf having at least one storage compartment;

the at least one storage compartment having an identification unit for identifying an item in the at least one storage compartment;

a communication unit for providing inventory information of the item to a portable device through a wireless link.

15. The smart refrigeration system of claim 14 wherein the at least one rotatable shelf is configured to rotate in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

16. The smart refrigeration system of claim 14 further comprising a temperature control unit configured to adjust the temperature of the at least one storage compartment independently from other storage compartments in the smart refrigeration system.

17. The smart refrigeration system of claim 16 wherein the temperature of the at least one storage compartment is adjusted by a user command through the portable device.

18. The smart refrigeration system of claim 14 wherein the smart refrigeration system has a cylindrical shape or a cuboid shape.

19. The smart refrigeration system of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of sensing units, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing units includes at least one of a weight sensor or a temperature sensor.

20. The smart refrigeration system of claim 14 wherein the at least one storage compartment is an automatically retractable storage compartment.