JP2002295962A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of effectively utilizing the function of a portable telephone set. SOLUTION: A door is provided with a holding part to hold a portable telephone set with a recording function and a camera, and the holding part is positioned on the inside of the refrigerator door. Since the lens of the portable telephone set having a camera function, is held in a state to point to the inside of the chamber, a user telephones the portable telephone set from an outgoing destination and can receive a picture and a voice, and can confirm the state of the refrigerator inside even from the outgoing destination. This constitution enables effective utilization of the camera and the recording mechanism of the portable telephone set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a door for opening and closing a storage room.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators provided with doors for opening and closing storage rooms are:
There is one described in JP-A-5-45041.
In the refrigerator described in this publication, a CCD camera is arranged on the back side of the refrigerator to help control food.

[0003]

In the refrigerator described above, C
Although the CD camera is provided in the refrigerator, it has a drawback that it is hard to recognize because the photograph is taken from the back side and is not taken from the direction normally seen by the user. Also, as a matter of course, when going out, there is a drawback that the situation inside the refrigerator cannot be checked, which is inconvenient. At present, we want to make effective use of mobile phones, which are becoming increasingly popular, so that these disadvantages can be solved.

[0004] The present invention provides a refrigerator capable of effectively utilizing the functions of a mobile phone.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator provided with a door for opening and closing a storage room, wherein the door is provided with a holding portion for holding a mobile phone.

Further, the portable telephone is provided with a recording function or a camera.

Further, the holding section is provided with a charging terminal and a data input / output terminal of the mobile phone.

[0008] Further, the holding portion is located inside the door of the refrigerator, and is formed so as to hold the lens of the camera of the portable telephone toward the inside of the refrigerator.

A self-diagnosis mode for diagnosing the condition of the refrigerator is provided, and when a failure is determined in the self-diagnosis mode, information on the failure is transmitted to the refrigerator via a mobile phone held in the door. It is provided with control means for transmitting to the service department.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 1, 2 is a door of a refrigerator (a storage room controlled at about 3 ° C.), and 3 is a vegetable room (5).
Door of a storage room controlled to about ° C), 4 is a door of an ice making room, 5
Is a door of a switching room, and 6 is a door of a freezing room (a storage room controlled at about −20 ° C.).

Reference numeral 7 denotes a display, 8 denotes an operation unit, and 9 denotes a mobile phone. This mobile phone has a camera having a camera lens on its back surface and capable of recording an image thereof, and further has a recording function. are doing. In addition, this mobile phone is provided with a charging terminal and a data input / output terminal at its lower end. Reference numeral 10 denotes a holding portion of the mobile phone, which is formed by a depression for holding the mobile phone substantially flush with the door 2.

In addition, a terminal that fits into both terminals of the mobile phone is formed below the holding section 10 (not shown in FIG. 1). Therefore, by holding the mobile phone 9 in the holding unit 10, data transfer and charging can be performed at the same time. Further, the refrigerator 1 has a self-diagnosis mode, and by performing the self-diagnosis mode, a failure state of the refrigerator can be determined by itself.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the refrigerator and the mobile phone. In FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 is provided with a control device (control means) 11 for controlling all devices, and this control device is constituted by a microcomputer or the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes a storage device, which includes a nonvolatile storage element and the like, and stores a self-diagnosis program, a result thereof, and the like. 13 is an interior light, 14 is a charging terminal for a mobile phone charger 25, 15 is a transmitting and receiving terminal for transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile phone, and both terminals 14 and 15 are provided at the lower part of the holding unit. ing.

The mobile phone 9 includes a control device 16 for controlling each device of the mobile phone, a transceiver 17 for transmitting and receiving to and from other telephones, a camera 18 including a CCD camera and a lens, and a microphone 19. , Speaker 20, storage device 21, rechargeable battery 2 such as lithium battery
2, a charging terminal 23, a data input / output terminal 24, and the like. The storage device 21 stores a telephone number, a sound input from a microphone, an image from a camera, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control when the self-diagnosis program for the refrigerator is executed.

The refrigerator constructed as described above can be used in a plurality of ways as follows. The first way of use will be described.

Calling the mobile phone 9 from outside,
A person in the kitchen can take an image with a camera and send it to the user to check the image or to make a conversation while requesting preparation for cooking.

The second method of use will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This usage method is to operate a self-diagnosis program of the refrigerator 1 and automatically contact a service department (a service company or a refrigerator manufacturer) of the refrigerator 1 via the mobile phone 9 when a failure is found. It is.

First, the control device 11 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether or not to execute a self-diagnosis program (S1). When the operation of starting the self-diagnosis program is performed by the user or the serviceman (YES in S1), the control device 11 executes the self-diagnosis program (S2).

Next, as a result of executing the self-diagnosis program, it is determined whether or not there is a failure (S3). If there is a failure (YES in S3), the control device 11 selects an error code corresponding to the failure (S4). Then, the mobile phone 9 transmits the error code and a control signal that causes the mobile phone 9 to call the service department.
The data is transmitted via the input / output terminal 15 (S5). Mobile phone 9
However, when the error code and the control signal are input, the control device 16 of the mobile phone 9 controls the transceiver 17 and the like to call the service department (S6). The control device 16 of the mobile phone 9 determines whether or not the line is connected (S7). If the line is connected (YES in S7), an error code and data such as the model and the customer code are transmitted ( S
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the processing is to be ended (S9). If the processing is to be ended (YES in S9), the line is disconnected and the processing is ended.

As described above, if a failure is found by the self-diagnosis program, the service department is automatically notified by the mobile phone 9 and the details of the failure are reported in the form of an error code. Quick response to failure.

At this time, a configuration may be adopted in which only a failure that cannot be dealt with by the user is notified, or the content of the failure is displayed on the display 7.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Note that the block diagram of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of FIG.

Reference numeral 31 shown in FIG. 4 denotes a refrigerator compartment door 2A. Inside the compartment, that is, inside the compartment, a holding portion 10A for holding the mobile phone 9 with the lens 18A of the camera 18 facing the inside of the compartment.
Are formed. Naturally, the holding section 10A is provided with the charging terminal 14 and the data input / output terminal 15. Further, a discharge portion for discharging water droplets may be formed at the lowermost portion of the holding portion 10A. 31 is a refrigeration room (storage room), 32 is a specific low-temperature room that can be used as a chilled room or an ice greenhouse, 33 is a vegetable room, 34 and 35 are freezing rooms, 36 is a blower for circulating cool air, 37 is an evaporator, 38 Is the refrigerant compressor, 3
Reference numeral 9 denotes a cold air passage, in which an interior lamp is arranged at a portion indicated by the 39 lead lines, but is not shown in FIG.

Further, the control device 11 of the refrigerator includes the interior light 1
The camera 3 is controlled so as to synchronize with the shutter of the camera 18. When an image of the interior of the refrigerator is taken by the camera 18, the interior light 13 is turned on so that the photograph can be taken.

The refrigerator 1A thus configured can be used as described below. This usage will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As a precondition, the mobile phone 9 is connected to the refrigerator 1A.
Need to be held inside the door 2A. Otherwise, the camera 9 of the mobile phone 9 may not be able to photograph the inside of the refrigerator.
In addition, if there is a food to be stored in the refrigerator 1A that is considered to be purchased, the food is recorded using the recording function of the mobile phone 9. In addition, this mobile phone 9 on the go
It is preferable that the telephone having a camera function and a display function capable of displaying an image is provided as a telephone for making a telephone call to the user. Without these functions, images cannot be viewed even if they are sent.

The user makes a call to the mobile phone 9 from a place where he / she is away, and makes a button operation to request image transmission. In the control device 11 of the mobile phone 9, when this transmission request signal is input (YES in S 1), the latest image is stored in the storage device 1.
Then, it is confirmed whether or not the data is stored in the memory 2 (S2). If the latest image is stored (YES in S2), the latest image and sound are transmitted. When this image and sound are received on the go, the situation in the refrigerator and the food to be purchased can be understood, and there is little risk that the food will be overlooked.

If the latest image is not stored in the storage device 12 (NO in S2), the interior light 13
A control signal is output to the mobile phone 9 so as to release the shutter of the camera 18 in synchronization with the camera, and an image of the interior of the refrigerator is taken (S
3). Then, the captured image is stored in the storage device 12 (S4). Then, the process returns to S2 again, but since the latest image is stored (YES in S2), the latest image and sound are sent (S7). Then, it is determined whether or not to end (S5), and if it has been completed (YES in S5), the process ends.

When the user does not request an image (NO in S1), only the sound is transmitted from the mobile phone 9.

As described above, since information in the refrigerator 1A, that is, images and sounds can be received from the outside using the mobile phone 9, food purchase can be prevented.

The refrigerator 1A has a charging terminal 14
Is provided, charging is performed only by holding the mobile phone 9 in the holding unit 10A, and the inconvenience such as not being able to receive a phone call due to exhaustion of the battery 22 or not being able to take a picture is prevented. it can.

It should be noted that, in addition to the second embodiment, the system can be configured so that only an image can be sent, or the current state of the interior can be photographed and transmitted by a button operation from an outside telephone. Each time the door 2A is closed, an image may be taken with a camera and an image may be stored.

Further, in this specification, a portable telephone is used in the sense of a commonly called portable telephone or a portable telephone such as a PHS (Personal Handy Phone).

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the holding portion for holding the mobile phone is provided on the door of the refrigerator, the mobile phone can be held on the door of the refrigerator. By calling this mobile phone, you can send an image to a person near the refrigerator and check the inside of the refrigerator, you can use the mobile phone effectively and use the refrigerator conveniently .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the mobile phone is provided with a recording function, the stock status in the warehouse is recorded in advance so that the mobile phone can be connected to the mobile phone from outside. You can make a phone call to check the recorded content, and use the mobile phone effectively to use the refrigerator conveniently.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the mobile phone is provided with a camera, it is possible to take a picture of the interior of the storage, and call the mobile phone from outside to make an image. The refrigerator can be received and confirmed, and the refrigerator can be conveniently used by effectively using the mobile phone.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the charging section and the data input / output terminal of the mobile phone are provided in the holding section, it is only necessary to hold the mobile phone in the holding section. In addition, the mobile phone can be charged and data can be transmitted / received, and it is possible to prevent a problem that an image or a sound cannot be received from the mobile phone due to insufficient charging of the mobile phone.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, the holding portion is formed inside the door of the refrigerator, and is formed so as to hold the lens of the camera of the portable telephone toward the inside of the refrigerator. Therefore, the situation inside the refrigerator can be photographed, and an image of the situation inside the refrigerator can be transmitted and received, which can be used as a reference for shopping or the like.

According to the present invention, a self-diagnosis mode for diagnosing the state of the refrigerator is provided, and when a failure is determined in the self-diagnosis mode, information on the failure is displayed on the door. The system is equipped with control means for transmitting the information to the refrigerator service department via the held mobile phone, so if a failure is found, the service department can be automatically contacted, and both the service department and the refrigerator user can promptly respond to the failure. Can be handled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the refrigerator and a mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control when a self-diagnosis program for the refrigerator is executed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a main part of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part enlarged explanatory view.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control when transmitting an image of the refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Refrigerator 2, 2A door 9 Mobile phone 10, 10A holding part 14 Charging terminal 15 Data input / output terminal 11 Control device (control means) 18 Camera 19 Microphone (Recording function) 31 Refrigerator room (Storage room)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator provided with a door for opening and closing a storage room, wherein the door is provided with a holding portion for holding a mobile phone. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone has a recording function. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone has a camera. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is provided with a charging terminal and a data input / output terminal of the mobile phone. 5. The portable telephone according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is located inside a refrigerator door, and is formed so as to hold the camera lens of the mobile phone toward the inside of the refrigerator. The refrigerator according to any one of the above. 6. A self-diagnosis mode for diagnosing the condition of the refrigerator, and when a failure is determined in the self-diagnosis mode, information on the failure is transmitted to the refrigerator via a mobile phone held in the door. The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising control means for transmitting to the service department.