CA2021143A1 - Electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods - Google Patents
Electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foodsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2021143A1 CA2021143A1 CA 2021143 CA2021143A CA2021143A1 CA 2021143 A1 CA2021143 A1 CA 2021143A1 CA 2021143 CA2021143 CA 2021143 CA 2021143 A CA2021143 A CA 2021143A CA 2021143 A1 CA2021143 A1 CA 2021143A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- product
- data
- display
- identification number
- storage life
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
- G07C3/02—Registering or indicating working or idle time only
- G07C3/04—Registering or indicating working or idle time only using counting means or digital clocks
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
- G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
- G04F1/005—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers using electronic timing, e.g. counting means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods Abstract The present invention relates to an electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods, this device comprising an optoelectronic display, a memory, elements for the input of data relating to the frozen foods, namely type of product and remaining storage life, as well as additional circuit elements for storing and erasing this data. Following the input of new data, the device displays an identification number which is to be assigned to the product and which is used to later identify the product in the freezer. To erase the data in the device when the product is removed from the freezer, the identification number of the product is input in the device and the erase button is operated. The erased data can preferably be stored temporarily in the device.
Description
~32i ~ ~3 ~ 1 - 26793-46 The present invention relates to an electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods. Frozen foods have an expiry date or the housewife provides a label indi-cating the type of food and/or the expiry date on foods she freezes. However, in a freezer filled with provisions control is soon lost over the expiry date of the various products. Monitor-ing and finding the appropriate product in this manner is less effective and finding the products for which the remaining storage life has expired is highly unreliable.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a device with which it is possible to simply and reliably monitor the storage life of frozen products.
This object is solved by providing an electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods, wherein an optoelectronic display, control electronics with a memory, elements for the input of data relating to the frozen food (type of product, remaining storage life) as well as at least one circuit element to initiate storage of the data are provided in the device, wherein following input of the data of a new product to be stored, an identification number that is not yet taken and is allocated to this data appears on the display, this identifi-cation number being affixed to the product and used to later identify it in the freezer, and wherein a corresponding warning signal is generated following expiry of the remaining storage life.
The present invention starts with the idea that the data identifying the frozen product, namely type of product, for ~2~3 example beef, and the remaining storage life, are input in the monitoring device which issues an identification number which is assigned within the device to the input data and which the housewife affixes to the corresponding product for later identifi-cation. The device monitors these data and gives a warning signal, which can be either visual or acoustic, when the remaining storage life of a product has expired.
When a product is removed from the freezer, the corresponding data in the monitoring device must be erased. To this end, the identification number is input in the device by means of an input element. The corresponding data is, on the one hand, illustrated briefly on the display and, on the other hand, the data in the main memory is erased. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the data in the main memory are erased but are overwritten in an intermediate memory and stored there until the next erase process. The purpose of this is to "restore" in the device, without re-input, the data of a frozen product which is not yet to be removed for good from the freezer, in spite of the fact that this data has already been erased in the main memory. To this end, the data are re-written in the main memory from the intermediate memory upon actuation of the corresponding two circuit elements.
The device is preferably provided with a rechargable battery and a fail-safe system for the stored data in the form of a non-volatile storage and/or a storage capacitor.
Four possible exemplary embodiments of such a device will be explained in greater detail herebelow, all embodiments h32~i~3 ~ 3 - 26793-46 having in common that the type of product and the remaining stor-age life of the product to be stored are input in the device, a circuit element, which i5 allocated to the storage process and which stores the input data, is subsequently actuated and there-after an identification number appears on the display. The device is thereby designed in such a way that the lowest number not yet used from a supply of, for example, 150 to 200 numbers is issued.
When a product is removed from the freezer, the identi-fication number is first of all input in the monitoring device by means of a corresponding adjusting element and is illustrated on the display. At the same time, the type of product and the stor-age life, which is still available for this food and which the device in the 24-hour cycle has reduced by one day, appear on the display. A circuit element which is allocated to the process for removing a product from storage is subsequently actuated, whereby the data stored in the main memory is erased and transferred to the intermediate memory.
If, after a product is removed from the freezer and its associated data in the device erased, this product is to be re-turned to the freezer and monitored further, then the two afore-named circuit elements are actuated simultaneously and the tempor-arily stored data is re-written in the main memory.
As long as data are to be input in the device or erased, the data of these products are shown on the display. Following a period preset by the device of, for example, 15 seconds, the data of those products with the shortest storage life still available appear on the display.
~ .
h ~ 2 ~ ~ ~ 3 A preferred embodiment of the device provides that when selecting a type of product, for example vegetables, the product of this selected product ty-~e with the shortest available storage life is displayed for a predetermined period.
Although the paterit claims and the disclosure describe that the circuit elements for storage or removal from storage are respectively actuated following input of the type of product and the remaining storage life or the identification number, it is easily possible, however, in accordance with the present invention to actuate these circuit elements first and to then input the corresponding data.
The device comprises a timing circuit restricted to relative time, i.e. only lengths of time, namely remaining storage life, are displayed. It is also possible in accordance with the invention to incorporate a clock in the device and to display the actual expiry date in addition to or instead of the remaining storage life.
The present invention will be explained in greater de-tail herebelow on the basis of four exemplary embodiments illus-20 trated in the drawings.
Figure 1 shows the front of a first exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
Figure la shows a block diagram of a circuit arrangement for the embodiment according to Figure l;
Figure 2 shows the front of a second exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
~2 i ~43 ~ 5 - 26793-46 Figure 2a shows the associated circuit arrangement in the same illustration, Figure 3 shows the front of a third exemplary embodi-~ ment of the device;
Figure 3a shows the associated circuit arrangement;
Figure 4 shows the front of a fourth exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
Figure 4a shows the associated circuit arrangement;
Figure 4b shows a chart with bar codes;
Figure 4c shows a label to be used with the exemplary embodiment.
Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 with an optoelectronic display 2, for example an LCD display. This device comprises actuating buttons (circuit elements) 3 and 4 to initiate the pro-cess for storing data (storage) and erasing data (removal from storage). Furthermore, buttons 5 and 6 are provided in order to input the storage duration or identification number. A symbol 7 for the type of product, the remaining storage life 8, the identi-fication number 9 as well as a warning symbol 10 are illustrated on the display 2. In addition to the symbols 7, a number 11 allo-cated to the corresponding type of product can be shown in an additional line on the display. A table 12 with eight different types of product and the recommended storage life, in months, is provided below the display. Finally, an adjusting element 13, designed as a shaft encoder which generates individual bits for adjustment of the display, is used to input the storage life and the desired identification number. The peculiar feature of this . ~ ' , .
~2~4~
~ 6 - 26793-46 device is that during input the storage duration is indicated in months and after the conclusion of input is converted by the device into days and illustrated on the display.
The device described above as well as the exemplary em-bodiments described herebelow operate independently of the freezer and can be stored independent of the freezer or also at an appro-priate level on the outside of the freezer.
Figures la illustrates in a block diagram the electronic control circuit. The electronic control unit 22 as well as a storage capaci-tor 23, the latter serving as a buffer during bat-tery exchange, are provided along the outline 21 of the device.
The connecting terminals 24 abut a battery that is not illustrated. The control unit comprises an oscillator 25 for clock generation as well as a microprocessor 26. The latter is controlled from the outside by the aforenamed actuating buttons 3 to 6. An evaluator unit 27, which converts the signals of the shaft encoder 13 accordingly, precedes the microprocessor 26. A
main memory 28 as well as an intermediate memory 29, to which to the data to be stored are fed via a data bus 30, then follow the microprocessor 26. Finally, the display 2, illustrated in Figure 1, follows the microprocessor.
The device functions as follows. The device is ready to accept a type of product without additional actuation of a switch.
To this end, the shaft encoder 13 is twisted and the symbols 7 for the eight types of product illustrated in the table 12 appear one after the other. At the same time or also alternately, the corre-sponding number of the type of product appears on the display at ..
' :
~2i ~ ~
11. The actuating button 5 is then pressed to signal that a re-maining storage life is to be subsequently input. The desired storage duration of the selected type of product is then input in months via the shaft encoder 13. After this input is concluded, for example after 5 seconds, the storage duration, converted into days, appears at reference numeral 8. The actuating button 3 is then pressed to signal that data of a new product to be stored are being input in the device. An identification number, for example the number 125, subsequently appears on the display 2 at reference numeral 9. This number is written on the packaging of the product to be stored or is noted on a label attached to the product.
If a product is to be removed from the freezer, then first of all the actuating button 6 is pressed, the identification number allocated to the product, for example the number 125, is set on the display by means of the shaft encoder 13 and the actuating button 4 is pressed. The symbols for the type of pro-duct as well as the storage duration, in days, still available for this product appear for a few seconds on the display. This then disappears and the data are erased in the main memory 28 and taken over in the intermediate memory 29. The product with the shortest storage life still available together with its associated data for the type of product, the storage life and identification number then appear on the display 2.
If the storage life of a product, which is respectively counted back by one day in the 24-hour cycle, reaches the value 0, then the warning symbol 10 flashes. At the same time an acoustic signal can be given. This signal lasts until the corresponding ~32~3 ~ 8 - 26793-46 data in the device is erased and the product is removed from the freezer.
If a product, whose data has already been erased in the main memory, is to be returned to the freezer, then the identifi-cation number is to be again set on the display 2 via the shaft encoder 13 after the actuating button 6 is pressed. The actuating buttons 3 and 4 are then pressed simultaneously, whereby the data of this product are re-written in the main memory from the inter-mediate memory.
In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2, a display 2 as well as actuating buttons 3 and 4 with the same functions as in Figure 1 are again provided on the front of the device 1. Furthermore, a shaft encoder 13 as well as a table 12 listing the allowable types of products are also provided. A
table 31, which lists the storage life in months or groups of months, is illustrated next to table 12. Actuating buttons 32 as well as illuminated sectors 33, each allocated to a type of pro-duct, are arranged next to the table 12. The actuating buttons 32 are used to select the type of product and the illuminated sectors 33 visually indicate the selected type of product since corre-sponding symbols are not provided on the display 2. A similar arrangement is provided for the storage life according to table 31. Actuating buttons 34 and illuminated sectors 35 are arranged next to this table, their operating method corresponding to that described above.
The identification number can be illustrated on the dis-play 2 on the left side and the storage life, in days, can be :"' ' ~ - --'' ~
- ~ : ~ ;. :
,'`, . ~ ' :
' : ~ . '`~ .
h 3 2 1 1 ~ 3 ~ 9 - 26793-46 illustrated on the right. If a storage life lapses, the numbers 000 flash as a warning signal at reference numeral 8.
The corresponding circui-t arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2a, this arrangement being identical to that shown in Figure la except for the control of the microprocessor 26. Refer-ence numeral 32 symbolically identifies all actuating buttons for selecting the type of product and 34 identifies all actuating but-tons for selecting the storage life.
The operating method of this device is to a large extent similar to that of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1.
The type of product is selected by pressing one of the actuating buttons 32 and the desired storage life is selected by pressing an actuating button 34. The actuating button 3 (storage) is subse-quently pressed and the corresponding data are stored in the de-vice. An identification number is thereupon given in area 9 of the device. If, on the other hand, a product is to be removed from the freezer and the associated data in the device are to be erased, then an identification number is set in area 9 by means of the shaft encoder 13 and the actuating button 4 is subsequently pressed with the result that the corresponding data is erased in the main memory 28 and taken over in the intermediate memory 29.
The "storage" process in this device can also be pre-sented as follows. Following actuation of a button 32, the corre-sponding illuminated sector 33 lights up as usual; however, the identification number and the storage life of the product of a - selected product type with the shortest available storage life is illustrated on the display 2. As soon as a storage life is input , , ''' ~,. ':
- ,' , ~
~a2~3 by pressing an actuating button 34 - the associated illuminated sector again lights up - the identification number is cancelled and the selected storage life, in days, appears. As soon as the actuating button 3 is pressed, the identification number that is to be allocated to the selected type of product is also illustrat-ed on the display 2.
The following possibilities exist for the "removal from storage". An identification number is set with the shaft enclosed 13 only in area 9. The illuminated sector of the type of product allocated to this identification number then lights up. The num-ber of storage days still available for this product appears on the display 2 in area 8. If the (removal from storage) button 4 is then pressed, which should preferably happen after about 3 seconds to avoid uncertainty, all displays are cancelled briefly after about three seconds to signal that the corresponding data in the main memory are erased. The data of the product with the shortest storage life still available then appear on the display 2.
The exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3 is tech-nically similar to the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1,with the exception of the display 2 which corresponds to that of Figure 1. A slide switch 41, which can be adjusted in a guide to the individual types of product, is used instead of actuating buttons to set the type of product. The storage life is set with a second slide switch 42. Since the illuminated sectors 33 are missing, a symbol 7 for the types of product is provided instead on the display 2. The illuminated sectors 35 are likewise miss-:: ~
h~2~3 ~ 11 - 26793-46 ing; the storage life is instead input in months in area 8 of the display and only converted into days following input. The associ-ated circuit arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3a and corre-sponds to that of Figure 2a, with the exception of the display.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device in which data is input by means of a photoelectric scanner 51.
The design of the device is similar to that of the preceding exem-plary embodiments, whereby the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 are used for the same structural members. The circuit arrangement according to Figure 4a is to a large extent also simi-lar to that of the other exemplary embodiments, whereby in this case also the same reference numerals are used for the same struc-tural members. The difference is that instead of the shaft encod-er 13 the aforenamed photoelectric scanner 51 is provided which changes the type of evaluation in the evaluator unit 27 compared to the other exemplary embodiments.
A chart 52, which includes the aforenamed tables 12 and 31 with the types of product and the storage life, is provided on the freezer or in its vicinity. Bar codes 53 and 54, allocated to the individual areas and to the type of product or the storage life, serve as data carriers. To input new data during the pro-cess "storage", the scanner 51 is passed over the bar code 53 for the selected type of product and then over that 54 for the desired storage life. The corresponding data are thus stored in the de-vice and the device subsequently displays in the manner already described the identification number of the type of product. The housewife must now, however, remove from a supply of labels 55 ~ 12 - 26793-46 that label with the corresponding identification number, for ex-ample the number 100, and affix it to the product.
If this product is to be removed from the freezer and the corresponding data in the device are to be erased, then the label on the product is to be scanned with the scanner 51, whereby the number 100 stored on the label in the bar code is read into the device and the allocated data is called up and illustrated on the display. Actuating button 4 on the device is subsequently pressed and the corresponding data in the main memory are erased and taken over in the intermediate memory.
In each of the exemplary embodiments described above the possibility exists that during display of the shortest storage life available for a selected type of product, the display switch-es over after a predetermined time of, for example, 15 seconds to that product with the shortest storage life of all the products.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a device with which it is possible to simply and reliably monitor the storage life of frozen products.
This object is solved by providing an electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods, wherein an optoelectronic display, control electronics with a memory, elements for the input of data relating to the frozen food (type of product, remaining storage life) as well as at least one circuit element to initiate storage of the data are provided in the device, wherein following input of the data of a new product to be stored, an identification number that is not yet taken and is allocated to this data appears on the display, this identifi-cation number being affixed to the product and used to later identify it in the freezer, and wherein a corresponding warning signal is generated following expiry of the remaining storage life.
The present invention starts with the idea that the data identifying the frozen product, namely type of product, for ~2~3 example beef, and the remaining storage life, are input in the monitoring device which issues an identification number which is assigned within the device to the input data and which the housewife affixes to the corresponding product for later identifi-cation. The device monitors these data and gives a warning signal, which can be either visual or acoustic, when the remaining storage life of a product has expired.
When a product is removed from the freezer, the corresponding data in the monitoring device must be erased. To this end, the identification number is input in the device by means of an input element. The corresponding data is, on the one hand, illustrated briefly on the display and, on the other hand, the data in the main memory is erased. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the data in the main memory are erased but are overwritten in an intermediate memory and stored there until the next erase process. The purpose of this is to "restore" in the device, without re-input, the data of a frozen product which is not yet to be removed for good from the freezer, in spite of the fact that this data has already been erased in the main memory. To this end, the data are re-written in the main memory from the intermediate memory upon actuation of the corresponding two circuit elements.
The device is preferably provided with a rechargable battery and a fail-safe system for the stored data in the form of a non-volatile storage and/or a storage capacitor.
Four possible exemplary embodiments of such a device will be explained in greater detail herebelow, all embodiments h32~i~3 ~ 3 - 26793-46 having in common that the type of product and the remaining stor-age life of the product to be stored are input in the device, a circuit element, which i5 allocated to the storage process and which stores the input data, is subsequently actuated and there-after an identification number appears on the display. The device is thereby designed in such a way that the lowest number not yet used from a supply of, for example, 150 to 200 numbers is issued.
When a product is removed from the freezer, the identi-fication number is first of all input in the monitoring device by means of a corresponding adjusting element and is illustrated on the display. At the same time, the type of product and the stor-age life, which is still available for this food and which the device in the 24-hour cycle has reduced by one day, appear on the display. A circuit element which is allocated to the process for removing a product from storage is subsequently actuated, whereby the data stored in the main memory is erased and transferred to the intermediate memory.
If, after a product is removed from the freezer and its associated data in the device erased, this product is to be re-turned to the freezer and monitored further, then the two afore-named circuit elements are actuated simultaneously and the tempor-arily stored data is re-written in the main memory.
As long as data are to be input in the device or erased, the data of these products are shown on the display. Following a period preset by the device of, for example, 15 seconds, the data of those products with the shortest storage life still available appear on the display.
~ .
h ~ 2 ~ ~ ~ 3 A preferred embodiment of the device provides that when selecting a type of product, for example vegetables, the product of this selected product ty-~e with the shortest available storage life is displayed for a predetermined period.
Although the paterit claims and the disclosure describe that the circuit elements for storage or removal from storage are respectively actuated following input of the type of product and the remaining storage life or the identification number, it is easily possible, however, in accordance with the present invention to actuate these circuit elements first and to then input the corresponding data.
The device comprises a timing circuit restricted to relative time, i.e. only lengths of time, namely remaining storage life, are displayed. It is also possible in accordance with the invention to incorporate a clock in the device and to display the actual expiry date in addition to or instead of the remaining storage life.
The present invention will be explained in greater de-tail herebelow on the basis of four exemplary embodiments illus-20 trated in the drawings.
Figure 1 shows the front of a first exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
Figure la shows a block diagram of a circuit arrangement for the embodiment according to Figure l;
Figure 2 shows the front of a second exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
~2 i ~43 ~ 5 - 26793-46 Figure 2a shows the associated circuit arrangement in the same illustration, Figure 3 shows the front of a third exemplary embodi-~ ment of the device;
Figure 3a shows the associated circuit arrangement;
Figure 4 shows the front of a fourth exemplary embodi-ment of the device;
Figure 4a shows the associated circuit arrangement;
Figure 4b shows a chart with bar codes;
Figure 4c shows a label to be used with the exemplary embodiment.
Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 with an optoelectronic display 2, for example an LCD display. This device comprises actuating buttons (circuit elements) 3 and 4 to initiate the pro-cess for storing data (storage) and erasing data (removal from storage). Furthermore, buttons 5 and 6 are provided in order to input the storage duration or identification number. A symbol 7 for the type of product, the remaining storage life 8, the identi-fication number 9 as well as a warning symbol 10 are illustrated on the display 2. In addition to the symbols 7, a number 11 allo-cated to the corresponding type of product can be shown in an additional line on the display. A table 12 with eight different types of product and the recommended storage life, in months, is provided below the display. Finally, an adjusting element 13, designed as a shaft encoder which generates individual bits for adjustment of the display, is used to input the storage life and the desired identification number. The peculiar feature of this . ~ ' , .
~2~4~
~ 6 - 26793-46 device is that during input the storage duration is indicated in months and after the conclusion of input is converted by the device into days and illustrated on the display.
The device described above as well as the exemplary em-bodiments described herebelow operate independently of the freezer and can be stored independent of the freezer or also at an appro-priate level on the outside of the freezer.
Figures la illustrates in a block diagram the electronic control circuit. The electronic control unit 22 as well as a storage capaci-tor 23, the latter serving as a buffer during bat-tery exchange, are provided along the outline 21 of the device.
The connecting terminals 24 abut a battery that is not illustrated. The control unit comprises an oscillator 25 for clock generation as well as a microprocessor 26. The latter is controlled from the outside by the aforenamed actuating buttons 3 to 6. An evaluator unit 27, which converts the signals of the shaft encoder 13 accordingly, precedes the microprocessor 26. A
main memory 28 as well as an intermediate memory 29, to which to the data to be stored are fed via a data bus 30, then follow the microprocessor 26. Finally, the display 2, illustrated in Figure 1, follows the microprocessor.
The device functions as follows. The device is ready to accept a type of product without additional actuation of a switch.
To this end, the shaft encoder 13 is twisted and the symbols 7 for the eight types of product illustrated in the table 12 appear one after the other. At the same time or also alternately, the corre-sponding number of the type of product appears on the display at ..
' :
~2i ~ ~
11. The actuating button 5 is then pressed to signal that a re-maining storage life is to be subsequently input. The desired storage duration of the selected type of product is then input in months via the shaft encoder 13. After this input is concluded, for example after 5 seconds, the storage duration, converted into days, appears at reference numeral 8. The actuating button 3 is then pressed to signal that data of a new product to be stored are being input in the device. An identification number, for example the number 125, subsequently appears on the display 2 at reference numeral 9. This number is written on the packaging of the product to be stored or is noted on a label attached to the product.
If a product is to be removed from the freezer, then first of all the actuating button 6 is pressed, the identification number allocated to the product, for example the number 125, is set on the display by means of the shaft encoder 13 and the actuating button 4 is pressed. The symbols for the type of pro-duct as well as the storage duration, in days, still available for this product appear for a few seconds on the display. This then disappears and the data are erased in the main memory 28 and taken over in the intermediate memory 29. The product with the shortest storage life still available together with its associated data for the type of product, the storage life and identification number then appear on the display 2.
If the storage life of a product, which is respectively counted back by one day in the 24-hour cycle, reaches the value 0, then the warning symbol 10 flashes. At the same time an acoustic signal can be given. This signal lasts until the corresponding ~32~3 ~ 8 - 26793-46 data in the device is erased and the product is removed from the freezer.
If a product, whose data has already been erased in the main memory, is to be returned to the freezer, then the identifi-cation number is to be again set on the display 2 via the shaft encoder 13 after the actuating button 6 is pressed. The actuating buttons 3 and 4 are then pressed simultaneously, whereby the data of this product are re-written in the main memory from the inter-mediate memory.
In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2, a display 2 as well as actuating buttons 3 and 4 with the same functions as in Figure 1 are again provided on the front of the device 1. Furthermore, a shaft encoder 13 as well as a table 12 listing the allowable types of products are also provided. A
table 31, which lists the storage life in months or groups of months, is illustrated next to table 12. Actuating buttons 32 as well as illuminated sectors 33, each allocated to a type of pro-duct, are arranged next to the table 12. The actuating buttons 32 are used to select the type of product and the illuminated sectors 33 visually indicate the selected type of product since corre-sponding symbols are not provided on the display 2. A similar arrangement is provided for the storage life according to table 31. Actuating buttons 34 and illuminated sectors 35 are arranged next to this table, their operating method corresponding to that described above.
The identification number can be illustrated on the dis-play 2 on the left side and the storage life, in days, can be :"' ' ~ - --'' ~
- ~ : ~ ;. :
,'`, . ~ ' :
' : ~ . '`~ .
h 3 2 1 1 ~ 3 ~ 9 - 26793-46 illustrated on the right. If a storage life lapses, the numbers 000 flash as a warning signal at reference numeral 8.
The corresponding circui-t arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2a, this arrangement being identical to that shown in Figure la except for the control of the microprocessor 26. Refer-ence numeral 32 symbolically identifies all actuating buttons for selecting the type of product and 34 identifies all actuating but-tons for selecting the storage life.
The operating method of this device is to a large extent similar to that of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1.
The type of product is selected by pressing one of the actuating buttons 32 and the desired storage life is selected by pressing an actuating button 34. The actuating button 3 (storage) is subse-quently pressed and the corresponding data are stored in the de-vice. An identification number is thereupon given in area 9 of the device. If, on the other hand, a product is to be removed from the freezer and the associated data in the device are to be erased, then an identification number is set in area 9 by means of the shaft encoder 13 and the actuating button 4 is subsequently pressed with the result that the corresponding data is erased in the main memory 28 and taken over in the intermediate memory 29.
The "storage" process in this device can also be pre-sented as follows. Following actuation of a button 32, the corre-sponding illuminated sector 33 lights up as usual; however, the identification number and the storage life of the product of a - selected product type with the shortest available storage life is illustrated on the display 2. As soon as a storage life is input , , ''' ~,. ':
- ,' , ~
~a2~3 by pressing an actuating button 34 - the associated illuminated sector again lights up - the identification number is cancelled and the selected storage life, in days, appears. As soon as the actuating button 3 is pressed, the identification number that is to be allocated to the selected type of product is also illustrat-ed on the display 2.
The following possibilities exist for the "removal from storage". An identification number is set with the shaft enclosed 13 only in area 9. The illuminated sector of the type of product allocated to this identification number then lights up. The num-ber of storage days still available for this product appears on the display 2 in area 8. If the (removal from storage) button 4 is then pressed, which should preferably happen after about 3 seconds to avoid uncertainty, all displays are cancelled briefly after about three seconds to signal that the corresponding data in the main memory are erased. The data of the product with the shortest storage life still available then appear on the display 2.
The exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3 is tech-nically similar to the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1,with the exception of the display 2 which corresponds to that of Figure 1. A slide switch 41, which can be adjusted in a guide to the individual types of product, is used instead of actuating buttons to set the type of product. The storage life is set with a second slide switch 42. Since the illuminated sectors 33 are missing, a symbol 7 for the types of product is provided instead on the display 2. The illuminated sectors 35 are likewise miss-:: ~
h~2~3 ~ 11 - 26793-46 ing; the storage life is instead input in months in area 8 of the display and only converted into days following input. The associ-ated circuit arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3a and corre-sponds to that of Figure 2a, with the exception of the display.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device in which data is input by means of a photoelectric scanner 51.
The design of the device is similar to that of the preceding exem-plary embodiments, whereby the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 are used for the same structural members. The circuit arrangement according to Figure 4a is to a large extent also simi-lar to that of the other exemplary embodiments, whereby in this case also the same reference numerals are used for the same struc-tural members. The difference is that instead of the shaft encod-er 13 the aforenamed photoelectric scanner 51 is provided which changes the type of evaluation in the evaluator unit 27 compared to the other exemplary embodiments.
A chart 52, which includes the aforenamed tables 12 and 31 with the types of product and the storage life, is provided on the freezer or in its vicinity. Bar codes 53 and 54, allocated to the individual areas and to the type of product or the storage life, serve as data carriers. To input new data during the pro-cess "storage", the scanner 51 is passed over the bar code 53 for the selected type of product and then over that 54 for the desired storage life. The corresponding data are thus stored in the de-vice and the device subsequently displays in the manner already described the identification number of the type of product. The housewife must now, however, remove from a supply of labels 55 ~ 12 - 26793-46 that label with the corresponding identification number, for ex-ample the number 100, and affix it to the product.
If this product is to be removed from the freezer and the corresponding data in the device are to be erased, then the label on the product is to be scanned with the scanner 51, whereby the number 100 stored on the label in the bar code is read into the device and the allocated data is called up and illustrated on the display. Actuating button 4 on the device is subsequently pressed and the corresponding data in the main memory are erased and taken over in the intermediate memory.
In each of the exemplary embodiments described above the possibility exists that during display of the shortest storage life available for a selected type of product, the display switch-es over after a predetermined time of, for example, 15 seconds to that product with the shortest storage life of all the products.
Claims (14)
1. An electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods, wherein an optoelectronic display (2), control electronics (22) with a memory, elements (5, 13, 32, 34, 41, 42, 51) for the input of data relating to the frozen food (type of product, remaining storage life) as well as at least one circuit element (3) to initiate storage of the data are provided in the device, wherein following input of the data of a new product to be stored, an identification number (9) that is not yet taken and is allocated to this data appears on the display (2), this identification number being affixed to the product and used to later identify it in the freezer, and wherein a corresponding warning signal (10) is generated following expiry of the remaining storage life.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an input element (13) for input of the identification number (9) and its representation on the display (2) as well as an additional circuit element (4) which is used to erase or temporar-ily store data of a product to be removed from or returned to the freezer.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein it is designed as an autonomous device with a rechargable battery and a fail-safe system for the stored data in the form of a non-volatile storage (28, 29) and/or a storage capacitor (23).
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control electronics comprises an oscillator (25) for clock generation, a microprocessor (26) with a display control unit to which the sig-nals of the input elements (5, 13, 32, 34, 41, 51) for the type of product and storage duration as well as the signals of the circuit elements (3, 4) for storing or erasing the data are fed, also one main memory and one intermediate memory (28, 29) each following the microprocessor as well as an evaluator unit (27) for the sig-nals of the input elements (13, 51) for at least the identifica-tion number.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a symbol (7) for the type of product, the remaining storage life (8), the identification number (9) as well as a warning signal (10) can be illustrated on the display (2), and wherein one circuit element (5, 6) each for preselecting the storage duration and the identification number as well as an input element (13) for setting an identification number on the display are provided.
6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remaining storage life (8) and the identification number (9) can be illustrated on the display (2), a circuit element (32) and an illuminated display (33) are allocated to each type of product, a circuit element (34) and an illuminated display (35) are likewise allocated to each group of the remaining storage duration, and finally an input element (13) for setting an identification number (9) on the display (2) is provided.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a symbol (7) for the type of product, the storage life (8), the identification number (9) as well as a warning signal (10) can be illustrated on the display (2), a first slide switch (41) can occupy the different switching positions allocated to the individual types of product and a second slide switch (42) can occupy the switching positions allocated to the individual groups of storage duration, and an input element (13) for setting an identification number (9) on the display (2) is provided.
8. A device according to claim 5, wherein the input element is a shaft encoder (13) (bit generator) continuously switching the display (2) bit-by-bit.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a symbol (7) for the type of product, the storage life (8), the identification number (9) as well as a warning signal (10) can be illustrated on the display (2), a photoelectric scanning element (51) (light pen) is provided, this scanning element being suitable for reading into the device the type of product, storage life and identification number from a label provided with a bar code, and a chart (52) with the bar codes allocated to the individual types of product and groups of storage duration is provided.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the scanning element (51) is built into the device.
11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at a time when no directly input data is shown on the display (2), the data of the product with the shortest storage life still available is displayed.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein during selection of a type of product (for example beef) the data of the food of this product type with the shortest storage life still available is illustrated on the display (2) by actuating the corresponding circuit element.
13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein upon actuation of the circuit element (4) to erase the stored data, this data is erased in the main memory (28) and stored in the intermediate memory (29) where it remains until the next erase process.
14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data is re-written in the main memory (28) from the intermediate memory (29) during simultaneous actuation of the circuit elements (3, 4) for storing and erasing data.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19893923510 DE3923510A1 (en) | 1989-07-15 | 1989-07-15 | Electronic device monitoring residual storage time of frozen food - displays identification number for data associated with stored items marked with same number and indicates when time has elapsed |
| DE3923510.6 | 1989-07-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2021143A1 true CA2021143A1 (en) | 1991-01-16 |
Family
ID=6385163
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2021143 Abandoned CA2021143A1 (en) | 1989-07-15 | 1990-07-13 | Electronic device for monitoring the remaining storage life of frozen foods |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2021143A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3923510A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2418497A (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-29 | Ian Michael Todd | A timer device activable by identification tags |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19706565A1 (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 1998-08-20 | Walter Dipl Ing Schopf | Electronic domestic storage arrangement esp. for foodstuff packs in refrigerators |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2856122A1 (en) * | 1978-12-23 | 1980-06-26 | Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | DEVICE FOR DETECTING AND REGISTERING IN VARIOUS STORAGE CONTAINERS OF A FREEZER DEVICE OR THE LIKE. STORED GOODS |
-
1989
- 1989-07-15 DE DE19893923510 patent/DE3923510A1/en active Granted
-
1990
- 1990-07-13 CA CA 2021143 patent/CA2021143A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2418497A (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-29 | Ian Michael Todd | A timer device activable by identification tags |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3923510C2 (en) | 1992-11-19 |
| DE3923510A1 (en) | 1991-01-24 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |