JP2001304748A - Refrigerator with interior controlling function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator with an interior controlling function which allows confirming information about an article within a refrigerator as well as operation state from outside of home. SOLUTION: An operating system 30 is detachably provided to a refrigerator main body 1. The operating system 30 comprises a first input means 4 for setting a control target of the refrigerator, a first storage means 8 where a signal on operation state of the refrigerator is inputted from the refrigerator main body 1 and is stored, a display means 10 which selects and displays information stored in the first storage means 8 and a control target storing means 7 by a control means 42, and a communication means 41 which is connected to a communication terminal 48 provided at a remote place through a telephone circuit 40 for connection to the communication terminal 48.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator with a storage management function used for managing articles stored in a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators store a wide variety of foods. Conventionally, it is possible for an administrator to recognize information such as the names of stored foods and the expiration date without opening a door. Known refrigerators are known. As this type of refrigerator, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-119768, there is a refrigerator that manages stored foods using a product barcode label attached to the foods.

[0005] FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional refrigerator having a refrigerator internal management function, and FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a conventional refrigerator having a refrigerator internal management function.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a refrigerator, and a management function unit 52 is provided in the main body. Reference numeral 53 denotes second input means for registering and deleting information such as the name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of articles stored in the refrigerator, and inputs data to the refrigerator 51 by wire or wirelessly.

[0005] In FIG. 6, reference numeral 61 denotes first input means for setting a control target of the refrigerator 51, and 62 denotes second input means 5.
3 is a second storage means for storing the information registered and deleted in the control means 63. The control means 63 inputs data D1 relating to the operation state of the refrigerator 51 by a thermistor (not shown) from the refrigerator control circuit 64 and stores the data D1 in the first storage means 65.

Further, the control means 63 inputs the display instruction signal set by the display setting means 66, selects data from the first storage means 65 or the second storage means 62 according to the setting, and displays the data at 67. Display the data on the means. Further, the control means 63 receives a signal from the first input means 61, outputs a control signal D2 to the refrigerator control circuit 64, and controls the refrigerator 51 with the refrigerator control circuit 64.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a description will be given of a conventional refrigerator with a refrigerator internal management function. First, a control method of the refrigerator will be described.

The control target value of the refrigerator 51, for example, the temperature setting in the freezer or the refrigerator is set by the administrator using the first input means 61.
Is input to the control means 63 by operating
3 to the refrigerator control circuit 64 as data D1. The refrigerator control circuit 64 controls the refrigerator 51 according to the contents programmed in advance based on the data D1. The operation state of the refrigerator 51, for example, a target set temperature in the freezer or the refrigerator, a current temperature, and the like are input from the refrigerator control circuit 64 to the control unit 63 as data D2 and stored in the first storage unit 65.

Next, a method of managing articles in the refrigerator will be described. When storing an article in the refrigerator 51, the administrator registers information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of the article by the second input unit 53. Further, when taking out the articles in the refrigerator 51, the administrator must use the second input means 5
In step 3, information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of the article is deleted. As described above, information on articles registered and deleted by the second input means 53 is stored in the second storage circuit 62.

Next, a method for confirming the operation status of the refrigerator 51 and information on the stored articles will be described. When the administrator wants to check the operation status of the refrigerator 51 and the information of the stored articles, the administrator sets the display means 67 on the display setting means 66.
In the case of the driving situation, the control unit 63 sets the content to be displayed as the driving situation or the information on the stored articles. Data can be selected from the second storage means 62 and confirmed on the display means 67.

[0011]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator with a refrigerator internal management function, an administrator can check the refrigerator management information only by directly looking at a display directly attached to the refrigerator. Can not. Therefore,
In the conventional refrigerator, when the manager is out,
There was a problem that warehouse management information could not be confirmed from outside.

Further, since the display for checking the management information in the refrigerator is directly attached to the refrigerator, there is a problem in that the display becomes obsolete with respect to the life of the refrigerator, and there is a problem in dealing with a failure.

[0013] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. It is possible to check the refrigerator management information even when away from home, and it is easy to cope with a failure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a storage management function.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first input means for setting a control target of a refrigerator for confirming information in a refrigerator, obsolescence of a display, and coping with a failure on the go. In a refrigerator having a control target storage means for inputting and storing a signal of one input means and a control circuit for inputting a signal of the control target storage means and controlling the refrigerator in accordance with preprogrammed contents, the operation state of the refrigerator is determined by the control circuit. A first storage means for inputting and storing a signal of the second input means for registering and deleting information such as an article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date, etc. of articles stored in the refrigerator, and a second input Second storage means for storing information registered and deleted by the means, control target storage means, control means for inputting a signal of the first storage means, and information stored in the second storage means, and control means Input the signal from ; And a Shimesuru display means, first,
Second input means, display means, control target storage means and first,
The second storage means and the control means are configured as a refrigerator operation device so as to be separated from the refrigerator main body so that remote control can be performed.

Further, in order to confirm the information in the refrigerator and to obscure the display unit and respond to a failure when the user is away from home, a signal from the first input means for setting the control target of the refrigerator and a signal from the first input means are inputted. In a refrigerator having a control target storage means for storing and storing, and a control circuit for inputting a signal of the control target storage means and controlling the refrigerator in accordance with preprogrammed contents, a signal of an operation state of the refrigerator is inputted and stored from the control circuit. One storage means, second input means for registering and deleting information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date, etc. of the articles stored in the refrigerator, and information registered and deleted by the second input means. Second storage means for storing the control target storage means and control means for inputting information stored in the first storage means and the information stored in the second storage means, and display means for inputting and displaying signals from the control means. , Control hands And interposed between the communication terminal provided in a remote location, connected to the communication terminal via the telephone line,
When a request for information on the refrigerator is received from the communication terminal by an operation of the administrator, the control unit searches for the information stored in the second storage unit, and the obtained information on the refrigerator is communicated via the telephone line. A communication unit for transmitting to the terminal, the first and second input means, the display means, the control target storage means, the first and second storage means, the communication means, and the control means as a refrigerator operating device, It is configured so that it can be separated and remote controlled.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a storage management function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator with a storage management function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator main body, 2 denotes a refrigerator operating device, which is separated from the refrigerator main body 1 and connected to a refrigerator control circuit 3 built in the refrigerator main body 1 by wire or wirelessly. Data D11 and D12 are transmitted and received.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the operation device 2 of the refrigerator.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 4 denotes first input means for setting a control target of the refrigerator main body 1, and reference numeral 5 denotes information such as an article name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of articles stored in the refrigerator main body 1. The second input means 6 to be deleted is a second storage means for storing the information registered and deleted by the second input means 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a control target storage unit that stores the control target of the refrigerator set by the first input unit 4. Reference numeral 8 denotes a first storage means which is a thermistor from the refrigerator control circuit 3.
(Not shown) and the like, data D11 relating to the operation state of the refrigerator body 1 and the like are input and stored.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a display setting means for inputting a display instruction signal for setting contents to be displayed on the display means 10 to the control means 11. The control means 11 selects data from the first storage means 6 or the second storage means 8 and the control target storage means 7 based on the display instruction signal, and outputs and displays the data on ten display means. Further, the refrigerator control circuit 3 receives the control target signal D12 from the control target storage means 7 and controls the refrigerator body 1.

Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Will be described. First, a method of controlling the refrigerator will be described.

The control target value of the refrigerator body 1, for example, the temperature setting in the freezer or the refrigerator, is set by the administrator through the first input means 4.
Is operated, the data is input to the control target storage means 7, and is output from the control target storage means 7 to the refrigerator control circuit 3 as data D12. The refrigerator control circuit 3 controls the refrigerator body 1 according to the contents programmed in advance based on the data D12. The operation status of the refrigerator main body 1, for example, a target set temperature in the freezer or the refrigerator, a current temperature, and the like are stored in the first storage means 8 as data D11 from the refrigerator control circuit 3.

Next, a method of managing articles in the refrigerator will be described. When storing an article in the refrigerator body 1, the administrator registers information such as the article name, the quantity, the purchase date, and the expiration date of the article by using the second input unit 5. In addition, when taking out an article into the refrigerator body 1, the administrator deletes information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of the article by the second input means 5. Specific methods of the second input means 5 include a key input, a bar code input, and a voice.

As described above, information on articles registered and deleted by the second input means 5 is stored in the second storage circuit 6.

Next, a method for confirming the operation status of the refrigerator main body 1 and information on stored articles will be described.

When the operator wants to check the operation status of the refrigerator body 1 and the information of the stored articles, the administrator sets the display setting means 9.
Is set to indicate whether the content displayed on the display means 10 is a driving situation or information on stored articles. The first storage 8 or the control target storage means 7 is used to check the operation status, for example, the temperature in the refrigerator or the control target value, and the second storage means 6 is used for the information on the stored articles. Than,
In response to a signal from the display setting unit 9, the control unit 11 can select the data, output the data to the display unit 10, and display the selected data.

As described above, the refrigerator main body 1 and the operating device 2 are separated from each other, the first input means 4 for setting the control target of the refrigerator in the operating device 2 of the refrigerator, and the control target storage means 7 for storing the set values. And a first storage means 8 for inputting and storing a signal of the operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator main body 1, and registering and deleting information such as an article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date, etc. of articles to be stored in the refrigerator. A second input means 5, a second storage means 6 for storing information registered and deleted by the second input means 5, a control target storage means 7, and a first storage means 8
And the display means 10 for selecting and displaying the signal of and the information stored in the second storage means 6 by the control means 11, so that the operation device 2 of the refrigerator can be carried when going out. In this case, it is possible to confirm the information in the refrigerator, and it is possible to easily deal with obsolete or broken display devices.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a refrigerator with a storage management function according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 3, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 30 is a refrigerator operating device, which is separated from the refrigerator main body 1,
Between the refrigerator control circuit 3 built in the refrigerator body 1
Data D31 and D32 are transmitted and received by wire or wirelessly.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the operation device 30 of the refrigerator.

In FIG. 4, first input means 4, second input means 5, second storage means 6, control target storage means 7,
First storage means 8, display setting means 9, and display means 10
Has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a telephone line, and reference numeral 41 denotes communication means interposed between the telephone line 40 and the control means 42. Here, the telephone line 40 refers to a normal telephone line, a mobile telephone line, or a communication medium that substitutes for the mobile telephone line. Reference numeral 43 denotes a telephone terminal (for example, a public telephone) connected to the telephone line 40, which is installed in a place different from the place where the refrigerator body 1 is installed. A personal computer (not shown) or the like can be connected to the telephone terminal 43.

A mobile telephone line base station 44 connected to the telephone line 40 has an antenna 45. The mobile telephone line base station 44 is connected to the antenna 4 via the radio line R.
6 is accommodated. As the mobile telephone terminal 47, a mobile telephone terminal or a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) terminal is used.

The control means 42 responds to the display instruction signal of the display setting means 9 and the request signal D33 of the communication means 41 by the first storage means 6 or the second storage means 8 and the control target storage means 7.
And outputs data D34 and D35 to the display means 10 and the communication means 41, respectively. Here, reference numeral 48 denotes a communication terminal which is a telephone terminal 43 and a mobile telephone terminal 46.
including.

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described. The method of controlling the refrigerator is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus a detailed description is omitted.

Next, a method of managing articles in the refrigerator will be described.

When storing an article in the refrigerator body 1, the administrator inputs the article name, for example, the article name, using the second input means 5.
Register information such as quantity, purchase date and expiration date. When taking out an article into the refrigerator body 1, the administrator deletes information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date and the like of the article by the second input means 5. Specific methods of the second input means 5 include a key input, a bar code input, and a voice. The information of the article registered and deleted by the second input means 5 as described above is stored in the second storage circuit 6.

Next, a method of confirming the operation status of the refrigerator main body 1 and the information of the stored articles will be described. When the administrator wants to check the operation status of the refrigerator body 1 and information on the stored articles, the administrator sets the display setting means 9 on the display means 1.
By setting the content to be displayed at 0 to be the operation status or the information of the stored articles, the first memory 8 and In the case of the information on the stored articles from the control target storage means 7, the data can be confirmed by selecting the data from the second storage means 6 and outputting the data to the display means 10 for display.

Next, a case will be described in which the administrator wants to confirm the operation status of the refrigerator main body 1 and information on the stored articles from a place away from the operation device 30 of the refrigerator. The administrator uses the telephone terminal 43 to make a call to the communication means 41. Thereby, the telephone terminal 43 is connected to the control means 42 via the telephone line 40 and the communication means 41. Then, the control means 42 sends voice guidance information for explaining a method of extracting the information to the telephone terminal 43 via the communication means 41 and the telephone line 40. Thus, the administrator presses a dial key for inquiring desired information according to the voice guidance.

As a result, a tone signal for the dial key is transmitted from the telephone terminal 43 to the control means 42 via the telephone line 40 and the communication means 41. Control means 4
2 selects data corresponding to the tone signal from the first storage means 8, the control target storage means 7, and the second storage means 6, and selects the telephone terminal 43 via the communication means 41 and the telephone line 40.
Send to As a result, the information is displayed on the display unit of the personal computer (not shown) connected to the telephone terminal 43, and the administrator can confirm the desired information.

When the operator wants to check the operation status of the refrigerator body 1 and the information of the stored articles by using the mobile telephone terminal 47, the administrator needs to use the communication means 4 from the mobile telephone terminal 47.
Call 1 As a result, the mobile telephone terminal 47 is connected to the mobile telephone line base station 44 via the antenna 46, the radio line R and the antenna 45, and further connected to the telephone line 40.
And connected to the control means 42 via the communication means 41.
Note that the following operation is the same as the case where the above-described telephone terminal 43 is used, and the description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the refrigerator main body 1 and the refrigerator operating device 30 are separated, the first input means 4 for setting the refrigerator control target in the refrigerator operating device 30 and the control target storage means for storing the set values. And first storage means 8 for inputting and storing a signal of the operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator body 1
And second input means 5 for registering and deleting information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, and expiration date of the articles stored in the refrigerator, and storing the information registered and deleted by the second input means 5. Display means 10 for selecting and displaying the signals of the control target storage means 7 and the first storage means 8 and the information stored in the second storage means 6 by the control means 42.
Communication means 41 connected to a communication terminal 48 provided at a remote place via the telephone line 40 and connected to the communication terminal 48
Is provided, it is possible to carry the operation device 30 of the refrigerator when going out, and it is possible to check and register information in the refrigerator when going out, and it is easy to make the display of the display unit 10 obsolete and break down. Can be handled. Further, even if the operation device 30 of the refrigerator is not carried out when going out, it is possible to check the information in the refrigerator at the place of going out from the communication terminal 48 via the telephone line 40.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, the refrigerator main body is separated from the refrigerator operating device, the first input means for setting the refrigerator control target in the refrigerator operating device, and the control for storing the set value thereof. Target storage means, first storage means for inputting and storing a signal of the operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator body, and registering and deleting information such as an article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date, etc. of articles to be stored in the refrigerator. A second input means, a second storage means for storing information registered and deleted by the second input means, and information stored in a control target storage means, a first storage means and a second storage means. By inputting a signal from the control means and a display means for inputting and displaying a signal from the control means, the operation device of the refrigerator can be carried when going out, and the information in the refrigerator can be checked at the place where one goes. ,
It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to buy necessary articles and from over-purchasing unnecessary articles.

Further, it is possible to input and register the purchased goods on the spot, thereby preventing forgetting to input. Further, since it is separated from the refrigerator main body, the display can be easily dealt with and becomes obsolete. can do.

Further, the refrigerator main body and the refrigerator operating device are separated, first input means for setting the control target of the refrigerator in the refrigerator operating device and control target storage means for storing the set values, The first storage means for inputting and storing the signal of the operation state of, and the second input means for registering and deleting information such as the article name, quantity, purchase date, expiration date of the articles to be stored in the refrigerator, The second storage means for storing the information registered and deleted by the second input means, and the control target means for selecting the information stored in the control target storage means and the first storage means and the second storage means, By providing a display means for displaying, and a communication means connected via a telephone line to a communication terminal provided at a remote place and connecting to the communication terminal, in addition to the effect of the first invention, the operation device of the refrigerator Carry with you when you go out In case you forget also, at any time will be through a more telephone line communication terminal capable of the internal information check on the go, there is an effect that the article information of the refrigerator from anywhere can be obtained easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator with a storage management function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator with a storage management function according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a refrigerator with a storage management function according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator with a storage management function according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional refrigerator with a storage management function.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a conventional refrigerator with a storage management function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body 2, 30 Refrigerator operation device 3 Refrigerator control circuit 4 First input means 5 Second input means 6 Second storage means 7 Control target storage means 8 First storage means 9 Display setting means 10 Display means 11, 42 control means 40 telephone line 41 communication means 48 communication terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator having an input means for setting a control target of a refrigerator, and a refrigerator control circuit for receiving a signal from the input means and controlling the refrigerator in accordance with a pre-programmed content according to an operation state of the refrigerator. ,
A refrigerator with a storage management function, wherein the input means is separated from the refrigerator main body and can be remotely controlled. 2. A refrigerator comprising: input means for setting a control target of a refrigerator; and a refrigerator control circuit for receiving a signal from the input means and controlling the refrigerator in accordance with a pre-programmed content according to an operation state of the refrigerator. Storage means for inputting and storing a signal of the operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator control circuit; and display means for inputting and displaying the signals of the input means and the storage means, wherein the input means, the storage means, and the display means are connected to the refrigerator. Refrigerator with internal management function, characterized in that it can be separated from the main unit and remote controlled. A first input means for setting a control target of the refrigerator; a control target storage means for inputting and storing a signal of the first input means; In a refrigerator having a refrigerator control circuit for controlling according to pre-programmed contents, a first storage means for inputting and storing a signal of an operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator control circuit, and for example, an article name and quantity of articles stored in the refrigerator. The second input means for registering and deleting information such as purchase date and expiration date, and registration with the second input means,
A second storage unit for storing the deleted information, the control target storage unit, a control unit for inputting a signal of the first storage unit and information stored in the second storage unit, and a signal from the control unit. Display means for inputting and displaying the information.The first and second input means, the display means, the control target storage means, the first and second storage means and the control means are separated from the refrigerator body, and the remote control is provided. Refrigerator with internal storage management function characterized by the ability to do so. 4. A first input means for setting a control target of the refrigerator, a control target storage means for inputting and storing a signal of the first input means, and a refrigerator for receiving a signal of the control target storage means for controlling the refrigerator. In a refrigerator having a refrigerator control circuit for controlling according to pre-programmed contents, a first storage means for inputting and storing a signal of an operation state of the refrigerator from the refrigerator control circuit, and for example, an article name and quantity of articles stored in the refrigerator. The second input means for registering and deleting information such as purchase date and expiration date, and registration with the second input means,
A second storage unit for storing the deleted information, a control unit for inputting signals stored in the control target storage unit and the first storage unit and information stored in the second storage unit, and a signal input from the control unit; The display means for displaying, the control means and a communication terminal provided at a remote place, and connected to the communication terminal via a telephone line. A communication unit for searching for information stored in the second storage unit from the control unit when there is a request for information, and transmitting the obtained information relating to the refrigerator to the communication terminal via the telephone line; The first and second input means, display means, control target storage means, first and second storage means, communication means, and control means are separated from the refrigerator body and can be remotely controlled. Internal management function with a refrigerator.