JP2001317858A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezing refrigerator having a display 4 capable of displaying foods looking small as an easily visible image by moving a variable CCD camera 12 up and down, right and left or fore and back. SOLUTION: The refrigerator comprises a variable CCD camera 12 composed of a CCD camera 1 disposed on a carriage 11 and a camera view point switching means 13 capable of controlling the camera view point up and down, right and left or fore and back according to an external signal. The center is inputted at a regular position B' of the camera 12, it is moved up and down by a cross button to move the carriage 11 in a direction A' or C'.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for copying food in a refrigerator and confirming image data at a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various refrigerators have been proposed. In any of the refrigerators, if a door is not opened, information stored in a refrigerator such as food, quantity, storage state of food, and the like can be obtained. I can't get it. Further, since the contents of the refrigerator cannot be viewed from a remote place using the network, there are various inconveniences and inconveniences.

[0003] In such a background, there have been proposed a number of food products in which food is photographed by a CCD camera and image data is stored. As an example of a refrigerator having a CCD camera mounted in a refrigerator, a refrigerator described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-45041 is known.

Hereinafter, the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator-freezer will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer seen from the side, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the storage management device.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 21 denotes a refrigerator main body, and reference numeral 22 denotes a door which is openably and closably attached to a front opening of the refrigerator main body 21. Reference numeral 20 denotes a CCD camera having a main body portion embedded in the interior of the refrigerator main body and photographing food put in the refrigerator.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 23 denotes display means for indicating the location in the refrigerator to the user, 27 denotes an image memory for storing images captured by the CCD camera, and 25 denotes two kinds of images stored by the storage means. Microcomputer that calculates the difference between
Reference numeral 6 denotes a timer counter for labeling foods placed in the refrigerator and counting a storage period for each food, and reference numeral 24 denotes a door switch for detecting opening and closing of a door in the refrigerator.

[0008] Regarding the refrigerator configured as described above,
The operation will be described below.

Every time the door 22 is opened and closed, an image in the refrigerator is stored in an image memory 27, a difference of the image is obtained by a microcomputer 25, and a period during which the same food is stored is counted by a timer 26 and displayed. The location is displayed on the means 23 and the inside of the warehouse is managed.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since the CCD camera for photographing food is installed at the back of the refrigerator, the same image is always displayed when food is placed so as to close the CCD camera. There was a disadvantage that it would.

[0011] Further, there is a drawback in that the way of filling the food is not always hollow, and if the food is filled in a full state, the image input by the CCD camera appears dark and the user cannot know what is being captured. there were.

Further, when food is input by a CCD camera, an image is blurred when the storage room is photographed without automatic focus adjustment function. In particular, fresh foods have the disadvantage that it is not possible to determine whether the image is old or new using the image alone, and it is necessary to actually open the door and make the determination. There was a disadvantage that the entire image could not be taken.

The present invention solves the conventional problems, and provides a refrigerator that displays clear images in a simple manner so that the user can easily understand the information and transmit information that is easy to see even in a remote place. It is intended to be.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CCD camera capable of photographing food stored in a refrigerator and automatically focusing on the food, and a CCD camera mounted inside the refrigerator. A door provided, a display device attached to the front of the door, an image storage device capable of storing image data captured by the CCD camera, and a door open / close detecting means for detecting that the door with the camera is opened / closed When the door opening / closing detection means detects the door opening / closing, the image data captured by the CCD camera is stored in the image storage device and output to the display device. This has the effect of outputting a screen on which the freshness of fresh food can be determined with a clearer image to the display device instead of displaying the image.

The invention according to a second aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the first aspect, further comprising a photographing start means and an interior light for illuminating the interior of the compartment, wherein the interior light is detected when the photographing start means is detected. It is equipped with shooting with the CCD camera after the light is turned on, so that the interior of the refrigerator can be seen even with the door closed, and even if the food is filled in a full state, the interior of the refrigerator is illuminated. It has the effect that a bright and clear image can be shown to the user, and where and what is stored can be seen at a glance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the CCD camera automatically focuses upon opening and closing of the door from one end of the interior of the warehouse while automatically focusing. Characterized in that the image data showing the end is stored in the image storage device in the previous period,
It has the effect of overlooking the entire interior of the refrigerator and checking the freshness of the ingredients at a glance.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestal capable of changing a camera viewpoint in up, down, left, and right directions, a variable CCD camera installed on the pedestal, and externally controlling the camera viewpoint in up, down, left, right, front and back. The camera viewpoint switching means, wherein the camera viewpoint switching means controls a variable CCD camera, the CCD camera captures image data up, down, left, right, front and back, and stores the captured image in the image storage device. When checking food that looks small on the display device, it can be enlarged or reduced or the CCD can be changed vertically and horizontally.
By capturing foods with the camera, foods that are difficult to see on the display device can be enlarged, so that they can be copied to every corner of the refrigerator and used foods can be found, and the use of foods can be prevented from being forgotten.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, the digital signal processing apparatus comprises a network terminal which can be connected to an external network, and a digital signal which can control the camera viewpoint switching means through the network terminal. The digital signal is sent from a network terminal to control the camera viewpoint switching means, the camera viewpoint is switched by the variable CCD camera, and image data captured by the variable camera can be returned to the network terminal and sent to the outside. It has the function of checking the contents of the refrigerator at a glance from a remote location.

[0019]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an embodiment of a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the refrigerator-freezer according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a refrigerator-freezer body.
Represents the state of the food stored in the refrigerator 3
It is a CCD camera that can automatically focus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a camera door which is attached to the front opening of the refrigerator-freezer body 3 so as to be openable and closable, and in which the CCD camera 1 is embedded inside the refrigerator. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display device which is attached to the outer surface of the door 2 and displays an image of stored food input by the CCD camera 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes an interior light that illuminates the storage room at the same time that the camera door 2 opens and closes.

Next, a block diagram will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes an A / D for converting analog data input by the CCD camera 1 into digital data.
As a conversion device, a D / A conversion device that converts digital data into analog data can be used. Reference numeral 9 denotes door open / close detecting means for detecting that the camera-equipped door of the refrigerator has been opened / closed, and turns on / off the interior lamp 5 in conjunction with the door open / close detecting means 9. Reference numeral 7 denotes an A / D converter 6 that converts analog data input by the CCD camera 1 into digital data, and stores the digital data in an image storage device.

For example, the image storage device 7 is a memory type E
Card type HD used in EPROM and personal computers
D or a built-in HDD. Reference numeral 8 denotes a microcomputer for controlling the refrigerator system, controlling the CCD camera 1 and the A / D converter 6, the image storage device 7, the display device 4, the door open / close detecting means 9, the interior light 5, and the like. Also, the microcomputer 8 is
S (Operating System) is compact and O
A microcomputer with a built-in S may be used.

The operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described below.

First, the door opening / closing detection means 9 detects that the door with camera 2 has been opened and closed, and the interior light 5 attached to the interior of the refrigerator main body 3 illuminates the interior of the storage room. CCD
The camera 1 automatically focuses and inputs analog image data of the state inside the storage room.

At this time, since the focus of the image data in the storage room is automatically adjusted, clearer image data is input. The image data is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 6.

At this time, control by the CCD camera 1 and control by the A / D converter 6 are controlled by the microcomputer 8. Further, the digital image data converted by the A / D converter 6 is stored in the image storage device 7 and the digital image data is sent to the display device 4 at the same time, and a clear image is displayed. Here, the microcomputer 8 controls the digital image data to be stored in the image storage device 7 and the control to display the image data.

Therefore, every time the door is opened and closed, the microcomputer 8 controls the CCD camera 1 to automatically adjust the focus in the storage room, and stores a clear image in the image storage device 7 or displays it on the display means 4. The user can check the state in the storage room with a clear image.

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer according to the present embodiment captures the state of the food stored in the refrigerator-freezer and automatically focuses the CCD camera 1 on the refrigerator-freezer. A camera-equipped door 4 provided inside, a display device 4 attached to the front of the camera-equipped door 2, an image storage device 7 capable of storing image data captured by the CCD camera 1, and the camera-equipped door When the door opening / closing detecting means 9 detects the opening / closing of the door, image data taken by the CCD camera 1 is stored in the image storage device 7 and the display device is opened. 4 so that the user can determine the freshness of fresh food with a clearer image instead of displaying a defocused image to the user. Can provide outputs to the display device 4.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing start means provided on the front surface of the door with camera 2. When the photographing start means 10 is detected with the door closed, the interior light 5 is turned on,
The D camera 1 operates to input the state inside the storage room. The input image data is stored in the image storage device 7 and the display device 4.
Is output to Further, the photographing start means 10 may be a touch panel type display device 4 or a button type simple switch.

In the present embodiment, the photographing starting means 10 is further provided in the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment.

The operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described below.

First, for example, when the user presses a button-type switch with the door of the refrigerator-freezer closed, the photographing start means 10 detects, and the interior lamp 5 is turned on to change the interior of the refrigerator from a dark state to a bright state. Change and illuminate the ingredients. This state is
An image whose focus is automatically adjusted by the camera 1 is input. When the input is completed, the interior light 5 changes from lighting to off. The input image data is converted by the A / D converter, and the converted image is output to the image storage device 7 and the display device 4. The microcomputer 8 controls the start of photographing 10 and the control of the interior lamp 5 at this time.

Accordingly, the state of the storage room can be viewed with the door of the refrigerator-freezer closed, and even if foodstuffs are full, the user can see a brighter and clearer image by illuminating the interior of the refrigerator. You can see at a glance where and what is stored.

Further, since fresh food is severely deteriorated due to temperature changes, it is possible to prevent deterioration of food due to opening and closing of doors when temperature changes are severe in summer or the like.

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer of the present embodiment further re-photographs the interior of the refrigerator in the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment, and illuminates the interior of the refrigerator with a photographing start means attached to the front of the camera-equipped door. The interior light is turned on when the photographing start means is detected, and the image is taken by the CCD camera. When the door is closed, the interior of the interior can be seen even when the door is closed, and the interior is full. By illuminating the interior of the cabinet even if the ingredients are filled in the state, the user can be shown a brighter and clearer image, and can provide what can be seen at a glance where and what is stored.

Further, since fresh foods are severely deteriorated due to temperature changes, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of foods due to opening and closing of doors when the temperature changes sharply in summer or the like.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 shows a CCD when a refrigerator-freezer door is opened and closed according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the camera, showing the viewing angle. FIG.
The inside of the storage room of the refrigerator-freezer of the same embodiment and Example 4 is CC
This is an image display transition input at the viewing angle of the D camera.

In FIG. 4, when the camera-equipped door 2 is opened, the door opening / closing detecting means 9 detects it.
The input of the camera 1 starts, and an image of the storage room is taken using the operation of opening the door. At this time, the CCD camera 1 automatically adjusts the focus and inputs images from the opening and closing angles A ′ to C ′ to perform panoramic shooting from the right to the left in the refrigerator. The input image data is converted by the A / D converter, and a panoramic video image of the entire storage room is output to the display means 4 and the image storage device 7. In addition, there are two types of refrigerators: right-opening type and left-opening type. In the case of left-opening, when taking a picture, the image is taken from the left side to the right side of the refrigerator. I can do that. At this time, the microcomputer 8 controls the panoramic shooting by the door opening / closing detecting means 9 and the CCD camera 1.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerators according to the first and second embodiments are provided with panoramic photography in which the CCD camera 1 photographs from the right end to the left end of the refrigerator using the operation of opening the door. It is a thing.

FIG. 5 is an image in the storage room captured at the viewing angle of the CCD camera. The mounting position of the CCD camera 1 is shifted slightly to the right from the center of the door, and a wider range of images can be input by the force of opening the door. further,
The data obtained by converting the image input by the CCD camera 1 from analog to digital is subjected to image processing by the microcomputer 8, whereby data of an ABC panoramic image can be obtained.

The operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described below.

First, when the user opens the door, A 'in FIG.
The door is opened by the activation of C '. At that time, when the camera-equipped door 2 is opened, the door opening / closing detecting means 9 detects the opening.
Shooting with the CD camera 1 starts. 4A to 4C show the viewing angles input by the CCD camera 1 at that time. Using this viewing angle, an image is input using the force of opening the door from the right side to the left side of the refrigerator. The image at this time is represented in FIG. This image is converted from an analog signal into a digital image by an A / D converter, and the microcomputer 8 performs image processing by the microcomputer 8 to remove the diagonally overlapped images A and C in FIG. The converted image is output to the image storage device 7 and the display device 4.

Therefore, even if the food is placed so as to close the CCD camera 1, the focus of the CCD camera 1 can be shifted by the opening / closing angle of the door so that the entire interior of the storage can be seen.

Further, by displaying a panoramic image, it is possible to quickly find foodstuffs placed in a sump in a refrigerator-freezer that is often left behind by inputting a wider image.

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer according to the present embodiment is different from the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment and the refrigerator-freezer according to the second embodiment in that the door is opened and closed and the focus is automatically adjusted at the same time by the CCD camera. The image data from the right end to the left end of the refrigerator is stored in the image storage device in the previous period. , The user can use the food without waste, without buying extra food, and can prevent the food from being spoiled by mistake or discarded without stopping.

Further, by displaying a panoramic image, it is possible to quickly find foodstuffs placed in a sump in a refrigerator-freezer that is often forgotten by inputting a wider range of images.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a refrigerator directly above a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of functions of the refrigerator-freezer according to the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes a pedestal for changing the viewpoint of the camera up, down, left, right and front, and 12 denotes a pedestal on the pedestal 11.
A variable CCD camera in which the CD camera 1 is installed.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 13 denotes a camera viewpoint switching unit which can control the camera viewpoint up, down, left, right, front and rear by an external signal. In addition, there are a mechanical cross button that moves up, down, left and right, a switch button that moves back and forth, and a cross button that is simulated by a touch panel display device in response to an external signal. At this time, the microcomputer 8 controls the variable CCD camera 12 and the camera viewpoint switching means 13. In addition, the variable CCD camera 12 usually inputs the center at the B 'position, and when the movable CCD camera 12 is moved up and down by the cross button, the pedestal 11 moves in the direction of A' or C 'and the variable CCD camera 12 moves.
The upper and lower images are input by the camera 12.

This embodiment is different from the refrigerator-freezer according to the first, second and third embodiments in that the CCD camera 1 is mounted on the pedestal 11 on which the camera viewpoint can be changed vertically, horizontally, and back and forth. Variable CCD camera 12 installed
And a camera viewpoint switching means 13 which can control the camera viewpoint up, down, left, right, front and back by a signal from the outside.

The operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described below.

First, when the user checks the state of the storage room with the door closed, the whole is displayed on the display device 4. However, since there are various sizes of foods depending on the ingredients, the display is made when checking the food that looks small. The device 4 has limitations. At this time, when the camera is moved up and down and left and right with the cross button, the pedestal 11 is moved up and down and left and right by the camera viewpoint switching means 13, and food is input by the variable CCD camera 12. When it is moved with the cross button, the variable CCD camera 12 operates according to the same movement. At this time, the image input by the variable CCD camera is output to the display device 4. At this point, the variable CCD camera 12 is moved to the small food, and the viewpoint is adjusted to the food. Simultaneously with pressing, the pedestal 11 is moved back and forth by the camera viewpoint switching means 13, and food is input by the variable CCD camera 12. Variable C before and after
By moving the CD camera 12, an image obtained by enlarging or reducing the food that looks small is output to the display device 4.

Therefore, when confirming the food that looks small on the display device 4, it is possible to enlarge or reduce or to change the size of the food vertically or horizontally.
Display device 4 by capturing food with CD camera 12
Then, it is possible to expand the ingredients that are difficult to confirm.

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer of the present embodiment includes the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator-freezer according to the second embodiment, and the refrigerator-freezer according to the third embodiment. The display device 4 includes a pedestal 11 that can be changed, a variable CCD camera 12 in which the CCD camera 1 is mounted on the pedestal 11, and camera viewpoint switching means 13 that can control the camera viewpoint from up, down, left, right, and back and forth from the outside. When checking the food, the variable CCD camera 12 captures the food in an up, down, left, or right direction, so that the display device 4 enlarges the food that is difficult to check, so that the food can be copied to every corner of the refrigerator and the forgotten food can be removed. You can find it and prevent forgetting to use ingredients.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of a refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 14 denotes a network terminal which can be connected to an external network. The network terminal 14 is an interface which can connect a power line, infrared ray, non-infrared ray, radio, public line, optical cable, satellite, etc. and can transmit and receive signals. . Here, the network terminal 14
May be provided to prevent entry by anyone other than the user. Reference numeral 15 denotes a digital signal that can control the camera viewpoint switching unit through the network terminal.

In the present embodiment, a refrigerator terminal according to the first, second, and third embodiments and the refrigerator refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment are further provided with a network terminal 14 that can be connected to an external network; 14
And a digital signal which can control the camera viewpoint switching means through the camera.

The operation of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described below.

First, the user connects to the network terminal 14 using a personal computer or the Internet at a distant office, and sends a digital signal 15. The digital signal 15 is received by the network terminal 14, the camera viewpoint switching means 13 is controlled by the microcomputer 8 based on the received data, and the analog image input by the CCD camera 1 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 6. And stored in the image storage device 7. Further, the stored digital data is returned to the network terminal 14 to send the digital data to the personal computer of the connection destination, and the state of the storage room is output to the personal computer of the destination. In addition, by moving the camera viewpoint switching means 13 with the personal computer at the destination, the image input to the variable CCD camera 12 can be controlled by the personal computer at the destination. In addition, although the description has been made on the personal computer this time, the state of the holding room can be checked and the variable CCD camera 12 can be controlled even from a small portable terminal.

Therefore, the contents of the refrigerator can be checked at a glance from a remote place. Recently, there are homes and the like working together, and the storage room of the refrigerator is checked immediately before returning, and the ingredients and the like are returned to the destination. It can be purchased and the time can be reduced for the user.

Further, the user can check the condition in the storage room at the shopping place or the like, so that forgetting to purchase can be prevented, and the trouble of purchasing extra ingredients can be saved.

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer according to the present embodiment includes the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator-freezer according to the second embodiment, the refrigerator-freezer according to the third embodiment, and the refrigerator-freezer according to the fourth embodiment. A network terminal 14 that can be connected to an external network, and a digital signal 15 that can control the camera viewpoint switching means 13 through the network terminal 14.
The digital signal 15 is sent from 4 to control the camera viewpoint switching means 13, the camera viewpoint is switched by the variable CCD camera 12, and image data captured by the variable camera 12 is returned to the network terminal 14 and sent to the outside. You can check the contents of the refrigerator at a glance from a remote location. Food materials and the like can be purchased first, and the time can be reduced for the user.

Further, since the user can check the condition in the storage room at the shopping place or the like, it is possible to prevent forgetting to buy and save the trouble of purchasing extra ingredients.

[0066]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CCD camera capable of photographing food stored in a refrigerator and automatically focusing on the CCD camera and the CC camera.
A door provided with a D camera inside the refrigerator, a display device attached to the front of the door, an image storage device capable of storing image data taken by the CCD camera, and detecting that the door is opened and closed When the door opening / closing detection unit detects the door opening / closing, the image data captured by the CCD camera is stored in the image storage device and output to the display device, thereby defocusing the user. Instead of displaying an image, a screen that can determine the freshness of vegetables and the like with a clearer image is output to the display device, so that freshness information that is close to the current actual state of the stored food that the user tends to forget can be provided. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a photographing start means attached to the front surface of the door and an interior light for illuminating the interior of the compartment, and the photographing start means is detected. Then, by preparing for taking an image with the CCD camera after the interior light is turned on, the interior of the interior can be overlooked even with the door closed, and the interior can be illuminated even when the food is filled in a full state. As a result, the user can see a brighter and clearer image, and can understand at a glance where and what is stored.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the CCD camera automatically focuses at the same time as when the door is opened and closed, and from the one end to the other end in the warehouse by the CCD camera. By storing the image data of the first and second images in the image storage device,
Even if the food is placed so as to cover the D camera, the user can use the food without wasting the user buying extra food by shifting the focus of the CCD camera at the opening and closing angle of the door and overlooking the entire interior of the warehouse. This eliminates the waste of accidentally rotting food and discarding it without stopping.

Further, by displaying a panoramic image, it is possible to quickly find even the foods that have been repelled by the murmurs in the freezer refrigerator, which are often left behind by inputting a wider image. There is no waste of discarding without stopping.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestal capable of changing a camera viewpoint in up, down, left, right and front and back, a CCD camera installed on the pedestal, and a camera viewpoint switching means capable of externally controlling the camera viewpoint in up, down, left and right and back and forth. By controlling a CCD camera with the camera viewpoint switching means, capturing image data up, down, left, right, front and back with the CCD camera, and storing the captured image in the image storage device.
When checking food that looks small on the display device, enlarge or reduce the food that is difficult to see on the display device by capturing the food with a variable CCD camera vertically or horizontally and forget it. It is possible to find the ingredients that are present, to prevent forgetting to use the ingredients, and to prevent wasteful disposal of foods.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a network terminal which can be connected to an external network, and a digital signal which can control the camera viewpoint switching means through the network terminal. The digital signal is sent to control the camera viewpoint switching means, the camera viewpoint can be switched by the variable CCD camera, and image data captured by the variable camera can be sent to the outside by returning a network terminal. By checking the contents of the refrigerator from a remote place, even if the user forgets to buy the ingredients, the user can buy the forgotten one, eliminating the trouble of re-purchasing the user and eliminating the inconvenience and inconvenience.

In recent years, there are homes and the like that work together, so that the user can check the storage room of the refrigerator-freezer just before returning and purchase foods and the like on the way home, thereby reducing the time for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of functions of the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment of the refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a function of the refrigerator-freezer according to the second embodiment of the refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a refrigerator refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a viewing angle of a CCD camera when a door of the refrigerator is opened and closed;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image display transition in which the storage compartments of the refrigerators of the third and fourth embodiments of the refrigerator according to the present invention are input at a viewing angle of a CCD camera.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view immediately above the refrigerator-freezer according to a fourth embodiment of the refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing functions of a refrigerator-freezer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of a refrigerator-freezer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of functions of a refrigerator-freezer according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CCD camera 2 Door 4 Display device 5 Interior etc. 7 Image storage device 9 Door open / close detection means 10 Imaging start means 11 Pedestal 12 CCD camera 13 Camera viewpoint switching means 14 Network terminal 15 Digital signal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Okamoto 4-5-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Inside Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Yasuhiro Tsujii 4-chome Takaidamotodori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka 2-5 Inside Matsushita Refrigeration Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Jin Oishi 4-5-2-5 Inside Takashita Hondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (72) Inventor Tomoaki Iriyuki Takaida, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 4-5, Hondori Matsushita Refrigeration Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L045 AA02 AA07 BA01 CA02 DA02 LA01 LA15 LA18 NA15 NA19 PA02 PA04

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A CCD camera capable of photographing food stored in a refrigerator and automatically focusing on the CCD, and the CCD camera
A door provided with a camera inside the warehouse, a display device attached to the front of the door, an image storage device for storing image data taken by the CCD camera, and a door open / close detection for detecting that the door is opened / closed Means for detecting a door opening / closing by the door opening / closing detecting means, the image data captured by the CCD camera is stored in the image storage device and output to the display device. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an interior light for illuminating the interior of the refrigerator is detected by the photographing start means, turned on, and then photographed by the CCD camera. 3. An image storage device, wherein image data obtained by photographing from one end to the other end of the interior of the storage by the CCD camera is stored in an image storage device while automatically focusing upon opening and closing of the door. Item 3. The refrigerator according to Item 1 or 2. 4. A pedestal capable of changing a camera viewpoint up, down, left, right and front and back, a CCD camera installed on the pedestal, and a camera viewpoint switching means capable of externally controlling a camera viewpoint up, down, left, right and front. A refrigerator characterized in that a CCD camera is controlled by switching means, image data is photographed up, down, left, right and front and back by said CCD camera, and the photographed image is stored in an image storage device. 5. A network terminal which can be connected to an external network, and a digital signal which can control said camera viewpoint switching means through said network terminal, wherein said digital signal is sent from said network terminal and said camera viewpoint switching means 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the camera can be controlled and the viewpoint of the camera can be switched by the variable CCD camera, and image data captured by the variable camera can be sent back to a network terminal.