JP2002039670A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit the control of preserved matters such as the time limit for appreciation or the like while simplifying and facilitating the operation of a user which is necessary for the control. SOLUTION: A refrigerator main body 1 is provided with a retaining unit on the front surface unit of the same while a panel computer 13 for controlling the data of preserved matters is provided detachably. The refrigerator main body 1 is provided with a power supply unit 16 for supplying the power source of operation to the panel computer 13, and a communication unit 17 for effecting infrared ray communication. The panel computer 13 is provided detachably with a scanner 18 for reading the data of preserved matters from a receipt on which information on purchased maters is recorded. The inputting work of the data of preserved matters can be effected while removing the panel computer 13 from the refrigerator main body 1. The panel computer 13 controls the time limit of the preserved matters based on the data of preserved matters by informing a message with respect to the food stuffs approached to the time limit of appreciation of the same or indicating the list of preserved matters in the refrigerator on an indicating unit 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a panel computer for managing the date of stored items.

[0002]

In recent years, in a home refrigerator, a display device and a panel having a plurality of operation keys are provided on a front surface of a refrigerator door, and the display device is stored in the refrigerator. Products that display management information of existing foods have been provided. In this device, when a user operates an operation key and inputs data such as a food type, a purchase date, and a expiration date (scheduled use date), the user is notified of a food nearing the expiration date, and is operated by the user. The stored items in the storage can be sequentially displayed on the display device to be checked. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to use the food with the expiration date and wasting it, and to be able to check the stored items in the refrigerator without opening the door, which is convenient. ing.

However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, when a user newly stores food in a refrigerator, it is necessary to input data relating to the food by operating an operation key. Each time the operation key is operated, the type of food displayed on the display device changes sequentially, and the user repeatedly presses the key until the type of food to be input is displayed. At this time, a key operation must be performed many times to input data of one food, and in a case where a large amount of food is purchased at a time, a great deal of trouble is required to input the data of the stored matter ( Time).

[0004] In addition, when the user operates the keys, the user must perform operations while standing in front of the refrigerator or while standing in the middle, which makes it difficult to perform the operation. Note that the user must also perform an operation of deleting data on the food taken out of the refrigerator, but the operation is cumbersome and difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to manage stored items such as the expiration date. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can be easily operated.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention is provided with a panel computer for managing the date of a stored item, which is detachably provided on a holding portion of an outer wall portion of the refrigerator body. The present invention is characterized in that a scanner for inputting stored data from a data recording medium is provided in the panel computer (the invention of claim 1).

According to this, the stored data stored in the refrigerator main body can be read from the data recording medium by the scanner, so that the user does not need to input the food type or the like by operating the operation keys. The operation for data input is simplified. And since the panel computer can be removed from the refrigerator body, the user
The operation can be performed with the panel computer removed and placed on, for example, a desk, and operations such as input operations can be easily performed in a comfortable posture. In addition, with the configuration in which the panel computer can be removed from the refrigerator body, the panel computer is used for other purposes.
For example, it is possible to expand the possibility of being usable as an information terminal device or the like.

At this time, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the receipt on which the purchased article information is recorded is read by a scanner as a data recording medium (the invention of claim 2).
The stored data can be input using the receipt received when the user purchased the food or the like as it is, and the data can be input extremely easily.

[0009] For example, when shopping at a supermarket or the like, items other than foods stored in the refrigerator (normally stored items, daily necessities, etc.) are recorded on the receipt. The data may be deleted later, and the deletion operation can be performed more easily than in the case of inputting the food type one by one. In this case, for example, an optical character reading device (OCR) can be used as the scanner. However, as described later, when an information code is attached to a receipt at the same time, a scanner that can read the code is used. Just do it.

[0010] Here, the panel computer requires a battery (secondary battery) for removal and use, while the refrigerator body is always connected to a commercial power supply. In view of this, a configuration is provided in which the refrigerator main body is provided with a detecting unit for detecting that the panel computer is mounted, and in the detected state, the operating power is supplied to the panel computer by the power supply unit. Invention), charging can be performed from the refrigerator main body side while the panel computer is mounted, and there is no need to provide a large power supply (battery) on the panel computer side, thereby reducing the size and weight of the panel computer. Can be. in this case,
If the power supply means is configured to perform non-contact power supply by electromagnetic induction (the invention of claim 4), an electrode exposed to the outside becomes unnecessary, and safety can be improved.

Further, the refrigerator body and the panel computer may be provided with communication means for performing non-contact communication between them (the invention of claim 5), whereby the activation of the panel computer and the like can be performed on the refrigerator body side. , And an interface between the user and the refrigerator body can be obtained by the panel computer. Specifically, the communication means
A configuration can be adopted in which two-way communication is performed by infrared rays (the invention of claim 6), whereby the communication means of the panel computer can be used for other purposes.

At this time, when the door opening / drawing detecting means detects that the door or the drawer is opened, a start signal is transmitted from the refrigerator body to the panel computer. Thus, the display on the panel computer can be stopped when it is not necessary, and power can be saved.

[0013] The scanner may not be fixedly provided on the panel computer but may be provided detachably with respect to the main body of the panel computer (the invention of claim 8). According to this, the scanner can be detached from the main body and used as a so-called handy scanner, and the usage thereof can be diversified.
In this case, the main body of the panel computer may be provided with power supply means for supplying operating power to the scanner and communication means for performing non-contact communication with the scanner. Invention), the scanner can be made compact, and the use of the scanner can be expanded.

As a more specific configuration of the scanner,
A linear sensor having an imaging optical axis substantially orthogonal to the relative feeding direction of the data recording medium; and a rotary encoder for generating a pulse according to the relative feeding amount of the data recording medium. (Invention of claim 10). According to this, the configuration of the scanner can be simplified, and data can be read by scanning the data recording medium with the scanner in the relative feeding direction.

At this time, the scanner reads the information code (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) recorded on the data recording medium in the code reading mode, converts the image data into binary data, and stores it. The invention can be configured (invention of claim 11), and thereby, it becomes possible to input the information-coded stored data accurately and in a short time.

Further, at this time, if only the image area of the information code cut out from the read image is stored (the invention of claim 12), the amount of data to be stored can be minimized. It is possible to use the memory capacity effectively. If the scanner has a linear reading mode for reading a barcode image (the invention of claim 13), the scanner can be used as a barcode reader, and the bar recorded on the data recording medium can be used. The code can be easily read.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the front appearance of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 is formed of a heat-insulating box, and inside the refrigerator, a refrigerator room, a vegetable room, and an automatic ice making device. A first freezing room and a second freezing room provided with are provided. A hinge-opening / closing door 2 and drawer-type doors 3, 4, and 5 are provided on the front portions of the respective rooms so as to be openable and closable, respectively. Further, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with a door opening / closing sensor 6 (shown only in FIG. 1) as door opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of each of the doors 2 to 5.

Although not shown in detail, the refrigerator body 1
A well-known refrigeration cycle in which a compressor 7 (shown only in FIG. 1), a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator, and the like are connected in a loop by a refrigerant pipe is incorporated therein. In this case, the evaporator and the capillary tube are provided for the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment, and for the freezer compartment, and the circulation of the refrigerant to them is controlled by the solenoid valve 8. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator body 1 is provided with a control section 9 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control unit 9 receives a detection signal from a temperature sensor 10 for detecting a temperature of each of the chambers. The control unit 9 controls the compressor 7, the solenoid valve 8, a fan device (not shown), and the like based on the input signal, the set temperature, and the like, so as to maintain each chamber near the set temperature. The control unit 9 includes the door opening / closing sensor 6.
From the control unit 9.
Controls on / off of the interior lighting 11 provided in the refrigerator compartment based on the open / close detection signal of the door 2. The refrigerator body 1 is connected to a commercial AC power supply,
The drive power of the control unit 9 is supplied via the power supply unit 12.

On the outer wall surface of the refrigerator body 1, in this case, on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator compartment, as shown in FIG. ing. The holding portion 14 is formed by forming a rectangular concave portion on the front surface of the door 2 and including, for example, a latch mechanism (not shown) for locking and securely holding the left and right side portions of the panel computer 13. You. At this time, the back surface of the holding portion 14 is an inclined surface whose upper side is gently inclined backward. Further, a recess 14a for a handle is formed so as to be continuous from the central portion of the lower end portion of the holding portion 14.

Further, although not shown in detail, the attachment / detachment detection sensor 15 serving as a detecting means for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the panel computer 13 is provided in the holding portion 14.
(Shown only in FIG. 1). In addition, as described later, a power supply unit 16 is provided in the holding unit 14 as a power supply unit that supplies operation power to the panel computer 13, which is located at the lower right (back side of the back surface). A communication unit 17 is provided on the upper left side and constitutes a communication unit for performing non-contact communication with the panel computer 13.

As shown in FIG.
The detection signal of No. 5 is input to the control unit 9, and the power supply unit 16 and the communication unit 17 are controlled by the control unit 9. Note that the holding unit 1
4 (panel computer 13) is provided at a height position equal to or slightly lower than the eye level of the user.

Now, as described above, the door 2 of the refrigerator body 1
Is detachably provided with a panel computer 13 for performing date management of the stored items in the refrigerator body 1 based on the input stored item data. Hereinafter, the panel computer 13 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in this case, the panel computer 13 records (writes) a data recording medium, in this case, purchased article information, in the scanner accommodating portion 13b at the lower left of the main body portion 13a. Receipt R (see FIGS. 7 and 8)
Scanner 18 for reading stored data from
, And is formed in a thin rectangular box shape in front and back as a whole. At this time, as shown in FIG.
8 is provided detachably with respect to the main body 13a.

On the front surface of the main body 13a, there is provided a display section 19 composed of, for example, a relatively large LCD with a backlight, and a key operation section 20 composed of a plurality of keys located below the display section 19. Is provided. The main body 13 is also provided with a microphone 21 for inputting voice and a speaker 22 for outputting voice (both are shown only in FIG. 1). A hole 13c is formed in the center of the lower part of the main body 13a for attaching and detaching.

As shown in FIG. 1, a PC control section 23 mainly composed of a microcomputer is provided in the main body section 13a. The PC control section 23 controls the display section 19 and operates the key operation section. An operation signal from the unit 20 is input. Also, the PC control unit 23
An audio signal from the microphone 21 is input, and an audio output from the speaker 22 is controlled. The PC control unit 23 has a clock function and includes a data storage unit such as a memory (RAM or the like) for storing stored data described later.

As described above, the panel computer 13 is detachably set on the holding section 14 of the refrigerator main body 1. The panel computer 13 is mounted on the rear side (lower right part) in the main body 13a. In the (holding) state, the power supply unit 16
A power receiving unit 24 (see FIG. 3) which receives a supply of drive power from the power supply is provided. In this case, the power supply unit 16 performs non-contact power supply by electromagnetic induction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the power supply unit 16 causes an AC current to flow through the power supply coil 16a. And the power receiving unit 24
Is configured to include a power receiving coil 24a, a rectifier circuit 24b, and the like. At this time, a driving secondary battery (not shown) is provided in the main body 13 a, and the battery is also charged via the power receiving unit 24.

Then, in the upper left portion in the main body 13a,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, a communication unit 2 for performing non-contact communication with the communication unit 17 of the refrigerator body 1
5 are provided. In this case, the communication unit 17 and the communication unit 25 are both infrared receiving and emitting devices that perform infrared communication based on a communication standard.
Are mounted so that they can face each other and perform infrared communication in a state of being mounted on the holding unit 14.

The communication section 25 is controlled by the PC control section 23. In this case, the communication section 25 (panel computer 13) operates the user (temperature setting for each room).
Is transmitted to the communication unit 17 (refrigerator body 1), and the communication unit 17 signals the state of the refrigerator body 1 (opening and closing of the doors 2 to 5, the state of the water tank for ice making, etc.). Is transmitted to the panel computer 13 (communication unit 25).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a sensor 26 for detecting whether or not the scanner 18 is mounted is provided in the main body 13a of the panel computer 13. A power supply unit 27 for supplying power and a communication unit 28 for communicating with the scanner 18 are provided. The signal from the sensor 26 is input to the PC control unit 23, and the power supply unit 27 and the communication unit 28 are controlled by the PC control unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the panel computer 13 is held by the holding section 14, the display section 19 on the front thereof is slightly inclined, so that the user can easily see it. . Also, the panel computer 13
Can be used with the secondary battery as a power source even when the battery is removed from the holding unit 14.

The scanner 18 is, as shown in FIG.
A transport mechanism 29 for sending a receipt R as a data recording medium to a reading position A in the center of the rear side of the case 18a in a rectangular case 18a, and for reading image data of the receipt R at the reading position A. Optical reading mechanism 3
0, scanner controller 3 mainly composed of microcomputer
1 (only shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, etc., a front portion of the case 18a includes:
An operation switch (start key) 32 is provided.

Here, a receipt R issued at a grocery store such as a supermarket is recorded (printed) on a strip of paper in the form of characters such as purchased goods information, that is, the type, amount, amount and the like of the purchased food along with the date of purchase. Have been. In recent years, as shown in FIG. 8A, a bar code C1 obtained by encoding purchased article information is also recorded on a receipt R, or as shown in FIG. It has been studied to record the coded two-dimensional code C2 together. When a two-dimensional code such as “QR code” is adopted, the amount of information of one code can be increased, so that one receipt R is used not for each item but for one receipt R. It can also be configured to attach a code.

The transport mechanism 29 comprises a transport roller 33, a pinch roller 34 for sandwiching the receipt R between the transport roller 33, a motor (not shown) for driving the transport roller 33 to rotate, and the like. A rotary encoder 35 (see FIG. 1) is provided for detecting the rotation amount of the vehicle 33 and, consequently, the feed amount of the receipt R.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the receipt R inserted from the slot 18b formed in a horizontally long slit shape in the upper part of the front surface of the case 18a is sent in the direction of arrow B by the transport roller 33, After passing through the reading position A on the back side,
The case 18a is discharged from a lower discharge port 18c on the lower surface side.

The optical reading mechanism 30 emits illumination light toward the reading position A, for example, an illumination light source 3 such as an LED.
6. For example, a linear sensor 37 serving as an image pickup means constituted by arranging a large number of CCD elements linearly, and a lens (integrated with the prism) 38 for forming an image of reflected light from the reading position A on a light receiving portion of the linear sensor 37 And the like. As shown in FIG. 1, signals from the operation switch 32, the rotary encoder 35, and the linear sensor 37 are input to the scanner control unit 31, and the scanner control unit 31 controls the scanner based on the input signals and the like. Part 31
However, the transport mechanism 29 (motor) and the illumination light source 36 are controlled.

When the operation switch 32 is turned on while the receipt R is inserted from the entrance 18b, the scanner controller 31 places the receipt R in the reading position A.
The stored data recorded on the surface is read by the linear sensor 37 while sequentially sending the stored data.
The image data read by the linear sensor 37 is subjected to A / D conversion, binarized, and stored as binary data in a memory (not shown).

At this time, in this embodiment, the scanner 18
Can execute a plurality of reading modes. Specifically, a character information reading mode for reading purchased article information (stored item data) recorded as character information on a receipt R, and an information code in which the purchased article information (stored item data) is coded and recorded on the receipt R Execution of the code reading mode for reading is enabled.

In this case, in the code reading mode, a linear reading mode for reading a barcode C1 (see FIG. 8A) and a two-dimensional code for reading a two-dimensional code C2 (see FIG. 8B) are further provided. There is a code reading mode. In the code reading mode, only the data of the image area of the information code cut out from the read image is stored in the memory. With this, the scanner 18
Is a character reading device (OC) by switching the reading mode.
R), a bar code reader, and a two-dimensional code reader can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 18 receives a supply of operating power (contactless power supply) from a power supply unit 27 of the panel computer 13 when the panel computer 13 is attached to the main body 13a. A communication unit 40 for performing data communication with the power receiving unit 39 and the communication unit 28 is provided. As a result, the image data (stored object data) stored in the memory is transmitted to the panel computer 13. At this time, the scanner 18 is provided with a driving secondary battery (not shown).
, And charging is also performed via the power receiving unit 39.

The scanner 18 is detached from the main body 13a of the panel computer 13, so that it can be used as a normal image reading hand scanner. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the back surface of the case 18a is a reading surface, and the scanner 18 is moved in the direction of arrow D while rolling the transport roller 33 on the data recording medium on which image data is recorded. Thus, the image data is read at a timing corresponding to the pulse generated from the rotary encoder 35. When the bar code C1 is read by the hand scanner (linear reading mode), the reading can be performed only by assigning the reading position A to the bar code C1.

With the above configuration, the panel computer 1
3 is a preserved product (food) stored in the refrigerator body 1
Information, that is, food name (food type), purchase date (manufacturing date), expiration date (period), scheduled use date, purchase date, etc., and preserved data are managed, and the expiration date is approached (for example, the previous day) A message informing the user of food is displayed on the display unit 19, and a voice notification is given, and a list of stored items in the storage is displayed on the display unit 19 based on the operation of the key operation unit 20 by the user. ing.

As will be described later in the description of the operation,
The input of the stored data is performed by the receipt R by the scanner 18.
Is performed on the basis of the reading of the record and the operation of the key operation unit 20 by the user. At this time, the input of the stored data can be performed in a state where the panel computer 13 is detached from the refrigerator main body 1, and further, the reading of the stored data is performed by removing the scanner 18 from the main body 13 a of the panel computer 13. It can be done in a state. When the user uses the food in the refrigerator, the user operates the key operation unit 20 of the panel computer 13 to delete the stored data relating to the food.

The panel computer 13 is normally mounted on the holding section 14 even when not in use, but in this embodiment, the display section 19 and the like are turned off except when necessary. The display is stopped, and when the key operation unit 20 is operated by the user, or when any of the doors 2 to 5 of the refrigerator body 1 is opened,
In the operation display mode, the power of the display unit 19 is turned on and the display is performed. In this case, when the door opening / closing sensor 6 detects the opening of the doors 2 to 5, the control unit 9 of the refrigerator body 1 transmits a start signal to the panel computer 13 via the communication unit 17. .
PC control unit 23 (microcomputer) of panel computer 13
Is in a low power consumption mode, in an on state or in a halt (standby) state, and is activated by detection of the opening of the door or a key operation signal.

The panel computer 13 can be operated by the user by operating the panel computer 13 by operating the panel computer 13 in addition to the above-described function of managing the date of the stored material. The temperature between each user and the refrigerator main body 1 is set, for example, by setting the temperature of each room of the main body 1 or notifying the water exchange time of the water supply tank of the automatic ice making device from the refrigerator main body 1 through the display unit 19 of the panel computer 13. It is also possible to take an interface.
In addition, a function as a voice message board, a function as a kitchen timer, and the like are provided. Furthermore, by removing the panel computer 13 from the refrigerator main body 1, it can be used for household account book management, used as an information terminal device, and the like.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Now, when the user makes a purchase in a supermarket or the like and stores the food in the refrigerator body 1, new stored data is input to the panel computer 13 as follows. That is, after operating the key operation unit 20 of the panel computer 13 to set the input mode of stored data, the receipt R is inserted from the entrance 18b of the scanner 18, and the operation switch 32 is turned on.

Then, the receipt R is scanned by the scanner 18.
, The purchased article information (stored data) recorded in the. At this time, the purchased goods information is
If only text information is recorded in the
Reference numeral 8 denotes a character information reading mode. When the bar code C1 is recorded, the linear reading mode is set. When the bar code C2 is recorded by the two-dimensional code C2, the two-dimensional code reading mode is set. The read stored data is stored in the memory of the scanner 18. However, as described above, when the information codes C1 and C2 are read, only the data in the image area of the information code is stored in the memory. It has become so.

Here, when shopping at a supermarket or the like, information on purchased items such as normal-temperature preservation items and daily necessities other than foods stored in the refrigerator body 1 is also recorded on the receipt R. In such a case, After the scanner 18 reads all the purchased article information as stored data, the mode is switched to the deletion mode, and the key operation unit 20 is operated to delete unnecessary stored data. In addition, the user also inputs the expiration date and scheduled use date of each food. It should be noted that, even when the food stored in the refrigerator body 1 is used, the stored data is deleted after setting the mode to the deletion mode.

The above operation can be performed not only while the panel computer 13 is mounted on the holding section 14 of the refrigerator main body 1 but also when the panel computer 13 is detached from the holding section 14 and placed on a desk, for example. The work for input can be easily performed in a comfortable posture for the user. In particular, when reading the information codes C1 and C2, it is possible to reliably read the stored data in a short time. In addition, an operation of deleting unnecessary stored data can be easily performed. After the input of the stored data, the panel computer 13 is mounted on the holding unit 14.

Then, as described above, the panel computer 13 manages the expiration date of the stored item based on the input stored item data, and approaches the expiration date (scheduled use date) (for example, the previous day). A message informing you of the food,
The display unit 19 is configured to display the information on the display unit, provide voice notification, and display a list of stored items in the storage on the display unit 19 based on the operation of the key operation unit 20 by the user. In this case, the display section 19 of the panel computer 13 does not always display, but the key operation section 20 is operated by the user, or any one of the doors 2 of the refrigerator body 1 is operated.
When the start-up signal is received from the refrigerator main body 1 after the opening of .about.5, the operation display mode is set, and the message and the list are displayed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the display on the display unit 19 executed by the PC control unit 23 at that time. That is, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the key operation unit 20. In step S2, a start signal (a signal in which any of the doors 2 to 5 is opened) is received from the refrigerator body 1 side. It is determined whether or not. If there is any (Yes in step S1 or step S2), the operation mode is switched to the operation display mode in the next step S3, and the display unit 19
Is turned on.

Then, in step S4, it is determined whether there is a message notifying the user of the food nearing the expiration date, and if there is a message (Yes),
In step S5, the message is notified by screen display and voice. Thus, the user can know the food near the expiration date, and can prevent the user from forgetting to use the food and wasting the food after the expiration date.

On the other hand, after the notification of the message or when there is no message (N in step S4)
o) In step S6, the timer for auto power off is started. In step S7, it is determined whether there is a key operation. Here, when the user wants to see the list of stored items or to input or delete the stored item data as described above, the user performs a predetermined key operation (Tes in step S7). Then, processing corresponding to the key operation is performed (step S8). in this case,
By displaying the list of stored items on the display unit 19, the user can check the stored food without opening the doors 2 to 5 of the refrigerator body 1.

When the key operation processing is performed, step S9 is performed.
At, the timing of the timer is initialized. Even if no key operation is performed, even if a start signal (a signal that any one of the doors 2 to 5 is opened) is received from the refrigerator body 1 (Yes in step S10), the timer is initialized. Is done. Then, when the timer counts a predetermined value (for example, 10 minutes) and the time is up (Y in step S11).
es), at step S12, the counting of the timer ends, the operation display mode is turned off, and the display on the display unit 19 is stopped (the backlight is also turned off). As a result, the display on the display unit 19 is turned off a fixed time after the last key operation or the opening and closing of the doors 2 to 5, and wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the scanner 18 for reading the stored material data from the receipt R on which the purchased article information is recorded is provided in the panel computer 13 for managing the stored material data. As described above, the user does not need to input the type of food or the like by operating the operation keys, and the data input operation can be easily completed. At this time, since the data can be input from the receipt R, the data can be input very easily.

Since the panel computer 13 can be detached from the refrigerator main body 1, the user can perform operations with the panel computer 13 detached, and can perform operations such as input operations on the table. It can be done in a comfortable position. As a result, there is an excellent effect that the user's operation necessary for inputting and deleting stored data can be performed easily and easily.

In this case, since the panel computer 13 is configured to be detachable from the refrigerator body 1,
The possibility of using the panel computer 13 for other uses, for example, making it possible to use the panel computer 13 as an information terminal device or the like can be expanded. More specifically, it can be used for household account book management and the like, and it is possible to eliminate a feeling of over price for the user.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with the power supply section 16 and the communication section 17 and the panel computer 13 is provided.
In addition, since the power receiving unit 24 and the communication unit 25 are provided, the power supply unit of the panel computer 13 can be made compact, the panel computer 13 can be controlled from the refrigerator main unit 1 side, and the user and the refrigerator main unit 1 can be controlled by the panel computer 13. Interface becomes possible. Further, in the present embodiment, the scanner 18 is connected to the main body 1 of the panel computer 13.
Since the scanner 18 is detachable from the scanner 3a, it is possible to use the scanner 18 alone for other purposes, and it is possible to eliminate a sense of cost for the user.

In the above embodiment, the scanner 18 is detachably provided on the main body 13a of the panel computer 13, but may be fixedly provided. Further, power supply from the refrigerator main body 1 to the panel computer 13 or the main body 13a of the panel computer 13
The power supply from the scanner to the scanner 18 may be configured so that the terminals are directly connected via the connector unit without contact. Further, the communication means is not limited to infrared communication, and communication using radio waves or magnetic fields may be employed. In addition, the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electric configuration of a refrigerator main body and a panel computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator body.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the panel computer detached from the holding unit.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the panel computer is mounted on the holding unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration of a power supply unit and a power reception unit.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the scanner is removed from the panel computer.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of a scanner, and (a)
Is a side view showing a state of attachment to a panel computer, and FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt (a) on which a barcode is recorded and an example of a receipt (b) on which a two-dimensional code is recorded.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure regarding display on the display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 to 5 are doors, 6 is a door open / close sensor (door open / close detecting means), 9 is a control unit, 13 is a panel computer, 13a is a main unit, 13b is a scanner housing unit,
14 is a holding unit, 15 is a detachment detection sensor (detection means), 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a power supply unit (power supply unit), 17 denotes a communication unit (communication unit), 18 denotes a scanner, 19 denotes a display unit, 20 denotes a key operation unit, 23 denotes a PC control unit, 24 denotes a power receiving unit, and 25 denotes a communication unit ( Communication unit), 26 is a sensor, 27 is a power supply unit (power supply unit), 28 is a communication unit (communication unit), 31 is a scanner control unit, 32 is an operation switch, 35 is a rotary encoder, 37 is a linear sensor, and 39 is a linear sensor. Power receiving unit, 40 is a communication unit (communication means), R is a receipt (data recording medium), C1
Indicates a barcode (information code), and C2 indicates a two-dimensional code (information code).

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator for cooling and storing foods and the like in a refrigerator body, wherein a holding unit provided on an outer wall portion of the refrigerator body performs date management of the stored items based on input stored item data. A refrigerator characterized in that the panel computer is detachably provided, and the panel computer is provided with a scanner for reading stored data recorded on a data recording medium. 2. The data recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the data storage medium is formed of a receipt on which purchased goods information is recorded, and the scanner is configured to read the purchased goods information from the receipt. refrigerator. 3. The refrigerator main body comprises a detecting means for detecting that the panel computer is mounted, and a power supply means for supplying an operating power to the panel computer in a state detected by the detecting means. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein said power supply means is configured to perform non-contact power supply by electromagnetic induction. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator main body and the panel computer are provided with communication means for performing non-contact communication therebetween. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said communication means is configured to perform a two-way communication using infrared rays. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the door or drawer, and when the door opening / closing detecting means detects that the door or drawer is opened, the panel computer. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein an activation signal is transmitted to the refrigerator. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the scanner is detachably provided to a main body of the panel computer. 9. The main body of the panel computer includes:
9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a power supply unit for supplying an operation power to the scanner, and a communication unit for performing non-contact communication with the scanner. 10. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the scanner generates a pulse according to a relative feed amount of the data recording medium and a linear sensor having an imaging optical axis substantially orthogonal to a relative feed direction of the data recording medium. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a rotary encoder configured to: 11. The scanner has a code reading mode for reading information codes recorded on the data recording medium by encoding stored data, and in the code reading mode, the read image data is converted into binary data. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the refrigerator is configured to store the converted data. 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the scanner is configured to store only an image area of an information code cut out from a read image in a code reading mode. 13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the scanner has a linear reading mode for reading a barcode image in the code reading mode.