JP2002063342A - Food management system for home - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a food management system for home which reduces restrictions of places and time where a user can input data, enables the user to input data regarding foods put in a refrigerator by a small-burden method, and effectively manages relish periods. SOLUTION: This food management system for home includes the home refrigerator which has a display part and a control part, a portable information terminal, and a communication line which connects the refrigerator and portable information terminal and the control part of the refrigerator is equipped with a food management part which generates and edits data regarding the foods put in the refrigerator and displays the data regarding the foods and their relish periods at the display part, and a storage device and a timer. The portable information terminal generates and edits the data regarding the foods put in the refrigerator and the data regarding the foods are displayed at the display part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home food management system, and more particularly to a home food management system capable of planning shopping and cooking or managing expiration dates by using information on items stored in a refrigerator. It relates to a fresh food management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display device is provided on a refrigerator door so that food stored in the refrigerator can be checked without opening the refrigerator door, and unnecessary opening and closing of the door is reduced to maintain the cooling storage capacity. In addition, a proposal has been made to manage the expiration date and the like.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-35758 discloses a storage management system that allows a user to input arbitrary information regarding storage, simplify input operations, and effectively manage storage. For the purpose of providing a refrigerator, a display unit, stored item information input means, and one-touch input or change of information (frequently used item information) of one or more items selected in advance from frequently stored items are provided. Storage means for rewritably storing predetermined information prepared in advance, and stored information and frequently used information input by the input means, a display instruction means,
U, and a refrigerator in which stored item information input means, frequent use item input means, and display instruction means are installed on the outer surface of the refrigerator door is disclosed.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-19451 allows data such as the type, quantity, storage date, etc. of stored items in a refrigerator to be easily checked with one touch as needed without opening a door. In order to provide an inventory control refrigerator, data such as the type, quantity, and date of receipt of goods on the door surface of the refrigerator is entered and stocked with a digital display that can display the data as needed. A management refrigerator is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-52855, it is necessary to open the door of the refrigerator to check the food stored in the refrigerator and the expiration date. It is difficult to tell whether or not food stock is available when storing food products, and it is often overlooked even if the expiration date has passed. Means for storing and registering, and means for storing and registering the expiration date of the food. Also, for foods for which the expiration date is not listed, provisionally storing and inputting the expiration date in advance is displayed and output outside the refrigerator. A refrigerator is disclosed.

[0006] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-65465 aims to provide a refrigerator which can effectively manage foods stored in the refrigerator without imposing a burden on a user and can solve problems such as expiration date. A non-contact reading unit having a function of receiving radio waves transmitted from a memory label storing predetermined management information and reading the management information; and storing management information read from the memory label by the non-contact reading unit. A refrigerator comprising: a storage unit that manages items stored in a refrigerator based on the management information stored in the storage unit; and a notification unit that notifies a user of a management status of the management unit. Have been.

[0007]

The above-mentioned JP-A-8-357
In the inventions described in JP-A-58-158 and JP-A-10-19451, it is necessary for a user to operate an operation panel or operation buttons provided on the refrigerator to input data on all items stored in the refrigerator one by one. It is considered that the data input operation is troublesome.

On the other hand, a system using a registered reading pen having an optical reading function described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-52855, and a memory storing management information described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-65465. The method of reading the radio wave transmitted from the label by the reader / writer is considered to eliminate the trouble of the data input operation to some extent.

However, in these systems, data is input using a device attached to the refrigerator, such as a registration reading pen or a reader / writer, so that data can be input only when the user is near the refrigerator. . In other words, there are significant restrictions on the location and time at which the user can input data.

Generally, a person who has made a purchase has the most abundant information about the food to be purchased at or before and after shopping at the store. Inputting the input of the data is considerably troublesome.

The expiration date may be due to unexpected events such as bulk purchases or unplanned impulse purchases due to the increase in size of the refrigerator, family eating out, and sudden business trips. Regarding these factors, it is not enough to simply manage the expiration date, and it is necessary for a person who buys food to have appropriate information at the time of shopping.
For example, at the time of shopping, it is desirable to be able to obtain the latest information such as the status of food stored in the refrigerator and changes in family schedules.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to reduce restrictions on the place and time at which a user can input data, and to input data relating to food stored in a refrigerator in a manner that does not burden the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a household food management system capable of effectively performing management.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a home food management system that enables a person shopping for food to obtain appropriate information on shopping and cooking plans at an arbitrary location.

[0014]

The features of the present invention include a home refrigerator having a display unit and a control unit, a portable information terminal, and a communication line connecting the refrigerator and the portable information terminal. A control unit of the refrigerator, a food management unit that creates and edits data related to the food stored in the refrigerator and displays the data related to the food and its expiration date on the display unit, a storage device, and a clock. A home food management system for creating and editing data relating to food stored in the refrigerator by the portable information terminal, and displaying the data relating to the food on the display unit.

Another feature of the present invention is that the portable information terminal is a portable telephone, and is configured to be able to access the refrigerator via the Internet.

Another feature of the present invention is that the portable information terminal is a portable information terminal having a data creation / editing function and a communication function, and is configured to be able to access the refrigerator via the Internet. It is in.

According to the present invention, since the portable information terminal is used, restrictions on the place and time at which the user can input data on food are reduced, and the data on food stored in the refrigerator is burdened on the user. Can be entered in a few ways.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a household food management system capable of effectively managing the expiration date of fresh food.

Further, it is possible to provide a household food management system that enables a person who buys food to obtain appropriate information on shopping and cooking plans at an arbitrary place.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the household food management system according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 2 in home network (home LAN) 10
0 and a personal computer 50 are connected. Network 10
Is connected to the router 70, and the telephone 90 is also connected to the router 70. Communication means between devices constituting the network may be either cable or wireless. The router 70 is connected to a public line for transmitting and receiving information to and from the outside, and further connected to the Internet 200 via a server (provider) 120. The control unit of the refrigerator 20 and the personal computer 50 have a built-in browser, and the control unit of the refrigerator 20, the personal computer 50, and the router 70 are assigned IP addresses, respectively. These devices are mutually compatible with HTML
Data can be transmitted and received by the HTTP protocol. Reference numeral 250 denotes a mobile phone.

A mobile phone communication network is connected to the Internet 200 via another server (provider) 210. That is, a mobile communication exchange 230 and a base station 220 that cover a specific zone 200 such as a store, a school, or a workplace are connected to the server 210, and mobile phones 250 and 260 to which an IP address is assigned perform wireless communication. The Internet 200 can be accessed via the Internet. The mobile phone 250 has a built-in communication function and a browser. Here, the mobile phone 250 is a phone owned by a person in charge of housework, and the mobile phone 260 is a phone owned by another member of the family.

The mobile telephone 250 is used to obtain, edit, and transmit data stored in the refrigerator 20 of the user's home, particularly data on fresh foods, and family messages recorded on a personal computer or the like at home. Equipment. For example, it is used by a person shopping for food at a store to know information on food and family information stored in the refrigerator 20 of the house regarding shopping and cooking plans. Alternatively, it is used to generate data on food while shopping for food in a store. Data exchange between the home 100 and the store is performed via the Internet 200. It is desirable that a dedicated mail terminal be connected to the mobile phone 250 for use in assisting data input, editing, and the like.

The portable telephone 250 in the home is carried at the time of shopping, generates data relating to food during shopping or in a car, and transmits the data to the control unit of the refrigerator 20 at home after returning home. You may do it.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the refrigerator 20 and a diagram showing functional blocks of the control unit. The refrigerator 20 has a main body 30 provided with three opening / closing doors or drawer doors.
At the top of the refrigerator 20, a refrigerator compartment with a door 21, a vegetable compartment with a drawer door below, and a freezer compartment with a drawer door at the bottom are arranged. An operation panel 21 having a liquid crystal display screen 211 and an operation unit 212 is disposed on a door unit 21 of the refrigerator compartment.

On the other hand, the main body 30 of the refrigerator is provided with a control unit including a CPU, a storage device, and a program.
The control unit includes an operation mode control unit 31 that controls a refrigeration cycle or the like according to an instruction from an operation panel or a state in the refrigerator,
The liquid crystal display screen 211 includes a food management unit 32 that creates data such as food stored in the refrigerator and the expiration date of the food, and displays the data on the liquid crystal display screen 211. In addition, a message board management unit 33, a storage device 34, and a clock 35 for managing a message message of a family inputted through a telephone or directly from an operation panel are provided. The storage device 34 has a “fresh food data” file including at least a “common fresh food category” list, and a “message” file.

Further, a sensor 36 for controlling the refrigeration cycle and the like, a power supply 37, a control circuit 38 such as a compressor driving motor, a WWW browser 39, and a communication control unit 40 are provided. The control unit is provided on the door unit 210 on the display unit 2.
1 may be provided integrally.

The operation section 212 of the operation panel 21 includes a pen input section, a panel section for inputting, storing, changing, and deleting predetermined character symbols and the like, and a display section for operating icons and the like. It should be noted that a means for reading data using the data of the food label may be used.

When a specific icon is clicked, the food management section 32 and the message board management section 33 are activated.
When the food management unit 32 is activated, a list of stored foods and a list of food names that have passed the expiration date are displayed on the operation panel 21 in accordance with the operation of the icon. In the data input mode, the names of frequently stored foods that the user previously input and stored in the storage device 34 are displayed, and data input,
Editing becomes possible. Further, when the message board management unit 33 is activated, a display for notifying that a family message is present and a message content are displayed on the operation panel 21. In the message,
It includes requests and plans for meals, requests for food or non-food shopping, and the like. In message editing mode, create,
Icons for saving and deleting are displayed.

Next, FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of a control unit of the mobile phone 250 and the mail terminal (portable information terminal) 270. The mobile phone 250 is provided with a control unit including a CPU, a storage device, and a program, input means (not shown), and a display screen (not shown). The control unit includes a communication control unit 251 that performs control as a telephone, a mail control unit 252 that performs management control of e-mails and message memos, and a food management unit 253 for browsing and editing data such as foods and their expiration dates.
It has. In addition, storage device 254, clock 255, W
A WW browser 257 and a power supply 256 are provided.

On the other hand, a portable information terminal (mail terminal) 270
Is provided with an operation panel having a liquid crystal display screen 271 and an operation unit 272, and a storage device (not shown). By connecting a cable to the mobile phone 250 and mutually transmitting and receiving data and the like, input means of the mobile phone 250 It functions as a display means.

Next, FIG. 4 shows functional blocks of a control section of the personal computer main body 50 and the mobile terminal (portable information terminal) 80. The personal computer 50 is provided with a control unit including a CPU, a storage device, and a program. The control unit is W
It includes a WWW browser 51, a WWW server 52, a food management unit 53 for creating, browsing, and editing data such as food and its expiration date, a storage device 54, a clock 55, and a power supply 56. Further, a mail control unit 57 for managing and controlling e-mails and message memos, an input / output control 58, and a communication control unit 59 are provided. In addition, an input unit 60 and a display device 61 are provided.

The food management section 53 of the personal computer body 50 has the same function as the food management section 32 of the refrigerator body 30. The food management unit 53 of the personal computer main body 50 is mainly used for initial setting and modification of the food management unit 32 of the refrigerator main body 30, input of initial data, significant review of food data, and the like. Normal food management is performed by the food management unit 53 of the main body 30 of the refrigerator.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal 80 includes an operation panel having a liquid crystal display screen 81 and an operation unit 82, a food management unit 8
3 and a storage device 84. Further, a power supply 85 and a communication control unit 86 are provided. The mobile terminal 80 functions as an input unit and a display unit by connecting a cable to the personal computer main body 50 and mutually transmitting and receiving data and the like. Note that this mobile terminal is used to increase opportunities for data creation and editing by the user, and may be omitted.

Next, as an operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the case where the food management unit 32 of the refrigerator 20 at home is activated and food data or the like is displayed on the display unit 211 of the door and used is shown in FIG. explain. First, after activating the food management unit 32, a predetermined I
When the home refrigerator is accessed via the Internet by designating the P address (502), the transmitted food data and / or message information is captured (504), and the information is stored in the storage device 254 of the refrigerator 20 in " Food Data "
File or "message" file (50
4). If there is a display request, "food data" and "message data" in the storage device are read out (508 to 510) and displayed on the display means 271 of the door (512).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the display. In the food list displayed on the display means of the refrigerator, for example, information such as food name, quantity, purchase date, consumption plan, remaining amount, expiration date, expiration date display, final disposal, and the like are displayed. other than this,
Information such as the name of the store where the food was purchased, the price, and the freshness may be added.

When the user who sees the display means 271 wants to manually input and correct "food data" and "message data" by himself, he selects manual correction (514) and operates the operation unit 212 to perform the correction. Input and correct important information (5
16). Based on this result, the "food data" in the storage device
Then, the "message" file is updated and the correction items are displayed on the display means 271 (518). Next, when there is a food item whose expiration date is approaching, for example, within two days (520), the display means 271 on the door portion is provided. Is displayed (522).
Further, when there is a data transmission request from the mobile terminal (524), the related food data and message data are read (526) and transmitted to the mobile terminal (52).
8).

Next, input and editing of food data and message data displayed on the display means of the refrigerator will be described. As food data, it is conceivable to record all of the food stored in the refrigerator.However, it is complicated to input data such as various seasonings one by one. It is conceivable to manage by the subject. Also, among fresh foods, foods with a long shelf life such as root vegetables such as "carrots" and frozen foods may be appropriately excluded from the management target. Further, among fresh foods, for example, "sashimi", which is surely consumed on the day, input of data may be omitted.

It is desirable to exclude, from the management target, items that have been clearly stored in the refrigerator, such as cereals, cans, and some of alcohols and seasonings, among the purchased items. Conversely, the data of all purchased items may be created in combination with the household account book software, and the data of the required food may be selected and managed as a refrigerator.

[0038] By judging such things comprehensively, the user only has to determine the "food" to be managed.

Further, regarding fresh foods to be managed,
For frequently purchased and used foods, it is desirable to list them in advance, for example, as “perishable fresh food categories” so that they can be selected at the time of data input and correction. FIG.
The following shows an example of the category of common fresh food. In this example, frequently used foods are roughly classified into meat, vegetables, and the like, and specific food names are listed below. In addition, even when the same food is used, if a finer division is required, for example, “pork”, it is better to create a lower division in advance.

Various data relating to the purchase, consumption, and disposal of foods to be managed can be created and stored by using a portable terminal in addition to the operation panel of the refrigerator.

An example in which such various data are created, stored, and used by a portable terminal will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a shopping plan is made by using data of foods in a refrigerator at home during shopping, and various data on the purchased foods are created and stored on a portable terminal. First, the user accesses a refrigerator in the home via the Internet by designating a predetermined IP address from a mobile phone (mobile terminal) while away from home, and fetches food data and / or message information recorded therein (802). The information is stored in a "food data" file or "message" file in the storage device of the mobile phone, and the "food data" and "message data" are read out and displayed on the display means of the mobile terminal. (804-808). "Food data" displayed
By looking at the file and the "message file", the necessary ingredients and their amounts are determined, and a shopping plan is made. In this case, the user may further access a “cooking” -related site on the Internet to obtain a “recipe” for a particular dish and use it as a reference for shopping.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using the portable information terminal, a person shopping for food can obtain appropriate information on shopping and cooking plans at an arbitrary place.

Then, the user activates the food management unit 32 of the mobile phone to input the data of the merchandise purchased according to the plan, and updates and saves the previous data as necessary (81).
0-814).

The data input and editing of the product may be performed while shopping at the store, or may be performed at the time of moving after the shopping is completed or in a car in a parking lot. What is necessary is just to select a place and time convenient for the user. If you don't have time at the time of shopping, you can go home. The created food and message data are transmitted to the food management unit of the refrigerator via the Internet, or are held in a portable terminal to be taken home and transmitted to the refrigerator at home.

When the food in the refrigerator is consumed, the data of the food is updated by inputting it from the operation panel of the refrigerator at home as appropriate. In this case as well, it is not always necessary to input and update immediately at the time of cooking, but later create the data using a personal digital assistant or a personal computer after relying on memories or checking in the refrigerator. May be.

According to this embodiment, by using the portable information terminal, restrictions on the place and time at which the user can input the data on the food are reduced, and the data on the food stored in the refrigerator is burdened on the user. Can be entered in a few ways. Therefore, it is possible to provide a household food management system capable of effectively managing the expiration date of fresh food.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network according to another embodiment of the present invention. A refrigerator 20 and a portable information terminal (mobile) 270 are connected to a home network (home LAN) 10. The network is connected to the router 70, and the telephone 90 is also connected to the router 70. The control unit of the refrigerator 20 has functions equivalent to those of the personal computer described in the previous embodiment.
The portable information terminal 270 is a device including a CPU, a storage device, an OS, a program, a keyboard, a display device, and the like, and having functions similar to those of a small personal computer with respect to creation and editing of data.

The refrigerator 20 and the portable information terminal 270 each include a food management unit 253 for creating, browsing, and editing data such as food stored in the refrigerator and its expiration date.

The portable information terminal 270 further has a built-in browser, and a control unit of the refrigerator 20 and a router 7.
0 and the portable information terminal 270 are assigned IP addresses, respectively. A mobile phone communication network is also connected to the Internet 200 via another server (provider) 210. The portable information terminal 270 also has a telephone communication function.

In this example, the portable information terminal 2 in the home
The user carries the data 70 at the time of shopping, generates data relating to food during shopping or in a car, and transmits the data to the control unit of the refrigerator 20 at home after returning home. Data exchange between the home 100 and the store is performed via the Internet 200.

Also in this embodiment, by using the portable information terminal, restrictions on the place and time at which the user can input data are reduced, and the data on the food stored in the refrigerator is reduced by a method with less burden on the user. It can be input, and the management of the expiration date can be effectively performed. Also, a person shopping for food can obtain appropriate information on shopping and cooking plans at any place.

[0052]

According to the present invention, by using a portable information terminal, restrictions on the place and time at which a user can input data are reduced, and data on food stored in a refrigerator can be saved by the user. It is possible to provide a household food management system that can be input in a small number of ways and that can effectively manage the expiration date. In addition, it is possible to provide a household food management system in which a person who buys food can obtain appropriate information on shopping and cooking plans at an arbitrary place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the refrigerator and a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit of a mobile phone and a mail terminal (portable information terminal).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit of a personal computer main body 50 and a mobile terminal (portable information terminal) 80.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the case of displaying and using food data or the like on a refrigerator at home.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a food list.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a common food category.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which creation, storage, and use of various data are performed by a mobile terminal.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Network (domestic LAN), 20 ... Refrigerator, 21 ... Operation panel, 30 ... Refrigerator standard, 32 ... Food management unit, 33 ... Message board management unit, 39 ... WWW browser,
40 communication control unit, 50 personal computer, 51 WWW browser, 52 WWW server, 53 food management unit, 70
… Router, 120… server (provider), 20
0: Internet, 210: Door unit, 211: Liquid crystal display screen, 212: Operation unit, 250: Mobile phone, 251 ...
Communication control unit, 252: mail control unit, 253: food, 2
54: storage device, 257: WWW browser, 270: portable information terminal (mail terminal)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 22, 2000 (2008.2.
2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Noriko Kikuchi 2-48 Akiyama Building, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 2nd floor of Akiyama Building F-term in Himine International Patent Office (Reference) 5B049 AA02 CC48 GG02 GG03 GG06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator for home use having a display unit and a control unit, a portable information terminal, and a communication line connecting the refrigerator and the portable information terminal. It has a food management unit that creates and edits data on the food stored in the display unit and displays the data on the food and its expiration date on the display unit, a storage device, and a clock. A home food management system for creating and editing data relating to food stored in the refrigerator and displaying the data relating to the food on a display unit of the refrigerator. 2. The household food management system according to claim 1, wherein said portable information terminal is a mobile phone, and is configured to be able to access said refrigerator via the Internet. . 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal is a portable information terminal having a data creation / editing function and a communication function, and is capable of accessing the refrigerator via the Internet. A household food management system, characterized in that: 4. The food management system according to claim 1, wherein the food management system includes a message board management unit that manages a message message of a family inputted through the portable information terminal or directly from an operation panel of the refrigerator. A food management system for home use. 5. A home refrigerator comprising a display unit and a control unit, which is connectable to a portable information terminal via a communication line, wherein the control unit of the refrigerator is housed in the refrigerator. A data management unit that creates and edits data relating to the food and displays the data relating to the food and the expiration date thereof on the display unit, a storage device, and a clock. A refrigerator for home use, wherein data relating to food to be stored is created and edited, and data relating to the food is displayed on the display unit.