JP2021096066A - Refrigerator and system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator satisfactorily imaging food products in a storage chamber to facilitate discrimination of the food products from outside.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises a control part controlling an imaging device imaging a storage chamber. An illumination device fitted in the storage chamber and illuminating the inside of the storage chamber is used both at the time of normal use based on door open/close detection means and at the time of imaging by the imaging device. Illuminance in the inside of the storage chamber is constituted so as to be lower at the time of imaging than at the time of normal use, and the influence of reflected light from the inner surface of the refrigerator can be drastically reduced and clear images can be photographed while attaining common use of the illumination device. It is therefore possible to provide the refrigerator facilitating discrimination of food items in the refrigerator and having excellent user-friendliness.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a photographing device for photographing the inside of a storage chamber.

In general, many refrigerators and refrigeration systems of this type have been proposed. For example, in the refrigerator and refrigerating system described in Patent Document 1, a small camera is provided in the storage, and the food storage status in the storage taken by the small camera is displayed by a display terminal such as a mobile phone via an internet line. It is configured so that it can be confirmed.

Further, Patent Document 2 also discloses a refrigerator and a refrigerating system similar to Patent Document 1, and the one described in Patent Document 1 photographs the state of food in the storage with a small camera when the refrigerator door is closed. It is configured to do so.

Further, in the refrigerator and the refrigerator system described in Patent Document 3, in addition to the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a display terminal is further provided on the surface of the refrigerator, and the display terminal is a fixed terminal and a refrigerator incorporated in the surface of the refrigerator. It consists of a display terminal such as a mobile phone that can be removed from the surface and carried around, and both terminals can display the food storage status in the refrigerator taken with a small camera via the Internet line on the display unit when going out. Of course, it is configured so that you can know the food storage status in the refrigerator without opening the refrigerator door even when you are at home.

JP-A-2002-236798 JP-A-2007-46833 JP-A-2002-81818

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator for photographing the inside of a storage room based on an imaging instruction received from the outside.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator having at least one storage chamber, and is provided with a lighting device provided on the side surface of the storage chamber to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber. When a photographing device provided inside the door of the storage room for photographing the inside of the storage room, a communication device for executing wireless communication with the outside, and the communication device receiving a photographing instruction from the outside. The lighting device is turned on based on the determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage chamber is closed and the determination means for determining whether the door of the storage chamber is closed. In addition, the imaging device is provided with a control means for executing imaging. Further, the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator having at least one storage chamber, and is provided on the upper surface of the storage chamber and is provided inside a lighting device for illuminating the inside of the storage chamber and inside the door of the storage chamber. A photographing device for photographing the inside of the storage room, a communication device for executing wireless communication with the outside, and a door of the storage room when the communication device receives a photographing instruction from the outside. Based on the determination means for determining whether or not the storage chamber is closed and the determination means for determining that the door of the storage room is closed, the lighting device is turned on and the image is taken by the photographing device. It is characterized by providing a control means for executing the above. Further, the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator having at least one storage chamber, and is provided with a lighting device provided on the side surface and the upper surface of the storage chamber to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber, and a door of the storage chamber. An imaging device provided inside for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, a communication device that executes wireless communication with the outside, and when the communication device receives an imaging instruction from the outside, the storage chamber Based on the determination means for determining whether or not the door is closed and the determination means for determining whether the door of the storage room is closed, the lighting device is turned on and the photographing device is turned on. It is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for causing the image to be photographed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator for photographing the inside of a storage room based on an imaging instruction received from the outside.

Perspective view of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention Schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator A perspective view showing the inside of the refrigerator when the storage door is opened. (A) A perspective view in which the refrigerator is integrally equipped with a display terminal, and (b) a perspective view in which the refrigerator is detachably equipped with a display terminal. An example of mounting configuration of the display terminal used in the refrigerator is shown, (a) is a sectional view when the display terminal is integrally attached, and (b) is a sectional view when the display terminal is detachably attached. An example of the display visual recognition configuration of the display terminal used in the refrigerator is shown, (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views when the outer panel of the door is made of glass, and (c) is composed of the outer panel of the door with a magic mirror. Schematic cross-sectional view Vertical cross-sectional view showing a camera installation example of the refrigerator An example of mounting the camera of the refrigerator is shown, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator door portion with the door closed, and (b) is a front view of the inner surface side of the door when the door is opened. (A) (b) (c) Vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of camera mounting of the refrigerator. Vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of camera installation in the case of a single door of the refrigerator An example of mounting the camera of the refrigerator is shown, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator door portion with the door closed, and (b) is a front view of the inner surface side of the door when the door is opened. Vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of camera mounting in the case of a single door of the refrigerator Explanatory drawing which shows the shooting state in the camera mounting example of FIG. Explanatory drawing showing an example of a camera attached to the refrigerator System configuration diagram of the refrigerator system in the same embodiment Block diagram showing the refrigerator configuration of the refrigerator system Block diagram showing the server configuration of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing shooting-data storage operation when the door of the refrigerator system is closed Flow chart showing shooting-data storage operation during cooling operation of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing other operation examples of shooting-data storage operation of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing other operation examples of shooting-data storage operation of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing other operation examples of shooting-data storage operation of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing other operation examples of shooting-data storage operation of the refrigerator system Flow chart showing shooting-data storage operation when the door of the refrigerator system is opened Flow chart showing other operation examples of shooting-data storage when the door of the refrigerator system is opened A flowchart showing another operation example of the shooting operation in FIGS. 15 to 24. A flowchart showing a case where data storage and synthesis operations in the refrigerator system are performed on a server device. Flow chart showing the case where data storage and synthesis operation in the refrigerator system is performed on the refrigerator side A flowchart showing the case where data storage and synthesis operations in the refrigerator system are performed on the display terminal side. Flow chart showing normal image data transmission / reception in the refrigerator system A flowchart showing the transmission and reception of image data when the image data is stored in the display terminal in the refrigerator system. A flowchart showing a case where an individual image and a composite image are switched and transmitted / received in the refrigerator system. Flow chart showing image data transmission / reception at the time of advance transmission request in the refrigerator system Front view of a display terminal for explaining switching of transmission / reception routes in the refrigerator system The figure for demonstrating the image composition processing in the refrigerator system.

The invention according to claim 1 is a storage room partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store stored items, a lighting device provided in the storage room and illuminating the inside of the storage room, and a storage space of the storage room. A partition shelf for partitioning the storage chamber, a cooler for cooling the storage chamber, a heat insulating door covering the storage chamber, a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting the opening / closing of the heat insulating door, and an imaging device for imaging the storage chamber. The lighting device is provided with a control unit for controlling the image pickup device, and the lighting device is used for both normal use based on the door open / close detection means and image pickup by the image pickup device, and the illuminance in the storage chamber. Is configured to be lower during imaging than during normal use, and it is possible to significantly reduce the influence of reflected light from the inner surface of the storage while also using it as a lighting device. It is possible to take a variety of images, facilitate the identification of food in the storage from the outside, and provide a convenient refrigerator.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device includes side illumination provided on the side surface of the storage chamber and top surface illumination provided on the top surface of the storage chamber. This makes it possible to improve the visibility inside the refrigerator when the door is opened, and to take a clear image with the image pickup device.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the side lighting device is provided on the opening side of the storage chamber with respect to the partition shelf, and faces from the front to the back side. By illuminating the subject, shadows are less likely to occur on the subject, and a clear image can be taken with the imaging device.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging device is arranged so that direct light from the lighting device does not enter. It is possible to reliably capture a clear image with the imaging device by eliminating the direct light from the lighting device.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Embodiment 1]
<1. Configuration>
1-1. Refrigerator configuration 1-1-1. Configuration of French Door Type Refrigerator First, a configuration example in the case of a French door type refrigerator will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigerator main body 1 has a metal (for example, iron plate) outer box 2 that opens forward, a hard resin (for example, ABS) inner box 3, and these outer boxes 2 and inner boxes 3. It is made of a heat insulating material 4 such as hard urethane foam filled with foam between the two. The refrigerator body 1 is formed by partitioning a plurality of storages inside the refrigerator body 1. This storage is located below the refrigerating chamber 5, the switching chamber 6 located below the refrigerating chamber 5, and the ice making chamber 7, the switching chamber 6, and the ice making chamber 7 arranged side by side in the switching chamber 6 from the upper part of the refrigerator main body 1. The freezer compartment 8 and the vegetable compartment 9 located below the freezer compartment 8 are provided. Further, the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 5 is freely opened and closed by a double door 10, and the front portions of the switching chamber 6, the ice making chamber 7, the freezer compartment 8 and the vegetable compartment 9 are pull-out doors 11, 12, and 13. , 14 (hereinafter referred to as a pull-out door) can be opened and closed freely.

There is a cooling chamber 16 on the back surface of the refrigerator body 1, a cooler 17 for generating cold air, a blower fan 18 for supplying cold air to each chamber, and a damper (air volume adjusting means) for adjusting the air volume to the refrigerating chamber. 22 is provided. Further, a compressor 19 is provided at the back of the top surface of the main body 1 of the refrigerator main body 1, and a condenser (not shown), a heat radiating pipe 20 for heat dissipation, a capillary tube 21, and the above-mentioned cooler 17 are sequentially arranged. The refrigerating cycle connected in a ring shape is filled with a refrigerant to perform a cooling operation.

Here, each of the doors 10 to 14 is filled with rigid urethane foam to have heat insulating properties like the refrigerator main body 1, and in this refrigerator, among the doors 10 to 14, the door of the storage 5 which is a refrigerating chamber is used. A display terminal 15 is provided on the front surface of one of the ten. As shown in FIG. 4A, the display terminal 15 is composed of a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and a control unit for controlling the display unit, and is integrally attached to the door 10 or as shown in FIG. 4B. It is formed of a smartphone or tablet PC, and is detachable on the door 10, and may be equipped by either method.

5 (a) and 5 (b) show an example of mounting configuration of the display terminal 15 on the door 10, FIG. 5 (a) shows the display terminal 15 when the display terminal 15 is integrally attached, and FIG. 5 (b) shows the display terminal 15. The case where it is attached detachably is shown.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the door 10 mainly has an outer panel 10a facing the front side of the refrigerator, an inner plate 10b facing the inside of the refrigerator, and an outer panel 10a and an inner plate. It is composed of a heat insulating material 4 filled between 10b and 10b. The outer panel 10a is made of a metal member such as a colored steel plate or a transparent member such as a glass plate, and the inner plate 10b is a synthetic resin member formed by vacuum forming. A raised wall portion 10b-1 is provided around the inner plate 10b so as to have a square shape when viewed from the inside of the refrigerator and project to the inside of the refrigerator. Further, as described above, for example, hard urethane foam is used for the heat insulating material 4.

Further, in the door 10 of FIG. 5A in which the display terminal 15 is integrated, a resin storage frame 23 that continuously covers the heat insulating material 4 is provided on the front side of the door 10. (If the outer panel 10a is a glass plate, it is integrally adhered to the glass plate). The display terminal 15 is fixed to the storage frame 23 via the terminal holder 24. A touch panel 25 is provided on the front side of the display terminal 15. A gap 26 is provided between the display terminal 15 and the touch panel 25 so that the touch panel 25 does not malfunction due to noise from the display terminal 15. The display terminal 15 and the touch panel 25 are fixed by attaching a frame body 27 covering the outer peripheral edge to the surface of the door 10. Further, since the heat insulating material 4 does not directly touch the display terminal 15 by providing the storage frame 23, the display terminal 15 is exposed to a high temperature or deformed when the heat insulating material 4 is foamed. It is possible to prevent problems such as. On the other hand, in the door 10 of FIG. 5B in which the display terminal 15 is detachable, a recess 28 is formed by providing a storage frame 23 on the front surface of the door 10, and the display terminal 15 is attached to and detached from the recess 28. It is configured to do.

6 (a), (b), and (c) show an example of the display perspective configuration of the door 10 and the display terminal 15, and FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show a glass plate on the outer panel 10a of the door 10. In the case of 10a-1, FIG. 3C shows a case where the outer panel 10a of the door 10 is composed of the magic mirror 10a-2.

In FIG. 6A, a smoke sheet 29 is provided between the display terminal 15 embedded in the door 10 and the glass plate 10a-1 so that only the portion facing the display terminal 15 is transparent. Even when it is off and looks blackish, the glass plate 10a-1 portion other than the display terminal 15 also looks blackish due to the smoke sheet 29, and the boundary with the display terminal 15 is not conspicuous, so that the appearance can be maintained well. Further, in FIG. 6B, a transparent liquid crystal display unit is used as the display unit of the display terminal 15, and a smoke sheet 29a, which is entirely black, is laid along the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal display unit. Can be good. Further, in FIG. 6 (c), the glass plates 10a-1 of FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are used as magic mirrors 10a-2, and the smoke sheet 29 is not required. be able to. In each case, an example is shown in which the display terminal 15 is integrally attached to the door 10. Instead of the smoke sheet 29, the back side of the glass plate 10a-1 may be painted so as to look black.

7 and 8 (a) and 8 (b) show installation examples of a camera and an internal lighting lamp, which are the main parts of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view and a view of a refrigerator with a door closed. 8 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the inner surface of the door in the refrigerator with the door closed, and FIG. 8 (b) is a front view of the inner surface of the door when the door is opened.

In FIGS. 7, 8 (a) and 8 (b), the refrigerator storage 5 is provided with shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4 in a plurality of upper and lower stages. The shelves 30-1 to 30-4 are made of a transparent material such as a transparent synthetic resin material or glass, except for the surrounding frame.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a storage container provided so as to be freely pulled out below the lowermost shelf board 30-4. Although the lowermost shelf board 30-4 is fixed because it constitutes the upper surface of the storage container 31, the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-3 are the side wall convex portions provided on both side wall portions of the storage container 5, respectively. It is mounted on 32-1 to 32-4 and is removable. In particular, among the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-3 excluding the bottom shelf board 30-4, the central shelf board 30-2 is provided with a plurality of corresponding side wall convex portions 32-2 at different heights. The height of the shelves can be adjusted.

33-1 to 33-3 are door pockets provided on the inner surface of the door 10 that opens and closes the opening of the storage 5, and are provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages. The door pockets 33-1 to 33-3 are also made of a transparent material.

Reference numerals 34-1 and 34-2 are internal lighting lights, which are provided on both side walls of the front opening and the upper wall surface of the front opening of the storage 5 in front of the front ends of the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4. In order to save energy, the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are provided with a substrate on which a plurality of LEDs are arranged, for example, in the vertical direction and covered with a translucent cover.

The 35-1 and 35-2 are cameras provided so as to be located on the front side of the storage 5 like the internal lightings 34-1 and 34-2, and are composed of, for example, a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, or the like. The type is not particularly limited, but it is preferably one that is resistant to dew condensation and the like.

In this embodiment, two cameras are provided, one of the cameras 35-1 is attached near the lower surface of the upper door pocket 33-1 substantially in the center in the front-rear direction, and the other camera 35-2. Is attached near the top of the bottom door pocket 33-3. Here, the front-rear direction of the door pocket 33 is a direction perpendicular to the surface formed by the inner plate 10b of the door 10, and is the same direction as the front-rear direction of the storage 5 when the door 10 is closed. ..

Further, the upper camera 35-1 is provided at a substantially front position of the uppermost shelf board 30-1, and the lower camera 35-2 is provided at a front position of the third shelf board 30-3 in the drawing. That is, each camera is not a shelf board 30-2 mounted on a plurality of side wall convex portions 32-2 provided on the premise of height adjustment, but a shelf that is removable but not premised on height adjustment. It is provided at a position substantially in front of the plate 30-1 and the shelf plate 30-3.

Further, as is clear from FIG. 7, all the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are located in front of the front end of each shelf board 30-1 to 30-4, and are shown in FIG. 8 (b). As described above, the door 10 is provided so as to be located near the open end side end Y opposite to the shaft support X, that is, substantially in the center of the refrigerator 51 in the left-right direction, and the two cameras 35-1, 35-2 are used. Almost the entire area inside the refrigerator can be photographed. In the case of this French door example, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided on the door 10 side having a large area and are set so as to be located substantially at the center of the refrigerator 51. Further, in this example, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided on the door 10 side where the center pillar 36 (see FIG. 3) is not provided, and are set so as to be located substantially at the center of the refrigerator 51. .. As is well known, the center pillar 36 is provided on one side of the two doors 10 in the case of a French door, and the cold air in the storage 5 leaks from the gap generated between the two doors 10. It is a member provided to prevent the door.

As for the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, as shown in FIG. 9A, a dedicated camera 35-3 in the storage container is additionally installed, or as shown in FIG. 9B, the lower camera 35 is installed. -2 can be provided so as to be movable up and down, or the lower camera 35-2 can be provided so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction as shown in FIG. Good.

Further, as is clear from FIG. 7, the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided at a position on the back side of the storage from the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, and the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34- It is provided so that the light of No. 2 does not directly enter the photographing section of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the photographing unit of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 has an irradiation amount (maximum irradiation amount) in the irradiation direction of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2. ), The irradiation amount is halved or more, and in this example, it is provided outside the range of the irradiation angle of 60 degrees.

Although not shown, this is not shown, but a light-shielding portion may be provided on the camera side of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2, or a light source such as an LED constituting the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 may be used. By arranging the lamps diagonally backward, the light from the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 may not directly enter the photographing section of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2. Therefore, it may be appropriately selected according to the installation conditions of the camera and the like. This also applies to the single-door type refrigerator described below.

1-1-2. Configuration of Single Door Type Refrigerator FIGS. 10 to 13 show an example of mounting a camera and an interior lighting when the door 10 has a single door. In this single type door refrigerator, the same parts as those of the French door type refrigerator already described will be given the same number, the description will be omitted, and only the different parts will be described.

First, an example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 (a) and 11 (b).

In FIGS. 10 and 11 (a) and 11 (b), in the case of this single-door refrigerator, the upper camera 35-1 is a left-right split door pocket 33-, which is a general arrangement example for a single door. It is provided on the raised wall portion 10b-2 existing between 4, 33-5 and 33-6, and the lower camera 35-2 is provided on the inner surface portion of the door between the door pockets 33-7 and 33-8. .. Similar to the French door type, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided at substantially forward positions of the shelf boards 30-1 and the shelf boards 30-3, which are removable but not premised on height adjustment. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the position is in front of the front end of each shelf board 30-1 to 30-4, and as can be understood in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the vicinity of the central portion of the door 10, that is, The refrigerator 51 is provided so as to be located at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction so that almost the entire inside of the refrigerator can be photographed by these two cameras 35-1 and 35-2.

Further, the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided in the same manner as the French door type. That is, the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided in front of the front ends of the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4 and on both side walls of the front opening and the upper wall surface of the front opening of the storage. Yes, the position where the light does not directly enter the photographing section of the cameras 35-1, 35-2, that is, the photographing section of the cameras 35-1, 35-2 is irradiated by the internal illumination lamps 34-1 and 34-2. It is provided outside the range in which the irradiation amount is 1/2 or more with respect to the irradiation amount in the direction (maximum irradiation amount), in this example, the irradiation angle of 60 degrees.

12 (a) and 12 (b) and 13 show another example of the single door type.

In the case of this example, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided near the door open end Y on the side opposite to the shaft support X of the door 10, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The height positions of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are the same as in the case of the single door described above. When the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided near the door open end Y, a picture is taken when the door 10 is opened at a predetermined angle, for example, 30 degrees. As a result, the image can be taken in a wide range up to the vicinity of the opening of the storage 5 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 13, and the image is in a state where the user sometimes opens the door slightly. It is substantially the same as the state of viewing when confirming, and when the image is visually recognized on the display terminal 15, the image can be viewed in a natural form without any discomfort.

1-1-3. Camera configuration FIG. 14 shows an example of a camera used for in-house photography. It is most preferable to install the cameras at positions separated from each other in the vertical direction as described in each of the above examples, but even if the upper and lower cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are installed close to each other as shown in FIG. As a result of verification, it was confirmed that the entire area inside can be photographed.

Therefore, in such a case, it is conceivable that the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are integrated into the camera module 41, and by modularizing in this way, the installation can be facilitated and the cost can be reduced. It can also be modularized by using a wider-angle lens such as a fisheye lens.

1-2. Overall Configuration of Refrigerator System Next, the entire refrigerator system using the refrigerator as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 31.

FIG. 15 shows the overall configuration of the refrigerator system 50 using the refrigerator described above. As shown in FIG. 15, the refrigerator system 50 is a system for confirming the food status in the refrigerator 51 by a display terminal 15 or the like.

The refrigerator system 50 includes a refrigerator 51 and a display terminal 15, and further includes a wireless adapter (communication device) 53, a gateway device (relay device) 54, a router device 55, the Internet 56, and a server device 57.

The refrigerator 51 is arranged in the user's residence A, for example, in the kitchen room in the residence A.

The wireless adapter (communication device) 53 is configured to be electrically connected to a control unit described later of the refrigerator 51 and communicate with the router device 55 via the gateway device (relay device) 54. The wireless adapter 53 receives the signal transmitted from the router device 55 and outputs the received signal to the control unit of the refrigerator 51. Based on this signal, the refrigerator 51 is configured to perform the corresponding operation.

The wireless adapter 53 also acquires identification information (for example, serial number, model number, etc.) of the refrigerator 51, image data in the refrigerator, which will be described later, from the storage unit of the refrigerator 51, and a router via a gateway device (relay device) 54. It is configured to transmit to the device 55. The wireless adapter 53 may be integrally provided with the refrigerator 51, or may be detachably configured.

The wireless adapter 53 includes a "connect" button 53a. The "connect" button 53a is for newly connecting to the gateway device (relay device) 54. When the "connect" button 53a is operated by the user, the wireless adapter 53 is configured to acquire identification information (for example, serial number or model number) of the refrigerator 51 from the storage unit of the refrigerator 51.

As described above, the display terminal 15 is, for example, a general-purpose portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (personal computer), and in the case of the present embodiment, the display terminal 15 can be attached to and detached from the door 10 of the refrigerator 51 described above. It has a function (means) for connecting to the Internet 56 and a function (means) for communicating with the gateway device 54, which will be described later.

The display terminal 15 (for example, a smartphone) is configured to connect to the Internet 56 via a telephone line network (for example, a 3G line network). In addition to or as an alternative, for example, the display terminal 15 is configured to connect to the Internet 56 via a public wireless LAN by means of a Wi-Fi communication function.

By connecting to the Internet 56, for example, the display terminal 15 is a program for acquiring image data of food in the refrigerator, which is the subject of the present invention, and data for performing energy-saving operation (for example, data such as the number of times the door is opened and closed). Can be obtained from the homepage of the manufacturer of the refrigerator 51 via the Internet 56. By installing the acquired program on the display terminal 15 and activating the installed program, the display terminal 15 can acquire image data and the like of food in the refrigerator. That is, the display terminal 15 can generate and transmit an operation signal for acquiring the image data of the refrigerator 51 by operating the operation screen of the display 15a. Details will be described later.

The display terminal 15 is also connected to the router device 55 by general-purpose communication not via the Internet 56 such as Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, infrared communication, etc., and the gateway device 54 is connected via the router device 55. It is configured to make a communication connection to. A device for that purpose (for example, a Wi-Fi antenna or the like) is incorporated in the display terminal 15.

The gateway device (relay device) 54 is a device that relays communication between the wireless adapter 53 and the display terminal 15, and is, for example, a wireless adapter 53 and a specific low power wireless special small frequency band (924.0 to 928.0 MHz). ) Is used for communication. The frequency band for communication between the gateway device 54 and the wireless adapter 53 is preferably a low frequency band that reaches a long distance, and is installed in the user's residence A in which the refrigerator 51 is installed together with the router device 55.

The gateway device 54 is also configured to communicate and connect to the display terminal 15 via the router device 55. That is, the gateway device 54 is configured so that communication (first communication) can be executed only through the router device 55 without going through the display terminal 15 and the Internet 56.

The gateway device 54 is further configured to be able to connect to the Internet 56 via the router device 55. As a result, the gateway device 54 can communicate with the display terminal 15 (second communication) and also communicate with the server device 57 via the Internet 56 and the router device 55.

Therefore, the gateway device 54 communicates with the display terminal 15 via the Internet 56 (that is, the first communication only via the router device 55) and the communication via the Internet 56 (that is, via the Internet 56 and the router device 55). It is configured so that the second communication) can be executed. The reason for this configuration will be described later.

The server device 57 is prepared, for example, by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 51. The server device 57 manages information necessary for access and authentication regarding the display terminal 15, the refrigerator 51, and the wireless adapter 53. For example, the server device 57 determines whether or not the identification information of the display terminal 15 included in the communication request signal matches the identification information of the display terminal 15 stored (registered) in association with the wireless adapter 53. Authenticate (determine). Then, when these match, the server device 57 authenticates the display terminal 15 to be accessed as a legitimate display terminal, and permits communication with the refrigerator 51 in the residence A.

In addition, the server device 57 stores the above-mentioned image data of food in the refrigerator transmitted from the refrigerator 51, data for performing energy-saving operation, and the like. These data are transmitted to the display terminal 15 based on the data call signal from the display terminal 15. That is, the user can display and confirm the food image data in the refrigerator on the display by operating the display terminal 15.

1-3. System section configuration of the refrigerator FIG. 16 shows the system section configuration of the refrigerator used in the refrigeration system.

In FIG. 16, the refrigerator 51 includes an interface (I / F) 58, a controller (control unit) 59, a storage unit 60, a door open / close detection unit 61, interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2, and a camera 35-. It includes 1,35-2, a fan drive circuit 62, a compressor drive circuit 63, a blower fan 18, and a compressor 19, and receives power from an AC power source 64 such as a commercial power source in the residence A, for example.

The interface (I / F) 58 exchanges data and the like between the wireless adapter 53 and the controller 59 of the refrigerator 51.

The controller (control unit) 59 controls the operation of the refrigerator. Further, the controller 59 controls the cameras 35-1, 35-2 and the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 to take a picture of the food in the refrigerator, and temporarily stores the image data in the storage unit 60. And it is transmitted to the server device 57 of the Internet 56. Further, if there is a request signal for pre-transmission of image data from the display terminal 15 via the server device 57, the display terminal 15 is instructed to immediately transmit the image data to the display terminal 15 via the server device 57 after the food is photographed. The details will be described later.

In addition to the identification code and the control program, the storage unit 60 rewrites and stores the image data of the food in the refrigerator taken by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 and the data for energy-saving operation.

The lighting and extinguishing of the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are controlled by the controller 59 based on the signal from the door open / close detection unit 61, and are turned on when the door 10 is opened, and for several seconds when the door 10 is closed. Turns off after a delay time.

The cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are controlled by the controller 59 based on the signal from the door open / close detection unit 61, and when the door 10 is closed, the food in the refrigerator is photographed. The details will be described later.

The fan drive circuit 62 receives a control signal from the controller 59 and controls the drive of the rotation of the blower fan 18.

The compressor drive circuit 63 receives a control signal from the controller 59 and controls the drive of the compressor 19 such as the rotation speed.

The blower fan 18 operates under the control of the fan drive circuit 62 to generate an air flow for circulating cold air.

The compressor 19 compresses the refrigerant (not shown) circulating in the refrigerator 51 under the control of the compressor drive circuit 63.

1-4. Configuration of Server Device Next, a configuration example of the server device of the refrigerator system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the configuration of the server device 57 in FIG. 15 will be taken as an example.

As shown in FIG. 17, the server device 57 includes a server interface 65, a server control unit 66, and a data storage unit 67.

The server interface 65 is a communication unit that exchanges data and the like between the display terminal 15 and the router device 55 and the server device 57 via the Internet 56 under the control of the server control unit 66.

The server control unit 66 controls the overall operation of the server device 57. The server control unit 66 also combines and processes the image data of the food transmitted from the refrigerator 51 and stores it in the data storage unit 67, and when there is a signal of a pre-transmission request for the image data from the display terminal 15, the data storage unit 66 The latest image data of the image data stored in 67 is transmitted to the display terminal 15 each time the image data is transmitted from the refrigerator 51, and the display terminal 15 is rewritten and updated. Of course, when a data call signal is transmitted from the display terminal 15 without a signal for requesting advance transmission of image data, the latest image data stored in the data storage unit 67 is transmitted to the display terminal 15.

The data storage unit 67 stores necessary data such as a management program and an application program for executing the refrigerator system. Further, the data storage unit 67 rewrites and stores the latest data of the food image data transmitted from the refrigerator 51 under the control of the server control unit 66. The data storage unit 67 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

The server device 57 can be constructed by either a server composed of a single large computer or a cloud-type server composed of a large number of computers.

<2. Operation>
Next, the operation of the refrigerator and the refrigerating system having the above configuration will be described. In each of the following explanations, the same operation will be described with the same step number.

2-1. Photographing operation of food 2-1-1. Photographing when the door is closed FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the storage is photographed when the door 10 of the refrigerator 51 is closed.

When the door 10 is opened to put in and take out food (Y in step 1), the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on (step 2), and when the door 10 is closed (Y in step 3), Reduce the illuminance of the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 (step 4), activate the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 for a while, for example, after a few seconds, and take a picture of the food in the refrigerator (step 5). .. After that, the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 in the refrigerator are turned off (step 7).

Here, it is preferable to reduce the illuminance of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 during the above shooting, because the food can be clearly photographed. That is, when the food is photographed by turning on the lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 in the refrigerator, the reflected light is strongly reflected on the food from the entire peripheral surface except the opening portion of the storage because the inner surface of the storage is white. However, it bounces off the food with high illuminance without decreasing the illuminance, and the food becomes whitish, making it difficult to take clear pictures. However, if the illuminance of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is reduced as in the above example, the influence of the reflected light from the internal surface of the storage can be significantly reduced and a clear image can be taken. It becomes.

2-1-2. Photographing during cooling room cooling operation FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the refrigerator is taken in and out and then the food in the storage room is photographed when the refrigerating room is cooled.
When the door 10 is opened to put in and take out food (Y in step 1), the interior lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on (step 2), the door 10 is closed (Y in step 3), and the refrigerator compartment is used. It is determined whether or not it is in the cooling operation state (step 8). If the blower fan 18 is ON and the damper 22 is open and the refrigerating room is being cooled, the illuminance of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is reduced as in the case of closing the door (step 4). ), The cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated to take a picture of the food in the refrigerator (step 5). After that, the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 in the refrigerator are turned off (step 7).

In this way, by taking pictures during the cooling operation of the refrigerator compartment, for example, even if dew condensation occurs on the surface of the food newly placed in the storage due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the storage, this dew condensation is eliminated by the cooling operation. It disappears. Therefore, the images taken by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are preferable because the characters written on the food packaging container can be read clearly.

In the above operation, when the door 10 is closed (Y in step 1), the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned off once, and the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34 are turned off again before shooting. -If the lights are turned on and the illuminance thereof is lowered, the wasteful power consumption due to the continuous lighting of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 can be suppressed.

2-1-2-a. Photographing in conjunction with the door opening / closing operation FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the storage is photographed in conjunction with the door opening / closing operation after the food in the refrigerator is taken in and out.

When the door 10 is opened to put in and take out food (Y in step 1), the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on (step 2), and when the door 10 is closed (Y in step 3), A predetermined time is measured after detecting the closing of the door (step 101), and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are energized (step 102). Then, as in the case of shooting when the door is closed, the illuminance of the lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 in the refrigerator is reduced (step 4), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated, and the food in the refrigerator is photographed. (Step 5). After that, the energization of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is terminated (step 103), the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are stored. Turns off (step 7).

In this way, by measuring the predetermined time after detecting the closing of the door and starting the shooting of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 after determining that the predetermined time has elapsed, the lens of the camera may become cloudy when the door is opened. Even so, it is possible to secure time for removing fogging and to shoot clear image data. The predetermined time depends on the ambient temperature, humidity, door opening time, etc. of the refrigerator. For example, the higher the ambient temperature and humidity, the longer the predetermined time, or the longer the door opening time, the longer the predetermined time. The predetermined time may be changed depending on the conditions.

The timing of energizing the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 was set to a predetermined time after the detection of the door closing, but any timing may be used as long as it is between the detection of the door opening and the shooting. By energizing the camera after detecting the opening of the door, the effect of preventing fogging of the lens can be further enhanced, but it can be appropriately set in balance with the power consumption.

When setting the predetermined time longer (for example, in the case of several minutes), the interior lighting in (step 2) is temporarily turned off, and the illuminance suitable for shooting is again set before the predetermined time for shooting. You may turn it on and shoot. The energization timing of the camera may be appropriately reset before a predetermined time for shooting.

Further, the end of energization of the camera (step 103) was described before the storage of the image data (step 6), but may be performed after the storage of the image data (step 6).

2-1-2-b. Photographing in conjunction with time FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the storage is photographed based on a predetermined time cycle or a predetermined time.

It is determined whether a predetermined time has passed or a predetermined time has been reached since the previous shooting (step 201), and in the case of Yes, it is determined whether the door 10 is in the closed state (step 202), and when the door 10 is in the closed state. , Cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are energized (step 102). Then, the illuminance of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is turned on at a predetermined illuminance (step 203), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated, and the food in the internal chamber is photographed (step 5). ). After that, the energization of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is terminated (step 103), the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are stored. Turns off (step 7).

In this way, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed or a predetermined time has come since the previous shooting, and the shooting of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is started, so that the stored food is regularly imaged. Data can be acquired. Thereby, for example, not only the presence or absence of food in the refrigerator but also the state change of the preserved food can be periodically acquired and monitored as an image.

In the present embodiment, the operation when the food in the storage is photographed based on a predetermined time cycle or a predetermined time has been described, but the food in the storage is linked with the above-mentioned door opening / closing operation. (2-1-2-a. Shooting linked to the door opening / closing operation) may be combined. For example, the food in the storage may be photographed in conjunction with the door opening / closing operation, and the food in the storage may be photographed based on a predetermined time cycle or a predetermined time. In addition, basically, the food in the storage is photographed in conjunction with the door opening / closing operation, and when the door is not opened / closed for a predetermined time, the food in the storage is photographed based on a predetermined time cycle or a predetermined time. You may do so.

2-1-2-c. Photographing in conjunction with an external command FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the storage is photographed based on an external photographing instruction.

When there is a shooting instruction from the outside (step 301), it is determined whether the door 10 is in the closed state (step 202), and when the door 10 is in the closed state, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are energized (step). 102). Then, the illuminance of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is turned on at a predetermined illuminance (step 203), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated, and the food in the internal chamber is photographed (step 5). ). After that, the energization of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is terminated (step 103), the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are stored. Turns off (step 7). After that, the image data is transmitted (step 302).

In this way, by photographing the food in the storage based on the photographing instruction from the outside and transmitting the image data, it is possible to confirm the stored food in the storage with the image in real time when necessary.

In the present embodiment, the operation when the food in the storage is photographed based on the photographing instruction from the outside has been described, but the food in the storage is photographed in conjunction with the above-mentioned door opening / closing operation. (2-1-2-a. Shooting linked with door opening / closing operation), or when shooting is performed when a predetermined time has passed since the previous shooting or when a predetermined time has come (2-1-2). -B. It may be combined with time-linked photography).

2-1-2-d. Photographing in conjunction with the damper FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation when the food in the storage is photographed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator damper.

When the door 10 is opened to put in and take out food (Y in step 1), the refrigerator lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on (step 2), and when the door 10 is closed (Y in step 3), After detecting the closing of the door, it is determined whether the damper of the refrigerating room is opened or closed (step 401), and when it is determined that the damper of the refrigerating room is in the open state (Y of step 401), it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed since the door 10 was closed. After the determination is made and the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in step 101), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are energized (step 102). Then, the illuminance of the lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 in the refrigerator is reduced (step 4), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated, and the food in the refrigerator is photographed (step 5). After that, the energization of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is terminated (step 103), the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are stored. Turns off (step 7).

Further, in step 401, if the damper of the refrigerating room is in the closed state (N in step 401), wait until the damper of the refrigerating room is opened (step 402), and when the damper of the refrigerating room detects the opening (N). In step 402 Y), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the damper detects the opening, and after the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in step 403), the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are energized (step 102). After that, the same operation as above is performed.

In this way, by taking a picture of the inside of the refrigerator with the damper of the refrigerator open, it is possible to remove the fogging and dew condensation of the cameras 35-1, 35-2 due to the introduction of the cold air dehumidified by the cooler into the refrigerator. It is possible to acquire clear image data. Further, since the damper of the refrigerating chamber is set to elapse for a predetermined time in the open state, cloudiness and dew condensation of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 can be surely removed.

In the present embodiment, the operation when the food in the storage is photographed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator damper has been described, but from the viewpoint of introducing the dehumidifying cold air, the operation of the compressor 19 and the blower fan 18 has been described. Time is a prerequisite.

Further, when the ambient temperature is low, the time for operating the compressor 19 or the damper of the refrigerating chamber to be in the open state is shortened. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is low, the setting of the predetermined time is shortened. You may let me. Further, a mode may be provided in which the compressor 19 is forcibly operated at the time of shooting or the damper of the refrigerating chamber is maintained in an open state.

2-1-3. Photographing when the door is opened FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case of a single door and when the food in the storage is photographed when the door 10 is opened at a predetermined angle.

When the door 10 is opened to take in and out food (Y in step 1), the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on (step 2), and the opening angle of the door is a predetermined angle, for example, FIG. When the opening angle of 30 degrees is reached (Y in step 10), the illuminance of the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 is reduced (step 4), and the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated to activate the refrigerator. Photograph the food inside (step 5). After that, the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6), and when the door is closed (Y in step 11), the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are turned off (step 7). ..

If the door 10 is photographed when the door 10 is opened at a predetermined angle as in this example, the inside of the storage 5 can be photographed in a wide range as described above, and the image becomes natural without any discomfort, which is preferable. Is.

When taking a picture when the predetermined angle is opened, the picture is taken at least twice, when the door is opened and when the door is closed. At this time, the latest image data (during the door closing operation) taken during the operation time from one door opening to closing is stored in the storage unit 60, so that the latest storage in which food has been taken in and out is stored. You can take a picture of the food condition.

Needless to say, in step 10 of detecting whether or not the opening angle of the door 10 reaches a predetermined angle, if the door 10 is closed before reaching the predetermined angle, the interior lighting 34-1 , 34-2 are turned off, and the door 10 is waited to be opened again.

As described above, a typical shooting operation has been described as an example. However, in addition to the shooting operation, for example, shooting is performed at a scheduled time or when a predetermined time elapses after the previous shooting, or when a shooting instruction is given from the display terminal 15. Shooting operations such as

2-1-3-a. Another Example of Photography at the Time of Opening FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of the case of a single door, in which the food in the storage is photographed when the door 10 is opened at a predetermined angle. It is a flowchart.

When the door 10 is opened to put in and take out food (Y in step 1), and when the opening angle of the door becomes a predetermined angle, for example, an opening angle of 30 degrees or more (Y in step 10), the cameras 35-1, 35- 2 is energized (step 102). Then, when the door 10 shifts from the open state to the closed operation and the opening angle of the door 10 reaches a predetermined angle, for example, an opening angle of 30 degrees (Y in step 501), the cameras 35-1, 35-2 are activated. Photograph the food in the refrigerator (step 5). Then, when the door 10 is closed (Y in step 503) without the opening angle of the door 10 exceeding a predetermined angle, for example, the opening angle of 30 degrees again (N in step 502), the cameras 35-1, 35- The energization of No. 2 is completed (step 103), and the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 (step 6).

If the opening angle of the door does not exceed a predetermined angle, for example, 30 degrees (N in step 10), the door 10 does not open at a predetermined angle, for example, 30 degrees. When is closed (Y in step 504), it returns to the standby state without taking a picture (step 505).

Further, after the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are activated to take a picture of the food in the refrigerator (step 5), when the opening angle of the door 10 exceeds a predetermined angle, for example, an opening angle of 30 degrees again (step 5). Y) of 502, it is determined that the food is refilled, and it is determined that rephotographing is necessary (step 506), the door 10 shifts from the open state to the closed operation again, and the opening angle of the door 10 is a predetermined angle, for example. It is determined when the opening angle is 30 degrees (step 501). After that, the same operation as above is performed.

In this way, if the door 10 is photographed when the door 10 is opened at a predetermined angle, the inside of the storage can be photographed in a wide range as described above. At this time, it is not necessary to adjust the illuminance of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 to a predetermined illuminance as described in the shooting when the door is closed, and the normal interior lighting with the door 10 open and the outside. By illuminating from the door, it is possible to acquire image data taken in a natural state as seen by the user.

Further, in the present embodiment, the door 10 is not completely closed due to refilling of food or the like, and the opening angle of the door 10 is set to a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees), and the operation of the open state and the closed state is repeated. Even in this case, it is possible to acquire the image data taken immediately before the door 10 is closed, that is, the image data of the final storage state of the food.

2-1-4. Illumination at the time of shooting As described in FIGS. 18, 19, and 24, the food lighting at the time of shooting is such that the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on and the illuminance is reduced. Irradiate and shoot. In some cases, it is conceivable to illuminate and photograph by lowering the illuminance by lighting only the internal lighting 34-1 on both sides of the storage or the internal lighting 34-2 on the upper surface of the storage. The reason for reducing the illuminance for shooting will be described later.

In addition, as another example of food irradiation at the time of photographing, the following can be considered. That is, FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a state in which the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are turned off and off at the time of shooting by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2. It corresponds to the operation of the broken line part.

The photographs in FIGS. 18, 19, and 24 described above are examples in which the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on and the illuminance is reduced, but in this example, both sides of the storage are taken. One of the interior lighting lights 34-1 on the surface is turned off, in other words, only one of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 on both sides of the storage is lit, and food is irradiated to take a picture. In this case, the interior lighting lamp 34-2 on the upper surface of the storage may be turned on or off, but either one may be appropriately selected so that the illuminance in the storage is optimal for photographing.

In FIG. 26, before shooting with the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, one of the internal lighting lights 34-1 on both sides of the storage that is already lit, for example, the right internal lighting is turned off ( Step 12), the food in the state of being illuminated by the lighting in the left chamber is photographed (step 13) and stored (step 14). After that, the right internal lighting is turned on (step 15), then the left internal lighting is turned off (step 16), and the food in the state of being illuminated by the right internal lighting is photographed (step 17). ). The image data is stored (step 18), and the right internal lighting is turned off (step 19). The image data stored by irradiating the food from one side in this way is combined into one image and stored.

As described above, the reason why the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are turned on one by one to photograph the food and combine them into one is as follows. That is, as already described, the illuminance of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is reduced during shooting, but if the illuminance reduction is too large, the image becomes dark and lacks clarity. Therefore, there is a limit to the decrease in illuminance. Therefore, the illuminance is maintained to some extent, but even at that illuminance, the influence of the reflected light may remain when the internal volume of the storage is small. However, as described in this example, if one of the left and right sides of the interior lighting lamp 34-1 is turned on to take a picture of food, the influence of the reflected light can be reduced and the interior lighting lamp 34-1 is turned on. The surface on the side of the subject can be photographed with moderate brightness. Therefore, it is preferable to perform a compositing process of combining the left and right images of food taken with this appropriate brightness to obtain a clear image as a whole.

Further, a storage unit 60 for storing an image captured by the imaging device and a correction means for correcting the image are provided, and the storage unit 60 stores the image corrected by the correction means when a plurality of images are combined. It may be stored, and in the case of a single image, the specification may be such that the image captured without using the correction means is stored. This eliminates the need for complicated arithmetic processing of all images, and if you want to see a single uncorrected image according to the user's request, you can quickly check it, and it is easy to use according to the application. An expensive refrigerator can be provided.

2-2. Saving and synthesizing images Next, saving and synthesizing image data captured by each of the above operations will be described.

2-2-1-Saving and synthesizing with a server FIG. 27 shows a case where image data is saved and combined with a server device 57, and when the inside of the refrigerator is photographed by the operations shown in FIGS. , The refrigerator 51 is connected to the Internet 56 from the wireless adapter 53 via the gateway device 54 and the router device 55 (step 20), and individual image data captured and stored by each camera is transferred to the server device 57 connected to the Internet 56. Transmit (step 21). The image data transmitted via the Internet 56 is subjected to a synthesis process (step 22) in which individual image data are combined by the server control unit 66 of the server device 57. The combined image data is stored in the data storage unit 67 of the server device 57 (step 23).

By synthesizing the images with the server device 57 and storing them as in this example, the load on the controller 59 and the storage unit 60 on the refrigerator side can be reduced, and an Internet-compatible refrigerator can be provided at low cost. can do.

2-2-2 Storage and composition on the refrigerator side FIG. 28 shows a case where image data is stored and combined on the refrigerator side, and when the inside of the refrigerator is photographed by the operations shown in FIGS. , The controller (control unit) 59 of the refrigerator 51 takes out individual image data from each camera stored in the storage unit 60, combines them, and synthesizes them (step 24). The combined image data was stored (step 25), the refrigerator 51 was connected to the Internet 56 from the wireless adapter 53 via the gateway device 54 and the router device 55 (step 20), and the stored image data was connected to the Internet 56. It is transmitted to the server device 57 (step 21). The composite image data transmitted via the Internet 56 is stored in the data storage unit 67 of the server device 57 (step 23).

In this example, the load on the controller 59 and the storage unit 60 on the refrigerator side is large, but image data can be transmitted and received to and from the display terminal 15 without going through the data storage unit 67 of the server device 57, and the system operating cost is low. can do.

2-2-3. Saving and compositing on the display terminal side FIG. 29 shows a case where image data is saved and composited on the display terminal 15 side, and when the inside of the refrigerator is photographed by the operations shown in FIGS. 18 to 24 including FIG. 26, the refrigerator 51 Connects to the Internet 56 from the wireless adapter 53 via the gateway device 54 and the router device 55 (step 20), and transmits image data to the display terminal 15 instead of the server (step 26). The image data transmitted via the Internet 56 is subjected to a synthesis process (step 27) of combining the image data by the display terminal 15. The combined image data is stored in the data storage unit of the display terminal 15 (step 28).

In the case of this example as well, although the load on the display terminal 15 increases, the load on the controller 59 and the storage unit 60 on the refrigerator side can be reduced, and an Internet-compatible refrigerator can be provided at low cost.

Although typical image data transmission and composition operations have been described above by way of example, the storage and composition locations do not necessarily have to be performed at the same location, for example, the server device 57. For example, the refrigerator 51. The image data may be combined with the above, and the image data may be saved by the server device 57, etc., which may be arbitrarily set according to the system.

2-3. Normal transmission / reception of image data 2-3-1. Transmission / reception of image data stored in the server / refrigerator FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing transmission / reception between the server device 57 or the refrigerator 51 and the display terminal 15, and shows transmission / reception of image data stored in the server device 57 or the refrigerator 51. is there.

First, the user presses a server connection button (not shown) displayed on the display of the display terminal 15 at a shopping destination, for example, and requests to read the image data stored in the data storage unit 67 of the server device 57 (not shown). Step 31). It is detected whether the image data is taken in from the server device 57 (step 32), and if the image data is not transferred, the display terminal 15 connects to the Internet 56 (step 33). The image data stored in the data storage unit 67 of the server device 57 or the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator is taken out (step 34), and the image data is transferred to the display terminal 15 such as a smartphone, which is the data caller, via the Internet 56. Is transferred (step 35). It is detected whether the image data is captured from the server device 57 (step 32), and when the image data is captured, the image data is output to the display of the display terminal 15 (step 36).
After that, it is detected whether the enlargement button (not shown) displayed on the display of the display terminal 15 is pressed (step 37), and when it is detected that the enlargement button is pressed, the inside of the storage is output to the display. Image data is created by digitally converting the image data to a magnification of 1.1 times or more. The enlarged and converted image data is output to the display of the display terminal 15 (step 36).

After that, it is detected whether the numeric keypad button (not shown) displayed on the display is pressed (step 38), and when it is detected that the numeric keypad button is pressed, the enlarged image data in the storage is output to the display. The image data of the location specified by the numeric keypad is used and output to the display (step 36). Further, it is detected whether the numeric keypad button is pressed (step 38). If it is not detected, it ends.

The enlargement button and the numeric keypad button for displaying the image data at a predetermined location may be of a method of sliding the surface of the display with a finger, and such a configuration improves usability.

As described above, according to this refrigerator system, the contents of the refrigerator 51 can be checked at a glance at the shopping destination, it is possible to prevent forgetting to buy and to eliminate the waste of purchasing extra ingredients. .. In addition, in a double-income household, it is possible to check the inside of the storage 5 of the refrigerator 51 just before returning home and purchase foodstuffs or the like on the way home, which can shorten the time for the user.

In addition, by enlarging the display and displaying a predetermined location, the miniaturized display terminal 15 such as the display terminal 15 can be enlarged to display the image, so that the foodstuffs that are difficult to check on the small display terminal 15 can be surely displayed. You can see it.

2-3-2. Transmission / reception of image data saved in the display terminal FIG. 31 shows a case where the image data is already stored and saved in the display terminal 15. In this case, as described in FIG. 29, the image data is transmitted and stored in the display terminal 15, and when the reading request of the image data is performed (step 31), the image data is fetched from the storage unit of the display terminal 15. Outputs image data to the display of the display terminal 15 (step 36). Subsequent enlargement display operations and local display are as described with reference to FIG.

2-3-3. Switching of image data The images taken by the receiving cameras 35-1, 35-2 are the images taken by each camera 35-1, 35-2 (upper half or lower half in the storage) and each of these shot images. An example is shown in which composite images combined and combined (images synthesized from top to bottom in the storage) are stored and stored, and these images can be switched and transmitted and received and displayed on the display terminal 15.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the operation in such a case.

First, the user presses the individual image / composite image call button (not shown) displayed on the display of the display terminal 15 (step 41), and calls either the individual image or the composite image (step 42). ). After that, the image data of either the individual image or the composite image is taken in by the flow shown in FIG. 30 or FIG. 31 and displayed on the display of the display terminal 15.

When the image displayed on the display terminal 15 can be switched to either an individual image or a composite image as in this example, the food status in the storage can be checked at a glance by calling in and displaying the composite image. However, when it is difficult to identify the food because it is located in the corner of the storage, it can be reliably identified by switching to an individual image and displaying it, which improves usability.

2-4. Transmission / reception of image data or the like at the time of advance transmission request FIG. 33 shows a flowchart when an image advance transmission request is made from the display terminal 15.

First, the user operates the display terminal 15 to request the pre-request signal (step 51). The server device 57 or the refrigerator 51 receives this request signal (step 52), and reads and transmits the image data (individual image data or composite image data, the same applies hereinafter) stored in the data storage unit 67 or the storage unit 60 (step 52). 53). The display terminal 15 detects whether the image data from the server device 57 or the refrigerator 51 has been taken in (step 54), and if the image data is not transmitted, the display terminal 15 connects to the Internet 56 (step 55). The server devices 57 take out the image data stored in the refrigerator 51 (step 56), and transmit the image data to the display terminal 15 via the Internet 56 (step 57). It detects whether the image data has been fetched from the server device 57 (step 54), and when the image data is detected, waits until the image data is called (N in step 58). If the image data is called (Y in step 58), the image data is output to the display of the display terminal 15 (step 59).

As a result, when the display terminal 15 requests the image data, even if the access to the server device 57 is concentrated and the transmission of the image data from the server device 57 is delayed, the image data is requested in real time at the same time as the image data request. Can be displayed on the display to check the image. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation of waiting for the image data to be displayed at the shopping destination, and it is possible to shorten the shopping time.

Further, if there is a pre-transmission request for an image from the display terminal 15, the server device 57 is set to transmit the image data to be transmitted each time the door 10 of the refrigerator 51 is closed, and the display terminal 15 is set to transmit the image data to the display terminal 15. If the user who has the image data is set to leave the image data when it is transmitted, he / she can know this every time the door is opened / closed. Therefore, for example, when the number of times the door is opened and closed is large and the power consumption is likely to increase, the user can call the home and talk to the child or the like to refrain from using the refrigerator 51 for energy saving. Convenience is also improved.

2-5. Switching the transmission / reception route of image data or the like FIG. 34 shows a display display when the communication system path of the display terminal 15 is selected. The flow of sending and receiving image data is as described above, but the communication route is changed to speed up the acquisition of image data.

Specifically, the user can select whether to perform the display terminal 15 directly with the gateway device 54 via the router device 55 or with the server device 57 via the Internet 56.

In FIG. 34, 70 and 71 are communication path selection buttons displayed on the display of the display terminal 15, and 70 is a “direct” selection that directly connects the display terminal 15 to the refrigerator 51 via the router device 55 and the gateway device 54. The button 71 is a "server" selection button that further connects to the server device 57 or the refrigerator 51 via the Internet 56. 72 and 73 are data selection buttons for the data to be called, 72 is food image data, and 73 is a button for energy saving related data such as the number of times the door is opened and closed. 74 is a send button.

When the "direct" selection button 70 selects this, the display terminal 15 is set to "direct" communication. When the user touches the transmit button 74 while the "direct" communication is set, the image data request signal of the display terminal 15 is sent directly from the display terminal 15 to the gateway device (relay device) 54 via the router device 55. Will be sent. The gateway device 54 transmits the received data request signal to the wireless adapter 53 of the refrigerator 51. When the wireless adapter 53 receives the image data request signal, it transmits the image data request signal to the controller 59 of the refrigerator 51. When the controller 59 of the refrigerator 51 receives the image data request signal, it reads the image data stored in the storage unit 60 and transmits the image data to the display terminal 15 via the wireless adapter 53 and the router device 55.

Therefore, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 15, when the user is located in the residence A, in a broad sense, when the display terminal 15 is located at a position where it can directly communicate with the router device 55, the display terminal 15 is the router device 55. The image data can be directly acquired from the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 by communicating with the gateway device 54 via the above.

As a result, when the transmission response of the image data to the operation of the user to the display terminal 15 is delayed due to the congestion of the line due to the concentration of access to the Internet 56, the user sets the display terminal 15 to ". By switching to "direct" communication, image data can be acquired without congestion of the Internet 56 line. Therefore, the user can display an image on the display of the display terminal 15 in real time without waiting time and check the food status in the storage 5.

On the other hand, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 15, when the user is located outside the residence A, in a broad sense, when the display terminal 15 is located at a position where it cannot directly communicate with the router device 55, the user selects the "server" button. By touching 71, the display terminal 15 communicates with the server device 57 via the Internet 56 and reads the image data of the refrigerator 51. That is, when the user is outside the residence A, if he / she touches the "server" selection button 71 to set the "server" communication, the display terminal 15 acquires the image data of the refrigerator even if he / she is in a remote place, and the food You can know the storage status of.

As described above, the refrigerator system in this embodiment allows the user to select either "direct" communication or "server" communication, and is "direct" when he / she is in the residence A. You can select communication and view images in a comfortable state without being affected by the congestion of the Internet line.

Although the refrigerator and the refrigerator system of the present invention have been described above by exemplifying a specific configuration, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration.

For example, in the above embodiment, the gateway device 54 is interposed in the communication path between the display terminal 15, the wireless adapter 53 of the refrigerator 51, and the Internet 56, but the gateway device 54 is not always necessary, and the router device 55 is not necessary. It may be configured to directly communicate with the display terminal 15, the wireless adapter 53 of the refrigerator 51, and the Internet 56 via the Internet 56, and by doing so, the system configuration can be simplified.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image data is acquired from the server device 57 when the user is outside the residence A, but the Internet 56, the router device 55, and the gateway device are acquired from the display terminal 15 without going through the server device 57. It may be configured to communicate with 54 and take in the image data stored in the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 directly from the refrigerator 51. In this case and when performing "direct" communication, it is preferable that the storage unit 60 of the refrigerator 51 performs the image combining process and transmits the image data after the combined process.

Further, in this embodiment, a case where the "direct" selection button 70 and the "server" selection button 71 are displayed on the display of the display terminal 15 and the user selects "direct" communication and "server" communication is exemplified. However, this may be done by giving the display terminal 15 a function to automatically switch to "direct" communication when catching the radio wave of the router device 55 so that "direct" communication is automatically selected, which is convenient. Can be improved.

<3. Action effect>
As described above with a specific configuration, the refrigerator and the refrigerator system according to the embodiment of the present invention exert various functions and effects, but the installation configuration of the camera and the refrigerator lamp, which is the gist of the present invention, is used. According to this, it is possible to provide an inexpensive refrigerator and refrigerating system in which the food in the storage can be photographed well and the food can be easily identified.

That is, in the refrigerator of this embodiment, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 photograph the food in the storage 5 from the front side of the storage 5, and at this time, the internal lighting lights 13-0 and 34-2 are also stored. It is provided on the front side of 5, and irradiates the food in the storage 5 from the same front side as the shooting direction by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2. Therefore, the photographed image is a clear image without the darkness and difficulty of seeing as in the case where the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 are provided on the back wall of the storage 5. Further, it is not necessary to ask the server device 57 for image processing to brighten and sharpen the captured image.

Further, since the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 and the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided so as to be located on the front side from the front end of the shelf plates 30-1 to 30-4. The images in the storage 5 taken by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are the same as the state in which the user actually sees the refrigerator 51 by opening the door 10. Therefore, when the user tries to display the image data on the display terminal 15, the food condition in the storage 5 can be confirmed without any discomfort. Moreover, since the interior lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 illuminate the food on the shelf board from the front of the front end of the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4, they are placed on the front end portion of the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4. The food placed on it can be photographed brightly and clearly.

Further, since the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided so as to be located on the inner surface of the door 10 of the refrigerator 51 and substantially at the center of the left and right sides of the storage 5, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 can be used. The captured image can be made into a shape closer to the state in which the user opens the door 10 of the refrigerator 51 and actually sees it. In addition, a large distance between the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 and the food on the shelf board can be taken to take a picture of a wide range in the storage 5, and a wider range of food storage status can be displayed. It becomes possible to confirm at 15. Further, in the uppermost part of the storage 5 where it is relatively difficult to take a picture when the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided on the inner surface of the door, a compressor 19 is provided in this example so that the uppermost part thereof protrudes forward. Since it is set, this part can also be photographed reliably, and the compressor 19 is provided in the upper part of the main body to improve the storage volume of the lower part of the main body, and the shooting by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 is also good. be able to.

Further, since the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided so as to be located substantially in the central portion of the door pockets 33-1 and 33-2 on the inner surface of the door in the front-rear direction, not only the food in the storage 5 but also the door pocket A part of the foods stored in 33-1 and 33-2, such as a milk carton, can also be photographed. Since the user has stored it by himself / herself, he / she can recognize what it is even if only a part of it is shown. Therefore, it is possible to photograph almost all foods in the storage.

Further, if the camera is provided with the camera 14-3 dedicated to the storage container as shown in FIG. 9A, the food in the storage container 31 can be clearly photographed. Further, by making the camera 35-2 movable up and down as shown in FIG. 9B and rotating it up and down as shown in FIG. 9C, the food in the storage container 31 is also two cameras, that is, You can shoot efficiently with a small number of cameras.

On the other hand, as is clear from FIGS. 7 and 10, the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided at positions behind the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, and the internal lighting lights 34-1 and 34-2 are provided. Since the light of 34-2 is provided so as not to directly enter the photographing section of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, the light of the internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is provided to the cameras 35-1 and 35-2. It is possible to prevent the images of the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 from being deteriorated by entering the camera, and it is possible to always obtain a good image. This is because a light-shielding portion is provided on the camera side of the interior lighting lamps 35-1, 35-2, or the light source such as the LED constituting the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is tilted diagonally backward. The same effect can be obtained by adopting a configuration such as arranging.

Further, the illuminance in the storage of the above-mentioned internal lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is 150 lux to 200 lux, and when the illuminance is taken as it is, the food becomes whitish as described in the section of the photographing operation in FIG. It will be difficult to see and distinguish. Therefore, in this embodiment, the illuminance is reduced for shooting. This makes it possible to take clear pictures with appropriate brightness even with a CCD camera or a CMOS camera. The illuminance of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 is controlled by the server control unit 66 so that the illuminance is lower than the normal illuminance only when the door 10 is closed or the door 10 is opened for shooting. However, by performing such control, it is possible to maintain the same illuminance as before during normal times when shooting is not performed, and to enable clear shooting while making it easier to see the inside of the refrigerator. The decrease in illuminance may be caused by, for example, turning off a part of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2 of either one or both of the interior lighting lamps 34-1 and 34-2, or lighting both of the interior lighting lamps. Various considerations such as reducing the illuminance of the lamps 34-1 and 34-2 may be considered and may be appropriately selected.

Further, as for the images in the storage 5 taken by the cameras 35-1 and 35-2, the images of the respective cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are transmitted to the server device 57 to be transmitted to the server device 57, the refrigerator 51, or the refrigerator 51. Although the combination processing is performed in the display terminal 15 and the images are combined, the image composition processing becomes easy in this embodiment.

That is, the cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are door inner surface portions corresponding to the front ends of the shelf boards 30-1 to 30-4, in this example, the upper shelf board 30-1 and the third shelf board 30-. Since it is provided on the inner surface of the door corresponding to the front end of No. 3, the images taken by the respective cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are centered on the shelves 30-1 and 30-3 whose boundary line Z in FIG. 35 is the boundary line. Will be taken as.

Therefore, the image data in the storage 5 taken by the two cameras 35-1 and 35-2 can be combined at the shelf board 30-2 portion which becomes the boundary line Z. That is, as shown in the "photographed raw image" of FIG. 35, the shelf boards 30-2 are commonly shown in the upper and lower images, and the curvature of the "photographed raw image" is corrected to "after the curvature correction processing". After making the "image", if the common shelf boards 30-2 moved to the upper and lower images are matched, the photographed image of the entire storage is obtained. As a result, it is not necessary to perform an extremely difficult correction process of aligning and combining each food placed on the shelf board at the time of image combination processing, and the image combination process is easy. Become. Therefore, the processing program for image combination can be simplified, and the capacity of the control portion of the server device 57, the refrigerator 51, or the display terminal 15 for image combination processing also needs to be large. It disappears and can contribute to speeding up the processing speed.

Further, since the two cameras 35-1 and 35-2 are provided at substantially the front positions of the shelf boards 30-1 and the shelf boards 30-3 whose heights cannot be adjusted, the height-adjustable shelf boards 30- Even if the height of No. 2 is changed, the image combination processing can be easily performed by adjusting the range of the combination processing according to the height of the shelf board 30-2 at the time of the image combination processing.

The present invention can provide an inexpensive refrigerator and a refrigerating system capable of satisfactorily photographing the food in the storage and easily distinguishing the food, and can be used not only for household refrigerators but also for refrigerators in chain stores such as convenience stores. In the present invention, the freezer is also applied), and the convenience store headquarters can check the food status in the refrigerator of each convenience store and automatically deliver the food, or the refrigerator installed in each facility such as a factory or a laboratory. It can also be applied for business purposes such as checking the foods and goods inside the refrigerator at the materials department and automatically delivering them.

1 Refrigerator body 2 Outer box 3 Inner box 4 Insulation 5 Storage (refrigerator room)
6 Switching room 7 Ice making room 8 Freezer room 9 Vegetable room 10 Door 10a Outer panel 10a-1 Glass plate 10a-2 Magic mirror 10b Inner plate 10b-1, 10b-2 Raised wall 11-14 Pull-out door 15 Display terminal 15a Display 16 Cooling room 17 Cooler 18 Blower fan 19 Compressor 20 Heat dissipation pipe 21 Capillary tube 22 Damper 23 Storage frame 24 Terminal holder 25 Touch panel 26 Gap 27 Frame 28 Recess 29, 29a Smoke sheet 30-1 to 30-4 Shelf board 31 Storage container 32-1 to 2-32-4 Side wall convex part 33-1 to 33-8 Door pocket 34-1, 34-2 Refrigerator lighting 35-1, 35-2, 35-3 Camera 36 Center pillar 41 Camera module 50 Refrigerator system 51 Refrigerator 53 Wireless adapter (communication device)
53a "Connect" button 54 Gateway device (relay device)
55 Router device 56 Internet 57 Server device 58 Interface (I / F)
59 Controller (control unit)
60 Storage unit 61 Door open / close detection unit 62 Fan drive circuit 63 Compressor drive circuit 64 AC power supply 65 Server interface 66 Server control unit 67 Data storage unit 70 "Direct" selection button 71 "Server" selection button 72 Image data selection button 73 Energy saving Related data selection button 74 Send button A Residence

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator for photographing the inside of a storage room based on a predetermined time.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator having at least one storage chamber and a photographing device for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and whether or not the predetermined time has come. It is characterized by including a determination means for determining the above time and a control means for causing the imaging apparatus to perform imaging based on the determination by the determination means that the predetermined time has come. Further, the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator having at least one storage chamber and a photographing device for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and is a first determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has come. The second determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage room is closed, and the first determination means for determining that the predetermined time has come, and the door of the storage room is closed. It is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for causing the photographing apparatus to perform photographing when it is determined by the second determining means. Further, the system of the present invention is a system having a refrigerator provided with at least one storage chamber and a photographing device for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and is a determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has come. The imaging device is characterized in that the photographing apparatus executes photographing based on the determination by the determination means that the predetermined time has come. Further, the system of the present invention is a system having a refrigerator provided with at least one storage chamber and a photographing device for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and is a first system for determining whether or not a predetermined time has come. The first determination means is provided with the determination means of the above and the second determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage room is closed, and it is determined by the first determination means that the predetermined time has come. When it is determined by the second determination means that the door is closed, the photographing apparatus executes photographing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator for photographing the inside of a storage room based on a predetermined time.

Claims (12)

A refrigerator with at least one storage room
A lighting device provided on the side surface of the storage chamber to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber,
An imaging device provided inside the door of the storage chamber for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and
A communication device that executes wireless communication with the outside,
When the communication device receives a shooting instruction from the outside, a determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage chamber is closed, and
Based on the determination by the determination means that the door of the storage chamber is closed, the lighting device is turned on and the imaging device is provided with a control means for performing imaging. refrigerator. A refrigerator with at least one storage room
A lighting device provided on the upper surface of the storage chamber to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber,
An imaging device provided inside the door of the storage chamber for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and
A communication device that executes wireless communication with the outside,
When the communication device receives a shooting instruction from the outside, a determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage chamber is closed, and
Based on the determination by the determination means that the door of the storage chamber is closed, the lighting device is turned on and the imaging device is provided with a control means for performing imaging. refrigerator. A refrigerator with at least one storage room
Lighting devices provided on the side surfaces and the upper surface of the storage chamber to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber,
An imaging device provided inside the door of the storage chamber for photographing the inside of the storage chamber, and
A communication device that executes wireless communication with the outside,
When the communication device receives a shooting instruction from the outside, a determination means for determining whether or not the door of the storage chamber is closed, and
Based on the determination by the determination means that the door of the storage chamber is closed, the lighting device is turned on and the imaging device is provided with a control means for performing imaging. refrigerator. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication device transmits an image taken by the photographing device to the outside. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means turns off the lighting device based on the completion of shooting by the photographing device. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the communication device transmits an image taken by the photographing device to the outside based on the lighting device being turned off. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lighting device lights up even when the door of the storage room is opened. Based on the determination by the determination means that the door of the storage chamber is closed, the control means is characterized in that the imaging device is made to perform imaging after starting energization of the imaging device. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the control means terminates energization of the photographing device based on the completion of photographing by the photographing device. When the determination means determines that the door of the storage chamber is not closed, the control means waits until the door of the storage chamber is closed, turns on the lighting device, and takes the picture. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus is made to perform photographing. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the storage room is a refrigerating room. The door of the storage room is a double door composed of a first door and a second door, and is a double door.
The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein a center pillar is provided in the first door, and the photographing device is provided inside the second door.

Images