JP7282260B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator that proposes a preservation method to a user when cooking or storing foodstuffs.

A conventional refrigerator uses a camera installed in the refrigerator to photograph food to be stored, thereby determining whether the food is in and out of the warehouse, and creates a list of foods in the refrigerator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

Another conventional refrigerator identifies the name of the ingredients in the refrigerator and displays the inventory of the ingredients, the recipe received from the server, and information on the purchased ingredients that must be purchased when making the recipe (for example, , see Patent Document 2).

JP 2019-070477 A JP 2019-095172 A

The above-mentioned patent document identifies and lists foods in the refrigerator, but does not suggest in which compartment the foods should be stored.

The aforementioned Patent Document 2 proposes a recipe for cooking based on the information on the ingredients in the refrigerator, but how should it be stored when there is leftover food, or when cooking is made and stored and stored? is not proposed.

The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and provides a refrigerator capable of proposing to a user a storage environment suitable for storing a storage item when storing the storage item. intended to obtain.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a main body , a plurality of storage chambers provided inside the main body, a communication device provided in the main body and capable of communicating with a control device and a mobile terminal, and the plurality of function data including the type of the storage compartment of the refrigerator , and setting data including setting information of the current temperature setting in each of the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator and the current storage mode in each of the plurality of storage compartments and a first storage device storing the control device, wherein the control device is arranged outside or inside the main body, and the communication device transmits the function data and the setting data to the control device. The control device has a second storage device that stores in advance a storage period database in which a storage period of one or more storage items is set for each storage environment, and the function data and the setting data are sent from the communication device. and based on the function data and the setting data, the type of the plurality of storage chambers of the refrigerator selected from the storage period database as a storage environment for storing the items to be stored in the refrigerator; a storage environment suitable for storing the stored items as a storage environment according to the current set temperature in each of the plurality of storage chambers and the current storage mode setting information in each of the plurality of storage chambers and the storable period corresponding to the plurality of storage chambers suitable for storing the stored item are extracted, and the extracted storage environment is the plurality of storage rooms suitable for storing the stored item It outputs a storage room and the storable period in the plurality of storage rooms suitable for storage of the storage item .

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure can propose a storage environment suitable for storing the storage item to the user when storing the storage item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a front view which shows the whole structure of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between refrigerator 1 and each communication device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing related to presentation of a storage environment for stored items in the refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing related to presentation of a shelf life of a stored product in the refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing storage item names 18 registered in an external network 11 according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a storable period database 19 possessed by an external network 11 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of function data 20 of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing setting data 21 of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of storage proposal information 30 displayed on mobile terminal 14 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of panel 13 of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a retention period list 40 stored by the external network 11 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an impending deadline notification 41 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage days notice 42 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a cooking list 50 of an external network 11 according to Embodiment 2; FIG. An example of the list data 60 of the storage items 17 displayed on the portable terminal 14 according to the second embodiment is shown. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of recommended recipes displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to Embodiment 2;

Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure includes all combinations of configurations that can be combined among configurations shown in the following embodiments and modifications thereof. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts, which are common throughout the specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship, shape, etc. of each component may differ from the actual one.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the refrigerator 1 and each communication device according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for presenting the storage environment for stored items in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for presenting the shelf life of stored items in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 1a of the refrigerator 1 has five compartments, a refrigerating compartment 2, a switching compartment 3, an ice making compartment 4, a freezing compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6, as storage compartments for different uses. is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , a main control section 7 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 is provided on the upper back surface of the refrigerator 1 . A first storage device 7a is also connected to the main controller 7 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigerating chamber 2 is provided with a refrigerating chamber left door 8 and a refrigerating chamber right door 9 . A pair of hinges 10 are provided on the upper portion of the refrigerator 1 to serve as the rotating shaft of the left door 8 of the refrigerating chamber and the rotating shaft of the right door 9 of the refrigerating chamber. A plurality of shelves 2 a are provided in the refrigerator compartment 2 .

Moreover, the switching compartment 3, the ice making compartment 4, the freezing compartment 5, and the vegetable compartment 6 are drawer-type storage compartments. The switching chamber 3 has a plurality of storage modes, and the storage mode can be switched according to the user's designation. Storage modes include, for example, normal mode, supercool freezing mode, subzero mode, and the like. Other reservoirs may also have multiple storage modes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 10 is provided with a communication device 12 . The communication device 12 may be provided inside the hinge 10 or fixed to the surface of the hinge 10 . The communication device 12 can communicate with an external network 11 provided outside, as shown in FIG. The external network 11 is, for example, a cloud server. The external network 11 has a second storage device 11a that stores a storable period database 19 (see FIG. 7), etc., which will be described later. In Embodiment 1, an example will be described in which the external network 11 functions as a control device that manages the storable period of stored items. However, the main controller 7 of the refrigerator 1 may function as the controller.

The communication device 12 may be directly connected to the external network 11, but may be configured to communicate with the external network 11 via a gateway 15 provided separately from the refrigerator 1, as shown in FIG. Also, in the above description, the communication device 12 is provided on the hinge 10, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The communication device 12 may be installed anywhere in the refrigerator 1 or in the indoor space where the refrigerator 1 is installed, as long as it is available in the space.

A panel 13 is provided on the left door 8 of the refrigerating compartment, as shown in FIGS. 11 is a front view showing an example of panel 13 of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The panel 13 accepts operations from the user and displays messages to the user on the screen. Specifically, the panel 13 has buttons operated by the user, as shown in FIG. 11, and accepts input of temperature setting of each storage compartment and storage mode setting of each storage compartment. The panel 13 also has a display screen 13b for displaying messages to the user, as shown in FIG. The panel 13 is electrically connected to the main controller 7 as shown in FIG. 2, the panel 13 is connected to the main controller 7 by wiring via the hinge 10. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the panel 13 may be directly connected to the main controller 7 or may be electrically connected to the main controller 7 via the communication device 12 inside the hinge 10 .

The main control unit 7 performs control to adjust the temperature environment of each storage room based on the information on the set temperature of each storage room and the storage mode of each storage room set by the panel 13 .

Also, the portable terminal 14 owned by the user is communicably connected to the external network 11 and the gateway 15 as shown in FIG. Therefore, mobile terminal 14 can be connected to communication device 12 via external network 11 or gateway 15 . Therefore, the mobile terminal 14 can be connected to the main controller 7 via the communication device 12 . By operating the portable terminal 14 instead of the panel 13, the user can input the temperature setting of each storage room and the setting of the storage mode of each storage room. The mobile terminal 14 has a screen for screen display. Note that the mobile terminal 14 is, for example, a smart phone or a tablet terminal.

The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with an internal camera 16 as shown in FIG. The inside camera 16 photographs the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 . The in-fridge camera 16 is attached to, for example, the refrigerator compartment left door 8 or the refrigerator compartment right door 9 . Specifically, the internal camera 16 is fixed to the left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment on the storage compartment side, or to the right door 9 of the refrigerator compartment to the storage compartment side. One in-fridge camera 16 may be provided for the refrigerator compartment 2, or one for each shelf 2a. Alternatively, when there is one in-fridge camera 16, it may be possible to move between the shelves 2a. In that case, a guide rail for guiding the movement of the inside camera 16 is provided on the refrigerator compartment left door 8 or the refrigerator compartment right door 9 . The guide rails are installed so as to extend vertically. The in-fridge camera 16 is vertically moved along the guide rail by a driving device such as a motor. Thereby, the inside of each shelf 2a of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be photographed by one camera 16 inside the refrigerator. The inside camera 16 exists in the refrigerator compartment 2 when the refrigerator compartment left door 8 or the refrigerator compartment right door 9 of the refrigerator 1 is closed. Therefore, when the refrigerator compartment left door 8 or the refrigerator compartment right door 9 of the refrigerator 1 is opened, condensation may occur on the lens of the internal camera 16 . Therefore, the in-fridge camera 16 may be provided with a lens heater if necessary.

The in-chamber camera 16 may be provided in each of the switching compartment 3, the ice making compartment 4, the freezing compartment 5, and the vegetable compartment 6 as well.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with an expiration date detection sensor 25 as required. The expiration date detection sensor 25 is, for example, a gas sensor, a temperature sensor, or a weight sensor. The expiration date detection sensor 25 predicts the expiration date of the food 17 stored in the refrigerator compartment 2 . One expiration date detection sensor 25 may be provided, or one sensor may be provided for each shelf 2a.

The expiration date detection sensor 25 may be provided in each of the switching compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 6 as well.

Next, the processing of the method of presenting the storage environment of the stored item to the user will be described. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the method. FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing from photographing the stored item 17 to presenting it to the user.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in step S<b>101 , the user takes an image of the object 17 stored in the refrigerator 1 with the portable terminal 14 and transmits the image to the external network 11 . The stored items 17 are foodstuffs purchased by the user, dishes prepared by the user, and the like. The external network 11 receives the photographed image of the storage item 17 from the mobile terminal 14 and recognizes that the storage item 17 is the storage item specified by the user.

Further, the storage item 17 may be photographed by the in-fridge camera 16 installed inside the refrigerator 1 in step S102. Step S102 is executed as necessary. When executing step S102, the process of step S101 may or may not be executed. The timing for executing step S102 is, for example, when the user puts the goods 17 into the refrigerator 1 . The communication device 12 of the refrigerator 1 transmits the captured image of the in-fridge camera 16 to the external network 11 . The external network 11 receives the photographed image of the storage item 17 from the communication device 12 of the refrigerator 1 and recognizes that the storage item 17 is the storage item specified by the user. The photography by the in-fridge camera 16 may be performed automatically when the refrigerator compartment left door 8 or the refrigerator compartment right door 9 is opened or closed, or may be performed by the user's operation of the in-fridge camera 16. .

In this way, the stored items 17 may be photographed by the in-fridge camera 16 as the first camera, or by the built-in camera as the second camera mounted on the portable terminal 14 .

Next, in step S103, the external network 11 receives the photographed image, and automatically identifies the storage item name 18, which is the name of the dish or ingredients of the storage item 17, from the captured image. The identification is performed by, for example, pattern recognition processing. The identified storage item name 18 is registered in the external network 11 by being stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11 in step S104. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing storage item names 18 registered in the external network 11 according to the first embodiment.

In addition, in case the storage item name 18 of the storage item 17 cannot be automatically identified by the external network 11, the user can manually input the name 18 in step S105. In step S<b>105 , the user inputs the storage item name 18 of the storage item 17 into the portable terminal 14 and transmits it to the external network 11 . As a result, the storage item name 18 is registered in the external network 11 . Step S105 is executed as necessary. Alternatively, the external network 11 may send a message to the portable terminal 14 stating that "the storage item name could not be identified" to prompt the user to execute step S105.

A storage period database 19 is stored in the second storage device 11 a of the external network 11 . FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the storable period database 19 possessed by the external network 11 according to the first embodiment. The storable period database 19 stores recommended storage data such as recommended storage environment and storable period for each item name 18 . As shown in FIG. 7, the storable period database 19 stores a plurality of storage environments suitable for storing the storage item 17 for each storage item name 18, and stores the storage items 17 in each storage environment. It remembers the possible period. For example, if the storage item name 18 is "pork belly", the storage environment is "refrigerator" and the storage period is "2 days", and the storage environment is "freezer" and the storage period is "30 days". It is The storable period is not the best-before date indicated on the product, but is, for example, a general use-by date or best-before date recommended by a government office or the like.

Returning to the description of FIG. In step S106, the external network 11 acquires the storage recommendation data for the storage item name 18 registered in step S104 from the storage period database 19. FIG.

In step S<b>107 , the external network 11 acquires the function data 20 indicating the functions of the refrigerator 1 from the main controller 7 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication device 12 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of function data 20 of refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. The function data 20 is stored in the first storage device 7a provided in the main controller 7. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the function data 20 stores information such as the type of storage compartment provided in the refrigerator 1 and the storage mode provided in the refrigerator 1 . In step S<b>107 , the external network 11 acquires, as the function data 20 , data indicating whether or not the switchable compartment 3 is in supercool freezing mode, for example.

In step S<b>108 , the external network 11 acquires the setting data 21 indicating the current setting state of the refrigerator 1 from the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication device 12 . FIG. 9 is a diagram showing setting data 21 of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. The setting data 21 is stored in the first storage device 7a provided in the main control section 7. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the setting data 21 stores the set temperature for each storage compartment provided in the refrigerator 1, the storage mode setting information for each storage compartment, and the like. In step S108, the external network 11 obtains, as the setting data 21, setting information such as setting the temperature of the freezer compartment 5 to "low".

At step S110, the external network 11 collates the storage recommended data, the function data 20, and the setting data 21 acquired at steps S106 to S108. That is, the external network 11 extracts the storage environment of the storage item 17 according to the functions of the refrigerator 1 and the current setting state of the refrigerator 1 from the storage recommended data acquired from the storage period database 19 . In addition, the external network 11 extracts the storage period corresponding to the extracted storage environment from the storage period database 19 .

In step S111, the external network 11 presents a storage room of the refrigerator 1 suitable for storing the object 17 as the storage environment extracted in step S110. In addition, the external network 11 may present the preset temperature of the storage room suitable for storing the object 17 as the storage environment. Furthermore, the external network 11 may present a storage mode of the storage room suitable for storage of the storage item 17 as the storage environment. The presented information is hereinafter referred to as storage proposal information 30 (see FIG. 10). The storage suggestion information 30 includes at least one of a storage room, a set temperature, and a storage mode.

As a method of presenting the storage proposal information 30 to the user in step S111, for example, it is displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 14 communicating with the external network 11, or displayed on the panel 13 of the refrigerator 1 through the main control unit 7. do.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of storage proposal information 30 displayed on mobile terminal 14 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, on the display screen of the portable terminal 14, a storage item name 18 and storage suggestion information 30 are displayed.

In this way, the user can list and manage the ingredients or dishes by registering the ingredients or dishes that the user has purchased in the external network 11 . 10, the user can confirm the storage item name 18 and the storage suggestion information 30 on the display screen of the portable terminal 14. FIG. Therefore, it is possible for the user to know the storage method suitable for the foodstuffs and dishes according to the refrigerator 1 owned by the user.

FIG. 11 shows an example of storage proposal information 30 displayed on panel 13 of refrigerator 1 . As shown in FIG. 11, on the display screen 13b provided on the panel 13, a storage item name 18 and storage proposal information 30 are displayed. The display screen 13b may not always be displayed on the panel 13, and may be displayed on the panel 13 when the user touches the main switch 13a.

The processing in FIG. 4 will be described with a specific example. For example, the user takes a picture of pork belly bought at a supermarket as the stored item 17 with the portable terminal 14 and registers the stored item name 18 in the external network 11 . The external network 11 acquires storage recommendation data related to the registered storage item name 18 from the storage period database 19 . That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the storable period database 19 stores pork belly for 2 days in the refrigerator compartment, 6 days in the chilled compartment, 14 days in the supercool freezing mode of the switching compartment 3, and 14 days in the freezer compartment. , data is stored that can be stored for 30 days. Therefore, the external network 11 acquires such data as storage recommended data. The external network 11 collates the acquired recommended storage data with the function data 20 and setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1 . Specifically, based on the function data 20 of the refrigerator 1, the external network 11 determines that the refrigerator 1 used by the user has the switchable compartment 3, can be set to the supercool freezing mode, and has the chilled compartment. Know what you're not ready for. Based on the setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1, the external network 11 also recognizes that the switchable compartment 3 of the refrigerator 1 used by the user is currently set to the supercool freezing mode. Based on the grasped information, the external network 11 first excludes the information on the chilled room from the storage recommended data previously acquired. In addition, the external network 11 compares the freezer compartment 5 with the switchable compartment 3 set to the supercool freezing mode, and preferentially selects the switchable compartment 3 that can maintain freshness over the freezer compartment 5 . It is assumed that the external network 11 stores in advance the priority of each storage room in the second storage device 11a. In this way, the external network 11 sends a storage proposal to the mobile terminal 14 of the user, indicating that pork belly can be stored for 2 days in the refrigerator compartment 2, but can be stored in the switchable compartment 3 for 14 days if the supercool freezing mode is set. Send information 30 (see FIG. 10). Also, without using the priority, the external network 11 transmits all the candidates that can be selected by the user, that is, all of the refrigerator compartment 2, the switching compartment 3, and the freezer compartment 5, as the storage proposal information 30. good too.

The storage proposal information 30 allows the user to easily know the storage room, set temperature, and storage mode suitable for storing the object 17 . Moreover, in recent years, the refrigerator 1 has been provided with a supercool freezing mode, a below-freezing mode, and the like, and the functions of the refrigerator 1 have become more complicated year by year. The user can easily perform such complicated functions of the refrigerator 1 by using the storage proposal information 30 while actually using the refrigerator 1, that is, while storing the goods 17 in the refrigerator 1, without referring to the manual. can be known to

Next, FIG. 5 shows a flow chart showing a flow of processing of a method for presenting the shelf life of stored items to the user in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing from storing the storage item 17 to presenting the number of days that the storage item 17 can be stored to the user. Also, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the retention period list 40 stored by the external network 11 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S201, the user stores the food 17 in the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG.

In step S<b>202 , the refrigerator 1 identifies the storage destination of the storage item 17 in the refrigerator 1 by photographing the storage item 17 with the in-fridge camera 16 . The refrigerator 1 transmits the storage location of the specified storage item 17 to the external network 11 .

In step S203, the external network 11 registers the storage destination 22 of the specified storage item 17 in the storage expiration date list 40 shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to automatically register in which storage chamber of the refrigerator 1 the article 17 is stored. The retention period list 40 is stored in the second storage device 11a.

Further, in preparation for the case where the storage destination 22 of the stored items 17 cannot be specified by the camera 16 inside the refrigerator, manual input by the user is also possible in step S204. In addition, step S204 is performed as needed. Alternatively, the refrigerator 1 may send a message to the portable terminal 14 stating that "storage destination could not be specified" to prompt the user to execute step S204. In step S<b>204 , the user inputs the storage destination 22 of the storage item 17 to the mobile terminal 14 and transmits it to the external network 11 . As a result, the storage destination 22 of the storage item 17 is registered in the storage expiration date list 40 of the external network 11 .

In step S<b>205 , the external network 11 determines whether the storage item name 18 of the storage item 17 has already been registered in the shelf life list 40 . If the storage item name 18 has already been registered, the process proceeds to step S206. If the storage item name 18 has not been registered, the processing of steps S103 to S105 is performed. Steps S103 to S105 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, so description thereof will be omitted here.

In step S<b>206 , the external network 11 registers the date on which the article 17 was stored in the refrigerator 1 as the retention date 23 in the retention period list 40 .

In step S<b>207 , the external network 11 counts the number of days 24 that have passed for the items 17 stored in the refrigerator 1 and registers them in the shelf life list 40 . The number of elapsed days 24 is updated every day at the same time, for example, midnight. Note that the elapsed time may be registered instead of the elapsed days 24 .

In step S<b>208 , the external network 11 acquires the storable period for the registered storage item name 18 from the storable period database 19 .

In step S209, the external network 11 compares the storage period acquired in step S208 with the elapsed days 24 in the storage period list 40, thereby determining whether the storage period 26 of the storage item 17 is close. . For example, it is assumed that four days have passed since pork belly was stored in the switchable compartment 3 . At this time, the storable period database 19 stores that the storable period of the pork belly stored in the switching compartment is 14 days. Therefore, the external network 11 compares the elapsed days of 4 days with the possible storage period of 14 days, and determines that the possible storage period 26 is not near. On the other hand, if the number of elapsed days is 13 days, the external network 11 compares the number of elapsed days of 13 days with the storable period of 14 days, and determines that the storable period 26 is near. That is, when the difference between the number of elapsed days and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the external network 11 determines that the storable period 26 is approaching, and proceeds to step S210. Otherwise, it is determined that the storable time limit 26 is not near, and the process proceeds to step S211.

As shown in FIG. 12, the storage expiration date 26 may be calculated by the external network 11 based on the elapsed days 24 and the storage storage period database 19, and registered in the storage expiration date list 40. , does not have to be registered. If the saveable time limit 26 is not registered, the external network 11 calculates the saveable time limit 26 whenever necessary.

In step S210, the external network 11 transmits to the portable terminal 14 the time limit imminent notification 41 notifying that the shelf life limit 26 of the storage item 17 is approaching. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the deadline imminent notification 41 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, on the display screen of the portable terminal 14, a storage item name 18 and an impending deadline notification 41 are displayed.

In step S211, the external network 11 periodically presents to the user, at regular intervals, a storage days notification 42 that informs the number of elapsed days 24 in the storage expiration date list 40. FIG. The storage days notice 42 is presented on the display screen of the mobile terminal 14 or on the display screen 13 b of the panel 13 provided in the refrigerator 1 . Also, the period of presentation can be set by the user. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of storage days notice 42 displayed on portable terminal 14 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, on the display screen of the portable terminal 14, a storage item name 18 and a storage days notification 42 are displayed. Since the display method of the storage days notification 42 on the panel 13 may be performed in the same manner as the deadline imminent notification 41 shown in FIG. 13, the description thereof is omitted here.

In step S209, the external network 11 presents the notice 41 to the user when the shelf life 26 of the storage item 17 is approaching, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the external network 11 may present an overdue notice to the user in the same manner as the impending expiration notice 41 when the storage expiration date 26 of the storage item 17 has passed. Note that the method of presentation to the user is the same as the method described above. Also, the contents of the notice of overdue period are, for example, "Stored item name: Pork belly The storage period has passed." Both the impending deadline notice 41 and the overdue notice may be presented to the user, or either one may be presented.

Further, when the refrigerator 1 is provided with the expiration date detection sensor 25, the process of step S212 in FIG. 5 may be performed. The expiration date detection sensor 25 is, for example, a gas sensor, a temperature sensor, or a weight sensor. The expiration date detection sensor 25 predicts the shelf life of the storage item 17 from the detection result. In step S<b>212 , when the expiration date detection sensor 25 predicts the shelf life of the storage item 17 from the detection result, it transmits the predicted shelf life to the main control unit 7 . The main control unit 7 transmits the predicted storable expiration date to the external network 11 via the communication device 12 . In step S209, the external network 11 determines whether or not the shelf life 26 of the storage item 17 is approaching based on the received predicted shelf life and the number of elapsed days 24. Since the processes of steps S210 and S211 are as described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In this way, by presenting the expiry date notification 41, the user can periodically know the expiry date or best-before date of the preserved article 17. Risk can be mitigated.

As described above, in Embodiment 1, the user can know the method suitable for preserving ingredients or dishes through the process of FIG. In addition, the process of FIG. 5 can reduce the risk of discarding ingredients or dishes, thereby relieving the user's stress and dissatisfaction about storing food in the refrigerator.

Here, hardware configurations of the external network 11, the main controller 7, the first storage device 7a and the second storage device 11a will be described. The external network 11 and the main control unit 7 are composed of a control device. Each function of the external network 11 and the main control unit 7 is composed of a processing circuit. The processing circuitry consists of dedicated hardware or a processor. Dedicated hardware is, for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor executes programs stored in memory. Both the first storage device 7a and the second storage device 11a are composed of memories. Memory is non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or disk such as magnetic disk, flexible disk, or optical disk. be.

In addition, as described above, the processing of the external network 11 described in the first embodiment may be performed by the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 . In that case, the first storage device 7a stores all the data stored in the second storage device 11a.

Embodiment 2.
In Embodiment 2, the user can register, in the external network 11, photographs, evaluations, recipes, etc. of dishes prepared by the user. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15 , in step S 101 , the user takes a photo of a dish prepared by the user as a food item 17 to be stored in the refrigerator 1 with the portable terminal 14 and transmits the photo of the food to the external network 11 .

Since the processes of steps S102, S103, and S105 are the same as the processes of steps S102, S103, and S105 in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted here.

In the second embodiment, in step S301, the external network 11 saves the storage item name 18 indicating the name of the dish and the photographed image 51 of the dish in the dish list 50. FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the cooking list 50 of the external network 11 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the dish list 50 includes, for each storage item name 18, a photographed image 51 of the storage item 17, photographing date data 52 indicating the photographing date of the storage item 17, evaluation data 53, and recipe data. 54 are registered. The cooking list 50 is stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11. FIG. At this time, the user further saves the recipe data 54 in the cooking list 50 via the mobile terminal 14 . Note that if the recipe data 54 is pre-stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11, there is no particular need to register it in step S301.

In step S<b>302 , the user inputs an evaluation of the storage item 17 to the portable terminal 14 . The mobile terminal 14 transmits the input evaluation data 53 to the external network 11 . In step S<b>303 , the external network 11 registers the evaluation data 53 in the cooking list 50 . The evaluation data 53 includes, for example, rank information. In this case, for example, if there are five levels of ranking, as shown in FIG. 18, "*5" is the highest rank, and when the number of * decreases by one, the evaluation rank decreases by one, and "*1" decreases by one. The lowest rank. Note that the evaluation data 53 is not limited to rank information, and may be input as a character message such as a review.

In step S<b>304 , the user inputs a request to browse the stored items 17 registered in the cooking list 50 to the portable terminal 14 . The mobile terminal 14 transmits the input request to the external network 11 . In step S305, the external network 11 transmits the list data 60 regarding the food items 17 registered in the cooking list 50 to the portable terminal 14 in response to the request. In step S312, the portable terminal 14 displays the list data 60 of the storage items 17 on the screen. FIG. 17 shows an example of list data 60 of stored items 17 displayed on mobile terminal 14 according to the second embodiment. In this way, on the mobile terminal 14, based on the list data 60 of the storage items 17, photographed images of food are displayed in a calendar format for each photographing date. The list data 60 is stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11. FIG.

At step S<b>306 , the user selects one dish from the list data 60 on the portable terminal 14 . Portable terminal 14 transmits the selected dish to external network 11 . At step S307, the external network 11 acquires the retention period list 40 shown in FIG. In step S<b>308 , the external network 11 collates the shelf life list 40 with the recipe data 54 to determine ingredients to be purchased necessary for the recipe of the selected dish, and transmits them to the portable terminal 14 . Then, in step S313, the portable terminal 14 displays the ingredients to be purchased on the screen.

In step S<b>309 , the user inputs a request for recommended recipes to the mobile terminal 14 . The mobile terminal 14 transmits the request to the external network 11 . At step S310, the external network 11 acquires the retention period list 40 shown in FIG. In step S311, the external network 11 refers to the shelf life list 40 and searches for recommended recipes using the stored food items 17. FIG. The recommended recipe is retrieved from the recipe data 54 of the dish list 50 or from recipes stored in advance in the second storage device 11 a of the external network 11 . When searching for recommended recipes from the recipe data 54 of the dish list 50, the external network 11 refers to the evaluation data 53 and extracts highly evaluated recipes. Note that the number of recipes to be searched may be one, or may be two or more. The external network 11 transmits the retrieved recommended recipes to the mobile terminal 14 . In step S314, the portable terminal 14 displays the recommended recipe on the screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of recommended recipes displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the recommended recipe displays, for example, a stock name 18 as a dish name, a photographed image 51 of the dish, recipe data 54 of the dish, and evaluation data 53 of the dish.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, since the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, in the second embodiment, it is possible to register in the external network 11 photographs, evaluations, recipes, etc. of dishes prepared by the user. Therefore, the user can receive the registered dish list data 60 from the external network 11 and display it on the portable terminal 14 . In addition, the user can view the dish list data 60 displayed on the portable terminal 14 and freely select a dish from the dishes prepared in the past. In addition, since the external network 11 determines and informs the user of the ingredients to be purchased necessary for making the dish, the user can easily know what to purchase.

In addition, the user can easily remember the existence of leftover dishes stored in the refrigerator 1 by browsing the dish list data 60 . In addition, by the processing of FIG. 5, it is possible to easily check the shelf life of the dish. Also, when the user stores the leftover food in the refrigerator 1, the processing of FIG. 4 allows the user to easily know the storage compartment and storage mode suitable for storage.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 refrigerator 1a main body 2 refrigerating chamber 2a shelf 3 switching chamber 4 ice making chamber 5 freezing chamber 6 vegetable chamber 7 main control unit 7a first storage device 8 refrigerating chamber left door 9 refrigerating chamber right door, 10 hinge, 11 external network, 11a second storage device, 12 communication device, 13 panel, 13a main switch, 13b display screen, 14 portable terminal, 15 gateway, 16 in-fridge camera, 17 storage, 18 storage name , 19 storage period database, 20 function data, 21 setting data, 22 storage destination, 23 storage date, 24 elapsed days, 25 expiration date detection sensor, 26 storage period, 30 storage proposal information, 40 storage period list, 41 expiration date Notification of urgency, 42 notification of storage days, 50 dish list, 51 photographed image, 53 evaluation data, 54 recipe data, 60 list data.

Claims (21)

the main body;
a plurality of storage chambers provided inside the body;
a communication device provided in the main body and capable of communicating with a control device and a mobile terminal;
Function data including the types of the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator , current temperature settings for each of the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator, and current storage mode settings for each of the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator. setting data containing information ; and a first storage device storing
The control device is located outside or inside the body,
The communication device transmits the function data and the setting data to the control device,
The control device is
having a second storage device pre-stored with a storage period database in which a storage period of one or more storage items is set for each storage environment;
receiving the function data and the setting data from the communication device;
Based on the function data and the setting data, the types of the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator and the plurality of storage compartments of the refrigerator are selected from the storable period database as a storage environment for storing the items to be stored in the refrigerator. a plurality of storages suitable for storing the storage as a storage environment according to the current set temperature in each of the storage chambers and the current storage mode setting information in each of the plurality of storages; extracting a chamber and the shelf life corresponding to the plurality of reservoirs suitable for storing the reservoir ;
outputting , as the extracted storage environment, the plurality of storage rooms suitable for storing the stored item and the storable period in the plurality of storage rooms suitable for storing the stored item ;
refrigerator. The control device is capable of communicating with the mobile terminal,
The control device transmits the extracted storage environment and the storable period to the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal receives and displays the storage environment and the storable period on the screen.
Refrigerator according to claim 1. a door provided in the main body for opening and closing one of the plurality of storage chambers;
a first camera disposed on one side of the door of the plurality of storage compartments for photographing the stored items;
one of the plurality of storage chambers stores the stock;
The communication device transmits a captured image of the storage item captured by the first camera to the control device,
The control device is
Recognizing that the storage item in the captured image is the storage item to be stored in the refrigerator by receiving the captured image of the storage item captured by the first camera;
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2. The mobile terminal comprises a second camera for photographing the storage,
The control device is
Recognizing that the storage item in the captured image is the storage item to be stored in the refrigerator by receiving, from the mobile terminal, a captured image of the storage item captured by the second camera;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-3. The control device is
storing the storage date of the stock;
counting the elapsed days or elapsed time from the storage date,
periodically transmitting the elapsed days or the elapsed time to the mobile terminal;
The mobile terminal receives the elapsed days or the elapsed time and displays it on the screen.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4. The control device is
storing a storage destination in the refrigerator of the stored item in the second storage device;
extracting the storable period corresponding to the storage environment of the storage destination from the storable period database;
determining whether a difference between the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period;
If the difference is equal to or less than the threshold, sending an impending deadline notification to the mobile terminal;
The mobile terminal receives the notice of impending deadline and displays it on the screen;
The refrigerator according to claim 5. The control device is
storing a storage destination in the refrigerator of the stored item in the second storage device;
extracting the storable period corresponding to the storage environment of the storage destination from the storable period database;
determining whether the shelf life of the storage item has passed based on the number of days or the elapsed time and the shelf life;
sending a notice of expiration to the portable terminal when the storage limit of the storage item has passed;
The mobile terminal receives and displays the notice of expiration of the deadline,
The refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6. a door provided in the main body for opening and closing one of the plurality of storage chambers;
A panel that is provided on the door or the main body and displays a screen,
one of the plurality of storage chambers stores the stock;
The control device is
transmitting the extracted storage environment and the storable period to the communication device of the refrigerator;
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the storage environment and the storable period,
The panel of the refrigerator displays a screen of the storage environment and the storable period received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-7. The control device is
storing the storage date of the stock;
counting the elapsed days or elapsed time from the storage date,
periodically transmitting the elapsed days or the elapsed time to the communication device of the refrigerator;
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the elapsed days or the elapsed time,
The panel of the refrigerator displays a screen of the elapsed days or the elapsed time received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to claim 8. The control device is
storing a storage destination in the refrigerator of the stored item in the second storage device;
extracting the storable period corresponding to the storage environment of the storage destination from the storable period database;
determining whether a difference between the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period;
sending an impending deadline notification to the communication device of the refrigerator if the difference is equal to or less than the threshold;
the communication device of the refrigerator receives the notification of the impending deadline;
The panel of the refrigerator displays a screen of the notification of the impending deadline received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to claim 9. The control device is
storing a storage destination in the refrigerator of the stored item in the second storage device;
extracting the storable period corresponding to the storage environment of the storage destination from the storable period database;
determining whether the shelf life of the storage item has passed based on the number of days or the elapsed time and the shelf life;
when the shelf life of the storage item has passed, sending a notice of expiration to the communication device of the refrigerator;
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the expiration notification,
The panel of the refrigerator displays a screen of the expiration notification received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to claim 9 or 10. wherein the stored material is a dish,
The control device is
storing the photographed image of the dish and the photographing date;
outputting dish list data displaying the photographed images of the dishes for each photographing date when a viewing request is received;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-11. The control device is
when the viewing request is received from the mobile terminal, transmitting to the mobile terminal dish list data for displaying the photographed images of the dishes for each photographing date;
The portable terminal receives the list data of the dishes, and displays the photographed images of the dishes on the screen in a calendar format for each photographing date.
The refrigerator according to claim 12. The control device is an external network provided outside the refrigerator,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-13. The external network is composed of a cloud server,
Refrigerator according to claim 14. The control device is a main control unit provided inside the refrigerator,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-13. the first camera is moved along a guide rail by a driving device;
The refrigerator according to claim 3. A plurality of shelves are provided inside one of the plurality of storage chambers,
the first camera moves between the plurality of shelves;
Refrigerator according to claim 3 or 17. wherein the stored material is a dish,
The second storage device stores a dish list that stores a stock name indicating the name of the dish;
In the dish list, at least one of a photographed image of the dish, photographing date data indicating a photographing date of the photographed image, evaluation data of the dish, and recipe data of the dish is registered for each name of the stored item. ,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-13. wherein the second storage device saves the recipe data of the dish transmitted from the mobile terminal in the dish list;
A refrigerator according to claim 19. wherein the second storage device stores the evaluation data of the dish transmitted from the mobile terminal in the dish list;
A refrigerator according to claim 19.

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