JPH0432682A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable proper preservation control of foods to be stored cold in a chamber by a method wherein a quantity of feeds is added up in terms of the type of the foods to be stored into a feed information memory means and the type and a takeoff value of a food to be taken off is indicated by a takeoff information indication means when the food is taken out of the chamber. CONSTITUTION:A person who is desired to use a preservation control function of a refrigerator registers own voice before-hand. In other words, voice to be registered is set on a keyboard 8 while the voice is emitted to a microphone 6. A CPU 10 inputs a voice data from a voice data conversion circuit 18 while the voice data is stored into an SRAM 12 in correspondence to a voice data set with the keyboard 8. In an inventory control interrupt subroutine, the CPU 10 inputs time information from an LS 114 for clock while computing a storage period by subtracting the present data from the data at which a food involved is fed for each food. The CPU 10 reads a proper preservation period out of a PROM 11 for each food fed in a cold storage chamber to judge whether the storage period exceeds the proper preservation period for each food or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a food management function that notifies the amount of food put into the refrigerator.

(Prior Art) In recent years, as refrigerators have become larger in size, it has become common for ordinary households to purchase large quantities of food in bulk and store it in the refrigerator. When preparing a dish, the user takes out the necessary amount of food from the refrigerator and uses it for the dish.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, since it is difficult to check at a glance the type or amount of food that is placed in the refrigerator, it is difficult to check at a glance the type of food that is placed in the refrigerator or the amount of food that is placed in the refrigerator. This can lead to wasteful purchasing of food items even though they are available. Furthermore, if the user does not notice that there is a shortage of food necessary for cooking, there will be a problem that the food necessary for the dish will be insufficient at the time the dish is prepared and the dish cannot be prepared.

On the other hand, even if food is placed in the refrigerator and kept refrigerated, some foods have a short shelf life. For this reason, if food with a short shelf life is purchased early and stored in a refrigerator, there is a risk that the food needed for the dish may not be available at the time of cooking the dish. Furthermore, even if the food has a relatively long shelf life, if it is refrigerated beyond the shelf life, the food will spoil and cannot be used for cooking.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator that enables proper storage management of foods to be refrigerated in the refrigerator.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an input information indicating means for instructing input information such as the type of food input into the refrigerator and the input amount thereof, and the input information indicating means A loading information storage means is provided to add and store the input amount for each type of food indicated by the instructed loading information, and takeout information instructs taking out information such as the type of food taken out from the refrigerator and the amount to be taken out. Provide an instruction means,
A subtraction means is provided for subtracting the amount to be taken out which is indicated by the said taking out information from the putting amount stored in said putting information storage means corresponding to the food indicated by the taking out information instructed by said taking out information instructing means, said putting information storage means. The apparatus is provided with an input amount informing means for notifying the input amount of each food item indicated by the input information stored in the means.

In addition, a cooking information instruction means is provided for instructing cooking information such as the type of cooking and the number of people eating the dish for a predetermined period, and a unit storing the unit food amount for one person of food required for cooking for each type. A food amount storage means is provided, and the unit food amount stored in the unit food amount storage means and the amount of food specified by the cooking information instruction means correspond to the type of dish indicated by the cooking information instructed by the cooking information instruction means. A totalizing means is provided for totalizing the number of people eating the meal, and input information indicating input information stored in the input information storage means corresponding to the cumulative value by the totalizing means and the food indicated by the cooking information instructed by the cooking information specifying means is provided. It is also possible to provide a shortage notification means that compares the amount of food and informs the type and amount of the food that is in short supply based on the comparison result.

Furthermore, a cook opening instruction means for indicating the scheduled cooking date of the dish is provided, and a storage period storage means is provided for storing the appropriate storage period for each food used in the dish, so as to cope with the shortage of food indicated by the completion notification means. A daily purchase report shorting means may be provided for notifying the date and time that has gone back by the appropriate storage period stored in the storage period storage means from the scheduled cooking date of the dish.

In addition, storage period storage means is provided for storing the appropriate storage period for each type of food used in cooking, and input date storage means is provided for storing the input date of each type of food. A calculation means is provided for calculating the storage period for each type of food indicated by the input information stored in the food input information storage means based on the difference between the input date and the current date, and the storage period of the food determined by the calculation means is calculated. Alarm means may be provided to notify the type of food when the storage period exceeds the appropriate storage period stored in the storage period storage means corresponding to the food.

(Function) In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 1, when putting food into the refrigerator, the putting information indicating means instructs putting information such as the type of food and the amount put into it. Then, the input amount for each type of food is added and stored in the input information storage means.

When taking out food from the refrigerator, the type of food to be taken out and the amount to be taken out are instructed by the taking out information indicating means. Then, the removal amount is subtracted by the subtraction means from the input amount of the target food stored in the input information storage means, and the calculation result is notified by the input amount notification means, so that the amount of food that is currently input into the refrigerator is You can check the amount of food input.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 2, when the cooking information indicating means instructs cooking information such as the type of dish and the number of people eating the food, the integrating means calculates the unit food amount and the number of people eating the food stored in the unit food amount storage means. The amount of food required for cooking is calculated by adding up the total amount. Then, the integrated value by the integrating means is compared with the input amount of the target food stored in the input information storage means, and based on the comparison, the type and amount of food that is in short supply is determined by the shortage notification means. Since the notification is made, the food can be cooked without causing excess or shortage of food by putting the missing food into the refrigerator.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 3, when the cooking date indicating means specifies the scheduled cooking date of the dish, the daily purchase report shortening means stores the appropriate amount stored in the storage period storage means corresponding to the food that is insufficient from the scheduled cooking date of the dish. Since the date of purchase back by the storage period is notified, food with guaranteed quality can be used for cooking by purchasing the missing food after the notified date of purchase and storing it in a refrigerator.

In the case of the refrigerator according to the fourth aspect, the loading period calculation means calculates the loading period for each type of food based on the difference between the loading date stored in the loading date storage means and the current date. and,
When the input period of the food calculated by the input period calculation means exceeds the appropriate storage period stored in the storage period storage means, the target food is notified by the alarm means, so the food notified by the alarm is By disposing of the food, it is possible to prevent food whose quality has deteriorated from being used for cooking.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2 showing the front of the refrigerator, the main body 1 has a freezer compartment 2. A refrigerator compartment 3 is provided as an interior, and doors 4 and 5 are respectively installed.
has been closed by. A microphone 6, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 7, and a keyboard 8 are provided on the front side of the door 4. Further, a card reader 9 is provided at the top of the main body 1.

In FIG. 3, which shows the entire circuit configuration as a block diagram, C
The address bus and data bus of PU10 are FROM (
programmable read only memory)11. S.R.A.
M (static random access memory) 1
2. [LCD driver] 3, watch LS 114 and each interface 15°16.17.

FROM II stores a control program for CPU10, and CPU10 executes various controls based on the control program. Further, the FROMI 1 stores in advance the appropriate storage period for each food item that requires refrigeration, and the CPU 10 executes storage management of the foods placed in the refrigerator based on the appropriate storage period.

The SRAMI2 is backed up by a battery (not shown), and stores various information given from the CPU10 through the data bus. The LCD driver 13 is an LC
It is connected to CPU10 through the data bus.
The various information given from the LCD 7 is transmitted to the LCD 7. The clock LSI 14 measures the current date and time, and the CPU 1
In response to a request from 0, time information indicating the current date and time is sent to CP.
Give to Ul0.

In this case, FROMI 1 is set as the retention period storage means, and SRAM 12 is set as the input information storage means.

The LCD 7 is set as an input date storage means and a unit food amount storage means, and the LCD 7 is set as an input amount notification means, a shortage notification means, a daily purchase report shorting means, and an alarm means.

The I10 interface 15 is connected to the microphone 6 via an audio data conversion circuit 18.

This audio data conversion circuit 18 consists of a microphone 6°, a high frequency emphasis filter 191, a frequency analysis circuit section 20°, an A/D conversion converter 21, and a logarithmic conversion FROM 22.
Audio data input to the microphone 6 is converted into a predetermined digital signal using a well-known audio conversion technique and output to the I10 interface 15. The I10 interface 16 is connected to the keyboard 8, and provides data set by the keyboard 8 to the CPU10.

The I10 interface 17 is connected to the card reader 9, and the information input from the card reader 9 is transferred to the C
Give to PU10. In this case, the audio data conversion circuit 18 is input information notification means.

It is set in the take-out information instruction means, the cooking information instruction means, and the cooking date instruction means.

Further, the clock circuit 23 is configured to give an interrupt signal to the CPU 10, for example, at 8 am every day.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

A user who wants to use the storage management function of a refrigerator registers his/her own voice in advance. That is, the user sets the voice to be registered on the keyboard 8 and emits the voice into the microphone 6. Then, the CPU 10 inputs the audio data from the audio data conversion circuit 18, and stores the audio data in correspondence with the audio data set on the keyboard 8 in the SRAM 12.

Now, after setting all the audio data, the user sets a cooking menu indicating the unit food amount for one person of the dish to be cooked. In this case, the cooking menu can be set using either a voice input method or an input method using the card reader 9. Here, to set the cooking menu by voice input, first set the cooking menu reading mode on the keyboard 8, turn on the voice input switch on the keyboard 8, and speak the cooking menu to be cooked into the microphone 6. . That is, the user sequentially speaks into the microphone 6 the type of food required for cooking and the amount of food for one person. Then, the CPU 10 sets the interrupt prohibition state in step A1 of the main routine shown in FIG. 1, and determines YESJ in step A2 to execute the cooking menu reading subroutine.

That is, in FIG. 4 showing the cooking menu reading subroutine, the CPU 10 starts a timer count (step B1) and waits until the timer time ends (step B2). Then, when CPU10 determines that the audio input switch is turned on at the time when the timer count ends (step B3), step B4
After proceeding to the audio data conversion circuit] 8, the audio data is inputted, the audio data is compared with the audio data stored in the SRAM 12, the audio is recognized, and the audio data is displayed on the LCD 7 (step B5). . With the above operations, the human effort for the predetermined cooking menu is completed. When the CPU 10 determines that all settings have not been completed, the process moves from step B6 to step B7, resets the timer, and then returns to step B1.

In addition, in order to input the cooking menu settings using the card reader 9 instead of voice input, first set the cooking menu reading mode and then use the cooking menu card 24 (see Figure 3) in which the cooking menu is stored in the card reader 9. Insert.

Then, the CPU 1 ['1 determines that the voice input switch is off when the timer counts up, inputs the cooking menu from the card reader 9, and displays it on the LCD 7 (step B8).

Then, when the setting end key of the keyboard 8 is operated by the user after all the cooking menu settings have been completed by voice input or human power using the card reader 9 as described above, the CPU 10 moves from step B6 to step B9. SRA the food menu information that you have progressed and entered.
The data is transferred to M12 to be stored and the timer is reset (step B10) before returning to the main routine.

Next, when food necessary for cooking is put into the refrigerator compartment 3 for refrigerated storage, input information indicating the type and amount of the food is input. That is, when the input food reading mode is set using the keyboard 8, the CPU 10 determines rYEsJ in step A3 of the main routine, and executes the input food reading subroutine.

Now, when the user turns on the voice input switch and speaks into the microphone 6 the type and amount of input food, the CPU 10 switches the voice input switch in step C1 in the input food loading subroutine shown in FIG. It is determined that the clock is turned on, and the clock LSI 14
The time information indicating the current date and time is inputted from (Step C2), and the voice data from the voice data conversion circuit 18 is voice recognized (Step C3), and the date and time of food input, the input food, and the input amount are displayed on the LCD 7 ( Step C4).

Then, when it is set on the keyboard 8 that the settings for all input foods have been completed, the CPU 10 performs step C.
5, the process proceeds to step C6, where the input time information and input information are transferred to and stored in the SRAM 12, and then the process returns to the main routine.

Next, when checking whether the amount of food put in the refrigerator is sufficient for the amount of food required for cooking, the cooking menu instruction mode is set using the keyboard 8. Then, after setting whether or not the current day is to be cooked using the keyboard 8, the user speaks into the microphone 6 the menu of dishes to be cooked for one week and cooking information indicating the number of people eating the dish.

Now, when the cooking menu instruction mode is set, the CPU 10 issues "YE" in step A4 of the main routine.
sJ and executes a blue routine that instructs the cooking menu.

That is, in FIG. 6, which shows a blue routine for instructing the cooking menu, when CPtJlo determines that the voice input switch is turned on (step D1), it determines whether the cooking mill is set for today (step D2). If it is determined that the cooking mortar is set to today, the process proceeds from step D2 to step D3, where voice data is input from the voice data conversion circuit 18 for voice recognition, and time information is received from the clock LS 114. Enter (Step D)
4). Next, by referring to the cooking menu stored in the SRAM 12, the CPU 10 reads out the unit food amount corresponding to the type of food indicated by the voice input cooking information, and also reads out the unit food amount used and the number of people eating the voice input voice input. Calculate the required amount of food for each food by integrating (Step D5)
. Then, CPtJlo reads the input food amount of the food corresponding to the cooking menu to be cooked from the SRAM 12 (step DB), and then subtracts the required food amount from the read input food amount (step D7). At this time, if the calculated value is positive (f), that is, the amount of input food exceeds the required amount of food, it is determined that all the food necessary for the dish is sufficient (step D8), and the Types of food needed.

The usage amount and calories are displayed on the LCD 8 (step D9).

Then, when the user decides that the content displayed on the LCD is OK and sets it on the keyboard 8, the CPU10
By proceeding from step DIO to step D11, the calculation result is transferred to the SRAM 12, the input amount is updated, and the process returns to the main routine. Moreover, when the calculated value in step D8 is negative, that is, when the input food amount is insufficient than the required food amount, the CPU 1.0
The process moves from step D8 to step DI2, displays the type of food that is missing, the amount that is missing, and rNGJ, and then returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, when the user sets the keyboard to not cook today, the CPU 10 moves from step D2 to step D13 and inputs time information from the clock LSI 14, and also inputs time information from the audio data conversion circuit 18. Voice recognition of cooking menu, number of people eating, and scheduled cooking date. Subsequently, the CPU10 executes steps D15 to Dllll to determine whether the amount of input food is sufficient for the amount of food used. Then, when CPUIO determines that the amount of input food exceeds the required amount of food,
The process advances from step DI8 to step D19, displays the scheduled cooking date and cooking menu on the LCD 7, and then returns to the main routine. Further, if the input food amount is insufficient than the required food amount, steps D18 to D20 are performed.
FROM to set the appropriate storage period in response to food shortages.
1 and 1, and it is determined whether the cooking preparation period from the scheduled cooking date to today exceeds the appropriate storage period (step D21). If the scheduled cooking period exceeds the appropriate storage period, that is, if you put the missing food into the refrigerator today, and there is a risk that the quality of the food will deteriorate on the scheduled cooking date, the cooking schedule will be changed. (Step D22)
), the type and date of purchase of the missing food are displayed on the LCD 7 (step D23), and then the process returns to the main routine. In addition, if the cooking preparation period is shorter than the appropriate storage period, the type of food missing and the message "Purchase date is today" will be displayed on the LCD.
7 (step D24) and then returns to the main routine. In this case, the above step D14. D15 corresponds to the integrating means, and step D16. D17. D18.
D19. D23 corresponds to the shortage notification means, and
Step D20°D21. D22. D23 corresponds to the daily purchase report shortcut.

Next, when you take out the food to be used for cooking from the refrigerator compartment 3 (when you take out the food from the refrigerator compartment 3, it is assumed that the amount of old food that was put into the refrigerator compartment 3 is taken out), the takeout food mode is set. Set. That is, the user sets the taken-out food reading mode using the keyboard 8, turns on the voice input switch, and then speaks into the microphone 6 the type and amount of the taken-out food. Then, CPU10
is rY at step A5 in the main routine.
EsJ is determined and the subroutine for reading the food to be taken out is executed.

That is, when the CPU 10 determines that the voice input switch is turned on in the subroutine for reading the taken out food shown in FIG. At the same time as voice recognition of the voice data inputted from (step E3), the voice data is displayed on the LCD 7 (
Step E4). Then, when the CPU 10 has read all the take-out information regarding the taken-out food (step E
5) SR the input information of the same type of food as the food taken out.
, AM12 (step E6).

Then, CPU10 subtracts the input amount of the food in the order of the input date indicated by the input information (step E7).
, the subtracted value is transferred to the SRAM 1.2 and updated and stored (step E8), and then the process returns to the main routine. In this case, the above steps E3 and E5. E8. E7. E8 corresponds to the subtraction means.

Now, as a food management function of the refrigerator, there is a function that notifies the user of the type of food when the storage period of the food put into the refrigerator compartment 3 has exceeded the appropriate storage period. In other words, even if food is stored refrigerated, its quality usually deteriorates over time, so food should not be used after the appropriate storage period to guarantee its quality. It is recommended to dispose of it.

That is, at 8:00 a.m. every day, an interrupt signal is given from the clock circuit 23 to the CPU10. Then, the CPU
0, the inventory management interrupt subroutine is executed when the interrupt prohibition command is canceled in step 80 of the main routine.

That is, in the inventory management interrupt subroutine shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 10 inputs time information from the clock LS 114 (step F1), and calculates the storage period of each food item by subtracting the date of introduction of the food item from today's date. Calculate (step F2). Next, the CPU10 reads the appropriate storage period for each food item placed in the refrigerator compartment 3 from FROMI 1 (step F3), and determines whether the storage period for each food item exceeds the appropriate storage period (step F3). F4).

At this time, if the storage period is less than the appropriate storage period, the CPU 10 determines rNOJ in step F4 and returns to the main routine. In addition, if the storage period exceeds the appropriate storage period, that is, if there is a risk that the quality of the stored food has deteriorated below the usage limit, the oldest input amount of the food in question is deleted from the SRAM 12. At the same time as updating the data (step F5), an alarm message indicating that the type of deleted food, its deletion amount, and input amount have been updated is displayed on the LCD 7 (
Step FB) Return to the main routine.

Therefore, when the alarm message is displayed on the LCD 7, the user takes out a predetermined amount of the food displayed on the LCD 7 from inside the refrigerator and discards it. In this case, the above steps Fl and F2 correspond to calculation means, and step F
3. F4. F5. FB corresponds to the daily purchase notification means.

In short, according to the above embodiment, by simply speaking into the microphone 6 input information indicating information on the food to be placed in the refrigerator and removal information indicating information on the food to be removed, it is possible to identify the type of food currently placed in the refrigerator. Since the amount of input for each meal is displayed on the LCD 7, if you buy the missing food needed for cooking and add it to the refrigerator compartment 3, there is a problem that you will run out of food when cooking the food. does not occur. Therefore, unlike the conventional example in which it is difficult to check the amount of food placed in the refrigerator, desired dishes can be prepared without wasting food. Moreover, since input information and take-out information can be input by voice input, both children and elderly people can easily instruct information.

In addition, by instructing, for example, a week's worth of cooking menus through voice input, it is possible to determine the type of food needed for one week's worth of cooking that is in short supply compared to the food currently placed in the refrigerator, and the shortage of food. Since the amount is displayed on the LCD 7, by purchasing the insufficient amount of food in advance, it becomes possible to cook one week's worth of food without having too much or too little food.

Furthermore, based on the appropriate storage period of the food in shortage, the purchase date at which the quality of the food will not deteriorate before it is used for cooking is displayed on the LCD 7, so that the food in shortage can be stored on the designated purchase date. By purchasing and refrigerating the food afterward, you can use it for cooking with guaranteed quality food.

In addition, the type of food whose appropriate storage period has passed is displayed on the LCD 7 based on the storage period of the food.
By removing food that has exceeded its appropriate storage period from the refrigerator and disposing of it, food whose quality has deteriorated is no longer used for cooking. In this case, it goes without saying that by putting the same amount of food as the discarded food into the refrigerator and storing it in the refrigerator, it is possible to prepare a dish without using too much or too little food.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, various information is input manually by voice input, but instead of this, various information such as food input information may be input from the keyboard 8. Furthermore, although various information is displayed on the LCD 7, it may be configured to be notified by voice instead.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 1, since the type and amount of food stored in the refrigerator is notified by the input amount notification means, the amount of food currently stored in the refrigerator can be confirmed. can do.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 2, the type and amount of food that is in short supply is notified by the shortage notification means, so that by putting only the missing amount of food into the refrigerator, there is no excess or shortage of food. Can be cooked into dishes.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 3, the daily purchase notification means notifies the purchase outlet of the insufficient food, and by purchasing the insufficient food after the purchase outlet, food whose quality is guaranteed can be used for cooking. be able to.

In the case of the refrigerator according to claim 4, when the storage period of the food stored in the refrigerator exceeds the appropriate storage period, the type of the target food is notified by the alarm means. By disposing of food that has deteriorated, it is possible to prevent food whose quality has deteriorated from being used for cooking.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the main routine, FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator body, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the main parts.
FIGS. 4 to 8 are flowcharts showing each routine. In the figure, 2 is a refrigerating room (inside the warehouse), 7 is an LCD (input amount notification means, shortage notification means, fE purchase date notification means, alarm means),
10 is a CPU (input amount notification means, shortage notification means 2 purchase date notification means, alarm means, subtraction means, integration means, calculation means), 11 is FROM (storage period storage means), 12 is SRAM (input information storage means, 18 is an audio data conversion circuit (loading information indicating means, taking out information indicating means, cooking information indicating means, cooking date indicating means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Input information indicating means for instructing input information such as the type and amount of food input into the refrigerator, and each type of food indicated by the input information instructed by the input information indicating means. input information storage means for adding and storing the amount of food input into the refrigerator, a take-out information indicating means for instructing the type of food taken out from the refrigerator and take-out information for refrigerating the food; subtracting means for subtracting the amount to be taken out that is indicated by the said take-out information from the put-in amount stored in the put-in information storage means corresponding to the food indicated by the take-out information; A refrigerator characterized by comprising an input amount informing means for notifying the input amount of each food item. 2. A cooking information instruction means for instructing cooking information such as the type of cooking for a predetermined period and the number of people eating the dish, and a unit food that stores the unit food amount for one person of food required for cooking for each type. Amount storage means, a unit food amount stored in the unit food amount storage means corresponding to the type of dish indicated by the cooking information instructed by the cooking information instruction means, and the number of people eating the meal specified by the cooking information instruction means. an integrating means for integrating the integrated value of the integrating means and an input amount indicated by the input information stored in the input information storage means corresponding to the food indicated by the cooking information instructed by the cooking information instruction means; 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a shortage notification means for making a comparison and notifying the type of food in shortage and the amount of food shortage based on the comparison result. 3. Cooking date instruction means for instructing the scheduled cooking date of the dish, storage period storage means for storing the appropriate storage period for each food used in the dish, and cooking of dishes corresponding to the shortage of food indicated by the shortage notification means. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising purchase date notification means for notifying a date and time that is a proper storage period stored in the storage period storage device from the scheduled date. 4. A storage period storage means that stores the appropriate storage period for each food used in cooking, an input date storage means that stores the input date of each type of food, and an input date stored in the input date storage means. calculation means for calculating the storage period for each type of food indicated by the input information stored in the input information storage means based on the difference between the input information and the current date; and the storage period of the food determined by the calculation means corresponds to the food. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm means for notifying the type of the target food when the storage period exceeds the proper storage period stored in the storage period storage means.