JPH0835758A - Refrigerator with content control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily ascertain the information as to the contents in a refrigerator so as to make their control easy by a method wherein a display part is provided on the outside of the refrigerator door and, by using a content information input means, the user selects arbitrarily the information as to the individual contents, inputs such information for display on the display part and freely deletes or changes the information on the display part. CONSTITUTION:A display 12 is provided on the outside of the door of a refrigerator as the indicating part and the display contents of the display 12 freely changed by operating a content information input means 16 which is provided on an operating panel 14 to input and change the information as to the contents. The display contents are freely changed by following the operation procedures of a frequently used article input means 18 for inputting and changing the information as to the previously selected frequently used articles or a display instructing means 20 for instructing a rewritable memory 26 to display a predetermined information of its stored information. The displaying and its switching on the display 12 are effected by CPU22 and CPU22 activates the memory 26 to store the input date and hour based on the output of a timer 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a system useful for easily recognizing information on the contents stored in the refrigerator and effectively managing the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators or refrigerators with freezing compartments are widely used in various research institutes including general households. That is, refrigerators are used for cold storage of food in general households, and for cold storage of research subjects and samples. In such refrigerators, various improvements have been made to enable long-term storage of stored items, and computers have been introduced to improve usability and perform more delicate cooling control. But,
Refrigerators are basically used by opening and closing, and even with precise control, if the number of times of opening and closing or the opening time exceeds a certain level, the storage capacity is unavoidable.
Therefore, it is necessary to reduce unnecessary opening and closing and to reduce the open state.

On the other hand, a change in lifestyle caused by an increase in so-called co-income households has led to a tendency for bulk buying, and in response to this, the size of refrigerators has been increased. Storage of stored items in the refrigerating room has a certain limit even if a good cooling state is maintained, and it is necessary to use them up by a certain period. That is, it is necessary to temporally manage the contents stored in the refrigerator, but in the past, this management is based on the memory of the refrigerator user or the checking operation when the door is opened. Further, even in the use of a refrigerator in a research facility or an experimental facility, it is necessary to temporally manage specimen samples, but inventory management is separately performed by using a computer or a ledger.

[0004]

It is extremely difficult to complete the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator stored items under management. In other words, the memory of items stored in the refrigerator fades over time, and items in a recessed position that cannot be seen when the refrigerator door is opened may be left unnoticed until the expiration date. Is high. This is becoming more likely to occur under the circumstances of larger refrigerators and bulk buying. Further, the management of the refrigerator storage in the experimental facility and the like must be separately managed by a computer, which makes the management work complicated. Further, when storing food in the freezer, since the stored items are in a frozen state, it is difficult to recognize what they are by simply opening the refrigerator door and looking at those items. Therefore, the stored items are often forgotten and the items are not effectively utilized.

Under such circumstances, there is a technique in which the contents stored in the refrigerator are managed by a computer.
-39882 is disclosed. The refrigerator disclosed herein includes a reading device for reading food information displayed on food, a display device for displaying food information, and a control means for controlling the display of food information on the display device. However, in this technique, although the stored items are managed by the computer, the information displayed on the food itself is read as it is (in the embodiment, it is read by the image scanner). Information that is not displayed cannot be entered and managed. Reading with an image scanner can be done with a simple operation,
It is impossible for the user to input arbitrary information about the food made by himself or to read and input the information for vegetables or fruits without external display. Further, even if the food is labeled, the labeling is not necessarily unified information, and the information described differs depending on the type of food. Therefore, it is practically difficult to use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above various circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to allow a user to input arbitrary information regarding a stored item and to manage the stored item by simplifying the input work as much as possible. It is to provide a refrigerator with a storage management system that can be effectively used.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator with a stored contents management system according to claim 1 is a display having various types of information in a refrigerator having a refrigerating room and / or a freezing room. Section, input information for inputting arbitrarily selected information (storage information) and deleting / changing the input information for each storage, and pre-selected from items with high storage frequency The frequent item input means for inputting or changing one or more items of information (frequent item information) with one touch, predetermined information prepared in advance, and stored item information inputted by each of the input means, A storage unit that rewritably stores the product information, a display instruction unit that instructs the display unit to display predetermined information among the information stored in the storage unit, and a timer that measures the date and time. Mer, stored in the storage unit of the input operation during time by the respective input means based on the information of the timer, display of the display unit of the information stored in the storage unit,
A CPU for controlling each operation of reading the contents corresponding to the instruction from the display instructing unit from the storage unit and displaying the readout information on the display unit, and at least the storage item information input unit and the frequent item input The means and the display instruction means are installed on the outer surface of the refrigerator door.

Further, in the refrigerator with a contents management system according to a second aspect of the present invention, when the instruction by the display instructing means causes a display instruction of all list information of the inputted contents and a list of items of the expired items. It is characterized by including a display instruction.

Further, in the refrigerator with a contents management system according to a third aspect, the predetermined information stored in the storage unit is a combination of a plurality of items and a selectable food menu corresponding to the combination. Including information, said CPU
It is characterized in that a dish menu that can be selected based on all item information stored in the storage unit or item information after the expiration date is read from the dish menu information and displayed on the display unit.

[0010]

According to the refrigerator with a stored item management system according to the first aspect, the user uses the stored item information input means at the outer surface portion of the door of the refrigerator, and the user arbitrarily selects each stored item. You can enter the determined information and delete or change. Therefore, it is not limited to the information displayed on each food and the like, and it is possible to perform various information input operations for foods without such a display. For frequently stored items, frequent item information stored in advance in the storage unit can be used and one-touch input can be performed using the frequent item input means. Therefore, by preliminarily storing a plurality of types of items as frequent item information, the work of the input person becomes very simple. For example,
By storing the product name and its shelf life as the frequent item information, the necessary items can be input with one-touch operation.

Regarding the input stored item information and frequent item information, the desired information is read out by the CPU based on the instruction from the display instructing means, and a predetermined display is performed on the display section. In addition, the refrigerator system of the present invention has a timer, and the CPU stores the input operation date and time by each input means in the storage unit according to this timer information. It is automatically stored. Therefore, the input operation by the input means is extremely simple. The display on the display section allows the user to confirm information about the stored items in the refrigerator without opening the door, and the input operation can also be performed on the outer surface portion of the refrigerator door. Since it is possible, this work can be easily performed when the stored items are moved in and out of the refrigerator.

Next, according to the refrigerator with a stored-item management system according to the second aspect, it is possible to display a list of all names of stored items and a list of names of products that have passed the expiration date by the display instructing means. This can be easily achieved by using arbitrarily input stored item information or frequent item information as a typical and average “product name” and “best before date”. This allows you to easily and reliably know the existence of items in the refrigerator that are difficult to see or those that have passed their shelf life, so you can eliminate the waste of your products and contribute to their exhaustion during the shelf life. can do.

Further, according to the refrigerator with a stored-item management system according to a third aspect, the above-mentioned menu information is stored in the storage unit in advance, and it is possible to select using the stored-item information stored by the CPU. The menu can be displayed on the upper display. That is, it is possible to read out a selectable food menu corresponding to this from the full product name list or the expiration date elapsed product name list and display it on the display unit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of a refrigerator 10 with a stored item management system according to an embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 10 has both a refrigerating room and a freezing room, and is equipped with a storage management system as shown in the figure. First, the display 12
For example, a liquid crystal display is used, and the refrigerator door 10a
It is installed in a position that can be easily recognized from the outside of the outer surface of the. Similarly, the operation unit 1 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator door 10a.
4 is installed so that it can be operated from the outside. The operation unit 14 includes a storage item information input unit 16 and a frequent item information input unit 18.
And a display instruction means 20 are included. Each of the above components 1
2 to 20 are connected to the CPU 22 through a connecting means such as an interface (not shown), and the CPU 22 is further connected to a timer 24 and a memory 26.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment, showing an example of installation of the above-mentioned components on the refrigerator door 10a. In this embodiment, each input means is displayed on the operation panel 13 and the display 12. That is, the stored item information input means 16 is configured by the pen input section 30 of the operation panel 13 and predetermined input and change / delete keys.

The frequent item information input means 18 is composed of a portion displayed as a frequent item key 32 on the display 12 and a predetermined key of the operation panel 13. For example, six or more frequent item keys 32 are displayed. Here, the names of frequently-stored products that the user has input in advance and stored in the memory 26 are key-displayed. Further, the display instruction means 20 is provided on the operation panel 13 as various display instruction keys 34. That is, the user can use the pen input unit 30 on the operation panel 13, predetermined keys, and the display key on the display 12 to perform various inputs, deletions, and display instructions.

FIG. 3 shows a structural example of the operation panel 13. As shown in the figure, the pen input unit 30 is provided with three input spaces 40, and any number or character can be written in the input space 40 by the pen 38 held by the pen holding unit 36 of the refrigerator door 10a. it can. By using the pen input means in this way, it becomes possible for an elderly person who is not good at computer operation to easily input the stored item information. On the operation panel 13, a key 4 for instructing whether it is a refrigerating room or a freezing room
2, 44, and an input key 46 and a delete key 48 for instructing input and deletion, respectively, are provided, and the pen input space 40 and each of the keys 42 to 48 constitute the stored item information input means 16.

Next, on the operation panel 13, as a display instructing means 20, an all-list instruction key 50 for instructing the display of the entire list of stored items on the display 12, and a list of the names of stored items after the expiration date. An expired list instruction key 52 for displaying on the display 12 is provided. Furthermore, a single-use menu key 54 is used as a key for exerting other functions, and a message board key 5 is a key for causing the display 12 to function as a message board.
6 and an automatic erase key 58 for automatically erasing its contents, a notice lamp 6 for notifying that there is a message
0, and a memo key 62 for using the display 12 as a memo space is provided.

A frequent item rewriting key 64 for rewriting information about frequent items designated by a frequent item input key, which will be described later, is provided. In addition, as shown in the figure, in addition to the key for exerting the main function, each key 66, 68 for rolling up and rolling down the display content and a cursor key 70 for moving the cursor are provided as auxiliary keys. Has been done. Note that an automatic display key 53 is provided as a key for automatically displaying the list of product names after the expiration date during a predetermined time period.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of display contents on the display 12. As shown, display 12
A frequent item input key 32 is displayed at the lower position.
That is, the finger or the pen 3 directly on the display 12
By touching on item 8, frequent item information can be automatically input. The frequent items input by the frequent item input key 32 can be changed by the frequent item rewriting key 64 described above. Further, although the six frequent item input keys 32 are provided in this embodiment, it is possible to set a larger number of frequent item keys, which makes the input operation easier.

In the upper position of the display 12,
As an example, the entire list of input items is displayed. This display shows the food name, quantity, storage date, and best-before date. Even when the entire list is displayed in this way, a predetermined display (star) is displayed on the left side of the expired food name so that the expired product can be easily recognized. When the expiration date list instruction key 52 is used to instruct the display of the expiration date elapsed product name list, only the expiration date expired items are displayed on the screen.

Next, the actual operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described. [Storing registration operation] First, the pen 38 is brought into contact with each of the keys 42 or 44 in the refrigerating room or the freezing room (hereinafter, simply “press”).
That is) specified. Next, the input work of the item to be stored is performed. When the item is present in the frequent item input key 32 shown on the display 12, the frequent item input on the display 12 is directly performed by the pen 38. Press the key 32 to make the input. In this case, information such as the product name is automatically input. Although the writing of the frequent item information will be described later, for example, by inputting the expiration date information in addition to the product name, the input information becomes the display target by the expiration list instruction key 52. If the item is not found in the frequent item input key, input space 40
The item name is written with the pen 38, and the input is performed by pressing the input key 46 once. At this time, enter only the product name and enter
Then, the storage date and time measured by the timer is automatically registered by the CPU.

When the quantity is to be registered in addition to the product name, it is possible to enter the number in the input space 40 after the "product name", and then press the input key 32 to register the number of pieces or the number of grams. it can. Further, when inputting the best-before period, the last day of the best-before period is displayed by inputting a number indicating that period with a pen and pressing the input key 46 again. Alternatively, it is possible to directly input the end date of the expiration date of XX month. For items that do not require a particular period, registration is performed as is by pressing only the input key 46 again. Note that the pen input operation is similar to the pen input work that is generally performed,
A general input mechanism is also used.

[Delete / Change Storage Items] Key 4 indicates whether the storage items to be deleted or changed are in the refrigerating room or in the freezing room.
Specify with 2, 44. Next, the all list instruction key 50 or the expired list instruction key 52 is pressed to display on the display 12 a list of all the stored items in the designated refrigerating room or freezing room or a list of names of products that have passed the expiration date. Then, by using the roll up / roll down keys 66, 68 and the cursor key 70, the cursor is moved to the * mark or star mark at the left end of the item to be deleted or changed, and the delete key 48 is pressed to delete the information. Further, in the case of a change, for example, when changing the quantity display, move the cursor to the number portion, delete with the delete key 48, and enter a new quantity with the input key 46 to make the change. Be seen.

[Display Operation on Display] Similar to the above-described operation, first, the refrigerating room or the freezing room is designated, and then the all list instruction key 50 or the expired list instruction key 52 is pressed to store the contents. The entire list (display as described above) or the item list for which the expiration date has passed is displayed. In particular, when displaying the list of items that have passed the expiration date, if you press the automatic display key 53 and then specify the time from () hour to () hour in the input space 40, it will automatically expire only in that time zone. It is possible to display a list. This gives, for example,
By automatically displaying during the time when preparations for food preparation are made, the user can check expired items without forgetting.

[Use-up menu operation] First, the entire list or the expired list is displayed by the above operation. Then, the single-use menu key 54 is pressed, and then the cursor is moved to the star mark or * mark on the list and the input key 46 is pressed. By performing this operation for each item to be used and further pressing the input key 46, a corresponding food menu is displayed on the display 12 from the food menus stored in the storage unit in advance. This function facilitates effective use of expired items.

[Writing / Rewriting Operation of Frequently Used Product Information] First, the cursor is moved to a position of a key for new designation or rewriting of the frequently used product input keys 32 constantly displayed on the display 12. Then, a new item is written in the input space 40 with the pen 38, and the input key 46 is pressed to write it. Further, when inputting the best-before period, the best-before period is stored by inputting a number indicating the period with a pen and pressing the input key 46 again. In that case, it is preferable to input the general shelf life of the frequent item as the shelf life. For example, an average period of days for milk and days for beef. If the period does not need to be registered, the input key 46 is pressed again to register the period as it is, and the rewriting or writing operation of the frequent item is completed. In this way, by inputting the expiry date in the frequent item information, it is possible to perform registration that is also useful for expiry date management by the operation of pressing the key once. It should be noted that the number of frequent items stored in the refrigerator in a general household is approximately 20 items from 15 items, and if the number of the frequent item input keys 32 is set to about 15, the input operation is greatly simplified. .

[Message board operation] First, the message board key 56 is pressed, and then the input space 40 and the input key 4 are input in the same manner as above.
It is possible to write a message using 6. At this time, by pressing the attention lamp key 60, the key portion can be made to blink. Therefore, the user can know from the blinking that some message has been input. Then, the message can be called by pressing the message board key 56, and the blinking can be ended by calling the message or pressing the attention lamp key 60 again. It is also possible to press the automatic delete key 58 and input a number indicating the number of days after which the message will be deleted, so that the message contents can be automatically deleted after the number of days of the number.

[Memo input operation] By pressing the memo key 62 and using the input space 40 and the input key 46, it is possible to write down predetermined information regarding each stored item and the like.
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily input the arbitrary stored item information that the user wants to input by performing the pen input operation on the portion of the input space 40 without performing a complicated key operation. it can. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the input operation of predetermined information even for home-made foods (cakes, vegetables, etc.) that do not have any information displayed on the foods themselves.

The frequent item input key 32 allows one-touch input for items that are frequently taken in and out, and the troublesome input work can be considerably eliminated by this key. Then, by displaying the input information as a list or using a menu display that can be effectively used, the usage management of the stored items can be easily performed. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. In the above embodiment, the input means of the stored items is the pen input using the input space 40 in consideration of the ease of input,
Not limited to such input, it is also possible to install a character keyboard at the door and press the keyboard as long as it is a means for inputting any information of the user. .

[Display Automatic Control by CPU] CPU22
In addition to those mentioned above, display 1 such as date display
It is set to perform various automatic display for the display on 2. However, for example, when the whole list is displayed, for items before the expiration date, * is displayed before the product name and the timer 24 Based on the information, it also controls to automatically change it to a star mark at the same time as the expiration date.

[0033]

As described above, according to the refrigerator with a storage management system of the present invention, the difficulty of recognizing the storage due to the increase in the storage space is solved, and the effective use and management of the storage are facilitated. Can be converted. In other words, it is possible to easily input arbitrary stored item information using the input keys or one-touch input keys, and to perform computer management of all items by displaying the input information as an image. It is an attached refrigerator.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view of a refrigerator door of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of key arrangement on an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerator 12 Display 14 Operation panel 16 Storage item information input means 18 Frequent article information input means 20 Display instruction means 22 CPU 24 Timer 26 Memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a refrigerator having a refrigerating room and / or a freezing room, a display unit for displaying various information images, and input and input of information (storage information) arbitrarily selected and determined for each storage Stored item information input means for deleting / changing information, and frequent items for inputting or changing information (frequent item information) of one or more items selected in advance from frequently stored items with one touch An input unit, a storage unit that rewritably stores the predetermined information prepared in advance, the stored item information and the frequent item information input by each of the input units, and a predetermined unit of the information stored in the storage unit. Display instruction means for instructing to display information on the display section, a timer for measuring date and time, and a storage section for storing the date and time of the input operation by each of the input means based on the information of the timer For controlling the operation of storing the information stored in the storage unit, displaying the information stored in the storage unit on the display unit, reading the contents corresponding to the instruction from the display instructing unit from the storage unit, and displaying the read information on the display unit. A refrigerator with a contents management system, comprising: a CPU for performing, and at least the contents information input means, the frequent item input means, and the display instruction means are installed on the outer surface of the refrigerator door. 2. The instruction by the display instructing means includes an instruction to display information on a list of all product names of the stored items and an instruction to display a list of item names of stored items after the expiration date. Refrigerator with the storage management system described in. 3. The predetermined information stored in advance in the storage unit includes a combination of a plurality of items and selectable food menu information corresponding to the combination, and the CPU stores in the storage unit. The stored food management according to claim 2, wherein a selectable food menu is read from the food menu information and displayed on the display unit, based on the selected all-item information or the expiration date elapsed item information. Refrigerator with system.