NZ740159A - Refrigerator - Google Patents
Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ740159A NZ740159A NZ740159A NZ74015915A NZ740159A NZ 740159 A NZ740159 A NZ 740159A NZ 740159 A NZ740159 A NZ 740159A NZ 74015915 A NZ74015915 A NZ 74015915A NZ 740159 A NZ740159 A NZ 740159A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- led
- image
- color
- controller
- vegetable compartment
- Prior art date
Links
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 92
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 230000027288 circadian rhythm Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 235000011301 Brassica oleracea var capitata Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 240000008067 Cucumis sativus Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000010799 Cucumis sativus var sativus Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 244000061458 Solanum melongena Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000002597 Solanum melongena Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000251468 Actinopterygii Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000007124 Brassica oleracea Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000003899 Brassica oleracea var acephala Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000001169 Brassica oleracea var oleracea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000178937 Brassica oleracea var. capitata Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010149 Brassica rapa subsp chinensis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000000536 Brassica rapa subsp pekinensis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000499436 Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis Species 0.000 description 1
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000009337 Spinacia oleracea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000300264 Spinacia oleracea Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930002875 chlorophyll Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 235000019804 chlorophyll Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ATNHDLDRLWWWCB-AENOIHSZSA-M chlorophyll a Chemical compound C1([C@@H](C(=O)OC)C(=O)C2=C3C)=C2N2C3=CC(C(CC)=C3C)=[N+]4C3=CC3=C(C=C)C(C)=C5N3[Mg-2]42[N+]2=C1[C@@H](CCC(=O)OC\C=C(/C)CCC[C@H](C)CCC[C@H](C)CCCC(C)C)[C@H](C)C2=C5 ATNHDLDRLWWWCB-AENOIHSZSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012041 food component Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021384 green leafy vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000029553 photosynthesis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010672 photosynthesis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002834 transmittance Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B29/00—Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
- F25D27/005—Lighting arrangements combined with control means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B15/00—Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
- G03B15/02—Illuminating scene
- G03B15/03—Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
- F25D25/025—Drawers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Color Television Image Signal Generators (AREA)
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided with a first LED (21), a second LED (22), an image acquisition device (24), a memory (27), and a control device (15). The first LED (21) and the second LED (22) project light beams of different wavelength bands into a vegetable compartment. The image acquisition device (24) acquires an image of the vegetable compartment. A reference image is stored in the memory (27). The control device (15) controls the first LED (21) and the second LED (22), and minimizes the difference between the color of the reference image stored in the memory (27) and the color of the image acquired by the image acquisition device (24).
Description
DESCRIPTION
TITLE: REFRIGERATOR
FIELD
The present invention relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
PTL 1 describes a refrigerator. The refrigerator described in PTL 1 includes a
camera and a light. In the refrigerator described in PTL 1, the light is turned on when a
picture of the inside of the refrigerator is taken by the camera.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[PTL 1]
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
When an LED is adopted as a light used inside a refrigerator, white light is made
by mixing multiple colors of light, for example. For this reason, reduction in the
amount of a certain colored light changes the overall color of the light. For example, an
LED that emits blue light emits a slight amount of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light
deteriorates resin encapsulating an LED chip, and lowers transmittance. When the
amount of only the blue light is reduced, the light turns into a yellowish color as a whole.
Hence, when a picture of vegetables in a vegetable compartment is taken by a camera, the
color of an image of the vegetables appears different from the actual color of the
vegetables.
The present invention is made in order to solve the above problem. An object of
the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can reduce a difference between the
color of an image to be acquired and the actual color of vegetables in a vegetable
compartment.
Solution to Problem
A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a first LED configured
to emit light of a first wavelength band into a vegetable compartment, a second LED
configured to emit light of a second wavelength band into the vegetable compartment, the
second wavelength band being different from the first wavelength band, an image
acquiring device configured to acquire an image of the vegetable compartment, a
memory in which a reference image is stored, and a controller configured to control the
first LED and the second LED, to reduce a difference between a color of the reference
image stored in the memory and a color of an image to be acquired by the image
acquiring device.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
A refrigerator according to the present invention includes a first LED, a second
LED, and a controller. The first LED and the second LED emit light into a vegetable
compartment. The controller controls the first LED and the second LED, to reduce a
difference between the color of a reference image stored in a memory and the color of an
image to be acquired by an image acquiring device. The refrigerator of the present
invention can reduce a difference between the color of an image to be acquired and the
actual color of vegetables in a vegetable compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION of DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a section of a refrigerator of a first embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection among devices included in
the refrigerator.
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the refrigerator of the first
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of a timing chart during the operation of the refrigerator
illustrated in Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Redundant descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the
drawings, same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts.
First Embodiment
Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a section of a refrigerator 1 of a first embodiment of
the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection among
devices included in the refrigerator 1. First, an overall configuration of the refrigerator
1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The refrigerator 1 includes a main
body 2, doors 8 to 11, an operation panel 12, a controller 15, an opening and closing
sensor 16, a compressor 17, a cooler 18, a blower 19, a light emitter 20, a camera 24, and
a standard color plate 28, for example.
Multiple compartments for storing food and the like are formed in the main body 2.
For example, a refrigerating compartment 3, a temperature-switching compartment 4, an
ice-making compartment (not shown), a freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable
compartment 6 are formed in the main body 2. The compartments formed in the main
body 2 are partitioned by heat insulating material such as urethane foam. The number,
type, and arrangement of compartments formed in the main body 2 are not limited to
those of the example illustrated in Fig. 1.
The refrigerating compartment 3 is a compartment having the largest capacity, for
example. The refrigerating compartment 3 may include a chill room 7. The chill room
7 is a compartment for storing meat and fish. The refrigerating compartment 3 is
opened and closed by the door 8.
The operation panel 12 is provided on a front face of the door 8, for example.
The operation panel 12 may be provided on another door or on the main body 2. The
operation panel 12 includes an input portion 13 and a notification portion 14, for example.
A user inputs information by operating the input portion 13. For example, the user
operates the input portion 13 to set the temperature of each compartment. The
notification portion 14 notifies the user. For example, a display and a speaker are
included as the notification portion 14 in the operation panel 12. The operation panel 12
is electrically connected to the controller 15.
The temperature-switching compartment 4 is a compartment whose temperature is
switchable. For example, multiple temperatures are registered in advance in the
controller 15, as preset temperatures of the temperature-switching compartment 4. The
user operates the input portion 13 of the operation panel 12, for example, to select a
preset temperature of the temperature-switching compartment 4. The temperature-
switching compartment 4 is opened and closed by the door 9. The ice-making
compartment is a compartment for making and storing ice. The ice-making
compartment is arranged adjacent to the temperature-switching compartment 4.
The freezer compartment 5 is a compartment for freezing food and the like. The
temperature of the freezer compartment 5 is kept below freezing temperature, for
example. The freezer compartment 5 is opened and closed by the door 10.
The vegetable compartment 6 is a compartment for storing vegetables and the like.
A large beverage container may be stored in the vegetable compartment 6. For example,
a two-liter plastic bottle may be stored in the vegetable compartment 6. The vegetable
compartment 6 is opened and closed by the door 11.
An opening and closing sensor is provided on each of the doors 8 to 11. For
example, the opening and closing sensor 16 is provided on the door 11 of the vegetable
compartment 6. The opening and closing sensor 16 detects an open or closed state of
the door 11. The result of detection by the opening and closing sensor 16 is input into
the controller 15. The controller 15 counts the time during which the door 11 is open,
on the basis of the result detected by the opening and closing sensor 16. The controller
may count the time during which the door 11 is closed. The controller 15 uses the
counted time as a control parameter to perform various controls. For example, upon
determination that the door 11 has been open for not shorter than a first reference time,
the controller 15 performs notification through the notification portion 14 of the operation
panel 12. For example, the controller 15 sets off a beeper or a chime provided as the
notification portion 14. This gives a warning to the user.
The compressor 17 and the cooler 18 constitute a part of a refrigeration cycle
included in the refrigerator 1. The compressor 17, the cooler 18, and the blower 19 are
electrically connected to the controller 15. An operation of the blower 19 generates
airflow inside the refrigerator 1. This causes air cooled by the cooler 18 to pass through
an air duct and be sent into each compartment. An air outlet for taking in cold air is
formed in each compartment. Food and the like stored in the compartment is cooled by
the cold air taken into the compartment through the air outlet. Air warmed by cooling
food and the like in each compartment enters a return duct from an air inlet. The air
having passed through the return duct reaches the cooler 18, and is cooled again by
passing through the cooler 18.
The controller 15 controls operations of the compressor 17, the cooler 18, and the
blower 19. For example, a temperature sensor (not shown) is provided in each
compartment formed in the main body 2. The temperature sensor is a thermistor for
temperature detection, for example. Temperature information detected by the
temperature sensor is input into the controller 15. The controller 15 controls operations
of the compressor 17, the cooler 18, and the blower 19 on the basis of information input
from the temperature sensor and information input from the operation panel 12, for
example. The controller 15 also controls operation of a damper (not shown) that opens
and closes an air course.
The controller 15 may exchange information with an external device. For
example, the controller 15 receives a signal for changing the preset temperature from an
external device. The controller 15 may receive a signal for checking the state inside the
refrigerator from an external device. Examples of an external device include a
smartphone.
The light emitter 20 emits light into the vegetable compartment 6. The light
emitter 20 is provided in the vegetable compartment 6, for example. The light emitter
is provided on a back wall face of wall faces constituting the vegetable compartment 6.
The light emitter 20 is electrically connected to the controller 15. The controller 15
controls the light emitter 20. The light emitter 20 includes an LED 21, an LED 22, and
an LED 23, for example. LED is short for Light Emitting Diode.
The LED 21 emits blue light. For example, the LED 21 emits light of a
wavelength band of 430 nm to 500 nm. The blue light from the LED 21 is emitted into
the vegetable compartment 6. The LED 22 emits green light. For example, the LED
22 emits light of a wavelength band of 500 nm to 550 nm. The green light from the
LED 22 is emitted into the vegetable compartment 6. The LED 23 emits red light. For
example, the LED 23 emits light of a wavelength band of 600 nm to 780 nm. The red
light from the LED 23 is emitted into the vegetable compartment 6.
The controller 15 can control the LED 21, the LED 22, and the LED 23 separately.
When the LED 21, the LED 22, and the LED 23 are all simultaneously turned on at their
ratings, white light, for example, is emitted from the light emitter 20. The light emitter
may be configured of the LED 21, the LED 22, and the LED 23 as one package. For
example, a tri-color LED having an excellent color rendering property may be adopted as
the light emitter 20. Instead, each of the LED 21, the LED 22, and the LED 23 may be
configured as one package.
The camera 24 takes a picture of the vegetable compartment 6. The camera 24 is
an example of an image acquiring device that acquires an image of the vegetable
compartment 6. The image acquiring device is not limited to the camera 24. The
camera 24 is provided in the vegetable compartment 6, for example. The camera 24 is
provided on the back wall face of wall faces constituting the vegetable compartment 6.
The camera 24 is electrically connected to the controller 15. The controller 15 controls
the camera 24. Information on an image of the vegetable compartment 6 taken by the
camera 24 is input into the controller 15.
The light emitter 20 is turned on according to the circadian rhythm of vegetables,
for example. This can suppress degradation of vegetables stored in the vegetable
compartment 6. For example, blue light has an effect of opening stomata in green leafy
vegetables. Green light and red light are absorbed in chlorophyll. For this reason,
green light and red light have an effect of increasing nutritional components through
photosynthesis. By turning on the light emitter 20, biosynthesis of the vegetables can be
prompted. The light emitter 20 is also turned on when a picture of the vegetable
compartment 6 is taken by the camera 24, for example.
The controller 15 has, as a hardware resource, processing circuitry including an
input-output interface 25, a processor 26, and a memory 27. The controller 15
implements each function by causing the processor 26 to execute a program stored in the
memory 27.
For example, the controller 15 has a function of turning on the light emitter 20
according to the circadian rhythm of vegetables. The controller 15 also has a function
of detecting degradation of vegetables on the basis of an image of the vegetable
compartment 6 taken by the camera 24. For example, the controller 15 calculates
variation in the color of vegetables. For example, a color list is stored in the memory 27.
The controller 15 calculates variation in the color of a vegetable, by comparing the color
of an image of the vegetable compartment 6 taken by the camera 24 and a color included
in the color list. The controller 15 may calculate variation in the position of vegetables.
The controller 15 also has a function of adjusting the light emitter 20 and the camera 24
on the basis of the color of an image of the vegetable compartment 6 taken by the camera
24. Functions of the controller 15 are not limited to these examples.
The standard color plate 28 is provided in the vegetable compartment 6. The
camera 24 takes a picture of the standard color plate 28. The surface of the standard
color plate 28 is preferably white. Note, however, that the color of the surface of the
standard color plate 28 is not limited to white. The surface of the standard color plate
28 may be green or yellow, for example. The color of the surface of the standard color
plate 28 may be a color similar to vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment 6.
For example, a lower container 29 and an upper container 30 are provided in the
vegetable compartment 6. The lower container 29 and the upper container 30 are
containers for storing food and the like. A bottom face of the lower container 29 is
arranged in a position lower than a bottom face of the upper container 30. The standard
color plate 28 is arranged in a position where a picture of its surface can be taken by the
camera 24, even when food and the like is stored in the lower container 29 and the upper
container 30. For example, the standard color plate 28 is provided on a lower face of
the upper container 30.
A reference image is stored in the memory 27. The reference image is an image
used when determining whether the light emitter 20 and the camera 24 need to be
adjusted. For example, an image of the standard color plate 28 taken in advance by the
camera 24 is stored as the reference image in the memory 27. The reference image is
registered in the memory 27 before shipment of the refrigerator 1, for example.
Next, an operation of the refrigerator 1 will be described by also referring to Figs.
3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the refrigerator 1 of the first
embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a diagram of a timing chart during the
operation of the refrigerator 1 illustrated in Fig. 3.
In the refrigerator 1, an operation for cooling each compartment is performed.
Additionally, in the refrigerator 1, control is performed to turn on the light emitter 20
according to the circadian rhythm of vegetables, for example. Fig. 4 illustrates an
example in which control is performed to turn on the light according to the circadian
rhythm of vegetables at time t .
The controller 15 determines whether a start condition is met (S1). The start
condition is a condition for starting to determine whether the light emitter 20 and the
camera 24 need to be adjusted. For example, the start condition is met when the door 11
of the vegetable compartment 6 is opened and then closed. The controller 15 detects
opening and closing of the door 11 on the basis of a result of detection by the opening
and closing sensor 16. For example, the controller 15 detects opening of the door 11 at
time t . The controller 15 detects closing of the door 11 at time t . Upon detection of
opening and then closing of the door 11, the controller 15 determines that the start
condition is met. Other conditions may be adopted as the start condition. For example,
the start condition may be met when a user performs a certain operation on the input
portion 13 of the operation panel 12.
When the start condition is met in S1, the controller 15 determines whether the
light emitter 20 and the camera 24 need to be adjusted. If they need to be adjusted, the
controller 15 controls the light emitter 20 and the camera 24 to change the LED lighting
state and shooting conditions of the camera 24. Specific contents of control are as
follows.
The controller 15 first takes a picture of the standard color plate 28 by the camera
24 (S2). When a picture is taken by the camera 24, the light emitter 20 is turned on.
For example, a current having a current value A flows through the LED 21. A rated
current flows through the LED 22 and the LED 23.
The controller 15 detects a color of an image (acquired image) of the standard
color plate 28 acquired in S2 (S3). Next, the controller 15 compares the color of the
acquired image detected in S3 and the color of a reference image stored in the memory 27.
For example, the controller 15 compares the colors on the basis of the following formula
(S4).
SC-SC_ini < SC_limit ...(1)
Here,
SC: color of image of standard color plate 28 taken by camera 24,
SC_ini: color of reference image, and
SC_limit: limit of difference.
The limit of difference SC_limit is stored in advance in the memory 27.
For example, in S3, the controller 15 digitizes the color of the image of the
standard color plate 28 according to the L*a*b* display system. In this case, the color
of the reference image stored in the memory 27 is digitized according to the L*a*b*
display system. In the L*a*b* display system, chromaticity is represented by a*b*.
For example, in S4, the controller 15 determines whether the following formula is true.
SC(a*)-SC_ini(a*) < SC_limit(a*) ...(2)
SC(b*)-SC_ini(b*) < SC_limit(b*) ...(3)
Formula 2 is true if the difference between a* of the acquired image and a* of the
reference image is smaller than a limit of difference SC_limit (a*) set for a*. Formula 3
is true if the difference between b* of the acquired image and b* of the reference image is
smaller than a limit of difference SC_limit (b*) set for b*.
Blue light having a short wavelength accelerates deterioration of resin. As an
example, assume a case where resin used in the LED 21 deteriorates and the amount of
blue light emitted from the LED 21 into the vegetable compartment 6 is reduced. If the
LED 22 and the LED 23 are not deteriorated, the amount of only the blue light is reduced,
whereby the standard color plate 28 turns into a yellowish color. Since a* represents the
chromaticity value in the red-green axis direction, a* of the acquired image does not
change from a* of the reference image, even when the light amount from the LED 21 is
reduced. That is, SC(a*)-SC_ini(a*)=0. In this case, formula 2 is true.
Meanwhile, since b* represents the chromaticity value in the yellow-blue axis
direction, b* of the acquired image does not coincide with b* of the reference image,
when the light amount from the LED 21 is reduced. Specifically, when resin used in the
LED 21 deteriorates, b* of the acquired image becomes larger than b* of the reference
image. If this difference is smaller than the limit of difference SC_limit(b*), formula 3
is true. If the difference is not smaller than the limit of difference SC_limit(b*), formula
3 is no longer true.
Unless one or both of formula 2 and formula 3 are true, the controller 15
determines that the chromaticity of the image of the standard color plate 28 to be taken by
the camera 24 needs to be adjusted to the chromaticity of the reference image. The
controller 15 controls the current flowing through each LED of the light emitter 20, for
example, to reduce the difference between the chromaticity of the image of the standard
color plate 28 to be taken by the camera 24 and the chromaticity of the reference image.
Thus, both of formula 2 and formula 3 are established (S5). In the above example, the
controller 15 reduces the current value of the LED 22 from the rated value to A . The
controller 15 reduces the current value of the LED 23 from the rated value to A . The
controller 15 does not change the current value of the LED 21 from A .
Additionally, in the L*a*b* display system, lightness is represented by L*. For
example, in S4, the controller 15 determines whether the following formula is true.
SC(L*)-SC_ini(L*) < SC_limit(L*) ...(4)
Formula 4 is true if the difference between L* of the acquired image and L* of the
reference image is smaller than a limit of difference SC_limit (L*) set for L*.
In the above example, the light amount from the LED 21 is reduced by
deterioration of resin. The light amount from the LED 22 is reduced by reducing the
current value. Similarly, the light amount from the LED 23 is reduced by reducing the
current value. Since the entire light amount from the light emitter 20 is reduced,
lightness of the acquired image is reduced. If formula 4 is not true, the controller 15
determines that the lightness of the image of the standard color plate 28 to be taken by the
camera 24 needs to be adjusted to the lightness of the reference image.
The controller 15 controls the exposure time of the camera 24, for example, to
reduce the difference between the lightness of the image of the standard color plate 28 to
be taken by the camera 24 and the lightness of the reference image. Thus, formula 4 is
established (S6). In the above example, the controller 15 changes the exposure time of
the camera 24 from E to E . Reference sign E denotes a time longer than E . This
1 2 2 1
increases the amount of light taken into the camera 24 when a picture is taken by the
camera 24. Adjustment of exposure time is effective when reduction of the focus area
of the camera 24 is not desirable.
The controller 15 may control the aperture of the camera 24, for example, to
reduce the difference between the lightness of the image of the standard color plate 28 to
be taken by the camera 24 and the lightness of the reference image. Thus, formula 4 is
established (S6). In the above example, the controller 15 changes the aperture of the
camera 24 from D to D . Reference sign D denotes a value smaller than D . This
2 1 1 2
increases the amount of light taken into the camera 24 when a picture is taken by the
camera 24. Adjustment of the aperture is effective when extended shooting time is not
desirable.
Upon determination at time t that formula 1 is true, the controller 15 starts
processing to detect degradation or the like of vegetables (S7). The processing is
performed on the basis of an image of the vegetable compartment 6 taken by the camera
24, for example. Note that the controller 15 may repeat the processing illustrated in S2
to S6 until formula 1 is established.
In the refrigerator 1 having the above functions, the controller 15 controls each
LED of the light emitter 20 to reduce the difference between the color of a reference
image stored in the memory 27 and the color of an image to be acquired by the image
acquiring device. For example, the controller 15 adjusts the current value flowing
through each LED of the light emitter 20, to reduce the difference between the
chromaticity of the reference image and the chromaticity of the image to be acquired by
the image acquiring device. Also, the controller 15 controls the image acquiring device,
to reduce the difference between the lightness of the reference image stored in the
memory 27 and the lightness of the image to be acquired by the image acquiring device.
The refrigerator 1 having the above functions can reduce the difference between the color
of an image to be acquired by the image acquiring device and the actual color of
vegetables in the vegetable compartment 6.
The embodiment describes an example of reducing both of the difference in
chromaticity and the difference in lightness, to bring the color of the image to be acquired
by the image acquiring device closer to the color of the reference image. The controller
may control each LED of the light emitter 20 to reduce only the difference in
chromaticity.
The embodiment describes an example of changing the exposure time or aperture
of the camera 24, to adjust the lightness (brightness) of the image to be acquired by the
image acquiring device. The controller 15 may change both of the exposure time and
aperture of the camera 24 to adjust the lightness. Also, the controller 15 may control
each LED of the light emitter 20 to adjust the lightness.
The standard color plate 28 of the embodiment is an example of a color reference
for comparing the color of an image acquired by the image acquiring device with the
color of a reference image. The color reference is not limited to the standard color plate
28. For example, a part of the lower container 29 or a part of the upper container 30
may be used as a color reference.
The embodiment describes an example of using the L*a*b* display system.
Other display systems may be used to digitize the color of the image. For example, the
XYZ display system may be used.
The embodiment describes an example of controlling turning on of the light
according to the circadian rhythm of vegetables. The LED to be turned on may be
selected depending on the kind of the vegetable stored in the vegetable compartment 6.
For example, vegetables such as fruit vegetables, root vegetables, and red cabbage have
no or less stomata. If there are only vegetables of this kind in the vegetable
compartment 6, the LED 21 need not be turned on except for when a picture is taken by
the camera 24.
When blue light hits a plant, the plant opens its stomata and takes in carbon
dioxide necessary for biosynthesis, from air. However, after the plant recognizes that it
has been irradiated with light, the plant need not be irradiated with the blue light. Hence,
if there are only leafy vegetables in the vegetable compartment 6, the LED 21 need not be
kept on, except for when a picture is taken by the camera 24. For example, lighting of
the LED 21 other than during a shooting time may be limited to 10 minutes per day.
When there are only thin leafy vegetables such as spinach and komatsuna in the
vegetable compartment 6, the amount of red light having a high absorptivity on the
surface of a leaf may be increased. When there are only head-forming vegetables such
as cabbage and Chinese cabbage are in the vegetable compartment 6, the amount of green
light may be increased to allow light to reach the inside of the vegetables.
The embodiment describes an example of providing a single light emitter 20 on a
back wall face of the vegetable compartment 6. The light emitter 20 may be provided in
a different position. The refrigerator 1 may include multiple light emitters 20 for
emitting light into the vegetable compartment 6. In this case, for example, a first light
emitter 20 is provided on a back wall face of the vegetable compartment 6. A second
light emitter 20 is provided such that light is emitted diagonally onto the vegetables,
when viewed from the camera 24. For example, the second light emitter 20 is arranged
in a higher position than the first light emitter 20.
In this case, if vegetables such as leafy vegetables whose surface color need to be
checked clearly are stored in the vegetable compartment 6, it is effective to turn the first
light emitter 20 on and the second light emitter 20 off. Most of such vegetables are
harvested during the winter season. For this reason, during the winter season, the
second light emitter 20 may be turned off while the first light emitter 20 is turned on.
Meanwhile, when fruit vegetables such as cucumber and eggplant whose surface
asperities need to be checked clearly are stored in the vegetable compartment 6, it is
effective to turn the second light emitter 20 on and the first light emitter 20 off. This
allows emission of light onto the cucumber, eggplant, or the like at a 45-degree angle, for
example, which makes it easier to detect a low-temperature injury such as pitting from
the acquired image. Most of such fruit vegetables are harvested during the summer
season. For this reason, during the summer season, the first light emitter 20 may be
turned off while the second light emitter 20 is turned on. By using different light
emitters 20 depending on the purpose, life of the LED can be extended.
The embodiment describes an example in which the LED 21, the LED 22, and the
LED 23 each emit light (monochromatic light) of a different wavelength band.
Examples of light emitted by the LED 21, the LED 22, and the LED 23 are not limited to
the above example. Note that when the LED 21 emits a light of a first wavelength band
and the LED 22 emits a light of a second wavelength band, even if a first wavelength
band and a second wavelength band partially overlap each other, the first wavelength
band and the second wavelength band are different wavelength bands, unless the entire
first wavelength band overlaps with the entire second wavelength band.
The embodiment describes an example in which the light emitter 20 includes three
LEDs. This is an example. The number of LEDs included in the light emitter 20 may
be two. The light emitter 20 may include four or more LEDs.
The processor 26 of the embodiment is also referred to as a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), a central processor, a processor, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a
microcomputer, or a DSP. As the memory 27, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic
disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD may be
adopted. Examples of a semiconductor memory include a RAM, a ROM, a flash
memory, an EPROM, and an EEPROM.
Some or all of functions of the controller 15 may be implemented by hardware.
As hardware that implements a function of the controller 15, a single circuit, a
combination circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC,
an FPGA, or a combination of these may be adopted.
Industrial Applicability
The refrigerator according to the present invention is applicable to a refrigerator
including a vegetable compartment.
Reference Signs List
1 refrigerator, 2 main body, 3 refrigerating compartment, 4
temperature-switching compartment, 5 freezer compartment, 6 vegetable
compartment, 7 chill room, 8-11 door, 12 operation panel, 13
input portion, 14 notification portion, 15 controller, 16 opening and
closing sensor, 17 compressor, 18 cooler, 19 blower, 20
light emitter, 21-23 LED, 24 camera, 25 input-output interface,
26 processor, 27 memory, 28 standard color plate, 29 lower
container, 30 upper container
Claims (7)
- [Claim 1] A refrigerator comprising: a first LED configured to emit light of a first wavelength band into a vegetable compartment; a second LED configured to emit light of a second wavelength band into the vegetable compartment, the second wavelength band being different from the first wavelength band; an image acquiring device configured to acquire an image of the vegetable compartment; a memory in which a reference image is stored; a color reference provided in the vegetable compartment; and a controller, wherein: an image of the color reference acquired by the image acquiring device is stored in the memory as the reference image; and the controller controls the first LED and the second LED, to reduce a difference between a color of the reference image stored in the memory and a color of an image of the color reference to be acquired by the image acquiring device.
- [Claim 2] The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: a lower container and an upper container are provided in the vegetable compartment; and the color reference is provided on a lower face of the upper container.
- [Claim 3] The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller controls a current flowing through the first LED and a current flowing through the second LED, to reduce the difference between a chromaticity of the reference image and a chromaticity of an image to be acquired by the image acquiring device.
- [Claim 4] The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller controls the image acquiring device, to reduce the difference between a lightness of the reference image and a lightness of an image to be acquired by the image acquiring device.
- [Claim 5] The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein: the image acquiring device is a camera; and the controller controls any of an exposure time and an aperture of the camera, to reduce the difference between a lightness of the reference image and a lightness of an image to be acquired by the camera.
- [Claim 6] The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a third LED configured to emit light of a third wavelength band into the vegetable compartment, the third wavelength band being different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, wherein the controller controls the first LED, the second LED, and the third LED, to reduce the difference between a color of the reference image and a color of an image of the color reference to be acquired by the image acquiring device.
- [Claim 7] The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first LED emits blue light into the vegetable compartment.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2015/080738 WO2017072954A1 (en) | 2015-10-30 | 2015-10-30 | Refrigerator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ740159A true NZ740159A (en) | 2021-08-27 |
NZ740159B2 NZ740159B2 (en) | 2021-11-30 |
Family
ID=
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPWO2017072954A1 (en) | 2018-05-24 |
CN108351151A (en) | 2018-07-31 |
DE112015007073T5 (en) | 2018-07-12 |
AU2015412899B9 (en) | 2019-02-28 |
AU2015412899A1 (en) | 2018-03-22 |
CN108351151B (en) | 2020-05-15 |
TWI617780B (en) | 2018-03-11 |
WO2017072954A1 (en) | 2017-05-04 |
AU2015412899B2 (en) | 2019-02-14 |
TW201715188A (en) | 2017-05-01 |
JP6497445B2 (en) | 2019-04-10 |
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