WO2021210132A1

WO2021210132A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2021210132A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/016728
Authority: WO
Inventors: 駿介笹原
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-04-16
Filing date: 2020-04-16
Publication date: 2021-10-21
Also published as: TWI787765B; JP7282260B2; CN115398166A; TW202140973A; AU2020442945A1; AU2020442945B2; JPWO2021210132A1

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises a communication device capable of communicating with a control device and a mobile terminal, and a first storage device that stores the functional data and setting data of the refrigerator. The communication device transmits the functional data and the setting data to the control device. The control device has a second storage device that pre-stores a shelf life database in which the shelf life of items to be stored is set for each storage environment, receives the functional data and the setting data from the communication device, extracts, on the basis of the functional data and the setting data, the storage environment corresponding to the function and the current setting status of the refrigerator and the shelf life corresponding to the storage environment from the shelf life database as the storage environment for storing the items to be stored that are specified by the user, and transmits the extracted storage environment and shelf life to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives the storage environment and shelf life and displays the storage environment and shelf life on a screen.

Description

refrigerator

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and particularly to a refrigerator that proposes a storage method to a user when storing food or ingredients.

In a conventional refrigerator, a camera installed in the refrigerator captures a picture of the food to be stored to determine whether the food is in or out of the refrigerator and create a food list in the refrigerator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

In addition, another conventional refrigerator identifies the name of the ingredient in the refrigerator and displays the inventory of the ingredient, the recipe received from the server, and the information of the purchased ingredient that needs to be purchased when making the recipe (for example). , Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-070477 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-095172

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 identifies and lists the foods in the refrigerator, but does not propose in which storage chamber the foods should be stored.

The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 proposes a recipe related to cooking based on the information on ingredients in the refrigerator, but how should it be stored when there is excess food or when cooking, storing and storing food? I haven't made a suggestion.

This disclosure is made to solve such a problem, and when storing a storage, it is possible to propose a storage environment suitable for storing the storage to the user. The purpose is to get.

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a main body, a communication device provided in the main body and capable of communicating with a control device and a mobile terminal, functional data indicating the function of the refrigerator, and setting data indicating the current setting state of the refrigerator. The control device is arranged outside or inside the main body, and the communication device transmits the function data and the setting data to the control device. The control device has a second storage device that stores a storage period database in which a storage period of one or more stored items is set for each storage environment in advance, and obtains the function data and the setting data from the communication device. As a storage environment for storing the storage that is received and stored in the refrigerator based on the function data and the setting data, the storage environment is set according to the function of the refrigerator and the current setting state from the storage period database. The storage environment and the storage period corresponding to the storage environment are extracted, and the extracted storage environment and the storage period are output.

In the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, when storing a stored product, it is possible to propose to the user a storage environment suitable for storing the stored product.

It is a front view which shows the whole structure of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side sectional view which shows the structure of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 and each communication device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process concerning the presentation of the storage environment of the storage | storage in the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process concerning the presentation of the shelf life of the stored matter in the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the storage name 18 registered in the external network 11 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the retention period database 19 which the external network 11 which concerns on Embodiment 1 has. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional data 20 of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the storage proposal information 30 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows an example of the panel 13 of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the retention period list 40 stored in the external network 11 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the deadline imminent notice 41 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the storage days notice 42 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the refrigerator 1 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the cooking list 50 of the external network 11 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. An example of the list data 60 of the storage 17 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to the second embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of the presentation of the recommended recipe displayed on the mobile terminal 14 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure includes all combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations shown in the following embodiments and modifications thereof. Further, in each figure, those having the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent thereof, which are common in the entire text of the specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship or shape of each component may differ from the actual one.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the refrigerator 1 and each communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to the presentation of the storage environment of the stored matter in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to the presentation of the shelf life of the stored product in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating room 2 is provided with a refrigerating room left door 8 and a refrigerating room right door 9. A pair of hinges 10 serving as a rotation shaft of the left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment and a rotation shaft of the right door 9 of the refrigerator compartment are provided on the upper part of the refrigerator 1. A plurality of shelves 2a are provided in the refrigerator compartment 2.

Further, the switching room 3, the ice making room 4, the freezing room 5, and the vegetable room 6 are drawer-type storage rooms. The switching room 3 has a plurality of storage modes, and the storage mode can be switched by a specification from the user. The storage mode includes, for example, a normal mode, a flash freezing mode, a sub-zero mode, and the like. Also, other storage chambers may have a plurality of storage modes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 10 is provided with a communication device 12. The communication device 12 may be provided inside the hinge 10 or may be fixed to the surface of the hinge 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 12 can communicate with an external network 11 provided outside. The external network 11 is, for example, a cloud server. The external network 11 has a second storage device 11a that stores a storage period database 19 (see FIG. 7) and the like, which will be described later. In the first embodiment, a case where the external network 11 functions as a control device for managing the storage period of the stored material will be described as an example. However, the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 may function as the control device.

The communication device 12 may be directly connected to the external network 11, but as shown in FIG. 3, it may be configured to communicate with the external network 11 via a gateway 15 provided separately from the refrigerator 1. Further, in the above description, it has been described that the communication device 12 is provided on the hinge 10, but the present invention is not limited to this case. As long as the communication device 12 can be installed in a space, the installation location may be any location in the refrigerator 1 or any location in the indoor space in which the refrigerator 1 is installed.

The left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment is provided with a panel 13 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 11 is a front view showing an example of the panel 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. The panel 13 accepts an operation from the user and displays a message on the screen to the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the panel 13 has a button operated by the user, and receives an input of a temperature setting of each storage chamber and a storage mode setting of each storage chamber. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the panel 13 has a display screen 13b for displaying a message to the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 13 is electrically connected to the main control unit 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 13 is connected to the main control unit 7 by wiring via a hinge 10. Therefore, the panel 13 may be directly connected to the main control unit 7, but may be electrically connected to the main control unit 7 via the communication device 12 in the hinge 10.

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

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 14 owned by the user is communicably connected to the external network 11 and the gateway 15. Therefore, the mobile terminal 14 can be connected to the communication device 12 via the external network 11 or the gateway 15. Therefore, the mobile terminal 14 can be connected to the main control unit 7 via the communication device 12. By operating the mobile terminal 14 instead of the panel 13, the user can input the temperature setting of each storage room and the storage mode setting of each storage room. The mobile terminal 14 has a screen for displaying the screen. The mobile terminal 14 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

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

The camera 16 in the refrigerator may be provided in each of the switching room 3, the ice making room 4, the freezing room 5, and the vegetable room 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerating room 2 is provided with an expiration date detection sensor 25 as needed. The expiration date detection sensor 25 is, for example, a gas sensor, a temperature sensor, or a weight sensor. The expiration date detection sensor 25 predicts the expiration date of the storage 17 stored in the refrigerator chamber 2. One expiration date detection sensor 25 may be provided, but one may be provided for each shelf 2a.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 4, in step S101, the user photographs the storage 17 stored in the refrigerator 1 with the mobile terminal 14, and transmits the captured image to the external network 11. The storage 17 is an ingredient purchased by the user, a dish prepared by the user, and the like. By receiving the photographed image of the storage 17 from the mobile terminal 14, the external network 11 recognizes that the storage 17 is the storage designated by the user.

Further, the stored object 17 may be photographed by the in-compartment camera 16 installed in the refrigerator 1 in step S102. Step S102 is executed as needed. When executing step S102, the process of step S101 may or may not be executed. The timing for executing step S102 is, for example, when the user stores the storage 17 in the refrigerator 1. The communication device 12 of the refrigerator 1 transmits the captured image of the camera 16 in the refrigerator 1 to the external network 11. By receiving the photographed image of the storage 17 from the communication device 12 of the refrigerator 1, the external network 11 recognizes that the storage 17 is the storage designated by the user. The shooting by the refrigerator 16 may be automatically executed when the left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment or the right door 9 of the refrigerator compartment is opened and closed, or may be executed by the user operating the camera 16. ..

As described above, the stored object 17 may be photographed by the internal camera 16 as the first camera, or may be photographed by the built-in camera as the second camera mounted on the mobile terminal 14.

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

In case the storage name 18 of the storage 17 cannot be automatically identified by the external network 11, the user can manually input the storage name 18 in step S105. In step S105, the user inputs the storage name 18 of the storage 17 into the mobile terminal 14 and transmits the storage name 18 to the external network 11. As a result, the storage name 18 is registered in the external network 11. Step S105 is executed as needed. Alternatively, the external network 11 may send a message "The storage name could not be identified" to the mobile terminal 14 to urge the user to perform step S105.

The storage period database 19 is stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a retention period database 19 included in the external network 11 according to the first embodiment. The retention period database 19 stores recommended storage data such as a recommended storage environment and a storage period for each storage name 18. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage period database 19 stores a plurality of storage environments suitable for storing the storage 17 for each storage name 18, and further stores the storage 17 for each storage environment. I remember the possible period. For example, when the storage name 18 is "pork ribs", the storage environment is "2 days" when the storage environment is "refrigerating room", and the storage period is "30 days" when the storage environment is "freezing room". Has been done. The shelf life is not the expiration date stated on the product, but is, for example, a general expiration date or expiration date recommended by government agencies.

Return to the explanation in Fig. 4. In step S106, the external network 11 acquires the storage recommendation data regarding the storage name 18 registered in step S104 from the storage period database 19.

In step S107, the external network 11 acquires the function data 20 indicating the function of the refrigerator 1 from the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication device 12. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of functional data 20 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. The functional data 20 is stored in the first storage device 7a provided in the main control unit 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the function data 20 stores information such as the type of storage room included in the refrigerator 1 and the storage mode included in the refrigerator 1. In step S107, the external network 11 acquires, for example, data indicating the presence or absence of the flash freezing mode of the switching chamber 3 as the functional data 20.

In step S108, the external network 11 acquires the setting data 21 indicating the current setting state of the refrigerator 1 from the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication device 12. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. The setting data 21 is stored in the first storage device 7a provided in the main control unit 7. As shown in FIG. 9, the setting data 21 stores the set temperature for each storage room included in the refrigerator 1, the setting information for the storage mode for each storage room, and the like. In step S108, the external network 11 obtains setting information such as, for example, setting the temperature setting of the freezing chamber 5 to "weak" as the setting data 21.

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

In step S111, the external network 11 presents a storage room of the refrigerator 1 suitable for storing the storage 17 as the storage environment extracted in step S110. Further, the external network 11 may present a set temperature of the storage room suitable for storing the storage 17 as the storage environment. Further, the external network 11 may present a storage mode of the storage room suitable for storing the storage 17 as the storage environment. Hereinafter, the presented information will be referred to as storage proposal information 30 (see FIG. 10). The storage proposal information 30 includes at least one of a storage room, a set temperature, and a storage mode.

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

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

In this way, the user can list and manage the purchased ingredients or the prepared dishes in the external network 11 by registering the purchased ingredients or the prepared dishes. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the user can confirm the storage name 18 and the storage proposal information 30 on the display screen of the mobile terminal 14. Therefore, it is possible to know the ingredients and the storage method suitable for cooking according to the refrigerator 1 owned by the user.

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

The process of FIG. 4 will be described with a specific example. For example, the user photographs the pork ribs bought at the supermarket as the storage 17 with the mobile terminal 14, and registers the storage name 18 in the external network 11. The external network 11 acquires storage recommendation data regarding the registered storage name 18 from the storage period database 19. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in the storage period database 19, pork ribs are stored in the freezer for 2 days in the refrigerator, 6 days in the chilled room, and 14 days in the flash freezing mode of the switching room 3. If so, the data that it can be stored for 30 days is stored. Therefore, the external network 11 acquires those data as storage recommended data. The external network 11 compares the acquired storage recommendation data with the function data 20 and the setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, in the external network 11, based on the function data 20 of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 used by the user is provided with a switching room 3, a flash freezing mode can be set, and a chilled room is provided. Know that it is not equipped. Further, the external network 11 grasps that the refrigerator 1 used by the user is currently set to the flash freezing mode in the switching chamber 3 based on the setting data 21 of the refrigerator 1. The external network 11 first excludes the information about the chilled room from the previously acquired storage recommendation data based on the grasped information. Further, the external network 11 compares the freezing chamber 5 with the switching chamber 3 set in the flash freezing mode, and preferentially selects the switching chamber 3 that can maintain freshness over the freezing chamber 5. Regarding the priority for each storage room, it is assumed that the external network 11 stores it in the second storage device 11a in advance. In this way, the external network 11 indicates to the user's mobile terminal 14 that the pork ribs can be stored for 14 days in the refrigerating room 2 but in the switching room 3 if the flash freezing mode is set. Information 30 (see FIG. 10) is transmitted. Further, without using the priority, the external network 11 transmits all the candidates that can be selected by the user, that is, all of the refrigerating room 2, the switching room 3, and the freezing room 5 as the storage proposal information 30. May be good.

The storage proposal information 30 allows the user to easily know the storage room, the set temperature, and the storage mode suitable for storing the storage 17. Further, in recent years, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an instant freezing mode, a sub-freezing mode, and the like, and the functions of the refrigerator 1 are becoming more complicated year by year. The user can easily perform such complicated functions of the refrigerator 1 by using the storage proposal information 30 while actually using the refrigerator 1, that is, storing the storage 17 in the refrigerator 1 without referring to the manual. You can know.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing a processing flow of a method of presenting the storage expiration date of the stored product to the user in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing from the storage of the storage 17 to the presentation of the number of days that the storage 17 can be stored to the user. Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a storage period list 40 stored in the external network 11 according to the first embodiment.

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

In step S202, the refrigerator 1 identifies the storage destination of the storage 17 in the refrigerator 1 by photographing the storage 17 with the camera 16 in the refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 transmits the storage destination of the specified storage 17 to the external network 11.

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

Further, in case the storage destination 22 of the storage 17 cannot be specified by the camera 16 in the refrigerator, manual input by the user is also possible in step S204. In addition, step S204 is executed as necessary. Alternatively, the refrigerator 1 may send a message "The storage destination could not be specified" to the mobile terminal 14 to urge the user to perform step S204. In step S204, in step S204, the user inputs the storage destination 22 of the storage 17 into the mobile terminal 14 and transmits it to the external network 11. As a result, the storage destination 22 of the storage 17 is registered in the storage period list 40 of the external network 11.

In step S205, the external network 11 determines whether the storage name 18 of the storage 17 has already been registered in the storage period list 40. If the storage name 18 has already been registered, the process proceeds to step S206. If the storage name 18 has not been registered, the processes of steps S103 to S105 are performed. Since steps S103 to S105 are as described with reference to FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted here.

In step S206, the external network 11 registers the storage date 17 as the storage date 23 in the storage period list 40.

In step S207, the external network 11 counts the elapsed days 24 of the storage 17 stored in the refrigerator 1 and registers it in the storage period list 40. The elapsed days 24 are updated daily at the same time, for example, at midnight. In addition, instead of the elapsed days 24, the elapsed time may be registered.

In step S208, the external network 11 acquires the storable period for the registered storage name 18 from the storable period database 19.

In step S209, the external network 11 compares the storage period acquired in step S208 with the elapsed days 24 of the storage period list 40 to determine whether or not the storage period 26 of the storage 17 is close. .. For example, it is assumed that the pork ribs are stored in the switching chamber 3 and the elapsed days are 4 days. At this time, the storage period database 19 stores that the storage period of the pork ribs stored in the switching room is 14 days. Therefore, the external network 11 compares the elapsed days of 4 days with the storage period of 14 days, and determines that the storage period 26 is not near. On the other hand, when the elapsed days are 13 days, the external network 11 compares the elapsed days of 13 days with the storage period of 14 days and determines that the storage period of 26 is near. That is, when the difference between the number of elapsed days and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the external network 11 determines that the storable period 26 is near, and proceeds to step S210. If not, it is determined that the storage period 26 is not near, and the process proceeds to step S211.

As shown in FIG. 12, the storage period 26 may be calculated by the external network 11 based on the elapsed days 24 and the storage period database 19 and registered in the storage period list 40. , You do not have to register. When the storage period 26 is not registered, the external network 11 calculates the storage period 26 each time, if necessary.

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

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

In step S209, the external network 11 presents the user with an imminent expiration notice 41 when the storage expiration date 26 of the storage 17 is approaching, but the present invention is not limited to that case. For example, when the storage period 26 of the storage 17 has expired, the external network 11 may present the expiration date notification to the user in the same manner as the expiration date notification 41. The method of presenting to the user is the same as the above-mentioned method. In addition, the content of the overdue notification is, for example, "Store name: Pork ribs, the shelf life has expired." Both the imminent deadline notification 41 and the overdue notice may be presented to the user, or one of them may be presented.

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

In this way, by presenting the imminent expiration date 41, the user can periodically know the expiration date or the expiration date of the stored storage 17, so that the stored storage 17 is forgotten and spoiled. The risk can be reduced.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the user can know the method suitable for preserving the foodstuff or the dish by the process of FIG. In addition, the process of FIG. 5 can reduce the risk of disposal of foodstuffs or dishes, so that the user can eliminate the stress and dissatisfaction with storing food in the refrigerator.

Here, the hardware configurations of the external network 11, the main control unit 7, and the first storage device 7a and the second storage device 11a will be described. The external network 11 and the main control unit 7 are composed of a control device. Each function of the external network 11 and the main control unit 7 is composed of a processing circuit. The processing circuit is composed of dedicated hardware or a processor. The dedicated hardware is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor executes a program stored in memory. Both the first storage device 7a and the second storage device 11a are composed of a memory. The memory is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (RandomAccessMemory), ROM (ReadOnlyMemory), flash memory, EPROM (ErasableProgrammableROM), or a disk such as a magnetic disk, flexible disk, or optical disk. be.

As described above, the main control unit 7 of the refrigerator 1 may perform the processing of the external network 11 described in the first embodiment. In that case, the first storage device 7a will store all the data stored in the second storage device 11a.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, the user can register the photograph, evaluation, recipe, etc. of the dish prepared by the user in the external network 11. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, in step S101, the user takes a picture of the food prepared by the user as the storage 17 stored in the refrigerator 1 with the mobile terminal 14, and transmits the picture of the food to the external network 11.

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

In the second embodiment, in step S301, the external network 11 stores the storage name 18 indicating the name of the dish and the photographed image 51 of the dish in the dish list 50. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the cooking list 50 of the external network 11 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, in the dish list 50, for each storage name 18, the photographed image 51 of the storage 17, the photographing date data 52 indicating the photographing date of the storage 17, the evaluation data 53, and the recipe data 54 and are registered. The dish list 50 is stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11. At this time, the user further stores the recipe data 54 in the cooking list 50 via the mobile terminal 14. When the recipe data 54 is stored in advance in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11, it is not necessary to register the recipe data 54 in step S301.

In step S302, the user inputs the evaluation of the storage 17 into the mobile terminal 14. The mobile terminal 14 transmits the input evaluation data 53 to the external network 11. In step S303, the external network 11 registers the evaluation data 53 in the dish list 50. The evaluation data 53 includes, for example, rank information. In this case, for example, if the ranking is 5 levels, as shown in FIG. 18, "☆ 5" is the highest rank, and when ☆ is lowered by one, the evaluation rank is lowered by one, and "☆ 1" is It is the lowest rank. The evaluation data 53 is not limited to the rank information, and may be input as a character message as in the review.

In step S304, the user inputs a request for viewing the storage 17 registered in the cooking list 50 to the mobile terminal 14. The mobile terminal 14 transmits the input request to the external network 11. In step S305, the external network 11 transmits the list data 60 regarding the storage 17 registered in the cooking list 50 to the mobile terminal 14 in response to the request. In step S312, the mobile terminal 14 displays the list data 60 of the stored items 17 on the screen. FIG. 17 shows an example of the list data 60 of the storage 17 displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to the second embodiment. In this way, on the mobile terminal 14, based on the list data 60 of the stored items 17, the photographed images of the dishes are displayed in the calendar system for each photographing date. The list data 60 is stored in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11.

In step S306, the user selects one dish from the list data 60 on the mobile terminal 14. The mobile terminal 14 transmits the selected dish to the external network 11. In step S307, the external network 11 acquires the retention period list 40 shown in FIG. In step S308, the external network 11 collates the storage period list 40 with the recipe data 54, determines the ingredients to be purchased necessary for the recipe of the selected dish, and transmits the ingredients to the mobile terminal 14. Then, in step S313, the mobile terminal 14 displays the foodstuff to be purchased on the screen.

In step S309, the user inputs a request for a recommended recipe to the mobile terminal 14. The mobile terminal 14 transmits the request to the external network 11. In step S310, the external network 11 acquires the retention period list 40 shown in FIG. In step S311 the external network 11 refers to the shelf life list 40 and searches for recommended recipes using the stored reservoir 17. The recommended recipe is searched from the recipe data 54 of the cooking list 50, or is searched from the recipe stored in advance in the second storage device 11a of the external network 11. When searching for a recommended recipe from the recipe data 54 of the cooking list 50, the external network 11 refers to the evaluation data 53 and extracts a recipe having a high evaluation. The number of recipes to be searched may be one, but may be two or more. The external network 11 transmits the searched recommended recipe to the mobile terminal 14. In step S314, the mobile terminal 14 displays the recommended recipe on the screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of a recommended recipe displayed on the mobile terminal 14 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, for example, a storage name 18 as a dish name, a photographed image 51 of a dish, a recipe data 54 of a dish, and an evaluation data 53 of a dish are displayed in the recommended recipe.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted here.

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

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

In addition, the user can easily remember the existence of the remaining dishes stored in the refrigerator 1 by browsing the dish list data 60. Further, by the process of FIG. 5, the shelf life of the dish can be easily confirmed. Further, when the remaining food is stored in the refrigerator 1, the user can easily know the storage suitable for storage and the storage mode by the process of FIG.

1 refrigerator, 1a main body, 2 refrigerating room, 2a shelf, 3 switching room, 4 ice making room, 5 freezing room, 6 vegetable room, 7 main control unit, 7a first storage device, 8 refrigerating room left door, 9 refrigerating room right Door, 10 hinge, 11 external network, 11a second storage device, 12 communication device, 13 panel, 13a main switch, 13b display screen, 14 mobile terminal, 15 gateway, 16 refrigerator camera, 17 storage, 18 storage name , 19 Retainable period database, 20 Functional data, 21 Setting data, 22 Reservation destination, 23 Reservation date, 24 Elapsed days, 25 Expiration date detection sensor, 26 Restorable period, 30 Reservation proposal information, 40 Retention period list, 41 Expiration date Imminent notification, 42 storage days notification, 50 cooking list, 51 photographed images, 53 evaluation data, 54 recipe data, 60 list data.

Claims

With the main body
A communication device provided in the main body and capable of communicating with a control device and a mobile terminal,
It is provided with a first storage device that stores functional data indicating the function of the refrigerator and setting data indicating the current setting state of the refrigerator.
The control device is arranged outside or inside the main body, and is arranged.
The communication device transmits the function data and the setting data to the control device.
The control device is
It has a second storage device that stores a storage period database in which the storage period of one or more stored items is set for each storage environment in advance.
The function data and the setting data are received from the communication device, and the function data and the setting data are received.
Based on the function data and the setting data, as a storage environment for storing the storage to be stored in the refrigerator, the storage according to the function of the refrigerator and the current setting state from the storage period database. Extract the environment and the storage period corresponding to the storage environment,
Output the extracted storage environment and the storage period.
refrigerator.
The control device can communicate with the mobile terminal and can communicate with the mobile terminal.
The control device transmits the extracted storage environment and the storage period to the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal receives the storage environment and the storage period and displays the screen.
The refrigerator according to claim 1.
A storage chamber provided inside the main body and storing the stored matter,
A door provided on the main body to open and close the storage chamber,
It is arranged on the storage chamber side of the door and is provided with a first camera for photographing the storage.
The communication device transmits a photographed image of the stored matter photographed by the first camera to the control device.
The control device is
By receiving the captured image of the stored product taken by the first camera, the stored product of the captured image is recognized as the stored product to be stored in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.
The mobile terminal includes a second camera that photographs the stored items.
The control device is
By receiving the photographed image of the stored object taken by the second camera from the mobile terminal, it is recognized that the stored object of the photographed image is the stored object to be stored in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The control device is
Memorize the storage date of the storage and
Count the number of days or time elapsed since the storage date,
The elapsed days or the elapsed time are periodically transmitted to the mobile terminal, and the elapsed days or the elapsed time are periodically transmitted to the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal receives the elapsed days or the elapsed time and displays it on the screen.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The control device is
The storage destination of the stored matter in the refrigerator is stored in the second storage device, and the storage destination is stored in the second storage device.
The storable period corresponding to the storable environment of the storable destination is extracted from the storable period database.
Based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period, it is determined whether the elapsed days or the difference between the elapsed time and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.
When the difference is equal to or less than the threshold value, an imminent deadline notification is transmitted to the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal receives the deadline notification and displays it on the screen.
The refrigerator according to claim 5.
The control device is
The storage destination of the stored matter in the refrigerator is stored in the second storage device, and the storage destination is stored in the second storage device.
The storable period corresponding to the storable environment of the storable destination is extracted from the storable period database.
Based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storage period, it is determined whether the storage period of the storage has expired.
When the storage period of the stored item has expired, an expiration date notification is sent to the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal receives the overdue notification and displays it on the screen.
The refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6.
A storage chamber provided inside the main body and storing the stored matter,
A door provided on the main body to open and close the storage chamber,
It is provided with a panel provided on the door or the main body and for displaying a screen.
The control device is
The extracted storage environment and the storage period can be transmitted to the communication device of the refrigerator.
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the storage environment and the storage period.
The panel of the refrigerator displays a screen display of the storage environment received by the communication device and the storage period.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The control device is
Memorize the storage date of the storage and
Count the number of days or time elapsed since the storage date,
The elapsed days or the elapsed time are periodically transmitted to the communication device of the refrigerator.
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the elapsed days or the elapsed time, and receives the elapsed days.
The panel of the refrigerator displays the elapsed days or the elapsed time received by the communication device on the screen.
The refrigerator according to claim 8.
The control device is
The storage destination of the stored matter in the refrigerator is stored in the second storage device, and the storage destination is stored in the second storage device.
The storable period corresponding to the storable environment of the storable destination is extracted from the storable period database.
Based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storable period, it is determined whether the elapsed days or the difference between the elapsed time and the storable period is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.
When the difference is equal to or less than the threshold value, an imminent deadline notification is transmitted to the communication device of the refrigerator.
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the deadline notification and receives the notification of imminence.
The panel of the refrigerator displays the screen of the imminent deadline notification received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to claim 9.
The control device is
The storage destination of the stored matter in the refrigerator is stored in the second storage device, and the storage destination is stored in the second storage device.
The storable period corresponding to the storable environment of the storable destination is extracted from the storable period database.
Based on the elapsed days or the elapsed time and the storage period, it is determined whether the storage period of the storage has expired.
When the storage period of the storage has expired, an expiration notice is sent to the communication device of the refrigerator.
The communication device of the refrigerator receives the overdue notification and receives the overdue notification.
The panel of the refrigerator displays the screen of the overdue notification received by the communication device.
The refrigerator according to claim 9 or 10.
The storage is a dish
The control device is
Memorize the shot image and shooting date of the dish,
When a browsing request is received, the list data of the dishes displaying the photographed image of the dishes is output for each shooting date.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The control device is
When the browsing request is received from the mobile terminal, the list data of the dishes displaying the photographed image of the dishes is transmitted to the mobile terminal for each shooting date.
The mobile terminal receives the list data of the dishes and displays the captured images of the dishes on the screen in a calendar manner for each shooting date.
The refrigerator according to claim 12.
The control device is an external network provided outside the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
The external network is composed of a cloud server.
The refrigerator according to claim 14.
The control device is a main control unit provided inside the refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 13.