JP7101130B2 - Remote control device for refrigerator, control method and program of remote control device for refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control device for a refrigerator, a control method and a program for the remote control device for a refrigerator.

As background technology in this technical field, the following abstract of Patent Document 1 states, "Information on foods stored in refrigerators while consumers are at home, expiration dates of the foods, and foods sold at stores. The recipe is decided based on the information of In addition, we will provide a food purchase management support system that can prevent the purchase of food more than necessary and shorten the shopping time at the store. "

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-242911

By the way, Patent Document 1 does not describe that both information such as the expiration date of foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator and the state of the refrigerator are managed. Therefore, for example, if the refrigerator door is left open, it may not be possible to properly manage the ingredients.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for a refrigerator, a control method and a program for the remote control device for a refrigerator, which can appropriately manage foodstuffs.

In order to solve the above problems, the remote control device for a refrigerator of the present invention stores the control unit and the food data in which the starting date and the food image data are associated with each food stored in the controlled refrigerator. The control unit includes a communication unit that communicates with the refrigerator, an operation / display unit that inputs / outputs information, and a refrigerator information screen indicating the state of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation / display unit. When the first predetermined operation is executed in the operation / display unit, the elapsed days display unit indicating the number of days elapsed from the corresponding starting date and the foodstuff image data are displayed for each of the foodstuffs. A food management unit that displays a food management screen including an image display unit on the operation / display unit, and a second operation / display unit when the food management screen is displayed on the operation / display unit. When the predetermined operation is executed, the refrigerator management unit for displaying the refrigerator information screen on the operation / display unit is provided, and the foodstuff management screen further includes the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, respectively . It is provided with a food item enumeration display unit having a plurality of food item item columns including, and has a display mode selection unit for selecting a first display mode or a second display mode as the display mode, and the food material data is Further, each of the foodstuffs includes memo data which is an arbitrary character string designated by the user, and the foodstuff management unit receives the image when the first display mode is selected as the display mode. In addition to the display unit and the elapsed days display unit, a memo display unit for displaying the memo data included in the corresponding food material data is displayed in the foodstuff item column, and the display area of the image display unit is displayed in the elapsed days. It is characterized by further including a function of making it larger than the display area of the number of days display unit and making the character size of the memo display unit smaller than the character size of the elapsed days display unit.

According to the present invention, foodstuffs can be appropriately managed.

It is a block diagram of the refrigerator control system by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a command reception routine executed in a refrigerator. It is a control sequence diagram which shows an example of the control sequence of a refrigerator and a mobile terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation / information screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation / setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification history screen and the example of the notification detail screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the food material management screen. It is an enlarged view of the food material item column in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the example of the other food material management screen, and the example of the food material data edit screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the camera operation screen and the image capture screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the support screen.

[First Embodiment]
<Structure of the first embodiment>
(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the refrigerator control system S according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The refrigerator control system S includes one or more (M units) refrigerators 10-1 to 10-M (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as refrigerator 10) and one or more (N units) mobile terminals 20-. 1 to 20-N (remote control device for refrigerator, computer; hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as mobile terminal 20).
The refrigerator 10 and the mobile terminal 20 can communicate with each other via the LAN 52, and can communicate with each other via the LAN 52 and the WAN 54. The LAN 52 is, for example, a wireless LAN in the home. WAN 54 is, for example, the Internet.

The refrigerator 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation / display unit 14, and a freezing / refrigerating unit 15. The freezing / refrigerating unit 15 includes a refrigerator housing, a refrigerating room, a freezing room, a refrigerating room door, a freezing room door, a compressor, a heat exchanger, and the like. The operation / display unit 14 is provided with an LED display, a membrane switch, etc., and can display various states of the refrigerator 10 to the user and allow the user to input various commands via the membrane switch, etc. It has become.

The storage unit 12 stores various information. The communication unit 13 communicates with the mobile terminal 20 or the like via the LAN 52. The control unit 11 includes hardware as a general computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the ROM is a control executed by the CPU. Programs, various data, etc. are stored.

Further, the mobile terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation / display unit 24, and a photographing unit 26. The operation / display unit 24 includes a flat panel display and a touch sensor provided on the surface thereof, so that various information can be displayed to the user and the user can input various commands. It has become. The communication unit 23 communicates with the refrigerator 10 or the like via the LAN 52 or the WAN 54. The storage unit 22 stores various information. The data stored in the storage units 12 and 22 does not necessarily have to be stored inside the refrigerator 10 or the mobile terminal 20, and a storage device for storing these data may be provided in another device such as a server to provide a LAN 52 or the like. It may be accessible via WAN 54. The shooting unit 26 shoots a moving image or a still image based on a command from the control unit 21.

The control unit 21 includes hardware such as a CPU, RAM, and ROM as a general computer, and the ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU, various data, and the like. In FIG. 1, the inside of the control unit 21 shows a function realized by a control program or the like as a block. That is, the control unit 21 includes a food material management unit 32 (food material management process, food material management means) and a refrigerator management unit 34 (refrigerator management process, refrigerator management means).

(Refrigerator information)
Various information about the refrigerator 10 is stored in the storage unit 12 of the refrigerator 10. The stored information is called "refrigerator information". The refrigerator information is also transferred to the mobile terminal 20, and a copy of the refrigerator information is also stored in the storage unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20. Thereby, the user can confirm the refrigerator information by operating the mobile terminal 20. "Refrigerator information" includes notifications, operation signs, parameter values, door opening / closing frequency information, and the like.

Here, the "notification" is information to be notified to the user, and includes a normal notification, a caution notification, a failure notification, and the like. The "normal notice" is the normal information of the refrigerator 10. For example, when the user commands "ice making cleaning (defrosting of the ice making room)", when it is completed, it is information for notifying the user that it is completed. Further, the "caution notice" is a notice that an event that should be noted has occurred although it is not a malfunction of the refrigerator 10, and for example, the door is left open (for example, the door of the refrigerating room, the freezing room, etc. is left open for a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes). ) It is information to notify when the above-mentioned openness) occurs. Further, the "failure notification" is information for notifying when a failure of the refrigerator 10 (for example, a temperature abnormality of each part, a rotation abnormality of a motor, an overcurrent, etc.) occurs.

Further, the "door opening / closing number information" is the number of times the door of the freezing room or the refrigerating room is opened / closed for the past 10 days including the current day. In addition, "operation sign" means "operation with reduced power consumption (power saving operation is in progress)", "door is open", "please replenish water in the water supply tank". , "Ice making cleaning (during defrosting of the ice making room)", "Automatic ice making machine is operating", "Rapid ice making", "Rapid cooling", etc. .. In addition, "the door is open" means that the above-mentioned "door is left open" has occurred.

Further, the "parameter value" is various values that can be set from the mobile terminal 20. For example, the refrigerator 10 has "refrigerator temperature" and "freezer temperature" as setting items, and these items have three stages of "weak", "medium", and "strong", or "1" to "1" to "strong". The parameter value can be set from the 11-step candidates of "11". Further, a "vacuum chilled room" that can set the atmospheric pressure to about 0.8 atm is provided in a part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 10. The "parameter values" for the "vacuum chilled room" include "chilled (refrigerating temperature approx. + 1 ° C)", "ice temperature (refrigerating temperature approx. -2 ° C)", and "vacuum off (refrigerating temperature is normal refrigerating temperature and atmospheric pressure). Is about 1 atm) ”, the parameter value can be set from the three types of candidates.

Further, for the refrigerating room, there are setting items of "spot refrigerating" and "rapid cooling", and for these, a parameter value can be selected from on or off. Further, the freezer compartment of the refrigerator 10 is provided with an "ice making function", and for this, a parameter value can be selected from "quick ice making", "ice making", and "stop". Further, the refrigerator 10 has setting items of "power saving" and "operation unit lock", and parameter values can be selected from on or off for these setting items. Further, the refrigerator 10 has a setting item called "volume", and for these, a parameter value can be selected from "standard", "large", and "off".

(Ingredient data)
In the storage unit 22 of each mobile terminal 20, for example, food material data related to foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator 10 can be stored. Then, each food material data includes food material image data, memo data, reminder information, an alarm notification flag, and a starting date. The "food material image data" is arbitrary image data, and may be image data other than the food material. However, since the image data is included in the food material data and it is considered that the image data of the food material is often used, it is referred to as "food material image data" in the present specification.

Further, the "memo data" is arbitrary character data of about several tens of characters, and generally, a character string such as a name or description of the food material is applied. Further, the "starting date" is arbitrary date data that serves as a starting point for the food material, and may be set to a date on which the shooting unit 26 has taken the food material image data or stored the food material image data in the storage unit 22. can. If the base point date is set to the shooting date or the storage date of the food material image data, the base point date can be automatically set in cooperation with the operation of the shooting unit 26, which is convenient for the user. Further, since it is considered that these dates often coincide with or are close to the storage start date of the food material in the refrigerator 10, it is easy to ensure the accuracy. Of course, it may be the day when the food is purchased or the day when it is stored in the refrigerator 10. Further, the "reminder information" is information that specifies the date and time when the reminder is performed to the user. For the reminder information, an absolute date and time may be specified, for example, "May 3, 2019, 10:00 PM", or a date and time relatively determined based on the starting date, such as "14th from the starting date". May be. Further, the "alarm notification flag" specifies that a predetermined alarm operation (for example, sounding of a buzzer or vibration of the mobile terminal 20) is performed (on) or not performed (off) when a reminder is performed to the user. Information.

<Operation of the first embodiment>
(Command reception in refrigerator 10)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a command receiving routine executed in the refrigerator 10. In the present embodiment, each mobile terminal 20 can transmit various commands to any of the refrigerators 10. The command receiving routine shown in FIG. 2 is activated when the refrigerator 10 receives any command.

When the refrigerator 10 receives the command, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. Here, the control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 10 determines the command type and branches the process according to the command type. In the present embodiment, the "command type" is any one of "information request", "setting request", and "other". Here, the "information request" is a command for requesting refrigerator information (that is, notification, operation sign, parameter value, door open / close count information) from the refrigerator 10.

If the command type is an information request, the process proceeds to step S12, the control unit 11 returns the refrigerator information to the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 13, and this routine ends.
If the command type is "setting request", the process proceeds from step S10 to step S14. Here, the "setting request" is a command for requesting the setting or change of the parameter value. In step S14, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the setting request should be rejected based on exclusive control.

Here, "exclusive control" refers to control for rejecting a setting request from the mobile terminal 20 based on the state of the refrigerator 10. For example, when the door of the refrigerating room or the freezing room is open in the refrigerator 10, the control unit 11 may use the "refrigerating room temperature", "freezing room temperature", "vacuum chilled room", "spot refrigerating", and "spot refrigerating". Rejects the setting of parameter values for each setting item of "quick cooling", "ice making function" and "power saving". Further, if the refrigerator 10 is "during ice making cleaning (during defrosting of the ice making room)", the control unit 11 refuses to set the parameter value related to the "ice making function". However, in this case, the control unit 11 controls each setting item of "refrigerating room temperature", "freezing room temperature", "vacuum chilled room", "spot refrigerating", "quick cooling" and "power saving". Allows parameter values to be set.

If it is determined in step S14 that "Yes" (the setting request is rejected by exclusive control), the process proceeds to step S16, and the control unit 11 means "rejection of the setting request" via the communication unit 13. The NAK signal is returned to the mobile terminal 20, and this routine ends. Here, the NAK signal includes information indicating the reason for rejecting the setting request. Therefore, in the mobile terminal 20 that has received the NAK signal, a message based on the cause rejected by exclusive control (for example, "during maintenance mode") is displayed on the operation / display unit 24 (see FIG. 1). Further, the mobile terminal 20 sends an "information request" to the refrigerator 10 to acquire various states of the refrigerator 10 and updates the display contents on the mobile terminal 20.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 as "No" (permitting the setting request), the process proceeds to step S18, and the control unit 11 communicates via the communication unit 13 to mean "acceptance of the setting request". The signal is returned to the mobile terminal 20. Next, when the process proceeds to step S20, the control unit 11 executes the content specified in the setting request. If the received command type is other, the process proceeds from step S10 to step S26, and the control unit 11 executes the other process.

(Conditions for generating information requests)
Here, the conditions under which the above-mentioned "information request" occurs in the mobile terminal 20 will be described. The information request occurs when the user performs a predetermined information update operation on the mobile terminal 20, a timer event occurs at predetermined time intervals, and a NAK signal is returned from the refrigerator 10. Here, the "information update operation" is, more specifically, an operation in which the user taps the operation panel button 184 (see FIG. 4) on the mobile terminal 20.

Further, the timer event occurs every 3 seconds when the mobile terminal 20 is in the house (more specifically, when communication with the LAN 52 is established). On the other hand, the timer event occurs every minute when the mobile terminal 20 is outside the home (more specifically, when communication with WAN 54 is established). However, when a screen called an "operation / information screen" is displayed on the operation / display unit 24 (see FIG. 1) of the mobile terminal 20, the control unit 21 prohibits the occurrence of a timer event. The operation / information screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. The details of FIG. 5 will be described later, but these screens are screens for setting the parameter values of the refrigerator 10. The control unit 21 prohibits the occurrence of a timer event on the "operation / information screen" in order to prevent the parameter value from returning to the original value during the setting operation.

(Control sequence)
FIG. 3 is a control sequence diagram showing an example of a control sequence between the refrigerator 10 and the mobile terminal 20.
When the user performs the above-mentioned information update operation on the mobile terminal 20, an information request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the refrigerator 10 (step S102). Then, in the refrigerator 10, the process of step S12 of FIG. 2 is performed, and the current refrigerator information is returned from the refrigerator 10 to the mobile terminal 20 (step S104). Further, when the above-mentioned timer event occurs, an "information request" is also transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the refrigerator 10 (step S106). In the refrigerator 10, the process of step S12 of FIG. 2 is also performed in this case, and various information is returned from the refrigerator 10 to the mobile terminal 20 (step S108).

Further, it is assumed that the user has performed a refrigerator information setting operation on the mobile terminal 20. Then, the setting request corresponding to this setting operation is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the refrigerator 10 (step S120). If this setting request should be rejected by exclusive control, a NAK signal is returned to the mobile terminal 20 in step S122 (and step S16 in FIG. 2). Upon receiving the NAK signal, the mobile terminal 20 transmits an information request to the refrigerator 10 in step S124 (and step S16 in FIG. 2). The refrigerator 10 returns various information in step S126 (and step S12). When various information is returned from the refrigerator 10, the mobile terminal 20 updates the display contents of the operation / display unit 24.

Further, it is assumed that the user further performs the operation of setting the refrigerator information on the mobile terminal 20. Then, similarly to the above-mentioned step S120, the setting request corresponding to the setting operation is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the refrigerator 10 (step S130). If this setting request should not be rejected by exclusive control, an ACK signal is returned from the refrigerator 10 to the mobile terminal 20 (step S132, step S18 in FIG. 2). In this case, the control unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 updates the display content of the operation / display unit 24 based on the content of the setting request.

(Starting the application program)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation / information screens V02 to V06 (refrigerator information screen) displayed on the operation / display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 20.
When a predetermined operation (for example, tapping a predetermined icon) is performed on the operation / display unit 24, the food / refrigerator management application program according to the present embodiment is started. When the application program is started, for example, the operation / information screen V02 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation / display unit 24 as an initial screen.

The operation / information screen V02 includes a main menu bar 180 (screen selection unit) at the upper part of the screen, a submenu bar 190 at the lower part of the screen, and a refrigerator information display unit 100 at the center of the screen. Further, the main menu bar 180 includes a menu button 182, an operation panel button 184, a food material management button 186 marked "Kiroku", a support button 188, and an operation state icon 189.

The types of display screens displayed on the operation / display unit 24 are roughly classified into "operation screen", "food management screen", and "support screen". The above-mentioned operation / information screen V02 is a kind of operation screen. The operation panel button 184, the foodstuff management button 186, and the support button 188 in the main menu bar 180 select the display of the "operation screen", the "foodstuff management screen", and the "support screen", respectively, and select the selected type. Such buttons are displayed in red and underlined. On the other hand, buttons related to other types are displayed in black and are not underlined.

The operation state icon 189 represents the state of the refrigerator 10. If the refrigerator 10 is in operation, "in operation" is displayed in the rectangular frame on the operation state icon 189 as in the operation / information screen V02. Further, when the refrigerator 10 is stopped, "stopped" is displayed in the rectangular frame, and when the communication between the mobile terminal 20 and the refrigerator 10 is disconnected, "disconnecting" is displayed in the rectangular frame. Is displayed. Further, as in the operation / information screen V02, an “exclamation mark (!)” Surrounded by a triangular frame may be displayed next to the rectangular frame.

This "exclamation mark (!)" Is displayed when the above-mentioned "caution notice" or "fault notice" is notified from the refrigerator 10 to the mobile terminal 20. The operation status icon 189 is also displayed on screens other than the operation / information screen V02. When the user taps the operation status icon 189, the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the notification detail screen V22 (see FIG. 6) on the operation / display unit 24. The details of the notification detail screen V22 will be described later.

In the example of the operation / information screen V02, since the "operation screen" is selected as the type of the display screen, the operation panel button 184 (refrigerator information button) is displayed in red and underlined. On the other hand, the foodstuff management button 186 and the support button 188 are displayed in black and are not underlined. Further, the submenu bar 190 includes an information button 191 and a setting button 192. These indicate the display of the "operation / information screen" and the "operation / setting screen" (details will be described later), which are more detailed classifications in the "operation screen".

(Example of operation / information screen)
Like the operation / information screen V02 of FIG. 4, the operation / information screen is characterized by having a refrigerator information display unit 100. The refrigerator information display unit 100 includes a notification display unit 120, an operation sign unit 130, and a graph display unit 140. The notification display unit 120 displays the presence / absence of various "notifications" (normal notifications, caution notifications, failure notifications) related to the refrigerator 10.

The notification display unit 120 on the operation / information screen V02 shows an example when there is no “notification”. As shown in the figure, when there is no "notification", "none" is displayed on the notification display unit 120, so that the user can clearly recognize that there is no "notification". When the "notification" exists, the date and time when the "notification" occurs is displayed on the notification display unit 120. When the user taps the notification display unit 120 with a finger when the "notification" exists, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 can see, for example, the notification detail screen V22 (see FIG. 6, for details). (Described later) is displayed on the operation / display unit 24.

In addition, the operation sign unit 130 has the above-mentioned operation sign, that is, "operation with reduced power consumption", "door is open", "please replenish water (to the water supply tank)", "Ice making cleaning is being performed (during defrosting of the ice making room)", "Automatic ice making machine is operating", "Rapid ice making", "Rapid cooling", etc. are displayed one by one per line. That is, the operation sign unit 130 does not include failure information of the refrigerator 10. Further, since the operation sign unit 130 displays one operation sign per line, the width of the operation sign unit 130 in the vertical direction increases as the number of operation signs increases.

As described above, the failure information of the refrigerator 10 is notified to the user via the operation state icon 189 or the notification display unit 120. Then, among the notification display unit 120, the driving sign unit 130, and the graph display unit 140, the one with the highest urgency to be displayed is generally the notification display unit 120, and the one with the next highest urgency is the driving sign. The unit 130, the one with the lowest urgency, is the graph display unit 140.

As described above, as the number of driving signs increases, the width of the driving sign unit 130 increases in the vertical direction. In the operation / information screen V04 shown in FIG. 4, seven operation signs are displayed on the operation sign unit 130, and as a result, the graph display unit 140 is almost hidden. In such a case, when the refrigerator information display unit 100 is scrolled (for example, when a finger is placed on the refrigerator information display unit 100 and slid upward), the refrigerator management unit 34 of the control unit 21 displays a hidden portion. .. The operation / information screen V06 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen when the refrigerator information display unit 100 of the operation / information screen V04 is slid. As described above, among the refrigerator information display units 100, the highly urgent notification display unit 120 and the operation sign unit 130 are preferentially displayed when the operation / information screens V02 and V04 are displayed.

Further, on the operation / information screen V02, the graph display unit 140 displays the number of times the door of the refrigerator 10 is opened / closed as a histogram for each date. That is, in the histogram, the rectangular figure (unsigned) corresponding to each day becomes longer in the vertical direction as the number of times the door is opened and closed on that day increases. Further, the refrigerator management unit 34 of the control unit 21 displays the number of times the door is opened and closed numerically above each rectangular figure. The graph display unit 140 does not include the vertical axis of the histogram, but even if the vertical axis does not exist, the user can accurately grasp the number of times the door is opened and closed by the numbers on the histogram. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, a large display area of the histogram can be secured.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the graph display unit 140 displays a histogram for 10 days including today. The number of days to be displayed is not limited to "10 days", but it is preferable to display a histogram of "at least 8 days". When the histogram for at least 8 days is displayed, the number of times of opening and closing in today and yesterday and the number of times of opening and closing in the day one week before today and yesterday are simultaneously displayed on the graph display unit 140. This makes it easier for the user to see and understand the tendency of the number of opening and closing times for each day of the week.

Further, the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the total value of the number of times of opening and closing of a plurality of doors capable of detecting opening and closing as a histogram on the graph display unit 140, not the number of times of opening and closing of each door included in the refrigerator 10. As a result, it is possible to more efficiently convey information to the user regarding the monitoring of "whether or not the door is opened".

As shown in the operation / information screens V02 to V06, in the refrigerator information display unit 100, the notification display unit 120 (first notification unit), the operation sign unit 130 (second notification unit), and the graph display unit 140 (third notification unit) and 140 (third notification unit) are arranged from top to bottom in that order. This is because the ones shown above tend to be more important or urgent. That is, the user is more likely to be able to grasp information of high importance or urgency without performing an operation such as scrolling.

Further, as shown in the driving sign section 130 of the operation / information screen V04, when all the texts of the driving sign cannot be displayed on the screen, the text in the displayable range and the symbol of "...>" are the driving sign section. Displayed at 130. In this case, when the user taps the text portion of the operation sign, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 displays an explanation screen (not shown) of the operation sign on the operation / display unit 24. As a result, the user can easily know the details of the text of the driving sign regardless of the size of the operation / display unit 24.

(Example of operation / setting screen)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation / setting screen displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
For example, when the setting button 192 is tapped on any of the operation / information screens V02 to V06 shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 may perform the operation / setting shown in FIG. 5, for example. The screen V10 is displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
The operation / setting screen V10 is common with the operation / information screens V02 to V06 in that it has a main menu bar 180 and a sub menu bar 190, but the setting item list unit 200 is displayed in the central portion.

The setting item list unit 200 of the operation / setting screen V10 includes a plurality of setting item buttons 202-1 to 202-8 (eight in the illustrated example). When there are nine or more setting item buttons, the user may scroll the setting item list unit 200. When the refrigerator management unit 34 detects the scroll operation, the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the hidden setting item on the operation / display unit 24. For each setting item button 202-1 to 202-8, the setting item names such as "refrigerating room temperature", "vacuum chilled", "spot refrigerating", "quick cooling", and "weak", "vacuum chilled" , "On", "On" and other parameter values and are included. When the user taps any of the setting item buttons, the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the setting item dialog 210 on the operation / display unit 24 as shown in the operation / setting screen V12.

The setting item dialog 210 includes a parameter value setting unit 212, a cancel button 214, and a setting button 216.
When the parameter value is set in the parameter value setting unit 212 and the setting button 216 is tapped, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 makes a corresponding setting request (steps S120, S130, etc. in FIG. 3). Send to the refrigerator 10.
On the other hand, when the NAK signal is returned from the refrigerator 10, the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the notification dialog 220 on the operation / display unit 24 as shown in the operation / setting screen V14 of FIG. When the OK button 222 is tapped in the notification dialog 220, the refrigerator management unit 34 closes the notification dialog 220.

(Example of notification history screen)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a notification history screen displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
When the user taps the menu button 182 on the operation screen (for example, the operation / information screens V02 to V06 in FIG. 4, the operation / setting screens V10 to 14 in FIG. 5), various menus are displayed (not shown). When the "notification history" button included in the menu is tapped, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 displays, for example, the notification history screen V20 shown in FIG. 6 on the operation / display unit 24. ..

The notification history screen V20 includes a main menu bar 150 and a history list unit 160. The main menu bar 150 includes a back button 152 and an operation state icon 189. When the user taps the back button 152, the refrigerator management unit 34 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 returns the display screen of the operation / display unit 24 to the screen before the notification history screen V20 is displayed.

The history list unit 160 includes a plurality of history item buttons 162-1 to 162-9 (nine in the illustrated example). It should be noted that there are actually 10 or more history item buttons, and the refrigerator management unit 34 displays the remaining history on the operation / display unit 24 by scrolling the history list unit 160. The history item buttons 162-1 to 162-9 correspond to "caution notification" and "fault notification" among the notifications received from the refrigerator 10 by the operation / display unit 24. That is, the history of "normal notification" is not included in the history list unit 160.

Each history item button 162-1 to 162-9 includes an occurrence date column 164, an occurrence time column 165, and a notification code column 166. The occurrence date column 164 indicates the date when the notification occurred, and the occurrence time column 165 indicates the occurrence time. In addition, a "notification code" is assigned to each type of "caution notification" and "fault notification". The notification code column 166 indicates the notification code.
When the user taps any of the history item buttons 162-1 to 162-9, the refrigerator management unit 34 of the control unit 21 displays the notification detail screen V22 shown in FIG. 6 on the operation / display unit 24.

The notification detail screen V22 includes a main menu bar 150 and a detailed explanation unit 170. The contents of the main menu bar 150 are the same as those of the notification history screen V20. The detailed explanation unit 170 includes an occurrence date column 174, an occurrence time column 175, a notification code column 176, and a commentary text column 178. The display contents of the occurrence date column 174, the occurrence time column 175, and the notification code column 176 are the display contents of the occurrence date column 164, the occurrence time column 165, and the notification code column 166 in the corresponding history item buttons 162-1 to 162-9. The same is true. Further, in the commentary text column 178, a commentary text for the notification code (for example, C01) is displayed.

(Example of food management screen: list mode)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the food material management screen V30 displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
On the operation screen (V02 to V06 in FIG. 4, V10 to 14 in FIG. 5, etc.), when the user taps the food management button 186 displayed as "Kiroku", the food management unit 32 of the control unit 21 (see FIG. 1). Displays, for example, the foodstuff management screen V30 shown in FIG. 7 on the operation / display unit 24.
The foodstuff management screen V30 includes a main menu bar 180, a foodstuff item enumeration display unit 260, a submenu bar 250, and another submenu bar 270 (display mode selection unit).

The contents of the main menu bar 180 are the same as those of the operation screens (V02 to V06 in FIG. 4, V10 to 14, etc. in FIG. 5). However, on the foodstuff management screen V30, since the "foodstuff management screen" is selected as the type of display screen, the foodstuff management button 186 marked "Kiroku" is displayed in red and underlined. .. On the other hand, the operation panel button 184 and the support button 188 are displayed in black and are not underlined.

The food item list display unit 260 includes five food item fields 262-1 to 262-5. The food item list display unit 260 also includes the sixth and subsequent food item columns. When the user scrolls the food item list display unit 260, the food management unit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 displays the remaining items. Each food ingredient item column displays the contents of the above-mentioned food material data and the like.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the foodstuff item column 262-1 in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the food item item column 262-1 includes an image display unit 61, a check box 62, a memo display unit 63, a bell icon 64 (reminder image), an elapsed days display unit 65, and a starting date display unit 66. And, including. The structure of the other food item column is the same as that of the food item column 262-1.

The image display unit 61 displays the food material image data included in the food material data. The memo display unit 63 displays the contents of the memo data of the food material data. The bell icon 64 is displayed when the reminder information is set in the food material data. The elapsed days display unit 65 displays the number of elapsed days from the starting date to today. The starting date display unit 66 displays the starting date of the food material data.

The foodstuff management unit 32 displays the elapsed days display unit 65, usually in black. However, if today's date is one month after the starting date, or if the current time is past the date and time according to the reminder information, the display color of the elapsed days display unit 65 is changed to red. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the elapsed days display unit 65 displayed in red is indicated by a rectangular frame. That is, on the foodstuff management screen V30, the elapsed days display unit of the foodstuff item column 262-1,262-2 is displayed in red, and the other elapsed days display unit is displayed in black. When any of the food item column 262-1 to 262-5 is tapped, the food management unit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 displays the corresponding food data editing screen V34 (see FIG. 9, details will be described later). Is displayed.

The user can edit the memo data, reminder information, starting date, etc. of the food material data on the food material data editing screen V34. The details will be described later. In FIG. 8, the character size in the elapsed days display unit 65 is larger than the character size (per character) in the memo display unit 63. Further, the display area of the image display unit 61 is larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit 65. By displaying the food material image data displayed on the image display unit 61 in an easy-to-read manner in this way, the user can easily remember what the food material was.

In FIG. 7, the sub-menu bar 250 includes a sort order instruction button 252, a current date display field 254, an image capture button 256, a camera activation button 258, and a useful button 259. When the user taps the sort order instruction button 252 on the submenu bar 250, the foodstuff management unit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 changes the sort order of the foodstuff item list display unit 260. For example, the sort order can be changed to "date order" or "date reverse order".

When the user taps the camera activation button 258, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the camera operation screen V36 (see FIG. 10) on the operation / display unit 24. When the user taps the image capture button 256, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the image capture screen V38 (see FIG. 10) on the operation / display unit 24. The details of the camera operation screen V36 and the image capture screen V38 will be described later, but the foodstuff management unit 32 creates new foodstuff data in which the images captured through these screens are used as the foodstuff image data.

As a result, the foodstuff item column related to the new foodstuff data is added to the foodstuff item list display unit 260. Further, when the user taps the useful button 259, a predetermined browser program is activated in the mobile terminal 20, and this browser program displays the Web page of the predetermined site in WAN 54 on the operation / display unit 24.

In the present embodiment, the submenu bar 250 is displayed on the operation / display unit 24 regardless of the scroll state of the food item list display unit 260 and regardless of the number of food item fields 262-1 to 262-5 and the like. Will be done. As a result, the user can quickly maintain access to the sort order instruction button 252, the image capture button 256, and the camera activation button 258 included in the submenu bar 250.

Further, the check box 62 (see FIG. 8) is used when selecting food material data or the like to be deleted. More specifically, in FIG. 7, when the check box in any of the food item item columns 262-1 to 262-5 is tapped, the check box is put into the check state. Then, the foodstuff management unit 32 causes the submenu bar 270 to display a "cancel" button and a "delete" button (not shown). Here, when the user taps the "Delete" button, the foodstuff management unit 32 deletes one or more foodstuff item fields 262-1 to 262-5, etc. that were in the checked state from the screen, and the corresponding foodstuff data. Also delete.

Further, in FIG. 7, the submenu bar 270 of the foodstuff management screen V30 includes a list button 272 and an album button 274. These are for switching the display mode in the food item list display unit 260. When the user taps the list button 272, the foodstuff management unit 32 selects the list mode as the display mode.

In the list mode, the display mode of the food item list display unit 260 is as shown on the food management screen V30. That is, the horizontally long rectangular food item item columns 262-1 to 262-5 are displayed in a row in the vertical direction on the food item list display unit 260. When the user taps the album button 274, the foodstuff management unit 32 selects the album mode as the display mode. In the album mode, the display mode of the food item list display unit 260 is shown on the food management screen V32 (see FIG. 9).

(Example of food management screen: album mode)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the food material management screen V32 and the food material data editing screen V34 in the album mode displayed on the operation / display unit 24. As described above, when the album button 274 is tapped on the list mode food management screen V30 (see FIG. 7), the album mode food management screen V32 is displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
The foodstuff management screen V32 includes a main menu bar 180, a submenu bar 250, and a submenu bar 270, and the contents thereof are the same as those of the foodstuff management screen V30 (see FIG. 7). However, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the foodstuff item list display unit 263 on the operation / display unit 24 instead of the foodstuff item list display unit 260 of the foodstuff management screen V30.

In the illustrated example, six foodstuff item columns 264-1 to 264-6 are displayed on the foodstuff item list display unit 263. The food item list display unit 263 also includes the seventh and subsequent food item items. When the user scrolls the food item list display unit 263, the food management unit 32 operates and displays the remaining food item fields on the display unit 24. indicate. The food item column 264-1 to 264-6 have a square shape having a length of about 1/2 of the width of the food item list display unit 263 as one side, and these food item fields are displayed in two columns in the vertical direction. Will be done.

The food item item columns 264-1 to 264-6 include an image display unit 71, a check box 72, and an elapsed days display unit 75. The image display unit 71 has a display area covering almost the entire area of each food item item column, and displays the corresponding food image data. Further, the check box 72 and the elapsed days display unit 75 are superimposed on the image display unit 71 and displayed. The check box 72 and the elapsed days display unit 75 have the same functions as the check box 62 and the elapsed days display unit 65 shown in FIG. Since the superimpose display is performed on the foodstuff management screen V32, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated area for the check box 72 and the elapsed days display unit 75, so that the foodstuff image data can be displayed in a large size.

(Example of food data editing screen)
When the user taps either the food item column 262-1 to 262-5 (see FIG. 7) or the food item field 264-1 to 264-6 (see FIG. 9) described above, the food management unit 32 responds. The food data editing screen for editing the contents of the food data is displayed on the operation / display unit 24.
The food material data editing screen V34 shown in FIG. 9 is an example thereof. In FIG. 9, the food material data editing screen V34 includes a main menu bar 180 and a food material data editing unit 280. Here, the contents of the main menu bar 180 are the same as those of the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) described above.

Further, the food data editing unit 280 has a back button 282, an image display unit 284, an image capture button 286, a camera activation button 288, a memo data editing column 290, a starting date editing column 292, and a reminder information editing. A column 294, an alarm notification permission button 296, and a save button 298 are included.

When the user taps the back button 282, the original screen (for example, V30, V32) is redisplayed on the operation / display unit 24. Further, when the user taps the camera activation button 288, the camera operation screen V36 (see FIG. 10) is displayed. Further, when the user taps the image capture button 286, the image capture screen V38 (see FIG. 10) is displayed. Therefore, the food material image data in the food material data can be changed through these screens. The details of the camera operation screen V36 and the image capture screen V38 will be described later.

When the user taps the memo data editing field 290, a character editing dialog (not shown) is displayed, and the user can edit the contents of the memo data. Further, when the user taps the reminder information edit field 294, a dialog for inputting the date and time (not shown) is displayed, and the user can set the reminder information. When the alarm notification permission button 296 is tapped, the on / off state of the alarm notification flag related to the food material data is toggled. In this way, after inputting and editing various data in the food material data editing unit 280, the user taps the save button 298. When the save button 298 is tapped, the food material data is updated based on the content input to the food material data editing unit 280, and the original screen (for example, V30, V32) is redisplayed on the operation / display unit 24.

(Example of camera operation screen)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the above-mentioned camera operation screen V36 and image capture screen V38.
The camera operation screen V36 includes a main menu bar 180 and a camera operation unit 300. The contents of the main menu bar 180 are the same as those of the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32 (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

Further, the camera operation unit 300 includes an image display unit 302, a shutter button 304, and a close button 306. The image display unit 302 displays an image captured by the photographing unit 26 (see FIG. 1). When the close button 306 is tapped by the user, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the original screen (for example, V30, V32, V34 in FIGS. 7 and 9) on the operation / display unit 24. At that time, the food material image data displayed on the original screen is not changed.

Further, when the user taps the shutter button 304, the foodstuff management unit 32 stores the currently captured image, that is, the image displayed on the image display unit 302, as food material image data in the storage unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20. Remember. Then, the food material management unit 32 displays the food material data editing screen V34 (see FIG. 9) on the operation / display unit 24. Then, the food material management unit 32 changes the content of the image display unit 284 of the food material data editing screen V34 to the image data added this time.

When the camera operation screen V36 is displayed by the camera activation buttons 258 of the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32, the foodstuff management unit 32 adds new foodstuff data using the image data added this time as the foodstuff image data. In the added food data, the memo data and the reminder information are blank, and the alarm notification flag is set to off. In addition, the starting date is set as the shooting date of the food material image data. The memo data and reminder information may be left blank, or may be set on the above-mentioned food material data editing screen V34 (see FIG. 9).

By the way, the storage unit 22 (see FIG. 1) of the mobile terminal 20 is provided with an image data folder (not shown) for storing various image data. The image data added this time by operating the camera operation screen V36 is used as food material image data in the application program of the present embodiment, and is also stored in the image data folder of the storage unit 22. Therefore, the food material image data can be shared with other mobile terminals 20 by using a general image transfer tool or the like in the mobile terminal 20. Further, when the food material management unit 32 deletes any food material data, the food material image data included in the food material data is also deleted in this application program. However, since the same image data as the deleted food material image data is also stored in the image data folder of the storage unit 22, the user can create the food material data again using the image data.

In general, in an application program for managing foodstuffs, it is often required to input the foodstuff name (corresponding to the memo data in the present embodiment). However, if at least the number of days elapsed from the starting date and the food image data are displayed as in the food management screens V30 and V32 (see FIGS. 7 and 9), the user can use the food based on these information. It is thought that the name can often be remembered. In such a case, in the present embodiment, the user can omit the input of the memo data, and the time and effort of the operation by the user can be reduced.

Next, a case where the camera operation screen V36 is displayed by the camera start button 288 of the food data editing screen V34 will be described. In this case, when the user taps the shutter button 304 of the camera operation screen V36, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the foodstuff data editing screen V34 again. At that time, the image data added this time is displayed on the image display unit 284 on the food material data editing screen V34. In this case, the values of the memo data, the reminder information, the starting date, and the alarm notification flag are maintained as the original values.

(Example of image capture screen)
Further, the image capture screen V38 includes a main menu bar 180, an image list display unit 310, and a sub menu bar 320. The contents of the main menu bar 180 are the same as those of the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). As described above, the storage unit 22 (see FIG. 1) of the mobile terminal 20 is provided with an image data folder (not shown) for storing various image data.

The image list display unit 310 displays the icon image 312 for one or more image data files stored in this image data folder. In the illustrated example, only one icon image 312 is displayed. Further, the cancel button 322 and the selection button 324 are displayed on the submenu bar 320. When the cancel button 322 is tapped by the user, the original screen (for example, V30, V32, V34 in FIGS. 7 and 9) is displayed on the operation / display unit 24. At that time, the food material image data displayed on the original screen is not changed.

Further, when the user taps any of the icon images 312, the image data file related to the icon image 312 is in the designated state. When the user taps the selection button 324 in this state, the foodstuff management unit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 21 displays the foodstuff data editing screen V34 (see FIG. 9) on the operation / display unit 24. Then, the food material management unit 32 changes the content of the image display unit 284 of the food material data editing screen V34 to the image data designated this time.

When the image capture screen V38 is displayed by the image capture buttons 256 of the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32, the foodstuff management unit 32 adds new foodstuff data using the image data specified this time as the foodstuff image data. In the added food data, the memo data and the reminder information are blank, and the alarm notification flag is set to off. The starting date is set to the creation date of the image data file.

Next, a case where the image capture screen V38 is displayed by the image capture button 286 of the food data editing screen V34 will be described. In this case, when the user specifies an image data file and taps the selection button 324, the foodstuff management unit 32 displays the foodstuff data editing screen V34 again. At that time, the food material management unit 32 displays the image data added this time on the image display unit 284 on the food material data editing screen V34. In this case, the values of the memo data, the reminder information, the starting date, and the alarm notification flag are maintained as the original values.

(Example of support screen)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the support screen V40. As described above, when the user taps the support button 188 on each screen on which the main menu bar 180 is displayed, the control unit 21 causes the operation / display unit 24 to display the support screen V40 as shown in FIG. The operation / information screen V04 includes a main menu bar 180 and a support menu unit 340.

The contents of the main menu bar 180 are the same as those of the operation screens (V02 to V06 in FIG. 4, V10 to 14, etc. in FIG. 5). However, in the support screen V40, since the "support screen" is selected as the type of the display screen, the support button 188 is displayed in red and is underlined. The support menu unit 340 includes a plurality of buttons 342 to 356, and when the user taps a desired button, a support operation corresponding to the button is executed.

<Effect of the first embodiment>
As described above, the refrigerator remote control device (20) of the present embodiment corresponds between the control unit (21) and the starting date and the food image data for each food material stored in the refrigerator (10) to be controlled. A control unit (21) including a storage unit (22) for storing attached food data, a communication unit (23) for communicating with the refrigerator (10), and an operation / display unit (24) for inputting / outputting information. ) Is the first predetermined operation (foodstuff management) in the operation / display unit (24) when the refrigerator information screens (V02 to V06) indicating the state of the refrigerator (10) are displayed on the operation / display unit (24). When the button 186 is tapped), the elapsed days display unit (65,75) indicating the number of days elapsed from the corresponding starting date and the image display unit (61,71) displaying the food image data for each ingredient are executed. The foodstuff management unit (32) that displays the foodstuff management screen (V30, V32) including) on the operation / display unit (24), and the foodstuff management screen (V30, V32) are displayed on the operation / display unit (24). When the second predetermined operation (tap of the operation panel button 184) is executed in the operation / display unit (24), the refrigerator information screen (V02 to V06) is displayed on the operation / display unit (24). It is provided with a refrigerator management unit (34) to be operated.
As a result, the information on the foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator and the state of the refrigerator can be managed together, and the foodstuffs can be managed appropriately.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the foodstuff management screens (V30, V32) display the refrigerator information button (184) instructing the display of the refrigerator information screens (V02 to V06) and the foodstuff management screen (V30, V32). A foodstuff management button (186) including the foodstuff management button (186), a screen selection unit (180) including, and a foodstuff item column (262-1 to 262-5, 264-1 to 264-6) are provided for each foodstuff data. It includes an elapsed days display unit (65,75), an image display unit (61,71), and a food item list display unit (260,263) arranged in the corresponding food item column, and includes refrigerator information. The screens (V02 to V06) include a screen selection unit (180) and a refrigerator information display unit (100) that displays information about the refrigerator (10), and the first predetermined operation is the screen selection unit. In (180), the food material management button (186) is operated, and the second predetermined operation is to operate the refrigerator information button (184) in the screen selection unit (180).
In this way, the food management screen (V30, V32) and the refrigerator information screen (V02 to V06) are both provided with a screen selection unit (180), and the screen is switched by operating the screen selection unit (180). (V30, V32) and the refrigerator information screen (V02 to V06) can be quickly switched. This makes it easier for the user to link the foodstuff management and the state management of the refrigerator (10).

Further, the refrigerator information display unit (100) has a first notification unit (120) for notifying a failure that has occurred in the refrigerator (10) and a second notification unit (120) for notifying the operating state of the refrigerator (10) other than the failure. (130) and a third notification unit (140) for notifying the number of times the door is opened and closed in the refrigerator (10), and the refrigerator management unit (34) operates and displays the refrigerator information screens (V02 to V06). When displaying on the unit (24), the first notification unit (120) and the second notification unit (130) are displayed in preference to the third notification unit (140).
As a result, highly important information can be preferentially displayed on the operation / display unit (24).

Further, the refrigerator (10) is provided with a plurality of doors, the number of times the doors are opened and closed is the total number of times the plurality of doors are opened and closed for each day, and the third notification unit (140) has the number of times the doors are opened and closed. It displays a histogram in which rectangular figures that become longer in the vertical direction as the number increases are arranged day by day for a period of 8 days or more, and the refrigerator management unit (34) displays a corresponding door above each rectangular figure. It also has a function to indicate the number of times of opening and closing by a number.
By displaying the histogram for 8 days or more, the user can easily grasp the tendency of the number of opening and closing times for each day of the week at a glance. Further, since the histogram is created by the total number of times the doors are opened and closed, it is possible to more efficiently convey information to the user regarding the monitoring of "whether or not the door is opened".
Instead of displaying the total value of the number of times the doors are opened and closed as a histogram, the doors may be color-coded according to the type of the opened and closed doors, or separated by a line to be displayed separately. According to this, it is possible to grasp which door is often opened and closed.

In addition, the food material data further includes reminder information that specifies the date or time for notifying the user of the reminder, and the food management department (32) is responsible for the corresponding food item based on the corresponding reminder information. A predetermined reminder image (64) is displayed in the column (262-1 to 262-5, 264-1 to 264-6).
By displaying the reminder image (64), the user can easily recognize that the reminder information is set in the food material data.

Further, the food material management screen (V30, V32) further sets a first display mode (list mode) or a second display mode (album mode) as a display mode of the food material item enumeration display unit (260, 263). It has a display mode selection unit (270) to be selected, and the food material data further includes memo data which is an arbitrary character string specified by the user for each food material, and the food material management unit (32). When the first display mode (list mode) is selected as the display mode, in addition to the image display unit (61) and the elapsed days display unit (65), the memo data included in the corresponding food material data The memo display unit (63) for displaying is displayed in the food item item column (264-1 to 264-6), and the display area of the image display unit (61) is made larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit (65). , The function to make the character size in the memo display unit (63) smaller than the character size in the elapsed days display unit (65), and the image display when the second display mode (album mode) is selected as the display mode. It further has a function of superimposing and displaying the elapsed days display unit (75) with respect to the unit (71).
In this way, by selecting the first display mode (list mode) or the second display mode (album mode) as the display mode, information can be displayed to the user in a more appropriate manner.

[Second Embodiment]
<Structure of the second embodiment>
Next, the configuration of the refrigerator control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The hardware configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), but in the second embodiment, each refrigerator 10 can be set to have a file server function. That is, when set in the file server, a part of the storage area in the storage unit 12 of the refrigerator 10 can be read and written from an external mobile terminal 20 or the like via the communication unit 13. When a plurality of refrigerators 10 are provided, any one of the refrigerators 10 may be set as the file server. Further, the file server does not necessarily have to be the refrigerator 10. For example, a server device (not shown) on WAN 54 may be applied as a file server.

The file server stores food material image data and other food material data. The plurality of mobile terminals 20 can share food material image data and the like of food materials via a file server. Further, the plurality of mobile terminals 20 are classified into "master terminal" and "slave terminal". The "master terminal" can remotely control the refrigerator and manage ingredients. The "slave terminal" is not allowed to remotely control the refrigerator, but can access the file server and manage foodstuffs. For example, the mobile terminal of an "adult user" in the home may be a "master terminal", and the mobile terminal of a "child user" may be a "slave terminal".

<Operation of the second embodiment>
The mobile terminal 20 in the second embodiment has the same function as that in the first embodiment, but has a function of accessing a file server (for example, any refrigerator 10) to acquire food image data. Further, the mobile terminal 20 of the second embodiment has various functions described below.

(Automatic acquisition of memo data and reminder information)
Also in this embodiment, when the user taps the camera activation button 258 on the foodstuff management screens V30 and V32 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the camera operation screen V36 (see FIG. 10) is operated as in the first embodiment. It is displayed on the display unit 24. Then, when the user taps the shutter button 304, the food material data editing screen V34 (see FIG. 9) is displayed on the operation / display unit 24. In the first embodiment, in this case, the memo data and the reminder information are blank. However, in this embodiment, memo data and reminder information may be automatically set.

First, the food material image data may include an image of a food label. In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 recognizes the image of the food label as characters and sets the product name of the food material (for example, "pork ribs") in the memo data. In addition, the food label image may include an expiration date or a best-by date. In the present embodiment, if any of the recognized character strings specifies the expiration date or the expiration date, the control unit 21 sets the date and time in the reminder information. This greatly saves the user the trouble of inputting memo data and reminder information. If the entered memo data or reminder information is inappropriate, the user can freely edit it.

(Display of food data corresponding to the state history of the refrigerator)
In the first embodiment, the food material data is displayed in various modes on the food material management screens V30 and V32 and the food material data editing screen V34 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. However, in the first embodiment, the display mode of the food material data is not particularly related to the state history of the refrigerator 10. As described below, one of the features of the present embodiment is that the control unit 21 sets the display mode of the food material data according to the state history of the refrigerator 10.

In the refrigerator 10, an event that affects the quality of the food material may occur. This is because, for example, "the doors of the refrigerating room, the freezing room, etc. were open for 3 minutes or more", "the temperature of the refrigerating room, the freezing room, etc. was abnormal", "the motor rotation abnormality, overcurrent, etc. occurred and the refrigerator was used. It is an event such as "10 has stopped". These events are called "attention events". In the present embodiment, when a noteworthy event occurs between the starting date of each food material data and the current time, the corresponding food material item column (262-1 to 262 in FIG. 7) is warned to that effect. -5, the display mode of FIG. 9 (264-1 to 264-6, etc.) is set. For example, a warning message, a warning icon, or the like is displayed in the corresponding food item column. As a result, the user can perform more appropriate food management according to the state history of the refrigerator 10.

[Modification example]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The above-described embodiments are exemplified for the purpose of explaining the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to delete a part of the configuration of each embodiment, or add / replace another configuration. In addition, the control lines and information lines shown in the figure show what is considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines necessary for the product. In practice, it can be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected. Possible modifications to the above embodiments are, for example, as follows.

(1) Since the hardware of the mobile terminal 20 in the above embodiment can be realized by a general computer, even if a program or the like that realizes the functions of the mobile terminal 20 is stored in a storage medium or distributed via a transmission path. good.

264-1 to 264-6 Ingredient item column 10 Refrigerator 20 Mobile terminal (remote control device for refrigerator, computer)
21 Control unit 22 Storage unit 23 Communication unit 24 Operation / display unit 32 Foodstuff management unit (foodstuff management process, foodstuff management means)
34 Refrigerator management department (refrigerator management process, refrigerator management means)
61, 71 Image display unit 63 Memo display unit 64 Bell icon (reminder image)
65,75 Elapsed days display unit 100 Refrigerator information display unit 120 Display unit (first notification unit)
130 Driving sign section (second notification section)
140 Graph display unit (third notification unit)
180 Main menu bar (screen selection section)
184 Operation panel button (refrigerator information button)
186 Foodstuff management button 260,263 Foodstuff item enumeration display unit 270 Sub menu bar (display mode selection unit)
V02-V06 Operation / information screen (refrigerator information screen)
V30, V32 Food management screen

Claims (8)

A control unit, a storage unit that stores food data in which the starting date and food image data are associated with each food material stored in the refrigerator to be controlled, a communication unit that communicates with the refrigerator, and information input / output. Equipped with an operation / display unit to perform
The control unit
When the refrigerator information screen showing the state of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation / display unit and the first predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the corresponding starting date for each of the foodstuffs. A foodstuff management unit that displays a foodstuff management screen including a foodstuff management screen including an elapsed day number display unit that shows the number of days elapsed since and the foodstuff image data, and a foodstuff management unit that displays the foodstuff management screen.
When the foodstuff management screen is displayed on the operation / display unit, when the second predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the refrigerator management unit that displays the refrigerator information screen on the operation / display unit. And, with
The foodstuff management screen further includes a foodstuff item enumeration display unit, each of which has a plurality of foodstuff item items including the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, and the display mode thereof is a first display mode or a second display mode. It has a display mode selection unit that selects the display mode.
The food material data further includes memo data, which is an arbitrary character string specified by the user, for each of the food materials.
The foodstuff management department
When the first display mode is selected as the display mode, in addition to the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, a memo display unit that displays the memo data included in the corresponding food material data is further provided. Displayed in the food item column, the display area of the image display unit is made larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit, and the character size of the memo display unit is smaller than the character size of the elapsed days display unit. A remote control device for refrigerators that is characterized by having additional functions. A control unit, a storage unit that stores food data in which the starting date and food image data are associated with each food material stored in the refrigerator to be controlled, a communication unit that communicates with the refrigerator, and information input / output. Equipped with an operation / display unit to perform
The control unit
When the refrigerator information screen showing the state of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation / display unit and the first predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the corresponding starting date for each of the foodstuffs. A foodstuff management unit that displays a foodstuff management screen including a foodstuff management screen including an elapsed day number display unit that shows the number of days elapsed since and the foodstuff image data, and a foodstuff management unit that displays the foodstuff management screen.
When the foodstuff management screen is displayed on the operation / display unit, when the second predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the refrigerator management unit that displays the refrigerator information screen on the operation / display unit. And, with
The foodstuff management screen further includes a foodstuff item enumeration display unit, and has a display mode selection unit for selecting a first display mode or a second display mode as the display mode thereof.
The food material data further includes memo data, which is an arbitrary character string specified by the user, for each of the food materials.
The foodstuff management department
When the first display mode is selected as the display mode, in addition to the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, a memo display unit that displays the memo data included in the corresponding food material data is further provided. A function of displaying in the food item column, making the display area of the image display unit larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit, and making the character size of the memo display unit smaller than the character size of the elapsed days display unit. Further prepared,
The foodstuff management screen is
It includes a screen selection unit including a refrigerator information button for instructing the display of the refrigerator information screen and a foodstuff management button for instructing the display of the foodstuff management screen.
The foodstuff item enumeration display unit is provided with the foodstuff item column for each of the foodstuff data, and the elapsed days display unit and the image display unit are arranged in the corresponding foodstuff item column.
The refrigerator information screen includes the screen selection unit and a refrigerator information display unit that displays information about the refrigerator.
The first predetermined operation is to operate the foodstuff management button in the screen selection unit.
The second predetermined operation is a remote control device for a refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerator information button is operated in the screen selection unit. The refrigerator information display unit is
A first notification unit that notifies a failure that has occurred in the refrigerator, and
A second notification unit that notifies the operating status of the refrigerator other than the failure, and
A third notification unit that notifies the number of times the door is opened and closed in the refrigerator,
Have,
When the refrigerator information screen is displayed on the operation / display unit, the refrigerator management unit displays the first notification unit and the second notification unit in preference to the third notification unit. The remote control device for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the remote control device is used. The refrigerator is equipped with a plurality of doors.
The number of times the door is opened and closed is the sum of the number of times the plurality of doors are opened and closed on a daily basis.
The third notification unit displays a histogram in which rectangular figures that become longer in the vertical direction as the number of times the door is opened and closed are arranged day by day for a period of 8 days or more.
The remote control device for a refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerator management unit further has a function of indicating the corresponding number of times of opening and closing the door by a numerical value above each of the rectangular figures. The food material data further includes reminder information that specifies a date or time for notifying the user of the reminder.
The remote control device for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the foodstuff management unit displays a predetermined reminder image in the corresponding foodstuff item column based on the corresponding reminder information. The foodstuff management department
5. The fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that when the second display mode is selected as the display mode, the image display unit is further provided with a function of superimposing and displaying the elapsed days display unit. Remote control device for refrigerators. A control unit, a storage unit that stores food data in which the starting date and food image data are associated with each food material stored in the refrigerator to be controlled, a communication unit that communicates with the refrigerator, and information input / output. It is a control method of a remote control device for a refrigerator equipped with an operation / display unit for performing the above.
When the refrigerator information screen showing the state of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation / display unit and the first predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the corresponding starting date for each of the foodstuffs. A foodstuff management process for displaying a foodstuff management screen including an elapsed day number display unit showing the number of days elapsed from the beginning, an image display unit for displaying the foodstuff image data, and the foodstuff management process including the foodstuff management screen.
When the foodstuff management screen is displayed on the operation / display unit and the second predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the refrigerator management process for displaying the refrigerator information screen on the operation / display unit. And have
The foodstuff management screen further includes a foodstuff item enumeration display unit, each of which has a plurality of foodstuff item items including the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, and the display mode thereof is a first display mode or a second display mode. It has a display mode selection unit that selects the display mode.
The food material data further includes memo data, which is an arbitrary character string specified by the user, for each of the food materials.
The foodstuff management process is
When the first display mode is selected as the display mode, in addition to the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, a memo display unit that displays the memo data included in the corresponding food material data is further provided. Displayed in the food item column, the display area of the image display unit is made larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit, and the character size of the memo display unit is smaller than the character size of the elapsed days display unit. A control method for a remote control device for a refrigerator, which comprises further processes. A control unit, a storage unit that stores food data in which the starting date and food image data are associated with each food material stored in the refrigerator to be controlled, a communication unit that communicates with the refrigerator, and information input / output. A computer that has an operation / display unit that performs
When the refrigerator information screen showing the state of the refrigerator is displayed on the operation / display unit and the first predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the corresponding starting date for each of the foodstuffs. A foodstuff management means for displaying a foodstuff management screen including an elapsed day number display unit indicating the number of days elapsed from the beginning and an image display unit for displaying the foodstuff image data on the operation / display unit.
When the foodstuff management screen is displayed on the operation / display unit, when the second predetermined operation is executed on the operation / display unit, the refrigerator management means for displaying the refrigerator information screen on the operation / display unit. ,
It is a program to function as
The foodstuff management screen further includes a foodstuff item enumeration display unit, each of which has a plurality of foodstuff item items including the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, and the display mode thereof is a first display mode or a second display mode. It has a display mode selection unit that selects the display mode.
The food material data further includes memo data, which is an arbitrary character string specified by the user, for each of the food materials.
The foodstuff management means is
When the first display mode is selected as the display mode, in addition to the image display unit and the elapsed days display unit, a memo display unit that displays the memo data included in the corresponding food material data is further provided. Displayed in the food item column, the display area of the image display unit is made larger than the display area of the elapsed days display unit, and the character size of the memo display unit is smaller than the character size of the elapsed days display unit. A program characterized by having more functions.

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