JP7500285B2 - Refrigerators and output devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an output device.

For refrigerators, a camera has been proposed to take pictures of the interior of the refrigerator (fridge), for the purpose of inventory management of stored goods, etc. Patent Document 1 states that "The camera is mounted on the front of the top surface of the refrigerator body, protruding forward, and is rotated in the X direction (front-to-back direction) by a first motor and in the Y direction (left-to-right direction) by a second motor. When the door of the refrigerator compartment is opened, the camera automatically turns to the first shooting position for taking pictures of the interior of the refrigerator, and takes pictures of the interior of the refrigerator."

JP 2003-42626 A

In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the control means can automatically control the shooting direction of the camera in response to the open door, causing it to take pictures automatically. This allows the state of the storage compartment corresponding to the open door to be automatically photographed, and the user does not need to operate the camera one by one. However, changing the shooting direction of the camera every time the door is opened or closed is not good for the reliability of the product.

Patent document 1 also describes a fixed type camera rather than a movable type. That is, in the fixed type of patent document 1, the camera attached to the end of the arm is fixed on the refrigerator body side and facing diagonally downward, and no first or second motor that serves as a driving means is provided, and the camera cover is not provided with concave lenses for the refrigerator compartment or the door pocket. The camera lens is a wide-angle lens, and its field of view includes the inside of the refrigerator compartment with the door open and the inside of each drawer pulled out from the vegetable compartment, etc., and it is described that these ranges can be photographed with a single shot (third example of patent document 1).

The inventors of this application investigated the imaging range and found that if the camera was fixed, it would not be possible to properly capture images of the inside of the refrigerator (storage room).

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and provide a refrigerator and output device that can properly capture images of the inside of the refrigerator compartment (storage compartment).

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention has a box body forming a storage compartment with an opening at the front, an imaging device provided outside the storage compartment and equipped with a lens , and a mirror provided outside the storage compartment within an imaging area of the imaging device , the mirror is disposed forward of the lens and facing the inside of the storage compartment, the imaging device captures a virtual image of the inside of the storage compartment by the mirror located in front and a real image of the inside of the storage compartment located behind the mirror, and the virtual image includes an area within the storage compartment that is a blind spot of the real image . Other aspects of the present invention will be described in the embodiments described later.

The present invention makes it possible to properly photograph the interior of a refrigerator.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a case in which the imaging device according to the first embodiment is stored. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the door of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment is open. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the refrigerator according to the first embodiment with the door open. 1 is a front view showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a side view showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing details of an imaging section of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an application effect of the imaging device according to the first embodiment; 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of imaging by an imaging device of a comparative example; 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing image processing of an example of imaging by an imaging device of a comparative example. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of imaging by the imaging device according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing image processing of an example of imaging by the imaging device according to the first embodiment. A side view showing the state in which the drawer part of the refrigerator in the first embodiment is pulled out. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a drawer section of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an imaging system for a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of manual shooting setting according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a process during automatic shooting setting according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a normal state of the imaging device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in the middle of storing the imaging device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a stored state of the imaging device according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.
<<First embodiment>>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a side view showing the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a side view showing the refrigerator 100 when the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment is stored. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment with the door open. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment with the door open. In the following description, a six-door refrigerator 100 will be taken as an example, but is not limited to six doors.

As shown in FIG. 1, the insulated box (box 10) of the refrigerator 100 has storage compartments arranged in the following order from the top: refrigerator compartment 1, ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, vegetable compartment 4, and lower freezer compartment 5, which are arranged on the left and right. The refrigerator 100 has doors that open and close the openings of each storage compartment. These doors are rotating refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b divided into left and right, which open and close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 1, and pull-out ice-making compartment door 2a, upper freezer compartment door 3a, vegetable compartment door 4a, and lower freezer compartment door 5a, which open and close the openings of the ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, vegetable compartment 4, and lower freezer compartment 5, respectively. The positions of the vegetable compartment 4 and lower freezer compartment 5 may be changed in the vertical arrangement. The ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, and lower freezer compartment 5 are collectively referred to as the freezer compartment 7.

To secure the refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b to the refrigerator 100, door hinges (reference numerals omitted) are provided at the top and bottom of the refrigerator compartment 1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b are opened and closed, door storage sections 11a (door storage section a) and 11b (door storage section b) are provided.

Refrigerator compartment 1 is a refrigerated storage compartment whose interior is kept in the refrigeration temperature range (0°C or higher), for example at an average of about 4°C. Freezer compartment 7 is a refrigerated storage compartment whose interior is kept in the freezing temperature range (less than 0°C), for example at an average of about -18°C. Vegetable compartment 4 is a refrigerated storage compartment whose interior is kept in the refrigeration temperature range, for example at an average of about 6°C, which prevents food from drying out.

In the refrigerator 100, the imaging device 30 for photographing the interior is disposed in the approximate center of the upper outer part of the storage compartment. That is, it is disposed in the approximate center above the box (insulated box) of the refrigerator 100. When the box door is closed, the lens 34 (see Figs. 6A and 6B) of the imaging device 30 is located forward of the opening edge surface 10a of the storage compartment, preferably forward of the refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b (doors). That is, by disposing the imaging device 30 outside the storage compartment and disposing one or more mirrors 37 (see Figs. 6A and 6B) within the imaging range, the protrusion of the imaging device 30 is minimized, and the appearance is not impaired, and the situation inside the refrigerator including the door storage sections 11a and 11b can be photographed from a bird's-eye view. The mirror 37 is disposed forward of the lens 34. Details of the imaging device 30 will be described later.

The imaging device 30 also has a sliding mechanism that moves back and forth (a mechanism that slides in a direction perpendicular to the storage compartment opening), and can move back and forth across the front door of the refrigerator 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, it can move behind the front door or behind the edge of the storage compartment opening, so it does not affect the depth dimension when packed. In addition, the number of refrigerators that can be loaded onto a transport truck is not reduced, and even after installation, the imaging device 30 can be stored and the imaging range concealed when not in use. The concealment allows for a configuration that takes into consideration users who do not like the camera's imaging area to always be within their living area. Similarly, part of the imaging range outside the refrigerator is concealed by a mirror, which is also suitable for such users.

The refrigerator door 1b is provided with a shooting button 39 (a shooting command receiving unit that receives shooting commands from the user) that is used when manually taking a picture with the imaging device 30. The shooting button 39 may be provided on the refrigerator door 1a or in another area of the box or door.

Fig. 5A is a front view showing the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5B is a side view showing the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5C is a side cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view AA in Fig. 5A) showing the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6B is a side cross-sectional view showing details of the imaging section of the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment.

The imaging device 30 is composed of a case 31 and a cover 32. In front of the case 31, there is a camera 33 (imaging unit) and a fisheye lens 34. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lens 34 is surrounded by a light-shielding wall 35. There are a plurality of illumination units 38 near the light-shielding wall 35. In addition, a mirror 37 is provided near the lens 34 (in front of the lens 34).

As shown in FIG. 5C, the case 31 contains a control SoC 41 and a wireless LAN unit 42. The control SoC 41 (system on a chip) is an integrated circuit that integrates functions such as a processor core and other functions found in general microcontrollers, as well as functions for application purposes, on a single chip of the integrated circuit, and is designed to function in cooperation as a system. Note that the control SoC 41 is an example of an integrated circuit, and may be replaced by other integrated circuits, etc.

An imaging device 30 installed outside the storage compartment captures an overhead image of the door storage sections 11a and 11b and preferably the interior of the storage compartment. Furthermore, a mirror 37 installed outside the storage compartment within the imaging range of the imaging device 30 is positioned in front of the imaging lens 34 with its mirror surface facing the inside of the storage compartment.

It is preferable that the mirror 37 is partially positioned within the imaging range of the lens 34 so as not to overlap with the range in which the storage compartment and the door storage section are imaged. In other words, in this embodiment, the mirror 37 is positioned forward of the lens 34. This allows the mirror 37 to compensate for the range that cannot be imaged by the imaging range of the lens 34 of the imaging device 30 alone, without interfering with the imaging range of the imaging device 30, by using a virtual image of the mirror 37. In other words, the camera 33 can capture the blind spot of the imaging by the lens 34 through the mirror 37 (by using the image reflected in the mirror 37). In addition, by providing the mirror 37, the amount by which the imaging device 30 protrudes forward of the main body can be minimized, and the interior situation can be imaged from a bird's-eye view without impairing the appearance. In addition, the length of the wiring (wiring for power supply, etc.) connecting the main body of the refrigerator 100 to the camera 33 and the control SoC 41 can be shortened.

The features of the imaging device 30 will be further described.
(1) The camera 33 used in the imaging device 30 has a wide angle of 180 degrees or more and a fisheye lens, so that the entire interior of the fridge can be viewed from above when the door is opened.
(2) The camera lens 34 of the imaging device 30 is positioned in front of the front surface of the refrigerator door, so that the condition inside the refrigerator can be photographed even when only the vegetable compartment 4 and the drawer section 6 of the lower freezer compartment 5 are open.
(3) The imaging device 30 has a mirror 37 within the shooting range, and the virtual image projected by the mirror 37 serves to expand the shooting range.

(4) The imaging device 30 is equipped with an illumination unit 38, and by capturing images using the exterior illumination unit 38 that can be adjusted to an illumination level suitable for capturing images, it is possible to obtain images with high visibility. The illumination provided inside the refrigerator is relatively high, so when an image is captured by the camera, the images are strongly reflected by the stored items, resulting in overexposed images. For this reason, in this embodiment, when capturing images, the interior illumination is turned off and the exterior illumination unit 38 is turned on. Details will be described later with reference to Figs. 13 and 14.
In addition, the lighting from the lighting unit 38 is directional so as to illuminate the entire interior of the cabinet, the door storage sections 11a and 11b when the door is open, and the second storage compartment (e.g., the vegetable compartment 4 and the lower freezer compartment 5).
(5) The imaging device 30 has the light-shielding wall 35, which prevents direct light from the lighting unit 38 from entering the shooting range, thereby making it possible to obtain an image with high visibility and reduced reflections and overexposure.
(6) By providing a light-shielding wall 35 between the lighting unit 38 of the imaging device 30 and the lens 34 to block direct light, the lighting can be installed as close as possible to the lens 34, resulting in a compact external shape and also providing the effect of preventing the lens 34 from being scratched.

(7) Imaging device 30 has a sliding mechanism that moves back and forth and can move back and forth across the front surface of the door of refrigerator 100, so that imaging device 30 does not affect the depth dimension during packaging. In addition, the number of refrigerators that can be loaded onto a transport truck is not reduced, and even after installation, imaging device 30 can be stored to hide the imaging range when not in use.
(8) The imaging device 30 includes a communication unit (wireless LAN unit 42), and image data transmitted from the communication unit is supplied to a server 54 (see FIG. 12) via, for example, a wireless router in the home (for example, a home router 53 (see FIG. 12)). Details will be described later.
(9) The imaging device 30 has a communication circuit that is connected to the refrigerator main body for power supply and image capture command transmission. The refrigerator main body receives power from a commercial power source or the like. Power for the imaging device 30 can be received from the commercial power source via the refrigerator main body. Note that the imaging device 30 may be driven by a rechargeable battery.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the effect of applying the imaging device 30 according to the first embodiment. In order to make the effect easier to understand, the size of the mirror 37 is exaggerated in Figure 7 compared to Figures 5B and 5C. To photograph the back of the storage room, it is preferable to position the lens 34 of the camera 33 of the imaging device 30 as far forward as possible from the front wall of the storage room (opening edge surface 10a of the storage room). This is because the edge of the front wall of the storage room becomes a blind spot in the shooting area from above.

However, when considering transportability, external design, and ease of use, it is desirable to minimize the amount of forward protrusion. According to this embodiment, by arranging mirror 37 at the front, the virtual image reflected by mirror 37 has the effect of expanding toward the back of the storage room beyond the area captured by camera 33, as shown in FIG. 7. By increasing the height h of mirror 37, it is possible to further expand the area captured.

An example of imaging according to this embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example (where the mirror 37 is not provided).
Fig. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of imaging by an imaging device of a comparative example. Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing image processing of an example of imaging by an imaging device of a comparative example. Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are examples in which a mirror 37 is not included. Fig. 8A is an image before the image correction process for the inside of the fridge, and the image through the fisheye lens 34 is a real image.

Figure 8B shows an image after interior image correction processing (without a mirror) using the specified image processing of this embodiment. The image has been converted to make it easier for the user of refrigerator 100 to check what is inside the refrigerator. Looking at Figure 8B, what is inside door storage section a, door storage section b, and storage section c can be seen as real images.

Figure 9A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of imaging by the imaging device according to the first embodiment. Figure 9B is an explanatory diagram showing image processing of an example of imaging by the imaging device according to the first embodiment. Figures 9A and 9B show the case where the mirror 37 of this embodiment is included. Figure 9A is an image before the interior image correction process, and the image through the fisheye lens 34 is a composite image of the real image shown in Figure 8A and a virtual image of the storage facility c through the mirror 37 (an image captured through the mirror 37).

Figure 9B shows an image after interior image correction processing (with mirror) performed using a specified image processing method according to this embodiment. The image has been converted to make it easier for the user of the refrigerator 100 to check what is inside the refrigerator. Looking at Figure 9B, the images in door storage sections a and b are converted into real images, while the images in storage section c are converted by combining a virtual image through mirror 37 with a real image not through mirror 37. As a result, the mirror 37 expands the visible area in the depth direction, especially in the upper level. Specifically, the explanatory diagram uses a can as an example, and the pull tab (not shown) can be seen when the mirror is present. By enlarging this mirror 37, it is possible to further expand the visible area.

Figure 10 is a side view showing the state in which the drawer section 6 of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment is pulled out. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the drawer section 6 of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. The imaging device 30 for photographing the interior of the refrigerator can capture an image of the inside of the drawer section 6. Figure 11 is an image of the drawer section 6 of the vegetable compartment 4, and the storage state of the vegetables can be ascertained.

Figure 12 is a configuration diagram showing the imaging system of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. Door sensors (not shown) are also provided on the door side to detect the open/closed states of the refrigerator doors 1a and 1b, the ice maker door 2a, the upper freezer door 3a, the vegetable door 4a, and the lower freezer door 5a.

A main microcomputer 52 (control device, control section) is located on top of the refrigerator 100 and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is part of the control device, memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and an interface circuit. The main microcomputer 52 controls the photography system that takes pictures of the interior of the refrigerator based on information from the door sensor or the photography button 39. The main microcomputer 52 also supplies power to the imaging device 30.

When the main microcomputer 52 is set to automatic shooting, based on information from the door sensor such as the door opening angle, if it detects an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, it sends a shooting command to the control SoC 41. The control SoC 41 issues a shooting command to the camera 33 and acquires unprocessed image data from the camera 33. The control SoC 41 performs image processing on the unprocessed image data to combine a real image and a virtual image, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, when the main microcomputer 52 is set to manual shooting, if it detects that the shooting button 39 has been operated, it sends a shooting command to the control SoC 41. Subsequent processing is the same as when the main microcomputer 52 is set to automatic shooting.

As described above, the imaging device 30 is provided with a wireless LAN unit 42 that can be connected to the home router 53. By providing this wireless LAN unit 42, the interior image data processed by the control Soc 41 can be transmitted to the server 54 via the home router 53. The server 54 transmits the interior image data in response to a request to display an interior image from a mobile device such as a smartphone 55 or a personal computer owned by the user. This allows the user to grasp the status of the interior of the fridge.

Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the process when manual photography is set according to the first embodiment. The description will be made with reference to Figure 12 as appropriate. When the setting from the setting device (not shown) is for camera photography setting (camera setting ON) (S31), the main microcomputer 52 uses the door sensor to determine whether or not the door is open (Door Open?) (S32), and if the door is open (S32, Yes), proceeds to S33. On the other hand, if the door is not open (S32, No), the main microcomputer 52 returns to S32.

In S33, the main microcontroller 52 determines whether the shooting button 39 has been operated (pressed), and if the shooting button 39 has been pressed (S33, Yes), the process proceeds to S34, and if the shooting button 39 has not been pressed (S33, Yes), the process returns to S32.

In S34, the main microcomputer 52 commands the control SoC 41 to take a picture, and turns off the interior lighting and turns on the exterior lighting (lighting unit 38) (S35). The control SoC 41 commands the camera 33 to take a picture (S36). The main microcomputer 52 then turns on the interior lighting and turns off the exterior lighting (lighting unit 38) (S37).

The camera 33 transmits unprocessed image data (e.g., FIG. 9A) to the control SoC 41 (S38), and the control SoC 41 performs the interior image correction process (image processing) (S39). Specifically, as described in FIG. 9B, a composite image of the virtual image and the real image is created.

The control SoC 41 updates the processed image data to the server 54 via the wireless LAN unit 42 and the home router 53 (S40). When the image has been updated, the server 54 notifies the user's mobile device or the like (S41).
The above is the process when manual shooting is set.

Figure 14 is a flow chart showing the processing when automatic photography is set according to the first embodiment. Description will be made with reference to Figure 12 as appropriate. Note that description of the same processing as in Figure 13 will be omitted. When the setting from the setting device (not shown) is for automatic camera photography (automatic camera setting ON) (S31A), the main microcomputer 52 uses the door sensor to determine whether or not the door is open (Door Open?) (S32), and if the door is open (S32, Yes), proceeds to S33. On the other hand, if the door is not open (S32, No), the main microcomputer 52 returns to S32.

In S33, the main microcomputer 52 determines whether the door opening angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (e.g., door angle 85 degrees or greater) (S33A). If the door opening angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle (S33A, Yes), the process proceeds to S34. If the door opening angle is less than the predetermined angle (S33A, No), the process returns to S32. S34 to S41 are the same as in Fig. 13. In S33A, in the case of a double-door refrigerator compartment 1, if the opening angle of at least one of the refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b is equal to the predetermined angle (S33A, Yes), the process proceeds to S34.
The above is the process when automatic shooting is set.

The features of the imaging system of the refrigerator 100 will be further described.
(1A) The refrigerator has a detection unit (e.g., main microcontroller 52) that detects the opening angle of the refrigerator door, and can automatically take a photograph when the detection unit determines that the angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (e.g., 85 degrees).
(2A) When the detection unit determines that the angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, the interior lighting is turned off and the lighting of the imaging device 30 is turned on. This not only adjusts the illuminance to an appropriate level for photographing, but also has the effect of notifying the user when it is time to take a photograph.
(3A) The refrigerator 100 has a detection unit (for example, installed in the drawer section 6) that detects when the drawer distance reaches a certain distance or more. The detection unit detects the operation of the drawer and automatically takes a photograph, thereby enabling the imaging range of the vegetable compartment and freezer compartment to be kept roughly constant.

(4A) The refrigerator door has a button for photographing (e.g., photographing button 39). When the user presses the button for photographing, the interior lighting is turned off and the lighting of the imaging device 30 is turned on, after which a photograph is taken. This makes it easy to recognize the timing at which the photograph was taken.
(5A) The captured image is subjected to image correction processing, and the distorted image captured by the wide-angle camera is corrected to provide an image that is close to the user's line of sight.
(6A) An application service is provided that allows a user to check the images via a mobile phone or the like, and a detection unit is provided on the door or the drawer to automatically determine which storage room the captured image belongs to.

<<Second embodiment>>
In the first embodiment, the imaging device 30 has been described as having a slide mechanism, but is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, a folding mechanism will be described.

Fig. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing the normal state of the imaging device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 15B is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the imaging device according to the second embodiment in the middle of being stored. Fig. 15C is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the imaging device according to the second embodiment when it is stored.

The refrigerator 100 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 1) includes a box body that forms a storage compartment that is open at the front, an imaging device 30 that is provided outside the storage compartment, and a support section 45 (hinge section) that supports the imaging device 30 so that it can move at least in a direction perpendicular to the opening.

As shown in Figures 15A to 15C, the tip of the imaging device 30 having the camera 33 is configured to be folded in half from the support part 45, and since it does not affect the depth dimension during packaging, the number of refrigerators that can be loaded onto a transport truck is not reduced, and even after installation, when the imaging device 30 is not in use, it can be stored to hide the imaging range.

The imaging device 30 can also revolve (move in a circular path around the hinge; revolve around an axis) in the direction of looking into the interior of the fridge. Since the box is in the circular path, the angle at which it can revolve is less than 360° when observed from a direction perpendicular to the revolution plane. In this case, a drive unit capable of applying a force in the revolution direction to the imaging device 30 can be attached, and the imaging device 30 can be controlled to be at an angle at which the interior of the fridge or other compartment can be viewed during imaging. For example, the imaging device 30 can be positioned within the movement path of the door during imaging. This allows the interior of the fridge to be imaged more effectively, and since the imaging device can be returned to outside the movement path of the door after imaging is completed, or revolved behind the edge of the front opening of the door or storage compartment for storage, it is characterized by the fact that it is easy to lengthen the arm connecting the support part 45 (hinge part) and the camera.

The refrigerator 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following features.
The refrigerator 100 of this embodiment has a box 10 forming a storage compartment that is open at the front, an imaging device 30 provided outside the storage compartment, and a mirror 37 provided within the imaging area of the imaging device 30 but outside the storage compartment (see FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7).

When the imaging device 30 captures an image including the mirror 37 in the imaging area, the virtual image captured by the mirror 37 includes the inside of the storage chamber (see Figure 8B).

The imaging device 30 includes a lens 34, and is provided above the box body 10, with the lens 34 positioned forward of the opening edge surface 10a of the storage chamber (see FIG. 7).

The storage compartments include at least a first storage compartment (e.g., refrigerator compartment 1) that opens like a double door and a second storage compartment (e.g., ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, vegetable compartment 4, lower freezer compartment 5) that opens in the front-to-rear direction, and when imaging device 30 captures an image including mirror 37 in its imaging area, imaging device 30 is positioned so that the virtual image captured by mirror 37 includes the inside of the first storage compartment or the second storage compartment (see Figures 1 to 4 and 10).

The imaging device 30 is equipped with a lens 34, and the mirror 37 is disposed in front of the lens 34 with its mirror surface facing the inside of the storage chamber (see Figure 7).

The imaging device 30 has a lens 34, one or more illumination units 38 around the lens 34, and a light-shielding wall 35 between the lens 34 and the illumination unit 38 (see Figures 6A and 6B).

The imaging device includes a lens 34, one or more lighting units 38 around the lens 34, and an interior light provided in the storage compartment. The imaging device 30 captures images with the interior light turned off and the lighting units 38 turned on (see Figures 13 and 14).

The imaging device 30 is movable in the forward and backward directions (see Figures 2A and 2B).

The imaging device 30 can revolve around an axis (see Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C).

An output device (e.g., control SoC 41) that outputs images captured by the refrigerator 100, outputs a single image using the real and virtual images contained in the imaging area of the imaging device 30 (see Figures 9B and 12).

The refrigerator 100 has a photography command receiving section (e.g., a photography button 39) on the door of the storage compartment that receives photography commands from the user.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of the above-described embodiments with other configurations. For example, the image capture button 39 in FIG. 3 may be provided on the refrigerator door 1a, or on the top surface of the drawer section 6.

1 Refrigerator compartment (first storage compartment)
1a, 1b Refrigerator door 2 Ice making compartment (second storage compartment)
2a Ice maker door 3 Upper freezer (second storage compartment)
3a Upper freezer door 4 Vegetable compartment (second storage compartment)
4a Vegetable compartment door 5 Lower freezer compartment (second storage compartment)
5a Lower freezer door 6 Drawer section 10 Box body 10a Opening edge surface 11a, 11b Door storage section 30 Imaging device 31 Case section 32 Lid section 33 Camera (imaging section)
34 Lens 35 Light shielding wall 37 Mirror 38 Lighting unit
39 Shooting button (shooting command reception section)
41 Control SoC (output device)
42 Wireless LAN unit 45 Support part (hinge part)
51 Door sensor 52 Main microcomputer 53 Home router 54 Server 55 Smartphone 100 Refrigerator

Claims (8)

A box body forming a storage chamber with an opening at the front;
an imaging device provided outside the storage chamber and equipped with a lens ;
a mirror provided within an imaging area of the imaging device and outside the storage chamber ;
The mirror is disposed forward of the lens and facing the inside of the storage chamber,
the imaging device captures a virtual image of the interior of the storage chamber by the mirror located in front of the imaging device and a real image of the interior of the storage chamber located in the rear of the imaging device;
The virtual image includes a region within the storage compartment that is a blind spot in the real image . One or more illumination units are provided around the lens;
The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a light-shielding wall between the lens and the lighting unit. An interior light provided in the storage chamber,
The imaging device performs imaging with the interior light turned off in a state where a door for opening and closing the opening of the storage compartment is open.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 . The imaging device includes one or more illumination units,
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the imaging device captures an image with the interior light turned off and the illumination unit turned on. The imaging device includes one or more illumination units,
The storage chamber includes at least a first storage chamber that opens like a double door and a second storage chamber that opens in the front and rear directions,
the imaging device is capable of imaging both the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber,
The lighting unit illuminates both the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 . The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is revolvable around an axis , and the lens is movable across a front opening of the storage compartment to both sides in front and behind the storage compartment. An output device that outputs an image captured by the refrigerator according to claim 1,
An output device that outputs a single image using the real image and virtual image contained in the imaging area of the imaging device. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising an image capturing command receiving unit for receiving an image capturing command from a user on a side surface of the door of the storage compartment opposite to a rotation axis of the door .

Images