Refrigerator, refrigerator system, inference device, learning device and method for determining subdivision possible time

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of determining the time when food can be subdivided.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 comprises a cooling control unit 31 and a time determination unit 32. The cooling control unit 31 controls a temperature of a freezer chamber 23 so that food F stored in the freezer chamber 23 is frozen in a state of being able to be subdivided. The time determination unit 32 determines a subdivision possible time for the food F based on at least one of the temperature of the freezer chamber 23 and a temperature outside the refrigerator. The subdivision possible time may be notified to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, a refrigerator system, an inference device, a learning device, and a method for determining a time period during which food can be subdivided. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator. As described in Patent Document 1, freezing is an effective way to preserve food for a long period of time. Patent Document 1 also describes freezing and storing food in a state that allows it to be divided into portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-194516 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 can freeze and store food in a state that allows it to be divided into smaller portions. When food is removed from the refrigerator, the temperature of the food rises. Once the temperature of the food rises, the food is no longer in a state that allows it to be divided into smaller portions. Conventional refrigerators do not have a function to determine the time when food can be divided into smaller portions.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator, a refrigerator system, and a method for determining a time when food can be portioned. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an inference device and a learning device for determining a time when food can be portioned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a cooling control unit that controls the temperature of the storage compartment so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned, and a time determination unit that determines the time at which the food can be portioned based on at least one of the temperature of the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment.

[0007] A refrigerator system according to the present disclosure includes a refrigerator and an external device capable of communicating with the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration control unit that controls the temperature of a storage compartment so that food stored in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned. The external device includes a time determination unit that determines a time period during which the food can be portioned based on at least one of the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the refrigerator.

[0008] The inference device according to the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data for inference, and an inference unit that outputs the time period during which food can be subdivided from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit using a trained model for inferring the time period during which food can be subdivided from the data for inference. The data for inference includes at least one of the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment.

[0009] The learning device according to the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data, and a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit. The learning data includes one of the temperature in a storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment of a refrigerator and the time at which food in the storage compartment can be subdivided. The trained model is a model for inferring the time at which food can be subdivided from the one of the temperature and the temperature outside the storage compartment.

[0010] The learning device according to the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data, and a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit. The learning data includes both the temperature of a storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment of a refrigerator, and the time at which food in the storage compartment can be subdivided. The trained model is a model for inferring the time at which food can be subdivided from both the temperature and the time at which food can be subdivided.

[0011] The method for determining the time during which food can be portioned according to the present disclosure includes a cooling control process for controlling the temperature of the storage compartment of a refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned; a temperature determination process for identifying either the temperature of the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment; and a time determination process for determining the time during which the food can be portioned based on the temperature determined in the temperature determination process.

[0012] The method for determining the time during which food can be portioned according to the present disclosure comprises a cooling control process for controlling the temperature of the storage compartment of a refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned; a temperature determination process for determining both the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment; and a time determination process for determining the time during which food can be portioned based on both the temperatures determined in the temperature determination process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the time when food can be portioned can be determined. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator in a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining functions of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature change of food removed from a freezer compartment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another method for determining the subdivision possible time. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature change of food removed from a freezer compartment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another method for determining the subdivision possible time. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of calculating the amount of frost. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an inference device. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inference device. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a learning device. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a neural network applied to a learning device. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the learning device. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of hardware resources of a control device. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of hardware resources of a control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0016] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a front view showing refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the function of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. In this embodiment, each direction of refrigerator 1 is defined based on the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e., the state in which refrigerator 1 is installed for use.

[0017] The refrigerator 1 includes an insulated box 2. The insulated box 2 includes an outer box, an inner box, and a heat insulating material. For example, the outer box is made of steel. The inner box is made of resin. The heat insulating material is urethane foam or vacuum heat insulating material. The heat insulating material is filled between the inner box and the outer box.

[0018] The front of the insulated box 2 is open. A space for storing food is formed inside the insulated box 2. The space may be divided into multiple storage compartments by one or more partition members. Food can be stored in each storage compartment. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the insulated box 2 has the following storage compartments: a refrigerator compartment 20, a switchable compartment 21, an ice-making compartment 22, a freezer compartment 23, and a vegetable compartment 24.

[0019] Refrigerator 1 is equipped with doors for opening and closing each storage compartment. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, refrigerator 1 is equipped with doors 20a to 24a. Door 20a is a door for opening and closing refrigeration compartment 20. Door 21a is a door for opening and closing switchable compartment 21. Door 22a is a door for opening and closing ice making compartment 22. Door 23a is a door for opening and closing freezer compartment 23. Door 24a is a door for opening and closing vegetable compartment 24.

[0020] The refrigerator compartment 20 is disposed on the top shelf of the insulated box body 2. As an example, a plurality of shelves are provided in the refrigerator compartment 20. The interior of the refrigerator compartment 20 is divided into a plurality of spaces by these shelves. As shown in FIG. 2, a chilled compartment 25 may be further formed inside the refrigerator compartment 20.

[0021] The selectable compartment 21 and ice-making compartment 22 are located one level below the refrigerator compartment 20. The selectable compartment 21 is a compartment in which the temperature range can be selected from a number of options. The selectable temperature ranges include, for example, a freezing temperature range, a soft freezing temperature range, a chilled temperature range, a refrigerated temperature range, and a glass freezing temperature range. The ice-making compartment 22 is located one level below the refrigerator compartment 20, adjacent to the left side of the selectable compartment 21. Ice made in the ice maker is stored in the ice-making compartment 22.

[0022] Freezer compartment 23 is located one level below switchable compartment 21 and ice-making compartment 22. Freezer compartment 23 is a room for storing food in a frozen state. Vegetable compartment 24 is located one level below freezer compartment 23, i.e., at the lowest level of insulated box body 2. Vegetable compartment 24 is a room for storing and storing vegetables. Large-capacity plastic bottles and the like may be stored in vegetable compartment 24.

[0023] As described above, each storage compartment formed in the insulated box 2 is opened and closed by a door. Any mechanism may be used for opening and closing the door. The door may be a single door, a double door, or a sliding door. The refrigerator 1 preferably includes a door switch for detecting that the door is open. In the example shown in this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 includes door switches 20b to 24b. Door switch 20b detects that door 20a is open. Door switch 21b detects that door 21a is open. Door switch 22b detects that door 22a is open. Door switch 23b detects that door 23a is open. Door switch 24b detects that door 24a is open.

[0024] Refrigerator 1 preferably includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of each storage compartment. In the example shown in this embodiment, refrigerator 1 includes temperature sensors 20c to 24c. Temperature sensor 20c measures the temperature of refrigerator compartment 20. Temperature sensor 21c measures the temperature of switchable compartment 21. Temperature sensor 22c measures the temperature of ice-making compartment 22. Temperature sensor 23c measures the temperature of freezer compartment 23. Temperature sensor 24c measures the temperature of vegetable compartment 24.

[0025] The refrigerator 1 preferably includes an operation panel 3. As an example, the operation panel 3 is provided on the door 20a. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the operation panel 3 includes an input device 3a and a display 3b. A user can input information from the input device 3a by operating the input device 3a. The display 3b is an example of an alarm that notifies the user of information. A speaker or the like may be provided on the operation panel 3 as an alarm.

[0026] The refrigerator 1 is equipped with a refrigeration mechanism for supplying cool air to each storage compartment. The refrigeration mechanism includes a compressor 4, a cooler 5, a fan 6, a condenser (not shown), and a throttling device (not shown). The compressor 4, the cooler 5, the condenser, and the throttling device constitute a refrigeration cycle circuit. The cooler 5 and the fan 6 are installed in an air duct 7. The air duct 7 is formed inside the insulated box body 2.

[0027] The compressor 4 compresses and discharges the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 4. The throttling device expands the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser. The cooler 5 cools the surrounding air using the refrigerant expanded by the throttling device. When the fan 6 operates, the air cooled by the cooler 5 passes through the air duct 7 and is supplied to each storage compartment. This cools each storage compartment. For example, when the air cooled by the cooler 5 is supplied to the freezer compartment 23, the freezer compartment 23, i.e., the food stored in the freezer compartment 23, is cooled. The air that passes through the freezer compartment 23 and removes heat from the food in the freezer compartment 23, returns to the location where the cooler 5 is located and is cooled again by the cooler 5.

[0028] The refrigeration mechanism further includes a damper 8. The damper 8 is for adjusting the amount of cool air supplied to each storage compartment. The damper 8 is provided in the air passage 7.

[0029] The amount of air supplied to each storage compartment varies depending on the open / close state of damper 8. The amount of air supplied to each storage compartment also varies depending on the operating state of fan 6. The temperature of the air supplied to each storage compartment varies depending on the operating state of compressor 4. To control the temperature of each storage compartment, refrigerator 1 is provided with a control device 9. The control device 9 controls the devices included in the refrigeration mechanism to send the required amount of cold air at the required temperature to each storage compartment, thereby controlling the temperature of each storage compartment. In the example shown in FIG. 2, control device 9 is disposed at the top of the rear side of insulated box 2. As shown in FIG. 3, control device 9 includes a memory unit 30, a cooling control unit 31, a time determination unit 32, a temperature determination unit 33, a temperature determination unit 34, and a communication unit 35.

[0030] In the following, as an example, a detailed description will be given focusing on the freezer compartment 23 among the storage compartments formed in the insulating box body 2. The following description may also be applied to storage compartments other than the freezer compartment 23. For example, the following description may also be applied to the switchable compartment 21.

[0031] The cooling control unit 31 performs freezing control on the devices included in the freezing mechanism so that the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 is maintained at a preset temperature. Hereinafter, the temperature used by the cooling control unit 31 to control the freezing of the freezing compartment 23 is also referred to as the set temperature. As an example, the cooling control unit 31 controls the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 so that the food in the freezing compartment 23 is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions.

[0032] Generally, frozen foods become softer as the temperature rises. In particular, foods soften significantly as the temperature rises and they begin to melt. When foods soften, they become difficult to divide into smaller portions. For this reason, in order to freeze foods in a state that allows them to be divided into smaller portions, it is necessary to set the temperature below a specific temperature.

[0033] As an example, the set temperature is determined based on the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature. The set temperature is preferably a temperature below the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature. The freeze-concentration glass transition temperature is the temperature at which food or its components vitrify during freeze-concentration. Vitrified food becomes amorphous and loses its fluidity. The freeze-concentration glass transition temperature varies depending on the food's components and moisture content. For example, the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of cooked rice is approximately −6 to −8°C. The freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of meat or fish is approximately −7 to −12°C, and the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of vegetables is approximately −10 to −40°C. If the temperature of a food having a rubbery freeze-concentrated phase is further lowered, at some point the freeze-concentrated phase will transition to a hard, brittle state known as a glassy state. At this time, the molecular motion of the components in the freeze-concentrated phase appears to cease, resulting in a stable state, i.e., a state suitable for long-term storage. The freeze-concentration glass transition temperature is the temperature at which the freeze-concentrated phase transitions from the rubbery state to the glassy state.

[0034] When vitrified food is divided into small portions by hand without using a tool such as a knife, the food can be bent or hit with the hand, causing cracks to appear on all four sides of the block of food, breaking it into pieces, just like glass shatters and breaks. For example, even if the food is a vegetable such as cabbage or mushrooms, if the food is vitrified, it can be broken into pieces just like glass shatters and breaks. In other words, if the food is cabbage, it can be divided into small portions simply by breaking it, rather than shredding it.

[0035] Time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food stored in freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided. Hereinafter, the food for which the time during which subdivision is to be determined will also be referred to as food F. The time during which subdivision is possible is the time from when food F is removed from freezer compartment 23 until the temperature of food F reaches a temperature t1 at which food F can no longer be subdivided.

[0036] Preferably, temperature t1 is the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of food F. However, various sensors and calculations are required to accurately determine the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of food F and to accurately determine the temperature of food F after it has been removed from freezer compartment 23. For this reason, the portioning possible time does not need to be the exact time until the temperature of food F reaches the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature. However, it is preferable that the portioning possible time be determined based on the time until the temperature of food F reaches the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature.

[0037] As another example, a plurality of options may be prepared in advance for the subdivision possible time, and the time determination unit 32 may select an optimal value (time) from the plurality of options prepared in advance.

[0038] The method by which time determination unit 32 determines the portioning possible time is not limited to these examples. However, time determination unit 32 determines the portioning possible time for food F based on at least one of the temperature inside freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment.

[0039] The functions of the refrigerator 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 10. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4 shows the operation flow of the control device 9.

[0040] The control device 9 determines whether the temperature outside the refrigerator has been identified (S101). The temperature outside the refrigerator 1 is the temperature outside the refrigerator. The temperature identifying unit 34 (second temperature identifying unit) is a function of the control device 9 that identifies the temperature outside the refrigerator. Any method may be used for the temperature identifying unit 34 to identify the temperature outside the refrigerator. As an example, the refrigerator 1 may be equipped with a temperature sensor 26 that measures the temperature outside the refrigerator. The temperature identifying unit 34 may identify the temperature actually measured by the temperature sensor 26 as the temperature outside the refrigerator.

[0041] As another example, if another device equipped with a temperature sensor is installed in the room where refrigerator 1 (insulated box 2) is installed or in a room adjacent to the room, temperature specifying unit 34 may specify the temperature outside the refrigerator based on information from the device. Hereinafter, the room where refrigerator 1 is installed will also be referred to as room R. Room R is often a kitchen. The room adjacent to room R is often a living room. In this example, if another device equipped with a temperature sensor is installed in the kitchen or living room, temperature specifying unit 34 specifies the temperature outside the refrigerator based on information from the device.

[0042] The communication unit 35 controls the communication function of the refrigerator 1. The communication unit 35 may communicate with other devices directly or via a network. The communication unit 35 receives temperature information measured by a temperature sensor from another device equipped with a temperature sensor. The temperature determination unit 34 can determine the temperature outside the refrigerator based on the information received by the communication unit 35.

[0043] When the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies the temperature outside the refrigerator, the determination in S101 is Yes.

[0044] If the determination in S101 is Yes, the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned (S102). Figure 4 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned based on the temperature outside the freezer identified by the temperature identification unit 34 in S101, without using the temperature of the freezer compartment 23.

[0045] Basically, when food F is removed from freezer compartment 23, the amount of heat transferred to food F changes depending on the temperature outside the freezer. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the temperature change of food F removed from freezer compartment 23. The initial value tf is the temperature of food F when food F is removed from freezer compartment 23. The upper limit value tu is the upper limit temperature at which food F can be divided into portions. In other words, as long as the temperature of food F is equal to or lower than the upper limit value tu, the user can divide food F into portions even after removing it from freezer compartment 23. When food F is removed from freezer compartment 23 at time T0, the temperature of food F rises over time.

[0046] In Figure 5, line L1 shows an example of the temperature change of food F when the temperature outside the cabinet is high. Line L2 shows an example of the temperature change of food F when the temperature outside the cabinet is medium. Line L3 shows an example of the temperature change of food F when the temperature outside the cabinet is low. As shown in Figure 5, when the temperature outside the cabinet is high, more heat is transferred to food F, and the rate at which the temperature of food F rises, i.e., the slope of the line, increases. When the temperature outside the cabinet is low, less heat is transferred to food F, and the rate at which the temperature of food F rises decreases. Therefore, the time available for portioning when the temperature outside the cabinet is high is shorter than the time available for portioning when the temperature outside the cabinet is low.

[0047] Table 1 shows an example of a method for determining the time period during which the product can be dispensed.

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] In the example shown in Table 1, the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies whether the outside temperature is "high," "medium," or "low." The temperature specifying unit 34 may specify the outside temperature according to the date. For example, if the day falls within the winter period, the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies "low" as the outside temperature. If the day falls within the summer period, the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies "high" as the outside temperature. If the day falls within neither the winter period nor the summer period, the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies "medium" as the outside temperature. The temperature specifying unit 34 may specify the outside temperature according to the date and time. The user may also select the season using the input device 3a.

[0050] In the example shown in Table 1, if the temperature outside the refrigerator is specified as "medium," the time determination unit 32 determines a preset reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. The reference time is, for example, 60 seconds. If the temperature outside the refrigerator is specified as "high," the time determination unit 32 determines a time shorter than the reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. For example, the time determination unit 32 determines 45 seconds, which is 15 seconds shorter than 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible. If the temperature outside the refrigerator is specified as "low," the time determination unit 32 determines a time longer than the reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. For example, the time determination unit 32 determines 75 seconds, which is 15 seconds longer than 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible.

[0051] Table 1 shows an example in which the "high" temperature range includes temperatures above 30°C, the "medium" temperature range includes temperatures above 20°C and below 30°C, and the "low" temperature range includes temperatures below 20°C. In other words, Table 1 shows an example in which the time available for portioning is determined according to three temperature ranges. The temperatures included in each temperature range may be set according to the region or residential environment. The user may be able to select the temperatures included in each temperature range from the input device 3a.

[0052] For example, when a user specifies a temperature included in the "medium" temperature range using the input device 3a, the temperatures included in the "high" temperature range and the temperatures included in the "low" temperature range may be automatically determined. When a user specifies a median value of the temperatures included in the "medium" temperature range using the input device 3a, the temperatures included in each temperature range may be automatically determined. As another example, when a user selects a residential area or residential environment using the input device 3a, the temperatures included in each temperature range may be automatically determined. Options for residential environment include, for example, "detached house" or "apartment," "wooden structure" or "steel frame," etc.

[0053] Table 1 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 can determine three different possible dispensing times. The time determination unit 32 may also be able to determine four or more possible dispensing times depending on the temperature outside the refrigerator. For example, the possible dispensing times for the temperature outside the refrigerator may be defined in increments of 5°C or 1°C.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another method for determining the possible dispensing time. The solid line in FIG. 6 shows an example in which the possible dispensing time changes linearly depending on the temperature outside the refrigerator. The dashed line in FIG. 6 shows an example in which the possible dispensing time changes non-linearly depending on the temperature outside the refrigerator. The time determination unit 32 may determine the possible dispensing time using a formula such as that represented by the solid or dashed line in FIG. 6. The dashed line in FIG. 6 shows an example in which the rate of change in the possible dispensing time decreases as the temperature outside the refrigerator increases. The dashed line in FIG. 6 also shows an example in which the possible dispensing time is shorter than the example shown by the solid line.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 7 shows the operation flow of the control device 9. The control device 9 may perform the operation flow shown in Fig. 7 instead of the operation flow shown in Fig. 4.

[0056] The control device 9 determines whether the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 has been identified (S201). The temperature identifying unit 33 (first temperature identifying unit) is a function of the control device 9 that identifies the temperature of each storage compartment. The temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is identified by the temperature identifying unit 33. Any method may be used for the temperature identifying unit 33 to identify the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a temperature sensor 23c is provided in the freezer compartment 23. The temperature identifying unit 33 may identify the temperature actually measured by the temperature sensor 23c as the temperature of the freezer compartment 23.

[0057] As another example, the temperature specifying unit 33 may specify the set temperature used by the cooling control unit 31 for freezing control of the freezer compartment 23 as the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. The actual temperature of the freezer compartment 23 fluctuates relative to the set temperature due to factors such as the opening and closing of the door 23a, temperature hunting, and defrosting. If the temperature fluctuation of the freezer compartment 23 is small, the temperature fluctuation of the food F is negligibly small. However, if the temperature fluctuation of the freezer compartment 23 becomes large, the temperature fluctuation of the food F also becomes large. For this reason, if the freezer compartment 23 is provided with a temperature sensor 23c, it is preferable that the temperature specifying unit 33 specify the temperature actually measured by the temperature sensor 23c as the temperature of the freezer compartment 23.

[0058] When the temperature specifying unit 33 specifies the temperature of the freezer compartment 23, the determination in S201 is Yes.

[0059] If the determination in S201 is Yes, the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned (S202). Figure 7 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned based on the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 identified by the temperature identification unit 33 in S201, without using the temperature outside the freezer.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the temperature change of food F when it is removed from freezer compartment 23. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, when food F is removed from freezer compartment 23 at time T0, the temperature of food F rises over time. In FIG. 8, line L4 shows an example of the temperature of food F when it is removed from freezer compartment 23, i.e., the temperature change of food F when the initial value tf4 is high. line L5 shows an example of the temperature of food F when it is removed from freezer compartment 23, i.e., the temperature change of food F when the initial value tf5 is medium. line L6 shows an example of the temperature of food F when it is removed from freezer compartment 23, i.e., the temperature change of food F when the initial value tf6 is low. As shown in FIG. 8, the time during which food F can be portioned is shorter when the initial value tf is high than when the initial value tf is low.

[0061] Table 2 shows an example of a method for determining the time when the portion can be dispensed.

[0062] [Table 2]

[0063] Table 2 shows an example in which the temperature specifying unit 33 specifies whether the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is "high," "medium," or "low." In the example shown in Table 2, if the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "medium," the time determining unit 32 determines a preset reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. The reference time is, for example, 60 seconds. If the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "high," the time determining unit 32 determines a time shorter than the reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. For example, the time determining unit 32 determines 30 seconds, which is 30 seconds shorter than 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible. If the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "low," the time determining unit 32 determines a time longer than the reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. For example, the time determining unit 32 determines 90 seconds, which is 30 seconds longer than 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible.

[0064] Table 2 shows an example in which the "high" temperature range includes temperatures above -20°C, the "medium" temperature range includes temperatures above -30°C and below -20°C, and the "low" temperature range includes temperatures below -30°C. That is, Table 2 shows an example in which the time period during which food can be portioned is determined according to three temperature ranges. The temperatures included in each temperature range may be set according to the region or residential environment. The user may be able to select the temperature included in each temperature range from the input device 3a. In this case, similar to the example shown in Table 1, the user may specify a temperature included in the "medium" temperature range from the input device 3a, or may specify the median value of the temperatures included in the "medium" temperature range.

[0065] Table 2 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 can determine three different possible dispensing times. The time determination unit 32 may also be able to determine four or more possible dispensing times depending on the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. For example, the possible dispensing times for the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 may be defined in increments of 5°C or 1°C.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another method for determining the time during which subdivision is possible. The solid line in FIG. 9 shows an example in which the time during which subdivision is possible changes linearly depending on the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. The dashed line in FIG. 9 shows an example in which the time during which subdivision is possible changes non-linearly depending on the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. The time determination unit 32 may determine the time during which subdivision is possible using a formula such as that represented by the solid line or dashed line in FIG. 9. Note that the dashed line in FIG. 9 shows an example in which the rate of change in the time during which subdivision is possible increases as the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 increases. This example is based on the fact that the lower the temperature of the food F, the harder and more brittle the food F becomes.

[0067] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 7 shows the operation flow of the control device 9. The control device 9 may perform the operation flow shown in Fig. 10 instead of the operation flows shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

[0068] The control device 9 determines whether the temperature outside the refrigerator has been identified (S301). The process shown in S301 is the same as the process shown in S101. If the temperature identifying unit 34 has identified the temperature outside the refrigerator, the determination in S301 is Yes.

[0069] Furthermore, the control device 9 determines whether or not the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 has been identified (S302). The process shown in S302 is the same as the process shown in S201. When the temperature identifying unit 33 identifies the temperature of the freezing compartment 23, the result of S302 is Yes.

[0070] If both S301 and S302 return "Yes," the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned (S303). Figure 10 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned based on both the temperature outside the freezer identified by the temperature identification unit 34 in S301 and the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 identified by the temperature identification unit 33 in S302.

[0071] Table 3 shows an example of a method for determining the time period during which the product can be dispensed.

[0072] [Table 3]

[0073] In the example shown in Table 3, the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies whether the temperature outside the freezer is "high," "medium," or "low." The temperature specifying unit 33 specifies whether the temperature in the freezer compartment 23 is "high," "medium," or "low." The time determining unit 32 refers to Table 3 and determines the time during which portioning is possible depending on the combination of the temperature outside the freezer compartment specified by the temperature specifying unit 34 and the temperature in the freezer compartment 23 specified by the temperature specifying unit 33.

[0074] For example, if the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "medium" and the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "medium," the time determination unit 32 determines a preset reference time as the time during which subdivision is possible. The reference time is, for example, 60 seconds. If the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "high" and the temperature inside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "medium," the time determination unit 32 determines 45 seconds, which is 15 seconds shorter than the reference time of 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible. If the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "low" and the temperature inside the freezer compartment 23 is specified as "low," the time determination unit 32 determines 105 seconds, which is 45 seconds longer than the reference time of 60 seconds, as the time during which subdivision is possible.

[0075] Table 3 shows an example in which the time determination unit 32 can determine nine different time periods for which food can be dispensed by dividing the temperature outside the freezer into three temperature zones and the temperature in the freezer compartment 23 into three temperature zones. The temperatures included in each temperature zone may be set according to the region or residential environment. The user may also be able to select the temperatures included in each temperature zone using the input device 3a.

[0076] Furthermore, the time determination unit 32 may be able to determine nine or more different possible dispensing times depending on the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. For example, the possible dispensing times for the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 may be defined in increments of 5°C or 1°C. The possible dispensing times for the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 may be defined in increments of 5°C or 1°C. As another example, the time determination unit 32 may determine the possible dispensing times using a formula that uses the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 as variables.

[0077] In the example shown in this embodiment, the time period during which food F can be portioned can be calculated in refrigerator 1 based on at least one of the temperature of freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the refrigerator.

[0078] The method for determining the time at which food F can be portioned may include at least a freezing control step, a temperature specification step, and a time determination step. The freezing control step is a step performed by the cooling control unit 31. In the freezing control step, freezing control is performed on the equipment included in the freezing mechanism so that the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 is maintained at a preset temperature. For example, in the freezing control step, the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 is controlled so that the food F in the freezing compartment 23 is frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned.

[0079] The temperature specifying step may involve specifying either the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment, or may involve specifying both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment is specified in the temperature specifying step, the temperature specifying step is performed by the temperature specifying unit 33 or the temperature specifying unit 34. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment are specified in the temperature specifying step, the temperature specifying step is performed by the temperature specifying unit 33 and the temperature specifying unit 34.

[0080] The time determination step is a step performed by the time determination unit 32. If either the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment is specified in the temperature specification step, the time during which the food F can be portioned is determined based on that one temperature in the time specification step. If both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment are specified in the temperature specification step, the time during which the food F can be portioned is determined based on both temperatures in the time specification step.

[0081] The following describes other functions that can be adopted by the refrigerator 1. If possible, the refrigerator 1 may adopt a combination of the following functions.

[0082] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. Specifically, Fig. 11 shows the operation flow of the control device 9. As an example, the operation flow shown in Fig. 11 is performed after the time during which food F can be subdivided is determined in S102 of Fig. 4, S202 of Fig. 7, or S303 of Fig. 10.

[0083] 11 is performed in the control device 9, the control device 9 further includes a time notification unit 36. The time notification unit 36 ​​notifies the user of the time at which the food F can be subdivided, which time has been determined by the time determination unit 32 (S401).

[0084] The timing for notifying the user of the time when subdivision is possible may be any timing. As an example, the notification of the time when subdivision is possible may be made when the door switch 23b detects that the door 23a has opened. The notification of the time when subdivision is possible may be made when a notification request is made from the user. For example, the notification request may be made from the input device 3a. The notification request may be made from the user's smartphone or smart speaker with which the communication unit 35 can communicate. The notification of the time when subdivision is possible may be made at any time.

[0085] The user may be notified of the time when food F can be subdivided by any method. As an example, the time notification unit 36 ​​uses an alarm to notify the user of the time when food F can be subdivided. If the operation panel 3 is equipped with a display 3b, the time notification unit 36 ​​may display the time when food F can be subdivided on the display 3b. If the communication unit 35 can communicate with the user's smartphone, the time notification unit 36 ​​may cause the smartphone to display the time when food F can be subdivided. The display may be performed using a specific application installed on the smartphone. If the communication unit 35 can communicate with a smart speaker installed in room R or a room adjacent to room R, the time notification unit 36 ​​may cause the smart speaker to output the time when food F can be subdivided.

[0086] For example, in S401, the display 3b displays "60 seconds remaining for subdivision." The time notification unit 36 ​​may notify the user of the remaining time for subdivision of food F. For example, the display 3b may display "60 seconds remaining for subdivision." In this case, the notification to the user may be given multiple times. For example, after 30 seconds have passed, the display 3b may display "30 seconds remaining for subdivision," and after 50 seconds have passed, the display 3b may display "10 seconds remaining for subdivision." The remaining time for subdivision may also be counted down on the display 3b. In this case, the notification format may be changed as the remaining time becomes short to emphasize that the remaining time is short. For example, when the remaining time becomes less than 10 seconds, the display may change from a lit display to a flashing display.

[0087] Furthermore, when the portioning time for food F determined by the time determination unit 32 has elapsed, the time notification unit 36 ​​may notify the user that the portioning time has elapsed. For example, the display 3b may display "The portioning time has expired." As a notification that the portioning time has elapsed, the display 3b may display "Please return the food to the freezer compartment." The determination of whether the portioning time has elapsed may be made based on the elapsed time since it was detected that the food F was removed from the freezer compartment 23, or may be made based on the elapsed time since the door switch 23b detected that the door 23a was opened. This determination may also be made based on the elapsed time since a notification request was received from the user.

[0088] The user may be able to select whether or not to notify the user of the time when subdivision is possible, and what kind of notification to provide.

[0089] Furthermore, the cooling control unit 31 may control the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 based on the time period during which the food F can be subdivided, determined by the time determination unit 32 (S402). If the user is notified of the time period during which the food F can be subdivided when the user removes the food F from the freezer compartment 23, the user can subdivide the food F according to that time. Therefore, the notification in S401 improves convenience.

[0090] On the other hand, if the portioning time is always constant, it is easy for the user to understand, and convenience can be further improved. Therefore, the cooling control unit 31 may control the devices included in the freezing mechanism to freeze so that the portioning time of food F determined by the time determination unit 32 becomes a preset time. Hereinafter, this time will also be referred to as the set time.

[0091] For example, if the time period during which subdivision is possible determined by the time determination unit 32 is longer than the set time, the cooling control unit 31 changes the set temperature to a higher value than the previous value so as to shorten the subdivision time. This change may involve, for example, lowering the rotation speed of the compressor 4, lowering the rotation speed of the fan 6, or closing the damper 8 to reduce the amount of cold air flowing into the freezer compartment 23. If the time period during which subdivision is possible determined by the time determination unit 32 is shorter than the set time, the cooling control unit 31 changes the set temperature to a lower value than the previous value so as to lengthen the subdivision time. This change may involve, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 4, increasing the rotation speed of the fan 6, or opening the damper 8 to increase the amount of cold air flowing into the freezer compartment 23. This allows the user to perform the subdivision work in the same way as always. This control also helps reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

[0092] As an example, the set time is determined in advance by the user. The user may input information necessary to determine the set time from the input device 3a or a smartphone with which the communication unit 35 can communicate. The information does not have to be a specific number such as "60 seconds." As an example, the user may input information such as the type of food to be portioned, the method of portioning the food, or the name of a dish to be made using the food, and the set time may be automatically determined based on the input information.

[0093] Furthermore, the cooling control unit 31 may receive feedback from the user regarding the available portioning time, and control the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 based on that feedback. Such feedback may include, "The portioning time was insufficient, and the food could not be portioned to the end," "The portioning time was appropriate," etc. As a result, the more the user uses the function, the more the available portioning time can be adjusted to suit that user.

[0094] The process shown in S401 and the process shown in S402 do not have to be performed after the time when the food F can be subdivided has been determined. Only the process shown in S401 may be performed, without the process shown in S402. Only the process shown in S402 may be performed, without the process shown in S401.

[0095] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the temperature determining unit 34 determines the temperature outside the refrigerator based on the temperature actually measured by the temperature sensor 26, etc. As another example, the temperature determining unit 34 may determine the temperature outside the refrigerator based on weather forecast data from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Japan Meteorological Agency is an example of an external organization that performs weather forecasts. The weather forecast data includes at least a predicted outside air temperature. In other words, the temperature determining unit 34 may determine the predicted outside air temperature from the external organization as the temperature outside the refrigerator. The weather forecast data may also include a predicted outside air temperature and a predicted outside air humidity.

[0096] In this example, the communication unit 35 acquires weather forecast data from an external server device or the like. The weather forecast data acquired by the communication unit 35 is weather forecast data for the location where the refrigerator 1 is installed. As an example, the location is determined by the user inputting area information such as an address or postal code using the input device 3a. The location may also be determined using GPS information received by the communication unit 35 from the user's smartphone or the like.

[0097] For example, when the process shown in S402 is performed after the portioning time for food F is determined, the temperature determination unit 34 determines the outside temperature using weather forecast data, and the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 can be controlled using the predicted outside temperature. Weather forecast data may include predicted outside temperatures for the next several hours or days. This allows the temperature determination unit 34 to predict changes in the outside temperature in advance. Even if the outside temperature changes suddenly, the temperature determination unit 34 can predict the change in advance, and the cooling control unit 31 can use the prediction result for cooling control. For example, if the outside temperature changes suddenly, performing cooling control in response to the sudden change would consume more energy than necessary in the refrigerator 1. If changes in outside temperature can be predicted in advance, it is possible to start cooling control in response to the change before the sudden change occurs. This control is therefore expected to have an effect of reducing energy consumption.

[0098] Note that weather forecast data changes from moment to moment. For this reason, it is preferable that the communication unit 35 frequently acquires weather forecast data. The acquisition frequency of weather forecast data may take into consideration the cost of data communication. For example, the communication unit 35 may acquire the latest weather forecast data every six hours.

[0099] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the time determination unit 32 determines the time during which food F can be portioned based on at least one of the temperature inside the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment. The time determination unit 32 may also use other information when determining the time during which food F can be portioned.

[0100] As an example, if an air conditioning device that performs air conditioning is installed in room R or a room adjacent to room R, the time determination unit 32 may determine the time at which food F can be portioned based on operation information from the air conditioning device. Air conditioning devices may include air conditioners, electric fans, ventilation fans, air purifiers, etc. The operation information may include data indicating the set temperature, data indicating the operation mode, data indicating the air volume, etc. The communication unit 35 communicates with the air conditioning device and receives the operation information. The operation information may be input from the input device 3a or a smartphone with which the communication unit 35 can communicate.

[0101] This example is particularly effective when the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies the temperature outside the refrigerator based on weather forecast data. That is, the predicted outside temperature included in the weather forecast data does not necessarily match the temperature in room R. For example, when you come home from outside on a hot summer day and turn on the air conditioner, the temperature in room R changes suddenly. In such a case, if the temperature specifying unit 34 specifies the temperature outside the refrigerator based only on the weather forecast data, the specified temperature will not match the temperature in room R. By using operation information from the air conditioner, the time determination unit 32 can predict temperature changes in room R in advance, and can determine a more accurate time period for subdivision. This control can also be expected to have an effect of reducing energy consumption.

[0102] As another example, the time determination unit 32 may determine the time period during which food F can be portioned based on information about the food F. Hereinafter, this information will also be referred to as food information. The food information may include the type of food F, the size of the food F when stored, the amount of the food F, etc.

[0103] If the amount of food F is large, the heat capacity will be large, so the temperature of food F will rise more slowly after it is removed from freezer compartment 23 compared to when the amount is small. In other words, the time period during which food F can be divided will be longer. If the amount of food F is small, the temperature of food F will rise more easily, and the time period during which it can be divided will be shorter. If the size of food F when stored is large, the surface area will be large, so the temperature of food F will rise more quickly after it is removed from freezer compartment 23 compared to when the size is small. In other words, the time period during which food F can be divided will be shorter. If the size of food F when stored is small, the temperature of food F will rise less easily, and the time period during which it can be divided will be longer.

[0104] Furthermore, the ease with which the temperature rises varies depending on the type of food. That is, not all foods rise in temperature at the same rate. For example, if food F is a thin leafy vegetable, the temperature of food F will rise easily after it is removed from freezer compartment 23. If food F is a thick vegetable such as a carrot or onion, the temperature of food F will rise less easily. In this way, by taking food information into consideration, a more accurate time for which portioning is possible can be determined.

[0105] The food ingredient information may be input from the input device 3a or a smartphone with which the communication unit 35 can communicate. If the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a camera that captures images of the inside of the freezer compartment 23, the food information may be identified from images captured by the camera. If the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a weight sensor that detects the weight inside the freezer compartment 23, the food information may be identified from changes in weight detected by the weight sensor.

[0106] As another example, the time determination unit 32 may determine the time during which food F can be portioned based on the amount of frosting.

[0107] Generally, when food is frozen and stored, the difference between the saturated water vapor pressure of the food and the saturated water vapor pressure of the air in the storage compartment causes the moisture in the food to sublimate outside the food, resulting in frosting on the food. When frozen food is divided into portions, if frost is present on the surface of the food, the heat of fusion generated when the frost melts makes it easier for the temperature of the food to rise during division. In other words, the greater the amount of frost on the food, the shorter the time it can be divided into portions.

[0108] In this example, the control device 9 is further provided with a calculation unit 37 that has the function of calculating the amount of frosting on the food product F. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of how to calculate the amount of frosting. Figure 12 shows the operation flow of the calculation unit 37.

[0109] To calculate the amount of frost on food F, first, the number of times door 23a of freezer compartment 23 has been opened and closed in a specific period is learned (S501). The period is arbitrary. The period may be one day or one week. The learning shown in S501 is performed by acquiring daily detection data from door switch 23b.

[0110] Next, based on the number of times door 23a has been opened and closed learned in S501, the temperature fluctuation of the air in freezer compartment 23 is predicted (S502). Next, based on the temperature fluctuation predicted in S502, the temperature fluctuation of food F stored in freezer compartment 23 is predicted (S503).

[0111] Next, based on the temperature fluctuation of the air in freezer compartment 23 predicted in S502 and the temperature fluctuation of food F predicted in S503, the saturated water vapor pressure of the air and the saturated water vapor pressure of food F are calculated. Also, the difference ΔP between the saturated water vapor pressure of the air and the saturated water vapor pressure of food F is calculated (S504).

[0112] Next, the amount of frosting on food F is calculated by integrating the difference ΔP calculated in S504 (S505). For example, time determination unit 32 can determine the time during which food F can be portioned based on the amount of frosting calculated by calculation unit 37 and the temperature outside the refrigerator identified by temperature identification unit 34. In this example, a more accurate time during which food F can be portioned can be determined by taking the amount of frosting on food F into consideration.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 13 shows the operation flow of the control device 9. As an example, the operation flow shown in Fig. 13 is performed after the time during which food F can be subdivided is determined in S102 of Fig. 4, S202 of Fig. 7, or S303 of Fig. 10.

[0114] When the control device 9 performs the operation flow shown in Fig. 13, the control device 9 is further provided with a dish notification unit 38. The dish notification unit 38 notifies the user of a dish or recipe using food F (S601). The dish notification unit 38 may notify the user of both a dish and a recipe using food F. The notification in S601 is made based on the time during which food F can be portioned, determined by the time determination unit 32. The notification in S601 can be made in the same manner as the notification in S401.

[0115] If the subdivision time is long, food F can be divided into smaller pieces compared to when the subdivision time is short. In other words, the size to which food F can be divided varies depending on the subdivision time. For example, when the subdivision time is short, it is difficult to prepare a dish that requires dividing food F into small pieces.

[0116] Therefore, the control device 9 determines the size of the food F that can be achieved in the portioning task based on the possible portioning time for the food F determined by the time determination unit 32. The dish notification unit 38 selects the most suitable dish based on the determined size and notifies the user of the selected dish. Since there is a possibility that a single suggested dish may not suit the user's mood or preferences, the dish notification unit 38 may notify the user of multiple dishes in S601.

[0117] The recipe notification unit 38 may not only suggest a recipe to the user, but also notify the user of a recipe that specifies how finely the food F should be divided.

[0118] In the control device 9, the operation flow shown in Fig. 13 may be performed instead of the operation flow shown in Fig. 11, or may be performed together with the operation flow shown in Fig. 11. If the notification in S601 is performed together with the notification in S401, the user can easily understand the meaning of the subdivision time. In other words, the user can make more effective use of the subdivision time.

[0119] The control device 9 also determines whether the subdivision time for food F determined by the time determination unit 32 has elapsed (S602). If the subdivision time for food F has elapsed, a Yes determination is made in S602. If a Yes determination is made in S602, the time notification unit 36 ​​may notify the user that the subdivision time has elapsed.

[0120] If S602 returns Yes, the cooking notification unit 38 may notify the user of the next action to be taken in cooking the food F (S603). When the portioning time has elapsed, the temperature of the food F will be high. Furthermore, since portioned food F easily transfers heat, if the portioned food F is not to be cooked immediately, it is preferable to return the food F to the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the cooking notification unit 38 may display "Please return the food to the refrigerator" on the display 3b in S603.

[0121] In S603, the cooking notification unit 38 may notify the user of the next cooking step. By prompting the user to proceed to the next cooking step, deterioration of the food F can be prevented. In particular, if the next cooking step is a heating step, it is preferable to prompt the user to heat the food F to prevent deterioration of the food F.

[0122] The recipe notification unit 38 may issue the notification in S603 after receiving feedback from the user. That is, the recipe notification unit 38 notifies the user of the next action to be taken based on the feedback from the user. In this case, if the determination in S602 is Yes, the recipe notification unit 38 asks the user a question regarding the portioning results of the food F. Note that this question can be asked in the same manner as the notification in S401.

[0123] For example, the display 3b may display "Did you successfully portion the food?" The user can input an answer to the question using the input device 3a or the like. If an affirmative answer is received to the question, the cooking notification unit 38 may notify the user that the next action to take is to return the food F to the refrigerator or to proceed to the next cooking step. If an affirmative answer is received to the question, the cooking notification unit 38 may notify the user that the next action to take is to use the food F in a different recipe. The cooking notification unit 38 may notify the user of the reason for the portioning failure along with the next action to take.

[0124] In this example, the user can understand what to do after the time available for portioning has elapsed, and can proceed with cooking in an organized manner.

[0125] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which all of the above-mentioned functions are provided in the refrigerator 1. As another example, some of the functions of the control device 9 shown in FIG. 3 may be provided in an external device other than the refrigerator 1. In such a case, the refrigerator 1 and the external device can communicate with each other. The refrigerator 1 and the external device form a refrigerator system. The refrigerator system may also include other components. If the external device is a server device, the communication unit 35 of the control device 9 communicates with the external device via a network such as the Internet. The functions provided in the external device are optional. As an example, only the cooling control unit 31 and the communication unit 35 may be provided in the control device 9, and other functions including the time determination unit 32 may be provided in the external device.

[0126] The time determination unit 32 described in this embodiment may be realized by an inference device 40 as shown in FIG.

[0127] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an inference device 40. When refrigerator 1 is equipped with inference device 40, inference device 40 may be included in control device 9 or may be equipped as a device separate from control device 9. When refrigerator 1 is equipped with inference device 40, refrigerator 1 further includes a trained model storage unit 41. The function of trained model storage unit 41 may be realized by storage unit 30. Inference device 40 may be equipped in an external device capable of communicating with refrigerator 1. The external device may include one specific server device, multiple specific server devices, a cloud server, etc. Inference device 40 may also be another device installed in room R, etc. The trained model storage unit 41 may be equipped in the external device.

[0128] The inference device 40 infers the time when food F stored in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided. The inference device 40 includes a data acquisition unit 42 and an inference unit 43.

[0129] Inference data is input to the inference device 40. The data acquisition unit 42 acquires the inference data input to the inference device 40. The inference data includes at least one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment. The inference data may not include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23, but may include the temperature outside the freezer compartment. The inference data may not include the temperature outside the freezer compartment, but may include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. The inference data may include both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment. That is, the inference data may include the temperature outside the freezer compartment identified by the temperature identification unit 34, or a temperature equivalent to that temperature. The inference data may include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 identified by the temperature identification unit 33, or a temperature equivalent to that temperature.

[0130] A trained model is stored in the trained model storage unit 41. The trained model is a model for inferring the time during which food F can be portioned from the inference data. As an example, the trained model is generated by a learning device 50, which will be described later. The trained model may be a trained model generated by a device other than the learning device 50. The device may include other refrigerators, a server device managed by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 1, etc.

[0131] The inference unit 43 uses the learned model stored in the learned model storage unit 41 to infer the portioning time of the food product F from the inference data acquired by the data acquisition unit 42. The inference unit 43 inputs the inference data acquired by the data acquisition unit 42 into the learned model, and thereby can output the portioning time of the food product F inferred from the inference data.

[0132] As shown in the above example, the inference data may further include one or more of the operating information from the air conditioner, information about the food F, and the amount of frosting.

[0133] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inference device 40. The operational flow shown in Fig. 15 corresponds to the process shown in S102 of Fig. 4, the process shown in S202 of Fig. 7, and the process shown in S303 of Fig. 10. Therefore, after the series of processes shown in Fig. 15 are performed, the process shown in Fig. 11 may be performed. After the series of processes shown in Fig. 15 are performed, the process shown in Fig. 13 may be performed.

[0134] In the inference device 40, first, the data acquisition unit 42 acquires data for inference (S701). Next, the inference unit 43 inputs the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit 42 in S701 into the trained model stored in the trained model storage unit 41 (S702). Next, the inference unit 43 outputs the inference result obtained by inputting the data for inference into the trained model in S702, i.e., data indicating the time during which food F can be subdivided (S703).

[0135] The above-mentioned learning device 50 will be described below. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the learning device 50. The learning device 50 may be provided in the refrigerator 1, or in an external device that can communicate with the refrigerator 1. The learning device 50 may also be provided in a device other than the refrigerator 1 or the external device.

[0136] The learning device 50 learns the time period during which food F stored in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided, and generates the trained model. The learning device 50 includes a data acquisition unit 51 and a model generation unit 52.

[0137] Learning data is input to the learning device 50. The data acquisition unit 51 acquires the learning data input to the learning device 50. The learning data includes at least one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment, and the time period during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be portioned. That is, the learning data may include the outside-freezer temperature identified by the temperature identification unit 34, or a temperature equivalent to that temperature. The learning data may include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 identified by the temperature identification unit 33, or a temperature equivalent to that temperature.

[0138] As an example, the learning data includes one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 and the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be portioned. That is, the learning data may not include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23, but may include the temperature outside the freezer compartment. The learning data may not include the temperature outside the freezer compartment, but may include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. In this case, the learning data is data that correlates the one of the above with the time during which food F can be portioned.

[0139] As another example, the learning data includes both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23, and the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be portioned. In this case, the learning data is data that associates both of the above with the time during which food F can be portioned.

[0140] The model generation unit 52 learns the time during which food F can be subdivided from the above-mentioned learning data created based on a combination of at least one of the temperature in the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 and the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided. That is, the model generation unit 52 generates a trained model for inferring the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided from at least one of the temperature in the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23, based on the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51.

[0141] If the learning data does not include the temperature of the freezer compartment 23, the trained model is a model for inferring the time during which food F can be portioned from the temperature outside the freezer compartment. If the learning data does not include the temperature outside the freezer compartment, the trained model is a model for inferring the time during which food F can be portioned from the temperature of the freezer compartment 23. If the learning data includes both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment, the trained model is a model for inferring the time during which food F can be portioned from the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment.

[0142] As an example, supervised learning is adopted as the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 52. A known algorithm such as unsupervised learning or semi-supervised learning may be used as the learning algorithm. Deep learning, which learns to extract feature quantities themselves, may be used as the learning algorithm. Other known methods such as genetic programming, inductive logic programming, or support vector machines may also be used as the learning algorithm.

[0143] As an example, an example of applying a neural network will be described.

[0144] The model generation unit 52 learns the divisible time period by so-called supervised learning in accordance with the neural network model. Here, supervised learning refers to a method in which pairs of input and result (label) data are provided to the learning device 50, and the learning device 50 learns the features of the learning data and infers the result from the input.

[0145] A neural network is composed of an input layer consisting of multiple neurons, an intermediate layer (hidden layer) consisting of multiple neurons, and an output layer consisting of multiple neurons. The intermediate layer may be one layer or multiple layers. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a neural network applied to a learning device 50. Figure 17 shows an example of a three-layer neural network consisting of an input layer (X1-X3), an intermediate layer (Y1-Y2), and an output layer (Z1-Z3).

[0146] In the neural network shown in Figure 17, when multiple inputs are input to the input layer, the values ​​are multiplied by weight W1 (w11-w16) and input to the middle layer, and the result is further multiplied by weight W2 (w21-w26) and output from the output layer. This output result changes depending on the values ​​of weight W1 and weight W2.

[0147] 16, the neural network learns the time period during which food F can be subdivided by supervised learning based on the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51. As described above, the learning data is data created based on a combination of at least one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 and the time period during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided. That is, the neural network learns by inputting at least one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment 23 into the input layer and adjusting the weights W1 and W2 so that the result output from the output layer approaches the time period during which food F can be subdivided (correct data).

[0148] The model generation unit 52 generates a trained model by performing the above-described learning and outputs the generated trained model. The trained model output from the model generation unit 52 is stored in the trained model storage unit 41.

[0149] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the learning device 50. In the learning device 50, first, the data acquisition unit 51 acquires learning data (S801). As described above, the learning data includes, for example, one of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 or the temperature outside the freezer compartment, and the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided. In such a case, in S801, the acquisition of data indicating either of the two and the acquisition of data indicating the time during which food F can be subdivided may be performed at different times. It is sufficient for the data acquisition unit 51 to acquire the one of the two and the time during which food F can be subdivided in association with each other. The same applies when the learning data includes both the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 and the temperature outside the freezer compartment, and the time during which food F in the freezer compartment 23 can be subdivided.

[0150] Next, the model generation unit 52 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51 in S801 to learn the portioning time of the food F, for example, by supervised learning, and generates a trained model (S802). Next, the trained model generated by the model generation unit 52 is stored in the trained model storage unit 41 (S803).

[0151] The learning process in S802 may be performed by acquiring learning data not only from one refrigerator but also from multiple refrigerators. In this case, the multiple refrigerators may be used in the same area or in different areas. When acquiring learning data from multiple refrigerators, refrigerators from which learning data is acquired may be added later, or some refrigerators may be excluded along the way. Learning device 50 that has performed learning process on one refrigerator may be applied to another refrigerator, and re-learning process may be performed on the other refrigerator.

[0152] 19 is a diagram showing an example of hardware resources of the control device 9. The control device 9 includes, as hardware resources, a processing circuit 60 including a processor 61 and a memory 62. The processing circuit 60 may include multiple processors 61. The processing circuit 60 may include multiple memories 62.

[0153] In this embodiment, the units denoted by reference numerals 30 to 38 represent functions possessed by the control device 9. The function of the storage unit 30 is realized by a memory 62. The functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 31 to 38 can be realized by software written as a program, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The program is stored in the memory 62. The control device 9 realizes the functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 31 to 38 by executing the program stored in the memory 62 using a processor 61 (computer).

[0154] The processor 61 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 62 may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD. Usable semiconductor memory includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.

[0155] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the control device 9. In the example shown in Fig. 20, the control device 9 includes a processing circuit 60 including a processor 61, a memory 62, and dedicated hardware 63. Fig. 20 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control device 9 are realized by the dedicated hardware 63. All of the functions of the control device 9 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 63. The dedicated hardware 63 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0156] The hardware resources of the inference device 40 are similar to the examples shown in Figure 19 or Figure 20. The inference device 40 has, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The processing circuit may include multiple processors. The processing circuit may include multiple memories. The inference device 40 realizes the functions of each part indicated by the reference numerals 42 and 43 by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The inference device 40 may have, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor, a memory, and dedicated hardware. Some or all of the functions of the inference device 40 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0157] The hardware resources of the learning device 50 are similar to those shown in FIG. 19 or 20. The learning device 50 includes, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The processing circuit may include multiple processors. The processing circuit may include multiple memories. The learning device 50 realizes the functions of the units indicated by the reference numerals 51 and 52 by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The learning device 50 may include, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor, a memory, and dedicated hardware. Some or all of the functions of the learning device 50 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0158] Examples of aspects that may be included in the present disclosure are set forth below as appendices.

[0159] [Appendix 1] a cooling control unit that controls the temperature of the storage compartment so that the food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; a time determination unit that determines a time during which the food can be divided into portions based on at least one of the temperature in the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment; A refrigerator with [Appendix 2] The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be portioned based on the temperature in the storage compartment and the temperature outside the refrigerator. [Appendix 3] The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a time notification unit that notifies the time when the food can be subdivided, determined by the time determination unit. [Appendix 4] The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the time notification unit notifies the user that the subdivision possible time determined by the time determination unit has elapsed. [Appendix 5] 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling control unit controls the temperature of the storage compartment based on the subdivision allowable time determined by the time determination unit. [Appendix 6] Further, a first temperature specifying unit that specifies the temperature of the storage chamber is provided, 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be portioned based on the temperature specified by the first temperature specification unit. [Appendix 7] The refrigerator described in Appendix 6, wherein the first temperature identification unit identifies the set temperature used by the cooling control unit to control the cooling of the storage compartment or the actual temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the storage compartment as the temperature of the storage compartment. [Appendix 8] Further provided is a second temperature determination unit that determines the temperature outside the storage compartment, The refrigerator according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be portioned based on the temperature specified by the second temperature specification unit. [Appendix 9] Further provided is a heat-insulating box in which the storage chamber is formed, The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the second temperature determination unit determines the temperature outside the refrigerator based on information from a device installed in a room in which the insulated box is installed or in a room adjacent to the room. [Appendix 10] Further provided is a heat-insulating box in which the storage chamber is formed, An air conditioning device for performing air conditioning is installed in the room where the insulated box is installed or in a room adjacent to the room, The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be divided into smaller portions based also on operation information from the air conditioner. [Appendix 11] The refrigerator according to claim 8 or 10, wherein the second temperature specifying unit specifies, as the temperature outside the refrigerator, a predicted outside temperature provided by an external weather forecasting organization. [Appendix 12] 12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on information about the food. [Appendix 13] The refrigerator according to any one of appendices 1 to 12, further comprising a recipe notification unit that notifies the user of a dish or recipe using the food based on the subdivision time determined by the time determination unit. [Appendix 14] A calculation unit for calculating the amount of frost on the food is further provided, The refrigerator according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the time determination unit determines the time during which the food can be portioned based also on the amount of frost calculated by the calculation unit. [Appendix 15] A refrigerator and an external device capable of communicating with the refrigerator; Equipped with the refrigerator includes a cooling control unit that controls the temperature of the storage compartment so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; The external device is a refrigerator system including a time determination unit that determines a time period during which the food can be portioned based on at least one of the temperature in the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment. [Appendix 16] The refrigerator system according to claim 15, wherein the refrigerator or the external device further includes a time notification unit that notifies the user of the time when the food can be subdivided, determined by the time determination unit. [Appendix 17] The refrigerator system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the cooling control unit controls the temperature of the storage compartment based on the portioning possible time determined by the time determination unit. [Appendix 18] a data acquisition unit that acquires data for inference; an inference unit that outputs the time at which the food in a storage compartment of the refrigerator can be subdivided from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit, using a trained model for inferring the time at which the food in the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be subdivided from the data for inference; Equipped with An inference device in which the inference data includes at least one of the temperature of the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment. [Appendix 19] An inference device as described in Appendix 18, wherein the inference data includes both the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment. [Appendix 20] a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data; a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit; Equipped with the learning data includes one of a temperature in a storage compartment or an outside temperature of the refrigerator and a time period during which food in the storage compartment can be divided into smaller portions; The learned model is a learning device for inferring the time at which the food can be portioned from the one of the two. [Appendix 21] a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data; a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit; Equipped with The learning data includes both the temperature of a storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment of the refrigerator and the time during which food in the storage compartment can be divided into smaller portions; The trained model is a learning device that is a model for inferring the time when the food can be portioned from both of the above. [Appendix 22] a cooling control step of controlling the temperature of a storage compartment of the refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; A temperature specifying step of specifying one of the temperature in the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment; a time determination step of determining a time at which the food can be divided into portions based on the one of the temperatures determined in the temperature determination step; A method for determining the time when subdivision is possible. [Appendix 23] a cooling control step of controlling the temperature of a storage compartment of the refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; a temperature specifying step of specifying both the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment; a time determination step of determining a time at which the food can be portioned based on both the temperature and the temperature determined in the temperature determination step; A method for determining the time when subdivision is possible.

[0160] The matters described in Supplementary Notes 2-14 may be added to Supplementary Notes 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, and 23, respectively, in the same manner as adding them to Supplementary Note 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] REFRIGERATOR, 2 INSULATED BOX, 3 CONTROL PANEL, 3a INPUT DEVICE, 3b DISPLAY, 4 COMPRESSOR, 5 CURRENT EQUIPMENT, 6 FAN, 7 AIR DUCT, 8 DAMPER, 9 CONTROL DEVICE, 20 REFRIGERATOR, 20a-24a DOOR, 20b-24b DOOR SWITCH, 20c-24c TEMPERATURE SENSOR, 21 CHANGEABLE COMPACT, 22 ICE Maker, 23 FREEZER, 24 VEGETABLE COMPACT, 25 CHILLED COMPACT, 26 TEMPERATURE SENSOR, 30 MEMORY UNIT, 31 COOLING CONTROL UNIT, 32 TIME DETERMINATION UNIT, 33-34 TEMPERATURE IDENTIFICATION UNIT, 35 COMMUNICATION UNIT, 36 TIME NOTIFICATION UNIT, 37 CALCULATOR, 38 COOKING NOTIFICATION UNIT, 40 INDERMINATION UNIT, 41 LESSONS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT, 42 DATA ACCESSION UNIT, 43 INDERMINATION UNIT, 50 Learning device, 51 Data acquisition unit, 52 Model generation unit, 60 Processing circuit, 61 Processor, 62 Memory, 63 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a cooling control unit that controls the temperature of the storage compartment so that the food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; a time determination unit that determines a time during which the food can be divided into portions based on at least one of the temperature in the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment; A refrigerator with

2. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determining unit determines the time period during which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the refrigerator.

3. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a time notification unit that notifies the user of the time period during which the food can be subdivided determined by the time determination unit.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the time notification unit notifies the user that the subdivision possible time determined by the time determination unit has elapsed.

5. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling control unit controls the temperature of the storage compartment based on the subdivision possible time determined by the time determination unit.

6. Further, a first temperature specifying unit that specifies the temperature of the storage chamber is provided, 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time during which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on the temperature specified by the first temperature specification unit.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the first temperature specifying unit specifies, as the temperature of the storage compartment, a set temperature used by the cooling control unit for cooling control of the storage compartment or an actual temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the storage compartment.

8. Further provided is a second temperature specifying unit that specifies the temperature outside the storage compartment, 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time during which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on the temperature specified by the second temperature specification unit.

9. Further provided is a heat-insulating box in which the storage chamber is formed, The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the second temperature specifying unit specifies the temperature outside the refrigerator based on information from a device installed in a room in which the insulating box is installed or in a room adjacent to the room.

10. Further provided is a heat-insulating box in which the storage chamber is formed, An air conditioning device for performing air conditioning is installed in the room where the insulated box is installed or in a room adjacent to the room, The refrigerator according to claim 8 , wherein the time determination unit determines the time when the food can be divided into smaller portions based on operation information from the air conditioner.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 8 , wherein the second temperature specifying unit specifies an outside air temperature predicted by an external weather forecasting organization as the outside temperature.

12. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time at which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on information about the food.

13. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a recipe notification unit that notifies a user of a dish or recipe using the food item based on the subdivision time determined by the time determination unit.

14. A calculation unit for calculating the amount of frost on the food is further provided, 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the time determination unit determines the time period during which the food can be divided into smaller portions based on the amount of frost calculated by the calculation unit.

15. A refrigerator and an external device capable of communicating with the refrigerator; Equipped with the refrigerator includes a cooling control unit that controls the temperature of the storage compartment so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; The external device is a refrigerator system including a time determination unit that determines a time period during which the food can be portioned based on at least one of the temperature in the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment.

16. The refrigerator system according to claim 15, wherein the refrigerator or the external device further includes a time notification unit that notifies the user of the time period during which the food can be subdivided, determined by the time determination unit.

17. 17. The refrigerator system according to claim 15, wherein the cooling control unit controls the temperature of the storage compartment based on the portioning possible time determined by the time determination unit.

18. a data acquisition unit that acquires data for inference; an inference unit that outputs the time at which the food in a storage compartment of the refrigerator can be subdivided from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit, using a trained model for inferring the time at which the food in the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be subdivided from the data for inference; Equipped with An inference device in which the inference data includes at least one of the temperature of the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment.

19. The inference device according to claim 18 , wherein the inference data includes both the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment.

20. a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data; a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit; Equipped with the learning data includes one of a temperature in a storage compartment or an outside temperature of the refrigerator and a time period during which food in the storage compartment can be divided into smaller portions; The learned model is a learning device for inferring the time at which the food can be portioned from the one of the two.

21. a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data; a model generation unit that generates a trained model using the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit; Equipped with The learning data includes both the temperature of a storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment of the refrigerator and the time during which food in the storage compartment can be divided into smaller portions; The trained model is a learning device that is a model for inferring the time when the food can be portioned from both of the above.

22. a cooling control step of controlling the temperature of a storage compartment of the refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; A temperature specifying step of specifying one of the temperature in the storage compartment or the temperature outside the storage compartment; a time determination step of determining a time at which the food can be divided into portions based on the one of the temperatures determined in the temperature determination step; A method for determining the time when subdivision is possible.

23. a cooling control step of controlling the temperature of a storage compartment of the refrigerator so that food in the storage compartment is frozen in a state that allows it to be divided into portions; a temperature specifying step of specifying both the temperature of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment; a time determination step of determining a time at which the food can be portioned based on both the temperature and the temperature determined in the temperature determination step; A method for determining the time when subdivision is possible.

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