Refrigerator, refrigerator system, inference device, learning device and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that allows a user to facilitate cooking using food in the refrigerator.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 comprises a cooling control unit 31 and an estimation unit 32. The cooling control unit 31 performs normal cooling control so that a temperature in a storage chamber becomes a first temperature. The estimation unit 32 estimates a first time when cooking using food in the storage chamber begins. The cooling control unit 31 also performs first cooling control to keep a temperature in the storage chamber at a second temperature before the first time. The second temperature is a temperature at which the food in the storage chamber is frozen so that it can be portioned.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 an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator control system. The control system described in Patent Document 1 includes a server. The server controls the operation of the refrigerator based on schedule information of a user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-143953 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the control system described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the operation of the refrigerator in consideration of ease of cooking.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a refrigerator system that allow a user to easily cook using food stored in the refrigerator. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an inference device for estimating a first time when cooking using food in a storage compartment of a refrigerator will begin, and a learning device for learning the first time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a cooling control unit that performs normal cooling control so that the temperature of a storage compartment reaches a first temperature, and an estimation unit that estimates a first time when cooking using food stored in the storage compartment will begin. The cooling control unit performs first cooling control to maintain the temperature of the storage compartment at a second temperature before the first time estimated by the estimation unit. The second temperature is a temperature at which the food stored in the storage compartment is frozen so that it can be portioned.

[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 cooling control unit that performs normal cooling control so that the temperature of a storage compartment reaches a first temperature. The external device includes an estimation unit that estimates a first time when cooking using food in the storage compartment will begin. The cooling control unit performs first cooling control to maintain the temperature of the storage compartment at a second temperature before the first time estimated by the estimation unit. The second temperature is a temperature at which the food in the storage compartment is frozen so that it can be portioned.

[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 first time from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit using a trained model for inferring a first time at which cooking using food in a storage compartment of a refrigerator will start from the data for inference. The data for inference includes at least one of information on whether the refrigerator door is open or closed, outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a preset location, or external device information indicating the operation of a preset external device. The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed. The external device is a device used for cooking.

[0009] A learning device according to the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires training data, and a model generation unit that uses the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit to generate a trained model for inferring a first time at which cooking using food stored in a refrigerator compartment will begin from the training data. The training data includes at least one of refrigerator door opening / closing information, outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a preset location, or external device information indicating the operation of a preset external device. The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed. The external device is a device used for cooking.

[0010] The learning device according to the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data including refrigerator door opening / closing information and at least one of outside temperature information indicating the temperature at a predetermined location or external device information indicating the operation of a predetermined external device, and a model generation unit that uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit to generate a trained model for inferring a first time when cooking using food stored in the refrigerator's storage compartment will begin from the refrigerator door opening / closing information.

[0011] The information processing device of the present disclosure includes a data acquisition unit that acquires frozen food information regarding foods that are frozen in a portionable state in a storage compartment of a refrigerator, and a control unit that creates recipes using the foods by inputting the frozen food information acquired by the data acquisition unit into artificial intelligence. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, users can easily cook using food stored in the refrigerator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an example of a refrigerator according to 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 the function of the refrigerator shown in FIG. [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 showing an example of temperature changes in a freezer compartment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the probability that food can be kept frozen until the food is completely divided. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for estimating cooking time. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for estimating cooking time. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for estimating cooking time. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of fluctuations in temperature in the freezer compartment during cooking time. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of an update unit of the control device. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an inference device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inference device. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a learning device. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a neural network applied to a learning device. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the learning device. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of hardware resources of a control device. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of hardware resources of a control device. [Figure 19] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 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.

[0015] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of 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 shown in FIG. 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 a device that notifies the user of information. The operation panel 3 may be provided with a speaker or the like as such a device.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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. By controlling the devices included in the refrigeration mechanism, control device 9 sends 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 placed at the top of the back side of insulated box body 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 9 includes a storage unit 30, a cooling control unit 31, and an estimation unit 32.

[0030] The functions of the refrigerator 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 4 to 9. 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. Note that the following detailed description will focus on the freezer compartment 23, one of the storage compartments formed in the insulated box body 2, as an example. 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] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of temperature changes in freezer compartment 23. Solid line A shown in Fig. 5 indicates the temperature change in freezer compartment 23. Dashed line B shown in Fig. 5 indicates the temperature change of food stored in freezer compartment 23. Hereinafter, the food stored in freezer compartment 23 will also be referred to as food F.

[0032] In the control device 9, normal cooling control is basically performed by the cooling control unit 31 (S101). In normal cooling control, the cooling control unit 31 controls the devices included in the freezing mechanism so that the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 becomes temperature T1. Temperature T1 is set in advance, and the information about this is stored in the memory unit 30. Temperature T1 is the first temperature described in the claims. By performing normal cooling control by the cooling control unit 31, the temperature of the freezing compartment 23 and the temperature of the food F are basically maintained at temperature T1.

[0033] Furthermore, in the control device 9, the estimation unit 32 estimates the time for which cooking using the food F will be performed (S102). Hereinafter, this time will also be referred to as cooking time t. For example, the estimation unit 32 estimates the time ts at which cooking using the food F will start. The time ts is the first time described in the claims. The estimation unit 32 estimates the time te at which cooking started at the time ts will end. The time te is the second time described in the claims. The cooking time t is the time from the time ts to the time te.

[0034] The cooling control unit 31 performs first cooling control to maintain the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 at temperature T2 before the cooking time t estimated by the estimation unit 32 starts, i.e., before time ts. Temperature T2 is a temperature for freezing the food F in a state that allows it to be portioned, and is the second temperature described in the claims. As an example, temperature T2 is a temperature lower than temperature T1. In the first cooling control, the cooling control unit 31 lowers the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 from temperature T1 to temperature T2, and controls the devices included in the freezer mechanism so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is maintained at temperature T2 at time ts.

[0035] The control device 9 determines whether a first start condition for starting the first cooling control is met (S103). To maintain the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 at temperature T2 at time ts, the first cooling control must be started at time t1, which is before time ts. Because the temperature of the food item F follows the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 with a slight delay depending on the type and amount of food item F, it is preferable that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 reach temperature T2 a certain time before time ts. For example, the first start condition is met when the current time reaches time t1, which is set in consideration of these circumstances. That is, a Yes determination is made in S103.

[0036] If S103 returns Yes, the cooling control unit 31 starts the first cooling control (S104). As a result, the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 drops from temperature T1 to temperature T2 and is maintained at temperature T2 before time ts. As described above, temperature T2 is the temperature at which food F is frozen so that it can be divided into portions. Therefore, a user who uses food F in cooking can easily divide the food F removed from the freezer compartment 23 into portions. In other words, in the example shown in this embodiment, the user can easily cook using the food stored in the freezer. Note that, to achieve this effect, the estimation unit 32 only needs to have at least the function of estimating time ts.

[0037] 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, the temperature T2 must be below a certain temperature.

[0038] As an example, temperature T2 is set based on 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 reduced, at some point the freeze-concentrated phase will transition to a hard and 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Temperature T2 is preferably a temperature equal to or lower than the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of food F. For example, if temperature T2 is −20° C. or lower, temperature T2 can be set to a temperature equal to or lower than the freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of most of food F.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the probability R that food can be kept frozen until portioning is complete. For example, it takes some time to portion food F taken out of freezer compartment 23. If temperature T2 is high, food F will no longer be frozen enough to be portioned while it is being portioned. The applicant conducted experiments and found that, as shown in FIG. 6, the probability R that food can be kept frozen until portioning is complete after being taken out of the storage compartment decreases when temperature T2 is higher than approximately -20°C. For these reasons, it is also preferable that temperature T2 be -20°C or lower.

[0042] If the control device 9 is equipped with an identification unit 33 for identifying the type of food F, the temperature T2 may be set based on the type of food F identified by the identification unit 33. The identification unit 33 may identify not only the type of food F but also the amount, size, etc. of the food F. In such a case, the temperature T2 is set based on the amount, size, etc. of the food F identified by the identification unit 33. In this example, a more optimal value can be set as the temperature T2.

[0043] Furthermore, the estimation unit 32 may estimate the cooking time t by any method, i.e., by any method for estimating the time ts and the time te. If the control device 9 includes an information acquisition unit 34 for acquiring various information, the estimation unit 32 may estimate the cooking time t using the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34.

[0044] As an example, the information acquiring unit 34 acquires door opening / closing information. In this case, the estimation unit 32 estimates the cooking time t using the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquiring unit 34. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for estimating the cooking time t. Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the number of times the door of the refrigerator 1 has been opened and closed. That is, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example in which the information acquiring unit 34 acquires the number of times the door has been opened and closed as the opening / closing information. The information acquiring unit 34 may also acquire the frequency of the door opening and closing as the opening / closing information.

[0045] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the number of times the door is opened and closed during the day is low, but the number of times it is opened and closed increases from the evening into the night, specifically between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Because the refrigerator 1 door is opened and closed many times while cooking is being performed, the estimation unit 32 can estimate, for example, the period from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM as cooking time t. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the average number of times the door is opened and closed in one day is calculated. As shown in FIG. 8, the estimation unit 32 may estimate the time period with the highest number of times the door is opened and closed as cooking time t, or may estimate the time period with the number of times the door is opened and closed that exceeds the average number as cooking time t.

[0046] The door for which opening / closing information is to be acquired may be only a specific door, for example, only door 23a of freezer compartment 23. Because each door is opened and closed during cooking, the doors for which opening / closing information is to be acquired may be all doors 20a to 24a. Even when all doors 20a to 24a are to be acquired as opening / closing information, opening / closing information may be acquired for each individual door, or one value may be acquired as opening / closing information.

[0047] It should be noted that even when a user simply takes a drink or the like from refrigerator 1, the door of refrigerator 1 may be opened and closed multiple times. In consideration of such a case, some doors may not be included in the doors from which open / close information is acquired. For example, the doors from which open / close information is acquired may be all doors other than door 22a of ice-making compartment 22, i.e., door 20a, door 21a, door 23a, and door 24a. Information acquisition unit 34 can acquire open / close information from door switches 20b to 24b.

[0048] As another example, the information acquisition unit 34 may acquire internal temperature information indicating the temperature of the storage compartment. In such a case, the estimation unit 32 estimates the cooking time t using the internal temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34. Note that it is preferable that the information acquisition unit 34 acquires both door opening / closing information and internal temperature information indicating the temperature of the storage compartment. In such a case, the estimation unit 32 estimates the cooking time t using the opening / closing information and internal temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34.

[0049] For example, when a user stores purchased food in refrigerator 1, the user opens and closes each door of refrigerator 1 many times. Therefore, if cooking time t is estimated using only door opening and closing information, there is a possibility that the time period during which purchased food was stored in refrigerator 1 will be mistakenly recognized as cooking time t. By also using internal temperature information to estimate cooking time t, it is possible to prevent such misidentification.

[0050] The temperature of food often rises while the food is being transported from the store where the user purchased it to their home. Therefore, when the user gets home and puts the purchased food into refrigerator 1, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises significantly. For example, when the user puts the frozen food that he or she has purchased into freezer compartment 23, the temperature of freezer compartment 23 also rises significantly.

[0051] On the other hand, when cooking, the user takes food out of refrigerator 1, so the temperature inside the refrigerator does not rise very much. When food taken out of refrigerator 1 is returned to refrigerator 1, the temperature inside the refrigerator does not rise very much either, because the food was refrigerated before being taken out of refrigerator 1 and the amount of food is not large. Therefore, by estimating cooking time t using not only opening / closing information but also inside temperature information, the accuracy of estimating cooking time t can be improved.

[0052] Note that if the cooked food is placed in the refrigerator 1 while cooking is in progress, the temperature inside the refrigerator may rise. Even in such a case, the estimation unit 32 can accurately estimate the cooking time t using the internal temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for estimating the cooking time t. FIG. 9 shows the temperature change inside the refrigerator during a period when the door is opened and closed frequently, for example, the temperature change in the refrigerator compartment 20. Specifically, period tA indicates the period when the user placed purchased food in the refrigerator 1. Period tB indicates the period when cooking was in progress. During period tB, the user placed the cooked food while it was still warm in the refrigerator compartment 20.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, during period tA, the user places food in refrigerator 1 from the beginning of the period, so the temperature of refrigerator compartment 20 rises from the early stage of the period. On the other hand, during period tB, the cooking is completed in the latter half of the period, so the temperature of refrigerator compartment 20 does not rise in the early stage of the period, but rises after a certain amount of time has passed. Estimation unit 32 can accurately estimate cooking time t based on the period when the number of door openings and closings increases and the timing when the temperature inside the refrigerator rises.

[0054] Note that the storage compartments from which internal temperature information is acquired may be only specific storage compartments, for example, only freezer compartment 23 or only refrigerator compartment 20. Because the doors are opened and closed during cooking, changing the temperature of each storage compartment, the storage compartments from which internal temperature information is acquired may all storage compartments. Even when all storage compartments are the targets for acquiring internal temperature information, internal temperature information may be acquired for each individual storage compartment, or a single value may be acquired as internal temperature information. Furthermore, some storage compartments may not be included in the storage compartments from which internal temperature information is acquired. For example, only storage compartments that are opened and closed by doors whose opening and closing information is acquired may be the targets for acquiring internal temperature information. The information acquisition unit 34 can acquire internal temperature information from temperature sensors 20c to 24c.

[0055] As another example, the information acquisition unit 34 may acquire outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a specific location. This location is outside the refrigerator 1, and is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed. This location is set in advance. In this case, the estimation unit 32 estimates the cooking time t using the outside-compartment temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34.

[0056] Generally, refrigerators 1 are often installed in kitchens. Therefore, the information acquisition unit 34 may acquire outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature in the kitchen. The information acquisition unit 34 may acquire outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a specific area in the kitchen. The estimation unit 32 may estimate the cooking time t using the outside-compartment temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34 and at least one of the opening / closing information and the inside-compartment temperature information.

[0057] As another example, the information acquisition unit 34 may acquire external device information indicating the operation of a specific external device. The external device is a device used for cooking and is set in advance. In this case, the estimation unit 32 estimates the cooking time t using the external device information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34.

[0058] The external devices from which external device information is acquired may include one or more of a rice cooker, a microwave oven, an oven, and an IH cooking heater.The external devices may also include one or more of a kitchen exhaust fan, an odor sensor or temperature sensor attached to the exhaust fan, kitchen lighting, and a human presence sensor attached to the kitchen.The estimation unit 32 may estimate the cooking time t using the external device information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34 and at least one of the opening / closing information, the inside temperature information, and the outside temperature information.

[0059] The following describes the processing from S105 onwards shown in Fig. 4. It is preferable that the control device 9 performs the processing from S105 onwards after the first cooling control is started in S104.

[0060] In the control device 9, the cooling control unit 31 performs second cooling control so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 reaches temperature T1 after the cooking time t estimated by the estimation unit 32 has ended, i.e., after time te. Preferably, the second cooling control is started at time te, as shown in FIG. 5 . The second cooling control may also be started after time te. If the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 returns to temperature T1 after time te, the second cooling control may also be started just before time te. In the second cooling control, the cooling control unit 31 controls the devices included in the refrigeration mechanism to raise the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 from temperature T2 to temperature T1, and then resumes normal cooling control.

[0061] Specifically, the control device 9 determines whether a second start condition for starting the second cooling control is satisfied (S105). In the preferred example shown in Fig. 5, the second start condition is satisfied when the current time reaches time te. That is, the determination in S105 is Yes.

[0062] If the determination in S105 is Yes, the cooling control unit 31 starts the second cooling control (S106). As a result, the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 returns from temperature T2 to temperature T1. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 reaches temperature T1, the cooling control unit 31 resumes normal cooling control (S107) and controls the devices included in the refrigeration mechanism so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is maintained at temperature T1.

[0063] The estimation unit 32 estimates the time te and performs the second cooling control, so that the temperature of the storage compartment, for example, the temperature of the freezer compartment 23, which was set to temperature T2 before the cooking time t, can be returned to temperature T1 at an appropriate timing. If temperature T2 is lower than temperature T1, unnecessary energy consumption caused by continuing the first cooling control can be suppressed.

[0064] 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.

[0065] As an additional function of the refrigerator 1, the control device 9 may further include a notification unit 35, as shown in Fig. 3. The notification unit 35 notifies the user of information using the display 3b or the like. The notification unit 35 may also notify the user of information using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user.

[0066] As an example, the notification unit 35 notifies the user of the cooking time t estimated by the estimation unit 32. The notification unit 35 notifies the user of the cooking time t before time ts. When notifying the user of the cooking time t, the notification unit 35 may also notify the user of the meaning of the notification, i.e., that the first freezing control will be performed before the cooking time t, and the food will be ready for portioning. This allows users who are unaware of this function, i.e., that the food will be ready for portioning, to be notified of the existence of this function.

[0067] When the notification unit 35 notifies the user of the cooking time t, the control device 9 may further include a cancellation unit 36. The cancellation unit 36 ​​has a function of canceling the first freezing control. By performing the first freezing control, the food in the refrigerator becomes ready for portioning, but there is no need to perform the first freezing control on days when cooking is not being done or when portioning is not being performed during cooking.

[0068] In such a case, the user who has received the notification of the cooking time t inputs cancellation information to cancel the first freezing control, for example, from the input device 3a. The cancellation unit 36 ​​cancels the first freezing control based on the cancellation information input after the notification unit 35 has notified the user of the cooking time t. The cancellation information may be input using a mobile terminal carried by the user. When the first freezing control is canceled, the normal cooling control continues, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption caused by the first freezing control. Note that the operation panel 3 may be configured to always not perform the first freezing control.

[0069] When the notification unit 35 notifies the user of the cooking time t, the control device 9 may further include a time change unit 37. The time change unit 37 has a function of changing the cooking time t estimated by the estimation unit 32. As described above, the cooking time t starts at time ts and ends at time te. The time change unit 37 may change only one of time ts or time te. The time change unit 37 may also change both time ts and time te.

[0070] For example, a user who has received notification of cooking time t inputs change information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of cooking time t from input device 3a, etc. The time change unit 37 changes the cooking time t based on the change information input after notification of cooking time t by notification unit 35.

[0071] For example, if the change information includes only the start time of cooking time t, the time change unit 37 changes time ts from the time estimated by the estimation unit 32 to the start time included in the change information. If the change information includes only the end time of cooking time t, the time change unit 37 changes time te from the time estimated by the estimation unit 32 to the end time included in the change information. If the change information includes both the start time and end time of cooking time t, the time change unit 37 changes time ts to the start time included in the change information and changes time te to the end time included in the change information. In this example, even if the user cooks at a time different from their usual cooking time, the first cooling control and the second cooling control can be performed at appropriate times.

[0072] As another example, the notification unit 35 may notify the user of the cooking time t after the second cooling control is performed. That is, the notification unit 35 notifies the user of the actual cooking time t, in other words, the time from the start at time ts to the end at time te. In this example, the notification unit 35 may notify the user of the cooking time t of the previous day before time ts of the current day. The notification unit 35 may notify the user of the cooking time t of the current day after time te of the current day.

[0073] Furthermore, when notifying the actual cooking time t, the notification unit 35 may also notify information about the power consumed from the start of the first cooling control to the end of the second cooling control after the second cooling control has been performed. Hereinafter, this information will also be referred to as power information. The power information may be information indicating the actual power consumption, or information indicating the increase in power due to the implementation of the first cooling control and the second cooling control. The power information may also include information indicating the electricity cost.

[0074] In this example, a user who knows the actual cooking time t or power consumption information can be encouraged to take action to shorten the cooking time t. Furthermore, if the time change unit 37 is further provided, the user can input change information to shorten the estimated cooking time t for the next cooking. In this example, unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced and convenience for the user can be improved.

[0075] As additional functions of the refrigerator 1, the control device 9 may further include a learning unit 38 and an updating unit 39, as shown in FIG.

[0076] As described above, in the first cooling control, the cooling control unit 31 lowers the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 to temperature T2, and then controls the devices included in the refrigeration mechanism so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 is maintained at temperature T2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of fluctuations in the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 during cooking time t. As shown in FIG. 10, the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 during cooking time t fluctuates depending on the opening and closing of the door 23a, the ON-OFF cycle of the compressor 4, and the like. Therefore, the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 during cooking time t may be higher or lower than temperature T2. The learning unit 38 learns the fluctuation range W of the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 from temperature T2 during cooking time t. The learning unit 38 also identifies the maximum value Wmax of the fluctuation range W.

[0077] 11 is a diagram illustrating the function of the update unit 39 of the control device 9. The update unit 39 updates the temperature T2 based on the learning result by the learning unit 38. Specifically, the update unit 39 updates the temperature T2 so that the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 does not become higher than the temperature T2 before the update, even if the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 during the cooking time t fluctuates by the fluctuation width W learned by the learning unit 38. For example, if T2' is the temperature before the update (the initial value of the temperature T2), the update unit 39 calculates the updated temperature T2 using the following equation. T2=T2´-Wmax

[0078] According to this example, even if the temperature of freezer compartment 23 fluctuates during cooking time t due to factors such as the opening and closing of door 23a and the ON-OFF cycle of compressor 4, the temperature of freezer compartment 23 can always be kept below a temperature at which food F can be frozen in portions. In addition, temperature T2 can be updated to suit the user's usage, etc.

[0079] As an additional function of the refrigerator 1, the control device 9 may further include an identification unit 40, as shown in FIG. 3. The identification unit 40 has the function of identifying the person who opens or closes the door of the refrigerator 1. The identification unit 40 may identify all doors of the refrigerator 1, or only some of the doors.

[0080] When a refrigerator 1 is installed in a home where multiple people live, the refrigerator 1 is used by the multiple people. This multiple people may include people who never cook or rarely cook, such as children. If the number of times such people open and close the door is used to estimate the cooking time t, the accuracy of the estimation of the cooking time t will decrease. For this reason, the estimation unit 32 may exclude part of the opening and closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34 from the information used to estimate the cooking time t, i.e., the time ts, based on the identification result by the identification unit 40.

[0081] For example, the recognition unit 40 identifies the person who opened or closed the door based on an image captured by the camera 10 installed in the refrigerator 1. The recognition unit 40 may also use a signal from an infrared sensor to determine the person's height or build and identify the person who opened or closed the door. The recognition unit 40 may also use other methods to identify the person who opened or closed the door.

[0082] For example, the estimation unit 32 does not use the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34 when the identification unit 40 identifies that the person who opened and closed the door is a child, for estimating the cooking time t. The estimation unit 32 may use only the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit 34 when the identification unit 40 identifies that the person who opened and closed the door is a pre-registered person, for estimating the cooking time t.

[0083] Furthermore, depending on the household, the person who cooks may change from day to day. For example, the person who cooks on weekdays may be different from the person who cooks on weekends. The person who cooks may also be different depending on the time of day due to work commitments, etc. Taking such cases into consideration, the identification unit 40 may identify the individuals who opened and closed the doors, and the estimation unit 32 may use detailed information, such as which doors each person opened and closed and how many times, to estimate the cooking time t.

[0084] 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 41 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 memory unit 30, the cooling control unit 31, and the communication unit 41 may be provided in the control device 9, and other functions including the estimation unit 32 may be provided in the external device.

[0085] The estimation unit 32 described in this embodiment may be realized by an inference device 50 as shown in FIG.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an inference device 50. When refrigerator 1 is equipped with inference device 50, inference device 50 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 50, refrigerator 1 further includes trained model storage unit 51. The function of trained model storage unit 51 may be realized by storage unit 30. Inference device 50 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 50 may be another device installed in the building where refrigerator 1 is located. Trained model storage unit 51 may be equipped in the external device.

[0087] The inference device 50 infers at least the time ts at which cooking will begin using food F stored in a storage compartment, such as the freezer compartment 23, of the refrigerator 1. Preferably, the inference device 50 infers the cooking time t. The inference device 50 includes a data acquisition unit 52 and an inference unit 53.

[0088] Inference data is input to the inference device 50. The data acquisition unit 52 acquires the inference data input to the inference device 50. As an example, the inference data includes door open / close information. The inference data may include both door open / close information and inside-compartment temperature information. As another example, the inference data may include outside-compartment temperature information or external device information. In other words, it is preferable that the inference data includes at least one of door open / close information, outside-compartment temperature information, or external device information. The inference data may include a combination of the above-mentioned information. When the inference data includes a combination of multiple pieces of information, the inference data is data in which the multiple pieces of information are associated with each other.

[0089] A trained model is stored in the trained model storage unit 51. Preferably, the trained model is a model for inferring, from the inference data, a cooking time t for cooking using food F stored in a storage compartment, for example, the freezer compartment 23, of the refrigerator 1. In this example, the inference unit 53 uses the trained model stored in the trained model storage unit 51 to infer the cooking time t from the inference data acquired by the data acquisition unit 52. The inference unit 53 can output the cooking time t from the inference data by inputting the inference data acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 into the trained model.

[0090] The trained model may be a model for inferring, from the data for inference, the time ts at which cooking will begin using food F stored in a storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, for example, in the freezer compartment 23. In this example, the inference unit 53 uses the trained model stored in the trained model storage unit 51 to infer the time ts from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit 52. The inference unit 53 can output the time ts from the data for inference by inputting the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 into the trained model.

[0091] As an example, the trained model is generated by a learning device 60, which will be described later. The trained model may be a trained model generated by a device other than the learning device 60. The device may include other refrigerators, a server device managed by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 1, etc.

[0092] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inference device 50. The operational flow shown in Fig. 13 is processing equivalent to the processing shown in S102 of Fig. 4. Therefore, after the series of processing shown in Fig. 13 is performed, the processing shown in S103 and subsequent steps of Fig. 4 may be performed.

[0093] In the inference device 50, first, the data acquisition unit 52 acquires data for inference (S201). Next, the inference unit 53 inputs the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 in S201 into the trained model stored in the trained model storage unit 51 (S202). Next, the inference unit 53 outputs the inference result obtained by inputting the data for inference into the trained model in S202, i.e., data indicating the cooking time t or the time ts (S203).

[0094] The above-mentioned learning device 60 will be described below. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the learning device 60. The learning device 60 may be provided in the refrigerator 1, or in an external device that can communicate with the refrigerator 1. The learning device 60 may also be provided in a device other than the refrigerator 1 or the external device.

[0095] The learning device 60 learns at least the time ts at which cooking begins using food F stored in a storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, for example, the freezer compartment 23, and generates the trained model. Preferably, the learning device 60 learns the cooking time t and generates the trained model. The learning device 60 includes a data acquisition unit 61 and a model generation unit 62.

[0096] Learning data is input to the learning device 60. The data acquisition unit 61 acquires the learning data input to the learning device 60. The model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 to generate a trained model for inferring at least the time ts at which cooking will begin using food F stored in a storage compartment, for example, the freezer compartment 23, of the refrigerator 1. Preferably, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 to generate a trained model for inferring the cooking time t.

[0097] As an example, supervised learning is adopted as the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 62. A known algorithm such as unsupervised learning or semi-supervised learning may be used as the learning algorithm. Deep learning, which learns to extract features 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.

[0098] The following describes an example in which supervised learning is adopted as the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 62. Note that supervised learning refers to a method in which pairs of input and result (label) data are provided to the learning device 60, and the learning device 60 learns the features of the learning data and infers the result from the input.

[0099] In this example, the learning data includes door open / close information and at least one of outside-compartment temperature information and external device information. The learning data may also include inside-compartment temperature information. The outside-compartment temperature information and external device information are used as correct answer data. When the learning data includes a combination of multiple pieces of information, the learning data is data in which the multiple pieces of information are associated with each other.

[0100] The model generation unit 62 learns the cooking time t from learning data created based on, for example, a combination of door opening / closing information and at least one of outside-chamber temperature information and external device information. That is, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 to generate a trained model for inferring the cooking time t from the door opening / closing information. If the learning data also includes inside-chamber temperature information, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data to generate a trained model for inferring the cooking time t from the door opening / closing information and inside-chamber temperature information.

[0101] As an example, a case where a neural network is applied will be described. The model generation unit 62 learns the cooking time t by so-called supervised learning in accordance with a neural network model.

[0102] 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 15 is a diagram showing an example of a neural network applied to a learning device 60. Figure 15 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).

[0103] In the neural network shown in Figure 15, 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.

[0104] 14, the neural network learns the cooking time t through supervised learning based on learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61. For example, the learning data is data created based on a combination of door opening / closing information and at least one of outside-compartment temperature information and external device information. In this case, the neural network learns by inputting door opening / closing information to the input layer and adjusting the weights W1 and W2 so that the result output from the output layer approaches the correct data.

[0105] The model generation unit 62 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 62 is stored in the trained model storage unit 51.

[0106] 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the learning device 60. In the learning device 60, first, the data acquisition unit 61 acquires learning data (S301). Next, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 in S301 to learn, for example, cooking time t through supervised learning and generate a trained model (S302). Next, the trained model generated by the model generation unit 62 is stored in the trained model storage unit 51 (S303).

[0107] When a trained model generated by supervised learning is stored in the trained model storage unit 51, the inference data input to the inference device 50 includes door open / close information, or both door open / close information and inside-compartment temperature information. The inference data does not include outside-compartment temperature information or external device information.

[0108] Next, an example will be described in which unsupervised learning is adopted as the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 62. Unsupervised learning refers to a method of learning features of learning data by providing the learning device 60 with learning data that does not include results (labels). When the outside-compartment temperature information and external device information cannot be used as correct answer data, unsupervised learning can be adopted as the learning algorithm.

[0109] In this example, the learning data includes at least one of door open / close information, outside refrigerator temperature information, and external device information. The learning data may also include both door open / close information and inside refrigerator temperature information. When the learning data includes a combination of multiple pieces of information, the learning data is data in which the multiple pieces of information are associated with each other.

[0110] The model generation unit 62 learns the cooking time t from learning data created based on at least one of door opening / closing information, outside-compartment temperature information, and external device information. That is, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 to generate a trained model for inferring the cooking time t from the learning data.

[0111] As an example, a case will be described in which the model generation unit 62 learns the cooking time t through unsupervised learning in accordance with a grouping method using the K-means algorithm. The K-means algorithm is a non-hierarchical clustering algorithm, and is a method for classifying a given number of clusters into k using the cluster mean.

[0112] Specifically, the K-means method performs processing in the following manner. First, a cluster is randomly assigned to each piece of data xi. Next, the center Vj of each cluster is calculated based on the assigned data. Next, the distance between each xi and each Vj is calculated, and xi is reassigned to the closest central cluster. Then, if there is no change in the cluster assignment of all xi in the above process, or if there is a change but the amount of change is below a preset threshold, it is determined that convergence has occurred and the process ends.

[0113] Even when unsupervised learning is adopted as the learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 62, the learning device 60 performs operations similar to those shown in Fig. 16. However, in S302, the model generation unit 62 uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit 61 in S301 to learn, for example, the cooking time t through unsupervised learning, and generates a trained model.

[0114] 17 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 70 including a processor 71 and a memory 72. The processing circuit 70 may include multiple processors 71. The processing circuit 70 may include multiple memories 72.

[0115] In this embodiment, the units denoted by reference numerals 30 to 41 represent functions possessed by the control device 9. The function of the storage unit 30 is realized by a memory 72. The functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 31 to 41 can be realized by software written as a program, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The program is stored in the memory 72. The control device 9 realizes the functions of the units denoted by reference numerals 31 to 41 by executing the program stored in the memory 72 using a processor 71 (computer).

[0116] The processor 71 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 72 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.

[0117] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of the control device 9. In the example shown in Fig. 18, the control device 9 includes a processing circuit 70 including a processor 71, a memory 72, and dedicated hardware 73. Fig. 18 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control device 9 are realized by the dedicated hardware 73. All of the functions of the control device 9 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 73. The dedicated hardware 73 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0118] The hardware resources of the inference device 50 are similar to the examples shown in Figure 17 or Figure 18. The inference device 50 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 50 realizes the functions of each part indicated by the reference numerals 52 and 53 by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The inference device 50 may have, as its hardware resources, a processing circuit including a processor, memory, and dedicated hardware. Some or all of the functions of the inference device 50 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0119] The hardware resources of the learning device 60 are similar to those shown in FIG. 17 or 18. The learning device 60 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 60 realizes the functions of the units indicated by the reference numerals 61 and 62 by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The learning device 60 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 60 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0120] In the above examples, the cooking time t (at least time ts) is estimated, and the temperature of freezer compartment 23 is set to temperature T2 before time ts. In the following, an example of an information processing system that can easily create recipes using food that has been frozen in a portionable state will be described, taking into consideration that temperature T2 is the temperature at which food is frozen in a portionable state.

[0121] Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to use food that has been frozen in a state that can be divided into portions. This system can solve the problem that even if food that has been frozen in a state that can be divided into portions is stored in refrigerator 1, users do not know how to use the food.

[0122] 19 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system 80 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

[0123] The information processing device 81 and the artificial intelligence 82 may be provided in the refrigerator 1, or may be provided as a device separate from the refrigerator 1. One of the information processing device 81 and the artificial intelligence 82 may be provided in the refrigerator 1, and the other may be provided as a device separate from the refrigerator 1. When the information processing device 81 or the artificial intelligence 82 is provided as a device separate from the refrigerator 1, that device may be realized as a specific server device, a specific number of server devices, a cloud server, or the like that can communicate with the refrigerator 1.

[0124] The information processing device 81 includes a data acquisition unit 83 and a control unit 84. The data acquisition unit 83 acquires information about food F that is frozen in a portionable state in a storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, for example, in the freezer compartment 23. Hereinafter, this information will also be referred to as frozen food information. As an example, the frozen food information includes information indicating the type of food F. The frozen food information may further include information indicating the amount of food F or information indicating the temperature at which food F is stored.

[0125] The frozen food information is, for example, information about food that is already frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned in the storage compartment. In this example, the data acquisition unit 83 acquires the frozen food information when the first cooling control by the cooling control unit 31 is initiated and the temperature of the storage compartment reaches temperature T2. As another example, the frozen food information is information about food that is to be frozen in a state that allows it to be portioned in the storage compartment. In this example, the data acquisition unit 83 acquires the frozen food information when the first cooling control by the cooling control unit 31 is initiated. The data acquisition unit 83 may acquire the frozen food information before, preferably immediately before, the first cooling control by the cooling control unit 31 is initiated. The timing at which the data acquisition unit 83 acquires the frozen food information is not limited to these examples.

[0126] The control unit 84 inputs the frozen food information acquired by the data acquisition unit 83 into the artificial intelligence 82, thereby creating a recipe using the food, i.e., food that is already frozen in a portionable state in a storage compartment. The recipe created by the control unit 84 is notified to the user, for example, by the notification unit 35. The recipe created by the control unit 84 may be stored in the memory unit 30 so that the user can search for it later.

[0127] Artificial intelligence 82 includes an inference unit 85 and a trained model 86. Trained model 86 is stored in advance. Based on trained model 86 and frozen food information input from control unit 84, inference unit 85 outputs a recipe corresponding to the frozen food information. Artificial intelligence 82 uses, for example, one or more algorithms from Transformer, BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), or GPT (Generative Pre-Training).

[0128] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of information processing device 81. In information processing device 81, first, data acquisition unit 83 acquires frozen food information (S401). Next, control unit 84 inputs the frozen food information acquired by data acquisition unit 83 in S401 to artificial intelligence 82 (S402). As a result, control unit 84 obtains a recipe using the food in question, output from artificial intelligence 82. Next, control unit 84 outputs the recipe obtained from artificial intelligence 82 in S402 (S403). The recipe output from control unit 84 may be notified to the user by notification unit 35, or may be stored in memory unit 30 so that the user can search for it later.

[0129] The hardware resources of the information processing device 81 are the same as those in the examples shown in FIG. 17 or 18. The information processing device 81 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 information processing device 81 realizes the functions of the units indicated by the reference numerals 83 and 84 by executing a program stored in the memory using a processor (computer). The information processing device 81 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 information processing device 81 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0130] Examples of aspects that may be included in the present disclosure are set forth below as appendices.

[0131] [Appendix 1] a cooling control unit that performs normal cooling control so that the temperature of the storage compartment becomes a first temperature; an estimation unit that estimates a first time when cooking using the food in the storage compartment will start; Equipped with the cooling control unit performs first cooling control to keep the temperature of the storage compartment at a second temperature before the first time estimated by the estimation unit; A refrigerator in which the second temperature is a temperature for freezing food in the storage compartment so that it can be divided into portions. [Appendix 2] Further provided is an information acquisition unit that acquires door opening / closing information, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit. [Appendix 3] The information acquisition unit acquires internal temperature information indicating the temperature of the storage compartment, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the opening / closing information and the inside temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit. [Appendix 4] Further provided is an identification unit for identifying a person who opens or closes the door, The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the estimation unit excludes a part of the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit from information used to estimate the first time, based on an identification result by the identification unit. [Appendix 5] Further provided is an information acquisition unit that acquires outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a predetermined location, The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed, 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the outside-compartment temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit. [Appendix 6] further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires external device information indicating a preset operation of the external device; the external device is a device used for cooking, The refrigerator according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the external device information acquired by the information acquisition unit. [Appendix 7] 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates a second time at which cooking started at the first time will end. [Appendix 8] a notification unit that notifies the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit before the first time; 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time. [Appendix 9] The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a cancellation unit that cancels the first cooling control based on information input after the notification unit has notified the cooking time. [Appendix 10] The refrigerator according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a time change unit that changes the first time or the second time based on information input after the notification unit has notified the cooking time. [Appendix 11] The refrigerator according to any one of Supplementary Note 7 to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the cooling control unit performs second cooling control so that the temperature of the storage compartment becomes the first temperature after the second time estimated by the estimation unit. [Appendix 12] a notification unit that notifies the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit after the second cooling control is performed, The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time. [Appendix 13] The refrigerator according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a notification unit that notifies, after the second cooling control has been performed, information about power consumed from when the first cooling control is started until when the second cooling control is ended. [Appendix 14] a learning unit that learns a fluctuation range of the temperature of the storage compartment from the second temperature during the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit; an updating unit that updates the second temperature so that the temperature of the storage compartment does not become higher than the temperature before the update even if the temperature of the storage compartment during the cooking time fluctuates within the fluctuation range learned by the learning unit; and Further provided with The refrigerator according to any one of Supplementary Note 7 to Supplementary Note 13, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time. [Appendix 15] 15. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second temperature is a temperature of -20°C or lower. [Appendix 16] 15. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second temperature is a temperature equal to or lower than a freeze-concentrated glass transition temperature of the food. [Appendix 17] an identification unit that identifies the type of food; a setting unit that sets the second temperature based on the type of food identified by the identification unit; The refrigerator according to any one of appendices 1 to 14, further comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] REFRIGERATOR, 2 INSULATED BOX, 3 CONTROL PANEL, 3a INPUT DEVICE, 3b DISPLAY, 4 COMPRESSOR, 5 COOLER, 6 FAN, 7 AIR DUCT, 8 DAMPER, 9 CONTROL DEVICE, 10 CAMERA, 20 REFRIGERATOR, 20a-24a DOOR, 20b-24b DOOR SWITCH, 20c-24c TEMPERATURE SENSOR, 21 CHANGEABLE COMPARTMENT, 22 ICE-MAKING COMPARTMENT, 23 FREEZER COMPARTMENT, 24 VEGETABLE COMPARTMENT, 25 CHILLED COMPARTMENT, 30 MEMORY UNIT, 31 COOLING CONTROL UNIT, 32 ESTIMATION UNIT, 33 IDENTIFICATION UNIT, 34 INFORMATION ACQUISITION UNIT, 35 NOTIFICATION UNIT, 36 CANCEL UNIT, 37 TIME CHANGE UNIT, 38 LEARNING UNIT, 39 UPDATE UNIT, 40 IDENTIFICATION UNIT, 41 COMMUNICATION UNIT, 50 INFRINGEMENT UNIT, 51 Trained model storage unit, 52 data acquisition unit, 53 inference unit, 60 learning device, 61 data acquisition unit, 62 model generation unit, 70 processing circuit, 71 processor, 72 memory, 73 dedicated hardware, 80 information processing system, 81 information processing device, 82 artificial intelligence, 83 data acquisition unit, 84 control unit, 85 inference unit, 86 trained model

Claims

1. a cooling control unit that performs normal cooling control so that the temperature of the storage compartment becomes a first temperature; an estimation unit that estimates a first time when cooking using the food in the storage compartment will start; Equipped with the cooling control unit performs first cooling control to keep the temperature of the storage compartment at a second temperature before the first time estimated by the estimation unit; The second temperature is a temperature for freezing food in the storage compartment so that the food can be divided into portions.

2. Further provided is an information acquisition unit that acquires door opening / closing information, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

3. The information acquisition unit acquires internal temperature information indicating the temperature of the storage compartment, The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the opening / closing information and the inside temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

4. Further provided is an identification unit for identifying a person who opens or closes the door, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the estimation unit excludes a part of the opening / closing information acquired by the information acquisition unit from information used to estimate the first time, based on an identification result by the identification unit.

5. Further provided is an information acquisition unit that acquires outside-compartment temperature information indicating the temperature of a predetermined location, The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the outside-compartment temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

6. further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires external device information indicating a preset operation of the external device; the external device is a device used for cooking, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates the first time by using the external device information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit estimates a second time at which cooking that started at the first time will end.

8. a notification unit that notifies the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit before the first time; The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8 , further comprising a canceling unit that cancels the first cooling control based on information input after the notification unit has notified the user of the cooking time.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a time change unit that changes the first time or the second time based on information input after the notification unit has notified the user of the cooking time.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the cooling control unit performs second cooling control so that the temperature of the storage compartment becomes the first temperature after the second time estimated by the estimation unit.

12. a notification unit that notifies the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit after the second cooling control is performed, The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, further comprising a notification unit that notifies, after the second cooling control has been performed, information about the power consumed from when the first cooling control is started until when the second cooling control is ended.

14. a learning unit that learns a fluctuation range of the temperature of the storage compartment from the second temperature during the cooking time estimated by the estimation unit; an updating unit that updates the second temperature so that the temperature of the storage compartment does not become higher than the temperature before the update even if the temperature of the storage compartment during the cooking time fluctuates within the fluctuation range learned by the learning unit; and Further provided with The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the cooking time is the time from the first time to the second time.

15. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second temperature is a temperature of -20°C or lower.

16. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second temperature is a temperature equal to or lower than a freeze-concentration glass transition temperature of the food.

17. an identification unit that identifies the type of food; a setting unit that sets the second temperature based on the type of food identified by the identification unit; The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

18. A refrigerator and an external device capable of communicating with the refrigerator; Equipped with the refrigerator includes a cooling control unit that performs normal cooling control so that the temperature of the storage compartment becomes a first temperature, the external device includes an estimation unit that estimates a first time when cooking using the food in the storage compartment will start; the cooling control unit performs first cooling control to keep the temperature of the storage compartment at a second temperature before the first time estimated by the estimation unit; A refrigerator system wherein the second temperature is a temperature for freezing food in the storage compartment so that the food can be portioned.

19. a data acquisition unit that acquires data for inference; an inference unit that outputs the first time from the data for inference acquired by the data acquisition unit, using a trained model for inferring a first time at which cooking using food in a storage compartment of a refrigerator will start from the data for inference; Equipped with the inference data includes at least one of information on whether a door of the refrigerator is open or closed, information on temperature outside the refrigerator indicating a temperature at a preset location, or information on an external device indicating an operation of a preset external device, The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed, The external device is an inference device that is a device used for cooking.

20. 20. The inference device according to claim 19, wherein the inference data includes both information on whether the refrigerator door is open or closed and information on temperature inside the refrigerator that indicates the temperature in the storage compartment.

21. a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data; a model generation unit that uses the learning data acquired by the data acquisition unit to generate a trained model for inferring a first time when cooking using food in a storage compartment of a refrigerator will start from the learning data; and Equipped with the learning data includes at least one of door opening / closing information of the refrigerator, outside temperature information indicating a temperature at a preset location, or external device information indicating an operation of a preset external device, The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed, The external device is a learning device that is used for cooking.

22. 22. The learning device according to claim 21, wherein the learning data includes both information on whether the refrigerator door is open or closed and information on temperature inside the refrigerator that indicates the temperature of the storage compartment.

23. a data acquisition unit that acquires learning data including refrigerator door opening / closing information and at least one of external temperature information indicating a temperature at a preset location and external device information indicating an operation of a preset external device; a model generation unit that generates a trained model for inferring a first time at which cooking using food in a storage compartment of the refrigerator will start, based on information about whether the refrigerator door is open or closed, using the training data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and Equipped with The location is a location where the temperature changes as cooking is performed, The external device is a learning device that is used for cooking.

24. The learning data further includes in-storage temperature information indicating the temperature of the storage compartment, The learning device according to claim 23 , wherein the model generation unit generates a trained model for inferring the first time from the door opening / closing information of the refrigerator and the inside temperature information.

25. a data acquisition unit that acquires frozen food information regarding food that is frozen in a portionable state in a storage compartment of the refrigerator; a control unit that inputs the frozen food information acquired by the data acquisition unit into an artificial intelligence to create a recipe using the food; An information processing device comprising:

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