Appliance door with integrated computer means

• US 6,131,812 A
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald P. Schneider
• Original Assignee: Gerald P. Schneider
• Inventors: Schneider, Gerald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAJEC, DONALD T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Douglas X.
• Application Number:
  US09/005,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/56 combined with handles of tools or household implements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations

Abstract

The present invention concerns an appliance door that incorporates a monitor and display system for tracking the inventory and use of consumer goods. The device includes a microprocessor having a memory that stores product specific information regarding the consumer goods, and is capable of receiving additional information regarding the same. The device maintains an inventory of the goods and will provide a display or hard copy of that inventory. In addition to maintaining inventories, the device may be programed to include information regarding the interaction of consumables with medications to alert the user to possible adverse reactions between them. The device preferably includes equipment for scanning the symbologies commonly associated with consumer goods.

Claims

1. An appliance door incorporating a monitor and display system comprising:

a microprocessor including memory means that stores information about consumer goods and individual users,

a means associated with the microprocessor for inputting information regarding the consumer goods, including nutritional information, aid individual user identifiers;

a means for inputting an individual user identifier and an associated amount of goods consumed by the identified individual user, the means for inputting an amount of goods consumed by an individual user including means for weighing goods and inputting that information to the microprocessor;

a means for computing and storing nutritional information related to the goods consumed by each individual user; and

a display means responsive to the microprocessor for outputting stored information in a human readable form.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a means for printing information in a human readable form.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for inputting information includes a scanning device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for inputting information includes a keyboard.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor includes means for decoding coded symbologies used in association with consumables and the device includes means for scanning the symbologies.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for weighing goods includes at least one load cell positioned under an ice and water drainage shelf positioned on the appliance door and in communication with the microprocessor whereby goods are placed on the shelf to input the weight thereof.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for inputting information relating to medications of an identified individual user.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising means for reviewing medication information for an identified individual user to confirm that the individual user is not taking a harmful combination of medications.

9. The device of claim 7 further comprising means for comparing information related to an identified individual user'"'"'s medication and consumed goods to determine whether the combination thereof is potentially harmful.

10. The device of claim 7 further comprising means for emitting a signal when medication is due for an individual user.

11. An appliance door incorporating a monitor and display system comprising:

a microprocessor including memory means,

means associated with the microprocessor for inputting information regarding consumer goods;

means for identifying and weighing goods to be consumed by an individual user, the weighing means including at least one load cell in communication with the microprocessor and positioned under an ice and water drainage shelf positioned on the appliance door;

a means for computing and storing nutritional information related to the goods consumed by each individual user whereby the individual user can maintain a record of theidentification and amount of goods consumed.