BG64606B1 - Refrigerator and refrigerator system - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator and the system can be applied in the household equipment, in particular in hotels and hotel chains. The refrigerator has high degree intelligence, due to which it is convenient and highly effective in service. The system allows improving its effectiveness in servicing of multiple refrigerators in the same or in several hotels. Refrigerator (X) is supplied with standardized microprocessor system (1) with supply (2), which across a standard complex two-way main line (3) is connected to a module for temperature measuring (4), to the two information inputs of which the following are connected, respectively: temperature sensors (5 and 6), module (7) for controlling the supply of the lamps in the refrigerator, module (8) for controlling the supply of the compressor or the heater of the evaporator of the refrigerator (9) with electronic switch identifying the state of open/shut position of the door of the refrigerator, seat (10) for identifying the encoded cards or chips for access to the refrigerator, sound indicator (11), controllable lock (12) of the refrigerator door, light indicators (13), multi-row display (14), keyboard (15), multichannel transceiver module (16), module (17) for monitoring and controlling the refrigeration supply and module (18) for controlling mechanism for emergency shutting of the refrigerator door (19). Across buffer (20) the microprocessor system (1) is coupled to sensors inside the operating room of the refrigerator for item (21), type, price and shelf life (22) of the commodities contained. Transponders (23) identified by the sensors (22) are fitted on the commodities displayed in the places of the refrigerator, supplied with sensors (23) The system of refrigerators consists of N-number of refrigerator interconnected by N-numberof multichannel communication lines and to a hotel coordination centre.

Description

Technical field

The refrigerator and refrigerator system are applicable in household equipment, especially for hotels and hotel chains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a type of mini-bar type hotel refrigerator, which is placed in a hotel room and is filled with drinks and products for consumption. Checking whether and how many refrigerator products are missing because they are consumed by the guest accommodated in the room, or stolen, or for any other reason, is carried out by an authorized hotel employee periodically or as needed. The same employee summarizes the data, transmits information on the consumption account to the guest's account, information on the necessary drinks and products with which the refrigerator must be loaded, replaces the drinks and expired products, etc. It may detect possible errors in the operation of the refrigerator, such as a forgotten open door, but only when performing a refrigerator inspection. The same applies to occurring damage to the refrigerator, which is only noticed by staff with a delay only during checking the contents of the refrigerator. In a modern hotel or hotel chain, the number of these refrigerators is considerable and requires a large number of staff to service them.

The disadvantage of the known refrigerator is that it has zero degree of automation of monitoring, which is why it is not very efficient for servicing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a refrigerator suitable for operation in hierarchical information and control systems and capable of optimizing its operation and service.

Another object of the invention is to provide an information and control system for monitoring and controlling the operation and operation of refrigerators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem is solved by a refrigerator equipped with a standard microprocessor-based power system, which, through a typical complex bidirectional highway containing typical data, control and addressing highways, is connected to a temperature measurement module to which two information inputs are connected respectively by a temperature sensor. located in the refrigerator's workspace to monitor its temperature and a temperature sensor located next to the compressor or heater of the refrigerator's evaporator, to monitor the normal cooling mode of the refrigerator; module for controlling the power supply of the lamp in the refrigerator working space; module for controlling the power of the compressor or heater of the refrigerator evaporator; electronic key module for detecting the open door state of the refrigerator door; a socket for recognizing encoded cards or chips to access the fridge of authorized users and service personnel; sound indicator; controllable door lock on the refrigerator door; light indicators; multi-line display; keyboard; multichannel transceiver module; a module for monitoring and controlling the power supply of the refrigerator and a module for controlling the emergency closing mechanism of the refrigerator door. Through the buffer, the microprocessor system is connected to sensor sensors, inside the refrigerator working space, for the position and type, price and shelf life of the goods. The microprocessor module, the power supply, the temperature measuring module, the module for controlling the power of the lamp in the refrigerator, the module for controlling the power of the compressor or heater, the sound indicator, the multi-channel transceiver module, the module for monitoring and control of the power supply, the module for the control of the emergency closing mechanism and the buffer are located in a closed outer block on the rear wall of the refrigerator. The indicator lights, the multi-line display and the keyboard are positioned in a suitable accessible place in the refrigerator, visually observable when opened. Transponders recognizable by sensors for type, price and expiry date are affixed to the goods loaded onto the locations in the refrigerator provided with these sensors.

The indicator lights, multi-line display and keypad may be located in an appropriately accessible position on the door frame of the refrigerator, visually observable when the refrigerator is closed.

It is possible that the sensors for position and type, price and shelf-life of the goods used are a single microwave transmitter located outside the refrigerator compartment and the transponders are passive transceivers.

A C1 system of refrigerators is also being created, consisting of N refrigerators X connected via N multichannel communication lines to each other and to a hotel coordination center consisting of a multichannel transceiver module connected to a central type microprocessor system connected to a control server. . The type of connection between refrigerators X and the hotel focal point is stellar or linear, or hierarchical, or mixed.

In the C1 system of refrigerators, one or more microprocessor systems of the X refrigerators may also be bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from certain groups of other refrigerators X for each such microprocessor system and the hotel coordination center.

A refrigerator system C2 is also being created, comprising M refrigerator systems C1 connected via M multichannel communication lines to each other and to a central coordination center consisting of a multichannel transceiver module connected to a central type microprocessor system connected to a control server. The Central Coordination Center is connected in two directions with information blocks at the suppliers of goods, in its own warehouses, in the transport facilities and in the repair base, with global and local information networks, the type of connection between all elements of the system and the Central Coordination Center being star or linear. , either hierarchical or mixed.

In the C2 refrigerator system, one or more coordination centers of the X hotels may also be bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from certain groups of other X hotels for each such coordination center and the central coordination center.

The advantage of the refrigerator is that it has a high degree of automation of monitoring and control, making it convenient and highly efficient for servicing, including being connected in an information-control system by such refrigerators.

The advantage of the refrigerator system is that it increases the efficiency of servicing multiple refrigerators.

Description of the attached figures

The invention is explained in more detail by an exemplary embodiment of the refrigerator and the refrigerator system shown in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a refrigerator;

Figures 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are images of an open refrigerator;

Figure 3 is a diagram of a star system of refrigerators;

Figure 4 is a diagram of a linear refrigerator system;

Figure 5 is a diagram of a hierarchical refrigerator system;

Figure 6 is a diagram of a mixed system of refrigerators;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator system with bidirectional collectors;

Figure 8 is a diagram of a system of refrigerator systems.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention

The refrigerator X of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is provided with a standard microprocessor system 1 with power supply 2, which, through a standard complex bidirectional highway 3 containing typical data, control and address highways, is connected to a temperature measurement module 4 to which two information inputs are respectively connected to a temperature sensor. 5, located in the workspace of the refrigerator to monitor the temperature therein, and a temperature sensor 6 positioned adjacent to the compressor or to the heater of the refrigerator evaporator, to monitor the normal her cooling mode of the refrigerator; module 7 for controlling the supply of the lamp to the refrigerator compartment; module 8 for controlling the power of the compressor or heater of the refrigerator evaporator; module 9 with electronic key for recognition of the state of the door of the refrigerator "open-closed"; socket 10 for identifying encrypted cards or chips to access the refrigerator of authorized user and service personnel; sound indicator 11; controllable door lock 12 on the refrigerator door; light indicators 13, multi-line display 14; keyboard 15; multichannel transceiver module 16; module for monitoring and controlling the power supply of the refrigerator and module 18 for controlling the emergency closing mechanism 19 of the refrigerator door. Through buffer 20, the microprocessor system 1 is connected to sensor sensors, inside the refrigerator working space, for item 21 and for the type, price and shelf life 22 of the goods. Microprocessor module 1, power supply 2, temperature measurement module 4, refrigerator power supply control module 7, compressor or heater power supply control unit 8, sound indicator 11, multi-channel transceiver module 16, module 17 for power monitoring and control 2, the control module 18 and the buffer 20 are located in a closed outer block on the rear wall of the refrigerator. The light indicators 13, the multi-line display 14, and the keyboard 15 are located in a suitably accessible place in the refrigerator, visually observable when opened. Transponders 23, recognizable by the sensors 22, are arranged on the goods loaded onto the locations in the refrigerator provided with the sensors 23 (Figure 2.1).

It is possible that the light indicators 13, the multi-line display 14 and the keyboard 15 are positioned in a suitable accessible position on the refrigerator door frame, visually observable when the refrigerator is closed (Fig. 2.2).

It is possible that the sensor sensors for item 21 and for the type, price and expiry date 22 of the enclosed goods are a single microwave new transmitter-receiver located outside the working space of the refrigerator, the transponders 23 being passive transceivers (Fig. 2.3).

A system C1 of refrigerators is also created, consisting of N refrigerators X connected via and multichannel communication lines to each other and to a hotel coordination center 24 consisting of a multichannel transceiver module 25 connected to a central type microprocessor system 26 connected to control server 27. The type of connection between the refrigerators X and the hotel coordination center 24 is stellar (Fig. 3) or linear (Fig. 4), or hierarchical (Fig. 5), or mixed (Fig. 6).

In the C1 system of refrigerators, one or more microprocessor systems 1 of the refrigerators X may also be bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from specific groups of other refrigerators X for each such microprocessor system 1 and the hotel coordination center 24 (Fig. 7).

A C2 refrigerator system is also created, comprising M C1 C1 refrigerator systems (Fig. 8) connected via M multichannel communication lines to each other and to a central coordination center 28 consisting of a multichannel transceiver module 29 connected to a central type microprocessor a system 30 connected to a management server 31, with the central coordination center 28 being connected bidirectionally to information blocks at commodity providers 32, at own warehouses 33, at the transport facility 34 and at the repair base 35, with global and local information tion networks 36, wherein the type of coupling between all elements of the system C2 and the central focal point 28 is radial or linear, or hierarchical, or mixed.

In the C2 system of refrigerators, one or more coordination centers 24 of the hotels X may also be bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from certain groups of other hotels X for each such coordination center 24 and the central coordination center 28.

Use of the invention

The use of the refrigerator is as follows. In the on position, the unit 2 supplies power to all modules. The microprocessor system 1 picks up all the information from the temperature measuring modules 4 to which two information inputs are connected respectively to a temperature sensor 5 located in the refrigerator working space, to monitor the temperature inside it and a temperature sensor 6 located adjacent to the compressor or to the heater of the refrigerator evaporator to monitor the normal cooling mode of the refrigerator; from the module 9 with electronic key for recognition of the state of the door of the refrigerator "open-closed"; from the socket 10 for recognizing the encoded cards or chips for access to the refrigerator of the authorized user and service personnel, from the keyboard 15, from the multichannel transceiver module 16, from the module 17 for monitoring and controlling the power supply of the refrigerator, via a buffer 20 from the sensor sensors , inside the refrigerator working space, for item 21 and for the type, price and shelf life 22 of the goods enclosed. On the basis of this information, the microprocessor system 1 creates and sends commands to the modules: module 7 for controlling the power of the lamp in the working space of the refrigerator; module 8 for controlling the power of the compressor or heater of the refrigerator evaporator; the sound indicator 11; controllable door lock 12 on the refrigerator door; light indicators 13; multi-line display 14; the multichannel transceiver module 16; module 18 for controlling the emergency closing mechanism 19 of the refrigerator door.

The commands are generated depending on the condition of the respective refrigerator X, both for its normal functioning and for its degree of filling with the relevant goods and the condition of these goods in terms of their type, price and shelf life. The condition when the included refrigerator does not stand with the door open for more than 2 to 5 minutes is normally considered.

The degree of automated monitoring and control and the schematic solution also allow the following actions to be controlled:

The fridge can only be opened with a guest keypad and the supplier's mother card or personnel or equipment, chip card or chip key (not shown in the figures). Such a card or chip is inserted into the socket 10 for recognition. After slot 10 reads the information from the card or chip, it feeds it to the microprocessor system 1. If the card or chip is authorized, the microprocessor system 1 signals to the controllable lock 12, which is unlocked. Then the opener can open the refrigerator door and gain access to its interior,

Depending on the access code stored on the card or chip, the following operating modes are permitted: service mode for charging the refrigerator; service mode for repair and maintenance of the refrigerator; mode of access for the customer with the right of consumption; refrigerator revision mode;

The following operations are performed in the service mode for charging the refrigerator:

Upon initial refilling of the refrigerator, the loading personnel shall place the goods in their respective positions at the sensors for item 21 and those for type, price and expiry date 22 (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). On subsequent loading, it checks both the integrity of the packages and the expiry date of the other goods. If necessary, he replaces them with regular ones. It then closes the door and removes the card nut from the socket 10, which blocks the door opening and starts the initial setup checker automatically. The microprocessor system 1 scans the positions and checks for proper and complete refilling of the refrigerator by the service personnel. In the event of an error being detected, the microprocessor system 1 registers the type of error, the time and the code of the servicing staff who committed it. This data is archived in the memory of the microprocessor system 1.

Service mode for repair and maintenance of the refrigerator is carried out after a typical sub-program for self-diagnosis of the refrigerator, which is started periodically or in the event of a defect in the refrigerator, identifies a malfunction, such as: interruption of the evaporator heater, forgotten open open door. , defective sensor 21 or 22, improper defrosting. The corresponding defect message is displayed on the refrigerator display 14 and sent to the server through the communication network and from there to the technical service. In this mode, the repair technician obtains access permission after inserting the personal encoded chip or card into the recognition socket 10, and after removing the defect, removes the encoded chip or card from the recognition socket, thereby automatically starting normal operation mode.

The client access mode with consumption right is entered when the client inserts its encoded card or chip into the recognition slot 10. With proper input, the microprocessor system 1 recognizes the client's initials and allows the electronic lock to be opened 19. After opening the refrigerator, the display shows the appropriate language, for example, "Welcome! Please select the product you want. " After the customer picks up the goods from any of the items, the display shows "You have selected orange juice at a price of 1 BGN. If you do not return the goods in its place within 5-15 s, it will be calculated into your account". If the item is not returned to the site within the allowed viewing time (5-15 s) or the customer closes the refrigerator door, in the microprocessor system 1 this item is registered as sold. Display 14 reads “Orange juice for BGN 1 is calculated. Total amount so far 1 BGN. " If the customer removes two or more goods at the same time, the name 14 and their prices are displayed on the display 14 and conditions, such as those for one product, apply to each of the goods. If the customer returns the item to the appropriate location within the time allowed for the examination, no sale is made. After a sale is made, the corresponding position in the refrigerator from which the goods are taken is blocked by the microprocessor system 1 and, if the customer fills the position with another, such as imported goods, nothing will be registered in the microprocessor module 1, since the loaded goods from this position it has already been consumed and calculated. This prevents the customer from replacing the goods with those imported from outside and imitating a lack of consumption. At the same time, he is allowed to leave his goods imported from the outside for cooling, but only in the empty positions already. Each sale, together with the time of sale, is stored in the memory of the microprocessor system 1 of the refrigerator and upon request from the system server, this information is transferred to the common database stored in the server's memory. The information collected in the server is processed and, if necessary, used to prepare an invoice for the respective client upon his / her departure; monitoring of the customer's preferred consumption and refilling the refrigerator according to an individual scheme; automatic processing and submission of requests to the warehouse or to the delivery system; consumption planning and construction of a common warehouse for a hotel chain.

In the mode of access for the consumer with the right of consumption, the possibility for monitoring the shelf life of the drinks and products included in the refrigerator has been created; quantity and type of goods available in the refrigerator; the presence of unregulated items in the refrigerator, including beverages and products.

In this mode, the customer can check on the display 14, installed outside the workspace in the side wall of the refrigerator (Fig. 2.2), what goods are in the refrigerator and what is their price, using the keyboard 15 below the display 14 to read the menu. It is possible to have a group of refrigerators with the same menu and another group with another. The number of menus is not fixed. It is also permissible to use an individual menu.

For this purpose, each embedded product is marked in a specific place, with a type of electronic readable conveyor 23 (Fig. 2.3), on which the necessary product information is pre-entered. In the refrigerator itself, the product sockets are equipped with sensor sensors 21 and 23 which, once the product is placed in the corresponding socket, recognize the information about it and, through their connection to the microprocessor system 1 of the refrigerator, make it available for use in and respectively in the system. from refrigerators. A system is implemented in which sensors 21 and 22 are combined into one common transceiver shown in FIG. 2.3 with a broken line that is installed outside the refrigerator's working area and which radioactively activates the passive transponders 23 (flexible smart labels) affixed to the goods and reads the previously recorded information on the type, price and shelf life of the goods.

There is a possibility in the refrigerator to monitor the incorrect operation of the refrigerator and any damage that may occur to the refrigerator. For this purpose, the main units of the refrigerator, such as the unit, door, power supply, etc., are provided with suitable condition sensors connected to the microprocessor system 1 of the refrigerator.

An opportunity for remote control of the refrigerator during its operation, as well as in emergency situations has been created. To this end, the respective microprocessor control outputs are connected to the refrigerator's operating elements, such as an internal temperature controller, power supply, door closure, and more.

It is possible to connect the refrigerators to the server and to each other through all types of communication channels, such as radio, cable, optical connection and more. For this purpose, each refrigerator is equipped with the necessary transceivers.

The connection protocol is composed of standard algorithmic modules, which are modified for the specific application and guarantee the accuracy of the received information through the use of noise protection codes, time-division mode of operation, control over the parameters of the transmitted, respectively. the information received, and a properly designed set of commands.

The X refrigerators described above can be connected (Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6) via N multichannel communication lines to each other and to a hotel coordination center 24, which consists of a multichannel transceiver module 25, connected to a central type microprocessor system 26. The refrigerator system may have one of the following structures: star-shaped (Fig. 3), linear (Fig. 4), hierarchical (Fig. 5), or mixed (Fig. 6), depending on the possible connection to the server. In each of these structures, it is possible, if necessary, to use one or more of the refrigerators in addition to its trivial functions and as a repeater 1 of information from other refrigerators (Fig. 7). This is necessary when a refrigerator is so remote that the server 24 does not have a direct radio connection to it. In this case, the server starts a subroutine remotely in a closer refrigerator, assigning it the functions of repeater 1. The repeater connects to refrigerator X, unavailable on the air from the server, and after collecting the information from it and summarizing it with its own, sends it to the server.

In the C1 refrigerator system, server 24 sequentially requests the refrigerators for a change in their state and, in the affirmative, reads the information stored in the database of the microprocessor system 1 of the refrigerator, processing it and forming its own database. The latter is used to produce various reports, messages and commands for the system staff or units.

In the event of an accident in one of the refrigerators, an alarm message is sent and processed with priority by the server.

The server remotely sends information via link to each refrigerator about its menu, which is stored in the database of the respective microprocessor system 1 of the refrigerator. The menu contains information about the item, the type of product and its price.

The server remotely sends over the connection channel information to each refrigerator and the total amount that the client owes so far.

The archive and basic information about the status of each of the X refrigerators in the C1 system is stored in the database on server 24. From it, reports are prepared for: invoice of the respective client upon his / her departure; visualization of the condition of the refrigerator on the monitor of the operator or the attendant at the hotel reception; monitoring of the customer's preferred consumption and refilling the refrigerator according to an individual scheme; automatic processing and submission of requests to the warehouse or to the delivery system; necessary repairs; consumption planning and construction of a common warehouse for a hotel chain.

The refrigerator system has the ability to communicate independently through appropriate connecting channels with the necessary structures, repair and service units, fire protection system and others, necessary for maintaining the charge and proper functioning of the refrigerators.

A higher level of function integration is the inclusion of M of C 1.3 refrigerator systems in a common C2 refrigerator system. In the C2 M system, C1 refrigerators are connected via M multichannel communication lines to each other and to a central coordination center 28 that integrates into its structure a multichannel transceiver module 29, a central type microprocessor system 30 and a control server 31. The central coordination center 28 is connected in two ways with information units at suppliers of goods 32, in own warehouses 33, in transport facilities 34 and in repair base 35, and with global and local information networks 36, whereby the type of connected it between all elements of the system C2 and the central focal point 28 is radial (Fig. 8) or a linear or hierarchical, or mixed.

In the Central Coordination Center 28, a database of the status and archival changes of each of the individual C1 refrigerator systems is formed. Summarizing the information in 28 enables a centralized analysis of the status of each C1 system and timely response within the C2 system by: requesting and delivering the required goods and spare parts to 32; organizing own warehouse 33; centralized dispatching of transport 34 within the system; application with monitoring of repairs - 35; development of statistical analyzes and estimates.

The connection of the Central Coordination Center 28 to global and local information networks 36 enables the integration of the database and the aggregation of information about a set of C2 systems within a hotel chain in two or more countries.

Claims (7)

Claims 1. Refrigerator X, characterized in that it is provided with a standard microprocessor system (1) with power supply (2), which is connected to a module via a typical complex bidirectional highway (3) containing typical data, control and address highways. for measuring the temperature (4) to which two information inputs are connected respectively to a temperature sensor (5) located in the working space of the refrigerator, to monitor the temperature therein and a temperature sensor (6) located adjacent to the compressor or to the heater of zparitelya refrigerator, tracking the normal cooling mode the refrigerator module (7) for power management of the lamp in the workspace of the refrigerator; with module (8) for controlling the power of the compressor or heater of the refrigerator evaporator; module (9) with electronic key for recognizing the state of the door of the refrigerator "open-closed"; a socket (10) for recognizing the encoded cards or chips for accessing the refrigerator of the authorized user and service personnel; sound indicator (11); controllable door lock (12) on the refrigerator door; light indicators (13), multi-line display (14), keyboard (15); a multichannel transceiver module (16); module (17) for monitoring and controlling the power supply of the refrigerator and module (18) for controlling the emergency closing mechanism (19) of the refrigerator door, whereby via a buffer (20), the microprocessor system (1) is connected to sensor sensors , inside the refrigerator working space, for position (21) and for the type, price and shelf life (22) of the goods enclosed, the microprocessor module (1), the power supply (2), the temperature measuring module (4) , the control module (7) for the power supply of the lamp in the refrigerator, the control module (8) for the power supply The compressor or heater, the sound indicator (11), the multi-channel transceiver module (16), the power monitoring and control module (17), the control module (18) and the buffer (20) are all enclosed. an external block on the rear wall of the refrigerator, and the light indicators (13), the multi-line display (14) and the keyboard (15) are located in a suitable accessible place in the refrigerator, visually visible when opened, and transponders (23) recognizable by the sensors ( 22) are placed on the goods loaded on the places in the refuse power supply unit fitted with sensors (23). Refrigerator X according to claim 1, characterized in that the light indicators (13), the multi-line display (14) and the keypad (15) are positioned in a suitable accessible position on the refrigerator door frame, visually visible when the position is closed. refrigerator. Refrigerator X according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor sensors for the position (21) and those for the type, price and expiry date (22) of the enclosed goods are a single microwave transmitter-receiver located outside the working space of the refrigerator and the transponders (23) are passive transceivers. System C1 of refrigerators according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of N refrigerators X connected via N multichannel communication lines to each other and to a hotel coordination center (24) consisting of a multichannel transceiver module (25 ) connected to a central type microprocessor system (26) connected to a control server (27), wherein the type of connection between the refrigerators X and the hotel coordination center (24) is stellar or linear or hierarchical or mixed. Refrigerator system C1 according to claim 4, characterized in that one or more microprocessor systems (1) of the refrigerators X are also bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from certain groups of other refrigerators X for each such microprocessor system (1) and from the hotel coordination center (24). Refrigerator system C2, characterized in that it comprises M refrigerator systems C1 according to claims 2 and 3, connected via M multichannel communication lines to each other and to a central coordination center (28) consisting of a multichannel transceiver module (29) connected to a central type of microprocessor system (30) connected to a control server (31), the central coordination center (28) being connected bidirectionally to information blocks at suppliers of goods (32), in its own warehouses (33), in transport (34) and in remo The base (35), with global and local information networks (36), wherein the type of connection between all elements of the C2 system and the central coordination center (28) is star-shaped or linear or hierarchical or mixed. Refrigerator system C2 according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more coordination centers (24) of the X hotels are also bidirectional collectors-retransmitters of information from certain groups of other X hotels for each such coordination center (24) and from the central coordination center (28). Attachment: 8 figures