CN115335650B - Program and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator control application (213) causes a terminal control unit (20) of a terminal device (2) capable of communicating with a refrigerator (1) to function as a 1 st processing unit (2031) for a type 1 refrigerator (1) and as a 2 nd processing unit (2032) for a type 2 refrigerator (1), wherein the 1 st processing unit (2031) is a processing unit that, when a precooling operation involving a change in the temperature in the refrigerator is performed, transmits an in-refrigerator temperature change instruction for instructing the change in the temperature in the type 1 refrigerator (1), and the 2 nd processing unit (2032) is a processing unit that, when the precooling operation is performed in the refrigerator, transmits a precooling operation execution instruction for instructing the execution of the precooling operation for the change in the temperature in the refrigerator to the type 2 refrigerator (1).

Description

Program and terminal device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a program and a terminal device.

Background

Conventionally, a technology is known in which a refrigerator is caused to perform an operation that accompanies a change in the temperature in the refrigerator by a terminal device. For example, patent document 1 discloses the following technique: an instruction to perform a power saving operation is transmitted from a user terminal, which is a terminal device held by a user, to a refrigerator, and the refrigerator receiving the instruction performs the power saving operation to raise a set temperature in the refrigerator.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-088987

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The refrigerator described in patent document 1 includes the following types: when an action accompanied with a change in the in-library temperature is executed, the type of the action is executed by receiving an instruction that the control object characterizes the in-library temperature; and a type of performing the action by receiving an indication that the control object characterizes the action. Therefore, if the terminal device is configured to be able to transmit an instruction corresponding to only one type, it is not possible to transmit an instruction corresponding to the other type to the refrigerator, and thus it is not possible to cause the other type of refrigerator to perform an operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to enable a refrigerator to perform an operation that accompanies a change in the temperature in the refrigerator by using a terminal device, regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure relates to a program that enables a control unit of a terminal device that communicates with a refrigerator to function as a1 st processing unit for the type 1 refrigerator and as a2 nd processing unit for the type 2 refrigerator, wherein the 1 st processing unit transmits a1 st instruction for instructing to change the temperature in the refrigerator to the type 1 refrigerator when the refrigerator is caused to perform a predetermined operation accompanied by a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, and the 2 nd processing unit transmits a2 nd instruction for instructing to perform the predetermined operation to the type 2 refrigerator when the refrigerator is caused to perform the predetermined operation.

Effects of the invention

According to the present disclosure, the refrigerator can be caused to perform an operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator by the terminal device, irrespective of the type of the refrigerator.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the refrigerator, the terminal device, and the refrigerator control system.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system including the type 1 refrigerator.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the refrigerator control system including the type 1 refrigerator.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system including the type 2 refrigerator.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the refrigerator control system including the type 2 refrigerator.

Detailed Description

The 1 st aspect is a program, wherein the control unit of the terminal device capable of communicating with the refrigerator functions as a 1 st processing unit for the type 1 refrigerator, and functions as a2 nd processing unit for the type 2 refrigerator, wherein the 1 st processing unit is a processing unit that transmits a 1 st instruction to change the temperature in the refrigerator to the type 1 refrigerator when the refrigerator is caused to perform a predetermined operation accompanied by a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, and wherein the 2 nd processing unit is a processing unit that transmits a2 nd instruction to instruct to perform the predetermined operation to the type 2 refrigerator when the refrigerator is caused to perform the predetermined operation.

Thus, when the refrigerator is caused to perform a predetermined operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, the terminal device can send an instruction to the refrigerator that the control target is different depending on the type of the refrigerator. Therefore, the terminal device can cause the refrigerator to perform an operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

In the refrigerator of the 2 nd aspect, the predetermined operation is terminated when a predetermined time elapses after the predetermined operation is performed, and the 1 st processing unit returns the temperature in the refrigerator to the temperature before the predetermined operation is performed, and after the 1 st instruction is transmitted, the 1 st processing unit transmits a 3 rd instruction for returning the temperature in the refrigerator to the temperature before the 1 st instruction is transmitted, and after the 2 nd instruction is transmitted, the 2 nd processing unit does not transmit an instruction for terminating the predetermined operation.

In this way, since the process of returning the temperature in the refrigerator to the temperature before the change can be performed according to the type of the refrigerator after the temperature in the refrigerator is changed by performing the predetermined operation, the terminal device can finish the operation performed according to the change in the temperature in the refrigerator regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

In the 3 rd aspect, the predetermined operation is an operation of decreasing the temperature in the library from a temperature before the predetermined operation is performed, and the 1 st instruction is an instruction of decreasing the temperature in the library from a temperature before the 1 st instruction is transmitted.

Thus, the temperature in the refrigerator can be reduced by the terminal device regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

The 4 th aspect is characterized in that the predetermined operation is an operation for increasing the temperature in the library from the temperature before the predetermined operation is performed, and the 1 st instruction is an instruction for increasing the temperature in the library from the temperature before the 1 st instruction is transmitted.

Thus, the temperature in the refrigerator can be increased by the terminal device, regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

The 5 th aspect is characterized in that the type 1 refrigerator is a model older than the type 2 refrigerator, and the type 2 refrigerator is a model newer than the type 1 refrigerator.

This makes it possible to cause the refrigerator to perform an operation that accompanies a change in the temperature in the refrigerator by using the terminal device, regardless of whether the refrigerator is of a model.

The 6 th aspect is characterized in that the program is an application program that can be installed in the terminal device.

Thus, by installing an application program, a terminal device that does not have a function of changing the temperature in the refrigerator can be made to be a terminal device having the function. Therefore, the general-purpose terminal device can be made to be a terminal device capable of causing the refrigerator to perform an operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

The 7 th aspect is a terminal device capable of communicating with a refrigerator, and includes a control unit that transmits a1 st instruction for instructing to change the temperature in the refrigerator to the 1 st type, and transmits a2 nd instruction for instructing to execute a specific operation for changing the temperature in the refrigerator to the 2 nd type.

Thus, when the refrigerator is caused to perform a predetermined operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, the terminal device can send an instruction to the refrigerator that the control target is different depending on the type of the refrigerator. Therefore, the terminal device can cause the refrigerator to perform an operation accompanying a change in the temperature in the refrigerator, regardless of the type of the refrigerator.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system 1000.

The refrigerator control system 1000 is a system for controlling the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN by the terminal device 2 used by the user P of the refrigerator 1. The global network GN includes the internet, telephone networks, other communication networks.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1. In fig. 1, a refrigerator 1 is provided in a house H of a user P. The refrigerator 1 has a main casing 10 having an open front, and a refrigerator compartment 11, an ice making compartment 12, a fresh freezing compartment 13, a freezing compartment 14, and a vegetable compartment 15 are formed in the main casing 10. A rotary left door 11A and a rotary right door 11B are provided in an opening portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 11. Drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, 15A for accommodating food are provided in each of the ice making chamber 12, the fresh freezing chamber 13, the freezing chamber 14, and the vegetable chamber 15.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is connected to a communication device 4 provided in a user P's home H, and communicates with a refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 4.

The communication device 4 is connected to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. The communication device 4 functions as an interface device for connecting the refrigerator 1 to the global network GN. When the communication device 2 and the communication device 4 establish a communication connection, the communication device 4 functions as an interface device for connecting the terminal device 2 to the global network GN. The communication device 4 has a function of a modem, a router function, a NAT (Network Address Translation: network address interpretation) function, and the like. The communication device 4 transmits data to be transmitted and received between the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. The communication device 4 transmits data to be transmitted and received between the terminal device 2 that establishes communication connection and the refrigerator control server 3 that is connected to the global network GN.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 2 having a touch panel 22. The terminal device 2 is constituted by a smart phone or a tablet terminal, for example. The terminal device 2 is installed with an application program for controlling the refrigerator 1. In the following description, an application program for controlling the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a "refrigerator control application", and reference numerals of "213" are given. The refrigerator control application 213 corresponds to the "program" and "application program" of the present invention.

In fig. 1, a user P at home is indicated by a broken line, and a user P going out from home H is indicated by a solid line. When the terminal device 2 is used by the user P at home, the terminal device communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN via the communication device 4 or not via the communication device 4 by the function of the refrigerator control application 213, and controls the refrigerator 1. When the terminal device 2 is used by the user P who has gone out from the home H, the terminal device communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN without via the communication device 4 by the function of the refrigerator control application 213, thereby controlling the refrigerator 1.

The terminal device 2 transmits an instruction for controlling the refrigerator 1 to be different according to the type of the refrigerator 1 to be communicated by using the function of the refrigerator control application 213 installed, and causes the refrigerator 1 to perform the precooling operation accompanied by the change of the temperature in the refrigerator. The precooling operation corresponds to a "prescribed operation" of the present disclosure. The pre-cooling operation is an operation of lowering the temperature in the refrigerator 1 as compared with the case of the normal operation, the power saving operation, and the like.

Here, the type of the refrigerator 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is of type 1 and type 2. The type 1 refrigerator 1 is a type 1 refrigerator 1 older than the type 2 refrigerator 1, and the type 2 refrigerator 1 is a type 1 refrigerator 1 newer than the type 1 refrigerator 1.

The type 1 refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator 1 in which the temperature in the refrigerator can be changed to a temperature corresponding to any of the classes "weak", "medium", and "strong". In addition, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 of type 1 becomes lower in the order of "weak", "medium", and "strong". The type 1 refrigerator 1 changes the in-compartment temperature based on the received in-compartment temperature change instruction HS when the in-compartment temperature change instruction HS is received from the terminal device 2. The in-room temperature change instruction HS is information indicating a change in the in-room temperature of the type 1 refrigerator 1, and the control object characterizes the in-room temperature and the control content characterizes the change in the in-room temperature. For example, in the in-bank temperature change instruction HS that instructs to change the in-bank temperature to the temperature corresponding to the "strong" level, the control object characterizes the in-bank temperature and the control content characterizes the in-bank temperature to the temperature corresponding to the "strong" level. The in-store temperature change instruction HS is information of a command system corresponding to the type 1 refrigerator 1, and is not recognized in the type 2 refrigerator 1. When receiving an in-store temperature change instruction HS instructing to change the in-store temperature so as to decrease from the current temperature from the terminal device 2, the type 1 refrigerator 1 decreases the in-store temperature and performs the precooling operation. When receiving the in-house temperature change instruction HS instructing to return the in-house temperature to the temperature before the change from the terminal device 2, the type 1 refrigerator 1 returns the in-house temperature to the temperature before the execution of the pre-cooling operation, and ends the pre-cooling operation.

The type 2 refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator 1 that performs a pre-cooling operation so that the temperature in the refrigerator can be changed to a temperature corresponding to the pre-cooling operation. When the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is received from the terminal device 2, the type 2 refrigerator 1 executes the pre-cooling operation. The precooling operation execution instruction US corresponds to "the 2 nd instruction" in the present disclosure. The pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is information indicating execution of the pre-cooling operation, the control object characterizes the pre-cooling operation, and the control content characterizes execution of the pre-cooling operation. The pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is information of an instruction system corresponding to the type 2 refrigerator 1, and is not recognized in the type 1 refrigerator 1.

The type 2 refrigerator 1 automatically ends the pre-cooling operation after a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) elapses after the pre-cooling operation is performed. Therefore, the terminal device 2 transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US to the type 2 refrigerator 1, but does not transmit the end instruction of the pre-cooling operation.

Returning to the description of fig. 1, the refrigerator control system 1000 has a refrigerator control server 3. The refrigerator control server 3 is a server device for controlling the refrigerator 1, and is connected to the global network GN. In each of the drawings, the refrigerator control server 3 is represented by 1 module, but this does not necessarily mean that the refrigerator control server 3 is constituted by a single server apparatus. For example, the refrigerator control server 3 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices having different processing contents.

Next, the functional configurations of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3.

First, the functional structure of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator control section 16, a refrigerator communication section 17, and a cooling section 18.

The refrigerator control unit 16 includes a refrigerator processor 160, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a refrigerator storage unit 161, and controls each unit of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control unit 16 executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software so that the refrigerator processor 160 reads the control program 1611 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 and executes the processes.

The refrigerator storage section 161 has a storage area for storing programs executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and data processed by the refrigerator processor 160. The refrigerator storage section 161 stores a control program 1611 executed by the refrigerator processor 160, refrigerator setting data 1612, which is setting data related to the setting of the refrigerator 1, refrigerator ID1613, which is identification information of the refrigerator 1, and other various data. The refrigerator ID1613 can be exemplified by a manufacturing number of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator storage unit 161 has a nonvolatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a nonvolatile manner. The refrigerator storage unit 161 has a volatile storage area, and constitutes a work area for temporarily storing programs executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and data to be processed.

The refrigerator communication unit 17 has communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with a device connected to the global network GN according to the predetermined communication standard under the control of the refrigerator control unit 16. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator communication unit 17 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. The communication standard used by the refrigerator communication unit 17 may be a wireless communication standard or a wired communication standard.

The cooling unit 18 includes a compressor 181, a condenser 182, a capillary tube 183, a cooler 184, a cooling fan 185 for feeding cool air generated by the cooler 184 to each storage compartment, and a mechanism for cooling each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 such as a damper 186 for dividing the cool air fed by the cooling fan 185, and cools each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 under the control of the refrigerator control unit 16.

Upon receiving the in-store temperature change instruction HS from the terminal device 2 by the refrigerator communication unit 17, the refrigerator control unit 16 of the type 1 refrigerator 1 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 181, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185, and the like so that the in-store temperature becomes a temperature corresponding to the level indicated by the in-store temperature change instruction HS.

For example, it is assumed that when the in-store temperature of the refrigerator 1 is a temperature corresponding to the "medium" level, the refrigerator control section 16 of the type 1 refrigerator 1 receives an in-store temperature change instruction HS for changing the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level. In this case, the refrigerator controller 16 of the type 1 refrigerator 1 increases the cooling capacity in the refrigerator 1 by, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 181, or increases the circulation amount of cold air in the refrigerator 1 by, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185, or increases the cooling capacity in the refrigerator 1 by, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 181 and increasing the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185. Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 of type 1 is changed from the temperature corresponding to the "medium" level to the temperature corresponding to the "strong" level.

When the refrigerator communication unit 17 receives the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US from the terminal device 2, the refrigerator control unit 16 of the type 2 refrigerator 2 executes the pre-cooling operation. In the pre-cooling operation, the refrigerator control unit 16 increases the number of revolutions of the compressor 181 from the number of revolutions at the time of operation such as the normal operation and the power saving operation, for example, to increase the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1. Or, for example, the refrigerator control unit 16 increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 from the rotation speed at the time of the normal operation, the power saving operation, or the like, and increases the circulation amount of the cold air in the refrigerator 1 during the pre-cooling operation, thereby increasing the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1. Or, for example, the refrigerator control unit 16 increases the number of revolutions of the compressor 181 and the number of revolutions of the cooling fan 185 during the pre-cooling operation, compared with the number of revolutions during the normal operation, the power saving operation, or the like, thereby increasing the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1. Thus, during the pre-cooling operation, the temperature in the reservoir is lowered from the temperature during the normal operation, the power saving operation, and the like.

Next, the function of the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.

The refrigerator control server 3 includes a server control unit 30 and a server communication unit 31.

The server control unit 30 includes a server processor 300, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a server storage unit 310, and controls each unit of the refrigerator control server 3. The server control unit 30 executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software so that the server processor 300 reads the control program 311 stored in the server storage unit 310 and executes the processes.

The server storage unit 310 has a storage area for storing programs executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300. The server storage unit 310 stores a control program 311 executed by the server processor 300, server setting data 312 as setting data related to the setting of the refrigerator control server 3, a refrigerator control database 313, and other various data. The server storage unit 310 has a nonvolatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a nonvolatile manner. The server storage unit 310 may have a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area in which a program executed by the server processor 300 and data to be processed are temporarily stored.

The refrigerator control database 313 is a database that stores various information related to the operation control of the refrigerator 1. The 1 record R held in the refrigerator control database 313 has a user ID3131, a refrigerator ID1613, and communication information 3132. The 1 record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 may further have 1 or more pieces of other kinds of information.

The user ID3131 is identification information for identifying the user P using the refrigerator control application 213, and is appropriately assigned to the user P using the refrigerator control application 213.

As described above, the refrigerator ID1613 is identification information of the refrigerator 1.

The communication information 3132 is information for communicating with the refrigerator 1 of the refrigerator ID1613 associated with the same record R. The communication information 3132 includes, for example, address information, security information, and the like.

The server communication unit 31 has communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and performs communication according to a device connected to the global network GN and the predetermined communication standard under the control of the server control unit 30. In the present embodiment, the server communication unit 31 communicates with the refrigerator 1 and the terminal device 2.

Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 2 will be described.

The terminal device 2 includes a terminal control unit 20, a terminal communication unit 21, a touch panel 22, and a GPS receiving unit 23. The terminal control unit 20 corresponds to a "control unit" of the present invention.

The terminal control unit 20 has a terminal processor 200 and a terminal storage unit 210, which are processors of programs such as a linear CPU and an MPU, and controls the respective units of the terminal device 2. The terminal control unit 20 executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software so that the terminal processor 200 reads the control program 211 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 and executes the processes. A refrigerator control application 213 is installed in the terminal device 2 in advance. The refrigerator control application 213 is a program that is read from the terminal storage unit 210 by the terminal processor 200 and executed, thereby causing the terminal control unit 20 to function as the setting unit 201, the detecting unit 202, and the operation control unit 203. The details of these functional units will be described later.

The terminal storage unit 210 has a storage area for storing programs executed by the terminal processor 200 and data processed by the terminal processor 200. The terminal storage unit 210 stores a control program 211 executed by the terminal processor 200, terminal setting data 212 as setting data related to the setting of the terminal device 2, a refrigerator control application 213, application setting data 214 related to the setting of the refrigerator control application 213, and other various data. The terminal storage unit 210 has a nonvolatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a nonvolatile manner. The terminal storage unit 210 may have a volatile storage area, and may have a work area for temporarily storing a program executed by the terminal processor 200 and data to be processed.

The application setting data 214 is data describing a combination of setting items of the refrigerator control application 213 and setting values corresponding to the setting items. The setting items of the refrigerator control application 213 include at least setting items related to the user ID3131 and the type of the refrigerator 1. In the setting items related to the user ID3131, the user ID3131 assigned to the user P is set as a setting value. In the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, type information 2141 indicating the type of the refrigerator is set as a setting value.

In the application setting data 214, a setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1 is set with either type information 2141 indicating the type 1 or type information 2141 indicating the type 2 as a setting value.

The terminal communication unit 21 has communication hardware conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with devices connected to the global network GN in accordance with the predetermined communication standard under the control of the terminal control unit 20. The terminal communication unit 21 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard by the function of the refrigerator control application 213. The communication standard used by the terminal communication unit 21 is a wireless communication standard.

The touch panel 22 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a touch sensor that is provided so as to overlap with the display panel or integrally therewith. The display panel displays various images under the control of the terminal control section 20. The touch sensor detects a touch operation and outputs the touch operation to the terminal control section 20. The terminal control section 20 executes processing corresponding to a touch operation based on an input from the touch sensor.

The GPS receiving unit 23 has hardware for periodically receiving GPS signals from GPS satellites via an antenna (not shown) and calculating the position (for example, latitude and longitude) of the terminal device 2 based on the received GPS signals. The GPS receiving unit 23 generates position data indicating the calculated position of the terminal device 2, and outputs the position data to the terminal control unit 20.

As described above, the terminal control unit 20 functions as the setting unit 201, the detecting unit 202, and the operation control unit 203.

The setting unit 201 performs various settings regarding the functions of the refrigerator control application 213. The setting unit 201 sets setting values for setting items included in the application setting data 214 to thereby perform various settings for the refrigerator control application 213.

For example, when setting the user ID3131 as a set value for a setting item of the user ID3131, the setting unit 201 receives the user ID3131 from the refrigerator control server 3, and sets the received user ID3131 to the setting item of the user ID 3131.

For example, when setting the type information 2141 as a set value for a setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the setting unit 201 causes the touch panel 22 to display a user interface for selecting the type of the refrigerator 1 as the 1 st type or the 2 nd type. When the user P performs an operation of selecting one of the 1 st type and the 2 nd type in the displayed user interface, the setting unit 201 sets type information 2141 indicating the selected type as a set value in a setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1.

The detection unit 202 detects whether the user P is located in a store TP where food can be purchased. The detection unit 202 outputs the detection result to the operation control unit 203. For example, the detection unit 202 acquires the position of the terminal device 2 by the GPS reception unit 23 at a predetermined cycle, and determines whether or not the acquired position of the terminal device 2 is separated from the store TP predetermined as the detection target by a predetermined distance or less. When it is determined that the distance between the position of the terminal device 2 and the store TP exceeds the predetermined distance, the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is not located at the store TP. On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance between the current position of the terminal device 2 and the store TP is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located at the store TP.

When the type information 2141 indicating the type 1 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 functions as the 1 st processing unit 2031. On the other hand, when the type information 2141 indicating the type 2 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 functions as the 2 nd processing unit 2032.

When the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits the in-store temperature change instruction HS to the refrigerator 1 twice.

The 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature change instruction HS for instructing a change of the in-store temperature from the current temperature to the refrigerator 1. In the following description, the in-bank temperature change instruction HS that instructs a change of the in-bank temperature from the current temperature is referred to as an "in-bank temperature decrease instruction" and is denoted by the reference numeral "HS1". The in-bank temperature decrease indication HS1 corresponds to "indication 1" of the present disclosure.

For example, when the current in-store temperature is a temperature corresponding to the "medium" level, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 to the refrigerator 1 to change the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level.

For example, when the current in-store temperature is a temperature corresponding to a "weak" level, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 to the refrigerator 1 to change the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to a "medium" or "strong" level. When the current in-store temperature is a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level, the 1 st processing unit 2031 may or may not transmit the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 to the refrigerator 1.

After the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 is transmitted, when a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) has elapsed, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature change instruction HS instructing to return the in-store temperature to the temperature before the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 is transmitted to the refrigerator 1. In the following description, the intra-bank temperature change instruction HS that instructs to return the intra-bank temperature to the intra-bank temperature decrease instruction HS1 is referred to as an "intra-bank temperature return instruction" and is denoted by the reference numeral "HS2". The in-bank temperature recovery indication HS2 corresponds to "3 rd indication" of the present disclosure.

For example, when the in-store temperature of the refrigerator 1 is changed from the temperature corresponding to the "middle" level to the temperature corresponding to the "strong" level by transmitting the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 to the refrigerator 1, the in-store temperature restoration instruction instructing to restore the in-store temperature to the temperature corresponding to the "middle" level.

When the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, the 2 nd processing unit 2032 transmits a pre-cooling operation execution instruction US to the refrigerator 1. As described above, after the pre-cooling operation is performed, the type 2 refrigerator 1 automatically ends the pre-cooling operation after a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) elapses. Therefore, the terminal device 2 transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US to the type 2 refrigerator 1, but does not transmit the end instruction of the pre-cooling operation.

Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 6.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 1 refrigerator 1. In fig. 3, a flowchart FA shows the operation of the terminal device 2, a flowchart FB shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FC shows the operation of the type 1 refrigerator 1.

In the flowchart shown in fig. 3, the operation control unit 203 is assumed to function as the 1 st processing unit 2031 on the premise that the type information 2141 indicating the 1 st type is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1. It is assumed that the temperature in the refrigerator 1 at the start of the flowchart shown in fig. 3 is a temperature corresponding to the "medium" level.

The operation control unit 203 determines whether the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP based on the detection result from the detection unit 202 (step SA 1).

When it is determined that the detection unit 202 has not detected that the user P is located in the store TP (step SA1: no), the operation control unit 203 performs the determination of step SA1 again.

On the other hand, when the operation control unit 203 determines that the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP (yes in step SA 1), the operation control unit 203 determines whether the type of the refrigerator 1 communicating with the terminal device 2 is the 1 st type or the 2 nd type (step SA 2).

When the type information 2141 indicating the type 1 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 determines in step SA2 that the type of the refrigerator 1 is the type 1. On the other hand, when the type information 2141 indicating the type 2 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 determines that the type of the refrigerator 1 is the type 2 in step SA 2.

When it is determined that the type of the refrigerator 1 in communication with the terminal device 2 is the type 2 (step SA2: "type 2"), the operation control unit 203 functions as the type 2 processing unit 2032, and advances the process to step SD3 in fig. 5.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the type of the refrigerator 1 in communication with the terminal device 2 is the 1st type (step SA2: "1 st type"), the operation control unit 203 functions as the 1st processing unit 2031. Then, the 1st processing unit 2031 transmits an instruction HS1 for the decrease in the temperature in the refrigerator to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step SA 3). In step SA3, the 1st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 to which the user ID3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 is added, to the refrigerator control server 3.

Referring to flowchart FB, server control unit 30 of refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not in-house temperature decrease instruction HS1 has been received from terminal device 2 via server communication unit 31 (step SB 1).

When it is determined that the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 is received (yes in step SB 1), the server control unit 30 refers to the refrigerator control database 313 and determines a record R containing the user ID3131 added to the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 (step SB 2).

Based on the communication information 3132 included in the specified record R, the server control unit 30 transmits the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 received from the terminal device 2 to the refrigerator 1 through the server communication unit 31 (step SB 3). In step SB3, the server control unit 30 adds the refrigerator ID1613 included in the record R specified in step SB2, and transmits the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1.

Referring to flowchart FC, refrigerator control unit 16 of refrigerator 1 determines whether or not in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction HS1 is received from refrigerator control server 3 via refrigerator communication unit 17 (step SC 1).

When it is determined that the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 has been received (yes in step SC 1), the refrigerator control unit 16 determines whether or not the refrigerator ID1613 added to the received in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 matches the refrigerator ID1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 (step SC 2).

When it is determined that the refrigerator IDs 1613 match (yes in step SC 2), the refrigerator control unit 16 changes the temperature in the refrigerator 1 to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level (step SC 3).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the refrigerator IDs 1613 do not match (step SC2: no), the refrigerator control unit 16 ends the present process. That is, the refrigerator control unit 16 does not change the temperature in the refrigerator 1 from the temperature corresponding to the "medium" level.

Returning to the description of the flowchart FA, after the terminal communication unit 21 transmits the in-house temperature decrease instruction HS1, the 1 st processing unit 2031 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the in-house temperature decrease instruction HS1 (step SA 4).

When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 was transmitted (step SA4: no), the 1 st processing unit 2031 again performs the determination of step SA 4.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 (yes in step SA 4), the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step SA 5). In step SA5, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 to which the user ID3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 is added, to the refrigerator control server 3.

Referring to flowchart FB, server control unit 30 of refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not in-house temperature restoration instruction HS2 has been received from terminal device 2 via server communication unit 31 (step SB 4).

When it is determined that the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 has been received (yes in step SB 4), the server control unit 30 refers to the refrigerator control database 313 and determines a record R containing the user ID3131 added to the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 (step SB 5).

Based on the communication information 3132 included in the specified record R, the server control unit 30 transmits the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 received from the terminal device 2 to the refrigerator 1 through the server communication unit 31 (step SB 6). In step SB6, the server control unit 30 adds the refrigerator ID1613 included in the record R specified in step SB5, and transmits the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2.

Referring to flowchart FC, refrigerator control unit 16 of refrigerator 1 determines whether or not in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 is received from refrigerator control server 3 via refrigerator communication unit 17 (step SC 4).

When it is determined that the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 has been received (yes in step SC 4), the refrigerator control unit 16 determines whether or not the refrigerator ID1613 added to the received in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2 matches the refrigerator ID1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 (step SC 5).

When it is determined that the refrigerator IDs 1613 match (yes in step SC 5), the refrigerator control unit 16 changes the temperature in the refrigerator 1 to a temperature corresponding to the "middle" level (step SC 6).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the refrigerator IDs 1613 do not match (step SC5: no), the refrigerator control unit 16 ends the present process.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 1 refrigerator 1. In the explanation of fig. 4, a case is exemplified in which the temperature in the refrigerator 1 of type 1 is changed to the temperature corresponding to each level in the order of "medium" → "strong" → "medium".

In fig. 4, a situation ST1 shows a case where the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, and the terminal device 2 transmits an in-store temperature drop instruction HS1 to the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN by the function of the refrigerator control application 213. Upon receiving the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1, the refrigerator 1 performs the precooling operation by changing the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level.

In fig. 4, a situation ST2 shows a case where the user P returns to the home H within a predetermined time after the pre-cooling operation is performed after the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is changed to the temperature corresponding to the level of "strong". As shown in the conditions ST1 and ST2, the type 1 refrigerator 1 can lower the temperature in the refrigerator 1 before the user P stores the food in the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the type 1 refrigerator 1 can prevent the temperature in the interior from temporarily rising due to the user P storing food in the refrigerator 1, and can quickly bring the temperature of the newly stored food to an optimum storage temperature. Therefore, the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 1 refrigerator 1 can prevent the freshness of the foods that have been stored and the foods that are newly stored from being lowered.

In fig. 4, a situation ST3 shows a case where a predetermined time has elapsed since the refrigerator 1 changed the in-house temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level after the user P returns home from home H, and the terminal device 2 transmits an in-house temperature restoration instruction HS2 to the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN. Upon receiving the in-store temperature restoration instruction HS2, the refrigerator 1 ends the precooling operation by restoring the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "medium" level. In the situation ST3 of fig. 4, since the user P has returned to the home H, the user P has a high possibility of storing the food purchased in the store TP in the refrigerator 1 without continuing to set the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "strong" level. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can restore the in-store temperature to the temperature corresponding to the "medium" level at an appropriate point in time.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 2 refrigerator 1. In fig. 5, a flowchart FD shows the operation of the terminal device 2, a flowchart FE shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FF shows the operation of the type 2 refrigerator 1.

In the flowchart shown in fig. 5, the operation control unit 203 is assumed to function as the 2 nd processing unit 2032 on the premise that the type information 2141 indicating the 2 nd type is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1. It is assumed that at the start of the flowchart shown in fig. 5, the type 2 refrigerator 1 is operated other than the precooling operation such as the normal operation and the power saving operation.

The operation control unit 203 determines whether the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP based on the detection result from the detection unit 202 (step SD 1).

When the detection unit 202 does not detect that the user P is located in the store TP (step SD1: no), the operation control unit 203 again performs the determination of step SD 1.

On the other hand, when the operation control unit 203 determines that the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP (yes in step SD 1), the operation control unit 203 determines whether the type of the refrigerator 1 in communication with the terminal device 2 is the 1 st type or the 2 nd type (step SD 2).

When the type information 2141 indicating the type 1 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 determines in step SD2 that the type of the refrigerator 1 is the type 1. On the other hand, when the type information 2141 indicating the type 2 is set in the application setting data 214 for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator 1, the operation control unit 203 determines that the type of the refrigerator 1 is the type 2 in step SD 2.

When it is determined that the type of the refrigerator 1 in communication with the terminal device 2 is the 1 st type (step SD2: "1 st type"), the operation control unit 203 functions as the 1 st processing unit 2031, and advances the process to step SA3 of fig. 3.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the type of the refrigerator 1 in communication with the terminal device 2 is the type 2 (step SD2: "type 2"), the operation control unit 203 functions as the type 2 processing unit 2032. Then, the 2 nd processing unit 2032 transmits a precooling operation execution instruction US to the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step SD 3). In step SD3, the 2 nd processing unit 2032 transmits a precooling operation execution instruction US to the refrigerator control server 3, to which the user ID3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 210 is added.

Referring to flowchart FE, server control unit 30 of refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not cooling operation execution instruction US is received from terminal device 2 via server communication unit 31 (step SE 1).

When it is determined that the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is received (yes in step SE 1), the server control unit 30 refers to the refrigerator control database 313 and determines a record R containing the user ID3131 added to the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US (step SE 2).

Based on the communication information 3132 included in the specified record R, the server control unit 30 transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US received from the terminal device 2 to the refrigerator 1 through the server communication unit 31 (step SE 3). In step SE3, the server control unit 30 adds the refrigerator ID1613 included in the record R specified in step SE2, and transmits the precooling operation execution instruction US.

Referring to flowchart FF, refrigerator control unit 16 of refrigerator 1 determines whether or not cooling operation execution instruction US is received from refrigerator control server 3 via refrigerator communication unit 17 (step SF 1).

When it is determined that the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US has been received (yes in step SF 1), the refrigerator control unit 16 determines whether or not the refrigerator ID1613 added to the received pre-cooling operation execution instruction US matches the refrigerator ID1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 (step SF 2).

When it is determined that the refrigerator IDs 1613 match (yes in step SF 2), the refrigerator control unit 16 starts the precooling operation (step SF 3).

The refrigerator control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the precooling operation (step SF 4).

When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the precooling operation (step SF4: no), the refrigerator control unit 16 again performs the determination of step SF 4.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the pre-cooling operation (yes in step SF 4), the refrigerator control unit 16 ends the pre-cooling operation (step SF 5).

Fig. 6 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 2 refrigerator 1. It is assumed that at the start of the flowchart shown in fig. 6, the type 2 refrigerator 1 is operated other than the precooling operation such as the normal operation and the power saving operation.

In fig. 6, a situation ST4 shows a case where the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, and the terminal device 2 transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US to the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN. Upon receiving the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US, the refrigerator 1 starts the pre-cooling operation.

In fig. 6, a situation ST5 shows a situation in which the user P returns to the home H within a predetermined time after the refrigerator 1 starts the pre-cooling operation. As shown in the conditions ST4 and ST5, the type 2 refrigerator 1 can reduce the temperature in the refrigerator by the precooling operation before the user P stores the food in the refrigerator 1. This has the same effects as those of the refrigerator control system 1000 including the type 1 refrigerator 1 described with reference to fig. 4.

In fig. 6, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the pre-cooling operation in the refrigerator 1 since the state ST5, the refrigerator 1 ends the pre-cooling operation. As in the case ST5, since the pre-cooling operation can be ended at the time point when the user P returns to the home H within a predetermined time after the start of the pre-cooling operation, the refrigerator 1 can end the pre-cooling operation at an appropriate time point.

As described above, the terminal control unit 20 of the terminal device 2 that enables communication with the refrigerator 1 by the refrigerator control application 213 functions as the 1 st processing unit 2031 for the type 1 refrigerator 1, and functions as the 2 nd processing unit 2032 for the type 2 refrigerator 1, wherein the 1 st processing unit 2031 is a processing unit that transmits an in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction HS1 indicating a change in-refrigerator temperature to the type 1 refrigerator 1 when the refrigerator 1 is caused to perform a precooling operation accompanied by a change in-refrigerator temperature, and the 2 nd processing unit 2032 is a processing unit that transmits a precooling operation execution instruction US indicating a change in-refrigerator temperature to the type 2 refrigerator 1 when the precooling operation is caused to be performed.

The terminal device 2 capable of communicating with the refrigerator 1 includes a terminal control unit 20, and the terminal control unit 20 transmits an in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction HS1 for instructing to change the in-refrigerator temperature to the type 1 refrigerator 1 when the pre-cooling operation is executed, and transmits a pre-cooling operation execution instruction US for instructing to execute the pre-cooling operation for changing the in-refrigerator temperature to the type 2 refrigerator 1 when the pre-cooling operation is executed.

According to the refrigerator control application 213 and the terminal device 2, when the precooling operation is executed, the terminal device 2 can send an instruction to the refrigerator 1 that the control target is different according to the type of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, according to the refrigerator control application 213 and the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 can cause the refrigerator 1 to perform the precooling operation accompanying the change of the temperature in the refrigerator, regardless of the type of the refrigerator 1.

The type 2 refrigerator 1 is the refrigerator 1 in which the pre-cooling operation is terminated after the pre-cooling operation is performed, and the temperature in the refrigerator is returned to the temperature before the pre-cooling operation is performed when a predetermined time elapses. After transmitting the in-house temperature decrease instruction HS1, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-house temperature restoration instruction HS2 instructing to restore the in-house temperature to the temperature before transmission of the in-house temperature decrease instruction HS 1. The 2 nd processing unit 2032 does not send an instruction to end the pre-cooling operation after sending the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US.

In this way, after the refrigerator 1 changes the in-refrigerator temperature by performing the pre-cooling operation, the process of returning the in-refrigerator temperature to the pre-change temperature can be performed according to the type of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can be terminated by the terminal device 2 without depending on the type of the refrigerator 1.

The pre-cooling operation is an operation of lowering the temperature in the refrigerator 1. The in-bank temperature decrease indication HS1 is an indication to decrease the in-bank temperature.

Thereby, the temperature in the refrigerator 1 can be lowered by the terminal device 2 regardless of the type of the refrigerator 1.

The type 1 refrigerator 1 is a model older than the type 2 refrigerator 1. The type 2 refrigerator 1 is a model newer than the type 1 refrigerator 1.

This makes it possible to cause the refrigerator 1 to perform the pre-cooling operation by using the terminal device 2 regardless of whether the refrigerator 1 is of a new or old type.

The refrigerator control application 213 is an application program that can be installed on the terminal device 2.

Thus, by installing the refrigerator control application 213, the terminal device 2 having no function of changing the temperature in the refrigerator 1 can be made the terminal device 2 having the function. Therefore, the general-purpose terminal device 2 can be made to be the terminal device 2 capable of making the refrigerator 1 perform the precooling operation independently of the type of the refrigerator 1.

The above-described embodiment represents only one aspect of the present disclosure, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, the in-store temperature decrease instruction HS1 is automatically transmitted to the type 1 refrigerator 1, and the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is transmitted to the type 2 refrigerator 2. However, the terminal device 2 may be configured to inquire of the user P whether or not to lower the temperature in the refrigerator 1 when the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP. In this configuration, when an instruction to decrease the temperature in the refrigerator 1 is given from the user P after the inquiry, the terminal device 2 transmits the in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction HS1 to the type 1 refrigerator 1 and transmits the precooling operation execution instruction US to the type 2 refrigerator 2.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pre-cooling operation is exemplified as the prescribed operation of the present disclosure, but the prescribed operation of the present disclosure is not limited to the pre-cooling operation, and other operations such as a power saving operation that consumes less power than other operations may be used. In the power saving operation, the temperature in the bank is higher than that in the normal operation, for example. When the predetermined operation of the present disclosure is the power saving operation, the terminal device 2 transmits an in-store temperature change instruction HS indicating a change to increase the in-store temperature from the current temperature to the refrigerator 1 by the function of the refrigerator control application 213. For example, when the current in-store temperature is a temperature corresponding to the "middle" level, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature change instruction HS for changing the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "weak" level to the refrigerator 1. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the in-store temperature change instruction HS, the 1 st processing unit 2031 transmits an in-store temperature change instruction HS for changing the in-store temperature to a temperature corresponding to the "middle" level to the refrigerator 1. In this example, the in-house temperature change instruction HS transmitted from the terminal device 2 first corresponds to the "1 st instruction" of the present disclosure, and the in-house temperature change instruction HS transmitted from the terminal device 2 later corresponds to the "3 rd instruction" of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the refrigerator control server 3 adds the refrigerator ID1613 when transmitting the in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction HS1, the in-refrigerator temperature restoration instruction HS2, and the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US to the refrigerator 1 has been described, but the refrigerator control server 3 may also transmit these instructions to the refrigerator 1 so as not to add the refrigerator ID1613. In this configuration, the refrigerator 1 performs the precooling operation so as not to perform the processing of steps SC2 and SC5 in fig. 3 and step SF2 in fig. 5. In this configuration, the refrigerator storage unit 161 may not store the refrigerator ID1613. In this configuration, 1 record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 may not have the refrigerator ID1613.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the detection unit 202 detects that the user P is located in the store TP, the in-store temperature change instruction HS or the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is transmitted to the refrigerator 1, but the transmission trigger of the in-store temperature change instruction HS or the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US is not limited to the detection by the detection unit 202. The user P may start the refrigerator control application 213, for example, by sending the in-house temperature change instruction HS or the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US, and the user P may perform an operation of sending the in-house temperature change instruction HS or the pre-cooling operation execution instruction US in the refrigerator control application 213.

For example, in the above embodiment, the terminal device 2 and the refrigerator 1 communicate via the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN, but the terminal device 2 and the refrigerator 1 may communicate directly without via the global network GN. In this configuration, the application setting data 214 includes a refrigerator ID1613 of the refrigerator 1 in direct communication as a setting value, and the terminal device 1 adds the refrigerator ID1613 when transmitting various instructions.

In the above embodiment, for example, the type 1 refrigerator 1 is exemplified by a type 1 refrigerator 1 which is older than the type 2 refrigerator 1, and the type 2 refrigerator 1 is exemplified by a type 1 refrigerator 1 which is newer than the type 1 refrigerator 1. However, the type 1 refrigerator 1 and the type 2 refrigerator 1 are not limited to the type 1 refrigerators having different types of new and old types, and for example, refrigerators 1 having different manufacturing places may be used.

For example, the detection unit 202 may detect whether or not the user P is located in the store TP in cooperation with an application program having a current location display function, a navigation function, or the like, that is, a so-called map application.

In addition, for example, the types of compartments formed in the main cabinet 10 of the refrigerator are not limited to the refrigerator compartment 11, the ice making compartment 12, the fresh-freezing compartment 13, the freezer compartment 14, and the vegetable compartment 15, and at least, or other types of compartments may be further formed. The number of doors provided in the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 may be 1.

The functions of the refrigerator control unit 16, the terminal control unit 20, and the server control unit 30 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

The respective parts shown in fig. 2 are examples, and the specific mounting method is not particularly limited. That is, it is not necessarily required to install hardware corresponding to each unit independently, and it is needless to say that the functions of each unit may be realized by executing a program by one processor. In the above-described embodiments, a part of the functions realized by the software may be realized by hardware, or a part of the functions realized by the hardware may be realized by software. The specific detailed structures of the other parts of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 2, and the refrigerator control server 3 can be arbitrarily changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the step units of the operations shown in fig. 3 and 5 are steps of dividing the refrigerator control system 1000 according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operations of the respective units, and the present invention should not be limited according to the dividing method and the names of the processing units. More step units may be divided according to the processing contents. The division may be performed such that 1 step unit includes more processes. The order of the steps can be appropriately exchanged within a range that does not hinder the gist of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the program and the terminal device of the present disclosure can be used for applications in which the temperature in the refrigerator is changed by the terminal device.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Refrigerator with a door

2. Terminal device

20. Terminal control unit (control unit)

213. Refrigerator control application (program, application program)

2031. 1 St processing unit

2032. Treatment unit 2

Indication of temperature drop in HS1 library (indication 1)

HS2 in-warehouse temperature recovery indicator (3 rd indicator)

Indication of US precooling operation execution (indication 2).

Claims (5)

1. A storage medium storing a program for causing a control unit of a terminal device that controls a refrigerator to function as a setting unit, a detection unit, and an operation control unit, the storage medium characterized by:

the setting part sets setting values by setting items of application setting data to perform various settings of refrigerator control application,

The operation control unit functions as a1 st processing unit when the type information indicating the 1 st type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data, functions as a2 nd processing unit when the type information indicating the 2 nd type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data,

The detection unit detects whether the user is located in a store where food can be purchased,

The operation control unit determines whether the refrigerator is the type 1 refrigerator capable of receiving an in-store temperature decrease instruction indicating a change in-store temperature from a current temperature, or the type 2 refrigerator capable of receiving a pre-cooling operation execution instruction indicating execution of a pre-cooling operation that automatically ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the detection unit detects that the user is located in the store,

The 1 st processing unit transmits the in-store temperature decrease instruction to the refrigerator of the 1 st type, transmits an in-store temperature restoration instruction to the refrigerator before transmission of the in-store temperature decrease instruction after a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the in-store temperature decrease instruction,

The 2 nd processing unit transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction to the refrigerator of the 2 nd type, and does not transmit an end instruction of the pre-cooling operation.

2. The storage medium storing a program according to claim 1, wherein:

The type 1 refrigerator is an older model than the type 2 refrigerator,

The type 2 refrigerator is a model newer than the type 1 refrigerator.

3. The storage medium storing a program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the program is an application program that can be installed in the terminal device.

4. A terminal device including a control section for controlling a refrigerator, the terminal device characterized by:

the control unit functions as a setting unit, a detecting unit, and an operation control unit,

The setting part sets setting values by setting items of application setting data to perform various settings of refrigerator control application,

The operation control unit functions as a1 st processing unit when the type information indicating the 1 st type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data, functions as a2 nd processing unit when the type information indicating the 2 nd type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data,

The detection unit detects whether the user is located in a store where food can be purchased,

The operation control unit determines whether the refrigerator is the type 1 refrigerator capable of receiving an in-store temperature decrease instruction indicating a change in-store temperature from a current temperature, or the type 2 refrigerator capable of receiving a pre-cooling operation execution instruction indicating execution of a pre-cooling operation that automatically ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the detection unit detects that the user is located in the store,

The 1 st processing unit transmits the in-store temperature decrease instruction to the refrigerator of the 1 st type, transmits an in-store temperature restoration instruction to the refrigerator before transmission of the in-store temperature decrease instruction after a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the in-store temperature decrease instruction,

The 2 nd processing unit transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction to the refrigerator of the 2 nd type, and does not transmit an end instruction of the pre-cooling operation.

5. A method for controlling a refrigerator by a terminal device having a control unit functioning as a setting unit, a detection unit, and an operation control unit, the method comprising:

the setting part sets setting values by setting items of application setting data to perform various settings of refrigerator control application,

The operation control unit functions as a1 st processing unit when the type information indicating the 1 st type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data, functions as a2 nd processing unit when the type information indicating the 2 nd type is set for the setting item related to the type of the refrigerator in the application setting data,

The detection unit detects whether the user is located in a store where food can be purchased,

The operation control unit determines whether the refrigerator is the type 1 refrigerator capable of receiving an in-store temperature decrease instruction indicating a change in-store temperature from a current temperature, or the type 2 refrigerator capable of receiving a pre-cooling operation execution instruction indicating execution of a pre-cooling operation that automatically ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the detection unit detects that the user is located in the store,

The 1 st processing unit, when receiving a determination that the refrigerator is the type 1 refrigerator, transmits the in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction to the refrigerator via a network, and transmits an in-refrigerator temperature restoration instruction to the refrigerator before transmission of an instruction to restore the in-refrigerator temperature to the in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction after the predetermined time elapses after transmitting the in-refrigerator temperature decrease instruction,

The 2 nd processing unit, upon receiving a determination that the refrigerator is the type 2 refrigerator, transmits the pre-cooling operation execution instruction to the refrigerator via the network, and does not transmit the end instruction of the pre-cooling operation.