JP2022088480A - Dedicated device capable of rewriting control software - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user who tries to use a device whose control software is being updated from erroneously recognizing that the device is out of order.

SOLUTION: A refrigerator can rewrite refrigerator control software, and stops cooling control while the refrigerator control software is being rewritten. The refrigerator has an output unit that allows a user to perceive output while the refrigerator control software is being executed, and a notification unit that notifies that the refrigerator control software is being rewritten or that the output of the output unit or the cooling control is stopped while the refrigerator control software is being rewritten.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a dedicated device in which control software can be rewritten.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which rewritable refrigerator control software is received from an external communication center.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-303472

Refrigerators have clear and limited uses such as cooling control, so the capacity of the RAM area required for deploying control software, the CPU resources required for execution calculations of control software, and the storage of control software. It is a dedicated device that can grasp the capacity of the storage area required for the software in advance. Therefore, although some margin can be secured, a CPU and a memory required for executing the purpose are usually installed.

Then, while the refrigerator control software is being rewritten, substantially all of the resources are used to execute the rewriting process, and the user interface such as the refrigerator control panel cannot respond, or the refrigerator door is opened. There are usually times when the refrigerator light, which normally lights up, cannot be turned on, or the control that is characteristic of dedicated equipment such as cooling control cannot be executed. If the user operates the refrigerator in such a state, there is a risk that the refrigerator may be out of order. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any configuration assuming such a case.

In order to solve the above problems, the dedicated device of the present invention is a dedicated device in which the control software can be rewritten and the cooling control is stopped during the rewriting of the control software, and the user can rewrite the control software while the control software is being executed. An output unit capable of perceptible output and a notification unit for notifying that the control software is being rewritten or that the output unit output or the cooling control is stopped while the control software is being rewritten. It has a storage area that can store the control software and a RAM area that can expand a part of the new control software, and receives a part of the new control software in the RAM area. The part is rewritten with the control software stored in the storage area, the part is deleted from the RAM area, and another part or the rest of the new control software is received in the RAM area. The state of the control board changes with the start of rewriting of the control software, and the present invention further includes a circuit that operates the notification unit based on the current flowing due to the change of the state.

Configuration diagram of the refrigerator system of Example 1 Block diagram showing a configuration example of the refrigerator of the first embodiment Front view of the appearance of the refrigerator of Example 1 Schematic diagram of the LED circuit for turning on / off the LED of the first embodiment Refrigerator control flowchart of Example 1 Scheduled rewriting time notification screen of the refrigerator control software of Example 2 Rewriting control flowchart of the refrigerator control software of the second embodiment Flow chart for rewriting the refrigerator control software of Example 3

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerator system of this embodiment as an example of a dedicated equipment system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an external front view of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment.
The refrigerator system includes a refrigerator 1, a wide area network such as the Internet 2, a server device 3 for storing refrigerator control software that receives information transmitted from the refrigerator 1 and transmits the information to the refrigerator 1, and a portable terminal 4.

[Refrigerator 1]
The refrigerator 1 has storage rooms such as a refrigerating room and a freezing room, a storage room door for opening and closing each storage room, an interior light 105 provided in the storage room, and a control panel (not shown) for receiving an operation from a user.

The refrigerator 1 has a door open / close sensor 111 capable of detecting the open / closed state of the storage room door, and when each door is opened, the internal light 105 of the storage room corresponding to the door is turned on and each door is opened. Then, the interior light 105 is turned off. Further, when the control panel detects the user's operation, the control panel display unit 302 lights up. The interior light and the control panel display unit 302 are examples of the output unit.

The refrigerator 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 and a refrigerator control software 1.
02, rewriting control software 115, memory 103, temperature sensor 104 that detects the temperature in each storage room, interior light 105, compressor 106, charcoal sensor 107 that detects a person in front of the refrigerator 1, and brightness around the refrigerator 1. The illuminance sensor 108 for detecting, the communication unit 109 for transmitting and receiving information via the wide area network 2, the door open / close sensor 111, the control panel, the control panel display unit 302 for displaying the response to the operation to the control panel, and the control panel display. It includes an LED 112 that illuminates the unit 302 to improve the visibility of the display content, a sensor 113 that outputs sound, and a control panel control unit 114 that controls the display content of the control panel display unit 302.

Further, the refrigerator 1 includes an input control unit that manages the inputs of the sensors 104, 107, 108, 111, an output control unit that controls the electronic components 105, the LED 112, and the speaker 113, and a compressor control unit that controls the compressor 106. Further, each of the communication control units that control the communication unit 109 and the control panel control unit 114 is controlled by the installed refrigerator control software 102.

The refrigerator 1 can download a part of new refrigerator control software from the server device 3 via the wide area network 2 and the communication unit 109.

In this embodiment, the CPU 101 as a calculation unit performs an execution calculation of the rewriting control software 115 expanded in the memory 103, and the refrigerator control software 102 is added to the new refrigerator control software received via the communication unit 109. rewrite. During the rewriting of the refrigerator control software 102, it is practically impossible to perform the execution calculation of the refrigerator control software 102. Therefore, during the rewriting of the refrigerator control software 102, cooling control such as turning on / off the internal light 105 and driving the compressor 106 cannot be performed.
The memory 103 has a non-volatile storage area including an area for storing the refrigerator control software 102, and an area where the refrigerator control software 102 and the rewriting control software 115 can be expanded in order to be used for the execution calculation of the CPU 101. And a volatile RAM (Random Access Memory), including an area capable of storing a portion of the new refrigerator control software. When rewriting the refrigerator control software 102 to a new one, a part of the existing refrigerator control software 102 stored in the storage area is sequentially rewritten to a part of the new control software downloaded to the RAM. Can be updated. That is, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment partially downloads the new refrigerator control software, applies this part to the existing refrigerator control software 102 to rewrite it, and when the rewriting is completed, the part downloaded to the RAM is partially downloaded. You can repeat erasing and downloading other parts of the new refrigerator control software to RAM.

The CPU 101, which performs an execution calculation according to the refrigerator control software 102, controls the compressor control unit so that each storage room has an appropriate temperature, and displays the current setting contents or the setting contents changed by the user to the user by the LED 112. The output control unit is controlled so as to do so. Further, the operation from the mobile terminal 4 received via the communication unit 109 can be received, and the display content of the control panel display unit 302 can be changed through the control panel control unit 114.

[Circuit configuration that displays the update in progress on the control panel display]
While the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is updating (rewriting) to new refrigerator control software, the control board 100 (CPU 101) allocates arithmetic resources to the rewriting process and rewrites the refrigerator control software 102. Therefore, the execution of the refrigerator control software 102 is substantially stopped. Therefore, it is not possible to respond to the lighting of the interior light 105 or the operation of the control panel. Then, if the user opens the storage room door or operates the control panel during the update, the output does not change at all, which may raise the suspicion that the refrigerator 1 may be out of order. For this reason, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the user is notified that the update is in progress and that the output unit such as the internal light 105 is not operating (non-operation notification) because the update is in progress. ..
Figure 4
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an LED circuit that turns on / off the LED 112 of this embodiment. In the LED circuit, resistors R3 and R1 are connected in parallel from the control board 100, and resistors R3 are connected to the base of the transistor Tr5. The emitter of the transistor Tr5 is grounded, and the LED 112 and the resistor R2 are connected to the collector in order from the collector side.

The refrigerator 1 creates a constant voltage source of 0, 5, 12 V or the like by transforming a commercial power source or the like. On the opposite side of the transistor Tr5 with the LED 112 sandwiched between them, a 5V voltage source, which is an example of a voltage source, is connected. That is, since the LED 112 and the first voltage source are connected to one side of the collector and the emitter of the transistor Tr5 and the ground is connected to the other side, if the base current flows, the current flows between the collector and the emitter and the transistor Tr5 Is turned on, and the LED 112 lights up. Further, these constant voltage sources are connected to the control board 100, and the voltage output to the resistors R1 and R3 can be changed according to the command of the CPU 101. The control board 100 of this embodiment is in the initial state while the CPU 101 is rewriting the refrigerator control software 102. In the initial state, it is set to output a 5V voltage.

The voltage source is also a power source for the refrigerator 1 internal light 105, a damper for adjusting cold air, an internal fan, and a control panel. By sharing these, it is possible to switch the LED 112 on and off while suppressing the configuration of the refrigerator 1 from becoming complicated.

Here, the resistance R1 and the control board 100 are branched and connected to the resistance R3 connected to the base on the opposite sides of the base, respectively. The resistor R1 is connected to a 5V voltage source. Further, when the control board 100 is operating, the control board 100 can output 0V, whereby the base potential becomes 0V, and the LED 112 can be turned off without current flowing. Further, when the control board 100 is stopped, the control board 100 outputs an equipotential 5V equal to that of the voltage source. In this case, the base potential becomes 5 V, and a current flows through the LED 112 to turn it on. That is, when the control board 100 is being updated, the voltage from the resistance R1 side is applied, so that the base potential becomes 5 V and a current flows through the LED 112 to light it.

In this way, the LED 112 is turned off when the control board 100 operates and outputs 0V, and turns on when the operation is stopped (initial state) by the update. When the LED 112 lights up, for example, the character strings "updating", "internal light does not illuminate", and "cooling control is stopped" as an example of the update in progress display unit printed without characters on the control panel display unit 302. Visibility such as "Masu" is improved. Therefore, the user who intends to use the refrigerator 1 can recognize that the output unit is not operating due to the fact that the refrigerator 1 is being updated and the cause of the update.

In this way, the control panel display unit can be controlled while the control board 100 is operating, and in the initial state, "updating", "internal light does not illuminate", "cooling control is stopped", etc. can be displayed. Any circuit configuration may be used.

[Refrigerator control software rewrite control]
FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment.
When the refrigerator 1 is performing normal cooling control using the installed refrigerator control software 102, the control board 100 outputs 0 V and the LED 112 is turned off, and the visibility of the display unit during the update is high. It has decreased (step S100).

When the refrigerator 1 has not received the existence of the new refrigerator control software from the server device 3 (steps S101 and No), the normal control is continued (step S102). When the existence of the new refrigerator control software is detected (step S101, Yes), the refrigerator 1 starts rewriting the refrigerator control software 102 (step S103). At this time, while the refrigerator control software is being rewritten, the refrigerator control board 100 is in the initial state, the LED 112 is lit, and the visibility of the display unit during update execution is enhanced. This allows the user to recognize that the update is currently in progress. When the refrigerator control software rewriting is completed (step S104), the process returns to Start in the flowchart. That is, when the refrigerator control board 100 starts operation, the LED 112 is turned off, and the visibility of the display unit during update execution is reduced. It should be noted that the fact that the update is being executed may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 4 to be output.

If the memory 103 has enough capacity to store a copy of the control panel control unit 114 and the output control unit related to the LED 112 in advance, the on / off of the LED 112 is controlled even during rewriting of the control software. Can be made to. In this case, before starting the rewriting of the control software, the control panel control unit 114 may be notified to start the update, and the LED 112 may be turned on. The hardware or software that notifies the user that the control software of this embodiment is being rewritten or updated may be applied to various dedicated devices other than the refrigerator.

The dedicated device here means a device that can perform various functions depending on the program or application to be installed, such as a personal computer or smartphone, that is, it is possible to grasp in advance the required computing resources and memory capacity. Since it is usually difficult, the purpose is to exclude general-purpose equipment for which it is desirable to implement arithmetic resources and memory capacity with a large margin. Examples of dedicated equipment include home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, electric vacuum cleaners, cookers, air purifiers, air conditioners, and lighting equipment, printing machines, automobiles, factory machines, and the like.

The configuration of this embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following points.
[Scheduled update time]
FIG. 6 is a screen for notifying the scheduled rewriting time of the refrigerator control software of this embodiment. The display screen 401 of the mobile terminal 4 displays the scheduled rewriting time 402a of the refrigerator control software. When approving the scheduled time, the user operates the "OK" button as an example of the time approval unit. If you want to change the scheduled time, operate "Change time" as an example of the time change section. In this case, the display screen 401 displays the time change reception unit 402b. The user can change the scheduled time through the operation of the time changing unit 402b.

FIG. 7 is a rewrite control flowchart of the refrigerator control software of this embodiment. The transmission control unit 203 of the server device 3 transmits the scheduled rewriting time of the refrigerator control software to the mobile terminal 4 (step S200), and waits for the mobile terminal 4 to receive the approval or change of the scheduled time (step S201). .. When the approved or changed scheduled time is received (step S201, Yes), the server device 3 waits until the scheduled time is reached. When the scheduled time is approached (for example, 1 hour before) (step S202, Yes) without receiving the approval or change of the scheduled time from the mobile terminal 4, the scheduled time is delayed by, for example, 24 hours (step S203). The scheduled time is transmitted to the terminal 4 (step S200).

When the scheduled time approaches, for example, one hour before (step S204, Yes), the refrigerator 1 confirms whether the door opening / closing or the temperature rise of the storage room has been detected (whether it has occurred) (step S205). When it is detected, the server device 3 is notified to that effect, and the server device 3 instructs the refrigerator 1 to postpone the scheduled time by, for example, one hour. As a result, it is possible to suppress the start of rewriting during the time when the user is using the refrigerator 1 or the time when the cooling of the storage room is insufficient (step S206).

When the scheduled time is reached (S207, Yes), the transmission control unit 203 transmits new refrigerator control software to the communication unit 109 of the refrigerator 1. Refrigerator 1 rewrites while downloading new refrigerator control software.

The configuration of this embodiment can be the same as that of Example 1 or 2 except for the following points. FIG. 8 is a rewriting flowchart of the refrigerator control software of this embodiment.
If the server device 3 has new refrigerator control software, that fact is transmitted to the refrigerator 1 (step S300). Then, the refrigerator 1 calculates a time zone in which the user is infrequently used (step S301). As a calculation method, for example, the number of times the door is opened / closed per unit time can be collected, and the time zone in which the number of times the door is opened / closed is small can be set as the time zone in which the user is infrequently used. The calculated time zone in which the user is infrequently used is set as the scheduled time, and the scheduled time is transmitted from the refrigerator 1 to the server device 3. When the scheduled time is reached (step S302, Yes), the server device 3 transmits new refrigerator control software to the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerator 1 starts rewriting the refrigerator control software (step S303).

In addition, as a time zone in which the user is infrequently used, the amount of light around the refrigerator is measured by the illuminance sensor 108 that detects the illuminance around the refrigerator 1, and the time when the amount of light is low can be continued for a certain period of time. Further, the pyroelectric sensor 107 may detect that the user has not been in front of the refrigerator for a long time (for example, 3 hours), and may determine that the user is infrequently used.

1: Refrigerator 2: Wide area network 3: Server equipment 4: User terminal 100: Control board (refrigerator control unit)
101: CPU (calculation unit)
102: Refrigerator control software (control software)
103: Memory 104: Each sensor 105: Interior light 106: Compressor 107: Pyroelectric sensor 108: Illuminance sensor 109: Communication unit 110: Communication control unit 111: Door open / close sensor 112: LED
113: Speaker 114: Control panel control unit 115: Rewriting control software (control software)
201: Reception control unit 202: Judgment control unit 203: Transmission control unit 301: Refrigerator door 302: Control panel display unit 401: User mobile terminal screen 402a: Refrigerator control software rewrite start time notification screen 402b: Refrigerator control software rewrite start time change screen

Claims (3)

It is a dedicated device that can rewrite the control software and the cooling control is stopped during the rewriting of the control software.
An output unit capable of perceptible output by the user while the control software is being executed, and the fact that the control software is being rewritten while the control software is being rewritten, or the output of the output unit or the cooling control. A notification unit that notifies that it is stopped, and
A storage area that can store the control software and
A RAM area where part of the new control software can be deployed,
Have,
A part of the new control software is received in the RAM area,
A part thereof is rewritten with the control software stored in the storage area, and the part is deleted from the RAM area.
The other part or the rest of the new control software is received in the RAM area and
With the start of rewriting of the control software, the state of the control board changes.
A dedicated device further comprising a circuit for operating the notification unit based on a current flowing due to a change in the state. The dedicated device according to claim 1, wherein the scheduled time or time zone for rewriting of the control software is notified before the start of rewriting of the control software. The dedicated device according to claim 2, wherein if the notification to approve or change the scheduled time or time zone is not detected before the scheduled time or time zone, the scheduled time or time zone is postponed.

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