JP7353486B2 - refrigerator communication system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator communication system that includes a refrigerator and an information terminal that communicate via an external network.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, home appliance communication systems are known that receive operation commands transmitted from a remote control device via an external network and control the operating states of home appliances based on the received operation commands. Among these, a refrigerator communication system has been proposed in which the home appliance is a refrigerator and includes an information terminal that communicates with the refrigerator via an external network. Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control system including a control device that controls a controlled device based on an operation command from a remote control device. In Patent Document 1, a personal computer and a mobile phone are exemplified as remote control devices, and an air conditioner is exemplified as a controlled device. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a home appliance remote control system that includes a home appliance that stores remotely worn content and a mobile communication terminal. The home appliance of Patent Document 2 receives remote control content transmitted from a mobile communication terminal, and executes an operation corresponding to the received remote control content.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-42262 JP2003-319471A

However, although the remote control system according to Patent Document 1 allows the operating state of the air conditioner to be set from a remote location, the air conditioner only reflects the operating state instructed from the remote location. Here, the operating state instructed from a remote location does not necessarily match the operating state suitable for the usage situation of the user who uses the air conditioner. Further, the home appliance remote control system according to Patent Document 2 needs to use a pre-registered operating state as remote control content. Therefore, if there is no driving state suitable for the user's usage situation in the remote control content, it is not possible to set the driving state suitable for the user's usage situation.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a refrigerator communication system in which a refrigerator operates in a manner suitable for a user's usage situation.

The refrigerator communication system according to the present disclosure includes a refrigerator that refrigerates stored goods stored in a storage chamber formed inside and has a refrigeration communication unit that transmits and receives data, and a refrigerator communication unit that communicates with the refrigeration communication unit of the refrigerator via an external network. The controller includes an information terminal having an information communication unit for communication, and a control device that controls the refrigerator and the information terminal, and the control device estimates adaptive settings that match the user's usage state of the refrigerator based on operating information of the refrigerator. and a proposing means for proposing, using an information terminal, the compatibility settings estimated by the estimating means.

According to the present disclosure, the estimated suitability settings are proposed by the information terminal. Therefore, the user can recognize the compatible settings that suit the state of use. Thereby, the refrigerator can be operated in a manner suitable for the usage situation of the user.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator communication system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the other side of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a refrigerator communication system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator communication system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the refrigerator communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator communication system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a refrigerator communication system according to a second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator communication system according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the refrigerator communication system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Further, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, the size relationship of each component may differ from the actual one. In addition, in the following description, terms indicating directions are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, but these terms are for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, and these terms do not limit the present disclosure. isn't it. Examples of terms representing directions include "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "front", and "back".

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator communication system 1 includes a refrigerator 2 and an information terminal 4. Refrigerator 2 and information terminal 4 are connected via external network 3. The refrigerator 2 and the external network 3 are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the information terminal 4 and the external network 3 are also configured to be able to communicate with each other.

(refrigerator 2)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator 2 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the refrigerator 2 according to the first embodiment. The refrigerator 2 refrigerates stored goods stored in a storage chamber 21 formed inside. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerator 2 includes a refrigerator main body 20, a door 22, a door opening/closing sensor 23, a temperature sensor 24, a refrigeration communication section 25, and a control device 5.

(Refrigerator body 20)
The refrigerator main body 20 has an outer box 20a and an inner box 20b that form the outer shell of the refrigerator 2, and a foamed heat insulating material ( (not shown) is filled. This foamed heat insulating material fills the gap between the outer box 20a and the inner box 20b and integrates them, so that the outer box 20a and the inner box 20b function as a heat insulating box.

(Storage room 21)
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator 2 according to the first embodiment, and is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the other side of the refrigerator 2 according to the first embodiment, and is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the storage compartment 21 includes, for example, a vegetable compartment 21a, a first freezing compartment 21b, an ice-making compartment 21c, a second freezing compartment 21d, and a refrigerator compartment 21e, each of which has a temperature The obi is different. The vegetable compartment 21a is a space formed at a position closest to the floor, and is mainly used to store vegetables. The first freezer compartment 21b is a space formed above the vegetable compartment 21a, and mainly stores frozen products.

The ice making compartment 21c is a space formed in the upper stage of one side of the first freezing compartment 21b, and is used to manufacture and store ice. The second freezer compartment 21d is a space formed in the upper stage of the other side of the first freezer compartment 21b, and mainly stores frozen products. The refrigerator compartment 21e is a space formed above the ice making compartment 21c and the second freezing compartment 21d, and mainly stores refrigerated products whose cold storage temperature is higher than that of frozen products. In the first embodiment, the storage compartment 21 is exemplified as consisting of a vegetable compartment 21a, a first freezing compartment 21b, an ice making compartment 21c, a second freezing compartment 21d, and a refrigerator compartment 21e, but at least one It may also consist of more than one chamber. Further, the arrangement of the storage chamber 21 can be changed as appropriate.

(Door 22)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door 22 includes a vegetable compartment door 22a, a first freezer compartment door 22b, an ice making compartment door 22c, a second freezer compartment door 22d, and a refrigerator compartment door 22e. The vegetable compartment door 22a is provided at the position closest to the floor, and opens and closes the vegetable compartment 21a. The first freezer compartment door 22b is provided at the upper end of the vegetable compartment door 22a, and opens and closes the first freezer compartment 21b.

The ice-making compartment door 22c is provided at the upper stage on one side of the first freezing compartment door 22b, and opens and closes the ice-making compartment 21c. The second freezer compartment door 22d is provided at the upper stage on the other side of the first freezer compartment door 22b, and opens and closes the second freezer compartment 21d. The refrigerator compartment door 22e is provided above the ice making compartment door 22c and the second freezer compartment door 22d, and opens and closes the refrigerator compartment 21e. In the first embodiment, the door 22 includes a vegetable compartment door 22a, a first freezer compartment door 22b, an ice making compartment door 22c, a second freezer compartment door 22d, and a refrigerator compartment door 22e. However, it is only necessary to have at least one door 22. Further, the arrangement of the door 22 can be changed as appropriate.

(Door opening/closing sensor 23)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door opening/closing sensor 23 detects the opening/closing of the door 22, and includes a vegetable compartment sensor 23a, a first freezer compartment sensor 23b, and a third compartment sensor 23c. have. The vegetable compartment sensor 23a is provided between the vegetable compartment 21a and the first freezer compartment 21b, and detects opening and closing of the vegetable compartment door 22a. The first freezer compartment sensor 23b is provided between the first freezer compartment 21b and the ice making compartment 21c, and detects opening and closing of the first freezer compartment door 22b. The three-compartment sensor 23c is provided between the ice-making compartment 21c, the second freezing compartment 21d, and the refrigerator compartment 21e, and controls the opening and closing of the ice-making compartment door 22c, the second freezing compartment door 22d, and the refrigerator compartment door 22e. To detect.

(Temperature sensor 24)
As shown in FIG. 3, one temperature sensor 24 is provided in each of the vegetable compartment 21a, the first freezing compartment 21b, the ice making compartment 21c, the second freezing compartment 21d, and the refrigerator compartment 21e. Each temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature of the vegetable compartment 21a, the first freezer compartment 21b, the ice making compartment 21c, the second freezer compartment 21d, and the refrigerator compartment 21e.

(Refrigeration Communication Department 25)
As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigeration communication unit 25 is mounted, for example, inside the refrigeration compartment door 22e, and transmits and receives data. The refrigeration communication unit 25 communicates with the information terminal 4 via the external network 3.

(Control device 5)
As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 5 is provided on the back side of the upper part of the refrigerator main body 20. As shown in FIG. The control device 5 is composed of a CPU (also referred to as a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a processor) that executes a program stored in dedicated hardware or a storage device. . When the control device 5 is dedicated hardware, the control device 5 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. is applicable. Each of the functional units implemented by the control device 5 may be implemented using separate hardware, or each functional unit may be implemented using a single piece of hardware.

When the control device 5 is a CPU, each function executed by the control device 5 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs. The CPU implements each function by reading and executing programs. Note that some of the functions of the control device 5 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some of them may be realized by software or firmware.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the refrigerator communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 5 includes a door opening/closing detection means 51, a use frequency prediction means 52, a temperature detection means 53, an estimation means 54, a suggestion means 55, and an operation control means 56. ing.

(Door opening/closing detection means 51)
The door opening/closing detection means 51 detects whether the door 22 of the storage room 21 is opened or closed. Specifically, the door opening/closing detection means 51 receives a signal from the door opening/closing sensor 23 when the opening/closing of the door 22 is detected by the door opening/closing sensor 23 . Thereby, the door opening/closing detection means 51 detects opening/closing of the door 22.

(Usage frequency prediction means 52)
The usage frequency prediction means 52 predicts the usage frequency of the refrigerator 2 for each time period. The frequency of use prediction means 52 predicts the frequency of use of the refrigerator 2 in a given time period based on the number of openings and closings of the door 22 detected by the door opening/closing detection means 51. Specifically, the usage frequency predicting means 52 predicts a time period in which the door 22 is opened and closed a large number of times as a time period in which the refrigerator 2 is used frequently, and predicts a time period in which the door 22 is opened and closed a few times as a time period in which the refrigerator 2 is used frequently. , it is predicted that the refrigerator 2 will be used less frequently.

(Temperature detection means 53)
The temperature detection means 53 detects the temperature of the storage chamber 21. Specifically, the temperature detection means 53 receives a signal related to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24. Thereby, the temperature detection means 53 detects the temperature of the storage chamber 21.

(Estimating means 54)
The estimating means 54 is for estimating a suitable setting suitable for the usage state of the refrigerator 2 by the user based on the operating information of the refrigerator 2. Here, the operating information of the refrigerator 2 is, for example, the operating state when the user who owns the refrigerator 2 usually uses the refrigerator 2. The estimating means 54 estimates the compatible setting, which is the optimum usage state for the user, based on the usage state of the refrigerator 2 that the user usually uses. Here, the driving information includes the frequency of use predicted by the frequency of use prediction means 52 for each time period. Further, the operating information includes the temperature detected by the temperature detection means 53. Further, the compatible settings include settings that match the usage conditions in which the user usually uses the refrigerator.

(Proposal means 55)
The proposing means 55 is for proposing the compatible settings estimated by the estimating means 54 using the information terminal 4. The refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits the compatible settings proposed by the proposal means 55 to the information terminal 4 via the external network 3. The content of the proposal is, for example, a display such as "Do you want to put the refrigerator 2 into an operating state suitable for the user?".

(Operation control means 56)
The operation control means 56 reflects the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 when the user approves the compatible settings proposed by the proposing means 55. The operation control means 56 operates the refrigerator 2 after reflecting the compatible settings. The refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the information terminal 4 via the external network 3 a notification that the compatible setting has been reflected by the operation control means 56.

Further, the operation control means 56 has a function of determining whether the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator 2. Specifically, the operation control means 56 determines from the current operating state of the refrigerator 2 whether it is the timing to reflect the compatible settings. When the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings can be reflected on the refrigerator 2, the operational control means 56 reflects the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2. On the other hand, when the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings cannot be reflected on the refrigerator 2, the operational control means 56 does not reflect the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2. Then, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the information terminal 4 via the external network 3 that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed.

In addition, although this Embodiment 1 illustrates the case where the control device 5 is provided in the refrigerator 2, it is not limited to this. The control device 5 may be provided in the information terminal 4, may be provided in a separately installed server, or may be provided in a cloud server or the like existing on the external network 3. Further, the control device 5 may be provided in a plurality of these devices. Furthermore, some of the functions of the control device 5 may be provided in a location other than the refrigerator 2.

(Information terminal 4)
The information terminal 4 is owned by the user, and is, for example, a mobile information terminal or a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 6, the information terminal 4 includes an information communication section 41, a display device 42, and a control section 43.

(Information and Communication Department 41)
The information communication unit 41 communicates with the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 via the external network 3. When the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 transmits the compatible settings proposed by the proposing means 55 via the external network 3, the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings. Furthermore, when the user approves the compatible setting, the information communication unit 41 transmits a notification to that effect to the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 via the external network 3. Further, when the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 transmits, via the external network 3, a message that the compatible setting has been reflected by the operation control means 56, the information communication unit 41 receives the notification. Furthermore, when the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 transmits, via the external network 3, that the reflection of the conformity settings has failed, the information communication unit 41 receives the notification.

(Display device 42)
The display device 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays images. When the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings proposed by the proposal means 55, the display device 42 displays a sentence such as "Do you want to put the refrigerator 2 in an operating state suitable for the user?". Furthermore, when the information communication unit 41 receives a notification that the compatible settings have been reflected by the operation control means 56, the display device 42 displays a message to that effect. Further, when the information communication unit 41 receives a notification from the operation control means 56 that the adaptation of the adaptation settings has failed, the display device 42 displays a message to that effect.

(Control unit 43)
The control unit 43 controls the operation of the information terminal 4. The control unit 43 measures time when the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings proposed by the proposal unit 55. If a predetermined period of time elapses without the user responding to the question "Do you want to set the refrigerator 2 to an operating state suitable for the user?" displayed on the display device 42, the information communication unit 41 indicates that the user is in an operating state suitable for the user. A message to the effect that the setting has been rejected is transmitted to the external network 3. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 3 minutes.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. Next, the operation of the refrigerator communication system 1 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 7, first, in the refrigerator 2, the use frequency prediction means 52 predicts the frequency of use of the refrigerator 2 during a time period based on the number of openings and closings of the door 22 detected by the door opening/closing detection means 51. . Further, the temperature detection means 53 receives a signal related to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24, and detects the temperature of the storage room 21 (step S1).

Next, the estimating means 54 estimates an appropriate setting that matches the usage state of the refrigerator 2 by the user based on the operating information such as the usage frequency and temperature for each time period (step S2). Then, the proposing means 55 proposes the compatible settings estimated by the estimating means 54 using the information terminal 4 (step S3). Specifically, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits the compatible settings proposed by the proposing means 55 to the external network 3. The external network 3 transmits the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication section 25 to the information communication section 41 of the information terminal 4 (step S4).

In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings proposed by the suggestion means 55, the display device 42 displays a sentence such as "Do you want to put the refrigerator 2 in an operating state suitable for the user?" (Step S5). At this time, the control unit 43 measures time (step S6). If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S6), the control unit 43 causes the information communication unit 41 to transmit to the external network 3 that the user has rejected the compatible setting (step S10). This ends the process.

On the other hand, if the user rejects the compatible setting even before the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S6), the control unit 43 sends a notification to the information communication unit 41 that the user has rejected the compatible setting. is transmitted to the external network 3 (step S10). On the other hand, if the user permits the conformity settings before the predetermined time period has elapsed (NO in step S6), the information communication unit 41 sends an external notification that the user has permitted the conformity settings. It is transmitted to network 3 (step S8). The external network 3 transmits to the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 a notification that the conformity setting transmitted from the information communication unit 41 is permitted (step S9).

In the refrigerator 2, the operation control means 56 determines whether the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator 2 (step S11). If the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings cannot be reflected on the refrigerator 2, the operational control means 56 does not reflect the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 (NO in step S11). Then, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S16). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 that the reflection of the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has failed (step S17). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed, the display device 42 displays that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S18). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed.

On the other hand, when the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator 2 (YES in step S11), the compatible settings are reflected in the refrigerator 2 (step S12). Thereafter, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 a notification that the compatible setting has been reflected by the operation control means 56 (step S13). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 a notification that the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has been reflected (step S14). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the compatible settings have been reflected, the display device 42 displays that the compatible settings have been reflected (step S15). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the compatible settings have been reflected.

According to the first embodiment, the information terminal 4 proposes the estimated suitable settings. Therefore, the user can recognize the compatible settings that suit the state of use. Thereby, the refrigerator 2 can be flexibly operated in a way that is suitable for the usage situation of the user. In this way, the user can live a life in which the refrigerator 2 and the stored items stored in the refrigerator 2 are used more comfortably than before.

In the first embodiment, a setting state suitable for the user is exemplified as the compatible setting, but it may be a usage of the refrigerator 2 suitable for the user. For example, if the user usually takes 10 seconds to open and close the door 22 each time, because the temperature is high in summer, the proposing means 55 suggests that energy saving will be improved if the time is kept within 5 seconds. be able to. Further, since it is assumed that the ice making room 21c is frequently used in the summer, the proposing means 55 can suggest that the water absorption path be maintained before the summer, for example, in March.

In this way, even when the compatible setting is a usage of the refrigerator 2 that is suitable for the user, the suggesting means 55 can also be configured to use the information terminal 4 owned by the user to Suggest settings. At this time, the display device 42 of the information terminal 4 hides the proposal content not only when the user confirms the proposal or when the user confirms the proposal or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Note that the control unit 43 records the proposal contents regardless of whether the proposal has been confirmed by the user or not. Therefore, the user can use the information terminal 4 to retroactively check the contents of proposals presented in the past.

(Normal ice making mode and ice making stop mode)
Next, a normal ice making mode and an ice making stop mode will be explained as examples of suitable operating states. The user has set the ice-making compartment 21c to the normal ice-making mode in which ice-making operations are performed. Assume that the current state in which the ice-making compartment door 22c of the ice-making compartment 21c has been opened and closed 0 times has continued for seven days. In this case, the estimation means 54 determines that the user will not make ice for a while. Then, the estimating means 54 determines that changing the setting from the normal ice-making mode in which ice-making operations are performed to the ice-making stop mode in which ice-making operations are not performed is suitable for the user's usage.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. Next, an example of the operation of the refrigerator communication system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, first, when the normal ice making mode is set in the refrigerator 2, the usage frequency prediction means 52 calculates the frequency of use based on the number of times the ice making compartment door 22c is opened and closed, which is detected by the door opening/closing detection means 51. , predict the frequency of use of the ice-making compartment 21c. The number of times the ice making compartment door 22c is opened and closed is 0 times in 7 days (step S101).

Next, the estimating means 54 estimates that it is appropriate to set the ice making stop mode because the ice making chamber 21c has not been used for seven days (step S102). Then, the proposing means 55 proposes the compatible settings estimated by the estimating means 54 using the information terminal 4 (step S103). Specifically, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits the compatible settings proposed by the proposing means 55 to the external network 3. The external network 3 transmits the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication section 25 to the information communication section 41 of the information terminal 4 (step S104).

In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings proposed by the proposal means 55, the display device 42 displays a sentence such as "Do you want to change the settings to ice-making stop mode?" (step S105 ). At this time, the control unit 43 measures time (step S106). If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S106), the control unit 43 causes the information communication unit 41 to transmit to the external network 3 that the user has rejected the compatible setting (step S110). This ends the process.

On the other hand, if the user rejects the compatible setting even before the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S106), the control unit 43 informs the information communication unit 41 that the user has rejected the compatible setting. is transmitted to the external network 3 (step S110). On the other hand, if the user permits the conformity settings before the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S106) (YES in step S107), the information communication unit 41 transmits information to the outside that the user has permitted the conformity settings. It is transmitted to network 3 (step S108). The external network 3 transmits to the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 a notification that the conformity setting transmitted from the information communication unit 41 is permitted (step S109).

In the refrigerator 2, the operation control means 56 determines whether the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator 2 (step S111). If the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings cannot be reflected on the refrigerator 2, the operational control means 56 does not reflect the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 (NO in step S111). Then, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S116). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 that the reflection of the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has failed (step S117). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed, the display device 42 displays that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S118). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed.

On the other hand, when the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings can be reflected on the refrigerator 2 (YES in step S111), the operational control means 56 reflects the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 (step S112). That is, the operation control means 56 changes the refrigerator 2 to the ice-making stop mode. After that, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 that the compatible setting has been reflected by the operation control means 56 (step S113). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 a notification that the compatibility setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has been reflected (step S114). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the compatible settings have been reflected, the display device 42 displays that the compatible settings have been reflected (step S115). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the compatible settings have been reflected.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the number of opening and closing times of the ice-making compartment door 22c of the ice-making compartment 21c is zero for seven days, the case where the user decides not to make ice for a while is exemplified. There is. Note that the number of times the ice-making compartment door 22c is opened and closed and the period during which the ice-making compartment 21c is determined not to be operated can be changed as appropriate after analyzing the state in which the user usually uses the ice-making compartment 21c. Furthermore, the estimating unit 54 may determine that the user will not make ice for a while based on the number of consecutive days in which no ice making operation has been performed. The estimating means 54 may determine that the user will not make ice for a while based on the amount of water in a water tank (not shown) provided for making ice.

The estimation means 54 may use seasonal or weather information obtained through the external network 3 to determine that the user will not make ice for a while. For example, if it is predicted that there will be consecutive days with low temperatures, the estimating means 54 determines that the user is unlikely to want a cold drink, and the proposing means 55 changes the settings of the ice making chamber 21c to normal ice making. It may be suggested to change the ice making mode to the ice making stop mode. If it is winter, the estimating means 54 determines that the ice making compartment 21c will not be used for a long period of time, and the proposing means 55 proposes changing the setting of the ice making compartment 21c from the normal ice making mode to the ice making stop mode. It's okay.

In this way, the estimation means 54 uses arbitrary data to extract a valid causal relationship from the data obtained from the refrigerator 2, the data obtained from the external network 3, the data obtained from the information terminal 4, etc. It is possible to judge the setting status.

(Rapid cooling mode)
Next, a rapid cooling mode will be described as an example of a suitable operating state. Based on the number of times the door 22 is opened and closed, the estimating means 54 estimates the usage pattern of the refrigerator 2 by the user. For example, if the door 22 is opened and closed many times at 18:00 every day, the estimating means 54 estimates that the temperature in the storage room 21 increases due to the frequent opening and closing of the door 22. Therefore, the proposing means 55 can propose changing to a rapid cooling mode in which the storage room 21 is rapidly cooled before 18:00, for example around 17:00, as a suitable operating state.

(Excess/deficiency of cooling capacity)
Next, as an example of a suitable operating state, a state of excess or deficiency of cooling capacity will be described. For example, the user sets the refrigerator compartment 21e to a strong setting with the intention of cooling the refrigerator compartment 21e more. Here, in the data of the temperature transition of the refrigerator compartment 21e, it is shown that the refrigerator compartment 21e remains cold for 10 days. If the number of openings and closings of the refrigerator compartment door 22e of the refrigerator compartment 21e is about three times in 10 days, the estimation means 54 estimates that the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21e is set excessively low. Then, the proposing means 55 can suggest changing the setting of the refrigerator compartment 21e from the strong setting to the weak setting as a suitable operating state. Thereby, excessive cooling can be suppressed and energy saving performance can be improved.

Further, the user sets the first freezer compartment 21b to a weak setting with the intention of not cooling the first freezer compartment 21b too much. If the first freezer door 22b of the first freezer compartment 21b is opened and closed 40 times over two days, the estimating means 54 determines that the set temperature of the first freezer compartment 21b is excessively high and the cooling capacity is low. It is estimated that there is a shortage of The proposing means 55 can then suggest changing the setting of the first freezer compartment 21b from the weak setting to the strong setting as a suitable operating state. Thereby, insufficient cooling can be solved. Note that the strong setting or weak setting, the number of openings and closings of the door 22 during a predetermined period, etc. illustrated in the first embodiment can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, in any storage compartment 21 other than the refrigerating compartment 21e and the first freezing compartment 21b, a determination may be made as to whether the cooling capacity is in excess or insufficient.

The estimating means 54 can combine arbitrary data from the data obtained from the refrigerator 2, the data obtained from the external network 3, the data obtained from the information terminal 4, etc. to determine the appropriate setting state.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator communication system 101 according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a refrigerator 102 owned by another user is connected to the external network 3. In the second embodiment, parts common to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

As shown in FIG. 9, the refrigerator 2 and the information terminal 4 communicate with a refrigerator 102 owned by a user other than the user of the refrigerator 2 via the external network 3. The other user's refrigerator 102 has the same functions as the refrigerator 2 owned by the user. In addition, although this Embodiment 2 illustrates the case where there are a plurality of refrigerators 102 owned by other users, it may be configured such that there is one refrigerator 102 owned by another user.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a refrigerator communication system 101 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 105 includes a door opening/closing detection means 51, a use frequency prediction means 52, a temperature detection means 53, a comparison means 157, an estimation means 154, a suggestion means 55, and an operation control means. 56. Among these, the door opening/closing detection means 51, the use frequency prediction means 52, the temperature detection means 53, and the operation control means 56 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

(Comparison means 157)
The comparison means 157 compares and determines whether or not the operating information is different from other operating information of the refrigerator 102 owned by another user.

(Estimating means 154)
When the comparing means 157 compares and determines that the operating information and other operating information are different, the estimating means 154 estimates a compatible setting that matches the usage state of the refrigerator 102 of another user based on the other operating information. It is something to do.

(Proposal means 55)
The proposing means 55 proposes the suitable settings estimated by the estimating means 154 using the information terminal 4.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator communication system 101 according to the second embodiment. Next, the operation of the refrigerator communication system 101 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 11, first, other operating information is acquired in the other user's refrigerator 102 (step S220). Then, the other user's other operation information is transmitted from the other user's refrigerator 102 to the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the user's refrigerator 2 via the external network 3 (step S221).

On the other hand, in the user's refrigerator 2, the frequency of use prediction means 52 predicts the frequency of use of the refrigerator 2 during a time period based on the number of openings and closings of the door 22 detected by the door opening/closing detection means 51. Further, the temperature detection means 53 receives a signal related to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24, and detects the temperature of the storage room 21 (step S201).

Next, the comparing means 157 compares and determines whether or not the operating information such as frequency of use and temperature for each time period is different from other operating information (step S222). When the driving information and other driving information match (NO in step S222), the estimating means 154 estimates a compatible setting that matches the usage state of the user's refrigerator 2 based on the driving information (step S202). . On the other hand, if the driving information and other driving information are different (YES in step S222), the estimating means 154 estimates the compatible settings that match the usage state of the user's refrigerator 2 based on the other driving information ( Step S223).

Then, the proposing means 55 proposes the compatible settings estimated by the estimating means 154 using the information terminal 4 (step S203). Specifically, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits the compatible settings proposed by the proposing means 55 to the external network 3. The external network 3 transmits the compatibility settings transmitted from the refrigeration communication section 25 to the information communication section 41 of the information terminal 4 (step S204).

In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the compatible settings proposed by the suggestion means 55, the display device 42 displays a sentence such as "Do you want to put the refrigerator 2 in an operating state suitable for the user?" (Step S205). At this time, the control unit 43 measures time (step S206). If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S206), the control unit 43 causes the information communication unit 41 to transmit to the external network 3 that the user has rejected the compatible setting (step S210). This ends the process.

On the other hand, if the user rejects the compatible setting even before the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S206), the control unit 43 informs the information communication unit 41 that the user has rejected the compatible setting. is transmitted to the external network 3 (step S210). On the other hand, if the user permits the conformity settings before the predetermined time period has elapsed (NO in step S206), the information communication unit 41 sends an external notification to the effect that the user has permitted the conformity settings. It is transmitted to network 3 (step S208). The external network 3 transmits to the refrigeration communication unit 25 of the refrigerator 2 a notification that the conformity setting transmitted from the information communication unit 41 is permitted (step S209).

In the refrigerator 2, the operation control means 56 determines whether the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator 2 (step S211). If the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings cannot be reflected on the refrigerator 2, the operational control means 56 does not reflect the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 (NO in step S211). Then, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S216). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 that the reflection of the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has failed (step S217). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed, the display device 42 displays that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed (step S218). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the reflection of the compatible settings has failed.

On the other hand, when the operation control means 56 determines that the compatible settings can be reflected on the refrigerator 2 (YES in step S211), the operational control means 56 reflects the compatible settings on the refrigerator 2 (step S212). Thereafter, the refrigeration communication unit 25 transmits to the external network 3 a notification that the compatible setting has been reflected by the operation control means 56 (step S213). The external network 3 transmits to the information communication unit 41 of the information terminal 4 a notification that the conformity setting transmitted from the refrigeration communication unit 25 has been reflected (step S214). In the information terminal 4, when the information communication unit 41 receives the notification that the compatible settings have been reflected, the display device 42 displays that the compatible settings have been reflected (step S215). Thereby, the information terminal 4 notifies the user that the compatible settings have been reflected.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, operation information of another user's refrigerator 102, which the user does not usually know, can be applied to the operation of the user's own refrigerator 2. The user can further optimize the operating state of the refrigerator 2 while understanding the usage state of the refrigerator 102 by other users.

Note that the control device 105 stores other driving information, and also stores a history of permission or rejection of the conformity setting by the user. The proposing unit 55 may be configured to terminate the process without making a proposal if the compatible setting is a previously proposed compatible setting and the user has rejected it within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, two days, but can be changed as appropriate.

(Normal ice making mode and ice making stop mode)
Next, a normal ice making mode and an ice making stop mode will be explained as examples of suitable operating states. Assume that many other users set the ice-making compartment 21c to the ice-making stop mode instead of the normal ice-making mode during the winter season. Many other users are, for example, 30% or more of all users. In this case, the estimating means 154 estimates that the ice-making stop mode is actually beneficial. Then, the suggestion unit 55 makes a suggestion to the user using the information terminal 4 that the ice-making stop mode is a suitable setting. Note that not only seasonal information but also a certain tendency can be seen in the settings of the various refrigerators 102 of other users, and if it can be determined that the tendency is suitable for the usage condition of the user's refrigerator 2, the proposing means 55 , may be configured to implement any suggestions.

(Opening/closing time of door 22)
Next, as an example of a suitable operating state, the number of times the door 22 is opened and closed will be explained. The user opens the door 22 for an average of 30 seconds each time. On the other hand, in the refrigerator 102 of another user connected to the external network 3, the time that the other user opens the door 22 is 10 seconds on average each time. The estimating means 154 estimates that the shorter the time that the door 22 of the storage room 21 is open, the more the temperature rise in the storage room 21 will be suppressed and the operating rate of the compressor can be suppressed. Estimating the time in which the data is present is the compatible setting. Then, the suggestion unit 55 suggests the compatible settings to the user via the information terminal 4.

Proposed means 55 is, for example, ``Many households open the door 22 of the refrigerator 2 within an average of 10 seconds each time. Provide suggestions and advice such as "Let's do this." Thereby, the operating state of the user's refrigerator 2 can be further optimized. In the second embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the opening/closing time of the door 22 is proposed per time, but if there is a certain tendency in the usage status of the refrigerator 102 among other users, the proposing means 55 It may be configured to implement any suggestions.

1 Refrigerator communication system, 2 Refrigerator, 3 External network, 4 Information terminal, 5 Control device, 20 Refrigerator body, 20a Outer box, 20b Inner box, 21 Storage compartment, 21a Vegetable compartment, 21b First freezer compartment, 21c Ice making compartment , 21d second freezer compartment, 21e refrigerator compartment, 22 door, 22a vegetable compartment door, 22b first freezer compartment door, 22c ice making compartment door, 22d second freezer compartment door, 22e refrigerator compartment door, 23 door opening/closing sensor , 23a vegetable compartment sensor, 23b first freezer compartment sensor, 23c third compartment sensor, 24 temperature sensor, 25 refrigeration communication section, 41 information communication section, 42 display device, 43 control section, 51 door opening/closing detection means, 52 usage frequency prediction means, 53 temperature detection means, 54 estimation means, 55 suggestion means, 56 operation control means, 101 refrigerator communication system, 102 refrigerator, 105 control device, 154 estimation means, 157 comparison means.

Claims (12)

A refrigerator having a refrigeration communication unit that refrigerates stored items stored in a storage chamber formed inside and transmits and receives data;
an information terminal having an information communication unit that communicates with the refrigeration communication unit of the refrigerator via an external network;
A control device that controls the refrigerator and the information terminal,
The control device includes:
Estimating means for estimating a compatible setting suitable for a user's usage state of the refrigerator based on operating information of the refrigerator;
A refrigerator communication system, comprising: a proposal unit that uses the information terminal to suggest the compatible settings estimated by the estimation unit. The control device includes:
The refrigerator communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation control unit that reflects the compatible settings on the refrigerator when the user approves the compatible settings proposed by the proposal unit. The operation control means includes:
The refrigerator communication system according to claim 2, further comprising a function of determining whether the compatible settings can be reflected in the refrigerator. The control device includes:
further comprising usage frequency prediction means for predicting usage frequency of the refrigerator for each time period,
The driving information is
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising frequency of use for each time period predicted by the frequency of use prediction means. The control device includes:
further comprising door opening/closing detection means for detecting opening/closing of the door of the storage room,
The usage frequency prediction means includes:
The refrigerator communication system according to claim 4, wherein the frequency of use of the refrigerator for each time period is predicted based on the number of times the door is opened and closed detected by the door opening/closing detection means. The control device includes:
further comprising temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the storage chamber,
The driving information is
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. The refrigerator and the information terminal are
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerator communication system communicates with a refrigerator owned by a user other than the user of the refrigerator via the external network. The control device includes:
further comprising comparison means for comparing and determining whether or not the operating information is different from other operating information of a refrigerator owned by another user;
The estimation means is
When the comparing means compares and determines that the operating information and the other operating information are different, estimating a compatible setting that matches the usage state of the refrigerator by another user based on the other operating information,
The proposing means is
The refrigerator communication system according to claim 7, wherein the compatible setting estimated by the estimation means is proposed by the information terminal. The adaptation settings are:
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including settings according to usage conditions in which the user usually uses the refrigerator. The control device is provided in the refrigerator.
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The control device is provided in the information terminal.
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The control device is provided in a cloud server on the external network.
The refrigerator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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