KR101728721B1 - A refrigerator comprising a terminal and a control method thereof - Google Patents

A refrigerator comprising a terminal and a control method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
KR101728721B1
KR101728721B1 KR1020100016207A KR20100016207A KR101728721B1 KR 101728721 B1 KR101728721 B1 KR 101728721B1 KR 1020100016207 A KR1020100016207 A KR 1020100016207A KR 20100016207 A KR20100016207 A KR 20100016207A KR 101728721 B1 KR101728721 B1 KR 101728721B1
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KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
power consumption
consumption amount
reference power
display
actual
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KR1020100016207A
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Korean (ko)
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KR20110096771A (en
Inventor
김지해
황정아
은유숙
Original Assignee
엘지전자 주식회사
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Application filed by 엘지전자 주식회사 filed Critical 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority to KR1020100016207A priority Critical patent/KR101728721B1/en
Priority to PCT/KR2011/001209 priority patent/WO2011105768A2/en
Priority to US13/580,422 priority patent/US9353990B2/en
Publication of KR20110096771A publication Critical patent/KR20110096771A/en
Priority to US15/143,051 priority patent/US10055117B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of KR101728721B1 publication Critical patent/KR101728721B1/en

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/01—Heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/36—Visual displays
    • F25D2400/361—Interactive visual displays

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  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof that can visually express the actual power consumption which varies with time or the suitability of an actual power charge.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a display module, which is provided in a refrigerator and displays a comparison result between an actual power consumption amount or an actual power consumption amount at a current electricity demand site, an externally provided reference electric power consumption amount or a reference electric power fee, A communication unit for receiving an externally provided reference power consumption amount or a reference power fee; Wherein the control unit controls the display unit and the communication unit to compare the actual power consumption amount or the electric power charge at the current electric power consumer with the reference electric power consumption amount or the reference electric power charge so that each data value is displayed on the display unit, And a control unit for controlling the display unit to display the plurality of colors by using a plurality of different colors, and a control method of the refrigerator.

Description

[0001] A refrigerator having a terminal and a control method thereof [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method thereof that enable a user to easily recognize a power rate and an appropriateness level of power consumption over time.

In the case of electric power supplied to electric appliances or lighting products including refrigerators, it is common to apply a fixed electric power charging system in which charges are kept constant irrespective of changes in demand, except for nighttime electric power.

However, when the recently introduced intelligent grid (smart grid) is introduced, it will inevitably be accompanied by a variable power tariff, in which the electricity tariff varies depending on the demand for electricity.

 In other words, if the overall demand for electricity increases significantly, the electricity tariff will increase proportionally, and if the demand for electricity decreases, the electricity tariff will also decrease.

If such a variable rate system is introduced, users will be interested in how the current amount of electricity consumed in the home or electric power rate fluctuates over time, and also compare with the average household electricity consumption and electricity rates There is a need to see.

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a terminal capable of providing information on a trend of change in electric power consumption and electric power charge to be used in a home as visual information, and a control method thereof .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including a display module for displaying a comparison result between an actual power consumption amount or an actual power consumption amount at a current power consumption site, a reference power consumption amount or a reference power consumption fee provided from the outside, and; A communication unit connected to the display unit and the communication unit, for comparing the actual power consumption amount or the electric power charge at the current electric power consumer with the reference electric power consumption amount or the reference electric power charge, And a controller for controlling each of the data values to be displayed on the display unit and controlling the display unit to display the comparison result in a plurality of different colors.

Wherein the display module displays a color display window for displaying the actual power consumption amount or the actual power consumption amount in each case where the actual power consumption amount is less than or equal to or less than the reference power consumption amount or the reference power consumption amount.

And the color display window is configured to display green, yellow, and red colors.

Wherein the reference power consumption amount or the reference power charge is varied in accordance with a change in time and the control unit displays the color display window in green when the actual power consumption amount or the actual power amount is less than the reference power consumption amount or the reference power amount Is displayed.

The control unit controls the color display window to be displayed in a yellow color when the actual power consumption amount or the actual power amount is in the same range as the reference power consumption amount or the reference power amount.

And the control unit controls the color display window to be displayed in red when the actual power consumption amount or the actual power charge exceeds the reference power consumption amount or the reference power cost.

Wherein the control unit issues a power consumption reduction operation command to the compressor or the defrost heater connected to the control unit so that the actual power consumption amount or the actual power charge exceeds the reference power consumption amount or the reference power cost .

And the control unit controls the display unit to display the electricity rate or the electric power saved due to the power consumption reduction operation.

The reference power consumption amount or the reference power fee may be,

A first reference power consumption amount or a first reference power consumption fee, the first reference power consumption amount being composed of an average value of power consumption or electric power charges used in a plurality of households serving as a power company or a customer of a power service company;

And a second reference power consumption amount or a second reference power consumption fee which is a setting criterion of a user's setting or a high-amount charging interval defined by the electric power company or the electric power service company.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of operating a power supply system, comprising the steps of: displaying on a display module an actual power consumption or an actual power charge at an electric power consumer, an externally provided reference electric power consumption or a reference electric power charge; Comparing said actual power consumption or actual power charge with said reference power consumption or said reference power fee; And displaying the result of the comparison on the display unit. The control method of the refrigerator includes the steps of:

Wherein the step of displaying the color information comprises: displaying the comparison result as a color,

As a result of comparison, when the actual power consumption amount or the actual power amount is less than the reference power consumption amount or the reference power amount, green is displayed on the display module,

If the actual power consumption or the actual power charge is in the same range as the reference power consumption amount or the reference power charge, the display module displays a yellow color,

And displaying a red color on the display module when the actual power consumption amount or the actual power cost exceeds the reference power consumption amount or the reference power cost.

And displaying the actual power consumption amount or the actual power cost, the reference power consumption amount, or the reference power cost on the display module by a graph or a number changing with time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to visually display the comparison result while real-time comparison is made between actual power consumption (or actual power charge) and reference power consumption amount (or reference power charge) There is an advantage that it can be easily recognized.

In addition, since the reference value is composed of a first reference value based on the average value of other assumptions or a second reference value that is a kind of target value, the user can compare the power use pattern of his / her home with the average power use pattern of other assumptions , And the ability of the user to know whether the power consumption (or the electric power charge) targeted by the user is being properly monitored.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
3 is an initial screen of a terminal of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the operating state and information of the refrigerator shown in the refrigerator terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a screen state of the terminal at the time of the power consumption reduction operation mode (or the refrigeration / freezing capability reduction operation mode) of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a state of the screen of the terminal at the time of the power consumption increasing operation mode (or the refrigeration / freezing capability increasing operation mode) of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing a trend of a change in electric power charge in a terminal of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
8 and 9 are control flow charts of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

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

1, a refrigerator 100 according to the present invention includes a main body 100a, a door 101b provided on the front of the main body, and a handle 100c mounted on the door.

The door 101b is provided with a dispenser 110 capable of taking out cold water or ice, and a terminal 200 capable of displaying information on the operating state of the refrigerator and information related to electric power charges or power consumption.

The terminal 200 is provided in the form of a terminal. Specifically, the terminal 200 preferably includes a display module 241 that displays predetermined information and can input a predetermined command by touch.

The display module 241 preferably includes a touch screen on which input and display can be simultaneously realized. However, it is also possible to provide a general display module having only a display function and a button-shaped input device provided separately from the display module.

The terminal 200 may be fixed to the front of the door or may be detachably attached to the terminal 200 so that the user can attach or detach the terminal 200 to or from the refrigerator as needed.

2, a refrigerator terminal 200 according to the present invention includes a communication unit 210, an audio / video (A / V) input unit 220, a user input unit 230, an output unit 240, 250, an interface unit 260, an RFID reader unit 270, a control unit 280, and a power supply unit 290. The components shown in Fig. 1 are not essential, so that the terminal 200 for a refrigerator having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The communication unit 210 may include one or more modules that enable Internet use in a refrigerator terminal 200, a wired or wireless communication system, or an internet network in which the refrigerator terminal 200 is located.

For example, the communication unit 210 may include a broadcast receiving module 211, a mobile communication module 212, an Internet module 213, and a local communication module 214.

Under the control of the controller 280, the broadcast receiving module 211 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel and reproduces the broadcast signals and / or broadcast- related information to the display module 241.

The mobile communication module 212 transmits and receives signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The signal may include various types of data depending on a voice signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The Internet module 213 is a module for a wired / wireless Internet access. Examples of the wireless Internet technology include a WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), a Wibro (Wireless broadband), a Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), or the like can be used.

The short range communication module 214 is a module for short range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 220 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 221 and a microphone 222.

The camera 221 processes an image display section such as a still image or moving image obtained by the image sensor in a video communication mode or a shooting mode. The processed image display portion can be displayed on the display module 241. [

The image data processed by the camera 221 may be stored in the memory 250 or may be transmitted to the outside through the communication unit 210. At least two cameras 221 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 222 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data.

The user input unit 230 generates input data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator terminal 200 by a user. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a direction key, a dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The output unit 240 is for generating output related to visual or auditory information, and may include a display module 241, an audio output module 242, and the like.

The display module 241 displays (outputs) information processed in the refrigerator terminal 200.

For example, when information related to the refrigerator terminal 200 and the refrigerator 100 is displayed, information related to the refrigerator 100 may be displayed in a form of a UI (User Interface) such as a widget, Interface.

The display module 241 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT) LCD, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) A flexible display, and a three-dimensional display (3D display).

The display module 241 may include a display module 241 and a display module 241. The display module 241 may include a display module 241 and a touch sensor It can also be used as an input device.

The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display module 241 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display module 241 to an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the control unit 280. Thus, the control unit 280 can know which area of the display module 241 is touched or the like.

The sound output module 242 outputs sound containing audio included in the memory 250 or outputs sound to inform the user of the operation state associated with the refrigerator 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The memory 250 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 280, and information related to operation of the refrigerator is stored.

In addition, the memory 250 can receive and store real-time power information according to the present invention.

Here, the electric power information includes information related to the change in the electric power rate change by time, the first reference electric power consumption amount and the first reference electric power amount by the time base in a typical home provided by the electric power company or the electric power service company.

The power information may be obtained through an external service server, a web server, or the like through the communication unit 210, or may be acquired from an external device through the interface unit 260. [

In addition, the memory 250 stores graphical data that provides the user with various visual effects of the power information.

The memory 250 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, an SD or XD memory A static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM) Magnetic disk, magnetic disk, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

The interface unit 260 serves as a channel with all the external devices connected to the refrigerator terminal 200. The interface unit 260 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the refrigerator terminal 200 or allows data in the refrigerator terminal 200 to be transmitted to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 260.

The controller 280 typically controls the overall operation of the terminal 200 for a refrigerator. At this time, the controller 280 may be a microprocessor in the refrigerator 100.

The power supply unit 290 receives the external power supplied from the power source of the refrigerator 100 or the interface unit 260 according to the control of the controller 280 and supplies power required for the operation of each component.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 280 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 250 and can be executed by the control unit 280. [

The controller 280 is connected to a compressor 310 or a defrost heater 320 provided in the main body of the refrigerator so as to be operated by the controller 320. The controller 280 controls the controller 280, It is possible to track and calculate the power consumption of the refrigerator consumed and the power consumption cost of the refrigerator.

3 is an initial screen displayed on the terminal according to the present invention. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the display module 241 is implemented as a touch screen.

On the initial screen, the current date, the family's schedule, and the current weather are displayed. On the right side thereof, the storage state of the stored product currently stored in the refrigerator is displayed.

Menu icons 330 for displaying various menus are displayed on the lower side of the display module 241 of the terminal 200. When a user touches one of the menu icons 330, Is displayed on the screen.

In this embodiment, when the user presses the menu icon indicated by Eco, a screen as shown in Fig. 4 appears. Here, the icon labeled Eco relates to a menu related to energy usage information of the refrigerator.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the electric power consumption of other electric appliances including the refrigerator, the total and the electric power charge information thereof, and the operating state of the refrigerator are displayed.

In the upper left corner, a predetermined draggable adjustment icon 400 is provided to adjust the operation state of the refrigerator. The adjustment icon 400 is moved along a movement path 410 provided to guide the movement of the adjustment icon 400.

One end of the movement path 410 represents the lowest power consumption of the refrigerator and the other end of the movement path 410 represents the maximum power consumption operation (High Performance).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user touches and drags the adjustment icon 400 and moves to one end of the movement path 410, the refrigerator is operated in such a manner that the power consumption of the refrigerator gradually decreases.

Accordingly, the target temperature inside the storage room (the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment) displayed in the status display window 420 of the refrigerator, which is lower than the portion where the control icon and its path are displayed, is higher than before.

In order to achieve this target temperature, the operation rate of the compressor (see FIG. 2) 310 is lower than that of the previous compressor, or the operation frequency thereof is decreased.

6, when the user touches the adjustment icon 400 and then drags the adjustment icon 400 to the other end of the movement path 410, the refrigerator is operated in such a direction that the power consumption of the refrigerator gradually increases, The target temperature inside the storage rooms (the refrigerating and freezing compartments) displayed on the status display window 420 of the display unit 420 is lower than before.

To achieve this target temperature, the operating rate or operating frequency of the compressor (see FIG. 2) 310 increases.

The status display window 420 also displays the status of the current compressor, and also displays a change in the operating status of the compressor by the operation of the control icon 410 described above.

A power information display window 430 is provided below one side of the status display window 420. The power information display window 430 includes a graph display unit 431 and a color display window 432. The graph display unit 431 displays, And a power consumption display window 433 for displaying the power consumption of the entire household and the power consumption of each of the appliances in numbers.

As shown in FIG. 7, the graph display unit 431 displays a change graph 431a of actual power consumption (or actual power charge) of the entire household. Then, a graph 431b showing a change in the average value of the electric power consumption (or electric power charge) of the electric power company or the electric power service company supplying electric power is displayed.

A straight line extending straight up and down in the graph display unit 431 is a time display line 500 indicating the current time.

Here, the change graph 431b of the average value of the power consumption (or the electric power charge) used in each home is provided by the electric power company or the electric power service company as described above. Based on the graph 431b, .

Therefore, hereinafter, the average value of the strategic consumption amount (or electric power charge) used in various households will be referred to as a first reference power consumption amount (or a first reference power consumption rate).

Here, the first reference power consumption amount (or the first reference power consumption amount) provided by the utility company is not fixed but may vary from day to day. The average reference consumption amount (or the first reference power consumption rate) Lt; / RTI >

A graph 431b of the actual power consumption amount (or power charge) graph 431a of the entire house and the first reference power consumption amount (or the first reference power rate) is displayed on the screen by the display module (see FIG. 6, Are overlapped with each other so that comparison at a glance is possible.

The reference line 600 is a second reference power amount set by a user or set by a utility company (or a second reference power rate) It is desirable to define a section in which a high-level charging section, that is, a section in which the power charge is remarkably higher than the reference line.

The comparison between the actual power consumption (or power charge) and the first reference power consumption (or first reference power charge) is a relative comparison between the user's home and another home using the first reference power consumption (or the first reference power charge) to be.

This allows users to easily see how their home's power consumption patterns are compared to other assumptions.

However, the second reference power consumption amount (or the second reference power charge) has a function of allowing the user to set the usage target value of the actual power consumption amount (or the actual power charge).

Thus, by comparing the second reference power consumption amount (or the second reference power consumption rate) with the actual power consumption amount (or the actual power consumption rate), it is possible to view the current power consumption pattern of the user's own home, If the set reference value is exceeded, the user can provide a motive to reduce the exceeded value by his or her own choice.

Here, the high-level billing section is defined as a section exceeding the reference line 600. Therefore, the reference line 600 becomes the lower limit of the high-level billing section.

That is, the first reference power consumption amount (or the first reference power fee) provides a kind of relative reference value, and the second reference power consumption amount (or the second reference power fee) provides an absolute reference value.

A color display window 432 is provided on one side of the graph display section 431 and is provided in the form of a traffic light including a red window 432a, a yellow window 432b and a green window 432c.

Thus, the reason why the color display window in the form of a traffic light is provided is that the power consumption (or electric power charge) in the current household exceeds or falls below the first reference power consumption amount (or the first reference electricity cost) This is to inform you of this condition.

In addition, a comparison result between the actual power consumption (or the power charge) and the second reference power consumption amount (or the second reference power charge) may be displayed using the color display window 432. [

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

First, the amount of power consumption of the refrigerator and the status information of the components (compressor, ice maker, etc.) are displayed on the display unit provided in the display module (S801).

In this state, it is determined whether there is an input for changing the operation mode of the refrigerator. Here, the input for changing the operation mode means that the user touches and drags the adjustment icon to change the position of the adjustment icon on the movement route, The hand will be dropped (S802).

If it is determined that a change in the position of the adjustment icon for changing the operation mode has occurred, it is determined whether the change in the position of the adjustment icon is related to an increase in refrigeration / refrigeration capability (or power consumption) of the refrigerator or decrease in the refrigerator ).

Here, the change of the position of the control icon for increasing the refrigerator / freezing capacity of the refrigerator will occur when the user judges that the refrigerator / refrigerator capacity of the refrigerator is insufficient or exceeds the criterion that he thinks.

 In the case where it relates to an increase in the refrigeration / refrigeration capacity (or power consumption) of the refrigerator, the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is set to be lowered and the target temperature set in the status window on the display unit of the display module is displayed (S804).

Then, the compression capacity is increased as the operation rate of the compressor or the operation frequency is increased, and information related thereto is displayed on the status display window (S805)

At the same time, the increased estimated power consumption is displayed so that the user can recognize this (S806).

On the other hand, if a control command is received in a direction in which the refrigeration / refrigeration capability is decreased in step S803, first, the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the refrigerating compartment is set to be increased, and the set target temperature is displayed on the status window (S807).

Then, the operation rate or the operating frequency of the compressor is set to be reduced so that the compression capacity of the compressor is set to be reduced, and the state display window shows a change in the operation capability of the compressor (S808).

Then, the expected power consumption to be reduced in the future is displayed by this control so that the user can know the change in the power consumption (S809).

The display module is provided with a power information display window (refer to FIG. 7, 430) as described above. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, a state corresponding to a change in the amount of power consumption Let's see how to control the display.

Here, the first reference power consumption amount (or the first reference power amount) and the second reference power consumption amount (or the second reference power amount) will be referred to as the reference power consumption amount (or the reference power amount).

As shown in Fig. 9, when the refrigerator is first operated (S801) and the electric power starts to be consumed, the current actual electric power consumption amount (or actual electric power charge) is lower than the reference electric power consumption amount Or in the same range or in excess (S802).

If it is judged that it is not enough, light enters the green window (refer to FIG. 7, 432c) provided in the color display window (see FIG. 7, 432) and green light is displayed on the outside (S903).

Through this, the user can easily recognize that the power consumption or power charge in his / her home is lower than other assumptions.

When the result of the determination in step S802 is in the same range, light enters the yellow window (see FIG. 7, 432b) of the color display window (see FIG. 7) 432 and yellow light (S904).

Here, the same range is preferably defined as a range of about 95 to 100% of a reference power consumption amount (or a reference power fee), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the range may be changed depending on the situation.

Thus, if the actual power consumption (or actual power charge) in the home is in the range of 95 to 100% of the reference power consumption (or the reference power charge), the yellow window will light up and alert the user .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that the actual power consumption (or the actual power charge) in the home exceeds the reference power consumption amount (or the reference power charge), in order to inform the user of the excess state in a noticeable manner A red window of the color display window (refer to FIG. 7, 432) (see FIG. 7, 432a) comes in and a red light is displayed on the outside (S905).

Thus, the user can easily recognize that the consumption state of the current power is out of the ordinary household power consumption pattern.

When the refrigerator is operated in a state where the red light is displayed on the color display window as described above, when the refrigerator is operated with the power consumption exceeding the power consumption state, the power management program It is determined whether the power consumption reduction operation is set (S906).

If it is determined that the power consumption reduction operation has been set, a command is issued to the refrigerator to decrease the operation rate or the operating frequency of the compressor, or to reduce the power consumption in defrosting operation of the defrost heater (S907).

If the power consumption reduction operation is set for other electric appliances other than the refrigerator, each appliance will be controlled in such a direction as to reduce the current power consumption according to the setting.

In this state, the current actual power consumption (or the actual power charge) in real time is compared with the reference power consumption amount (or the reference power charge), and the result is displayed with different color light as described above.

200: Refrigerator terminal 210:
211: broadcast receiving module 212: mobile communication module
213: Internet module 214: Local area communication module
220: A / V input unit 221: camera
222: microphone 230: user input
240: output unit 241: display module
242: sound output module 250: memory
260: interface unit 270: RFID reader unit
280: control unit 290: power supply unit
330: Menu icon 400: Adjustment icon
410: travel path 420: status display window
430: Power information display window 431: Graph display section
432: color display window 433: power consumption display window

Claims (12)

A display module which is provided in the refrigerator and displays a comparison result between the actual power consumption amount at the current power consumption site, the reference power consumption amount provided from the outside, and the comparison result therebetween;
A communication unit for receiving an external reference power consumption amount;
The display module A display unit, and a communication unit, wherein the actual power consumption amount at the current power consumption site is compared with the reference power consumption amount, and each data value is displayed on the display unit, and the comparison result is displayed by a plurality of different colors And a control unit for controlling the display unit to be displayed,
Wherein the reference power consumption amount is a first reference power consumption amount composed of an average value of power consumption used in various households; A second reference power consumption amount that is a setting reference of a user's setting or a high-cost charging interval defined by a utility company,
Wherein the display unit displays a graph of a change in an actual power consumption amount at a current power demand site, a graph indicating a first reference power consumption amount, and a reference line indicating a second reference power consumption amount in an overlapped and comparable manner,
The display module displays a color display window for displaying the actual power consumption amount in each case where the actual power consumption amount is less than or equal to or exceeds the reference power consumption amount of either the first reference power consumption amount or the second reference power consumption amount ,
Wherein the control unit commands the compressor or the defrost heater connected to the controller to reduce the power consumption so that the actual power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the color display window is configured to display green, yellow, and red colors. The method of claim 3,
The reference power consumption amount is varied in accordance with a change in time,
Wherein the control unit controls the color display window to be displayed in green when the actual power consumption amount is less than the reference power consumption amount. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit controls the color display window to display a yellow color when the actual power consumption amount is in the same range as the reference power consumption amount. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit controls the color display window to be displayed in red when the actual power consumption amount exceeds the reference power consumption amount. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display a reduced electric power or an amount of electric power due to the reduced power consumption operation. delete Displaying on the display module an actual power consumption amount at a power consumer and an externally provided reference power consumption amount;
Comparing the actual power consumption with the reference power consumption;
After the comparison, The display module Displaying on a display unit;
And a power consumption reduction operation command to the compressor or the defrost heater so as to reduce the actual power consumption amount when the actual power consumption amount exceeds the reference power consumption amount,
Wherein the reference power consumption amount is a first reference power consumption amount composed of an average value of power consumption used in various households; A second reference power consumption amount that is a setting reference of a user's setting or a high-cost charging interval defined by a utility company,
After the comparison, The display module A graph representing a change graph of an actual power consumption amount at a current power consumption site, a graph indicating a first reference power consumption amount, and a reference line indicating a second reference power consumption amount are overlapped and displayed in a comparable manner,
After the comparison, The display module The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of displaying on the display unit, the actual power consumption amount is less than or equal to the reference power consumption amount of either the first reference power consumption amount or the second reference power consumption amount, And displaying the color information on the color display window using color information. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the step of displaying the color information comprises: displaying the comparison result as a color,
As a result of comparison, when the actual power consumption is less than the reference power consumption amount, green is displayed on the display module,
If the actual power consumption amount is in the same range as the reference power consumption amount, a yellow color is displayed on the display module,
And displaying a red color on the display module when the actual power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption amount. 11. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising the step of displaying the actual power consumption amount and the reference power consumption amount on the display module by a number changing with time.
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KR1020100016207A KR101728721B1 (en) 2010-02-23 2010-02-23 A refrigerator comprising a terminal and a control method thereof
PCT/KR2011/001209 WO2011105768A2 (en) 2010-02-23 2011-02-23 Refrigerator including a terminal, and method for controlling same
US13/580,422 US9353990B2 (en) 2010-02-23 2011-02-23 Refrigerator including a terminal, and method for controlling same
US15/143,051 US10055117B2 (en) 2010-02-23 2016-04-29 Refrigerator including a terminal to provide content related to the refrigerator

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CN102927777B (en) * 2012-10-24 2015-01-07 海尔集团公司 Control method of refrigerator display device and display device
CN103968637A (en) * 2013-02-04 2014-08-06 福建新大陆电脑股份有限公司 Cloud freezer with function of remote temperature monitoring
CN103216995B (en) * 2013-04-26 2015-03-25 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 System control method of refrigerator with sleep function and refrigerator
KR20160010093A (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-01-27 삼성전자주식회사 Home appliance, a controller for controlling the home appliance, system for controlling a home appliance using the controller, method of controlling the home appliance and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

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