KR20110096775A - A refrigerator comprising a terminal and a control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a terminal capable of easily displaying external information or messages related to family members and informing the corresponding members thereof, and a control method thereof.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including: a touch screen displaying predetermined information and receiving an input signal by a touch; A communication unit for communicating with the outside to transmit / receive predetermined information; And a control unit connected to the communication unit and the touch screen to control an external message or information received from the communication unit to be displayed on the display unit.

Description

A refrigerator comprising a terminal and a control method

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a terminal and a method of controlling the same. Specifically, a refrigerator having a terminal capable of easily displaying external information or messages related to family members and informing the corresponding members thereof; The control method is related.

Refrigerators are home appliances that can easily store or freeze storage such as food using a refrigerant cycle.

A typical refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a door that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment, and a dispenser provided in the door to extract ice or water.

The door of the conventional refrigerator is provided with a display device that can display information such as the operation state of the refrigerator, that is, the temperature of the refrigerating or freezing chamber or whether ice is frozen or the like, so that the user can be informed of such information.

However, according to the trend of smart home appliances, in addition to the information of the home appliances themselves, the necessity of the display apparatus of the home appliances to provide information necessary for the user, and on the other hand, function as a kind of communication means or a notification means to inform the user. This was raised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to meet this need, and has a refrigerator and a control unit having a terminal for displaying various information provided to the user from the outside, and notifying the user individually of such information according to the user's needs. The purpose is to provide a method.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a touch screen for displaying predetermined information and receiving an input signal by the touch; A communication unit for communicating with the outside to transmit / receive predetermined information; And a control unit connected to the communication unit and the touch screen and controlling to display an external message or information received from the communication unit on the display unit.

The control unit controls the message or information to be stored in a predetermined memo board when the user touches the touch screen to give a storage command for a message or information displayed on the touch screen, and continuously displays the message or information on the memo board. Characterized in that.

When a new message or information is received and a storage command is input on the touch screen, the controller controls the newly stored message or information to be located before the existing message or information stored and displayed on the memo board.

The control unit may drag and drop the information or message displayed on the memo board while the user touches it and move the corresponding information or message to the dropped position.

Includes a storage folder for each family member displayed on one side of the memo board,

When the user drags a message or information displayed on the memo board and moves the message or information to the storage folder, the controller controls the message or information to move to the storage folder.

In the storage folder for each family member

Includes a communication device icon that displays each member's personal communication device.

When the user drags and drops a specific message or information onto the communication device icon, the control unit controls the message or information to be transmitted to the personal communication device of the member by the communication unit.

In the storage folder for each family member

Includes a schedule icon that displays a list of personal schedules for each member.

When the user drags and drops a specific message or information onto the schedule icon, the controller controls the corresponding message or information to be input to the individual schedule list.

When the message or information dragged and dropped onto the schedule icon is related to a specific schedule, the controller controls the message or information to be input on a date corresponding to the schedule among the dates in the schedule list.

Specific message or information is saved in each member's storage folder.

If the corresponding message or information is not confirmed by the member, it is characterized in that the storage of the new message or information in the storage folder.

In addition, the present invention comprises the steps of displaying a new message or information on the touch screen including the display and the input unit; If there is an input of a command to store the displayed message or information, storing and displaying it on a predetermined memo board; When dragging and dropping the message or information stored in the memoboard and displayed to the storage folder for each member, it provides a control method of a refrigerator having a terminal comprising the step of moving to the storage folder.

If there is an existing message or information stored in the memo board, the new stored message or information is characterized in that it comprises the step of displaying in front of the existing stored message or information.

The storage folder includes a communication device icon representing a personal communication device for each member, and when the user drags a specific message or information on the memo board and drops it onto the communication device icon, the message or information is stored by the individual member of the specific member. And transmitting to the communication device.

The storage folder includes a schedule icon representing a schedule list for each member. When the user drags a message or information displayed on the memo board and related to a specific schedule and drops the message or information to the schedule icon, the message or information is specified. And automatically storing the date on the schedule list corresponding to the schedule.

If the user drags a specific message or information to a specific storage folder of each member adjacent within a predetermined distance, the communication device icon or the schedule icon that is hidden and stored in the storage folder is displayed unfolded; Characterized in that.

According to the present invention, the user can receive a new message or information from the outside through the terminal of the refrigerator. This increases the convenience of the user.

In addition, the message displayed on the refrigerator terminal can be moved to an individual storage folder to transmit its contents to an individual or to a personal schedule board or memo board. Through this, it is possible to promptly deliver the message, and there is an advantage that the individual can keep the message or information delivered.

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.
Figure 3 is an initial screen displayed on the terminal of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a new message display screen displayed on the terminal of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a memo board displayed on the terminal of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
Figure 6 shows that the message is dragged and dropped on the icon of the storage folder in the terminal of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
Figure 7 shows that the message is transmitted to the personal communication device in the terminal of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
8 is a view illustrating a message related to a schedule displayed on a schedule calendar which is a type of schedule board in a terminal of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
9 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

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

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

The door 101b is provided with a dispenser 110 capable of extracting cold water or ice, and a terminal 200 capable of displaying operation state information of the refrigerator and information related to power rates or power consumption.

The terminal 200 is provided in the form of a terminal. Specifically, the terminal 200 may include a display module 241 for displaying predetermined information and inputting a predetermined command by a touch.

The display module 241 may be configured as a touch screen in which an input and a display may be simultaneously implemented. However, it is also possible to have a general display module having only a display function and a button type input device provided separately from the display module.

The terminal 200 may be fixed to the front of the door, or provided detachably, so that the user may attach or remove the terminal 200 to a refrigerator as needed.

2, the refrigerator terminal 200 according to the present invention includes a communication unit 210, an A / V input unit 220, a user input unit 230, an output unit 240, and a memory ( 250, an interface unit 260, an RFID reader unit 270, a controller 280, a power supply unit 290, and the like. Since the components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, the refrigerator terminal 200 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 the Internet to be used between the refrigerator terminal 200 and the wireless communication system or in 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, a short range communication module 214, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 211 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel and reproduces it on the display module 241 under the control of the controller 280.

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

The internet module 213 refers to a module for wired / wireless internet access. The wireless internet technologies include wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) or the like may be used.

The short range communication module 214 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The A / V 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 image information such as still images or moving images obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image information may be displayed on the display module 241.

The image data processed by the camera 221 may be stored in the memory 250 or transmitted to the outside through the communication unit 210. Two or more cameras 221 may be provided according to a usage environment.

The microphone 222 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data.

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

The output unit 240 is used to generate an output related to visual or audio, and may include a display module 241 and a sound output module 242.

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

For example, when displaying information related to the refrigerator terminal 200 and the refrigerator 100, information related to the refrigerator 100 may be displayed in a form of a widget (UI) or a user interface (GUI) such as a widget or an icon. Interface).

As described above, the display module 241 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), The display device may include at least one of a flexible display and a 3D display.

When the display module 241 and a sensor for detecting a touch motion (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter, referred to as a touch screen), the display module 241 may be used in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device.

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

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

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 280. As a result, the controller 280 may determine which area of the display module 241 is touched.

The sound output module 242 outputs data including audio included in the memory 250 or outputs sound for notifying a user of an operation state associated with the refrigerator 100. The sound 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 stores information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

In addition, the memory 250 may store a message or information received from the outside according to the present invention, and includes a storage folder for each family member to be described later.

 In addition, the memory 250 stores graphic data that provides the user with various visual effects.

As described above, 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). Etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPEROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), At least one type of storage medium may include a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

The interface unit 260 serves as a path to all external devices connected to the refrigerator terminal 200. The interface unit 260 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the refrigerator terminal 200, or transmits data inside the refrigerator terminal 200 to an external device.

For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 260.

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

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

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented 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 include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions.

 In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the controller 280 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

 Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 250 and executed by the controller 280.

3 is an initial screen shown in the terminal 200 according to the present invention.

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

In addition, menu icons 330 for displaying various menus are disclosed on the lower side of the screen of the touch screen 210 of the terminal. When a user touches any one of these menu icons 330, information related to the menu is displayed on the screen. Will float on.

In this embodiment, when a user presses a menu icon labeled Memo Board to open a memo board for storing various information and messages, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

Here, the menu icon labeled Memo Board displays various information provided from the outside, and provides a path for transferring the displayed information to each member.

As shown in FIG. 4, when an icon labeled Memo Board is pressed, an externally provided new message 350 is displayed on the touch screen 241, and the new message 350 is stored in the memo board. Yes key (351) and No key (352) which can select whether or not is displayed.

Here, when the user touches the Yes key 351, the new message 350 is stored and displayed on the memo board 400 as shown in FIG.

In order to facilitate recognition of the new message 350, the new message 350 may be displayed before the conventional message previously displayed on the memo board 400.

Meanwhile, after the user touches and drags a specific message provided on the memo board 400 to move the position, and releases (or drops) the touch state, the position is different from the initial position by stopping at the final moving position. Can be changed to a location.

One side of the memo board 400 is provided with a storage folder 500 assigned to each member of the family, the storage folder 500 is preferably implemented in the shape of the shape of each member.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, each storage folder 500 includes a communication device icon 510 for displaying a communication device and a schedule icon 520 for displaying a schedule for each member.

The icons 510 and 520 are normally hidden in the storage folder 500, and when the user touches and drags a message on the memo board 400 to approach the storage folder 500, the storage folder 500 is closed. Is opened and the icons 510 and 520 are displayed.

The icons 510 and 520 may be spread laterally even when the user touches the storage folder 500 by hand. This is to allow the user to check the contents stored in his storage folder 500.

In the present exemplary embodiment, only the communication device icon 510 and the schedule icon 520 are included in the storage folder 500. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and icons having other functions may be provided.

When the user drags a message or information provided on the memo board 400 toward the communication device icon 520 and drops it, the message or information dropped by the communication unit is stored as shown in FIG. 7. It is transmitted to the member's communication device corresponding to the folder 500, for example, a mobile phone.

That is, the message is transmitted to the mobile phone by SMS in the form of SMS, and the transmitted message is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone of the member.

Meanwhile, a specific message is moved to the storage folder 500 and dropped on the communication device icon 510 to be sent to a specific communication device, or dropped on the schedule icon 520 to store a message content on a schedule board. In this case, a new message display window 600 is generated above the storage folder 500, and the new message display window 600 displays a quantity of newly dropped messages in the storage folder 500.

If the message on the memo board 400 is dragged and dropped onto the schedule icon 520 in the screen shown in FIG. 6, the message is input to the individual schedule board. Here, the schedule board may be embodied as a schedule list or a schedule calendar.

8 illustrates a schedule calendar. When a message dropped after being dragged to the schedule icon 520 is related to a specific schedule, the schedule is preferably input to the schedule calendar.

The input schedule may be written in the form of an icon 710 or in the form of a simple memo to facilitate recognition of the user.

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

First, when a new message or information is received through the communication unit (S901), the controller determines whether the user has commanded to store the new message or information in the memo board (S902).

If a storage command is given, a new message or information is displayed on the memo board (S903). At this time, as described above, it is preferable that the new message or information is displayed first as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, it is determined whether the message or information displayed on the memo board is moved to a storage folder assigned to a specific individual (S904), and in such a case, a plurality of icons included in the storage folder of the specific individual are unfolded and displayed (S905). .

In this case, the icons may include a communication device icon 510 or a schedule icon 520 as disclosed in FIG. 6, may be a personal notepad icon, or may include other icons.

Then, it is determined whether the dragged message or information is dropped on the icon (S906), and if the dropped place is dropped on the personal notepad icon or the schedule icon, the message dropped on the personal notepad or the schedule board (schedule list or schedule calendar). Or the information is stored.

In this case, it is determined whether the dropped message or information is related to a specific schedule (S908). Enter the relevant information.

This is controlled in such a way that the date and contents described in the message or information are retrieved and the contents are written in the date on the schedule board corresponding to the date (S909).

On the other hand, if the message or information dragged in step S906 is dropped on the communication device icon to transmit the dropped message or information to the communication device of the individual so that the user can know the contents of the message (S910).

After step S909 or S910, a new message display window is displayed to indicate that new messages or information are dropped in the corresponding storage folder and written on the schedule board or personal memo board or transmitted to the communication device (S911).

Through this process, each user can know that a new message or information has arrived or has been sent to him.

200: refrigerator terminal 210: communication unit
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 unit
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 350: New message
400: memo board 500: storage folder
510: communication device icon 520: schedule icon
600: New Message Display Window 700: Schedule Calendar

Claims (14)

A touch screen displaying predetermined information and receiving an input signal by a touch;
A communication unit for communicating with the outside to transmit / receive predetermined information;
And a control unit connected to the communication unit and the touch screen to control an external message or information received from the communication unit to be displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls the message or information to be stored in a predetermined memo board when the user touches the touch screen to give a storage command for a message or information displayed on the touch screen, and continuously displays the message or information on the memo board. Refrigerator having a terminal, characterized in that. The method of claim 2,
The controller, when a new message or information is received and a storage command is input on the touch screen, controls the newly stored message or information to be located before the existing message or information stored and displayed on the memo board. Refrigerator with. The method of claim 1,
The control unit is a refrigerator having a terminal, characterized in that the user drags and drags the information or message displayed on the memo board to the dropped position when the information or message is dropped. The method of claim 4, wherein
Includes a storage folder for each family member displayed on one side of the memo board,
When the user drags a message or information displayed on the memo board to move to the storage folder, the controller controls the message or information to move to the storage folder. The method of claim 5,
In the storage folder for each family member
Includes a communication device icon that displays each member's personal communication device.
When the user drags and drops a specific message or information onto the communication device icon, the control unit controls the communication unit to transmit the message or information to a personal communication device of the corresponding member. . The method of claim 5,
In the storage folder for each family member
Includes a schedule icon that displays a list of personal schedules for each member.
The control unit, if the user drags and drops a specific message or information to the schedule icon, the refrigerator comprising a terminal characterized in that the control to input the message or information into the individual schedule list. The method of claim 7, wherein
If the message or information dragged and dropped onto the schedule icon is related to a specific schedule, the controller controls the terminal to input the corresponding message or information on a date corresponding to the schedule among the dates in the schedule list. Full fridge. The method of claim 5,
Specific message or information is saved in each member's storage folder.
And storing a new message or information in the storage folder if the corresponding message or information is not confirmed by the member. Displaying new messages or information on a touch screen including a display unit and an input unit;
If there is an input of a command to store the displayed message or information, storing and displaying it on a predetermined memo board;
And dragging and dropping the message or information stored and displayed on the memo board to a storage folder for each member, and moving the message or information to the corresponding storage folder. The method of claim 10,
If there is an existing message or information stored in the memo board, the new stored message or information comprises the step of displaying in front of the existing stored message or information. The method of claim 10,
The storage folder includes a communication device icon representing a personal communication device for each member,
When a user drags a specific message or information on the memo board and drops it to the communication device icon, the message or information is transmitted to a personal communication device of a specific member. Control method. The method of claim 10,
The storage folder includes a schedule icon representing a schedule list for each member,
When the user drags a message or information displayed on the memoboard and is related to a specific schedule and drops it to the schedule icon, the message or information is automatically stored as a date on the schedule list corresponding to the specific schedule. Control method of a refrigerator having a terminal, characterized in that The method according to claim 12 or 13,
If the user drags a specific message or information to a specific storage folder of each member adjacent within a predetermined distance, the communication device icon or the schedule icon that is hidden and stored in the storage folder is displayed unfolded; Control method of a refrigerator having a terminal, characterized in that.

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