KR20150008646A - Apparatus for controlling of showcase and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a showcase control device and a showcase control method capable of controlling the door of a showcase to be transparent or opaque according to intention of use, capable of preventing the showcase from being exposed to direct sunlight, and capable of improving energy efficiency. According to the present invention, a showcase control device comprises: a detecting part detecting a user in order to determine intention of using a showcase; a control part determining the intention of use according to a detection signal output from the detecting part, and controlling the operations of a door glass and an LED lighting according to the determined intention of use; a door glass operating part operating the door glass to be transparent or opaque according to the control of the control part; and an LED lighting operating part controlling the LED lighting in a showroom to be turned on or off according to the control of the control part. According to the present invention, the door of the showcase can be controlled to be transparent or opaque according to the intention of use, so the showroom of the showcase can be prevented from being exposed to the direct sunlight when the showcase is not used, thereby improving energy efficiency. In addition, the LED lighting in the showroom can be controlled to be operated according to the intention of use, thereby preventing the waste of electric power.

Description

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a showcase control apparatus,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a showcase control, and more particularly, to a showcase control device for controlling the door of a showcase to be transparent / opaque according to intention of use, preventing exposure to direct sunlight, It is about the method.

Typically, a showcase is used to display items in the showroom without opening the doors while displaying the items in the showroom. Such a showcase can be various for refrigeration, freezing, open without a door.

The prior art for the showcase is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2009-0053727 (2009.05.27.) And Patent Document 2: Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2013-0061345 (2013.06 11) Disclosure.

Patent Document 1 disclosed in the prior art has a control device for controlling a plurality of showcases for illuminating the inside of a showroom where a product is displayed with an LED illuminating device and is installed in a showcase And a lighting sensor illuminates the illumination of all the LED lighting devices of the plurality of showcases when the human sensing sensor senses the approach of a person. As a result, the LED illumination device capable of ensuring a predetermined illuminance even in a low-temperature environment realizes appropriate illumination with high effect of directing.

Patent Document 2 discloses a conventional art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-229059, which includes a human body sensing unit for sensing a human body located in the vicinity of a display unit, a lighting unit provided on a rim of a display unit, And when the customer approaches the interaction showcase, it lights according to the customer's movement route so that the light follows the customer's movement route.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0053727 (Published on May 27, 2009) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0061345 (published on June 11, 2013)

However, the conventional showcase according to the related art has an advantage in that it can control the lighting direction by sensing the human body, but it has a problem that it is impossible to increase the energy efficiency by controlling the driving (on / off) of the entire illumination depending on the human body .

Also, the conventional technology and the general showcase can not prevent the damage due to the exposure of direct sunlight. In particular, refrigeration, freezing and open type showcases do not have a separate function that can block direct sunlight from the outside, and the direct sunlight enters the showcase as it is and increases the internal temperature. As a result, the driving amount of the fan for circulating cool air is increased, which causes waste of energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and provide a showcase control device and a method thereof that can control a door of a showcase to be transparent or opaque according to intention of use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a showcase control apparatus and method which can prevent exposure of a showroom display room to direct sunlight to improve energy efficiency.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a showcase control device and method for controlling the driving of an LED lighting device provided in a display room according to intention of use to prevent power waste.

In order to achieve the above object, a showcase control device according to the present invention includes a sensing unit for sensing a user to determine an intention to use a showcase; A control unit for determining an intention to use according to the sensing signal output from the sensing unit and controlling driving of the door glass and the LED lighting according to the determined intention to use; A door glass driving unit for operating the door glass in a transparent or opaque state under the control of the control unit; And an LED lighting driver for controlling lighting of the LED lighting provided in the showroom under the control of the controller.

The sensing unit may include a human body sensor for sensing a human body.

The sensing unit may include a capacitive sensor that generates a sensing signal by changing a capacitance of the handle when the touch is made.

In this case, when a sensing signal is generated by the sensing unit, a control signal for operating the door glass in a transparent manner, a control signal for lighting the LED lighting, a control signal for stopping the fan for circulating the cool air, And generates a control signal for performing the control.

The door glass driving unit operates the door glass in a transparent state when the control signal generated by the control unit is a use signal and operates the door glass in an opaque state when the control signal is an unused signal.

The LED lighting driver may turn on the LED lighting if the control signal generated by the controller is a use signal, and turn off the LED lighting if the control signal is an unused signal.

Further, the showcase control device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a fan driving unit for controlling the driving of the fan for circulating cool air according to the fan control signal generated by the control unit, And stops driving the fan.

Further, the showcase control apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature inside the showcase, and the control unit controls the driving of the fan for circulating cool air according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit .

Further, the showcase control device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an advertisement unit for sending or blocking the advertisement to the door glass under the control of the control unit, And if advertisement is determined to be used, advertisement transmission is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of controlling a showcase according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) performing initialization and judging an intention to use when power is initially supplied; (b) operating the door glass in an opaque state if it is determined that the door glass is not used; (c) sending an advertisement through the door glass when an advertisement occurs while the door glass is operated in an opaque state; (d) terminating the advertisement transmission when it is determined to be used in the step (a), and operating the door glass in a transparent state; (e) stopping the fan driving after turning on the door glass in a transparent state and lighting the LED lighting.

In the step (b), the door glass is operated in an opaque state and the LED illumination is turned off.

Further, the showcase control method according to the present invention further includes the step of: (f) detecting the indoor temperature of the showcase in a state of controlling the door glass in an opaque state, and controlling the driving of the fan for circulating cold air according to the detected temperature .

According to the present invention, the door of the showcase can be controlled to be transparent / opaque according to the intended use, and the exhibition room of the showcase can be prevented from being exposed to the direct sunlight, thereby improving the energy efficiency.

According to the present invention, it is possible to control the driving of the LED lighting device provided in the showroom according to the intention of use, and to prevent power waste by turning off the LED lighting when not in use.

1 is a block diagram of a showcase control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the state of the showcase door glass according to the intention of the present invention,
3 is a flowchart showing a showcase control method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a showcase control apparatus and method according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

≪ Example 1 >

1 is a block diagram of a showcase control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The showcase control apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing unit 101, an operation unit 102, a temperature detection unit 103, a power supply unit 112, a control unit 104, a door glass driving unit 106, a door glass 105 A LED driving unit 108, a fan 109, a fan driving unit 110, an advertising unit 111, a memory 113, a door 120, and a handle 121. [

The power supply unit 112 serves to supply driving power to the showcase.

The sensing unit 101 senses a user to determine an intention to use the showcase. The sensing unit 101 includes a human body sensing sensor for sensing a human body, a capacitance sensing unit Sensors, and the like. Here, the human body detection sensor is preferably installed at a position for detecting a user in front of the showcase. As the human body detection sensor, an ordinary human body detection sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a motion detection sensor, or a camera can be used.

The control unit 104 determines the intention to use according to the sensing signal output from the sensing unit 101 and controls the driving of the door glass and the LED lighting according to the determined intention to use. When a sensing signal is generated by the sensing unit 101, the control unit 104 controls a control signal for operating the door glass 105 to be transparent, a control signal for lighting the LED lighting, ) And a control signal for stopping the advertisement transmission. Here, the control unit 104 is preferably implemented as a control device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a controller, and the like.

The operation unit 102 means an input device for an operation such as a user setting a temperature inside a showcase or artificially turning off the operation of a showcase.

The door glass driving unit 106 serves to operate the door glass 105 in a transparent or opaque state under the control of the control unit 104. [ Here, the door glass driving unit 106 operates the door glass 105 in a transparent state when the control signal generated by the control unit 104 is a use signal and controls the door glass 105 in an opaque state when the control signal is an unused signal .

Here, the door glass 105 is a glass formed by bonding an ITO film (a film of a transparent material while conducting electricity) between a glass and a glass and a liquid crystal. When the electricity is supplied, the glass becomes transparent. When the electricity is not supplied, the glass becomes opaque. it means. It is a functional glass that can even double-sided screen function.

The LED lighting driving unit 108 controls lighting of the LED lighting 107 provided in the display room under the control of the control unit 104. The LED lighting driver 108 turns on the LED lighting 107 when the control signal generated by the controller 104 is a use signal and turns off the LED lighting 107 when the control signal is an unused signal do. At least one LED lighting 107 is preferably provided inside the showcase.

The fan driving unit 110 controls the driving of the fan 109 for circulating the cool air according to the fan control signal generated by the controller 104. The fan driving unit 110 stops driving the fan 109 when it is determined that the user intends to use the fan 109, thereby preventing the cool air from leaking when the user opens the door 120 of the showcase.

The temperature detecting unit 103 serves to detect the indoor temperature of the showcase, and it is preferable to use a normal temperature sensor. The controller 104 controls the operation of the fan 109 for circulating cool air according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector 103. The method of controlling the operation of the fan 109 according to the detected temperature may include storing the fan control table according to the temperature in the memory 113 and controlling the operation of the fan 109 based on the stored temperature control table.

The advertisement unit 111 transmits or blocks the advertisement to the door glass 105 under the control of the control unit 104. [ The advertisement unit 111 terminates the advertisement delivery when it is determined that the user intends to use the advertisement, and performs the advertisement delivery if the advertisement unit 111 determines that the advertisement is not used. The advertisement unit 111 preferably uses a conventional advertisement apparatus that sends advertisements to a liquid crystal screen such as a glass.

The operation of the showcase controller according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B.

First, the power source unit 112 converts the supplied power source into a power source suitable for use in a showcase, and supplies driving power to the control unit 104 as well as a portion requiring power.

When the power is supplied, the control unit 104 performs initialization and performs a control operation of the showcase according to the detection result of the sensing unit 101.

For example, the sensing unit 101 senses a user by using a human body sensor, a capacitance sensor, and the like, and transmits the sensed result to the controller 104. The control unit 104 analyzes the detection result generated by the sensing unit 101 and determines that the user does not intend to use the showcase in the case of not the user sensing signal (non-use state), and outputs the door glass opaque state operation control signal, An LED lighting off control signal, and an advertisement generation control signal. In addition, in the non-use state in which the showcase is not intended to be used, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit 103 is compared with the temperature set by the user through the operation unit 102 to control the driving of the fan for circulating the cool air.

The door glass driving unit 106 operates the door glass 105 in an opaque state according to the door glass opaque state operation control signal. Here, the opaque state control of the door glass 105 is performed by cutting off the power source for driving the door glass 105, which can be implemented simply. Here, the door glass 105 means a functional glass formed on the door 120 as described above.

2A shows a case where the door glass 105 is in an opaque state. In this opaque state, the door glass 105 reflects the direct sunlight even when the direct sunlight shines on the showcase, thereby blocking direct sunlight from entering the showcase . It is possible to prevent the interior temperature of the showcase from becoming high due to the interruption of the direct sunlight in the opaque state of the door glass 105. [ Therefore, the driving time of the fan 109 for circulating cool air can be reduced, and power consumption can be minimized. That is, when the showcase is not used, the door glass 105 is made opaque to block direct sunlight, thereby minimizing power consumption and improving energy efficiency.

Also, in the unused state of the showcase as described above, the LED lighting driver 108 turns off the LED lighting 107 provided in the showcase according to the LED lighting off control signal generated by the controller 104, . When the actual showcase is not used, it is not necessary to use the LED illumination. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the power consumption by turning off the LED illumination.

In addition, in the unused state of the showcase as described above, the advertisement unit 111 transmits an advertisement to the door glass 105 according to the advertisement generation control signal of the control unit 104 so that the showcase can perform the advertisement. Such an advertisement can not be said to be effective when the number of users is small as in the case of the home, but it can be expected to be effective when there are a large number of users such as a branch office or a company.

When the user approaches the showcase or the user touches the showcase knob 121 in order to use the showcase or in the state where the showcase is not used and the user is not detected as described above, Detects the user and transmits the detected user to the control unit 104.

The control unit 104 analyzes the sensing result generated from the sensing unit 101 and determines that the user intends to use the showcase in the case of the user sensing signal (use state), and outputs the door glass transparent state operation control signal, A lighting control signal, and an advertisement end control signal. And generates a fan drive stop control signal for stopping the fan 109 for circulating cool air in the use state where the showcase is intended to be used.

The door glass driving unit 106 operates the door glass 105 in a transparent state in accordance with the door glass transparent state operation control signal. Here, the transparent state control of the door glass 105 supplies power for driving the door glass 105, which can be implemented simply.

FIG. 2B shows a case where the door glass 105 is in a transparent state. In this case, the user of the showcase can visually check the contents displayed inside the showcase without opening the door 102.

In addition, in the use state of the showcase as described above, the LED lighting driver 108 lights the LED lighting 107 provided in the showcase according to the LED lighting lighting control signal generated in the control unit 104. [ According to the lighting of the LED lighting 107, the user can confirm the products displayed in the showroom inside the showcase, and can avoid withdrawing the products displayed inside the showcase or displaying the products inside the showcase.

Also, in the use state of the showcase as described above, the advertisement unit 111 ends the advertisement to be sent to the door glass 105 in accordance with the advertisement end control signal of the control unit 104. In the case where the actual door glass 105 is in a transparent state, it is difficult to confirm the commodity displayed on the inside of the showcase by the advertisement if the advertisement is transmitted. In this case, it is preferable to terminate the advertisement delivery.

In the state of using the showcase as described above, the fan driving unit 110 stops driving the fan 109 for circulating the cool air, thereby preventing the cool air from flowing out. Here, the cold air circulating fan 109 serves to circulate the cold air inside the showcase. If the cold air circulating fan 109 operates in a state where the door 102 is opened, the generated cold air circulates, Out. In this case, the driving time of the fan for circulating the cool air is increased during the temperature control at a later time, resulting in a waste of electric power. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the user senses the operation of the fan 109 for circulating cool air, the cool air inside the showcase can be prevented from flowing out to the outside through the opened door.

On the other hand, there may be cases where the user does not use the showcase but stays around the showcase (within the sensing area) for a long time. In this case, the driving of the fan 109 for a long period of time is stopped, and the cool air circulation is not properly performed, so that the role of the showcase may not be properly performed. In this case, although not shown in FIG. 1, door detection means is provided in the present invention, and the driving of the fan 109 for circulation of cool air is stopped only when the door 120 is opened. It is also possible to control the fan for circulating the cool air.

≪ Example 2 >

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a showcase control method according to the present invention, wherein S represents a step, and FIG. 1 illustrates a process of controlling the drive of a showcase in software by the control unit 104. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the method for controlling a showcase according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) performing initialization when power is initially supplied and determining an intention to use (S101 to S103); (b) operating the door glass in an opaque state when it is determined that the door glass is not in use (S104); (c) sending an advertisement through the door glass when an advertisement occurs in a state in which the door glass is operated in an opaque state (S105 to S106); (d) if it is determined to be used as a result of the determination in step (a), stop sending the advertisement and operating the door glass in a transparent state (S109 to S110); (e) stopping the fan driving after turning on the door glass in a transparent state and lighting the LED lights (S111 to S112); (f) detecting the indoor temperature of the showcase in a state of controlling the door glass in an opaque state, and controlling the driving of the fan for circulating cold air according to the detected temperature (steps S107 to S108).

The showcase control method according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

First, when power is first supplied to the showcase in step S101, initialization is performed in step S102, and the intention to use the showcase is determined in step S103. In this case, the user intention to use the showcase is used to determine whether or not the user intends to use the showcase. For example, when a user is detected, it is determined that there is intention to use the showcase. Otherwise, if the user is not detected, it is determined that there is no intention to use the showcase.

If it is determined that the user is not detected and there is no intention to use the showcase, the process goes to step S104 to operate the door glass 105 in an opaque state and turn off the LED lighting 107 inside the showcase to prevent power wastage.

Thereafter, the flow advances to step S105 to check whether an advertisement occurs. If the advertisement is generated, the flow advances to step S106 to transmit the advertisement. If the advertisement is not generated, the flow proceeds to the human detection step.

In a state in which the door glass 105 is operated in an opaque state, the temperature inside the showcase is detected using the temperature sensor as in step S107. In step S108, the detected temperature is compared with a preset temperature set by the user And controls the driving of the cold air circulation fan 109 in accordance with whether it is large or small. Here, in order to control the fan 109 for circulating cool air, it is preferable that the temperature control table corresponding to the difference between the detected temperature and the preset temperature is stored in the memory 113 in advance and the temperature control is performed based on the stored temperature control table.

On the other hand, if the user is detected as a result of the determination in step S103 and the intention to use the showcase is detected, the flow advances to step S109 to end the advertisement generation. Thereafter, the process moves to step S110 to operate the door glass 105 in a transparent state.

When the door glass 105 is operated in a transparent state, the operation proceeds to step S111 to stop the operation of the fan 109 for circulation of cool air, and the operation goes to step S112 to turn on the LED illumination so that the user can use the showcase .

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The present invention is applied to a showcase control technique. In particular, the present invention is applied to a technique of detecting an intention to use a showcase and optimally controlling a showcase according to the detection.

101 ... The sensing unit
103 ... The temperature detector
104 ... The control unit
106 ... Door glass driving part
108 ... LED lighting driver
110 ... The fan-
111 ... Advertising department
120 ... door
121 ... handle

Claims (12)

A sensing unit for sensing a user to determine an intention to use the showcase;
A control unit for determining an intention to use according to the sensing signal output from the sensing unit and controlling driving of the door glass and the LED lighting according to the determined intention to use;
A door glass driving unit for operating the door glass in a transparent or opaque state under the control of the control unit;
And an LED lighting driver for controlling lighting of the LED lighting provided in the showroom under the control of the control unit.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes a human body sensor for sensing a human body.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes a capacitive sensor for generating a sensing signal by changing a capacitance of the handle when the touch is made.
[2] The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a control signal for operating the door glass in a transparent manner, a control signal for lighting the LED lighting, a control signal for stopping the fan for circulating the cool air, And generates a control signal for stopping the advertisement transmission.
The door glass driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the door glass driving unit operates the door glass in a transparent state when a control signal generated by the control unit is a use signal, and operates the door glass in an opaque state when the control signal is an unused signal Showcase controls.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the LED lighting driver drives the LED lighting when the control signal generated by the controller is a use signal, and turns off the LED lighting when the control signal is an unused signal.
[3] The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fan driving unit for controlling driving of a fan for circulating cool air according to a fan control signal generated by the controller, wherein the fan driving unit stops driving the fan when the user intends to use the fan And a display device.
2. The showcase controller according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detector for detecting an internal temperature of the showcase, wherein the controller controls driving of the fan for circulating cool air according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector.
[2] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an advertisement unit for sending or blocking an advertisement to a door glass under the control of the controller, wherein the advertisement unit terminates the advertisement transmission when it is determined that the user intends to use the advertisement, Wherein the display device is a display device.
(a) performing initialization when power is initially supplied and determining an intention to use;
(b) operating the door glass in an opaque state if it is determined that the door glass is not used;
(c) sending an advertisement through the door glass when an advertisement occurs while the door glass is operated in an opaque state;
(d) terminating the advertisement transmission when it is determined to be used in the step (a), and operating the door glass in a transparent state;
(e) stopping the fan driving and lighting the LED lighting after operating the door glass in a transparent state.
[12] The method of claim 10, wherein the step (b) comprises turning off the LED illumination after operating the door glass in an opaque state.
The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: (f) detecting the indoor temperature of the showcase in a state of controlling the door glass in an opaque state, and controlling the driving of the fan for circulating cold air according to the detected temperature Showcase control method.

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