KR20180025047A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises: a body having a storage chamber; a door which is coupled to the body and which opens and closes the storage chamber; a touch screen which is disposed on one side of the door and configured to be mutually switched from one state of a transparent first state that one region of the storage chamber is visible or an opaque second state to the other state; a sensor portion having at least one gas sensor which detects gas inside the storage chamber; and a control portion performing a deodorization function based on a gas detection result of the sensor portion. When the deodorization function is performed, the control portion switches the touch screen to the first state and controls the touch screen to display screen information which displays the deodorization function for a predetermined time.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a touch screen capable of adjusting transparency.

Generally, a refrigerator discharges cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, etc. to lower the temperature of the inside of the refrigerator and freeze or refrigerate food or the like.

In recent years, the functions of refrigerators have been diversified in their original function of storing foods in refrigeration or freezing. That is, a dispenser is installed on the door of the refrigerator to provide purified water and ice, and a display is installed on the front of the door to show and manage the state of the refrigerator.

Generally, the door of the refrigerator is made opaque and is provided to open and close the storage room of the main body. Such a door may be configured to be openable and closable for the user to access the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment. Therefore, it is general that the user can not grasp the type and location of the food stored in the refrigerator before opening the door.

A display area capable of displaying image information may be formed outside the door of the refrigerator which is made opaque. Therefore, a menu and various information for controlling the function of the refrigerator can be displayed through the display area, and various functions of the refrigerator can be controlled according to the input of the user through the display area.

Meanwhile, when the door of the refrigerator is made opaque, the user can not confirm the food stored in the refrigerator without opening the door of the refrigerator. In order to solve such a problem, a refrigerator has been developed in which the door is formed transparently so that the user can check the food in the compartment without opening the door. However, when the door of the refrigerator is transparent, it is possible to confirm the state of stored food without opening the door. However, it is difficult to display information related to the function of the refrigerator due to the absence of the display area.

Accordingly, there is a great deal of research on the possibility of having all the advantages of the display area provided through the door, while maintaining the advantage of using a transparent door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator including a touch screen for outputting a screen showing execution of a specific function of a refrigerator to a user.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including a main body having a storage chamber, a door coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the storage chamber, Wherein the touch screen is configured to be switched between any one of the first state and the opaque second state in which the first state is transparent so that one region of the storage chamber is visible, And a control unit for executing a deodorization function based on the gas detection result of the sensor unit, wherein the control unit controls the touch screen to be in a first state when the deodorization function is executed, And controls the touch screen to display the screen information indicating the deodorizing function for a specific time period.

In one embodiment, the controller may control the touch screen to change the transparency of the screen information according to the progress of the deodorization function while the deodorization function is performed.

In one embodiment, the screen information may be displayed in one of a plurality of storage spaces of the storage room on the touch screen corresponding to at least one storage space in which the gas is sensed.

In one embodiment, the controller may control the touch screen to display information of an object disposed inside the storage room based on the gas detection result, and object information related to the detected gas, together with the screen information.

In one embodiment, the storage chamber is divided into a plurality of storage spaces, and the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces, and the control unit controls the gas sensor The deodorizing function can be selectively executed in some of the plurality of storage spaces.

In one embodiment, the controller may increase the transparency of one area of the touch screen corresponding to a storage space in which the gas is sensed among the plurality of storage spaces.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication. When gas is detected by the sensor unit, information related to the sensed gas and / or information about the storage space in which the gas is sensed The wireless communication unit may transmit the notification information to the external device.

In one embodiment, the storage chamber is divided into a plurality of storage spaces, and the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces, and the control unit controls each of the plurality of gas sensors It is possible to control the touch screen so as to output a gas sensing image corresponding to the space and execute a deodorizing function of each storage space based on the touch input applied to the gas sensing image.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces, and the control unit divides the touch screen into a plurality of regions corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces, The transparency of the region corresponding to the storage space identified as requiring deodorization and the remaining region can be controlled differently.

In one embodiment, the controller may adjust the transparency of the touch screen to indicate the concentration and / or deodorization of the gas detected by the sensor unit.

In one embodiment, the control unit may be configured to determine whether the concentration of the gas is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference concentration, when a specific type of gas is detected, May be changed from a transparent state to an opaque state or from an opaque state to a transparent state.

Effects of the refrigerator and its control method according to the present invention will be described as follows.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the user can confirm the execution of the function more intuitively by changing the transparency of the touch screen or outputting the screen information during execution of the deodorization function or during gas detection.

Also, since the function of each storage space is performed through the control image indicating the divided storage space, the user can perform the function in the desired area while reducing power consumption.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram for explaining the structure of a refrigerator according to the present invention. FIG.
1B and 1C are illustrations showing a refrigerator according to the present invention.
1D is an exemplary view showing a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A to 2E are cross-sectional views illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation for displaying specific screen information showing a change in transparency of a touch screen and a deodorizing function during a deodorization function in a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram for explaining the control method of FIG. 3A.
3C and 3D are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting screen information showing a deodorizing function according to another embodiment.
4A to 4C are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting a notification image indicating a case where gas is detected in a plurality of storage spaces.
5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a feature of transmitting notification information of gas to be sensed to an external device.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a characteristic of displaying gas detection by adjusting transparency of screen information according to another embodiment.
7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of controlling the temperature change in the refrigerator.
8A is a flowchart for explaining a control method of outputting a shot image using a camera.
8B is a conceptual diagram for explaining the control method of FIG. 8A.
9A to 9B are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting a photographed image in a transparent first state where the inside of the storage room is visible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be blurred. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. , ≪ / RTI > equivalents, and alternatives.

The following description of the drawings is based on a clockwise order starting from the upper left figure. The upper left figure is a first drawing, the upper right drawing is a second drawing, The third drawing, and the lower left drawing are referred to as the fourth drawing.

First, referring to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a refrigerator 100 related to the present invention.

The refrigerator 100 may include a communication unit 130, a sensing unit 140, a display unit 150, a user input unit 160, and a memory 170. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential for implementing the refrigerator 100, so that the refrigerator 100 described in this specification can have more or less components than the components listed above.

The communication unit 130 may be provided between the refrigerator 100 and a predetermined communication system or between the refrigerator 100 and at least one external device or between the refrigerator 100 and a specific external server Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > wireless < / RTI > In addition, the communication unit 130 may include one or more modules that connect the refrigerator 100 to one or more networks.

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information in the refrigerator 100, surrounding environment information surrounding the refrigerator 100, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a camera 141, a weight sensor 142 capable of sensing the weight of each of at least one storage space in the refrigerator 100, and a user adjacent to the refrigerator 100 A proximity sensor 143 and a pressure sensor 144, a gas sensor 145, and an infrared sensor 145. The proximity sensor 143 may measure a pressure applied through the touch input when a user's touch input is sensed through the touch sensor. An infrared sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microphone, an environmental sensor (for example, a hygrometer, a thermometer, an odor sensor, etc.) Or at least one of the same biometric sensors. Meanwhile, the refrigerator 100 disclosed in the present specification can combine and use information sensed by at least two of the sensors.

The gas sensor 145 may be disposed in an internal storage space of the refrigerator. The refrigerator 100 may include a plurality of gas sensors 145 disposed in different spaces. The gas sensor 145 senses various kinds of gas generated in the storage room, and can check the type of gas to be sensed and the concentration of the gas.

Meanwhile, the display unit 150 may be implemented as a transparent liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 150 may have a mutual layer structure with the touch sensor or may be integrally formed to realize a touch screen. The touch screen may function as a user input 160 that provides an input interface between the refrigerator 100 and a user and may provide an output interface between the refrigerator 100 and a user.

The user input unit 160 may include a microphone for inputting an audio signal or an audio input unit and at least one key for inputting information from a user. These keys are composed of a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual key displayed on the touch screen through software processing, or a touch key (touch key) disposed on a portion other than the touch screen key). Meanwhile, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on a touch screen having various forms, for example, a graphic, a text, an icon, a video, As shown in FIG.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions of the refrigerator 100. The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs (application programs or applications) driven by the refrigerator 100, data for operation of the refrigerator 100, and commands. At least some of these applications may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. Also, at least some of these applications may reside on the refrigerator 100 from the time of dispatch for basic functions of the refrigerator 100 (e.g., a temperature management function for each storage area).

On the other hand, the controller 180 controls the overall operation of the refrigerator 100. The control unit 180 may process or process signals, data, information, and the like input or output through the above-mentioned components, or may drive an application program stored in the memory 170 to provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1A in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 170. FIG. Further, the controller 180 may operate at least two of the components included in the refrigerator 100 in combination with each other for driving the application program.

In addition, the controller 180 may divide the touch input into different inputs based on the time at which the touch input is held or the pressure measured through the touch input, even though the touch input is applied to the same point on the touch screen . That is, when the first touch input (first touch input) is applied to one point on the touch screen, the controller 180 performs a function corresponding to the applied touch input, and the touch input is maintained for a predetermined time or longer, When the pressure applied through the touch input is changed, the touch input can be sensed as the second touch input. And perform other functions corresponding to the second touch input.

On the other hand, when a plurality of touch inputs continuously applied in a predetermined time are applied, the controller 180 determines that the plurality of touch inputs are predetermined touch inputs for controlling one or more functions of the refrigerator 100 . That is, when a plurality of touch inputs continuously applied within a predetermined time are sensed, the controller 180 can detect a predefined pattern matching a pattern formed by points on the touch screen where the touch input is sensed. If there is a pattern matching the pattern formed from the plurality of touch inputs, the controller 180 controls the refrigerator 100 such that at least one function is executed according to a specific pattern corresponding to the plurality of touch inputs, Can be controlled.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a water purification system and an integer water purification unit 191 to provide a water purification function for discharging purified water in the water purification system. The water purification unit 191 may include a dispenser and a discharge unit (not shown) capable of taking out the purified water according to a user's selection. The water purification unit 191 can discharge the water heated to a predetermined temperature or higher through the discharge unit, or discharge water in a liquid state at a predetermined temperature or lower. Or a part of the purified water may be cooled according to a user's selection to generate ice, and the generated ice may be discharged through the discharge unit.

Meanwhile, the integer part 191 may be managed according to the control of the controller 180. For example, when water or ice is discharged through the water purification unit 191, the control unit 180 may measure the amount of water discharged for a predetermined period of time (for example, one day) based on the amount of discharged water and ice have. And various information related to the amount of discharged water can be displayed through the touch screen. In this case, when the integer function is selected, the controller 180 recognizes the user and may display the amount of water discharged during the predetermined period of time in relation to the recognized user as the amount of water consumed by the recognized user. In this case, the water intake amount information may be displayed on the basis of the recommended daily water intake amount for each user, based on personal information applied from each user.

The deodorizer (192) included in the refrigerator (100) performs deodorization function of the odor generated in the storage compartment. The deodorizer 192 may be disposed in one area of the storage compartment. When the storage room is divided into a plurality of spaces, the deodorizing unit 192 may include a plurality of deodorizing devices disposed in each of the plurality of spaces.

 At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with each other to implement the method of operation, control, or control of the refrigerator 100 according to the various embodiments described below. Also, the operation, control, or control method of the refrigerator 100 may be implemented on the refrigerator 100 by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170.

1B and 1C are diagrams for explaining a refrigerator 100 related to the present invention.

The refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 200 including a storage room and at least one door formed on at least one side of the main body 200 for selectively opening and closing the storage room . A water purifier 290 for discharging purified water or ice according to the purified function of the water purifier 190 may be formed on any one of the doors 210 of the refrigerator 100.

Here, the door 210 of any one of the doors can adjust the transparency from the completely opaque state to the transparent state through the transparency adjustment. In addition, the door 210 may be formed with a display area 201 including a transparent liquid crystal display so that various image information such as characters, images, and moving pictures can be displayed. As described above, the transparent display region 201 may have a mutual layer structure with the touch sensor or may be integrally formed to form a touch screen. In the following description, it is assumed that the transparent display area 201 forms a touch screen.

The touch screen 201 may be formed on a front surface of the door 210 or on a front surface of the door 210. A plurality of touch screens 201 may be formed on the door 210 or a plurality of touch screens 201 formed on a front surface of the door 210 may be divided into a plurality of May form different touch screens.

Meanwhile, when a plurality of touch screens are formed, the plurality of touch screens may correspond to a front area of each of the storage areas partitioned by shelves in the storage compartment. That is, the vertical width of any one of the plurality of touch screens corresponds to the height between the shelves vertically adjacent to each other in the one storage area, and the width of one of the touch screens corresponds to the height of the door 210, The width of the door 210 can be reduced. However, it is needless to say that the touch screen may be formed to be smaller than the front surface area of the specific storage space or correspond to the combined area of the front surface areas of the plurality of storage areas.

Meanwhile, when the predetermined touch input is applied to the touch screen 201, the controller 180 can sense the touch input as a touch input for changing the state of the touch screen 201. Here, the predetermined touch input may be a touch input applied to a specific area of the touch screen 201, a touch input that maintains a touch state for a predetermined period of time, or a touch input whose applied pressure is equal to or higher than a certain level. Or a plurality of touch inputs applied in a predetermined pattern.

On the other hand, when the predetermined touch input is applied to the touch screen 201, the controller 180 can change the state of the touch screen 201. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, if the touch screen 201 is in a state where the food stored in the corresponding storage space is identifiably transparent, the controller 180 controls the touch screen 201, It is possible to switch the state of the stored food to a state in which the identification of the stored food is impossible and is displayed in an opaque state. On the contrary, if the touch screen 201 is displayed in an opaque state, the controller 180 may switch the touch screen 201 to a transparent state based on the predetermined touch input.

Meanwhile, the predetermined touch input may be a touch input in which a plurality of touch inputs continuously input as described above form a specific pattern. In this case, the controller 180 may perform at least one function of the refrigerator 100 corresponding to the plurality of touch inputs. For example, the controller 180 may change the touch screen transparency of a specific door to which the plurality of touch inputs are applied, according to a pattern formed from a plurality of touch inputs. Alternatively, the control unit 180 may display specific information corresponding to a pattern formed from the plurality of touch inputs, among various information related to the food stored in the refrigerator 100, on the touch screen. For example, the various information related to the food may include information on the remaining amount of the food stored in the specific storage space, information on the effective period of the food, and the like. The remaining amount measurement information and the valid period information may be information corresponding to different patterns.

Meanwhile, the predetermined touch input may be a touch input for displaying a management menu for controlling various functions of the refrigerator 100. In this case, the control unit 180 may display a management menu on the touch screen to control various functions provided by the refrigerator 100 around the point where the touch input is applied. And may cause a specific function to be performed based on another input of the user to the management menu.

1B to 1C, the touch screen is formed on any one of the doors formed in the refrigerator 100. Alternatively, the touch screen may be formed on each door formed in the refrigerator 100 Of course. FIG. 1D shows an example of a refrigerator 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

1D, when a refrigerator 100 including a plurality of doors 210, 220, 230, and 240 formed on at least one side of the main body 200 is formed, the doors 210, 220, and 230 The touch screens 201, 221, 231, and 241 may be formed independently of the touch screens 240 and 240. The control unit 180 may control the touch screens 201, 221, 231, and 241 independently of each other. That is, the controller 180 controls the touch screens 221, 231, and 241 formed on the other doors 220, 230, and 240 to be transparent or opaque like the door 210 shown in FIG. 1B Respectively. The storage spaces corresponding to the respective doors 201, 221, 231, and 241 are connected to the respective doors 201, 221, 231, and 241 so that various functions related to the foods in the storage spaces corresponding to the respective doors 201, Can be controlled. In this case, the control unit 180 can display the management menu on the touch screen formed on each door, and the function that can be performed in each storage space can be selected from the user through the displayed management menu.

 2A to 2E are cross-sectional views illustrating a door 210 in which a touch screen is formed in the refrigerator 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, when a specific voltage V3 is applied to the first electrode 211b and the second electrode 212b, all three lights 210a, 210b, and 210c may be reflected. Accordingly, when the second electrode substrate 212a is flat, the touch screen 201 of the door 210 can be seen as a mirror. In particular, when the electric field dependent layer 217 is made of a photonic crystal, the touch screen of the door 210 can have a higher reflectance.

On the other hand, the electric field dependent layer 217 can be formed by charging each cell with an electric field dependent substance.

The electric field dependent material to be filled in the electric field dependent layer 217 is a substance that changes its characteristic by an electric field formed between the first electrode 211b and the second electrode 212b and includes a liquid crystal material, , Photonic crystal material, electrophoresis material, and electrowetting material.

Here, the electrophoretic material refers to a material exhibiting electrophoresis, the electro wetting material refers to a material exhibiting electro wetting phenomenon, and the photochromic material may mean a material exhibiting a photochromic phenomenon. A brief description of some electric field dependent materials is that a photonic band gap is formed due to the regular arrangement of fine structures repeated spatially, and only a specific wavelength is reflected from outside incident light. The color expressed by the structure is called the structure color.

The formation of the photonic bandgap depends on the size, spacing, refractive index difference, etc. of the particles constituting the photonic crystal. Therefore, if the intensity or direction of the electric field is controlled to change the characteristics of the photonic crystal, the color developed can be controlled.

Electrophoresis is a phenomenon in which charged particles move by an electric field formed between two electrodes. When charged particles having high resistance and color are dispersed in a fluid having low viscosity and voltage is applied to two electrodes, charged particles can move and display color.

The electrowetting type display adopts the principle that the conductive fluid (water) and the nonconductive fluid (oil) are not mixed. When the external tension is controlled to control the surface tension of the conductive fluid, the contact angle of the conductive fluid and the interface The wavelength of the reflected light changes.

In the description of the refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, any of the electric field dependency materials can be used. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will be made by way of example of using a cholesteric liquid crystal material among liquid crystal materials capable of realizing excellent light transmittance.

On the other hand, Fig. 2B shows a liquid crystal arrangement in homeotropic state. Liquid crystals in homeotropic state are untwisted, meaning that the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the direction of the electric field. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the homeotropic state is an arrangement when a high electric field is formed between the first electrode 211b and the second electrode 212b, and has a property of transmitting light. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2B, incident light is transmitted as it is, and the touch screen 201 of the door 210 can be seen transparently. Therefore, in this case, the user can identify the foods stored in the door via the door 210.

2C shows a liquid crystal array in a planar state. The planar state means a state in which the helical axis of the cholesteric liquid crystal is arranged substantially perpendicular to the substrate, for example, the first electrode substrate 211a. The liquid crystal layer 217 in the planar state is formed when the high electric field applied to the liquid crystal in the homeotropic state is abruptly lowered. When the cholesteric liquid crystal is in the planar state, light of a specific wavelength Can be reflected.

At this time, the specific wavelength is determined according to the helical pitch in the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal. That is, since the wavelength of the reflected light can be determined by adjusting the pitch of the helical line, the color of the reflected light can be adjusted by controlling the pitch of the helical pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal. Therefore, a desired color can be displayed without having a separate color filter.

2D shows a liquid crystal array in a focal conic state. The focal conic state may mean that the spiral axis of the cholesteric liquid crystal is arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode substrate 211a. The liquid crystal structure in the focal conic state is an arrangement formed when the high electric field applied to the liquid crystal of the homeotropic state is slowly lowered and has the property of scattering or diffusing light. Accordingly, when the liquid crystal is in the focal conic state, the touch screen 201 may become opaque.

For example, when an electric field is applied to the cholesteric liquid crystals in the planar state, the spiral axis perpendicular to the first electrode substrate 211a may be changed to be parallel to the first electrode substrate 211a and may be in a focal conic state . Here, the electric field applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal may be 10-20V.

When a larger electric field is applied to a cholesteric liquid crystal in a focal conic state, the helical structure may be untwisted and become a homeotropic state in which liquid crystal molecules are arranged in the electric field direction. Here, the electric field applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal may be 30-50V. When the electric field is gradually removed from the homeotropic state, it can return to the focal conic state, and if the electric field is abruptly removed, it can become the planar state.

On the other hand, in order to convert the cholesteric liquid crystal in the focal conic state into the planar state, a larger electric field is applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal to enter the homeotropic state as described above, and then the electric field is rapidly removed. .

Accordingly, when the user applies a preset touch input, the controller 180 may apply a high voltage to the first electrode 211b and the second electrode 212b to make the cholesteric liquid crystal homeotropic. Then, the touch screen 201 can transmit light and be displayed transparently.

In this state, the controller 180 can receive another touch input from the user. Here, another touch input may be a touch input having a different holding time or a touch input having a different applied pressure. When the other touch input is applied, the control unit 180 may gradually remove or rapidly remove the high electric field formed in the cell, thereby making the focal conic state or the planar state. Then, the liquid crystal can be switched from a transparent state to an opaque state or a state in which image information such as a graphic object can be displayed.

2E illustrates an example in which the door 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a stacked structure of PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crustal) and a transparent display panel (T-LCD).

2E, a door 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a PDLC layer 260 stacked between first and second toughened glass layers 250a and 250b, On structure in which a T-LCD layer 270 and a touch film 280 are stacked between the third glass layer 250a and the third glass layer 250c.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in the refrigerator 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

In the following description, the touch screen 201 is formed on the door 210 for convenience of explanation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the touch screen may be formed on any one of the other doors 220, 230 and 240 of the refrigerator 100, or the touch screen may be formed on each of the other doors 220, 230 and 240 Of course. In this case, it is needless to say that the touch screen formed on any one of the other doors or each of the other doors can be controlled similarly to the following description.

3A is a flowchart illustrating an operation for displaying specific screen information indicating a deodorizing function when the transparency of the touch screen 201 is changed while the deodorization function is performed in the refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention .

The gas sensor 145 of the sensor unit 140 senses the gas in the storage room (S301). The control unit 180 performs a deodorizing function based on the gas detected by the gas sensor 145 (S302). The control unit 180 performs a deodorizing function when the concentration of the gas detected by the gas sensor 145 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference level and the type of the gas corresponds to a harmful gas to the human body. When the gas is detected by the gas sensor 145, the control unit 180 may perform a deodorizing function without a user's specific control command or may be switched to a standby mode for receiving a control command of a deodorizing function.

Based on the execution of the deodorization function, the touch screen 201 is switched to the first state which is transparent (S303). Referring to FIG. 3B, when the deodorization function is executed, the screen information 400 may be displayed in the inactive state in which no time data is output, or in a second opaque state as shown in FIG. 3B. The screen information 400 may include an area 410 in which text characters related to the current date and weather are displayed. In this case, the weather information may include information relating to the present temperature and humidity (Humidity, 'HUM.'), And current weather conditions. That is, if the current weather is rainy, the controller 180 stores weather information including rainfall ('RAIN') information as information related to the current weather condition, that is, rainy weather, It can be displayed in one area.

When the deodorization function is executed, the controller 180 switches the touch screen 201 to the first state, and the state of the inside of the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be confirmed. The touch screen 201 outputs first screen information 510 indicating a deodorizing function in the first state. The first screen information 510 is transparent and the inside of the storage room is confirmed through the first screen information 510 (S304). The controller 180 may output the first screen information 510 for a specific time period. Here, the specific time may correspond to a time during which the deodorizing function is performed, or may be controlled to be output only during a short specific time period to notify execution of the deodorizing function.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the controller 180 controls the touch screen 201 so that the first screen information 510 disappears when the deodorization function is completed or a predetermined time elapses. Accordingly, the user can fully confirm the space inside the storage compartment. When the first screen information 510 is output while the deodorization function is performed, the user can confirm completion of the deodorization function.

3C and 3D are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting screen information showing a deodorizing function according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3C, when the deodorization function is executed, the controller 180 controls the touch screen 201 to output the first screen information 510 in an opaque second state. That is, when the deodorization function is started, the first screen information 510 is output in a first state S1 in which the inside of the storage room can not be confirmed.

The control unit 180 adjusts the transparency of the touch screen according to the time of the deodorization function. When the deodorization function is performed for a specific time or longer, the controller 180 improves transparency to a degree that the inside of the storage room is partially recognized. The touch screen outputs the first screen information 510 in a second state (S2) in which transparency is improved.

When the deodorization function is terminated, the controller outputs the first screen information 510 in a third state S3 in which the touch screen is changed to a transparent state. The touch screen 201 continuously outputs the first screen information 510 while the deodorization function is performed, and displays the degree of performance of the deodorization function as the transparency of the touch screen.

As the deodorization function progresses in the opaque state, transparency improves, so that the user can grasp the progress of the deodorization function according to the transparent state of the touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 3D, when the gas is detected by the sensing unit 140, the controller 180 switches the touch screen 201 to a transparent third state S3, and the second screen information 520 ). The second screen information 520 may be a pop-up window that is output to one area of the touch screen 201.

The second screen information 520 receives a touch input to perform a deodorization function. The second screen information 520 may include information on the type of gas detected, the concentration of the gas, and the type of gas.

According to the present embodiments, the user can confirm this through the touch screen when gas is detected by the gas sensor or when the deodorizing function is executed.

4A to 4C are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting a notification image indicating a case where gas is detected in a plurality of storage spaces.

The storage room of the refrigerator 100 according to FIG. 4A has a plurality of storage spaces that are partitioned, and the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors disposed in each storage space. The number of the plurality of gas sensors need not correspond to the number of the plurality of storage spaces.

The control unit 180 outputs a first notification image 521 indicating that a gas is detected in a specific storage space by the plurality of gas sensors 145. The first notification image 521 is formed to indicate a region where gas is generated. For example, the first notification image 521 may be an image indicating a specific area. That is, the graphic image may be displayed to indicate the position of the gas sensor 145 that senses the specific gas.

The control unit 180 executes a deodorizing function based on the touch input applied to the first notification image 521 and switches the first notification image 521 rule to the first screen information 510. [

Meanwhile, the touch screen 201 may switch the first and second regions A1 and A2 corresponding to a specific region in which the gas is sensed to a transparent state and the remaining region A3 to an opaque state have. In addition, the second notification image 522 is output to one area of the touch screen 201.

According to the embodiments, the user can grasp the position in which the gas (odor) has occurred in the storage room of the refrigerator, and can take measures to provide the cause of the odor before and after the deodorization function is performed.

4B, when the gas sensor (odor) is detected by the gas sensor 145, the controller 180 outputs the gas (smell) based on the stored specific data, And the third notification image 523 indicating the kind of the food and the type of food corresponding thereto. The third notification image 523 may correspond to an actual captured image of the food stored in the storage room, or may correspond to a previously stored image.

According to the present embodiment, the user can more easily grasp the source where the gas (odor) occurs, and can take action thereon.

Referring to FIG. 4C, when the gas is detected by the gas sensor 145, the touch screen 201 outputs a storage space image 710 for storing a plurality of storage spaces. The storage space image 710 is divided into a plurality of areas corresponding to the plurality of storage spaces, and displays a gas sensing area. In FIG. 4C, the touch screen 201 highlights the first and second areas a1 and a2 of the plurality of areas to distinguish it from the remaining area, indicating that the area is deodorized.

The storage space image 710 may be an image viewed from the storage room, and may receive a touch input applied to a plurality of storage spaces. The control unit 180 may execute a deodorizing function based on the touch input applied on the storage space image 710. In this case, the deodorizer 192 may include the plurality of deodorizers, and the controller 180 may activate only a part of the plurality of deodorizers.

The touch screen 201 displays an image 511 indicating a deodorizing function adjacent to the specific area when the deodorizing function is executed by touch input of the specific area. Although not shown in the drawing, the controller may perform a deodorizing function by touch input applied to the remaining area of the storage space image 710, which is not displayed as a space requiring deodorization.

5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a feature of transmitting notification information of gas to be sensed to an external device.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the gas is detected by the sensor unit 140, the touch screen 201 is controlled to display notification information. The notification information can be output for a specific time. The control unit 180 transmits information about the sensed gas to the external device 900. The external device 900 may correspond to a predetermined user's mobile terminal. The number of set external devices is not limited to one.

The display unit 951 of the external device 900 receives the gas information and outputs a storage space image 710 'corresponding thereto. Here, the information on the gas may include food information related to the sensed gas, information on the storage space in which the gas is sensed, and the like.

The display unit 951 displays a specific region where gas is detected on the storage space image 710 'and receives a touch input. A control signal for controlling the deodorizing function is formed based on the touch input. The control unit 180 executes the deodorizing function based on the control signal received from the external device 900. [

The touch screen 201 outputs the first screen information 510 indicating that the deodorization function is being executed.

Accordingly, the user can recognize the necessity of the deodorizing function and control the deodorizing function through the external device.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a characteristic of displaying gas detection by adjusting transparency of screen information according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the screen information 400 may include an area 420 in which at least one graphic object corresponding to current weather information is displayed. Accordingly, if the current weather condition is a rainy condition as described above, the controller 180 displays at least one graphic object having various sizes simulating the raindrop shape in one area of the screen information 400 can do. In this case, the number of graphic objects may be determined according to the present precipitation amount. That is, the controller 180 may display more raindrop graphic objects in one area 420 on the screen information 400 when the precipitation is larger than when the rainfall is small.

Meanwhile, the screen information 400 may include an area 430 in which information related to a predetermined theme is displayed by a user. For example, the control unit 180 may display information related to the predetermined topic through image information such as text, image, or moving image. Accordingly, when the news information is selected from the user, the controller 180 can display the news information broadcast through the news broadcast channel through the screen information 400. [

On the other hand, when the stock price information of a specific stock is selected by the user, the control unit 180 can receive information related to the stock price information of the specific stock through the communication unit 130, Area 430. In this case, In this case, the control unit 180 may display not only the stock price information but also information on the stock price change amount (e.g., the change amount of the stock price to the previous day) for a predetermined period.

When the gas sensor 145 detects gas, the controller 180 adjusts the transparency of the area where the graphic object 420 is output. The touch screen 201 can be controlled so as to transparently display an area in which the first and second graphic objects 422 and 421, which are outputted close to the gas sensing area, are output.

Alternatively, based on the concentration of the gas to be sensed, the touch screen 201 is controlled so that more graphic objects 420 are converted into a transparent state as the concentration is increased. A plurality of graphic objects 420 whose transparency is changed can be moved closer to the area where the gas is sensed and output.

According to the present embodiment, while the output of the screen screen 400 including the specific information is outputted while the output of the screen screen 400 is maintained, the concentration of the gas detected, Lt; / RTI >

7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of controlling the temperature change in the refrigerator.

The touch screen 201 outputs a cooling image 513 in a transparent state of the touch screen 201 based on a control command for controlling a temperature change. The cooling image 513 may include an image representing a cooling state and a number indicating a set temperature. Also, although not specifically shown in the drawings, it may include text related to the cooling function.

When the temperature change gradually occurs according to the execution of the cooling function, the controller 180 controls the touch screen 201 to output an image representing the changed temperature as a whole. The image may correspond to an image of ice frozen in a window.

When the cooling function is performed, when the touch screen 201 is in a transparent state, the controller 180 controls the touch screen to decrease the transparency when the temperature gradually decreases according to the performance of the cooling function . That is, in a state in which an image of ice is output, the transparency gradually increases, and ice can be frozen gradually and thickly.

Accordingly, the user can visually ascertain that the cooling function is being executed even if the user does not open the refrigerator or check the temperature with a text.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart for explaining a control method of outputting a shot image using a camera, and FIG. 8B is a conceptual diagram for explaining the control method of FIG. 8A.

The camera according to the present embodiment may be mounted on one area of a plurality of divided storage spaces, and the refrigerator 100 may include a plurality of cameras 141. The plurality of cameras 141 may be implemented with a wide-angle camera having a wide-angle lens for photographing a wider space. Alternatively, the control unit 180 may control the shooting range of the camera 141 to form a panoramic view of a specific angle based on a specific control command.

The control unit 180 obtains a captured image of the storage room by the camera 141 (S311). The control unit 180 forms a captured image of the storage room based on a specific control command. Here, the specific control command may be applied by a user or may be formed when the door 210 is closed.

The touch screen 201 receives the user's touch input in a first state of a transparent state or a second state of an opaque state (S312). Referring to FIG. 8B, when the touch input of the user is received in the first state in which the touch screen 201 is transparent, the storage space image 710 is output (S313). The storage space image 710 is partitioned into a plurality of areas, which may correspond to the compartmentalized storage space of the storage room, but are not limited thereto. For example, the storage space image 710 may be partitioned into each area on which the camera is mounted. Each segmented area receives touch input independently. That is, the storage space image 710 corresponds to a control image for controlling the output of the photographed image.

The controller 180 controls the touch screen 201 to display the photographed image 811 in an opaque state in a second state based on the touch input applied on the storage space image 710 .

When a plurality of areas are selected on the storage space image 710, the control unit controls the touch screen 201 to output a plurality of shot images 811 corresponding to the plurality of areas. The touch screen 710 may change the location of the storage space image 710 to output the captured image 811. [

8C is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method of outputting a shot image according to another embodiment.

The storage space image 710 includes first and second areas 710a and 710b that are adjacent to each other. The first and second regions 710a and 710b correspond to the divided first and second storage spaces and may correspond to the first and second storage spaces disposed adjacent to each other.

The controller 180 controls the touch screen 201 to output the first captured image 811a corresponding to the first region 710a. Meanwhile, when the first touch input from the first area 710a is gradually moved to the second area 710b, that is, when the dragging touch input is applied, the controller 180 displays And controls the touch screen 201 so that one area is gradually changed.

According to the present embodiment, the user can be continuously provided with one area of the previously photographed image based on the continuously applied touch.

9A to 9B are conceptual diagrams for explaining a control method of outputting a photographed image in a transparent first state where the inside of the storage room is visible.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a touch input is received in a first state in which at least one region of the touch screen 201 is transparent. When the touch input reaches the edge area of the touch screen 201, the controller 180 switches the touch screen 201 to the second state which is opaque and outputs the storage space image 710 do. The control unit 180 outputs a photographed image 811 corresponding to one of the storage space images 710. The one area may correspond to a storage space adjacent to an edge area of the touch screen 201 to which the touch input is applied.

The touch screen 201 may display an indicator at an edge when a touch input adjacent to the edge area is applied. Accordingly, the user can easily grasp the area inside the refrigerator that is not compatible with the touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the controller 201 may output the photographed image 811 based on a specific touch input to the touch screen 201 in the transparent state. The touch input may correspond to a touch input of a pinch-in method or a pinch-out method.

In this case, the control unit 180 may control the touch screen 201 to enlarge and output the captured image.

The present invention described above can be embodied as computer-readable codes on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer readable medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, , And may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet). In addition, the computer may include a controller 180 of the refrigerator 100. The foregoing detailed description, therefore, should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

A main body having a storage chamber;
A door coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the storage chamber;
A touch screen disposed on one side of the door and configured to be switched from one state to another state of a first state in a transparent state and an opaque second state so that one region of the storage chamber is visible;
A sensor unit having at least one gas sensor for sensing a gas inside the storage chamber; And
And a control unit for executing a deodorizing function based on the gas detection result of the sensor unit,
Wherein the control unit controls the touch screen to switch the touch screen to the first state and display the screen information indicating the deodorizing function for a specific time when the deodorization function is executed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller controls the touch screen to change the transparency of the screen information according to the progress of the deodorization function while the deodorization function is performed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the screen information is displayed in one of a plurality of storage spaces of the storage room on the touch screen corresponding to at least one storage space in which the gas is sensed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller controls the touch screen to display information on an object related to the sensed gas, together with the screen information, in the storage room based on the gas sensing result. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the storage chamber is divided into a plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the control unit selectively performs a deodorizing function in a part of the plurality of storage spaces based on a gas detection result by the plurality of gas sensors. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the controller increases the transparency of one area of the touch screen corresponding to a storage space in which the gas is detected among the plurality of storage spaces. 6. The apparatus of claim 5,
And a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication,
When the gas is detected by the sensor unit, transmits notification information including information on the sensed gas and food information related to the sensed gas and / or information on the storage space in which the gas is sensed, to the predetermined external device . The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the storage chamber is divided into a plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces,
The control unit controls the touch screen to output a gas sensing image corresponding to each storage space by the plurality of gas sensors and performs a deodorization function of each storage space based on a touch input applied to the gas sensing image . The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the storage chamber is divided into a plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the sensor unit includes a plurality of gas sensors respectively disposed in the plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the controller divides the touch screen into a plurality of areas corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces,
Wherein the degree of transparency of the area corresponding to the storage space identified as requiring the deodorization is different from that of the remaining area. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller controls the transparency of the touch screen so as to indicate the concentration of the gas detected by the sensor unit and / or the necessity of deodorization. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the control unit changes the transparency of the touch screen from a transparent state to an opaque state in at least one of cases where the concentration of the gas is equal to or more than a preset reference concentration, Or from an opaque state to a transparent state.

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