KR20240016722A - Additional mode control system of the refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The additional mode control system for the refrigerator according to the present invention allows the user to upgrade the additional mode of the new function to the dispenser with a simple operation of the user terminal when an additional mode that can implement a new function of the dispenser is developed, thereby improving the function upgrade. User convenience can be improved.

Description

ADDITIONAL MODE CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to an additional mode control system for refrigerators.

A refrigerator is a home appliance that supplies cold air generated through the circulation of refrigerant to a storage room, thereby keeping various types of objects fresh in the storage room for a long period of time.

The refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage room and a door connected to the front of the cabinet to open and close the storage room.

A dispenser capable of discharging water and/or ice is placed on the door of the refrigerator to increase convenience for users who wish to dispense water and ice.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator includes a control unit that controls the operation of electronic devices such as refrigerators and dispensers.

The control unit includes product driving software for driving the product, and can drive the product according to the program logic of the software.

Meanwhile, in the case of electronic devices, new functions can be continuously upgraded even after they are sold, so there is a need to upgrade the software of existing electronic devices.

Additionally, in the case of newly upgraded functions, it may be difficult to implement or explain them using only a display showing the functions of existing electronic devices.

For example, not only the software of an electronic device but also the hardware itself may be out of date, so there is a need to upgrade and execute new functions without being affected as much as possible by the hardware level of the existing electronic device.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an additional mode control system for a refrigerator that can be upgraded to additional modes that can provide new functions to the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an additional mode control system for a refrigerator that can provide new functions without being influenced as much as possible by the version of the product to be upgraded.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Additionally, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the patent claims.

The additional mode control system for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the problems described above includes a dispenser that can be upgraded to an additional mode by a user terminal or a server, and the user terminal has a device for the additional mode. A technical feature is that a user interface that provides information is provided.

Specifically, by including a dispenser that can be upgraded to additional modes by a user terminal or server, a user can upgrade an existing dispenser to an additional mode with new functions by simply operating the user terminal.

In addition, the user terminal is equipped with a user interface that provides information about the additional mode, so that information about new functions can be acquired through simple operation of the user terminal without being affected as much as possible by the status of the dispenser with various old versions of software and hardware. and you can run it.

The additional mode control system of the refrigerator includes a user terminal, a server in communication with the user terminal, and a dispenser that communicates with at least one of the user terminal and the server and is capable of being upgraded to an additional mode by the user terminal or the server. a refrigerator, a user interface provided in the user terminal to provide information about the additional mode, an input unit provided in the dispenser to receive a user's command according to the additional mode, and the user's command input to the input unit. It includes a control unit that controls execution of the additional mode according to.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the starting point of the first set time may begin after the door is opened and then closed again.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the additional mode may be a fixed-quantity water supply mode in which a preset fixed amount of water is controlled to be dispensed.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the user interface may provide an option for the user to arbitrarily adjust and select the volume of water dispensed in the fixed-quantity water supply mode.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to the input unit, and the control unit can control the quantitative water supply mode to be executed when any one of the buttons is pressed for a certain period of time. .

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of buttons include a first button, a second button, and a third button, and in the quantitative water supply mode, the first button, the second button, and the third button are It may be the input unit that allows different volumes of water to be dispensed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser further includes a lever, and when the lever is pressed in the fixed-quantity water supply mode, water can be dispensed in a volume corresponding to the selected button.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the fixed-quantity water supply mode, the control unit detects the water flow rate using a pulse value through a flow sensor for a certain period of time so that water is dispensed at a capacity corresponding to the selected button, and adjusts the water pressure. When the target pulse value corresponding to the determined water pressure is reached, the water supply can be terminated to perform a fixed amount of water supply.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the quantitative water supply mode may be released when one of the plurality of buttons is pressed for a certain period of time or is inactive for a certain period of time in the quantitative water supply mode.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the additional mode may be an ice production notification mode that notifies that ice production by the dispenser is complete.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, in the ice creation notification mode, the control unit may detect that the dispenser is full and control a notification sound to sound during the ice removal process.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the user interface may provide an option for the user to select on or off the ice creation notification mode.

According to the present invention, when an additional mode that can implement a new function of the dispenser is developed, the user can upgrade the additional mode of the new function to the dispenser with a simple operation of the user terminal, thereby increasing user convenience for function upgrades. there is.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the user terminal is equipped with a user interface that provides information about the additional modes to be upgraded, the user interface of the user terminal can be used without being affected as much as possible by the status of the dispenser having various old versions of software and hardware. You can acquire information about new functions and execute them with simple operations.

In addition, according to the present invention, the fixed-quantity water supply mode, which can dispense water as desired, can be upgraded to an additional mode in the dispenser, so the user can add a new fixed-quantity water supply mode function to the existing dispenser with a simple operation of the user terminal. It can be given to increase user convenience.

In addition, according to the present invention, the ice production notification mode that informs the dispenser that ice production is completed can be upgraded to an additional mode in the dispenser, and the user can add the ice production notification mode to the existing dispenser with a simple operation of the user terminal. New functions can be added, improving user convenience.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door.
Figure 3 shows an upgrade flowchart for the additional mode of the refrigerator.
Figure 4 shows an input unit provided to a dispenser with an upgraded fixed-quantity water supply mode.
Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a fixed-quantity water supply mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows the capacity discharge flow according to the fixed-quantity water supply mode and water pressure zone selection.
Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the water supply logic according to water pressure zone selection.
Figure 8 shows a user interface of a user terminal providing an upgrade alarm display.
Figure 9 shows a user interface of a user terminal providing upgraded additional mode information.
Figure 10 shows a user interface of a user terminal that allows the user to arbitrarily adjust the water discharge amount in the fixed water supply mode.
Figure 11 shows a user interface of a user terminal that can turn on or off the ice creation notification sound.
Figure 12 shows a flowchart of the moving operation and notification sound notification section through the control unit after the ice creation notification mode is upgraded to the additional mode.

The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the attached drawings, so that those skilled in the art will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless specifically stated to the contrary, the first component may also be a second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

Hereinafter, the “top (or bottom)” of a component or the arrangement of any component on the “top (or bottom)” of a component means that any component is placed in contact with the top (or bottom) of the component. Additionally, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

Additionally, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but the other component is “interposed” between each component. It should be understood that “or, each component may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected” through other components.

As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Additionally, as used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when referred to as “A and/or B”, this means A, B or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary, and when referred to as “C to D”, this means unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless absent, it means C or higher and D or lower.

Below, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

The refrigerator 1 including the dispenser 100 in the door 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The refrigerator 1 may include a cabinet 10 providing a storage space and a door 20 that opens and closes the storage space.

The storage space is not limited, but can be divided into an upper first space 11 and a lower second space 12, and the door 20 is also a first door that opens and closes the first space 11 ( 21) and a second door 22 that opens and closes the second space 12.

At least one of the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be a rotating type door. Alternatively, the single door 20 may be a rotating type door. In this embodiment, the two first doors 21 are arranged left and right as an example.

The first door 21 may be rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge device.

One of the two first doors 21 may include the dispenser 100. The dispenser 100 may discharge water and/or ice.

The dispenser 100 may include a dispenser housing 110. A portion of the dispenser housing 110 may be recessed toward the rear to form a space 116 in which a cup or container can be placed.

A lever 190 that the user operates to dispense water or ice may be located in the dispenser housing 110. The lever 190 may be coupled to the rear wall of the dispenser housing 110 to pivot within the space 116 of the dispenser housing 110.

The dispenser 100 may further include a dispenser cover 120 coupled to the dispenser housing 110. The dispenser cover 120 may be coupled to the front of the dispenser housing 110 to form part of the exterior of the dispenser 100.

The dispenser cover 120 may include a body portion 130 disposed in a protruding form in the space 116. The body portion 130 may serve as a display portion.

The body portion 130 may have a round shape with a plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 on the front. In practice, a plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 may serve as a display unit.

A plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 may be arranged horizontally on the body portion 130. The plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 may include first to third buttons.

The first button 133 is a water selection button that is selected to switch to a state in which water can be dispensed. The second button 134 and the third button 135 are ice selection buttons used to switch to a state in which ice can be dispensed. Additionally, the second button 134 and the third button 135 are buttons for selecting the type of ice.

The second button 134 is a button to select regular ice, and the third button 135 is a button to select crushed ice (crushed ice). Regular ice refers to the ice itself produced by an ice-making device (not shown), and piece ice refers to ice in a state in which regular ice has been crushed by a blade.

Although not limited, the first button 133 may be disposed between the second button 134 and the third button 135.

The dispenser 100 includes a sensing assembly (not shown) (or a light emitting assembly) that detects operation of the buttons 133, 134, and 135 and emits light in response to the operated buttons 133, 134, and 135. More may be included.

The sensing assembly (not shown) includes a switch that detects mechanical manipulation of the buttons 133, 134, and 135, or a touch sensor that detects a change in capacitance when the buttons 133, 134, and 135 are touched. can do. In this embodiment, there is no limit to the type of sensor for detecting the operation of the buttons 133, 134, and 135.

Accordingly, the plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 may be input units 200 that receive user commands.

For example, the user can input a command by touching the plurality of buttons 133, 134, and 135 that are the input unit 200.

In this case, the input command may be set differently depending on the time at which the input unit 200 is touched.

The sensing assembly (not shown) may include first to third light-emitting devices. When the first button 133 is selected, the first light emitting device may emit light to the first button 133 or the surrounding area of the first button 133. When the second button 134 is selected, the second light emitting device may emit light to the second button 134 or the surrounding area of the second button 134. When the third button 135 is selected, light may be emitted from the third light emitting device to the third button 135 or the surrounding area of the third button 135.

In this case, the light emitting device may be an LED, but is not limited thereto.

The auxiliary body 140 may be connected to the bottom of the body 130, and a discharge port 150 for discharging water may be provided at the bottom of the auxiliary body 140 to protrude downward.

Referring to FIG. 3, the additional mode control system of the refrigerator 10 according to the present invention may include a refrigerator 1 including a dispenser 100, a server 300, and a user terminal 400.

The refrigerator 1 may communicate with at least one of the server 300 and the user terminal 400.

The user terminal 400 can communicate with the server 300.

Each of the refrigerator 1 and the user terminal 400 may include a communication module, and an example of the communication module may be a Wi-Fi module.

The additional mode control system of the refrigerator may include a user interface.

The user interface may display information about additional modes that can upgrade the functionality of the refrigerator 1.

In this case, the information about the additional mode may be various types of information, such as guidance on installing an upgrade, providing an explanation of the operation of the additional mode, and an input screen for operating the additional mode.

The user interface can receive user commands through touch input, etc.

The user interface may be provided on at least one of the user terminal 400 and the refrigerator 1.

An example of the user interface may be the display of the refrigerator 1. In this case, the display of the refrigerator 1 may include a touch screen that receives user commands through a touch method.

Another example of a user interface may be the display of the user terminal 400. In this case, the display of the user terminal 400 may include a touch screen that receives a user's command through a touch method.

Hereinafter, for convenience, the user interface will be described as the display of the user terminal 400. However, the user interface is not limited to the display of the user terminal 400, and of course, it can also be a display provided in the refrigerator 1.

The additional mode control system for the refrigerator may further include a control unit 500.

Examples of the control unit 500 may be a controller of the refrigerator 1, a controller of the server 300, a controller of the user terminal 400, or a combination of these controllers.

The control unit 500 may control the dispenser 100 of the refrigerator 1 according to input from the user interface or the input unit 200.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator 1, the server 300, and the user terminal 400 can communicate with each other, and the user can upgrade the refrigerator 1 through the user terminal 400.

The user terminal 400 is an electronic device configured to request or receive data processing from the server 300 or the refrigerator 1 through a network and provide the corresponding function. The user terminal 400 is a smart phone, laptop computer, or notebook equipped with such a function. It may be a computer, smart TV, or wearable device.

The user terminal 400 may be connected to the refrigerator 1 through a short-range network, for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

When the upgrade item is transmitted through the user terminal 400, the upgrade item can be downloaded to the server 300, and the refrigerator 1 can be upgraded by downloading the upgrade item from the server 300.

The refrigerator (1) is not limited to including built-in functions when it is sold, and new functions can be continuously added.

In the present invention, upgrading an additional mode that can implement new functions of the dispenser 100 of the refrigerator 1 will be described as an example.

The refrigerator 1 may have its own version. (S1001)

The refrigerator 1 or the server 300 can detect the unique version of the refrigerator 1 and check whether the unique version is an upgradeable version. (S1002)

If the unique version is not an upgradeable version, the refrigerator 1 maintains the existing unique version and does not perform the upgrade. (S1003)

Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 may include a specific app that can control and manage the refrigerator 1, and the user can input content to upgrade the refrigerator 1 through the specific app. The user terminal 400 may hold content to be upgraded. (S1004)

The server 300 can download upgrade items (content) from the user terminal 400 and store them on the server. The server 300 can download automatically or by reservation. (S1005)

If the unique version of the refrigerator 1 is an upgradeable version, the server 300 can transmit the upgrade item (content) to the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 can download the upgrade item, and the upgrade is completed. Once completed, completion can be displayed on the user interface. (S1006)

The additional mode control system for the refrigerator according to the present invention described above communicates with the user terminal 400, the server 300, and at least one of the user terminal 400 and the server 300, and includes the user terminal 400. It includes a refrigerator (1) including a dispenser (100) that can be upgraded to additional modes by the server (300).

The user can check whether the upgrade of the additional mode has been completed through the user interface of the user terminal 400, which provides information about the additional mode.

When the refrigerator 1 is upgraded with an additional mode including a new function of the dispenser 100, the user can input a command for executing the additional mode into the input unit 200 provided in the dispenser 100.

When a user's command is input into the input unit 200, the control unit 500 can control execution of the additional mode according to the user's command.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator 1 and the user terminal 400 may be compatible with each other.

For example, if an additional mode is selected in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 may be compatible with the selected additional mode with the user terminal 400, and if an additional mode is selected in the user terminal 400, the user terminal 400 The selected additional modes are compatible with the refrigerator (1). (S1007) (S1008)

According to the present invention, when an additional mode that can implement a new function of the dispenser 100 is developed, the user can upgrade the additional mode of the new function to the dispenser 100 with a simple operation of the user terminal 400. This can increase user convenience for function upgrades.

Below, the upgraded additional modes will be described in more detail.

For example, the additional mode may be a fixed-quantity water supply mode in which a preset fixed amount of water is controlled to be dispensed.

When the fixed quantity water supply mode to the dispenser 100 is upgraded to an additional mode, the first button 133, the second button 134, and the third button 135 provided on the body portion 130 of the dispenser 100 may be an input unit 200 through which a user inputs a command to dispense a different quantity of water.

Referring to Figure 5, the second button 134 becomes the first input unit 210, the first button 133 becomes the second input unit 220, and the third button 135 becomes the third input unit 230. It can be.

For example, when the user inputs a command into the first input unit 210, 250 ml of water is dispensed, and when the user inputs a command into the second input unit 220, 500 ml of water is dispensed. 3 When a command is entered into the input unit 230, 1,000 ml of water can be controlled to be dispensed.

Specifically, when the user inputs a command to the input unit and then presses the lever 190 of the dispenser 100, water may be dispensed in a capacity corresponding to the selected button, that is, the input unit.

In this case, the amount of water discharged is determined by a preset amount, but is not limited to this and can be changed through various methods such as user settings or upgrade of additional modes.

According to the present invention, when upgrading the dispenser 100 to a new additional mode, the function settings for the input unit capable of executing the function of the newly added additional mode are arbitrarily assigned to the input unit provided in the dispenser 100 before the upgrade. It is possible to implement new functions without functional limitations simply by upgrading the software.

With reference to FIG. 5, a flowchart of the fixed-quantity water supply mode according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

After the quantitative water supply mode, which is a new additional mode in the dispenser 100, is upgraded, the user can perform quantitative water supply through the following flow chart.

In step S100, when the user continuously presses one of the first button 133, the second button 134, and the third button 135 of the dispenser 100 during the first set time, A quantitative water supply mode for each capacity corresponding to the pressed button may be started.

In this case, the first setting time may be set to 3 seconds, but the time may be changed and is not limited to this.

Even after the fixed-quantity water supply mode is upgraded to the dispenser 100, the fixed-quantity water supply mode does not start until the user starts the fixed-quantity water supply mode, and the functions of the existing dispenser 100 can be implemented.

For example, when the first button 133, second button 134, and third button 135 of the dispenser 100 are pressed briefly, that is, when pressed within the first set time, the quantitative water supply mode is not executed. No.

Therefore, in this case, the first button 133, the second button 134, and the third button 135 function as a water selection button, a button for selecting regular ice, and a button for selecting ice cubes, respectively. do.

In this way, according to the present invention, the execution of the quantitative water supply mode is linked to the time of pressing the input button, making it possible to execute different functions according to each mode with the same button without a separate additional input unit.

When the user presses a specific button during the first set time in step S100 as described above, the LED of the corresponding button selected in step S110 may blink and a buzzer sound may sound.

Accordingly, the user can accurately and conveniently recognize which button has been selected.

In this case, if the user presses one of the plurality of buttons again during the first set time, step S120 may be entered and the quantitative water supply mode may be released.

At the same time, a buzzer sounds, and the LED of the button that was blinking in step S110 stops blinking.

When the quantitative water supply mode is released, the water purification mode changes to the previous water purification mode before the quantitative water supply mode was executed.

In this case, if the user continuously presses one of the plurality of buttons for the first set time in step S120, step S110 is entered again, and the quantitative water supply mode corresponding to the selected button can be executed. .

In other words, the water purification mode is changed to the quantitative water supply mode.

If there is no operation, such as if the user does not input a separate command during the second set time in step S110, the constant water supply mode may be released by entering step S130. At the same time, the LED of the button that was blinking in step S110 stops blinking.

In this case, the second setting time may be set to 30 seconds, but the time may be changed and is not limited to this.

If the user presses or continues to press the lever 190 in step 110, the water supply may proceed with the amount of water corresponding to the selected button as in step S140.

When the quantitative water supply is completed in step S140, step S160 is entered and the quantitative water supply mode can be released. At the same time, the LED of the button that was blinking in step S140 stops blinking.

Additionally, if the user additionally presses the lever 190 in step S140, step S150 may be entered and the quantitative water supply mode may be released. At the same time, the LED of the button that was blinking in step S140 stops blinking.

Meanwhile, in the case of the capacity selected in the fixed water supply mode, errors may occur depending on the water pressure zone environment, and additional logic can be implemented to reduce the errors.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the fixed water supply mode is started in step S200 and the capacity is selected, the control unit 500 selects a water pressure zone in step S210, and calculates the formula corresponding to each water pressure zone in step S220. It can be controlled to dispense water according to the capacity.

Specifically, in the fixed-quantity water supply mode, the control unit 500 detects the water flow rate using a pulse value through a flow rate sensor (not shown) for a certain period of time so that water is dispensed at a volume corresponding to the selected button, and determines the water pressure. When the target pulse value corresponding to the determined water pressure is reached, the water supply is terminated and a fixed amount of water can be supplied.

In this case, a flow sensor (not shown) is generally used, and the water flow rate can be calculated according to the pulse value corresponding to the number of rotations of the flow meter.

The flow meter is a means of detecting the water flow rate and can generate pulses as the impeller rotates due to the pressure of the supplied water.

Accordingly, the control unit 500 can integrate the pulse value according to the rotation of the impeller according to a preset formula.

With reference to FIG. 7, the flowchart for selecting a water pressure zone will be further described.

When the quantitative water supply mode is started and the capacity is selected in step S300, the control unit 500 may compare the calculated pulse value in step S310.

For example, if the pulse value < a, it is ultra-low water pressure, if a ≤ pulse value < b, it is low water pressure, and if b ≤ pulse value, it can be determined as general water pressure. .

In this case, a and b are natural numbers and are preset values that can be changed depending on settings.

In the case of ultra-low water pressure in step S310 (S320), checking the target value for each ultra-low water pressure water supply (S321), and applying water supply logic that calculates the target pulse value according to the formula corresponding to each water pressure zone. (S350) may be performed.

In the case of general water pressure in step S310 (S330), checking the target value for each general water pressure supply (S331), and applying the water supply logic that calculates the target pulse value according to the formula corresponding to each water pressure zone. (S350) may be performed.

In the case of low water pressure in step S310 (S340), checking the target value for each low water pressure water supply (S341), and applying water supply logic that calculates the target pulse value according to the formula corresponding to each water pressure zone. (S350) may be performed.

If the target pulse value is reached after step S350, extraction may be terminated (S360).

Figure 8 shows the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 that provides an upgrade alarm display.

The user interface 410 may include a title area 412 that shows the subject or product of the currently displayed screen and a main area 411 that shows various information to the user.

An upgrade alarm display 413 and an upgrade button 414 may be displayed in the main area 411.

The user can check whether the additional mode can be upgraded through the upgrade alarm display 413.

If the user wishes to upgrade the confirmed additional mode to the existing refrigerator 1, the user presses the upgrade button 414, and the existing refrigerator 1 can be upgraded to the additional mode through the user terminal 400. .

Figure 9 shows the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 that provides additional mode information for the upgraded quantitative water supply mode.

In this case, the user interface 410 may be a screen implemented by an app downloaded to the user terminal 400. For example, it may be a ThinQ app, but it is not limited to this.

The user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 displays additional mode information 415 showing information about the upgraded additional mode, thereby displaying detailed information about the functions of the new additional mode on the display unit of the existing refrigerator 1. It can be provided in detail without restrictions.

Meanwhile, the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 may additionally provide an option that allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and select the volume of water dispensed in the fixed-quantity water supply mode.

For example, the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 may provide an option to allow the user to select a specific button on the dispenser 100 so that the user can arbitrarily adjust the amount of water dispensed.

In this case, the option is not particularly limited to being provided in text or graphic form.

When the user selects a button to adjust the water extraction amount, referring to FIG. 10, the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 displays a title area 422 that displays the water extraction quantity adjustment items and a description of the method for controlling the water extraction quantity. The pop-up area 420 may be displayed to include the description area 423 to be displayed.

In addition, a water discharge amount control unit 424 is included so that the user can adjust the water discharge amount to the desired amount.

In Figure 10, the amount of water discharged is adjusted in the form of adjusting the bar as an example, but it is not limited to this and may be displayed so that the user can directly input a number.

When the user adjusts the water discharge amount through the water discharge amount control unit 424, the set water discharge amount may be displayed on the water discharge amount display unit 425.

In this case, when the user clicks the settings storage unit 426, the changed water extraction amount is saved, and when the user clicks the setting cancellation unit 427, the changed water extraction quantity is not saved and can be canceled.

Since the user is provided with the option to arbitrarily adjust the water discharge amount, the user's convenience can be increased by allowing the water to be dispensed at a variety of medium values in addition to the default settings of 250ml, 500ml, and 1000ml.

Meanwhile, the additional mode may be an ice production notification mode that informs the user that ice production by the dispenser 100 is completed with a notification sound such as a melody for a certain period of time.

In this case, the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 may provide the user with an option to select on or off the ice creation notification mode.

Referring to FIG. 11, the user interface 410 of the user terminal 400 may display a title area 432 and a menu tree 433 from which various menus can be selected.

For example, when the user selects a product notification sound from the menus in the menu tree 433, the user interface 410 includes a notification sound type selection unit 434 and an ice creation notification sound on/off selection unit 435. Can be switched to display.

The user can select one of various types of melodies from the notification sound type selection unit 434, and select on or off by clicking the ice creation notification sound on/off selection unit 435, and this user terminal (400 ), the control unit 500 of the refrigerator 1 can control the selected function to be implemented in the refrigerator 1.

Figure 12 shows a flowchart of the moving operation and notification sound notification section through the control unit after the ice creation notification mode is upgraded to the additional mode.

In the ice creation notification mode, the control unit 500 can detect that the dispenser 100 is full of ice and control a notification sound to sound while the ice is moving.

For example, the control unit 500 can detect whether the ice tray (not shown) of the dispenser 100 is full of ice, and when full ice is detected, moves the ice in the ice tray (not shown) after the full ice detection section. The moving control step can be executed.

In this process, the control unit 500 can control a notification sound to sound after a full ice detection period of 4.5 seconds and a delay period of 4 seconds.

The alarm sound may sound for 4 seconds, but is not limited to this, and the time of the full ice detection section and delay section is not particularly limited.

In this case, the alarm sound section in which the alarm sound is sounded may overlap with the point at which ice falls during the moving control process of the controller 500.

In this way, the notification sound section overlaps with the point when the ice falls, which has the effect of masking noise that may be generated during the moving process with the notification sound as much as possible.

In addition, the notification sound section does not start immediately after the full ice detection section, but includes a delay section to reduce the alarm sound from continuing unnecessarily long, and overlap the notification sound section as closely as possible with the point when ice falls, which generates a lot of noise. You can do it.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that transformation can occur. In addition, although the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described and explained while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural that the predictable effects due to the configuration should also be recognized.

1: refrigerator
10: cabinet
11: First space
12: Second space
20: door
21: first door
22: Second door
100: Dispenser
110: housing
116: space
120: Dispenser cover
130: body part
133: first button
134: second button
135: Third button
140: Auxiliary body part
150: discharge port
190: lever
200: input unit
210: first input unit
220: second input unit
230: Third input unit
300: server
400: User terminal
410: User interface
411: Main area
412: Title area
413: Display upgrade alarm
414: Upgrade button
415: Additional mode information
420: Pop-up area
422: Title area
423: Description area
424: Water discharge volume control unit
425: Water discharge amount display unit
426: Setting storage unit
427: Setting cancellation section
432: Title area
433: Menu tree
434: Notification sound type selection unit
435: Ice creation sound on/off selection unit
500: Control unit

Claims (11)

user terminal;
a server communicating with the user terminal;
a refrigerator that communicates with at least one of the user terminal and the server and includes a dispenser capable of being upgraded to an additional mode by the user terminal or the server;
a user interface provided in the user terminal and providing information about the additional mode;
an input unit provided in the dispenser to receive a user's command according to the additional mode; and
a control unit that controls execution of the additional mode according to the user's command input to the input unit; Additional mode control system for refrigerator, including. According to paragraph 1,
The additional mode is a fixed-quantity water supply mode in which a preset amount of water is controlled to be dispensed. According to paragraph 2,
The user interface is,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator that provides an option for a user to arbitrarily adjust and select the volume of water dispensed in the fixed-quantity water supply mode. According to paragraph 2,
The dispenser includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to the input unit,
The additional mode control system for a refrigerator, wherein the control unit controls the fixed amount water supply mode to be executed when any one of the buttons is pressed for a certain period of time. According to paragraph 4,
The plurality of buttons include a first button, a second button, and a third button,
In the fixed-quantity water supply mode, the first button, the second button, and the third button are input units that respectively allow different volumes of water to be dispensed. According to clause 5,
The dispenser further includes a lever,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator, wherein when the lever is pressed in the fixed-quantity water supply mode, water is dispensed in a volume corresponding to the selected button. According to clause 5,
In the quantitative water supply mode, the control unit,
Detecting the water flow rate using a pulse value through a flow sensor for a certain period of time so that water is dispensed at a volume corresponding to the selected button,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator that determines the water pressure and stops water supply when it reaches the target pulse value corresponding to the determined water pressure to supply a fixed amount of water. According to paragraph 4,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator, wherein the fixed-quantity water supply mode is canceled when one of the plurality of buttons is pressed for a certain period of time in the fixed-quantity water supply mode or is inactive for a certain period of time. According to paragraph 1,
The additional mode is an ice production notification mode that notifies the completion of ice production in the dispenser. According to clause 9,
In the ice creation notification mode,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator, wherein the control unit detects that the dispenser is full and controls a notification sound to sound during the moving process. According to clause 9,
The user interface is,
An additional mode control system for a refrigerator, providing a user with the option to select the ice creation notification mode on or off.

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