TW201740066A - Refrigerator system and control method thereof for enabling a communication between a refrigerator and a portable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator system includes a refrigerator and a portable electronic device. The refrigerator includes an icebox main body and a circuit module arranged in the icebox main body. The icebox main body includes a box body and a door body for opening or closing the box body. The circuit module includes a door opening/closing detector, a plurality of illumination units arranged in the box body, and a processing unit electrically connected to the door opening/closing detector and the illumination units. The portable electronic device is connected to the circuit module and is capable of receiving a selection instruction to generate a control instruction and transmit the control instruction to the circuit module. When the processing unit of the circuit module determines that the door body is currently at a position to open the box body based on the detection result of the door opening/closing detector, the processing unit controls the illumination units to emit light or not to emit light, respectively, based on the control instruction.

Description

Refrigerator system and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a refrigerator system, and more particularly to a refrigerator system that can communicate between a refrigerator and a portable electronic device, and to a control method of the refrigerator system.

Generally, a plurality of lighting units are arranged in the storage space of the refrigerator. When the user opens the refrigerator door, the lighting units emit light as the refrigerator door is opened, so that the user can view and find the items in the storage space. If the volume of the refrigerator is large, the number of lighting units to be installed is also relatively increased, and each time the refrigerator door is opened, all the lighting units are illuminated to cause unnecessary energy consumption, and thus there is still room for improvement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more energy efficient refrigerator system, and another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling the refrigerator system.

Therefore, the smart refrigerator system of the present invention comprises a refrigerator and a portable electronic device; the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body and a circuit component disposed on the refrigerator body, the refrigerator body comprises a box body, and a refrigerator is used for opening Or enclosing the door body of the box, the box body defining a plurality of storage spaces; the circuit component comprises a door opening and closing detector, a communication unit, a plurality of lighting units disposed on the box body, and an electrical connection a door opening and closing detector, the communication unit and a processing unit of the lighting unit, the door opening and closing detector is configured to detect that the position of the door body is open or closed, and the lighting units are respectively used for illuminating the same a storage unit, the portable electronic device includes a communication module, an input module, and a processing module electrically connected to the communication module and the input module, the communication module is connected to the circuit of the refrigerator a communication unit of the component; the processing module of the portable electronic device can receive a selection instruction via the input module, and the processing module can generate a control instruction according to the selection instruction and pass the communication mode Transmitting to the refrigerator; the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator can receive the control command via the communication unit; and when the processing unit determines, according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector, that the current position of the door is open a cabinet, the processing unit respectively controls whether each of the illumination units emits light or does not emit light according to the control instruction.

In some implementations, the processing module of the portable electronic device can receive a correspondence data through the input module, where the correspondence data includes a plurality of identification materials respectively associated with the lighting units, and a plurality of Item data, the item data is respectively associated with a plurality of items placed in the storage space, each item data corresponding to at least one identification data; and the control instruction enabling the processing unit when the selection instruction includes one of the item materials The lighting unit that controls the identification data corresponding to the one of the item materials is controlled to emit light.

In some implementations, when the selection instruction includes one of the identification materials, the control instruction enables the processing unit to control illumination of the illumination unit associated with the one of the identification materials.

In some implementations, the portable electronic device further includes a prompting module electrically connected to the processing module; and the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator is determined according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector The position of the door is open to the box for more than a predetermined time, and the processing unit transmits a first warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; when the processing module of the portable electronic device The first warning notification is received by the communication module, and the processing module outputs the first warning notification via the prompting module.

In some implementations, the circuit assembly of the refrigerator further includes a temperature sensor electrically connected to the processing unit and configured to sense the storage spaces; when the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator is based on the temperature sense The sensing result of the detector determines that the temperature of the storage space is higher than a predetermined temperature, and the processing unit transmits a second warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; when the portable electronic device is processed The module receives the second warning notification via the communication module, and the processing module outputs the second warning notification via the prompt module.

In some implementations, the circuit component of the refrigerator further includes a prompt light unit electrically connected to the processing unit, the prompt light unit is configured to output the first warning notice and the second warning notice.

In some implementations, the input module of the portable electronic device includes a microphone, and the selection command is a voice command received via the microphone.

The refrigerator system of the present invention comprises a refrigerator and a portable electronic device, the refrigerator comprising a refrigerator body, and a circuit component disposed on the refrigerator body, the refrigerator body including a definition a casing for a plurality of storage spaces, and a door for opening or closing the casing, the circuit assembly comprising a door opening and closing detector, a communication unit, a plurality of lighting units disposed in the casing, and a The processing unit, the portable electronic device includes a communication module, an input module, and a processing module, the method comprising: (A) the processing module of the portable electronic device receives a processing module via the input module Selecting an instruction; (B) the processing module generates a control command according to the selection command and transmits the control command to the refrigerator via the communication module; (C) the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator via the communication unit Receiving the control command; (D) when the processing unit determines that the current position of the door body is open to the box according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector, the processing unit respectively according to the control instruction Each of the illumination units is controlled to emit light or not.

In some implementations, before the step (A), the method further includes: (E) the processing module of the portable electronic device receives a correspondence data through the input module, where the correspondence data includes multiple The identification data related to the lighting units and the plurality of item materials respectively related to the plurality of items placed in the storage space, each of the item materials corresponding to the at least one identification material. Wherein, when the selection instruction in the step (A) includes one of the item materials, the execution of the control instruction generated in the step (B) enables the processing unit to control the item related to the item in the step (D). The illumination unit corresponding to the identification material emits light.

In some implementations, when the selection instruction in step (A) includes one of the identification materials, executing the control instruction generated in step (B) enables the processing unit to control the relevant in step (D). The illumination unit of one of the identification materials emits light.

In some implementations, the portable electronic device further includes a prompt module. The method further includes: (F) determining, by the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator, the detection result of the door opening and closing detector The position of the door body opens the box for more than a predetermined time, the processing unit transmits a first warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; and (G) when the portable electronic device The processing module receives the first warning notification via the communication module, and the processing module outputs the first warning notification via the prompting module.

In some implementations, the circuit component of the refrigerator further includes a prompt light unit; and in the step (G), the processing unit further outputs the first warning notification via the prompt light unit.

In some implementations, the portable electronic device further includes a prompt module, the circuit component of the refrigerator further includes a temperature sensor; the method further includes: (H) when the circuit component of the refrigerator The processing unit determines that the temperature of the storage space is higher than a predetermined temperature according to the sensing result of the temperature sensor, and the processing unit transmits a second warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; and (I When the processing module of the portable electronic device receives the second warning notification via the communication module, the processing module outputs the second warning notification via the prompt module.

In some implementations, the circuit component of the refrigerator further includes a prompt light unit; in the step (I), the processing unit further outputs the second warning notification via the prompt light unit.

The effect of the present invention is that the processing unit of the portable electronic device controls each of the illumination units to emit light or not according to the control command, so that the user can control the corresponding storage space for one of the storage spaces to be inspected. One of the lighting units emits light, which not only facilitates the user to find the item, but also reduces the energy waste caused by the simultaneous illumination of all the lighting units compared to the conventional technology.

1 and 2, an embodiment of a refrigerator system of the present invention includes a refrigerator 1 and a portable electronic device 2. In the embodiment, the portable electronic device 2 is a mobile phone. In other embodiments, the portable electronic device 2 can also be a tablet computer or a notebook computer.

The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator body 11 and a circuit assembly 12 disposed on the refrigerator body 11.

The refrigerator body 11 includes a box body 111 and at least one door body 112 for opening or closing the box body 111. The box body 111 defines a plurality of storage spaces.

The circuit assembly 12 includes a door opening and closing detector 121, a temperature sensor 122, a communication unit 123, a plurality of lighting units 124, a reminder light unit 125, and a processing unit 126. The door opening and closing detector 121 is configured to detect that the position of the door body 112 is open or close the box 111. In the embodiment, the door opening and closing detector 121 is substantially a pressure sensing component, and is disposed between the casing 111 and the door body 112 of the refrigerator body 11 and is used for detecting that the door body 112 is closed. The pressing force caused by the casing 111. The temperature sensor 122 is used to sense the temperature of the storage spaces. The lighting units 124 are disposed inside the casing 111 and are respectively used to illuminate the storage spaces. The indicator light unit 125 is exposed to the casing 111. The processing unit 126 is electrically connected to the door opening and closing detector 121, the temperature sensor 122, the communication unit 123, the lighting unit 124, and the indicator light unit 125.

The portable electronic device 2 includes a communication module 21, an input module 22, a prompt module 23, and a processing module 24. The communication module 21 is connected to the communication unit 123 of the circuit assembly 12 of the refrigerator 1. More specifically, the communication module 21 can communicate with each other in a wireless manner with the communication unit 123 of the circuit assembly 12. The input module 22 includes a microphone and a touchpad, but is not limited thereto. In other implementations, the input module 22 can further include, for example, a keyboard. In the embodiment, the prompt module 23 includes a liquid crystal display module (which forms a touch screen together with the touch panel), a speaker and a vibration module. The processing module 24 is electrically connected to the communication module 21, the input module 22, and the prompt module 23.

Referring to Fig. 3, an embodiment of a control method of the refrigerator system of the present invention will be described below.

First, the process step S01 is performed: the processing module 24 of the portable electronic device 2 can receive a corresponding relationship data via the input module 22. The correspondence data includes a plurality of identification materials respectively associated with the lighting units 124, and a plurality of item materials, wherein the item materials are respectively associated with a plurality of items placed in the storage spaces, and each of the item materials corresponds to At least one identification data.

Then, the process step S02 is performed: the processing module 24 of the portable electronic device 2 can receive a selection command via the input module 22.

Then, the process step S03 is executed: the processing module 24 generates a control command according to the selection instruction.

Then, the process step S04 is executed: the processing module 24 is transmitted to the circuit component 12 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication module 21.

After the processing unit 126 of the circuit component 12 of the refrigerator 1 receives the control command via the communication unit 123, the process proceeds to step S05: the processing unit 126 determines the current state of the door body 112 according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector 121. Whether the location is the opening of the cabinet 111, and if so, the flow proceeds to step S06.

Step S06: The processing unit 126 controls each of the illumination units 124 to emit light or not to emit light according to the control instruction. In this embodiment, the selection instruction may include one of the item materials or include one of the identification materials. When the selection instruction includes one of the item materials, the control instruction enables the processing unit 126 to control the illumination unit 124 associated with the identification material corresponding to the one of the item materials to emit light. On the other hand, when the selection instruction includes one of the identification data, the control instruction enables the processing unit 126 to control the illumination unit 124 associated with the one of the identification materials to emit light. For example, if a user places an item X in a storage space adjacent to a lighting unit Y, an item X' associated with the item X can be created by the portable electronic device 2, and Setting the item data X' corresponds to an identification data Y' related to the lighting unit Y, and then, if the user inputs the item information X' in the selection instruction of the portable electronic device 2, the control instruction The processing unit 126 can control the illumination unit Y to emit light, that is, the user can input the item data X′ to cause the illumination unit Y to emit light, thereby guiding the user to the illuminated illumination unit Y. The storage space finds the item X, so that the time taken for the search can be reduced, and the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 itself can also be reduced. On the other hand, if the selection command input by the user to the portable electronic device 2 includes the identification data Y′, the control command enables the processing unit 126 to control the illumination unit Y to emit light, that is, the user also The identification data Y' can be directly input to cause the illumination unit Y to emit light, whereby a power saving effect can be generated when other illumination units other than the illumination unit Y are controlled to emit no light. It is to be noted that the selection command may be a voice command received through a microphone of the input module, or may be a touch command received via a touch panel of the input module.

Then, the processing unit 126 of the circuit component 12 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether the position of the door body 112 is open to the cabinet 111 and continues for more than a predetermined time according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector 121. If yes, then proceed to process step S08. It is added that the predetermined time can be adjusted by the user.

Process step S08: The processing unit 126 outputs a first warning notification via the prompt light unit 125.

Then, the process step S09 is executed: the processing unit 126 transmits the first warning notification to the portable electronic device 2 via the communication unit 123.

Then, the process step S10 is executed: the processing module 24 of the portable electronic device 2 receives the first warning notification via the communication module 21.

Next, the process step S11 is executed: the processing module 24 outputs the first warning notification via the prompt module 23.

In the process step S05, when the processing unit 126 determines, according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector 121, that the current position of the door body 112 is not opening the box 111, or in the process step S07, when the power is The processing unit 126 of the circuit component 12 of the refrigerator 1 determines that the position of the door body 112 is open to the box 111 according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector 121, but does not continue to exceed the predetermined time, and then executes the flow. Step S12: The processing unit 126 of the circuit component 12 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether the temperature of the storage spaces is higher than a predetermined temperature according to the sensing result of the temperature sensor 122. If not, the process step S05 is performed again. If so, then flow proceeds to step S13.

Process step S13: The processing unit 126 outputs a second warning notification via the prompt light unit 125.

Then, the process step S14 is executed: the processing unit 126 transmits the second warning notification to the portable electronic device 2 via the communication unit 123.

Then, the process step S15 is executed: the processing module 24 of the portable electronic device 2 receives the second warning notification via the communication module 21.

Finally, the process step S16 is executed: the processing module 24 outputs the second warning notification via the prompt module 23.

In the process step S09 or the process step S14 of the embodiment, the prompt light unit 125 can output the first warning notice or the second warning notice in a blinking or constant manner. In addition, in the process step S11 or the process step S16, the portable electronic device 2 can output the first warning notification or the second warning notification by means of vibration, ringing, or message notification.

In summary, the refrigerator system of the present invention can generate a control command according to the selection command by the portable electronic device 2, and the control command can enable the processing unit 126 of the refrigerator 1 to control whether the illumination unit 124 emits light or not. When the user opens the door body 112 of the refrigerator 1 , the lighting units 124 do not emit light as in the prior art, but determine whether the lighting units 124 are illuminated according to a selection command input by the user, when the partial lighting unit 124 is The control can generate a power saving effect by controlling the non-lighting. Further, the portable electronic device 2 can generate a control command according to the corresponding relationship data, so that the user can control the related data item by inputting a selection instruction including the item data. The illumination unit 124 corresponding to the identification material emits light, so that the user can be guided to the storage space where the illumination unit 124 is illuminated to find the item, thereby reducing the time taken for the search, and also reducing the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 itself. In addition, the door opening and closing detector 121 and the temperature sensor 122 respectively detect the position of the door body 112 and the temperature of the storage space, and respectively issue the first and second warning notices when an abnormality occurs, and then The prompting light unit 125 and the prompting module 23 of the portable electronic device 2 output first and second warning notifications, so that the user can react to the abnormal situation of the refrigerator 1 in an instant, so that the present invention can be achieved. The purpose of the invention.

However, the above is only the embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, and all the equivalent equivalent changes and modifications according to the scope of the patent application and the patent specification of the present invention are still The scope of the invention is covered.

1‧‧‧Refrigerator
11‧‧‧ refrigerator body
111‧‧‧ cabinet
112‧‧‧
12‧‧‧ circuit components
121‧‧‧door opening and closing detector
122‧‧‧temperature sensor
123‧‧‧Communication unit
124‧‧‧Lighting unit
125‧‧‧tip light unit
126‧‧‧Processing unit
2‧‧‧Portable electronic devices
21‧‧‧Communication Module
22‧‧‧Input module
23‧‧‧Tips module
24‧‧‧Processing module
S01~S16‧‧‧ Process steps

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments of the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a refrigerator system of the present invention; Figure 2 is a hardware of the embodiment FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a control method of the refrigerator system of the present invention.

12‧‧‧ circuit components

121‧‧‧door opening and closing detector

122‧‧‧temperature sensor

123‧‧‧Communication unit

124‧‧‧Lighting unit

125‧‧‧tip light unit

126‧‧‧Processing unit

2‧‧‧Portable electronic devices

21‧‧‧Communication Module

22‧‧‧Input module

23‧‧‧Tips module

24‧‧‧Processing module

Claims (14)

A refrigerator system comprising: a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator body and a circuit assembly disposed on the refrigerator body, the refrigerator body comprising a box body, and a door body for opening or closing the box body, the box The body defines a plurality of storage spaces, the circuit component includes a door opening and closing detector, a communication unit, a plurality of lighting units disposed in the box, and an electrical connection to the door opening and closing detector, the communication unit and the a processing unit of the lighting unit, the door opening and closing detector is configured to detect that the position of the door body is open or closed, the lighting units are respectively used for illuminating the storage spaces; and a portable electronic device, a communication module, an input module, and a processing module electrically connected to the communication module and the input module, the communication module being connected to a communication unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator; The processing module of the electronic device can receive a selection command via the input module, and the processing module can generate a control command according to the selection command and transmit to the refrigerator via the communication module; the refrigerator The processing unit of the circuit component can receive the control command via the communication unit; when the processing unit determines that the current position of the door body is open to the box according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector, the processing unit is controlled according to the control unit The instructions respectively control whether each of the illumination units emits light or does not emit light. The refrigerator system of claim 1, wherein the processing module of the portable electronic device can receive a correspondence data via the input module, the correspondence data comprising a plurality of corresponding lighting units respectively Identifying data and a plurality of item data, wherein the item data is respectively associated with a plurality of items placed in the storage space, each item data corresponding to at least one identification data; and when the selection instruction includes one of the item materials, the control The instruction enables the processing unit to control illumination of the illumination unit associated with the identification material corresponding to the one of the item materials. The refrigerator system according to claim 2, wherein, when the selection instruction includes one of the identification data, the control instruction enables the processing unit to control the illumination unit associated with the one of the identification materials to emit light. The refrigerator system of claim 3, wherein the portable electronic device further includes a prompt module electrically connected to the processing module; and the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator detects the opening and closing according to the door The detection result of the device determines that the position of the door body is open to the box for more than a predetermined time, and the processing unit transmits a first warning notice to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; when the portable type The processing module of the electronic device receives the first warning notification via the communication module, and the processing module outputs the first warning notification via the prompting module. The refrigerator system of claim 4, wherein the circuit component of the refrigerator further comprises a temperature sensor electrically connected to the processing unit and configured to sense the storage spaces; when the circuit component of the refrigerator The processing unit determines that the temperature of the storage space is higher than a predetermined temperature according to the sensing result of the temperature sensor, and the processing unit transmits a second warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; The processing module of the portable electronic device receives the second warning notification via the communication module, and the processing module outputs the second warning notification via the prompting module. The refrigerator system of claim 5, wherein the circuit component of the refrigerator further comprises a prompt light unit electrically connected to the processing unit, the prompt light unit is configured to output the first warning notice and the second warning Notice. The refrigerator system of claim 5, wherein the input module of the portable electronic device comprises a microphone, and the selection command is a voice command received via the microphone. A refrigerator system includes a refrigerator and a portable electronic device, the refrigerator includes a refrigerator body, and a circuit component disposed on the refrigerator body, the refrigerator body includes a defined a casing for a plurality of storage spaces, and a door for opening or closing the casing, the circuit assembly comprising a door opening and closing detector, a communication unit, a plurality of lighting units disposed in the casing, and a processing The portable electronic device includes a communication module, an input module, and a processing module, and the method includes: (A) the processing module of the portable electronic device receives a selection via the input module (B) the processing module generates a control command according to the selection command and transmits the control command to the refrigerator via the communication module; (C) the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator receives the communication unit via the communication unit And the control unit determines that the current position of the door body is open to the box according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detector, and the processing unit is configured according to the control instruction Controlling each of the lighting units do not emit light or not. The method of controlling the refrigerator system according to claim 8, before the step (A), the method further includes: (E) the processing module of the portable electronic device receives a correspondence data via the input module, The correspondence data includes a plurality of identification materials respectively associated with the lighting units, and a plurality of item materials, wherein the item materials are respectively associated with a plurality of items placed in the storage spaces, each of the item materials corresponding to at least one Identifying data; wherein, when the selection instruction in step (A) includes one of the item materials, executing the control instruction generated in step (B) enables the processing unit to control the step (D) in relation to the The illumination unit of the identification material corresponding to the item data is illuminated. The control method of the refrigerator system according to claim 9, wherein, when the selection instruction in the step (A) includes one of the identification materials, the execution of the control instruction generated in the step (B) enables the processing unit to In step (D), the lighting unit associated with the one of the identification materials is controlled to emit light. The control method of the refrigerator system according to claim 10, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a prompt module; the method further comprises: (F) when the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator is according to the door The detection result of the opening and closing detector determines that the position of the door body is open to the box for more than a predetermined time, and the processing unit transmits a first warning notification to the portable electronic device via the communication unit; and (G When the processing module of the portable electronic device receives the first warning notification via the communication module, the processing module outputs the first warning notification via the prompting module. The control method of the refrigerator system according to claim 11, wherein the circuit component of the refrigerator further comprises a prompt light unit; and in the step (G), the processing unit further outputs the first warning notice via the prompt light unit. The control system of the refrigerator system of claim 9, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a prompt module, the circuit component of the refrigerator further comprising a temperature sensor; the method further comprises: (H When the processing unit of the circuit component of the refrigerator determines that the temperature of the storage space is higher than a predetermined temperature according to the sensing result of the temperature sensor, the processing unit transmits a second warning notification to the The portable electronic device; and (I) when the processing module of the portable electronic device receives the second warning notification via the communication module, the processing module outputs the second warning notification via the prompting module. The control method of the refrigerator system according to claim 13, wherein the circuit component of the refrigerator further comprises a prompt light unit; and in the step (I), the processing unit further outputs the second warning notice via the prompt light unit.