WO2017135528A1

WO2017135528A1 - Refrigerator, server, and method for providing food information and food ordering service by using same

Info

Publication number: WO2017135528A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/007871
Authority: WO
Inventors: 임지웅; 김두일
Original assignee: 삼성전자(주)
Priority date: 2016-02-05
Filing date: 2016-07-20
Publication date: 2017-08-10
Also published as: KR20170093640A

Abstract

Disclosed are a refrigerator, a server, and a method for providing food information and a food ordering service by using the same, wherein, when there occurs an event such as door opening/closing in a refrigerator or a user input to a refrigerator, information on food is output on the basis of the weight information of food stored in the refrigerator, so as to provide the same to a user and allow the user to place an order for food. The refrigerator comprises: a storage part including a storage space for storing food; a sensing unit for sensing the weight of food stored in the storage space; an output unit capable of outputting information on the refrigerator; and a processor for controlling the output unit such that the same outputs information on food on the basis of information on the weight of the stored food, sensed by the sensing unit.

Description

How to provide refrigerator, server and food information and ordering service

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. More specifically, when an event such as opening or closing a door or a user input occurs in the refrigerator, the present invention displays and provides information about food based on the weight information of the food stored in the refrigerator. The present invention relates to a refrigerator, a server, and a method of providing food information and ordering service for allowing food to be ordered together.

In general, foods that can resolve meals are supplied to consumers through distribution stores such as restaurants, food stores, marts, baking / bakeries, and the like.

Among these distribution stores, restaurants are classified into delivery restaurants that can deliver food to places that require food, such as pizza restaurants, chicken restaurants, Chinese restaurants, and late night restaurants, and general restaurants that provide food only at restaurants.

Information about the restaurant is delivered to the user through a leaflet or a brochure introducing the restaurant distributed to each home in the restaurant. Therefore, when a user requests a delivery service to a restaurant or visits a restaurant, a user may have to keep a flyer or an introduction booklet.

In addition, with the recent development of information and communication technology, information about restaurants is also delivered to users through Internet sites or portal search sites operated by restaurants or delivery service companies. However, in this case, the user has to search for the desired food after connecting to the Internet through a PC or a mobile phone in order to know the desired restaurant information.

The present invention provides a refrigerator, a server, and a method for providing food information and ordering service, which display and display information on food based on weight information of food stored in the refrigerator, and provide the user with the food.

In one aspect,

A storage unit including a storage space for storing food;

A sensing unit for sensing a weight of food stored in the storage space;

An output unit capable of outputting information about the refrigerator;

A refrigerator is disclosed, comprising: a processor for controlling the output unit to output information about food based on the weight information of the stored food detected by the sensing unit.

The output unit may include a display unit for displaying an image of the information about the food; And a communication unit for transmitting the information about the food to an external device.

The processor detects an event, controls the detection unit to detect the weight of the stored food in response to the detection of the event, and changes in weight between before and after the event occurs based on the detected weight of the food. The display unit may be controlled to determine whether it is within a range and to display the food information when the weight change is within a predetermined range.

The event may include a user input for selecting at least one of a freezer compartment door, a freezer compartment pullout door, a refrigerating compartment door and a refrigerating compartment pullout door, or an item for displaying the restaurant information.

The event may include an event generated at a predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time may include 11:30-13:30, 17:30-19:30, and 22:00-24:00.

The sensing unit may be disposed in at least one sensing designated space designated as an area for sensing the weight of the stored food in the storage space of the storage unit. Here, the sensing unit may include a strain gauge disposed in at least one sensing designated space.

The predetermined range may include a range of 0 to 70 g.

The food information may include at least one of restaurant information, food information, food information, food store information, side dish information, baking and bakery information.

The information about the food may include a UI generated based on restaurant UI (User Interface) information received by requesting a server. The UI may include a first area displaying delivery restaurant information and / or a second area displaying general restaurant information.

The first area may include a first sub area displaying information related to a local delivery restaurant located in an area where a refrigerator is installed, and / or a second sub area displaying information relating to another area delivery restaurant located in a location away from an area where a refrigerator is installed. It may include. Here, the first and second sub-areas may display first and second menus for providing an order service of the local delivery restaurant and another regional delivery restaurant, respectively. Each of the first and second menus includes a first sub-region in which a plurality of first items corresponding to a plurality of delivery restaurants are displayed, and a plurality of second items corresponding to a delivery restaurant that provides a discount coupon among the delivery restaurants. May include at least one of a second sub-region in which the plurality of items is displayed, and third sub-regions in which the third items corresponding to the delivery restaurant where the user has previously ordered food are displayed. The processor may display an order menu of a delivery restaurant corresponding to the selected first item or third item when one of the plurality of first to third items is selected.

The second area may display a menu item corresponding to a third menu for exposing an advertisement of a general restaurant that does not deliver food to a user.

The processor controls the communication unit to transmit the order information for the specific delivery restaurant input through the order menu to the server, and receives the order status information when the order status information of the specific delivery restaurant is received from the server. The display unit may be controlled to display and / or the communication unit may be controlled to transmit to an external device. The order status information may include at least one of an order reception time, a scheduled delivery departure time, a delivery departure time, and a scheduled delivery time.

In another aspect,

Sensing the weight of food stored in the refrigerator;

Disclosed is a method for providing food information of a refrigerator, the method comprising: outputting information about food based on the detected weight information of the food.

Detecting the weight comprises: detecting an event; And detecting the weight of food stored in the refrigerator in response to the detection of the event.

The event may include a user input for selecting an item for opening or closing at least one of a freezer door, a freezer door, a refrigerator door, and a refrigerator door, or displaying the restaurant information.

The outputting of the information on the food may include determining whether a change in weight between before and after the occurrence of an event is within a predetermined range based on the detected weight of the food; And outputting information about the food when the weight change is within a predetermined range.

The sensing of the weight may include sensing the weight of the food stored in at least one sensing designated space designated as an area for sensing the weight of the stored food in the storage space inside the refrigerator.

The outputting of the food information includes requesting and receiving UI information related to a restaurant from a server, generating a UI based on the received UI information, and displaying the generated UI. can do. The UI may include a first area displaying delivery restaurant information and / or a second area displaying general restaurant information.

The first area may include a first sub area displaying information related to a local delivery restaurant located in an area where the refrigerator is installed, and / or a second area displaying information related to another area delivery restaurant located at a location away from an area in which the refrigerator is installed. It may include a sub area.

Here, the first and second sub-areas may display first and second menus for providing an order service of the local delivery restaurant and another regional delivery restaurant, respectively.

The second area may display a menu item corresponding to a third menu for exposing an advertisement of a general restaurant to a user.

The method of providing food information of the refrigerator includes the steps of transmitting order information for a specific delivery restaurant input through the order menu to a server, receiving order status information of the specific delivery restaurant from the server, and receiving the received information. The method may further include displaying order status information and / or transmitting the order status information to an external device. Here, the order status information may include at least one of an order reception time, a scheduled delivery departure time, a delivery departure time, and a scheduled delivery time.

In another aspect,

A communication unit communicating with the refrigerator;

When there is a request for transmission of information about food from the refrigerator, a processor for transmitting UI information related to food to the refrigerator.

The processor transmits the received order information to the ordered delivery restaurant when receiving the order information ordered for any one of the plurality of delivery restaurants from the refrigerator, the order status information from the ordered delivery restaurant When receiving the received order status information can be transmitted to the refrigerator.

The order status information may include at least one of an order reception time, a delivery departure time, a delivery departure time, and a delivery arrival time.

In another aspect,

Receiving a request for transmission of information about food from the refrigerator;

A method of providing an order service for a server is provided, the method comprising: transmitting UI information related to food to the refrigerator in response to the received transmission request.

The method of providing an order service of the server may include receiving order information for any one of the plurality of delivery restaurants from the refrigerator; Transmitting the received order information to the ordered delivery restaurant; The method may further include transmitting the received order status information to the refrigerator when receiving the order status information from the ordered delivery restaurant.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a food information providing system according to an exemplary embodiment;

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

3 to 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a UI according to an exemplary embodiment;

7 and 8 are views illustrating an example of a configuration of an order menu of a UI according to an exemplary embodiment;

9 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

10 is a diagram illustrating an interior of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a weight sensing unit of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing food information of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing server according to an exemplary embodiment;

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing food information and an order service of a service providing server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed on a first display unit of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals should be understood to refer to like elements.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a food information providing system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the food information providing system 100 provides a refrigerator user with information on various foods and provides an ordering service for ordering food.

Here, the information about the food refers to information about a meal that the user can solve the meal, and may include restaurant information, food information, food information, food store information, side dish information, baking / bakery information, and the like. In addition, food may include food and drink.

Hereinafter, the information about the food will be described as an example of restaurant information including a delivery restaurant and a general restaurant.

The food information providing system 100 according to the embodiment includes a refrigerator 120, a service providing server 130, a user terminal 140, a delivery restaurant 150, and an information providing server 160.

The refrigerator 120, the service providing server 130, the user terminal 140, the delivery restaurant 150, and the information providing server 160 are interconnected through the network 110.

The network 110 communicates with the refrigerator 120, the service providing server 130, the user terminal 140, the delivery restaurant 150, and the information providing server 160 to exchange information about the order service with the restaurant. Contains the device or infrastructure used to perform it. In an embodiment, the network 110 may be implemented as a wired and / or wireless network such as the Internet.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator 120 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigerator 120 is a device for storing fresh food (Stuff) for a long time, and includes a first communication unit 210, a first user input unit 220, a weight detection unit 230, The first storage unit 240 includes a first display unit 250 and a first processor 260.

The first communication unit 210 communicates with the service providing server 130 and the user terminal 140 through the network 110. The second communication unit 210 may be implemented as a wired / wireless communication module for connecting to the network 110. In an embodiment, the first communication unit 210 may be a wired connection module such as USB, mobile high-definition link (MHL), or near field communication (NFC), wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth (Bluetooth), or infrared data communication device (Infrared Data). Association), Zigbee (Zigbee), wireless LAN, UWB (Ultra-Wideband) may be implemented as a wireless connection module.

The first user input unit 220 receives a user input. The user's input includes information for allowing the refrigerator 120 to determine to perform a predetermined operation by the user's action or the like. Here, the predetermined operation may include controlling basic functions of the refrigerator 120 such as temperature control of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and inputting various commands and settings required to drive various programs executed by the first processor 260. May include an operation for the user. The user's command may include a key input signal input through the key input unit 225 and / or a touch input signal input through a touch of the touch sensor unit 227.

The key input unit 225 includes buttons installed around the first display unit 250 of the refrigerator 120 as shown in FIG. 9. The key input unit 225 generates a key signal related to the function control of the refrigerator 120 according to the user's input through the buttons and transmits the key signal to the first processor 260. The first processor 260 controls corresponding functions and / or components in response to the key signal input by the key input unit 225.

The touch sensor unit 227 is mounted on the front surface of the first display unit 250 and generates and transmits a touch input signal to the first processor 260 in response to a user's manipulation through a touch input tool such as a user's finger. . The first processor 260 controls corresponding functions and / or components in response to the touch input signal. The touch sensor unit 227 may be implemented in a resistive type, a capacitive type, a pressure type, or the like.

The weight sensing unit 230 designates the sensing of the shelf 630, the drawer storage unit 640, and the pocket storage units 651 to 659 (see FIG. 10) constituting a storage unit for storing food of the refrigerator 120. Detect the weight of food stored in the space. The weight sensing unit 230 includes a storage box and a storage plate 710 for storing food in the sensing designation space of the shelf 630, the drawer storage unit 640, and the pocket storage units 651 to 659, respectively (FIG. 11) and the bottom of the receiving pocket bottom plate. In an embodiment, the weight sensing unit 230 may be implemented as a strain gage attached to a storage box, a storage plate 710, and a storage pocket bottom plate.

The first storage unit 240 stores various data generated when the restaurant information providing application described below is executed by the first processor 260. For example, the first storage unit 240 may include UI (User Interface) information related to a restaurant received from the service providing server 130, a UI 300 generated based on the UI information (see FIGS. 3 to 6), and a UI. Order history information about the delivery restaurant ordered through the 300, and stores information on the weight of the food stored in the sensing designated space detected by the weight sensor 230, and the like.

The first storage unit 240 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, an SD or XD memory). Etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPEROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), The storage medium may be implemented by at least one type of magnetic memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

The first display unit 250 displays a video signal output by the first processor 260 according to the execution of the control program and the restaurant information providing application on the screen. Here, the first display unit 250 may be implemented as an LCD. In this case, the first display unit 250 may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD display device. In addition, the first display unit 250 includes a touch sensor unit 227 on the front surface.

The first processor 260 controls the overall operation of the refrigerator 120, and in particular, the refrigerator 120 according to input signals received from the key input unit 225 and the touch sensor unit 227 of the first user input unit 220. To control the function of).

The first processor 260 may include a CPU and operate by executing a control program for controlling the refrigerator 120 such as firmware or an operating system and a restaurant information providing application (hereinafter, referred to as a “first application”). . To this end, the first processor 260 loads a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory for storing the control program and the first application, and at least a portion of the stored control program and the first application so that the CPU can access it quickly. It may further include a volatile memory such as DDR. The control program of the first processor 260 and the first application generate the UI 300 based on the contents for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 120 and the UI information received from the service providing server 130, respectively, and the first display unit. It is programmed with the content for display at 250.

When the event is detected, the first processor 260 generates the UI 300 and outputs the result to the first display unit 250 to display it.

In more detail, the first processor 260 first detects an event. Here, the event may include an event of opening and closing at least one of the freezer compartment door 510, the freezer compartment outlet door 515, the refrigerating compartment door 520, and the refrigerating compartment outlet door 525 which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9. In this case, the event may be detected by a known door open detection means such as a micro switch or an optical sensor installed in the door to be turned on or off as the door is opened or closed, or a temperature sensor that detects the door open according to a temperature change in the freezer or refrigerator compartment. have.

In addition, the event may include an event generated at a predetermined time. The predetermined time may include a time in which the user feels hungry, such as 11:30-13:30, 17:30-19:30, and 22:00-24:00. To this end, the first processor 260 checks the time when the event is detected and determines whether the time when the event is detected is within the predetermined time range. As a result of determination, when the time at which the event is detected is within a predetermined time range, the first processor 260 determines that the event occurs.

In response to the event detection, the first processor 260 may include a storage box, a storage plate 710 of a sensing designated space of the shelf 630, the drawer storage 640, and the pocket storages 651 to 659. And it controls the weight detector 230 to detect the weight of the food stored in the storage pocket bottom plate.

The first processor 260 determines a change in weight between before and after an event based on the weight of the food detected by the weight detector 230 and the weight of the food previously detected and stored in the first storage 240. Determine if you are within range.

As a result of the determination, when the weight change is within a predetermined range, the first processor 260 determines that the user has not taken out food for one meal from the refrigerator 120, and the UI of the restaurant is provided to the service providing server 130. Sends an information request signal requesting information. Here, the predetermined range is set to a slight range even if there is no weight change or there is a weight change in order to determine that the user did not take out food for one meal from the refrigerator 120. In an embodiment, the predetermined range may be set to 0 to 70g, which is less than half of 140g, assuming that the weight of one or less meals of a normal adult, for example, the weight of one hamburger is 140g.

The information request signal may include login information and location information. The login information may be generated according to a user input when joining a server account for the refrigerator 120 in the service providing server 130 and may include a server account ID and a password. The location information may include an IP address.

When the refrigerator 120 accesses the service providing server 130 for the first time, the first processor 260 transmits the authentication information to the service providing server 130 according to a user input through the first user input unit 220. It performs authentication and joins server account. The authentication information may include a unique ID, a unique ID and an internal encryption key, or a unique ID and a manufacture or serial number of the refrigerator 120. The authentication information may be pre-stored in the first storage unit 240 or automatically generated by the first processor 260 during manufacture. The first processor 260 stores the login information generated when the server account is registered in the first storage unit 240.

The first processor 260 receives user interface (UI) information related to a restaurant transmitted from the service providing server 130 in response to the information request signal. The UI information may be received in bitmap form or descriptive form. In addition, the UI information may include a trade name, an address, a phone number, a food menu, a homepage address, and the like of a delivery restaurant and a general restaurant required to generate the UI 300 to be described later.

The first processor 260 generates a UI 300 suitable for displaying on the first display unit 250 based on the received UI information, and outputs the generated UI 300 to the first display unit 250 for display. do. At this time, the first processor 260 displays the UI 300 on the first display unit 250, and if there is no user input through the touch sensor unit 227 within a predetermined time, for example, about 3 seconds, the previous screen or The home screen 1100 (see FIG. 11) may be displayed.

In addition, the first processor 260 outputs and displays the generated UI 300 on the first display unit 250, and displays the generated UI 300 through the first communication unit 210. The output may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 140. In this case, the first display unit 250 and the first communication unit 210 operate as an output unit for outputting UI information related to a restaurant as information about food.

3 to 6 illustrate an example of a configuration of the UI 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 are illustrated as being separated from each other for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood as configuring one UI screen connected to each other.

The UI 300 is a graphic UI for providing a user with information on a restaurant that can eat meals and for ordering food delivery. The UI 300 includes information related to a first area 301 displaying information related to a delivery restaurant and information related to a general restaurant. At least one of the second regions 303 to be displayed may be included. Here, the delivery restaurant refers to a restaurant capable of food delivery, and the general restaurant refers to a restaurant that does not deliver food. In an embodiment, the UI 300 includes both the first area 301 and the second area 303.

The first region 301 may include at least one of the first subregion 310 and the second subregion 315. In an embodiment, the first region 301 includes both the first subregion 310 and the second subregion 315.

The first sub-region 310 displays a first menu 312 which is located in an area where a refrigerator is installed and provides delivery restaurant information for delivering food within a short time, for example, within one hour. The second sub-area 315 is located away from the region where the refrigerator is installed, but cannot deliver food in a short time, but provides delivery restaurant information for delivering food within a predetermined time, for example, 1-2 days by courier service. 2 Menu 317 is displayed.

Each of the first and

second menus

312 and 317 may include at least one of the first to

third submenus

320, 325, and 330. In an embodiment, each of the first and

second menus

312, 317 includes both first to

third submenus

320, 325, 330.

The first submenu 320 displays a plurality of first items 321 corresponding to the plurality of delivery restaurants. The first items 321 are classified and arranged by food type, and are displayed together with the name, business hours, location, telephone number, payment method, etc. of the restaurant. The second submenu 325 displays a plurality of second items 337 corresponding to a delivery restaurant that provides a discount coupon among the plurality of delivery restaurants. The second items 327 are also classified and arranged by food type, and are displayed together with the restaurant's business name, business hours, location, telephone number, payment method, discount coupon, and the like. The third submenu 330 displays third items 332 corresponding to the delivery restaurant where the user has previously placed a food order. The third items 332 are also classified and arranged by food type, and are displayed together with the name, business hours, location, telephone number, payment method, etc. of the restaurant.

When one of the plurality of first to

third items

321, 327, and 332 is selected, the first processor 260 selects the selected first, second or third item (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). The order menu 400 of the delivery restaurant corresponding to 321, 325, or 332 may be displayed on a new screen.

The order menu 400 may include a menu order area 401 and an order calculation area 403.

The menu order area 401 includes a menu area 401 and an order area 403. In the menu area 401, a check box 405, a menu name 407, an item price 409, and a coupon selection item 411 are displayed. Here, the coupon selection item 411 is an item for displaying a separate pop-up window (not shown) to confirm the applied coupon content.

In the order area 403, the order details portion 413 that displays the menu name 407 checked in the check box 405 and the item price 409 to which the coupon is applied, and a delivery address, a mobile phone number, and a request for delivery are entered. The delivery information input portion 415 and the payment information input portion 417 for selecting a payment method are displayed. Here, the delivery address, the mobile phone number and the request for delivery may be input to the delivery information input portion 415 through the touch pad of the touch sensor unit 227. In addition, in the case of selecting a credit card or a mobile phone payment in the payment method of payment now, the payment process may proceed in a known manner through a separate payment window.

3 to 6 again, the second area 303 displays a menu item 340 for displaying on a third menu (not shown) for exposing an advertisement of a general restaurant to a user. Here, the general restaurant may include a restaurant that does not make a delivery located in an area where a refrigerator is installed. In addition, although the second region 303 is illustrated as displaying the menu item 340, the second area 303 may directly display the third menu instead of the menu item 340.

The third menu may display first to third submenus (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of general restaurants in the same format as the first and

second menus

312 and 317. However, unlike the third submenu 330 of the first and

second menus

312 and 317, the third submenu displays third items corresponding to the delivery restaurant that the user has previously selected and searched for. . The first to

third submenus

320 and 325 of the first and

second menus

312 and 317 may be selected even if one of the plurality of first to third items of the first to third submenus is selected. Unlike the first to

third items

321, 327, and 332 of 330, the order menu is not displayed and a menu introduction screen or a web page screen of a general restaurant corresponding to the selected first or third item is displayed.

In the above, when the UI 300 detects an event in which the door of the refrigerator 120 is opened, the UI 300 detects a change in the weight of the stored food and is generated and displayed when the change in the weight is within a predetermined range. It is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the UI 300 selects the restaurant information / order service item 1110 displayed on the home screen 1100 of the first display unit 250 through the touch sensor unit 227. Can be indicated by an event. In this case, the first processor 260 directly requests and receives UI information from the service providing server 130 without receiving an operation such as detecting a change in the weight of the stored food through the weight sensing unit 230 and the UI 300. Generates and displays the generated UI 300 on the first display unit 250.

In addition, the UI 300 has been described as an example of the UI for providing the restaurant information to the user and to order food delivery, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the UI 300 may further include food information, food information, food store information, side dish information, baking / bakery information, and the like in order to provide related information to the user and to order delivery, or to be provided as a separate UI. It may be implemented.

Meanwhile, the first processor 260 receives the order status information of the specific delivery restaurant 150 from the service providing server 130 after the user orders the delivery food to the specific delivery restaurant 150 through the order menu 400. The received order status information is displayed on the first display unit 250. Here, the order status information may include at least one of an order reception time, a scheduled delivery departure time, a delivery departure time, and a scheduled arrival time.

For example, upon receipt of the order reception time and the delivery departure time as the order status information, the first processor 260 "one potato pizza (L) has been ordered at 0:00 and is scheduled to depart at 0:00" Can display a message. In addition, when receiving the delivery departure time and the estimated arrival time as the order status information, the first processor 260 "1 potato pizza (L) ordered at 00: 00 has been delivered and arrived, and arrives at 00: 00 Upcoming "can be displayed.

In addition, the first processor 260 may output a message of order status information as a voice through a voice output unit (not shown) such as a speaker.

In addition, the first processor 260 may transmit the received order status information to the user terminal 140 preset through the first communication unit 210. The user terminal 140 to which the order status information is transmitted may be set in an information transmission terminal setting item or a menu (not shown). The information transmission terminal setting item or menu may be included and displayed in a separate setting screen (not shown) displayed by selecting the environment setting item 1120 of the home screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 15. Like the first processor 260, the user terminal 140 displays the received order status information in the above message form.

Here, the order status information is illustrated as being transmitted by the first processor 260 to the user terminal 140, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the order status information may be transmitted to the service providing server 130 directly to the user terminal 140 according to the delivery information input when the user orders.

9 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator 120 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, a freezer compartment door 510 for opening and closing a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment door 520 for opening and closing a refrigerating compartment are disposed on a front surface of the refrigerator 120. In FIG. 9, each of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment is disposed left and right, but the present invention is not limited to the above arrangement, and includes the embodiments in which the freezing compartment is arranged up, down, left, and right with respect to the refrigerating compartment. The present invention also includes a refrigerator having one storage compartment.

The first display unit 250 is disposed on the freezer compartment door 510. In FIG. 9, the first display unit 250 is disposed on the freezer compartment door 510, but the present invention is not limited to the above arrangement, and the first display unit 250 is disposed on the refrigerating compartment door 520 and the left side surface thereof. Includes embodiments disposed on one of the right side and the rear side.

The freezer door 510 and the refrigerating compartment door 520 are provided with a withdrawal door 515 and a withdrawal door 525, respectively. The withdrawal door 515 and the withdrawal door 525 are for opening and closing the home bar.

10 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a refrigerator 120 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The refrigerator 120 includes a freezing compartment 610 and a refrigerating compartment 620 that are separated and partitioned inside the main body. The freezer compartment 610 and the refrigerating compartment 620 are provided with one side open to insert and withdraw food, and the open side is opened and closed by the freezer compartment door 510 and the refrigerating compartment door 520.

The freezer compartment 610 and the refrigerating compartment 620 are provided with a shelf 630 and a drawer storage unit 640 for storing food, and the freezer compartment 651 and the refrigerating compartment door 520 are pocket storage units 651 to 420. 659 is provided.

In the spaces of the shelves 630, the drawer storage unit 640, and the pocket storage units 651 to 659, an area for sensing the weight of the food is designated as a sensing designated space. The designation of the sensing designation space may be set through a sensing space designation item or a menu (not shown). The sensing space designation item or menu may be included in a separate setting screen displayed by selecting an environment setting item 1120 of the home screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 15. In an embodiment, the sensing designation space is all designated as the space of the shelf 630, the drawer storage 640, and the pocket storages 651 to 659. Optionally, the sensing designation space may be designated only a portion of the shelf 630, the drawer storage 640, and the pocket storage (651 to 659) for storing the food that may be a yogi.

In order to sense the weight of the food stored in the sensing designated space, the storage plate 710 disposed on the shelf 630, the storage box of the drawer storage unit 640, the storage pocket of the pocket storage unit (651 to 659) A strain gauge may be attached to the bottom surface of the bottom plate. For example, as shown in FIG. 11,

strain gauges

721, 722, 723, and 724 are attached to the bottom surface of the receiving plate 710 disposed on the shelf 630. Strain gauges 721, 722, 723, and 724 are one embodiment of the weight detector 230 of FIG. 2.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a food information providing method of the refrigerator 120 according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the first processor 260 of the refrigerator 120 determines whether an event occurs (S100). Here, the event may include an event of opening and closing at least one of the freezer compartment door 510, the freezer compartment pullout door 515, the refrigerating compartment door 520, and the refrigerating compartment pullout door 525.

When an event occurs as a result of the determination in step S100, the first processor 260 detects the weight of the food stored in the detection designation space designated as an area for detecting the weight of the food stored in the refrigerator 120. The control unit 230 (S110).

Subsequently, the first processor 260 compares the weight of the food detected by the weight sensing unit 230 with the previously sensed weight stored in the first storage unit 240 before and after the event occurrence in the sensing designated space. It is determined whether the weight change is within a predetermined range (S120).

If it is determined in step S120 that the weight change is within a predetermined range, for example, in a range between 0 and 70 g, the first processor 260 requests and receives UI information related to a restaurant from the service providing server 130 and receives it. (S130). The received UI information may be stored in the first storage unit 240.

Thereafter, the first processor 260 generates the UI 300 based on the received UI information, stores the generated UI 300 in the first storage unit 240, and displays the UI 300 on the first display unit 250. (S140).

Subsequently, when the user orders the desired delivery food through the UI 300 displayed on the first display unit 250 (S150), the first processor 260 transmits the order information to the service providing server 130 and provides the service. The server 130 transmits the received order information to the delivery restaurant 150 (S160).

Subsequently, when the service providing server 130 receives the order status information from the delivery restaurant 150 and transmits the order status information to the refrigerator 120 (S170), the first processor 260 transmits the received order status information to the first display unit ( 250 and / or transmits to the predetermined user terminal 140 (S180). The first display unit 250 and / or the user terminal 140 displays the received order status information in the above message form. Accordingly, the user may grasp the order status information through the first display unit 250 and / or the user terminal 140.

13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing server 130 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The service providing server 130 is a server that provides food information and delivery food ordering service to the refrigerator 120, and is operated by an order service provider affiliated with the manufacturer of the refrigerator 120 and / or the manufacturer of the refrigerator 120. Can be implemented as a server.

The service providing server 130 includes a second communication unit 910, a second storage unit 920, a second processor 930, a second user input unit 940, and a second display unit 950.

The second communication unit 910 provides information related to the first communication unit 210 of the refrigerator 120, the plurality of delivery restaurants 150 associated with the service providing server 130, and a general restaurant through the network 110. Performs communication with the information providing server 160. Information providing server 160 may be a search site, such as Naver, Google.

Like the first communication unit 210 of the refrigerator 120, the second communication unit 910 may be implemented as a wired / wireless communication module for connecting to the network 110.

The database unit 915 stores information related to a general restaurant searched through the associated delivery restaurant 150 and the information providing server 160 (hereinafter, referred to as “restaurant information”). The database unit 915 may store restaurant information in the form of metadata. The restaurant information stored in the database unit 915 may be updated at any time by the second processor 930. The database unit 915, like the first storage unit 240, includes a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM, SRAM, ROM, EEPROM, PROM, magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk may be implemented in at least one type of storage medium.

The second storage unit 920 stores various data generated according to the operation of the service providing server 130. For example, the second storage unit 920 separates the UI information related to the restaurant generated by the second processor 930, the authentication information of the refrigerator 120, the server account information, etc. according to the information request from the refrigerator 120. (That is, for each server account of the refrigerator 120).

Like the database unit 915, the second storage unit 920 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM, SRAM, ROM. It may be implemented as at least one type of storage medium of EEPROM, PROM, magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk.

The second processor 930 controls the overall operation of the service providing server 130.

In addition, the second processor 930 receives an information request signal for requesting UI information related to a restaurant from the first processor 260 of the refrigerator 120 through the second communication unit 910, and receives the information request signal together with the information request signal. The UI information related to the restaurant is generated from the restaurant information stored in the database unit 915 based on the location information. At this time, if there is UI information previously stored in the second storage unit 920 with respect to the refrigerator 120 requesting UI information, the second processor 930 stores updated contents among restaurant information stored in the database unit 915. New UI information can be generated by reflecting on the UI information. The second processor 930 stores the generated UI information in the second storage unit 920 and transmits the generated UI information to the refrigerator 120 through the second communication unit 910.

In addition, when the second processor 930 receives the order information of the specific delivery restaurant 150 through the second communication unit 910 according to the user's order input through the UI 300 in the refrigerator 120, the received order The information is transmitted to the specific delivery restaurant 150. When the order status information is received from the specific delivery restaurant 150, the second processor 930 transmits the received order status information to the refrigerator 120. Here, the order status information may include at least one of order acceptance time, scheduled departure and departure time, delivery departure time, and scheduled arrival time. Also, optionally, the second processor 930 may further transmit the order status information to the user terminal 140 according to the delivery information included in the order information.

The order information received from the refrigerator 120 and the order status information received from the specific delivery restaurant 150 may be directly reflected in the UI information of the refrigerator 120 and stored in the second storage unit 920.

The second processor 930 includes a CPU and operates by executing a control program for controlling the service providing server 130 such as firmware or an operating system and an order service providing application (hereinafter, referred to as a “second application”). can do. To this end, the second processor 930 loads a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory for storing the control program and the second application, and at least a portion of the stored control program and the second application so that the CPU can access it quickly. It may further include a volatile memory such as DDR. The control program and the second application of the second processor 930 respectively generate UI information related to the restaurant based on the contents and location information for controlling the operation of the service providing server 130, and transmit the generated UI information to the refrigerator 120. Receives the order information from the 120 and is programmed with the content for transmission to the delivery restaurant 150.

The second user input unit 940 and the second display unit 950 may be configured to have a known configuration. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing food information and ordering service of the service provision server 130 according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, when an information request signal for requesting UI information related to a restaurant is received from the refrigerator 120 logged in to the service providing server 130 through the second communication unit 910 (S200), the service providing server 130 may be configured. The processor 930 uses the restaurant information stored in the database unit 915 and / or the UI information of the refrigerator 120 previously stored in the second storage unit 920 based on the location information received with the information request signal. By generating the UI information (S210).

Subsequently, the second processor 930 stores the generated UI information in the second storage unit 920 and transmits the generated UI information to the refrigerator 120 through the second communication unit 910 (S220).

Then, when receiving the order information of the specific delivery restaurant 150 by the user order input through the UI 300 from the refrigerator 120 through the second communication unit 910 (S230), the second processor 930 receives Ordered information is transmitted to the delivery restaurant 150 (S240).

When receiving the order status information from the specific delivery restaurant 150 that transmitted the order information (S250), the second processor 930 transmits the received order status information to the refrigerator 120 (S260). Here, the order status information may include at least one of order acceptance time, scheduled departure and departure time, delivery departure time, and scheduled arrival time. Also, optionally, the second processor 930 may further transmit the order status information to the user terminal 140 according to the delivery information included in the order request information. In this case, the refrigerator 120 receiving the order status information displays only the order status information on the first display unit 250 and does not transmit the order status information to the user terminal 140.

The user terminal 140 according to the embodiment may include a portable terminal or a fixed terminal. The portable terminal is a portable electronic device that can be easily carried, such as a video telephone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) user terminal device, a universal mobile telecommunication service (UMTS) user terminal device, a PDA ( A personal digital assistant (PMP), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) user terminal device, an e-book, a portable computer (notebook, tablet, etc.), or a digital camera may be used. In addition, the fixed terminal may be a desktop personal computer, a smart TV, or the like.

The user terminal 140 communicates with an external device, in particular, the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130 based on predetermined identification information through the network 110. The identification information may include at least one of a Mac address, a device name, a model name, and a serial number of the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130. The identification information is received from the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130 when the initial communication connection with the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130 is established and stored in the internal storage.

Accordingly, when the user terminal 140 receives the UI 300 or the order status information from the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130 together with the identification information, the user terminal 140 may identify the refrigerator 120 through the identification information. Alternatively, the service provider server 130 recognizes that the UI 300 or the order status information has been transmitted, and displays the UI 300 or the order status information on the display unit.

The communication connection with the refrigerator 120 or the service providing server 130 and the UI 300 or the order status information display operation of the user terminal 140 may be performed by the processor of the user terminal 140 displaying the order status information application stored in the internal memory. It can be operated by executing.

As described above, the refrigerator, the server and the food information and order service providing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention after opening and closing the doors (510, 515, 520, 525) in the refrigerator 120 disposed in the home or office When the weight change of the food in the refrigerator 120 is within a predetermined range, for example, the weight range of less than half of the amount of one meal, the user does not take out the food for one meal from the refrigerator, that is, solves one meal. It determines that it does not, and automatically displays the restaurant information to the user. In addition, when the user selects the restaurant information / order service item 1110 on the home screen 1100 of the first display unit 250, the restaurant information is displayed immediately and provided to the user. Therefore, the user can obtain the restaurant information, in particular, the delivery restaurant information directly through the refrigerator 120 without having to store the flyer or introduction booklet or access the Internet through a PC or a mobile phone as in the related art.

In addition, the refrigerator, the server and the food information and order service providing method according to an exemplary embodiment provides a food order service of the delivery restaurant as well as delivery restaurant and general restaurant information, so to separately order to deliver food to the delivery restaurant You don't have to make order calls or access Internet sites run by restaurants or delivery services.

Food information and order service providing method and applications of the refrigerator 120 / service providing server 130 according to the embodiment described above are implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means is recorded on a computer readable medium May be The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

Although the technical content has been described through the exemplary embodiments in the above, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom.

Claims

In the refrigerator,

A storage unit including a storage space for storing food;

A sensing unit for sensing a weight of food stored in the storage space;

An output unit capable of outputting information about the refrigerator;

And a processor configured to control the output unit to output information about food based on the weight information of the stored food detected by the sensing unit.
The method of claim 1,

The output unit,

A display unit which displays an image of the food-related information;

And a communication unit for transmitting the information about the food to an external device.
The method of claim 2,

The processor detects an event, controls the detection unit to detect the weight of the stored food in response to the detection of the event, and changes in weight between before and after the event occurs based on the detected weight of the food. A refrigerator for judging whether it is within a range and controlling the display unit to display the food information when the weight change is within a predetermined range.
The method of claim 3,

The event includes a refrigerator input of a user to select an item for displaying at least one opening or closing of the freezer door, the freezer compartment door, the refrigerating compartment door, and the refrigerating compartment door, or the restaurant information.
The method of claim 3,

The event includes a refrigerator generated at a predetermined time.
The method of claim 3,

The predetermined range comprises between 0 and 70 g.
The method of claim 1,

And the food information includes at least one of restaurant information, food information, food information, food store information, side dish information, baking and bakery information.
The method of claim 1,

And the food information comprises a UI generated based on UI information received by requesting a server.
The method of claim 8,

The UI includes at least one of a first area displaying delivery restaurant information and a second area displaying general restaurant information.
The method of claim 9,

The first area may include a first sub area displaying information related to a local delivery restaurant located in an area where the refrigerator is installed, and a second sub area displaying information related to another area delivery restaurant located at a location far from the area where the refrigerator is installed. At least one of the regions,

And the first and second sub-areas display first and second menus for providing an order service of the local delivery restaurant and another regional delivery restaurant, respectively.
The method of claim 9,

And the second area displays a menu item corresponding to a third menu for exposing an advertisement of a general restaurant that does not deliver food to a user.
The method of claim 10,

The processor controls the communication unit to transmit the order information for the specific delivery restaurant inputted through the order menu of the first and second menus to the server, and receives the order status information of the specific delivery restaurant from the server. And at least one of controlling the display unit to display the received order status information and controlling the communication unit to transmit to the external device.
In the server,

A communication unit communicating with the refrigerator;

And a processor for transmitting UI information related to food to the refrigerator when a request for transmission of information about food is received from the refrigerator.
The method of claim 13,

The processor transmits the received order information to the ordered delivery restaurant and receives the order status information from the ordered delivery restaurant when receiving the order information ordered for any one of a plurality of delivery restaurants from the refrigerator When receiving, the server for transmitting the received order status information to the refrigerator.
The method of claim 14,

The order status information server includes at least one of an order reception time, a scheduled delivery departure time, a delivery departure time, and a scheduled delivery arrival time.