WO2021251292A1 - Refrigerator control system, refrigerator, program, and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

This refrigerator control system (1000) comprises a refrigerator (1) and a refrigerator control server (3) that is capable of communicating with the refrigerator (1). In the case when a weather alert is issued for an area that encompasses the installation site of the refrigerator (1), the refrigerator control server (3) transmits, to the refrigerator (1), transition instruction information that instructs a transition of the operating mode of the refrigerator (1) from a normal operating mode to an outage-time precooling operation mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator (1) is set to a level lower than that set in the normal operating mode. Upon receipt of the transition instruction information, the refrigerator (1) causes the operating mode to transition from the normal operating mode to the outage-time precooling operation mode.

Description

Refrigerator control system, refrigerator, program, and terminal device

This disclosure relates to a refrigerator control system, a refrigerator, a program, and a terminal device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a building power supply system capable of storing food in a refrigerator in the event of a power outage. This building power supply system includes a power supply vehicle that can be connected to a predetermined building and a refrigerator, and when a power failure occurs in the predetermined building, the power supply vehicle supplies power to the refrigerator.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-078689

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system, a refrigerator, a program, and a terminal device that can maintain the cooling capacity of a refrigerator for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

The refrigerator control system in the present disclosure is a refrigerator control system including a refrigerator and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator, and the server issues an alarm regarding a cause of power failure in an area including a place where the refrigerator is installed. If so, the transition instruction information for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode in which the refrigerator internal temperature is lower than the first mode is transmitted to the refrigerator, and when the refrigerator receives the transition instruction information, The operation mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode.

The refrigerator in the present disclosure is a refrigerator that can communicate with a server, and when an alarm relating to a cause of a power failure is issued to an area including the place where the refrigerator is installed, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed from the first mode to the first mode. It is provided with a refrigerator control unit that receives transition instruction information from the server to shift to the second mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than the mode, and shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode.

The program in the present disclosure describes the operation mode of the refrigerator when an alarm relating to the cause of the power failure is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator in the control unit of the terminal device that can communicate with the server that can communicate with the refrigerator. The communication control unit that receives the inquiry instruction information from the server and the communication control unit inquire whether to shift from the first mode to the second mode where the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than that of the first mode. Is received, the user is inquired whether to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode, and after the inquiry, when the user instructs to shift to the second mode, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed to the second mode. It functions as an operation control unit to be transferred.

The terminal device in the present disclosure is a terminal device capable of communicating with a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator, and when an alarm relating to a cause of power failure is issued to an area including the installation location of the refrigerator, the operation mode of the refrigerator is issued. When the inquiry instruction information is received from the server and the inquiry instruction information is received, the refrigerator is operated. It is provided with a control unit for inquiring the user whether or not to shift the mode to the second mode, and when receiving an instruction from the user to shift to the second mode after the inquiry, shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode.

The refrigerator control system, refrigerator, program, and terminal device in the present disclosure lower the temperature inside the refrigerator when an alarm related to the cause of the power failure is issued, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is set before the power failure occurs. Can be reduced. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator can be maintained for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a refrigerator, a refrigerator control server, and a terminal device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on the touch panel by the operation control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system.

(Knowledge, etc. that became the basis of this disclosure)
In the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is necessary to use an external power source such as a power feeding vehicle while maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator in the event of a power failure.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system, a refrigerator, a program, and a terminal device that can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanations may be omitted than necessary. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[1-1. composition]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system 1000.

The refrigerator control system 1000 is a system in which a device connected to the global network GN controls the refrigerator 1 via the global network GN. Global network GN includes the Internet, telephone networks and other communication networks.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1. In FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 is installed at the home H of the user P. The refrigerator 1 includes a main box body 10 having an open front surface, and the main box body 10 has five storage rooms, a refrigerating room 11, an ice making room 12, a fresh freezing room 13, a freezing room 14, and a vegetable room 15. It is formed. A rotary left door 11A and a right door 11B are provided in the opening on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 11. The ice making chamber 12, the fresh freezing chamber 13, the freezing chamber 14, and the vegetable chamber 15 are provided with drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A for accommodating food, respectively.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment communicates with the communication device 2 installed at the home H of the user P, and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 2. The refrigerator control server 3 corresponds to an example of a “server”.

The communication device 2 connects to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. The communication device 2 functions as an interface device for connecting the refrigerator 1 to the global network GN. Further, when the terminal device 4 establishes a communication connection with the communication device 2, the communication device 2 functions as an interface device for connecting the terminal device 4 to the global network GN. The communication device 2 has functions related to a modem, a router function, a NAT (Network Addless Translation) function, and the like. The communication device 2 transfers data transmitted / received between the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN. Further, the communication device 2 transfers data transmitted / received between the terminal device 4 for establishing a communication connection and the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 4 having a touch panel 42. The terminal device 4 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and is used by the user P of the refrigerator 1. An application program for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 is installed in the terminal device 4. In the following description, the application program for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a "refrigerator control application" and is designated by the reference numeral "413" (see FIG. 2).

Refrigerator control app 413 corresponds to an example of "program" and "application program".

In FIG. 1, the user P who is at home is shown by a broken line, and the user P who has gone out from home H is shown by a solid line. When the terminal device 4 is used by the user P at home, the terminal device 4 is connected to the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 2 or without the communication device 2 by the function of the refrigerator control application 413. Communicate to control the operation of the refrigerator 1. When the terminal device 4 is used by the user P who has gone out from the home H, the terminal device 4 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 connected to the global network GN by the function of the refrigerator control application 413 without going through the communication device 2. Control the operation of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator control server 3. The refrigerator control server 3 is a server device that controls the operation of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control server 3 connects to the global network GN and communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather warning server 5.

Note that, in FIG. 1, the refrigerator control server 3 is represented by one block, but this does not necessarily mean that the refrigerator control server 3 is composed of a single server device. For example, the refrigerator control server 3 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices having different processing contents. Further, in FIG. 1, the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather warning server 5 are illustrated as separate server devices, but the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather warning server 5 may be configured as the same server device. ..

The weather warning server 5 is a server device that provides weather warning issuance information. The weather warning issuance information is information indicating whether or not a weather warning is issued for the area including the place where the refrigerator 1 is installed. A meteorological warning is a warning related to a cause of a power outage such as heavy rain, heavy snow, storm surge, flood, wave, storm or blizzard.

The area of the weather warning issuance information provided by the weather warning server 5 may be an area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1, and may be, for example, a primary subdivision area, a secondary subdivision area, or another area specified by the Japan Meteorological Agency. ..

Further, in FIG. 1, the weather warning server 5 is represented by one block, but this does not necessarily mean that the weather warning server 5 is composed of a single server device. For example, the weather warning server 5 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices having different processing contents.

Next, the functional configurations of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4.

First, the functional configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator control unit 16, a refrigerator communication unit 17, a cooling unit 18, and a sensor unit 19.

The refrigerator control unit 16 includes a refrigerator processor 160, which is a processor that executes a program such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-processing unit), and a refrigerator storage unit 161 to control each part of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control unit 16 executes various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the refrigerator processor 160 reads out the control program 1611 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 and executes the processes.

The refrigerator storage unit 161 has a storage area for storing a program executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and data processed by the refrigerator processor 160. The refrigerator storage unit 161 stores the control program 1611 executed by the refrigerator processor 160, the setting data 1612 related to the setting of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator ID 1613 which is the identification information of the refrigerator 1, and various other data. As the refrigerator ID 1613, the serial number of the refrigerator 1 is given as an example. The refrigerator storage unit 161 has a non-volatile storage area for storing programs and data in a non-volatile manner. Further, the refrigerator storage unit 161 may include a volatile storage area and may form a work area for temporarily storing the program executed by the refrigerator processor 160 and the data to be processed.

The refrigerator communication unit 17 is equipped with communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard. The refrigerator communication unit 17 communicates with a device connected to the global network GN according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the refrigerator control unit 16. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator communication unit 17 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard. The communication standard used by the refrigerator communication unit 17 may be a wireless communication standard (for example, IEEE802.11a / 11b / 11g / 11n / 11ac, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) or a wired communication standard.

The cooling unit 18 separates the cool air sent by the compressor 181, the condenser 182, the capillary tube 183, the cooler 184, the cooling fan 185 that sends the cold air generated by the cooler 184 to each storage chamber, and the cooling fan 185. A mechanism for cooling each storage chamber of the refrigerator 1 such as a damper 186 is provided. The cooling unit 18 cools each storage chamber of the refrigerator 1 according to the control of the refrigerator control unit 16.

The sensor unit 19 includes various sensors such as a temperature sensor 191 that detects the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 and an open / close sensor that detects the opening / closing of doors and drawers provided in the refrigerator 1, and the detection value of each sensor is provided. Is output to the refrigerator control unit 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 19 includes, as the temperature sensor 191 the refrigerating room temperature sensor 191A, the ice making room temperature sensor 191B, the fresh freezing room temperature sensor 191C, the freezing room temperature sensor 191D, and the vegetable room temperature sensor 191E. Be prepared.

The refrigerating room temperature sensor 191A is provided at a predetermined position of the refrigerating room 11 and detects the temperature inside the refrigerating room 11. The ice making chamber temperature sensor 191B is provided at a predetermined position of the ice making chamber 12 and detects the temperature inside the ice making chamber 12. The fresh freezing chamber temperature sensor 191C is provided at a predetermined position of the fresh freezing chamber 13 and detects the temperature inside the fresh freezing chamber 13. The freezing room temperature sensor 191D is provided at a predetermined position of the freezing room 14, and detects the temperature inside the freezing room 14. The vegetable room temperature sensor 191E is provided at a predetermined position of the vegetable room 15, and detects the temperature inside the vegetable room 15.

The refrigerator control unit 16 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to either a normal operation mode or a power failure precooling operation mode in which the amount of cooling in the refrigerator 1 is increased from the normal operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which a normal operation is performed in which the amount of cooling in the refrigerator 1 is smaller than that in the power failure precooling operation. On the other hand, the power failure precooling operation mode is an operation mode in which the power failure precooling operation is performed in which the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1 is increased as compared with the normal operation. The normal operation mode corresponds to an example of the "first mode", and the power failure precooling operation mode corresponds to an example of the "second mode".

By performing the power failure precooling operation before the power failure occurs, the refrigerator 1 can lower the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 compared to the normal operation before the power failure occurs. Therefore, since the refrigerator 1 can maintain the temperature inside the refrigerator for a long period of time during a power failure, it is possible to prevent the freshness of the food contained in the refrigerator 1 from deteriorating during a power failure.

The refrigerator control unit 16 increases the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1 by, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 181 from the rotation speed during the normal operation in the power failure precooling operation. Alternatively, for example, in the power failure precooling operation, the refrigerator control unit 16 raises the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 from the rotation speed during the normal operation to increase the circulation amount of cold air in the refrigerator 1, and the cooling amount in the refrigerator 1. To increase. Alternatively, for example, in the power failure precooling operation, the refrigerator control unit 16 raises the rotation speed of the compressor 181 from the rotation speed during the normal operation and raises the rotation speed of the cooling fan 185 from the rotation speed during the normal operation. The amount of cooling in the refrigerator 1 is increased. As a result, in the power failure precooling operation, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lowered by, for example, 3 ° C. as compared with the normal operation. In the power failure precooling operation, the temperature inside the refrigerator may be lowered for all the storage rooms, or the temperature inside the refrigerator may be lowered for any storage room such as only the refrigerating room 11.

When the refrigerator control unit 16 receives from the refrigerator control server 3 the transition instruction information for shifting the operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode by the refrigerator communication unit 17, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is changed from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode. Make the transition and start the power outage precooling operation. When the refrigerator control unit 16 receives the end instruction information for ending the power failure precooling operation mode from the refrigerator control server 3 by the refrigerator communication unit 17, the refrigerator control unit 16 ends the power failure precooling operation and changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the power failure precooling operation mode. Shift to normal operation mode.

When a temperature detection trigger for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is generated, the refrigerator control unit 16 determines the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 for each of the storage chambers of the refrigerator 1 based on the detection values output by each of the temperature sensors 191. It is determined whether or not the temperature is below the temperature of. This predetermined temperature is predetermined by a preliminary test or simulation for each containment chamber from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in the freshness of the contained food. This predetermined temperature is set for each containment chamber to a temperature according to the type of food contained in the containment chamber. When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds a predetermined temperature for any of the storage chambers, the refrigerator control unit 16 provides the refrigerator temperature notification information indicating that the temperature inside the refrigerator is a temperature that can affect the freshness of the food. Send to control server 3. On the other hand, when the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature for all the accommodation rooms, the refrigerator control unit 16 does not transmit the temperature notification information inside the refrigerator to the refrigerator control server 3.

The temperature detection trigger is at least one of the fact that the power is turned on to the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator 1 is activated, and that the timing for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 has arrived while the refrigerator 1 is being activated.

Next, the functional configuration of the refrigerator control server 3 will be described. The refrigerator control server 3 includes a server control unit 30 and a server communication unit 31.

The server control unit 30 includes a server processor 300, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a server storage unit 310, and controls each unit of the refrigerator control server 3. The server control unit 30 executes various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the server processor 300 reads the control program 311 stored in the server storage unit 310 and executes the processes.

The server storage unit 310 has a storage area for storing a program executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300. The server storage unit 310 stores the control program 311 executed by the server processor 300, the setting data 312 related to the setting of the refrigerator control server 3, the refrigerator control database 313, and various other data. The server storage unit 310 has a non-volatile storage area for storing programs and data in a non-volatile manner. Further, the server storage unit 310 may have a volatile storage area and may form a work area for temporarily storing the program executed by the server processor 300 and the data to be processed.

The refrigerator control database 313 is a database that stores various information related to the operation control of the refrigerator 1. One record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 has a user ID 3131, a refrigerator ID 1613, a refrigerator communication information 3132, a terminal device communication information 3133, and an installation location information 3134. In addition, one record R stored in the refrigerator control database 313 may further have one or a plurality of different types of information.

The user ID 3131 is identification information that identifies the user P who uses the refrigerator control application 413, and is appropriately assigned to the user P who uses the refrigerator control application 413.

As described above, the refrigerator ID 1613 is the identification information of the refrigerator 1.

Refrigerator communication information 3132 is information for communicating with the refrigerator 1 of the refrigerator ID 1613 corresponding to the same record R. Refrigerator communication information 3132 includes, for example, address information, security information, and the like.

The terminal device communication information 3133 is information for communicating with the terminal device 4 in which the refrigerator control application 413 used by the user P of the user ID 3131 corresponding to the same record R is installed. The terminal device communication information 3133 includes, for example, address information, security information, and the like.

Installation location information 3134 is information indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1. In the present embodiment, since the installation location of the refrigerator 1 is the home H of the user P, the installation location information 3134 indicates the address, the zip code, and the like of the home H.

The server communication unit 31 is equipped with communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard. The server communication unit 31 communicates with a device connected to the global network GN according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the server control unit 30. In the present embodiment, the server communication unit 31 communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather warning server 5.

Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 4 will be described. The terminal device 4 includes a terminal control unit 40, a terminal communication unit 41, and a touch panel 42. The terminal control unit 40 corresponds to an example of the “control unit”.

The terminal control unit 40 includes a terminal processor 400, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a terminal storage unit 410, and controls each unit of the terminal device 4. The terminal control unit 40 executes various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the terminal processor 400 reads the control program 411 stored in the terminal storage unit 410 and executes the processes. The refrigerator control application 413 is installed in the terminal device 4 in advance. The refrigerator control application 413 is read from the terminal storage unit 410 by the terminal processor 400 and executed, so that the terminal control unit 40 functions as a setting unit 401, a communication control unit 402, and an operation control unit 403. Details of these functional units will be described later.

The terminal storage unit 410 has a storage area for storing a program executed by the terminal processor 400 and data processed by the terminal processor 400. The terminal storage unit 410 stores the control program 411 executed by the terminal processor 400, the setting data 412 related to the setting of the terminal device 4, the refrigerator control application 413, the user ID 3131, and various other data. The terminal storage unit 410 has a non-volatile storage area for storing programs and data in a non-volatile manner. Further, the terminal storage unit 410 may have a volatile storage area and may form a work area for temporarily storing the program executed by the terminal processor 400 and the data to be processed.

The terminal communication unit 41 is equipped with communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard. The terminal communication unit 41 communicates with a device connected to the global network GN according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the terminal control unit 40. The terminal communication unit 41 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard by the function of the refrigerator control application 413. The communication standard used by the terminal communication unit 41 is a wireless communication standard.

The touch panel 42 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor that is overlapped with or integrally provided with the display panel. The display panel displays various images under the control of the terminal control unit 40. The touch sensor detects the touch operation and outputs it to the terminal control unit 40. The terminal control unit 40 executes a process corresponding to the touch operation based on the input from the touch sensor.

As described above, the terminal control unit 40 functions as a setting unit 401, a communication control unit 402, and an operation control unit 403.

The setting unit 401 makes various settings related to the functions of the refrigerator control application 413. For example, the setting unit 401 sets various settings related to the functions of the refrigerator control application 413 by setting the setting values in the corresponding setting items in the application setting data stored in the predetermined storage area accessible to the refrigerator control application 413. I do. The application setting data is data related to the setting of the function of the refrigerator control application 413, and includes various setting items.

The setting unit 401 sets the installation location of the refrigerator 1. For example, the setting unit 401 causes the touch panel 42 to display a user interface for inputting the address and zip code of the home H to the user P, and sets the input address and zip code as the installation location of the refrigerator 1. The installation location information 3134 indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1 set by the setting unit 401 is output to the communication control unit 402.

The communication control unit 402 controls the terminal communication unit 41 to send and receive various information to and from the refrigerator control server 3. When the installation location information 3134 is output from the setting unit 401, the communication control unit 402 adds the user ID 3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410 and outputs the output installation location information 3134 to the refrigerator control server by the terminal communication unit 41. Send to 3. When the refrigerator control server 3 receives the installation location information 3134 from the terminal device 4, it refers to the refrigerator control database 313 and receives the installation location information 3134 held by the record R of the user ID 3131 added to the received installation location information 3134. Update to the installation location information 3134.

When the communication control unit 402 acquires the end instruction information from the operation control unit 403, the terminal communication unit 41 transmits the end instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3. When the communication control unit 402 transmits the end instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3, the user ID 3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410 is added to the end instruction information.

When the operation control unit 403 receives the end instruction of the power failure precooling operation mode from the user P, the operation control unit 403 generates the end instruction information and outputs it to the communication control unit 402. The operation control unit 403 displays, for example, a user interface inquiring whether or not to terminate the power failure precooling operation mode on the touch panel 42, and when the user interface receives an instruction to end the power failure precooling operation mode, the end instruction information is displayed. Generate and output.

[1-2. motion]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In FIG. 3, the flowchart FA shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and the flowchart FB shows the operation of the refrigerator 1.

At the start of the flowchart FB shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode. Further, in the flowchart FA shown in FIG. 3, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 targets one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control database 313.

The server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not a weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1).

For example, in step SA1, the server control unit 30 inquires whether or not a weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 by transmitting information to the weather warning server 5 by the server communication unit 31. This inquiry is executed every predetermined time (for example, every 10 minutes). The information transmitted to the weather warning server 5 at the time of inquiry includes the installation location information 3134 possessed by the record R to be processed. The weather warning server 5 correlates whether or not a weather warning is issued for an area including the installation location indicated by the installation location information 3134 included in the received information, for example, the area and whether or not the weather warning is issued. Judgment is made based on the given predetermined database. When the weather warning server 5 determines that the weather warning has been issued, the weather warning server 5 transmits the weather warning issuing information indicating that the weather warning has been issued to the refrigerator control server 3 as a response to the inquiry. Further, when the weather warning server 5 determines that the weather warning has not been issued, the weather warning server 5 transmits the weather warning issuing information indicating that the weather warning has not been issued to the refrigerator control server 3 as a response to the inquiry. When the weather warning issuance information received as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather warning has been issued, the server control unit 30 makes an affirmative determination in step SA1. On the other hand, when the weather warning issuance information received as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather warning has not been issued, the server control unit 30 makes a negative determination in step SA1.

When the server control unit 30 determines that no weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1: NO), the server control unit 30 ends this process.

On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 determines that the weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1: YES), the server control unit 30 shifts based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the record R to be processed. The instruction information is transmitted to the refrigerator 1 by the server communication unit 31 (step SA2).

With reference to the flowchart FB, the refrigerator control unit 16 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether or not the transition instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 by the refrigerator communication unit 17 (step SB1).

When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the transition instruction information has not been received (step SB1: NO), the refrigerator control unit 16 executes the process of step SB1 again.

When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the transition instruction information has been received (step SB1: YES), the refrigerator 1 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode, and starts the power failure precooling operation (step SB2). ).

Returning to the explanation of the flowchart FA, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not the issued weather warning has been canceled when the transition instruction information is transmitted to the refrigerator 1 (step SA3).

For example, in step SA3, the server control unit 30 inquires of the weather warning server 5 whether or not a weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1, as in step SA1. When the weather warning issuance information received from the weather warning server 5 as a response to the inquiry indicates that the weather warning has been issued, the server control unit 30 makes a negative determination in step SA3, and the weather warning has not been issued. In the case of indicating, affirmative determination is made in step SA3.

When the server control unit 30 determines that the issued weather warning has not been canceled (step SA3: NO), the server control unit 30 executes the process of step SA3 again.

On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 determines that the issued weather warning has been canceled (step SA3: YES), the server communication unit 30 outputs the end instruction information based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the record R for processing. It is transmitted by 31 (step SA4).

Returning to the explanation of the flowchart FB, when the refrigerator control unit 16 starts the power failure precooling operation, the refrigerator communication unit 17 determines whether or not the end instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SB3).

When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the end instruction information has not been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SB3: NO), the refrigerator control unit 16 executes the process of step SB3 again.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the end instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SB3: YES), the refrigerator control unit 16 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the power failure precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode, and power failure precooling. The operation is terminated (step SB4).

As described above, in the refrigerator control system 1000, when a weather warning is issued, the refrigerator 1 shifts the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode. As a result, when a weather warning is issued, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lowered, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 can be lowered before a power failure occurs. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

In the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 described above, the end trigger for the refrigerator 1 to end the power failure precooling operation mode is the reception of the end instruction information of the refrigerator 1 by canceling the weather warning. However, the end trigger for ending the power failure precooling operation mode is not limited to this. Here, a plurality of other termination triggers will be described.

<First other end trigger>
In the configuration in which the power failure precooling operation mode is terminated by the first other termination trigger, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator operating unit as a functional unit. The refrigerator operation unit includes, for example, an operation means such as an operation switch provided at a predetermined position such as the front surface of the right door 11B or the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11. The refrigerator 1 detects an operation of the user P on the operating means, and outputs the detection result to the refrigerator control unit 16. The refrigerator operation unit may include a touch panel together with the operation switch or in place of the operation switch. The refrigerator control unit 16 executes a process corresponding to an operation on the operating means based on an input from the refrigerator operation unit.

The refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the end trigger has occurred when the operation of the user P accepted by the refrigerator operation unit is an operation indicating an end instruction of the power failure precooling operation mode or an operation indicating a change in the temperature inside the refrigerator. Then, the power failure precooling operation mode is shifted to the normal operation mode, and the power failure precooling operation is terminated.

<Second other end trigger>
In the configuration in which the power failure precooling operation mode is terminated by the second other termination trigger, the refrigerator 1 receives the termination instruction information from the terminal device 4 via the refrigerator control server 3.

When the operation control unit 403 of the terminal device 4 receives the end instruction of the power failure precooling operation mode or the change instruction of the temperature inside the refrigerator from the user P, the operation control unit 403 outputs the end instruction information to the communication control unit 402. The communication control unit 402 adds the user ID 3131 stored in the terminal storage unit 410, and transmits the end instruction information output by the operation control unit 403 to the refrigerator control server 3 by the terminal communication unit 41.

When the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 receives the end instruction information from the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31, the server control unit 30 refers to the refrigerator control database 313 and records the record R including the user ID 3131 added to the end instruction information. Identify. Next, the server control unit 30 transmits the end instruction information received from the terminal device 4 to the refrigerator 1 by the server communication unit 31 based on the refrigerator communication information 3132 included in the specified record R.

When the refrigerator control unit 16 of the refrigerator 1 receives the end instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3 by the refrigerator communication unit 17, it determines that the end trigger has occurred, shifts from the power failure precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode, and performs the power failure precooling operation. To finish.

In the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000, even if it is determined whether or not the end trigger of any one of the end trigger, the first other end trigger, and the second other end trigger shown in FIG. 3 has occurred. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not any one of a plurality of arbitrary termination triggers has occurred. However, it is preferable that the end trigger of the power failure precooling operation mode includes at least the end trigger shown in FIG. 3, that is, the reception of the end instruction information when the issued weather warning is canceled. This is because the refrigerator 1 can surely end the power failure precooling operation mode when the weather warning is canceled, and can suppress unnecessary cooling of the inside of the refrigerator and increase in power consumption.

The operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 shown in FIG. 3 is an operation related to the operation mode of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control system 1000 executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 in parallel with the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. In FIG. 4, the flowchart FC shows the operation of the refrigerator 1, the flowchart FD shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and the flowchart FE shows the operation of the terminal device 4.

The refrigerator control unit 16 of the refrigerator 1 determines whether or not a temperature detection trigger has occurred (step SC1). As described above, the temperature detection trigger is at least one of the fact that the power is turned on to the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator 1 is activated, and that the timing for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 has arrived while the refrigerator 1 is being activated. ..

When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the temperature detection trigger has occurred (step SC1: YES), the refrigerator control unit 16 determines whether or not the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature for all the accommodation chambers (step SC2).

When the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature for all the storage chambers (step SC2: YES), the refrigerator control unit 16 performs the process of step SC1 again.

On the other hand, the refrigerator control unit 16 determines that the condition that the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature for all the storage chambers is not satisfied, that is, the temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds the predetermined temperature for any of the storage chambers. (Step SC2: NO), the refrigerator communication unit 17 transmits the temperature notification information in the refrigerator to the refrigerator control server 3 (step SC3). In step SC3, the refrigerator control unit 16 adds the refrigerator ID 1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 and transmits the refrigerator temperature notification information. The internal temperature notification information may include information indicating a storage room in which the internal temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

With reference to the flowchart FD, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not the refrigerator 1 has received the temperature notification information in the refrigerator by the server communication unit 31 (step SD1).

When the server control unit 30 determines that the refrigerator 1 has not received the temperature notification information in the refrigerator (step SD1: NO), the server control unit 30 executes the process of step SD1 again.

On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 determines that the refrigerator 1 has received the refrigerator temperature notification information (step SD1: YES), the refrigerator ID 1613 added to the refrigerator temperature notification information is added to the refrigerator control database 313 with reference to the refrigerator control database 313. The record R including the above is specified (step SD2).

The server control unit 30 transmits the internal temperature notification information received from the refrigerator 1 to the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31 based on the terminal device communication information 3133 included in the specified record R (step SD3).

With reference to the flowchart FE, the communication control unit 402 of the terminal device 4 determines whether or not the internal temperature notification information has been received by the terminal communication unit 41 (step SE1).

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the temperature notification information inside the refrigerator has not been received (step SE1: NO), the communication control unit 402 executes the process of step SE1 again.

On the other hand, when the communication control unit 402 determines that the internal temperature notification information has been received (step SE1: YES), the operation control unit 403 touches the touch panel that the internal temperature is a temperature that can affect the freshness of the food. Notify by 42 (step SE2). The notification mode in step SE2 is not limited to the display by the touch panel 42, and may be, for example, voice output by the speaker provided in the terminal device 4.

The following effects are achieved by performing the operation shown in FIG. That is, when the temperature inside the refrigerator when recovering from the power failure is a temperature that can affect the freshness of the food, the user P can immediately recognize this fact after recovering from the power failure. Therefore, the user P can take an action to suppress the deterioration of the freshness of the food immediately after the power failure is restored. From the above, the refrigerator control system 1000 can further suppress the deterioration of the freshness of food due to the power failure by executing the operation shown in FIG.

[1-3. Effect, etc.]
As described above, the refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1 and a refrigerator control server 3 capable of communicating with the refrigerator 1. When a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3 changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation in which the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lower than the normal operation mode. The transition instruction information for shifting to the mode is transmitted to the refrigerator 1. Upon receiving the transition instruction information, the refrigerator 1 shifts the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode.

The refrigerator 1 capable of communicating with the refrigerator control server 3 is instructed to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. It includes a refrigerator control unit 16 that receives information from the refrigerator control server 3 and shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode.

As a result, when a weather warning is issued, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lowered, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 can be lowered before a power failure occurs. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

When the weather warning is canceled, the refrigerator control server 3 transmits the end instruction information for ending the power failure precooling operation mode to the refrigerator 1. Upon receiving the end instruction information, the refrigerator 1 ends the power failure precooling operation mode.

When the weather warning is canceled, the refrigerator control unit 16 receives the end instruction information for ending the power failure precooling operation mode from the refrigerator control server 3 and ends the power failure precooling operation mode.

When the weather warning is canceled, it is unlikely that a power outage will occur due to the weather, so there is little need to continue the power outage precooling operation mode. Therefore, the power failure precooling operation mode can be ended at an appropriate timing, and unnecessary cooling of the inside of the refrigerator and an increase in power consumption can be suppressed. Further, in general, since the issued weather warning is canceled, the refrigerator 1 can surely end the power failure precooling operation mode, and unnecessary cooling of the inside of the refrigerator and an increase in power consumption can be suppressed more reliably.

When the refrigerator 1 receives an operation of changing the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from the user P of the refrigerator 1, the power failure precooling operation mode is terminated.

When the refrigerator control unit 16 receives an operation of changing the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from the user P of the refrigerator 1, the power failure precooling operation mode is terminated.

Accepting the change in the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 may mean that the user P has terminated the power failure precooling operation mode and tried to change the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from the temperature in the power failure precooling operation mode to another temperature. Is high. Therefore, according to this configuration, the refrigerator 1 can end the power failure precooling operation mode at a timing desired by the user P.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a terminal device 4 capable of communicating with the refrigerator control server 3. When the terminal device 4 receives the end instruction of the power failure precooling operation mode from the user P of the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4 transmits the end instruction information for ending the power failure precooling operation mode to the refrigerator control server 3. When the refrigerator control server 3 receives the end instruction information, the refrigerator control server 3 transmits the end instruction information to the refrigerator 1. Upon receiving the end instruction information, the refrigerator 1 ends the power failure precooling operation mode.

Accepting the change in the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 may mean that the user P has terminated the power failure precooling operation mode and tried to change the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from the temperature in the power failure precooling operation mode to another temperature. Is high. Therefore, according to this configuration, the refrigerator 1 can end the power failure precooling operation mode at a timing desired by the user P. Further, since the user P can end the power failure precooling operation mode by operating the terminal device 4, even if the user P is not present at the installation location of the refrigerator 1 such as the home H, the user P can use the desired timing. The power failure precooling operation mode can be terminated with.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the refrigerator control system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the refrigerator control system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and the functional configurations of the refrigerator, the refrigerator control server, and the terminal device are the same as the block diagram shown in FIG. It is the same.

In the first embodiment, the refrigerator control system 1000 is configured to automatically shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued. In the second embodiment, the refrigerator control system 1000 asks the user P whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued, and after the inquiry, switches to the power failure precooling operation mode. When the user P gives an instruction to shift the refrigerator 1, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the power failure precooling operation mode.

[2-1. composition]
The operation control unit 403 of the second embodiment displays various user interfaces on the touch panel 42, inquires whether to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode, and changes the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to a power failure. Accepts instructions to shift to the pre-cooling operation mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on the touch panel 42 by the operation control unit 403.

When the operation control unit 403 receives the inquiry instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3, if the display screen of the touch panel 42 is the non-application screen HAG, the first user interface UI 1 is displayed on the touch panel 42 in the form of a push notification. The inquiry instruction information will be described later. The non-app screen HAG refers to a screen other than the app screen AG related to the refrigerator control app 413, such as a home screen.

The first user interface UI 1 includes inquiry information J1 inquiring the user P whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode. When the first user interface UI 1 is touch-operated by the user P, the operation control unit 403 shifts the display screen of the touch panel 42 from the non-application screen HAG to the application screen AG displaying the second user interface UI 2. When the operation control unit 403 receives the inquiry instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3, if the display screen of the touch panel 42 is the application screen AG, the touch panel 42 does not display the first user interface UI1. 2 The user interface UI2 is superimposed on the application screen AG and displayed.

The second user interface UI 2 includes inquiry information J1 inquiring the user P whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode. Further, the second user interface UI 2 includes a YES button B1 and a NO button B2. The YES button B1 is a software button for receiving an instruction from the user P to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode. The NO button B2 is a software button for receiving an instruction from the user P not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode.

When the NO button B2 is touch-operated by the user P, the operation control unit 403 stops the display of the second user interface UI2 without shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode. On the other hand, when the YES button B1 is touch-operated by the user P, the operation control unit 403 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode, and replaces the second user interface UI2 with the third user interface UI3. Is displayed on the touch panel 42.

The third user interface UI 3 includes the operation start information J2 indicating that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the power failure precooling operation mode and the refrigerator 1 has started the power failure precooling operation.

[2-2. motion]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 of the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the flowchart FF shows the operation of the terminal device 4, the flowchart FG shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and the flowchart FH shows the operation of the refrigerator 1.

In FIG. 6, the same step numbers as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 are assigned the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At the start time of each flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode as in FIG. Further, in the flowchart FG shown in FIG. 6, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 targets a certain record R as a processing target.

When the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines that the weather warning has been issued (step SA1: YES) with reference to the flowchart FG, the terminal device communication information 3133 included in the record R to be processed is displayed. Based on this, the server communication unit 31 transmits the inquiry instruction information for inquiring about the transition to the power failure precooling operation mode to the terminal device 4 (step SG1).

With reference to the flowchart FF, the communication control unit 402 of the terminal device 4 determines whether or not the inquiry instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 by the terminal communication unit 41 (step SF1).

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the inquiry instruction information has not been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF1: NO), the communication control unit 402 performs the process of step SF1 again.

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the inquiry instruction information is received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF1: YES), the operation control unit 403 is the first user interface UI1 or the second user. The interface UI 2 is displayed on the touch panel 42, and the user P is inquired as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode (step SF2).

Next, the communication control unit 402 determines whether or not the terminal communication unit 41 has received the alarm release information indicating that the weather alarm has been canceled from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF3).

The case where the communication control unit 402 makes a negative determination in step SF3 will be described later.

When the communication control unit 402 determines that the alarm release information has not been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SF3: NO), the operation control unit 403 instructs the refrigerator 1 to shift the operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode. Is determined from the user P (step SF4). The operation control unit 403 determines affirmatively in step SF4 when the YES button B1 of the second user interface UI2 is touch-operated.

Next, when the operation control unit 403 determines that the user P has not received an instruction to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode (step SF4: NO), the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is changed to the power failure precooling operation mode. It is determined whether or not the instruction not to be transferred to is received from the user P (step SF6). The operation control unit 403 determines affirmatively in step SF6 when the NO button B2 of the second user interface UI2 is touch-operated.

When the operation control unit 403 determines that the user P has not received an instruction not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode (step SF6: NO), the process is returned to step SF3, and the process is returned to step SF3 again. Make a determination.

On the other hand, when the operation control unit 403 determines from the user P that the instruction not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode is received from the user P (step SF6: YES), the display of the second user interface UI2 is stopped and the refrigerator 1 is stopped. The inquiry as to whether or not to shift the operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode is completed (step SF7).

Returning to the explanation of step SF4, when the operation control unit 403 receives an instruction to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode (step SF4: YES), the transition instruction information is controlled by the terminal communication unit 41 in the refrigerator. It is transmitted to the server 3 (step SF5).

With reference to the flowchart FG, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether or not the migration instruction information has been received from the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31 (step SG2).

When the server control unit 30 determines that the migration instruction information has not been received from the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31 (step SG2: NO), the server control unit 30 determines whether or not the issued weather warning has been canceled (step). SG3).

When the server control unit 30 determines that the issued weather warning has been canceled (step SG3: YES), the server communication unit 31 transmits the warning cancellation information based on the terminal device communication information 3133 possessed by the record R to be processed. It is transmitted to the terminal device 4 (step SG4).

When it is determined that the communication control unit 402 of the terminal device 4 has received the alarm release information (step SF3: YES) with reference to the flowchart FF, the operation control unit 403 determines the first user interface UI1 and the second user interface UI2. Is stopped, and the inquiry as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode is terminated (step SF7).

Returning to the explanation of step SG3 with reference to the flowchart FG, when the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 determines that the issued weather warning has not been canceled (step SG3: NO), step SG2 again. Perform processing.

Returning to the description of step SG2, when the server control unit 30 determines that the migration instruction information has been received from the terminal device 4 by the server communication unit 31 (step SG2: YES), the refrigerator communication information included in the record R to be processed. Based on 3132, the transition instruction information received from the terminal device 4 is transmitted to the refrigerator 1 by the server communication unit 31 (step SA2).

Even in the second embodiment, the end trigger for the refrigerator 1 to end the power failure precooling operation mode is not limited to the reception of the end instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3 by canceling the weather warning. Similar to the first embodiment, the refrigerator control unit 16 relates to the end trigger of any one of the end trigger shown in FIG. 6, the first other end trigger described above, and the second other end trigger described above. It may be determined whether or not it has occurred, or whether or not any of a plurality of arbitrary end triggers has occurred. However, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the end trigger of the power failure precooling operation mode includes at least the end trigger shown in FIG. 6, that is, the reception of the end instruction information by canceling the weather warning. Is preferable.

Further, also in the second embodiment, the refrigerator control system 1000 executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 in parallel with the operation shown in FIG. 6, as in the first embodiment. As a result, even in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by the operation of FIG.

[2-3. Modification example]
Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described.

In this modification, a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 at at least one of the timings when the refrigerator control application 413 is started and every predetermined time while the refrigerator control application 413 is running. The communication control unit 402 inquires of the refrigerator control server 3 whether or not it is present. Hereinafter, the timing of making this inquiry is referred to as "issue confirmation timing". In this modification, the meaning of starting the refrigerator control application 413 also includes starting in the background.

In this modification, the terminal storage unit 410 stores the installation location information 3134. The installation location information 3134 indicates an installation location of the refrigerator 1 controlled by the refrigerator control application 413 installed in the terminal device 4.

When the announcement confirmation timing arrives, the communication control unit 402 transmits information to the refrigerator control server 3 by the terminal communication unit 41 to determine whether or not a weather warning has been issued in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. Contact the refrigerator control server 3. The information transmitted to the refrigerator control server 3 at the time of inquiry includes the installation location information 3134 stored in the terminal storage unit 410.

As described in step SA1 of the first embodiment, the server control unit 30 of the refrigerator control server 3 transmits information to the weather warning server 5 by the server communication unit 31 in the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. Inquire whether a weather warning has been issued. Then, when the server control unit 30 receives the weather warning issuance information indicating that the weather warning has been issued as a response to the inquiry to the weather warning server 5, the server control unit 30 transmits the inquiry instruction information to the terminal device 4. On the other hand, when the server control unit 30 receives the weather warning information indicating that the weather warning has not been issued, the server control unit 30 transmits the information indicating that the weather warning has not been issued to the terminal device 4.

When the communication control unit 402 of the terminal device 4 receives the inquiry instruction information, the communication control unit 402 executes the processes after step SF2 shown in the flowchart FF of FIG. Along with this, the refrigerator control server 3 executes the processing after step SG2 shown in the flowchart FG of FIG. 6, and the refrigerator 1 executes the processing of the flowchart FH of FIG.

According to this modification, the following effects are achieved.

A weather warning is issued when the refrigerator control application 413 is not started and the push notification is not set, or when the push notification cannot be performed due to the specifications of the terminal device 4 or the refrigerator control application 413. Even if the inquiry instruction information is received from the refrigerator control server 3, it may not be possible to make an inquiry as to whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode. That is, if the push notification cannot be performed, it may not be possible to lower the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode before the power failure occurs. This leads to a shortening of the period during which the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained in the event of a power failure.

Therefore, in this modification, a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 at at least one of the timings when the refrigerator control application 413 is started and every predetermined time during the startup of the refrigerator control application 413. The communication control unit 402 inquires of the refrigerator control server 3 whether or not it has been done. Then, when the terminal device 4 receives the inquiry instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3, it makes an inquiry as to whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode.

This makes it possible to increase the possibility that the user P can inquire whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode. Therefore, even if the terminal device 4 cannot perform push notification, it is possible to increase the possibility that the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 can be lowered from the normal operation mode before the power failure occurs. Therefore, even if the terminal device 4 cannot perform push notification, it is possible to increase the possibility that the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time in the event of a power failure.

[2-4. Effect, etc.]
As described above, the refrigerator control application 413 describes the terminal control unit 40 of the terminal device 4 capable of communicating with the refrigerator control server 3 capable of communicating with the refrigerator 1, the communication control unit 402 and the operation control unit 403 as follows. To function as. That is, the refrigerator control application 413 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 for the terminal control unit 40. The inquiry instruction information that causes the user of the refrigerator 1 to inquire whether or not the refrigerator 1 is used as the communication control unit 402 that receives the inquiry instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3. Further, the refrigerator control application 413 inquires to the user P whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode when the communication control unit 402 receives the inquiry instruction information for the terminal control unit 40, and inquires. After that, when the user P receives an instruction to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode, the operation control unit 403 for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode is made to function.

Further, the terminal device 4 capable of communicating with the refrigerator control server 3 capable of communicating with the refrigerator 1 includes a terminal control unit 40. The terminal control unit 40 determines whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. When the inquiry instruction information to be inquired by P is received from the refrigerator control server 3 and the inquiry instruction information is received, the user P is inquired as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode, and after the inquiry, the user. When the instruction to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode is received from P, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the power failure precooling operation mode.

As a result, when a weather warning is issued, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 is lowered, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 can be lowered before a power failure occurs. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time even in the event of a power failure without using an external power source. Further, in order to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode when the instruction to shift to the power failure precooling operation is received, the operation of the power failure precooling operation mode in which the refrigerator 1 starts is not intended by the user P. It can be prevented from becoming an operation.

The communication control unit 402 determines whether or not the weather warning is issued at least at any time of the time when the refrigerator control application 413 is started and every predetermined time while the refrigerator control application 413 is running. When a weather warning is issued, the refrigerator control server 3 receives the inquiry instruction information.

As a result, it is possible to increase the possibility that the user P can inquire whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode, and even if the terminal device 4 cannot perform push notification, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long time in the event of a power failure. It is possible to increase the possibility that it can be maintained.

When the weather warning is canceled for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1, the communication control unit 402 receives the warning cancellation information indicating that the weather warning has been canceled from the refrigerator control server 3. When the communication control unit 402 receives the alarm release information, the operation control unit 403 ends the inquiry as to whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode.

When the weather warning is canceled, it is unlikely that a power outage will occur due to the weather, so there is little need to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power outage precooling operation mode. Therefore, the inquiry as to whether or not to shift to the power failure precooling operation mode can be completed at an appropriate timing. Further, since the inquiry can be completed at an appropriate timing, it is possible to avoid an increase in power consumption due to unnecessary cooling of the inside of the refrigerator and cooling.

The refrigerator control application 413 is an application program that can be installed on the terminal device 4.

As a result, the terminal device 4 that does not have the function of shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the power failure precooling operation mode can be changed to the terminal device 4 that has the function by installing the refrigerator control application 413. Therefore, the general-purpose terminal device 4 can be a terminal device 4 capable of maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 for a long period of time in the event of a power failure without using an external power source.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment and the second embodiment have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technique in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. have been made. It is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to form a new embodiment.

Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the refrigerator 1 shifts the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode when the refrigerator 1 starts the power failure precooling operation is exemplified, but the operation mode of the transition source is normal. The operation mode is not limited to the operation mode, and any operation mode other than the power failure precooling operation mode may be used. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the refrigerator 1 shifts the operation mode from the power failure precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode when the refrigerator 1 ends the power failure precooling operation is illustrated. The operation mode is not limited to the normal operation mode, and may be any operation mode other than the power failure precooling operation mode. Here, the operation mode other than the power failure precooling operation mode corresponds to an example of the "first mode".

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the weather warning is exemplified as the warning related to the cause of the power failure, but the warning related to the cause of the power failure includes a seismic motion warning, a flood warning, a tsunami warning, an eruption warning, a fire warning, etc. It may be an alarm other than the weather warning of. In this case, the cause of the power outage is a factor other than the weather. Further, in this case, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not an alarm other than the weather warning is issued is connected to the global network GN in place of the weather warning server 5 or together with the weather warning server 5, and the refrigerator control server 3 Inquires whether or not an alarm has been issued for the server device.

Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the refrigerator control server 3 adds the refrigerator ID 1613 to the migration instruction information when transmitting the migration instruction information to the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerator 1 is added to the migration instruction information. The operation mode may be shifted to the power failure precooling operation mode only when the refrigerator ID 1613 and the refrigerator ID 1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 match. This has the following effects. If the configuration is such that the mode shifts to the power failure precooling operation mode without depending on the refrigerator ID 1613, if the refrigerator communication information 3132 associated with the refrigerator ID 1613 in the refrigerator control database 313 is not appropriate information, the refrigerator 1 not intended by the user P may be used. There is a possibility that the power failure pre-cooling operation will be started. For example, when the installation location of the refrigerator 1 changes due to a move or the like and the address on the network changes due to this, if the refrigerator control database 313 is not properly updated, the refrigerator 1 unintended by the user P starts the power failure precooling operation. there's a possibility that. Therefore, as in the case of the refrigerator described above, only when the refrigerator ID 1613 added to the transition instruction information and the refrigerator ID 1613 stored in the refrigerator storage unit 161 match, the power failure precooling operation mode can be reliably set. In addition, the refrigerator 1 intended by the user P can start the power failure precooling operation.

For example, the type of room formed in the main box body 10 of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the refrigerating room 11, the ice making room 12, the fresh freezing room 13, the freezing room 14, and the vegetable room 15, and may be less than these. Alternatively, another type of room may be formed. Further, the number of doors provided in the opening on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 11 may be one.

For example, each storage room of the refrigerator 1 may be provided with one or a plurality of temperature sensors 191 or may have a storage room in which the temperature sensor 191 is not provided.

For example, the functions of the refrigerator control unit 16, the server control unit 30, and the terminal control unit 40 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

Each part shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the specific mounting form is not particularly limited. That is, it is not always necessary to implement the hardware corresponding to each part individually, and it is of course possible to realize the function of each part by executing the program by one processor. Further, a part of the functions realized by the software in the above-described embodiment may be realized by the hardware, or a part of the functions realized by the hardware may be realized by the software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the other parts of the terminal device 4 can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Further, for example, the operation step units shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of the refrigerator control system 1000. The present disclosure is not limited by the method and name of division of processing units. It may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Further, one step unit may be divided so as to include more processes. Further, the order of the steps may be appropriately changed as long as it does not interfere with the purpose of the present disclosure.

Since the above-described embodiment is for exemplifying the technology in the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.

As described above, the refrigerator control system, refrigerator, program, and terminal device according to the present disclosure can be used for maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator in the event of a power failure.

1 Refrigerator 3 Refrigerator control server (server)
4 Terminal device 16 Refrigerator control unit 40 Terminal control unit (control unit)
402 Communication control unit 403 Operation control unit 413 Refrigerator control application (program, application program)
1000 Refrigerator control system P user

Claims (12)

1. A refrigerator control system including a refrigerator and a server capable of communicating with the refrigerator.
   The server
   When an alarm related to the cause of a power failure is issued to the area including the place where the refrigerator is installed, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed from the first mode to the second mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than that of the first mode. The transition instruction information to be transferred to the refrigerator is transmitted to the refrigerator.
   The refrigerator
   Upon receiving the transition instruction information, the operation mode is shifted from the first mode to the second mode.
   Refrigerator control system.
2. When the alarm is canceled for the area, the server sends the end instruction information for terminating the second mode to the refrigerator.
   Upon receiving the end instruction information, the refrigerator terminates the second mode.
   The refrigerator control system according to claim 1.
3. The refrigerator
   When the operation of changing the temperature inside the refrigerator is received from the user of the refrigerator, the second mode is terminated.
   The refrigerator control system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. Further equipped with a terminal device capable of communicating with the server,
   When the terminal device receives the end instruction of the second mode from the user of the refrigerator, the terminal device transmits the end instruction information for terminating the second mode to the server.
   When the server receives the end instruction information, the server sends the end instruction information to the refrigerator.
   Upon receiving the end instruction information, the refrigerator terminates the second mode.
   The refrigerator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. A refrigerator that can communicate with the server
   When an alarm related to the cause of a power failure is issued to the area including the place where the refrigerator is installed, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed from the first mode to the second mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than that of the first mode. The refrigerator control unit is provided with a refrigerator control unit that receives transition instruction information from the server and shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode.
   refrigerator.
6. The refrigerator control unit
   When the alarm is canceled for the area, the end instruction information for terminating the second mode is received from the server, and the second mode is terminated.
   The refrigerator according to claim 5.
7. The refrigerator control unit
   When the operation of changing the temperature inside the refrigerator is received from the user of the refrigerator, the second mode is terminated.
   The refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6.
8. The control unit of the terminal device that can communicate with the server that can communicate with the refrigerator,
   When an alarm related to the cause of a power failure is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed from the first mode to the second mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than that of the first mode. A communication control unit that receives inquiry instruction information from the server, which causes the user of the refrigerator to inquire whether or not the refrigerator is used.
   When the communication control unit receives the inquiry instruction information, the user is inquired as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode, and after the inquiry, the user gives an instruction to shift to the second mode. Is accepted, it functions as an operation control unit that shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode.
   program.
9. The communication control unit inquires of the server whether or not the alarm is issued at least at any of the timings when the program is started and at a predetermined time during the start of the program, and the alarm is issued. If issued, make it function to receive the inquiry instruction information from the server.
   The program according to claim 8.
10. When the alarm is canceled for the area, the communication control unit is made to function to receive alarm cancellation information indicating that the alarm has been canceled from the server.
    When the communication control unit receives the alarm release information, the operation control unit functions to end the inquiry as to whether or not to shift to the second mode.
    The program according to claim 8 or 9.
11. The program is an application program that can be installed in the terminal device.
    The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10.
12. A terminal device that can communicate with a server that can communicate with a refrigerator.
    When an alarm related to the cause of a power failure is issued to the area including the installation location of the refrigerator, the operation mode of the refrigerator is changed from the first mode to the second mode in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than that of the first mode. Receives the inquiry instruction information from the server to make the user of the refrigerator inquire whether or not the refrigerator is used.
    When the inquiry instruction information is received, the user is inquired as to whether or not to shift the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode, and after the inquiry, the user receives an instruction to shift to the second mode. A control unit for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator to the second mode is provided.
    Terminal device.

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