Refrigerator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refrigerator, comprising:
- a cabinet having a storage space formed therein;
a door that opens and closes the cabinet, the door having an opening that communicates with the storage space;
a panel that covers the opening and is configured to be transparent or opaque;
a sensing module provided in the opening and is configured to sense an object within a predetermined distance from a front surface of the panel; and
a display module provided in the opening and configured to display information upon sensing the object by the sensing module, the information being displayed through a display area formed on the front surface of the panel,wherein the sensing module comprises;
a transmitter that outputs a signal through the panel; and
a receiver that receives a reflection of the signal by the object and generates a sensing signal in accordance with a reception of the reflected signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage space; a door which opens/closes the cabinet and has an opening that communicates with the storage space; a panel provided in the opening that selectively becomes transparent according to an operation by a user; a sensing module provided inside the panel assembly that senses an approach of an object toward the panel; and a display module provided inside the panel assembly that displays information from the sensing module on the panel, wherein the sensing module comprises a light-emitting element that outputs a first optical signal, and a light-receiving element that receives a second optical signal reflected by the object in front of the panel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a cabinet having a storage space formed therein; a door that opens and closes the cabinet, the door having an opening that communicates with the storage space; a panel that covers the opening and is configured to be transparent or opaque; a sensing module provided in the opening and is configured to sense an object within a predetermined distance from a front surface of the panel; and a display module provided in the opening and configured to display information upon sensing the object by the sensing module, the information being displayed through a display area formed on the front surface of the panel, wherein the sensing module comprises; a transmitter that outputs a signal through the panel; and a receiver that receives a reflection of the signal by the object and generates a sensing signal in accordance with a reception of the reflected signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a cabinet having a storage space formed therein; a main door that opens and closes the cabinet and has an opening that communicates with the storage space; a sub-door that is rotatably mounted on the main door and opens and closes the opening; a panel assembly that forms a front surface of the sub-door and is configured to be transparent or opaque; a sensing module provided inside the panel assembly and configured to sense a proximity of an object at a predetermined area of the panel assembly; and a display module provided inside the panel assembly that is configured to display information upon sensing the object by the sensing module, wherein the sensing module comprises; a transmitter that outputs a signal through the panel assembly; and a receiver that receives a reflection of the signal by the object and generates a sensing signal in accordance with a reception of the reflected signal to send to the display. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A transparent display for a door, the transparent display comprising:
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a front panel configured to be transparent or opaque; a transparent insulation panel provided at a predetermined distance from the front panel; a spacer that seals a space between the front panel and the insulation panel; a sensing module provided in the space between the front panel and the insulation panel and configured to sense an object within a predetermined distance from a front surface of the front panel; and a display module provided in the space between the front panel and the insulation panel and configured to display information through the front panel upon sensing the object by the sensing module, wherein the sensing module further comprises; a transmitter that outputs a signal through the front panel; and a receiver that receives a reflection of the signal by the object and generates a sensing signal in accordance with a reception of the reflected signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification