System and method for switching communication mode of pad-detachable refrigerator

• US 20040154318A1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jung Ho, Chang, Jae Won, Cho, Jin Cheol, Kang, Sang Hyuk, Roh, Young Hoon, Kim, Pan Su, Hong, Kwang Hui, Kim, Sang Mahn
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/126
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A system and method for switching a communication mode of a pad-detachable refrigerator, wherein the attachment/detachment of a client pad to/from the refrigerator is sensed and the communication mode of the refrigerator with the client pad is switched to a wired/wireless communication mode according to the sensed result so that signals can be transmitted and received in the switched communication mode. The client pad is detachably attached to the outer surface of the refrigerator. A communication module set is installed in the refrigerator to transmit and receive signals to/from the client pad by wire or wirelessly. A refrigerator control unit is adapted to control the communication module set to automatically switch the communication mode of the refrigerator with the client pad to the wired/wireless communication mode according to the attachment/detachment of the client pad. Therefore, the present invention has the effect of increasing the client pad'"'"'s use efficiency and user'"'"'s convenience, and stability of signal transmission and reception owing to the automatic switching between the wired communication mode and the wireless communication mode.

Claims

1. A system for switching a communication mode of a pad-detachable refrigerator, comprising:

a client pad detachably attached to an outer surface of said refrigerator;

communication module means installed in said refrigerator for transmitting and receiving signals to/from said client pad by wire or wirelessly; and

refrigerator control means for controlling said communication module means to automatically switch said communication mode of said refrigerator with said client pad to a wired/wireless communication mode according to the attachment/detachment of said client pad.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a contact switch provided at a portion of the outer surface of said refrigerator with which said client pad is brought into contact, said contact switch being turned on/off according to the attachment/detachment of said client pad; and

an input/output sensor electrically connected with said contact switch, said sensor sensing an on/off state of said contact switch and transferring the sensed result to said refrigerator control means.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said contact switch is connected to a power supply voltage source to apply a desired voltage to said refrigerator control means when it is turned on.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a contact switch provided at a portion of the outer surface of said refrigerator with which said client pad is brought into contact, said contact switch being turned on/off according to the attachment/detachment of said client pad and electrically connected with said refrigerator control means when it is turned on.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communication module means includes:

a wired communication module for transmitting and receiving signals to/from said client pad in said wired communication mode when said client pad is attached to said refrigerator; and

a wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving signals to/from said client pad in said wireless communication mode when said client pad is detached from said refrigerator.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said communication module means further includes an Internet modem for transmitting and receiving signals to/from an external system over the Internet.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said refrigerator control means includes:

a main controller for transmitting and receiving signals to/from one or more clients connected to a home network constructed in a building to perform a home server function; and

an input/output control hub for controlling said communication module means to switch said communication mode of said refrigerator to said wired/wireless communication mode according to the attachment/detachment of said client pad.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said client pad includes:

a wired communication module for transmitting and receiving signals to/from said refrigerator control means by wire when said client pad is attached to said refrigerator;

a wireless communication module for wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals to/from said refrigerator control means when said client pad is detached from said refrigerator;

a controller for controlling operations based on the signals transmitted and received to/from said refrigerator control means through said wired communication module or wireless communication module; and

an output unit for displaying operation results based on the control of said controller.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said client pad further includes an input unit, said input unit having one or more buttons for directly inputting a user'"'"'s control commands.

10. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said client pad further includes an input unit configured integrally with said output unit for forming a touch panel enabling a touch input.

11. A method for switching a communication mode of a pad-detachable refrigerator, comprising the steps of:

a) sensing attachment/detachment of a client pad to/from said refrigerator;

b) enabling a wired communication module if the attachment of said client pad is sensed and a wireless communication module if the detachment of said client pad is sensed;

c) transmitting and receiving signals to/from said client pad through said wired communication module or wireless communication module; and

d) controlling an operation of said client pad and externally outputting results of the operation control.