REFRIGERATOR AND SERVICE SYSTEM OF PARTS FOR THE SAME

• US 20110132009A1
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Ik-Kyu
• Granted Patent: US 8,397,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/121 the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a main body configured with a plurality of parts, a door coupled to the main body, an RF reader provided in the main body to read out information recorded in each RF tag attached to the parts, a display part provided on the door to display replacement information or abnormal states of the parts, and a controller for controlling the operation of the display part.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a main body configured with a plurality of parts;

a door coupled to the main body;

an RF reader provided in the main body to read out information recorded in each

RF tag attached to the parts;

a display part provided on the door to display the replacement information or abnormal states of the parts; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the display part.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein contents displayed on the display part further comprises unique information of the each part read by the RF reader.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the door comprises:

a dispenser for dispensing water of the refrigerator in the outside; and

a filter for filtering water dispensed through the dispenser,

wherein the filter is one of the parts.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the parts and determines an abnormal state of the each part.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a replacement period of the each part is determined from after the each RF tag is recognized by the RF reader.

6. A service system of parts for a refrigerator, the service system comprising:

an RF tag attached to each part;

a refrigerator in which the parts are mounted;

a display part provided on the refrigerator to display the unique information and state information of the each part; and

a service center server for receiving the unique information and state information of the each part over a network,

wherein the refrigerator comprises;

an RF reader for reading out unique information of the each part recorded in the RF tag;

a memory for storing the read information; and

a controller for controlling the display part and determining an abnormal state of the each part.

7. The service system according to claim 6, wherein the abnormal state of the each part is displayed on the display part when the abnormal state of the each part is determined by the controller, and the abnormal state of the each part is transmitted to the service center server.

8. The service system according to claim 6, wherein the controller controls an operation of the parts.

9. A service system of parts for a refrigerator, the service system comprising:

an RF tag attached to the each part;

a refrigerator in which the parts are decouplably mounted;

a display part provided on the refrigerator to display information of the each part; and

a service center server for receiving the unique information and replacement information of the each part over a network,

wherein the refrigerator comprises;

an RF reader for reading out unique information of the each part recorded in the RF tag;

a memory for storing the read information; and

a controller for determining an replacement time of the each part,

wherein the replacement time of the each part is reckoned from after the RF reader receives the RF tag.

10. The service system according to claim 9, wherein the refrigerator comprises:

a main body in which a storeroom is provided;

a door for opening or closing the storeroom;

a dispenser provided on the door to dispense water of the refrigerator in the outside; and

a filter for filtering the water,

wherein the filter is one of the parts.

11. The service system according to claim 9, wherein the unique information and use period of the each part are recorded in the RF tag.

12. The service system according to claim 9, wherein when a valid use period of the each part elapses, the replacement information of the each part is displayed on the display part and is transmitted to the service center server.