Refrigerator having multimedia functions and method for controlling the same
First Claim
1. A refrigerator for performing multimedia functions, comprising:
- a power supply that supplies power to said refrigerator;
a refrigerator controller that receives said power from said power supply to control refrigerating and freezing environments of said refrigerator;
a multimedia controller that receives said power from said power supply via said refrigerator controller to control the multimedia functions of said refrigerator; and
an interface that converts signals exchanged between said multimedia controller and said refrigerator controller into signals respectively complying with one of a standard of said multimedia controller and a standard of said refrigerator controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator which is capable of being connected to the Internet and performing a variety of multimedia functions, and a method for controlling the same. A multimedia controller which controls the multimedia functions of the refrigerator is driven under the control of a refrigerator controller which controls refrigerating and freezing environments of the refrigerator. Even when an accident, such as a power failure or etc., occurs, the multimedia controller is given time in which it can be normally or closed down or ended. Therefore, a warning window is not displayed on a display unit of the refrigerator upon the driving of the multimedia controller, thus reassuring a user that the refrigerator has not failed.
9 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A refrigerator for performing multimedia functions, comprising:
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a power supply that supplies power to said refrigerator;
a refrigerator controller that receives said power from said power supply to control refrigerating and freezing environments of said refrigerator;
a multimedia controller that receives said power from said power supply via said refrigerator controller to control the multimedia functions of said refrigerator; and
an interface that converts signals exchanged between said multimedia controller and said refrigerator controller into signals respectively complying with one of a standard of said multimedia controller and a standard of said refrigerator controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a power charger that is charged with said power from said power supply to a predetermined level; and
a power switch that selectively supplies the charged power from said power charger to said refrigerator controller and said multimedia controller.
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9. A method for controlling a refrigerator performing multimedia functions, said method comprising:
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inputting a reset signal to a refrigerator controller to reset said refrigerator, said refrigerator controller controlling refrigerating and freezing environments of said refrigerator;
sending a drive signal from said refrigerator controller to a multimedia controller, said multimedia controller controlling the multimedia functions of said refrigerator; and
driving said multimedia controller in response to said drive sent signal sent. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
allowing said refrigerator controller to count time elapsed from the input of said reset signal;
further allowing said refrigerator controller to compare the counted elapsed time with said reference time period; and
additionally allowing said refrigerator controller to generate said drive signal if the counted elapsed time is greater than said reference time period.
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13. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said reference time period is modifiable.
Specification