Refrigerator having automatic food ordering function and method for operating the same
First Claim
1. A refrigerator having an automatic food ordering function, comprising:
- a network interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from an external network over the Internet;
a network microcomputer configured to process data received from an input device and to transmit the processed data and external network data associated therewith through the network interface;
a display provided at a front of the refrigerator and configured to display an image signal on a screen thereof;
at least one container provided in the refrigerator and configured to receive at least one type of food article;
at least one sensor provided in the container and configured to sense a residual amount of the food article stored in the container; and
a controller configured to transmit a signal to the display related to the residual amount of the food article sensed by the sensor for display on the screen when the residual amount of the food article is less than a predetermined amount.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator capable of transmitting and receiving information over a network and having an automatic food ordering function and a method for operating the same, wherein the residual amounts of food articles stored in containers of the refrigerator are measured through sensors installed in the containers and then displayed on a screen of a display unit, thereby enabling a user to easily recognize the residual amounts of the food articles stored in the refrigerator without opening the door of the refrigerator. The measured residual amounts of the food articles are compared with minimum proper amounts of the food articles preset by the user, respectively. In the case where the measured residual amount of a specific one of the food articles is smaller than the minimum proper amount of the specific food article, the specific food article is automatically ordered and delivered.
56 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A refrigerator having an automatic food ordering function, comprising:
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a network interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from an external network over the Internet; a network microcomputer configured to process data received from an input device and to transmit the processed data and external network data associated therewith through the network interface; a display provided at a front of the refrigerator and configured to display an image signal on a screen thereof; at least one container provided in the refrigerator and configured to receive at least one type of food article; at least one sensor provided in the container and configured to sense a residual amount of the food article stored in the container; and a controller configured to transmit a signal to the display related to the residual amount of the food article sensed by the sensor for display on the screen when the residual amount of the food article is less than a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16)
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11. A method for operating a refrigerator having an automatic food ordering function, the method comprising:
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a) setting a reference amount of at least one type of food article stored in at least one container of the refrigerator; b) measuring a current amount of the food article stored in the container; c) comparing the current amount of the food article measured at step b) with the reference amount set at step a) to determine whether the current amount is less than the reference amount; and d) automatically ordering replacement food article over a network if it is determined at step c) that the current amount is less than the reference amount. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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17. A contents monitoring system for a refrigerator, comprising:
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at least one container provided in an interior of a refrigerator and configured to receive at least one storage item; at least one sensor coupled to the at least one container and configured to sense at least one physical characteristic associated with the at least one storage item received in the at least one container; a controller configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor regarding the at least one physical characteristic associated with the at least one storage item, to compare the sensed at least one physical characteristic with a predetermined threshold established for the at least one physical characteristic, and to output a corresponding image signal if the at least one physical characteristic does not meet the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification