Internet refrigerator and operating method thereof

• US 20010010516A1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Published: 08/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Cho, Jin Cheol, Roh, Young Hoon, Kim, Kwang Choon
• Granted Patent: US 6,393,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

An Internet refrigerator and a method of operating the Internet refrigerator are disclosed. The Internet refrigerator includes a modem for performing a data communication with remote communication devices through the Internet, a first control section for controlling constituent elements of the refrigerator, a touch panel for producing key signals in accordance with a user'"'"'s touch, a second control section for controlling other constituent elements of the refrigerator including the first control section in response to the key signals provided from the touch panel and key signals from the remote communication devices, a display section for displaying necessary information under the control of the second control section, and an Internet connection device for connecting the refrigerator to the Internet. The Internet refrigerator operating method uses internal information of the Internet refrigerator and information from the external communication devices. According to the Internet refrigerator and the operating method thereof, home automation centering around a kitchen can be implemented.

Claims

1. An Internet refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator control section for controlling constituent elements of the refrigerator;

a touch panel for providing key signals related to an operation of the refrigerator itself and key signals for effecting communications with the Internet according to a user s selection;

a remote controller for remotely providing the key signals related to the operation of the refrigerator itself and the key signals for effecting communications with the Internet according to the user'"'"'s selection;

a display section, provided on an outer wall of the refrigerator, for displaying information related to the operation of the refrigerator itself and information obtained from the Internet in response to the key signals from the touch panel and the key signals from external devices through the Internet;

a main control section for performing a bidirectional communication with the refrigerator control section and the Internet and controlling the display section in response to the key signals from the touch panel, the key signals from the Internet and the key signals from the remote controller;

a dedicated communication control section for managing the bidirectional communication between the refrigerator control section and the main control section; and

a modem connected between the Internet and the main control section by a dedicated communication line for the bidirectional communication between the Internet and the main control section.

2. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising:

a microphone connected to the main control section for an voice communication with the Internet;

a speaker for outputting voice information according to the operation of the refrigerator itself and the use of the Internet through the refrigerator under the control of the main control section;

an electric pen for applying required information on the touch panel by being manipulated by the user; and

a memory for storing necessary text, voice, and image information, and outputting the stored information under the control of the main control section.

3. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the voice, text, and image information stored in the memory are information prepared by the user, or a music file or a moving image provided from a service provider through the Internet.

4. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising a keyboard, connected by wire to the main control section, for providing to the main control section the key signals for operating the refrigerator itself and the key for effecting communications with the Internet in accordance with the user'"'"'s selection.

5. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the dedicated communication line is an RS232.

6. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the information sent/received between the main control section and the external devices through the Internet includes a signal for informing the operation state of the refrigerator, a signal corresponding to a user manual of the refrigerator, a signal corresponding to information on foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator, a signal corresponding to cooking information, a signal corresponding to menu information for health, a signal corresponding to a message, a signal corresponding to memo information, a signal corresponding to schedule management, a signal corresponding to voice and image information, a television broadcasting signal, an MPEG signal, a signal, a signal related to an after-sale service of the refrigerator, a signal for externally controlling the operation of the refirgerator, a signal corresponding to living information, a signal corresponding to stock information, and a signal for Internet operation.

7. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein the external devices are a personal computer, a celluar phone, a wire telephone set, and a PCS.

8. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the display section is an LCD panel, and the touch panel is unitedly provided on a screen of the LCD panel.

9. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the touch panel comprises:

a message key used for a memo transferring function among members of a family;

an MPEC3 key for listening to a music file and accessing a moving image;

an Internet key for accessing the Internet;

a food key for grasping information on foodstuffs in the refrigerator;

an information key for accessing general information including living information;

a photo key for accessing image and photograph information;

a schedule key used for scheduling information such as a special anniversary, an important appointment day, and a phone number list; and

an operating key for operating the refrigerator.

10. The Internet key as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein the respective key comprises a correction key, a delete key, and a write key in a corresponding sub-window.

11. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein the message key is provided in a sub-window on a screen of the display section, and includes an input key for selecting an input of a message, and an output key for selecting an output of the message.

12. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 11

, wherein the input key is provided in a sub-window corresponding to the input of the message, and includes a visual message key, a text message key for inputting a text message, a new message key for inputting a new message, and a save key for saving a certain written image.

13. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein the schedule key is provided in a sub-window on a screen of the display section, and includes a day key for inputting/outputting required information in the unit of a day, a month key for inputting/outputting required information in the unit of a month, and a year key for inputting/outputting required information in the unit of a year.

14. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 13

, the schedule key includes an anniversary key for marking an anniversary on a calendar, a birthday key for marking a birthday, and a special day key for marking a special day.

15. The Internet refrigerator as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the information displayed on the display section under the control of the main control section includes text information and image information.

16. A method of operating an Internet refrigerator having a key input device, a display device, and an Internet connection device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting a key signal inputted from the key input device by a user and inputted from external devices through the Internet connection device;

(b) controlling constituent elements of the refrigerator in response to the key signal if it is detected that the key signal is related to an operation of the refrigerator itself;

(c) displaying through the display device first information from the refrigerator itself and from the external devices in response to the key signal if it is detected that the key signal is a signal for displaying the first information;

(d) transmitting second information of the refrigerator to the external devices in response to the key signal if it is detected that the key signal is a signal for transmitting the second information to the external devices through the Internet connection device; and

(e) storing third information from the refrigerator itself and from the external devices through the Internet connection device in a memory of the refrigerator in response to the key signal if it is detected that the key signal is a signal for storing the third information in the memory.

17. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein the key input device is one among a keyboard attached to the refrigerator, a touch panel unitedly formed on a screen of the display device, and a remote controller.

18. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (a), the key signals related to the operation of the refrigerator itself includes a signal for turning on/off the power supply of the refrigerator, a signal for adjusting a temperature in the refrigerator, and a signal for determining or converting a state of the refrigerator into a refrigerating state or a freezing state.

19. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein the step 8 comprises the steps of:

if the key signal for display is a key signal related to a manual, displaying a structure of the refrigerator on a screen of the display device;

enlarging and displaying a constituent element selected from the structure of the refrigerator by the user; and

displaying information on the operation, function, and parts of the constituent element of the refrigerator selected by the user.

20. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, further comprising the steps of:

if the key signal is a signal related to input/output of a message and memo at steps (d) and (e), verifying qualification of the user who requested input/output of the second information and the third information corresponding to the message and the memo; and

if the qualification of the user is approved, inputting the second information and the third information corresponding to the message and the memo from the external devices, or outputting them to the refrigerator or from the refrigerator to the external devices through the Internet connection device.

21. The method as claimed in

claim 20

, wherein the second information and the third information corresponding to the message and the memo includes text information, voice information, and image information.

22. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (e), the third information to be stored in the memory is one among a voice of the user, a moving image personally prepared by the user, and a voice, a music file, or a moving image provided from program providers through the Internet.

23. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (d), the the second information to be transmitted from the memory to the external devices through the Internet according to the user s selection is one among a voice of the user, a moving image personally photographed by the user, and a voice, a music file, or a moving image provided from program providers through the Internet.

24. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (e), the third information is displayed on the display device in real time, and simultaneously stored in the memory according to the user s selection.

25. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (e), the third information to be stored in the memory is at least one among information on foodstuffs stored in the refrigerator stored in the memory by the user, cooking information and menu information personally prepared by the user in consideration of dieting and health, and cooking information and menu information in consideration of dieting and health provided from program providers through the Internet.

26. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at steps (c), (d), and (e), the first to third information are information on personal and family schedules corresponding to an appointment day and an event day.

27. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at step (e), the third information is provided by a provider of the refrigerator, and is an updated version of a user manual of the refrigerator previously stored in the memory.

28. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein at steps (c), (d), and (e), the first to third information are information related to an Internet after-sale service between the refrigerator and a service center.

29. The method as claimed in

claim 28

, the first information is information for diagnosing trouble of sensors installed in the refrigerator, trouble of a compressor, and trouble of other components of the refrigerator, the second information is information on a present state of the sensors, compressor, and other components to be sent to the service center, and the third information is information on the diagnosis result from the service center in accordance with the present state of the components.

30. The method as claimed in

claim 16

, wherein the displayed first information is information on a present temperature of a freezing room of the refrigerator, a present temperature of a refrigerating room, a door open/close state of the refrigerator, a compressor on/off state pf the refrigerator, and a filter exchange time of the refrigerator.