Networking system of refrigerator and method for operating the same

• US 20040186596A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Ik Kyu, Roh, Young Hoon, Kim, Sang Mahn
• Granted Patent: US 7,090,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/122 of freezer compartments
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

Networking system of a refrigerator including a main controller for the refrigerator, a first terminal configured on a refrigerator body, and a second terminal configured on the refrigerator door, for receiving information on the refrigerator from the main controller, stores the information, and exchanging data with the first terminal by wireless, thereby permitting an easy data exchange, and to provide various kinds of information.

Claims

1. A networking system of a refrigerator comprising:

a main controller for the refrigerator;

a first terminal configured on a refrigerator body; and

a second terminal configured on the refrigerator door, for receiving information on the refrigerator from the main controller, stores the information, and exchanging data with the first terminal by wireless.

2. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first terminal includes;

input means for receiving a user'"'"'s order,

output means for providing information to the user,

an interface for communication with the second terminal, and

a controller for controlling the input means, the output means, and the interface.

3. The networking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface includes;

a compressor for compressing a signal from the input means,

modulation means for modulating a signal from the compressor into a signal that can be communicated by wireless,

a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the modulating means to the second terminal,

a receiver for receiving a compressed data from the second terminal,

demodulation means for demodulating the compressed data, and

a restoring board for converting the compressed data into a non-compressed data.

4. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first terminal searches the second terminal for a data stored therein, and provides the data to the user in response to the user'"'"'s order.

5. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first terminal receives the user'"'"'s order, and provides to the main controller through the second terminal.

6. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second terminal includes;

an interface for communication with the first terminal,

a memory for storage of a data from the main controller, and

a controller for controlling the interface and the memory.

7. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second terminal exchanges data with an external device, and stores data from the external device.

8. The networking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the external device is an ISP server, a transmitter of a broadcasting station, or a home appliance.

9. The networking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second terminal makes communication with the external device through at least one of an ethernet, a modem, a power line, a cable receiver, a TV receiving line, and a settop box.

10. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information on the refrigerator provided from the main controller to the second terminal includes;

information on temperatures of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and

information on operation states, and malfunction of different parts.

11. The networking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second terminal uploads an operation history of the refrigerator, or downloads data and programs on the refrigerator, to/from a server of a refrigerator manufacturer.

12. The networking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the operation history includes data on power consumption, data on temperature changer, and data on malfunction, of the refrigerator.

13. A method for operating a networking system of a refrigerator comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and storing information on refrigerator from a main controller of the refrigerator in a second terminal on a refrigerator body, receiving and storing a data from an external device in the second terminal; and

(b) transmitting the information and data stored in the second terminal to a first terminal on a refrigerator door by wireless in response to a user'"'"'s order.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the information on the refrigerator provided from the main controller to the second terminal includes;

information on temperatures of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and

information on operation states, and malfunction of different parts.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the external device is an ISP server, a transmitter of a broadcasting station, or a home appliance.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second terminal makes communication with the external device through at least one of an ethernet, a modem, a power line, a cable receiver, a TV receiving line, and a settop box.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the step of the second terminal uploading an operation history of the refrigerator, or downloading data and programs on the refrigerator, to/from a server of a refrigerator manufacturer.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the operation history includes data on power consumption, data on temperature changer, and data on malfunction, of the refrigerator.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the step of searching the second terminal for a data stored therein in response to the user'"'"'s order.