Refrigerator including a fermenting compartment and temperature control method thereof
First Claim
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1. A refrigerator, comprising:
- a case forming at least a fermentation compartment;
a temperature regulating mechanism for regulating the temperature in the fermentation compartment;
a storage container insertable into the fermentation compartment for storing fermenting food, the storage container including a detector for detecting fermentation conditions of fermenting food in the storage container, and a transmitter connected to the detector for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the detected fermentation conditions; and
a refrigerator controller mounted in the case for receiving and processing the signal, the refrigerator controller connected to the temperature regulating mechanism for regulating the temperature in the fermentation compartment in accordance with the signal received from the transmitter.
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Abstract
A refrigerator includes a fermentation compartment having a heater and a cooler. A food container is inserted into the compartment for fermenting food. The container includes a power source, a detector, and a radio transmitter. The detector detects fermentation conditions within the container. That detected information transmitted by the transmitter as radio signals which are received by a controller of the refrigerator which controls the temperature in the fermentation compartment in accordance with the received information. If the power source in the container becomes insufficiently charged, an indicator lamp on the refrigerator is energized.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a case forming at least a fermentation compartment; a temperature regulating mechanism for regulating the temperature in the fermentation compartment; a storage container insertable into the fermentation compartment for storing fermenting food, the storage container including a detector for detecting fermentation conditions of fermenting food in the storage container, and a transmitter connected to the detector for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the detected fermentation conditions; and a refrigerator controller mounted in the case for receiving and processing the signal, the refrigerator controller connected to the temperature regulating mechanism for regulating the temperature in the fermentation compartment in accordance with the signal received from the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A storage container adapted for use in a refrigerator having at least a fermentation compartment, a temperature regulating mechanism for controlling the temperature within the fermentation compartment, and a signal receiver for receiving wireless signals and being connected to the temperature regulating mechanism, the storage container comprising:
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a detector for detecting a fermentation condition of fermenting food in the container; and a transmitter connected to the detector for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the detected fermentation conditions to the signal receiver. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a case forming at least a fermentation compartment adapted to receive a storage container which contains fermenting food and a transmitter for sending a wireless signal representative of fermentation conditions in the container; a temperature regulating mechanism for controlling the temperature in the fermentation compartment; and a refrigerator controller connected to the temperature regulating mechanism and including a signal receiver for receiving a wireless signal from the transmitter to regulate the temperature in the fermentation compartment in accordance with the signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling the fermentation of food in a refrigerator, comprising the steps of:
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A) providing the refrigerator with at least a fermentation compartment; B) placing in the fermentation compartment a storage container containing food to be fermented, the storage container including a detector for detecting the fermentation condition of the food, and a transmitter; C) actuating the detector for detecting the fermentation condition of the food; D) actuating the transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the detected fermentation condition; and E) causing a temperature regulating mechanism in the refrigerator to receive the wireless signal and control the temperature of the fermentation compartment in accordance with the wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of controlling a refrigerator which includes at least a fermentation compartment, comprising the steps of:
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A) detecting the fermentation condition of fermenting food disposed within a storage container placed within the fermentation compartment and comparing the detected condition with a reference condition; B) controlling the temperature in the fermentation compartment in accordance with the result of the comparison in step A; C) sensing a condition wherein a power supply in the storage compartment is insufficiently charged; and D) actuating an indicator indicating the condition sensed in step C. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification