KR20080004822A - Automatic display for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic display for a refrigerator is provided to reduce the inconvenience of turning on and off an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) display unit and an LCD monitor by automatically supplying power to the LCD display and the LCD monitor according to approach of a user. An automatic display for a refrigerator includes a proximity sensor(10), a storage unit(24), and a display unit(8a). The proximity sensor is installed at one side of the refrigerator to detect approach of a human being or an object. The storage unit is installed inside the refrigerator, and stores more than one avatar and sound data. The display unit is changed into an active mode to display the stored avatar according to a signal of the proximity sensor. The display unit has a selection unit(40) which selects a menu displayed together with the avatar at one side of the display unit.

Description

Automatic display of the refrigerator {AUTOMATIC DISPLAY FOR REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a front view showing a refrigerator to which an automatic display device according to the present invention is applied;

2 is a block diagram showing an automatic display device of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation display method of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: freezer door 4: cold storage door

6: ice feeder 8: display

8a: LCD display section 8b: button section

10: proximity sensor 20: control unit

22: drive unit 24: storage unit

30: display device 32: LCD monitor

34: speaker 40: selection

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device of a refrigerator displaying an operating state of a refrigerator, and more particularly, to an automatic display device of a refrigerator that greets a user by automatically displaying an image / sound according to a person or an object approaching.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device used for long-term storage of fresh food, and includes a freezer compartment for freezing food, a refrigerating chamber for refrigerating plants, and a freezing cycle for cooling the freezer and refrigerator compartment. The operation control is performed by the controller.

Such refrigerators are not only the most basic but also the most widely used core elements in the kitchen space, and are gradually becoming larger according to the increase in consumption and the change of Western lifestyle.

In addition, unlike the past, the kitchen space is not only a space for eating, but it is transforming into a living space where family members can not only talk and solve the eating habits. There is a demand for functional changes both quantitatively and directly so that all family members can use them easily.

In addition, as the technology of information and communication has been developed at a very high speed, multimedia of electronic products is rapidly progressing, so home electronic products will not simply have one or two functions, but will be linked to several home appliances. .

For example, a refrigerator is being developed that combines a computer with an existing refrigerator, attaches a liquid crystal display (LCD) to the refrigerator door, and not only watches television but also connects a website to enjoy the Internet.

In this case, not only the present temperature and operation state of the refrigerator may be displayed on the refrigerator door but also the stored food state, nutrition information, cooking information, and the like may be configured.

Therefore, recently, the refrigerator is provided with a separate LCD display window for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator and an LCD monitor for watching TV or the Internet, such LCD is a cause of increasing the power consumption of the refrigerator when always on, The LCD can be turned off and on manually to reduce power consumption, but it is cumbersome to use.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic display device for a refrigerator that greets a user by displaying an image / sound according to the proximity of a person or an object.

The automatic display device of the refrigerator according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a proximity sensor installed on one side of the refrigerator for detecting the proximity of a person or an object, a storage unit for storing at least one avatar embedded in the refrigerator, and The display unit is switched to an active mode for displaying an avatar stored in the storage unit according to the detection signal of the proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view showing a refrigerator to which the automatic display device is applied according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the automatic display device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the freezer compartment door 2 and the refrigerating compartment door 4 are hinged to a refrigerator main body (not shown) formed so that the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are partitioned on both sides thereof. The freezer door (2) is provided with an ice supply (6) capable of taking out ice or cold water, and at the same time there is a display (8) which not only indicates the operating state of the refrigerator but also controls the operation of the refrigerator. The refrigerating compartment door 4 is provided with a display device 30 for enjoying a television or the Internet.

Of course, a refrigerator cycle (not shown) including a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve, and an evaporator is built in one side of the refrigerator main body, and a cold air circulation fan is provided so that the cold air exchanged from the evaporator side is supplied to the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment. (Not shown) is built in, each component is operated by the control unit 20 to control the operation of the refrigerator.

In particular, the proximity sensor 10 provided on the display 8 side measures the proximity of a person or an object, and the control unit 20 according to the measurement signal of the proximity sensor 10 or the display 8 or the like. The display device 30 is configured to switch to the active mode greeted by the user while displaying the avatar.

In this case, the proximity sensor 10 may be installed at the front side, such as the freezer compartment door 2 or the refrigerating compartment door 4, but may be installed at the side of the refrigerator body to measure the approach of a person or an object in various directions. Make sure

For example, the proximity sensor 10 includes a micro switch, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a capacitive sensor, and the like, and a sensor which can be measured in a non-contact manner is preferably applied.

Specifically, the display 8 includes an LCD display 8a capable of displaying an operating state of the refrigerator and a button portion 8b for inputting a user's selection to control the operation of the refrigerator.

At this time, the LCD display unit 8a is activated by displaying the avatar welcoming the user automatically by the control unit 20 according to the measurement signal of the proximity sensor 10, and then displays the operation state of the refrigerator and various menus. It is configured to.

Next, the display device 30 is composed of an LCD monitor 32 for displaying an image so as to enjoy television or the Internet, and a speaker 34 for transmitting sound, and the display device 30 is selected at one side thereof. The unit 40 adjusts the channel, sound, and the like.

At this time, the LCD monitor 32 and the speaker 34 are also activated by displaying the avatar and sound data welcoming the user automatically by the controller 20 according to the measurement signal of the proximity sensor 10, It is configured to display a television or the Internet.

Next, the controller 20 receives the measurement signal from the proximity sensor 10 to determine the proximity distance and transmits a control command accordingly, but supplies power to the LCD display 8a and the LCD monitor 32. It further includes a driving unit 22 for supplying, and a storage unit 24 for storing an avatar welcoming the user displayed on the LCD display 8a, the LCD monitor 32, and the speaker 34, and specific sound data. .

In this case, an input terminal of the control unit 20 is connected to the proximity sensor 10, and an output terminal of the control unit 20 is connected to the LCD display unit 8a, the LCD monitor 32, the speaker 34, and the output terminal. It is installed as possible.

Of course, as the LCD monitor 32 is formed larger than the LCD display 8a, since the LCD monitor 32 is frequently turned off and on, it may cause power loss. May be set to be turned on only by the input of the selection unit 40.

In addition, the LCD display 8a and the LCD monitor 32 have a property of burning on the glass surface when the same screen is displayed for a long time. In order to prevent this, the screen protection mode displays various moving images. The controller 20 may also store various images, which may be provided in the screen save mode, in the storage 24.

At this time, the control unit 20 may switch the LCD display unit 8a and the LCD monitor 32 to the screen protection mode if there is no input for more than a predetermined time through the button unit 8b and the selection unit 40. In addition, the LCD display 8a and the LCD monitor 32 may be switched to the screen protection mode according to the measurement signal from the proximity sensor 10.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation display method of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

First, measure the proximity distance (see S1).

In this case, when a person or an object approaches the refrigerator side, several proximity sensors 10 are installed so that a detection signal is transmitted from the front side or the side of the refrigerator to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 includes the proximity sensor ( The detection signal of 10) is measured at close range.

Next, if the proximity distance is less than the set distance, the LCD display 8a and the LCD monitor 32 are switched to the active mode (see S2 and S3).

In detail, the controller 20 compares the proximity distance with a preset distance input, and inputs power to the LCD display 8a, the LCD monitor 32, and the speaker 34 as the proximity distance is closer.

At this time, the controller 20 displays the avatar and sound data welcoming the user on the LCD display 8a, the LCD monitor 32, and the speaker 34, and then displays the operating state of the refrigerator on the LCD display 8a. Alternatively, a menu may be displayed to switch to an active mode through which the user can control the operation of the refrigerator through the button unit 8b, or the LCD monitor 32 may display a menu for selecting a television or the Internet. Through the section 40, the user switches to the active mode where the user can watch television or use the Internet.

However, if the proximity distance is more than the set distance, the LCD display 8a and the LCD monitor 32 are switched to the screen protection mode.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail by way of examples based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

The automatic display device of a refrigerator according to the present invention configured as described above measures the proximity of a person or an object through a proximity sensor, and accordingly displays a video and audio data such as an avatar to greet the user, thereby making the user friendly. As the power is automatically supplied to the LCD display / LCD monitor according to the proximity of the user, the user may reduce the trouble of turning off and on, and further reduce the power consumption.

Claims (7)

A proximity sensor installed at one side of the refrigerator and detecting proximity of a person or an object; A storage unit stored in the refrigerator to store at least one avatar; And a display unit configured to switch to an active mode for displaying an avatar stored in the storage unit according to a detection signal of the proximity sensor. The method of claim 1, And the storage unit stores the sound data, and the display unit displays the sound data together with the avatar. The method of claim 1, And a selector installed at one side of the display unit to select a menu displayed on the display unit along with the avatar. The method of claim 1, The proximity sensor is an automatic display device of a refrigerator, characterized in that a plurality of at least one of the front and both sides of the refrigerator is installed. The method of claim 1, And the display unit reads the detection signal of the proximity sensor and operates according to the proximity of the person or object. The method of claim 1, And the display unit displays an operation state of the refrigerator together with the avatar. The method of claim 1, The display unit may automatically switch from the active mode to the screen protection mode according to the detection signal of the proximity sensor.

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