KR20070062242A - Illumination adjusting apparatus for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

An illumination adjusting apparatus for a refrigerator is provided to display numbers, diagrams, and graphs for a user to recognize a degree of reference illumination by comparing the current illumination with the reference illumination. An illumination adjusting apparatus for a refrigerator includes an optical sensor(50), a displaying device(10), and a controlling device. The optical sensor is formed on a front surface of the refrigerator or inside of a dispenser, and measures surrounding illumination. The displaying device displays the measured illumination. The controlling device controls the measured illumination from the optical sensor to be displayed through the displaying device. The illumination adjusting apparatus further includes a storing device(30) for storing preset reference illumination.

Description

ILLUMINATION ADJUSTING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a block diagram of an illumination control device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the illuminance control device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

4 is a display example of measurement illuminance and reference illuminance.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: display means 20: input means

30: storage means 40: dispenser unit

50: optical sensor 60: micom

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to an illuminance control device of a refrigerator that displays a peripheral illuminance to a user and enables a user to adjust a reference illuminance for operating a dispenser lamp.

In general, a refrigerator is a device that maintains a predetermined low temperature state by generating cold air by using a phase change of a refrigerant. These refrigerators are becoming larger and larger due to the improvement of living standards and the tendency of consumers who prefer multi-functional and large-size products. The refrigerators are equipped with devices such as an ice maker and a dispenser as well as a freezer and a refrigerator. We pursue convenience. Recently, many refrigerators including a display device have been released to enable a user to conveniently use not only the operation state of the refrigerator but also various functions of the refrigerator.

In particular, the recent refrigerator has been gradually increased in size and upscale in response to the needs of consumers, and in recent years has been produced in large quantities of a large-sized two-door refrigerator.

Since the double door refrigerator has a large capacity, if the refrigerator door is frequently opened to take out a small amount of ice or water, there is a problem in that the loss of cold air is increased. In order to reduce such cold air loss, a double door refrigerator is generally provided with a separate dispenser at the front of the door to remove ice or water without opening or closing the door.

Such a dispenser is provided with an operating lever for adjusting the supply of ice (ice and ice) and water, and a lamp for illuminating an ice container or the like at night or in the dark.

The refrigerator according to the related art turns on the dispenser lamp by automatically turning on the dispense lamp every time the operating lever is operated, or by comparing the illuminance measured from a predetermined light sensor with a preset reference illuminance.

In particular, even with an optical sensor, the refrigerator does not provide the user with any information on the current ambient light intensity, and the reference light intensity is set to a fixed value by the manufacturer, and means or methods for changing the reference light intensity are available. Since the present invention is not presented at all, the dispenser lamp could not be turned on depending on the location where the refrigerator (particularly the dispenser) is installed or according to the season or the weather of the day or according to the taste of the user.

In order to solve this problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminance control device of a refrigerator that provides a user with information about illuminance around the refrigerator, particularly around the dispenser.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminance control device of a refrigerator that compares and displays the current illuminance and the standard illuminance so that the user can recognize the degree of the standard illuminance.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminance control device of a refrigerator that allows a user to change and set the standard illuminance.

The illuminance control device of the refrigerator of the present invention is formed on the front of the refrigerator or on the inside of the dispenser, and includes an optical sensor for measuring ambient illuminance, display means for displaying the measured illuminance, and the measurement illuminance from the optical sensor. Consists of a control means to visually display through.

In this case, the illuminance control device is further provided with a storage means for storing a predetermined reference illuminance, the control means preferably displays the reference illuminance on the display means.

The illuminance control device may further include an input means for receiving a user input for changing the reference illuminance, and the control means changes the reference illuminance according to the user input from the input means and stores the reference illuminance in the storage means. It is desirable to.

In addition, the control means preferably increases or decreases the predetermined reference illuminance by a predetermined value according to the user input.

The control means may compare the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance according to the operation of the operation lever of the dispenser, and control the dispenser lamp according to the comparison.

In the following, the invention is explained in detail on the basis of the embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

1 is a block diagram of the illumination control device of the refrigerator according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of the refrigerator of FIG.

The refrigerator 100 according to the present invention includes a door 110 that rotates to open and close a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment (not shown), and a door handle 120 that transmits a force to allow the user to rotate the door 110. . In addition, one door 110 has display means 10 for displaying the set temperature of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment, the service type of the dispenser 40 (water, ice cubes, ice cubes), a predetermined background (or avatar), In the vicinity of the display means 10, an input means 20 for acquiring an input from a user, and a dispenser 40 for dispensing water, ice cubes and ice cubes are formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes a display unit 10, an input unit 20, a set temperature of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, and a current service of the dispenser 40 for control of freezing and refrigeration. A storage means 30 for storing form, background data, measured illuminance and reference illuminance, the dispenser 40, an optical sensor 50 for measuring the ambient illuminance of the refrigerator 100 or the ambient illuminance of the dispenser 40; And a microcomputer 60 which displays at least the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance on the display means 10 simultaneously or separately while controlling the above-described components. The refrigerator 100 may further include a main microcomputer (not shown) for performing a refrigeration control operation and the like, and a communication line is connected between the main microcomputer and the microcomputer 60 to perform data communication. Alternatively, the refrigerator 100 may perform a refrigeration refrigeration control operation through the microcomputer 60. In addition, the refrigerator 100 includes a power supply unit (not shown) to supply power required for each component.

In detail, the display means 10 includes a user interface and an avatar having various forms and / or appearances and / or operations, information on the state of the refrigerator (for example, a set temperature of the freezer and the refrigerating chamber, and a service form of the dispenser 40). ) And a color TFT LCD so as to display light information (for example, measurement illuminance and reference illuminance). This user interface may be the background on which the avatar is displayed.

The input means 20 is mounted on the front surface of the freezer compartment door 110 to provide a command from the user (for example, selecting a service type of the dispenser 40, changing a set temperature of a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, changing a standard illuminance, and measuring a user). Means for receiving the display of the illuminance or the reference illuminance, etc., and is related to a frame displayed through the display means 10, and has an appropriate number of buttons or touch pads.

Next, the storage means 30 stores at least background data including an avatar character, the refrigerator control information, and the like. Here, the background data includes a plurality of avatar character data, and the avatar character may consist of a still image or a video or may be in an animation form. This avatar character is set by the user or by the microcomputer 60, and one or more avatar characters are displayed on the display means 10 by reading of the control part 60. FIG.

In addition, the refrigerator control information includes a set temperature of a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a service type of the dispenser 40, etc. set by a user or a manufacturer.

In addition, the storage means 30 stores optical information related to the illumination of the dispenser 40. This optical information stores the reference illuminance which is a reference of the lighting of the lamp of the dispenser 40 and the measured illuminance measured around the refrigerator 100 or inside and / or around the dispenser 40. The unit of the standard illuminance and the measured illuminance is expressed in units of lux (lux) or ph (photo), which is represented by a beam of light that reflects the unit area of the plane.

In addition, the storage means 30 additionally stores a user interface for allowing a user to receive a change request for the currently set reference illuminance through the input means 20 or change the reference illuminance, on the display means 30. In order to be displayed, the configuration of this user interface may be related to the type and number of the input means 20.

Next, the dispenser 40 is a device for the user to receive services such as water, ice cubes, ice cubes, etc., the operation lever unit 41 for obtaining a water supply request from the user, and in the dispenser 40 It includes a lamp unit 42 for irradiating light to the inside and / or the front of the receiving portion (or recess) recessed to accommodate the ice container or water cup, etc. ), And a takeout unit (not shown) for performing the extraction, such as water. This operation lever 41 is a kind of switch, and obtains a supply request from the user and delivers it to the microcomputer 60. In addition, the lamp unit 42 is composed of a lamp (not shown) for emitting light, a lamp socket (not shown) for supplying power to the lamp, etc. This lamp is not limited to incandescent bulbs, Various light emitting devices can be used.

In addition, the optical sensor 50 is mainly used to measure visible visible light, phototransistors, phototransistors, photo ICs, CdS cells, solar cells, CCD image sensors and the like can be used. The optical sensor 50 may be mounted on the front surface of the refrigerating degree door 100, or may be mounted inside the receiving portion of the dispenser 40 or the front surface of the door 100 around the dispenser 40, so that the user may dispense the dispenser 40. ), The illuminance of the inside of the dispenser 40 or the periphery (front) can be measured.

In addition, the microcomputer 60 basically receives the command related to the refrigerator control through the input means 20 to perform the refrigeration refrigeration control, and reads the background data and the information related to the refrigerator state from the storage means 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the display means 10 displays. In addition, the microcomputer 60 receives the measured illuminance from the optical sensor 50 and stores the measured illuminance in the storage means 30, and receives the service form of the dispenser 40 from the input means 20 in the storage means 30. Save it. The function of the microcomputer 60 is described in detail below.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the illuminance control device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

Steps S31 to S34 are processes for changing the standard illuminance, and steps S41 to S44 are processes for turning on the lamp unit 42 according to the standard illuminance, for convenience of explanation. Shown in the flowchart.

In step S31, the microcomputer 60 displays one or more of the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance stored in the storage means 30 on the display means 10. This measurement illuminance is received by the microcomputer 60 from the optical sensor 50 or received and stored in the storage means 30. In this case, the display may be performed by using numbers, graphs, figures, and the like so that the user may easily compare each degree of the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance with both illuminances.

In step S32, when the microcomputer 60 receives a change request for the currently set reference illuminance by the user from the input means 20, the flow advances to step S33, otherwise the flow goes to step S41. do. For this change request, the microcomputer 60 reads the user interface stored in the storage means 30 and displays it on the display means 10.

In step S33, the microcomputer 60 displays the corresponding user interface from the storage means 30 on the display means 10 so that the user changes the value of the reference illuminance, and the user via the input means 20 to the user. Receive the change value entered. The change value is set to increase or decrease by a predetermined value with respect to the current reference illuminance, and at this time, the microcomputer 60 displays the reference illuminance (not yet determined) on which the changed value is reflected on the display means 10. This allows the user to compare the degree of change with the measured illuminance.

In step S34, the microcomputer 60 no longer inputs a change value or receives a change end from the user, and then changes and stores the input change value to reflect the currently set reference illuminance. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S31, where the measured illuminance and the updated reference illuminance are displayed.

Next, the process for the lighting of the lamp unit 42 according to the reference illuminance.

In step S41, the microcomputer 60 proceeds to step S42 when receiving the operation (switch-on) from the operating lever part 41, and waits until there is an input otherwise.

In step S42, the microcomputer 60 compares the measured illuminance from the optical sensor 50 (or the measured illuminance stored in the storage means 30) with the reference illuminance stored in the storage means 30. If the measured illuminance is equal to or less than the reference illuminance, the process proceeds to step S43 and the microcomputer 60 causes the lamp of the lamp unit 42 to be turned on, so that the inside and the front of the dispenser 40 can be turned on by the user. Make it easy to use. If the measured illuminance is greater than the reference illuminance, i.e., the inside and the front of the dispenser 40 already indicate the illuminance convenient for the user, the process proceeds to step S44 and the microcomputer 60 shows that the lamp unit 42 is turned off. Keep it.

If the above-described process of changing the standard illuminance and the lighting process of the lamp have been described, it should be recognized that the changing process and the lighting process can be performed independently of each other.

4 is a display example of measurement illuminance and reference illuminance.

As shown, the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance are indicated by hatched portions (A) and empty portions (B), the left side being a low illuminance portion (low), and the right side being represented by a high illuminance portion (high). . The microcomputer 60 may display the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance numerically, but may be displayed in a graphic form so as to visually compare the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance. In addition, each hatched portion (A) and the empty portion (B) is divided into a predetermined change value (for example, one square is made of 100 lux intervals), the reference roughness by the user through the above-described change process Is changed, and this changed reference illuminance is displayed.

Of course, the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance are represented by numbers, and such a changed value may be made in units of '1' lux, for example. This display method may also be selected by the user.

The present invention having such a configuration has an effect of displaying information on the illuminance around the refrigerator, particularly around the dispenser, so that the user can easily recognize the information.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of displaying by comparing the current illuminance and the reference illuminance by displaying in numbers, figures, and graphs so that the user can recognize the degree of the reference illuminance.

In addition, the present invention allows the user to change the standard illuminance, there is an effect that the lamp of the dispenser is turned on according to the surrounding environment or the user's taste.

Claims (5)

An optical sensor formed at the front of the refrigerator or inside the dispenser and measuring ambient illuminance; Display means for displaying the measurement illuminance; And a control means for visually displaying the measured illuminance from the optical sensor through the display means. The method of claim 1, The illuminance control device further comprises a storage means for storing a predetermined reference illuminance, wherein the control means displays the reference illuminance on the display means. The method of claim 2, The illuminance control device further includes an input means for receiving a user input for changing the reference illuminance, wherein the control means changes the reference illuminance according to the user input from the input means and stores the reference illuminance in the storage means. The illuminance control device of the refrigerator. The method of claim 3, And the control means increases or decreases a predetermined reference illuminance by a predetermined value according to the user input. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And the control means compares the measured illuminance and the reference illuminance according to the operation of the operation lever of the dispenser, and controls the dispenser lamp according to the comparison.

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