JP7594648B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

There are known refrigerators that control the compressor and fan based on instructions from a server. However, it is desirable for refrigerators to be able to perform more optimal cooling control.

JP 2018-185079 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator that can perform more appropriate cooling control.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment is a refrigerator capable of communicating with a server that transmits a control command for the refrigerator, and includes a cooling unit, a control command acquisition unit, and a control unit. The cooling unit cools a storage compartment. The control command acquisition unit acquires a control command for the refrigerator generated based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator from the server. The control unit operates the cooling unit in a first operation and a second operation with different cooling capabilities based on the control command acquired by communication with the server. When the control unit is in the usage status in which a control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command based on a prediction result of a life pattern based on the past operation information is being executed, if the control unit is unable to acquire another control command generated based on a past usage status from the server, the control unit controls the cooling unit based on a setting value set in the refrigerator based on the control command based on a prediction result of a life pattern based on the past operation information until at least a predetermined time has elapsed, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, prioritizes the operation content of the cooling unit set by a setting means on the refrigerator over the operation content of the control command , and controls the cooling unit based on the setting value set in the refrigerator.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a refrigerator system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of basic processing in the refrigerator system according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, but may also include a case where it is based on XX that has been subjected to calculation or processing. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies to a case where there are three or more selective elements. XX and YY are any element (for example, any information).

(Embodiment)
1. Refrigerator system
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator system 1 according to an embodiment. The refrigerator system 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator 100, a server 200, and a terminal device 300. Note that one or more of the refrigerator 100, the server 200, and the terminal device 300 may be provided as external components of the refrigerator system 1. For example, an example of the refrigerator system 1 may be configured by the refrigerator 100 and the server 200, or an example of the refrigerator system 1 may be configured by only the refrigerator 100. The network NW described below may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or other public lines or dedicated lines, depending on the situation.

The refrigerator 100 is placed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 is connected to the network NW, for example, via a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 can communicate with the server 200 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW.

The server 200 is a management server that manages the refrigerator 100. The server 200 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The server 200 may be referred to as a "server system." The server 200 is capable of communicating with the refrigerator 100 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW. The server 200 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence of the user U, or a home router (e.g., a wireless router WR).

The terminal device 300 is a terminal device used by a user U of the refrigerator 100. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device, and may be a personal computer or a voice dialogue device such as a smart speaker.

The terminal device 300 has, for example, a display device 301 including a display screen 301a capable of displaying various information, and an input device 302 capable of receiving input from a user U. The input device 302 is, for example, a touch panel provided on top of the display screen 301a of the display device 301. The input device 302 may include a camera, a microphone, and the like provided in the terminal device 300. An application program P is installed in the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported. Hereinafter, the application software that is started by executing the application program P is referred to as the "home appliance management app APP."

The refrigerator system 1 of this embodiment learns the usage status of the refrigerator 100 of the user U, estimates the user U's life pattern (the user U's usage habits regarding the refrigerator 100) regarding the use of the refrigerator 100, and switches the operation mode of the refrigerator 100 between a normal cooling mode and a cooling mode suitable for energy saving (power saving) based on the estimated life pattern. In this embodiment, the style of cooling mode switching control based on the above-mentioned life pattern is called a "learning control mode". Also, the operation of the refrigerator 100 in the learning control mode is called energy saving operation. In energy saving operation, first, the server 200 learns and estimates the user U's life pattern regarding the use of the refrigerator 100. Next, the server 200 generates an operation plan for the refrigerator 100 based on the estimated life pattern. Then, when the user U selects the learning control mode, the server 200 transmits an operation instruction (control command) to the refrigerator 100 at predetermined unit times based on the above-mentioned operation plan. The operation instruction is, for example, an instruction regarding the cooling mode of the refrigerator 100. In the refrigerator system 1 of this embodiment, there are two cooling modes suitable for energy saving in energy saving operation. These are eco operation (first special operation), in which the set temperature is set higher than the preset temperature, and pre-cooling operation (second special operation), in which the set temperature is set lower than the preset temperature. When there is no distinction between the first special operation and the second special operation, they are simply referred to as "special operation." Normal operation is an operation based on the preset temperature.

Eco operation is performed, for example, by estimating a time period in user U's lifestyle pattern when the door of refrigerator 100 is opened and closed less frequently (for example, a time period when the door is opened and closed five times or less per hour). Pre-cooling operation is performed, for example, by estimating a time period in user U's lifestyle pattern when there is a large temperature rise (a temperature rise exceeding a threshold) in the storage compartment of refrigerator 100. Pre-cooling operation is an operation in which the set temperature is set low in advance (for example, one hour in advance) for a time period when there is a large temperature rise in the storage compartment of refrigerator 100, and cooling is performed in advance. Pre-cooling operation is an operation that suppresses a decrease in cooling efficiency (COP: Coefficient Of Performance) by cutting the peak of the temperature rise in the storage compartment of refrigerator 100.

Next, an overview of basic processing in the refrigerator system 1 will be described.
2 is a diagram showing an outline of basic processing in the refrigerator system 1. In the refrigerator system 1, the server 200 acquires operation data from the refrigerator 100 at predetermined unit times (e.g., every hour) as information for generating an operation plan (S11). The operation data includes information on the number of times the door of the refrigerator 100 is opened and closed at each predetermined unit time and the temperature of the storage compartment. The server 200 accumulates the received operation data, and generates an operation plan for energy-saving operation at predetermined unit times (e.g., every hour) based on information from one week and two weeks before the execution date of the energy-saving operation (S21). The operation plan is updated as needed based on the latest operation data.

On the other hand, the user U sets the learning control mode to ON based on an operation on the terminal device 300 (appliance management app APP), and this setting is instructed from the terminal device 300 to the refrigerator 100 via the server 200 (S31, S22 and S12).

The server 200 sends an operation instruction (control command) according to the above operation plan to the refrigerator 100 at predetermined unit time intervals (e.g., every hour) or when switching to energy saving operation (S23). The refrigerator 100 operates based on the operation instruction received from the server 200 (S13). However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the refrigerator 100 changes the eco operation or pre-cooling operation instructed by the server 200 to normal operation and operates.

The refrigerator 100 also periodically transmits the execution results (also called operation records) of the operation instructions to the server 200 (S14). The server 200 accumulates the execution result (operation records) data received from the refrigerator 100 (S24). The execution results are, for example, the results of which cooling mode (eco operation, normal operation, or pre-cooling operation) was actually operated in response to the operation instructions. The execution results are transmitted from the server 200 to the terminal device 300 and displayed on the display screen 301a of the terminal device 300 (S32).

Note that S11 and S21 above operate even if the user U has not set the learning control mode to ON. S13, S14, S23, and S24 operate when the learning control mode is ON.

In the above basic operation, if a discrepancy occurs between the estimated lifestyle pattern and reality, and if the server 200 continues to instruct the refrigerator to operate in eco mode, frequent door opening and closing may result in the refrigerator not being cooled sufficiently. Therefore, in this embodiment, when certain conditions are met while the learning control mode is in progress, the control of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100.

The configuration and operation of this embodiment are described in detail below.

2. Refrigerator
First, the refrigerator 100 will be described in detail.
3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 includes, for example, a housing 10 and a plurality of doors 20.

The housing 10 is insulated and formed in a rectangular box shape. A plurality of storage compartments 30 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 30 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 31, a vegetable compartment 32, an ice-making compartment 33, a small freezer compartment 34, and a main freezer compartment 35. The refrigerator compartment 31 and the vegetable compartment 32 are storage compartments in the refrigerator temperature range (for example, a positive temperature range of 1 to 4°C). The ice-making compartment 33, the small freezer compartment 34, and the main freezer compartment 35 are storage compartments in the freezer temperature range (for example, a negative temperature range of -10 to -20°C).

The openings of the multiple storage compartments 30 are closed by multiple doors 20 in an openable and closable manner. The multiple doors 20 include left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21A, 21B that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 31, a vegetable compartment door 22 that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 32, an ice-making compartment door 23 that closes the opening of the ice-making compartment 33, a small freezer compartment door 24 that closes the opening of the small freezer compartment 34, and a main freezer compartment door 25 that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 35. Hereinafter, when the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21A, 21B are not distinguished from each other, they will be referred to as "refrigerator compartment doors 21."

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 has, for example, a door opening/closing detection sensor 110, a temperature sensor 120, a cooling unit 130, a communication unit 140, a control device 150, an alarm 170, and a memory unit 180.

The door opening/closing detection sensor 110 is a sensor that detects the opening/closing of the door 20. The door opening/closing detection sensor 110 includes, for example, a refrigerator door sensor 111 that detects the opening/closing of the refrigerator door 21, a vegetable door sensor 112 that detects the opening/closing of the vegetable door 22, an ice making door sensor 113 that detects the opening/closing of the ice making door 23, a small freezer door sensor 114 that detects the opening/closing of the small freezer door 24, and a main freezer door sensor 115 that detects the opening/closing of the main freezer door 25. The detection results of the door opening/closing detection sensor 110 are output to the control device 150.

The temperature sensor 120 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the storage compartment 30 (e.g., the air temperature inside the storage compartment 30). The temperature sensor 120 includes, for example, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 121 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 31, and a main freezer compartment temperature sensor 122 that detects the temperature of the main freezer compartment 35. The detection result of the temperature sensor 120 is output to the control device 150.

The cooling unit 130 is a device that cools the storage room 30. The cooling unit 130 includes, for example, a first cooler 131, a second cooler 132, a compressor 133, a first blower 134, and a second blower 135. The first cooler 131 is arranged corresponding to the storage room 30 (refrigerator room 31 and vegetable room 32) in the refrigeration temperature zone. The second cooler 132 is arranged corresponding to the storage room 30 (ice room 33, small freezer room 34, and main freezer room 35) in the freezing temperature zone. The compressor 133 supplies refrigerant to the first cooler 131 and the second cooler 132. The first blower 134 supplies the cold air cooled by the first cooler 131 to the storage room 30 in the refrigeration temperature zone. The second blower 135 supplies the cold air cooled by the second cooler 132 to the storage chamber 30 in the freezing temperature range.

The communication unit 140 is, for example, a wireless communication module. The communication unit 140 can communicate with the server 200 via a wireless router WR and a modem M arranged in the residence of the user U. When communication between the communication unit 140 and the server 200 is interrupted or when the interruption is resolved, the communication unit 140 outputs a signal to the control unit 151 indicating this.

The alarm 170 may be a light emitting diode (LED) on an operation panel, a display device such as a display, or a voice dialogue device. The alarm 170 notifies the user U of predetermined information based on instructions from the alarm unit 153, which will be described later.

The control device 150 is realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) installed in the refrigerator 100, executing a program. However, part or all of the control device 150 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

The control device 150 includes a control unit 151, a control command acquisition unit 152, an alarm unit 153, a timer 154, and a memory unit 155.

Here, the memory unit 155 will be described first. The memory unit 155 is, for example, a volatile memory. The contents stored in the memory unit 155 are erased when the power of the refrigerator 100 is turned off. The memory unit 155 stores a control right 1551 and a control command 1552.

The control right 1551 is information indicating whether the control right of the refrigerator 100 with respect to the cooling unit 130 is held by the server 200 or by the refrigerator 100. "When the server has the control right" broadly means, for example, a case where the refrigerator 100 (for example, the cooling unit 130) is controlled based on a control command such as an operation command from the server 200. In other words, "when the server has the control right" is not limited to a case where the cooling unit 130 is controlled based only on a control command from the server 200, but may also include a case where the cooling unit 120 is controlled by the control unit 151 based on a control command from the server 200 and information detected in the refrigerator 100 (for example, information detected by the temperature sensor 120). "When the server has the control right" is, for example, a case where a setting value included in a control command from the server 200 has priority over a setting value set in the refrigerator 100.

On the other hand, "when the refrigerator has control authority" refers to, for example, a case where there is no control command such as an operation command from server 200, or a case where there is a control command such as an operation command from server 200, but refrigerator 100 (e.g., control of cooling unit 130) is performed based on a standard different from the control command (e.g., a setting value preset in the refrigerator). "When the refrigerator has control authority" refers to, for example, a case where a setting value set in refrigerator 100 takes precedence over a setting value included in a control command from server 200.

In this embodiment, when the learning control mode is set to ON and the control authority is set to the server 200, the refrigerator 100 controls the cooling unit 130 based on an operation instruction (control command) from the server 200. On the other hand, even when the learning control mode is set to ON, if the control authority is set to the refrigerator 100, the refrigerator 100 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the same criteria (e.g., a preset value set in the refrigerator) as when the learning control mode is set to OFF, not based on the operation instruction (control command) from the server 200.

The control command 1552 is information indicating a control command for the refrigerator 100 received from the server 200 (e.g., the last control command received from the server 200, the latest control command). The control command includes the contents of an operation instruction regarding the operation of the cooling unit 130. The control command 1552 also includes information indicating the validity period of the control command last received from the server 200. The validity period is notified by the server 200, for example, as part of the control command.

The control unit 151 performs overall control of the entire refrigerator 100. For example, the control unit 151 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the set temperature (target temperature) of each storage chamber 30 and the detection result of the temperature sensor 120, thereby cooling each storage chamber 30 with the cooling unit 130. For example, the control unit 151 controls the compressor 133, the first fan 134, or the second fan 135 included in the cooling unit 130 by PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control based on the difference between the set temperature (target temperature) of each storage chamber 30 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120.

The control unit 151 stores the detection result of the door opening/closing detection sensor 110 in the memory unit 180 as door opening/closing information 181. The door opening/closing information 181 includes information regarding the opening and closing of the door for each predetermined unit of time (e.g., one hour). For example, the door opening/closing information 181 indicates the number of times the door is opened and closed for each predetermined unit of time, or the door open time. The "door open time" is the total time that the door is open.

Based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 120 and a preset threshold value, the control unit 151 determines at a predetermined cycle whether a large temperature rise exceeding the threshold value (for example, a temperature rise exceeding 10°C as a temperature difference) has occurred in each storage chamber 30. A "large temperature rise" is, for example, a temperature rise that occurs when a warm storage item is contained in the storage chamber 30. When the control unit 151 determines that a large temperature rise has occurred in a certain storage chamber 30, it stores the fact that a large temperature rise has occurred in that storage chamber 30 as temperature rise information 182 in the memory unit 180. The temperature rise information 182 includes the presence or absence of a large temperature rise in the storage chamber 30 for each predetermined unit time (for example, 1 hour).

The control unit 151 transmits to the server 200, for each predetermined unit time (e.g., 1 hour) measured by the timer 154, information indicating the operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100 in the most recent predetermined unit time (hereinafter referred to as "usage status information"). The "operation information" is, for example, information indicating the set value or history of the driving status of the cooling unit 130 (the operating frequency of the compressor 133, the rotation speed of the first blower 134, the rotation speed of the second blower 135, etc.). The "usage status" is, for example, the history of the door opening and closing of the refrigerator 100 (history of the number of times the door is opened and closed or the door open time, etc.), the temperature history of the storage room 30, or the presence or absence of a large temperature rise (temperature rise exceeding a threshold value) in the storage room 30. The "usage status" includes, for example, information detected by the refrigerator 100 (for example, information detected by the door opening and closing detection sensor 110 or the temperature sensor 120). In this embodiment, the usage status information includes door opening/closing information 181 and temperature rise information 182 stored in the memory unit 180.

The control unit 151 transmits the execution result of the special operation of the refrigerator 100, which will be described in detail later, to the server 200 at every predetermined unit time. The execution result of the special operation is, for example, information indicating whether the normal operation, the first special operation, or the second special operation, which will be described later, was executed at every predetermined unit time (e.g., one hour).

The control command acquisition unit 152 acquires the control command for the refrigerator 100 generated by the server 200 from the server 200 via the communication unit 140. One example of the control command for the refrigerator 100 is an operation instruction, which is an instruction to execute a special operation to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. In this application, "acquire" is not limited to active acquisition by transmitting a transmission request, but also includes acquisition by passively receiving information transmitted from another device (e.g., the server 200). The special operation will be described in detail later.

The control command acquisition unit 152 stores, for example, the latest control command acquired from the server 200 as the control command 1552 in the storage unit 155. Furthermore, when the control command acquisition unit 152 acquires a control command indicating an instruction to change the learning control mode setting from the server 200, it stores the ON or OFF setting of the learning control mode in the storage unit 180 as the setting information 183.

The control command acquisition unit 152 may request the server 200 to transmit a control command after, for example, the power of the refrigerator 100 is turned back on or after a communication interruption with the server 200 is resolved. For example, if the transmission of the control command from the server 200 is fixed at a predetermined unit time, the control command acquisition unit 152 will not be able to receive the control command for a maximum of the predetermined unit time. In such a case, the energy-saving operation can be immediately resumed by inquiring the server 200 about the control command from the control command acquisition unit 152. When the learning control mode is set to ON, the control unit 151 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the control command acquired from the server 200 by the control command acquisition unit 152. For example, when the control unit 151 acquires an execution command for a special operation as the control command, the control unit 151 performs the special operation of the refrigerator 100 based on the execution command.

In this embodiment, the control unit 151 can execute a learning control mode in which the cooling unit 130 is controlled based on a control command acquired by the control command acquisition unit 152, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied during execution of the learning control mode, the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100. Here, the control command acquired by the control command acquisition unit 152 is generated by the server 200 based on past operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100. With this configuration, for example, in the refrigerator system 1 having a learning control mode in which the server 200 estimates the usage habit of the user U regarding the refrigerator 100 based on the past operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100, and controls the refrigerator 100 based on a control command according to the usage habit of the user U, under certain conditions, the control right can be switched between the server 200 and the refrigerator 100. As a result, when a deviation occurs between the estimated usage habit and the reality, an operation that conforms to the reality can be performed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 151 determines whether the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied on the refrigerator 100 side, and if it is determined on the refrigerator 100 side that the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied, the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100. With this configuration, the refrigerator 100 side can determine whether to switch the cooling control right. In other words, the refrigerator 100 side, which is capable of operating in accordance with reality, can make the determination. Particularly in a wireless connection environment, the refrigerator 100 side can make the determination even when the wireless connection is disconnected.

In this embodiment, the control unit 151 determines whether the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, based on the most recent operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100. With this configuration, the cooling control right is switched according to the actual state of the refrigerator 100, so that even if the estimation of the usage habits of the user U regarding the refrigerator 100 is incorrect, the control right can be switched according to the actual state, making it possible to respond flexibly.

In this embodiment, the control unit 151 can control the cooling unit 130 in a normal control mode in which the cooling unit 130 is controlled based on a set value set in the refrigerator 100, and a learning control mode in which the cooling unit 130 is controlled based on a control command acquired from the server 200 that has been learned based on past operating information or usage status of the refrigerator 100. The control unit 151 can switch between the normal control mode and the learning control mode, for example, based on a user's operation on the operation panel of the refrigerator 100 or the terminal device 300. When the control unit 151 switches the control right of the refrigerator 100 from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 when the learning control mode is set and the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 151 continues to set the learning control mode and controls the cooling unit 130 with the same content as the normal control mode. In other words, even when the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, the control unit 151 does not switch the control mode, and resumes control in the learning control mode when the state in which the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied is resolved. With this configuration, even when the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, the refrigerator 100 behaves in the same way as when the learning control mode is set to OFF, so that the cooling performance of the refrigerator 100 can be ensured even if an irregularity occurs. In addition, there is no need for the user U to arbitrarily turn OFF the mode (learning control mode) that he or she has set.

When the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, the notification unit 153 notifies the switching of the control right of the refrigerator 100. For example, the notification unit 153 communicates with the server 200 via the communication unit 140, and outputs notification information (information indicating that the control right has been switched) to the terminal device 300 via the server 200, or issues a notification via the alarm 170 of the refrigerator 100. When the notification unit 153 is provided, the user U can grasp the areas where his/her lifestyle pattern differs, and can improve it by himself/herself if the door is opened and closed frequently.

The storage unit 180 is a functional unit that stores various types of information. The storage unit 180 is realized by a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. The storage unit 180 stores door opening/closing information 181, temperature rise information 182, and setting information 183.

<3. Server>
Next, the server 200 will be described in detail.
5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 210, an operation plan generation unit 220, a control command output unit 230, an information output unit 240, a notification unit 250, and a storage unit 280.

The information acquisition unit 210, the operation plan generation unit 220, the control command output unit 230, the information output unit 240, and the notification unit 250 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the server 200 executing a program. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. These functional units may be provided separately in multiple server devices. Furthermore, one or more of these functional units may be provided in the terminal device 300 or the refrigerator 100 instead of the server 200.

The information acquisition unit 210 acquires operation data including usage status information transmitted from the refrigerator 100. The information acquisition unit 210 stores the usage status information acquired from the refrigerator 100 in the storage unit 280 as part of usage status accumulation information 281. The information acquisition unit 210 also acquires information indicating the execution result of the special operation transmitted from the refrigerator 100. The information acquisition unit 210 stores the information indicating the execution result of the special operation acquired from the refrigerator 100 in the storage unit 280 as part of execution result accumulation information 282.

The operation plan generating unit 220 analyzes the lifestyle pattern of the user U (the usage habits of the user U regarding the refrigerator 100) based on the usage status information for a predetermined period (e.g., the past two weeks) included in the usage status accumulated information 281, and generates an operation plan for the refrigerator 100 according to the lifestyle pattern of the user U. In other words, the operation plan generating unit 220 is a learning function unit that learns the usage habits of the user U regarding the refrigerator 100. In this application, "learning" broadly means updating past decisions based on new information.

In this embodiment, the operation plan generating unit 220 generates an operation plan for the next same day of the week based on the usage status information for the same day of the week for the past two weeks. For example, the operation plan generating unit 220 generates an operation plan for the next Monday based on the usage status information for the previous and previous Mondays. The same applies to Tuesdays to Sundays.

In this embodiment, the operation plan of the refrigerator 100 is a plan that specifies the time period during which the refrigerator 100 performs normal operation and the time period during which the refrigerator 100 performs special operation. The special operation is an operation that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. In this embodiment, the special operation includes a first special operation (eco operation) and a second special operation (pre-cooling operation). Note that below, an example will be described in which the first special operation is performed based on the number of times the door is opened and closed. Alternatively/in addition to this, the first special operation may be performed based on the door open time.

As described above, normal operation is, for example, an operation that is set in the initial settings of the refrigerator 100. For example, normal operation is an operation that assumes that the refrigerator 100 will be used by the user U (for example, the door 20 will be opened and closed). In other words, normal operation is an operation in which a relatively low set temperature (target temperature) is set so that the temperature rise in the storage chamber 30 can be suppressed below a certain level even when the door 20 is opened and closed. Normal operation is an operation with the same content as the normal control mode described above.

The first special operation (eco operation) is an operation that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100 by raising the set temperature (target temperature) of the storage chamber 30 compared to normal operation during a time period when the number of times the door 20 is opened and closed is estimated to be low, and suppressing the operation of the cooling unit 130. For example, the first special operation is an operation that lowers the operating frequency of the compressor 133, the rotation speed of the first fan 134, or the rotation speed of the second fan 135 by raising the set temperature of the storage chamber 30 by 1°C or 2°C compared to normal operation.

In this embodiment, if the number of times the door 20 is opened and closed in a predetermined unit time (e.g., one hour) during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks is equal to or less than a predetermined number (e.g., five times or less), the operation plan generating unit 220 executes the first special operation during the same time period on the next same day of the week. On the other hand, if there is a day during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks on which the number of times the door 20 is opened and closed in the above-mentioned predetermined unit time exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined number, the operation plan generating unit 220 does not execute the first special operation during the same time period on the next same day of the week, and performs normal operation.

The number of times that the door 20 is opened and closed is, for example, the total number of times that all the doors 20 (refrigerator door 21, vegetable door 22, ice maker door 23, small freezer door 24, and main freezer door 25) included in the refrigerator 100 are opened and closed. Alternatively, the number of times that the door 20 is opened and closed may be the total number of times that a representative specific door (for example, refrigerator door 21, vegetable door 22, and main freezer door 25) is opened and closed.

The second special operation (pre-cooling operation) is an operation in which, when a large temperature rise (a temperature rise exceeding a threshold) is expected in the storage compartment 30, the temperature of the storage compartment 30 is lowered in advance (so-called cooling is performed) to cut the peak of the temperature rise in the storage compartment 30, thereby suppressing the decrease in cooling efficiency (COP) and reducing the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. For example, the second special operation is an operation in which, for a predetermined unit time in which a large temperature rise is expected to occur in a specific storage compartment 30, the set temperature (target temperature) of the specific storage compartment 30 is set lower than in normal operation at the predetermined unit time and the predetermined unit time immediately before that, thereby lowering the temperature of the specific storage compartment 30 in advance. For example, the second special operation increases the operating frequency of the compressor 133, the rotation speed of the first fan 134, or the rotation speed of the second fan 135 by lowering the set temperature of the storage compartment 30 by 1°C or 2°C compared to normal operation.

In this embodiment, if a large temperature rise is detected in the storage room 30 during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks, the operation plan generating unit 220 executes the second special operation during the same time period on the next same day of the week and the time period immediately preceding that. On the other hand, if there is a day during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks on which no large temperature rise is detected in the storage room 30, the operation plan generating unit 220 does not execute the second special operation on the next same day of the week, but executes normal operation or the first special operation.

In this embodiment, the operation plan of the refrigerator 100 is a plan that specifies whether to perform normal operation, first special operation, or second special operation for each specified unit time (e.g., every hour). Note that, when the first special operation and the second special operation are scheduled to be performed in the same time period, the operation plan generating unit 220 sets the second special operation as a priority.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan created by the operation plan generation unit 220. The example shown in Figure 6 shows a case where an operation plan for the next Monday is generated based on the usage information for the previous and previous Mondays.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, (A) the time slots from 0:00 to 6:00 are assigned as the time slots for the first special operation in the operation plan for the next Monday because the number of door openings on the previous and previous Mondays was less than the specified number and no large temperature rise was detected. (B) the time slots from 6:00 to 8:00 are assigned as the time slots for the second special operation in the operation plan for the next Monday because a large temperature rise was detected between 7:00 and 8:00 on the previous and previous Mondays. (C) the time slot from 8:00 to 9:00 is assigned as the time slot for the normal operation in the operation plan for the next Monday because no large temperature rise was detected on the previous and previous Mondays, but there were days when the number of door openings was more than the specified number. (D) the time slots from 9:00 to 11:00 are assigned as the time slots for the first special operation in the operation plan for the next Monday because the number of door openings on the previous and previous Mondays was less than the specified number and no large temperature rise was detected.

The control command output unit 230 transmits a control command corresponding to the operation plan generated by the operation plan generation unit 220 to the refrigerator 100. For example, the control command output unit 230 transmits a control command for the next predetermined unit time to the refrigerator 100 every predetermined unit time (e.g., every hour). Alternatively, the control command output unit 230 transmits a control command that is valid at that time to the refrigerator 100 in response to an inquiry from the refrigerator 100 (the control command acquisition unit 152). In this embodiment, the control command includes any one of an operation command that is an execution command for normal operation, an operation command that is an execution command for the first special operation, or an operation command that is an execution command for the second special operation.

The information output unit 240 generates information to be displayed on the display screen 301a of the terminal device 300 (hereinafter referred to as "display information") and transmits the generated display information to the terminal device 300. The display information includes the usage status information included in the usage status accumulation information 281 and the execution results of the special operation included in the execution result accumulation information 282.

When the notification unit 250 receives information from the refrigerator 100 indicating that the control right of the refrigerator 100 has been switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 and that the control right has been switched, the notification unit 250 transfers the information indicating that the control right has been switched to the terminal device 300. In addition, when, for example, a communication interruption occurs between the server 200 and the refrigerator 100 and the communication interruption lasts for a predetermined period of time or longer, the notification unit 250 transmits information to the terminal device 300 indicating that the control right of the refrigerator 100 has been switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100.

The storage unit 280 is realized by a combination of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 280 stores usage status accumulation information 281.

4. Terminal Device
Next, the terminal device 300 will be described in detail.
7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 has, for example, an information acquisition unit 310, an operation acceptance unit 320, a display control unit 330, and a storage unit 380. The information acquisition unit 310, the operation acceptance unit 320, and the display control unit 330 are realized by one or more hardware processors such as a CPU mounted on the terminal device 300 executing an application program P. In other words, the information acquisition unit 310, the operation acceptance unit 320, and the display control unit 330 are software function units included in the home appliance management application APP.

The information acquisition unit 310 acquires information received from the server 200 in relation to the home appliance management app APP. For example, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires display information generated by the server 200 from the server 200.

The operation reception unit 320 receives an operation by the user U performed on the input device 302 in relation to the home appliance management app APP. For example, the operation reception unit 320 receives an operation by the user U to switch between a normal control mode setting and a learning control mode setting.

The display control unit 330 controls the display device 301 of the terminal device 300 to control the content displayed on the display screen 301a of the display device 301. For example, the display control unit 330 causes the display information acquired by the information acquisition unit 310 to be displayed on the display screen 301a.

The storage unit 380 is realized by a combination of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 380 stores the application program P.

5. Control Flow
Next, the control flow will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the control device 150. The process shown in FIG. 8 is repeatedly executed by the control unit 151 at a predetermined cycle. When the process shown in FIG. 8 is started, the control unit 151 judges whether or not the learning control mode is set to ON (S101). When the learning control mode is set to ON (S101: YES), the control unit 151 judges whether or not a valid (within a valid period) control command is acquired (S102). When a valid control command is acquired (S102: YES), the control unit 151 judges whether or not a temperature rise has occurred (S103). When a temperature rise has not occurred (S103: NO), the control unit 151 judges whether or not a time-limited control right, which will be described later, has been set for the refrigerator 100 (S104). When a time-limited control right has not been set for the refrigerator 100 (S104: NO), the control unit 151 judges whether or not the door has been opened or closed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period (for example, six times or more within one hour) (S105). If the door has not been opened or closed the predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period (S105: NO), the control unit 151 judges whether or not communication between the server 200 and the refrigerator 100 has been interrupted (S106). If communication has not been interrupted (S106: NO), the control unit 151 sets the control right to the server 200 (or leaves it set) (S107), executes control based on a control command from the server 200 (or continues control based on the control command being executed) (S108), and ends the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the learning control mode is not set to ON (S101: NO), if a valid operation instruction has not been obtained (S102: NO), or if a temperature rise has occurred (S103: YES), the control unit 151 sets control authority to the refrigerator 100 (or leaves it set) (S113), executes control when the learning mode is OFF (or continues control when the learning mode is OFF that is currently being executed) (S114), and ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

In addition, if the door is opened and closed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period (S105: YES), the control unit 151 sets (or leaves as set) time-limited control authority (e.g., control authority limited to one hour) for the refrigerator 100 (S109), executes control when the learning mode is OFF (or continues control when the learning mode is OFF that is currently being executed) (S110), and ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

If a time-limited control right has been set (S104: YES), the control unit 151 determines whether the limited time has elapsed (S111). If the limited time has elapsed (S111: YES), the control unit 151 executes the determination process of S105. If the limited time has not elapsed (S111: NO), the control unit 151 continues the control when the learning mode is OFF (S110) and ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

If communication has been interrupted (S106: YES), the control unit 151 determines whether the period of the last control command received from the server 200 has ended (S112). If the period of the last control command has ended (S112: YES), the control unit 151 sets control authority to the refrigerator 100 (or leaves it set) (S113), executes control when the learning mode is OFF (or continues control when the learning mode is OFF that is currently being executed) (S114), and ends the process shown in FIG. 8. If the period of the last operation command has not ended (S112: NO), the control unit 151 sets control authority to the server 200 (or leaves it set) (S107), executes control based on the operation command (or continues control based on the operation command that is currently being executed) (S108), and ends the process shown in FIG. 8.

<6. Operation example>
Next, an operation example will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. The examples shown in Figs. 9 to 12 are operations according to the flow diagram shown in Fig. 8. The example shown in Fig. 13 is different from the flow diagram shown in Fig. 8, and is an operation in the case where a process is added in which the control command acquisition unit 152 inquires of the server 200 about an operation command when there is no operation command (S102: NO). In the examples shown in Figs. 9 to 13, a control command is transmitted from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 at a predetermined unit time (e.g., 1 hour). The valid period of each control command is the above-mentioned predetermined unit time (e.g., 1 hour). In the examples shown in Figs. 9 to 13, the control when the learning mode is OFF is described as "normal operation". In addition, the case where the refrigerator 100 has the control authority is described as "refrigerator determination", and the case where the server 200 has the control authority is described as "server command".

(Operation example 1)
Fig. 9 shows an example in which the door is opened and closed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period, and the control right is set to the refrigerator 100 for a limited time. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the predetermined time period is 60 minutes, the predetermined number of times is six, and the time limit for the control right to be transferred to the refrigerator 100 is 60 minutes. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the server 200 repeatedly transmits an eco-driving instruction at 0:00, 1:00, ..., 10:00 (S201, S202, S203). Then, at 10:30, the door is opened and closed six times or more within 60 minutes (S121). At this point, the control right is switched to the refrigerator 100, and normal operation is performed (S122). After that, the server 200 transmits an eco-driving instruction at 11:00 (S204). In this case, after the control right is switched at 10:30 (S122), the control right is set to the refrigerator 100 until 11:30, 60 minutes later, at which point normal operation ends (S123), after which the control right is switched to the server 200, and eco-operation is performed based on the eco-operation instruction given at 11:00 (S124). After that, an eco-operation instruction is transmitted from the server 200 at 12:00 (S205). In this case, eco-operation is continued based on the eco-operation instruction given at 12:00.

That is, in this operation example, the server 200 estimates the usage habits of the user U regarding the refrigerator 100 based on the past operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100, transmits a first control command (normal operation command) to the refrigerator 100 corresponding to a first time period in which the refrigerator 100 is in a first state (e.g., the door is opened and closed a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period) in the estimated usage habits, and transmits a second control command (eco-operation command) to the refrigerator 100 corresponding to a second time period in which the refrigerator 100 is in a second state (e.g., the door is opened and closed less than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time period) in the estimated usage habits. The second state is a state in which the air temperature of the storage chamber 30 is more stable than in the first state. The control unit 151 of the refrigerator 100 switches the control right of the refrigerator 100 from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 when the actual state of the refrigerator 100 in the second time period (e.g., the actual number of times the door is opened and closed) is different from the second state as the predetermined condition. With this configuration, even if the estimated usage habits of user U deviate from the actual situation, it is possible to perform operation that is in line with reality (normal operation of the refrigerator 100), and flexible control can be implemented.

In this operation example, the server 200 estimates the usage habits of the refrigerator 100 based on the past operation information or usage status of the refrigerator 100, and transmits a control command according to the estimated usage habits every predetermined unit time (e.g., 1 hour). When the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied and the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, even if a control command is obtained again from the server 200 before the predetermined time (e.g., 1 hour) has elapsed since the above-mentioned predetermined condition was satisfied (for example, even if an eco-driving instruction is received at 11:00), the control right is given to the refrigerator 100 side, and the cooling unit 130 is controlled based on the setting value set in the refrigerator 100, at least until the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed. With this configuration, when a situation different from the estimated usage habits occurs, it is possible to perform an operation that is in line with reality (normal operation as the refrigerator 100).

In this operation example, when the control command is acquired again from the server 200 after the control right of the refrigerator 100 is switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 because the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when an eco-driving instruction is received at 11:00), the control unit 151 of the refrigerator 100 stores the acquired control command in the storage unit 155, and when the state in which the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied is resolved and the control of the refrigerator 100 by the server 200 is resumed (for example, at 11:30), the control unit 151 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the control command stored in the storage unit 155 (for example, the control command received at 11:00) until the next acquisition of a control command received from the server 200 at each predetermined unit time (for example, between 11:30 and 12:00). With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an inquiry from the refrigerator 100 to the server 200 every time the control of the refrigerator 100 is resumed, and the burden on the server 200 can be reduced.

(Operation example 2)
FIG. 10 shows an example in which a temperature rise occurs and is resolved in the refrigerator 100. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the threshold value for the temperature rise is set to 10° C. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the server 200 repeatedly transmits an eco-driving instruction at 0:00, 1:00, ..., 10:00 (S201, S202, S203). Then, at 10:30, a temperature rise that exceeds the threshold occurs (S131). At this point, the control right is switched to the refrigerator 100, and normal operation is performed (S132). Then, an eco-driving instruction is transmitted from the server 200 at 11:00 (S204). Then, when the temperature rise is resolved at 11:45 (S133), the control right is switched to the server 200, and eco-driving is performed based on the eco-driving instruction at 11:00 (S134). Then, an eco-driving instruction is transmitted from the server 200 at 12:00 (S205). In this case, eco-driving is continued based on the eco-driving instruction at 12:00.

The operation of S134, for example, is similar to the operation of S124 in operation example 1, in that the cooling unit 130 is controlled based on the control command stored in the memory unit 155 (e.g., the control command received at 11:00) until the next control command is received from the server 200 (i.e., between 11:45 and 12:00).

(Operation example 3)
Fig. 11 shows an example in which communication interruption (also called wireless disconnection) occurs. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the server 200 repeatedly transmits an eco-driving instruction at 0:00, 1:00, ..., 10:00 (S201, S202, S203). Then, wireless disconnection occurs at 10:30 (S141). In this case, since the valid period of the eco-driving instruction at 10:00 is until 11:00, eco-driving continues until 11:00 and ends at 11:00 (S142). Then, if the wireless disconnection is not resolved at the stage of 11:00, the control right is switched to the refrigerator 100, and normal operation is performed (S143).

That is, in this operation example, when a communication interruption occurs between the server 200 and the refrigerator 100 as the above-mentioned predetermined condition, the control unit 151 of the refrigerator 100 continues to control the cooling unit 130 based on the control command last acquired from the server 200 for a period of time corresponding to the control command (e.g., an eco-drive command at 10:00), and then switches the control right of the refrigerator 100 from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 if the communication interruption has not been resolved. Note that the control unit 151 may continue to control the cooling unit 130 based on the control command for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 minutes) from the time when the communication interruption occurred, instead of the period of time (validity period) corresponding to the last acquired control command. According to this configuration, when a temporary communication interruption occurs due to the use of a microwave oven or the like, the control right is not immediately switched, and unnecessary operations can be suppressed by continuing operation for a while based on the last received control command.

(Operation example 4)
Fig. 12 shows an example in which the power is turned off and on. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the server 200 repeatedly transmits an eco-driving instruction at 0:00, 1:00, ..., 10:00 (S201, S202, S203). Then, the power of the refrigerator 100 is turned off at 10:30 (S151), and the power is turned on at 10:45, and the wireless connection is completed (S152). Here, the control right is set to the refrigerator 100 as an initial setting when the power is turned on again, and normal operation is performed (S153). After that, the server 200 transmits an eco-driving instruction at 11:00 (S204). In this case, the control right is then switched to the server 200, and eco-driving is performed based on the eco-driving instruction at 11:00 (S154).

In other words, in this operation example, when the refrigerator 100 is turned on again as the above-mentioned predetermined condition, the control unit 151 of the refrigerator 100 switches the control right of the refrigerator 100 from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, and thereafter, until a control command is obtained again from the server 200, the refrigerator 100 has the control right and controls the cooling unit 130 based on the setting value set in the refrigerator 100. With this configuration, when an unusual situation occurs such as when the refrigerator 100 is turned on and off, it is possible to perform operation that is in line with reality (normal operation of the refrigerator 100).

(Operation example 5)
Fig. 13 shows an example in which the power is turned off and on, and the control command acquisition unit 152 inquires of the server 200 about an operation instruction after the power is turned on. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the server 200 repeatedly transmits an eco-driving instruction at 0:00, 1:00, ..., 10:00 (S201, S202, S203). Then, the power of the refrigerator 100 is turned off at 10:30 (S161), and the power is turned on at 10:45, and the wireless connection is completed (S162). Here, the control command acquisition unit 152 inquires of the server 200 about an operation instruction (S163). Next, the server 200 transmits an eco-driving instruction in response to the inquiry (S205). After that, the control right is switched to the server 200, and eco-driving is performed based on the eco-driving instruction transmitted in response to the inquiry (S164).

As a modification of operation example 4 or operation example 5, when the control unit 151 is able to refer to time information, the control unit 151 may change the operation depending on the difference between the time before the power was turned off and the time after the power was turned on. That is, when the difference is less than a predetermined value (when the power was turned off for only a short time), the control after the power was turned on may be performed based on the control command received before the power was turned off. On the other hand, when the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (when the power was turned off for a long time), the control after the power was turned on may be switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100, and control may be performed based on the setting value of the refrigerator 100, or an inquiry may be made to the server 200 after the power was turned on.

7. Example of Notification by Terminal Device
Next, the display contents of the terminal device 300 will be described.
Fig. 14 is an example of display information displayed on the display screen 301a of the terminal device 300, and is a diagram showing an example of a power saving performance display screen D1 showing the power saving performance of the refrigerator 100. Fig. 14 shows, for example, a screen displayed at 10:00 on May 17, 2021. Note that the dashed black frame indicated by reference numeral 301a in Fig. 14 indicates the contents displayed at one time on the display screen 301a of the display device 301.

The power saving performance display screen D1 displays the types of operation that have been performed from the early hours of the day until the present. For example, the types of operation are displayed by a time bar 401 in chronological order. The time bar 401 indicates the type of operation performed at each predetermined unit time, for example, by color coding. In the example shown in FIG. 14, a first special operation (eco operation) is performed from midnight to 3:00, no data exists from 3:00 to 6:00 due to a communication interruption (offline), a second special operation (pre-cooling operation) is performed from 6:00 to 7:00, normal operation is performed from 7:00 to 8:00, and the first special operation (eco operation) is performed from 8:00 to 10:00.

The power saving performance display screen D1 displays a special display 402 in association with the time series of the time bar 401. The special display 402 is a display indicating that the control right of the refrigerator 100 has been switched from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100. In this example, the special display 402 is displayed in association with the time when the control right of the refrigerator 100 was switched due to a communication interruption. The special display 402 is displayed based on information received from the notification unit 153 of the refrigerator 100 or the notification unit 250 of the server 200, for example. Note that a similar special display 402 is also displayed when the control right is switched due to the satisfaction of the above-mentioned predetermined condition other than the communication interruption. This allows the user U to easily know that the control right has been switched.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the cooling control is switched from the server 200, which issues operation instructions based on the lifestyle pattern, to the refrigerator 100 in response to the real-time usage status on the refrigerator 100 side. Even if the predicted result of the lifestyle pattern is incorrect, the refrigerator can operate in accordance with reality (normal operation as a refrigerator), and flexible control can be implemented. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can perform more appropriate cooling control.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the refrigerator has a control unit that switches control of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator when a certain condition is met, thereby enabling more appropriate cooling control.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

(Additional Note)
The refrigerator according to the embodiment may be configured as follows.
(1) A refrigerator that can communicate with a server is
A cooling unit that cools the storage chamber;
a control command acquisition unit that acquires, from the server, a control command for the refrigerator that is generated by the server based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator;
a control unit that switches control of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator when a predetermined condition is satisfied while a control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command acquired by the control command acquisition unit is being executed;
It is advisable to prepare the following.
(2) In the refrigerator according to (1) above,
The control unit may determine on the refrigerator side whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, and when it is determined on the refrigerator side that the predetermined condition is satisfied, switch control right of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator.
(3) In the refrigerator according to (1) or (2),
The control unit may determine whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied based on most recent operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator.
(4) In the refrigerator according to any one of (1) to (3),
the server estimates a usage habit of the user regarding the refrigerator based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator, transmits a first control command as the control command corresponding to a first time zone in which the refrigerator is in a first state in the estimated usage habit, and transmits a second control command different from the first control command as the control command corresponding to a second time zone in which the refrigerator is in a second state in the usage habit,
The second state is a state in which the air temperature in the storage chamber is more stable than that in the first state,
The predetermined condition may be that an actual state of the refrigerator in the second time period is different from the second state.
(5) In the refrigerator according to (4),
the server estimates a usage habit of the refrigerator based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator, and transmits the control command according to the estimated usage habit for each predetermined unit time;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied and control right of the refrigerator is switched from the server to the refrigerator, even if the control command is acquired again from the server before a predetermined time has elapsed since the predetermined condition was satisfied, the control unit may control the cooling unit based on the setting value set in the refrigerator at least until the predetermined time has elapsed.
(6) The refrigerator according to (5) above,
Further comprising a storage unit,
When the control command is acquired again from the server after the predetermined condition is satisfied and control of the refrigerator is switched from the server to the refrigerator, the control unit stores the acquired control command in the storage unit, and when the state in which the predetermined condition is satisfied is resolved and control of the refrigerator by the server is resumed, the control unit controls the cooling unit based on the control command stored in the storage unit until the control command received from the server at the predetermined unit time is acquired again.
(7) In the refrigerator according to any one of (1) to (6),
The predetermined condition is that a communication interruption occurs between the server and the refrigerator,
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit continues to control the cooling unit based on the control command for a time period corresponding to the control command last obtained from the server or for a certain period of time, and thereafter, if the communication outage is not resolved, switches control of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator.
(8) In the refrigerator according to any one of (1) to (7),
the predetermined condition is that the refrigerator is turned on again,
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit switches control of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator, and thereafter, controls the cooling unit based on a setting value set in the refrigerator until the control command is again obtained from the server.
(9) In the refrigerator according to any one of (1) to (8),
the control unit is capable of controlling the cooling unit in a normal control mode in which the cooling unit is controlled based on a setting value set in the refrigerator and a learning control mode in which the cooling unit is controlled based on the control command acquired from the server which has performed learning based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator, and is capable of switching between a setting of the normal control mode and a setting of the learning control mode,
After the predetermined condition is satisfied with the learning control mode set and the control unit switches the control right of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator, the control unit may continue to set the learning control mode and control the cooling unit in the same manner as in the normal control mode.
(10) A refrigerator according to any one of (1) to (9) above,
The refrigerator may further include a notification unit that, when control right of the refrigerator is switched from the server to the refrigerator, notifies that the control right of the refrigerator has been switched.

1...refrigerator system, 10...casing, 20...door, 100...refrigerator, 150...control device, 151...control unit, 152...control command acquisition unit, 153...notification unit, 200...server, 300...terminal device.

Claims (3)

A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
A cooling unit that cools the storage chamber;
A control command acquisition unit that acquires a control command for the refrigerator generated based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator from the server;
a control unit that operates the cooling unit in a first operation and a second operation having different cooling capacities based on the control command,
The control unit is
When the control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command based on a prediction result of a life pattern based on the past operation information is being executed in the use state, if another control command generated based on a past use state cannot be acquired from the server, the cooling unit is controlled based on a setting value set in the refrigerator based on the control command based on a prediction result of a life pattern based on the past operation information, at least until a predetermined time has elapsed,
After the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation content of the cooling unit set by the setting means on the refrigerator side is given priority over the operation content of the control command , and the cooling unit is controlled based on a set value set in the refrigerator.
refrigerator. A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
A cooling unit that cools the storage chamber;
A control command acquisition unit that acquires a control command for the refrigerator generated based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator from the server;
a control unit that operates the cooling unit in a first operation and a second operation having different cooling capacities based on the control command;
Equipped with
The control unit is
When the control command cannot be acquired from the server while a control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command is being executed, the operation content of the cooling unit set by the setting means on the refrigerator side is given priority over the operation content of the control command,
When the control unit cannot obtain the control command from the server while executing a control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command, the control unit switches control right of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator,
Even if the control command is acquired again from the server before a predetermined time has elapsed since the control command cannot be acquired from the server, the cooling unit is controlled based on a setting value set in the refrigerator at least until the predetermined time has elapsed.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1. A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
A cooling unit that cools the storage chamber;
A control command acquisition unit that acquires a control command for the refrigerator generated based on past operation information or a usage status of the refrigerator from the server;
a control unit that operates the cooling unit in a normal operation and a power saving operation having different cooling capacities based on the control command;
Equipped with
receiving a control command for the refrigerator including the normal operation and the power saving operation having different cooling capacities as designation items of operation contents,
The control unit is
When the control command cannot be acquired from the server while a control mode for controlling the cooling unit based on the control command is being executed, the operation content of the cooling unit set by the setting means on the refrigerator side is given priority over the operation content of the control command,
the server transmits a control command to the refrigerator at predetermined unit time intervals or when an operation content to be executed by the refrigerator changes,
The control command obtained from the server includes information regarding a validity period of the command,
When a communication interruption occurs between the server and the refrigerator, the control unit continues control based on the control command during a valid period of the control command, and when the communication interruption has not been resolved after the valid period of the control command, switches the control right of the refrigerator from the server to the refrigerator.
refrigerator.

Images