JP7701830B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

There are known refrigerators that have an audio output unit that can output sound effects and music. However, there are expectations for refrigerators to become even more convenient.

JP 2002-071259 A JP 2021-071210 A JP 2018-044742 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator that can improve convenience.

The refrigerator of the embodiment includes a refrigerator main body, an alarm unit that issues an alarm related to a setting or status of the refrigerator main body by sound, and a control unit that controls whether the alarm unit issues an alarm by non-verbal sound or by language depending on a situation, even if the alarm content is the same, and causes the alarm unit to output the language when a user operates an operation unit during a first time period, and causes the alarm unit to output the non-verbal sound instead of the language when the operation unit during a second time period different from the first time period .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a refrigerator system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of connections between three substrates in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of a system configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of notification mode information according to the embodiment. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of contents of external device detection history information according to an embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing processes common to the first to thirteenth specific examples performed by the control unit of the embodiment.

Below, 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 will be given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include cases where the component is based on another element in addition to XX. "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies to cases where there are three or more optional elements. "XX" and "YY" are any element (e.g., any information).

Furthermore, "identifying" means determining second information such as a value that can take multiple pieces of information such as values using first information such as a value. For example, "identifying" includes calculating second information such as a value from first information such as a value, reading second information such as a value corresponding to first information such as a value by referring to a table, searching for second information such as a value using first information such as a value as a query (processing request), selecting second information such as a value from multiple candidates based on first information such as a value, and estimating or predicting second information such as a value from first information such as a value.

Additionally, "acquire" means to obtain new information such as a value. For example, "acquire" includes receiving information such as a value, accepting input of information such as a value, reading information such as a value from a table, and calculating information such as a value from information such as a value.

<Embodiment>
(Configuration of Refrigerator System)
First, a refrigerator system 1 including a refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment will be described.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the 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. A network NW, which will be described later, may include one or more of the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or other public lines or dedicated lines.

The refrigerator 100 is placed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 is connected to a network NW via a wireless router R placed in the residence of the user U, for example, and can communicate with the server 200 via the network NW. This allows the refrigerator 100 to communicate with the terminal device 300 of the user U via the server 200. In an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can directly communicate with the terminal device 300 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described in detail later.

The server 200 provides services related to the settings and operation of the refrigerator 100. The server 200 is composed of, for example, one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers) connected to the network NW. The server 200 can communicate with the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300 via the network NW. Note that 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., wireless router R), etc.

The terminal device 300 is a terminal device used by the user U. Examples of the terminal device 300 include mobile terminal devices such as smartphones or tablet terminal devices. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device, and may be a personal computer, a television receiver, a radio receiver, a music player, or other various audio devices or home appliances. The terminal device 300 is a device capable of playing music, videos, etc. The terminal device 300 is capable of outputting sound data such as music and videos played by the terminal device 300 to the outside by short-range wireless communication conforming to standards such as Bluetooth. The terminal device 300 is an example of an "external device." In this application, "sound data" refers to sounds that are different from non-verbal sounds (for example, buzzer sounds (including sounds that imitate buzzer sound effects)). Examples of "sound data" include music, audio from radio broadcasts, audio from television broadcasts, audio from various videos (including videos distributed from video distribution sites), audio content such as audiobooks, audio from audio SNS (Social Networking Service), etc. However, "sound data" is not limited to the above examples, and may be any data related to sounds other than non-verbal sounds that can be transferred via communication (for example, buzzer sounds (including sounds that mimic the sound effects of a buzzer)).

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 300 includes a display device 301 including a display screen capable of displaying various information, and an input receiving unit 302 capable of receiving input (including voice input) from the user U. Examples of the display device 301 include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Examples of the input receiving unit 302 include a touch screen having a touch sensor function superimposed on the display screen of the display device 301, and a microphone that collects the voice of the user U. An application program P for changing settings, operating, and managing the refrigerator 100 is installed in the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported.

(Refrigerator configuration)
Next, the configuration of refrigerator 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a front view showing refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment. Refrigerator 100 includes a refrigerator main body MB including a basic configuration of a refrigerator. Refrigerator main body MB includes, for example, a housing 10, a plurality of doors 31, a plurality of door opening/closing detectors 33, a proximity detector 34, and an operation panel unit 35.

The housing 10 has a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, left and right side walls 13, 14, and a rear wall 15 (see FIG. 3), and is formed in a box shape with an open front. The housing 10 has, for example, an inner box that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, an outer box that forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and foam insulation material provided between the inner box and the outer box, and has thermal insulation properties. Inside the housing 10, there are provided a number of partitions 16, 17 (see FIG. 3) that divide the interior of the housing 10 into a number of storage chambers 21, which will be described later.

The housing 10 includes a plurality of storage compartments 21. The plurality of storage compartments 21 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 21A, a chilled compartment 21AA, a vegetable compartment 21B, an ice-making compartment 21C, a small freezer compartment 21D, and a main freezer compartment 21E. In the embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 21A is located at the top, the vegetable compartment 21B is located below the refrigerator compartment 21A, the ice-making compartment 21C and the small freezer compartment 21D are located below the vegetable compartment 21B, and the main freezer compartment 21E is located below the ice-making compartment 21C and the small freezer compartment 21D. The chilled compartment 21AA is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 21A, and is at least partially partitioned from the other areas of the refrigerator compartment 21A by a shelf, a lid, or the like.

The openings of the multiple storage compartments 21 are closed by multiple doors 31 in an openable and closable manner. The multiple doors 31 include left and right refrigerator compartment doors 31Aa and 31Ab that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21A, a vegetable compartment door 31B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 21B, an ice-making compartment door 31C that closes the opening of the ice-making compartment 21C, a small freezer compartment door 31D that closes the opening of the small freezer compartment 21D, and a main freezer compartment door 31E that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 21E. The door opening/closing detection unit 33 is provided at a position corresponding to each door 31 and detects the opening/closing of each door 31.

The proximity detection unit 34 is provided in the housing 10 or the door 31. An example of the proximity detection unit 34 is a capacitance type detection unit. The proximity detection unit 34 detects the presence of a user U approaching within a predetermined range of the proximity detection unit 34.

The operation panel unit 35 is provided on the housing 10 or the door 31. The operation panel unit 35 includes a plurality of operation units 35a (e.g., a plurality of operation buttons) that accept operations by the user U to instruct setting changes and operations related to each storage chamber 21, and a plurality of notification units 35b that notify the user U of the settings related to each storage chamber 21 and the control mode currently being executed by sound. In other words, the plurality of notification units 35b notify the user U of the settings or status of the refrigerator main body MB by sound. The plurality of notification units 35b are an example of a notification unit.

Examples of settings include a setting for enabling or disabling the function of automatically opening the door when a specific position on the refrigerator 100 is touched (e.g., "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for the cooling capacity of each storage compartment 21 (e.g., "strong setting", "medium setting", "weak setting", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling the ice making function (including ice making in a short time compared to ice making in a normal setting) in a specific storage compartment 21 (e.g., "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling the defrosting function in a specific storage compartment 21 (e.g., "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling the chilling function in a specific storage compartment 21, such as ice crystal chilling, which covers food with a film of ice (e.g., "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling the automatic power saving function that saves power at the discretion of the refrigerator 100 (e.g., "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), and settings related to communication connections, etc., for the refrigerator main body MB.

Examples of the state include a state in which a control being executed by the refrigerator main body MB is changed (including a state in which the control is terminated) in response to the satisfaction of a predetermined condition related to temperature, time, etc., and a state in which ice making in a specific storage chamber 21 is completed and the ice making function is changed from enabled to disabled. Examples of the state include a state in which an error detected by the refrigerator main body MB, such as a "door open error," a "water supply tank error," a "communication error," or an "interface error," occurs, and a state called eco mode in which the cooling state is stable and the refrigerator is operating with low power consumption. A "door open error" is an error indicating that the door 31 has been open for a certain period of time (e.g., one minute) or more, and is detected by the door opening/closing detection unit 33. A "water supply tank error" is an error indicating that the water in the ice making water tank is below a predetermined amount, and is detected, for example, by a water level sensor provided near the water supply tank. A "communication error" is an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication by the communication unit. A "communication error" is, for example, an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication between the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300, and is detected based on the communication status of the first communication unit 81. A "communication error" is, for example, an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication between the refrigerator 100 and an external device via the router R, and is detected based on the communication status of the second communication unit 82. An "interface error" is an error indicating that a malfunction has occurred in an interface such as the operation panel unit 35, the display device 36, or the input reception unit 37, and is detected based on the transmission and reception status of signals between the interface and the control board 85, etc.

Examples of the multiple notification units 35b include a light-emitting unit realized by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 92 (see Figures 4 and 6), a speaker 83 described later, and a buzzer 84 described later. The multiple notification units 35b include a speaker 83 described later and a buzzer 84 described later. The operation panel unit 35 and the buzzer 84 are connected to an operation board 93 (see Figure 4) for operation. As a result, operations performed on the operation panel unit 35 are immediately (i.e., with low delay) transmitted to the buzzer 84 via the operation board 93. The operation board 93 and the control board 85 are also connected by wire.

In addition to or in addition to the operation panel unit 35, the door 31 may be provided with a display device 36 and an input reception unit 37. Examples of the display device 36 include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. Examples of the input reception unit 37 include a touch screen with a touch sensor function that is superimposed on the display screen of the display device 36.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 100 shown in Figure 2 taken along line F3-F3. The refrigerator main body MB includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 41, a plurality of containers 42, a first duct part 51, a second duct part 52, and a cooling section M.

The multiple shelves 41 are arranged in the refrigerator compartment 21A. The multiple shelves 41 are arranged vertically at intervals. The multiple containers 42 are arranged separately in the chilled compartment 21AA, the vegetable compartment 21B, the ice-making compartment 21C, the small freezer compartment 21D, and the main freezer compartment 21E.

The first duct part 51 is provided along the rear wall 15 of the housing 10 and extends vertically. The first duct part 51 extends, for example, from behind the lower end of the vegetable compartment 21B to behind the upper end of the refrigerator compartment 21A. A first duct space D1, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed between the first duct part 51 and the rear wall 15 of the housing 10. The first duct part 51 has multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 51a, a chilled compartment cold air outlet 51b, and a cold air return port 51c. The multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 51a open to the refrigerator compartment 21A. The chilled compartment cold air outlet 51b opens to the chilled compartment 21AA. The cold air return port 51c opens to the vegetable compartment 21B.

The second duct part 52 is provided along the rear wall 15 of the housing 10 and extends vertically. For example, the second duct part 52 extends from the rear of the main freezer 21E to the rear of the upper ends of the ice-making compartment 21C and the small freezer 21D. A second duct space D2, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed between the second duct part 52 and the rear wall 15 of the housing 10. The second duct part 52 has a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air return port 52b. The cold air outlet 52a opens into the ice-making compartment 21C and the small freezer 21D. The cold air return port 52b opens into the main freezer 21E.

The cooling section M includes, for example, a refrigeration cooler 61, a refrigeration blower 62, a refrigeration cooler 63, a refrigeration blower 64, a compressor 65, and a refrigeration cycle device (not shown).

The refrigeration cooler 61 is disposed in the first duct space D1. The refrigeration cooler 61 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by the compressor 65 and cools the cold air flowing through the first duct space D1. The refrigeration blower 62 is disposed in the first duct space D1, for example. When the refrigeration blower 62 is driven, the air in the first duct space D1 flows upward within the first duct space D1 and is cooled by the refrigeration cooler 61. The cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 61 is blown out from multiple refrigeration chamber cold air outlets 51a into the refrigeration chamber 21A and from the chilled chamber cold air outlet 51b into the chilled chamber 21AA. The cold air blown into the refrigerator compartment 21A and the chilled compartment 21AA flows through the refrigerator compartment 21A and the chilled compartment 21AA, respectively, and then returns to the first duct space D1 from the cold air return port 51c via, for example, the vegetable compartment 21B. This cools the refrigerator compartment 21A, the chilled compartment 21AA, and the vegetable compartment 21B.

The refrigeration cooler 63 is disposed in the second duct space D2. The refrigeration cooler 63 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 65, and cools the cold air flowing through the second duct space D2. The refrigeration blower 64 is disposed in, for example, the second duct space D2. When the refrigeration blower 64 is driven, the air in the second duct space D2 flows upward through the second duct space D2 and is cooled by the refrigeration cooler 63. The cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 63 flows from the cold air outlet 52a into the ice making chamber 21C and the small freezing chamber 21D. The cold air that flows into the ice making chamber 21C and the small freezing chamber 21D flows through the ice making chamber 21C and the small freezing chamber 21D, respectively, and then returns to the second duct space D2 from the cold air return port 52b via the main freezing chamber 21E. This cools the ice-making compartment 21C, the small freezer compartment 21D, and the main freezer compartment 21E.

The compressor 65 is provided, for example, in a machine room at the bottom of the refrigerator 100. The compressor 65 compresses the refrigerant gas used to cool each storage chamber 21. The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 65 is sent to the refrigeration cooler 61 and the freezing cooler 63 via a condenser and the like included in the refrigeration cycle device.

As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the refrigerator main body MB, the refrigerator 100 includes a speaker 83, a buzzer 84, a control board 85, and a communication unit 86. The communication unit 86 includes a first communication unit 81 and a second communication unit 82.

The first communication unit 81 is a short-range communication module capable of communicating with the terminal device 300 located inside the residence of the user U. In this application, "short-range" means inside the residence of the user U. The first communication unit 81 is capable of directly communicating with the terminal device 300 of the user U. The first communication unit 81 is, for example, a wireless communication module conforming to a standard such as Bluetooth. In other words, the first communication unit 81 is a wireless communication module capable of communicating with an external device. However, the first communication unit 81 is not limited to a wireless communication module, and may be capable of communicating with the terminal device 300 via a cable connecting the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300 (i.e., using a wired connection).

The first communication unit 81 can receive audio data such as music and video from the terminal device 300 when the first communication unit 81 and the terminal device 300 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The second communication unit 82 is a long-distance communication module capable of communicating with a device located outside the residence of the user U, for example, via a wireless router R. In other words, the second communication unit 82 is provided separately from the first communication unit 81, and is capable of communicating with an external device. An example of the external device is the terminal device 300. In this application, "long distance" means outside the residence of the user U. The second communication unit 82 is capable of communicating with, for example, via the wireless router R and the network NW. An example of the second communication unit 82 is a wireless communication module for a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). However, the second communication unit 82 is not limited to a wireless communication module, and may be connected to the network NW via a cable connected to the refrigerator 100.

The speaker 83 can output a notification regarding the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB by sound (e.g., voice) according to the control by the control unit 91 described later. That is, the speaker 83 is provided separately from the buzzer 84 and can output a sound. The speaker 83 is an example of a second notification unit. Note that the notification by sound is not limited to a voice, and may be a buzzer sound or the like. For this reason, the "voice" in the following description can be read as "sound (including non-verbal sounds described later)". Details of the notification regarding the refrigerator main body MB will be described later. In the embodiment, the speaker 83 can output a sound (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "externally derived sound") based on sound data acquired from the terminal device 300 via the first communication unit 81 in a state in which the first communication unit 81 and the terminal device 300 are communicatively connected. For example, the speaker 83 functions as an external speaker for the terminal device 300, and can output the sound of music or video in response to the playback of the music, video, or the like (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "sound source content") on the terminal device 300. In other words, the refrigerator 100 can cause the terminal device 300 to use the speaker 83 (provide the speaker 83 to the terminal device 300). In this case, the external sound is operated (played, stopped, etc.) by the user U operating the terminal device 300. In the embodiment, the first communication unit 81 and the speaker 83 are provided integrally as one speaker unit SU. Alternatively, the first communication unit 81 and the speaker 83 may be provided separately. An example of a standard for communication performed by the first communication unit 81 is Bluetooth. If the standard of communication used by the first communication unit 81 is Bluetooth, the speaker 83 is a Bluetooth speaker.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the connection between the three boards in the embodiment. The first communication unit 81 is provided on the control board 94 for the first communication unit (see FIG. 4), and the control board 94 for the first communication unit and the control board 85 may be connected by wire (e.g., communication by UART, etc.). The speaker 83 may be connected by wire to the control board 94 for the first communication unit and controlled by the control unit 91. The control board 85 may have a wireless function (e.g., communication by Bluetooth) that allows communication with the first communication unit 81, and the first communication unit 81 provided on the control board 94 for the first communication unit and the control board 85 may be connected wirelessly. The speaker 83 may be connected by wire to the control board 94 for the first communication unit and controlled by the control unit 91. The communication between the control board 85 and the control board 94 for the first communication unit may be direct or may be performed via an external device (e.g., an external server). The speaker 83 outputs sound based on sound data acquired from the outside. That is, the speaker 83 has relatively good sound quality among speakers available in the world. Therefore, the notification about the refrigerator main body MB output from the speaker 83 is a sound that is easy for the user U to hear.

The buzzer 84 is a device that outputs an operation sound (sound effect) indicating that an operation has been performed by the user U, or that the state of the refrigerator main body MB has been changed without being caused by an operation by the user U. For example, when the operation unit 35a of the operation panel unit 35 is pressed by the user U, the buzzer 84 outputs an operation sound indicating that the operation unit 35a has been pressed (for example, a buzzer sound that is generated while the operation unit 35a is being pressed) via the operation board 93. In other words, the buzzer 84 is capable of outputting non-verbal sounds. The buzzer 84 is an example of a first notification unit.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the system configuration of the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment. The control board 85 includes a control circuit section having a microcomputer, a timer, etc., and a power supply circuit section having power supply components. In the example shown in Figure 5, the control board 85 includes a control unit 91, a first memory unit 95, and a second memory unit 96. Note that in Figure 5, the LED 92, operation board 93, and control board 94 for the first communication unit shown in Figure 4 are omitted.

Even if the notification content is the same, the control unit 91 controls whether the notification unit 35b issues a notification using a non-verbal sound or a language depending on the situation. An example of the language used for the notification from the notification unit 35b is voice.

For example, the control unit 91 issues an alert in an alert mode corresponding to each situation for each operation or each content indicated by the alert mode information S1. Examples of situations include the status of the refrigerator main body MB (e.g., settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB), situations due to different time periods (e.g., daytime/nighttime), and situations due to different states of the alert unit 35b (e.g., whether or not it is in use). Specific examples of the alert mode information S1 will be described later.

In addition, when the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) is in a state where it can issue an audio notification via the first communication unit 81 and the second communication unit 82 becomes available, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit to issue an audio notification indicating that the second communication unit has become available.

In addition, when the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) is in a state where it is outputting sound based on sound data acquired from outside the refrigerator body MB via the first communication unit 81 and the second communication unit 82 becomes usable, the control unit 91 suppresses the output of a voice notification from the second notification unit indicating that the second communication unit 82 is in a usable state.

In addition, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a notification regarding the communication connection of the second notification unit, and suppresses output of the notification from the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84).

When the settings of the refrigerator main body MB are changed in response to setting information from the outside, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audio notification indicating the change in settings. The setting information from the outside includes setting information that is generated when the user U operates the refrigerator. The operation of the user U is an example of an operation from the outside.

In addition, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the operation has been detected.

When a first mode operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the first mode operation has been detected, and when a second mode operation on the operation unit 35a that is more complicated than the first mode is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a sound notification indicating that the second mode operation has been detected. Examples of complicated second mode operations are operations that are different from a single touch such as a single press on the operation unit 35a, such as a long press or repeated taps, and if the operation unit 35a is a touch screen, operations such as sliding or swiping can be included.

In addition, when the control unit 91 issues a predetermined notification regarding the settings or status of the refrigerator main body MB, it causes the notification unit 35b to output a first notification using a non-verbal sound, and then causes the notification unit 35b to output a second notification using a voice as a notification supplementing the first notification.

In addition, if the first notification is output continuously for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 91 suppresses the output of the second notification corresponding to the first notification after outputting the first notification.

In addition, when an operation to change the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB is detected, but a change to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation exists but is invalid or does not exist, the control unit 91 causes the alarm unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound alarm and suppresses the output of a voice alarm.

In addition, when the refrigerator body MB is set to a power saving state in which the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibited state in which no operation is accepted, or a state in which the setting for automatic opening of the door 31 in response to the action of a user U who approaches within a specified range of the refrigerator body MB is disabled, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audio notification indicating the corresponding power saving state, operation prohibited state, or invalid state of the automatic opening setting of the door 31.

In addition, when the refrigerator body MB is set to a state in which the setting for automatically opening the door 31 in response to the action of a user U who approaches within a specified range of the refrigerator body MB is enabled, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the door 31 is about to open before or while the door 31 is open.

In addition, when a user U approaches within a predetermined range of the refrigerator main body MB, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audio notification.

The control unit 91 is realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the microcomputer, executing a program. However, part or all of the control unit 91 may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) 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.

Examples of the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 include a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a storage unit realized by a combination of a plurality of these. For convenience of explanation in the embodiment, the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 are explained separately, but the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 may be provided integrally. For example, the first storage unit 95 stores the notification mode information S1 and the external device detection history information S2.

6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation panel unit 35 of the embodiment. The operation panel unit 35 includes a plurality of operation units 35a. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the operation units 35a include an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity in the refrigerator compartment, which is one of the storage compartments 21, an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity in the freezer compartment, which is one of the storage compartments 21, an operation unit for enabling or disabling a chill function called ice crystal chill, which covers food with a film of ice in a specific storage compartment 21, and an operation unit for enabling or disabling a defrosting function in a specific storage compartment 21, an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity of the defrosting function in a specific storage compartment 21, an operation unit for performing pairing in wireless communication by Bluetooth, and an operation unit for resetting the function of the operation panel unit 35. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of LEDs 92 are shown as light-emitting units indicating the setting contents of each setting. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a notification unit 35b is shown indicating whether the cooling state is stable and the device is in an eco mode in which low power consumption is being operated.

7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the notification mode information S1 of the embodiment. In the notification mode information S1, as shown in FIG. 7, multiple situations and notification modes corresponding to each of the multiple situations are associated and registered for each of multiple operations or contents. The notification mode includes information indicating the notification mode of the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) and information indicating the notification mode of the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83). Examples of information indicating the notification mode of the first notification unit include information indicating the type of non-verbal sound determined by a combination of the pitch, volume, length of the sound output, and number of times the sound is output. Note that each of the volume, length, and number of times the sound is output may include zero. That is, the control unit 91 may not cause the first notification unit to output a non-verbal sound. Further, examples of information indicating the type of notification given by the second notification unit include information indicating the type of sound determined by a combination of the pitch of the sound, the volume of the sound, the notification content indicated by the language, etc. Note that the volume of the sound and the notification content indicated by the language may each include zero. In other words, the control unit 91 may not cause the second notification unit to output sound.

In the example of the notification mode information S1 shown in FIG. 7, the situation is associated with the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB, but as described above, the situation is not limited to the state of the refrigerator main body MB, and may include situations resulting from different time periods (e.g., daytime or nighttime) and situations resulting from different states of the notification unit 35b (e.g., whether in use or not). The control unit 91 controls the notification unit 35b to change the notification mode according to the notification mode information S1. Details of the control by the control unit 91 to change the notification mode will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the external device detection history information S2 of the embodiment. The external device detection history information S2 is information showing the detection history of the terminal device 300 of the user U, which has performed a setting change, operation, or status check of the refrigerator 100. When the user U's terminal device 300 connects to the refrigerator 100 via wireless communication or wired communication to perform a setting change, operation, or status check of the refrigerator 100, such detection is performed by the refrigerator 100, and the detection result is registered as a detection history in the external device detection history information S2. The terminal device 300 included in the external device detection history information S2 may be multiple terminal devices 300, such as the father's terminal device 300 (external device A), the mother's terminal device 300 (external device B), and the child's terminal device 300 (external device C).

(Details of control for varying notification manner by the control unit)
Next, details of the control by the control unit 91 to change the notification mode will be described. In the embodiment, even if the notification content is the same, the control unit 91 controls whether the notification unit 35b issues a notification using a non-verbal sound or a verbal notification depending on the situation. First to thirteenth specific examples of the control by the control unit 91 to change the notification mode will be described below.

(Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples)
FIG. 9 describes a process common to the first to thirteenth specific examples performed by the control unit of the embodiment. In the description of the process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples, the situation is described as the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB for convenience of describing specific processes using the notification mode information S1 shown in FIG. 7. However, as described above, the situation may include a situation due to a different time period (e.g., daytime or nighttime) instead of or in addition to the situation of the refrigerator main body MB (the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB), a situation due to a different state of the notification unit 35b (e.g., whether or not it is in use), and the like. Therefore, in the first to thirteenth specific examples described later, the situation is not limited to the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB.

When the user U operates to change the settings of the refrigerator main body MB, or when the state of the refrigerator main body MB is changed without being caused by the operation by the user U, the control unit 91 acquires the state after the operation or change (step S1). The control unit 91 reads the notification mode information S1 stored in the first storage unit 95 (step S2). The control unit 91 also acquires the status. For example, when acquiring the status of the refrigerator main body MB, the control unit 91 may acquire detection results from each detection unit provided in the refrigerator main body MB. Examples of the detection results detected by each detection unit include a detection result indicating whether the door detected by the door opening/closing detection unit 33 is open or closed, and a detection result detected by the proximity detection unit 34 indicating whether the user U is near the refrigerator 100. That is, the control unit 91 may acquire the settings stored in the storage unit and the detection results detected by each detection unit as the status (step S3).

When the control unit 91 acquires the situation, it identifies an operation that matches the acquired operation or content that matches the acquired content in the read notification mode information S1 (step S4). The control unit 91 identifies a situation that matches the acquired situation from among multiple situations associated with the operation or content identified in the notification mode information S1 (step S5). For example, it is assumed that the control unit 91 acquires situation 1 as the situation. It is also assumed that the control unit 91 identifies operation 1 as the operation that matches the acquired operation or content that matches the acquired content in the read notification mode information S1. It is also assumed that the notification mode information S1 is the notification mode information shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the control unit 91 identifies situation 1 from among multiple situations associated with operation 1 identified in the notification mode information S1.

The control unit 91 then controls the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to notify in a manner according to notification a1, which is the notification manner associated with the identified situation 1 in the notification manner information S1, and controls the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to notify in a manner according to notification b1 (step S6). Note that notification a1 includes information indicating the type of non-verbal sound (e.g., buzzer sound) determined by a combination of the pitch and volume of the sound. Also, notification b1 includes information indicating the type of sound determined by a combination of the pitch and volume of the voice, the notification content indicated by language, and the like.

By controlling in this manner, the control unit 91 can output a non-verbal sound from the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) and can also output a voice from the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83). In other words, when making a notification in response to the same operation or a notification corresponding to the same content (i.e., when making a notification of the same content), by presetting the notification modes of the first and second notification units for each operation and each content for each situation, the control unit 91 can control whether the notification unit makes a non-verbal sound or a verbal notification depending on the situation, even if the notification content is the same.

(First Specific Example)
In the first specific example, control unit 91 controls whether to notify unit 35b about the settings or status of refrigerator main body MB using non-verbal sounds or to notify unit 35b about the settings or status of refrigerator main body MB using language, depending on the situation, even for the same notification content. This means that non-verbal sounds and language are used differently depending on the state (one example of a situation) of refrigerator main body MB, even for notifications in response to the same operation by user U. In other words, by not only notifying by non-verbal sounds but also by using voice instead of or in addition to non-verbal sounds depending on the situation, it is aimed at achieving the effect that the notification content is more easily conveyed to user U than by non-verbal sounds.

For example, if the operation of the user U on the operation unit 35a is an acceptable setting change, a notification mode is set in advance to cause the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to simply output a non-verbal sound such as "beep," and if the operation of the user U on the operation unit 35a is an unacceptable setting change, a notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1 to cause the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "operation not accepted." An example of an unacceptable setting change is a situation in which the cooling capacity setting in each storage chamber 21 is set to "strong setting" (the highest cooling capacity setting), and the cooling capacity cannot be increased even if an operation is performed to further increase the cooling capacity. In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described above in the "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." The control unit 91 can then cause the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to simply output a non-verbal "beep" sound if the operation by user U on operation unit 35a is an acceptable setting change, and can cause the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "Operation not accepted" if the operation by user U on operation unit 35a is an unacceptable setting change.

Furthermore, even if the notification is in response to the same operation by the user U, non-verbal sounds and language (e.g., voice) may be used differently depending on the time of day (one example of a situation). For example, when the operation of the operation unit 35a by the user U is during the day, a notification mode is set in advance in which the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) outputs a voice such as "Settings have been changed (or an operation has been accepted)," and when the operation of the operation unit 35a by the user U is at night, a notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1 in which the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) simply outputs a non-verbal sound such as "beep." In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described above in the "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." By doing so, when the user U operates the operation unit 35a during the day, the control unit 91 can cause the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "The setting has been changed (or the operation has been accepted)" in response to the user U's operation, and when the user U operates the operation unit 35a at night, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to simply output a non-verbal sound such as "beep."

In addition, even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and verbal sounds may be used depending on the time of day (an example of a situation). For example, if the ice making is completed during the day, a notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1 such that the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) outputs a sound such as "Ice making is completed," and if the ice making is completed at night, a notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1 such that the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) simply outputs a non-verbal sound such as "beep." In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described above in the "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." The control unit 91 can then cause the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "Ice making has been completed in one go" if ice making is completed during the day, and can cause the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to simply output a non-verbal "beep" sound if ice making is completed at night.

In addition, even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and words may be used depending on the use state of the speaker 83. For example, if the speaker 83 is not in use when the ice making is completed, a notification mode is preset in the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "Ice making is completed," and if the speaker 83 is in use (e.g., playing music) when the ice making is completed, a notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1 to output a non-verbal sound such as "beep" from the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84). In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described above in the "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." If the speaker 83 is not in use when the ice making is complete, the control unit 91 can cause the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) to output a sound such as "Ice making is complete in one go," and if the speaker 83 is in use (e.g., playing music) when the ice making is complete, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) to simply output a non-verbal sound such as "beep."

(Second Specific Example)
In the second specific example, when the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) is in a state where it can perform a voice notification via the first communication unit 81 and the second communication unit 82 becomes available, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit to perform a voice notification indicating that the second communication unit has become available. This is to notify by voice from the second notification unit that the communication has become available when the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes available while the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication capable of outputting voice with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications. In other words, even for a notification related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used selectively depending on the state of communication (one example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the usage state of the speaker 83. For example, when the terminal device 300 of the user U is communicating with the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, and the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes communicable, the notification mode in which the second notification unit notifies the user that communication has become possible by voice, for example, "The second wireless communication has been connected," is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, by setting the notification mode in advance in the notification mode information S1 and having the control unit 91 use the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described above in "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples," if the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of another wireless communication, becomes capable of communication while communication capable of outputting audio is being performed with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, the control unit 91 can cause the second notification unit to notify the user U that communication has become possible by audio, for example, saying "The second wireless communication has been connected." This allows the user U to immediately recognize that the second wireless communication has been connected.

In addition, for example, if it has been set in advance that when the second communication unit 82 becomes capable of communication, communication will be switched from the first communication unit 81 to communication via the second communication unit 82, and while the terminal device 300 of the user U is communicating with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, and the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes capable of communication, a notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1 to notify the user of the switch in communication by voice from the second notification unit, for example, by saying, "The first wireless communication connection has been disconnected and the second wireless communication connection has been established." In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 performs the process described in the above "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples" using the notification mode information S1. In the case where the control unit 91 has preset the setting to switch from the first communication unit 81 to communication via the second communication unit 82 when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, while the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication capable of outputting voice with the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, when the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes communicable, the second notification unit can notify the switching of communication by voice, for example, "The first wireless communication connection has been disconnected and the second wireless communication connection has been established." This allows the user U to immediately recognize that the second wireless communication has been connected.

In addition, for example, if it has been set in advance that when the second communication unit 82 becomes capable of communication, either the first communication unit 81 or the second communication unit 82 can be selected, and while the terminal device 300 of the user U is communicating with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, and the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes capable of communication, a notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1 to cause the second notification unit to notify by voice, for example, "The first wireless communication connection is in progress, so the second wireless communication connection cannot be made" or "The first wireless communication connection is in progress. Would you like to disconnect the first wireless communication connection and make the second wireless communication connection?" In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 performs the process described in the above "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples" using the notification mode information S1. In the case where the control unit 91 has preset the selection of the first communication unit 81 or the second communication unit 82 when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, while the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication capable of outputting voice with the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, when the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes communicable, the second notification unit can notify by voice, for example, "The first wireless communication is connected, so the second wireless communication connection cannot be made" or "The first wireless communication is connected. Would you like to disconnect the first wireless communication connection and make the second wireless communication connection?". This allows the user U to select the wireless communication to be connected to.

(Third Specific Example)
In the third specific example, when the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) is outputting a sound based on sound data acquired from the outside of the refrigerator main body MB via the first communication unit 81 and the second communication unit 82 becomes available, the control unit 91 suppresses output of a voice notification from the second notification unit indicating that the second communication unit 82 has become available. This is to suppress the second notification unit from notifying by voice that the communication has become available when the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of the other wireless communication, becomes available while the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication in which the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) outputs a sound based on sound data via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the two wireless communications, and the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication in which the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) outputs a sound based on sound data via the first communication unit 81, which is one of the communication targets of the other wireless communication. In other words, even for a notification related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used selectively depending on the state of communication (one example of a situation).

The notification may be related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, or may use non-verbal sounds and language depending on the usage state of the speaker 83. For example, while the terminal device 300 of the user U is performing communication in which a second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) outputs a sound based on sound data via a first communication unit 81 that is one of the communication targets of two wireless communications, if the second communication unit 82 that is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, a notification mode that suppresses the second notification unit from notifying by voice that communication has become possible is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, by setting the notification mode in advance in the notification mode information S1 and having the control unit 91 use the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described above in "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples," if the second communication unit 82, which is the communication target of another wireless communication, becomes available for communication while communication is being performed in which sound based on audio data is output from the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, the control unit 91 can suppress the second notification unit from notifying by voice that communication is now available. This allows the user U to continue enjoying music without being interrupted while the music is being played.

(Fourth Specific Example)
In the fourth specific example, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) to output a notification regarding the communication connection, and suppresses output of the notification from the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84). Examples of notifications regarding the communication connection include "Setting of communication connection has been completed,""Communication connection has been established," and "Communication connection has been disconnected." This is because the user U is waiting for the terminal device 300 to be able to communicate with the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, and therefore, notifications from sources other than the communication with the second notification unit via the first communication unit 81 that the user U is aware of are suppressed. In other words, even for notifications related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used selectively depending on the state of communication (an example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, it may be one that uses non-verbal sounds and language depending on the connection state with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81. For example, a notification mode that suppresses notifications from other communications from the time when the terminal device 300 of the user U starts a communication connection with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 until the communication connection is completed and the notification from the second notification unit that the communication connection is completed is completed is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." This allows the control unit 91 to suppress notifications from other communications from the time the terminal device 300 starts a communication connection with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 until the communication connection is completed and the notification of the completion of the communication connection is completed from the second notification unit. This allows the user U to avoid receiving notifications other than those related to the communication of interest, i.e., unnecessary notifications. Note that the operation sound when an operation is performed on the operation unit 35a is not a notification related to the communication connection, and is therefore not subject to notification suppression.

(Fifth Specific Example)
In the fifth specific example, when the settings of the refrigerator main body MB are changed in response to setting information from the outside, control unit 91 causes notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the change in the settings. An example of an operation from the outside is an operation using voice recognition. An example of setting information from the outside is setting information of the refrigerator main body MB that an external device transmits to refrigerator 100 to change the settings of the refrigerator main body MB. This is to allow user U to understand the notification content by being notified of the content of the setting change by a voice that is easier to understand compared to a notification by non-verbal sound. In other words, even for a notification related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language are used selectively depending on the communication state (one example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, it may be one that uses non-verbal sounds and language depending on the setting information from the outside. For example, when the settings of the refrigerator main body MB are changed depending on the setting information from the outside, a notification mode that causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the change in the settings is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, by setting the notification mode in advance in the notification mode information S1 and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples", when the settings of the refrigerator main body MB are changed depending on the setting information from the outside, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the change in the settings.

(Sixth Specific Example)
In the sixth specific example, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating the detection of the operation. This allows the user U to intuitively understand the content of the notification when receiving a non-verbal sound notification, as compared to a voice notification. In other words, even for a notification related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and words are used selectively depending on the communication state (an example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the notification content. For example, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, a notification mode in which the control unit 91 notifies the operation from the first notification unit by a non-verbal sound is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples". By this, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 can notify the operation from the first notification unit by a non-verbal sound. This allows the user U to intuitively understand the notification about the operation compared to a voice notification.

(Seventh Specific Example)
In the seventh specific example, when a first mode operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the first mode operation has been detected, and when a second mode operation on the operation unit 35a that is more complicated than the first mode is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating that the second mode operation has been detected. This allows the user U to know that the operation has been accepted more clearly and reliably by receiving a voice notification when the user U performs a special operation on the operation unit 35a (long press or repeated tapping different from a single touch such as a single press, or an operation such as sliding or swiping in the case of a touch screen) than by a non-verbal sound notification. In other words, even for a notification related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and words are used differently depending on the communication state (one example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the notification content. For example, when a special operation, such as a long press or repeated tap on the operation unit 35a, which is different from a single touch, or a slide or swipe on a touch screen, is detected on the operation unit 35a, the notification mode in which the control unit 91 notifies the operation from the second notification unit by voice is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, by setting the notification mode in advance in the notification mode information S1 and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples", the control unit 91 can notify the operation from the second notification unit by voice when a special operation, such as a long press or repeated tap on the operation unit 35a, which is different from a single touch, or a slide or swipe on a touch screen, is detected on the operation unit 35a. This allows the user U to know the notification of the special operation more clearly and reliably than a notification by non-verbal sound.

(Eighth Specific Example)
In the eighth specific example, when control unit 91 causes notification unit 35b to issue a predetermined notification related to the settings or status of refrigerator main body MB, control unit 91 causes notification unit 35b to output a first notification by non-verbal sound, and then causes notification unit 35b to output a second notification by voice as a notification supplementing the first notification. This is so that after user U receives a notification by non-verbal sound, the supplementary information of the notification is obtained by a voice that is easier to understand than the non-verbal sound, and helps user U understand the content of the notification. In other words, even for a notification related to the settings or status of refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language are used selectively depending on the communication status (an example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the state of the communication connection. For example, when the terminal device 300 of the user U is able to communicate with the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 and with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, a notification mode in which the first notification unit issues a non-verbal sound and then the second notification unit supplements the notification with a voice is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 performs the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples" using the notification mode information S1. When the terminal device 300 of the user U is able to communicate with the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 and with the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, the control unit 91 can perform a notification by a non-verbal sound from the first notification unit, and then supplement the notification by a voice from the second notification unit. Note that the notification by the first notification unit is not an operation sound, but a notification to inform the user that a notification exists. In addition, an example of a supplemental notification is reading out the setting change content (e.g., "Ice making is completed"). If the notification were to suddenly begin with a voice, the user U might be startled, but with this, the user U can prepare themselves mentally with non-verbal sounds and receive a supplementary voice notification, allowing them to receive an easy-to-understand notification in a short period of time.

(Ninth Specific Example)
In the ninth specific example, when the first notification is continuously output for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 91 outputs the first notification and then suppresses output of the second notification corresponding to the first notification. This is to help the user U understand the content of the notification by receiving the notification by non-verbal sound for a certain period of time or more. In other words, even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language are used selectively depending on the communication state (an example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the state of the communication connection. For example, when the terminal device 300 of the user U receives a non-verbal sound notification from the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 for a certain period of time or more, a notification mode that suppresses further notification is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples." By this, the control unit 91 can suppress further notification when the terminal device 300 of the user U receives a non-verbal sound notification from the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 for a certain period of time or more.

(Tenth Specific Example)
In the tenth specific example, when an operation for changing the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB is detected, but a change in the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation exists but is invalid or does not exist, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a notification using a non-verbal sound and suppresses the output of the notification using a voice. This is to allow the user U to intuitively understand the invalid operation by notifying the user of the invalid operation using a non-verbal sound when the operation unit 35a is invalidly operated by the user U. In other words, even for notifications related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used differently depending on the communication state (one example of a situation). An example of an invalid operation is an operation in which the setting does not change any more because the setting has already reached a limit value (i.e., an upper limit value or a lower limit value). In addition, when the operation of increasing the cooling intensity from weak to medium to strong is continued in the operation of the operation unit 35a for changing the setting of the cooling intensity, there is an operation in which the transition is repeated from medium to weak to medium to strong, and in this operation, when the operation changes from increasing to decreasing and when the operation changes from decreasing to increasing, there is an operation in which a part of the operation is invalid, such as "weak → medium → strong → (invalid) → medium → weak → (invalid) → medium → strong ...". Such an operation is an example of an invalid operation. In other words, an invalid operation is an operation in which an operation for changing information related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB is detected, but a change in information related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation exists but is invalid or does not exist. Therefore, when the operation by the user U is an invalid operation, even if the operation by the user U is detected, the information related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB is not changed.

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and words may be used depending on the notification content. For example, when an invalid operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 pre-sets a notification mode in which the first notification unit notifies the invalid operation by a non-verbal sound to a notification mode associated with a situation corresponding to the detected invalid operation in the notification mode information S1. For example, when the non-verbal sound "beep" is set as the notification mode associated with a situation indicating a valid operation in the notification mode information S1, the non-verbal sound "beep beep" is set as the notification mode associated with a situation indicating an invalid operation (i.e., an invalid operation) in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described above in "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples." When an invalid operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 can notify the invalid operation from the first notification unit using a non-verbal sound that is different from the non-verbal sound when the operation is valid. This allows the user U to intuitively understand the notification about the operation due to the difference in the non-verbal notification mode.

(Eleventh Specific Example)
In an eleventh specific example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power saving state in which the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibited state in which no operation is accepted, or a state in which the setting for automatic opening of the door 31 in response to the action of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is disabled, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the corresponding power saving state, operation prohibited state, or state in which the setting for automatic opening of the door 31 is disabled. This is to help the user U understand the content of the notification by notifying the content of the notification by voice, which is difficult to distinguish by non-verbal sounds, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power saving state, an operation prohibited state, or a state in which the setting for automatic opening is disabled. In other words, even if the notification is related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used selectively depending on the communication state (one example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the notification content. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power saving state in which the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibited state in which no operation is accepted, or a state in which the setting for automatic opening of the door 31 in response to the behavior of a user U who approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is disabled, a notification mode that causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the corresponding power saving state, operation prohibited state, or the state in which the setting for automatic opening of the door 31 is disabled is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples," so that the control unit 91 may use non-verbal sounds and language depending on the notification content. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power saving state in which the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibited state in which no operation is accepted, or a state in which the setting for automatically opening the door 31 in response to the action of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is disabled, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating the corresponding power saving state, operation prohibited state, or state in which the setting for automatically opening the door 31 is disabled. This allows the user U to easily learn the details of the operation through audio, which would be difficult to learn from non-verbal sounds.

(Twelfth Specific Example)
In the twelfth specific example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a state in which the setting for automatically opening the door 31 according to the action of the user U who approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is enabled, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the door 31 will open before or while the door 31 is open. Examples of actions by the user U who approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB include the user U touching a predetermined position to open the door 31 set to automatically open, and the user U uttering "open" to open the door 31 using a voice recognition technology. This is because the user U performs the automatic opening operation himself, and the non-verbal sound notification is easier to understand intuitively than the voice notification, and the content of the notification can be determined in a shorter time than the voice notification. In other words, even if the notification is related to the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and words are used differently depending on the communication state (one example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the notification content. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a state in which the automatic opening setting of the door 31 is enabled, a notification mode for outputting a corresponding non-verbal notification from the notification unit 35b is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples", so that the control unit 91 may use non-verbal sounds and language depending on the notification content. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a state in which the automatic opening setting of the door 31 is enabled, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output a corresponding non-verbal notification. This allows the user U to intuitively know the operation content from the non-verbal sound.

(Thirteenth Specific Example)
In the thirteenth specific example, when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification. The approach of the user U within the predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB may be detected by a human detection unit using, for example, infrared, ultrasonic, image analysis, or other technology. This is to help the user U understand the content of the notification by notifying the user U of the content of the notification by voice when the user U approaches the refrigerator main body MB. In other words, even if the notification is related to the settings or status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used selectively depending on the communication status (an example of a situation).

Even if the notification is related to the settings or state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used depending on the notification content. For example, a notification mode for outputting a voice notification from the notification unit 35b when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is set in advance in the notification mode information S1. In this way, the notification mode is set in advance in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 performs the process described in the above-mentioned "Processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth concrete examples" using the notification mode information S1, so that the control unit 91 may use non-verbal sounds and language depending on the notification content. For example, the control unit 91 can output a voice notification from the notification unit 35b when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB. This allows the user U to know the operation content more accurately by voice than by non-verbal sound notification. Examples of operation content by voice include "Hello," "Fill the ice making tank with water," and "Eco mode is running." The "Eco mode in operation" notification is intended to inform users that opening door 31 unnecessarily will allow cool air to escape, resulting in higher electricity bills.

(advantage)
A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a refrigerator main body, an alarm unit, and a control unit. The alarm unit issues an alarm regarding a setting or a state of the refrigerator main body. The control unit controls whether the alarm unit issues an alarm using a non-verbal sound or a verbal alarm depending on a situation, even if the alarm content is the same.
As a result, the refrigerator according to the embodiment can provide a refrigerator that can improve convenience.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the refrigerator has a refrigerator main body, an alarm unit that issues an alarm regarding the settings or status of the refrigerator main body, and a control unit that controls whether the alarm unit issues an alarm using a non-verbal sound or a verbal sound depending on the situation, even if the alarm content is the same. With this configuration, it is possible to improve convenience.

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.

For example, in the above embodiment, the buzzer 84 has been described as an example of the second notification unit. However, the second notification unit may be something other than the buzzer 84 as long as it outputs a non-verbal sound.

100...refrigerator, MB...refrigerator main body, 81...first communication unit (communication unit), 82...second communication unit, 83...speaker, 84...buzzer, 91...control unit, 200...server, 300...terminal device (external device).

Claims (5)

The refrigerator body,
An alarm unit that issues an alarm regarding a setting or a state of the refrigerator body by sound;
a control unit that controls whether the notification unit issues a notification using a non-verbal sound or a verbal message depending on the situation, even if the notification content is the same, and causes the notification unit to output the verbal message when the user operates the operation unit during a first time period, and causes the notification unit to output the non-verbal sound instead of the verbal message when the user operates the operation unit during a second time period different from the first time period;
A refrigerator equipped with The refrigerator body,
an alarm unit that notifies the user of a setting or a state of the refrigerator main body by sound, the alarm unit including a first alarm unit capable of outputting a non-verbal sound and a second alarm unit that is provided separately from the first alarm unit and capable of outputting a language;
a control unit that controls whether the notification unit issues a notification using the non-verbal sound or the language depending on a situation even when the notification content is the same, and when a predetermined notification related to a setting or state of the refrigerator main body is generated, if the second notification unit is not in use, the control unit causes the second notification unit to output the language, and if the second notification unit is in use, the control unit causes the first notification unit to output the non-verbal sound;
A refrigerator equipped with The refrigerator body has an operation unit that accepts operations from outside,
The control unit is
when a first mode operation on the operation unit is detected, outputting a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the first mode operation has been detected from the notification unit;
when a second mode of operation on the operation unit, which is more complicated than the first mode, is detected, a notification in language indicating that the second mode of operation has been detected is output from the notification unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2 . The control unit is
When a first notification using a non-verbal sound is continuously output from the notification unit for a certain period of time or more, after outputting the first notification, output of a second notification using language from the notification unit corresponding to the first notification is suppressed.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The control unit is
when an operation for changing the information related to the setting or the state is detected, and a change in the information related to the setting or the state corresponding to the operation exists but is invalid or does not exist, outputting the notification by the non-verbal sound from the notification unit and suppressing output of the notification by language.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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