U.S. patent application number 10/820861 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for kimchi refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Cho, Sung-ho.
Application Number | 20040216472 10/820861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33308395 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040216472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho, Sung-ho |
November 4, 2004 |
Kimchi refrigerator
Abstract
A kimchi refrigerator having a first storing unit to store
function selecting information, and a control panel having a
display displaying the function selecting information read from the
first storing unit and a key input part to input functions selected
by a user. The kimchi refrigerator includes a second storing unit
to store detail function selecting information corresponding to
each of the function selecting information, a voice output part to
output the detail function selecting information read from the
second storing unit; and a function selecting controller
controlling the function selecting information and the detail
function selecting information to be respectively displayed in the
display and the voice output part based on manipulation of the key
input part.
Inventors: |
Cho, Sung-ho; (Kwangju City,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
33308395 |
Appl. No.: |
10/820861 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/126 ;
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23B 7/148 20130101;
F25D 2700/12 20130101; A23B 7/10 20130101; F25D 2400/361 20130101;
F25D 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/126 ;
062/441 |
International
Class: |
F25B 049/00; F25D
015/00; F25D 023/12; F25D 011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 2, 2003 |
KR |
2003-28239 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A kimchi refrigerator having a first storing unit to store
function selecting information, and a control panel having a
display displaying the function selecting information read from the
first storing unit and a key input part to input functions selected
by a user, comprising: a second storing unit to store detail
function selecting information corresponding to each of the
function selecting information; a voice output part to output the
detail function selecting information read from the second storing
unit; and a function selecting controller controlling the function
selecting information and the detail function selecting information
to be respectively displayed in the display and the voice output
part based on manipulation of the key input part.
2. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the
function selecting information comprises: words describing a
plurality of functions to be selected by a user; and instructions
as to how to select one of the plurality of functions, wherein the
detail function selecting information includes the words and is
stored to be voice outputted.
3. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the key
input part comprises: a confirming button to select desirable
functions; and at least one moving button to move a selection to
the desirable functions, wherein the moving button comprises a left
moving button and a right moving button.
4. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the
plurality of functions displayed in the display turn to be in a
selection standby state to be selected by manipulation of the
confirming button and the moving button of the key input part.
5. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein a function
corresponding to the selection standby state comprises a function,
which flickers at a predetermined period.
6. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information comprise an error message, the error message is
displayed in the display and outputted in the voice output part
when the key input part is not manipulated according to a function
selecting method displayed in the display.
7. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information comprise an error message, the error message is
displayed in the display and outputted in the voice output part
when the key input part is not manipulated according to a function
selecting method displayed in the display.
8. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information comprise an error message, the error message is
displayed in the display and outputted in the voice output part
when the key input part is not manipulated according to a function
selecting method displayed in the display.
9. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information comprise an error message, the error message is
displayed in the display and outputted in the voice output part
when the key input part is not manipulated according to a function
selecting method displayed in the display.
10. The kimchi refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information comprise an error message, the error message is
displayed in the display and outputted in the voice output part
when the key input part is not manipulated according to a function
selecting method displayed in the displayer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. 2003-28239, filed May 2, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a kimchi refrigerator, and,
more particularly, to a kimchi refrigerator having an improved
control panel, which enables a user to conveniently control the
kimchi refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventional kimchi refrigerators maintain a temperature of
a storing compartment at 0.degree. C. unlike general refrigerators,
which maintain a temperature thereof between 5.degree. C.-7.degree.
C. This temperature is maintained to achieve a desirable taste of
kimchi during a long period of refrigeration.
[0006] Recently, a fermenting technique has been additionally
developed, allowing a user to select various storing conditions,
such as temperature and time.
[0007] Additionally, conventional kimchi refrigerators control
whether to supply a refrigerant by comparing a temperature at the
interior of the kimchi refrigerator sensed by a temperature sensor
with a predetermined setup temperature using a microprocessor. The
storing conditions, such as the predetermined setup temperature,
are predetermined and correspond to functions, which are selected
through a control panel of the kimchi refrigerator.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the control panel of the kimchi
refrigerator comprises: a display 2 displaying functions which can
be selected by a user; input keys 3 corresponding to respective
functions which selectively input displayed functions; and LEDs 5
displaying the functions selected by a user by emitting light.
[0009] The functions, which can be selected by a user, are
semi-permanently displayed in the display 2. A user selects
desirable functions by pushing the input keys 3, which correspond
to the functions he/she wants to select.
[0010] However, since the functions are displayed in the display 3
as a brief word or a simple image, a user cannot easily understand
the meaning of the brief word or the simple image. Consequently,
he/she has to refer to a manual of the kimchi refrigerator. Also,
he/she may select inappropriate functions by mistake. This results
in food, stored in the kimchi refrigerator, going bad.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a kimchi
refrigerator having an improved control panel enabling a user to
conveniently select appropriate functions without a manual
thereof.
[0012] To achieve the above and/or other aspects, according to the
present invention, there is provided a kimchi refrigerator having a
first storing unit to store function selecting information, and a
control panel having a display displaying the function selecting
information read from the first storing unit and a key input part
to input functions selected by a user, comprising: a second storing
unit to store detail function selecting information corresponding
to each of the function selecting information; a voice output part
to output the detail function selecting information read from the
second storing unit; and a function selecting controller
controlling the function selecting information and the detail
function selecting information to be respectively displayed in the
display and the voice output part based on manipulation of the key
input part.
[0013] Additional and/or other aspects and advantages of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may
be learned by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and/or other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from
the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction
with the accompany drawings, of which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a control
panel of a conventional kimchi refrigerator;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a kimchi refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the kimchi refrigerator
shown in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating configuration of a
control panel of the kimchi refrigerator shown in FIG. 2; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exemplary view illustrating function selecting
information displayed on a display on the basis of a manipulation
of the control panel of the kimchi refrigerator shown in FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a kimchi refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 2, the refrigerator comprises a main body 13 having door
openings facing toward a front and a top thereof, a pair of front
doors 15 provided in the front of the main body 13 opening and
closing the front facing door openings and a pair of top doors 17
provided in the top of the main body 13 opening and closing the top
facing door openings.
[0022] The main body 13 is substantially box shaped. A control
panel 11 is provided in a front and upper part of the main body 13.
The control panel 11 allows a user to select storing conditions of
various kinds of food, such as kimchi, which are stored in a
storing compartment. Left and right side and top and bottom storage
compartments are provided in insides of the front doors 15 and the
top doors 17. Each storing compartment accommodates storing
vessels, which store food, such as kimchi.
[0023] Also, a component compartment (not shown) separated from the
storing compartments is formed in an inside of the kimchi
refrigerator. A compressor to compress a refrigerant and a
condenser to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor
is provided inside of the component compartment.
[0024] Further, heaters, which radiate heat by power, which is
supplied to maintain the temperature of the storing compartments at
a predetermined temperature, and evaporators, cooling the
respective storing compartments by using the refrigerant supplied
from the condenser, are provided in a surrounding wall of the
storing compartments.
[0025] Temperature sensors 25, being adjacent to a top of the
evaporators, sensing the temperature of the respective storing
compartments, are provided in upper portions of the left and right
and top and bottom storing compartments. Refrigerant supplying
valves 27, to supply or cut off the refrigerant, are provided in
refrigerant pipes connecting the condenser and the evaporators.
[0026] A controller 21 controlling operation of components, such as
the compressor, and the refrigerant supplying valves 27 on the
basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensors 25 and
functions selected through the control panel 11 is provided in a
side of the main body 13.
[0027] The kimchi refrigerator having the above configuration
operates as follows. Initially, power is supplied through a power
supplying part 23. Functions are then selected through the control
panel 11, and the compressor compresses the refrigerant according
to the selected functions. The refrigerant compressed by the
compressor is supplied to the condenser through the refrigerant
pipes. The refrigerant condensed by the condenser is supplied to
the evaporators and cools each storing compartment. After cooling
each storing compartment, the refrigerant flows out from the
evaporators and returns to the compressor.
[0028] The controller 21 controls each storing compartment to be
cooled to an appropriate temperature by appropriately turning the
refrigerant supplying valves 27 on and off based on the temperature
of each storing compartment sensed by the temperature sensors
25.
[0029] Since FIG. 2 is illustrated to describe a schematic
configuration and an operation of the kimchi refrigerator, details,
such as the number of the front and top doors 15 and 17,
respectively, and layout and the number of the other components,
are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the kimchi refrigerator
according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exemplary view
illustrating configuration of a control panel of the kimchi
refrigerator according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS.
3 and 4, the kimchi refrigerator according to the present invention
comprises a first storing unit 35 storing function selecting
information and the control panel 11 having a display 33 which
displays the function selecting information as read from the first
storing unit 35 and a key input part 31 through which inputting
functions are selected by a user.
[0031] The kimchi refrigerator according to the present invention
further comprises the power supplying part 23 supplying power, the
temperature sensors 25 sensing the temperature of each storing
compartment, the refrigerant supplying valves 27 supplying and
cutting off the refrigerant, and the controller 21 which confirms
storing conditions, such as temperature and/or time, corresponding
to the selected functions through the control panel 11. The
controller 21 further controls the refrigerant supplying valves 27
based on the storing conditions and the temperature sensed by the
temperature sensors 25.
[0032] The kimchi refrigerator according to the present invention
further comprises a second storing unit 37 storing detail function
selecting information corresponding to each function selection
information, a voice output part 39 outputting the detail function
selecting information which is read from the second storing unit 37
as voice, and a function selecting controller 30 controlling the
function selecting information and the detail function selecting
information to be respectively displayed in the display 33 and the
voice output part 39 based on manipulation of the key input part
31.
[0033] The first storing unit 35 stores the function selecting
information to be displayed in the display 33 of the control panel
11.
[0034] The function selecting information comprises at least a
plurality of functions to be selected by a user and words
describing the selecting method which are descriptive enough that a
manual is not required. For example, the function selecting
information may comprise images and words to be displayed in the
display 33, such as the images and words corresponding to reference
numbers 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, and 58 in FIG. 5, which illustrates
the display 33 displaying the function selecting information. Also,
the function selecting information may comprise an error message 55
(refer to FIG. 5).
[0035] The control panel 11 comprises the display 33 and the key
input part 31 (refer to FIG. 4). The display 33 displays the
function selecting information of the first storing unit 35 (refer
to FIG. 5).
[0036] The display 33 is formed with an LCD. The function selecting
information to be displayed in the display 33 is arranged in order
as shown in FIG. 5.
[0037] If any one of the functions is selected, selecting
information of a hierarchically stored lower level function, which
corresponds to the selected function, is displayed in the display
33.
[0038] Also, the displayed function selecting information is formed
with a plurality of functions to be selected by a user. In an
embodiment of the invention, one of the plurality of functions
flickers in a predetermined period. Herein, the flickering function
is a function selectively inputted through a confirming button 43
(to be described later) as shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, a
flickering state is referred to as a selection standby state.
[0039] The key input part 31 is provided in accordance with the
confirming button 43 to select desirable functions, and a right
moving button 41a and a left moving button 41b to move selections
to the desiring functions.
[0040] The right and left moving buttons 41a and 41b enable one of
the functions displayed in the display 33 to be in the selection
standby state. As an example, if a user pushes the right moving
button 41a, a right side function relative to the present function
in the selection standby state is thereby selected to be in the
standby state. If a right side function relative to the present
function in the selection standby state does not exist, either an
error message is displayed, or a leftmost function of the functions
displayed in the display 33, is selected to be in the selection
standby state.
[0041] The second storing unit 37 stores the detail function
selecting information corresponding to the function selecting
information. Herein, the detail function selecting information is
stored to be audibly outputted (e.g., as a voice speaking words
describing the function selecting information).
[0042] For example, when the function selecting information
corresponding to the reference number 56 in FIG. 5 is displayed, a
voice message discusses a manipulation method. The message states,
for example, "please, select storing functions you want by using
the left or right moving button. Push the confirming button after
selecting, please."
[0043] Also, for example, when a user selects a fermenting function
not to be set up by mistake, the error message 55 (refer to FIG. 5)
is displayed in the display 33. In this case, the function
selecting information, which is the error message 55, is displayed
in the display 33. Simultaneously, an error message, which states,
for example, "no fermenting function in this storing compartment.
If you want to use the fermenting function, use other storing
compartment, please", may be stored as the detail function
selecting information to be outputted as a voice type.
[0044] The voice output part 39 outputs the detail function
selecting information which is read from the second storing unit
37, as a voice type. The voice output part 39 comprises a voice
circuit and a speaker provided in an outside or inside of the main
body 13 of the kimchi refrigerator. Additionally, an audio
apparatus provided with the voice circuit and the speaker may be
applied to the voice output part 39.
[0045] The function selecting controller 30 controls the function
selecting information and the detail function selecting information
to be respectively displayed in the display 33 and the voice output
part 39 in accordance with manipulation of the key input part 31.
Simultaneously, the function selecting controller 30 transmits
selection signals corresponding to the selected functions to the
controller 21, so that the controller 21 controls the refrigerant
supplying valves 27 based on storing conditions, such as the
temperature and time, corresponding to the selection signal and the
temperature sensed by the temperature sensors 25.
[0046] If manipulation of the key input part 31 occurs, that is, if
a user pushes the confirming button 43, the function selecting
controller 30 searches a lower-level function selecting
information, which is hierarchically connected to the function
selecting information displayed in the display 33, in the first
storing unit 35 and displays the lower-level function selecting
information in the display 33. Simultaneously, the function
selecting controller 30 searches the detail function selecting
information corresponding to the lower-level function selecting
information in the second storing unit 37 and outputs the detail
function selecting information through the voice output part
39.
[0047] The function selecting information and the detail function
selecting information may be managed separately or as one DB
(Database). Herein, a corresponding table, which stores the
corresponding relation between the function selecting information
and the detail function selecting information, may be separately
provided. Similarly, a hierarchical table, which stores the
relation between an optional function selecting information and the
lower-level function selecting information hierarchically connected
therewith, may be also separately provided.
[0048] FIG. 5 is an exemplary view illustrating function selecting
information displayed on the display 33 based on the manipulation
of the control panel 11 of the kimchi refrigerator according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] For example, if power is supplied to components of the
kimchi refrigerator including the control panel 11, the detail
function selecting information, such as an initial image and
greeting, is displayed or outputted in the display 33 and the voice
output part 39.
[0050] If a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds, passes, the
function selecting information corresponding to the reference
number 51 in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display 33. Simultaneously,
detail information, such as the following example may be stated.
This example includes the following instruction: "confirm setup
states of all storing compartments, please. A left storing
compartment is for kimchi, a top storing compartment is for
meat/fish, a bottom storing compartment is for new rice/cereal, and
a left storing compartment is for kimchi." These instructions are
outputted through the voice output part 39, informing the setup
state of all storing compartments.
[0051] If a user selects a certain storing compartment to change a
setup condition of the storing compartment or pushes a wrong button
by mistake, an error message 52 is displayed in the display 33.
Simultaneously, the detail function selecting information, which
informs the user of a manipulation method is outputted. That output
may include the following statement: "select one of storing
compartments at first owing to setup of a lock function,
please".
[0052] The function selecting information corresponding to the
reference number 53 in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display 33.
Simultaneously, the detail function selecting information, such as
"push the storing compartment selecting button provided in the left
side of the control panel, please", is outputted through the voice
output part 39.
[0053] If a user pushes the left storing compartment selecting
button, the function selecting information corresponding to the
reference number 54 in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display 33. The
detail function selecting information informing the user of the
manipulation method, is outputted. That output may include the
following statement: "select one function you want of
storing/fermenting functions by using the leftward or rightward
moving button, please. Push the confirming button after selecting
is completed, please".
[0054] When a user selects the fermenting function while the
fermenting function is not set up in the storing compartment, the
function selecting information, such as the error message 55, is
displayed in the display 33. The detail function selecting
information informing the user of the manipulation method, is
outputted. That output may include the following statement: "no
fermenting function in this storing compartment. Please, use the
other storing compartment".
[0055] If a user selects the storing function and pushes the
confirming button 43, the function selecting information
corresponding to the reference number 56 in FIG. 5 is displayed in
the display 33. The detail function selecting information informing
the user of the manipulation method is outputted. That output may
include the following statement: "select one function you want of
storing/fermenting functions by using the leftward or rightward
moving button, please. Push the confirming button after selecting
is completed, please".
[0056] If a user selects a kimchi (medium) function, the function
selecting information corresponding to the reference number 57 in
FIG. 5 is displayed in the display 33. The detail function
selecting information informing the user of the manipulation method
is outputted. That output may include the following statement: "You
selected the kimchi (medium) storing condition for the left storing
compartment. States of all storing compartments are displayed in 5
seconds". The function selecting information corresponding to the
reference number 58 in FIG. 5 is displayed in the display 33 in 5
seconds.
[0057] With the above configuration, the function selecting
information and the detail function selecting information are
stored. The function selecting information is displayed in the
display, and the detail function selecting information informing
the manipulation method, and so on detailed relative to the
function selecting information, is outputted as a voice type.
Accordingly, the kimchi refrigerator is easily controlled and a
user can conveniently select an appropriate function without a
manual for the kimchi refrigerator.
[0058] As described above, according to the present invention, a
kimchi refrigerator, which is relatively easily controlled and
allows a user to conveniently select an appropriate function
without a manual by giving detail information on manipulation
through a voice output part and an LCD display of a control panel
thereof, are provided.
[0059] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *