A method for binding a refrigerator and its associated equipment

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for binding a refrigerator and its associated devices. When a binding error occurs between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code in the production line, the binding process between the associated devices and the refrigerator is optimized and an exception handling mechanism is added. When a user needs to bind the refrigerator via a mobile phone or tablet, the problem can be resolved in the background without the user's awareness, thus improving the user's intelligent experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator and its networking method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, more and more refrigerators are equipped with WiFi modules. By establishing a binding relationship between the refrigerator and a mobile app, and obtaining the corresponding product information, users can remotely control the refrigerator and access other smart functions through the app. The common binding method involves the WiFi module having a unique identifier (such as a WiFi ID) internally, and the refrigerator having a unique identifier (such as a serial number). When binding the mobile app to the refrigerator, the app first obtains the WiFi ID. If this WiFi ID is not associated with a serial number, the app will redirect to a barcode scanning interface. After scanning the serial number on the refrigerator, the user can complete the binding process. To reduce the user's binding steps, the WiFi ID and serial number are usually pre-associated during the factory production process. This allows users to directly bind the app and refrigerator after discovering the device. However, if there is an error in the WiFi ID and serial number binding process at the factory, the user's refrigerator may fail to bind with the app during the actual binding process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for binding a refrigerator and its associated devices. When a binding error occurs between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code in the production line, the binding process between the associated devices and the refrigerator is optimized, and an exception handling mechanism is added so that the problem can be resolved in the background without the user's awareness, thereby improving the user's intelligent experience.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator, comprising:

[0005] The refrigerator has a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed, the storage compartment including at least a variable temperature compartment and a freezer compartment; the exterior of the cabinet is provided with a whole unit barcode displaying the refrigerator's standard certification code and a label displaying the communication identification code of the WiFi module;

[0006] The cabinet door is used to open and close the storage room;

[0007] A WiFi module, located on the cabinet, is used for the refrigerator's network communication. The WiFi module has a pre-installed corresponding communication identification code. When the refrigerator is on the production line, a barcode scanner scans the whole machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, so as to pre-establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code.

[0008] The controller is configured as follows:

[0009] After the refrigerator connects to the network, the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module is detected;

[0010] When the communication identification code is associated, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud;

[0011] When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation.

[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, the refrigerator further includes:

[0013] A Bluetooth module, located outside the cabinet, is used for network-free communication between the refrigerator and the mobile terminal;

[0014] The controller is also configured to:

[0015] In response to a Bluetooth connection operation, the device receives a standard authentication code obtained by the mobile terminal after scanning the barcode of the entire device.

[0016] The communication identification code pre-set in the WiFi module is sent to the mobile terminal, and the network configuration mode is entered so that the mobile terminal can perform network configuration operation for the refrigerator and connect the refrigerator to the network.

[0017] As an improvement to the above solution, the controller is further configured to:

[0018] When the communication identification code and the standard authentication code are not associated, the cloud is controlled to establish an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and to perform a user binding operation.

[0019] When the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with any other identification code, the cloud control system will disconnect the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and perform a user binding operation.

[0020] As an improvement to the above scheme, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated, the controller is further configured to:

[0021] The cloud control system disconnects the communication identification code from the pending authentication code, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

[0022] As an improvement to the above scheme, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established association relationships with other identification codes, the controller is further configured to:

[0023] When there is no user binding to the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, the cloud control system removes the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as removes the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

[0024] When a user binds the communication identification code to the pending authentication code, the cloud controls the replacement of the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as the association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and performs the user binding operation.

[0025] To achieve the above objectives, this invention also provides a method for binding a refrigerator-associated device. The refrigerator has a whole-machine barcode displaying the refrigerator's standard authentication code and a label displaying a communication identification code for a WiFi module. The refrigerator has a WiFi module with a pre-installed corresponding communication identification code. During production, a scanner scans the whole-machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, thereby pre-establishing an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code. Therefore, the refrigerator-associated device binding method includes:

[0026] After the refrigerator connects to the network, the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module is detected;

[0027] When the communication identification code is associated, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud;

[0028] When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation.

[0029] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0030] When the communication identification code and the standard authentication code are not associated, an association is established between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and a user binding operation is performed.

[0031] When the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with any other identification code, the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes is terminated, the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code is established, and the user binding operation is performed.

[0032] As an improvement to the above scheme, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated with any other code, the method further includes:

[0033] The cloud control system disconnects the communication identification code from the pending authentication code, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

[0034] As an improvement to the above scheme, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established association relationships with other identification codes, the method further includes:

[0035] When there is no user binding to the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, the cloud control system removes the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as removes the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

[0036] When a user binds the communication identification code to the pending authentication code, the cloud controls the replacement of the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as the association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and performs the user binding operation.

[0037] Compared to existing technologies, the refrigerator and its associated device binding method disclosed in this invention optimizes the binding process of associated devices and refrigerators when a binding error occurs between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code in the production line. It adds an exception handling mechanism to ensure that the communication identification code and the corresponding correct refrigerator authentication code are updated. When users need to bind the refrigerator via mobile phone or tablet, the problem can be resolved in the background without the user's awareness, thus improving the user's intelligent experience. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the refrigerator when the door is closed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the storage compartment structure of the refrigerator when the door is open, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration system in a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is the binding process of the standard identification code and communication identification code of the refrigerator on the production line provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a first working flowchart of the controller in a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a second working flowchart of the controller in a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the normal binding relationship between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the abnormal binding relationship between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a third workflow diagram of the controller in a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 10 This is the fourth workflow diagram of the controller in the refrigerator provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0048] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a method for binding a refrigerator and its associated devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Among them, 100 is the refrigerator; 1 is the compressor; 2 is the evaporator; 3 is the capillary tube; and 4 is the condenser. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0052] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0053] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0054] See Figures 1-2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a refrigerator 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 100 in this embodiment has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage space and multiple doors located at the opening of the cabinet. Each door includes a door shell located outside the cabinet, a door inner liner located inside the cabinet, an upper cover, a lower cover, and an insulation layer located between the door shell, door inner liner, upper cover, and lower cover; typically, the insulation layer is filled with foam material. The cabinet has chambers, including component storage chambers for placing refrigerator components, such as a compressor compartment, and storage spaces for storing food, etc. These storage spaces can be divided into multiple storage compartments, which, depending on their purpose, can be configured as refrigerator compartments and freezer compartments, and may also include variable temperature compartments, vacuum drawers, humidifier drawers, etc. Each storage compartment corresponds to one or more doors, for example, in... Figure 1 The upper storage compartment features double doors. These doors can pivot at the opening of the refrigerator body or open like drawers for drawer-style storage. The exterior of the refrigerator body displays a standard authentication barcode, which is an SN code. The refrigerator also includes a WiFi module located on the refrigerator body for network communication. The WiFi module has a pre-installed communication identification code, which is displayed on a label on the exterior of the refrigerator body. This communication identification code is a WiFiID.

[0055] See Figure 3 , Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration system in a single-system refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigeration system includes a compressor 1, an evaporator 2, a dryer filter (not shown in the figure), a capillary tube 3, a condenser 4, and a gas-liquid separator (not shown in the figure). The working process of the refrigeration system includes a compression process, a condensation process, a throttling process, and an evaporation process. The compression process is as follows: when the refrigerator power cord is plugged in and the thermostat contacts are closed, the compressor 1 starts working. Low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 1 and compressed into high-temperature, high-pressure superheated gas in the cylinder of the compressor 1 before being discharged into the condenser 4. The condensation process is as follows: the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas dissipates heat through the condenser 4, and the temperature continuously decreases, gradually cooling into room-temperature, high-pressure saturated vapor, and further cooling into saturated liquid. The temperature no longer decreases; this temperature is called the condensation temperature. The pressure of the refrigerant remains almost constant throughout the condensation process. The throttling process... The process is as follows: After condensation, the saturated liquid refrigerant flows into capillary tube 3 after being filtered to remove moisture and impurities through a dryer filter. Through capillary tube 3, the refrigerant is throttled and depressurized, turning into room temperature, low pressure wet vapor. The evaporation process is as follows: The room temperature, low pressure wet vapor begins to absorb heat and vaporize in evaporator 2, which not only lowers the temperature of evaporator 2 and its surroundings, but also turns the refrigerant into a low temperature, low pressure gas. The refrigerant coming out of evaporator 2 passes through a gas-liquid separator and returns to compressor 1. The above process is repeated to transfer the heat inside the refrigerator to the outside air, thus achieving the purpose of refrigeration.

[0056] See Figure 4 , Figure 4 This invention provides a process for binding a standard identification code and a communication identification code to a refrigerator on the production line. When the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner scans the whole machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, so as to pre-establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code.

[0057] For example, during the refrigerator's manufacturing process, the WiFi module is supplied with a QR code sticker containing a communication identification code (WiFi ID). Normally, the communication identification code written into the WiFi module hardware and the communication identification code on the QR code sticker are the same. After the WiFi module is installed in the refrigerator, the corresponding label is affixed to the top end cover of the refrigerator door, while the refrigerator's overall barcode is affixed to a fixed position on the back of the refrigerator. The factory has scanners on the back and top of the refrigerator. As the refrigerator moves along the production line, the corresponding overall barcode and label information are scanned and uploaded to the cloud for association. At this point, only the cloud has an association relationship. When a user binds their device, user binding information will be added to the association relationship.

[0058] Specifically, the refrigerator also includes:

[0059] A Bluetooth module, located outside the cabinet, is used for network-free communication between the refrigerator and the mobile terminal;

[0060] The controller in the refrigerator is configured to: receive a standard authentication code obtained by the mobile terminal after scanning the whole machine barcode in response to a Bluetooth connection operation; send a communication identification code preset in the WiFi module to the mobile terminal and enter a network configuration mode so that the mobile terminal can perform network configuration operation for the refrigerator and connect the refrigerator to the network.

[0061] For example, see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a first workflow diagram of the controller in a refrigerator provided in this embodiment of the invention. When the user starts the refrigerator for the first time, the refrigerator is not connected to the network. At this time, the Bluetooth module in the refrigerator is activated, and the user can connect to the Bluetooth module via a mobile phone or tablet to communicate. The user scans the whole machine barcode through the mobile APP to obtain a standard authentication code for binding. At this time, the user can query information such as the type of refrigerator device and its functions based on the standard authentication code. Then, the user sends the scanned whole machine barcode to the refrigerator through the Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth module sends the communication identification code pre-set in the WiFi module to the mobile terminal, enabling the device to enter the network configuration mode, thereby connecting the refrigerator to the network and exchanging information with the cloud. However, at this time, the user's APP is not yet bound to the refrigerator.

[0062] Specifically, the controller in the refrigerator is configured to: after the refrigerator connects to the network, detect the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module; when the communication identification code establishes an association relationship, obtain the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code from the cloud; when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, control the cloud to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation.

[0063] For example, see Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a second workflow diagram of the refrigerator controller provided in this embodiment of the invention. After the refrigerator is connected to the network, it can obtain data stored in the cloud and determine the refrigerator's association relationships. When a communication identification code label is affixed to an incorrect refrigerator, the actual communication identification code of the WiFi module installed on the refrigerator is inconsistent with the communication identification code scanned from the label. In this case, the refrigerator standard authentication code and communication identification code bound in the cloud are incorrect. If the user finds that the communication identification code corresponding to the WiFi module is associated, they can complete the binding. However, the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is actually associated with the SN code of another refrigerator (the user will not notice this). If this SN code has already been bound by another user, the APP will prompt an error message indicating that this WiFi ID or SN code has been used. Please unbind the relationship and try again. In this case, the binding error may lead the user to believe that the refrigerator may have been used by someone else before, which may cause user complaints and waste after-sales resources. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, after detecting the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module, when the communication identification code establishes an association relationship, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud. When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code. This process will not be noticed by the user. After the update is completed, the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is accurately associated with the authentication code. At this time, when the user binding operation is performed, no abnormal prompt will appear.

[0064] See Figure 7 , Figure 7This is a schematic diagram illustrating the normal binding relationship between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code provided in this embodiment of the invention. Assuming there are two refrigerators, the standard authentication code obtained from scanning the whole machine barcode of refrigerator 1 is SN1. The communication identification code built into the WiFi module and the communication identification code on the label are the same, both being W1. When the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner will bind the standard authentication code SN1 obtained from scanning the whole machine barcode with the communication identification code W1 on the label. The association relationship stored in the cloud is "SN1&W1". When user 1 uses their mobile phone to scan the whole machine barcode to obtain the standard authentication code SN1 and the WiFi module's built-in communication identification code W1 obtained through the Bluetooth module, user 1 can bind this association relationship using their mobile phone and control the refrigerator normally using the APP. The standard authentication code obtained by scanning the whole unit barcode of refrigerator 2 is SN2. The communication identification code built into the WiFi module and the communication identification code on the label are the same, both being W2. When the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner will bind the standard authentication code SN2 obtained by scanning the whole unit barcode with the communication identification code W2 on the label. The association relationship stored in the cloud is "SN2&W2". When user 2 uses a mobile phone to scan the whole unit barcode to obtain the standard authentication code SN2 and the communication identification code W2 built into the WiFi module obtained through the Bluetooth module, user 2 can bind this association relationship with the mobile phone and control the refrigerator normally using the APP.

[0065] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the abnormal binding relationship between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code provided in this embodiment of the invention. Assuming there are three refrigerators, and the overall barcodes are not incorrectly affixed, but the labels are incorrectly affixed, the following situations occur: ① The standard authentication code scanned from the overall barcode of refrigerator 1 is SN1, and the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is W1. The communication identification code of the label affixed on the production line is W2 (the communication identification code of refrigerator 2). In this case, when the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner will bind the standard authentication code SN1 scanned from the overall barcode with the communication identification code W2 of the label. The association stored in the cloud is "SN1&W2"; ② The standard authentication code scanned from the overall barcode of refrigerator 2 is SN2, and the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is... If the standard authentication code SN2 is scanned from the barcode of refrigerator 3, and the communication identification code W3 is scanned from the label on the production line (which is the communication identification code of refrigerator 3), then when the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner will bind the standard authentication code SN2 scanned from the whole machine barcode with the communication identification code W3 of the label. The cloud storage association is "SN2&W3"; ③ The standard authentication code SN3 scanned from the whole machine barcode of refrigerator 3 is SN3, and the built-in communication identification code W3 is WiFi module. If the communication identification code W1 is scanned from the label on the production line (which is the communication identification code of refrigerator 1), then when the refrigerator is on the production line, the scanner will bind the standard authentication code SN3 scanned from the whole machine barcode with the communication identification code W1 of the label. The cloud storage association is "SN3&W1".

[0066] When user 1 binds the device by scanning the SN1 code through the APP, if SN1 and W2 have already completed the binding relationship in the cloud, the actual WiFi module corresponding to the user's operation when scanning SN1 for binding will have a communication identification code of W1. At this time, the refrigerator will look up the current binding relationship of W1. After querying the cloud, it will find that SN1 and W2 are already associated, SN2 and W3 are already associated, and SN3 and W1 are already associated. SN3, which is associated with W1, does not match the refrigerator's own standard authentication code SN1. At this time, the refrigerator will display an error message indicating that this communication identification code or standard authentication code has been used, causing the refrigerator to be unable to bind the user normally.

[0067] Specifically, the controller is further configured to: when the communication identification code has not been associated with the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated with the standard authentication code, control the cloud to establish an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and perform a user binding operation; when the communication identification code has not been associated with the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with other identification codes, control the cloud to remove the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establish an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and perform a user binding operation.

[0068] For example, see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is the third workflow diagram of the controller in the refrigerator provided in this embodiment of the invention. If the communication identification code has no association in the cloud and the standard authentication code has not been associated either, i.e., the above situations ① to ③ do not exist, it may be that the production line scanner missed scanning these refrigerators, resulting in these associations not being written to the cloud. In this case, it is equivalent to the communication identification code and the standard authentication code not being bound to any association, so the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code can be directly established. Taking refrigerator 1 as an example, if the built-in communication identification code W1 has no association in the cloud, but the standard authentication code SN1 has an association "SN1&W2", i.e., the above situation ① exists, but the above situation ③ does not exist. The reason why situation ③ does not exist may be that the production line scanner missed scanning or that user 3 who purchased refrigerator 3 had already unbound the abnormal binding relationship "SN3&W1" before user 1 purchased refrigerator 1. In this case, the association between SN1 and W2 is unbound, the association between SN1 and W1 is established, and the user binding is completed at the same time.

[0069] Specifically, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated, the controller is further configured to: control the cloud to remove the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and perform user binding operation.

[0070] When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established associations with other identification codes, the controller is further configured to: when there is no user binding in the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, control the cloud to remove the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as remove the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and perform a user binding operation; when there is a user binding in the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, control the cloud to replace the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as establish the association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and perform a user binding operation.

[0071] For example, see Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is the fourth workflow diagram of the controller in the refrigerator provided in this embodiment of the invention. Taking refrigerator 1 as an example, if the built-in communication identification code W1 has an association relationship "SN3&W1" in the cloud, and the standard authentication code SN1 of refrigerator 1 does not match SN3 in this association relationship, then it is further determined whether the standard authentication code SN1 has established an association relationship. If the standard authentication code SN1 has not established an association relationship, that is, the above situation ① does not exist, but the above situation ③ exists, then the association relationship between SN3 and W1 is terminated, the association relationship between SN1 and W1 is established, and the user binding is completed at the same time. If a connection is established between the standard authentication code SN1, i.e., situations ① to ③ exist as described above, then it is further determined whether the connection between "SN3 & W1" has been bound to a user (there is a possibility that the system has not updated the connection in time, causing the user to bind to an abnormal connection). If no user is bound under the "SN3 & W1" connection, then the connection between SN1 and W2 is broken, and the connection between SN3 and W1 is broken, and a connection between SN1 and W1 is established. At this time, no connection is established between W2 and SN3, and then the user binding operation is completed. If user 3 is bound under the "SN3 & W1" connection, then W1 and... The binding relationship of W2 is replaced, becoming "SN1&W1" and "W2&SN3". At the same time as the user successfully binds, the cloud barcode can be replaced without affecting the user binding experience. The cloud backend will then gradually correct the incorrect binding relationship. If only the relationship between SN1 and W1 is established and the relationship between W1 and SN3 is removed at this time, user 3, who is currently bound under SN3 and W1, will also be unbound, which may cause user 3 to complain. By exchanging SN codes, it can be ensured that the relationship established by the user who is binding is correct and will not affect other bound users.

[0072] Compared to existing technologies, the refrigerator disclosed in this invention optimizes the binding process between associated devices and the refrigerator when a binding error occurs between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code within the production line. It adds an exception handling mechanism to ensure that the communication identification code and the corresponding correct refrigerator authentication code are updated. When a user needs to bind the refrigerator via a mobile phone or tablet, the problem can be resolved in the background without the user's awareness, thus improving the user's intelligent experience.

[0073] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for binding a refrigerator and its associated devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator has a whole-machine barcode displaying the refrigerator's standard authentication code and a label displaying a communication identification code of a WiFi module. The refrigerator is equipped with a WiFi module, and the WiFi module has a corresponding communication identification code pre-installed within it. During production, a scanner scans the whole-machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, thereby pre-establishing an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code. Therefore, the method for binding the refrigerator to associated devices includes:

[0074] S1. After the refrigerator is connected to the network, detect the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module;

[0075] S2. When the communication identification code is associated with another communication identification code, obtain the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code from the cloud.

[0076] S3. When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, control the cloud to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation.

[0077] It is worth noting that the refrigerator-associated device binding method described in this embodiment of the invention can be implemented by the controller in the refrigerator, or by an APP on a mobile terminal or tablet computer used by the user.

[0078] When the refrigerator controller executes steps S1 to S3 above, the refrigerator is not connected to the network when the user starts it for the first time. At this time, the Bluetooth module in the refrigerator is activated, and the user can connect to the Bluetooth module via a mobile phone or tablet to communicate. The user scans the whole machine barcode through the mobile APP to obtain the standard authentication code for binding. At this time, the user can query information such as the type of refrigerator and its functions based on the standard authentication code. Then, the user sends the scanned whole machine barcode to the refrigerator through the Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth module sends the communication identification code pre-set in the WiFi module to the mobile terminal, enabling the device to enter the network configuration mode, thereby connecting the refrigerator to the network and exchanging information with the cloud. However, at this time, the user's APP is not yet bound to the refrigerator.

[0079] When the APP executes steps S1 to S3 above, the refrigerator is not connected to the internet when the user starts it for the first time. At this time, the Bluetooth module in the refrigerator is activated, and the user can connect to the Bluetooth module via a mobile phone or tablet to communicate. The user scans the whole machine barcode with the mobile APP to obtain the standard authentication code for binding. At this time, the user can query information such as the refrigerator's device type and functions based on the standard authentication code. The Bluetooth module sends the communication identification code pre-built in the WiFi module to the mobile terminal, enabling the device to enter network configuration mode, thus allowing the refrigerator to connect to the network and interact with the cloud. However, at this time, the user's APP is not yet bound to the refrigerator. When the APP executes steps S1 to S3 above, it is not necessary to execute the step of "sending the scanned whole machine barcode to the refrigerator via the Bluetooth module".

[0080] When a communication identification code label is affixed to an incorrect refrigerator, the actual communication identification code of the WiFi module installed on the refrigerator will not match the communication identification code scanned from the label. In this case, the refrigerator's standard authentication code and communication identification code bound to the cloud will be incorrect. If the user discovers a connection between the communication identification code and the WiFi module, they can complete the binding. However, the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is actually associated with the SN code of another refrigerator (unnoticed by the user). If this SN code has already been bound by another user (who binds to the refrigerator by scanning the SN code), the app will display an error message indicating that the WiFi ID or SN code is already in use. The user is advised to unbind the SN code before attempting to bind again. This binding error may lead users to believe the refrigerator has been previously used, resulting in complaints and wasted after-sales resources. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, after detecting the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module, when the communication identification code establishes an association relationship, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud. When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code. This process will not be noticed by the user. After the update is completed, the communication identification code built into the WiFi module is accurately associated with the authentication code. At this time, when the user binding operation is performed, no abnormal prompt will appear.

[0081] Specifically, the method further includes: when the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated with any other identification code, establishing an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and performing a user binding operation; when the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with other identification codes, dissolving the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishing an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and performing a user binding operation.

[0082] Specifically, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated, the method further includes: controlling the cloud to remove the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, establishing the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performing a user binding operation.

[0083] Specifically, when the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established associations with other identification codes, the method further includes: when there is no user binding in the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, controlling the cloud to remove the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as to remove the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishing an association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performing a user binding operation; when there is a user binding in the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, controlling the cloud to replace the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish an association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as to establish an association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and performing a user binding operation.

[0084] It is worth noting that the specific process of "controlling the cloud to update the association relationship of the communication identification code" in the refrigerator association device binding method described in the embodiments of the present invention can refer to the working process of the controller in the refrigerator described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0085] Compared to existing technologies, the refrigerator association device binding method disclosed in this invention optimizes the association device and refrigerator binding process when a cross-binding error occurs between the communication identification code and the refrigerator authentication code in the production line. It adds an exception handling mechanism to ensure that the communication identification code and the corresponding correct refrigerator authentication code are updated. When users need to bind the refrigerator via mobile phone or tablet, the problem can be resolved in the background without the user's awareness, thus improving the user's intelligent experience.

[0086] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The refrigerator has a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed, the storage compartment including at least a variable temperature compartment and a freezer compartment; the exterior of the cabinet is provided with a whole unit barcode displaying the refrigerator's standard certification code and a label displaying the communication identification code of the WiFi module; The cabinet door is used to open and close the storage room; A WiFi module, located on the cabinet, is used for the refrigerator's network communication. The WiFi module has a pre-installed corresponding communication identification code. When the refrigerator is on the production line, a barcode scanner scans the whole machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, so as to pre-establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code. The controller is configured as follows: After the refrigerator connects to the network, the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module is detected; When the communication identification code is associated, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud; When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation. When the communication identification code and the standard authentication code are not associated, the cloud is controlled to establish an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and to perform a user binding operation. When the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with other identification codes, the cloud control system will remove the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and perform user binding operations. When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established associations with other identification codes, the controller is further configured to: When there is no user binding to the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, the cloud control system removes the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as removes the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations. When a user binds the communication identification code to the pending authentication code, the cloud controls the replacement of the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as the association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and performs the user binding operation.

2. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes: A Bluetooth module, located outside the cabinet, is used for network-free communication between the refrigerator and the mobile terminal; The controller is also configured to: In response to a Bluetooth connection operation, the device receives a standard authentication code obtained by the mobile terminal after scanning the barcode of the entire device. The communication identification code pre-set in the WiFi module is sent to the mobile terminal, and the network configuration mode is entered so that the mobile terminal can perform network configuration operation for the refrigerator and connect the refrigerator to the network.

3. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated, the controller is further configured to: The cloud control system disconnects the communication identification code from the pending authentication code, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

4. A method for binding refrigerator-related devices, characterized in that, The refrigerator is equipped with a whole-machine barcode displaying the refrigerator's standard authentication code and a label displaying the communication identification code of the WiFi module. The refrigerator has a WiFi module with a pre-installed corresponding communication identification code. During production, a scanner scans the whole-machine barcode and the label to upload the standard authentication code and the communication identification code to the cloud, thus establishing a pre-established association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code. Therefore, the refrigerator's associated device binding method includes: After the refrigerator connects to the network, the association status of the communication identification code preset in the WiFi module is detected; When the communication identification code is associated, the pending authentication code bound to the communication identification code is obtained from the cloud; When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, the cloud is controlled to update the association relationship of the communication identification code and perform user binding operation. When the communication identification code and the standard authentication code are not associated, the cloud is controlled to establish an association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and to perform a user binding operation. When the communication identification code has not been associated with any other identification code, and the standard authentication code has been associated with other identification codes, the cloud control system will remove the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establish the association between the standard authentication code and the communication identification code, and perform user binding operations. When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has established associations with other identification codes, the method further includes: When there is no user binding to the association between the communication identification code and the pending authentication code, the cloud control system removes the association between the communication identification code and the pending identification code, as well as removes the association between the standard authentication code and the other identification codes, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations. When a user binds the communication identification code to the pending authentication code, the cloud controls the replacement of the communication identification code and the other identification codes to establish the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, as well as the association between the other identification codes and the pending authentication code, and performs the user binding operation.

5. The refrigerator association device binding method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When the pending authentication code does not match the standard authentication code, and the standard authentication code has not been associated with any other code, the method further includes: The cloud control system disconnects the communication identification code from the pending authentication code, establishes the association between the communication identification code and the standard authentication code, and performs user binding operations.

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