Method for controlling intelligent household electrical appliance by using mobile screen and intelligent household electrical appliance with mobile screen

Abstract

The invention provides a method for controlling an intelligent household electrical appliance by using a mobile screen and the intelligent household electrical appliance with the mobile screen, the mobile screen is preset with a virtual account comprising basic information for controlling the intelligent household electrical appliance, the mobile screen is close to a pairing NFC (Near Field Communication) arranged on the intelligent household electrical appliance, and the mobile screen transmits the virtual account to the intelligent household electrical appliance. The intelligent household electrical appliance transmits the device ID to the mobile screen, so that pairing of the mobile screen and the intelligent household electrical appliance is completed, the mobile screen can be used for controlling the intelligent household electrical appliance, and under the condition that a user completes setting of a router for connecting the mobile screen with a home network and can be connected to the server, the intelligent household electrical appliance is automatically connected to the server through pairing of the mobile screen and the intelligent household electrical appliance. And sending the virtual account and the equipment ID to a server, and automatically completing authentication and registration of the intelligent household electrical appliance on the server. The method and the device are particularly suitable for the refrigerator, the mobile screen is close to the chamber NFC arranged on each chamber of the intelligent refrigerator, and the control page used for controlling the corresponding chamber is automatically displayed on the mobile screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart home appliance technology, and in particular to a method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen and a smart home appliance with a mobile screen. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of technology and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, smart home appliances have become an indispensable part of modern families. This invention takes a smart refrigerator as an example to explore optimized control methods for smart home appliances.

[0003] As one of the most commonly used large appliances in the home, refrigerators are undergoing rapid intelligent transformation. However, despite the emergence of various smart refrigerator products on the market, many problems still need to be addressed in actual use.

[0004] Traditional smart refrigerators typically have a control panel on the door, requiring users to operate it via buttons or a touchscreen. While intuitive, this design suffers from cumbersome operation and a poor user experience. As refrigerator functions increase, so do the buttons and menu options on the control panel. Users often need to perform multiple steps to select a specific function, sometimes even requiring them to consult the instruction manual. This significantly reduces user efficiency and experience. For multi-door or multi-temperature-zone refrigerators, users must frequently switch between different compartment control interfaces on a unified control panel, making the process cumbersome. For example, selecting a compartment first, and then choosing a specific temperature or mode setting, is neither intuitive nor efficient.

[0005] Furthermore, due to the limited size of the display screen on the refrigerator door, much important information cannot be fully displayed or needs to be presented through scrolling, affecting the ease with which users can access information. Users must stand in front of the refrigerator to operate it, which may cause inconvenience in certain situations (such as when adjusting refrigerator settings during cooking). These issues seriously affect the user experience of smart refrigerators, making it difficult for many users to fully utilize the refrigerator's intelligent functions.

[0006] A key feature of smart refrigerators is their ability to connect to a home network, enabling remote control and intelligent management. However, network configuration often proves to be a major hurdle for users. It typically requires downloading a dedicated app on their phone and following instructions through multiple steps, such as entering the Wi-Fi password, scanning a QR code, and pressing specific buttons on the refrigerator. This process can be quite challenging for users unfamiliar with smart devices. Due to various reasons (such as Wi-Fi signal interference or operational errors), network configuration often fails, requiring multiple attempts, which significantly impacts the user experience. If a router needs to be replaced or network settings reset, users often have to go through the tedious configuration process again, reducing the product's usability. Furthermore, the requirement to enter the home Wi-Fi password in the app during network configuration can pose security risks, especially if the app's security is insufficient.

[0007] While many smart refrigerators claim to support remote control, several limitations remain in practical applications. Most smart refrigerators' remote control functions are limited to basic temperature adjustment and mode switching, unable to achieve more complex operations or personalized settings. Due to network transmission and data processing delays, user commands issued via remote control may not be executed or responded to in a timely manner, impacting the user experience. Once the refrigerator goes offline (e.g., due to a home network failure), the user completely loses remote control capabilities and can only rely on the refrigerator's control panel. Smart refrigerators also lack sufficient integration with other smart home appliances, hindering the realization of more intelligent application scenarios.

[0008] Many current smart refrigerators suffer from user interface design flaws, directly impacting usability. To accommodate numerous functions, the interface often appears cluttered and disorganized, requiring new users considerable time to familiarize themselves with the location and operation of each function. The operational logic of some functions is not intuitive enough, requiring users to attempt to complete the intended operation multiple times. The user interface lacks personalization customization capabilities and cannot be optimized based on different user habits. The display priority between important and secondary information is unreasonable, making it difficult for users to quickly obtain the information they need.

[0009] Some smart refrigerators overemphasize gimmicky features while neglecting users' actual needs. Although many smart refrigerators claim to have food management functions, in practice, users often need to manually input or scan data, resulting in high operating costs and insufficient practicality. They lack effective power consumption analysis and energy-saving suggestions, failing to help users better manage refrigerator energy consumption. They also lack proactive maintenance reminders, such as regular defrosting and cleaning, affecting the refrigerator's long-term performance. Furthermore, their integration with other smart home appliances is insufficient, hindering the realization of more intelligent living scenarios.

[0010] With the increasing prevalence of smart refrigerators, user privacy and data security issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Users are often unaware of what data smart refrigerators collect and how that data will be used. Users worry that their personal data may be stolen by hackers or misused by manufacturers. There is a lack of effective user privacy protection mechanisms, such as data encryption and anonymization. These issues not only affect the user experience but also, to some extent, hinder the widespread adoption and development of smart refrigerators.

[0011] In conclusion, despite continuous advancements in smart refrigerator technology, numerous issues remain regarding ease of operation, network configuration, remote control, user interface, functional practicality, and privacy and security. These problems not only impact user experience but also, to some extent, hinder the widespread adoption and development of smart refrigerators. Therefore, developing a user-friendly, easily configurable, functional, and reliable smart refrigerator control system is crucial for enhancing user experience and driving the development of the smart home appliance industry. This invention is proposed against this backdrop, aiming to comprehensively address the various problems existing in current smart refrigerators through an innovative mobile screen control scheme, combined with NFC near-field communication technology and dual-mode remote control via WiFi and Bluetooth, providing users with a more intelligent, convenient, and secure user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0012] This invention provides a method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen. The mobile screen is pre-loaded with a virtual account containing basic information for controlling the smart home appliance. By bringing the mobile screen close to the NFC pairing interface of the smart home appliance, the mobile screen transmits the virtual account to the smart home appliance, and the smart home appliance transmits its device ID to the mobile screen, thus completing the pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance. This allows the user to control the smart home appliance using the mobile screen. When the user has completed the setup of the mobile screen to connect to the home network router and can connect to a server, the smart home appliance automatically connects to the server through the pairing process, sending the virtual account and the device ID to the server, automatically completing the authentication and registration of the smart home appliance on the server.

[0013] In the method of controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, the mobile screen is magnetically attached to the outer shell of the smart home appliance.

[0014] In the method of controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, the smart home appliance is a smart refrigerator. By bringing the paired mobile screen close to the compartment NFC provided on each compartment of the smart refrigerator, a control page for controlling the corresponding compartment is automatically displayed on the mobile screen.

[0015] In the method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, after a user registers a user account on a smartphone application, the user scans a QR code on the mobile screen with the smartphone, and the server automatically completes the binding of the user account with the virtual account, thereby enabling the user to control the smart home appliances using the smartphone.

[0016] In the method of controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, the mobile screen can control multiple smart home appliances. By bringing the mobile screen close to the pairing NFC of each smart home appliance, the control page of the corresponding smart home appliance is automatically displayed on the mobile screen.

[0017] In the method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, in addition to the WiFi-based communication connection established by the router, the mobile screen and the smart home appliance also have a backup Bluetooth-based communication connection, so that the smart home appliance can be controlled via Bluetooth in the absence of a network. While completing the pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance, the Bluetooth pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance is automatically completed.

[0018] In the method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen according to the present invention, the server further includes a voice server, which can control the smart home appliances and the mobile screen via voice.

[0019] The present invention provides a smart home appliance, which includes a mobile screen, and the smart home appliance is controlled by the mobile screen using the above method.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] This invention enables flexible control of the refrigerator through a detachable mobile screen, greatly improving operational convenience. Users can control the refrigerator anytime, anywhere without having to go to it. NFC technology facilitates quick pairing and compartment switching, simplifying the user operation process. Dual-mode communication via WiFi and Bluetooth ensures the stability and reliability of control. Pre-set virtual accounts and QR code network configuration simplify the device binding process. This invention can be used with various smart home appliances and can simultaneously connect to multiple smart home appliances, allowing for easy switching between them via NFC. These innovative designs comprehensively enhance the user experience and solve the problems of cumbersome operation and complex configuration inherent in traditional smart home appliances. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the invention of controlling a refrigerator using a mobile screen.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the invention of controlling a refrigerator using a mobile screen.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control of a refrigerator using a mobile screen according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This invention uses a smart refrigerator as an example for specific explanation. The following describes the implementation methods and embodiments of this invention, including controlling the refrigerator using a mobile screen.

[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the invention of controlling a refrigerator using a mobile screen.

[0027] The intelligent refrigerator control system of the present invention mainly consists of a refrigerator body 1, a mobile screen 2, a router 3, a product server 4, and a voice server 5, etc., and realizes intelligent control and management through multiple communication methods.

[0028] The refrigerator body 1, i.e., the refrigerator itself, includes, in addition to the basic structure of existing refrigerators, such as Figure 1 As shown, it also includes a control board 11, a display board 12, a pairing NFC 13, and compartment NFC 14. The control board 11 serves as the refrigerator's control center, responsible for managing various functions and coordinating communication and data exchange between different modules. The control board 11 is equipped with a WiFi module for establishing a communication connection with the router 3 (described later). The display board 12 displays basic information and status of the refrigerator, providing users with intuitive visual feedback. The display board 12 also has a Bluetooth module, enabling it to establish a Bluetooth-based connection with the mobile screen 2 (described later). The pairing NFC 13 is used for pairing the refrigerator body 1 with the mobile screen 2 (described later). Each compartment (refrigerator, freezer, etc.) of the refrigerator body 1 is equipped with multiple compartment NFC 14s corresponding to each compartment. The mobile screen 2 can display a screen for controlling that compartment simply by bringing it close to these NFC 14s.

[0029] The mobile screen 2 is the main innovation of this invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it is a portable smart control terminal integrating multiple communication functions. The mobile screen 2 is equipped with a touchscreen, providing an intuitive user interface for easy operation. As a relatively independent component, the mobile screen 2 can be attached to the door of the refrigerator body 1 via magnetic attraction, allowing users to easily remove it from the door for various control operations and then reattach it after use. The mobile screen 2 is equipped with a WiFi module for connecting to the home network and enabling remote control of the refrigerator. It also includes a Bluetooth module for short-range communication with the refrigerator body 1, ensuring control functionality remains available even when the home network is unavailable. The NFC module on the mobile screen 2 corresponds to the various NFC modules on the refrigerator body 1, enabling quick pairing and data exchange. It can pair with the refrigerator body 1 using NFC 13, and can also quickly switch to the compartment control page by tapping against the NFC 14 of each compartment. On the mobile screen 2, a QR code 21 is also set up. The smartphone 6, which will be described later, can scan the code to quickly configure the network and identify the user, simplifying the process of adding and authenticating devices.

[0030] In addition, each mobile screen 2 is pre-installed with a virtual account, which includes various basic information for controlling the refrigerator. The specific content of the virtual account will be described later.

[0031] Router 3 serves as the central hub of the home network, connecting the refrigerator (main unit 1), the mobile screen (2), and the external network. Through Router 3, the system can exchange data with the cloud server and communicate between different devices.

[0032] Product server 4 is a crucial backend support component of the system, responsible for storing and managing product information within the refrigerator, and also enabling functions such as food management and expiration date reminders. Through data interaction with the refrigerator body 1 and the mobile screen 2, product server 4 can provide users with real-time food status and suggestions.

[0033] Voice Server 5 provides voice interaction services, enhancing the user experience. Through Voice Server 5, the system can support voice control and voice feedback, enabling users to interact with the refrigerator in a more natural way.

[0034] In terms of communication, this system employs multiple methods to ensure a stable and reliable connection. Both the refrigerator body 1 and the mobile screen 2 support WiFi connectivity, enabling remote control and data transmission via the home network. Simultaneously, the refrigerator body 1 and the mobile screen 2 can also communicate via Bluetooth for short-range communication, allowing control even without a network connection. This dual-mode communication significantly improves the system's flexibility and reliability.

[0035] NFC technology is widely used in this system. In addition to NFC13 for pairing, multiple NFC modules are also installed in each compartment, distributed throughout the refrigerator for near-field communication. The mobile screen 2 also has a corresponding NFC module, allowing users to quickly access information or perform control operations on specific areas through simple proximity gestures. This design greatly simplifies the user's workflow and improves ease of use.

[0036] In addition to the main components mentioned above, this system also considers collaboration with other smart devices. For example... Figure 2 The smartphone 6 shown can serve as an auxiliary control device, enabling remote control and monitoring of the refrigerator via a dedicated app. This design expands the system's usage scenarios, allowing users to conveniently manage the refrigerator in more situations.

[0037] The following is combined Figure 3 The control flow of the present invention will be described.

[0038] In step S1 of the network setup for Mobile Screen 2, the user first needs to turn on Mobile Screen 2 and enter the network settings interface. Here, Mobile Screen 2 will automatically scan and display available WiFi networks in the vicinity. After selecting the home WiFi network, the user enters the corresponding password to connect. If the connection fails, the system will prompt the user to check the network status or try other available networks to ensure that Mobile Screen 2 can successfully access the Internet. Once the WiFi connection is successfully established, Mobile Screen 2 will automatically establish a connection with the cloud servers (product server 4, voice server 5) to prepare for subsequent data exchange.

[0039] Next, the system enters the device binding stage (steps S2-S4). This invention cleverly utilizes the near-field communication characteristics of NFC technology, greatly simplifying the device pairing process. In step S2, the user only needs to bring the mobile screen 2, which has completed network settings, close to the pairing NFC 13 on the refrigerator body 1. When the mobile screen 2 enters the effective sensing range of the pairing NFC 13, its built-in NFC module will establish a connection with the pairing NFC 13 on the refrigerator body 1. The mobile screen 2 sends the username, password, and virtual account of the router 3 to the control board 11 on the refrigerator body 1 via the serial port protocol; at the same time, the refrigerator body 1 sends the refrigerator's device ID to the mobile screen 2, thereby completing the pairing between the refrigerator body 1 and the mobile screen 2. This "touch-to-pair" design concept not only greatly reduces the user's operational difficulty but also effectively avoids errors that may occur during manual input, improving the accuracy and efficiency of pairing.

[0040] In step S3, after receiving data from the NFC, the control board 11 of the refrigerator body 1 immediately uses the obtained username and password to quickly establish a connection with the router 3 via the WiFi module, thereby accessing the Internet. This "one-touch connection" design greatly simplifies the cumbersome network configuration process of traditional smart home appliances.

[0041] Once the refrigerator successfully connects to the internet, it automatically sends a binding request to the designated servers (product server 4, voice server 5). This request includes the virtual account information from mobile screen 2, as well as the refrigerator's unique device ID. Since the server pre-stores basic information such as the virtual account and ID of mobile screen 2 before the refrigerator is sold, it can quickly verify and bind the refrigerator by comparing the received binding information with the pre-stored information. Because a pre-set virtual account is used, the entire process requires no additional user action or confirmation, greatly improving the ease of setup.

[0042] After successful binding, all refrigerator data will be stored under a virtual account on the server. This design not only simplifies the initial setup process but also lays the foundation for subsequent data management and multi-device collaboration. At this point, Mobile Screen 2 can directly control the refrigerator via the network, enabling remote operation and monitoring.

[0043] After network binding is completed, the system will also establish a local fast connection channel based on Bluetooth (step S4). The refrigerator body 1 will activate its built-in Bluetooth module and enter a discoverable state. At the same time, the mobile screen 2 will automatically start the Bluetooth search function to find and identify the refrigerator's Bluetooth signal. When both parties detect each other, they will automatically exchange necessary pairing information, including PIN codes or other forms of security verification measures. Once pairing is successful, a stable Bluetooth connection is established between the refrigerator body 1 and the mobile screen 2. The protocol content of Bluetooth control communication and WiFi control communication is similar, involving refrigerator function commands, refrigerator status commands, abnormal alarm commands, voice control commands, human-sensor linkage commands, etc. This local Bluetooth connection design provides users with a low-power, fast-response control method. Even when the home WiFi network is unstable or temporarily disconnected, users can still achieve basic control and monitoring of the refrigerator through the Bluetooth connection, which greatly enhances the system's reliability and user experience. It should be noted that Bluetooth is intended for operation without a network; when a network is available, WiFi control takes precedence.

[0044] During daily use (step S5), when a user needs to adjust the settings of a specific compartment of the refrigerator, they simply bring the mobile screen 2 close to the sensing area of ​​the NFC 14 of that compartment. The mobile screen 2 will quickly read the specific information of that compartment via NFC, including the compartment type (such as refrigerator, freezer, variable temperature compartment, etc.), current setting status, and stored food. The system will then automatically identify the compartment type and immediately display the dedicated settings page for that compartment on the mobile screen 2. This design greatly improves the intuitiveness and efficiency of user operation. Users no longer need to search through layers of complex menu systems for the setting options of a specific compartment; a simple "nearby" action is all it takes to quickly access the corresponding control interface. This not only simplifies the operation process but also provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interaction method for family members of different ages and skill levels (such as children and the elderly).

[0045] In practical use, NFC can be applied beyond just the room. NFC tags can be affixed to various food items and other products. By simply tapping the mobile screen 2 against the product, the mobile screen 2 can display various basic information about the product, making it easier for users to operate and use.

[0046] In addition, users can also control the refrigerator via other smart terminals (such as smartphone 6) (step S6). First, users need to download a dedicated product app on their smartphones. After downloading the app, users need to complete the registration process. This process follows the standard registration procedure set within the app, including entering personal information, creating a username and password, and verifying an email address or mobile phone number. After registration, users simply need to scan the QR code displayed on the mobile screen 2 using the mobile app, and the app will automatically connect to the server. On the server side, the system will bind the user's mobile app account to the aforementioned virtual account. As mentioned above, this virtual account already contains all the refrigerator's data and settings information. Thus, users can control the refrigerator via smartphone 6.

[0047] In summary, the network setup and usage process of this smart refrigerator control system fully demonstrates the innovation and user-friendly design of this invention. It achieves rapid device information reading through NFC technology, avoiding cumbersome manual input; it combines WiFi remote control and Bluetooth local control, providing comprehensive and flexible operation methods; server verification and device binding mechanisms ensure system security and reliability; and NFC technology enables location-based quick setup access, significantly improving daily operational efficiency. The entire process design is user-centric, minimizing technical barriers and enabling users from various backgrounds to easily operate this advanced smart refrigerator system.

[0048] Clearly, this design of the present invention can be used not only for controlling refrigerators, but also for various other smart home appliances. Furthermore, the mobile screen can control multiple home appliances, as long as the system architecture and protocol layers are modularized, and the communication module shares operational information in real time with the communication modules of other home appliances within the system. Simply placing the mobile screen near each of the controlled smart home appliances will automatically display the control page of that smart appliance.

[0049] This innovative design not only addresses many pain points in the network configuration and usage of traditional smart home appliances, but also provides users with a completely new, smarter, and more convenient appliance experience. Through this interactive method that integrates multiple advanced technologies, this invention is expected to drive the development of smart home appliances towards greater user-friendliness and ease of use, bringing substantial improvements and convenience to users' daily lives. It represents an important development trend in the field of smart home appliances: hiding complex technologies behind a simple and intuitive user interface, allowing technology to truly serve user needs rather than become an obstacle to use. This design philosophy and technological implementation not only enhance the user experience of individual products but may also have a positive impact on the entire smart home ecosystem, encouraging more devices to adopt similar user-friendly designs, ultimately achieving a truly intelligent lifestyle.

Claims

1. A method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen, characterized in that: The mobile screen is pre-installed with a virtual account containing basic information for controlling the smart home appliances. By bringing the mobile screen close to the NFC pairing interface of the smart home appliance, the mobile screen transmits the virtual account to the smart home appliance, and the smart home appliance transmits its device ID to the mobile screen, thereby completing the pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance. This allows the mobile screen to control the smart home appliance. Once the user completes the setup of the mobile screen to connect to the home network router and is able to connect to the server, the smart home appliance automatically connects to the server through the pairing of the mobile screen and the smart home appliance, sends the virtual account and the device ID to the server, and automatically completes the authentication and registration of the smart home appliance on the server.

2. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mobile screen can be detached and attached to the outer casing of the smart home appliance via magnetic attraction.

3. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The smart home appliance mentioned is a smart refrigerator. By bringing the paired mobile screen close to the compartment NFC located on each compartment of the smart refrigerator, a control page for controlling the corresponding compartment is automatically displayed on the mobile screen.

4. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: After registering a user account on a smartphone application, the user scans a QR code on the mobile screen with the smartphone, and the server automatically binds the user account to the virtual account, thereby enabling the user to control the smart home appliances using the smartphone.

5. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The mobile screen can control multiple smart home appliances. By bringing the mobile screen close to the NFC pairing interface of each smart home appliance, the control page of the corresponding smart home appliance is automatically displayed on the mobile screen.

6. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In addition to the WiFi-based communication connection via the router, the mobile screen and the smart home appliance also have a backup Bluetooth communication connection, allowing the smart home appliance to be controlled via Bluetooth in the absence of a network. While completing the pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance, Bluetooth pairing between the mobile screen and the smart home appliance is also automatically completed.

7. The method for controlling smart home appliances using a mobile screen as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The server also includes a voice server, which can control the smart home appliances and the mobile screen via voice.

8. A smart home appliance, characterized in that: Includes a mobile screen, which is used to control the smart home appliance using any one of claims 1 to 7.

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