Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator system capable of leaving information added after starting operation of a refrigerator, which is stored in the same file as setting information, even if the setting information for operating the refrigerator is updated when a program for operating the refrigerator is updated.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to an embodiment is a refrigerator that operates based on a program and setting information, comprises: a storage unit capable of retaining additional information which is information added after the operation of the refrigerator starts; and an update unit for updating the program using an update program acquired from a server, and performing an update response process, which is a process of storing a copy of the additional information in the storage unit or a process of overwriting information excluding the additional information, thereby making it possible to retain the additional information before the update even after the program has been updated using the update program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] With the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT), various home appliances are now connected to the Internet, and the programs used in such appliances can be updated via the Internet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-146178 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-041180 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-118407 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of retaining information added after the start of operation of the refrigerator even after a program related to the operation of the refrigerator is updated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A refrigerator according to an embodiment is a refrigerator that operates based on a program and setting information, and includes: a storage unit that is capable of holding additional information that is information added after the refrigerator starts operating; and an update unit that updates the program using an update program acquired from a server, and performs an update response process that is a process of causing a copy of the additional information to be held in the storage unit or a process of overwriting information excluding the additional information, thereby enabling the update unit to hold the additional information before the update even after the program is updated using the update program. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a refrigerator system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a process of duplicating information added after the start of operation of a refrigerator by a duplication unit of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 6 is a diagram showing a concept of a process in which the update unit of the first embodiment overwrites a first file with an acquired second file. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a concept of information adding processing performed by an update unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the refrigerator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a concept of a process of writing updated setting information to a storage unit by an update unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a concept of a process of rewriting setting information into updated setting information, which is performed by an update unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of a refrigerator system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the refrigerator system of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same or similar functions. Then, duplicated descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include the case of being based on another element in addition to XX. "Based on XX" is not limited to the case of directly using XX, and may include the case of being based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX or YY" is not limited to either one of XX and YY, and may include both XX and YY. This also applies to the case of three or more selective elements. "XX" and "YY" are any element (for example, any information). "Detection" is not limited to the case of directly sensing the physical quantity of the target, and may include the case of directly or indirectly acquiring other physical quantities related to the physical quantity of the target, and estimating or identifying the physical quantity of the target from the other acquired physical quantities. "Acquisition" is not limited to the case of directly receiving the target itself, and may include the case of performing calculations or processing on the directly received object to become the target.

[0008] Several embodiments will be described below. The refrigerator system of the embodiments is a system that can retain information that was added after the refrigerator started operating and that was stored in the same file as the setting information, even if setting information for operating the refrigerator is updated when a program for operating the refrigerator is updated. Examples of information that was added after the refrigerator started operating include information that is desired to be managed in association with the setting information, such as error information and information indicating setting values ​​of the refrigerator's operation panel. Examples of error information include error content, the number of errors, etc.

[0009] First Embodiment (Refrigerator system configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a refrigerator system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerator system 1 includes a server 10 and a refrigerator 20.

[0010] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 10 according to the first embodiment. The server 10 includes a storage unit 101, a communication unit 102, a notification unit 103, and a provision unit 104, as shown in FIG.

[0011] The storage unit 101 stores various information necessary for the processes performed by the server 10. For example, the storage unit 101 stores an update program and updated setting information for updating the program and setting information that operate the refrigerator 20.

[0012] Communication unit 102 communicates with refrigerator 20 via the Internet NW. Notification unit 103 notifies refrigerator 20 of the presence of an update program and update setting information via communication unit 102. For example, when the update program and update setting information are added to storage unit 101, notification unit 103 transmits a notification signal indicating the presence of the update program and update setting information to refrigerator 20.

[0013] Providing unit 104 provides the update program and update setting information stored in storage unit 101 to refrigerator 20 via communication unit 102. For example, when providing unit 104 receives a request command indicating a request for downloading the update program and the update setting information from refrigerator 20 via communication unit 102, providing unit 104 transmits the update program and the update setting information to refrigerator 20 via communication unit 102.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the refrigerator 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerator 20 includes a storage unit 201, a communication unit 202, a control unit 203, and an update unit 204 (an example of an acquisition unit and an example of a processing unit).

[0015] The storage unit 201 stores various information necessary for the processes performed by the refrigerator 20. For example, the storage unit 201 stores a program for operating the refrigerator 20 and setting information. The storage unit 201 stores the program and the setting information as separate files. The storage unit 201 also stores information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating in the same file as the setting information. An area in the file for writing the setting information and an area in the file for writing the information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating are determined in advance. The communication unit 202 communicates with the server 10 via the Internet NW.

[0016] Control unit 203 controls the operation of refrigerator 20. For example, when there is an update program and updated setting information (for example, when a notification signal is received from server 10 via communication unit 202), control unit 203 stops the operation using the program and setting information stored in storage unit 201 and performs control to prohibit access to the program and setting information stored in storage unit 201. Furthermore, when update unit 204 completes copying of information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating, as described below, control unit 203 restarts refrigerator 20. Furthermore, when the program and setting information are updated by update unit 204, as described below, control unit 203 controls the operation of refrigerator 20 using the updated update program and updated setting information.

[0017] When updating unit 204 rewrites the programs and setting information with the update programs and updated setting information, updating unit 204 copies the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating in storage unit 201. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a concept of a process in which updating unit 204 of the first embodiment copies the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating. As shown in Fig. 4, updating unit 204 copies the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating in a storage area different from the storage area in which the programs and setting information are stored.

[0018] When the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the update unit 204 acquires the update program and the update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202. For example, the update unit 204 transmits a request command to the server 10, and receives the update program and the update setting information transmitted by the server 10 in response to the request command, thereby acquiring the update program and the update setting information. The update unit 204 executes the acquired update program and updates the program. The update unit 204 also updates the setting information using the acquired update setting information and the information added after the operation of the copied refrigerator 20 starts. For example, a file in which the setting information and the information added after the operation of the refrigerator 20 starts are described is defined as a first file, and a file in which the update setting information is described is defined as a second file. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a concept of a process in which the update unit 204 of the first embodiment overwrites the first file with the acquired second file. Also, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a concept of a process in which the update unit 204 of the first embodiment adds information. In this case, the update unit 204 overwrites the first file with the acquired second file, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the update unit 204 writes the information added after the operation of the copied refrigerator 20 starts in a predetermined writing area in the second file, as shown in FIG.

[0019] (Processing performed by the refrigerator system) Next, the process performed by the refrigerator system 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow of the refrigerator system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, the process performed by the refrigerator system 1 will be described with reference to the process flow shown in Fig. 7. Note that the storage unit 201 is assumed to store a program for operating the refrigerator 20 and setting information.

[0020] The notification unit 103 notifies the refrigerator 20 of the existence of the update program and the update setting information via the communication unit 102 (step S1). For example, when the update program and the update setting information are added to the storage unit 101, the notification unit 103 transmits a notification signal indicating the existence of the update program and the update setting information to the refrigerator 20.

[0021] When update programs and update setting information are present (for example, when an alarm signal is received from server 10 via communication unit 202), control unit 203 stops operation using the programs and setting information stored in memory unit 201 and performs control to prohibit access to the programs and setting information stored in memory unit 201 (step S2).

[0022] The update unit 204 copies the information added after the operation of the refrigerator 20 starts in the storage unit 201 (step S3). When the update unit 204 finishes copying the information added after the operation of the refrigerator 20 starts, the control unit 203 restarts the refrigerator 20 (step S4).

[0023] When the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the update unit 204 acquires the update program and the update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202 (step S5). For example, the update unit 204 acquires the update program and the update setting information by transmitting a request command to the server 10 and receiving the update program and the update setting information transmitted by the server 10 in response to the request command.

[0024] The update unit 204 executes the acquired update program and updates the program (step S6). Also, the update unit 204 updates the setting information by using the acquired updated setting information and information added after the operation of the copied refrigerator 20 starts (step S7).

[0025] The control unit 203 controls the operation of the refrigerator 20 using the updated update program and the updated setting information (step S8).

[0026] (advantage) The refrigerator system 1 of the first embodiment has been described above. In the refrigerator system 1 including the refrigerator 20 that operates based on a program and setting information, and the server 10 that provides updated setting information that updates the setting information in accordance with an update of the program, the refrigerator 20 includes a storage unit 201 and an update unit 204 (an example of an acquisition unit and an example of a processing unit). The storage unit 201 associates the setting information with information added after the refrigerator starts operating, and stores the associated information in a first storage area. The update unit 204 acquires the updated setting information from the server 10. The update unit 204 performs a first process including copying the information added after the refrigerator starts operating that is stored in the first storage area to a second storage area of ​​the storage unit 201 that is different from the first storage area, overwriting the setting information and the information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating that are associated with each other and stored in the first storage area with the acquired updated setting information, and writing the information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating that is copied to the second storage area to the first storage area. According to this refrigerator system 1, even if setting information for operating the refrigerator is updated when a program for operating the refrigerator is updated, it is possible to retain information that has been added after the refrigerator has started operating and that has been stored in the same file as the setting information.

[0027] <Modification of the first embodiment> In the first embodiment, the control unit 203 is described as restarting the refrigerator 20 when the copy of information added by the update unit 204 after the start of operation of the refrigerator 20 is completed. Then, when the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the update unit 204 is described as acquiring the update program and the update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202. However, in a modification of the first embodiment, the control unit 203 may identify the timing immediately before the timing to defrost the cooler of the refrigerator 20, and restart the refrigerator 20 immediately before performing the process of defrosting the cooler of the refrigerator 20. Then, when the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the update unit 204 may acquire the update program and the update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202.

[0028] For example, when frost forms on the cooler of refrigerator 20, the cooling performance is reduced, so that refrigerator 20 is provided with a temperature detection means inside, and control unit 203 may determine that the cooler is about to be defrosted when the temperature obtained by the temperature detection means does not drop to the temperature that should be cooled when the predetermined cooling operation is performed and exceeds a threshold value for determining whether the cooler is about to be defrosted, even though a predetermined cooling operation has been performed. Alternatively, for example, refrigerator 20 may be provided with a timer, and it may be determined in advance that the cooler is to be defrosted at every predetermined operating time, and control unit 203 may use the timer to determine whether a time slightly shorter than the predetermined operating time has elapsed, and determine that the cooler is about to be defrosted when it is determined that the time has elapsed.

[0029] <Second embodiment> (Refrigerator system configuration) The refrigerator system 1 of the second embodiment includes a server 10 and a refrigerator 20, similar to the refrigerator system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0030] The server 10 includes a storage unit 101, a communication unit 102, a notification unit 103, and a provision unit 104, similar to the server 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0031] 3, refrigerator 20 includes storage unit 201, communication unit 202, control unit 203, and update unit 204. Note that control unit 203 and update unit 204 are different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0032] Control unit 203 controls the operation of refrigerator 20. For example, when there is an update program and updated setting information (for example, when a notification signal is received from server 10 via communication unit 202), control unit 203 performs control to stop operation using the program and setting information stored in storage unit 201 and to prohibit access to the program and setting information stored in storage unit 201. Furthermore, when writing of the acquired update program and updated setting information, which will be described later, by update unit 204 is completed, control unit 203 restarts refrigerator 20. Furthermore, when the program and setting information are updated by update unit 204, control unit 203 controls the operation of refrigerator 20 using the updated update program and updated setting information.

[0033] When an update program and update setting information exist (for example, when a notification signal is received from the server 10 via the communication unit 202), the update unit 204 acquires the update program and update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202. For example, when an update program and update setting information exist (for example, when a notification signal is received from the server 10 via the communication unit 202), the update unit 204 transmits a request command to the server 10 and receives the update program and update setting information transmitted by the server 10 in response to the request command, thereby acquiring the update program and update setting information.

[0034] When the update unit 204 rewrites the program and the setting information with an update program and update setting information, the update unit 204 writes the acquired update program and update setting information to the storage unit 201. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the concept of a process in which the update unit 204 of the second embodiment writes the update setting information to the storage unit 201. The update unit 204 writes the update program to a storage area different from the storage area in which the program and the setting information are stored. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, the update unit 204 writes the update setting information to a storage area different from the storage area in which the program and the setting information are stored.

[0035] When the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the update unit 204 executes the written update program and updates the program. The update unit 204 also updates the setting information using the written updated setting information. For example, a file in which the setting information and information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating is described is called a first file, and a file in which the updated setting information is described is called a second file. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the concept of a process in which the update unit 204 of the second embodiment rewrites the setting information with the updated setting information. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the update unit 204 overwrites the updated setting information in a description area of ​​a predetermined setting area in the first file.

[0036] (Processing performed by the refrigerator system) Next, the process performed by the refrigerator system 1 of the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow of the refrigerator system 1 of the second embodiment. Here, the process performed by the refrigerator system 1 will be described with reference to the process flow shown in Fig. 10. Note that the storage unit 201 is assumed to store a program for operating the refrigerator 20 and setting information.

[0037] The notification unit 103 notifies the refrigerator 20 of the existence of the update program and the update setting information via the communication unit 102 (step S11). For example, when the update program and the update setting information are added to the storage unit 101, the notification unit 103 transmits a notification signal indicating the existence of the update program and the update setting information to the refrigerator 20.

[0038] When update programs and update setting information are present (for example, when an alarm signal is received from server 10 via communication unit 202), control unit 203 stops operation using the programs and setting information stored in memory unit 201 and performs control to prohibit access to the programs and setting information stored in memory unit 201 (step S12).

[0039] When the update program and the update setting information exist (for example, when a notification signal is received from the server 10 via the communication unit 202), the update unit 204 acquires the update program and the update setting information from the server 10 via the communication unit 202 (step S13). For example, when the update program and the update setting information exist (for example, when a notification signal is received from the server 10 via the communication unit 202), the update unit 204 transmits a request command to the server 10 and receives the update program and the update setting information transmitted by the server 10 in response to the request command, thereby acquiring the update program and the update setting information.

[0040] Update unit 204 writes the acquired update program and update setting information to storage unit 201 (step S14). When update unit 204 has completed writing the acquired update program and update setting information, control unit 203 restarts refrigerator 20 (step S15). When refrigerator 20 restarts, update unit 204 executes the written update program and updates the program (step S16). Update unit 204 also updates the setting information using the written update setting information (step S17).

[0041] The control unit 203 controls the operation of the refrigerator 20 using the updated update program and the updated setting information (step S18).

[0042] (advantage) The refrigerator system 1 of the second embodiment has been described above. In the refrigerator system 1 including the refrigerator 20 that operates based on a program and setting information, and the server 10 that provides updated setting information that updates the setting information in response to an update of the program, the refrigerator 20 includes a storage unit 201 and an update unit 204 (an example of an acquisition unit and an example of a processing unit). The storage unit 201 associates the setting information with information added after the refrigerator starts operating, and stores the associated information in a first storage area. The update unit 204 acquires the updated setting information from the server 10. The update unit 204 writes the acquired updated setting information to the second storage area, and performs a second process including overwriting the setting information, among the setting information stored in association with the first storage area and the information added after the refrigerator 20 starts operating, with the updated setting information written in the second storage area. With this refrigerator system 1, even if the setting information for operating the refrigerator is updated when a program for operating the refrigerator is updated, the information added after the refrigerator starts operating, which was stored in the same file as the setting information, can be left.

[0043] <Modification of the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the control unit 203 is described as restarting the refrigerator 20 when the updating unit 204 has completed writing the acquired update program and the updated setting information. Then, when the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the updating unit 204 executes the written update program, updates the program, and updates the setting information using the written updated setting information. However, in a modification of the second embodiment, the control unit 203 may restart the refrigerator 20 after the updating unit 204 has completed writing the acquired update program and the updated setting information and immediately before performing the defrosting process of the cooler of the refrigerator 20. Then, when the refrigerator 20 is restarted, the updating unit 204 may execute the written update program, updates the program, and updates the setting information using the written updated setting information.

[0044] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating may include the version number of setting information at the time of initial operation start or production. For example, every time updating unit 204 writes updated setting information, the version number of the written updated setting information may be added or overwritten. In this way, the version number of the updated setting information remains in the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating, and a history is created indicating that the information added after refrigerator 20 starts operating has been updated against the updated setting information.

[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, a part or all of the functions of the server 10 may be provided in the refrigerator 20.

[0046] It should be noted that the order of the processes in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed as long as appropriate processes are performed.

[0047] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the above-mentioned server 10, refrigerator 20, and other control devices may have a computer device inside. The above-mentioned process steps are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above-mentioned process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Specific examples of computers are shown below.

[0048] The computer 5 includes a CPU 6 (including a vector processor), a main memory 7 , a storage 8 , and an interface 9 . For example, the above-mentioned server 10, refrigerator 20, and other control devices are implemented in computer 5. The operations of the above-mentioned processing units are stored in storage 8 in the form of a program. CPU 6 reads the program from storage 8, loads it in main memory 7, and executes the above-mentioned processes in accordance with the program. CPU 6 also secures storage areas in main memory 7 corresponding to the above-mentioned storage units in accordance with the program.

[0049] Examples of the storage 8 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), and a semiconductor memory. The storage 8 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 5, or an external medium connected to the computer 5 via an interface 9 or a communication line. In addition, when the program is distributed to the computer 5 via a communication line, the computer 5 that receives the program may load the program into the main memory 7 and execute the above-mentioned process. In at least one embodiment, the storage 8 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0050] The program may also realize some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a file that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer device, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...refrigerator system, 5...computer, 6...CPU, 7...main memory, 8...storage, 9...interface, 10...server, 20...refrigerator, 101, 201...storage unit, 102, 202...communication unit, 103...notification unit, 104...provision unit, 203...control unit, 204...update unit.

Claims

1. A refrigerator that operates based on a program and setting information, a storage unit capable of retaining additional information which is information added after the refrigerator starts operating; an update unit that updates the program using an update program acquired from a server, and that performs an update response process, which is a process of storing a copy of the additional information in the storage unit or a process of overwriting information excluding the additional information, thereby enabling the additional information before the update to be held even after the program has been updated using the update program; A refrigerator equipped with

2. The update unit is The setting information can be updated using updated setting information obtained from the server, By performing the update response process, even if the setting information is updated, the additional information before the update can be held.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. an operation setting unit operable by a user; Equipped with The additional information is information indicating settings of the operation setting unit. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When a condition for defrosting the refrigerator is satisfied, the update unit restarts the refrigerator before performing the defrosting and updates the program. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

Images