Notification system, server and refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a notification system for enhancing a probability that an event such as an abnormality is detected by people.SOLUTION: A notification system 100A comprises an apparatus group composed of a plurality of apparatuses (for example, a refrigerator group composed of a first refrigerator 1A and a second refrigerator 1B), and a controller (server 3) which can communicate with the plurality of apparatuses. The controller is configured to determine at least one set of the apparatus as a notification apparatus out of the refrigerator group by using a prescribed condition, and to make the notification apparatus notify people therearound of the occurrence of an event of the first refrigerator on the basis of information indicating the occurrence of a predefined event of the first refrigerator which is obtained from the first refrigerator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an alarm system, a server, and a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known refrigerators that notify the occurrence of an event, such as the door not being completely closed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-44773 (hereinafter, Patent Document 1) discloses that when an abnormality occurs, the refrigerator notifies the occurrence by lighting an LED provided on the refrigerator body or by sound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-44773 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] Even if the refrigerator notifies the occurrence of an event as in Patent Document 1, if there is no one around the refrigerator or if the refrigerator is located in a place where no one is always present, the discovery of an event such as an abnormality may be delayed. Therefore, there is a demand for a notification system, a server, and a refrigerator that increase the probability that an event such as an abnormality will be detected by a person.

[0005] According to an embodiment, the notification system includes a device group including a plurality of devices, and a controller capable of communicating with the plurality of devices. The device group includes a refrigerator. The controller is configured to determine at least one device from the device group as a notification device using a predetermined condition, and to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event in the refrigerator based on information indicating the occurrence of a predetermined event in the refrigerator, the information being obtained from the refrigerator.

[0006] Further details will be described in the following embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification system according to a first embodiment, and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in the notification system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator in the notification system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the server and the second refrigerator in the notification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator according to the second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator according to the third modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator according to the fourth modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification system according to the second embodiment and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in the notification system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the server and the second refrigerator in the notification system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of a server according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the first refrigerator according to the modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification system according to the third embodiment and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in the notification system. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of a server according to a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] <1. Overview of the notification system, server, and refrigerator> (1) An alarm system according to an embodiment includes a device group consisting of a plurality of devices, and a controller capable of communicating with the plurality of devices. The device group includes a refrigerator. The controller is configured to determine at least one device from the device group as an alarm device using a predetermined condition, and to cause the alarm device to notify the occurrence of an event in the refrigerator based on information indicating the occurrence of a predetermined event in the refrigerator, which is obtained from the refrigerator. The event here refers to an abnormality or the like that requires human intervention to resolve.

[0009] In the notification system according to the embodiment, a controller determines at least one device from a device group consisting of a plurality of devices including at least one refrigerator as a notification device, and causes the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event in the refrigerator. In this case, the notification device may be the refrigerator in which the event has occurred, or may be a device different from the refrigerator, and is selected from the device group using a predetermined condition. As an example, a device in the vicinity of which a person exists may be set as the notification device. By determining the notification device from a plurality of devices, notification is performed more flexibly than when only the refrigerator in which the event has occurred notifies the occurrence of the event. This can increase the probability that an event such as an abnormality in the refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0010] (2) In the notification system according to (1) or (2), preferably, the controller is further configured to cause the notification device to end notification based on the information indicating completion of the event in the refrigerator, which is obtained from the refrigerator. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary notifications.

[0011] (3) In the notification system according to (1) or (2), preferably, the controller is configured to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event in the refrigerator when the event continues for a specified time. If the event is not resolved and continues for the specified time, it is assumed that there is no person near the refrigerator. In this case, the occurrence of the event is notified from the notification device, thereby increasing the probability that the event in the refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0012] (4) In the notification system according to (1) to (3), preferably, the controller is configured to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event when the presence of a person is detected near the notification device. This allows the event in the refrigerator to be notified at the timing when the presence of a person is detected near the notification device. This can reduce unnecessary notifications from devices that do not detect the presence of a person, and can increase the probability that the event in the refrigerator will be detected by a person.

[0013] (5) In the notification system described in (4), preferably, the controller is configured to cause the refrigerator to perform a predefined operation associated with the event when no human presence is detected near the notification device. An example of the predefined operation associated with the event is a protection mode, which is an operation to improve a condition caused by the event or an operation to delay the progression of a condition caused by the event. In this case, if the event continues even after a specified time has elapsed, the operation mode of the refrigerator switches to the protection mode. As a result, even if a person who has learned of the event at the refrigerator through the notification by the notification device takes time to reach the refrigerator, the refrigerator has switched to the protection mode, so that the impact of the event is suppressed.

[0014] (6) In the notification system according to (1) to (5), preferably, the predetermined condition is a device that detects the presence of a person nearby. Thus, an event in the refrigerator is notified by one or more devices that detect the presence of a person nearby. This reduces unnecessary notifications by devices that do not detect the presence of a person, and increases the probability that an event in the refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0015] (7) In the notification system according to (1) to (6), preferably, the controller sets a plurality of devices in the device group as notification devices, and causes the plurality of notification devices to notify occurrence of an event in order according to a predefined priority order until information indicating that the event in the refrigerator has been resolved is obtained from the refrigerator. In this way, even if there is no person near the notification device at the time of notification, the notification is made by the notification device with the next highest priority order. As a result, it is possible to further increase the probability that the event in the refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0016] (8) A server according to an embodiment is a server capable of communicating with a plurality of devices constituting a device group, and includes a controller. The device group includes a refrigerator. The controller is configured to determine at least one device from the device group as a notification device using a predetermined condition, and to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event in the refrigerator based on information indicating the occurrence of a predefined event in the refrigerator obtained from the refrigerator. The server may determine the notification device as the refrigerator in which the event has occurred, or may select a device different from the refrigerator from the device group using a predetermined condition. As an example, a device in the vicinity of which a person exists may be determined as the notification device. By determining the notification device from a plurality of devices, notification is performed more flexibly than when only the refrigerator in which the event has occurred notifies the occurrence of the event. This can increase the probability that an event such as an abnormality in the refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0017] (9) A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a communication unit capable of communicating with other devices, an alarm unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the alarm unit to notify the occurrence of an event in the other refrigerator based on information indicating the occurrence of a predetermined event in the other refrigerator. By using this refrigerator, it is possible to notify the event in the other refrigerator. In this way, by using the refrigerator according to the embodiment, it is possible to increase the probability that an event in the other refrigerator is detected by a person.

[0018] <2. Examples of an alarm system, a server, and a refrigerator>

[0019] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification system 100A according to a first embodiment and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in the notification system 100A. The notification system 100A includes a device group consisting of a plurality of devices, and a server 3 capable of communicating with each of the plurality of devices included in the device group. The device group includes a first refrigerator 1A and devices other than the first refrigerator 1A. The devices other than the first refrigerator 1A are devices that are always connected to a power source and in a power supply state, can communicate with the server 3, and further have a notification unit. The devices other than the first refrigerator 1A are so-called home appliances, and are, for example, refrigerators other than the first refrigerator 1A, air conditioners (air conditioners), air purifiers, automatic cookers, automatic vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and the like. The devices other than the first refrigerator 1A may be other than home appliances, and may be, for example, terminal devices such as smartphones and wearable watches, television receivers (televisions), whiteboards, and the like.

[0020] Notification system 100A includes one second refrigerator 1B as an example of a device different from first refrigerator 1A. It is assumed that second refrigerator 1B is installed in a different location from first refrigerator 1A. In the following examples, first refrigerator 1A, which is the refrigerator that notifies the occurrence of an event described below, is installed in a location where there is little chance of people being nearby, such as a bedroom, study, or annex. In contrast, second refrigerator 1B is installed in a location where there is a high chance of people being nearby, such as a kitchen or living room.

[0021] The server 3 has a controller 30. The controller 30 is configured to determine a device (hereinafter also referred to as a notification device) that will notify the occurrence of an event in the first refrigerator 1A from a device group consisting of the first refrigerator 1A and other devices, and to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of an event in the first refrigerator 1A. In this example, the controller 30 determines the first refrigerator 1A or the second refrigerator 1B as the notification device from the refrigerator group consisting of the first refrigerator 1A and the second refrigerator 1B.

[0022] The event here refers to an abnormality that requires human intervention to resolve. In the following example, the event is an abnormality in which a door (not shown) continues to be incompletely closed for a predetermined period of time. This is because a person needs to close the door in order to resolve a state in which the door is not completely closed. In this case, the abnormality is detected when the door continues to be in an open state for a predetermined period of time. Other examples of the event may include a failure of a specified part, a shortage of supplies such as water in the ice making unit, or the time to replace a replacement part.

[0023] The communication between the refrigerators 1A, 1B and the server 3 is, for example, communication via a communication network 5 such as the Internet. As another example, the communication between the refrigerators 1A, 1B and the server 3 may be communication via a communication line connecting the refrigerators 1A, 1B and the server 3, direct wireless communication, or a combination of these. In the example of FIG. 1, the server 3 is shown as a device separate from the refrigerators 1A, 1B, but the server 3 may be included in either of the refrigerators 1A, 1B.

[0024] The first refrigerator 1A includes a controller 10. The controller 10 has a processor 11 and a memory 12. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and stores a program 121 to be executed by the processor 11.

[0025] The first refrigerator 1A includes a communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 is a communication module for communicating with an external device via the communication network 5. The communication unit 13 transmits data passed from the controller 10 under the control of the controller 10. The communication unit 13 inputs data received from an external device via the communication network 5 to the controller 10.

[0026] The first refrigerator 1A includes a door sensor 14. The door sensor 14 is a sensor that detects whether a door (not shown) is opened or closed. When the door sensor 14 detects whether the door is opened or closed, the door sensor 14 inputs a sensor signal indicating the opening or closing to the controller 10.

[0027] The first refrigerator 1A detects the occurrence of an abnormality, which is an example of a predefined event. The door sensor 14 is an example of a device used to detect an event. As an example, when the controller 10 receives a sensing signal from the door sensor 14 indicating that a door (not shown) is in an open state, and then does not receive a sensing signal indicating that the door is in a closed state for a time period predefined as a threshold value, the controller 10 detects an abnormality that the door is not completely closed for a predetermined period of time.

[0028] In order to detect the above abnormality, something other than the door sensor 14 may be used. The thing other than the door sensor 14 may be, for example, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the cabinet, or a combination of the door sensor 14 and a temperature sensor.

[0029] The first refrigerator 1A includes a buzzer 15. The buzzer 15 outputs sound according to the control of the controller 10. As an example, the controller 10 makes the buzzer 15 sound when it detects the above abnormality. This notifies the occurrence of an event. The buzzer 15 is an example of a notification unit. As another example, the notification unit may be a lamp, a display, or a combination thereof.

[0030] The second refrigerator 1B has at least a controller 10, a communication unit 13, and a buzzer 15. The second refrigerator 1B may have other configurations in common with the first refrigerator 1A.

[0031] The server 3 is, for example, a computer having a controller 30, or is configured with one computer and its peripheral devices. The server 3 may be realized by a plurality of computers working together. The controller 30 includes a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU. The memory 32 includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The memory 32 stores a program 321 to be executed by the processor 11. The processor 31 executes the program 321 to perform the processing described below. The program 321 may be provided by downloading via a communication network such as the Internet, or by transferring a recording medium on which the program 321 is recorded.

[0032] Memory 32 has appliance group database 322 which is an example of a storage area for storing refrigerator groups as an example of an appliance group. The appliance group consists of a plurality of appliances including first refrigerator 1A. In notification system 100A according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator group consists of first refrigerator 1A and one second refrigerator 1B associated with first refrigerator 1A. When notification system 100A includes multiple first refrigerators 1A, appliance group database 322 stores a refrigerator group for each first refrigerator 1A.

[0033] 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment. The processor 11 of the first refrigerator 1A repeatedly executes the operations of FIG. 2 in accordance with the program 121.

[0034] That is, processor 11 of first refrigerator 1A monitors the door for abnormalities based on a sensing signal from door sensor 14. When an abnormality in first refrigerator 1A is detected (YES in step S101), processor 11 causes buzzer 15 to sound (step S103). This causes the first refrigerator 1A to report the abnormality. Processor 11 continues to cause buzzer 15 to sound until the abnormality is resolved within a predefined time (YES in step S105 and NO in step S109). If the event to be reported is an abnormality caused by a user's operation, such as the door not being completely closed, there is a possibility that a person is near first refrigerator 1A immediately after the abnormality occurs. In that case, the first refrigerator 1A reports the abnormality for a defined time, thereby increasing the probability that the abnormality will be detected by a person.

[0035] If the abnormality is resolved within the specified time (NO in step S105), that is, if a sensing signal indicating that the door is closed is input within the specified time, the processor 11 stops the sounding of the buzzer 15 and ends the alert (step S107).

[0036] If the abnormality continues after the specified time has elapsed (YES in step S105 and YES in step S109), it is assumed that no one is near the first refrigerator 1A. In this case, processor 11 notifies server 3 of the abnormality (step S111). In step S111, as an example, processor 11 causes communication unit 13 to send a signal indicating the occurrence of an abnormality to server 3. Processor 11 also stops buzzer 15 from sounding (step S113). This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary sounding.

[0037] Thereafter, when it is detected that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), that is, when a sensing signal indicating that the door is in a closed state is input within a specified time, the processor 11 notifies the server 3 that the abnormality has been resolved (step S117). In step S117, as an example, the processor 11 causes the communication unit 13 to transmit a signal indicating that the abnormality has been resolved to the server 3.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server 3 and the second refrigerator 1B in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment. The processor 31 of the server 3 repeatedly executes the operations of Fig. 3 in accordance with the program 321. Moreover, the processor 11 of the second refrigerator 1B executes the operations of Fig. 3 in accordance with instructions from the server 3.

[0039] That is, when processor 31 of server 3 receives notification of an abnormality from first refrigerator 1A in step S111 (YES in step S201), processor 31 of server 3 refers to equipment group database 322 and determines an alert device from an equipment group consisting of a plurality of equipment using a predetermined condition (step S203). In alert system 100A according to the first embodiment, the predetermined condition is an equipment different from first refrigerator 1A. That is, in alert system 100A, processor 31 of server 3 determines an equipment different from first refrigerator 1A from the equipment group as an alert device. In this example, processor 31 determines a second refrigerator 1B different from first refrigerator 1A from the refrigerator group as an alert device.

[0040] Processor 31 instructs the notification device to notify of the abnormality in first refrigerator 1A (step S205). In step S205, as an example, processor 31 causes communication unit 33 to send a predefined signal instructing the second refrigerator 1B to issue a notification. In the notification device (second refrigerator 1B) that receives the instruction signal via communication unit 13, processor 11 executes the predefined notification in accordance with the instruction signal (step S301). In step S301, as an example, processor 11 of second refrigerator 1B causes buzzer 15 to sound. As a result, the abnormality in first refrigerator 1A is notified by the sounding of buzzer 15 of second refrigerator 1B.

[0041] After instructing the notification device to issue a notification, when processor 31 receives a notification from first refrigerator 1A that the abnormality has been resolved in step S117 (YES in step S207), processor 31 instructs the notification device to end the notification (step S209). In step S209, as an example, processor 31 causes communication unit 33 to send a predefined signal instructing end of notification to second refrigerator 1B. In second refrigerator 1B which has received the instruction signal via communication unit 13, processor 11 ends the ongoing notification in accordance with the instruction signal (step S303). In step S303, as an example, processor 11 of second refrigerator 1B stops the sounding of buzzer 15. This ends the notification by buzzer 15 of second refrigerator 1B of the occurrence of an abnormality in first refrigerator 1A.

[0042] By performing the above operations in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment, in the notification system 100A, an abnormality occurring in the first refrigerator 1A is notified by the second refrigerator 1B, which is another device associated with the first refrigerator 1A and is different from the first refrigerator 1A. When the second refrigerator 1B is installed in a different location from the first refrigerator 1A as described above, the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is notified by a device different from the first refrigerator 1A, and the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is notified at a different location from the first refrigerator 1A. Therefore, even if there is no person around the first refrigerator 1A or the first refrigerator 1A is placed in a place where no person is always present, if there is a person near the second refrigerator 1B, the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is detected by the person. As a result, in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment, it is possible to increase the probability that an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is detected by a person.

[0043] In the above explanation, it is assumed that the notification system 100A includes the second refrigerator 1B as a device different from the first refrigerator 1A, but the same applies if the device different from the first refrigerator 1A is a device other than a refrigerator, such as an air conditioner, an air purifier, an automatic cooking appliance, an automatic vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a terminal device, a television, a whiteboard, etc.

[0044] [Variation 1] In the above example, the first refrigerator 1A ends the notification after notifying the server 3 of the abnormality. As another example, the first refrigerator 1A may continue to notify the abnormality.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first modification of the first embodiment. The operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first modification of the first embodiment differs in that step S113A is included instead of step S113 of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2). That is, in the first refrigerator 1A according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the processor 11 notifies the server 3 of the abnormality that has occurred (step S111), and then continues the notification until the abnormality is resolved (NO in step S115). When the processor 11 detects that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), it notifies the server 3 of the resolution of the abnormality (step S117) and ends the notification (step S113A).

[0046] As a result, an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is reported by both the first refrigerator 1A and the second refrigerator 1B, which increases the probability that a person will detect the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A.

[0047] [Variation 2] In the above example, when the processor 11 of the first refrigerator 1A detects an abnormality and the abnormality is not resolved within a specified time, the processor 11 notifies the server 3 of the abnormality. As another example, when an abnormality is detected, the processor 11 may notify the server 3 of the abnormality before the specified time has elapsed.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the second modification of the first embodiment. The operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the second modification of the first embodiment differs in that it includes step S113A instead of steps S105 to S109 and S113 of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first embodiment (Fig. 2). That is, in the first refrigerator 1A according to the second modification of the first embodiment, when the processor 11 detects an abnormality (YES in step S101), it sounds the buzzer 15 (step S103) and notifies the server 3 of the abnormality that has occurred (step S111).

[0049] Processor 11 continues the notification until the abnormality is resolved (NO in step S115). When processor 11 detects that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), processor 11 notifies server 3 that the abnormality has been resolved (step S117) and ends the notification (step S113A).

[0050] As a result, when an abnormality occurs, it is reported in the first refrigerator 1A and is immediately reported in the second refrigerator 1B as well. If the event to be reported is not caused by a user operation, such as a failure in a specified part, there may be no one near the first refrigerator 1A. In that case, the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is immediately reported in the second refrigerator 1B, thereby increasing the probability that the abnormality will be detected by a person.

[0051] [Variation 3] In the above example, when the processor 11 of the first refrigerator 1A detects an abnormality, the processor 11 notifies the first refrigerator 1A. As another example, the processor 11 may not notify the first refrigerator 1A, and may only notify the second refrigerator 1B.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the third modified example of the first embodiment. The operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the third modified example of the first embodiment differs from that of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2) in that it does not have steps S103 to S109 and S113. That is, in the first refrigerator 1A according to the third modified example of the first embodiment, when the processor 11 detects an abnormality (YES in step S101), it notifies the server 3 of the abnormality that has occurred (step S111). At this time, the processor 11 does not issue a notification such as by sounding the buzzer 15. When the processor 11 detects that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), it notifies the server 3 of the resolution of the abnormality (step S117).

[0053] As a result, if an abnormality occurs, it is immediately reported in the second refrigerator 1B. As with the second modification, if the event to be reported is not caused by a user operation, such as a failure of a specific part, there may be no one near the first refrigerator 1A. In that case, unnecessary reports from the first refrigerator 1A can be suppressed.

[0054] [Variation 4] In the above example, if the abnormality continues even after the specified time has elapsed, the processor 11 of the first refrigerator 1A notifies the server 3 of the abnormality and monitors the resolution of the abnormality. As another example, if the abnormality continues even after the specified time has elapsed, the first refrigerator 1A may switch to a protection mode. The protection mode refers to an operation mode in which a predefined operation corresponding to the abnormality is performed. The predefined operation corresponding to the abnormality is an operation to improve the state caused by the abnormality or an operation to delay the progression of the state caused by the abnormality. If the door of the first refrigerator 1A is not completely closed, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises. Therefore, as an example, the protection mode in this case is a mode in which a compressor or a damper is operated to suppress the rise in the temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the fourth modified example of the first embodiment. The operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the fourth modified example of the first embodiment is different from the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2) in that it further includes steps S112 and S118. That is, in the first refrigerator 1A according to the fourth modified example of the first embodiment, the processor 11 notifies the server 3 of the abnormality that has occurred (step S111), and then switches the operation mode to the protection mode (step S112). In this example, the processor 11 outputs a control signal to each drive unit so as to operate the compressor and the damper in a manner that is predefined as the protection mode. This causes the inside of the refrigerator to be cooled rapidly, and the rise in the temperature inside the refrigerator caused by the door not being completely closed is suppressed.

[0056] When it is detected that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), the processor 11 notifies the server 3 of the resolution of the abnormality (step S117), and returns the operation mode from the protection mode to the normal mode (step S118).

[0057] As a result, if the abnormality continues after a specified time has elapsed, the first refrigerator 1A switches its operating mode to protection mode. An abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is reported by the second refrigerator 1B, allowing a person near the second refrigerator 1B to detect the occurrence of the abnormality. However, if the second refrigerator 1B is installed in a location far away from the first refrigerator 1A, it may take time for a person who has noticed the occurrence of the abnormality to reach the first refrigerator 1A. Even in such a case, the first refrigerator 1A has switched to protection mode, so the impact of the abnormality is reduced.

[0058] It should be noted that two or more of the first to fourth modified examples of the first embodiment may be combined.

[0059] [Second embodiment] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of an alert system 100B according to the second embodiment and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in the alert system 100B. Alert system 100B differs from the configuration of alert system 100A according to the first embodiment (Fig. 1) in that a second refrigerator 1B, which is an example of another device, further includes a human presence sensor 16. Alert system 100B also differs from the configuration of alert system 100A according to the first embodiment (Fig. 1) in that memory 32 of server 3 further includes a sensing result database 323.

[0060] The human sensor 16 refers to a means for detecting the presence of a nearby person within a predetermined range. As an example, the human sensor 16 is a sensor that detects the presence of a person by detecting heat radiated from the surface of a person using infrared rays. As another example, the human sensor 16 may use ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like. The human sensor 16 may also be a sensor that detects the presence of a person by detecting the reflection of light from the surface of a person, or a sensor that detects the presence of a person by detecting light blocking between a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The human sensor 16 may also be a sensor that detects the operation of a person, such as the door sensor 14, or a combination of these.

[0061] The human presence sensor 16 inputs a sensor signal SGb indicating the presence of a human nearby within a predetermined range to the processor 11. The processor 11 of the second refrigerator 1B transmits the sensor signal SGb to the server 3. The sensor signal SGb may be a signal indicating the absence of a human, or may be a signal indicating the presence or absence of a human.

[0062] The human sensor 16 is an example of a means for detecting the presence of a nearby person. The means for detecting the presence of a nearby person is not limited to a sensor. Another example of the means for detecting the presence of a nearby person may be a means for detecting a user operation performed immediately before. For example, the presence of a nearby person may be detected by the operation of an operation button or a remote control. In this case, the processor 11 of the second refrigerator 1B may transmit an operation signal to the server 3 instead of the sensor signal SGb.

[0063] The sensing result database 323 is an example of a storage area for storing the sensing results of the human presence sensor 16 of the second refrigerator 1B. When the processor 31 of the server 3 receives the sensor signal SGb transmitted from the second refrigerator 1B via the communication unit 33, it writes the sensing result to the sensing result database 323. The sensing results are written to the sensing result database 323 so that the latest sensing results of the second refrigerator 1B can be determined. As an example, the processor 31 overwrites the sensing results that have already been stored with the latest sensing results. As a result, only the latest sensing results are written to the sensing result database 323.

[0064] Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server 3 and the second refrigerator 1B in the notification system 100B according to the second embodiment. The operation of the server 3 in the notification system 100B according to the second embodiment differs from the operation of the server 3 in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment (Fig. 3) in that it further includes step S204. The flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A is the same as the flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment (Fig. 2) or the flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first to fourth modified examples of the first embodiment (Figs. 4 to 7).

[0065] When the processor 31 of the server 3 according to the second embodiment receives a notification of an abnormality from the first refrigerator 1A in step S111 (YES in step S201), it uses a predetermined condition to determine an alarm device from a device group consisting of a plurality of devices (step S203). In the alarm system 100B according to the second embodiment, the predetermined condition is also a device different from the first refrigerator 1A. That is, the processor 31 of the server 3 determines a device different from the first refrigerator 1A from the device group as the alarm device. In this example, the processor 31 determines a second refrigerator 1B different from the first refrigerator 1A from the refrigerator group as the alarm device.

[0066] In the notification system 100B according to the second embodiment, the processor 31 of the server 3 refers to the sensing result database 323 and determines whether the sensing result of the second refrigerator 1B indicates that the presence of a person has been detected. If the sensing result indicates that the presence of a person has been detected (YES in step S204), the processor 31 instructs the second refrigerator 1B to notify the first refrigerator 1A of an abnormality (step S205). If the sensing result indicates that the presence of a person has not been detected (NO in step S204), the processor 31 does not instruct the second refrigerator 1B to notify the second refrigerator 1B of an abnormality until the sensing result indicates that the presence of a person has been detected.

[0067] By performing the above operations in the notification system 100B according to the second embodiment, in the notification system 100B, an abnormality that has occurred in the first refrigerator 1A is notified at the timing when the presence of a person is detected near the second refrigerator 1B, which is another device associated with the first refrigerator 1A. In other words, when there is no person near the second refrigerator 1B, no notification is made, and when there is a person present, the abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is notified. This prevents unnecessary notifications from devices that do not detect the presence of a person, and increases the probability that a person will detect an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A.

[0068] [Variations] In the above example, the processor 31 of the server 3 waits to issue a notification command to the second refrigerator 1B until it detects that there is a person nearby the second refrigerator 1B. As another example, the processor 31 of the server 3 may notify the first refrigerator when it does not detect that there is a person nearby the second refrigerator 1B.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server 3 according to the modified example of the second embodiment. The operations of the server 3 according to the modified example of the second embodiment differ from the operations of the server 3 according to the second embodiment (Fig. 9) in that step S206 is further included.

[0070] That is, in the server 3 according to the variation of the second embodiment, if the sensing result of the second refrigerator 1B does not indicate the presence of a person (NO in step S204), the processor 31 notifies the first refrigerator 1A that no notification has been made in the second refrigerator 1B (step S206). In step S206, as an example, the processor 31 causes the communication unit 33 to transmit a signal indicating that no notification has been made in the second refrigerator 1B to the first refrigerator 1A. This allows the first refrigerator 1A to perform a specified operation.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the modification of the second embodiment. The operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the modification of the second embodiment is different from the operation of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2) in that it further includes steps S112A, S112, and S118. That is, in the first refrigerator 1A according to the modification of the second embodiment, when the processor 11 receives a notification from the server 3 that the second refrigerator 1B has not been notified in step S206 (YES in step S112A), the processor 11 switches the operation mode to the protection mode (step S112). The protection mode is the same as that described in the fourth modification of the first embodiment. As a result, the first refrigerator 1A performs the operation specified in the protection mode as the specified operation.

[0072] When it is detected that the abnormality has been resolved (YES in step S115), the processor 11 notifies the server 3 of the resolution of the abnormality (step S117), and returns the operation mode from the protection mode to the normal mode (step S118).

[0073] As a result, in the notification system 100B according to the modified example of the second embodiment, the operation mode of the first refrigerator 1A switches to the protection mode until the presence of a person is detected near the second refrigerator 1B. Therefore, even if a person immediately enters the refrigerator near the second refrigerator 1B, the first refrigerator 1A has already switched to the protection mode, so the impact of an abnormality is reduced.

[0074] [Third embodiment] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system 100B according to a third embodiment, and a schematic functional configuration of each device included in notification system 100C. Notification system 100C includes a first refrigerator 1A, a plurality of devices different from the first refrigerator 1A, and a server 3 capable of communicating with the first refrigerator 1A and the plurality of devices. In the example of Fig. 12, notification system 100C includes a plurality of second refrigerators 1B, 1C as the plurality of devices.

[0075] In the notification system 100C according to the third embodiment, the controller 30 of the server 3 uses predetermined conditions to determine the notification device from a device group consisting of a plurality of other devices including the first refrigerator 1A. In this example, the controller 30 determines the notification device from a refrigerator group consisting of the first refrigerator 1A and a plurality of second refrigerators 1B, 1C. In the example of Fig. 12, the notification system 100C includes two second refrigerators 1B, 1C, but the notification system 100C may include three or more second refrigerators 1B, 1C, ...

[0076] Each of the refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C is equipped with a human presence sensor 16. The human presence sensor 16 is similar to that described in the second embodiment. The processor 11 of each of the refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C transmits a sensor signal SGa, SGb, SGc indicating the presence of a person nearby within a predetermined range to the server 3. The sensor signals SGa, SGb, SGc may be signals indicating the absence of a person or may be signals indicating the presence or absence of a person.

[0077] When the processor 31 of the server 3 receives the sensor signals SGa, SGb, SGc transmitted from each of the refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C via the communication unit 33, the processor 31 writes the sensing results to the sensing result database 323. The sensing results are written to the sensing result database 323 so that the latest sensing results of each of the refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C can be determined.

[0078] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server 3 in the notification system 100C according to the third embodiment. The operation of the server 3 in the notification system 100C according to the third embodiment is different from the operation of the server 3 in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 3) in that step S203A is included instead of step S203. Step S203A further includes steps S301 and S303. The flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A is the same as the flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2) or the flow of operations of the first refrigerator 1A according to the first to fourth modified examples of the first embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 7). Although omitted in FIG. 13, the flow of operations of the second refrigerator is also the same as the flow of operations of the second refrigerator 1B in the notification system 100A according to the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

[0079] When the processor 31 of the server 3 according to the third embodiment receives a notification of an abnormality from the first refrigerator 1A in step S111 (YES in step S201), the processor 31 determines an alarm device from a group of multiple devices using a predetermined condition (step S203A). In the alarm system 100C according to the third embodiment, the predetermined condition is a device in the vicinity of which the presence of a person has been detected.

[0080] In detail, processor 31 reads out the sensing results of each of refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C of the refrigerator group from sensing result database 323 (step S301). Processor 31 determines all refrigerators in which the sensing results of refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C of the refrigerator group indicate that a person is present, as notification devices (step S303). Therefore, in notification system 100C according to the third embodiment, multiple refrigerators can become notification devices. As an example, when the presence of a person nearby is detected by a user operation based on an operation signal or the like, the device most recently used is determined to be the notification device.

[0081] By performing the above operations in the notification system 100C according to the third embodiment, in the notification system 100C, an abnormality that has occurred in the first refrigerator 1A is notified by all of the devices in the device group registered corresponding to the first refrigerator 1A that have detected the presence of a person nearby. As an example, if the presence of a person is detected in more than one refrigerator among the refrigerators 1A, 1B, and 1C in the refrigerator group, the abnormality that has occurred in the first refrigerator 1A is notified by the more than one refrigerator. This reduces unnecessary notifications from refrigerators that do not detect the presence of a person, and increases the probability that an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A will be detected by a person.

[0082] In the above example, the group of refrigerators includes the first refrigerator 1A. That is, in this example, a process is performed to determine the notification device from the group of devices consisting of the first refrigerator 1A and devices other than the first refrigerator 1A (for example, the second refrigerator 1B). Therefore, depending on the sensing result, the first refrigerator 1A itself may become the notification device. As another example, in step S203A, the notification device may be determined from among the second refrigerators 1B and 1C other than the first refrigerator 1A in the group of refrigerators according to the sensing result. By determining the notification device for the first refrigerator 1A from among multiple device groups, notification is performed more flexibly than when only the first refrigerator 1A issues a notification. That is, in the case of this example, by setting the device near which a person is present as the notification device, unnecessary notification from a device that does not detect the presence of a person can be suppressed and the probability that an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A will be detected by a person can be increased.

[0083] [Variations] In the above example, when the presence of a person is detected in more than one refrigerator among refrigerators 1A, 1B, 1C of the group of refrigerators, the multiple refrigerators simultaneously report the abnormality that has occurred in first refrigerator 1A. As another example, the multiple refrigerators in which the presence of a person is detected may report the abnormality that has occurred in first refrigerator 1A in turn. The order of reporting is, for example, a predetermined priority order. The priority order may be set in server 3 by a predetermined operation. Alternatively, the priority order may be automatically set by server 3 according to a predetermined parameter such as the installation date of the refrigerator. For example, server 3 may set the priority order according to the order in which the presence of a person in the vicinity was detected.

[0084] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations of the server 3 in the notification system 100C according to the modification of the third embodiment. The operations of the server 3 according to the modification of the third embodiment differ from the operations of the server 3 according to the third embodiment (Fig. 13) in that steps S305 to S313 are included instead of steps S205 to S207.

[0085] That is, in server 3 according to the modification of the third embodiment, when multiple refrigerators are determined to be notification devices, processor 31 instructs the refrigerator with the highest predefined priority among the multiple notification devices to notify the occurrence of an abnormality in first refrigerator 1A (step S305). If the notification of the abnormality in step S111 is not received from first refrigerator 1A within the specified time after the notification instruction in step S305 is given (NO in step S307), the abnormality is not resolved by the notification from the notification device instructed to give notification in step S305. In this case, processor 31 instructs the notification device instructed to give notification in step S305 to end the notification, and instructs the refrigerator with the next highest priority to notify the occurrence of an abnormality in first refrigerator 1A (step S309). That is, in step S309, processor 31 switches the refrigerator to be made to give notification.

[0086] If the notification of an abnormality in step S111 is not received from the first refrigerator 1A within a specified time after the notification instruction in step S309 is given (NO in step S311), and if there is a notification device with the next highest priority among the multiple notification devices (YES in step S313), processor 31 performs the operation of step S309 again. If there is no notification device with the next highest priority among the multiple notification devices (NO in step S313), processor 31 repeats the operations from step S305.

[0087] As a result, in notification system 100C according to the variation of the third embodiment, when the presence of a person is detected in the vicinity of multiple refrigerators in the group of refrigerators, the multiple refrigerators issue a notification in turn. Therefore, even if there is no person in the vicinity of the notification device at the time of notification, the notification device with the next highest priority will issue a notification. As a result, it is possible to further increase the probability that a person will detect an abnormality in first refrigerator 1A.

[0088] [Variations] In the notification systems 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the first to third embodiments, an abnormality in the first refrigerator 1A is notified by the notification device. As another example, the server 3 may instruct a specific other device (for example, the other device 9 (FIGS. 1, 8, and 12)) to notify in addition to the notification device. Alternatively, if the abnormality is not resolved within a specified time after the notification by the notification device, the server 3 may instruct the other device 9 to notify. The other device 9 is a device that is always connected to a power source and in a power supply state, can communicate with the server 3, and further has a notification unit. The other device 9 may be, for example, another refrigerator different from the first refrigerator 1A, an air conditioner, an air purifier, an automatic cooking machine, an automatic vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a terminal device such as a smartphone or a wearable watch, a television, a whiteboard, or the like. This can increase the probability that the abnormality is detected by a person.

[0089] <3. Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1A: first refrigerator, 1B, 1C: second refrigerator, 3: server, 14: door sensor, 15: buzzer (alarm unit), 16: human sensor, 30: controller, 100A, 100B, 100C: alarm system

Claims

1. A device group consisting of a plurality of devices; a controller capable of communicating with the plurality of devices; The group of appliances includes a refrigerator; The controller is configured to determine at least one device from the device group as a reporting device using a predetermined condition, and to cause the reporting device to report an occurrence of a predetermined event in the refrigerator, based on information indicating the occurrence of the event in the refrigerator, which is obtained from the refrigerator. Notification system.

2. The controller is further configured to cause the reporting device to end the reporting, based on information indicating completion of the event in the refrigerator, obtained from the refrigerator. The notification system according to claim 1 .

3. The controller is configured to cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of the event when the event continues for a specified time in the refrigerator. The notification system according to claim 1 .

4. The controller is configured to, when a presence of a person is detected near the notification device, cause the notification device to notify the occurrence of the event. The notification system according to claim 1 .

5. The controller is configured to cause the refrigerator to perform a predetermined operation associated with the event when the presence of a person is not detected near the notification device. The notification system according to claim 4.

6. The predetermined condition is that the presence of a person is detected nearby the device. The notification system according to claim 1 .

7. The controller determines a plurality of devices in the device group as the notification devices, and causes the plurality of notification devices to report the occurrence of the event in order according to a predetermined priority order until information indicating resolution of the event in the refrigerator is obtained from the refrigerator. The notification system according to claim 1 .

8. A server capable of communicating with a plurality of devices constituting a device group, The group of appliances includes a refrigerator; A controller is provided. The controller is configured to determine at least one device from the device group as a reporting device using a predetermined condition, and to cause the reporting device to report an occurrence of a predetermined event in the refrigerator, based on information indicating the occurrence of the event in the refrigerator, which is obtained from the refrigerator. server.

9. A communication unit capable of communicating with an external device; A notification department; A refrigerator including a controller, The external device is another refrigerator, The controller is configured to cause the notification unit to notify the occurrence of a predetermined event in the other refrigerator, based on information indicating the occurrence of the event in the other refrigerator. refrigerator.

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