Home electric appliance and home electric appliance authentication program

Abstract

To provide a home electric appliance for enabling a user to easily grasp an execution state of an authentication mode of a home electric appliance side even without providing dedicated display means.SOLUTION: In a home electric appliance including a radio communication module to be used when an authentication mode with a portable terminal is executed, and notification means for performing lighting or ringing when the authentication mode is not executed, the notification means performs lighting or ringing in a mode different from time when the authentication mode is not executed, and information corresponding to the mode of the notification means is displayed in the portable terminal when the authentication mode is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a home electric appliance and a home electric appliance authentication program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, systems have been provided that allow users to check the status of and change settings of home appliances using a mobile terminal connected to the home appliance. To enable a communication connection between the home appliance and the mobile terminal, authentication processing, such as pairing, is generally performed between the home appliance and the mobile terminal. In the authentication processing, it is desirable for the user to be able to recognize that the home appliance, as well as the mobile terminal, is in an appropriate state of acceptance. However, in systems that allow users to use a mobile terminal to change settings of home appliances, there is less need for the home appliance to have a display function, such as an operation panel. Therefore, home appliances that lack or lack a display function, such as an operation panel, require another means for indicating the acceptance state of the authentication processing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that displays the temperature inside the storage compartment by the color of the interior light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-286333 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even if the notification mode of a notification means (for example, the interior light of a refrigerator) provided in a home appliance is changed from normal mode, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is not easy for a user to understand what the mode means.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a home electric appliance and a home electric appliance authentication program that allow a user to easily grasp the execution status of the authentication mode on the home electric appliance side without providing a dedicated display means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the home appliance of the present invention comprises a wireless communication module used when an authentication mode is executed when establishing a communication connection with a mobile terminal, and an alarm means that lights up or sounds when the authentication mode is not executed, and when the authentication mode is executed, the alarm means lights up or sounds in a manner different from when the authentication mode is not executed, and information corresponding to the manner of the alarm means is displayed on the mobile terminal.

[0007] In addition, the home appliance authentication program of the present invention causes a mobile terminal having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a home appliance and a display unit that displays the status of the home appliance to function as an authentication request unit that requests the execution of an authentication mode with the home appliance, a connection destination search unit that searches for a connection destination based on home appliance information sent from the home appliance in response to the request to execute the authentication mode, and an alarm mode output unit that outputs to the display unit the lighting mode or ringing mode of the alarm means of the home appliance when the authentication mode is executed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in a pairing mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a second mode of the interior light. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a third mode of the interior light. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a fourth mode of the interior light. [Figure 6D]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that collectively displays the lighting state of the interior light and the progress status of the pairing mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in a pairing mode according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a second mode of the buzzer. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a third mode of the buzzer. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to a fourth mode of the buzzer. [Figure 8D] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that displays the sounding state of a buzzer and the progress status of a pairing mode all at once. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a refrigerator, which is one type of home appliance, as an example.

[0010] (Refrigerator control system) First, a refrigerator control system including a refrigerator 100 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator control system according to this embodiment. In the refrigerator control system, various settings of the refrigerator 100 can be changed and the food storage status can be checked using a mobile terminal 200 (wireless communication terminal) such as a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator control system is mainly composed of the refrigerator 100, the mobile terminal 200, a home router 300, a network 400 such as the Internet, and a server 500.

[0011] The refrigerator 100 is placed in a residence and is equipped with a long-distance wireless communication module 11 and a short-distance wireless communication module 12 (see FIG. 3). The long-distance wireless communication module 11 complies with a wireless LAN standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and is connected to a network 400 via a home router 300. The long-distance wireless communication module 11 transmits image information captured by a camera unit 30 (described later) and receives setting information from a mobile terminal 200. The short-distance wireless communication module 12 complies with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example, and enables direct communication with the mobile terminal 200 without going through the home router 300. The short-distance wireless communication module 12 may use infrared communication or a communication method with an even shorter communication distance, such as NFC.

[0012] Mobile terminal 200 can connect to network 400 via home router 300 using long-distance communication unit 21 (see FIG. 4), or can connect to network 400 directly without using home router 300. Mobile terminal 200 may also be connected directly to near-field wireless communication module 12 of refrigerator 100 using near-field communication unit 22 (see FIG. 4). Dedicated application software for managing refrigerator 100 can be installed on mobile terminal 200, and by activating this application, it becomes possible to change various settings of refrigerator 100 and check the food storage status of refrigerator 100. The application software may be designed to be downloadable and updateable from a server accessed via the refrigerator manufacturer's website, etc.

[0013] Server 500 is connected to mobile terminal 200 and refrigerator 100 via network 400. Server 500 also has a database that stores image information captured by camera unit 30 of refrigerator 100. When accessed by mobile terminal 200, server 500 authenticates whether the identification information matches the identification information registered in association with refrigerator 100, and if authentication is successful, allows mobile terminal 200 to connect to the database in server 500. When server 500 receives an information call signal from mobile terminal 200, it transmits the image information stored in the database to mobile terminal 200. Server 500 may be constructed using a single computer, or may be a cloud-based system constructed using a group of multiple computers.

[0014] (Basic configuration of refrigerator) Next, the basic configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator according to this embodiment with the doors open. In the following description, a six-door refrigerator 100 will be used as an example, but the refrigerator is not limited to six doors.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, refrigerator 100 of this embodiment has storage compartments in the following order from top to bottom: refrigerator compartment 1, ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, lower freezer compartment 4, and vegetable compartment 5, which are arranged side by side on the left and right. Refrigerator 100 is equipped with doors that open and close the openings of each storage compartment. These storage compartment doors are rotating refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b, which are divided into left and right sections and open and close the opening of refrigerator compartment 1, and drawer-type ice-making compartment door 2a, upper freezer compartment door 3a, lower freezer compartment door 4a, and vegetable compartment door 5a that open and close the openings of ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, lower freezer compartment 4, and vegetable compartment 5, respectively. Note that the order of the storage compartments is not limited to this.

[0016] Refrigerator 100 also has door sensors 7 (see FIG. 3) that detect the open / closed states of refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b, ice compartment door 2a, upper freezer compartment door 3a, lower freezer compartment door 4a, and vegetable compartment door 5a. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, door pockets 6a and 6b are provided inside refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b, respectively.

[0017] Refrigerator compartment 1 is a refrigerated storage compartment whose interior temperature is kept within the refrigeration temperature range (above 0°C), for example, at an average of about 4°C. Ice-making compartment 2, upper freezer compartment 3, and lower freezer compartment 4 are refrigerated storage compartments whose interior temperature is kept within the refrigeration temperature range (below 0°C), for example, at an average of about -18°C. Vegetable compartment 5 is a refrigerated storage compartment whose interior temperature is kept within the refrigeration temperature range, for example, at an average of about 6°C, to prevent food from drying out.

[0018] The back of the refrigerator 100 is provided with a cooler that generates cool air, a blower fan 13 that supplies the cool air to each storage compartment, a damper 14 that adjusts the amount of airflow to each storage compartment, and a temperature sensor 8 that detects the temperature of each storage compartment (see FIG. 3). In addition to the cooler described above, a refrigeration cycle is also provided with a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a radiator that radiates heat to the outside air, and a capillary tube that is a means for decompressing the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is circulated to cool each storage compartment (not shown).

[0019] Camera unit 30 is located outside the storage compartment, specifically, approximately in the center of the upper outer part of the box, as shown in Figure 2. The image capturing device of camera unit 30 is located forward of the opening edge of the storage compartment, preferably forward of refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerator 100 includes a camera unit 30, a long-distance wireless communication module 11, a short-distance wireless communication module 12, a door sensor 7, a temperature sensor 8, an interior light 9, a buzzer 10, a blower fan 13, a damper 14, and a control unit 15.

[0021] The camera unit 30 captures bird's-eye images of the interior of the storage compartment and the door pockets 6a, 6b, and includes an imaging device 31, a camera LED 32, a camera buzzer 33, and a camera control unit 34. The imaging device 31 has a wide angle of 180 degrees or more and a fisheye lens, allowing for a bird's-eye view of the entire interior of the storage compartment door when it is opened. In addition, because the camera lens of the imaging device is located in front of the front of the storage compartment door, it is possible to capture images of the interior of the storage compartment even when only the drawer-type doors of the lower freezer compartment 4, vegetable compartment 5, etc. are opened.

[0022] The camera LED 32 is a light source that is turned on when taking pictures with the camera unit 30, and functions as an exterior light that adjusts the illuminance to a level suitable for taking pictures. Note that the interior light 9 may be turned off or its illuminance may be reduced when taking pictures, i.e., when the camera LED 32 is turned on. The camera buzzer 33 emits a sound when taking pictures with the camera unit 30, etc.

[0023] The camera control unit 34 controls the imaging device 31, the camera LED 32, and the camera buzzer 33, and acquires image data captured by the imaging device 31. The camera control unit 34 is also connected to the control unit 15, and outputs a shooting command from the control unit 15 to the imaging device 31.

[0024] The long-distance wireless communication module 11 transmits and receives data to and from the server 500 via the home router 300. Therefore, when the image information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the image data captured by the imaging device 31 by the camera control unit 34 is output to the long-distance wireless communication module 11, it is transmitted to the server 500 via the home router 300. The long-distance wireless communication module 11 is provided, for example, at the rear of the upper outer part of the box body.

[0025] The short-range wireless communication module 12 directly communicates with the short-range communication unit 22 (see FIG. 4) of the mobile terminal 200, and is used for authentication (pairing) described later. The short-range wireless communication module 12 is provided, for example, in the wall surface or doors 1a and 1b that partition the refrigerator compartment 1.

[0026] Door sensor 7 outputs a predetermined signal indicating the open / closed state of refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b to control unit 15. Interior light 9 is provided on the top surface of refrigerator compartment 1 or the like, and is an interior light that turns on when door sensor 7 detects that either refrigerator compartment door 1a, 1b is open. Buzzer 10 is provided on a circuit board on which control unit 15 is mounted, and outputs a predetermined alarm sound when door sensor 7 detects that either refrigerator compartment door 1a, 1b is open for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0027] The control unit 15 is, for example, a microcomputer, and includes electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces (not shown). The CPU reads programs stored in the ROM and loads them into the RAM, allowing the CPU to execute various processes. Upon receiving an input signal from the temperature sensor 8, the control unit 15 determines the compressor rotation speed and other parameters based on the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the temperature sensor 8, and transmits an output signal to the compressor. Furthermore, based on the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the temperature sensor 8, the control unit 15 outputs signals to the temperature sensor 8 to turn the blower fan 13 on or off and adjust the opening degree of the damper 14 installed in the air passage. Furthermore, upon receiving a signal from the door sensor 7 indicating the open / closed state of the refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b, the control unit 15 turns the interior light 9 on or off. Furthermore, control unit 15 turns on buzzer 10 when it detects that refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b are open for a predetermined period of time or longer, and turns off buzzer 10 when it subsequently detects that they are closed. Furthermore, control unit 15 transmits signals indicating the open / closed states of refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b from door sensor 7 to camera control unit 34, and when camera control unit 34 detects that refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b are open, it transmits an output signal to imaging device 31 to take an image.

[0028] Here, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment does not have an operation panel (control panel) on the inner wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 1 or on the refrigerator compartment doors 1a and 1b. Therefore, when various settings of the refrigerator 100 are made, the mobile terminal 200 is used.

[0029] (Mobile device configuration) The mobile terminal is a smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like used by a refrigerator user. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal. As shown in Fig. 4, the mobile terminal 200 includes a long-distance communication unit 21, a short-distance communication unit 22, a processor 23, a display unit 24, an input unit 25, and a memory 26.

[0030] Long-distance communication unit 21 is an interface for exchanging data with long-distance wireless communication module 11 of refrigerator 100 via network 400. Short-distance communication unit 22 is an interface for directly exchanging data with short-distance wireless communication module 12 of refrigerator 100. Processor 23 executes each function by reading each program stored in memory 26. Programs of applications (hereinafter simply referred to as apps) for managing refrigerator 100 are installed in memory 26.

[0031] 4, functions executed by processor 23 are conceptually shown as authentication request unit 261, connection destination search unit 262, and notification mode output unit 263, and programs for realizing these functions are stored in memory 26. Here, only the home appliance authentication program among the programs constituting the app will be described, but programs for checking the food storage status and the like are also stored in memory 26 (not shown).

[0032] The program may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like, or may be provided or distributed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM as an installable or executable file. Furthermore, the program may be stored on a computer (e.g., server 500) connected to network 400 and provided or distributed by being downloaded via network 400.

[0033] The authentication request unit 261 requests the execution of an authentication (pairing) mode with the refrigerator 100. The connection destination search unit 262 searches for the location of the refrigerator to which the connection is to be made based on the refrigerator device information transmitted from the refrigerator 100 in response to the request to execute the authentication (pairing) mode. The notification mode output unit 263 outputs to the display unit 24 the lighting mode or sound mode of the notification means (interior light 9 and buzzer 10) of the refrigerator 100 when the authentication (pairing) mode is executed.

[0034] Display unit 24 displays various types of information, and input unit 25 is used to input various types of information. In this embodiment, these are realized by a touch panel that doubles as display unit 24 and input unit 25. For example, when a user wants to know the status inside the refrigerator, he or she launches an app installed on mobile terminal 200 and performs a predetermined operation using input unit 25. This causes a request signal for an image of the interior of refrigerator 100 to be sent from long-distance communication unit 21 of mobile terminal 200 to server 500 via home router 300. Image information is then sent from server 500 to mobile terminal 200 and output to display unit 24. As described above, since refrigerator 100 in this embodiment is not provided with an operation panel, mobile terminal 200 is also used to change or display settings such as the temperature of each storage compartment.

[0035] (Pairing) To enable a communication connection between the refrigerator 100 and the mobile terminal 200, it is necessary to complete authentication processing (hereinafter referred to as pairing) between the refrigerator 100 and the mobile terminal 200. When the pairing processing is performed using the mobile terminal 200, it is desirable to notify the user that the refrigerator 100 is also accepting pairing, in order to give the user a sense of security. However, as described above, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment is not provided with an operation panel, and therefore the operation panel cannot be used to display the pairing acceptance status. Therefore, in this embodiment, a notification means that is used for another purpose even when the pairing mode is not being executed is used to notify the user that the refrigerator 100 is also in pairing mode. Below, specific explanations will be given using, as examples, Example 1 in which the interior light 9 is used as the notification means and Example 2 in which the buzzer 10 is used as the notification means. [Example]

[0036] First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 6D. In the first embodiment, an interior light 9 is used as a notification means. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in a pairing mode according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Refrigerator 100 is not provided with an operation panel, and there is no user operation to put the refrigerator into pairing mode. Therefore, control unit 15 of refrigerator 100 repeatedly checks whether or not there is a pairing start request from short-range wireless communication module 12 at regular time intervals (step S101). If short-range wireless communication module 12 does not detect a pairing start request signal from mobile terminal 200 (short-range communication unit 22), it outputs information to control unit 15 that there is no start request (step S102).

[0038] When the user performs an operation to start the pairing mode on the app of mobile terminal 200, display unit 24 of mobile terminal 200 indicates the position of near field wireless communication module 12 of the refrigerator to be connected to, and prompts the user to bring mobile terminal 200 closer to the position (step S103). At this time, near field communication unit 22 of mobile terminal 200 starts emitting a signal requesting to start pairing (step S104).

[0039] Thereafter, when the user opens at least one of the refrigerator compartment doors 1a, 1b, the door sensor 7 detects the open state, and the control unit 15 outputs a normal lighting command to the interior light 9 (Step S105). Then, the interior light 9 lights up in the first mode (always on) (Step S106).

[0040] Furthermore, when the user brings mobile terminal 200 close to short-range wireless communication module 12 and short-range wireless communication module 12 detects a signal requesting to start pairing, short-range wireless communication module 12 transmits a signal indicating that a pairing start request has been received to control unit 15 (step S107). As a result, control unit 15 starts pairing mode (step S108) and outputs a blinking command to interior light 9 (step S109). Then, interior light 9 lights up (blinks) in the second mode (step S110). At this time, control unit 15 cancels output of the door alarm by buzzer 10 (step S111). This makes it possible to prevent an unnecessary door alarm from being output when pairing mode is being executed, rather than when refrigerator doors 1a, 1b have been left closed, and thus prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0041] Here, an average user does not know in advance what the lighting of the interior light 9 in the second mode means. Therefore, when the pairing mode is started, the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the second mode of the interior light 9 (Step S112). FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the second mode of the interior light. As shown in FIG. 6A, the progress of the pairing mode is displayed by indicating that the pairing operation is in progress and that the interior light is flashing.

[0042] Thereafter, control unit 15 outputs refrigerator device information (such as MAC address and IP address) required for authentication to short-range wireless communication module 12 (step S113), and short-range wireless communication module 12 transmits the information to short-range communication unit 22 of mobile terminal 200 (step S114). When control unit 15 receives a signal indicating completion of transmission from short-range wireless communication module 12 (step S115), it outputs a blinking interval change command (for example, a blinking interval extension command) to interior light 9 (step S116). Then, interior light 9 turns on in a third mode (for example, makes the blinking interval longer than in the second mode) (step S117).

[0043] Here, general users do not know in advance what lighting of interior light 9 in the third mode means. Therefore, when transmission and reception of refrigerator device information is completed, display unit 24 of mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the third mode of interior light 9 (Step S118). FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the third mode of interior light. As shown in FIG. 6B, as the progress of the pairing mode, it is displayed that since transmission and reception of refrigerator device information is completed, it is no problem to move the mobile terminal away from the short-range wireless communication module, and also that the blinking interval of the interior light has become longer.

[0044] Thereafter, mobile terminal 200 starts searching for the location of the refrigerator to which it is to connect, based on the received refrigerator device information (Step S119). When mobile terminal 200 starts the device search, or when a predetermined time has passed since interior light 9 was turned on in the third mode, control unit 15 outputs a lighting color change command (for example, a command to change the lighting color from white to yellow) to interior light 9 (Step S120). Then, interior light 9 turns on in the fourth mode (for example, always turns on in yellow) (Step S121).

[0045] Here, the general user does not know in advance what the lighting of the interior light 9 in the fourth mode means. Therefore, when the device search starts, the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the fourth mode of the interior light 9 (Step S122). FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the fourth mode of the interior light. As shown in FIG. 6C, in addition to the fact that a refrigerator is being searched for, the color of the interior light has changed to yellow is displayed as the progress of the pairing mode.

[0046] Thereafter, when the device search is completed (step S123), the short-range communication unit 22 of the mobile terminal 200 emits a signal requesting the end of pairing (step S124). When the short-range wireless communication module 12 of the refrigerator 100 detects the signal requesting the end of pairing, the short-range wireless communication module 12 transmits a signal indicating the presence of an end request to the control unit 15 (step S125). As a result, the control unit 15 completes the pairing mode (step S126) and outputs a normal lighting command to the interior light 9 (step S127). Then, the interior light 9 lights up in the first mode (normal lighting) (step S128). At this time, the control unit 15 resumes output of the door alarm by the buzzer 10 (step S129).

[0047] According to this embodiment, the progress of the pairing mode can be easily confirmed by comparing the lighting state of the interior light 9 with the display content of the mobile terminal 200. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the display content (screen) of the mobile terminal 200 automatically changes in response to the progress of the pairing mode. However, as shown in FIG. 6D , the lighting state of the interior light 9 and the progress status indicated by that lighting state may be displayed together. In this embodiment, the lighting state is differentiated from that when the pairing mode is not being executed by blinking, changing the blinking interval, or changing the lighting color. However, other methods, such as changing the illuminance, may also be used. Furthermore, instead of the interior light 9, the lighting state of the camera LED 32 of the camera unit 30 may be differentiated. In this case, the user can check the camera LED 32 of the camera unit 30 without opening the doors 1a and 1b. Therefore, by arranging the short-range wireless communication module 12, for example, on the doors 1a, 1b or on the left or right side of the refrigerator 100, in a position where a signal requesting to start pairing can be detected even when the mobile terminal 200 is approached from outside the refrigerator 100, it is possible to perform the operation in the pairing mode according to the first embodiment without opening the doors 1a, 1b. [Example]

[0048] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 8D. In the second embodiment, a buzzer 10 is used as a notification means. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation in the pairing mode according to the second embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0049] First, steps S201 to S204 are the same as steps S101 to S104 in the first embodiment.

[0050] Thereafter, when the user opens at least one of refrigerator doors 1a, 1b and the door remains open for a predetermined time or longer, control unit 15 outputs a normal sounding command to buzzer 10 (step S205). Then, buzzer 10 sounds (outputs a door alarm) in a first manner (for example, a beeping sound) (step S206).

[0051] Next, steps S207 and S208 are similar to steps S107 and S108 in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, when the pairing mode is started, the control unit 15 outputs a door alarm cancellation command to the buzzer 10 (step S209). After the door alarm cancellation command is output to the buzzer 10, the buzzer 10 does not ring in the first mode until a door alarm restart command is output to the buzzer 10. At this time, the control unit 15 also outputs a ringing mode change command to the buzzer 10. Then, the buzzer 10 rings in the second mode (for example, a beep-beep sound) (step S210).

[0052] Here, a typical user does not know in advance what the sound of buzzer 10 in the second manner means. Therefore, when pairing mode is started, display unit 24 of mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the second manner of buzzer 10 (step S211). FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the second manner of buzzer. As shown in FIG. 8A, in addition to the fact that pairing is in progress, the display shows that the type of buzzer sound has been changed to beep-beep-beep as the progress of pairing mode.

[0053] Next, steps S212 to S214 are similar to steps S113 to S115 in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, when the transmission and reception of the refrigerator device information is completed, control unit 15 outputs a sound mode change command to buzzer 10 (step S215). Then, buzzer 10 sounds in a third mode (for example, a beep-beep sound) (step S216).

[0054] Here, general users do not know in advance what the sound of buzzer 10 in the third mode means. Therefore, when transmission and reception of the refrigerator device information is completed, display unit 24 of mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the third mode of buzzer 10 (step S217). FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the third mode of buzzer. As shown in FIG. 8B, as the progress of the pairing mode, it is displayed that since transmission and reception of the refrigerator device information is completed, it is no problem to move the mobile terminal away from the short-range wireless communication module, and also that the type of buzzer sound has been changed to beep beep.

[0055] Thereafter, when mobile terminal 200 starts searching for the location of the refrigerator (step S218), or when a predetermined time has elapsed since buzzer 10 started ringing in the third manner, control unit 15 outputs a ringing manner change command to buzzer 10 (step S219). Then, buzzer 10 starts ringing in the fourth manner (for example, a beep-beep-beep-beep sound) (step S220).

[0056] Here, the general user does not know in advance what the sound of buzzer 10 in the fourth mode means. Therefore, when device search starts, display unit 24 of mobile terminal 200 displays information corresponding to the fourth mode of buzzer 10 (step S221). FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information corresponding to the fourth mode of buzzer. As shown in FIG. 8C, in addition to the fact that a refrigerator is being searched for, the type of buzzer sound has been changed to beep-beep-beep-beep, as progress in the pairing mode, is displayed.

[0057] Next, steps S222 to S225 are similar to steps S123 to S126 in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, when the pairing mode is completed, the control unit 15 outputs a door alarm restart command to the buzzer 10 (step S226). At this time, the control unit 15 also outputs a sounding mode change command to the buzzer 10. Then, the buzzer 10 restarts output of the door alarm (step S227). The door alarm restart command may be output when the operation sequence in the pairing mode is interrupted by an unintended operation by the user or an error, for example.

[0058] According to this embodiment, by comparing the sounding mode of the buzzer 10 with the display content of the mobile terminal 200, it is possible to easily check the progress of the pairing mode. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the display content (screen) of the mobile terminal 200 automatically changes in response to the progress of the pairing mode. However, as shown in FIG. 8D , the sounding mode of the buzzer 10 and the progress status indicated by the sounding mode may be displayed together. Furthermore, the pitch or volume of the sound may be changed to differentiate it from the sounding mode when the pairing mode is not being executed. Furthermore, instead of the buzzer 10, the sounding mode of the camera buzzer 33 of the camera unit 30 may be differentiated. In this case, the user can easily hear the sound of the camera buzzer 33 of the camera unit 30 without opening the doors 1a and 1b. Therefore, by arranging the short-range wireless communication module 12, for example, on the doors 1a, 1b or on the left or right side of the refrigerator 100, in a position where a signal requesting to start pairing can be detected even when the mobile terminal 200 is approached from outside the refrigerator 100, it is possible to perform the operation in the pairing mode according to the second embodiment without opening the doors 1a, 1b.

[0059] (Addendum) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways. For example, while the above-described embodiments have been described using a refrigerator as an example of a home appliance, the present invention can also be applied to other home appliances. Furthermore, while the first embodiment uses an interior light and the second embodiment uses a buzzer as the notification means, both an interior light and a buzzer may be used. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiments have described a near-field wireless communication module installed in a wall defining the refrigerator compartment, the near-field wireless communication module may be installed elsewhere, such as on the exterior of the refrigerator compartment door. Furthermore, even if an error (e.g., a problem with sending and receiving refrigerator device information) occurs during execution of the pairing mode and the error is not resolved after a predetermined number of retries, the notification means may be illuminated or sounded in a manner different from when the pairing mode is not executed. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments have described a refrigerator without an operation panel, the present invention is effective when a refrigerator with an operation panel has limitations on the operation panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1...refrigerator compartment, 1a, 1b...refrigerator compartment door, 2...ice maker compartment, 2a...ice maker compartment door, 3...upper freezer compartment, 3a...upper freezer compartment door, 4...lower freezer compartment, 4a...lower freezer compartment door, 5...vegetable compartment, 5a...vegetable compartment door, 6a, 6b...door pocket, 7...door sensor, 8...temperature sensor, 9...interior light, 10...buzzer, 11...long-distance wireless communication module, 12...short-distance wireless communication module, 13...blower fan, 14...damper, 15...control unit, 2 1...long-distance communication unit, 22...short-distance communication unit, 23...processor, 24...display unit, 25...input unit, 26...memory, 30...camera unit, 31...imaging device, 32...camera LED, 33...camera buzzer, 34...camera control unit, 100...refrigerator, 200...mobile terminal, 261...authentication request unit, 262...connection destination search unit, 263...notification mode output unit, 300...home router, 400...network, 500...server

Claims

1. A home appliance comprising: a wireless communication module used when an authentication mode is executed with a mobile terminal; and a notification means that lights up or sounds when the authentication mode is not executed, When the authentication mode is executed, the notification means lights up or sounds in a manner different from that when the authentication mode is not being executed, The home appliance displays information corresponding to the mode of the notification means on the mobile terminal.

2. The home appliance according to claim 1, The notification means When the authentication mode is not being executed, the light is always on or sounds, When the authentication mode is being executed, the home appliance blinks or emits a sound that is different from when the authentication mode is not being executed.

3. The home appliance according to claim 1, The notification unit lights up or sounds in different ways depending on the progress of the authentication mode.

4. The home appliance according to claim 3, After the authentication mode is started, When the wireless communication module completes transmitting the home appliance information to the mobile terminal, The notification unit is a home electric appliance that lights up or sounds in a manner different from that before the transmission of the home electric appliance information is completed.

5. The home appliance according to claim 4, The notification means A home appliance that emits a different blinking interval or a different ringing sound before and after the transmission of the home appliance information is completed.

6. The home appliance according to claim 1, The home electric appliance is a refrigerator further including a door sensor that detects whether a door of a storage compartment is open or closed, The notification means is an interior light that turns on when the door sensor detects that the door is open.

7. The home appliance according to claim 1, The home electric appliance is a refrigerator further including a door sensor that detects whether a door of a storage compartment is open or closed, the notification means is a buzzer that outputs a predetermined alarm sound when the door sensor detects that the door is open for a predetermined period of time or longer; When the home appliance is in the authentication mode, the output of the alarm is canceled.

8. The home electric appliance according to claim 6 or 7, The wireless communication module is a home appliance provided within a wall surface that partitions the storage compartment.

9. The home electric appliance according to claim 6 or 7, A home appliance that does not have an operation panel.

10. A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a home appliance and a display unit that displays the status of the home appliance, an authentication request unit that requests execution of an authentication mode with the home appliance; a connection destination search unit that searches for a connection destination based on the home appliance information transmitted from the home appliance in response to the execution request in the authentication mode; and a notification mode output unit that outputs, to the display unit, a lighting mode or a sound mode of the notification means of the home electric appliance when the authentication mode is executed.

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