Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that suitably updates a program.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 includes a control panel 20 for a user to input settings for various operations of the refrigerator 1, a main body unit 10 that has a main body storage unit storing a main body program and controls the various operations of the refrigerator 1 based on the main body program and the settings, and a communication module 30 that has a communication module storage unit. When updating the main body program, the communication module 30 receives a main body update program from the outside and stores the received main body update program in the communication module storage unit. The main body unit then overwrites and updates the main body program stored in the main body storage unit with the main body update program stored in the communication module storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technology for updating programs that control various operations of a refrigerator. In this technology, a communication interface is provided in the refrigerator, and the program can be updated externally via communication with the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-146178 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are two main ways to update a program: (1) The update program is downloaded to an area other than the area where the currently running program is stored (temporarily storing the update program), and the current program is overwritten with the downloaded update program. (2) The currently running program is backed up to an area separate from the area where the current program is stored (the update program is replicated), and while the update program is being downloaded, the current program is overwritten with the update program being downloaded. If the download or overwrite fails, the current program can be restored from the backup.

[0005] However, since the capacity of the built-in memory of a refrigerator is small, it is difficult to (1) temporarily store update programs and (2) copy the current program. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that the current program can be backed up in an external information processing device, and if downloading or overwriting fails, the current program can be restored from the backup.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a refrigerator that can suitably update programs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a control panel through which a user inputs settings for various refrigerator operations, a main body unit having a main body storage unit storing a main body program and controlling the various operations of the refrigerator based on the main body program and the settings, and a communication module having a communication module storage unit. When updating the main body program, the communication module receives a main body update program from an external device and stores the received main body update program in the communication module storage unit. The main body unit overwrites and updates the main body program stored in the main body storage unit with the main body update program stored in the communication module storage unit.

[0008] In the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the program of the main body unit is downloaded to the storage unit of the communication module and temporarily stored therein, and then the program in the storage unit of the main body unit is overwritten and updated with an update program for the storage unit of the communication module. This makes it possible to suitably update the program of the main body unit even if the capacity of the storage unit of the refrigerator main body unit is small.

[0009] In the above refrigerator, the communication module may set the communication speed between the communication module and the main body unit at a time other than when the main body update program is being transmitted to a first communication speed, and change the communication speed when the main body update program is being transmitted to a second communication speed that is faster than the first communication speed.

[0010] According to this refrigerator, the communication speed when transmitting the update program from the communication module to the main body unit is set to be faster than the communication speed when transmitting and receiving control signals and the like between the communication module and the main body unit during normal operation. This reduces the time it takes to transmit the update program from the communication module to the main body unit, and reduces the amount of time that operation control, particularly cooling control, in the refrigerator is stopped due to an overwrite update of the program in the main body unit.

[0011] In the refrigerator described above, the main body program may include model information of the refrigerator and version information of the main body program, and the main body update program may include model information of the refrigerator and version information of the main body update program, and the communication module or the main body unit may compare the refrigerator model information in the main body update program with the refrigerator model information in the main body program, and compare the version information of the main body update program with the version information of the main body program.

[0012] According to this refrigerator, by verifying the update program before overwriting and updating the program in the main body of the refrigerator, it is possible to prevent the main body of the refrigerator from being overwritten and updated with an incorrect update program.

[0013] In the refrigerator, a password is set in the main body update program.

[0014] According to this refrigerator, unauthorized writing via a network or the like can be prevented, thereby improving security.

[0015] In the above refrigerator, if the main body program is not normally overwritten and updated by the main body update program, the main body may again overwrite and update the main body program by the main body update program.

[0016] According to this refrigerator, the program of the main body can be updated in an appropriate manner.

[0017] In the above refrigerator, the control panel may include a control panel storage unit that stores a control panel program that controls input of settings for various operations of the refrigerator, and when updating the control panel program, the communications module may receive a control panel update program from an external device and store the received control panel update program in the communications module storage unit, and the control panel may overwrite and update the control panel program stored in the control panel storage unit with the control panel update program stored in the communications module storage unit.

[0018] According to this refrigerator, the control panel program is downloaded to the storage unit of the communications module and temporarily stored therein, and the program in the storage unit of the communications module is then overwritten and updated with the update program for the program in the storage unit of the control panel. This makes it possible to suitably update the program in the control panel even if the capacity of the storage unit of the refrigerator's control panel is small.

[0019] In the above refrigerator, the communication module may set a communication speed between the communication module and the control panel at times other than when the control panel update program is being transmitted to a first communication speed, and may change the communication speed at the time when the control panel update program is being transmitted to a second communication speed that is faster than the first communication speed.

[0020] According to this refrigerator, the communication speed when transmitting the update program from the communications module to the control panel is set to be faster than the communication speed when transmitting and receiving control signals and the like between the communications module and the control panel during normal operation. This reduces the time it takes to transmit the update program from the communications module to the control panel, and reduces the amount of time that operation control, particularly cooling control, is stopped in the refrigerator due to an overwrite update of the program in the control panel.

[0021] In the refrigerator described above, the control panel program may include model information of the refrigerator and version information of the control panel program, and the control panel update program may include model information of the refrigerator and version information of the control panel update program, and the communication module or the control panel may compare the refrigerator model information in the control panel update program with the refrigerator model information in the control panel program and compare the version information of the control panel update program with version information of the control panel program.

[0022] According to this refrigerator, by verifying various pieces of information before overwriting and updating the program in the refrigerator's control panel, it is possible to prevent the control panel of refrigerator 1 from being overwritten and updated with an incorrect update program.

[0023] In the refrigerator, a password is set for the control panel update program.

[0024] According to this refrigerator, unauthorized writing via a network or the like can be prevented, thereby improving security.

[0025] In the above refrigerator, when the overwrite update of the control panel program by the control panel update program is not performed normally, the control panel may again perform the overwrite update of the control panel program by the control panel update program.

[0026] According to this refrigerator, the program of the control panel can be updated in an appropriate manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a program can be suitably updated in a refrigerator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a main body part of the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a control panel in the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication module in the refrigerator illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of updating a program in a main body unit by the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of updating a program of a control panel by the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0030] [Present embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerator according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of a refrigerator according to this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, refrigerator 1 includes a main body 10, a control panel 20, and a communication module 30. Note that communication module 30 may be external to refrigerator 1 as shown in Fig. 1, or may be built into refrigerator 1 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0031] In the case of an external attachment as shown in FIG. 1, an operator (worker) performing maintenance or the like attaches communication module 30 to refrigerator 1 on-site and can download update programs from an information processing device 5 owned by the operator to communication module 30. Examples of information processing devices 5 owned by the operator include information processing devices such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Examples of communication between information processing device 5 and communication module 30 include device-to-device communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0032] On the other hand, in the case of an internal module as shown in Fig. 2, an operator can remotely download update programs from a server device 6 to the communication module 30. Examples of the server device 6 include information processing devices such as PCs and large computers. Examples of communication between the server device 6 and the communication module 30 include communication using a wireless or wired network such as the Internet.

[0033] (Main body) The main body 10 is a main body (product) that constitutes the main part of the refrigerator 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the main body in the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main body 10 is composed of known main parts of the refrigerator 1, such as a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a cooling mechanism (a heat pump type heat exchanger, a compressor), a defrosting mechanism (a heater, etc.), etc. (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 10 also includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a memory unit 13.

[0034] The communication unit 11 communicates with the communication module 30. The communication unit 11 is a communication interface that complies with a wired communication standard such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

[0035] The storage unit 13 stores various data and programs (operation programs, update flags, boot programs) executed by the control unit 12. The storage unit 13 is configured with a recording medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0036] Here, each of the programs and update programs has the following in the file name of the header, for example: Model information: For example, AQR-TZ51N (product model number TZ, capacity 512L, type N), Version information of the main program, About the program in the Control Panel etc.

[0037] The control unit 12 performs overall control of the main body 10, i.e., the main parts of the refrigerator 1. For example, the control unit 12 controls various operations of the refrigerator 1 based on the program of the main body 10 and the settings of various operations of the refrigerator 1 input through the control panel 20 (for example, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment).

[0038] Furthermore, when updating the program of main body unit 10, control unit 12 overwrites and updates the current program of main body unit 10 stored in storage unit 13 with the update program for main body unit 10 stored in communication module 30. Control unit 12 may also compare the model information of the update program for main body unit 10 (model information of refrigerator 1, program version information) with the model information of the current program of main body unit 10 (model information of refrigerator 1, program version information).

[0039] The control unit 12 is configured with an arithmetic processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc. Various functions of the control unit 12 are realized by executing programs stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

[0040] (Control Panel) Control panel 20 is an operation panel that a user operates to input various operational settings (for example, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment) of refrigerator 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the control panel in the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 4, control panel 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and an operation unit 24.

[0041] The communication unit 21 communicates with the communication module 30. The communication unit 21 is a communication interface that complies with a wired communication standard such as UART.

[0042] The storage unit 23 stores various data and programs (operation programs, update flags, boot programs) executed by the control unit 22. The storage unit 23 is configured by a recording medium such as a ROM, HDD, or SSD.

[0043] Here, each of the programs and update programs has the following in the file name of the header, for example: Model information: For example, AQR-TZ51N (product model number TZ, capacity 512L, type N), Version information of the main program, About the program in the Control Panel etc.

[0044] The control unit 22 performs overall control of the control panel 20. For example, the control unit 22 controls various operational settings of the refrigerator 1 (for example, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment) input by the user via the operation unit 24.

[0045] Furthermore, when updating the program of control panel 20, control unit 22 overwrites and updates the current program of control panel 20 stored in storage unit 23 with the update program for control panel 20 stored in communication module 30. Furthermore, control unit 22 may compare the model information of the update program for control panel 20 (model information of refrigerator 1, program version information) with the model information of the current program of control panel 20 (model information of refrigerator 1, program version information).

[0046] The control unit 22 is configured with an arithmetic processor such as a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, etc. Various functions of the control unit 22 are realized by executing programs stored in the storage unit 23, for example.

[0047] The operation unit 24 is an operation unit operated by the user to input various operation settings (for example, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment) of the refrigerator 1. The operation unit 24 is configured, for example, with physical operation buttons or a touch panel having virtual operation buttons.

[0048] (Communication module) The communication module 30 mediates communication between the refrigerator 1 and an external information processing device 5 or server device 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the communication module in the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication module 30 includes communication units 31A and 32A, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0049] The communication unit 31A communicates with the information processing device 5 (FIG. 1) or the server device 6. For example, in the case of FIG. 1, the communication unit 31A is a communication interface that complies with a communication standard for device-to-device communication such as Wi-Fi or short-range communication such as Bluetooth. On the other hand, for example, in the case of FIG. 2, the communication unit 31A is a communication interface that complies with a wireless or wired communication standard such as the Internet.

[0050] The communication unit 31B communicates with the main body 10 or the control panel 20. The communication unit 31A is a communication interface that complies with a wired communication standard such as UART.

[0051] The storage unit 33 stores various data and programs executed by the control unit 32. The storage unit 33 is configured with a recording medium such as a ROM, HDD, or SSD.

[0052] The control unit 32 performs overall control of the communication module 30. The control unit 32 temporarily stores in the storage unit 33 an update program for the main body unit 10 received from the external information processing device 5 or server device 6.

[0053] Control unit 32 may also compare the model information of the update program for main body unit 10 (model information of refrigerator 1, version information of the program) with the model information of the current program for main body unit 10 (model information of refrigerator 1, version information of the program). Control unit 32 may also compare the model information of the update program for control panel 20 (model information of refrigerator 1, version information of the program) with the model information of the current program for control panel 20 (model information of refrigerator 1, version information of the program).

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 32 may set the communication speed between the communication module 30 and the main body unit 10 of the refrigerator 1 at times other than when the main body unit 10 is transmitting an update program to a first communication speed, and may change the communication speed when the main body unit 10 is transmitting an update program to a second communication speed that is faster than the first communication speed.

[0055] The control unit 32 is configured with an arithmetic processor such as a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, etc. Various functions of the control unit 32 are realized by executing programs stored in the storage unit 33, for example.

[0056] Next, an operation of updating the program in the main body unit 10 by the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of an example of an operation of updating the program in the main body unit by the refrigerator according to this embodiment.

[0057] First, refrigerator 1 is running according to the current program. As shown in FIG. 1, when communication module 30 is attached to refrigerator 1, an operator attaches communication module 30 to refrigerator 1 on-site and downloads an update program for main body unit 10 from the operator's information processing device 5 to communication module 30. Communication module 30 also acquires model information of the current program (model information of refrigerator 1, version information of the program in main body unit 10) from main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1.

[0058] On the other hand, when the communication module 30 is built into the refrigerator 1, the operator remotely downloads an update program for the main body 10 from the server device 6 to the communication module 30. In this case, the communication module 30 acquires in advance the model information of the current program (model information of the refrigerator 1, version information of the program in the main body 10) from the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1.

[0059] Then, communications module 30 receives the update program and stores the received update program in storage unit 33 (step S101). Next, communications module 30 compares the model information in the update program for main body unit 10 with the device information of the current program in main body unit 10 (step S102). For example, communications module 30 compares the model information of refrigerator 1 in the update program for main body unit 10 with the model information of refrigerator 1 in the current program for main body unit 10. Communications module 30 also compares the version information of the update program for main body unit 10 with the version information of the current program for main body unit 10.

[0060] If the model information of the update program for the main body unit 10 matches the model information of the current program of the main body unit 10, the communication module 30 notifies the main body unit 10 of the refrigerator 1 that there is an update program for the main body unit 10 (step S103).

[0061] On the other hand, if the model information in the update program for main body unit 10 does not match the model information of the current program in main body unit 10, communication module 30 notifies information processing device 5 or server device 6 of an error. This allows the operator to recognize that the downloaded update program is an update program for a different refrigerator. In this way, by verifying the update program before overwriting the program in main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1, it is possible to prevent the incorrect update program from being overwritten and updated in main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1.

[0062] The checking of the update program may be performed by the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1, for example, in step S113 described below. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the memory capacity of the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1, it is preferable that the checking of the update program be performed by the communication module 30.

[0063] A password may be set for the update program for the main body 10. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized writing via a network, etc., and improve security.

[0064] Next, when main body 10 of refrigerator 1 receives the notification of the update program (step S105), it sets an update flag in the boot program in storage unit 13 (step S106) and restarts (step S107). Then, main body 10 of refrigerator 1 executes the boot program (step S108), recognizes that the update flag has been set, and requests the communication module 30 to update the main body 10 program (step S109).

[0065] Next, communications module 30 receives a request for an update program for main body unit 10 (step S110) and transmits the update program for main body unit 10 to main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1 (step S112). At this time, communications module 30 may change the communication speed between communications module 30 and main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1 (step S111). For example, if the communication speed when main body unit 10 is not transmitting an update program is a first communication speed (e.g., 9600 bps), communications module 30 changes the communication speed when transmitting the update program for main body unit 10 to a second communication speed (e.g., 115200 bps) that is faster than the first communication speed. This reduces the time it takes to transmit the update program from communications module 30 to main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1.

[0066] Next, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 receives the update program for the main body 10 from the communication module 30, and overwrites the current program of the main body 10 with the update program for the main body 10 (step S113).

[0067] Next, it is determined whether the program in the main body 10 has been successfully overwritten and updated by the update program for the main body 10 (step S114). If the update has been successfully completed, the update flag for the boot program in the storage unit 13 is reset (step S115) and the refrigerator is restarted (step S116). Then, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 executes the boot program (step S117) and executes the update program (step S118).

[0068] On the other hand, if the update is not performed normally, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 performs the update process of steps S107 to S114 again.

[0069] As described above, according to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, when updating the program of the main body unit 10, the communication module 30 receives an update program for the main body unit 10 from an external device and stores the received update program in the storage unit 33 of the communication module 30. The main body unit 10 then overwrites and updates the program stored in the storage unit 13 with the update program for the main body unit 10 stored in the storage unit 33 of the communication module 30. That is, the update program for the main body unit 10 is downloaded to the storage unit 33 of the communication module 30 and temporarily stored therein, and the program in the storage unit 13 of the main body unit 10 is overwritten and updated with the update program in the storage unit 33 of the communication module 30. This makes it possible to suitably update the program of the main body unit 10 even if the capacity of the storage unit 13 of the main body unit 10 of the refrigerator 1 is small.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the communication module 30 sets the communication speed between the communication module 30 and the main body unit 10 at times other than when the main body unit 10 is transmitting an update program to a first communication speed (e.g., 9600 bps), and changes the communication speed when the main body unit 10 is transmitting an update program to a second communication speed (e.g., 115200 bps) that is faster than the first communication speed. In other words, the communication speed when transmitting an update program from the communication module 30 to the main body unit 10 is set faster than the communication speed when transmitting and receiving control signals and the like during normal operation between the communication module 30 and the main body unit 10. This reduces the time it takes to transmit the update program from the communication module 30 to the main body unit 10, and reduces the downtime of the operation control of the refrigerator 1, particularly the cooling control, that is caused by overwriting and updating the program in the main body unit 10.

[0071] The communication speed for refrigerators is set at a standard (for example, 9600 bps). This standard is designed to transmit various types of refrigerator information from the refrigerator to the outside, and is therefore an acceptable communication speed for this purpose. On the other hand, transmitting an update program from an external device to a refrigerator at the above-mentioned communication speed takes time (for example, it may take about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the update program). In order to downsize the storage unit in the refrigerator's main body, the program is overwritten when the program is updated, which causes the refrigerator's cooling control to stop. If the update takes a long time, the refrigerator's cooling control will stop. In this regard, refrigerator 1 of this embodiment improves this as described above.

[0072] Furthermore, according to refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, before overwriting and updating the program in main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1, communication module 30 compares the refrigerator model information in the update program for main body unit 10 with the refrigerator model information in the program for main body unit 10, and compares the version information of the update program for main body unit 10 with the version information of the program for main body unit 10. This makes it possible to prevent the incorrect update program from being overwritten and updated in main body unit 10 of refrigerator 1.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, a password is set for the update program for the main body 10. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized writing via a network, etc., and improve security.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, if the overwriting update of the program of the main body unit 10 by the update program for the main body unit 10 is not performed normally, the main body unit 10 performs the overwriting update of the program of the main body unit 10 again by the update program for the main body unit 10. This allows the program of the main body unit 10 to be updated in an appropriate manner.

[0075] (Variation) Next, an operation of updating the program of the control panel 20 by the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of updating the program of the control panel by the refrigerator according to this embodiment.

[0076] First, refrigerator 1 is running according to the current program. When communication module 30 is attached to refrigerator 1 as shown in FIG. 1, an operator attaches communication module 30 to refrigerator 1 on-site and downloads an update program for control panel 20 to communication module 30 from the operator's information processing device 5. In addition, communication module 30 obtains model information for the current program (model information for refrigerator 1 and version information for the program on control panel 20) from control panel 20 of refrigerator 1.

[0077] On the other hand, when the communication module 30 is built into the refrigerator 1, the operator remotely downloads an update program for the control panel 20 from the server device 6 to the communication module 30. In this case, the communication module 30 acquires in advance the model information of the current program (model information of the refrigerator 1, and version information of the program on the control panel 20) from the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1.

[0078] Communications module 30 then receives the update program and stores the received update program in storage unit 33 (step S201). Next, communications module 30 compares the model information in the update program for control panel 20 with the device information of the current program for control panel 20 (step S202). For example, communications module 30 compares the model information of refrigerator 1 in the update program for control panel 20 with the model information of refrigerator 1 in the current program for control panel 20. Communications module 30 also compares the version information of the update program for control panel 20 with the version information of the current program for control panel 20.

[0079] If the model information in the update program for the control panel 20 matches the model information of the current program in the control panel 20, the communication module 30 notifies the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 that there is an update program for the control panel 20 (step S203).

[0080] On the other hand, if the model information in the update program for control panel 20 does not match the model information of the current program on control panel 20, communications module 30 sends an error notification to information processing device 5 or server device 6. This allows the operator to recognize that the downloaded update program is for a different refrigerator. In this way, by verifying the update program before overwriting the program on control panel 20 of refrigerator 1, it is possible to prevent the wrong update program from being overwritten on control panel 20 of refrigerator 1.

[0081] The update program may be verified by the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1, for example, in step S213 described below. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the memory capacity of the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1, it is preferable that the update program be verified by the communication module 30.

[0082] A password may be set for the update program of the control panel 20. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized writing via a network, etc., and improve security.

[0083] Next, when the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 receives the notification of the update program (step S205), it sets an update flag in the boot program in the storage unit 23 (step S206) and restarts (step S207). The control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 then executes the boot program (step S208), recognizes that the update flag has been set, and requests the communication module 30 to update the control panel 20 (step S209).

[0084] Next, the communications module 30 receives the request for the update program for the control panel 20 (step S210) and transmits the update program for the control panel 20 to the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 (step S212). At this time, the communications module 30 may change the communication speed between the communications module 30 and the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 (step S211). For example, if the communication speed when the control panel 20 is not transmitting the update program is a first communication speed (e.g., 9600 bps), the communications module 30 changes the communication speed when transmitting the update program for the control panel 20 to a second communication speed (e.g., 115200 bps) that is faster than the first communication speed. This reduces the time it takes to transmit the update program from the communications module 30 to the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1.

[0085] Next, the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 receives the update program for the control panel 20 from the communication module 30, and overwrites and updates the current program of the control panel 20 with the update program for the control panel 20 (step S213).

[0086] Next, it is determined whether the overwrite update of the program of the control panel 20 with the update program of the control panel 20 has been completed successfully (step S214). If the update has been completed successfully, the update flag of the boot program in the storage unit 23 is reset (step S215) and the refrigerator 1 is restarted (step S216). Then, the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 executes the boot program (step S217) and executes the update program (step S218).

[0087] On the other hand, if the update is not performed normally, the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 performs the update process of steps S207 to S214 again.

[0088] As described above, according to refrigerator 1 of this modified example, when updating the program of control panel 20, communications module 30 receives an update program for control panel 20 from an external device and stores the received update program in storage unit 33 of communications module 30. Control panel 20 then overwrites and updates the program stored in storage unit 23 with the update program for control panel 20 stored in storage unit 33 of communications module 30. In other words, the update program for control panel 20 is downloaded to storage unit 33 of communications module 30 and temporarily stored therein, and the program in storage unit 23 of control panel 20 is overwritten and updated with the update program in storage unit 33 of communications module 30. This allows the program of control panel 20 to be updated appropriately even if the capacity of storage unit 23 of control panel 20 of refrigerator 1 is small.

[0089] Furthermore, in refrigerator 1 of this modification, communications module 30 sets the communications speed between communications module 30 and control panel 20, which is the speed at which the control panel 20 is not transmitting an update program, to a first communications speed (e.g., 9600 bps), and changes the communications speed at which the control panel 20 is transmitting an update program to a second communications speed (e.g., 115200 bps) that is faster than the first communications speed. In other words, the communications speed at which the communications module 30 transmits an update program to control panel 20 is set faster than the communications speed at which control signals and the like are transmitted and received between communications module 30 and control panel 20 during normal operation. This shortens the time it takes to transmit the update program from communications module 30 to control panel 20, and shortens the downtime of refrigerator 1 operation control, particularly cooling control, that is caused by overwriting and updating the program in control panel 20.

[0090] Furthermore, according to refrigerator 1 of this modified example, before overwriting and updating the program on control panel 20 of refrigerator 1, communication module 30 compares the refrigerator model information in the update program on control panel 20 with the refrigerator model information in the program on control panel 20, and compares the version information of the update program on control panel 20 with the version information of the program on control panel 20. This makes it possible to prevent the control panel 20 of refrigerator 1 from being overwritten with an incorrect update program.

[0091] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 1 of this modification, a password is set for the update program of the control panel 20. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized writing via a network, etc., and improves security.

[0092] Furthermore, according to refrigerator 1 of this modification, if the overwrite update of the program of control panel 20 by the update program for control panel 20 is not performed normally, control panel 20 again performs the overwrite update of the program of control panel 20 by the update program for control panel 20. This allows the program of control panel 20 to be updated appropriately.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications, variations, and combinations are possible. For example, the program update function for the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 in the above-described embodiment and the program update function for the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 in the above-described modified example may be executed in combination. For example, the update program downloaded to the communication module 30 may include both an update program for the main body 10 and an update program for the control panel 20.

[0094] Furthermore, the update program downloaded to the communication module 30 can include update programs for multiple models. This allows the communication module to be standardized for multiple models of refrigerators.

[0095] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 may prohibit overwriting and updating of the program of the main body 10 when the defrosting operation (heater operation) of the cooler of the main body 10 is being performed.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 may prohibit overwriting or updating of the program in the main body 10 while the compressor of the main body 10 is operating. The main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 may also prohibit overwriting or updating of the program in the main body 10 for a predetermined time (for example, three minutes or more) after the compressor stops operating.

[0097] Similarly, in the above-described modified example, the control panel 20 of the refrigerator 1 may prohibit overwriting and updating of the program of the control panel 20 when the defrosting operation (heater operation) of the cooler of the main body 10 is being performed.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 may prohibit overwriting and updating of the program on the control panel 20 while the compressor of the main body 10 is operating. Furthermore, the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 may prohibit overwriting and updating of the program on the control panel 20 for a predetermined time (for example, three minutes or more) after the compressor stops operating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 refrigerator 5. Information processing equipment 6 Server equipment 10 Main body 11,21,31A,31B Communication Department 12, 22, 32 Control unit 13,23,33 Storage section 20. Control Panel 24 Control section 30 Communication Module

Claims

1. a control panel for allowing a user to input settings for various operations of the refrigerator; a main body unit having a main body storage unit in which a main body program is stored and controlling the various operations of the refrigerator based on the main body program and the settings; a communication module having a communication module storage unit; Equipped with When updating the main body program, the communication module receives a main body update program from an external device, and stores the received main body update program in the communication module storage unit; the main body updates the main body program stored in the main body storage unit by overwriting the main body update program stored in the communication module storage unit; refrigerator.

2. The communication module includes: a communication speed between the communication module and the main body unit, the communication speed being used at times other than when the main body update program is being transmitted, set to a first communication speed; changing the communication speed when transmitting the main body update program to a second communication speed that is faster than the first communication speed; The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The main body program includes model information of the refrigerator and version information of the main body program, the main body update program includes model information of the refrigerator and version information of the main body update program, The communication module or the main body unit includes: comparing the model information of the refrigerator in the main body update program with the model information of the refrigerator in the main body program; comparing the version information of the main body update program with the version information of the main body program; The refrigerator according to claim 1.

4. The update program for the main unit has a password set. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

5. the main body unit, if the main body program is not normally overwritten and updated by the main body update program, performs the overwriting and updating of the main body program by the main body update program again; The refrigerator according to claim 1.

6. the control panel has a control panel storage unit storing a control panel program for controlling input of settings for various operations of the refrigerator, When updating the control panel program, the communication module receives a control panel update program from an external device, and stores the received control panel update program in the communication module storage unit; the control panel overwrites and updates the control panel program stored in the control panel storage unit with the control panel update program stored in the communication module storage unit; The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The communication module includes: setting a communication speed between the communication module and the control panel, the communication speed at times other than when the control panel update program is being transmitted, to a first communication speed; changing the communication speed when transmitting the control panel update program to a second communication speed that is faster than the first communication speed; The refrigerator according to claim 6.

8. the control panel program includes model information of the refrigerator and version information of the control panel program, the control panel update program includes model information of the refrigerator and version information of the control panel update program, The communication module or the control panel comparing the model information of the refrigerator in the control panel update program with the model information of the refrigerator in the control panel program; comparing the version information of the control panel update program with the version information of the control panel program; The refrigerator according to claim 6.

9. The control panel update program has a password set. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

10. the control panel, if the overwriting update of the control panel program by the control panel update program is not performed normally, performs the overwriting update of the control panel program by the control panel update program again; The refrigerator according to claim 6.

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