Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can improve convenience.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a refrigerator body, a notification unit and a control unit. The notification unit provides a notification relating to settings or a state of the refrigerator body with a sound. The control unit controls whether to provide a notification with a nonverbal sound from the notification unit or provide a notification with a language from the notification unit in accordance with a situation even when it is the same notification content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a refrigerator having an audio output unit capable of outputting sound effects and music. By the way, further improvement in convenience is expected for the refrigerator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator of the embodiment is A refrigerator body, a notification unit that notifies, by sound, information regarding settings or states of the refrigerator body, and a control unit that controls whether to notify from the notification unit by non-verbal sound or by language according to the situation even if the notification content is the same. When an operation on an operation unit of a user is in a first time zone, the control unit causes the notification unit to output the language, and when the operation on the operation unit is in a second time zone different from the first time zone, the control unit causes the non-verbal sound to be output to the notification unit instead of the language. .

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the refrigerator according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. And redundant descriptions of these components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based at least on XX", and may include cases based on another element in addition to XX. "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, and may include both XX and YY. This is the same when there are three or more selectable elements. "XX" and "YY" are arbitrary elements (for example, arbitrary information).

[0008] Also, "specify" means to determine second information such as a value that can take a plurality of information such as values using first information such as a value. For example, "specify" includes calculating second information such as a value from first information such as a value, reading second information such as a value corresponding to first information such as a value with reference to a table, searching for second information such as a value using first information such as a value as an inquiry (processing request), selecting second information such as a value from among a plurality of candidates based on first information such as a value, estimating or predicting second information such as a value from first information such as a value.

[0009] In addition, "acquire" means to obtain new information such as a value. For example, "acquire" includes receiving information such as a value, accepting an input of information such as a value, reading out information such as a value from a table, and calculating other information such as a value from a certain information such as a value.

[0010] <Embodiment> (Configuration of Refrigerator System) First, the refrigerator system 1 including the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the refrigerator system 1 of the embodiment. The refrigerator system 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator 100, a server 200, and a terminal device 300. The network NW described later may include one or more of the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network, an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), or other public lines or dedicated lines.

[0011] The refrigerator 100 is arranged in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 is connected to the network NW via, for example, a wireless router R arranged in the residence of the user U, and can communicate with the server 200 via the network NW. Thereby, the refrigerator 100 can communicate with the terminal device 300 of the user U via the server 200. In the embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can directly communicate with the terminal device 300 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Details of the configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described later.

[0012] The server 200 provides services related to the settings and operations of the refrigerator 100. The server 200 is composed of, for example, one or more server devices (for example, a cloud server) connected to the network NW. The server 200 can communicate with the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300 via the network NW. Note that the server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence of the user U or a home router (for example, the wireless router R).

[0013] The terminal device 300 is a terminal device used by the user U. Examples of the terminal device 300 include portable terminal devices such as smartphones or tablet terminal devices. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to portable terminal devices, and may be a personal computer, a television receiver, a radio receiver, a music player, or various other audio devices and home appliances. The terminal device 300 is a device capable of playing music, videos, etc. The terminal device 300 can output audio data such as music and videos played by the terminal device 300 to the outside through short-range wireless communication conforming to a standard such as Bluetooth. The terminal device 300 is an example of an "external device". In the present application, "audio data" is different from non-verbal sounds (for example, buzzer sounds (including sounds imitating the effect sounds of buzzers)). Examples of "audio data" include music, the voices of radio broadcasts, the voices of television broadcasts, the voices of various videos (including videos distributed from video distribution sites), the voices of audio contents such as audio books, and the voices of voice SNS (Social Networking Service). However, "audio data" may be data related to sounds different from non-verbal sounds (for example, buzzer sounds (including sounds imitating the effect sounds of buzzers)) that can be transferred by communication, and is not limited to the above examples.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 300 includes a display device 301 including a display screen capable of displaying various information, and an input reception unit 302 capable of receiving an input (including voice input) from the user U. Examples of the display device 301 include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Examples of the input reception unit 302 include a touch screen having a touch sensor function provided over the display screen of the display device 301, a microphone that picks up the voice of the user U, and the like. An application program P for changing, operating, and managing the settings of the refrigerator 100 is installed in the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported.

[0015] (Configuration of the refrigerator) Next, the configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment. The refrigerator 100 includes a refrigerator main body MB including the basic configuration of a refrigerator. The refrigerator main body MB includes, for example, a housing 10, a plurality of doors 31, a plurality of door opening / closing detection units 33, a proximity detection unit 34, and an operation panel unit 35.

[0016] The housing 10 includes an upper wall 11, a lower wall 12, left and right side walls 13, 14, and a rear wall 15 (see FIG. 3), and is formed in a box shape with an open front. The housing 10 includes, for example, an inner box forming the inner surface of the housing 10, an outer box forming the outer surface of the housing 10, and a foamed heat insulating material provided between the inner box and the outer box, and has heat insulating properties. Inside the housing 10, a plurality of partition portions 16, 17 (see FIG. 3) for partitioning the inside of the housing 10 like a plurality of storage chambers 21 described later are provided.

[0017] The housing 10 includes a plurality of storage chambers 21. The plurality of storage chambers 21 include, for example, a refrigerating chamber 21A, a chilled chamber 21AA, a vegetable chamber 21B, an ice making chamber 21C, a small freezing chamber 21D, and a main freezing chamber 21E. In the embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 21A is arranged at the uppermost part, the vegetable chamber 21B is arranged below the refrigerating chamber 21A, the ice making chamber 21C and the small freezing chamber 21D are arranged below the vegetable chamber 21B, and the main freezing chamber 21E is arranged below the ice making chamber 21C and the small freezing chamber 21D. The chilled chamber 21AA is provided inside the refrigerating chamber 21A and is at least partially partitioned from other areas of the refrigerating chamber 21A by a shelf, a lid, or the like.

[0018] The openings of the plurality of storage chambers 21 are closably closed by the plurality of doors 31. The plurality of doors 31 include left and right refrigerating chamber doors 31Aa, 31Ab for closing the opening of the refrigerating chamber 21A, a vegetable chamber door 31B for closing the opening of the vegetable chamber 21B, an ice making chamber door 31C for closing the opening of the ice making chamber 21C, a small freezing chamber door 31D for closing the opening of the small freezing chamber 21D, and a main freezing chamber door 31E for closing the opening of the main freezing chamber 21E. The door opening / closing detection unit 33 is provided at a position corresponding to each door 31 and detects the opening and closing of each door 31.

[0019] The proximity detection unit 34 is provided on the housing 10 or the door 31. Examples of the proximity detection unit 34 include a capacitance type detection unit. The proximity detection unit 34 detects the presence of the user U approaching within a predetermined range with respect to the proximity detection unit 34.

[0020] The operation panel unit 35 is provided on the housing 10 or the door 31. The operation panel unit 35 includes a plurality of operation units 35a (for example, a plurality of operation buttons) that receive operations of the user U for instructing setting changes and operations related to each storage chamber 21, and a plurality of notification units 35b that notify the user U of the setting contents and the control mode being executed related to each storage chamber 21 by sound. That is, the plurality of notification units 35b notify by sound about the settings or states of the refrigerator main body MB. The plurality of notification units 35b are an example of notification units.

[0021] Examples of the settings include a setting for enabling or disabling a function in which the door automatically opens when a predetermined position in the refrigerator 100 is touched (for example, "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for the cooling capacity in each storage chamber 21 (for example, "strong setting", "medium setting", "weak setting", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling a function of making ice (including ice making such as one-shot ice making that makes ice in a shorter time than normal ice making) in a specific storage chamber 21 (for example, "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling a defrosting function in a specific storage chamber 21 (for example, "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling a chilled function called ice crystal chilled that covers food with a film of ice in a specific storage chamber 21 (for example, "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), a setting for enabling or disabling automatic power saving for power saving determined by the refrigerator 100 (for example, "on (enabled)", "off (disabled)", etc.), and settings of the refrigerator main body MB such as settings related to communication connection.

[0022] Examples of states include a state in which the control being executed in the refrigerator main body MB is changed (including a state in which the control has ended) in response to a predetermined condition regarding temperature, time, etc. being satisfied, a state in which ice making in a specific storage chamber 21 is completed and the ice making function is changed from being effective to ineffective, etc., which are states of the refrigerator main body MB. Further, examples of states include a state in which an error detected in the refrigerator main body MB, such as a "door open error", "water supply tank error", "communication error", "interface error", etc., has occurred, and a state called an eco (energy saving) mode in which the cooling state is stable and the refrigerator is operating with low power consumption. The "door open error" is an error indicating a state in which the open state of the door 31 has continued for a certain period of time (for example, 1 minute) or more, and is detected by the door open / close detection unit 33. The "water supply tank error" is an error indicating a state in which the water in the water supply tank for ice making is below a predetermined amount, and is detected by, for example, a water level sensor provided near the water supply tank. The "communication error" is an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication by the communication unit. The "communication error" is, for example, an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication between the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300, and is detected based on the communication state of the first communication unit 81. Further, the "communication error" is, for example, an error indicating that an abnormality has occurred in communication that the refrigerator 100 performs with an external device via the router R, and is detected based on the communication state of the second communication unit 82. The "interface error" is an error indicating that a malfunction has occurred in an interface such as the operation panel unit 35, the display device 36, the input reception unit 37, etc., and is detected based on the signal transmission / reception state between the interface and the control board 85, etc.

[0023] Examples of each of the plurality of notification units 35b include a light-emitting unit realized by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 92 (see FIGS. 4 and 6), a speaker 83 described later, a buzzer 84 described later, and the like. Note that the plurality of notification units 35b include the speaker 83 described later and the buzzer 84 described later. The operation panel unit 35 and the buzzer 84 are connected to an operation substrate 93 for operation (see FIG. 4). Thereby, an operation performed on the operation panel unit 35 is immediately (i.e., with low latency) transmitted to the buzzer 84 via the operation substrate 93. Further, the operation substrate 93 and the control substrate 85 are connected by wire.

[0024] Note that instead of or in addition to the operation panel unit 35, a display device 36 and an input reception unit 37 may be provided on the door 31. Examples of the display device 36 include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. Examples of the input reception unit 37 include a touch screen having a touch sensor function provided over the display screen of the display device 36.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F3 - F3 of the refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 2. The refrigerator main body MB includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 41, a plurality of containers 42, a first duct component 51, a second duct component 52, and a cooling unit M.

[0026] The plurality of shelves 41 are arranged in the refrigerating chamber 21A. The plurality of shelves 41 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The plurality of containers 42 are separately arranged in the chilled chamber 21AA, the vegetable chamber 21B, the ice-making chamber 21C, the small freezing chamber 21D, and the main freezing chamber 21E.

[0027] The first duct component 51 is provided along the rear wall 15 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. The first duct component 51 extends, for example, from behind the lower end of the vegetable compartment 21B to behind the upper end of the refrigerating compartment 21A. A first duct space D1, which is a passage for cold air (air) to flow, is formed between the first duct component 51 and the rear wall 15 of the housing 10. The first duct component 51 includes a plurality of refrigerating compartment cold air outlets 51a, a chilled compartment cold air outlet 51b, and a cold air return port 51c. The plurality of refrigerating compartment cold air outlets 51a open into the refrigerating compartment 21A. The chilled compartment cold air outlet 51b opens into the chilled compartment 21AA. The cold air return port 51c opens into the vegetable compartment 21B.

[0028] The second duct component 52 is provided along the rear wall 15 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. The second duct component 52 extends, for example, from behind the main freezing compartment 21E to behind the upper ends of the ice making compartment 21C and the small freezing compartment 21D. A second duct space D2, which is a passage for cold air (air) to flow, is formed between the second duct component 52 and the rear wall 15 of the housing 10. The second duct component 52 includes a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air return port 52b. The cold air outlet 52a opens into the ice making compartment 21C and the small freezing compartment 21D. The cold air return port 52b opens into the main freezing compartment 21E.

[0029] The cooling unit M includes, for example, a refrigerating cooler 61, a refrigerating blower 62, a freezing cooler 63, a freezing blower 64, a compressor 65, and a refrigeration cycle device (not shown).

[0030] The refrigerator cooler 61 is disposed in the first duct space D1. The refrigerator cooler 61 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by the compressor 65 and cools the cold air flowing through the first duct space D1. The refrigerator blower 62 is disposed, for example, in the first duct space D1. When the refrigerator blower 62 is driven, the air in the first duct space D1 flows upward within the first duct space D1 and is cooled by the refrigerator cooler 61. The cold air cooled by the refrigerator cooler 61 is blown out from the plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 51a into the refrigerator compartment 21A and from the chilled compartment cold air outlet 51b into the chilled compartment 21AA. The cold air blown out into the refrigerator compartment 21A and the chilled compartment 21AA flows through the refrigerator compartment 21A and the chilled compartment 21AA respectively, and then returns to the first duct space D1 from the cold air return port 51c via, for example, the vegetable compartment 21B. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 21A, the chilled compartment 21AA, and the vegetable compartment 21B are cooled.

[0031] The freezer cooler 63 is disposed in the second duct space D2. The freezer cooler 63 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by the compressor 65 and cools the cold air flowing through the second duct space D2. The freezer blower 64 is disposed, for example, in the second duct space D2. When the freezer blower 64 is driven, the air in the second duct space D2 flows upward within the second duct space D2 and is cooled by the freezer cooler 63. The cold air cooled by the freezer cooler 63 flows into the ice making compartment 21C and the small freezer compartment 21D from the cold air outlet 52a. The cold air that has flowed into the ice making compartment 21C and the small freezer compartment 21D flows through the ice making compartment 21C and the small freezer compartment 21D respectively, and then returns to the second duct space D2 from the cold air return port 52b via the main freezer compartment 21E. Thereby, the ice making compartment 21C, the small freezer compartment 21D, and the main freezer compartment 21E are cooled.

[0032] The compressor 65 is provided, for example, in the machine room at the bottom of the refrigerator 100. The compressor 65 compresses the refrigerant gas used for cooling each storage compartment 21. The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 65 is sent to the refrigerator cooler 61 and the freezer cooler 63 via a condenser or the like included in the refrigeration cycle device.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the refrigerator main body MB, the refrigerator 100 includes a speaker 83, a buzzer 84, a control board 85, and a communication unit 86. The communication unit 86 includes a first communication unit 81 and a second communication unit 82.

[0034] The first communication unit 81 is a short - distance communication module capable of communicating with a terminal device 300 located inside the user U's residence. In this application, "short - distance" means inside the user U's residence. The first communication unit 81 can communicate directly with the user U's terminal device 300. The first communication unit 81 is, for example, a wireless communication module compliant with a standard such as Bluetooth. That is, the first communication unit 81 is a wireless communication module capable of communicating with an external device. However, the first communication unit 81 is not limited to a wireless communication module and may be able to communicate with the terminal device 300 via a cable connecting the refrigerator 100 and the terminal device 300 (i.e., using a wired connection).

[0035] The first communication unit 81 can receive audio data such as music and videos from the terminal device 300 when the first communication unit 81 and the terminal device 300 are communicably connected.

[0036] The second communication unit 82 is a long - distance communication module capable of communicating with a device located outside the user U's residence, for example, via a wireless router R. That is, the second communication unit 82 is provided separately from the first communication unit 81 and can communicate with an external device. Examples of the external device include the terminal device 300. In this application, "long - distance" means outside the user U's residence. The second communication unit 82 can communicate, for example, via a wireless router R and a network NW. Examples of the second communication unit 82 include a wireless communication module for wireless LAN such as Wi - Fi (registered trademark). However, the second communication unit 82 is not limited to a wireless communication module and may be connected to the network NW via a cable connected to the refrigerator 100.

[0037] Speaker 83 can output, by sound (for example, voice), notifications regarding the settings or status of the refrigerator main body MB according to the control by the control unit 91 described later. That is, the speaker 83 is provided separately from the buzzer 84 and can output voice. The speaker 83 is an example of the second notification unit. Note that the notification by sound is not limited to voice and may be a buzzer sound or the like. Therefore, in the following description, "voice" can be read as "sound (including non-verbal sounds described later)". Details of the notification regarding the refrigerator main body MB will be described later. In the embodiment, the speaker 83 can output sound (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "externally-derived sound") based on the sound data acquired from the terminal device 300 via the first communication unit 81 in a state where the first communication unit 81 and the terminal device 300 are communicably connected. For example, the speaker 83 functions as an external speaker of the terminal device 300 and can output the voices of music, videos, etc. (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "sound source contents") when they are played on the terminal device 300. In other words, the refrigerator 100 can cause the terminal device 300 to use the speaker 83 (provide the speaker 83 to the terminal device 300). In this case, operations of the externally-derived sound (such as playback and stop) are performed by the operations of the user U on the terminal device 300. In the embodiment, the first communication unit 81 and the speaker 83 are integrally provided as one speaker unit SU. Alternatively, the first communication unit 81 and the speaker 83 may be provided separately. Examples of the communication standard performed by the first communication unit 81 include Bluetooth and the like. When the communication standard performed by the first communication unit 81 is Bluetooth, the speaker 83 is a Bluetooth speaker.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the connection between three substrates in the embodiment. The first communication unit 81 is provided on the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit (see FIG. 4), and the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit and the control substrate 85 may be connected by wire (for example, communication by UART, etc.). And the speaker 83 may be connected to the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit by wire and controlled by the control unit 91. Further, the control substrate 85 may have a wireless function (for example, communication by Bluetooth) capable of communicating with the first communication unit 81, and the first communication unit 81 provided on the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit and the control substrate 85 may be connected wirelessly. And the speaker 83 may be connected to the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit by wire and controlled by the control unit 91. Note that the communication between the control substrate 85 and the control substrate 94 for the first communication unit may be performed directly or via an external device (for example, an external server, etc.). The speaker 83 outputs sound based on the sound data acquired from the outside. That is, the speaker 83 has relatively good sound quality among the speakers existing in the world. Therefore, the notification about the refrigerator body MB output from the speaker 83 is an easy-to-hear voice for the user U.

[0039] The buzzer 84 is a device that outputs an operation sound (effect sound) indicating that an operation has been performed by the user U, or that the state of the refrigerator body MB has been changed without being caused by an operation by the user U. For example, when the operation unit 35a of the operation panel unit 35 is pressed by the user U, the buzzer 84 outputs an operation sound (for example, a buzzer sound that rings while the operation unit 35a is being pressed) indicating that the operation unit 35a has been pressed via the operation substrate 93. That is, the buzzer 84 can output non-verbal sounds. The buzzer 84 is an example of the first notification unit.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the system configuration of the refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment. The control board 85 includes a control circuit section having a microcomputer, a timer, etc., and a power supply circuit section having power supply components. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a control section 91, a first storage section 95, and a second storage section 96 are shown as the control board 85. Note that in FIG. 5, the description of the LED 92, the operation board 93, and the control board 94 for the first communication section shown in FIG. 4 is omitted.

[0041] The control section 91 controls whether to perform notification from the notification section 35b by non-verbal sound or by language depending on the situation even for the same notification content. Examples of the language for performing notification from the notification section 35b include voice.

[0042] For example, the control section 91 performs notification in a notification mode corresponding to each situation for each operation or each content indicated by the notification mode information S1. Examples of the situation include the situation of the refrigerator main body MB (for example, the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB), the situation due to different time zones (for example, daytime / nighttime), the situation due to different states of the notification section 35b (for example, whether it is in use or not), etc. Specific examples of the notification mode information S1 will be described later.

[0043] In addition, when the second notification section (for example, the speaker 83) is in a state where it can perform voice notification via the first communication section 81 and the second communication section 82 becomes available, the control section 91 causes the second notification section to perform voice notification indicating that the second communication section has become available.

[0044] In addition, when the second notification section (for example, the speaker 83) is outputting sound based on sound data acquired from outside the refrigerator main body MB via the first communication section 81 and the second communication section 82 becomes available, the control section 91 suppresses the output from the second notification section of voice notification indicating that the second communication section has become available.

[0045] Further, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) to output a notification regarding the communication connection, and suppresses the output of the notification from the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84).

[0046] Further, when the setting of the refrigerator main body MB is changed according to the setting information from the outside, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audible notification indicating the content of the change in the setting. The setting information from the outside includes the setting information generated when the user U operates. This operation of the user U is an example of an operation from the outside.

[0047] Further, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the operation has been detected.

[0048] Further, when a first-mode operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the first-mode operation has been detected. When a second-mode operation more complex than the first mode on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audible notification indicating that the second-mode operation has been detected. Examples of the complex second-mode operation include operations different from a single contact such as a single press on the operation unit 35a, such as a long press or rapid fire. If the operation unit 35a is a touch screen, operations such as a slide or a swipe are included.

[0049] Further, when causing a predetermined notification regarding the setting or state of the refrigerator main body MB, after the notification unit 35b outputs a first notification by a non-verbal sound, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a second notification by an audible sound as a notification supplementing the first notification.

[0050] Further, when the first notification is continuously output for a certain period of time or more, after outputting the first notification, the control unit 91 suppresses the output of the second notification corresponding to the first notification.

[0051] Further, when the control unit 91 detects an operation for changing the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB, but there is no valid change or no change in the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or information related to the state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation, the notification unit 35b is caused to output a non-verbal sound notification and the output of the voice notification is suppressed.

[0052] Further, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power-saving state in which the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibition state in which operations are not accepted, or a state in which the setting of automatic opening of the door 31 according to the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is invalid, the notification unit 35b outputs a voice notification indicating the corresponding power-saving state, operation prohibition state, or state in which the setting of automatic opening of the door 31 is invalid.

[0053] Further, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a state in which the setting of automatic opening of the door 31 according to the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is valid, before the door 31 opens or while the door 31 is open, the notification unit 35b outputs a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the door 31 is about to open.

[0054] Further, when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification.

[0055] The control unit 91 is realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the above microcomputer, executing a program. However, part or all of the control unit 91 may be realized by hardware (including circuitry), such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by the cooperation of software and hardware.

[0056] Examples of each of the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 include a storage unit realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drove), or a combination of a plurality of these. In the embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 are described separately, but the first storage unit 95 and the second storage unit 96 may be provided integrally. For example, notification mode information S1 and external device detection history information S2 are stored in the first storage unit 95.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation panel unit 35 of the embodiment. The operation panel unit 35 includes a plurality of operation units 35a. In the example shown in FIG. 6, as the operation unit 35a, there are an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity in the refrigerating chamber which is one of the storage chambers 21, an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity in the freezing chamber which is one of the storage chambers 21, an operation unit for enabling or disabling a chiller function such as a crystal chiller that covers food with a film of ice in a specific storage chamber 21, an operation unit for enabling or disabling the thawing function in a specific storage chamber 21, an operation unit for setting the cooling capacity of the thawing function in a specific storage chamber 21, an operation unit for performing pairing in wireless communication by Bluetooth, and an operation unit for resetting the functions of the operation panel unit 35. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of LEDs 92 are shown as a light emitting unit for showing the setting contents of each setting. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a notification unit 35b for showing whether it is in the eco mode where the cooling state is stable and in low power consumption operation is shown.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the notification mode information S1 of the embodiment. In the notification mode information S1, as shown in FIG. 7, for each of a plurality of operations or contents, a plurality of situations and notification modes corresponding to each of those plurality of situations are associated and registered. The notification modes include information indicating the mode of notification by the first notification unit (for example, buzzer 84) and information indicating the mode of notification by the second notification unit (for example, speaker 83). Examples of the information indicating the mode of notification by the first notification unit include information indicating the type of non-verbal sound determined by a combination such as the pitch of the sound, the volume of the sound, the length of time the sound is output, and the number of times the sound is output. Note that each of the volume of the sound, the length of time the sound is output, and the number of times the sound is output may include zero. That is, the control unit 91 may cause the first notification unit not to output non-verbal sound. Further, examples of the information indicating the mode of notification by the second notification unit include information indicating the type of voice determined by a combination such as the pitch of the voice, the volume of the voice, and the notification content indicated by language. Note that each of the volume of the voice and the notification content indicated by language may include zero. That is, the control unit 91 may cause the second notification unit not to output voice.

[0059] In the example of the notification mode information S1 shown in FIG. 7, the situation is associated with the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB. However, as described above, the situation is not limited to the situation of the refrigerator main body MB, and may include situations due to different time zones (for example, daytime or nighttime, etc.), situations due to different states of the notification unit 35b (for example, whether it is in use or not), etc. The control unit 91 controls the notification unit 35b to change the notification mode according to the notification mode information S1. Details of the control for changing the notification mode by the control unit 91 will be described later.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the content of the external device detection history information S2 of the embodiment. The external device detection history information S2 is information indicating the detection history of the terminal device 300 of the user U for whom the setting change, operation, and status confirmation of the refrigerator 100 have been performed. Such detection is detected by the refrigerator 100 when the terminal device 300 of the user U is connected to the refrigerator 100 by wireless communication or wired communication in order to perform those operations when the setting change, operation, and status confirmation of the refrigerator 100 are performed, and the detection result is registered as a detection history in the external device detection history information S2. The terminal devices 300 included in the external device detection history information S2 may correspond to a plurality of terminal devices 300 such as, for example, the father's terminal device 300 (external device A), the mother's terminal device 300 (external device B), and the child's terminal device 300 (external device C).

[0061] (Details of the control for changing the notification mode by the control unit) Next, details of the control for changing the notification mode by the control unit 91 will be described. In the embodiment, the control unit 91 controls whether to perform notification from the notification unit 35b by non-verbal sound or by language according to the situation even for the same notification content. The following shows the first to thirteenth specific examples of the control for changing the notification mode by the control unit 91.

[0062] (Processing performed by the common control unit in the first to thirteenth specific examples) FIG. 9 describes the processing common to the first to thirteenth specific examples performed by the control unit of the embodiment. In the description of the processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples, for the convenience of explaining the specific processing using the notification mode information S1 shown in FIG. 7, the situation will be described as being the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB. However, as described above, the situation may be different from the situation of the refrigerator main body MB (settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB), or in addition, the situation may include differences in time zones (for example, during the day or at night, etc.), differences in the state of the notification unit 35b (for example, whether it is in use or not), etc. Therefore, in the first to thirteenth specific examples described later, the situation is not limited to the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB.

[0063] When the refrigerator main body MB is operated by the user U to change the settings, or when the state of the refrigerator main body MB is changed without being caused by the operation of the user U, the control unit 91 acquires the operation or the state after the change (step S1). The control unit 91 reads out the notification mode information S1 stored in the first storage unit 95 (step S2). Further, the control unit 91 acquires the situation. For example, when the control unit 91 acquires the state of the refrigerator main body MB, it may acquire the detection result from each detection unit provided in the refrigerator main body MB. Examples of the detection results detected by each detection unit include a detection result indicating whether the door detected by the door opening / closing detection unit 33 is in an open state or a closed state, and a detection result indicating whether or not the user U is near the refrigerator 100 detected by the proximity detection unit 34. That is, the control unit 91 may acquire the settings stored in the storage unit and the detection results detected by each detection unit as the situation (step S3).

[0064] When the control unit 91 acquires the situation, in the read notification mode information S1, it specifies an operation that matches the acquired operation or content that matches the acquired content (step S4). The control unit 91 specifies a situation that matches the acquired situation from among a plurality of situations associated with the operation or content specified in the notification mode information S1 (step S5). For example, assume that the control unit 91 has acquired situation 1 as the situation. Also, assume that the control unit 91 has specified operation 1 as the operation that matches the acquired operation or content that matches the acquired content in the read notification mode information S1. Also, assume that the notification mode information S1 is the notification mode information shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the control unit 91 specifies situation 1 from among a plurality of situations associated with operation 1 specified in the notification mode information S1.

[0065] Then, the control unit 91 performs control to cause the first notification unit (for example, buzzer 84) to notify in a manner according to notification a1 and the second notification unit (for example, speaker 83) to notify in a manner according to notification b1 in the notification mode information S1 for the specified situation 1 (step S6). Note that notification a1 includes information indicating the type of non-verbal sound (for example, buzzer sound) determined by a combination such as the pitch and volume of the sound. Also, notification b1 includes information indicating the type of voice determined by a combination such as the pitch and volume of the voice and the notification content indicated by the language.

[0066] By controlling in this way, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (for example, buzzer 84) to output a non-verbal sound and can cause the second notification unit (for example, speaker 83) to output a voice. That is, when performing notification corresponding to the same operation or notification corresponding to the same content (that is, when notifying the same notification content), by presetting the notification modes of the first notification unit and the second notification unit for each situation for each operation and each content, the control unit 91 can control whether to perform notification from the notification unit by non-verbal sound or perform notification from the notification unit by language according to the situation even for the same notification content.

[0067] (First specific example) In the first specific example, even for the same notification content, depending on the situation, the control unit 91 controls whether to notify the user of the settings or status of the refrigerator main body MB from the notification unit 35b by non-verbal sound or by language. This is to distinguish between non-verbal sound and language according to the status (an example of the situation) of the refrigerator main body MB even for notifications in response to the same operation by the user U. That is, depending on the situation, not only by non-verbal sound notification, but instead of or in addition to that, by voice notification, the aim is to make the notification content easier to convey to the user U compared to non-verbal sound notification.

[0068] For example, when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is a setting change that can be accepted, a notification mode of simply outputting a non-verbal sound "beep" from the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84) is preset in the notification mode information S1. When the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is a setting change that cannot be accepted, a notification mode of outputting a voice such as "The operation cannot be accepted" from the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) is preset in the notification mode information S1. Examples of setting changes that cannot be accepted include situations where the cooling capacity setting in each storage chamber 21 is "strong setting" (the setting with the highest cooling capacity), and even if an operation is performed to increase the cooling capacity further, the cooling capacity cannot be increased. In this way, the notification mode is preset in the notification mode information S1, and the control unit 91 uses the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described in the above-mentioned "processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples". As a result, when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is a setting change that can be accepted, the control unit 91 can output a non-verbal sound "beep" from the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84), and when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is a setting change that cannot be accepted, the control unit 91 can output a voice such as "The operation cannot be accepted" from the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83).

[0069] Also, even for notifications in response to the same operation by the user U, non-verbal sounds and language (e.g., voice) may be used selectively according to the time zone (an example of the situation). For example, when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is during the day, a notification mode in which voice such as "Settings have been changed (or the operation has been accepted)" is output to the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) is preset, and when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is at night, a notification mode in which a non-verbal sound of "beep" is simply output to the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84) is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above-mentioned "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is during the day, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (e.g., the speaker 83) to output voice such as "Settings have been changed (or the operation has been accepted)" in response to the operation by the user U, and when the operation on the operation unit 35a by the user U is at night, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (e.g., the buzzer 84) to output a non-verbal sound of "beep".

[0070] Also, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used separately according to the time zone (an example of the situation). For example, when the completion of batch ice-making is during the day, a notification mode in which voice is output to the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83), such as "Batch ice-making is completed", is preset in the notification mode information S1. When the completion of batch ice-making is at night, a notification mode in which a non-verbal sound of "beep" is simply output to the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84) is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the completion of batch ice-making is during the day, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) to output voice, such as "Batch ice-making is completed", and when the completion of batch ice-making is at night, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84) to output a non-verbal sound of "beep".

[0071] Also, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used separately according to the usage status of the speaker 83. For example, when the speaker 83 is not in use at the time of completion of batch ice-making, a notification mode in which voice is output to the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83), such as "Batch ice-making is completed", is preset in the notification mode information S1. When the speaker 83 is in use (for example, playing music) at the time of completion of batch ice-making, a notification mode in which a non-verbal sound of "beep" is simply output to the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84) is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the speaker 83 is not in use at the time of completion of batch ice-making, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) to output voice, such as "Batch ice-making is completed", and when the speaker 83 is in use (for example, playing music) at the time of completion of batch ice-making, the control unit 91 can cause the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84) to output a non-verbal sound of "beep".

[0072] (Second specific example) In the second specific example, when the control unit 91 is in a state where the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) can perform voice notification via the first communication unit 81 and the second communication unit 82 becomes available, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit to perform a voice notification indicating that the second communication unit has become available. This means that while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-output-capable communication with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications, when the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, the second notification unit notifies by voice that the communication has become possible. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0073] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the usage state of the speaker 83. For example, while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-output-capable communication with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications, when the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, a notification mode in which the second notification unit notifies by voice that the communication has become possible, such as "The second wireless communication has been connected", is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the process described in the above "process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples", when the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable while the control unit 91 is performing voice-output-capable communication with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, the control unit 91 can cause the second notification unit to notify by voice that the communication has become possible, such as "The second wireless communication has been connected". As a result, the user U can immediately recognize that the second wireless communication has been connected.

[0074] Also, for example, when it is preset to switch to communication via the second communication unit 82 from the first communication unit 81 when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-outputable communication with the second notification unit (for example, speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications as the communication target, if the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, a notification mode for notifying, for example, "The first wireless communication connection has been disconnected and the second wireless communication connection has been made" by voice from the second notification unit that the communication has been switched is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the process described in the above "process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, if it is preset to switch to communication via the second communication unit 82 from the first communication unit 81, while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-outputable communication with the second notification unit (for example, speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications as the communication target, if the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, it can be notified by voice from the second notification unit that the communication has been switched, for example, "The first wireless communication connection has been disconnected and the second wireless communication connection has been made". As a result, the user U can immediately recognize that the second wireless communication has been connected.

[0075] Also, for example, when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, if it is preset to select either the first communication unit 81 or the second communication unit 82, while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-output-capable communication with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications to be the communication target, when the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, a notification mode such as "Since the first wireless communication is in progress, the second wireless communication connection cannot be made" or "The first wireless communication is in progress. Do you want to disconnect the first wireless communication connection and make the second wireless communication connection?" is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and the control unit 91 performing the process described in the above "process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the second communication unit 82 becomes communicable, if it is preset to select either the first communication unit 81 or the second communication unit 82, while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing voice-output-capable communication with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 which is one of the two wireless communications to be the communication target, when the second communication unit 82 which is the communication target of the other wireless communication becomes communicable, the control unit 91 can cause the second notification unit to notify by voice, such as "Since the first wireless communication is in progress, the second wireless communication connection cannot be made" or "The first wireless communication is in progress. Do you want to disconnect the first wireless communication connection and make the second wireless communication connection?" As a result, the user U can select the wireless communication destination.

[0076] (Third specific example) In the third specific example, the control unit 91 is in a state where the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) outputs sound based on sound data acquired from outside the refrigerator main body MB via the first communication unit 81. When the second communication unit 82 becomes available, the control unit 91 suppresses the output from the second notification unit of an audio notification indicating that the second communication unit 82 has become available. This is to suppress the second notification unit from audibly notifying that the second communication unit 82, which is the target of one of the two wireless communications, has become communicable while the user U's terminal device 300 is performing communication to output sound based on sound data from the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is the target of one of the two wireless communications. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0077] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the usage state of the speaker 83. For example, when the user U's terminal device 300 is performing communication to output sound based on sound data from the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, which is the target of one of the two wireless communications, and the second communication unit 82, which is the target of the other wireless communication, becomes communicable, a notification mode for suppressing the second notification unit from audibly notifying that the second communication unit 82 has become communicable is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processing described in the above-mentioned "processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 can suppress the second notification unit from audibly notifying that the second communication unit 82, which is the target of the other wireless communication, has become communicable while performing communication to output sound based on sound data from the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81. As a result, the user U can enjoy music continuously without being disturbed.

[0078] (Fourth specific example) In the fourth specific example, the control unit 91 causes the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) to output a notification regarding the communication connection, and suppresses the output of the notification from the first notification unit (for example, the buzzer 84). Examples of the notification regarding the communication connection include "The communication connection setting has been completed", "The communication connection has been established", "The communication connection has been disconnected", and the like. This is because the user U is waiting for the terminal device 300 to be able to communicate with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, and thus suppresses notifications from sources other than the communication with the second notification unit via the first communication unit 81 that the user is conscious of. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used separately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0079] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used separately according to the connection state with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81. For example, a notification mode for suppressing notifications from other communications is preset in the notification mode information S1 from when the terminal device 300 of the user U starts a communication connection with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 until the communication connection is completed and the notification of the completion of the communication connection from the second notification unit is completed. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 can suppress notifications from other communications from when the terminal device 300 starts a communication connection with the second notification unit (for example, the speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81 until the communication connection is completed and the notification of the completion of the communication connection from the second notification unit is completed. As a result, the user U can avoid receiving notifications other than those related to the communication being focused on, that is, unnecessary notifications. Note that since the operation sound when an operation is performed on the operation unit 35a is not a notification regarding the communication connection, it is not subject to the suppression of notifications.

[0080] (Fifth specific example) In the fifth specific example, when the setting of the refrigerator main body MB is changed according to the setting information from the outside, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audible notification indicating the content of the setting change. Examples of operations from the outside include operations using voice recognition. Examples of the setting information from the outside include the setting information of the refrigerator main body MB that an external device transmits to the refrigerator 100 to change the setting of the refrigerator main body MB. This is because the user U can understand the notification content more easily when notified by voice, which is easier to understand than non-verbal sound for the content of the setting change. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0081] Even for notifications related to the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language may be used appropriately according to the setting information from the outside. For example, when the setting of the refrigerator main body MB is changed according to the setting information from the outside, a notification mode in which the notification unit 35b outputs an audible notification indicating the content of the setting change is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the process described in the above-mentioned "process performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output an audible notification indicating the content of the setting change when the setting of the refrigerator main body MB is changed according to the setting information from the outside.

[0082] (Sixth specific example) In the sixth specific example, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal audible notification indicating that the operation has been detected. This is because when the user U receives a non-verbal audible notification, the user U can intuitively understand the notification content compared to an audible notification. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sound and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0083] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 presets, in the notification mode information S1, a notification mode in which the operation is notified from the first notification unit by non-verbal sounds. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above-mentioned "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when an operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 can notify the operation from the first notification unit by non-verbal sounds. Thereby, the user U can intuitively understand the notification about the operation more easily than the notification by voice.

[0084] (Seventh specific example) In the seventh specific example, when the control unit 91 detects an operation of the first mode on the operation unit 35a, it causes the notification unit 35b to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the operation of the first mode has been detected. When an operation of the second mode, which is more complex than the first mode, on the operation unit 35a is detected, it causes the notification unit 35b to output a voice notification indicating that the operation of the second mode has been detected. This is such that when the user U performs a special operation (such as a long press or rapid tapping different from a single contact like a single press, or an operation such as a slide or a swipe on a touch screen) on the operation unit 35a, by receiving a voice notification, the user can know more clearly and surely that the operation has been accepted than by a non-verbal sound notification. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0085] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when a special operation such as a long press or rapid tapping different from a single touch on the operation unit 35a, or a slide or swipe on a touch screen is detected, the control unit 91 sets in advance in the notification mode information S1 a notification mode in which the control unit 91 notifies the operation from the second notification unit by voice. By thus setting the notification mode in advance in the notification mode information S1 and having the control unit 91 perform the processing described in the above-mentioned "processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 can, when a special operation such as a long press or rapid tapping different from a single touch on the operation unit 35a, or a slide or swipe on a touch screen is detected, notify the operation from the second notification unit by voice. Thereby, the user U can know the notification about the special operation more clearly and surely than the notification by non-verbal sound.

[0086] (Eighth specific example) In the eighth specific example, when the control unit 91 causes a predetermined notification related to the settings or status of the refrigerator body MB to be made, after outputting a first notification by non-verbal sound from the notification unit 35b, the control unit 91 outputs a second notification by voice from the notification unit 35b as a notification supplementing the first notification. This is because after the user U receives the notification by non-verbal sound, supplementary information for the notification can be obtained by voice, which is easier to understand than non-verbal sound, and helps the user U understand the content of the notification. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0087] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the communication connection status. For example, when the terminal device 300 of the user U can communicate with the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 and can also communicate with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, a notification mode in which the first notification unit gives a non-verbal sound notification and then the second notification unit supplements the notification with voice is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above-mentioned "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, when the terminal device 300 of the user U can communicate with the first notification unit (e.g., buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 and can also communicate with the second notification unit (e.g., speaker 83) via the first communication unit 81, the control unit 91 can give a non-verbal sound notification from the first notification unit and then supplement the notification with voice from the second notification unit. Note that the notification by the first notification unit is not an operation sound but a notification for informing the existence of a notification. Examples of supplementing the notification include reading out the content of the setting change (e.g., "Ice making is completed", etc.). If the notification starts with voice suddenly, the user U may be startled, but with this, the user U can receive an easy-to-understand notification in a short time through the mental preparation by non-verbal sound and the supplementary notification by voice.

[0088] (The ninth specific example) In the ninth specific example, when the first notification is continuously output for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 91 suppresses the output of the second notification corresponding to the first notification after outputting the first notification. This helps the user U understand the content of the notification by receiving the non-verbal sound notification for a certain period of time or more. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0089] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and languages may be used appropriately according to the communication connection status. For example, when the terminal device 300 of the user U receives a non-verbal sound notification from the first notification unit (for example, buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 for a certain period of time or longer, a notification mode for suppressing further notifications is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and having the control unit 91 perform the processes described in the above "processes performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 can suppress further notifications when the terminal device 300 of the user U receives a non-verbal sound notification from the first notification unit (for example, buzzer 84) via the second communication unit 82 for a certain period of time or longer.

[0090] (Tenth specific example) In the tenth specific example, when an operation for changing information related to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or the state of the refrigerator main body MB is detected, if there is no change or an invalid change in the information related to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or the state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation, the notification unit 35b is caused to output a non-verbal sound notification and the output of a voice notification is suppressed. This is to intuitively make the user U understand when the operation unit 35a is invalidly operated by the user U by notifying the invalid operation by a non-verbal sound. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and state of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of a situation). Examples of invalid operations include operations where the setting has already reached the limit value (i.e., the upper limit value or the lower limit value) and no further change in the setting is possible. Also, in the operation on the operation unit 35a for changing the cooling intensity setting, when the operation of increasing is continued as weak, medium, strong, there are operations where the transition repeats as medium, weak, medium, strong, and in that operation, when changing from increasing to decreasing and when changing from decreasing to increasing, there are operations where some operations become invalid, such as "weak → medium → strong → (invalid) → medium → weak → (invalid) → medium → strong...". Such operations are cited as examples of invalid operations. That is, an invalid operation is an operation where an operation for changing information related to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or the state of the refrigerator main body MB is detected, but there is no change or an invalid change in the information related to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or the state of the refrigerator main body MB corresponding to the operation. Therefore, when the operation by the user U is an invalid operation, even if the operation by the user U is detected, the information related to the settings of the refrigerator main body MB or the state of the refrigerator main body MB is not changed.

[0091] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when an invalid operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 presets, in the notification mode information S1, a notification mode in which the invalid operation is notified from the first notification unit by non-verbal sounds, in association with a situation corresponding to the invalid operation detected in the notification mode information S1. For example, in the notification mode information S1, if a non-verbal sound "pi" is set as the notification mode associated with the situation where the operation is valid, then in the notification mode information S1, a non-verbal sound "pipipi" is set as the notification mode associated with the situation where the operation is invalid (i.e., an invalid operation). By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way, and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described in the above "processing performed by the control unit common to the first to thirteenth specific examples", when an invalid operation on the operation unit 35a is detected, the control unit 91 can notify the invalid operation from the first notification unit by a non-verbal sound different from the non-verbal sound when the operation is valid. Thereby, the user U can intuitively understand the notification about the operation based on the difference in the mode of non-verbal notification.

[0092] (The eleventh specific example) In the eleventh specific example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to a power-saving state where the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibition state where operations are not accepted, or a state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 in response to the action of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is invalid, the control unit 91 causes the notification unit 35b to output an audible notification indicating the corresponding power-saving state, operation prohibition state, or state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 is invalid. This helps the user U understand the content of the notification by notifying, by voice, the content of the notification that is difficult to distinguish by non-verbal sounds when the refrigerator main body MB is set to the power-saving state, operation prohibition state, or a state where the automatic opening setting is invalid. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of a situation).

[0093] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to an energy-saving state where the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibition state where operations are not accepted, or a state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 according to the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is invalid, a notification mode in which the notification unit 35b outputs an audio notification indicating the corresponding energy-saving state, operation prohibition state, or a state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 is invalid is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and the control unit 91 performing the processing described in the above-mentioned "processing performed by the control unit common to the 1st to 13th specific examples" using the notification mode information S1, the control unit 91 may appropriately use non-verbal sounds and language according to the content of the notification. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set to an energy-saving state where the cooling intensity is suppressed, an operation prohibition state where operations are not accepted, or a state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 according to the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is invalid, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output an audio notification indicating the corresponding energy-saving state, operation prohibition state, or a state where the automatic opening setting of the door 31 is invalid. As a result, the user U can easily know the operation content that is difficult to know with non-verbal sounds through the audio.

[0094] (12th specific example) In the 12th specific example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set in a state where the automatic opening of the door 31 according to the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB is effective, before the door 31 opens or while the door 31 is open, the notification unit 35b outputs a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the door 31 is opening. Examples of the actions of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB include the user U's contact with a predetermined position for opening the door 31 with the automatic opening setting, and utterances such as "open" for opening the door 31 using voice recognition technology. This is because the user U performs the automatic opening operation himself / herself, and non-verbal sound notification can be more intuitively understood compared to voice notification, and the content of the notification can be judged in a shorter time compared to voice notification. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0095] Even for notifications related to the settings and states of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set in a state where the automatic opening of the door 31 is effective, a notification mode in which the notification unit 35b outputs a corresponding non-verbal sound notification is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described in the above "processing performed by the control unit common to the 1st to 13th specific examples", the control unit 91 may use non-verbal sounds and language appropriately according to the content of the notification. For example, when the refrigerator main body MB is set in a state where the automatic opening of the door 31 is effective, the control unit 91 can cause the notification unit 35b to output a corresponding non-verbal sound notification. Thereby, the user U can intuitively know the operation content by non-verbal sound.

[0096] (13th specific example) In the 13th specific example, when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB, the notification unit 35b outputs a voice notification. Detection of the user U approaching within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB may use, for example, a human presence detection unit using technologies such as infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, and image analysis. This helps the user U understand the notification content by receiving the notification content by voice when approaching the refrigerator main body MB. That is, even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language are used appropriately according to the communication state (an example of the situation).

[0097] Even for notifications related to the settings and status of the refrigerator main body MB, non-verbal sounds and language may be used appropriately according to the notification content. For example, when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB, a notification mode in which the notification unit 35b outputs a voice notification is preset in the notification mode information S1. By presetting the notification mode in the notification mode information S1 in this way and the control unit 91 using the notification mode information S1 to perform the processing described in the above-mentioned "processing performed by the control unit common to the 1st to 13th specific examples", the control unit 91 may use non-verbal sounds and language appropriately according to the notification content. For example, when the user U approaches within a predetermined range from the refrigerator main body MB, the control unit 91 can output a voice notification from the notification unit 35b. Thereby, the user U can accurately know the operation content by voice compared to the notification content by non-verbal sounds. Examples of the operation content by voice include notification contents such as "Hello", "Supply water to the ice-making tank", and "The refrigerator is operating in eco mode". Note that the notification of "The refrigerator is operating in eco mode" is intended to inform that if the door 31 is opened unnecessarily, cold air will escape and the electricity cost will increase.

[0098] (Advantages) The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a refrigerator main body, a notification unit, and a control unit. The notification unit performs notification regarding the settings or status of the refrigerator main body. The control unit controls whether to perform notification from the notification unit by non-verbal sound or by language according to the situation, even if the notification content is the same. Accordingly, the refrigerator according to the embodiment can provide a refrigerator capable of improving convenience.

[0099] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body, a notification unit that performs notification regarding the settings or status of the refrigerator main body, and a control unit that controls whether to perform notification from the notification unit by non-verbal sound or by language according to the situation, even if the notification content is the same. With such a configuration, convenience can be improved.

[0100] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0101] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the buzzer 84 has been described as an example of the second notification unit. However, the second notification unit may be other than the buzzer 84 as long as it outputs non-verbal sound.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0102] 100... Refrigerator, MB... Refrigerator main body, 81... First communication unit (communication unit), 82... Second communication unit, 83... Speaker, 84... Buzzer, 91... Control unit, 200... Server, 300... Terminal device (external device).

Claims

1. A refrigerator body, a notification unit that notifies, by sound, about settings or states of the refrigerator body, and a control unit that controls whether to notify from the notification unit by non-verbal sound or by language according to the situation even for the same notification content. When an operation on an operation unit by a user is in a first time zone, the control unit causes the notification unit to output the language. When an operation on the operation unit is in a second time zone different from the first time zone, the control unit causes the non-verbal sound to be output to the notification unit instead of the language. A refrigerator comprising the above.

2. A refrigerator body, a notification unit that notifies, by sound, about settings or states of the refrigerator body, the notification unit including a first notification unit capable of outputting non-verbal sound and a second notification unit provided separately from the first notification unit and capable of outputting language, and a control unit that controls whether to notify from the notification unit by the non-verbal sound or by the language according to the situation even for the same notification content. When a predetermined notification related to settings or states of the refrigerator body occurs and the second notification unit is not in use, the control unit causes the second notification unit to output the language. When the second notification unit is in use, the control unit causes the first notification unit to output the non-verbal sound. A refrigerator comprising the above.

3. The refrigerator body has an operation unit that receives an external operation, and the control unit when a first-mode operation on the operation unit is detected, causes the notification unit to output a non-verbal sound notification indicating that the first-mode operation has been detected, when a second-mode operation more complex than the first mode on the operation unit is detected, causes the notification unit to output a language notification indicating that the second-mode operation has been detected. The refrigerator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The control unit when a first notification by non-verbal sound from the notification unit is continuously output for a certain period of time or longer, suppresses the output of a second notification by language from the notification unit corresponding to the first notification after the first notification is output. The refrigerator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit An operation for changing information related to the setting or the state is detected, but when the change in the information related to the setting or the state corresponding to the operation is invalid or does not exist, the notification unit outputs the non-verbal sound notification and suppresses the output of the verbal notification. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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