Refrigerator and method for controlling indoor lamp of freezer compartment thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a refrigerator that includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment disposed below the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator comprises: a plurality of light emitting elements arranged below a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors that open and close the refrigerator compartment; and at least one processor which turns on the plurality of light emitting elements when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer compartment is opened, and selectively turns on the plurality of light emitting elements according to a state inside the freezer compartment and the context surrounding the refrigerator when a second drawer-type door disposed below the first drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors is opened.

Description

Method for controlling the temperature of a refrigerator and its freezer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator for controlling a freezer compartment light and a method for controlling a freezer compartment light thereof.

[0002] A refrigerator is an electronic device (or home appliance) that refrigerates or freezes food. A refrigerator can store not only food but also medicine, alcohol, and cosmetics.

[0003] Recently, various types of refrigerators have been released. For example, there are standard refrigerators with a top-mounted freezer, double-door refrigerators with freezers on both sides, and hybrid refrigerators with a bottom-mounted freezer.

[0004] Meanwhile, if the freezer is placed at the bottom of the refrigerator, the refrigerator may be provided with a freezer door that slides forward and backward in the refrigerator body to open and close the freezer.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment arranged below the refrigerator compartment includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged below a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors that open and close the refrigerator compartment, and at least one processor. The at least one processor turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer compartment is opened. The at least one processor selectively turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to a state inside the freezer compartment and a context around the refrigerator when a second drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors arranged below the first drawer-type door is opened.

[0006] Additionally, the one or more processors can identify whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state and turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements depending on whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state.

[0007] Additionally, the one or more processors may cause the plurality of light emitting elements to blink when the second drawer-type door is identified as being open while the freezer is at an abnormally high temperature.

[0008] Additionally, the one or more processors can turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to the sunset time and the illumination around the refrigerator when the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature.

[0009] In addition, when the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature, the one or more processors can identify whether the time at which the second drawer-type door is opened is after the sunset time based on the sunset time and the time at which the second drawer-type door is opened, and when the time at which the second drawer-type door is opened is identified as being after the sunset time, the plurality of light-emitting elements can be turned on.

[0010] In addition, the refrigerator according to one embodiment further includes a light sensor, and the one or more processors can obtain a brightness value around the refrigerator through the light sensor when the time when the second drawer-type door is opened is determined to be before the sunset time, and can turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements when the brightness value around the refrigerator is less than a preset value.

[0011] In addition, the one or more processors may identify a time for which the second drawer door has been kept open when the brightness value around the refrigerator detected through the light sensor is equal to or greater than a preset value, and when it is determined that the second drawer door has been kept open for a first time, turn on a first light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements, and when it is determined that the second drawer door has been kept open for a second time longer than the first time, turn on a second light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements while the first light-emitting element is on.

[0012] Additionally, the one or more processors may cause the plurality of light emitting elements to blink when it is determined that the second drawer door is maintained in an open state for a third time period longer than the second time period.

[0013] A method for controlling a freezer compartment light of a refrigerator including a freezer compartment and a freezer compartment arranged below the freezer compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of: when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer compartment is opened, turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged at the bottom of a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors that open and close the refrigerator compartment; and when a second drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors that is arranged below the first drawer-type door is opened, selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to a state inside the freezer compartment and a context around the refrigerator.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment disposed below the refrigerator compartment, cause the refrigerator to perform an operation, the operation includes: when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer compartment is opened, turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed at the bottom of a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors that open and close the refrigerator compartment; and when a second drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors disposed below the first drawer-type door is opened, selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to a state inside the freezer compartment and a context around the refrigerator.

[0015] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a schematic structure of a freezer and a drawer-type door according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the location of the freezer compartment lights in a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4a is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 4b is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling the interior light of a freezer according to the opening and closing of a drawer-type door according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are drawings for explaining an example of turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements when a drawer-type door is opened according to one embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts for explaining a method for controlling the freezer interior light according to the opening and closing of the lower drawer door according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIGS. 9A to 9C are drawings for explaining an example of blinking a plurality of light-emitting elements when a lower drawer-type door is opened according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining an example of turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements when a lower drawer door is opened according to one embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining an example of turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements when a lower drawer door is opened according to one embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are drawings for explaining an example of turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements when a lower drawer-type door is opened according to one embodiment;

[0027] FIGS. 14A to 14C are drawings for explaining an example of blinking a plurality of light-emitting elements when a lower drawer-type door is opened according to one embodiment; and

[0028] Fig. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a refrigerator and its freezer compartment according to one embodiment.

[0029] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0030] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0031] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0033] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0034] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0035] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0036] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0037] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0038] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0039] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0040] The "body" may include an inner case, an outer case disposed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0041] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body. Alternatively, the inner case may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the main body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is disposed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0042] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0043] In one embodiment, the insulation may include vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation is not limited to foam insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include a variety of materials that can be used for insulation.

[0044] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0045] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0046] The storage room may be designed to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on its intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished by their intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and the freezer may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze or maintain them in a frozen state, and for example, a freezer may be maintained at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0047] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0048] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0049] The "door" may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0051] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0052] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0053] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0055] A "cold air supply device" may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0056] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment through heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0058] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be in communication with the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0059] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0060] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0061] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0062] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a refrigerator according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a schematic structure of a freezer and a drawer-type door according to one embodiment.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator (100) may include a main body (10) in which a storage compartment (21, 22) is formed and a door (31, 32, 41, 42) for opening and closing an open side of the storage compartment (21, 22).

[0064] The main body (10) may include an outer case and an inner case provided on the inside of the outer case to form a storage chamber (21, 22). The main body (10) may include an insulating material provided between the outer case and the inner case. The main body (10) may include a partition (11) that divides the storage chambers (21, 22) into upper and lower parts.

[0065] The storage compartments (21, 22) may include a refrigerator for storing items in a refrigerated state and a freezer for storing items in a frozen state. For example, the storage compartment (21) provided on the upper part of the main body (10) may be used as a refrigerator compartment (21), and the storage compartment (22) provided on the upper part of the main body (10) may be used as a freezer compartment (22).

[0066] The storage rooms (21, 22) are provided with an open front so that items can be taken in and out, and the open front of the storage rooms (21, 22) can be opened and closed by doors (31, 32, 41, 42). The doors (31, 32, 41, 42) may be provided with handles.

[0067] The doors (31, 32, 41, 42) may include a refrigerator door (31, 32) for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment (21) and a freezer door (41, 42) for opening and closing the freezer compartment (22).

[0068] The refrigerator door (31, 32) can be connected to the main body (10) so as to be rotatable left and right. A door guard (33) for storing items can be provided on the back of the refrigerator door (31, 32). The refrigerator (21) can be provided with a shelf (23) for placing items and a drawer-type storage container (24) for storing items.

[0069] The freezer door (41, 42) may be a drawer-type door. The freezer door (41, 42) may be provided to be slidable so as to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment (22). A basket (43, 44) may be integrally or detachably connected to the freezer door (41, 42). When the freezer door (41, 42) is opened, the basket (43, 44) is withdrawn from the freezer compartment (22), and when the freezer door (41, 42) is closed, the basket (43, 44) may be inserted into the freezer compartment (22).

[0070] The baskets (43, 44) may be slidably supported by rails. For example, sliding frames (45, 46) extending rearwardly to support the baskets (43, 44) may be provided on both sides of the back surface of the freezer door (41, 42). The baskets (43, 44) may be coupled between the sliding frames (45, 46). The sliding frames (45, 46) may be slidably coupled to sliding units (47, 48) provided on both sides of the freezer door (22).

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator (100) may be a French door type refrigerator including four doors. The four doors may include an upper French door (31, 32), a middle drawer-type door (41), and a lower drawer-type door (42). The middle drawer-type door (41) and the basket (43) coupled to the middle drawer-type door (41) may be referred to as a middle drawer, and the lower drawer-type door (42) and the basket (44) coupled to the lower drawer-type door (42) may be referred to as a lower drawer. Since two separate freezer doors (41, 42) are provided in one freezer (22) space, the refrigerator (100) may be referred to as a refrigerator of a freezer door separation model among French door types.

[0072] A refrigerator (100) may be equipped with a backlight. The backlight may notify the user that the refrigerator or freezer door is open, or provide a lighting effect to make the refrigerator more visible when the user puts items into or takes items out of the refrigerator in a dark environment.

[0073] A refrigerator interior light may be installed inside the refrigerator compartment (21). The refrigerator (100) can turn on the refrigerator interior light when the refrigerator compartment door (31, 32) is opened. Light emitted from the refrigerator interior light may be irradiated inside the refrigerator compartment (21).

[0074] Meanwhile, the freezer interior lights (111, 112) are positioned at the lower portion of each refrigerator door (31, 32), as shown in Fig. 3, and can irradiate light in a downward direction. For example, the freezer interior light (111) can be positioned at the lower portion of the refrigerator door (31), and the freezer interior light (112) can be positioned at the lower portion of the refrigerator door (32).

[0075] When the drawer-type door (41) of the refrigerator (100) is opened, the freezer interior light (111, 112) can be turned on. The light emitted from the freezer interior light (111, 112) can be irradiated onto the basket (43) drawn out from the freezer (22).

[0076] Meanwhile, since the freezer interior lights (111, 112) are positioned at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31, 32), even when the middle drawer door (41) is closed, some of the light emitted from the freezer interior lights (111, 112) may be blocked by the middle drawer door (41). Accordingly, even if the freezer interior lights (111, 112) are turned on when the lower drawer door (42) is opened, the lighting effect of the freezer interior lights (111, 112) on the basket (44) taken out from the freezer (22) may be minimal. Accordingly, in order to reduce energy consumption, the refrigerator (100) does not turn on the freezer interior lights (111, 112) when the lower drawer door (42) is opened. However, if the freezer interior light (111, 112) does not turn on in all situations, information related to the freezer (22) cannot be provided to the user using the freezer interior light (111, 112) when the lower drawer door (42) is opened, or it may cause inconvenience to the user who wants to put items in the basket (44) in a dark environment.

[0077] Accordingly, the refrigerator (100) can selectively turn on the freezer compartment lights (111, 112) considering various situations when the lower drawer door (42) is opened, which will be described in more detail below.

[0078] FIG. 4a is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 4a, the refrigerator (100) may include a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) and one or more processors (120). The refrigerator (100) may include a refrigerator compartment (21) and a freezer compartment (22) disposed below the refrigerator compartment (21).

[0080] A plurality of light emitting elements (110) can be arranged at the bottom of a plurality of refrigerator doors (31, 32) that open and close the refrigerator (21).

[0081] For example, the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) may include a first light-emitting element (111) arranged on the lower surface of the refrigerator door (31) and a second light-emitting element (112) arranged on the lower surface of the refrigerator door (32). The first light-emitting element (111) corresponds to the freezer interior light (111) and may include one or more LEDs. The second light-emitting element (112) corresponds to the freezer interior light (112) and may include one or more LEDs.

[0082] One or more processors (120) control the overall operation of the refrigerator (100). Specifically, the one or more processors (120) are connected to one or more components of the refrigerator (100) and can control the overall operation of the refrigerator (100). The one or more processors (120) may be composed of one processor or multiple processors. The one or more processors (120) may perform the operation of the electronic device (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in the memory of the refrigerator (100).

[0083] Meanwhile, for convenience of explanation, one or more processors (120) are referred to as processors (120) below.

[0084] FIG. 4b is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4b, the refrigerator (100) may include a plurality of light-emitting elements (110), one or more processors (120), a memory (130), a communication interface (140), a light sensor (150), a door sensor (160), a temperature sensor (170), an input interface (180), and an output interface (190). Such a configuration is exemplary, and it is obvious that new configurations may be added or some configurations may be omitted in addition to such configurations when implementing the present disclosure. In describing FIG. 4b, parts that overlap with parts already described will be omitted or abbreviated for description.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator (100) may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator (100).

[0087] The “control unit” may include a memory (130) that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator (100), and a processor (120) that outputs a control signal for controlling components of the refrigerator (100), such as a cold air supply device, according to the program and / or data stored in the memory (130).

[0088] The memory (130) stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. required for the operation of the refrigerator (100). The memory (130) can store temporary data generated during the process of generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator (100). The memory (130) may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0089] The processor (120) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (100). The processor (120) may execute a program stored in the memory (130) to control one or more components of the refrigerator (100). The processor (120) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of an artificial intelligence model. In addition, the processor (120) may include a central processing unit, a graphics processor (GPU), etc. The processor (120) may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor (120) may receive temperature information of a storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0090] In addition, the processor (120) can process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface according to the program and / or data stored / stored in the memory (130). The user interface can be provided using an input interface (180) and an output interface (190). The processor (120) can receive user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor (120) can transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input to the user interface.

[0091] The processor (120) and memory (130) may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor (120) may include one or more processors. For example, the processor (120) may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory (130) may include one or more memories.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator (100) may include a processor and memory that control all components included in the refrigerator (100), and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories that individually control the components of the refrigerator (100). For example, the refrigerator (100) may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cold air supply device according to the output of a temperature sensor (170). In addition, the refrigerator (100) may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface according to user input.

[0093] The communication interface (communication module) (140) can communicate with external devices such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances through a surrounding access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator (100) or the user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator (100) or the user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). In addition, the communication interface (140) can perform D2D (Device to Device) communication with an external device. For example, the communication interface (140) can perform short-range communication with an external device without going through an access point.

[0094] The communication interface (140) can communicate with an external device using various types of communication methods. For example, the communication interface (140) can include a LAN communication module such as an Ethernet module. The communication interface (140) can include a wireless communication module such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Zigbee, NFC, Z-Wave, infrared communication, etc. The communication interface (140) can include a cellular communication module such as 3G (3rd Generation), 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), LTE (Long Term Evoloution), 5G, etc. The communication interface (140) can include a communication module such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc.

[0095] In one embodiment, the communication interface (140) can communicate with the server to transmit and receive various data. For example, the communication interface (140) can receive information about sunset time and current time from the server. When a transmission request is received from the refrigerator (100), the server can retrieve the sunset time from the web server, obtain information about sunset time, obtain information about the current time set on the server, and transmit the obtained information to the refrigerator (100).

[0096] The server may be a server for registering devices for each user account and controlling and managing the registered devices. Users can access the server through a user account using an application installed on a user device, such as a mobile device. Using the application, users can control a refrigerator (100) registered on the server and receive various information, such as alarms related to the refrigerator (100), from the server.

[0097] The light sensor (150) can detect the light level around the refrigerator (100). The light sensor (150) can be placed on the outer surface of the main body (10). The light sensor (150) can measure the light level around the refrigerator (100) and transmit the measured light level to the processor (120).

[0098] For example, the light sensor (150) may be implemented as any one of a photo sensor, a cadmium sulfide (CDS) sensor, an ultra violet (UV) sensor, and an ambient light sensor (ALS), but is not limited to this example.

[0099] The door sensor (160) can detect the opening and closing of the freezer door (41, 42). The processor (120) can use the door sensor (160) to identify whether the freezer door (41, 42) is open or closed. The door sensor (160) can include a first door sensor (161) for detecting the opening and closing of the freezer door (41) and a second door sensor (162) for detecting the opening and closing of the freezer door (42).

[0100] The first door sensor (161) may include a first magnet provided on the freezer door (41) and a first reed switch provided on the freezer (22). When the freezer door (41) is inserted into the freezer (22), the first magnet and the first reed switch are positioned adjacent to each other, and the first reed switch is turned on. When the freezer door (41) is withdrawn from the freezer (22), the first magnet moves away from the first reed switch, and the first reed switch is turned off. The processor (120) may identify whether the freezer door (41) is opened or closed based on the on / off of the first reed switch.

[0101] The second door sensor (162) may include a second magnet provided on the freezer door (42) and a second reed switch provided on the freezer (22). When the freezer door (42) is inserted into the freezer (22), the second magnet and the second reed switch are positioned adjacent to each other, and the second reed switch is turned on. When the freezer door (42) is withdrawn from the freezer (22), the second magnet moves away from the second reed switch, and the second reed switch is turned off. The processor (120) may identify whether the freezer door (42) is open or closed based on the on / off of the second reed switch.

[0102] The temperature sensor (170) can sense the temperature of the storage compartment (21, 22). The temperature sensor (170) can include a first temperature sensor positioned inside the refrigerator compartment (21) and a second temperature sensor positioned inside the freezer compartment (22). The temperature sensor (170) can sense the temperature of the storage compartment (21, 22) and provide temperature information to the processor (120).

[0103] The input interface (180) can receive user input. For example, the input interface (180) can include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, etc. The input interface (180) can receive user input and transmit it to the processor (120).

[0104] The output interface (190) may include a display, a speaker, etc. The display is implemented as a touch screen and can receive user input. The output interface (190) can output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor (120).

[0105] Hereinafter, a method for controlling the freezer door (111, 112) of the refrigerator (100) according to the opening and closing of the freezer door (41, 42) will be specifically described.

[0106] The refrigerator (100) may include a plurality of drawer doors (41, 42) that open and close the freezer (22). The plurality of drawer doors (41, 42) may include a first drawer-type door (41) and a second drawer-type door (42). The first drawer-type door (41) is a door positioned above the second drawer-type door (42). The first drawer-type door (41) is a middle drawer-type door (41). In addition, the second drawer-type door (42) is a door positioned below the first drawer-type door (41). The second drawer-type door (42) is a bottom drawer-type door (42).

[0107] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling the interior light of a freezer according to the opening and closing of a drawer-type door according to one embodiment.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 5, when the first drawer-type door (41) among the plurality of drawer doors (41, 42) that open and close the freezer (22) is opened (S510-Y), the processor (120) turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S520). For example, the processor (120) can identify whether the first drawer-type door (41) is opened by using the first door sensor (161) for detecting the opening and closing of the first drawer-type door (41). When the processor (120) determines that the first drawer-type door (41) is open, the processor (120) can turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements (110). When the processor (120) determines that the first drawer-type door (41) is open, the processor (120) can turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) regardless of whether the second drawer-type door (42) is opened or closed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the processor (120) can turn on the first light-emitting element (111) disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) and the second light-emitting element (112) disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32) not only when the second drawer door (42) is closed and the first drawer door (41) is open, but also when the first drawer door (41) and the second drawer door (42) are open.

[0109] When the first drawer door (41) is closed (S530-Y), the processor (120) turns off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S540). For example, the processor (120) can identify whether the first drawer door (41) is closed by using the first door sensor (161) for detecting the opening and closing of the first drawer door (41). When the processor (120) identifies that the first drawer door (41) is closed, it can turn off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) that were turned on.

[0110] As described above, the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) may be arranged on the lower surfaces of the plurality of refrigerator doors (31, 32), and the first drawer-type door (41) may be arranged below the plurality of refrigerator doors (31, 32). Accordingly, when the first drawer-type door (41) is opened, the refrigerator (100) may turn on the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) to provide a lighting effect for the basket (43) taken out from the freezer (22).

[0111] When a second drawer door (42) disposed below a first drawer door (41) among a plurality of drawer doors (41, 42) is opened, the processor (120) can selectively turn on a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) according to the state inside the freezer (22) and the context surrounding the refrigerator (100). Turning on the light-emitting elements may include repeatedly turning the light-emitting elements on / off, i.e., blinking the light-emitting elements.

[0112] The condition inside the freezer (22) may include whether the freezer (22) is at an abnormally high temperature. In addition, the context surrounding the refrigerator (100) may include various situations and / or environments surrounding the refrigerator (100). For example, the context surrounding the refrigerator (100) may include the time of sunset and / or ambient lighting.

[0113] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining a method for controlling the interior light of a freezer according to the opening and closing of a lower drawer-type door according to one embodiment.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the processor (120) can identify whether the freezer (22) is in an abnormally high temperature state (S710). The processor (120) can turn on a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) depending on whether the freezer (22) is in an abnormally high temperature state.

[0115] Here, the abnormally high temperature state of the freezer (22) may mean that the temperature of the freezer (22), which was maintained within an appropriate temperature range, rises and reaches a preset temperature higher than the appropriate temperature range. As described above, since the freezer (22) is used for freezing and storing items, the temperature of the freezer (22) may be maintained in a range of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius depending on the set temperature. However, the temperature of the freezer (22) may rise in the event of a problem in the cold air supply device for cooling the freezer (22) or due to other problems. The processor (120) receives temperature information of the freezer (22) from a temperature sensor (170) (e.g., a second temperature sensor) for sensing the temperature of the freezer (22), and if the temperature of the freezer (22) rises based on the temperature information and is determined to be a preset temperature higher than the appropriate temperature range, the freezer (22) may be determined to be in an abnormally high temperature state.

[0116] The processor (120) can identify whether the second drawer door (42) is open by using the second door sensor (162) to detect the opening and closing of the second drawer door (42).

[0117] When the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened while the freezer (22) is in an abnormally high temperature state (S710-Y, S720-Y), it can blink a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S730). For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, when the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened while the freezer (22) is in an abnormally high temperature state, it can repeatedly turn on / off the first light-emitting element (111) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) and the second light-emitting element (112) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32).

[0118] When the second drawer door (42) is closed (S740-Y), the processor (120) turns off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S750). For example, the processor (120) can identify whether the second drawer door (42) is closed by using the second door sensor (162) for detecting the opening and closing of the second drawer door (42). When the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer door (42) is closed, the processor (120) can turn off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) that were blinking.

[0119] Meanwhile, if the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened while the freezer (22) is not at an abnormally high temperature, it can turn on a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) according to the sunset time and the brightness around the refrigerator (100).

[0120] The fact that the freezer (22) is not at an abnormally high temperature may mean that the temperature of the freezer (22) is maintained within an appropriate temperature range.

[0121] If the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened while the freezer (22) is not at an abnormally high temperature (S710-N, S810-Y), it can identify whether the time the second drawer-type door (42) was opened is after sunset based on the sunset time and the time the second drawer-type door (42) was opened (S815).

[0122] For example, if the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer-type door (42) is open, the processor (120) may transmit a request to transmit information about the sunset time and information about the current time to the server through the communication interface (140), and may receive information acquired by the server according to the transmission request from the server through the communication interface (140). The processor (120) may identify the current time received from the server as the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is open, and may compare the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is open with the sunset time received from the server to identify whether the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is open is before or after the sunset time (S815).

[0123] If the processor (120) determines that the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is opened is after sunset (S815-Y), it can turn on a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S820). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the processor (120) determines that the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is opened is after sunset, it can turn on the first light-emitting element (111) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) and the second light-emitting element (112) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32).

[0124] If the processor (120) determines that the time when the second drawer door (42) is opened is before sunset, the processor (120) can obtain information on the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) using the light sensor (150). For example, the brightness value may be an illuminance value (e.g., lux). The processor (120) can obtain an illuminance value corresponding to the brightness around the refrigerator (100) through the light sensor (150).

[0125] The processor (120) can identify whether the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) detected through the light sensor (150) is below a preset value (S825). For example, the processor (120) can compare the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) acquired through the light sensor (150) with a preset value to identify whether the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) is below the preset value or is greater than the preset value. For example, the preset value may be 5 lux, but is not limited to this example. The preset value may be set to various values ​​and may be changed according to user input.

[0126] If the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) obtained through the light sensor (150) is less than a preset value (S825-Y), the processor (120) can turn on a plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S820). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, if the time when the second drawer-type door (42) is opened is before sunset and the brightness value around the refrigerator obtained through the light sensor (150) is less than the preset value, the processor (120) can turn on the first light-emitting element (111) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) and the second light-emitting element (112) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32).

[0127] If the brightness value around the refrigerator (100) obtained through the light sensor (150) is greater than or equal to a preset value (S825-N), the processor (120) can identify the time for which the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open. For example, the refrigerator (100) can include a timer for counting the time for which the second drawer-type door (42) is open. The processor (120) can drive the timer from the time the second drawer-type door (42) is opened to the time it is closed, and identify the time for which the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open based on the time information counted by the timer.

[0128] If the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open for a first period of time (S830-Y), the processor (120) may turn on the first light-emitting element (111) among the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S835). For example, the first period of time may be 2 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first period of time may be set to various values ​​and may be changed according to user input. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, if the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened for 2 consecutive minutes, the processor (120) may turn on the first light-emitting element (111) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) among the plurality of light-emitting elements (110). However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the processor (120) may also turn on the second light-emitting element (112) arranged at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32) among the plurality of light-emitting elements (110).

[0129] If the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is maintained in an open state for a second period of time (S840-Y), the processor (120) may turn on the second light-emitting element (112) among the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) while the first light-emitting element (111) is on (S845). The second period of time may be longer than the first period of time. For example, the second period of time may be 4 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the second period of time may be set to various values ​​and may be changed according to user input. That is, if the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is maintained in an open state without being closed after the first period of time has elapsed and that the second drawer-type door (42) is opened for the second period of time, the processor (120) may turn on the remaining light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) that are in an off state. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, if the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer-type door (42) has been opened for 4 consecutive minutes, it can turn on the second light-emitting element (112) positioned at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32). Accordingly, both the first light-emitting element (111) and the second light-emitting element (112) can be turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and if the second light-emitting element (112) is turned on and the first light-emitting element (111) is turned off, the processor (120) can additionally turn on the first light-emitting element (111).

[0130] If the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open for a third period of time (S850-Y), the processor (120) can blink the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S855). The third period of time may be longer than the second period of time. For example, the third period of time may be 5 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the third period of time may be set to various values ​​and may be changed according to user input. That is, if the processor (120) determines that the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open without being closed after the second period of time has elapsed, and the second drawer-type door (42) is kept open for a third period of time, the processor (120) can blink the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) that were turned on. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14a to 14c, when the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer-type door (42) has been opened for 5 consecutive minutes, it can repeatedly turn on / off the first light-emitting element (111) disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator door (31) and the second light-emitting element (112) disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator door (32).

[0131] When the second drawer door (42) is closed (S860-Y), the processor (120) turns off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) (S865). For example, the processor (120) can identify whether the second drawer door (42) is closed by using the second door sensor (162) for detecting the opening and closing of the second drawer door (42). When the processor (120) identifies that the second drawer door (42) is closed, the processor (120) can turn off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110).

[0132] Meanwhile, in the above-described example, the processor (120) is described as turning off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) that were blinking when the second drawer-type door (42) that has been kept open for a third period of time or longer is closed. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the processor (120) may also turn off the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) when it is determined that the second drawer-type door (42) has been kept open for a fourth period of time, even if the second drawer-type door (42) is not closed. For example, the fourth period of time may be 10 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the fourth period of time may be set to various values ​​and may be changed according to user input.

[0133] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, if the freezer (22) is not in an abnormally high temperature state and the second drawer-type door (42) is opened and then closed within a preset time, the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) may not be turned on. However, the processor (120) may turn on or blink the plurality of light-emitting elements (110) if the freezer (22) is in an abnormally high temperature state or the second drawer-type door (42) is opened for a long time. Accordingly, the refrigerator (100) can provide the user with information about specific situations, such as an abnormally high temperature and / or a long time of door opening, by using the freezer interior light when the second drawer-type door (42) is opened, while reducing energy consumption, thereby improving convenience and usability, and in particular, improving accessibility for people with low vision (or the visually impaired).

[0134] Fig. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a refrigerator and its freezer compartment according to one embodiment.

[0135] The refrigerator may include a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment located below the refrigerator compartment.

[0136] When the first drawer door among the plurality of drawer doors that open and close the freezer is opened, the plurality of light-emitting elements arranged at the bottom of the plurality of refrigerator doors that open and close the refrigerator are turned on (S1510).

[0137] When the second drawer door located below the first drawer door among the plurality of drawer doors is opened, a plurality of light-emitting elements are selectively turned on according to the condition inside the freezer and the context around the refrigerator (S1520).

[0138] Step S1520 identifies whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state and can turn on multiple light emitting elements depending on whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state.

[0139] Step S1520 may cause multiple light emitting elements to blink when the second drawer door is identified as being open while the freezer is at an abnormally high temperature.

[0140] Step S1520 can turn on multiple light emitting elements depending on the sunset time and the ambient light level of the refrigerator when the second drawer door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature.

[0141] In step S1520, if it is determined that the second drawer door is opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature, it is determined whether the time at which the second drawer door is opened is after sunset based on the sunset time and the time at which the second drawer door is opened, and if it is determined that the time at which the second drawer door is opened is after sunset, a plurality of light-emitting elements can be turned on.

[0142] In step S1520, if it is determined that the time when the second drawer door is opened is before sunset, a brightness value around the refrigerator is acquired, and if the brightness value around the refrigerator is less than a preset value, a plurality of light-emitting elements can be turned on.

[0143] In step S1520, if the brightness value around the refrigerator is greater than or equal to a preset value, the time for which the second drawer door has been kept open is identified, and if it is identified that the second drawer door has been kept open for a first time, the first light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements is turned on, and if it is identified that the second drawer door has been kept open for a second time longer than the first time, the second light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements is turned on.

[0144] Step S1520 may cause a plurality of light emitting elements to blink if it is determined that the second drawer door has been kept open for a third time period longer than the second time period.

[0145] Meanwhile, according to a temporary example of the present disclosure, the various embodiments described above can be implemented as software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). The device is a device that can call instructions stored from the storage medium and operate according to the called instructions, and may include an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (A)) according to the disclosed embodiments. When an instruction is executed by a processor, the processor can perform a function corresponding to the instruction directly or by using other components under the control of the processor. The instruction may include code generated or executed by a compiler or interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' means that the storage medium does not contain a signal and is tangible, but does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium.

[0146] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or online through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0147] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in a computer-readable recording medium or a similar device using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the processor itself. In a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software. Each software may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

[0148] Meanwhile, computer instructions for performing processing operations of a device according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in such a non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by a processor of a specific device, cause the specific device to perform processing operations in the device according to the various embodiments described above. A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that permanently stores data and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may include a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, or ROM.

[0149] In addition, each of the components (e.g., modules or programs) according to the various embodiments described above may be composed of a single or multiple entities, and some of the corresponding sub-components described above may be omitted, or other sub-components may be further included in various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single entity, which may perform the same or similar functions as those performed by each of the corresponding components prior to integration. Operations performed by modules, programs or other components according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively or heuristically, or at least some operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or other operations may be added.

[0150] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment located below the refrigerator compartment, A plurality of light emitting elements arranged at the bottom of a plurality of refrigerator doors that open and close the refrigerator; and When the first drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the above freezer is opened, the plurality of light-emitting elements are turned on, A refrigerator comprising: at least one processor that selectively turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to the state of the inside of the freezer and the context around the refrigerator when a second drawer-type door positioned below the first drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors is opened.

2. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator that identifies whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state and turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements depending on whether the freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state.

3. In paragraph 2, One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator that blinks the plurality of light-emitting elements when the second drawer-type door is identified as being open while the freezer is at an abnormally high temperature.

4. In paragraph 2, One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator that turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to the sunset time and the lighting level around the refrigerator when the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature.

5. In paragraph 4, One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator wherein, when the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature, the refrigerator identifies whether the time at which the second drawer-type door was opened is after the sunset time based on the sunset time and the time at which the second drawer-type door was opened, and when the time at which the second drawer-type door was opened is identified as being after the sunset time, the refrigerator turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements.

6. In paragraph 5, further comprising a light sensor; One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator which, when the time when the second drawer-type door is opened is identified as being before the sunset time, acquires a brightness value around the refrigerator through the light sensor, and, when the brightness value around the refrigerator is less than a preset value, turns on the plurality of light-emitting elements.

7. In paragraph 6, One or more of the above processors, If the brightness value around the refrigerator detected through the above light sensor is greater than a preset value, the time for which the second drawer-type door is kept open is identified, When it is determined that the second drawer door is maintained in an open state for a first time period, the first light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements is turned on, A refrigerator that turns on a second light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements while the first light-emitting element is on, when it is determined that the second drawer-type door is maintained in an open state for a second time longer than the first time.

8. In paragraph 7, One or more of the above processors, A refrigerator that blinks the plurality of light-emitting elements when it is determined that the second drawer-type door is maintained in an open state for a third time period longer than the second time period.

9. A method for controlling the temperature inside a freezer compartment of a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment located below the refrigerator compartment, A step of turning on a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged at the bottom of a plurality of refrigerator doors that open and close the refrigerator when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer is opened; and A control method comprising: a step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to the state of the inside of the freezer and the context around the refrigerator when a second drawer-type door positioned below the first drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors is opened; 10. In paragraph 9, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: A step of identifying whether the above freezer is in an abnormally high temperature state; and A control method comprising: a step of turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements depending on whether the freezer is at an abnormally high temperature.

11. In paragraph 10, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: A control method comprising: a step of blinking the plurality of light-emitting elements when the second drawer-type door is identified as being open while the freezer is at an abnormally high temperature.

12. In paragraph 10, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: A control method comprising: a step of turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements according to the sunset time and the illumination around the refrigerator when the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature; 13. In paragraph 12, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: If the second drawer-type door is identified as being opened while the freezer is not at an abnormally high temperature, a step of identifying whether the time the second drawer-type door was opened is after the sunset time based on the sunset time and the time the second drawer-type door was opened; and A control method comprising: a step of turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements when the time at which the second drawer-type door is opened is identified as being after the sunset time; 14. In paragraph 13, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: If the time when the second drawer-type door is opened is identified as being before the sunset time, a step of obtaining a brightness value around the refrigerator; and A control method comprising: a step of turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements when the brightness value around the refrigerator is less than a preset value.

15. In paragraph 14, The step of selectively turning on the plurality of light-emitting elements is: A step of identifying the time for which the second drawer-type door is kept open when the brightness value around the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a preset value; When it is determined that the second drawer-type door is maintained in an open state for a first time period, a step of turning on a first light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements; and A control method comprising: a step of turning on a second light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements while the first light-emitting element is on, if it is determined that the second drawer-type door is maintained in an open state for a second time longer than the first time;

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