Refrigerator for entrance gate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11980310-B2
Application number	US-202017433341-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 13, 2020
Priority date	Feb 25, 2019
Publication date	May 14, 2024
Grant date	May 14, 2024

Abstract

A controller for a refrigerator for an entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to: register a user authentication means through a user authentication method setting process; and to open an outer door only when user authentication has succeeded, if an article delivery command is input, thereby preventing theft of the article.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator installable at a door or a wall, comprising:
a cabinet having a storage compartment to store an article;
an outdoor-side door connected to a front surface of the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment;
an indoor-side door connected to a rear surface of the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment, the indoor-side door facing the outdoor-side door;
a display portion provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door;
a cold air supply device disposed in the cabinet, the cold air supply device to supply cold air to the storage compartment, and
a controller configured to control driving of the cold air supply device and the opening of the outdoor-side door,
wherein the controller is configured to:
store a user authentication profile registered through a user authentication setting process; and
open the outdoor-side door when a user authentication corresponds with the user authentication profile in a state where an article outgoing command is detected,
wherein, when the article outgoing command is detected, the controller is configured to:
display an NFC authentication screen on the display portion to perform an NFC authentication process; and open the outdoor-side door when the received NFC information matches with the registered NFC information.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
detect a touch of the display portion and display a setting menu screen on the display portion;
detect a selection of an authentication setting menu and display a registered profile list on the display portion;
perform the user authentication setting process when an authentication target profile selection is detected; and
display a user registration completion message when a completion of the user authentication setting registration process is detected.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the user authentication profile registered in the user authentication setting process comprises at least one of an NFC of a mobile device and a password.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to:
perform an authentication procedure of determining whether an NFC information or a password which is received through the display portion matches with an NFC information or a password registered in the user authentication profile registration process, in the state where the article outgoing command is detected; and
open the outdoor-side door when the determination of the authentication procedure is that there is a match.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein when the controller detects an attempt to open the outdoor-side door in a state where the article outgoing command is not detected, the controller is configured to transmit a warning message to a user's mobile device together with a warning sound.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to:
operate a camera mounted inside the storage compartment or on the outdoor-side door to capture an inside of the storage compartment or a front side of the outdoor-side door, respectively, when detecting the attempt to open the outdoor-side door is detected in the state where the article outgoing command is not detected; and
transmit a captured image to the user's mobile device.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification light disposed at the indoor-side door to notify that the article is stored in the storage compartment.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein, when the article outgoing command is detected, the controller is configured to output an authentication method selection portion, which allows a user to select any one of an NFC authentication method and a password authentication method, on the display portion in a touch button shape.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein, when the received NFC information does not match with the registered NFC information, or the NFC authentication procedure cannot be performed, the controller is configured to display a password input screen on the display portion to perform an password authentication process.

10. A method of operating a refrigerator installable at a front door or a wall, the refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a storage compartment to store an article, an outdoor-side door connected to a front surface of the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment, an indoor-side door connected to a rear surface of the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment, the indoor-side door facing the outdoor-side door, a display portion provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door, and a controller, the method comprising:
storing a user authentication profile registered through a user authentication setting process;
detecting an article outgoing command; and
opening the outdoor-side door when a user authentication corresponds with the user authentication profile,
wherein, when the article outgoing command is detected,
displaying an NFC authentication screen on the display portion to perform an NFC authentication process; and
opening the outdoor-side door when the received NFC information matches with the registered NFC information.

11. The method according to claim 10 , comprising:
detecting a touch of the display portion;
displaying a setting menu screen on the display portion;
detecting a selection of an authentication setting menu;
displaying a registered profile list on the display portion;
detecting a selection of an authentication target profile;
performing the user authentication setting process;
detecting a completion of the user authentication setting process; and
displaying a user registration completion message.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the user authentication profile registered in the user authentication setting process comprises at least one of an NFC of a mobile device and a password.

13. The method according to claim 12 , comprising:
performing an authentication procedure of determining whether an NFC information or a password which is received matches with an NFC information or a password registered in the user authentication profile, in a state where the article outgoing command is detected; and
opening the outdoor-side door when the determination of the authentication procedure is that there is a match.

14. The method according to claim 10 , comprising:
detecting an attempt to open the outdoor-side door in a state where the article outgoing command is not detected; and
transmitting a warning message to a user's mobile device together with a warning sound.

15. The method according to claim 14 , comprising:
operating a camera mounted inside the storage compartment or on the outdoor-side door to capture an inside of the storage compartment or a front side of the outdoor-sidedoor, respectively, when the attempt to open the outdoor-side door is detected in the state where the article outgoing command is not detected; and
transmitting a captured image to the user's mobile device.

16. The method according to claim 10 , comprising:
lighting a notification light disposed at the indoor-side door to notify that the article is stored in the storage compartment.

17. The method according to claim 10 , comprising:
displaying in a touch button shape, an authentication method selection portion, which allows a user to select any one of an NFC authentication method and a password authentication method on the display portion, in the state where the article outgoing command

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Lee Seojin
• Lee Wonjin
• Yeo Insun
• Myung Eugene
• Seo Miyoung
• Choi Kyukwan
• Oh Minkyu
• Yun Yezo

Classifications

• A47G29/141 Primary

  comprising electronically controlled locking means · CPC title

• A47G29/30

  Accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, means for leaving messages · CPC title

• E06B7/32

  Serving doors; Passing-through doors {; Pet-doors} · CPC title

• F25D23/028

  Details · CPC title

• F25D23/10 Primary

  Arrangements for mounting in particular locations, e.g. for built-in type, for corner type · CPC title