Patent Description:
Recently, a delivery service for delivering articles to a predetermined place has been activated. Particularly, when the article is fresh food, a refrigerator or a heating cabinet is provided in the delivery vehicle to prevent the food from being spoiling or getting cold so that the food is stored and delivered.

It is common that food is generally delivered in packaging to be maintained in a cooled or warm state. The packaging material is made of environmental pollutants such as Styrofoam, thereby creating a social atmosphere to reduce usage.

If the user is at home at the delivery time, the delivery person and the user may face-to-face to receive food, but when the user is not at home or when the delivery time is too early or too late, it is difficult for the delivery person and the user to face-to-face to receive the food.

Therefore, even if the delivery person and the user do not directly face each other, the food may be delivered, and there is a need to not spoil or cool the food until it is finally delivered to the user.

In order to solve this problem, recently, the refrigerator is installed at the entrance gate (front door) at a predetermined place, so that the delivery person keeps the food in the refrigerator to keep the food in a fresh state, and the user may access the refrigerator at a convenient time to receive the food.

In relation to a refrigerator for an entrance gate, the prior art has been disclosed as follows. <CIT> describes a refrigerator for an entrance gate according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, that secures goods from theft and exposure to the elements and that provides a notification that goods have been delivered and/or picked up is disclosed. <CIT> describes methods, non-transitory processor-readable storage media, systems, and devices for provisioning devices associated with wireless identity transmitters. <CIT> describes a storage apparatus which includes a first door, a second door provided to face the first door, and an imaging device configured to acquire an image of the package accommodated in the storage apparatus. Patent Publication No <CIT>).

According to the prior art document, it is described that a cooling device is provided at a lower portion of the refrigerator, but the detailed configuration of the cooling device is not disclosed at all.

In the refrigerator for the entrance gate disclosed in the prior art, it is necessary to ensure security by allowing only an authorized person to open an outer door exposed to the outside of the entrance gate.

In addition, when a malfunction of the refrigerator for the entrance gate occurs, it should be possible to immediately notify a user or a delivery person.

The present invention is proposed to improve the problems that may occur in the conventional refrigerator for the entrance gate.

Particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator for an entrance gate, which is capable of keeping an article in a fresh state until a user takes out the article stored in a storage compartment of the refrigerator for the entrance gate.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an refrigerator for an entrance gate, in which only the owner of the house or an authorized person opens a door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate to take out the articles stored in the refrigerator.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator for an entrance gate, which is capable of immediately transmitting a warning message to a user when an attempt to forcibly open an outer door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate without going through the authentication process, or when an external force is applied to the outer door.

The claimed invention is covered by the main claim. A refrigerator for an entrance gate according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a cabinet installed to pass through a front door or a wall, the cabinet having a storage compartment configured to store an article; an outdoor-side door connected to a front surface of the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment, the outdoor-side door being exposed to an outdoor space; an indoor-side door connected to a rear surface of the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, the indoor-side door being exposed to an indoor space; a display portion provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door; a cold air supply device accommodated in the cabinet, the cold air supply device being configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment, and.

a controller configured to control driving of the cold air supply device and the opening and closing of the indoor-side door or the outdoor-side door.

The controller is configured to: register a user authentication means through a user authentication method setting process; and open the outdoor-side door only when the user authentication passes and an article outgoing command is input.

The controller may be configured to: detect touch of the display portion to output a setting menu screen to the display portion; detect selection of an authentication method setting menu to output a registered profile list on the display portion; perform an authentication means registration process when an authentication target profile is selected; and output a user registration completion message when the authentication means registration process is completed.

The authentication means registered in the authentication means registration process may include at least one of an NFC of a mobile device and passwords.

The controller may be configured to: perform an authentication procedure of determining whether an NFC information or passwords which is input through the display portion matches with the NFC information or passwords registered in the authentication means registration process, when the article outgoing command is input; and open the outdoor-side door only when the authentication procedure passes.

The controller may transmit, when detecting an attempt to open the outdoor-side door in a state where there is no input of the article outgoing command, a warning message to the user's mobile device together with a warning sound.

The controller may be configured to: operate a camera mounted inside the storage compartment or on the outdoor-side door to capture the inside of the storage compartment or a front side of the outdoor-side door, when detecting the attempt to open the outdoor-side door in the state where there is no input of the article outgoing command; and transmit a captured image to the user's mobile device together with the warning message.

When the article outgoing command is input, the controller may be 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.

When the article outgoing command is input, the controller may be configured to output an NFC authentication screen on the display portion to perform an NFC authentication process and open the outdoor-side door when the input NFC information matches with the registered NFC information.

Here, when the input NFC information does not match with the registered NFC information, or it is impossible to perform the NFC authentication procedure, the controller may be configured to output a password input screen on the display portion to perform a password authentication process.

A notification light configured to notify that the article is being stored in the storage compartment may be provided at one side of the indoor-side door.

The refrigerator for the entrance gate according to the embodiments of the present invention may have the following effects.

First, the delivery person may safely deliver delivery articles to the orderer even when the user having the ordered article or fresh food is not at home to prevent the delivery goods from becoming lost during the delivery.

Second, in the case of the delivered article that requires the low temperature storage, such as the fresh food, there may be the advantage in that the delivered article is prevented from being damaged or deteriorated even when the orderer (or user) is absent.

Third, there may be the advantage in that only a person who delivers the article to be delivered, such as the courier opens the door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate from the outside of the entrance to prevent the theft of the delivered article from occurring.

Fourth, when the attempt to forcibly open the outer door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate or the external force or impact is applied to the outer door, the warning message may be transmitted to the user's mobile device through the wireless communication network from the controller of the refrigerator for the entrance, thereby effectively preventing the refrigerator for the entrance gate from being damaged.

Furthermore, the camera installed inside the storage compartment may automatically capture the inside of the storage compartment to transmit the captured image to the user's mobile device, and thus, the user may grasp the internal situation of the storage compartment at the remote location.

In addition, it is possible to enable the image analysis camera mounted on the outer door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate to operate to capture the face of the person attempting to open the outer door, and the captured image may be transmitted to the user's mobile device.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the same or similar components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals as far as possible even if they are shown in different drawings.

The terms are merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and do not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component.

"User" used in this specification means a consumer who purchases an article through the Internet, and should be interpreted as meaning the owner of a refrigerator for an entrance gate and his/her family.

In addition, the purchased article or ordered article should be construed to mean all other types of articles, including fresh food.

In addition, a delivery person, such as a courier driver and a postman, should be interpreted as meaning a person who has been given task and authority to deliver the article or goods ordered by the user to a storage compartment of the refrigerator for the entrance gate.

The refrigerator of the present invention may be installed to stand upright on the floor of an installation space, fixed to a door of a building, a wall of a building, or a surface of a separate support, or installed to be fixed while passing through the door, wall or support.

It is advantageous to configure a refrigeration cycle that is not heavy so as to reduce damage caused by falling from a place at which the refrigerator is installed. For example, a refrigeration cycle using a small compressor or a refrigeration cycle using a thermoelectric element module may be configured.

Since the thermoelectric element module makes less noise than the compressor, when installing the refrigerator in a space that requires low noise, such as a bedroom, a study room, a living room, a door of a building, or a wall of a building, the refrigeration cycle using the thermoelectric module is advantageous.

The thermoelectric module may be used as a refrigerator or a heating cabinet when compared to the refrigeration cycle using the compressor.

As another example, a refrigerator <NUM> for an entrance gate of the present invention may be used as a simple delivery box in which the thermoelectric module is not installed.

In the present invention, an input portion is provided at one side of the door or the cabinet and also is provided for inputting information. The input portion may include one or more input means or sub-input portions.

In the present invention, the display provided with the input portion may include one or more input portions.

In the present invention, the input portion and the display may be provided separately from each other.

The refrigerator controller of the present invention may control at least a portion of the input portion to be in an input activated state when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to switch at least a portion of the input portion to an input inactive state when another predetermined condition is satisfied.

The controller may control the input portion to be in at least one state of i) all input activation, ii) partial input activation, or iii) all input inactivation.

Here, the input activation state is defined as a state in which information related to the operation of the refrigerator is capable of being input through the input portion, and the input deactivation state is defined as a state in which the information is not capable of being input.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a cabinet forming a storage compartment, a door for opening or closing the storage compartment, an input portion for inputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator, and a controller.

Also, "the information related to the operation of the refrigerator" is defined as information input through the input portion of the refrigerator. For example, the information includes a command to increase or decrease in notch temperature of the refrigerator, a command to apply or cut off a voltage to an electric element or component of the refrigerator, or a command to increase or decrease in voltage, sensing information detected by a sensor installed in the refrigerator, etc..

The input portion means a means for inputting information related to an operation of the refrigerator, which includes at least one of a button through which a command related to the operation of the refrigerator are input, a product information recognizer capable of recognizing unique information about a product, such as a code scanner including a barcode reader that recognizes a barcode of the product and a QR code reader that recognizes a QR code of the product, a communication module or element (e.g., remote controller signal receiver, NFC signal receiver, etc.) that receives a signal from an external device such as a remote controller including a remote controller or a mobile terminal including a mobile phone, an image capturing portion including a camera for recognizing an image of an object including a person, a microphone that recognizes a sound signal including human voice, a motion signal detection portion that is capable of detecting a person's motion, a proximity signal detection portion (or distance signal detection portion) that is capable of detecting the proximity of a person, a touch input portion that is capable of detecting a human touch action, a biometric information detection portion that recognizes biometric information such as human vein information, iris information, or DNA information, a vibration signal detection portion that detects a user knocking on a door of the refrigerator ( e.g., a knock signal detection portion), or a timer that measures an elapsing time.

The refrigerator is provided with a door, and the door may be configured to simultaneously perform functions of a first door (hereinafter, referred to as an "incoming door") that opens or closes a storage compartment for incoming of an article into the refrigerator, and a second door (hereinafter, referred to as an "outgoing door") that opens or closes the storage compartment for outgoing of the article from the refrigerator.

The refrigerator may include a plurality of doors, and the plurality of doors may be configured to include at least the incoming door and the outgoing door. For example, the incoming door may be provided at a front side of the refrigerator, and the outgoing door may be provided at a rear side of the refrigerator.

As another example, both the incoming door and the outgoing door may be provided at the front side or the rear side of the refrigerator.

In this case, it may be understood to mean that both the incoming door and a separate outgoing door that is distinguished from the incoming door are provided at the front side of the refrigerator, and both the incoming door and a separate outgoing door that is distinguished from the incoming door are provided at the rear side of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator includes an input portion, and the input portion may be configured to simultaneously perform function of a first input portion (hereinafter, referred to as an "incoming input portion") for inputting information for incoming of an article into the refrigerator, and a second input portion for inputting information for outgoing of an article (hereinafter, referred to as an "outgoing input portion").

The refrigerator may include a plurality of input portions, and the plurality of input portions may be configured to include at least the input portion for incoming and the input portion for outgoing.

According to the present invention, since a person (e.g., a delivery person) other than the user may put an article in the user's refrigerator, after an article incoming person (delivery person) performs incoming authentication to put the article into the refrigerator, a situation in which the incoming article is taken out by the article incoming person by performing the incoming authentication again may be prevented. Embodiments for solving this problems will be described below.

When the information inputted through the input portion matches set "incoming reference information (= incoming authentication information)", the refrigerator controller performs the incoming authentication in which lock of the door is released, and after the door is unlocked, the "incoming reference information" may be controlled to any one of deletion, initialization, or resetting.

On the other hand, the refrigerator controller may control the refrigerator so that the incoming authentication in which information for incoming is input through the input portion and outgoing authentication in which information for outgoing is inputted through the input portion are performed, and the incoming authentication and the outgoing authentication may be controlled to be performed in different methods. An embodiment of differently controlling the incoming authentication method and the outgoing authentication method includes the following three methods.

First, when the information input by the refrigerator controller for incoming through the input portion matches the set "incoming reference information" (e.g., information related to the article being put), the incoming authentication in which the lock of the door is released may be controlled to be performed, and when the information input for outgoing through the input portion matches the "outgoing reference information set differently from the incoming reference information" (e.g., user information registered in relation to the refrigerator), the outgoing authentication that unlocks the door may be controlled to be performed.

Second, the refrigerator has a plurality of input portions, and an incoming input portion (e.g., an article information recognizer such as a barcode reader or a QR code reader) and an outgoing input portion (e.g., a communication element that receives a signal from an external device such as an NFC signal recognizer) may be provided to be distinguished from each other.

Third, the refrigerator includes an incoming mode (e.g., a storage button) in which information for incoming can be input through the input portion and an incoming mode (e.g., a pickup button) in which information for incoming is capable of being input through the input portion, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller may control the refrigerator so that only the outgoing mode is activated.

The refrigerator controller may control a method of activating the incoming input portion and a method of activating the outgoing input portion to be different from each other.

For example, when the controller determines that the storage compartment is empty, the incoming input portion may be activated. In addition, when it is determined that the article exists in the storage compartment above a preset reference value, the outgoing input portion may be controlled to be activated.

The presence or absence of the article or an amount of article in the refrigerator may be determined through a camera in the refrigerator. Alternatively, after the incoming authentication is performed, and the door lock is released, it is possible to control the refrigerator so that only the outgoing mode is activated.

When the outgoing mode is selected, the controller may control the refrigerator so that only a pre-registered refrigerator user may perform the outgoing authentication. For example, the controller may guide the user to input a preset password in order to proceed with the outgoing authentication.

The present invention may include at least one of the embodiments described above.

In the present invention, the "incoming mode" or "storage mode" may be defined as a control mode that guides the article incoming person so that the article is stored in the storage compartment, and the "outgoing mode" or "pickup mode" may be defined as a control mode that guides the article outgoing person so that the article is stored in the storage compartment.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which a refrigerator for an entrance gate is installed on a door for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which an outer door is opened in the state in which the refrigerator for the entrance gate is installed on the door for the entrance gate, and <FIG> is a schematic view illustrating configurations of an indoor-side and an outdoor-side based on the door in the state in which the refrigerator for the entrance gate is installed on the door for the entrance gate.

Referring to <FIG>, an refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed on a door D for the entrance gate of a home or office. The door D for the entrance gate is installed on a wall W. A door lock L for opening the door D may be provided.

An opening H is formed in the door D for the entrance gate, and the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may be inserted into the opening H to extend to an indoor-side I and an outdoor-side O. The direction will be defined. With respect to the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, the outdoor-side O is defined as a "front side" and the indoor-side I is defined as a "rear side".

The refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate includes a cabinet <NUM> that forms an outer appearance thereof.

For example, the cabinet <NUM> may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and be disposed to pass through the opening H. A sealer <NUM> (see <FIG>) is provided between the opening H and an outer surface of the cabinet <NUM> so that the cabinet <NUM> is in close contact with the opening H.

A storage compartment 110a capable of storing food is formed inside the cabinet <NUM>. A camera <NUM> may be provided in the storage compartment 110a. For example, the camera <NUM> may be disposed above the storage compartment 110a. The camera <NUM> may photograph the food stored in the storage compartment 110a and upload the captured image to a delivery application.

For this, the refrigerator for the entrance gate may be provided with a communication module capable of communicating with the outside. For example, the communication module may include a Wi-Fi module.

The storage compartment 110a may be opened at the indoor-side I and the outdoor-side O.

In detail, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may be provided at one side (outside) of the storage compartment 110a and may further include an outdoor-side door <NUM> capable of opening or closing the storage compartment 110a. The outdoor-side door <NUM> may be disposed at the outdoor-side O and may be, for example, a door opened by a food delivery person in order to put the food therein. The outdoor-side door <NUM> may be in a normally locked state to prevent an opening of any door.

The refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may be provided at the other side (indoor-side) of the storage compartment 110a and further include an indoor-side door <NUM> capable of opening or closing the storage compartment 110a. The indoor-side door <NUM> may be disposed at the indoor-side (I) and may be a door opened by a user in order to collect food.

The outdoor-side door <NUM> and the indoor-side door <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet <NUM>.

The outdoor-side door <NUM> includes a hinge <NUM> coupled to the cabinet <NUM> and a latch <NUM> hooked on the cabinet <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> may be provided at one side of both left and right sides of the outdoor-side door <NUM>, and the latch <NUM> may be provided on the other side. The latch <NUM> may be provided on a rear surface of the outdoor-side door <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may further include a latch coupling portion <NUM> hooked with the latch <NUM>.

A pressing portion <NUM> capable of being pressed to open the outdoor-side door <NUM> is provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door <NUM>. The pressing portion <NUM> is disposed in front of the latch <NUM> to transmit pressing force to the latch <NUM>, and the latch <NUM> is released from the hook with the latch coupling portion <NUM> by the transferred the pressing force (push-up button manner).

Since the configuration of the indoor-side door <NUM> is similar to that of the outdoor-side door <NUM>, a hinge, a latch, and a pressing portion may also be provided in the indoor-side door <NUM>.

A code scanner <NUM> capable of reading information on delivered food may be provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door <NUM>. The code scanner <NUM> may include a barcode scanner or a QR code scanner.

When a food delivery person brings food information (code information) provided on food or a food container to the code scanner <NUM>, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate recognizes that the food is scheduled to be delivered and release the locked state of the outdoor-side door <NUM>. In this state, the delivery person may open the outdoor-side door <NUM> to store the food.

A display portion <NUM> may be provided on the outdoor-side door <NUM>. Information that is necessary for use of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate is displayed on the display portion <NUM>.

For example, the display portion <NUM> may display a "guide comment" for the delivery person. For example, the guide comment may include a comment such as "Please recognize barcode or QR code of food to code scanner".

An input portion for inputting a password or an authentication number may be displayed on the display portion <NUM>. The delivery person may release the lock state of the outdoor-side door <NUM> by inputting the password promised in advance with the user into the input portion.

In summary, the delivery person allows the food code to be recognized to the code scanner <NUM> or inputs a password or authentication number to unlock the outdoor-side door <NUM>, and thus, after opening the outdoor-side door <NUM>, the food is stored in the storage compartment 110a.

The cabinet <NUM> may extend toward the indoor-side I and the outdoor-side O through the door D. A front-rear width W2 of a portion of the cabinet <NUM>, which extends toward the indoor-side I, may be greater than a front-rear width W1 of a portion, which extends toward the outdoor-side O.

According to such a configuration, since an area protruding from the door D toward the indoor-side I is large, and an area protruding from the door D toward the outdoor-side O is small, an area of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, which is exposed to a space through which arbitrary people pass, may be reduced. Thus, possibility of damage to the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may be reduced.

A front support portion <NUM> supported on an outer surface of the door D is formed on a lower portion of the cabinet <NUM> extending toward the indoor-side I. For example, the front support portion <NUM> may be attached to a rear surface of the door D.

A cold air supply device <NUM> may be provided at the lower portion of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate. Since a front surface portion of a portion in which the relatively heavy cold air supply device <NUM> is accommodated, that is, the front support portion <NUM> is supported or attached to the door D, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may be stably mounted on the door D.

<FIG> is a front perspective view illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a rear perspective view illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a shape of an inner storage compartment of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet <NUM> forming an outer appearance thereof. The cabinet <NUM> includes two cabinet side surface portions <NUM>, a cabinet top surface portion <NUM> connecting upper potions of the two cabinet side surface portions <NUM> to each other, and a cabinet bottom surface portion <NUM> forming a bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM>, and a cabinet rear surface portion <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> further includes a front support portion <NUM> extending upward from a front end of the cabinet bottom surface portion <NUM> to be supported or attached to the rear surface of the door D. A cold air supply device <NUM> may be disposed at a rear side of the front surface support portion <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> further includes a storage compartment bottom surface portion <NUM> extending forward from an upper end of the front surface support portion <NUM> to form a bottom surface of the storage compartment 110a.

According to the configuration of the cabinet <NUM>, the cabinet <NUM> may be configured to have an "L" shape. In detail, In detail, the cabinet <NUM> may be understood to include a first case forming a storage compartment having a hexahedral shape and a second case which extends downward from a rear side of the first case and on which the cold air supply device <NUM> is installed. The first and second cases may be integrated with each other.

A dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM> through which external air passing through the heat dissipation portion of the cold air supply device <NUM> is discharged is formed at a lower portion of the cabinet side surface portion <NUM>. A discharge grille <NUM> may be coupled to the dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM>.

Doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to both sides of the cabinet <NUM>, respectively. An opening is formed at each of both ends of the cabinet <NUM>, and the doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to the openings, respectively.

The doors <NUM> and <NUM> include an outdoor-side door <NUM> provided on an outdoor-side end of the cabinet <NUM> and an indoor-side door <NUM> provided on an indoor-side end of the cabinet <NUM>. The outdoor-side door <NUM> may be a door that is openable by a delivery person. After inputting a password or recognizing an article, the delivery person may open the outdoor-side door <NUM> to put food into the storage compartment 110a.

The user may open the indoor-side door <NUM> to take out the food stored in the storage compartment 110a. The structure of the indoor-side door <NUM> is similar to that of the outdoor-side door <NUM>. The indoor-side door <NUM> may be provided with a pressing portion <NUM> this is capable of being manipulated to open the door. The user may open the indoor-side door <NUM> by pressing the pressing portion <NUM>. However, the indoor-side door <NUM> is a door disposed at the indoor-side and does not require locking because only a user is accessible. Thus, there may be no need for an action (password input, product recognition, etc.) to release the locking to open the outdoor-side door <NUM>.

A cold air supply device <NUM> may be provided at the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM>. The cold air supply device <NUM> may be installed in a space defined by both lower sides of the cabinet side surface portion <NUM>, the cabinet bottom surface portion <NUM>, the front surface support portion <NUM>, and the cabinet rear surface portion <NUM>.

An external air inflow portion <NUM> for allowing external air to flow into the cold air supplying device <NUM> is formed in the cabinet bottom surface portion <NUM>. The air suctioned in through the external air inflow portion <NUM> may be discharged through the dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM> via a heat dissipation fan <NUM> and a heat sink <NUM> of the cold air supply device <NUM>. An inflow grille <NUM> may be installed in the external air inflow portion <NUM>. It may be understood that the external air inflow portion <NUM> and the dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM> are formed in an outer wall of the cabinet <NUM>.

The storage compartment 110a may be defined by an inner wall of the cabinet <NUM>. In detail, the inner wall of the cabinet <NUM> includes a storage compartment lower wall <NUM> forming a seating surface on which food is placed, a storage compartment sidewall <NUM> extending upward from both sides of the storage compartment lower wall <NUM>, a storage compartment upper wall <NUM> forming a top surface of the storage compartment 110a and connecting an upper portion of the storage compartment sidewall <NUM>, and a storage compartment rear wall <NUM> connecting a rear portion of the storage compartment sidewall <NUM>.

The storage compartment 110a may be configured to form a substantially hexahedral space by the storage compartment lower wall <NUM>, the storage compartment sidewall <NUM>, the storage compartment upper wall <NUM>, and the storage compartment rear wall <NUM>. The storage compartment sidewall <NUM> forms one surface of a second passage duct <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The storage compartment lower wall <NUM> may be provided with a rib <NUM> protruding upward, and the rib <NUM> may extend forward and backward and be provided in plurality, which are arranged in left and right directions. Food is placed at an upper side of the plurality of ribs <NUM> to prevent the food from being slid.

A cold air inflow hole <NUM> for allowing the cold air inside the storage compartment 110a to return to the cold air supply device <NUM> is formed in the storage compartment lower wall <NUM>. For example, the cold air inflow hole <NUM> may be formed at a rear side of the storage compartment lower wall <NUM>.

A cold air discharge hole <NUM> for supplying the cold air generated by the cold air supply device <NUM> to a side of the storage compartment 110a is formed in the storage compartment sidewall <NUM>. The cold air generated in the cold air supply device <NUM> may be supplied to the side surface portion of the storage compartment 110a by the configurations of the cold air inflow hole <NUM> and the cold air discharge hole <NUM>, and then be returned to the cold air supply device <NUM> through a rear lower portion.

A camera <NUM> capable of photographing food put into the storage compartment 110a may be installed on the upper wall <NUM> of the storage compartment 110a.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a configuration of the cold air supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which cold air supply and heat dissipation are performed in the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the cold air supply device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed at the lower portion of the cabinet <NUM> and is provided at a lower portion of the storage compartment 110a to form a cold air passage and a heat dissipation passage.

The cold air supply device may include a thermoelectric module for generating cold air. Since the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate is not provided with a component for driving a refrigeration cycle, for example, a high noise generation source such as a compressor, and thus, noise generation during the operation of the refrigerator <NUM> may be reduced.

Since the thermoelectric module is configured to be relatively lightweight, it is possible to reduce a weight of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, which needs to be stably installed on the door D for the entrance gate.

The thermoelectric module <NUM> includes a thermoelectric element, and the thermoelectric element refers to an element that implements cooling and heat generation using a Peltier effect. When a heat absorption-side of the thermoelectric element is disposed to face the storage compartment 110a, and a heat generation-side of the thermoelectric element is disposed to face the lower portion of the refrigerator <NUM>, the storage compartment 110a may be cooled through an operation of the thermoelectric element.

In detail, the thermoelectric module <NUM> includes a module body <NUM> to which the thermoelectric element is coupled and which has a rectangular plate shape, a cold sink <NUM> provided at one side of the module body <NUM> to be heat-exchanged with the cold air of the storage compartment 110a, and a heat sink <NUM> provided at the other side of the module body <NUM> to be heat-exchanged with external air.

The one side of the module body <NUM> is a direction toward the storage compartment <NUM>, that is, an upper side with respect to the thermoelectric module <NUM>, and the other side is a direction toward the outside of the refrigerator <NUM>, that is, a lower side.

The cold sink <NUM> is disposed to be in contact with the heat absorption portion of the thermoelectric element, and the heat sink <NUM> is disposed to be in contact with the heat generation portion of the thermoelectric element. The heat absorption portion and the heat generation portion of the thermoelectric element may have shapes that are in surface contact with each other to form opposite surfaces.

In the thermoelectric module <NUM>, heat has to be rapidly dissipated from the heat generation portion of the thermoelectric element, so that the heat is sufficiently absorbed into the heat absorption portion of the thermoelectric element. Thus, a heat exchange area of the heat sink <NUM> may be larger than a heat exchange area of the cold sink <NUM>.

Each of the heat sink <NUM> and the cold sink <NUM> may include a base that is in contact with the thermoelectric element and a heat transfer fin coupled to the base.

The thermoelectric module <NUM> further includes a module insulator <NUM> installed between the cold sink <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM>. For example, the module insulator <NUM> may have a quadrangular frame shape and may be disposed to surround an edge of the thermoelectric element.

A cold air circulation fan <NUM> may be installed at an upper side of the thermoelectric module <NUM> to face the storage compartment 110a so as to forcibly circulate the cold air in the storage compartment 110a. The cold air circulation fan <NUM> may be disposed above the cold sink <NUM>. For example, the heat circulation fan <NUM> may include a centrifugal fan that suctions the cold air in the axial direction and discharges the cold air in the radial direction.

The cabinet <NUM> includes an outer case <NUM> that forms an outer appearance of the refrigerator <NUM>, an inner case <NUM> that is inserted into the outer case <NUM> to form at least a portion of the inner wall of the storage compartment, and an insulator <NUM> provided between the outer case <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>.

A first passage duct <NUM> extending from the cold sink <NUM> to guide a flow of the cold air is provided inside the cabinet <NUM>.

The first passage duct <NUM> may be configured to extend laterally from both sides of the cold sink <NUM> and then extend upward. A first cold air passage <NUM> may be formed inside the first passage duct <NUM>. The first passage duct <NUM> may be connected to a second passage duct <NUM>.

The second passage duct <NUM> is provided on each of both sides of the inner case <NUM>. The second passage duct <NUM> forms the storage compartment sidewall <NUM>, and the cold air discharge hole <NUM> is formed at an upper portion of the second passage duct <NUM>.

A second cold air passage <NUM> through which the cold air flows is formed between each of both side surfaces of the inner case <NUM> and the second passage duct <NUM>. The second cold air passage <NUM> may extend upward from the first cold air passage <NUM>.

When the cold air circulation fan <NUM> is driven, the cold air in the storage compartment 110a flows in the axial direction of the cold air circulation fan <NUM> through the cold air inflow hole <NUM>, and then is heat-exchanged with the cold sink <NUM> so as to be cooled. The cooled cold air flows to both sides in the radial direction of the cold air circulation fan <NUM> and is introduced into the first cold air passage <NUM>.

The cold air of the first cold air passage <NUM> may flow upward to flow into the second cold air passage <NUM> and then be discharged to both the sides of the storage compartment 110a through the cold air discharge hole <NUM>.

The refrigerator <NUM> further includes a heat dissipation fan <NUM> that introduces external air to be heat-exchanged with the heat dissipation portion of the thermoelectric element. The heat dissipation fan <NUM> is supported on the cabinet bottom surface portion <NUM> and be disposed above the external air inflow portion <NUM>. For example, the heat dissipation fan <NUM> may include a centrifugal fan that suctions the cold air in the axial direction and discharges the cold air in the radial direction.

A heat dissipation passage duct <NUM> extending from the heat sink <NUM> to guide a flow of external air and forming a heat dissipation passage <NUM> therein is provided in the cabinet <NUM>. The heat dissipation passage duct <NUM> may extend laterally from both sides of the heat sink <NUM> and be connected to the dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM>.

When the heat dissipation fan <NUM> is driven, the external air is introduced in the axial direction of the heat dissipation fan <NUM> through the external air inflow portion <NUM> and then is heat-exchanged with the heat sink <NUM> so as to be heated. The heated cool air may flow to both sides in the radial direction of the heat dissipation fan <NUM> and may be discharged from the dissipated heat discharge portion <NUM> to the outside of the refrigerator through the heat dissipation passage duct <NUM>.

As power to be supplied to the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, power to be supplied to an intercom or a doorbell installed around the door D, or an indoor-side lighting source may be used.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a controller <NUM>, a power supply portion <NUM>, an input portion <NUM>, an output portion <NUM>, a temperature sensor <NUM>, a door lock <NUM>, and an interface <NUM>.

In detail, the input portion <NUM> includes a means for allowing a user or a delivery person including a delivery driver to input various information into the controller <NUM>.

For example, the input portion <NUM> includes at least one or more of an input button <NUM>, an article information recognizer <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a touch input portion <NUM>, an image capturing portion <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, a motion signal detection portion <NUM>, a proximity signal detection portion <NUM>, a vibration signal detection portion <NUM>, and a biometric information detection portion <NUM>.

The input button <NUM> may include a mechanical button installed around a display portion <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate and manipulated by the user or the delivery person by applying a predetermined pressure with a finger thereof. The input button <NUM> may include an input switch or a pressure sensor using a piezo sensor.

The input button <NUM> may be installed at one side of the cabinet <NUM> as well as the outdoor-side door <NUM>.

The article information recognizer <NUM> may include any one or both of a barcode scanner 522a for recognizing a barcode printed or attached to a packaging box of a product and a QR code scanner 522b for recognizing a QR code.

The communication module <NUM> may include an NFC signal detection portion 523a for recognizing a signal transmitted from a near field communication (NFC) module built in a user's mobile phone and a remote controller signal detection portion 523b for recognizing a signal transmitted from the remote control.

The touch input portion <NUM> may include a touch screen displayed on a screen of the display portion <NUM>. The touch input portion <NUM> may include a capacitive touch button that detects an input signal by detecting a change in capacitance, which occurs when a user's finger approaches or touches the screen.

The image capturing portion <NUM> may include an image analysis camera provided at one front side of the outdoor-side door <NUM> to capture a facial image of the user or delivery person or a camera (not shown) for recognizing a user's fingerprint in addition to a camera <NUM> mounted inside the storage compartment 110a.

The proximity signal detector <NUM> may include an infrared sensor (IR sensor) including an infrared transmitter and receiver.

The vibration signal detection portion <NUM> may include a knock signal detection portion 529a that detects vibration or sound waves generated when the user knocks the display portion <NUM> by hands thereof.

In addition, the biometric information detection portion <NUM> includes at least one of a vein information detection portion <NUM> detecting a user's vein map, an iris information detection portion <NUM> detecting a user's iris, or a DNA information detection portion <NUM> recognizing user's genetic information.

Also, the output portion <NUM> may include a display portion <NUM> on which an image or video information is output. The display portion <NUM> means a display portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided on the outdoor-side door <NUM>.

In addition, the output portion <NUM> may further include a speaker <NUM> for outputting various alarm sounds, multimedia playback sounds, or guide sounds. The speaker may be described as an example of a sound output portion.

The door lock <NUM> may include a door lock means including the above-described latch <NUM>. The door lock <NUM> is provided to prevent the indoor-side door <NUM> or the outdoor-side door <NUM> from being arbitrarily opened or prevent the outdoor-side door <NUM> form being opened by an unauthorized person.

The temperature sensor <NUM> is installed in the storage compartment 110a to detect a temperature of the storage compartment 110a.

In addition, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may further include the interface <NUM>, and the interface <NUM> functions as a passage for connecting various external devices. As an example, the interface <NUM> may include a wired/wireless data port to which a data storage device including a USB or an SD card is connected.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a network system for controlling the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention is communicatively connected to a terminal of the user through the Internet.

In addition, the user's terminal is communicatively connected to an application server <NUM> and a shopping mall server <NUM> of a control application through the Internet.

In addition, the user's terminal is communicatively connected to the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator for the entrance gate through the Internet.

In detail, the user terminal may include a fixed terminal including the computer <NUM> or a mobile device <NUM> including a portable terminal such as a smart phone. The delivery person's terminal <NUM> may include a mobile device or a PDA terminal.

When the user accesses the Internet using the computer <NUM> or the mobile device <NUM> to purchase an article at a shopping mall connected to the Internet, information on the purchased article and/or authentication-related information is transmitted to the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate and then is stored in a memory or a separate server connected to the controller.

That is, since information on the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate is registered in the corresponding shopping mall server, the server <NUM> of the corresponding shopping mall may directly transmit the information to the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate. For this, when the user registers for a membership in the corresponding shopping mall site, the information on the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may need to be registered.

Alternatively, the information on the purchased article may be transmitted from the shopping mall server <NUM> to the user's mobile device <NUM>. Then, the control application installed in the user's mobile device <NUM> may read information about the purchased article stored in the user's mobile device <NUM> to transmit the information to the application server <NUM>. Then, the application server <NUM> may transmit the information on the purchased article and/or authentication-related information to the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate.

At the same time, the information and/or authentication-related information on the purchased article may be transmitted to the server of a courier company and transmitted to the delivery person's terminal <NUM>. The Information on the purchased article may be transmitted to the delivery company server in the form of an encryption code, for example, a barcode or QR code, and the delivery company may attach the encryption code to a packaging box of the purchased product.

In addition, the authentication-related information may be transmitted to the server of the delivery company together with the information on the purchased article and then finally transmitted to the delivery person's terminal <NUM> or may be transmitted to the user who purchased the article.

Alternatively, at least one or all of the encryption code and authentication-related information may be directly generated by the user. If the user directly generates the encryption code and/or authentication-related information, when the user receives a number of the delivery person's terminal <NUM> from the courier company, the encryption code and authentication-related information and/or authentication-related information may be directly transmitted to the delivery person's terminal <NUM>. This will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The user may access the Internet through the computer <NUM> or the mobile device <NUM> and may access or log in to the shopping mall site or the mart site for selling goods.

The method for accessing and logging in to the shopping mall site or the mart site includes a method for directly accessing the address of the corresponding shopping mall site, or a method for logging in the control application installed in the user's mobile device <NUM> and then logging in the corresponding shopping mall or mart site.

Here, since the terminal <NUM> of the delivery person is controlled by a server of the delivery company or the post office, the terminal <NUM> of the delivery person may be interpreted as the same meaning as the server of the delivery company or the post office.

When the user accesses the shopping mall and purchases a desired article, information related to authentication of purchase article information may be transmitted from the server of the corresponding shopping mall to the user's mobile device <NUM>. Then, the article information and the authentication information may be stored in the application server through the control application installed in the user's mobile device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the article information and authentication information are directly transmitted from the shopping mall server <NUM> to the application server <NUM> through the Internet or directly transmitted from the shopping mall server <NUM> to the application server <NUM>, the controller <NUM> for the refrigerator for the entrance gate, and the server of the delivery company.

In order to transmit the information from the server of the shopping mall, in which the user logs in to purchase the article, to the controller of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, when the user accesses the shopping mall to register for a membership, a unique number or a unique code of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate has to be input.

The delivery person of the delivery company delivers the ordered article to the front of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate of the user and brings the authentication information to the encryption code scanners 522a and 522b provided on the door of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate. As a result, the outdoor-side door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> is opened so that articles is stored.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating an inner door constituting the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, in the inner door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the pressing portion <NUM>, at least one of a notification light <NUM>, a face capturing portion <NUM>, a pressure detection portion (not shown), an acceleration sensor (not shown), or a latch sensor (not shown) may be provided.

In detail, the notification light <NUM> may be understood as a means for notifying that the article is currently being stored in the storage compartment 110a of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate to the user or family member in the indoor room when incoming of the article is completed, and the outer door <NUM> is closed.

The notification light <NUM> may be a light emitting means using an LED as a light source and may be programmed to be maintained in a turned on state or in a flickering state when the article is being stored.

<FIG> is a failure control algorithm performed when a failure situation occurs in the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> are views illustrating an internal configuration of the refrigerator for the entrance gate while the failure control algorithm is performed, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a message transmitted to a terminal of a delivery person when a malfunction of the refrigerator for the entrance gate occurs.

Referring to <FIG>, when an operation error of the refrigerator for the entrance gate occurs (S110), the controller <NUM> outputs an error notification message to the display portion <NUM> (S120).

In detail, as illustrated in <FIG>, the error notification message may include a character code or a numeric code indicating types of errors and may further include a phone number for after-sales service request.

The types of errors may be defined as a combination of letters and numbers, such as "E1, E2, E3,. , En", but is not limited thereto.

For example, E1 means abnormal opening of the outer door, E2 means abnormal network of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, and E3 is defined as a screen error of the display portion <NUM> provided in the outer door <NUM>.

As described above, the content of the error defined for each error code is described in the product manual booklet so that the user refers to the content of the error.

Referring to <FIG>, it is also possible to display a guide text for explaining what an operation error actually occurred, on the display portion <NUM>. In this case, the case where the type of the error is an abnormal screen of the display portion may be excluded. In the case of the abnormal screen of the display portion, for example, it may be output in the form of a sound message through the speaker.

On the other hand, the error notification message is output to the display portion <NUM>, and at the same time, the error notification message is transmitted to the application server <NUM> or the mobile device through a wireless network connected to the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate.

In detail, when the error notification message is transmitted from the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate to the application server <NUM>, the application server <NUM> transmits the message to the user's mobile device <NUM>.

When the user's mobile device <NUM> is running in the control application of the refrigerator for the entrance gate, an error notification message is output on the screen of the mobile device <NUM>. If the control application is not running, a message reception notification function is activated so that the user is capable of recognizing a message reception.

If the user's mobile device <NUM> is in a short distance from the front door refrigerator <NUM>, and a near filed communication module of the mobile device <NUM> including Bluetooth, etc. and a near field communication module of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate are synchronized, it may be possible to directly transmit the error notification message from the controller of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate to the mobile device <NUM>.

On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, when an operation error of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate occurs, there is a high possibility that the delivered article is not stored in a refrigerated or warm state, and thus, a request message including the error message may be transmitted from the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate to the server of the delivery company. This may be possible by transmitting a server address of the delivery company together when the order information is transmitted from the shopping mall server to the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate.

As illustrated in the drawings, the request message may include a message for requesting the article to be delivered in cold packaging or thermal insulation packaging in preparation for the possibility that cold storage or warm storage is difficult. Then, the delivery company may reflect this in the packaging process for the article delivery so that the cooling or warming function is maintained during the delivery process.

Alternatively, when the error message is transmitted from the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate to the application server <NUM>, the application server <NUM> may determine the type of error. If it is determined that the error to send the cold or warm packaging request message to the delivery company, the application server <NUM> may be programmed to transmit the request message to the server of the delivery company.

Referring to <FIG>, the delivery company server transmits the error message to the delivery person's terminal <NUM>, and the fact that the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, which is installed at the delivery location, is currently in a malfunction state, and the fact that the cold packaging or thermal insulation packaging is required may be awarded.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a control method performed when an attempt to forcibly open the outer door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate occurs, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a message output on the display portion of the user's mobile device when a forced opening attempt occurs.

Referring to <FIG>, when an attempt to forcibly open the door is detected (S210), the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance determines whether the authentication procedure is normally completed (S220).

Here, the attempt to open the door forcibly means not only the act of pulling by applying external force to the outer door <NUM> in order to forcibly open the outer door <NUM> while the outer door <NUM> is locked, but also the act of tapping by applying external force to the front surface of the door <NUM>.

In addition, a sensor for detecting that the outer door <NUM> is forcibly pulled may be mounted. As an example of the sensor, a push switch mounted on a refrigerator body that is in contact with the rear surface of the door may be applied to detect the door opening of the general refrigerator, but is not limited thereto.

Alternatively, an acceleration sensor is mounted on the outer door <NUM> to detect an acceleration generated when the outer door <NUM> is pulled forward, and when the acceleration exceeds a set value, the controller <NUM> may determine that an attempt to open the outer door <NUM> occurs.

In addition, an external force detection sensor may be mounted on the outer door <NUM> to detect external force applied to the front surface of the outer door <NUM>. The external force detection sensor may include, for example, a pressure sensor that detects an impact amount or a pressure.

If it is determined that there is the attempt to open the outer door <NUM> while the outer door <NUM> is locked, the controller <NUM> may redetermine whether the authentication procedure for opening the outer door <NUM> is normally performed, or a completed history of the authentication procedure is recorded before the attempt to open the door (S220). The reason for determining whether to perform the authentication procedure is because a situation in which the outer door <NUM> is not opened even though the authentication process is normally performed due to a failure or malfunction of the door lock.

Therefore, if it is determined that there is the attempt to open the door after the authentication procedure is normally performed, the controller <NUM> performs the door unlocking operation again (S230).

If it is determined that there is the attempt to open the door while the authentication procedure is not performed, the controller <NUM> outputs a warning sound through the speaker (S221), and at the same time, transmits a warning message to the application server <NUM> or the user's mobile device <NUM> (S222).

The warning message transmitted to the application server is received by the refrigerator control application installed in the user's mobile device <NUM> through the wireless network, and a message arrival notification signal is output to the user.

Alternatively, if the user's mobile device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate are communicatively connected by the near field wireless communication such as Bluetooth, the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate directly transmits the warning message to the mobile device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the message transmitted to the user's mobile device <NUM> may include a message indicating that the attempt to forcibly open the external door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate is confirmed, and also, a selection button additionally taken by the user may be displayed.

For example, as illustrated in the drawings, the camera installed in the storage compartment 110a of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate may operate to display a menu for selecting a function to view the inside of the storage compartment.

Alternatively, if the face recognition camera is installed at one side of the outer door <NUM>, the face recognition camera operates to display a menu for capturing a face of a person attempting to open the door and transmitting the captured image to the mobile device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a user authentication method through a display portion of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> are views illustrating a user interface displayed on a display portion in the process of setting the user authentication method.

A process of setting a user authentication method will be described with reference to <FIG> together.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to set the user authentication method, the user first touches the display portion <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate (S310).

In a state in which no command is input, the display portion <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate outputs a screen as illustrated in <FIG>.

In detail, an incoming button portion <NUM> and an outgoing button portion <NUM> may be provided in the form of touch buttons at a lower side of the display portion <NUM>. The incoming button portion <NUM> is a button for the delivery person of the delivery company, and the outgoing button portion <NUM> may be understood as a button for the user.

In addition, a refrigerating mode operation display portion <NUM> is formed at a substantially central portion of the display portion <NUM>. The refrigerating mode operation display portion <NUM> may be displayed on the display portion <NUM> in the form of an image or a moving picture to inform a user or a delivery person that the inside of the storage compartment 110a is currently maintained in the refrigerated state.

In addition, a storage state display portion <NUM> for displaying whether an article is currently in the storage compartment 110a in the form of text or image may be formed on an area between the refrigerating mode operation display portion <NUM> and the button portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, a lock state display portion <NUM> showing a locked state of the outer door <NUM> and an internal temperature display portion <NUM> showing an internal temperature of the storage compartment may be formed at one upper corner of the display portion <NUM>.

Also, a setting menu icon <NUM> may be displayed on the other upper corner of the display portion <NUM>.

The setting menu screen is touched by the user to be converted into the setting menu icon <NUM>. In the process of setting the authentication method according to the present invention, the user may select the setting menu icon <NUM> while the setting menu screen is displayed on the display portion <NUM>.

Alternatively, a long press operation of pressing a point on the display portion <NUM> for a set time may be performed by the user to be converted into the setting menu screen.

The process of touching the display portion (S310) may be understood to mean the long press operation in which the user directly touches the setting menu icon <NUM> to press the screen of the display portion for a long time.

Here, when the display portion <NUM> is touched, it is possible to be directly converted into the setting menu screen, but for security, a password input process (S320) may be performed in the middle.

In detail, when the user touches the display portion <NUM>, the password input screen as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed. When performing the process of setting the authentication method for a first time, the password may be a number set at the time of product release, such as <NUM> or <NUM>.

When the password input is finished, the setting menu screen as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the display portion <NUM> (S330).

A plurality of setting menus may be listed and displayed on the setting menu screen.

For example, the setting menu includes at least one of an authentication method setting menu 150a, a notification time setting menu 150b, a network setting menu 150c, a screen setting menu 150d, and a sound setting menu 150e.

In addition, when the authentication method setting menu 150a is selected (S340), a registered profile list screen as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed (S350).

Referring to <FIG>, in the registered profile list, when the user accesses the control application of the refrigerator for the entrance gate, which is installed in the mobile device <NUM>, to input and store one or more user profiles, the input profile is transmitted to the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate via the application server <NUM>. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the inconvenience of inputting the user profile by touching the display portion <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gage outside the entrance gate is eliminated.

The user's name or nickname and whether or not to be registered as the user may be listed on the registered profile list.

In this state, when the user touches and selects an authentication target profile (S360), an authentication screen as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed.

In the state in which the authentication screen is displayed, the user's mobile device with the NFC module turned on is brought to the display portion to perform an authentication means registration process (S370). Then, a text or voice message indicating that registration is complete is output (S380), and the process of setting the authentication method is terminated.

In the authentication process, in addition to the NFC authentication using the mobile device <NUM>, it is also possible to further perform a password input process as illustrated in <FIG>. The password input process may include a first process for setting a passage by the user and a second process of inputting the passage by the user in order to confirm whether the input password is correct.

Also, when the password input process is finished, the password is changed from the password set in the product release state to a new password, and a voice indicating that the user authentication method has been changed is outputted, or a character is displayed on the display portion <NUM>.

Thereafter, if the password input screen is displayed by touching the setting menu again or by long-pressing the display portion for new user authentication, the changed password has to be input to proceed to the next process.

When the authentication method process is completed, as illustrated in <FIG>, the character "not registered" displayed next to the authentication target profile may be changed to the character "registered" and displayed.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the user authentication screen for opening the outer door of the refrigerator for the entrance gate.

Referring to <FIG>, when the user intends to take out a stored article by opening the outer door <NUM>, the user authentication process has to be performed.

In detail, in order to determine whether the person who is allowed to open the outer door <NUM> is touched, the user authentication screen as illustrated in this figure is displayed when the pickup button is touched.

Here, an authentication method selection portion <NUM> and an authentication method guide portion <NUM> disposed above the corresponding authentication method may be displayed on the display portion so that the user selects any one of the authentication through NFC authentication of the mobile device and authentication through the password input.

Alternatively, only one of the NFC authentication and the password authentication is displayed, so that the authentication is performed by only one method.

The user may touch any one of the touch buttons displayed on the authentication method selection unit <NUM> to perform a desired authentication process.

As another method, the NFC authentication screen is output by default, so that the authentication through the mobile device <NUM> is performed, and when the NFC authentication through the mobile device <NUM> is failed, the authentication through the password input may be performed.

If it is determined that the registrant is allowed to open the outer door <NUM> through the authentication process as described above, the controller <NUM> allows the outer door <NUM> to be opened so that the user takes out the stored article.

When the article outgoing command is input, the controller may be configured to output the authentication method selection portion, which allows the user to select any one of the NFC authentication method and the password authentication method, on the display portion in the touch button shape.

In detail, when the article outgoing command is input, the controller may be configured to output the NFC authentication screen on the display portion to perform the NFC authentication process and open the outdoor-side door when the input NFC information matches with the registered NFC information.

When the input NFC information does not match with the registered NFC information, or it is impossible to perform the NFC authentication procedure, the controller may be configured to output the password input screen on the display portion to perform the password authentication process.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation of the display portion of the refrigerator for the entrance gate according to detection results of a proximity signal detection portion.

Referring to <FIG>, when a proximity signal detection portion <NUM> such as an infrared sensor is mounted on the front of the outer door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, and the proximity signal detection portion <NUM> detects person's approach, an advertisement of the delivery company or the distribution company may be displayed on the display portion <NUM>.

In detail, since the outer door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate is exposed to the outdoor corridor, the display portion <NUM> provided on the outer door <NUM> has a very high utility value as an advertisement means.

Thus, when an unspecified person approaches near to the outer door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> for the entrance gate, the proximity signal detecting unit <NUM> may detect the unspecified person. Also, when the proximity signal detecting portion <NUM> detects the person's approach, the display portion <NUM> may be activated regardless of whether the approaching person has the right to open the outer door <NUM>.

When the display portion <NUM> is activated, an advertisement picture or image may be displayed at the same time.

Alternatively, if it is determined that the person who has the right to open the outer door <NUM> among those whose access is detected by the proximity signal detection portion <NUM> is displayed, the article storage or pickup menu is displayed, and only when it is determined as a person who does not have the right to open the door, the advertisement screen may be displayed.

Referring to (a) of <FIG>, when the proximity signal detection portion <NUM> does not detect the person's approach, the display portion <NUM> may be maintained in the inactive state, and when the person's approach is detected, the display portion <NUM> may display the advertisement screen as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>) for an entrance gate, comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) installed to pass through a front door (D) or a wall (W), the cabinet (<NUM>) having a storage compartment (110a) configured to store an article;
an outdoor-side door (<NUM>) connected to a front surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) to open or close the storage compartment (110a), the outdoor-side door (<NUM>) being exposed to an outdoor space;
an indoor-side door (<NUM>) connected to a rear surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) to open or close the storage compartment (110a), the indoor-side door (<NUM>) being exposed to an indoor space;
a display portion (<NUM>) provided on a front surface of the outdoor-side door (<NUM>);
a cold air supply device (<NUM>) accommodated in the cabinet (<NUM>), the cold air supply device (<NUM>) being configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment (110a), and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control driving of the cold air supply device (<NUM>) and configured to control the opening and closing of the indoor-side door (<NUM>) or the outdoor-side door (<NUM>), wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
register a user authentication means through a user authentication method setting process; characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) is configured to open the outdoor-side door (<NUM>) only when the user authentication passes and an article outgoing command is input.