System and method for controlling communication-executable refrigerator

A method for controlling a communication-executable refrigerator, comprising the steps of:

• a), by a main control unit operating interactively with a refrigerator microcomputer which controls all components in the refrigerator, performing a schedule management function, a self-diagnosis management function and a component replacement time management function and meanwhile creating a pop-up message upon the occurrence of an emergency situation;
• b) outputting the pop-up message created at said step a) to a display unit installed on a front surface of said refrigerator and in turn an information transmission button image to said display unit to transmit information related to said pop-up message over an external communication network;
• and
• c), if a specific button in said information transmission button outputted at said step b) is pushed by a user, forwarding information associated with the pushed button to a predetermined destination address over said external communication network.

A method for controlling a communication-executable refrigerator, comprising the steps of:

• a), by a main control unit which controls all functions associated with television watching, outputting a button image including a variety of function key buttons to a display unit, said function key buttons including a reception mode selection button, a channel selection button and a volume adjustment button, said display unit being installed on a front surface of the refrigerator to display an external image;
• b) determining whether a specific screen area of a touch panel has been touched by a user, said touch panel being connected to said display unit and having a plurality of screen areas for inputting a variety of function key signals corresponding respectively to said function key buttons of said button image outputted at said step a);
• and
• c) analyzing a touch code of the specific screen area of said touch panel if it is determined at said step b) that said specific screen area of said touch panel has been touched by the user and performing a function corresponding to said touch code as a result of the analysis.

A method for controlling a communication-executable refrigerator, comprising the steps of:

• a) installing a communication interface, a display unit, a touch panel and a main control unit in the refrigerator for the implementation of data communication over an external communication network and in turn a camera, a speaker and a microphone in said refrigerator for sending or reception of an image mail;
• b), by said main control unit, determining whether a user requests the creation or checking of the image mail;
• and
• c), by said main control unit, controlling said camera, speaker and microphone in accordance with the result determined at said step b) to send or receive said image mail.