Self-diagnostic system for a refrigerator

A self-diagnostic system for a refrigerator, said self-diagnostic system comprising:

• a reset means for initializing respective functional elements of the refrigerator;
• a timer interrupt means responsive to an interrupt signal according to a time cycle, for setting an interrupt bit and a timer bit, said time cycle being set by said reset means;
• an initial display means for turning on a plurality of display lamps upon powering on, turning off all the display lamps a predetermined time after said turning on, turning on a power fault display lamp to display a power fault state and initializing at least some of said display lamps according to a state of reset key of a keyboard means;
• and
• microprocessor means for executing a plurality of diagnostic subroutines in response to an interrupt bit being set, said plurality of subroutines comprising:
• a timer increment subroutine;
• a display subroutine for displaying a plurality of functions performed and error occurring on a real-time basis;
• an input check subroutine for receiving data input through a plurality of input ports of said microprocessor and checking each of said plurality of functions;
• a temperature control subroutine for controlling temperature of the refrigerator;
• a quick freezing subroutine performed for a predetermined period only when a quick freezing key of a keyboard means is pushed;
• a defrost subroutine performed when a bimetal is in an ON state;
• a door check subroutine for checking an open status of a door of the refrigerator;
• a temperature check subroutine for displaying a high temperature state when a door open state continues for a second predetermined time after the door is opened;
• and
• a voice alarm subroutine for producing an alarm in response to an abnormal state of the refrigerator.

A self-diagnostic method for a refrigerator, said self-diagnostic method comprising the steps of:

• performing a reset subroutine for initializing the refrigerator;
• performing a timer interrupt subroutine in response to an interrupt signal with a time cycle for setting an interrupt bit and a timer bit, in which said time cycle was set by said reset process;
• performing an initial display subroutine for turning on a plurality of display lamps of a display means upon powering on, turning off said plurality of display lamps at a first predetermined time after said turning on, turning on a power fault display lamp of said display means in order to display a power fault state and initializing at least some of said plurality of display lamps of all the lamps according to a state of a reset key of a keyboard means;
• and
• performing a main routine via a microprocessor for executing at least one of a plurality of subroutines when an interrupt bit is set, said plurality of subroutines including a timer increment subroutine comprising the steps of:
• determining whether predetermined durations of functional states of a plurality of functional elements of said refrigerator have elapsed;
• and
• storing data indicative of said functional states of said functional elements into corresponding buffers.