The present disclosure provides a usage notification device that adds, to a refrigerator not provided with a communication function, the function of notifying a communication terminal of usage. The usage notification device includes an attachment portion, a wireless communication unit, a door open/closed recognition unit, and a notification control unit. The attachment portion attaches the usage notification device to an exterior of the refrigerator. The wireless communication unit performs a wireless communication with the communication terminal. The door open/closed recognition unit recognizes the open or closed state of the refrigerator. The notification control unit transmits the usage information on the refrigerator based on the door open or closed state of the refrigerator, to the communication terminal via the wireless communication unit.

Provided are a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.

A refrigerator is configured to enable a user to open doors of the refrigerator easily. The refrigerator performs a method for controlling the doors to prevent from opening due to a malfunction.

Provided are a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.

Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.

A home appliance includes a cabinet having a space, a door configured to open and close the space and including a light source, an illuminance sensor provided in the cabinet or the door and configured to detect illuminance, a user detection sensor provided in the cabinet or the door and configured to detect user proximity, and a controller configured to control the light source based on information detected by the user detection sensor, wherein, when a user is detected to approach the home appliance within a reference distance by the user detection sensor, the controller controls the light source of the door to be changed from a first state to a second state, and the reference distance is changeable based on one or more of an illuminance and current time detected by the illuminance sensor.

A refrigeration device includes a refrigerated compartment, a door that seals the compartment, a dispenser opening in an exterior surface of the door, and a dispenser outlet in the opening. The refrigeration device also includes a reservoir configured to hold a substance and a conveyor configured to convey the substance from the reservoir to the dispenser outlet. Measurement sensors of the refrigeration device are configured to generate first measurement signals that are indicative a gesture of a hand in the dispenser opening. A control unit of the refrigeration device is configured to ascertain a requested fill height based upon the first measurement signals. The control unit is further configured to generate signals that cause the conveyor to convey the substance from the reservoir to a container placed under the dispenser outlet and cease conveying the substance upon the container attaining the requested fill level.

Provided is a refrigerator and control method for refrigerator and method for opening a refrigerator door. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.

A refrigerator is configured to enable a user to open doors of the refrigerator easily. The refrigerator performs a method for controlling the doors to prevent from opening due to a malfunction.

Described herein is an electric motor assembly for an environmental control system. The electric motor assembly includes a fan configured to rotate to circulate air within a controlled environment chamber of the environmental control system, and an electric motor coupled to the fan and configured to rotate the fan. The electric motor includes a motor controller configured to receive a braking control signal from a sensor associated with the controlled environment chamber. The braking control signal indicates an entrance to the controlled environment chamber is about to be opened. The motor controller is also configured to initiate braking the electric motor in response to receiving the braking control signal.