DISPLAY PANEL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR FOR REFRIGERATOR

摘要

PURPOSE: A refrigerator display panel and method for controlling its operation is provided to reduce power consumption by allowing the display unit of the panel to be selectively turned off by user selection. CONSTITUTION: A display panel includes a display unit(9) for displaying operation state of the refrigerator, and a key input unit for selecting operation condition of the refrigerator. The key input unit includes a display on/off key(8a) for selecting "on" or "off" state of the display unit, and a night time display off key(8b) for turning off the display unit for a predetermined time period. When the display on/off key is selected, other key inputs are treated as ineffective. A method comprises the steps of sensing the display on/off key selection and judging whether the display unit is turned on; storing the current display state information and turning off the display unit if the display unit is turned on; loading the stored display information if the display unit is turned off; and turning on the display unit so as to display the loaded information.