KR102315587B1 - Method of controlling a laundry treatmemt apparatus and laundry treating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The control method of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a preferred course through a wireless communication unit communicating with a mobile terminal; (b) displaying the preferred course through a display unit; and (c) driving according to the preferred course.

Description

Control method of laundry treatment equipment and laundry treatment system

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry treatment device and a laundry treatment system.

In general, a laundry treatment device refers to a device that processes laundry by applying a physical and chemical action to the laundry. Examples of such laundry treatment devices include a washing machine that removes contamination from laundry, a dehydrator that spins a washing tub containing laundry at high speed to dehydrate the laundry, and a dryer that dries wet laundry by applying cold or hot air into the washing tub. A washing machine with both a drying function and a drying function also belongs to the category of laundry treatment equipment.

The laundry treatment apparatus provides operation courses specialized for various conditions such as the type of laundry, the amount of laundry (or the amount of laundry), the degree of contamination of the laundry, and the intended use of the laundry. When a desired driving course is selected by the user operating the input unit, the corresponding driving course is executed. However, since a specific course is often used according to the usage environment, it is very cumbersome to set the driving course every time the laundry treatment apparatus is operated.

In order to solve this inconvenience, there has been a laundry treatment machine having a function for a user to arbitrarily configure a driving course by inputting in advance a specific driving course and detailed settings necessary for its implementation. Since the driving pattern of the laundry treatment device (eg, the driving frequency of a specific course) is not automatically taken into account, it is a hassle to manually modify the course configuration whenever the user's preferred course is changed. Because the modification process was not intuitive, it was often obsolete as an infrequently used function.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a laundry treatment device and a laundry treatment system capable of automatically configuring a user's preferred driving course (hereinafter referred to as "preferred course").

In particular, it is an object to provide a control method and a laundry treatment system for a laundry treatment machine that can respond to a change in a usage pattern of the laundry treatment machine by configuring a preferred course by reflecting the operation history of the laundry treatment machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a laundry treatment device and a laundry treatment system that can implement a course selection interface more intuitively by selecting a preferred course through a mobile terminal.

The control method of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a preferred course through a wireless communication unit communicating with a mobile terminal; (b) displaying the preferred course through a display unit; and (c) driving according to the preferred course.

The laundry treatment system of the present invention is a laundry treatment system comprising a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication with each other and a laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device comprising: a first memory for storing an operation history; a first control unit configured to determine a preferred course based on the driving history according to the frequency of execution of the driving course; and a first wireless communication unit for transmitting the determined preference course through wireless communication, wherein the mobile terminal includes: a second wireless communication unit for receiving the preference course through communication with the first wireless communication unit; a second display unit for displaying the preferred course received through the second wireless communication unit; and a second control unit controlling to transmit the selected preferred course through the second wireless communication unit when the preferred course displayed on the second display unit is selected.

The control method and laundry treatment system of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention have the effect of automatically configuring a user's preferred driving course.

In particular, by configuring a preferred course by reflecting the driving history of the laundry treatment machine, changes in the usage pattern of the laundry treatment machine are automatically recognized, the user's frequently used course driving information is updated, and a preferred course is suggested based on this. . Accordingly, it is possible to solve the conventional inconvenience of having to manually set the laundry every time the laundry treatment device is operated despite the frequently used driving course.

In addition, as the preferred course is selected through the mobile terminal, a course selection interface can be implemented more intuitively, and user convenience is improved.

In addition, since the server determines the preferred course in consideration of the driving histories of other users and transmits it back to the mobile terminal, there is an advantage in that the course preferences of other users can be taken into account when driving the laundry treatment device.

1 illustrates a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a laundry treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 illustrates a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a signal processing diagram illustrating a signal processing process in the laundry processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a signal processing diagram illustrating a signal processing process in the laundry processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, in describing the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention and the laundry treatment system including the laundry treatment apparatus, the washing machine and the laundry treatment system including the washing machine will be described as an example, but the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it is specified that the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention may be a dryer, a dehydrator, a refresher, a washing machine, etc., and the laundry treatment system may include at least one of the above devices.

1 illustrates a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a laundry treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 illustrates a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a signal processing diagram illustrating a signal processing process in the laundry processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 2 , the laundry treatment device 100 includes a cabinet 12 with an open top, an outer tub 2 provided in the cabinet 12 and containing wash water, and a rotatable inside the outer tub 2 . It is provided and includes an inner tub 3 for accommodating laundry.

A top cover 14 is provided on the open upper portion of the cabinet 12 , and an inlet (not shown) is formed in the top cover 14 to put laundry into the inner tub 3 . The top cover 14 may be provided with a door 7 for opening and closing the inlet.

The outer shell 2 may be suspended inside the cabinet 12 by the support rod 15 . The outer tub 2 is moved along the support rod 15 by vibration generated during operation of the laundry treatment machine 100 . The support rod 15 extends long in the longitudinal direction, one end is connected to the top cover 14, and the other end is provided with a suspension (not shown) that supports the outer tub 2 .

A pulsator 4 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the inner tub 3 , and a plurality of through holes through which the wash water passes may be formed in a side surface of the inner tub 3 extending from the bottom of the inner tub 3 .

A water supply passage 5 receiving water from an external water source such as a faucet, and a water supply valve 162 controlling the water supply passage 5 may be provided. When the water supply valve 162 is opened, washing water is supplied into the outer tub 2 and/or the inner tub 3 through the water supply passage 5 .

The drain passage 9 is a passage through which wash water is discharged from the outer tub 2 . A drain valve 164 for controlling the drain passage 9 and a drain pump 165 for pressurizing wash water in the drain passage 9 to the outside of the laundry treatment device 100 may be provided.

The motor 163 rotates the inner tub 3 and/or the pulsator 4 . A clutch for selectively transmitting the rotational force of the motor 163 to the inner tank 3 or the pulsator 4 may be provided. The rotating shaft of the motor 163 may include a washing shaft coupled to the pulsator 4 , and a dewatering shaft having a hollow into which the washing shaft is inserted and rotatably provided integrally with the inner tub 3 . When the motor 163 is driven, the washing shaft is always rotated with the pulsator 4 , and when the dewatering shaft is connected to the washing shaft by operating a clutch, the inner tub 3 and the pulsator 4 are rotated together.

The first memory 140 stores data supporting various functions of the laundry processing device 100 . The first memory 140 may store an application program or application for operation of the laundry processing device 100 , data for operation of the laundry processing device 100 , and commands. In particular, the memory 240 may store driving courses (or programs), detailed settings for each driving course, driving history, and the like.

The first controller 130 controls the overall operation of the laundry treatment device 100 and may include a micro-processor for processing information. The water supply valve 162, the motor 163, the drain valve 164, the drain pump 165, etc. are controlled by the first control unit 130, and even if there is no separate description below, the operation of these components is performed by the first control unit ( 130) will be understood as being under the control of.

The operation unit 160 may include various devices involved in the operation of the laundry treatment machine. The operation unit 160 may include at least one of a water supply valve 162 , a motor 163 , a drain valve 164 , and a drain pump 165 .

The first display unit 120 is a visual display means composed of LCD, LED, and the like, and may display various information such as a driving state of the laundry treatment device 100 and a driving course (particularly, a preferred course to be described later).

The first input unit 110 may receive a selection of a driving course from the user. The user may check the driving course displayed on the first display unit 120 and select a desired driving course through the first input unit 110 .

The laundry treatment device 100 may include a first wireless communication unit 150 that wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal 200 and/or the server 300 . The first wireless communication unit 150 may include a first wireless Internet module 152 and/or a first short-range communication module 153 .

The first wireless Internet module 152 is a module for wireless Internet access. The first wireless Internet module 152 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

The wireless Internet technology includes, for example, WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), etc., and the first wireless Internet module ( 152) transmits and receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology within a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

The first short range communication module 153 is for short range communication, and includes Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee. , Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and at least one of Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies may be used to support short-range communication.

In particular, the first short-range communication module 153 may include an NFC module. The NFC module supports contactless short-range wireless communication between terminals at a distance of about 10 cm. The NFC module may communicate with the NFC module of another device.

On the other hand, the terminal may be divided into a mobile terminal (mobile/portable terminal) and a stationary terminal (stationary terminal) according to the mobility. Again, the mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mounted terminal depending on whether the user can carry it directly. The terminal 100 constituting the laundry treatment system is preferably a portable mobile terminal.

The mobile terminal 200 to be described below includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system, and a slate PC (slate). PC), tablet PC, ultrabook, wearable device, for example, watch-type terminal (smartwatch), glass-type terminal (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display), etc. may be included.

2 to 3 , the mobile terminal 200 may include a second input unit 210 , a second display unit 220 , a second control unit 230 , and/or a second wireless communication unit 250 . .

The second wireless communication unit 250 may include a mobile communication module 251 , a second wireless Internet module 252 , and/or a second short-range communication module 253 .

The mobile communication module 251 includes technical standards or communication methods for mobile communication (eg, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA2000), EV- Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only (DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (LTE-A) Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc.), transmits and receives a radio signal to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission/reception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text/multimedia message.

The second wireless Internet module 252 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or external to the mobile terminal 200 . The second wireless Internet module 252 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

As wireless Internet technologies, for example, WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc., and the second wireless Internet module 252 transmits/receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology within a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

From the point of view that wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. is made through a mobile communication network, a second wireless Internet module ( 252 may be understood as a type of mobile communication module 251 .

The second short-range communication module 253 is for short range communication, and includes Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee. , Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and at least one of Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies may be used to support short-range communication. The second short-range communication module 253 is, between the mobile terminal 200 and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 200a and another mobile terminal 200b, or a mobile terminal through wireless area networks. Wireless communication between the 200 and the network in which the server 300 is located may be supported. The local area network may be a local area network (Wireless Personal Area Networks).

Preferably, the second short-range communication module 253 may include an NFC module. In the embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 and the laundry treatment device 100 communicate with each other through the NFC module provided in each, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other short-range wireless communication technologies described above may be used.

The second memory 240 stores data supporting various functions of the mobile terminal 200 . The second memory 240 may store a plurality of application programs (or applications) driven in the mobile terminal 200 , data for operation of the mobile terminal 200 , and commands. At least some of these application programs may be downloaded from an external server through wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 200 from the time of shipment for basic functions (eg, incoming calls, outgoing functions, message reception, and outgoing functions) of the mobile terminal 200 . Meanwhile, the application program is stored in the second memory 240 , installed on the mobile terminal 200 , and driven to perform an operation (or function) of the mobile terminal 200 by the second controller 230 . can

In addition to the operation related to the application program, the second control unit 230 generally controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 200 . The second control unit 230 processes signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components or by driving an application program stored in the second memory 240 to provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user. can do.

The server 300 may communicate with the mobile terminal 200 through a wireless communication system. Several users may communicate with the server 300 through their mobile terminal 200 . The mobile terminal 200 may communicate with the server 300 through the second wireless communication unit 250 , and such communication is preferably performed through the second wireless Internet module 252 .

4 to 5 , when the power of the laundry treatment device 100 is turned on (S1), the control unit 230 may determine whether the preferred course automatic selection mode is set (S2). The selection of the preferred course automatic selection mode may be made through the first input unit 110 . Whether or not the preferred course automatic selection mode is set may be stored in the first memory 140 , and the stored memory may be maintained even when the power of the laundry processing device 100 is turned off. In step S2 , the first control unit 130 may search the first memory 140 and check whether the preferred course automatic selection mode is set.

When there is a request for a driving history from the mobile terminal 200 through short-distance communication (S21), the laundry processing device 100 may transmit the driving history stored in the first memory 140 to the mobile terminal 200 (S3) . The driving history may include a preferred course to be described later and settings configuring the preferred course. In this step, the laundry processing device 100 and the mobile terminal 200 may be communicatively connected by the short-distance communication modules 153 and 253 provided in each device. When each short-range communication module (153, 253) includes an NFC module, the NFC module provided in the laundry treatment device 100 functions as a tag, and the NFC module provided in the mobile terminal 200 is a tag. It functions as a reader for reading information transmitted from the tag, and as a writer for writing the read information to the second memory 240 .

For every operation of the laundry treatment device 100 , a driving history may be stored in the first memory 140 . The driving history may include a frequency at which driving courses are performed, a setting for execution of each driving course, and the like. The first control unit 130 may determine the driving course as a preferred course according to the frequency used during the entire period in which the laundry treatment device 100 has been used, a preset recent period, or a preset number of recently conducted driving, One or more of these preferred courses may be determined in the order of frequency of use.

The process of determining a preferred course (or setting) based on the driving history of the laundry treatment device 100 is automatically performed by the first control unit 130, hereinafter referred to as “preferred course/setting learning”. (See S8, S11)

In addition, the first controller 130 may configure a preferred course based on settings for executing the driving course as well as the driving course. For example, even in the case of the same driving course, the settings required to execute each driving course (eg course execution time, water supply, water temperature, dehydration time, etc.) may vary, so It is to create a preferred course.

The second control unit 230 of the mobile terminal 200 may receive the operation history from the laundry treatment device 100 and display the operation history through the second display unit 220 (S31). In particular, the preferred course and settings constituting the preferred course may be displayed through the second display unit 220 .

The user may check at least one preferred course (or setting) displayed on the second display unit 220 , and arbitrarily select a course (or setting) to be performed through the second input unit 210 ( S32 ). The selected preferred course/setting may be transmitted to the laundry treatment device 100 again through communication between the NFC modules. In this case, the NFC module provided in the mobile terminal 200 functions as a tag and performs laundry processing. The NFC module provided in the device 100 functions as a reader for reading information transmitted from a tag and as a writer for writing the read information to the first memory 140 .

After the preferred course/setting displayed on the display unit 220 of the mobile terminal 200 is selected, the selected preferred course/setting is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the laundry treatment device 100 again through communication between the NFC modules. can be (S33). The control unit 130 of the laundry treatment device 100 determines whether the selected preferred course/setting has been received (S4), and if received, displays the selected preferred course/setting through the first display unit 120 ( S5) Conversely, if the preferred course/setting is not received for a preset period of time, the preferred course/setting previously stored in the first memory 140 may be displayed (S6).

The user who confirms the preferred course/setting displayed through the first display unit 120 may select the preferred course/setting through the first input unit 110 (S7). The first control unit 130 may reflect the selection made in step S7, and perform preferred course/setting learning again (S8). Through this learning process, the driving history stored in the first memory 140 is updated, and in some cases, a preferred course/setting is changed.

According to an embodiment, the process of determining the preferred course/setting may be performed in the mobile terminal 200 . In this case, the control unit 230 of the mobile terminal 200 based on the driving history received from the laundry treatment device 100 . You can decide your preferred course/settings with

Step S9 is a step in which the operation of the laundry treatment device 100 is performed according to the preferred course/setting selected by the user in step S7. The first controller 130 may control the operation of the driving device 160 according to the selected preferred course/setting.

According to an embodiment, in step S4, a command to execute a preferred course may be applied from the mobile terminal 200 to the laundry processing machine 100. In this case, the first control unit 130 does not perform steps S5 to S7. , the driving device 160 may be controlled so that step S9 is immediately performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the preferred course automatic selection mode is not set in step S2, the user may directly input a driving course and detailed settings necessary for executing the driving course through the first input unit 110 (S10) .

When the driving course/setting is input, the first controller 130 may perform preferred course/setting learning (S11). By reflecting the input in step S10, the driving history stored in the first memory 140 is updated, and in some cases, a preferred course/setting is changed. The driving history and preferred course/settings updated in step S11 are stored in the first memory 140, and the stored information is used in step S3 to be carried out later.

In step S12, the laundry treatment device 100 is operated according to the driving course/setting input in step S10. The first controller 130 may control the operation of the driving device 160 according to the driving course/setting selected in step S10 .

6 is a signal processing diagram illustrating a signal processing process in the laundry processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6 , users who use the laundry treatment device 100 at home may transmit their driving histories to the server 300 through their mobile terminals 200a and 200b ( S41 and S42 ). In this case, the mobile terminals 200a and 200b may communicate with the server 300 through the wireless Internet module 252 .

The driving history may include a preferred course and detailed settings necessary for the execution of the corresponding course. The preferred course/setting is determined through the above-described learning process (see S8 and S11) with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5 , and is transmitted and collected from the mobile terminals 200a and 200b of each user to the server 300 . Information transmitted from each user's mobile terminals 200a and 200b to the server 300 may include user information as well as each user's preferred course/settings. For example, the user's age, residential area, gender, etc. may be transmitted to the server 300 .

The server 300 may determine a preferred course/setting by analyzing the information (driving history, user information) received from each mobile terminal 200a, 200b. In particular, the preferred course/settings are based on the user information. can be classified. Specifically, the preferred course/settings may be classified by age, region, and/or gender of the user (S43, driving history analysis step)

The analysis result in step S43 is stored in the server 300, and when there is a request for analysis result from the mobile terminal 200 (S44), the analysis result is transmitted to the mobile terminal 200b that requested it (S45).

Upon receiving the analysis result, the mobile terminal 200b may display the preferred course/setting through the second display unit 220 (S46), and when the selection of the preferred course/setting is input through the second input unit 210 (S47), the selected preferred course/settings are transmitted to the laundry treatment device 100 through short-distance communication (S48).

The laundry treatment device 100, which has received the information transmitted in step S48, displays the preferred course/setting through the first display unit 120 (S49), and displays the preferred course/setting displayed through the first display unit 120. The confirmed user may select a preferred course/setting through the first input unit 110 (S50). The first control unit 130 may reflect the selection made in step S50, and may perform preferred course/setting learning again (S51). Through this learning process, the driving history stored in the first memory 140 is updated, and in some cases, a preferred course/setting is changed.

Step S52 is a step in which the operation of the laundry treatment device 100 is performed according to the preferred course/setting selected by the user in step S51. The first controller 130 may control the operation of the driving device 160 according to the selected preferred course/setting.

Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The section of the present invention is represented by the claim section to be described later rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and section of the claim section and the concept of equivalents thereof are included in the section of the present invention. should be interpreted

Claims (13)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete a plurality of mobile terminals;
a laundry processing device capable of wireless communication with the plurality of mobile terminals; and
In the laundry treatment system comprising a server for receiving operation histories for laundry treatment devices from the plurality of mobile terminals through wireless communication,
The laundry treatment device,
a first memory for storing driving history;
a first controller configured to determine a preferred course based on the driving history according to the frequency of execution of the driving course; and
A first wireless communication unit for transmitting the determined preferred course through wireless communication,
The plurality of mobile terminals,
a second wireless communication unit configured to receive the preferred course through communication with the first wireless communication unit;
a second display unit for displaying the preferred course received through the second wireless communication unit; and
When the preferred course displayed on the second display unit is selected, a second control unit for controlling to transmit the selected preferred course through the second wireless communication unit,
The server is
Based on the driving histories received from the plurality of mobile terminals, a preferred course is determined according to the frequency of execution of the driving course, and upon a request from any one of the plurality of mobile terminals, the determined preferred course is set to the corresponding mobile terminal. Laundry handling system that transfers to 10. The method of claim 9,
The first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit,
Laundry treatment system including each NFC communication module. delete 10. The method of claim 9,
The mobile terminal,
Transmitting user information to the server through the second wireless communication unit,
The server is
Based on the driving history and the user information, the preferred courses are classified based on at least one of the user's age, region, and gender, and upon a request from any one of the plurality of mobile terminals, the classified preferred courses are displayed. Laundry processing system that transmits to the corresponding mobile terminal. 10. The method of claim 9,
The mobile terminal,
A laundry treatment system comprising a wireless Internet module communicating with the server.

Images