KR102643586B1 - Home appliance, and home appliance including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to home appliances and home appliance systems equipped with the same. A home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a data communication device for transmitting update data by adding it to an alternating current power supply, a power supply device connected to the data communication device and having a connection unit for connecting a plurality of home appliances, It includes a home appliance that extracts update data added to the input AC power via a data communication device and a power supply device, and performs an update based on the extracted update data. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently update firmware for multiple home appliances and shorten the update time.

Description

Home appliance and home appliance system including the same {Home appliance, and home appliance including the same}

The present invention relates to a home appliance and a home appliance system equipped with the same, and more specifically, to a home appliance that can efficiently update firmware for multiple home appliances and shorten the update time, and a home appliance equipped with the same. It's about the system.

Home appliances are devices such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners, and perform operations such as handling laundry, refrigerating and freezing food, and adjusting indoor temperature by rotating a motor for users within the home.

As the functions of these home appliances become more complex, the software of the home appliance may also have many errors, and it is necessary to update the built-in firmware of the control unit to improve the performance of the home appliance system and add functions.

Home appliances can update their firmware through a wired or wireless network to correct errors, improve performance, and add functions. Firmware updates over the air are called FOTA (Firmware Over Ther Air).

However, when performing a firmware update wirelessly, the firmware update must be performed after setting up a wireless network, so there is a disadvantage that firmware update is possible for only a certain number of home appliances.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a home appliance that can efficiently update firmware for a plurality of home appliances and shorten the update time, and a home appliance system equipped with the same.

A home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a data communication device that transmits update data by adding it to AC power, and a connection unit connected to the data communication device for connecting a plurality of home appliances. It includes a home appliance that extracts update data added to the input AC power via a power supply device, a data communication device, and a power supply device, and performs an update based on the extracted update data.

Meanwhile, a home appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a driving unit, a connection unit through which AC power is input, and a communication unit that performs power line communication using AC power from the connection unit, It controls the driving unit and includes a control unit that controls to perform an update based on update data received from the power supply device and output from the communication unit.

A home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a data communication device for transmitting update data by adding it to an alternating current power supply, a power supply device connected to the data communication device and having a connection unit for connecting a plurality of home appliances, By including a home appliance that extracts update data added to the input AC power via a data communication device and a power supply device and performs an update based on the extracted update data, firmware for a plurality of home appliances Updates can be carried out efficiently and update times can be shortened.

Meanwhile, when the home appliance receives a reception completion message for product information and update information from the power supply device, it enters the update mode, thereby performing the update efficiently and shortening the update time.

Meanwhile, when product information and update information are received, the data communication device transmits update data of the corresponding home appliance, so that the update can be carried out efficiently even when various home appliances are connected to the power supply, and the update time can be reduced. It can be shortened.

Meanwhile, a home appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving unit, a connection unit through which AC power is input, a communication unit that performs power line communication using AC power from the connection unit, controls the driving unit, and receives power from a power supply device. By including a control unit that controls to perform an update based on the update data output from the communication unit, the firmware update can be performed efficiently and the update time can be shortened.

1 is a diagram illustrating a home appliance system.
2A to 2B are diagrams illustrating a home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A to 3E are diagrams illustrating various examples of home appliances.
FIGS. 4A-4B are various examples of internal block diagrams of the home appliance of FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B.
Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a method of operating a home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams referenced in the description of the operation method of FIG. 5.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

The suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the following description are simply given in consideration of the ease of writing this specification, and do not in themselves give any particularly important meaning or role. Accordingly, the terms “module” and “unit” may be used interchangeably.

1 is a diagram illustrating a home appliance system.

Referring to the drawing, the home appliance system 5 of FIG. 1 includes a data communication device 7 capable of transmitting data wirelessly, an AP device 40 that supplies a wireless network, and a plurality of home appliances 15a to 15n. ) can be provided.

In order to perform firmware updates, etc. on the plurality of home appliances (15a to 15n) in the home appliance system 5 of FIG. 1, the plurality of home appliances (15a to 15n) and the data communication device 7 are connected to the AP. There must be a wireless connection to the device 40.

Meanwhile, the AP device 40 can allocate a wireless channel using a predetermined communication method to electronic devices within the internal network 10 and perform wireless data communication through the channel. Here, the predetermined communication method may be a communication method such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Beacon, or Zigbee.

When a plurality of home appliances (15a to 15n) and the data communication device 7 are wirelessly connected to the AP device 40, the data communication device 7 wirelessly transmits update data to the AP device 40. And, the AP device 40 can wirelessly transmit update data to a plurality of home appliances 15a to 15n.

Meanwhile, as the number of home appliances 15a to 15n increases, there is a disadvantage in that there are restrictions on the wireless channels that can be assigned to the AP device 40.

On the other hand, when firmware updates must be performed on numerous home appliances after home appliances are produced in a factory, or when firmware updates must be performed on multiple laundry processing devices simultaneously, such as in a commercial laundry service, a wireless network Since firmware update must be performed after setting, there is a disadvantage that firmware update is possible only for a certain number of home appliances.

For example, if a firmware update needs to be performed on multiple home appliances after multiple home appliances are produced in a factory, or, as in a commercial laundry service, a firmware update may need to be performed on multiple laundry handling devices at the same time. In this case, since the firmware update must be performed after setting up the wireless network, there is a disadvantage that firmware update is possible only for a certain number of home appliances.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a method of transmitting update data using a wired method rather than a wireless method. In particular, a method of adding update data to AC power and transmitting update data using PLC (power line communication) communication is proposed. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2A and below.

2A to 2B are diagrams illustrating a home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A to 2B, the home appliance system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a data communication device 100, a power supply device 150, and a plurality of home appliances (200ha to 200hn). It can be provided.

The data communication device 100 can transmit update data by adding it to AC power. To this end, the data communication device 100 may be provided with a communication unit (not shown) for power line communication.

Meanwhile, the drawing illustrates that the data communication device 100 is provided with an AC connection unit 101 that outputs AC power to which update data is added.

The AC connection unit 101 may be electrically connected to a plug (not shown). FIG. 2A illustrates a state in which the plug of the AC connection unit 101 is not coupled to the cone center 151 of the power supply device 150, and FIG. 2B illustrates a state in which the plug of the AC connection unit 101 is connected to the power supply device ( A state coupled to the cone center 151 of 150) is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the data communication device 100 is connected to the power supply device 150 by wire, AC power to which update data is added is supplied to the power supply device 150.

Meanwhile, the power supply device 150 may include connection units 161h1 to 161hn for connecting a plurality of home appliances 200h1 to 200hn, and a connection unit 151 for connecting the data communication device 100.

In the drawing, the outlet (161h1 to 161hn) is illustrated as a connection part (161h1 to 161hn) for connecting a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), and the connection part 151 for connecting the data communication device 100 is a concentrator. (151) is illustrated.

The power supply device 150 supplies AC power to which update data is added, supplied from the data communication device 100, and in particular connects a connection unit 161h1 to 161hn for connecting a plurality of home appliances 200h1 to 200hn. ), AC power with update data added can be supplied to a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn).

Each home appliance (200h1 to 200hn) may receive AC power to which update data is added through a connection unit (201h1 to 201hn) and extract the update data through a communication unit (not shown). And, based on the extracted update data, an update can be performed.

According to this, compared to FIG. 1, the plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) do not require wireless connection, and thus can efficiently update firmware through supplied AC power. Additionally, the update time can be shortened.

Meanwhile, when a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) are connected to the power supply device 150 through the connection units (201h1 to 201hn), product information and update information can be transmitted through power line communication.

Accordingly, product information and update information can be transmitted to the data communication device 100 through the power supply device 150.

The data communication device 100 can receive product information and update information for a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) through power line communication, and determine product type information, update version information, etc. for each home appliance. there is.

Meanwhile, when receiving product information and update information for a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), the data communication device 100 transmits a reception completion message for the product information and update information to the data communication device 100. You can.

A plurality of home appliances 200h1 to 200hn may receive a reception completion message through the data communication device 100, and may enter an update mode when the reception completion message is received. As a result, by limiting the operation of the driving unit to prepare for the update, the update can be performed efficiently and the update time can be shortened.

Meanwhile, the data communication device 100 may determine update data to be transmitted based on the identified product type information, update version information, etc. after receiving product information and update information.

Then, the data communication device 100 can add the determined update data to the AC power and supply it to the power supply device 150 through power line communication.

Meanwhile, the update data may be update data related to the latest firmware, application, latest driving course, or other programs.

3A to 3E are diagrams illustrating various examples of home appliances.

FIG. 3A illustrates a refrigerator 200a, FIG. 3B illustrates a washing machine 200b, FIG. 3C illustrates an air conditioner 200c, and FIG. 3D illustrates a cooking appliance 200d. 3e illustrates a robot vacuum cleaner 200e.

FIGS. 4A-4B are various examples of internal block diagrams of the home appliance of FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B.

First, referring to FIG. 4A, the home appliance 200 may include a connection unit 201, a communication unit 210, a display 280, a control unit 270, an input unit 220, and a driver 260.

The connection unit 201 receives AC power, and in particular, when connected to the power supply device 150, it can receive AC power from the power supply device 150.

The communication unit 210 can perform power line (PLC) communication using AC power. For this purpose, a power line communication module may be provided.

The communication unit 210 may extract update data from AC power supplied from the power supply device 150 and transmit it to the display 280.

Meanwhile, when the home appliance 200 is connected to the power supply device 150 through the connection unit 201, the communication unit 210 can transmit product information and update information to the power supply device 150. In particular, the communication unit 210 may transmit product information and update information to the power supply device 150 through power line communication.

Meanwhile, after transmitting the product information and update information to the power supply device 150, the communication unit 210 receives a reception completion message from the data communication device 100 via the power supply device 150. You can.

The communication unit 210 may transmit the reception completion message to the control unit 270 through the display 280.

The display 280 may display operation information of the home appliance 200.

Meanwhile, the display 280 may be placed on a separate circuit board from the control unit 270. In particular, the display 280 may be disposed on the same circuit board as the communication unit 210.

The display 280 may be implemented as a touch screen that can also perform the function of an input unit. This display 280 can be implemented in various ways, such as liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), and organic light emitting diode (OLED).

The input unit 220 generates key input data that the user inputs for operation control. For this purpose, the input unit may be composed of a key pad, dome switch, touch pad (hydrostatic or capacitive), etc. In particular, when the touch pad forms a mutual layer structure with the display (not shown), it can be called a touch screen. Meanwhile, the input unit 220 may be provided with a plurality of operation buttons.

The control unit 270 can control each unit within the home appliance 200.

Meanwhile, the control unit 270 controls the driving unit 260 and can control to perform an update based on update data received from the power supply device 150 and output from the communication unit 210.

Meanwhile, the control unit 270 can receive update data output from the communication unit 210 via the display 280.

Meanwhile, the control unit 270 may control entry into the update mode when a reception completion message for product information and update information is received from the power supply device 150.

Meanwhile, the driving unit 260 may be provided with a corresponding driving unit depending on the type of home appliance.

For example, when the home appliance is a refrigerator 200a, the driving unit 260 operates a refrigerator compartment driving unit that operates the refrigerator compartment fan to supply cooled air to the refrigerator compartment, and operates a freezer compartment fan to supply cooled air to the freezer compartment. It may include a freezer driving unit that operates a compressor and a compressor driving unit that operates a compressor to compress the refrigerant.

As another example, when the home appliance is a washing machine 200b, the drive unit 260 may include a drive unit that drives a drum or tub.

Also, as another example, when the home appliance is an air conditioner 200c, the driving unit 260 includes a compressor driving unit for driving the compressor in the outdoor unit, an outdoor unit fan driving unit for operating the outdoor unit fan for heat exchange, and an indoor unit fan for heat exchange. The indoor unit fan driving unit may be included.

Also, as another example, when the home appliance is a cooking appliance 200d, the driver 260 may include a microwave driver that outputs a microwave into the cavity.

Also, as another example, when the home appliance is a vacuum cleaner 200e, the driving unit 260 may include a fan motor driving unit for air suction.

Next, FIG. 4B is similar to the home appliance 400 of FIG. 4A, but as in FIG. 4A, the communication unit 210 and the display 280 are not electrically connected, but the communication unit 210 and the control unit 270 are electrically connected. The difference lies in what is connected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, rather than the communication unit 210 and the display 280 being placed on the first substrate and the control unit 270 being placed on the second substrate, the communication unit 210 and the display 280 A case in which all control units 270 are placed on one pin is exemplified.

Accordingly, according to FIG. 4B, the update data output from the communication unit 210 is directly input to the control unit 270 without going through the display 280.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operating method of a home appliance system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams referenced in the description of the operating method of FIG. 5.

First, as shown in FIG. 2B, the connection unit 101 of the data communication device 100 is connected to the outlet 151 of the power supply device 150 (S505).

Meanwhile, the connection unit 201 of the home appliance 200 is connected to the outlet 161 of the power supply device 150 (S507).

Meanwhile, when the connection unit 201 of the home appliance 200 is connected to the outlet 161 of the power supply device 150, the control unit 270 supplies product information and update information through the communication unit 210. It can be controlled to transmit to the device 150 (S510).

Accordingly, the data communication device 100 receives product information and update information of the home appliance 200 via the power supply device 150 (S512).

FIG. 6A shows products from a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), all of the same type, connected to the power supply device 150. In this example, information and update information are transmitted to the data communication device 100 via the power supply device 150.

Next, the data communication device 100 transmits a reception completion message after receiving product information and update information of the home appliance 200 (S515).

The control unit 270 of the home appliance 200 determines whether a reception completion message is received from the data communication device 100 through the power supply device 150 (S517) and, if applicable, sets the update mode. Control to enter (S520).

When entering the update mode, the control unit 270 of the home appliance 200 may stop the operation of the drive unit 260 or control the operation to stop within a predetermined time.

Meanwhile, when the reception completion message from the data communication device 100 is not received, the control unit 270 of the home appliance 200 may control the home appliance 200 to operate in a normal mode (S522).

Meanwhile, when there is an update data transmission input (S525), the data communication device 100 prepares update data considering product information and update version information (S530) and transmits the prepared update data through power line communication. There is (S535).

In particular, update data can be added and transmitted to AC power.

Correspondingly, the home appliance 200 can receive AC power to which update data is added from the data communication device 100 (S537).

Additionally, the communication unit 210 of the home appliance 200 may receive AC power through the connection unit 201 and extract update data added to the AC power.

That is, the home appliance 200 can receive update data through power line communication.

FIG. 6B illustrates that update data (Suda) is received by a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) through the data communication device 100 and the power supply device 150 through power line communication. In particular, the same update data (Suda) is transmitted as an example.

In this way, by transmitting data through power line communication, update data can be quickly transmitted to dozens of home appliances.

Next, the control unit 270 of the home appliance 200 may perform a firmware update, etc. using the update data from the communication unit 210 (S540).

In Figure 6C, an update is performed on each of a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), and an update completion message (610h1, 610h2, and 610h4 to 610hn) is output from each home appliance except the third home appliance (200h3). exemplifies what is happening.

Next, FIG. 6D illustrates that an update is performed in each of the plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), the update is completed in the third home appliance (200h3), and an update completion message (610h3) is output.

Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently update firmware for multiple home appliances and shorten the update time.

Meanwhile, FIG. 7A illustrates a transmission path of update data (Suda), corresponding to the internal block diagram of the home appliance of FIG. 4A.

That is, the update data (Suda) received through the data communication device 100 and the power supply device 150 is sent to the control unit 270 via the connection unit 201, communication unit 210, and display 280. can be transmitted.

Next, FIG. 7B illustrates a transmission path of update data (Suda), corresponding to the internal block diagram of the home appliance of FIG. 4B.

That is, the update data (Suda) received through the data communication device 100 and the power supply device 150 may be transmitted to the control unit 270 via the connection unit 201 and the communication unit 210. Unlike FIG. 7A, since it does not go through the display 280, the update time can be further shortened.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 8A to 8D are similar to FIGS. 6A to 6D, but the difference is that the plurality of home appliances are not the same type of product, but are a mixture of different types of products.

8A to 8D illustrate that among the plurality of home appliances 200h1 to 200hn, the third home appliance 200h3 is a refrigerator, and the other home appliances 210h1, 210h2, and 210h4 to 210hn are washing machines.

8A shows product information and update information from a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) in a state where the plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) are connected to the power supply device 150. A, transmission to the data communication device 100 via the power supply device 150 is exemplified.

The data communication device 100 receives product information and update information of home appliances (210h1, 210h2, 210h4 ~ 210hn), which are washing machines, and also receives product information and update information of a third home appliance (200h3), which is a refrigerator. can do.

Meanwhile, the data communication device 100 may transmit update data (Sudm, Sudr) suitable for updating each home appliance (200h1 to 200hn) in consideration of the update version information of each home appliance (200h1 to 200hn). .

Figure 8b shows that two types of update data (Sudm, Sudr) are received by a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn) through the data communication device 100 and the power supply device 150 through power line communication. Illustrate.

In this way, by transmitting data through power line communication, update data can be quickly transmitted to dozens of home appliances.

In Figure 8c, an update is performed on a plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), and an update completion message (610h1, 610h2, 610h4 to 610hn) is output from each home appliance except the third home appliance (200h3). exemplifies what is happening.

Next, FIG. 8D illustrates that an update is performed in each of the plurality of home appliances (200h1 to 200hn), the update is completed in the third home appliance (200h3), and an update completion message (610h3) is output.

Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently update firmware for multiple home appliances and shorten the update time.

The home appliance and the home appliance system equipped with the same according to an embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments are each modified so that various modifications can be made. All or part of the embodiments may be selectively combined.

Meanwhile, the home appliance of the present invention and the operating method of the home appliance system equipped with the same can be implemented as processor-readable code in a home appliance or a processor-readable recording medium provided in the home appliance system. Processor-readable recording media includes all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a processor.

In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

Claims (9)

A data communication device that transmits update data by adding it to AC power;
a power supply device connected to the data communication device and including a connection portion for connecting a plurality of home appliances;
A home appliance that extracts update data added to the input AC power via the data communication device and the power supply device and performs an update based on the extracted update data,
When some of the plurality of home appliances are a first type of home appliance and other parts are a second type of home appliance, the data communication device receives product information and update information of the first type of home appliance, and , receives product information and update information of the second type of home appliance, and transmits first update data for the first type of home appliance and second update data for the second type of home appliance to the AC power source. Printed in addition,
The first update data and the second update data added to the AC power source are received by the first type of home appliance and the second type of home appliance,
While the first type of home appliance is performing an update based on the first update data, the second type of home appliance is performing an update based on the second update data,
A home appliance system, wherein the update completion time of the first type of home appliance is different from the update completion time of the second type of home appliance. According to paragraph 1,
The home appliance is,
driving part;
A connection part where alternating current power is input;
a communication unit that performs power line communication using the AC power from the connection unit;
A home appliance system comprising a control unit that controls the driving unit and performs an update based on update data received from the power supply device and output from the communication unit. According to paragraph 2,
The home appliance is,
It further includes a display that displays operation information of the home appliance,
The home appliance system, wherein the update data output from the communication unit is input to the control unit via the display. According to paragraph 2,
The Department of Communications,
A home appliance system, characterized in that when the connection unit is connected to the power supply device, product information and update information are transmitted to the power supply device. According to paragraph 4,
The control unit,
A home appliance system characterized in that it controls entry into an update mode when a reception completion message for the product information and update information is received from the power supply device. In home appliances,
driving part;
A connection part where alternating current power is input;
a communication unit that performs power line communication using the AC power from the connection unit;
A control unit that controls the driving unit and controls to perform an update based on update data received from the power supply device and output from the communication unit,
When the home appliance is a first type home appliance and the adjacent home appliance is a second type home appliance, the communication unit connects the first type home appliance added to the AC power source from the power supply device. Receiving first update data for and second update data for the second type of home appliance,
The control unit performs an update based on the first update data among the first update data and the second update data,
A home appliance, characterized in that the update completion time of the first type of home appliance is different from the update completion time of the second type of home appliance. According to clause 6,
It further includes a display that displays operation information of the home appliance,
A home appliance, characterized in that the update data output from the communication unit is input to the control unit via the display. According to clause 6,
The Department of Communications,
A home appliance, characterized in that when the connection unit is connected to a power supply device, product information and update information are transmitted to the power supply device. According to clause 8,
The control unit,
A home appliance characterized in that it controls entry into an update mode when a reception completion message for the product information and update information is received from the power supply device.

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