KR20160009402A - laundry treat apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and, more particularly, to the laundry treatment apparatus which can be remotely controlled through communication with the outside. The present invention relates to the laundry treatment apparatus which can be remotely controlled more safely. According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the laundry treatment apparatus which communicates with an external terminal and has a control panel comprised for remote control through the external terminal and for user interface, the present invention may provide the laundry treatment apparatus including: a cabinet; a clothes accommodation part which is comprised in the cabinet and accommodates laundry; a door which is comprised in the cabinet, and opens or closes the clothes accommodation part selectively; a door opening/closing part which maintains a closed state of the door, and opens the door by manipulation of a user; a door opening/closing sensing part for sensing opening/closing of the door; a remote control activation input part which is comprised in the control panel in order to set or release possibility of the remote control by selection of the user; and a control part which releases the remote control activation, according as the door opening/closing sensing part senses an open state of the door, under the state that the remote control activation is set.

Description

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a clothes processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a clothes processing apparatus that can be remotely controlled through communication with the outside. The present invention relates to a clothes processing apparatus capable of remote control more safely.

As a garment disposal apparatus, a washing machine for washing garments is a typical example, and a dryer for drying clothing or a laundry / dryer capable of both washing and drying is also considered as a garment disposal facility. Of course, a refresher that refreshes dry garments or some wet garments is also an example of a garment processing apparatus.

Such a garment disposal apparatus accommodates garments in the garment accommodating section and processes the garments, and can be variously separated according to the shape of the garment accommodating section and the position of the input port into which the garment is inserted.

In a garment processing apparatus having a garment receiving portion in the form of a cylindrical drum, the garment can be processed while rotating the drum. In addition, in the garment processing apparatus having the garment accommodating portion of a fixed type, the clothes can be processed while hot air or steam is supplied into the garment accommodating portion. As the latter clothes processing apparatus, a refresher is representative.

In view of the usage pattern of such a clothes processing apparatus, it is general that the user operates the clothes processing apparatus directly. That is, the user puts the clothes directly into the clothes processing apparatus. Then, the user inputs various kinds of information directly to the garment processing apparatus so that the garment processing is performed as desired.

[0004] However, there is a growing need for a garment processing apparatus that can be remotely controlled by diversification of lifestyle and development of communication technology. That is, there is a need for a clothes processing apparatus capable of inputting clothes processing remotely without inputting clothes processing directly in the clothes processing apparatus. That is, there is a need for a clothes processing apparatus capable of remote control.

The remote control means that the user makes various control inputs to the clothes processing apparatus remotely, rather than the clothes processing apparatus. For example, the garment processing apparatus may be controlled remotely by a control input through an external terminal communicating directly or indirectly with the garment processing apparatus. Therefore, remote control may be performed when the user does not desire, or remote control may not be performed even if the user desires. This is because, in general, a specific garment device can be used by a plurality of persons without using only one specific person. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a garment processing apparatus capable of minimizing confusion between a specific user or a plurality of users in remote control.

Further, the clothes processing apparatus uses clothes, such as water, hot air, driving of the drum, and steam, to process the clothes. For this reason, in order to prevent a safety accident, the garment treatment is generally performed in a state where the door is closed. That is, the garment processing is generally performed in a state in which the door receiving portion provided in the cabinet and the door provided in the cabinet are sealed with each other. Therefore, there is a need to provide a clothes processing apparatus capable of preventing a safety accident in remote control.

In order to provide such a clothes processing apparatus, the applicant has proposed, through Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0098945 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0098946, an invention relating to a clothes processing apparatus, particularly a laundry apparatus, Has been disclosed. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned patent is referred to as a preceding patent for convenience of explanation.

In the above invention, the applicant has made it possible for a specific user to input, directly to the garment processing apparatus via the remote control activation input section, a reminder to perform remote control, for remote control of the garment processing apparatus, To minimize the occurrence of problems.

In other words, the present invention relates to a clothes processing apparatus capable of minimizing or preventing the occurrence of a situation in which remote control can not be performed against a will of the specific user by a user other than the specific user.

However, in the above-described invention, there is a lack of consideration as to whether or not the remote control is unnecessary or undesirable in a state in which the remote control activation is maintained.

For example, there is a problem that the door of the clothes processing apparatus can be opened by another user in a state where remote control is possible. In this case, the driving of the clothes processing apparatus can be started in a state that the door is opened. In this case, the water, steam, and hot wind may be exposed to the outside of the clothes processing apparatus, and the drum may be driven.

This problem may arise in a garment disposal apparatus in which a door lock device is excluded which prevents the user from arbitrarily opening the door when the garment disposal apparatus is driven.

Basically, in a garment disposal apparatus such as a washing machine, the door is unlocked because the door is opened for safety, so that driving is not started. Of course, even if the driving starts, the driving is generally stopped when the door is opened. This is because the driving start is based on the door locking, and the driving stop is based on the door unlocking. Therefore, safety of the clothes processing apparatus can be ensured through the door locking device.

However, whether or not such door opening and operation of the clothes processing apparatus are matters of the clothes processing apparatus itself. In other words, this can easily be grasped by the user operating the garment processing apparatus directly from the garment disposal apparatus in terms of such disabling or disabling.

In many apparatuses that do not perform washing by washing water in a clothes processing apparatus such as a dryer, the door locking apparatus is often excluded. This is because opening of the door during operation of the clothes processing apparatus may not cause a large problem and it is necessary to prevent the system from being complicated or increased in cost due to the door locking device.

For example, in the case of a drum washing machine rotating on the horizontal axis, a large amount of water may be discharged to the outside of the clothes processing apparatus by opening the door during operation. Therefore, when the door is opened, there is a possibility that prevention of safety accident is insufficient only by stopping the operation of the clothes processing apparatus.

However, in the case of a pulsator washing machine rotating on the vertical axis, on the contrary, the operation stop of the clothes processing apparatus may be satisfied only by opening the door during operation.

The problem is that a user who does not know the current state of the clothes processing apparatus, in particular, whether or not the door is opened, can remotely control the clothes processing apparatus through remote control.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a garment disposal apparatus capable of safely remote control in association with the opening of the door. In particular, there is a need to provide a clothes processing apparatus capable of safely remote control in a clothes processing apparatus in which the door lock device is excluded.

The present invention intends to provide a clothes processing apparatus capable of performing remote control basically safely.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, remote control is disabled when a door is opened, thereby providing a safe clothes processing apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a door is opened in a state in which remote control is possible, it is intended to provide a safeguard garment processing device by forcibly making remote control impossible. Also, the present invention provides a garment processing apparatus and a online service system including the garment processing apparatus, which enable a user to easily grasp the situation through an external terminal in a remote control impossible state due to door opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to grasp whether a door is opened or closed easily through a door opening / closing detection unit, and to provide a safe clothes processing apparatus even if the door locking device is excluded.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a garment processing apparatus using a plurality of users, the garment processing apparatus being capable of minimizing confusion of mistakes associated with remote control among users.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus that enables a user to easily use a remote control while allowing a user to easily grasp the cause thereof in a state where remote control is impossible.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a garment processing apparatus communicating with an external terminal and having a control panel for a user interface, which is provided to be remotely controllable through the external terminal, cabinet; A garment accommodating portion provided in the cabinet to accommodate clothes; A door provided in the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the garment receiving portion; A door opening / closing unit for keeping the door in a closed state and opening the door by a user's operation; A door opening / closing detector for detecting whether the door is open or closed; A remote control activation input unit provided on the control panel to set or release the remote control capability according to a user's selection; And a control unit for releasing the remote control activation upon sensing the opening state of the door by the door opening / closing detection unit in a state where the remote control activation is set.

It is preferable that the door is kept closed by the door-based closure part so that the space between the door and the clothes receiving part inside the cabinet is sealed. To this end, a gasket may be provided between the door and the cabinet.

The door opening / closing unit may include a handle provided on the door, and may include a striker and a latch assembly provided between the door and the cabinet. For example, the door may have a striker and a latch assembly may be provided in the cabinet to correspond to the position of the striker. The door can be closed by inserting the striker into the latch assembly. The door may be opened by separating the striker from the latch assembly.

The door may be opened by a user with a predetermined force applied to the door or the door opening / closing device in a state where the door is closed. For example, by applying a predetermined force, the striker can be separated from the latch assembly.

The door lock device for holding the door closed continuously through the door-side closure part can be excluded in the clothes processing device while enduring the predetermined force or more. That is, the door locking device for forcibly closing the door can be eliminated. For example, the door lock device may be added to prevent the striker from being separated from the latch assembly.

Preferably, the control panel includes a power input unit, and when the remote control activation is set, the remote control activation is released by an input of the power input unit by a user. In other words, the remote control activation can be set only after the power is applied, and even if the remote control activation is set, the remote control activation is also canceled when the power is released. Of course, when the power is again applied, it is preferable that the remote control activation is also released. Through this, the input through the power input unit is an upper input than the remote control activation input.

The control panel may include a course selection unit, an option selection unit, a start / stop input unit, and a display unit for displaying status information of the clothes processing apparatus.

When the remote control activation is set, it is preferable that the remote control activation is canceled by any one of the release by the user via the remote control activation input and the opening of the door by the user. Of course, it is preferable that the remote control activation is also released by the power-off input through the power input unit.

The control panel may include a plurality of user input units including a remote control activation input unit and adapted to be input by a user. The user input unit may include the power input unit, the course selection unit, the option selection unit, and the start / stop input unit.

In the remote control deactivation state, if the remote control activation input is selected by the user, the control unit preferably deactivates at least a part of the user input and sets the remote control activation. For example, it is not possible to input the user through the course selection unit or the option selection unit. This is because, when remote control is performed, the course or option can be selected remotely. That is, if these inputs are allowed in the garment processing apparatus itself, misleading confusion may occur among a large number of users.

When the remote control activation input section is selected in the remote control activation release state, the control section preferably confirms the external communication connection state of the clothes processing apparatus and sets the remote control activation. That is, the remote control is based on a communication connection. Therefore, the communication connection can be a prerequisite for activating the remote control, and the communication connection needs to be maintained also for the maintenance of the remote control activation.

When the remote control activation input section is selected in the remote control activation release state, the control section confirms the closed state of the door through the door opening / closing detection section and sets the remote control activation. That is, closing of the door may be a prerequisite for activating the remote control. Therefore, safety can be ensured from the remote control activation setting.

In the state where the remote control activation is set, the control unit continuously determines whether the door is opened or closed through the door opening / closing detection unit. When the opening of the door is detected, it is preferable that the remote control activation is released. That is, the closing of the door may be a prerequisite for maintaining the remote control activation. In other words, safety can be ensured even when the remote control activation setting is maintained.

It is desirable that such door open / close detection be continued even when remote control activation is performed and actual remote control is performed. Likewise, when it is sensed that the door is opened in a state where the garment processing is remotely operated, it is preferable that the remote control activation is immediately canceled and the operation of the garment processing is stopped.

The door opening / closing detector may transmit different signals to the controller depending on whether the door is open or closed. Accordingly, the controller can grasp the open or closed state of the door upon receipt of different signals.

The door opening / closing detector may transmit signals having different patterns to the controller depending on whether the door is opened or closed. The controller may determine that the door is closed when the door opening / closing detector receives a signal having a predetermined pattern for a predetermined time.

When the remote control activation is set, the control unit maintains the remote control activation state when the door is determined to be closed through the door opening / closing detection unit, and when the door is determined to be open, It is preferable to release it.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cabinet including a cabinet, a garment accommodating portion accommodated in the cabinet, and a door provided in the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the garment accommodating portion, A control method of a processing apparatus, comprising: an input step of inputting remote control activation so that a user can remotely control the clothes processing apparatus via an external terminal; A checking step of, when the remote control activation is inputted, checking a condition for the remote control activation setting; A setting step of setting a remote control activation if the condition is satisfied; A sensing step of confirming an opening / closing state of the door through the door opening / closing detector with the remote control activation being set; And a releasing step of releasing the remote control activation if it is determined that the door is opened in the door sensing step.

In the checking step, if the condition is not satisfied, an informing step is performed to inform that the setting step can not be performed.

Preferably, the condition includes closing of the door determined through the door opening / closing detection unit and external communication connection of the clothes processing apparatus.

The checking step preferably includes an input unit locking step of deactivating at least a part of the plurality of user input units provided in the control panel of the clothes processing apparatus.

When the remote control activation is set, it is possible to recognize that the clothes processing apparatus is remotely controllable through the external terminal. When the communication connection is released or unstable, it is easy to grasp that the remote control is impossible due to the problem of communication connection in the external terminal. Further, it is easy to grasp that the remote control activation is released due to the opening of the door.

This is because, when the door is opened in the remote control activation state, the clothes processing apparatus can transmit such state information to the external terminal. That is, the information on the door opening and the remote control activation cancellation can be transmitted from the clothes processing apparatus to the external terminal.

Accordingly, the user can easily grasp that the remote control can be implemented safely and that the remote control is impossible due to the door opening through the external terminal.

The features of the above embodiments may be implemented in combination with the features of other embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a safe clothes processing apparatus by making remote control impossible when the door is opened.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a door is opened in a state in which remote control is possible, it is intended to provide a safeguard garment processing device by forcibly making remote control impossible. Also, it is possible to provide a garment processing apparatus and an online service system including the garment processing apparatus, which enable a user to easily grasp it through an external terminal in a state where remote control is impossible due to door opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the door is opened or closed through the door opening / closing detection unit, thereby providing a safe garment disposal apparatus even if the door locking apparatus is omitted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a garment processing apparatus used by a plurality of users, it is possible to provide a garment processing apparatus in which confusion can be minimized due to remote control between users.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a garment processing apparatus which enables a user to easily use the remote control and can easily grasp the cause of the remote control in a state where the user can not control the remote control.

1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a clothes processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a flowchart showing a control method of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is an example of a display unit of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 illustrates an example of a display unit of an external terminal when remote control is not possible;
6 shows an example of a display unit of an external terminal when remote control is possible;
Fig. 7 is an example of a display unit of the garment processing apparatus when the garment processing apparatus starts operation by remote control.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which an online service of a household appliance is implemented using an external terminal after the user and the appliance are registered in the server will be described in detail. In particular, an embodiment of a washing machine capable of remote control can be described in detail.

In the case of household appliances such as washing machines, remote control is not always possible. This is because the remote control is meaningless when the door of the washing machine is open or when the washing machine is not ready for operation, for example, laundry for processing is not put into the washing machine.

In addition, since the user does not operate the washing machine directly, there is a fear that a crosstalk may occur in relation to another user who intends to directly operate the washing machine during remote control. In addition, unexpected safety accidents due to remote control may occur.

Generally, household appliances such as washing machines are commonly used by several persons in common. That is, there may be several persons who use the washing machine in one household. Therefore, there is a fear that a confusion may occur between the user interface through the actual washing machine and the user interface through the remote control. For example, one person may want to remotely control the washing machine, while others may attempt to operate the control panel of the washing machine directly.

In addition, when the user directly attempts to operate the washing machine, the washing machine may be operated suddenly by remote control, thereby causing a safety accident. This is because remote control may be to drive hardware such as drums, water valves, heaters, fans, steam generators, etc., rather than simply driving the software.

Therefore, it may be necessary to prevent cross-talk between a plurality of users simultaneously using one home appliance and to improve safety. To this end, the prior art discloses features such as a remote control activation input unit for positively reflecting the intention of a specific user to perform remote control, a display unit for displaying a remote control activation state, and a display unit for displaying a state in which remote control is performed There is one. Of course, the prior art discloses features such as a washing machine communicating with the outside, a communication connection with a server of the washing machine, and remote control through an external terminal.

In the present embodiment, it is further desired to provide a washing machine capable of performing remote control more safely in consideration of the correlation between the remote control activation and the door opening.

It is preferable that the garment processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided so as to be able to communicate with an external terminal and remotely control through the external terminal. And a control panel for a user interface. The clothes processing apparatus can directly communicate with an external terminal, and can communicate with an external terminal through a server. These features may be the same as or similar to those in the preceding patent, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the configuration of a clothes processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the structure of the clothes processing apparatus will be described as an example of the drum type dryer.

Basically, since the present embodiment relates to a clothes processing apparatus, it can include a cabinet 1 and a garment accommodating portion 3 provided in the cabinet and accommodating clothes. The cabinet forms an outer appearance of the clothes processing apparatus, and a space in which the clothes are accommodated is formed in the cabinet, so that the clothes can be accommodated in the space. The garment receiving portion 3 can be formed directly in the cabinet, and can be accommodated in the cabinet in the form of a drum. When a garment receiving portion is formed in a drum shape, a drum driving portion (not shown) for rotating the drum may be provided. When the clothes receiving portion is a drum rotating about a horizontal axis, the lifter 4 may be provided inside the drum to lift and drop the clothes as the drum rotates.

The clothes processing apparatus may include a door (2) provided in the cabinet (1) for selectively opening and closing the clothes receiving portion. The user can open the door to put the clothes into the garment accommodating portion, and close the door to allow the garment processing to proceed. When the clothes processing is completed, the user can open the door to take out the processed clothes.

The door (2) is connected to the cabinet (1) through a hinge (5). Accordingly, the door 2 is rotatably installed in the cabinet through the hinge 5. Through this rotation, the door can selectively open and close the garment accommodating portion 2. [

Door open / close portions 6 and 7 may be provided between the door and the cabinet. The door opening and closing part may be provided to open the door by a user's operation while keeping the door 2 in a closed state.

The door opening and closing part may include a striker 7 such as a hook and a latch assembly 6 selectively engaged with the striker. The striker may be provided in the door, and the latch assembly may be provided in the cabinet. When the user closes the door 2, the striker 7 is engaged with the latch assembly 6 and the door is kept closed. When the user opens the door by applying a predetermined force, the engagement between the striker and the latch assembly is released and the door can be opened.

A control panel 20 for a user interface may be provided on a front surface or an upper surface of the cabinet 1.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram for this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the clothes processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may include a control unit 10, a control panel 20, and a door open / close detection unit 50.

The door opening / closing detector 50 may be provided to detect whether the door is opened or closed. That is, it may be provided so as to be able to grasp whether the door is opened or closed. A specific embodiment of the door opening / closing detector 50 will be described later. It is preferable that the door open / close detecting unit 50 is provided separately from the door open / close units 6 and 7. Of course, the door opening / closing detector 50 may be provided to switch the door opening / closing unit to an electrical signal by using mechanical coupling and disengagement of the door opening / closing unit. In this case, the door opening / closing detection unit 50 may be used to detect whether the door is opened or closed by using the door opening / closing unit.

The control panel 20 may be provided for interfacing with a user. That is, the user can make various inputs to the clothes processing apparatus, and can be provided to provide various state information of the clothes processing apparatus to the user.

The control panel 20 may include a user input unit 30. Through the user input unit 30, the user can input various commands to the clothes processing apparatus.

For example, the user input unit 30 may include a power input unit 32, and the user may select the power input unit 32 to turn on or off the clothes processing apparatus. That is, the power input unit 32 may be provided for power on / off.

The user input unit 30 may include a course selector 33. The course may have a plurality of sub-cycles, and the plurality of sub-cycles may be automatically and sequentially performed to complete the garment processing.

For example, the drying course may include a cycle of supplying hot air and a cycle of supplying cold air. That is, cold air can be supplied to supply hot air to dry the clothes and to cool the clothes after drying. These cycles can proceed automatically and sequentially to complete the drying course. Of course, such a drying course may be variously prepared depending on the type of clothes and the desired degree of drying.

Also, the user input unit 30 may include an option selection unit 34. The option selection unit may be provided to change various factors in the course. Also, it may be provided to change various factors of the cycle in the course, or may be provided so that a separate cycle is added.

For example, the option selection unit 34 may be provided for changing the degree of drying, and may be provided for a static elimination cycle unit for supplying moisture after completion of drying.

The user input unit 30 may include a start / stop input unit 35. This input unit 35 may be provided to input a command to start the operation of the clothes processing apparatus or a command to stop the operation.

When the user completes the course selection through the course selection unit 33 and selects the start / stop input unit 35, the garment processing apparatus starts operating according to the selected course. When the start / stop input part 35 is selected during operation, the operation can be paused. If the start / stop input unit 35 is again selected in this state, the operation can be resumed.

After the clothes are put in the clothes receiving portion, the clothes processing device is operated and the operation is completed by selecting the course selecting portion 33, the option selecting portion 34 and the start / stop inputting portion 35, It can be said to be in use form. That is, the user directly manipulates the clothes processing apparatus in the clothes processing apparatus.

Basically, it takes a certain amount of time to process clothes through the clothes processing apparatus. In a clothes processing apparatus such as a drum type dryer, it is not preferable that the processed garment is left in the drum for a long time. This is because a large amount of wrinkles may be generated in clothes due to the weight of clothes, and odors may be generated due to residual moisture.

Therefore, it is desirable that the user can remotely control the clothes processing apparatus outside the home. That is, it is preferable that the completion time of the garment processing is remotely designated and the garment processing apparatus is accessed in accordance with the completion time, so that the processed garment can be taken out.

However, such remote control may not be performed with the user easily accessible to the clothes processing apparatus. For example, the user may remotely control the garment disposal device in the company and access the garment disposal device after work. That is, the clothes can be remotely controlled so that the garment processing is completed according to the time of arrival at home. At this time, the clothes processing apparatus needs to be maintained in a state in which remote control is possible. In other words, it is desirable to be ready to receive control commands remotely.

In one example, the remote control can be started from the power supply of the garment processing apparatus by remote control. However, performing such power-on with remote control may cause stability problems. For example, when remotely powering up, other users near the garment handling device may suspect a failure of the garment handling device. Therefore, it is preferable that the remote control is performed in a state where power is basically applied.

Meanwhile, the control panel 20 may include a display unit 40. The display unit 40 may include an LED, and the LED may be provided to indicate whether the various input units 31 to 35 are selected or not. Also, the display unit 40 may include a display. In other words, it is possible to display various information on the screen.

It is preferable that the garment processing apparatus reflects an active intention to perform remote control by a user. That is, it is preferable to clearly understand that the remote control can be performed when another user approaches the clothes processing apparatus.

To this end, the user input unit 30 preferably includes a remote control activation input unit 31. That is, it is preferable that the remote control can be performed only when the user selects the remote control activation input unit 31. In other words, it is preferable that the user's intention to perform the remote control appears as the selection of the remote control activation input section 31. [

When the remote control activation input unit 31 is selected, it is preferable that the remote control activation state is displayed through the display unit 40. For example, it may be possible to display that the LED is lit or remotely controllable. Therefore, when another user approaches the clothes processing apparatus, it is easy to grasp that the specific user is going to perform the remote control through the display unit.

Meanwhile, the display unit 40 of the control panel 20 shown in FIG. 1 may be a touch display. That is, the user input unit 30 is displayed on the touch display, and the user can make a desired input by touching the display. Of course, the power input unit 32 may be provided separately from the touch display.

The user input unit 30 and the display unit 40 are independently connected to each other or are connected to the controller 10. The controller 10 is connected to the hardware driver 40.

The hardware may include various configurations driven by a clothes processing apparatus such as a drum driving unit, various valves, a heater, a steam generator, a pump, a fan, and a heat pump. The driving of such hardware can be controlled through the control unit 10. [ In addition, the control of the display unit 40 can also be controlled through the control unit 10. The control unit 10 may include a display control unit for controlling the display unit and a main control unit for controlling the hardware.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the door opening / closing detector 50 is included. That is, it is preferable that the door opening / closing detector 50 detects whether the door is opened or closed.

In particular, in a garment processing apparatus without a door lock device, it is possible to perform safe remote control through the door opening / closing detection unit 50. The exclusion of the door lock means that the user can arbitrarily open the door by applying a predetermined force. Particularly, in the case of a clothes processing apparatus such as a dryer or a refresher, such a door locking device is generally excluded for various reasons. In the garment processing apparatus having the door lock device, the door lock device can sustain the closing of the door continuously through the door open / close portion while holding the predetermined force or more. If the user intends to open the door arbitrarily while the door is locked through the door lock device, a very large force is required, which may damage the door lock device. Therefore, the door lock device is generally designed to withstand a very large force.

Unlike a washing machine, a clothes processing device such as a dryer does not take charge of washing water, and a user opens and closes a door arbitrarily during operation of the dryer to additionally supply wet laundry more frequently. In many cases, the door is opened and closed before the completion of drying to check the dry state of the laundry at any time. In consideration of such a use form, a door lock device is often excluded in a clothes processing apparatus such as a dryer. Accordingly, the user can easily open and close the door while applying a predetermined force when opening and closing the door.

The user clearly indicates the intention to perform the remote control through the remote control activation input section 32 and the user can start the remote control through the external terminal at a specific time. However, the door can be opened in the remote control enabled state for some reason. Conversely, the remote control activation input 32 may be selected and brought into a remotely controllable state with the door open. In other words, the user may overlook the door open state and select the remote control activation input section 32.

In this case, the user can remotely perform remote control. Since the door is opened, various problems may occur. For example, since the door is opened, garment processing may not be performed properly. And the clothes may be released to the outside of the clothes receiving portion and contaminated. In addition, hot air or steam may leak outside the cabinet, causing contamination of the surroundings or causing safety problems.

In order to secure safety and improve user satisfaction in the relation between the remote control and the door, the door opening / closing detector 50 is preferably provided in the present embodiment.

Preferably, the controller 50 releases the remote control activation upon detecting the door open state through the door opening / closing detector 50, with the remote control activation being set. That is, it is preferable to automatically control the remote control to be released even if the separate remote control activation release is not selected.

For example, a child can arbitrarily open the door in the clothes processing apparatus with the remote control set. This is because the door lock device is excluded, so that the child can easily open the door by operating the door opening / closing part. When the clothes processing apparatus operates through the remote control in this state, various problems may occur as described above. Therefore, when the remote control is set and it is detected that the door is opened, it is preferable that the control unit releases the remote control activation irrespective of re-input of the remote control activation input unit.

When power is supplied to the garment processing apparatus, the controller 10 always checks whether the door is opened or closed through the door opening / closing detector 50. [ For example, when the user selects the remote control activation input unit 31, the door should preferably be closed. That is, when the door is opened, input through the remote control activation input unit 31 is preferably disabled. That is, when the controller 10 senses the door opening through the door opening / closing detector 50, the control unit 10 controls the input through the remote control activation input unit 31 to be disabled. Of course, if there is an input through the remote control activation input unit 31, the control unit 10 may first determine that the door is closed through the door opening / closing detection unit 50, and then apply it.

Therefore, it is preferable that the setting through the remote control activation input unit 31 can be performed after the door closing through the door opening / closing detection unit 50 is grasped or the door closing after the input unit 31 is grasped.

On the other hand, when the user sets the remote control activation through the remote control activation input unit 32, the user's active intention is reflected. After the setting, the clothes processing apparatus is in a state of waiting to receive a remote control command. It may happen that a child or other user directly manipulates the garment disposal apparatus against the intention of such a user.

Therefore, it is necessary to prevent another user from arbitrarily manipulating the user input unit 30 against the intention of the user who wants to perform the remote control. For example, it is preferable that the course selection unit 33, the option selection unit 34, and the start / stop input unit 35 are controlled such that input is disabled in the remote control activation setting state.

However, it is necessary to reflect the active intention of other users who want to cancel the remote control. It is needless to say that the user who sets the remote control may desire to release the remote control directly from the clothes processing apparatus later without performing the remote control. Therefore, it is preferable that the remote control activation input unit 31 of the user input unit 30 is controlled to be reselectable in the remote control setting state. That is, it is preferable that the remote control activation input unit 31 can be released by reselecting it.

In addition, it is preferable that the power input unit 32 can be input in the remote control setting state. When the user inputs the power input unit 32, the power supply is interrupted and the remote control setting is also preferably released. It is preferable that the user again selects the power input unit 32 and becomes the initial state in which the remote control is not set.

The disabling of some of the user input units 30 may be performed by disabling the input unit or by disregarding the input signal even if the input unit is applied.

Hereinafter, the control flow for this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When power is supplied to the clothes processing apparatus by the user, the clothes processing apparatus is in a waiting state waiting for the user's input for the operation. In general, when the course is inputted through the course selection unit 33 and the input of the start / stop input unit 34 is received, the garment processing apparatus starts operating according to the selected course and is terminated.

In the present embodiment, an input via the remote control activation input 31 may be applied together with power-on. That is, steps for making a state in which remote control can be performed can be performed. Here, it is preferable that the input of the remote control activation input unit 31 does not mean the remote control activation setting. That is, the setting is preferably performed only after the precondition is satisfied. Such remote control activation can be named variously as 'smart ready' or 'remote enable'.

First, the control unit 10 determines whether the input of the remote control activation input unit 31 has been performed. That is, step (S1) of receiving the input of the remote control activation input section 31 may be performed. Thereafter, the controller determines whether the precondition for the remote control activation setting is satisfied. If the precondition is satisfied, the remote control activation is set (S5). When the remote control activation is set, the clothes processing apparatus enters a standby state for receiving a control command by communication with the outside. When the control command is received from the outside, the clothes processing apparatus operates according to the received command.

For example, upon receiving a command to perform a general drying course, the clothes processing apparatus performs a general drying course and ends the process. When the operation is completed, the power of the clothes processing apparatus is automatically released.

The precondition of the setting may be variously provided. A check step of checking whether or not these preconditions are satisfied can be performed. These prerequisites may be more than one.

For example, closing the door can be a prerequisite. Accordingly, when the step S1 is performed, the control unit 10 determines whether the door is closed (S2) through the door opening / closing detection unit (50). The door may be closed through the door opening / closing detection unit 50 to enter the step S5.

If it is determined in step S2 that the door is opened, it is preferable that the setting can not be made despite the input of the remote control activation input unit 31. [ Therefore, it is preferable to display a voice signal or a message (S6) so that the user can be notified of this. This can be referred to as a notification step. Therefore, the user can clearly grasp that there is a problem with the remote control activation setting through such display. For example, when the door is closed on the display unit 40 and a message to reset the door is displayed, the user can easily reset the door.

The precondition of the setting may be that the inactivation of some of the user selectors 30 described above is performed. This can be called input lock or child lock. That is, it can be said to prevent the child from arbitrarily operating the user selection unit 30. [ Such a child lock may be designed to limit any input of the course selection unit 33, the option selection unit 34 or the like during the operation of the garment processing apparatus. Accordingly, if the child lock setting is confirmed (S3) and the child lock is set, the step S5 may be performed. Of course, if an error occurs in the child lock, step S6 may be performed and displayed to the user. However, this step or prerequisite may be omitted if it is a garment processing apparatus in which no child lock is provided.

The precondition for the setting may be a communication connection with the outside. For example, an external and Wi-Fi connection can be a prerequisite for configuration. Accordingly, it is preferable that the input of the remote control activation input unit 31 is present, and the communication connection is confirmed (S4). Such a communication connection is preferably a WiFi connection. Once the WiFi connection is confirmed, step S5 may be performed. Of course, if the Wi-Fi connection is released or if it is determined that the Wi-Fi connection is impossible, step S6 may be performed and displayed to the user.

The precondition of the setting may be one or more. In the case of a plurality of cases, it is preferable that step S5 is performed in order to satisfy all conditions. However, when there are a plurality of preconditions, their judgment order may be different. That is, the order of S2 to S4 may be different.

The satisfaction of this prerequisite, in particular the condition that the door is closed, must be satisfied before remote control activation can be set. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the garment disposal apparatus from being operated due to the remote control in a state in which the door is opened.

Meanwhile, the control unit 10 preferably grasps whether the door is opened continuously (S7) while the remote control is set. Of course, it is preferable to grasp whether or not the door is opened even when the clothes processing apparatus is operating through the remote control.

When the opening of the door is detected when the remote control is set, it is preferable to release the remote control activation (S8). Then, when the door is closed and the door is closed, the remote control activation setting is continuously maintained. It is possible to remotely control the clothes processing apparatus through the external terminal while the remote control activation setting is maintained.

Therefore, the closing condition of the door becomes a prerequisite for setting the remote control activation and can be a prerequisite for the maintenance of the remote control activation setting. It may also be a prerequisite for continued operation of the garment handling device via remote control. This makes it possible to use the garment disposal apparatus more safely even when the user can not access the garment disposal apparatus remotely.

When the remote control activation is released by opening the door, the remote control activation can be set again from the step S1.

The door opening / closing detector 50 may be configured to transmit different signals to the controller 50 depending on whether the door is opened or closed. That is, the controller 50 can determine whether the door is closed or opened through the signal received from the door opening / closing detector 50.

The controller 50 can periodically check a signal received through the door opening / closing detector 50. [ It is possible to receive the repetition of the electric signal in the period of 1 ms as an example. Through the pattern of the received signal, it is possible to determine whether the door is closed or opened.

For example, the door opening / closing detector 50 may transmit a high signal and a low signal at regular intervals. The door opening / closing detector 50 may continuously transmit only a high signal or a low signal. That is, it is possible to transmit only the periodic repetition of the high signal and the low signal and only the specific signal of the high signal and the low signal. Accordingly, the controller can determine whether the door is open or closed through the pattern difference of such a signal.

For example, when the door is closed, the door open / close detection unit may repeatedly transmit a high signal and a low signal to the control unit at intervals of 1 ms. When the door is open, the door opening / closing detector may transmit only the high or low signal to the controller. The controller may determine that the door is open when receiving only a high or low signal for a predetermined time, for example 500 ms.

The door opening / closing detector may be provided to periodically generate a high signal and a low signal when the striker and the latch assembly are coupled. That is, due to the mechanical contact and / or electrical contact of the striker and the latch assembly, it may be provided to generate a high signal and a low signal, and to transmit such a signal to the control unit 10. [ On the other hand, due to the mechanical contact of the striker and the latch assembly and / or the release of the electrical contact, it is possible to generate only the high or low signal and to transmit such signal to the control unit 10. [

Therefore, the controller 10 can determine that the door is opened when the pattern of the received signal is constant for a predetermined time. Of course, the case where the pattern of the received signal is periodically repeated for a predetermined time can be determined as the opening of the door. This can be accomplished through a simple circuit that differs in signal generation due to electrical contact and release.

The door opening / closing detector 50 may be configured differently from the striker and the latch assembly. For example, through a projection (not shown) on the door side and a tact switch on the cabinet side. When the door is closed, the tact switch presses the tact switch. That is, the tact switch can be switched from OFF to ON. Therefore, it can be seen that the door is closed while the tact switch is kept on. Of course, the opposite can also be possible. Accordingly, different signals are transmitted to the control unit in the ON and OFF states of the tact switch, and the control unit can determine whether the door is closed through these signals.

As another example, it is also possible to configure the door opening / closing detector 50 through a magnet and a reed switch. The magnet may be provided on the door side and the reed switch may be provided on the cabinet side. Therefore, as the door is closed, the magnet can operate the reed switch. Therefore, whether or not the door is closed can be grasped depending on whether or not the reed switch is operated.

In either case, the door opening / closing detector 50 transmits different signals to the controller when the doors are closed and open. The door opening / closing detection unit 50 can always transmit such a signal to the control unit 50 when power is applied to the clothes processing apparatus. The control unit may use such a signal at a necessary time point to perform subsequent control according to whether the door is opened or closed.

The remote control means to control the operation of the clothes processing apparatus through an application program of an external terminal, for example, a smart phone. To facilitate this, a server is preferably provided between the smartphone and the garment processing device.

When the user enters the remote control activation input 31 and its preconditions are satisfied and maintained, the remote control activation can be set and maintained. When the remote control activation is set, the display unit 40 can indicate that the remote control is set. Fig. 4 shows an example of such a display unit 40. Fig. The illustrated smart function can be understood as a different meaning of remote control. And the remote control activation input may be provided to press a single button or two buttons simultaneously. The input of such remote control activation is clearly required by the user as compared to other inputs. Therefore, it is desirable to make the pressing time longer relative to other inputs. For example, the input can be recognized when the user continuously presses for 3 seconds or more.

In the display unit 40, an icon 30a indicating an external connection with a Wi-Fi communication and an icon 30b indicating that a smart function is set can be displayed. Through these icons, the user can intuitively understand that communication connection and remote control are possible. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a method of releasing remote control activation may also be introduced.

Meanwhile, it is preferable that the screen shown in FIG. 4 is continuously maintained until a remote control command is received. Thus, a user other than the user who desires remote control can easily grasp the current state of the clothes processing apparatus.

The screen shown in FIG. 4 shows that the communication connection is maintained through the icon 141. Also, icon 142 indicates that remote control is possible. Therefore, the user can intuitively control the remote control through the icon as well as the characters.

The remote control can be said to presuppose the communication connection of the clothes processing apparatus. Therefore, it is preferable that the remote control activation is set only when the clothes processing apparatus is communicatively connected with the server. Accordingly, if there is an input of the remote control activation input unit 31 in a state where the garment processing apparatus is not communicatively connected to the server, the display unit 40 may display a guidance message prompting communication connection first. However, the communication connection with the server is performed once, and then the communication connection can be performed automatically. That is, the communication connection can be performed immediately after power is applied. Therefore, it is unlikely that the remote control activation is input before the communication connection.

Remote control is impossible when the power of the clothes processing apparatus is turned off or the remote control activation is not set. Therefore, in the case where the remote control activation is not set or the state due to power off can not be checked, this state information can be received and displayed on the external terminal. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a state where remote control is impossible is displayed on an external terminal. Of course, unlike the case shown in FIG. 5, the case where the remote control setting is forcibly released due to the opening of the door in the remote control setting state can also be displayed.

On the other hand, when remote control activation is set, the clothes processing apparatus is in a state in which remote control is possible. Therefore, the status information of the current apparel processing apparatus can be transmitted to the external terminal through the server and displayed. Here, the status information may include whether to set the remote control activation, wait for remote control, during operation of the clothes processing apparatus, during operation of the clothes processing apparatus, and during the reservation.

If the remote control activation is set, the state of the current clothes processing apparatus will correspond to at least one of waiting state of remote control, operation, suspension of operation and reservation state. Therefore, the current state can be received from the external terminal through the server and displayed on the external terminal. At the beginning of the remote control, it will be the remote control waiting state. 6 shows that the remote control standby state is displayed on the external terminal, in this case before the household appliances are still operating. Accordingly, the user can control the apparel processing apparatus to operate remotely by selecting a desired course, a course option, and the like from the external terminal as shown in FIG.

It is preferable that the display of the external terminal and the garment disposal device indicate that the remote control is started. That is, it is preferable that the clothes processing apparatus operates only after the fact that the clothes processing apparatus operates through the remote control is displayed for the set time.

7 is an example of a display unit 40 when a remote control command is transmitted through an external terminal to start operation of the clothes processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent confusion that another user in the vicinity of the clothes processing apparatus thinks as an operation error due to the operation of the clothes processing apparatus.

10: Control section 20: Control panel
30: user input unit 40: hardware driver
50: door opening /

Claims (17)

A garment processing apparatus communicating with an external terminal and being provided for remote control through the external terminal and having a control panel for a user interface,
cabinet;
A garment accommodating portion provided in the cabinet to accommodate clothes;
A door provided in the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the garment receiving portion;
A door opening / closing unit for keeping the door in a closed state and opening the door by a user's operation;
A door opening / closing detector for detecting whether the door is open or closed;
A remote control activation input unit provided on the control panel to set or release the remote control capability according to a user's selection; And
And a control unit for releasing the remote control activation upon sensing the opening state of the door by the door opening / closing detection unit, with the remote control activation being set. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the door is opened by a user with a predetermined force applied to the door or the door opening / closing device in a state in which the door is closed. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the door lock device for maintaining the closing of the door continuously through the door closing part is excluded in the clothes processing device while enduring the predetermined force or more. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control panel includes a power input unit, and when the remote control activation is set, the remote control activation is released by an input of the power input unit by the user. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein when the remote control activation is set, the remote control activation is released by any one of a release by the user through the remote control activation input and a release of the door by the user. The method according to claim 6,
When the remote control activation input section is selected by the user in the remote control activation release state, the control section sets the remote control activation and controls the control panel to enable only the release input and the power off input of the remote control activation Wherein the garment processing apparatus comprises: The method according to claim 6,
Wherein when the remote control activation input section is selected in the remote control activation release state, the control section confirms the external communication connection state of the clothes processing apparatus and sets the remote control activation. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein when the remote control activation input section is selected in the remote control activation release state, the control section confirms the closed state of the door through the door opening / closing detection section and sets the remote control activation. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit continuously determines whether the door is opened or closed through the door open / close detection unit in a state where the remote control activation is set. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the door opening / closing detector transmits different signals to the controller depending on whether the door is opened or closed. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the door opening / closing detector transmits a signal having a different pattern to the controller according to whether the door is opened or closed. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the control unit determines that the door is closed when receiving a signal having a predetermined pattern for a predetermined time in the door opening / closing detection unit. 11. The method of claim 10,
When the remote control activation is set, the control unit maintains the remote control activation state when the door is determined to be closed through the door opening / closing detection unit, and when the door is determined to be open, Wherein the garment disposal apparatus includes: 1. A control method for a clothes processing apparatus comprising a cabinet, a garment accommodating portion provided in the cabinet for accommodating clothes, and a door provided in the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the garment accommodating portion,
An input step of receiving remote control activation so that the user can remotely control the clothes processing apparatus via an external terminal;
A checking step of, when the remote control activation is inputted, checking a condition for the remote control activation setting;
A setting step of setting a remote control activation if the condition is satisfied;
A sensing step of confirming an opening / closing state of the door through the door opening / closing detector with the remote control activation being set;
And releasing the remote control activation if it is determined that the door is opened in the door detection step. 15. The method of claim 14,
And if the condition is not satisfied in the checking step, an informing step informing that the setting step can not be performed is performed. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the condition includes closing of the door determined through the door opening / closing detection unit and external communication connection of the clothes processing apparatus. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the checking step includes an input unit locking step of deactivating at least a part of a plurality of user input units provided on a control panel of the clothes processing apparatus.

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