JP2002355486A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change the various kinds of parameters regarding washing and to quickly perform coping when an error is generated. SOLUTION: During a washing process, when a user operates an 'own style' switch and voice-inputs the word 'water level' (S1), the voice 'raise water level?' is outputted (S2). When the user voice-inputs the word 'yes' in response (S3), a water supply valve is opened for prescribed time and the water level is raised (S4). Also, when the word 'no' is voice-inputted (S5), a water discharge valve is opened for the prescribed time and the water level is lowered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for performing a washing operation based on preset washing parameters.

[0002]

In a washing machine, for example, a change in the number of executions of a rinsing operation set in advance for each washing course and a change in a water level automatically set according to the weight of the laundry are performed by an operation. It is performed by key operation on the panel.
However, there are complicated key operations that cannot be understood without reading the instruction manual, and some users give up changing the settings even if they are dissatisfied with the various settings.

Further, when an error occurs, a buzzer is sounded and the fact that the error has occurred is displayed on a display unit. In this case, since the size of the display unit is limited, an error code set according to the content of the error is generally displayed. Therefore,
The user needs to check the contents of the error code by referring to the instruction manual, and further find out the description of the error elimination method from the instruction manual. Problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of easily changing various parameters relating to washing, and a second object is to provide a washing machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of quickly responding to the occurrence of the problem.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a washing control unit for executing a washing operation based on a preset washing-related parameter; and a voice for inputting a voice of a user. Input means, voice recognition means for recognizing the voice input by the voice input means during the execution of the washing operation, and a parameter changing means for changing the parameter based on the recognition result by the voice recognition means, The washing control means switches the running washing operation to the washing operation based on the changed parameters.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the user inputs a voice to strengthen the water flow during the washing operation, for example, during the washing process, the parameter changing means increases the parameter relating to the water flow, that is, the rotation speed of the agitator. change. Then, the washing control means drives and controls the motor that rotates the stirring body so that the rotation speed of the stirring body becomes the changed rotation speed. As a result, the stirrer is rotated quickly and the water flow is increased. Therefore, various settings related to the washing operation can be easily changed as compared with the conventional configuration in which various settings are changed by key operation.

In this case, storage means for storing the change of the parameter and instruction means for instructing the execution of the washing operation based on the parameter after the change are provided, and the washing control means responds to the instruction by the instruction means. It is preferable that the washing operation is performed based on the changed parameters. According to the above configuration, the washing operation based on the changed parameters can be repeatedly executed.

Preferably, the washing control means is configured to execute a plurality of washing courses, and the storage means is configured to store a preset parameter change for all washing courses. (Claim 3
Invention).

According to the above configuration, if the parameters are changed for one washing course, the parameters are changed for the remaining washing courses. Therefore, the parameters can be easily changed as compared with a case where the parameters are individually changed for all the washing courses.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: voice input means for inputting a voice of a user; state detecting means for detecting a state of a washing operation; Error notification means for notifying the occurrence of an error in response thereto, voice recognition means for recognizing a voice input by the voice input means in response to the notification operation of the error notification means, and according to a recognition result of the voice recognition means. Voice output means for outputting error details by voice.

According to the above configuration, when the occurrence of an error is detected by the state detecting means, the fact that the error has occurred is notified by the error notifying means. Then, when the user responds to the notification operation, the voice output means outputs the content of the error by voice. Therefore, the user can quickly know the content of the error. Further, since the error content is output as voice in response to the user's response, the error content is not output as voice when the user is not near the washing machine.

In this case, it is preferable that the audio output means is configured to output an error elimination method by audio (the invention of claim 5). According to the above configuration, the user can quickly eliminate the error according to the audio output from the audio output unit.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. First,
FIG. 5 is a view showing the entire configuration of the washing machine according to the present embodiment. The washing machine main body 1 is composed of a rectangular box-shaped outer box 2 and a top cover 3 provided on the upper surface of the outer box 2. It is configured. The top cover 3 has a thin hollow box shape. Inside the outer box 2, a water receiving tank 4 is provided with an elastic suspension mechanism 5.
Elastically supported.

An annular tank cover 6 is mounted on the inner peripheral surface at the upper end of the water receiving tank 4. A washing tub 7 serving as a dewatering tub and a drying tub is rotatably disposed inside the water receiving tub 4. Although not shown, a number of holes functioning as dehydration holes and ventilation holes are formed in the peripheral wall and bottom of the washing tub 7. At the upper end of the washing tub 7, a balance ring 8 in which, for example, a liquid is sealed is provided.
Is provided. Further, a stirrer 9 is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the washing tub 7.

The outer bottom of the water receiving tub 4 in the outer box 2 is provided with an inverter-driven outer rotor type motor 10 and the rotational driving force of the motor 10 is transmitted to the washing tub 7 and the stirrer 9. Directly transmitting rotation transmission mechanism 11
Is provided. Further, a drain port 12 is formed at the bottom of the water receiving tank 4. A drain hose 14 is connected to the drain port 12 via a drain valve 13. The drain 12 is provided with an air trap 15. The pressure of the air trap 15 is configured to be guided to a water level sensor 17 (see FIG. 7) via an air tube (not shown). The water level sensor 17 detects the water level in the water receiving tub 4 (washing tub 7) as is well known, and is disposed inside the top cover 3.

On the other hand, a substantially circular laundry entrance 18 (only a part is shown in FIG. 6) is formed at the center of the upper surface of the top cover 3.
And an opening / closing lid 19 for opening / closing the laundry entrance / exit 18 is rotatably mounted. Further, a water injection case 20 is provided at a rear portion in the top cover 3. A water supply valve 21 (see FIG. 7) and a water supply hose (not shown) are provided at the water inlet of the water injection case 20.
Connected to a tap via a tap.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a speaker 22 as a sound output means is provided in the top cover 3 inside the right portion of the entrance 18. Further, an operation panel 23 is provided at a front portion of the upper surface of the top cover 3. The operation panel 23 includes:
An operation unit 24 having a number of operation switches, a display unit 27 (shown only in FIG. 7) including a numerical value display unit 25 and an error display unit 26, and a microphone 28 serving as a voice input unit are provided.

The operation switches of the operation unit 24 include a power switch 29, a "start" switch 30 also serving as a temporary stop switch, a "detergent" switch 31 for selecting a detergent type, and a "detergent" switch 31 for setting and selecting a washing course. A "course" switch 32, a setting switch 33 for setting the execution time and the number of executions of each step, and a reservation switch 34 for reserving the start of the washing operation are included. Each operation switch is provided with a lighting device such as an LED which is turned on in accordance with the setting or selection operation.

The numerical display section 25 is configured to display the execution time of the washing step and the dehydration step, the number of executions of the rinsing operation in the rinsing step, and the like. Furthermore,
The error display section 26 is for visually displaying the location where an error has occurred, and is composed of a pictorial display schematically depicting the washing machine.

The error display section 26 is divided into a section 26a corresponding to the washing tub 7, a section 26b corresponding to the opening / closing lid 19, a section 26c corresponding to the drain hose 14, and a section 26d corresponding to the tap. An LED is provided below each part.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine according to the present embodiment. Control device 35 as control means
Is composed of a main control unit 36 and an audio control unit 37 connected to the main control unit 36. Although not shown, the main control unit 36 is mainly composed of a microcomputer.
The OM, the RAM, and the CPU are connected to each other by a bus. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the entire washing operation, a display control program for controlling the display of the display unit 27, and the like. Further, the RAM is configured to read and write data necessary for executing various control operations. Therefore, the main control unit 36 functions as a washing control unit.

The main control unit 36 includes the operation unit 24,
Water level sensor 17, lid switch 38, unbalance detection switch 39, non-volatile memory 40 as storage means
Is connected. The lid switch 38 is disposed inside the top cover 3, and is configured to be turned on / off in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid 19.
The unbalance detection switch 39 detects that the laundry in the washing tub 7 is unevenly arranged.

The motor 10 is connected to the main control unit 36 via an inverter circuit 41, and a buzzer 42 serving as an error notification unit, the display unit 27, the drain valve 13, the water supply valve 21 Is the driving circuit 43
Connected through.

On the other hand, the microphone 27 and the speaker 22 are connected to the audio controller 37 via an amplifier circuit 44. The voice control unit 37 is composed of, for example, an 8-bit risk microcomputer, and stores various data and control programs related to voice synthesis and voice recognition.

In this embodiment, the voice control unit 37
Has previously analyzed and stored the frequency and power of a word considered as an audio signal input through the microphone 27 as candidate data.
It is configured to compare and analyze the audio signal input through the main control unit 7 and output the result to the main control unit 36 as a recognition result. Therefore, the voice control unit 37 functions as a voice recognition unit.

As will be described later in detail, when the recognition result is given from the voice control unit 37 during the washing operation, the main control unit 36 changes the parameters relating to the washing operation stored in advance based on the recognition result. It is configured to change. Therefore, the main control unit 36 functions as a parameter changing unit. The main controller 36 includes an unbalance detection switch 39, a water level sensor 17, and a lid switch 38.
The state of the washing operation is detected on the basis of a signal or the like input from the controller, and when an error occurs, the buzzer 42 is sounded and the LED of the error generating section of the error display section 26 is blinked.

More specifically, when the opening of the opening / closing lid 19 is detected during the spin-drying process, the LED of the portion 26b is turned on and off as shown in FIG. When the water supply abnormality is detected, as shown in FIG.
LED is blinking. Further, when the bias of the laundry in the washing tub 7 is detected during the spin-drying process, the LED of the portion 26a is blinked as shown in FIG. 8C. Further, when a drainage abnormality is detected, as shown in FIG. 8D, the LED of the portion 26c is configured to blink. (Hatched). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 36, the unbalance detection switch 39, the water level sensor 17, and the lid switch 38 function as state detection means.

The main control unit 36 is configured to, when receiving a response from the user to the error notification, output the content of the error and the error elimination method by voice.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, a process for changing parameters relating to washing is described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the standard course is executed will be described. In this standard course, the washing process, the first rinsing process, the second rinsing process,
Each step of the dehydration step is executed in order based on predetermined parameters. That is, the weight of the laundry is detected before the washing process, and the water level is set according to the amount of the laundry. In the washing step, water is supplied until the water level in the washing tub 7 reaches the set water level with the drain valve 13 closed.
Thereafter, an operation of controlling the driving of the motor 10 and the rotation transmission mechanism 11 to alternately rotate the stirrer 9 in the forward and reverse directions is performed for a predetermined time.

In the first rinsing stroke, the so-called “shower” in which the agitator 9 is rotated at a low speed in the forward and reverse directions by controlling the driving of the motor 10 and the rotation transmission mechanism 11 while supplying water with the drain valve 13 opened. A "rinse" operation is performed. On the other hand, in the second rinsing step, after the water is supplied into the washing tub 7 to the set water level in the same manner as in the washing step, the drive of the motor 10 and the rotation transmission mechanism 11 is controlled to alternately rotate the stirrer 9 in the forward and reverse directions. The so-called “flush rinse” operation of rotating is repeatedly performed twice.

Further, in the dehydration process, an operation of controlling the driving of the motor 10 and the rotation transmitting mechanism 11 to rotate the washing tub 7 and the stirring body 9 at a high speed is executed. That is, in the present embodiment, the water level, the execution time of each stroke, the number of revolutions of the motor 10, the number of executions of the “wash-in” operation, and the like are parameters relating to washing.

First, the process of changing the parameters relating to the washing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart, when the user operates the “own style” switch 32 a of the course switches 32 on the operation panel 23 during the washing process, the standby state is set. When the user inputs a voice signal through the microphone 28, the voice control unit 37 recognizes the voice signal and outputs the result to the main control unit 36. Here, it is assumed that the user inputs any of the words “water level”, “water flow”, and “time”.

Then, the main control unit 36 determines whether the input word is “water level”, “water flow”, or “time” based on the recognition result in step S1. And
If it is "water level", the process proceeds to step S2, and the voice control unit 3
Then, the voice of “Do you want to raise the water level” is synthesized by the drive control of the speaker 7, and output from the speaker 22.

When a user inputs a voice signal to such a voice output, a recognition result of the voice signal is output from the voice control unit 37 to the main control unit 36. Here, it is assumed that the user inputs the word “yes” or “no”. Then, in step S3, the main control unit 36 determines whether the word input by the user is “Yes” based on the recognition result. If the word input by the user is "Yes" (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, in which the water supply valve 21 is opened to supply water into the washing tub 7, and the water level is set to a predetermined value. Increase by value.

On the other hand, if the word spoken by the user is "No" (NO in step S3, YES in step S5), the flow shifts to step S6, where the drain valve 13 is turned off. The water in the washing tub 7 is discharged by opening, and the water level is lowered by a predetermined value. If the word input by the user for the voice output in step S2 is neither "yes" nor "no", or if there is no voice input from the user (step S3). (NO, NO in step S5), and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the main control unit 36
Is driven to synthesize a voice of “cancel” and output from the speaker 22.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the word input is "water flow", the flow shifts to step S8 to synthesize a voice "Would you like to increase water flow" and output it from the speaker 22? I do. Here, when the word “yes” is input by voice and recognized by the user (YES in step S9), the main control unit 36 controls the drive of the motor 10 via the inverter circuit 41 to reduce the rotation speed. To raise the water flow (step S1)
0).

On the other hand, if the word spoken by the user is "No" (NO in step S9,
(YES in step S11), and proceeds to step S12. Then, the motor 10 is driven and controlled through the inverter circuit 41 to reduce the number of revolutions and rank down the water flow.

If the word input by the user with respect to the voice output of step S8 is neither "yes" nor "no", or if there is no voice input from the user (step S9) NO at step S11
NO at step S13), and the process proceeds to step S13. Step S1
In step 3, the voice of "cancel" is synthesized and output from the speaker 22.

Further, if it is determined in step S1 that the input word is "time", the flow shifts to step S14 to synthesize a voice "Would you like to extend washing?" I do. Here, when the word "yes" is input by voice and recognized by the user (YES in step S15), the process proceeds to step S16, and a predetermined time is added to the execution time of the washing process. Prolong the washing time.

On the other hand, if the word spoken by the user is "No" (N in step S15)
O, YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18, and the washing time is reduced by subtracting a predetermined time from the execution time of the washing step. If the word input by the user with respect to the voice output in step S14 is neither "yes" nor "no", or if there is no voice input from the user (NO in step S17) ), And proceed to step S19. Then, the voice of "cancel" is synthesized and output.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2, of a process for changing parameters relating to the second rinsing process. If the user operates the "own flow" switch 32a during the second rinsing process, the flowchart of FIG. 2 enters a standby state. When the user inputs a voice signal through the microphone 28, the voice control unit 37 recognizes the voice signal and outputs the result to the main control unit 36. Here, it is assumed that the user inputs one of the words “water level” and “number of times”.

Then, the main controller 36 proceeds to step S21.
The word input based on the speech recognition result at "water level"
And “number of times”. And
If it is "water level", the process proceeds to step S22, in which a voice "do you want to raise the water level" is synthesized and output from the speaker 22.

Here, when the word "yes" is input by the user by voice and the voice recognition result is given (YES in step S23), the process shifts to step S24, where the main control unit 36 supplies water for a predetermined time. The valve is opened to supply water into the washing tub 7, and the water level is raised by a predetermined value.

On the other hand, if the word spoken by the user is "No" (NO in step S23, YES in step S25), step S26
Then, the drain valve 13 is opened to discharge the water in the washing tub 7, and the water level is lowered by a predetermined value. Step S2
If neither "yes" nor "no" voice is input from the user for the voice output of No. 2 (NO in step S23, NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the main control unit 36 controls the drive of the voice control unit 37 to synthesize a voice of "cancel" and outputs the voice from the speaker 22.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the word input is "number of times", the process proceeds to step S28.
Then, the voice of “Do you want to increase the number of times?” Is synthesized and output from the speaker 22. Here, when the word “yes” is input by voice and recognized by the user (YES in step S29), the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the number of times of the “rinse” operation in the second rinsing step is increased by one to three times.

On the other hand, if the word spoken by the user is "No" (N in step S29)
O, YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32, and the number of times of the “rinse” operation is reduced by one to one. If neither "Yes" nor "No" is input by the user in response to the audio output in step S28 (NO in step S29, NO in step S31), the process proceeds to step S33. Then, synthesize and output a voice saying "Cancel".

Finally, the process for changing the parameters relating to the dehydration process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. During the dehydration process, the user switches the “own style” switch 32
When a is operated, the flowchart of FIG. 3 enters a standby state. When the user inputs a voice signal through the microphone 28, the voice control unit 37 recognizes the voice signal and outputs the result to the main control unit 36. Here, it is assumed that the user inputs one of the words “time” and “rotation speed”. Then, the main control unit 36 determines whether the word input in step S41 is “time” or “rotation speed”. And if it is "time", step S
Then, the process proceeds to step S <b> 42, where a voice “Do you want to extend dehydration?” Is synthesized and output from the speaker 22.

Here, when the word "yes" is input by the user by voice (YES in step S43), the flow shifts to step S44 to extend the spin-drying time by a predetermined time.
On the other hand, if the user's response to the voice output in step S42 is "No" (step S43).
NO at step S45, YES at step S45), step S4
Then, the procedure goes to 6 to reduce the dehydration time by a predetermined time. If the user does not input any of the words "yes" and "no" to the voice output in step S43 (NO in step S43, N in step S45).
O), the process proceeds to step S47 to synthesize and output a voice saying "Cancel".

If it is determined in step S41 that the input word is "rotational speed", the process proceeds to step S4.
Then, the process proceeds to step 8, and the voice “Do you want to increase the rotation speed” is synthesized and output from the speaker 22. Here, when the word “yes” is voice-inputted by the user (YES in step S49), the process proceeds to step S50.
In step S50, the main control unit 36
The drive of the motor 10 is controlled via 1 to increase the rotation speed.

On the other hand, if the word input by the user with respect to the voice output in step S48 is "No" (NO in step S49, YE in step S51)
S), and proceed to step S52. Then, the drive of the motor 10 is controlled via the inverter circuit 41 to reduce the rotation speed. If neither “Yes” nor “No” voice is input from the user with respect to the voice output in step S48 (NO in step S49, NO in step S51), the process proceeds to step S53. do it,
Synthesize and output the voice of "Cancel".

The various parameters changed by the above processing are all stored in the non-volatile memory 40.
It can be called by operating the "own style" switch 32a. In other words, "own style" at the next washing operation
When the start switch 30 is operated after operating the switch 32a, the execution of the washing operation (the standard course in the above case) based on the parameters stored in the nonvolatile memory 40 is started. That is, in the present embodiment, a personalized course can be set in addition to a preset washing course. Therefore, the "own flow" switch 32a functions as an instruction unit for instructing execution of the washing operation based on the changed parameter.

Next, the control unit 35 at the time of occurrence of an error
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8.
Here, the operation when the drainage abnormality is detected will be described as a representative. For example, when the draining operation is performed after the washing process is completed, the main control unit 36 determines whether or not the water level has decreased based on an input signal from the water level sensor 17 (step S61). If the water level has not dropped (NO in step S61), it is determined that drainage is abnormal, and in step S62, the buzzer 42 is sounded and the LED of the portion 26c of the error display unit 26 is blinked. (See (d) of FIG. 8).

Here, when the word "error" is voice-input by the user and the result of voice recognition by the voice control unit 37 is given, the main control unit 36 determines that the word "error" is voice-input. Then (YES in step S63), the process proceeds to step S64. Step S64
Then, the main control unit 36 synthesizes voices such as “drainage abnormality” and “whether the drainage hose has fallen” as error contents and outputs the synthesized voice from the speaker 22.

When the user inputs the word "No" to such a voice output (step S)
In step S66, a voice "Please drop the drain hose" is synthesized and output from the speaker 22 in step S66. On the other hand, when the word “yes” is input by the user by voice (step S
NO at step 65), the process proceeds to step S67, and as a method for resolving the error, the voices of “the drain hose is clogged” and “please remove” are synthesized and the speaker 22
Output from

Then, in step S67, a voice saying "please say start when ready" is synthesized and output, and the next step S67 is performed until a response is received from the user.
68 is put in a standby state. Here, the user sets the drain hose 1
When the word "start" is input by voice after the 4 is defeated or the dust clogged at the tip of the drain hose 14 is input, it is determined in step S69 that the word "start" has been input. Then, the next step S70
Then, the voice "Resume driving" is synthesized and output from the speaker 22, and the washing operation is resumed.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily change the parameters related to the operation of each step by inputting a voice message indicating that the parameters are to be changed during the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydrating step. it can.

Since the changed parameters are stored in the non-volatile memory 40 and can be called up at the next washing operation, the washing operation based on the changed parameters is repeated every time without changing the parameters. Can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the buzzer 42 is sounded when an error occurs, and the location of the error is displayed on the error display section 26. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the location where the error has occurred. Furthermore, when the user responds to the sound of the buzzer 42, the contents of the error are output as sound. Therefore, the user can know the exact error content. In addition, since the audio output is performed in response to the user's response, the error content is not output in vain when the user is not near the washing machine.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which an error elimination method is output as audio in addition to the error content. For this reason, the user can quickly eliminate the error according to the audio output.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following modifications are possible. When the water flow is changed to be strong or weak during the washing process, for example, the words “strong” and “weak” may be input by voice. Also, for example, the word "water level" is spoken, and a sentence "Do you want to raise the water level" is output as a voice to prompt the next input. The user may input a sentence such as "" or "Strong water flow" by voice, and operate based on the recognition result.

When the water level in the washing step is changed, the water level in the second rinsing step may be changed in conjunction therewith. By changing various parameters of one washing course,
You may comprise so that it may change similarly about another washing course. For example, in the case of a user who prefers to perform a washing operation with a water amount larger than a water level set according to the amount of laundry, by adopting such a configuration, the water level changing process is individually performed for all the washing courses. It does not need to be executed and is convenient. In this case, the washing course is set after operating the "own style" switch 32a and the start switch 30 is operated, so that the set washing course can be executed based on the changed parameters.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, the washing machine of the present invention has a washing control means for executing a washing operation including washing, rinsing and dehydrating steps based on preset washing parameters. When the user's voice is input by the voice input unit during the execution of the washing operation and the voice signal is recognized by the voice recognition unit, the parameter changing unit changes the parameter related to the washing operation based on the recognition result, Since the washing control means is configured to execute the washing operation based on the changed parameter, the parameter can be easily changed.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention has a voice input means for inputting a user's voice, a state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing operation, and an error detecting means for detecting an error in accordance with the detection result of the state detecting means. Providing error notification means for notifying occurrence,
In response to the notification operation of the error notifying unit, the voice output unit is configured to output the content of the error in accordance with the recognition result of the voice input by the voice input unit. Know and be able to deal with it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a process of changing parameters of a washing process.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of changing parameters of a rinsing process;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for changing parameters of a dewatering process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation from the occurrence of an error to the restart of operation.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the entire configuration of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion around an operation panel of the top cover.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an error display unit;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 17 is a water level sensor (state detection means), 22 is a speaker (sound output means), 28 is a microphone (sound input means), 32a is a "own style" switch (instruction means), 36
Is a main control unit (washing control unit, state detecting unit), 37 is a voice control unit (voice recognizing unit), 38 is a lid switch (state detecting unit), 39 is an unbalance detecting switch (state detecting unit), and 40 is a non-volatile switch. 1 shows a non-volatile memory (storage means).

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing control means for executing a washing operation including washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps based on a preset washing-related parameter; a voice input means for inputting a voice of a user; A voice recognition unit that recognizes voice input by the voice input unit during execution of the washing operation; and a parameter changing unit that changes the parameter based on a recognition result by the voice recognition unit. A washing machine that switches a running washing operation to a washing operation based on changed parameters. 2. A storage unit for storing a change in a parameter, and an instruction unit for instructing execution of a washing operation based on the parameter after the change, wherein the washing control unit is responsive to an instruction from the instruction unit. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is configured to execute a washing operation based on the changed parameter. 3. The washing control means is configured to execute a plurality of washing courses, and the storage means is configured to store a change of a preset parameter for all washing courses. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein 4. A voice input unit for inputting a voice of a user, a state detection unit for detecting a state of a washing operation, and an error notification unit for notifying the occurrence of an error according to a detection result of the state detection unit. Voice recognition means for recognizing the voice input by the voice input means in response to the notification operation of the error notification means, and voice output means for outputting error content in accordance with the recognition result of the voice recognition means. A washing machine comprising: a washing machine; 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the audio output means outputs an error elimination method by audio.