JP4494281B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls processing to be executed according to an operation pattern for an operation unit.

The so-called fully automatic washing machine has a setting operation for a washing process (a washing course), a start operation for starting execution of the washing course, an operation for setting a reserved time when the set washing course is automatically executed, Alternatively, an operation unit (operation keys, touch panel, etc.) for accepting various operations such as a time setting (adjustment) operation for the current time measuring means provided for managing the reserved time is provided, and the washing is performed according to the operation content. The operation (processing) of each device included in the machine is controlled.
Here, in a multi-function washing machine, the operation pattern is detected for a limited number of operation units, and the operation pattern is a normal operation pattern even when the same operation unit is operated. Many of them execute different processing (switch processing) depending on whether the operation pattern is special.
For example, in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, depending on whether a so-called long press operation (an example of a special operation pattern) in which a predetermined operation unit is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more is performed, or a normal operation for a shorter time is performed A washing machine that performs different processing is shown.
In these washing machines, for each operation unit (operation key), the operation pattern and the process for each operation pattern are associated in advance.
JP 2004-275282 A JP 2002-136789 A JP 2001-276487 A

However, for each operation unit, when detecting whether the operation pattern is a special operation such as a long press operation or a normal operation by distinguishing the operation pattern, the operation unit inevitably changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state. Since this is detected as a normal operation, the detection timing of the normal operation is delayed depending on the operation method of the operation unit by the user.
In particular, when a user performs a long-press operation without knowing it even if a long-press operation is performed for a certain operation unit, there is no response even if the long-press operation is continued. There was a problem of making users suspicious.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to control various processes according to the operation pattern for the operation unit, thereby enabling switching of various types of processes with a small number of operation units. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of showing a response to an operation as quickly as possible according to a state.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to a washing machine that controls processing to be executed in response to an operation on one or a plurality of operation units, and executes the following processing.
That is, a process for detecting one of the operation units that has been operated is turned on (OFF → ON) indicating that the operation is being performed (hereinafter referred to as ON operation detection). ), A process for detecting when a predetermined special operation is performed before changing from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state indicating non-operation (hereinafter referred to as special operation detection), and the special operation When the operation is detected, the special operation is not detected, and the operation is changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state (ON → OFF) (ON / OFF operation detection is performed. It is determined whether the target operation unit is in the first state where the special operation is not received or the second state where the special operation is received.
In addition, when it is determined that the first state is detected, the operation is detected without waiting for the one target operation unit to change to the operation OFF state when an operation is detected by the ON operation detection. The corresponding first process is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the state is the second state, when the operation is detected by the ON / OFF operation detection, the second process corresponding to the operation is executed, while the special operation detection is performed. When an operation is detected by the above, the third process corresponding to this is executed without waiting for the one target operation unit to change to the operation OFF state.
Here, as the special operation detection, for example, it is detected that the special operation is performed when a predetermined set time (hereinafter referred to as a long operation set time) elapses while the operation is in the one target operation unit. (So-called long-pressing operation detection), and when the operation ON state occurs simultaneously with respect to the one target operation unit and one or more other operation units determined in advance, the special operation is performed. It is conceivable to detect that this has been done.
In this way, by controlling the processing according to various operation patterns for each operation unit, such as ON operation, ON → OFF operation, and special operation (long press operation, simultaneous press operation, etc.), various operations can be performed with fewer operation units. Processing can be switched. Further, in a state where the special operation is not accepted (the first state), a corresponding process is executed in response to the detection of the ON operation (without waiting for a change from ON to OFF). 1 process) can be shown as quickly as possible according to the state.

In addition, if the long operation setting time in so-called long press operation detection can be set according to a predetermined operation input, it is possible to set a time (short time) in which the reaction is as fast as possible within the permissible range of the user's operation feeling. It becomes. At that time, it is more preferable that the long operation setting time can be set while being limited to a range not less than a predetermined lower limit time. As a result, the long operation setting time is set to be less than the minimum cycle in which the change in the operation status of the operation unit can be determined, or the operation unit is continued for a relatively short time (for example, about 0.2 to 0.5 seconds) When the operation ON state is detected for the first time after being operated, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the ON operation and the special operation are set in a short time so that it becomes difficult to distinguish between the ON operation and the special operation.
Whether a different notification sound is output through a predetermined notification sound output means when an operation is detected by the special operation detection and when an operation is detected by the ON operation detection and the ON / OFF operation detection. If it is controlled to output a notification sound through the notification sound output means only when one of them is detected, the user can easily determine whether it is detected as a special operation or a normal operation. Can be identified.

According to the present invention, normal operation and special operation are controlled for each operation unit by controlling processing according to various operation patterns of ON operation, ON → OFF operation, and special operation (long press operation, simultaneous press operation, etc.). Compared with the case of merely distinguishing between and, it is possible to switch various types of processing with a small number of operation units. Furthermore, in a state where the special operation is not accepted (the first state), the corresponding process is executed in response to the detection of the ON operation (without waiting for the ON → OFF change), so that the reaction to the operation (the first state) 1 process) can be shown as soon as possible according to the state. As a result, in a situation where there is no processing corresponding to the special operation, even when the user performs the special operation without knowing it, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is suspicious without any reaction.
In particular, in a fully automatic washing machine, a display unit and an operation unit are provided in a very limited space, and various operation courses can be selected and set, while the user is accustomed to operating complex devices. In many cases, the present invention is effective.
In addition, if the special operation and the normal operation (ON operation, ON → OFF operation) are changed so that the notification sound at the time of detecting the operation is changed, or the notification sound is output only at the time of detecting either of them, the operation becomes special. It can be easily identified whether it is detected as an operation or a normal operation. As a result, the user can be provided with a sense of security and satisfaction, and a user-friendly operating environment can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the washing machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of a display operation unit of the washing machine X, and FIG. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display process in.

First, a schematic configuration of the washing machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the block diagram shown in FIG.
The washing machine X performs a process to be executed according to various operation patterns of an ON operation, an ON → OFF operation, and a special operation (long press operation, simultaneous press operation, etc.) with respect to one operation key (operation unit) that has been operated. In a state in which the control is performed separately and no special operation is accepted, a corresponding process is executed in response to detection of an ON operation (without waiting for a change from ON to OFF).
As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine X displays various loads 11 to 15 such as motors, various sensors 31 that detect various states of the washing machine, various operation details of the washing machine X, and a user. A display operation unit 40 that receives an operation input from the buzzer 32, and a buzzer 32 that acoustically notifies the user that the washing or drying driving course has been completed, the operation input has been received (detected), or that an abnormality has occurred, And the control circuit 60 etc. which control each apparatus with which this washing machine X is provided are comprised.
The load includes a motor 11 that rotationally drives a rotating tub provided inside the water tank in which the wash water is stored, a water supply valve 12 that switches between supply and stop of the water tank, and wash water in the water tank. The drainage pump 13 for discharging the air, the blower and the heater 14 for blowing air and heating the air in the rotating tub (in this case functioning as a drying chamber) in the water tank during the drying operation, and the laundry to the water tank There is a door lock mechanism 15 or the like that locks the open / close door provided at the insertion port in a closed state.

The control circuit 60 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 50 and various peripheral circuits 61 to 68. The microcomputer 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a clock circuit 54, a plurality of I / O ports 55, and the like. Yes.
The microcomputer 50 operates when a constant voltage is applied from the power circuit 67 to the power terminals Vdd and Vss, and is reset when a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 68 to the RESET terminal.
The clock circuit 54 measures the time and transmits the current time to the CPU 51 (an example of time measuring means).
The CPU 51 reads out a program and setting data stored in advance in the ROM 53 through the bus 56, expands the program and setting data in the RAM 52, and executes the program to perform various calculations and controls.
Various control commands output from the CPU 51 are transmitted to the peripheral circuits 62, 65, and 66 through the bus 56 and the I / O port 55, and the peripheral circuits 62, 65, and 66 control them according to the control target device. It converts into a signal and each of control object apparatus 40, 32, 11-15 is controlled.
Further, the operation input from the display operation unit 40 and the states of the various sensors 31 are detected by the key input circuit 61 and the state detection circuit 64, respectively, and the detection signals are sent to the CPU 1 through the I / O port 55 and the bus 55. Is transmitted.
Hereinafter, the description that the signal transmission between the CPU 51 and the peripheral circuits 61 to 66 is performed through the bus 56 and the I / O port 55 is omitted.

The display operation unit 40 has an appearance as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, for example, and includes a plurality of operation keys 41 (an example of the operation unit) and a 7-segment LED for displaying numerical values. A display unit 42 is provided, and an operation input to these operation keys 41 is received, and the current time, the execution state of the selected course, and the like are displayed on the display unit 42.
The operation key 41 includes a power on / off key 41a, an operation start / pause key 41b, a reservation key 41e, and setting change keys 41f and 41g for changing the operation contents (operation time, operation frequency, etc.) related to washing. , 41h, 41i, a course selection key 41j, a process selection key 41k, and the like.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, a washing key 41f, a rinsing key 41g, a dehydrating key 41h, and a drying key 41i for setting execution times of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process are provided as the setting change keys. Yes.
The process selection key 41k is an operation key for selecting (setting) a combination of processes to be executed (washing process to drying process) (hereinafter referred to as an execution process), and the course selection key 41j is the process selection key 41j. This is an operation key for selecting a combination of operation times for each process for each execution process selected by the key 41k. Hereinafter, a combination of the execution process and the operation time of each process selected by the process selection key 41k and the course selection key 41j is referred to as an operation course.
The 7-segment LED of the display unit 42 displays the current time, a preset execution process and a reservation time at the end of the driving course, and each process relating to the laundry constituting the preset driving course (washing process, rinsing process, dehydration) It is also used to display the operation time (minutes) and the number of operations (operation details), error display when various abnormalities occur, and other setting information display.

An operation input to the display operation unit 40 is detected by a key input circuit 61 provided in the control circuit 60, and an operation input signal as a detection result is transmitted to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 outputs a predetermined display command and an operation command for each load, and the display command and the operation command are transmitted to the display drive circuit 62 and the load drive circuit 66, respectively. While a display signal is output to the display operation unit 40 in accordance with display information from the CPU 51, the load driving circuit 66 outputs a control signal to each of the loads 11-15.
For example, when an operation input for starting a predetermined driving course is made from the display operation unit 40, the operation input is detected by the key input circuit 61 and the detection signal is transmitted to the CPU 51.
The CPU 51 operates / stops the motor 11, the drainage pump 13, the blower and the heater 14, opens / closes the water supply valve 12, and locks / unlocks the door lock mechanism 15 according to the selected operation course. The control command is output at any time, and the control command is transmitted to the display drive circuit 62 and the load drive circuit 66.
Then, according to the control command, the operation of each of the loads 11 to 15 is controlled by the load driving circuit 66, and the display operation state of the display operation unit 40 is displayed by the display drive circuit 62 so that the operation state is displayed. Is controlled.
At that time, the CPU 51 controls the operation time of the motor 11 and the water supply valve 12 according to the selected operation course based on the time measurement result of the clock circuit 54.
When the process corresponding to the selected driving course is completed, a buzzer notification command indicating the end of the process is output from the CPU 1, the command is transmitted to the buzzer drive circuit 65, and a predetermined buzzer drive is performed by the buzzer drive circuit 65. A signal is output to the buzzer 32. Thereby, the buzzer 32 gives an acoustic notification indicating the end of the driving course.

The door lock mechanism 15 is locked by an electric actuator such as a solenoid in a state in which the door of the laundry input port is closed before the operation such as easy washing or drying is started.
In addition, setting information (such as a washing time and the number of times of rinsing) set by an operation input through the operation display unit 40 is written by the CPU 51 into the nonvolatile memory 63 through the bus 56 and the I / O port 55. The data is stored and read out by the CPU 51 on the reverse transmission path if necessary.
Examples of the various sensors 31 include a switch for detecting whether or not the door of the laundry input is in a closed state (closed position), the door lock mechanism 15 in a locked state (an actuator such as a solenoid is on the lock side). It is a sensor that detects various states, such as a switch that detects whether or not it is in a state of being displaced to the position of (2).

Next, the procedure of the operation input detection process in the washing machine X will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following, S1, S2,... Represent identification codes of processing procedures (steps), and each processing is a predetermined control previously stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 in the microcomputer 50 (hereinafter referred to as the microcomputer 50). This is done by executing the program. Further, in the following processing, an input operation (ON operation) to the power on / off key 41a is detected, and energization of each device such as the display unit 42 and the load driving circuit 66 provided in the washing machine X is performed. It starts from the time it was done.
First, after initial setting (S1) of the key assignment information is performed by the microcomputer 50, it is monitored whether or not an operation ON state is detected for any one of the operation keys 41 (S2). .
Here, the key assignment information includes, for each operation key of the operation key 41, processing to be executed when an ON operation is detected, processing to be executed when a special operation is detected, and ON → This is information associated with each process to be executed when an OFF operation is detected. Here, if there is no process associated with the detected operation in the key assignment information, the operation is in the state at that time (the state corresponding to the key assignment information adopted at that time). Indicates that it cannot be accepted. This key assignment information is obtained by the microcomputer 50 from among a plurality of types of candidates stored in advance in the ROM 53, etc., as appropriate (according to the operation on the operation key 41), according to the state at that time. Selected (adopted).

The ON operation refers to one of the operation keys 41 that has been operated (an example of a target operation unit) from an operation OFF state (a state in which no operation is performed) to an operation ON state (during operation). To change the state to Here, for example, the operation ON state changes from a non-operation state (OFF state) to an operation state (ON) state, and the operation state (during operation) remains in a relatively short set time (for example, , 0.2 seconds to 0.5 seconds, hereinafter referred to as a short press setting time). The reason for detecting the operation ON state with the continuation of the short and short press setting time is to prevent erroneous detection that there are a plurality of continuous operations in a very short time due to the so-called chattering phenomenon. It is not intended to allow the user to continue the operation for a certain period of time as in the operation.
The special operation is a predetermined special operation that is detected before the target key changes from the operation ON state to an operation OFF state in which the key is not operated. Here, for the target key, a predetermined setting time sufficiently longer than the short press setting time (for example, about 1 to several seconds, hereinafter referred to as a long press setting time) It is assumed that this is a so-called long press operation indicating that e.g.
Further, the ON → OFF operation represents that the special key has been changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state without being detected.
These ON operation, special operation, and ON → OFF operation are detected by the microcomputer 50 based on the detection signal of the key input circuit 61 (on operation detection means, special operation detection means, and ON / OFF operation detection means). One case).

If the operation ON state is detected for any of the operation keys during monitoring in step S2, the microcomputer 50 causes the operation key (that is, the target key (an example of one target operation unit)) to be detected. , It is determined whether or not the special operation is not accepted (S3). That is, based on the key assignment information, the special operation is not accepted (hereinafter referred to as a special operation non-acceptance state (an example of the first state)) or a state where the special operation is accepted (hereinafter, the special operation can be accepted). It is determined whether it is a state (an example of a second state)) (an example of a state determination unit).
If it is determined in step S3 that the special operation is not accepted, the microcomputer 50 generates a predetermined buzzer sound “beep” without waiting for the target key to change to the operation OFF state. Output (S4), and the load 11 to 15 is executed so that the process (ON operation process (an example of the first process)) associated with the ON operation in the key assignment information is executed as it is. The display operation unit 40 and the like are controlled (S5, an example of first state processing control means). At the start of the control, the key assignment information is updated and set as necessary corresponding to the state in which the process is executed (S5). After the completion of the ON operation process, the process returns to step S2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the special operation can be accepted, the microcomputer 50 performs a timer start process (S11) built in the CPU 51, and then uses the timer to set the long press time. It is monitored whether or not the ON → OFF operation is detected for the target key until time elapses (S12, S13).
In steps S12 and S13, before the ON → OFF operation is detected for the target key, that is, before the operation key is changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state, the long press setting time by the timer is set. After that, the microcomputer 50 detects that the operation is the special operation (long press operation) (Y side of S13, an example of the special operation detection means), and generates a buzzer sound “beep” different from step S4. Output through S32 (S14), and each load 11 to 15 to execute the process (special operation process (example of third process)) associated with the special operation in the key assignment information. The display operation unit 40 and the like are controlled (S15, an example of second state processing control means). At the start of the control, the key assignment information is updated and set as necessary corresponding to the state in which the process is executed (S15). After the special operation process is completed, the process returns to step S2.

  On the other hand, when it is detected in steps S12 and S13 that the special operation has changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state without detecting the special operation, the microcomputer 50 detects that the operation has changed from ON to OFF. An operation is detected (Y side of S12, an example of ON / OFF operation detection means), a predetermined buzzer sound “beep” is output through the buzzer 32 (S16), and the ON in the key assignment information → The loads 11 to 15, the display operation unit 40, and the like are controlled so as to execute the processing associated with the OFF operation (OFF operation processing (an example of the second processing)) (S 17, second state) An example of processing control means). At the start of the control, the key assignment information is updated and set as necessary corresponding to the state in which the process is executed (S17). After the end of the OFF operation process, the process returns to step S2.

Next, a specific example of each processing content will be described with reference to the external view of the display operation unit 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 2 along the processing procedure according to the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, an example in which the process selection key 41k is the target key will be described.
For example, it is assumed that the display state of the display unit 42 immediately after energization is a display state at the current time (hereinafter referred to as an initial display state) as shown in FIG.
In the initial display state, the key assignment information set in step S1 includes, for the process selection key 41k, “ON operation” for each process in the standard operation course stored in the nonvolatile memory 63 in advance. A process for displaying the operation time on the display unit 42 (hereinafter, referred to as a standard operation course display process) is associated, and “special operation” is in the special operation non-accepting state in which no process is associated. To do.
In this initial display state, when the process selection key 41k is operated (Y side of S2), it is determined from the key assignment information that the special operation is not accepted (N side of S3). Without waiting for the change to the OFF state, the buzzer sound “beep” is output (S4), and the standard operation course display process (ON operation process) is performed (S5).
FIG. 2B shows an example of the display state of the display operation unit 40 when the display process of the standard driving course is performed. The numerical value displayed on the display unit 42 by the 7-segment LED represents the operation time (minutes) of each process.
Further, the key assignment information is updated with the execution of the display process of the standard driving course (S5). Here, when the key assignment information is “ON → OFF operation” for the process selection key 41k, the sequential switching process of the execution process (driving course) is performed for “special operation”. A process (hereinafter referred to as a course registration process) of updating and storing the content of the driving course (the combination of processes and the operation time of each process) currently displayed on the display unit 42 in the nonvolatile memory 63 is associated. Updated to things.

Next, when the process selection key 41k is operated in the state of displaying the contents of the operation course such as the standard operation course shown in FIG. 2A (S2), in this state, the key assignment information indicates the above-mentioned Since it is determined that the special operation can be accepted (Y side of S3), through the timer start process (S11), it is monitored whether or not the special operation (long press operation) is performed (S12, S13).
Here, the operation of the process selection key 41k is detected (S2), and the ON → OFF operation is detected before the special operation (long press operation) is detected for the operation key (target key). (Y side of S12), for each detection, a buzzer sound “beep” is output (S16), and the execution process is sequentially switched (OFF operation process) (S17).
For example, each time the ON operation is detected with respect to the process selection key 41k, a course selection is made in the order of “washing course” → “washing / drying course” → “drying course” → “washing course”, etc. The contents of the executed process are acquired from the nonvolatile memory 63 and displayed on the display unit 42. In this case, the key assignment information is not updated.

Further, in the display state of the contents of the driving course, the operation of the setting change keys 41f to 41i is detected (S2), and before the special operation (long press operation) is detected for the operation key (target key). When the ON → OFF operation is detected (Y side of S12), a buzzer sound “beep” is output for each detection (S16), and a process corresponding to the operation key (washing process to drying process) ) Is counted up by one minute (in the case of the upper limit time, it is reset to the minimum time), and the time after counting up is displayed (updated display) on the display unit 42 (S17). The contents of the operation time are temporarily stored in the RAM 52 of the microcomputer 50.
On the other hand, if the special operation (long press operation) is detected before the ON → OFF operation is detected for the process selection key 41k (Y side of S13), a buzzer sound different from steps S4 and S16 “ "Peep" is output (S14), and the course registration process is executed (S15). That is, the content of the driving course displayed on the display unit 42 at that time is updated and stored in the nonvolatile memory 63. Also in this case, the key assignment information is not updated.
Note that the example described above is an example set for convenience of explanation, and the assignment contents of each operation key, specific processing procedures, and the like are not limited thereto.

As described above, for each operation key (operation unit), processing is controlled according to various operation patterns of the ON operation, the ON → OFF operation, and the special operation (S3 → S4, S3 →... S13). → S14, S3 →... S12 → S16), it is possible to switch various processes with a small number of operation keys.
In the above-described example, the process selection key 41k responds to the detection of the ON operation in the initial display state, and detects either the ON → OFF operation or the special operation in the display state of the driving course contents. In response to this, processing corresponding to each operation is executed.
Further, in a state where the special operation is not accepted (the special operation is not accepted, N side of S3), the corresponding processing is executed in response to the detection of the ON operation (without waiting for the change from ON to OFF). (S4), the response to the operation can be shown as soon as possible according to the state.
As a result, with respect to the operation key that is the operation target (the target key), in the initial display state in which there is no processing corresponding to the special operation, the user can press and hold the process selection key 41k without knowing it. Even if you try to do it, the buzzer sound output (S4) and the display content change (S5) will be shown immediately, so you can immediately notice the misunderstanding and avoid suspicious situations it can.
In addition, the buzzer 32 changes the notification sound at the time of detecting the operation between the detection of the special operation (S14) and the detection of the normal operation (the ON operation and the ON → OFF operation) (S4 and S16). Since the control is performed, it is possible to easily identify whether the operation is detected as the special operation or the normal operation. As a result, the user can be provided with a sense of security and satisfaction, and a user-friendly operating environment can be provided.

By the way, this washing machine X can set the long press setting time (an example of the long operation setting time) in the detection of the special operation (long press operation) according to the operation input of the operation key 41. It has a function. Specific examples will be described below.
When a long press operation is detected for the power on / off key 41a in the energized state (S2 → S3 →... S13 → S14), the microcomputer 50 sets the current long press setting from the nonvolatile memory 63. The time is acquired and the time is displayed on the display unit 42.
FIG. 2C shows a display example “2 SEC” of the long press setting time (2 seconds). In this display state, when the ON operation is detected for the rinse key 41g, a buzzer sound “beep” is output for each detection (S4), and the long press set time is counted up by 1 second. (In the case of an upper limit time (for example, 9 seconds), the time is reset to the minimum time (for example, 1 second)), and the time after counting up is displayed (updated display) on the display unit 42 (S5). The updated long press setting time is stored in the non-volatile memory 63, and thereafter, when the special operation is detected, the updated long press setting time is used.
As a result, it is possible to set the long press setting time (short time) indicating a response as quickly as possible within the allowable range of the operation feeling of the user.
Further, when the setting process of the long press setting time by the microcomputer 50 is performed, the long press setting time can be set while being limited to a predetermined lower limit time (for example, 1 second) or more. Is set to be less than the minimum period in which the change of the operation status can be discriminated, or set to a time close to or less than the time for detecting the operation ON state (for example, about 0.2 to 0.5 seconds), The situation where it becomes difficult to distinguish the ON operation from the special operation can be avoided.

In the above-described embodiment, as the special operation detection process, an example in which the special operation is detected when the long press setting time elapses while the operation is in the target key is shown. It is not limited to.
For example, the microcomputer 50 causes the operation ON state to occur simultaneously for the target key (one target operation unit) and one or more other operation keys (operation unit) determined in advance corresponding thereto. It may be possible to detect that the special operation has been performed (an example of a simultaneous operation detection unit).
For example, in the above-described example, instead of detecting that the process selection key 41k is pressed and held as the special operation corresponding to the course registration process, the process selection key 41k and the reservation key 41e are simultaneously used. It can be considered that the special operation is detected when the operation is turned on. Alternatively, a configuration in which both the long press operation and the simultaneous press operation are detected as the special operation and different processes are executed according to the detection results can be considered.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the notification sound at the time of detecting the operation is changed between the special operation and the normal operation (ON operation, ON → OFF operation) has been described. Even if it is controlled to output sound, the detection state of the operation key can be easily identified, and the same effect can be obtained.

  The present invention can be used in a washing machine.

The block diagram showing the schematic structure of the principal part of the washing machine X which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a display operation unit of the washing machine X. The flowchart showing the procedure of the display process in the washing machine X.

Explanation of symbols

X ... washing machines 11-15 ... load 40 ... display operation unit 41 ... operation key 42 ... display unit 50 ... microcomputer (microcomputer)
60... Control circuit S1, S2,... Processing procedure (step)

Claims (6)

A washing machine comprising one or a plurality of operation units and controlling processing to be executed in response to an operation on the operation unit,
An ON operation detection means for detecting an operation ON state indicating that an operation is being performed on one target operation unit among the operation units;
Special operation detecting means for detecting when a predetermined special operation is performed before changing from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state indicating that the one target operation unit is not in operation;
An ON / OFF operation detecting means for detecting when the special operation detecting means is changed from the operation ON state to the operation OFF state without detecting the special operation by the special operation detecting means;
A state determination unit for determining whether the first target operation unit is in a first state in which the special operation is not received or a second state in which the special operation is received;
When it is determined that the first state is detected by the state determining means, without waiting for the one target operation unit to change to the operation OFF state when an operation is detected by the ON operation detecting means. First state processing control means for executing a first process corresponding to this,
When it is determined that the state is the second state by the state determination unit, when the operation is detected by the ON / OFF operation detection unit, a second process corresponding to the operation is executed, while the special operation is performed. Second state process control means for executing a third process corresponding to the one target operation unit without waiting for the one target operation unit to change to the operation OFF state when an operation is detected by the detection means;
A washing machine comprising:   2. The special operation detection unit includes a long operation detection unit that detects that the special operation has been performed when a predetermined long operation setting time has elapsed with the one target operation unit in an operation ON state. The washing machine as described in.   The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a long operation time setting unit that allows the long operation setting time in the long operation detection unit to be set according to a predetermined operation input.   The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the long operation time setting means is capable of setting the set time in the long operation detection means while limiting the set time to a range not less than a predetermined lower limit time.   The special operation detection means detects that the special operation has been performed when an operation ON state occurs simultaneously with respect to the one target operation unit and one or more other predetermined operation units corresponding thereto. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising simultaneous operation detecting means.   Different notification sounds are output through predetermined notification sound output means when an operation is detected by the special operation detection means and when an operation is detected by the ON operation detection means and the ON / OFF operation detection means. Or the washing machine in any one of Claims 1-5 which comprises the notification sound control means which outputs a notification sound through the said notification sound output means, only when either one is detected.

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