JP7486075B2 - Washing machine, control method, and control system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, a control method, and a control system.

Conventionally, household electrical appliances and housing facilities are controlled according to operating conditions (control programs) prepared in advance by their manufacturers. Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that allows the user to set the operating conditions for the laundry they wish to perform.

JP 2003-284889 A

However, in the above conventional technology, a control program developed in advance by the product manufacturer or the like must be stored in the product in advance, making it difficult to customize and update the control program to meet the needs of various users.

Therefore, this disclosure provides a washing machine and the like that can execute a wide variety of control programs more easily and safely.

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, and includes a communication unit that receives washing information from the external device, a washing function unit that performs washing-related operations on laundry based on the washing information, and a control device that controls the washing function unit, the washing information including a plurality of pieces of control information, each of which is control information related to parameters that control the operation of the washing function unit, and sequence information related to the sequence of executing the plurality of pieces of control information, the control device (i) classifies the plurality of pieces of control information included in the washing information into one or more washing steps based on a classification rule, and (ii) modifies the washing information by adding common information related to control common to one or more first control information included in the first washing step to a first washing step among the one or more washing steps, and executes the modified washing information to cause the washing function unit to execute an operation based on the washing information, the one or more first control information being consecutive in the sequence.

In addition, a washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, and includes a communication unit that receives washing information from the external device, a washing function unit that performs a washing operation on laundry based on the washing information, a control device that controls the washing function unit, and a detection unit that detects the operating state of the washing function unit, and the washing information includes a plurality of control information, each of which is control information related to parameters that control the operation of the washing function unit, and sequence information related to the order in which the plurality of control information is executed, and the control device classifies the plurality of control information included in the washing information into one or more washing processes based on a classification rule, and modifies the washing information by adding, to the first washing process, decision information for determining a washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the first washing process depending on whether the operating state during the execution of a first washing process among the one or more washing processes satisfies a predetermined condition, and executes the modified washing information to cause the washing function unit to execute an operation based on the washing information, and the one or more first control information are consecutive in the sequence.

These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure can execute a wide variety of control programs more easily and safely.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of a cloud server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of the device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of a terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a washing machine. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the washing machine. FIG. 6A shows a first example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6B shows a second example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6C shows a third example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6D shows a fourth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6E shows a fifth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6F shows a sixth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6G shows a seventh example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6H shows an eighth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6I shows a ninth example of a block defining an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6J shows a tenth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6K shows an eleventh example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6L shows a twelfth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6M shows a thirteenth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6N shows a fourteenth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6O shows a fifteenth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 6P shows a sixteenth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows an example of the device database in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example of an execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of the rule database in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a first example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a third example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a fourth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 16 shows a fifth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 shows a sixth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a seventh example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 19 shows an eighth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a ninth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of classification rules in the first modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a pre-execution confirmation process in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 23A shows a modification of the execution content declaration in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 23B shows a modification of the execution content declaration in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 23C shows a modification of the execution content declaration in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a pre-execution confirmation process in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25A shows a first example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25B shows a first example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25C shows a first example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25D shows a first example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 26A shows a second example of a correction to an execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 26B shows a second example of a correction to the execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 26C shows a second example of a correction to the execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 26D shows a second example of a correction to the execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27A is a sequence diagram of a system in the fourth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27B is a sequence diagram of a system in the fifth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27C is a sequence diagram of a system in the sixth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27D is a sequence diagram of a system in the seventh modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27E is a sequence diagram of a system in the eighth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 28 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the second embodiment. FIG. 29 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the third embodiment. FIG. 30 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 31 shows an example of a rule database in the fourth embodiment.

(Findings that form the basis of this disclosure)
The inventors of the present application will now explain how they arrived at this disclosure. In order to develop control programs for household electrical appliances having actuators and/or heaters that meet the needs of a wide variety of users, an open development environment is required. In other words, an environment is required in which the difficulty of developing control programs can be reduced and third parties can easily participate in the development of control programs. In such an environment, for example, an apparel company can develop a control program for a washing machine that washes the clothes it sells.

The inventors therefore used functional blocks that abstract the control of actuators and heaters included in the product to create an environment in which control programs can be developed while maintaining safety, and investigated a mechanism that allows control programs consisting of combinations of multiple functional blocks to be packaged and distributed as applications. This makes it possible to distribute a wide variety of applications, and to customize and update products to meet the needs of a wider variety of users. However, in such an environment, there is a risk that dangerous applications (i.e. applications that cannot safely control the product) may be distributed, reducing the safety of the product.

For example, it is assumed that the programs included in household appliances, etc. are built into devices for directly controlling actuators and/or heaters, and contain a mixture of programs developed by the manufacturer and programs developed by third parties. In this case, it is highly likely that the manufacturer will not disclose all information about the household appliance, etc., including know-how, to the third party. For example, the parameters or timing for driving the actuators and heaters are know-how related to the performance of the manufacturer's household appliances, etc. Therefore, as this could lead to a decrease in competitiveness, the manufacturer is unlikely to open up its know-how to third parties so that they can freely drive the household appliances, etc.

As a result, third parties may, due to a lack of information about household electrical appliances, etc., create applications that include control combinations or parameter ranges that the manufacturer did not anticipate, i.e., applications whose safety cannot be guaranteed. It is undesirable for users to be provided with such applications.

In addition, manufacturers of household electrical appliances and the like may attempt to update users' lives by providing new control programs. However, developing a wide variety of new control programs requires a huge amount of work, such as adjusting parameters or evaluating the performance of the hardware. Because household electrical appliances and the like are physically driven by the hardware of actuators and/or heaters, it is easy to imagine that programs for household electrical appliances and the like require a large amount of work, such as performance evaluation, compared to programs for smartphones. However, in an era in which on-demand development tailored to the lifestyles of each individual user is required rather than mass production, it is necessary to develop a wide variety of control programs for household electrical appliances and the like, just like programs for smartphones. For this reason, manufacturers must create a wide variety of applications that ensure the safety of their products while reducing the huge amount of work.

Furthermore, manufacturers may wish to ensure that household electrical appliances and the like operate safely even when they are operated using applications provided by third parties. In such cases, it is desirable to reduce the amount of work required to actually run a wide variety of applications on household electrical appliances and the like and verify their safety.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a device etc. that can more easily and safely execute a wide variety of applications defined by multiple functional blocks that drive actuators and/or heaters.

The following describes the embodiment in detail with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

The figures are not necessarily strict illustrations. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
1.1 Hardware Configuration
The hardware configuration of system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 2C. Fig. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of system 1 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of cloud server 10 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of device 20 in embodiment 1. Fig. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of terminal 30 in embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, system 1 in this embodiment includes a cloud server 10, devices 20a to 20h used in facilities 2a to 2d, and terminals 30a to 30d. Facilities 2a to 2d are, for example, homes, but are not limited to this. Facilities 2a to 2d may also be, for example, apartment buildings, stores, offices, etc. System 1 is an example of a control system.

The cloud server 10 is a virtual server provided via a computer network (e.g., the Internet). The cloud server 10 is communicatively connected to the devices 20a-20h and the terminals 30a-30d via the computer network. Note that a physical server may be used instead of the cloud server 10. The cloud server 10 is an example of an external device.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the cloud server 10 virtually includes a processor 11 and a memory 12 connected to the processor 11. The processor 11 functions as a sequence manager and a device manager, which will be described later, when instructions or software programs stored in the memory 12 are executed.

The devices 20a to 20h are electrical machinery and equipment used in the facilities 2a to 2d. Note that in FIG. 1, the devices 20c to 20h used in the facilities 2b to 2d are omitted from the illustration. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the devices 20a to 20h, they will be referred to as device 20.

As the device 20, household electrical appliances (home appliances) and home equipment can be used. The household electrical appliances (home appliances) and home equipment can be used not only in homes but also in businesses. In this disclosure, the household electrical appliances and home equipment can be abbreviated to "household electrical appliances". As the household appliances, for example, a microwave oven, a rice cooker, a blender, an electric oven, an electric toaster, an electric kettle, a hot plate, an induction heating cooker, a roaster, a bakery, an electric pressure cooker, an electric waterless cooker, a multi-cooker, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a vacuum cleaner, an air conditioner, an air purifier, a humidifier, a hair dryer, an electric fan, and an ion generator can be used. As the home equipment, for example, an electric shutter, an electronic lock, and an electric water heater for a bathtub can be used. The device 20 is not limited to these devices.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the device 20 includes a housing 21, an actuator 22, a heater 23, and a control unit 24. Note that the device 20 only needs to include at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and does not necessarily need to include both the actuator 22 and the heater 23.

The housing 21 houses the actuator 22, the heater 23, and the control unit 24. The housing 21 may also have an internal space for processing an object. For example, the washing tub of a washing machine, the heating chamber of a microwave oven, and the inner pot of a rice cooker correspond to internal spaces for processing an object.

The actuator 22 is a mechanical element that converts input energy into physical motion based on an electrical signal. Examples of the actuator 22 that can be used include, but are not limited to, an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, and a pneumatic actuator.

The heater 23 is an electric heater that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. The heater 23 heats the object by, for example, Joule heating, induction heating, and dielectric heating. For example, a nichrome wire, a coil, a magnetron, etc. can be used as the heater 23.

Here, an example of the reason why the device 20 of the present disclosure is provided with the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 will be described. Consider a case where a manufacturer of a household electrical appliance or the like provides a third party with a development environment in which all the parameters and drive combinations for driving the actuator 22 and the heater 23 can be freely controlled. In this case, the third party can create a program that controls the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 beyond the parameter range that the manufacturer expects to be able to safely drive, or the drive limit of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. In particular, the drive of the actuator 22 that physically moves, or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy, that is not expected by the manufacturer, poses a large challenge in ensuring safety. Examples of drives that the manufacturer does not expect include high-speed rotation of an electric motor, which is an example of an actuator, and the supply of an overcurrent to the heater 23. The present inventors aimed to avoid hindering the creation of an environment in which a wide variety of applications can be provided to users by excessively considering safety aspects. Therefore, the device 20 disclosed herein is intended to ensure safety by focusing on the actuator 22 that physically moves or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy.

The control unit 24 is a controller that controls the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23, and functions as a device described below. The control unit 24 is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit.

The terminals 30a to 30d are used in the facilities 2a to 2d, respectively, and function as user interfaces. Note that in FIG. 1, the terminals 30b to 30d used in the facilities 2b to 2d are omitted from the illustration. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the terminals 30a to 30d, they will be referred to as terminal 30.

The terminal 30 is connected to the cloud server 10 and the devices 20 via a computer network, and functions as a user interface (UI) described below. A portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer can be used as the terminal 30. The terminal 30 may be a terminal fixed to a wall, floor, or ceiling of the facilities 2a to 2d. The terminal 30 may also be included in the devices 20. For example, the terminal 30 may be realized as a display terminal having a display or the like built into each of the devices 20a to 20h.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the terminal 30 includes a display 31 and an input device 32. For example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display can be used as the display 31. For example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, or a mechanical button can be used as the input device 32. A voice input device may also be used as the input device 32. The display 31 and the input device 32 may be integrated into a touch screen. Alternatively, a gesture input device may be used as the input device 32. The gesture input device includes, for example, a camera and a recognition unit. The camera captures an image including the gesture, and the recognition unit recognizes the gesture using the image.

[1.2 Functional configuration]
Next, the functional configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the system 1 in the first embodiment.

The cloud server 10 includes a sequence manager 100 and a device manager 200. The apparatuses 20a to 20h include devices 300a to 300h, respectively. The terminals 30a to 30d include UIs 400a to 400d, respectively.

In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between devices 300a to 300h, they will be referred to as device 300. Also, when it is not necessary to distinguish between UIs 400a to 400d, they will be referred to as UI 400.

The sequence manager 100 manages multiple applications. The multiple applications are downloaded from an application distribution platform to the sequence manager 100, for example, by a user operation. Alternatively, the applications included in the application distribution platform do not need to be downloaded to the sequence manager 100. In that case, information indicating that the applications included in the application distribution platform are linked may be recorded in the database of the sequence manager 100. Details of the applications will be described later.

The device manager 200 has a database for managing the multiple facilities 2a-2d and the devices 300 and UIs 400 used in each of the facilities 2a-2d. The device manager 200 manages the devices 300 and UIs 400 by recording device information and UI information linked to the facilities 2a-2d in the database. The device information and UI information include, for example, control functions, drive functions, and operating status. For example, the device manager 200 can manage the operating status of the devices 300 and grasp the operating schedule of the devices 300. The device manager 200 may also manage log information of the devices 300.

In addition, such a database may be included in the sequence manager 100 instead of the device manager 200, or may be included in both the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200.

The device 300 has a control function and a driving function for the apparatus 20. The device 300 can drive the apparatus 20 according to instructions from the device manager 200.

The UI 400 provides information to the user and accepts input from the user.

Next, the configuration of a washing machine 500 as an example of the device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the washing machine 500. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the washing machine 500.

The washing machine 500 includes a housing 501 having an internal space. An opening is provided on the front side of the housing 501, and a door 505 that can be opened and closed is provided in the opening of the housing 501. A door lock mechanism 506 for locking the door 505 is provided in the opening of the housing 501.

Inside the housing 501, there is provided a water tub 502 that is elastically supported by the housing 501. The water tub 502 is an example of a tub provided in the washing machine 500. Inside the water tub 502, there is provided a bottomed cylindrical washing tub 503 (also called a drum) that has an opening at one end on the front side and a bottom at the other end on the rear side, and is rotatable about a rotation axis Ax1. A gap is formed between the inner surface of the water tub 502 and the outer surface of the washing tub 503. The rotation axis Ax1 of the washing tub 503 is inclined, for example, so that the opening of the washing tub 503 is higher than the bottom.

The washing tub 503 has a number of holes penetrating the side of the washing tub 503. A washing motor 504 that drives and rotates the washing tub 503 is provided on the rear surface of the water tub 502. The washing motor 504 is, for example, a DC motor, and the rotation speed can be freely controlled by inverter control.

A vibration sensor 507 is provided on the top of the water tank 502. The vibration sensor 507 detects the degree of vibration of the water tank 502.

A water supply pipe 512 is connected to the top of the water tub 502. The water supply pipe 512 is connected to a water supply. The water supply pipe 512 is provided with a water supply valve 511 that stops the inflow of water from the water supply. The water supply valve 511 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes electrically when a control signal is input. The water supply pipe 512 is provided with an automatic dispenser 513 that contains liquid detergent and/or fabric softener to be dispensed into the washing tub 503. The automatic dispenser 513 is a device that uses an actuator to measure an amount of liquid detergent and/or fabric softener according to the control signal and dispenses the measured amount of liquid detergent and/or fabric softener into the water supply pipe 512. Therefore, the water from the water supply and the predetermined amount of liquid detergent and/or fabric softener dispensed by the automatic dispenser 513 are mixed in the water supply pipe 512 to become wash water, which flows into the water tub 502. The automatic dispenser 513 may have both an actuator for dispensing liquid detergent and an actuator for dispensing fabric softener.

The washing machine 500 is also provided with a water level sensor (not shown) that detects the water level in the water tub 502. The water level sensor is disposed in a pipe separate from the water supply pipe 512 connected to the water tub 502, and may be a pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the water tub 502. In other words, the water level in the water tub 502 is detected using the detection result of the pressure sensor.

Bath water piping 517 is connected to the top of water tank 502. A hose is connected to bath water piping 517 for introducing water stored in a bathtub in the home. A bath pump 516 is connected to bath water piping 517 for pumping up water stored in the bathtub. By driving bath pump 516, water can be supplied by the bath pump, which introduces water from the bathtub through the hose into the interior of water tank 502.

A drain pipe 521 is connected to the bottom of the water tub 502. The drain pipe 521 is connected to a drain hose that discharges the washing water outside the washing machine 500. The drain pipe 521 is provided with a drain filter 522 for removing foreign matter from the water flowing through the drain pipe 521, and a drain valve 523 for stopping the flow of water from the drain pipe 521 to the drain hose. The drain valve 523 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that is electrically opened and closed when a control signal is input.

Circulation piping 525 is also connected to drain pipe 521. One end of circulation piping 525 is connected to drain pipe 521, and the other end is connected to the front lower part of water tub 502. This piping is used to return water that has flowed through drain pipe 521 and passed through drain filter 522 to water tub 502. Circulation pump 524, which circulates water in water tub 502, is connected to circulation piping 525. When circulation pump 524 is driven, the wash water that has flowed through drain pipe 521 and then into circulation piping 525 is returned to water tub 502 by circulation pump 524.

In addition, one end of the duct 533 is connected to the upper part of the front side of the water tank 502, and the other end of the duct 533 is connected to the upper part of the rear side of the water tank 502. The duct 533 is provided with a heat pump 532 that cools and then heats the air in the duct 533, and a circulation fan 534 that circulates the air in the duct 533. The heat pump 532 is composed of a refrigerant circuit (not shown), which has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. In the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circulates when the compressor is driven. In the heat pump 532, the air in the duct 533 is cooled by the evaporator and then heated by the condenser. The moisture in the air in the duct 533 is removed by cooling by the evaporator, and then the air in the duct 533 is heated by heating by the condenser, becoming warm, dry, and high-temperature air. The warm, dry, and high-temperature air is blown into the inside of the water tank 502 by the circulation fan 534. This promotes the drying of laundry such as clothes inside the water tub 502.

An intake sensor 531 is provided upstream of the duct 533. The intake sensor 531 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the air flowing upstream of the duct 533.

A hot air sensor 535 is provided downstream of the duct 533. The hot air sensor 535 detects the temperature of the air inside the duct 533.

A sterilization device 536 that sterilizes the laundry in the washing tub 503 is provided downstream of the duct 533. The sterilization device 536 generates an effective substance such as charged fine water particles. The air containing the effective substance generated by the sterilization device 536 is blown into the inside of the washing tub 503 by the circulation fan 534, so that the laundry inside the washing tub 503 is sterilized by the effective substance.

In addition, a first foam sensor 541 and a second foam sensor 542 are provided inside the water tank 502 to detect the generation of foam inside the water tank 502. The first foam sensor 541 detects that more than a first amount of foam has been generated inside the water tank 502. The second foam sensor 542 detects that more than a second amount of foam has been generated inside the water tank 502. The first amount is greater than the second amount. In other words, the first foam sensor 541 detects that more foam has been generated than the second foam sensor 542.

In addition, a hot water heater 543 for heating the washing water in the water tub 502 is provided at the bottom of the water tub 502. In addition, a hot water sensor 544 for detecting when the temperature of the washing water in the water tub 502 is higher than a predetermined temperature is provided at the bottom of the water tub 502.

An operation panel 560 that accepts input from a user for operating the washing machine 500 is provided on the upper front side of the housing 501. The operation panel 560 may display a result of accepting an input from the user, or may output a sound corresponding to the result. The operation panel 560 may also display a calculation result by the control device 550, or may output a sound indicating the calculation result. The operation panel 560 may also display an operating state of the washing machine 500, or may output a sound indicating the operating state. The communication unit 570 is capable of communicating with an external device, and is, for example, a communication interface that is communicatively connected to a computer network. The communication unit 570 may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) interface, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) interface, or an interface for connecting to a mobile phone communication network. The communication unit 570 may also be communicatively connected to a hub device (not shown) that is communicatively connected to the cloud server 10. That is, the communication unit 570 may be connected to the cloud server 10 via the hub device so that it can communicate with the cloud server 10. The communication unit 570 may communicate with the hub device by infrared or short-range wireless communication, or may communicate with the communication interface exemplified above.

The housing 501 is provided with a control device 550. The control device 550 acquires detection results from various sensors, including the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake sensor 531, the hot air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the hot water sensor 544. The control device 550 controls the operation of the washing motor 504, the door lock mechanism 506, the water supply valve 511, the automatic dispenser 513, the bath pump 516, the drain valve 523, the circulation pump 524, the heat pump 532, the circulation fan 534, the sterilization device 536, the hot water heater 543, and the operation panel 560 in accordance with the detection results. The washing motor 504, the door lock mechanism 506, the water supply valve 511, the automatic dispenser 513, the bath pump 516, the drain valve 523, the circulation pump 524, the heat pump 532, the circulation fan 534, the sterilization device 536, and the hot water heater 543 are examples of a washing function unit that performs operations related to washing laundry, and are also examples of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. In addition, various sensors such as the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake sensor 531, the hot air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the hot water sensor 544 are examples of a detection unit that detects the operating state of the washing function unit. In addition, the control device 550 may function as a detection unit that detects the operating state of the washing function unit in order to control the washing function unit. For example, the control device 550 may measure the elapsed time of each operation of the washing function unit as the operating state of the washing function unit.

Now, the application will be described. In this embodiment, an application (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as an app) refers to a control program defined by multiple functional blocks (hereinafter abbreviated as blocks) that drive the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Each of the multiple blocks may include parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Specifically, each of the multiple blocks is an abstraction of the control of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Each of the multiple blocks is an example of control information.

Note that the application may include a block that does not drive the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23, in addition to a plurality of blocks that drive the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Examples of blocks that do not drive the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 include information display using an interface of the device 300, audio output using a buzzer of the device 300, and turning on or off a lamp of the device 300. The block may also include a condition for starting the drive of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. For example, an application including a first block and a second block will be described as an example. Here, when switching to the second block during the execution of the first block, the first block is switched to the second block when the start condition included in the second block is satisfied. The block may also include an end condition instead of a start condition. When switching to the second block during the execution of the first block, the first block is switched to the second block when the end condition included in the first block is satisfied.

Next, specific examples of blocks that define the applications of the washing machine 500 will be described with reference to Figures 6A to 6O. Each of the blocks shown in Figures 6A to 6O is control information related to parameters that control the operation of the washing function unit.

Figure 6A shows a first example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. Block 1000 shown in Figure 6A is a block that controls a laundry amount detection operation that detects the amount of laundry, such as clothes, placed in washing tub 503. In the laundry amount detection operation, for example, washing motor 504 is driven to detect the torque current flowing through washing motor 504, and a laundry amount previously associated with the detected torque current is identified by referring to the memory of control device 550, and the identified laundry amount is detected as the laundry amount in washing tub 503.

Figure 6B shows a second example of a block that defines an application in embodiment 1. Block 1010 shown in Figure 6B is a block that controls the water supply operation to water tank 502, and includes parameters 1011 and 1012. Parameter 1011 includes a value indicating the amount of water to be supplied to water tank 502 by the water level after water supply. In other words, parameter 1011 indicates the operation timing of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. For example, control device 550 continues water supply until the water level of water tank 502 detected by water level sensor 515 reaches the water level indicated by parameter 1011, and performs control to stop water supply when the water level reaches the water level indicated by parameter 1011. Parameter 1012 includes a parameter that specifies the water supply path. Specifically, parameter 1012 is a parameter that specifies whether water is supplied through a first water supply path in which water is supplied from water supply pipe 512 by opening water supply valve 511, or through a second water supply path in which water is supplied from bath water pipe 517 by driving bath pump 516. When water is supplied through the first water supply path, control device 550 starts water supply by opening water supply valve 511 and stops water supply by closing water supply valve 511. When water is supplied through the second water supply path, control device 550 starts water supply by starting driving bath pump 516 and stops water supply by stopping driving bath pump 516.

When water is supplied through the second water supply path during the water supply operation, if the water level does not reach the level indicated by parameter 1011 even after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 to 10 minutes) has elapsed, the control device 550 may switch from the second water supply path to the first water supply path to supply water.

Figure 6C shows a third example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1020 shown in Figure 6C is a block that controls the water rinsing operation for pouring water into water tub 502, and includes parameters 1021 to 1025. The water rinsing operation is an operation of rinsing laundry by supplying water to water tub 502 while rotating washing tub 503 to agitate laundry and water. In the water rinsing operation, for example, the water level in water tub 502 is raised and lowered by repeating water supply or drainage between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level, and the washing tub 503 is rotated to rinse laundry. Parameter 1021 includes a value indicating the upper limit of the water level when water is supplied to water tub 502 in the water rinsing operation. In other words, parameter 1021 indicates the water level that triggers the operation of stopping water supply and opening drain valve 523. Parameter 1022 includes a value indicating the lower limit of the water level when water is supplied to water tub 502. The parameter 1022 can also be said to indicate the water level that triggers the operation of starting water supply and closing the drain valve 523. In other words, the parameters 1021 and 1022 can also be said to indicate the operation timing of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1023 includes a value indicating the operation time of the water injection and rinsing operation. The parameter 1023 can also be said to indicate the driving time of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The parameter 1024 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotation speed) of the washing tub 503, that is, the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1025 includes a value indicating the stirring strength. The value indicating the stirring strength is, for example, a value indicating the time from when the rotation of the washing tub 503 starts in one rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1024 is reached. The parameters 1024 and 1025 can also be said to indicate the driving strength of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23.

Figure 6D shows a fourth example of a block that defines an application in embodiment 1. Block 1030 shown in Figure 6D is a block that controls the detergent dispensing operation, and includes parameter 1031. The detergent dispensing operation is an operation of automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid detergent into water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of automatic dispenser 513. Parameter 1031 includes a value that indicates the amount of liquid detergent dispensed into water supply pipe 512. In other words, parameter 1031 indicates the amount of operation of the actuator of automatic dispenser 513 that dispenses liquid detergent.

Figure 6E shows a fifth example of a block that defines an application in embodiment 1. Block 1040 shown in Figure 6E is a block that controls the fabric softener dispensing operation, and includes parameter 1041. The fabric softener dispensing operation is an operation that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of fabric softener into water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of automatic dispenser 513. Parameter 1041 includes a value that indicates the amount of fabric softener dispensed into water supply pipe 512. In other words, parameter 1041 indicates the amount of operation of the actuator of automatic dispenser 513 that dispenses fabric softener.

Figure 6F shows a sixth example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1050 shown in Figure 6F is a block that controls the agitation operation of the washing machine, and includes parameters 1051 to 1058. Parameter 1051 includes information indicating the type of agitation (e.g., normal, kneading, shaking). Parameter 1051 can also be said to indicate the type of function. Parameter 1052 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotation speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1052 can also be said to indicate the strength of the drive of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. Parameter 1053 includes a value indicating the rotation time of the washing tub 503 in one agitation operation, that is, the drive time of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1054 includes a value indicating the time during which the rotation of the washing tub 503 is stopped between one rotation operation and the next rotation operation in the agitation operation, that is, the stop time of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1055 includes a value indicating the operation time of the stirring operation. Parameters 1053 to 1055 can also be said to indicate the drive time of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. Parameter 1056 includes a value indicating the start of water supply into water tub 502. In other words, parameter 1056 includes a value indicating the opening of water supply valve 511. In other words, parameter 1056 can also be said to indicate the state after actuator 22 and/or heater 23 are driven. Parameter 1057 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (forward or reverse) of the circulation pump. Parameter 1058 includes a value indicating the stirring strength. The value indicating the stirring strength is, for example, a value indicating the time from the start of one rotation of washing tub 503 in a rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by parameter 1052 is reached. Note that block 1050 may include a parameter for driving hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in water tub 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

In the agitation operation, the control device 550 performs the type of agitation indicated by parameter 1051. The control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the number of rotations indicated by parameter 1052 with the agitation strength indicated by parameter 1056, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1055 has elapsed since the start of the agitation operation. In addition, in the agitation operation, the control device 550 opens the water supply valve 511 based on parameter 1056. In addition, in the agitation operation, the control device 550 operates the circulation pump 524 in the rotation direction indicated by parameter 1057.

Figure 6G shows a seventh example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1060 shown in Figure 6G is a block that controls the drum rotation operation, and includes parameters 1061 to 1065. Parameter 1061 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotation speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. In other words, parameter 1061 indicates the strength of the drive of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. Parameter 1062 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (washing tub 503). In other words, parameter 1062 indicates the type of operation of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. Parameter 1063 includes a value indicating whether to turn on or off the operation of automatically adding a predetermined amount of liquid detergent to water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of automatic dispenser 513. Parameter 1064 includes a value indicating the start of water supply into water tub 502. That is, the parameter 1064 includes a value indicating that the water supply valve 511 is to be opened. In other words, the parameter 1064 indicates the state after the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven. The parameter 1065 includes a value indicating the direction of rotation (forward or reverse) of the circulation pump 524. Note that the block 1060 may include a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in the water tank 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

During drum rotation operation, the control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by parameter 1061 in the direction of rotation indicated by parameter 1062. Also, during drum rotation operation, the control device 550 opens the water supply valve 511 based on parameter 1063. Also, during drum rotation operation, the control device 550 operates the circulation pump 524 in the direction based on parameter 1064.

Figure 6H shows an eighth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. Block 1070 shown in Figure 6H is a block that controls the spin-drying operation, and includes parameters 1071 and 1072. Parameter 1071 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotational speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, the rotational speed of the washing motor 504. In other words, parameter 1071 indicates the strength of the drive of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. Parameter 1072 includes a value indicating the operation time of the spin-drying operation. In the spin-drying operation, control device 550 rotates washing motor 504 at the number of rotations indicated by parameter 1071, and stops washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1072 has elapsed since the start of the spin-drying operation.

Figure 6I shows a ninth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. Block 1080 shown in Figure 6I is a block that controls the drainage operation from water tub 502, and includes parameters 1081 and 1082. Parameter 1081 includes a value indicating the open or closed state of drain valve 523. Parameter 1082 includes a value indicating the water level that triggers the stop of drainage. In the drainage operation, control device 550 starts the drainage operation of the wash water in water tub 502 to outside washing machine 500 by operating drain valve 523 to the open state. When the water level sensor detects that the water level in water tub 502 is the water level indicated by parameter 1082, control device 550 operates drain valve 523 to the closed state, and ends the drainage operation.

Figure 6J shows a tenth example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1090 shown in Figure 6J is a block that controls a door lock operation, and includes parameter 1091. Parameter 1091 includes a value indicating whether door lock mechanism 506 is to be locked or unlocked. In other words, parameter 1091 indicates the state after actuator 22 and/or heater 23 are driven. If parameter 1091 indicates that door lock mechanism 506 is to be locked and door lock mechanism 506 is in an unlocked state, control device 550 switches door lock mechanism 506 to a locked state. If parameter 1091 indicates that door lock mechanism 506 is to be unlocked and door lock mechanism 506 is in a locked state, control device 550 switches door lock mechanism 506 to an unlocked state.

Figure 6K shows an eleventh example of a block that defines an application in embodiment 1. Block 1100 shown in Figure 6K is a block that controls the immersion operation, and includes parameters 1101 and 1102. Parameter 1101 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (forward or reverse) of circulation pump 524. Parameter 1102 includes a value indicating the operation time of the immersion operation. Control device 550 operates circulation pump 524 in the rotation direction indicated by parameter 1101, and stops circulation pump 524 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1102 has elapsed since the start of the immersion operation.

Figure 6L shows a twelfth example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. Block 1110 shown in Figure 6L is a block that controls the sterilization/antibacterial operation, and includes parameters 1111 and 1112. Parameter 1111 includes a value indicating the operation time for driving sterilization device 536 and circulation fan 534. Parameter 1112 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotation speed) of circulation fan 534. In the sterilization/antibacterial operation, control device 550 drives sterilization device 536 and circulation fan 534, and stops sterilization device 536 and circulation fan 534 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1111 has elapsed. In the sterilization/antibacterial operation, control device 550 drives circulation fan 534 at the number of rotations (rotation speed) indicated by parameter 1112.

Figure 6M shows a thirteenth example of a block that defines an application in embodiment 1. Block 1120 shown in Figure 6M is a block that controls buzzer operation, and includes parameter 1121. Parameter 1121 includes a value indicating the operation time for driving the speaker of operation panel 560. In buzzer operation, control device 550 outputs a buzzer sound, and stops outputting the buzzer sound when the operation time indicated by parameter 1121 has elapsed since starting to output the buzzer sound.

Figure 6N shows a 14th example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1130 shown in Figure 6N is a block that controls the air blowing operation, and includes parameters 1131 and 1132. Parameter 1131 includes a value indicating the operation time for driving circulation fan 534. Parameter 1132 includes a value indicating the temperature of the air blown into water tank 502 by circulation fan 534. In the air blowing operation, control device 550 drives circulation fan 534, and stops circulation fan 534 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1131 has elapsed since starting to drive circulation fan 534. Alternatively, control device 550 drives circulation fan 534 in the air blowing operation, and stops circulation fan 534 when hot air sensor 535 detects that the temperature has dropped below the temperature indicated by parameter 1132 since starting to drive circulation fan 534.

Figure 6O shows a 15th example of a block that specifies an application in the first embodiment. Block 1140 shown in Figure 6O is a block that controls the drying operation and includes parameter 1141. Parameter 1141 includes a value that indicates a pattern (operation mode) of the drying operation, such as low temperature, standard, and firm. Specifically, in the low temperature pattern, drying is performed at a low temperature in which the temperature in washing tub 503 is lower than a predetermined temperature. In the standard pattern, drying is performed at a standard temperature in which the temperature in washing tub 503 is higher than a predetermined temperature. In the firm pattern, drying is continued for a certain period of time after it is detected that the inside of washing tub 503 is in a dry state. The control device 550 determines that the state is dry when the difference between the temperature on the intake side detected by intake sensor 531 and the temperature on the exhaust side detected by hot air sensor 535 is less than a predetermined difference. Each pattern may be configured by a combination of the drying operation time [m], the fan rotation speed [rpm] of the circulation fan 534, the drying detection temperature [deg] by the intake sensor 531 and/or the hot air sensor 535, the same stirring type as parameter 1051, the same drum rotation speed [rpm] as parameter 1052, the same drum ON time [s] as parameter 1053, the same drum OFF time [s] as parameter 1054, etc.

Figure 6P shows a 16th example of a block that defines an application in the first embodiment. Block 1150 shown in Figure 6P is a block that controls the foam generation operation, and includes parameters 1151 to 1153. Parameter 1151 includes a value indicating the number of rotations (rotation speed) of washing tub 503, that is, the rotation speed of washing motor 504. Parameter 1152 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (washing tub 503). In other words, parameter 1152 indicates the type of operation of actuator 22 and/or heater 23. Parameter 1153 includes a value indicating the operation time of the foam generation operation. In the foam generation operation, control device 550 rotates washing motor 504 at the number of rotations indicated by parameter 1153, and stops washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by parameter 1153 has elapsed since the start of the foam generation operation.

To define an application, multiple blocks such as those shown in Figures 6A to 6O are used. Note that the multiple blocks shown in Figures 6A to 6O are examples, and the blocks for the washing machine 500 are not limited to these. For example, the multiple blocks may be hierarchically organized according to abstraction levels.

For example, the abstraction level may be different for a hierarchy for manufacturers and a hierarchy for non-manufacturers. Examples of non-manufacturers are a hierarchy for other manufacturers and a hierarchy for third parties.

In this case, the layer for manufacturers has a lower level of abstraction than the layer for non-manufacturers. A lower level of abstraction means that the contents controlled are closer to the parameters that drive the actuators and heaters.

On the other hand, by providing blocks with a minimum abstraction level that guarantees know-how and safety to non-manufacturers, producers can enable non-manufacturers to develop applications. By providing general users with blocks with an even higher abstraction level, manufacturers can enable more people to develop applications. For example, a higher abstraction level corresponds to a block defined by terms that general users themselves can understand without specialized knowledge. Terms that can be understood without specialized knowledge are, for example, contents that correspond to the functions themselves of household electrical appliances. Specifically, when "plenty" is selected as a parameter related to the amount of water in the "wash" block of a washing machine, in one embodied layer, changes are made such as raising the water level parameter in the water supply block from 60 mm to 100 mm and lowering the rotation amount parameter in the agitation block from 120 rpm to 100 rpm. As described above, rearrangement and parameter changes of blocks at a high level of abstraction can be realized with blocks with a lower level of abstraction. With these blocks, applications can be freely developed by rearranging and adjusting parameters while ensuring safety and confidentiality regarding the operation of the actuator and heater.

1.3 Processing
Next, the processing of the system 1 configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in the first embodiment.

[1.3.1 Preparation Phase F100]
First, the preparation phase F100 will be described.

(Step S110)
The sequence manager 100 transmits sequence manager information to the device manager 200. This transmission of sequence manager information is performed, for example, by an instruction from a system administrator. The device manager 200 registers the received sequence manager information, for example, in a sequence manager database. Note that if the sequence manager information has been registered in advance in the sequence manager database, this step may be skipped.

The sequence manager information includes, for example, an identifier and/or an address (e.g., a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), an Internet Protocol (IP) address, etc.) of the sequence manager 100. Furthermore, the sequence manager information may include any information.

(Step S112)
The device 300 transmits device information 1201 to the device manager 200. The device information 1201 is transmitted, for example, when the device 300 is connected to a computer network. The device manager 200 registers the received device information 1201 in the device database 1200. Note that if the device information 1201 has been registered in advance in the device database 1200, this step may be skipped.

The device information 1201 may be sent to the UI 400 and then registered in the device manager 200 via the UI 400.

The device information 1201 includes an identifier and/or an address of the device 300. Furthermore, the device information 1201 may include any information. FIG. 8 shows an example of a device database in the first embodiment. In the device database 1200 in FIG. 8, a plurality of pieces of device information including the device information 1201 are registered. Each piece of device information includes a device ID, an address, a type, a manufacturer name, an actuator/heater, and a deterioration level. The actuator/heater is identification information of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 constituting the device 300. The deterioration level is an example of deterioration information indicating whether the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 constituting the device 300 is deteriorated. Here, the deterioration level indicates that the deterioration is more severe as the value increases. The device information 1201 may include information on executable blocks. The information on executable blocks may be information in which the blocks included in the database are associated with executable or unexecutable blocks, or may be information on only executable blocks. In addition, whether a block is executable or not may be prepared in advance based on information on the actuator/heater, etc. included in the device information 1201.

The device information 1201 may also include information that can identify the facilities 2a to 2d.

(Step S114)
The UI 400 transmits UI information to the device manager 200. This transmission of UI information is performed, for example, in response to an instruction from a user. The device manager 200 registers the received UI information, for example, in a UI database. Note that if the UI information has been registered in the UI database in advance, this step may be skipped.

The UI information includes, for example, an identifier and/or an address of the UI 400. Furthermore, the UI information may include any information.

The UI information may also include information that can identify the facilities 2a to 2d.

By the above processing, the sequence manager 100, the device manager 200, the device 300, and the UI 400 are linked to each other and can establish a connection with each other. This ends the preparation phase F100.

[1.3.2 Pre-application execution phase F200]
Next, the pre-application execution phase F200 will be described. Note that, before the pre-application execution phase F200, an application is downloaded from the application distribution platform to the sequence manager 100 in accordance with an instruction from a user via the UI 400. In this manner, with the application downloaded to the sequence manager 100, the following processing is performed.

(Step S210)
The UI 400 accepts an application execution request from a user and transmits the application execution request including the application identification information to the sequence manager 100. For example, the user selects an application from among a plurality of applications downloaded to the sequence manager 100 via the UI 400 and instructs execution of the selected application.

The application execution request sent from the UI 400 to the sequence manager 100 is sent together with information that can identify the facilities 2a to 2d.

The application execution request does not have to be explicitly received from the user. For example, the user's behavior or state may be detected, and the application execution request may be automatically sent to the sequence manager 100 based on the detection result.

(Step S212)
The sequence manager 100 transmits an execution content declaration of the application identified by the application execution request to the device manager 200. The execution content declaration includes information on a plurality of blocks that specifies the application to be executed and information capable of identifying the facilities 2a to 2d.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of an execution content declaration in embodiment 1. Figure 9 shows an execution content declaration 1300 for an application defined by combining multiple blocks for a washing machine shown in Figures 6A to 6O. Execution content declaration 1300 includes multiple blocks 1301, information 1302 regarding devices required to execute each block 1301, and sequence information 1303 regarding the sequence in which each block 1301 is executed. Execution content declaration 1300 is an example of laundry information.

The execution content declaration 1300 does not have to include device-related information 1302. In that case, the device manager 200 needs to search for a device capable of executing the relevant block in the facility indicated by the received facility information from the information on multiple blocks 1301, and assign the device.

In FIG. 9, device-related information 1302 indicates the model number of device 300, but is not limited to this. Device-related information 1302 may be any information that can indicate the conditions for device 300 that can be allocated to a block. For example, device-related information 1302 may include multiple model numbers, or may include only the type of device, the purpose of use, the location of placement, or any combination of these.

(Step S214)
The device manager 200 allocates a device 300 linked to the device manager 200 to each block included in the execution content declaration 1300 based on information capable of identifying the facilities 2a to 2d. For example, the device manager 200 allocates a device DEV001 having model number WM-0001, which is registered in the device database 1200 in Fig. 8 as being connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information, to each of the multiple blocks 1301 shown in Fig. 9. Note that when the operating state of the device 300 or the connection state to the cloud is managed, the allocation of an operating device 300 may be prohibited.

For example, if the multiple blocks shown in FIG. 9 are not registered as connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information, i.e., if the target device does not exist in the facility, the device manager 200 notifies the sequence manager 100 that the application whose execution content is declared cannot be executed.

(Step S215)
The device manager 200 notifies the device 300 of the result of the device allocation. As a result, a plurality of blocks included in the application are sent to the device 300 to which they are respectively allocated.

(Step S216)
The device 300 validates a block before executing the block, i.e., before executing the block, the device 300 checks whether the block will cause problems in the device 300 if executed, e.g., the device 300 checks for safety and/or efficiency issues.

Then, the device 300 changes the block based on the result of the check. This corrects the block so that no problems occur.

This pre-execution confirmation process will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the first embodiment.

(Step S2165)
The device 300 acquires a rule corresponding to the block. The rule is a rule regarding the order of washing. The rule specifies whether or not the execution content declaration 1300 in which the second block (second control information) is executed after the first block (first control information) is permitted. In other words, the rule specifies whether or not the order of two blocks executed consecutively among the multiple blocks 1301 specified in the execution content declaration 1300 is permitted. For example, the device 300 refers to the rule database to acquire a condition under which the order of two blocks executed consecutively is not permitted. The rule database may be included in the device 300, the sequence manager 100, or the device manager 200, for example.

Below, the rules defined in the rule database 1400 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows an example of the rule database in the first embodiment. In the rule database 1400 in FIG. 11, a first rule 1401, a second rule 1402, a third rule 1403, a fourth rule 1404, and a fifth rule 1405 are registered. Each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 defines that the second block (second control information) is not allowed to be executed after the first block (first control information). In other words, each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 is a rule regarding the order of washing.

In the first rule 1401, for example, the first block is not allowed to include parameters related to the supply of water to the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second block is not allowed to include parameters that control the operation performed in a water-free environment. In this case, the first block is, for example, blocks 1010, 1020, 1050, and 1060. The operation performed in a water-free environment includes an operation that is not allowed to be performed when water is stored in the water tub 502. Specifically, the water-free environment is a state in which the water level in the water tub 502 is lower than a predetermined water level (for example, the lowest water level that the water level sensor can detect). In other words, when water is stored in the water tub 502, the water level in the water tub 502 is a water level equal to or higher than a predetermined water level. The second block is, for example, blocks 1000, 1070, and 1110. The laundry amount detection operation of block 1000 is an operation performed in a water-free environment because it is difficult to accurately detect the amount of laundry when the laundry is submerged in water. In addition, the dehydration operation of block 1070 is performed in a water-free environment because it is difficult to effectively dehydrate laundry when it is submerged in water. In addition, the sterilization/antibacterial operation of block 1110 is performed in a water-free environment because, when laundry is submerged in water, the effectiveness of the effective substance cannot be fully obtained even if air containing effective substances such as charged water particles is released into the washing tub 503.

In the second rule 1402, for example, the first block is not allowed to include a parameter related to heating in the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second block is not allowed to include a parameter that controls an operation performed in a heat-prohibited environment. The first block in this case is, for example, block 1140. The first block in this case may be blocks 1050, 1060, etc., in which the parameter is included to drive the hot water heater 543 until the temperature of the washing water in the water tub 502 reaches a predetermined water temperature (for example, 60 degrees) or higher. The operation performed in the heat-prohibited environment includes an operation that is not allowed to be performed when the temperature in the water tub 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the heat-prohibited environment is when the temperature of the space in the water tub 502 is lower than a predetermined temperature, or when the temperature of the washing water in the water tub 502 is lower than a predetermined water temperature. The second block is, for example, block 1080 when parameter 1081 indicates the drain valve 523, block 1090 when parameter 1091 indicates the door lock is released, etc. The drainage operation of block 1080 is performed in a heat-prohibited environment to prevent high-temperature water from flowing into a drain pipe outside of washing machine 500, which could cause the drain pipe to deform or break due to heat. The door lock release operation of block 1090 is performed in a heat-prohibited environment to prevent the user from touching hot laundry when opening door 505 and attempting to remove laundry from washing tub 503.

In the third rule 1403, for example, the first block is not allowed to include parameters related to the rotation of the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 in which water is stored, and the second block is not allowed to include parameters that control the operation performed in the forbidden environment. In this case, the first block is, for example, blocks 1050, 1060, 1070, etc. The operation performed in the forbidden environment includes an operation that is not allowed to move the water surface in the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503). Specifically, the forbidden environment is when the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) is vibrating or stationary with less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement). The second block is, for example, blocks 1010, 1020, etc. The reason why block 1010 is an operation performed in a forbidden environment is that it is difficult to accurately detect the water level when the water surface is moving.

Although not shown, for example, in a block that performs a water supply operation while performing a stirring operation, when the stirring operation is started and the water supply operation is started a predetermined time later, the sub-block of the stirring operation may be regarded as the first block, and the sub-block of the water supply operation may be regarded as the second block.

In the fourth rule 1404, for example, the first block is not allowed to include parameters related to blowing air into the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) of the washing machine 500, and the second block is not allowed to include parameters that control the operation performed in the forbidden environment. In this case, the first block is, for example, blocks 1130 and 1140. The operation performed in the forbidden environment includes an operation that is not allowed to move the water surface in the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503). Specifically, the forbidden environment is when the water level in the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) is vibrating or stationary with less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement). The second block is, for example, blocks 1010 and 1020. Block 1010 is an operation performed in a forbidden environment because it is difficult to accurately detect the water level when the water surface is moving.

In the fifth rule 1405, for example, it is not permitted that the first block includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 at a first rotation, and the second block includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 at a second rotation different from the first rotation. Here, the first rotation and the second rotation being different may mean that their respective rotation speeds are different from each other. In other words, the first rotation speed in the first rotation may be different from the second rotation speed in the second rotation. Also, the first rotation and the second rotation being different may mean that their respective rotation directions are different from each other. In other words, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation.

The first block in this case is, for example, block 1050, 1060, 1070, etc. The second block is, for example, block 1050, 1060, 1070, etc., which has a different rotation from the first block.

In FIG. 11, the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 each stipulate that the second block is not permitted to be executed after the first block, but it may also stipulate that the second block is permitted to be executed after the first block. Even in this case, it can be defined that the execution of a combination of a first block and a second block that is not stipulated as a rule is not permitted.

For example, the parameters for safe operation of the actuator 22 or heater 23 change depending on the environment of the device 300, such as the internal space of the housing 21, and the order of allowable blocks may not depend only on the performance of the actuator 22 or heater 23 itself. Therefore, in order to operate safely in any environment, the order will be one that places greater importance on safety, reducing the room for development of a wide variety of applications. Therefore, the rules may be associated with information on the device 300, etc., independent of the application. By using such rules, both safety and the development of a wide variety of applications can be achieved.

The rule relates to multiple blocks that are combined in an order that allows the actuator 22 or heater 23 to be driven safely. The multiple blocks that are combined in an order that allows them to be driven safely may be in an order that takes into consideration the start or end conditions of the blocks. The order in which the blocks are executed can be set assuming a case in which a load that affects the safety of the actuator 22 or heater 23 is applied by executing the first block until the start condition of the second block is reached. In other words, the order in which the blocks are executed depends on the performance of the actuator 22 or heater 23, the start or end conditions of the blocks, etc.

Each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 may further include a type, a manufacturer name, and an actuator/heater. This allows the device 300 to obtain a rule corresponding to the actuator 22 or heater 23 driven by the block from the rule database 1400.

(Step S2166)
The device 300 determines whether or not it is permitted to execute the second block after the first block. If it is determined that it is not permitted to execute the second block after the first block (No in S2166), the device 300 skips the subsequent step S2167 and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is permitted to execute the second block after the first block (Yes in S2166), the device 300 proceeds to the next step S2167.

(Step S2167)
The device 300 modifies the execution content declaration 1300 based on the rules in the rule database 1400, and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. The modification of the execution content declaration 1300 means, for example, adding a third block (third control information) to the execution content declaration 1300 as control information for the order of execution after the first block. The modification of the execution content declaration 1300 means, for example, modifying information on parameters included in the first block or information on parameters included in the second block in the execution content declaration 1300. The modification of the execution content declaration 1300 means, for example, restricting the execution of the second block. Alternatively, the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 may be any combination of the above-mentioned addition of a block, modification of parameters, and restriction of the execution of the second block.

Specific examples of such modifications to the execution content declaration 1300 will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 20.

Figure 12 shows a first example of a modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 12, the execution content declaration indicates that the block 1070 of the spin operation, which is an operation performed in a water-free environment, is executed after the block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not permitted by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 adds a block 1080 of the drain operation, which includes parameters related to draining water from the water tank 502, as control information for the order of execution after the block 1010. In other words, even if the spin operation is set to be executed after the water supply operation, the control device 550 adds a drain operation between the water supply operation and the spin operation. As a result, the water tank 502 can be placed in a water-free environment before the spin operation is started, and the spin operation can be effectively dehydrated.

In FIG. 12, even if block 1110 for sterilization/antibacterial operation is set instead of block 1070 for spin operation, block 1080 for drainage operation may be added between block 1070 and block 1110. This allows the water tub 502 to be in a no-water environment before the sterilization/antibacterial operation is started, and laundry can be effectively sterilized.

In addition, in FIG. 12, if a water pouring operation block 1020, a stirring operation block 1050 including parameters for the water supply operation, or a drum rotation operation block 1060 is set instead of the water supply operation block 1010, the same effect as above can be obtained by adding a drainage operation block 1080 immediately after it.

Figure 13 shows a second example of a modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 13, as in Figure 12, the execution content declaration indicates that block 1070 of the spin operation, which is an operation performed in a water-free environment, is executed next to block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not permitted by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 may generate a new block 1070A by modifying block 1070 so as to add parameter 1073 related to drainage from the water tank 502 immediately before block 1070. Parameter 1073 is a parameter indicating that the drain valve 523 is controlled to be open. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be made into a water-free environment before the spin operation is started, and the spin operation can be effectively performed.

In FIG. 13, even if block 1110 for the sterilization/antibacterial operation is set instead of block 1070 for the spin operation, block 1110 may be modified to add parameter 1073 immediately before block 1110. This allows the water tub 502 to be in a no-water environment before the sterilization/antibacterial operation is started, and laundry can be effectively sterilized.

In addition, in FIG. 13, if a water pouring operation block 1020, a stirring operation block 1050 including parameters for the water supply operation, or a drum rotation operation block 1060 is set instead of the water supply operation block 1010, the same effect as above can be obtained by adding a parameter 1073 to the block immediately following it so that drainage is performed immediately before the operation of that block is performed.

Figure 14 shows a third example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 14, the execution content declaration shows that block 1000 of the laundry amount detection operation, which is an operation performed in a water-free environment, is executed next to block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not permitted by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 restricts the execution of block 1000, which is the operation to be executed next to block 1010. Specifically, the control device 550 deletes block 1000 or skips the execution of block 1000. In addition, when the control device 550 reads and executes blocks sequentially, it may restrict the execution of block 1000 by stopping the operation after the execution of block 1010 is completed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the execution of the laundry amount detection operation in an environment where it is difficult to detect the amount of laundry with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption related to the laundry amount detection operation.

15 shows a fourth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 15, the execution content declaration shows that the block 1090 of the door unlocking operation, which is an operation performed in a heat-prohibiting environment, is executed after the block 1140 of the drying operation. Since this is not permitted by the second rule 1402, the control device 550 adds the block 1130 of the air blowing operation, which includes a parameter related to heat dissipation in the washing tub 503, as control information of the order to be executed after the block 1140. In other words, even if the door unlocking operation is set to be executed after the drying operation, the control device 550 adds the air blowing operation between the drying operation and the door unlocking operation. Therefore, the temperature in the washing tub 503 can be lowered to a predetermined temperature or less before the door unlocking operation is started, and the user can be prevented from touching high-temperature laundry. Note that instead of adding the block 1130 of the air blowing operation, a parameter for performing the air blowing operation may be added to the block 1090 of the door unlocking operation or to the block 1140 of the drying operation so that the air blowing operation is performed immediately before the door unlocking operation.

Figure 16 shows a fifth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 16, the execution content declaration shows that block 1080 of the drainage operation, which is an operation performed in a heat-prohibiting environment, is executed next to block 1050 of the agitation operation with high-temperature water having a predetermined water temperature or higher. Since this is not permitted by the second rule 1402, the control device 550 adds block 1150 of the standby operation including a parameter related to heat dissipation as control information of the order to be executed next to block 1050. In the standby operation by block 1150, the control device 550 waits for the execution of the next block 1080 until a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed. In other words, even if the drainage operation is set to be executed next to the agitation operation with high-temperature water, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the agitation operation with high-temperature water and the drainage operation. Therefore, the temperature of the washing water in the water tub 502 can be lowered to below a predetermined water temperature before the drainage operation is started, and the high-temperature water can be prevented from flowing into the drain pipe outside the washing machine 500. Note that instead of adding block 1150 for the standby operation, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to block 1080 for the drainage operation so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the drainage operation, or may be added to block 1050 for the agitation operation. Note that while the standby operation has been given as an example of an operation for dissipating heat, this is not limiting, and heat may be dissipated by performing a drainage operation after a water supply operation.

Figure 17 shows a sixth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 17, the execution content declaration shows that the water supply operation block 1010, which is an operation performed in a prohibited environment, is executed next to the agitation operation block 1050. Since this is not permitted by the third rule 1403, the control device 550 adds a standby operation block 1150 including a parameter related to an operation of waiting without doing anything for a predetermined period (e.g., one minute) as control information of the order to be executed next to the block 1050. In other words, even if the water supply operation is set to be executed next to the agitation operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the agitation operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, the water tub 502 (or the washing tub 503) can be vibrated or stopped with less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement) before the water supply operation is started, and the shaking of the water surface can be reduced. Note that instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the water supply operation block 1010 or to the agitation operation block 1050 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation.

In FIG. 17, even if a water pouring operation block 1120, a stirring operation block 1050 including parameters for the water supply operation, and a drum rotation operation block 1060 are set instead of the water supply operation block 1010, a standby operation block 1150 may be added between the stirring operation and the block including parameters for the water supply operation. This makes it possible to make the water tank 502 a forbidden environment before the water supply operation is started, and to effectively detect the water level of the water tank 502 during the water supply operation.

In addition, in FIG. 17, if a drum rotation operation block 1060 is set instead of the stirring operation block 1050, the same effect as above can be obtained by adding a standby operation block 1150 immediately after it.

Figure 18 shows a seventh example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 18, the execution content declaration shows that the water supply operation block 1010, which is an operation performed in a prohibited environment, is executed next to the air blowing operation block 1130. Since this is not permitted by the fourth rule 1404, the control device 550 adds a standby operation block 1150 including a parameter related to an operation of waiting without doing anything for a predetermined period (e.g., one minute) as control information of the order to be executed next to the block 1130. In other words, even if the water supply operation is set to be executed next to the air blowing operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the air blowing operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the shaking of the water surface before the water supply operation is started. Note that instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the water supply operation block 1010 or the air blowing operation block 1130 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation.

In FIG. 18, even if a water pouring operation block 1120, a stirring operation block 1050 including parameters for the water supply operation, and a drum rotation operation block 1060 are set instead of the water supply operation block 1010, a standby operation block 1150 may be added between the air blowing operation and the block including parameters for the water supply operation. This makes it possible to make the water tank 502 a forbidden environment before the water supply operation is started, and to effectively detect the water level of the water tank 502 during the water supply operation.

Figure 19 shows an eighth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 19, the execution content declaration shows that the block 1050 of the agitation operation, which is an operation using a different rotation from the spin-drying operation, is executed next to the block 1070 of the spin-drying operation. Since this is not permitted by the fifth rule 1405, the control device 550 adds a standby operation block 1150 including a parameter related to an operation of waiting without doing anything for a predetermined period (e.g., 30 seconds) as control information of the order to be executed next to the block 1070. In other words, even if it is set that the agitation operation using a different rotation from the spin-drying operation is executed next to the spin-drying operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the spin-drying operation and the agitation operation. Therefore, the washing tub 503 can be stopped before the agitation operation is started, and it is easy to switch to an agitation operation with another rotation. Note that instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the agitation operation block 1050 or the spin-drying operation block 1070 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the agitation operation. The two blocks are not limited to being applied to a combination of a spin-drying operation and an agitation operation. They may be applied to a combination of two of an agitation operation, a drum rotation operation, and a spin-drying operation, or to a combination of an agitation operation followed by an agitation operation with a different rotation, or to a drum rotation operation followed by a drum rotation operation with a different rotation, or to a spin-drying operation followed by a spin-drying operation with a different rotation. Instead of adding a standby operation, the rotation of the washing tub 503 may be stopped by adding an operation to brake the rotation of the washing tub 503.

Figure 20 shows a ninth example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In Figure 20, the execution content declaration shows that block 1050B including block 1050 of the agitation operation, which is an operation using a different rotation from the spin-drying operation, is executed after block 1070B including block 1070 of the spin-drying operation. Block 1070B further includes parameter 1074 that waits immediately after block 1070 of the spin-drying operation. Block 1050B further includes parameter 1057 that waits immediately before block 1050 of the agitation operation. In this way, parameter 1074 and parameter 1057 are duplicated in block 1050B, which is set to be executed next to block 1070B. In this case, control device 550 deletes duplicated parameter 1074. Note that control device 550 may delete parameter 1057 instead of deleting parameter 1074.

Now, let's return to the explanation of Figure 7.

(Step S217)
The device 300 transmits the result of the pre-execution check to the device manager 200. If the block has been modified, the modified block may be transmitted to the device manager 200.

(Step S218)
The device manager 200 returns the result of the device allocation to the sequence manager 100. If a block is changed in the pre-execution confirmation, the application including the changed block may be sent to the sequence manager 100.

(Step S220)
The sequence manager 100 receives the allocation result notification from the device manager 200 and notifies the user via the UI 400 that preparation for execution is complete.

(Step S222)
The UI 400 displays a list of devices on which the application is executed, and also displays a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving a confirmation input for application execution from a user. The UI 400 may also receive a change in device allocation from a user. The UI 400 does not have to display a list of devices.

(Step S224)
The UI 400 receives an input of execution confirmation from the user and transmits an application start instruction to the device manager 200. The device manager 200 transfers the application start instruction to the sequence manager 100.

Note that steps S220, S222, and S224 provide the user with additional information before the application is executed, but may be omitted since this may increase the user's workload.

This completes the pre-application execution phase F200.

[1.3.3 Application Execution Phase F300]
Next, the application execution phase F300 will be described.

(Step S310)
Upon receiving the application start instruction, the sequence manager 100 selects the first block (first block) from among multiple blocks included in the application. Then, the sequence manager 100 transmits an execution instruction for the selected first block to the device manager 200.

When multiple blocks are operated consecutively, the sequence manager 100 may send execution instructions for the multiple blocks to the device manager 200 together.

The device manager 200 transmits an instruction to execute the first block to the device 300 assigned to the first block based on the instruction to execute the first block received from the sequence manager 100.

(Step S312)
The device manager 200 receives the instruction to execute the first block and updates the schedule (scheduled usage time) of each device.

(Step S314)
The device 300 receives the instruction to execute the first block and executes the first block.

(Step S316)
When the execution of the first block is completed, the device 300 transmits a completion notification to the device manager 200. If an error occurs during the execution of the first block, the device 300 may transmit error information to the device manager 200. The device 300 may also transmit event information to the device manager 200 during the execution of the first block. The event information may be, for example, a sensor output value or an equipment operation, but is not limited to this. The device manager 200 transfers the completion notification and/or various information received from the device 300 to the sequence manager 100.

(Step S318)
Upon receiving a completion notification of the first block, the sequence manager 100 updates the progress of the application and selects the next block (second block). Furthermore, when the sequence manager 100 receives error information, it executes a process corresponding to the error information (e.g., returning to the previous block, returning to the first block, waiting, etc.). Information on the process corresponding to the error information may be, for example, stored in the sequence manager 100 in advance, or may be received from the user via the UI 400. Furthermore, when the sequence manager 100 receives event information, it executes a process corresponding to the event information. For example, if the event information includes an output value of a water level sensor, the sequence manager 100 updates a water level parameter for displaying the water level included in the block being executed.

(Step S320)
The sequence manager 100 transmits an instruction to execute the selected second block to the device manager 200 .

The instruction to execute the second block may be directed to the same device as the instruction to execute the first block (S310), or may be directed to a different device.

In addition, the execution instruction for the second block may be sent to the device manager 200 together with execution instructions for multiple blocks, similar to the execution instruction for the first block.

The subsequent processing is similar to the processing for the first block (S312 to S318), so illustrations and explanations are omitted. The blocks included in the application are executed in order, and when execution of the last block is completed, application execution phase F300 ends.

Note that, although the execution of blocks is instructed one by one in sequence here, this is not limiting. For example, the execution of multiple blocks assigned to the same device may be instructed together. In this case, it may be possible to check in advance whether each block satisfies the parameter range for function execution, or to download blocks corresponding to changes to the device before execution. Also, for example, instructions to execute each block may be given to multiple devices.

[1.4 Effects, etc.]
As described above, an environment in which a wide variety of applications can be developed is provided by using the application including the blocks and the rule database, and the application freely developed in that environment can safely drive the actuator 22 that physically moves or the heater 23 that outputs thermal energy. In other words, an environment in which applications can be freely developed is provided, and a function for ensuring safety independent of the application can be provided. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to develop a wide variety of applications with a high degree of freedom and a rule database for ensuring safety in parallel, making it possible to develop a wide variety of applications at an early stage.

Even after an application has been provided, it is possible to modify the rule database to make the application safer. Even if it becomes necessary to improve a situation that the manufacturer did not anticipate, it is possible to support all applications by updating the rule database, without having to modify the diverse applications themselves, because the rule database is defined independently of the applications.

One possible solution would be to maintain a rule base for error handling by detecting the state when the application is executed, without modifying the application itself. However, this solution would mean always dealing with an error after it has occurred, meaning that it would tolerate situations where the home appliance is overloaded or where safety cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, by maintaining a rule database independent of the application and modifying the content of the application by referencing the rule data, it is possible to ensure safety.

The washing machine 500 in this embodiment is a washing machine 500 capable of communicating with the cloud server 10 (external device). The washing machine 500 includes a communication unit 570 that receives an execution content declaration (laundry information) from the cloud server 10, a washing function unit that performs washing-related operations on the laundry based on the laundry information, and a control device 550 that controls the washing function unit. The execution content declaration includes a plurality of blocks, each of which is control information related to parameters that control the operation of the washing function unit, and order information related to the order in which the plurality of blocks are executed. The control device 550 modifies the execution content declaration based on the rules related to the washing order, and executes the control information included in the modified execution content declaration to cause the washing function unit to perform an operation based on the execution content declaration.

According to this, the washing function unit can be driven based on an application defined by multiple blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the washing machine 500, and a wide variety of applications can be developed not only by manufacturers but also by third parties, and these applications can be easily executed by the washing machine 500. Furthermore, it is possible to correct the declaration of the execution content that is not permitted before the washing function unit is driven based on the application. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing function unit from executing operations in an unpermitted order. In other words, even if an application developer mistakenly instructs the washing function unit to execute operations in an unpermitted order, it is possible to prevent the execution of an application that cannot safely control the washing machine 500. In addition, it is possible to prevent the washing machine 500 from operating inefficiently. Therefore, even if an application developer creates an application that places more importance on suitability for the user than on ensuring the safety of the washing function unit, it is possible to improve the safety of the washing machine 500 controlled by the application. In addition, it is possible to improve the operating efficiency of the washing machine 500 and reduce power consumption.

For example, if the rules do not permit the execution of a first block included in the execution content declaration and a second block set in the order information to be executed after the first block, the control device 550 may add a third block to the execution content declaration as control information for the order to be executed after the first block.

According to this, if two blocks are not permitted to be executed consecutively, a third block can be added between the two blocks in the sequence, thereby preventing the washing function unit from executing the operations of two blocks in an impermissible sequence.

For example, when the rules do not permit the execution of a first block included in the execution content declaration and a second block that is set in the order information to be executed after the first block, the control device 550 may modify information regarding the parameters included in the first block or information regarding the parameters included in the second block.

According to this, if two blocks that are executed consecutively are not permitted, information regarding the parameters contained in one of the two blocks can be modified, thereby preventing the washing function unit from executing the operations of the two blocks in an impermissible order.

For example, the control device 550 may also restrict the execution of a first block included in the execution content declaration and a second block that is set in the order information to be executed after the first block if the rules do not permit the execution of the second block.

According to this, if two blocks executed consecutively are not permitted, the execution of the second block can be restricted, thereby preventing the washing function unit from executing the operations of two blocks in an impermissible order.

For example, the first rule may not allow the first block to include parameters related to the supply of water to the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block to include parameters that control an operation performed in a no-water environment. For example, the operation performed in a no-water environment may include an operation that is not allowed to be performed when water is stored in the water tub 502. This makes it possible to prevent the execution of an operation based on the second block that does not provide sufficient effect even if it is performed when there is water in the water tub 502. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary operations and reduce power consumption.

For example, the second rule may not allow the first block to include parameters related to heating in the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block to include parameters that control an operation performed in a heat-prohibiting environment. For example, the operation performed in the heat-prohibiting environment may include an operation that is not allowed to be performed when the temperature in the water tub 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent the operation from being performed when the temperature in the water tub 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, it is possible to reduce the adverse effect of the high temperature environment in the water tub 502 on the outside of the washing machine 500 and ensure safety.

For example, the third rule may not allow the first block to include parameters related to the rotation of the washing tub 503 in which water is stored, and the second block to include parameters that control an operation performed in a forbidden environment. For example, an operation performed in a forbidden environment may include an operation that is not permitted to move the water surface in the washing tub 503. Therefore, the operation of the second block can be controlled with reduced shaking of the water surface, and therefore the operation of the second block can be effectively controlled.

For example, the fourth rule does not require that the first block include parameters related to blowing air into the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 and that the second block include parameters that control operation performed in a prohibited environment. This allows the operation of the second block to be controlled with reduced water surface swaying, thereby allowing the operation of the second block to be controlled effectively.

For example, the fifth rule does not require that the first block include parameters for rotating the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 at a first rotation, and the second block include parameters for rotating the washing tub 503 at a second rotation different from the first rotation. For example, the first rotation speed in the first rotation may be different from the second rotation speed in the second rotation. Also, for example, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation. This makes it possible to prevent operations at different rotations from being performed consecutively, and effectively switch the rotation of the washing tub 503.

For example, when the first block includes parameters related to the supply of water to the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block includes parameters for controlling an operation performed in a no-water environment, the control device 550 adds a third block including parameters related to draining water from the water tub 502 to the execution content declaration based on the first rule as control information for the order of execution between the first and second blocks. Therefore, the water tub 502 can be made into a no-water environment by draining water before the operation performed in the no-water environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

For example, when the first block includes parameters related to the supply of water to the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block includes parameters controlling an operation performed in a water-free environment, the control device 550 may modify the second block based on the first rule so as to add parameters related to draining water from the water tub 502 immediately before the parameters controlling the operation performed in the water-free environment. Therefore, by draining water before the operation performed in the water-free environment is started, the water tub 502 can be made into a water-free environment, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

For example, when the first block includes parameters related to heating inside the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block includes parameters controlling an operation performed in a heat-prohibiting environment, the control device 550 may add a third block including parameters related to heat dissipation from the water tub 502 to the execution content declaration based on the second rule as control information for the order of execution between the first and second blocks. Therefore, by dissipating heat before the operation performed in the heat-prohibiting environment is started, the temperature of the water tub 502 can be lowered to create a heat-prohibiting environment, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

For example, when the first block includes parameters related to heating inside the water tub 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block includes parameters controlling an operation performed in a heat-prohibiting environment, the control device 550 may modify the second block based on the second rule so as to add parameters related to heat dissipation from the water tub 502 immediately before the parameters controlling the operation performed in the heat-prohibiting environment. As a result, the temperature of the water tub 502 can be lowered to create a heat-prohibiting environment by dissipating heat before the operation performed in the heat-prohibiting environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

For example, when a first block included in the execution content declaration and a second block set in the sequence information to be executed after the first block overlap based on the rule, the control device 550 may (i) delete the first block or the second block, or (ii) delete information regarding the parameters included in the first block or information regarding the parameters included in the second block. Thus, by deleting the blocks or parameters of the overlapping operations, it is possible to reduce the execution of unnecessary operations. This can reduce power consumption.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the application by referring to the first rule and changing a parameter included in the first parameter range to a parameter included in a range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is permitted.

This allows parameters included in the first unacceptable parameter range to be changed to parameters included in the acceptable range, so that, for example, application developers can freely develop applications by lowering the priority of considering the safe operation of the actuator 22 and heater 23, and further, developers of software incorporated into the device 20 that controls the actuator 22 and heater 23 can execute blocks without checking the safety of each application every time, and can prevent the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 from being operated with unacceptable parameters.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 24 may refer to the first rule, change the parameters included in the first parameter range to parameters included in a range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is permitted, and change the application by adding a new block to the multiple blocks.

This allows parameters included in the first unacceptable parameter range to be changed to parameters included in the acceptable range, thereby preventing the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 from being driven with unacceptable parameters. Furthermore, it is also possible to add new blocks, so that it is possible to supplement the functionality that has been reduced by changing the parameters with new blocks.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the application by deleting a block having parameters that fall within the first parameter range.

This makes it possible to delete blocks that have parameters that fall within the first unacceptable parameter range, thereby preventing the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 from being driven with unacceptable parameters. For example, if the actuator 22 and heater 23 are not even capable of executing the parameters specified by the application developer, deleting them allows control to be performed without causing confusion in the device. On the other hand, the user may be notified that they have been deleted.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 24 may refer to the first rule to determine whether each of the multiple parameters included in the multiple blocks is included in a first parameter range, and if it is determined that the parameter is included in the first parameter range, change the block that has the parameter.

This makes it possible to more reliably modify blocks that have parameters that fall within the first unacceptable parameter range.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the application may include information on the order in which each of the multiple blocks is executed, and information on the timing at which each of the multiple blocks is executed. The timing information for each block indicates, for example, the time between the start timing of the block and the start or end timing of another block (e.g., the first block).

This allows applications to include order and timing information, and to make sequential decisions and execute them while checking the parameter ranges of each block.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, the first parameter range may be a parameter range that causes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 to reach a durable temperature.

This makes it possible to prevent the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 from reaching their endurance temperature when the application is executed, thereby improving the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

For example, the device 20 in this embodiment may include a housing 21 having an internal space, and the first parameter range may be a parameter range that causes the internal space to reach a durable temperature.

This makes it possible to prevent the internal space of the housing 21 from reaching a durable temperature when the application is executed, thereby improving the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
(Variation 1)
In correcting the execution content declaration 1300 (laundry information), the control device 550 may carry out the process described below, without being limited to the specific example described in the first embodiment.

Specifically, the control device 550 may classify the multiple blocks 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing processes based on a classification rule, and then modify the execution content declaration 1300 by adding common information common to one or more first blocks included in a first washing process to a first washing process among the one or more washing processes. The control device 550 classifies each of the multiple blocks 1301 into one or more washing processes. The one or more washing processes include, for example, a water supply process, a stirring process, a draining process, a spin-drying process, a blowing process, a sterilization/antibacterial process, and a soaking process. The one or more first blocks included in the first washing process are consecutive in the order indicated by the order information included in the execution content declaration 1300. The common information includes detection information that the control device 550 obtains from various sensors, such as the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake sensor 531, the hot air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the hot water sensor 544, to determine the operating state while one washing process is being performed.

The classification method by which the control device 550 classifies each block into one or more washing processes and the process of adding common information will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of classification rules in Variation 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in Variation 1 of Embodiment 1.

First, the control device 550 identifies the attributes of the multiple blocks 1301 using the classification rule 1410 (S2171). For each of the multiple blocks 1301, the control device 550 may identify the attribute for which the name of the block is associated in the classification rule 1410 as the attribute of the block. In the classification rule 1410, the name of the block is associated with the attribute as shown in FIG. 21. In the classification rule 1410, the attribute "no attribute" may be included as an attribute for classifying the block into one or more washing processes. In other words, the control device 550 may identify the attribute of a block associated with the attribute "no attribute" in the classification rule as "no attribute." Note that, when the control device 550 cannot identify an attribute corresponding to a block in the classification rule, that is, when there is no attribute that matches the block in the classification rule, the control device 550 may determine that the block is "no attribute."

The control device 550 may use other classification rules to identify the attributes of the block based on an identifier that has been assigned to the block in advance. In the other classification rules, the identifier and attributes of the block are associated with each other.

The control device 550 may also use still another classification rule to identify the attribute of the block based on a combination of one or more types of parameters included in the block. In still another classification rule, a combination of one or more types of parameters included in the block is associated with an attribute. For example, in still another classification rule, a combination of a parameter related to water supply and a parameter related to rotation of the washing tub in one direction (i.e., left rotation or right rotation) containing water is associated with an attribute indicating the water supply process. In still another classification rule, a combination of a parameter related to water supply and a parameter related to rotation of the washing tub in both directions (i.e., left rotation and right rotation) containing water is associated with an attribute indicating the stirring process.

Next, the control device 550 classifies the multiple blocks into one or more washing processes based on the identified attributes (S2172). Specifically, the control device 550 classifies one or more consecutive blocks of the multiple blocks 1301 with the same attribute in the order indicated by the sequence information into one washing process. In other words, when there are multiple consecutive blocks with the first attribute in the order indicated by the sequence information, the control device 550 classifies the multiple consecutive blocks with the first attribute into the first washing process corresponding to the first attribute.

When a block with no attribute is sandwiched between blocks with a first attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 may regard the block with no attribute as a block with a first attribute and classify the block with a first washing process corresponding to the first attribute. When a block with no attribute is sandwiched between a block with a first attribute and a block with a second attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 may regard the block with no attribute as a block with a first attribute and classify the block with a first washing process corresponding to the first attribute, or may classify the block with a second washing process corresponding to the second attribute. Here, whether the block is classified as the first washing process or the second washing process may be determined in advance. The second attribute is an attribute different from the first attribute. The second washing process is a process different from the first washing process and is the washing process following the first washing process.

After classifying each block into one or more washing processes, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process to correct a plurality of blocks included in each washing process using rules defined in the rule database 1400 shown in FIG. 11. The method of correcting a plurality of blocks is the same as that of the first embodiment. For example, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process to correct a plurality of blocks classified into a water supply process by applying the first rule 1401 to the plurality of blocks classified into a water supply process. For example, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process to correct a plurality of blocks classified into a stirring process by applying the second rule 1402 to the plurality of blocks classified into a stirring process. For example, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process to correct a plurality of blocks classified into a water supply process or a stirring process by applying the third rule 1403 to the plurality of blocks classified into a water supply process or a stirring process. For example, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process to correct a plurality of blocks classified into a drying process by applying the fourth rule 1404 to the plurality of blocks classified into a drying process.

The control device 550 may also set rules corresponding to each washing process, as shown in the first rule 1401 for correcting multiple blocks included in the water supply process. In other words, the control device 550 may correct each washing process based on the correction rule for that washing process. This eliminates the need for the control device 550 to refer to other correction rules, thereby reducing the processing load, by referring only to the correction rule for that washing process.

Next, the control device 550 adds common information to each washing process (S2173).

Figures 23A to 23C show modifications to the execution content declaration in variant 1 of embodiment 1. In Figure 23A, the execution content declaration indicates that block 1000 of the laundry amount detection operation, block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, block 1150 of the foam generation operation, block 1050 of the agitation operation, and block 1010 of the water supply operation are executed in this order. Based on classification rule 1410, control device 550 specifies that the attribute of block 1000 of the laundry amount detection operation is the laundry amount determination process, and specifies that the attribute of block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, block 1150 of the foam generation operation, block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, and block 1010 of the water supply operation are the water supply process. In addition, based on the classification rule 1410, the control device 550 determines that the attribute of the agitation operation block 1050 is a water supply process or an agitation process, and since the agitation operation block 1050 is sandwiched between blocks 1150 and 1010, which have the attribute of a water supply process, the control device 550 determines that the attribute of the agitation operation block 1050 is a water supply process.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23B, the control device 550 classifies the laundry amount detection operation block 1000 into a laundry amount determination process 1500, and classifies the drum rotation operation block 1060, the foam generation operation block 1150, the agitation operation block 1050, and the water supply operation block 1010 into a water supply process 1510.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23C, the control device 550 adds common information 1511 relating to control common to the drum rotation operation block 1060, foam generation operation block 1150, stirring operation block 1050, and water supply operation block 1010, all of which are included in the water supply process 1510, to the water supply process 1510. The common information 1511 may include detection information for measuring the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor reaches a predetermined water level, or may include detection information for acquiring the amount of change (increase) per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor.

In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 determines whether the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the specified water level is reached exceeds a specified time, and if it determines that this time exceeds the specified time, it may stop the water supply process 1510 and cause the operation panel 560 to display that an error has occurred. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 continues the water supply process 1510 if it determines that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the specified water level is reached does not exceed the specified time.

In addition, the control device 550 may determine whether the amount of change per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 (i.e., the rate of change) is within a predetermined rate range during the water supply process 1510, and if it determines that the rate of change is outside the predetermined rate range, it may stop the water supply process 1510 and cause the operation panel 560 to display the occurrence of an error. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 may continue the water supply process 1510 when it determines that the amount of change per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 (i.e., the rate of change) is within the predetermined rate range.

In the washing machine 500 of this modified example, the control device 550 (i) classifies the multiple blocks included in the execution content declaration (laundry information) into one or more washing processes based on the classification rule, and (ii) modifies the laundry information by adding common information regarding control common to one or more blocks included in a first washing process among the one or more washing processes. The control device 550 then executes the modified execution content declaration to cause the laundry function unit to perform an operation based on the execution content declaration. The one or more blocks included in the first washing process are consecutive in the order indicated by the sequence information.

As a result, the user simply specifies multiple blocks to be executed by the washing machine 500, and the control device 550 adds common information regarding control common to one or more blocks included in the first washing process among the multiple blocks. As a result, the washing function unit can perform control that is effective to be executed in parallel while the first washing process is being executed, and the user can operate the washing machine 500 efficiently even without specialized knowledge.

(Variation 2)
In correcting the execution content declaration 1300 (laundry information), the control device 550 may carry out the process described below, without being limited to the specific examples described in the first embodiment and its first modified example.

Specifically, the control device 550 may classify the multiple blocks 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing processes based on the classification rules, and then modify the execution content declaration 1300 by adding, to the first washing process, decision information for determining the washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the first washing process, depending on whether the operating state during the execution of the first washing process among the one or more washing processes satisfies a predetermined condition. The one or more washing processes are the same as those in the modified example 1. Specifically, the decision information is information for causing the washing function unit to execute the second washing process after the first washing process when the first washing process is completed while the operating state in the first washing process satisfies a predetermined condition, and for causing the washing function unit to stop the first washing process and execute a third washing process different from the second washing process when the operating state in the first washing process does not satisfy the predetermined condition. In other words, the decision information is information used by the control device 550 to determine whether to continue the first washing process and move to the second washing process after the first washing process is completed, or to stop the first washing process and move to the third washing process, depending on the operating state. The second washing process includes the block next to the last block of the first washing process in the order indicated by the order information, among the multiple blocks included in the execution content declaration 1300. In other words, the second washing process includes the block next in order to the first washing process.

The control device 550 executes the detection information to acquire the operating state of the washing function unit while the first washing process is being performed from various sensors, etc. The control device 550 determines whether the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, and if the first washing process ends with the operating state still satisfying the predetermined condition, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing process after the first washing process. On the other hand, if the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control device 550 stops the first washing process and causes the washing function unit to execute a third washing process different from the second washing process.

The detection information may be information that allows the control device 550 to sequentially acquire the operating state of the washing function unit while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors, etc. In other words, the control device 550 may execute the detection information to sequentially acquire the operating state of the washing function unit while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors, etc.

The process of adding decision information by the control device 550 will be described. Figure 24 is a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in Variation 2 of Embodiment 1.

First, the control device 550 identifies the attributes of multiple blocks 1301 using the classification rules 1410 (S2171).

Next, the control device 550 classifies the multiple blocks into one or more washing processes based on the identified attributes (S2172).

Next, the control device 550 adds decision information to each washing process (S2173a).

Figures 25A to 25D show a first example of modifying the execution content declaration in Variation 2 of Embodiment 1. In Figure 25A, the execution content declaration indicates that block 1070 of the spin-drying operation is to be executed. Based on the classification rules, the control device 550 identifies that the attribute of block 1070 of the spin-drying operation is a spin-drying process.

Then, the control device 550 classifies the spin-drying operation block 1070 into the spin-drying process 1520, as shown in FIG. 25B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 25C, the control device 550 adds to the spin-drying process 1520 decision information 1521 for deciding which washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the spin-drying process, depending on whether the operating state during the spin-drying process 1520 satisfies a predetermined condition. The decision information 1521 is, for example, information indicating that the spin-drying process 1520 is continued when no unevenness of the fabric is detected during the spin-drying process 1520, and that the spin-drying process is stopped and the process proceeds to the rinsing process when unevenness of the fabric is detected. The control device 550 may sequentially acquire the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 from the vibration sensor 507, and detect unevenness of the fabric when the acquired magnitude of vibration exceeds a second threshold. The magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 is an example of an operating state. Also, the magnitude of vibration being equal to or less than the second threshold is an example of a predetermined condition.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content declaration and detects unevenness of the fabric while the spin-drying process 1520 is being executed, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold, the control device 550 may stop the spin-drying process 1520 and move to the rinsing process 1530 based on the decision information 1521, as shown in FIG. 25D. The rinsing process 1530 is an example of a third washing process that is different from the second washing process.

The rinsing process 1530 may include decision information indicating that the spin-drying process 1520 is to be executed again after the rinsing process 1530. This causes the control device 550 to execute the spin-drying process 1520 again when the rinsing process 1530 is completed. In this way, when the control device 550 detects unevenness in the fabric, it stops the spin-drying process 1520 and executes the rinsing process 1530, so that the unevenness in the fabric can be eliminated before the spin-drying process 1520.

The decision information 1521 is added to the spin-drying process 1520 that is executed again, just like the first spin-drying process 1520. This causes the control device 550 to perform control to add the rinsing process 1530 in between until the spin-drying process 1520 is completed without detecting any unevenness in the fabric.

On the other hand, if no unevenness of the fabric is detected while the spin-drying process 1520 is being performed, that is, if the spin-drying process ends while the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 remains below the second threshold, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing process scheduled after the spin-drying process. The second washing process is a washing process that includes a block of operations that was scheduled to be performed after the spin-drying operation block 1070 in the execution content declaration. If there is no second washing process, the control device 550 may end the control of the washing.

Although not shown, the control device 550 may add common information to the spin-drying process 1520 after classifying the spin-drying operation block 1070 into the spin-drying process 1520, as in the first modification. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the spin-drying process 1520.

Figures 26A to 26D show a second example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. In Figure 26A, the execution content declaration indicates that the pre-spinning operation block 1070a, the spinning operation block 1070, and the drying operation block 1140 are to be executed. Note that the pre-spinning operation block 1070a is a block that includes the same parameters as the spinning operation block 1070, but has different parameter values. Therefore, the pre-spinning operation block 1070a is treated the same as the spinning operation block 1070 in the classification of the washing process. Based on the classification rules, the control device 550 identifies the attributes of the pre-spinning operation block 1070a and the spinning operation block 1070 as being the spinning process, and identifies the drying operation block 1140 as being the drying process.

Then, as shown in FIG. 26B, the control device 550 classifies the preliminary spin-drying operation block 1070a and the spin-drying operation block 1070 into the spin-drying process 1522, and classifies the drying process block 1140 into the drying process 1540.

Next, as shown in FIG. 26C, the control device 550 adds decision information 1523 to the spin-drying process 1522 to determine the washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the spin-drying process, depending on whether the operating state during the spin-drying process 1522 satisfies a predetermined condition. The decision information 1523 is, for example, information indicating that the spin-drying process is stopped and the process proceeds to the rinsing process when unevenness of the fabric is detected during the execution of the preliminary spin-drying operation of the spin-drying process 1522, and information indicating that the spin-drying process is stopped and the process proceeds to the spin-drying process again when unevenness of the fabric is detected during the execution of the spin-drying operation. The decision information 1523 is also information indicating that the spin-drying process 1522 is continued when unevenness of the fabric is not detected in the spin-drying process 1522.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content declaration, and when the unevenness of the fabric is detected during the preliminary spin-drying operation of the spin-drying process 1522, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold, the control device 550 may stop the spin-drying process 1522 and move to the rinsing process based on the decision information 1523. Also, when the control device 550 detects the unevenness of the fabric during the spin-drying operation of the spin-drying process 1522, that is, when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold, the control device 550 may stop the spin-drying process 1522 and move to the spin-drying process 1524 based on the decision information 1523, as shown in FIG. 26D. The spin-drying process 1524 is an example of a third washing process different from the second washing process.

The spin-drying process 1524 may include decision information 1525 indicating that the drying process 1540 is to be executed again after the spin-drying process 1524. This decision information 1525 may further indicate that the spin-drying process 1524 is to be stopped and the spin-drying process is to be executed again if unevenness of the fabric is detected, or that the spin-drying process 1524 is to be stopped and the rinsing process is to be executed if unevenness of the fabric is detected. As a result, the control device 550 executes the drying process 1540 when the spin-drying process 1524 is completed without unevenness of the fabric being detected.

The decision information 1541 may also be added to the drying process 1540. The decision information 1541 is, for example, information indicating that the spin-drying process 1520 is continued when no clogging of the filter is detected while the drying process 1540 is being performed, and that the drying process 1540 is stopped and a transition to a presentation process in which an error is displayed is made when clogging of the filter is detected. In this case, the control device 550 may successively acquire the current value of the fan motor of the circulation fan 534 from a current sensor provided in the fan motor, and detect the clogging of the filter when the acquired current value exceeds a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be calculated by adding or subtracting a predetermined difference value to the current value based on the current value at the start of the drying process 1540, or may be a predetermined fixed value. The current value of the fan motor detected by the current sensor is an example of an operating state. Also, the current value being equal to or less than the first threshold value is an example of a predetermined condition.

Here, the decision information 1541 states that if a clogged filter is detected, the drying process 1540 is stopped and a transition to a notification process in which an error message is displayed is made. However, this is not limited to the above. The drying process 1540 may be continued without being stopped, and the transition to the notification process may be made after the drying process 1540 is completed, or after the washing process following the drying process 1540 is completed.

The decision information 1541 may also be information for determining whether the difference between the moving average of the detection value of the hot air sensor 535 over a predetermined period based on the current time and the detection value of the hot air sensor 535 at the start of the drying process 1540 is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and for the control device 550 to decide to end the drying process 1540 if the difference is equal to or greater than the third threshold, or for the control device 550 to decide to continue the drying process 1540 if the difference is not equal to or greater than the third threshold.

On the other hand, if no unevenness of the fabric is detected while the spin-drying process 1522 is being performed, that is, if the spin-drying process ends while the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 remains below the second threshold, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the drying process 1540, which is scheduled to follow the spin-drying process.

Although not shown, the control device 550 may add common information to the spin-drying process 1522 after classifying the preliminary spin-drying operation block 1070a and the spin-drying operation block 1070 into the spin-drying process 1522, as in the first example of the first modified example. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the spin-drying process 1520.

In the washing machine 500 of this modified example, the common information includes detection information that the control device 550 acquires from various sensors, etc., the operating state while the first washing process is being executed. The control device 550 acquires the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors, etc., by executing the detection information. If the acquired operating state is still satisfying a predetermined condition when the first washing process ends, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing process after the first washing process. If the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control device 550 stops the first washing process and causes the washing function unit to execute a third washing process different from the second washing process.

According to this, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing process or to stop the first washing process and move to the third washing process depending on the acquired operating state, and can cause the washing function unit to execute a washing process appropriate to the operating state.

For example, the second washing process includes a second block that is next to one or more first blocks in the order indicated by the sequence information among the multiple blocks. Therefore, when the first washing process is completed by continuing the first washing process, the control device 550 can cause the washing function unit to execute a second washing process that includes a second block that is next to one or more first blocks included in the first washing process.

For example, the detection information is information that allows the control device 550 to sequentially acquire the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors, etc., by executing the detection information. The control device 550 sequentially acquires the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors, etc., by executing the detection information. Therefore, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing process or to stop the first washing process and move to the third washing process according to the sequentially acquired operating state, and can cause the washing function unit to execute a washing process appropriate to the operating state at that time.

(Variation 3)
In correcting the execution content declaration 1300 (laundry information), the control device 550 may carry out the processes described below, without being limited to the specific examples described in the first embodiment and its modified examples 1 and 2.

The control device 550 may use the results of the operation state acquired in the first washing process by executing the common information described in Variation 1 of the first embodiment to add decision information to the first washing process to determine whether to continue the first washing process and have the washing function unit execute the next second washing process, or to stop the first washing process and have the washing function unit execute the third washing process, as described in Variation 2 of the first embodiment. In other words, Variation 1 and Variation 2 of the first embodiment may be combined.

The control device 550 may, for example, add common information 1511 to the water supply process 1510 as in the specific example of Figures 23A to 23C, and then add decision information (not shown) for deciding whether to continue the water supply process 1510 or to stop the water supply process 1510 and move to a presentation process that displays an error, depending on whether the operating state obtained by executing the common information 1511 satisfies a predetermined condition.

The common information 1511 may include detection information indicating that the time from the start of the water supply process until a predetermined water level is reached is measured. The common information 1511 may include timing information for causing a timing unit (not shown) to measure the elapsed time from the start of the water supply process and for causing the operation panel 560 to present time information relating to the elapsed time measured by the timing unit. The timing unit may be a functional unit included in the control device 550, or may be a functional unit different from the control device 550.

In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 may determine whether the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the predetermined water level is reached exceeds a predetermined time, and if it determines that this time exceeds the predetermined time, it may execute a presentation process to stop the water supply process 1510 and have the operation panel 560 present the fact that an error has occurred. The predetermined condition in this case is that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the predetermined water level is reached is less than a predetermined time. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 may continue the water supply process 1510 if it determines that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 until the predetermined water level is reached does not exceed the predetermined time.

In addition, the control device 550 may determine whether the amount of increase per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 (i.e., the increase speed) is within a predetermined speed range in the water supply process 1510, and if it determines that the change speed is outside the predetermined speed range, it may stop the water supply process 1510 and execute a notification process to cause the operation panel 560 to notify that an error has occurred. The predetermined condition in this case is that the change speed of the water level of the water tank 502 is within a predetermined range. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal of the occurrence of an error via the communication unit 570. In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 may continue the water supply process 1510 if it determines that the amount of increase per unit time of the water level of the water tank 502 (i.e., the increase speed) is within the predetermined speed range.

In this way, the control device 550 may acquire speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level of the water tub 502 in the water supply process 1510, and add decision information to the water supply process 1510 for determining whether the speed information is within a predetermined range of speed information. The control device 550 acquires speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level of the water tub 502 in the water supply process 1510, determines whether the speed information is within a predetermined range of speed information, and if the water supply process 1510 ends while the speed information is still within the predetermined range of speed information, causes the washing function unit to execute the washing process scheduled after the water supply process 1510. On the other hand, if the acquired speed information is not within the predetermined range of speed information, the control device 550 cancels the water supply process 1510 and causes the washing function unit to execute the presentation process.

The control device 550 may also execute the common information 1511 to cause the operation panel 560 to display the elapsed time from the start of the water supply process 1510. The elapsed time may be shown as a count-up time from the start of the water supply process 1510, or may be shown as a count-down time obtained by subtracting the count-up time from the time required for the water supply process 1510.

The control device 550 may apply a similar process to the drainage process, in addition to the water supply process. In the drainage process, the control device 550 may determine whether the time from the start of the drainage process until the predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it determines that this time exceeds the predetermined time, it may execute a notification process of stopping the drainage process and causing the operation panel 560 to notify that an error has occurred. The predetermined water level may be, for example, a water level at which it is considered that there is no water in the water tank 502. The predetermined condition in this case is that the time from the start of the drainage process until the predetermined water level is reached is less than a predetermined time. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. In the drainage process, if the control device 550 determines that the time from the start of the drainage process until the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, it continues the drainage process.

In addition, the control device 550 may determine whether the amount of decrease per unit time of the water level of the aquarium 502 (i.e., the decrease rate) is within a predetermined rate range during the drainage process, and if it determines that this rate of change is outside the predetermined rate range, it may stop the drainage process and execute a notification process to cause the operation panel 560 to notify the user that an error has occurred. The predetermined condition in this case is that the rate of change of the water level of the aquarium 502 is within a predetermined range. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. In the drainage process, the control device 550 may continue the drainage process when it determines that the amount of decrease per unit time of the water level of the aquarium 502 (i.e., the decrease rate) is within the predetermined rate range.

In this way, the control device 550 may acquire speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level of the water tub 502 during the draining process, and add decision information to the draining process for determining whether the speed information is within a predetermined range of speed information. The control device 550 acquires speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level of the water tub 502 during the draining process, determines whether the speed information is within a predetermined range of speed information, and if the draining process ends while the speed information is still within the predetermined range of speed information, causes the washing function unit to execute the washing process scheduled after the draining process. On the other hand, if the acquired speed information is not within the predetermined range of speed information, the control device 550 stops the draining process and causes the washing function unit to execute the presentation process.

The control device 550 may also add common information including detection information for detecting the foam generation status in the water tub 502 during the water supply process or the stirring process to the water supply process or the stirring process. The control device 550 may also sequentially acquire the foam generation status in the water tub 502 as an operating state, and add decision information to the water supply process or the stirring process for determining the washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the first washing process according to the acquired foam generation status. In this case, the decision information specifically indicates that if foam generation is not detected during the water supply process or the stirring process, the water supply process or the stirring process is continued, and when the water supply process or the stirring process is completed, the washing function unit is caused to execute the washing process scheduled after the water supply process or the stirring process. Furthermore, the decision information indicates that if foam generation is detected during the water supply process or the stirring process, the water supply process or the stirring process is stopped, and the washing function unit is caused to execute the defoaming process. The defoaming process is, for example, a process in which a draining operation, a stirring operation, a water supplying operation, and a draining operation are performed in this order.

Therefore, when the water supply process or the stirring process ends while the acquired foam generation status indicates that foam generation has not been detected by executing the decision information, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the washing process scheduled after the water supply process or the stirring process. Also, when the control device 550 executes the decision information and the acquired foam generation status indicates that foam generation has been detected, the control device 550 stops the water supply process or the stirring process and causes the washing function unit to execute the defoaming process.

(Variation 4)
In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the processing of the system 1 has been described with reference to Fig. 7, but the processing flow is not limited to this. In particular, for the pre-execution check (S216) described in detail, the timing and the module that is the subject of the pre-execution check are not limited to this. Therefore, some modified examples of the sequence diagram of the system 1 will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 27A to 27E.

Figure 27A is a sequence diagram of system 1 in variant 4 of embodiment 1. In Figure 27A, the pre-execution check (S216) is performed by device 300 immediately before device 300 receives an execution instruction (S310) and executes a block (S314).

This allows the software built into device 300 to have a simple configuration in which a pre-execution check is performed immediately before the execution of a block. In other words, steps S215 and S217 can be omitted. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to build functions and communication APIs for performing these processes into device 300, and it becomes possible to reduce the memory usage of the microcomputer mounted on device 300.

The result of the pre-execution check may be notified to the device manager 200 and/or the UI 400. For example, if a parameter change or an instruction to stop execution of a block is issued as a result of the pre-execution check, the check result may be notified to the device manager 200 or the UI 400.

(Variation 5)
Fig. 27B is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in the fifth modification of the first embodiment. In Fig. 27B, the pre-execution check (S216) is performed by the device manager 200 when the device manager 200 performs the allocation result notification (S218).

As a result, the software built into the device 300 does not need to include the function of pre-execution confirmation (S216). This reduces the memory usage of the device 300, which leads to a reduction in the cost of the device 300.

In addition, in the above embodiment 1, the block execution (S314) by the device 300 is described as being performed in response to an instruction from the sequence manager 100 implemented in the cloud server 10, but the manner in which the block execution (S314) is performed is not limited to this.

For example, the notification content from the sequence manager 100 may be stored in the memory of the device 300, and the block may be executed by a direct instruction from the user via the UI of the apparatus 20 or the UI 400 of the terminal 30. In other words, an application may be downloaded into the device, and the user may execute the application at any time.

(Variation 6)
27C is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in the sixth modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 27C, in the application execution phase F300, the sequence manager 100 notifies the device 300 of one or more blocks to be executed by the device 300 (S310C). Then, the device 300 stores the notified one or more blocks in a memory (S311C).

Then, the device 300 receives an instruction from the user to execute one or more of the stored blocks (S312C), and executes the one or more blocks in order starting from the first block (S314).

As described above, by storing the blocks in the device 300, the device 300 can be controlled without communication between the device manager 200 and the device 300, thereby reducing the risk of the device 300 stopping or delaying operation due to unstable communication between the cloud server 10 and the apparatus 20. Therefore, this modified example is more effective in an environment where the reliability of communication with the cloud server 10 is low and/or in a device 300 where stopping or delaying the operation of the device while an application is running is not acceptable.

In addition, in the sixth modification, as in the first embodiment, the pre-execution check (S216) has an important meaning, but the timing at which the pre-execution check (S216) is performed and the module that is the subject are not limited to those shown in FIG. 27C. In other words, the sixth modification may be combined with the fourth or fifth modification.

(Variation 7)
Fig. 27D is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in Modification 7 of the first embodiment. Modification 7 corresponds to a combination of Modifications 4 and 6. In Modification 7, as shown in Fig. 27D, the pre-execution confirmation (S216) is performed by the device 300 immediately before the device 300 receives an execution instruction (S312C) and executes a block (S314).

When a block is downloaded to device 300 and the user executes the block at a timing of their choice, there is a high possibility that the timing of downloading the block and the timing of executing the block will differ significantly. That is, the block may be executed several days, several months, or several years after it is downloaded to device 300. In that case, the degradation level of device 300 may change between the time the block is downloaded and the time the block is executed. Therefore, in a device 300 in which the execution of a block is affected by the degradation level, a pre-execution check is performed by device 300 immediately before the block is executed, making it possible to perform a pre-execution check according to the degradation level.

(Variation 8)
Fig. 27E is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in Modification 8 of the first embodiment. Modification 8 corresponds to a combination of Modification 5 and Modification 63. In Modification 8, as shown in Fig. 27E, the pre-execution check (S216) is performed by the device manager 200 when the device manager 200 performs the allocation result notification (S218).

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the pre-execution check is skipped if the application has already been authenticated. The following describes the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

The hardware configuration and functional configuration of system 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1 above, so illustrations and explanations are omitted.

2.1 Processing
In this embodiment, the process is the same as that in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is replaced by step S216A. Therefore, step S216A of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 28 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in embodiment 2.

(Step S2161A)
The device 300 acquires application authentication information. The application authentication information includes information indicating that an application has been authenticated if the application has been authenticated.

Application authentication is, for example, a mechanism for ensuring the quality of an application, and enables confirmation of the safety and/or identity (that the application has not been tampered with), etc. of the application. An example of an application to which authentication information is assigned will be described. When the change history of the application's code indicates that no changes have been made to the parameter ranges, information indicating that the application has been authenticated is associated with it.

(Step S2162A)
The device 300 determines whether the application has been authenticated based on the acquired app information. If it is determined that the application has been authenticated (Yes in S2162A), the device 300 skips the following steps S2165 to S2167 and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the application has not been authenticated (No in S2162A), the device 300 proceeds to the next step S2165.

[2.2 Effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in this embodiment comprises at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and a control unit 24 that controls the at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23. The control unit 24 acquires an application that is defined by a plurality of blocks that drive the at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and includes information indicating whether or not the application has been authenticated, and each of the plurality of blocks has parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23. If the application does not include information indicating that it is authenticated, the control unit 24 modifies the application by modifying at least one of the plurality of blocks with reference to a first rule that defines a first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, and at least one of the plurality of blocks has parameters that fall within the first parameter range, and drives at least one actuator 22 based on the modified application.

According to this, the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 can be driven based on an application defined by a plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications developed in this way on the device 20. Furthermore, before the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven based on the application, the block having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not permissible can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from being driven with an unpermissible parameter. In other words, it is possible to prevent an application that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. Furthermore, when the application has not been authenticated, a process involving a change of the application can be performed, and when the application has been authenticated, it is possible to reduce the processing load. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a process of determining the parameter range for all applications, and management by performing authentication reduces the processing load and provides a standard for designing the parameter range, which allows application developers to design more easily and safely.

For example, in the device 20 of this embodiment, if the device 20 has information indicating that the application has been authenticated, the application does not need to be changed without referring to the first rule.

This allows the process of changing blocks to be skipped if the application has already been authenticated, reducing the processing load.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the pre-execution check is skipped when the creator of the application and the creator of the device are the same. The following describes the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

The hardware configuration and functional configuration of system 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1 above, so illustrations and explanations are omitted.

3.1 Processing
In this embodiment, the process is the same as that in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is replaced by step S216B. Therefore, step S216B of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 29 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in embodiment 3.

(Step S2161B)
The device 300 acquires application creator information. The application creator information indicates the creator of the application. The creator means a company, individual, or organization that created the application, and may also be called a developer or author.

(Step S2163B)
The device 300 acquires device manufacturer information. The device manufacturer information indicates the manufacturer of the device. The manufacturer means a company, individual, or organization that manufactured the device 300 (i.e., the apparatus 20), and may also be called a manufacturer.

(Step S2164B)
The device 300 determines whether the creator of the application is different from the creator of the device 300. When the creator of the application is an individual and the creator of the device 300 is a company, the device 300 may determine that the creator of the application is the same as the creator of the device 300 if the company to which the creator of the application belongs matches the creator of the device 300. Furthermore, the device 300 may determine that the creator of the application is the same as the creator of the device 300 if the creator of the application is a development contractor of the creator of the device 300.

If the creator of the application and the creator of the device 300 are the same (No in S2164B), the device 300 skips the subsequent steps S2165 to S2167 and ends the pre-execution confirmation process. On the other hand, if the creator of the application and the creator of the device 300 are different (Yes in S2164B), the device 300 proceeds to the next step S2165.

[3.2 Effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in this embodiment comprises at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and a control unit 24 that controls the at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23. The control unit 24 acquires an application defined by a plurality of blocks that drive at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and includes information indicating a creator, each of the plurality of blocks having parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, acquires information indicating the creator of the device 20, and, if the creator of the application is different from the creator of the device 20, modifies the application by modifying at least one of the plurality of blocks with reference to a first rule that defines a first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted, and at least one of the plurality of blocks has a parameter included in the first parameter range, and drives at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 based on the modified application.

According to this, the actuator and/or heater can be driven based on an application defined by a plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications developed in this way on the device 20. Furthermore, before the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 are driven based on the application, the block having a parameter included in the first unacceptable parameter range can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 from being driven with an unacceptable parameter. In other words, it is possible to prevent an application that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. Furthermore, when the creator of the application and the manufacturer of the device 20 are different, it is possible to perform processing involving application modification, and when the creator of the application and the manufacturer of the device 20 are the same, it is possible to reduce the processing load.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main difference is that a pre-execution check is performed using a rule corresponding to the deterioration level of the device. The following describes this embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

The hardware configuration and functional configuration of system 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1 above, so illustrations and explanations are omitted.

4.1 Processing
In this embodiment, the process is the same as that in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, except that step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is replaced by step S216C. Therefore, step S216C of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 30 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in embodiment 4.

(Step S2163C)
The device 300 acquires device deterioration information. The device deterioration information indicates a deterioration level of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 included in the apparatus 20. There are no particular limitations on the method for detecting the deterioration level, and the deterioration level may be detected by a sensor, for example.

(Step S2165C)
The device 300 acquires a rule corresponding to the deterioration level. For example, the device 300 refers to a rule database to acquire a parameter range corresponding to the deterioration level of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the block.

Figure 31 shows an example of a rule database in the fourth embodiment. Rules 1401C to 1404C are registered in rule database 1400C in Figure 31. Each of rules 1401C to 1404C has a parameter range that defines an unacceptable range. For example, rule 1401C has a range of more than 1000 rpm as an unacceptable range for motor MM0001 of deterioration level 0. For example, rule 1402C has a range of more than 800 rpm as an unacceptable range for motor MM0001 of deterioration level 1. In other words, rule 1402C has a wider unacceptable range and a narrower acceptable range than rule 1401C.

Each of rules 1401C to 1404C further includes a type, a manufacturer name, an actuator/heater, and a deterioration level. This allows device 300 to obtain a rule corresponding to the deterioration level of actuator 22 or heater 23 driven in a block from rule database 1400C. For example, when the deterioration level of motor MM0001 driven in a spin-drying operation block is 0, device 300 refers to rule database 1400C in FIG. 31 to obtain rule 1401C for the spin-drying block.

The items that determine the deterioration level are, for example, the number of times the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 included in the device 300 have been used, the duration of use, or the number of days of use from the start of operation to the present. These items are expected to increase in roughly proportional relationship with the user's use. Therefore, a rule is determined so that the deterioration level increases as the value corresponding to the item increases.

The items that determine the deterioration level are, for example, the sum of the heater 23 temperature, or the degree of reproduction of the input and output of the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23. The sum of the heater 23 temperature is a value obtained by adding the temperature when the heater 23 is driven. For example, the average temperature, the intermediate temperature, or the maximum temperature of the heater 23 during block execution is used. The heater 23 temperature may be the ratio of the execution temperature to the limit temperature of the heater 23, or the difference of the execution temperature to the limit temperature of the heater 23.

The degree of reproduction of the input and output of the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 is determined by referring to the relationship between the input value for driving the actuator 22 and/or heater 23 and the output of the actuator 22 and/or heater 23. The ratio between the actual output value for a given input and the output value specified in the relationship is used.

[4.2 Effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in this embodiment includes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and a control unit 24 that controls at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23. The control unit 24 acquires an application defined by a plurality of blocks that drive at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, each of the plurality of blocks having parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, acquires deterioration information indicating whether or not at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 has deteriorated, and, if the deterioration information indicates that at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 has not deteriorated, sets a first rule that defines a first parameter range within which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted. The application is modified by modifying at least one first block included in the plurality of blocks, the at least one first block having a parameter included in a first parameter range, and when the degradation information indicates that at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is degraded, the application is modified by modifying at least one second block included in the plurality of blocks, the at least one second block having a parameter included in the second parameter range, and at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is driven based on the modified application, with reference to a second rule defining a second parameter range different from the first parameter range in which driving of at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not permitted.

According to this, the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 can be driven based on an application defined by a plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using blocks that abstract the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications developed in this way on the device 20. Furthermore, before the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 are driven based on the application, the block having a parameter included in the first parameter range that is not permissible can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from being driven with an unpermissible parameter. In other words, it is possible to prevent an application that cannot safely control the device 20 from being executed, and the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to use different parameter ranges according to the deterioration information of the device 20, and by using blocks, it is possible to execute a drive instruction to the actuator 22 and/or the heater 23 from the application side while taking into account the performance of the device that deteriorates over time, and to further improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

Other Embodiments
Although the system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to this embodiment and forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200 are included in the cloud server 10, but this is not limited to the above. The sequence manager 100 and/or the device manager 200 may be included in the device 20. In addition, the UI 400 is included in the terminal 30, but may be included in the device 20.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the application may be changed based on the degradation information. For example, the device 300 may refer to parameter conversion information in which multiple degradation levels are associated with multiple parameter conversion methods, obtain a conversion method corresponding to the degradation level, and convert the parameters included in the block using the obtained conversion method. The conversion method may be defined, for example, by the converted value, or may be defined by a coefficient applied to the pre-conversion value.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, if the parameters are within the unacceptable range during pre-execution check, the block is changed and then executed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, if the parameters are within the unacceptable range and the state of the device 300 is different from that expected, the block may not be executed and the device manager 200 and/or sequence manager 100 may be notified of the execution stop (error).

It can be used for household appliances that can execute applications defined by multiple function blocks.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 System 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Facility 10 Cloud server 11 Processor 12 Memory 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h Apparatus 21 Housing 22 Actuator 23 Heater 24 Control unit 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Terminal 31 Display 32 Input device 100 Sequence manager 200 Device manager 300, 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e, 300f, 300g, 300h Device 400, 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d UI
500 Washing machine 501 Housing 502 Water tub 503 Washing tub 504 Washing motor 505 Door 506 Door lock mechanism 507 Vibration sensor 511 Water supply valve 512 Water supply pipe 513 Automatic dispenser 515 Water level sensor 516 Bath pump 517 Bath water piping 521 Drain pipe 522 Drain filter 523 Drain valve 524 Circulation pump 525 Circulation piping 531 Intake sensor 532 Heat pump 533 Duct 534 Circulation fan 535 Hot air sensor 536 Sterilization device 541 First foam sensor 542 Second foam sensor 543 Hot water heater 544 Hot water sensor 550 Control device 560 Operation panel 570 Communication unit 1000, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060, 1070, 1070a, 1080, 1090, 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1301 Block 1011, 1012, 1021 to 1023, 1031, 1041, 1051 to 1056, 1061 to 1064, 1071, 1072, 1081, 1091, 1101, 1102, 1111, 1112, 1121, 1131, 1132, 1141 Parameter 1200 Device database 1201 Device information 1300 Execution content declaration 1302 Information about the device 1303 Order information 1400, 1400C Rule database 1401 to 1405, 1401C, 1402C, 1403C, 1404C Rule 1410 Classification rule 1500 Laundry amount determination process 1510 Water supply process 1511 Common information 1520, 1522, 1524 Spin-dry process 1521, 1523, 1525, 1541 Decision information 1530 Rinse process 1540 Dry process F100 Preparation phase F200 Pre-application execution phase F300 Application execution phase

Claims (13)

A washing machine capable of communicating with an external device,
A communication unit that receives laundry information from the external device;
A washing function unit that performs a washing operation on the laundry based on the washing information;
A control device for controlling the washing function unit,
The washing information includes a plurality of control information each of which is control information regarding a parameter for controlling the operation of the washing function unit, and sequence information regarding a sequence of executing the plurality of control information,
The control device includes:
(i) classifying the plurality of control information included in the laundry information into one or more laundry processes based on a classification rule; and (ii) correcting the laundry information by adding common information regarding a control common to one or more first control information included in the first laundry process to a first laundry process among the one or more laundry processes;
By executing the corrected laundry information, the laundry function unit executes an operation based on the laundry information;
The one or more pieces of first control information are consecutive in the order. moreover,
A detection unit for detecting the operation state of the washing function unit is provided,
The common information includes detection information for the control device to acquire the operating state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being performed,
The control device includes:
By executing the detection information, the operating state during the execution of the first washing step is obtained from the detection unit,
When the first washing process is completed while the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, the washing function unit executes a second washing process after the first washing process;
The washing machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: a washing function unit that stops the first washing process and executes a third washing process different from the second washing process when the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the second washing step includes, among the plurality of pieces of control information, second control information that is next to the one or more pieces of first control information in the order. The detection information is information for the control device to sequentially acquire the operating state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being performed,
The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control device executes the detection information to sequentially obtain the operation state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being performed. The first washing step is a water supply step or a water drainage step,
the detection information is information for detecting speed information regarding a speed of change of a water level in a water tub included in the washing machine during the water supply step or the water drainage step,
the predetermined condition is that the speed information is included in a predetermined speed information range,
The control device includes:
The speed information is acquired as the driving state from the detection unit;
When the water supply step or the drainage step is completed while the acquired speed information is within the range of the predetermined speed information, the washing function unit executes the second washing step after the water supply step or the drainage step;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, when the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the water supply process or the drain process is stopped and the washing function unit is caused to execute the third washing process different from the second washing process. The first washing step is a water supplying step or an agitating step,
The detection information is information for detecting a foam generation state in a water tub of the washing machine in the water supplying step or the agitating step,
the predetermined condition being that the generation of bubbles is not detected,
The control device includes:
The foam generation status is acquired as the operating status from the detection unit;
When the water supply step or the agitation step is completed while the acquired foam generation status indicates that foam generation has not been detected, the washing function unit executes the second washing step after the water supply step or the agitation step;
5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the acquired foam generation status indicates that foam generation has been detected, the water supply process or the agitation process is stopped and the washing function unit is caused to execute the third washing process, which is different from the second washing process. The first washing step is a drying step,
The detection information is information for detecting a current value of a fan motor of a blower fan that blows air into a water tub of the washing machine in the drying process,
the predetermined condition is that the current value is equal to or less than a first threshold value,
The control device includes:
The current value is obtained from the detection unit as the operating state,
When the drying process is completed while the acquired current value is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the washing function unit executes the second washing process after the drying process;
The washing machine according to claim 2 , further comprising: a washing function unit that stops the drying process and executes the third washing process, which is different from the second washing process, when the acquired current value exceeds the first threshold value. The first washing step is a dehydration step,
The detection information is information for detecting a magnitude of vibration of a water tub of the washing machine during the spin-drying process,
the predetermined condition is that the magnitude of the vibration is equal to or less than a second threshold value,
The control device includes:
The magnitude of the vibration is acquired as the operating state from the detection unit;
When the spin-drying process is completed while the acquired vibration magnitude is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the washing function unit executes the second washing process after the spin-drying process;
The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein when the magnitude of the acquired vibration exceeds the second threshold, the spin-drying process is stopped and the washing function unit is caused to execute the third washing process different from the second washing process. moreover,
A timer unit that measures an elapsed time from the start of the first washing step;
A display unit,
the common information includes timing information for causing the timer unit to measure an elapsed time from the start of the first washing step and for causing the display unit to present time information relating to the elapsed time measured by the timer unit,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control device executes the timing information to cause the display device to display time information regarding the elapsed time obtained from the timing unit. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control device corrects each of the one or more washing processes based on a correction rule for the washing process. A washing machine capable of communicating with an external device,
A communication unit that receives laundry information from the external device;
A washing function unit that performs a washing operation on the laundry based on the washing information;
A control device for controlling the washing function unit;
A detection unit that detects the operating state of the washing function unit,
The washing information includes a plurality of control information each of which is control information regarding a parameter for controlling the operation of the washing function unit, and sequence information regarding a sequence of executing the plurality of control information,
The control device includes:
classifying the plurality of control information included in the laundry information into one or more laundry processes based on a classification rule;
According to whether or not the operation state during the execution of a first washing process among the one or more washing processes satisfies a predetermined condition, the washing information is modified by adding, to the first washing process, determination information for determining a washing process to be executed by the washing function unit after the first washing process;
By executing the corrected laundry information, the laundry function unit executes an operation based on the laundry information,
The one or more pieces of first control information are consecutive in the order. A control method executed in a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, comprising:
receiving, from the external device, a plurality of pieces of control information, each of which is control information relating to parameters for controlling a washing operation, and laundry information including order information relating to an order in which the plurality of pieces of control information are to be executed;
(i) classifying the plurality of control information included in the laundry information into one or more laundry processes based on a classification rule; and (ii) correcting the laundry information by adding common information regarding a control common to one or more first control information included in the first laundry process to a first laundry process among the one or more laundry processes;
Executing the corrected laundry information to execute an operation based on the laundry information;
The one or more pieces of first control information are consecutive in the order. A control system including an external device and a washing machine capable of communicating with the external device,
The washing machine comprises:
A communication unit that receives laundry information from the external device;
A washing function unit that performs a washing operation on the laundry based on the washing information;
A control device for controlling the washing function unit,
The washing information includes a plurality of control information each of which is control information regarding a parameter for controlling the operation of the washing function unit, and sequence information regarding a sequence of executing the plurality of control information,
The control device includes:
(i) classifying the plurality of control information included in the laundry information into one or more laundry processes based on a classification rule; and (ii) correcting the laundry information by adding common information regarding a control common to one or more first control information included in the first laundry process to a first laundry process among the one or more laundry processes;
By executing the corrected laundry information, the laundry function unit executes an operation based on the laundry information;
The one or more pieces of first control information are consecutive in the order.

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