KR100404201B1 - Washing Machine and Method for Requesting Service of the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a service request method for allowing a service to be requested remotely through a washing machine menu when a question or an abnormality occurs in a washing machine. A key input unit for inputting a menu key, a memory unit for storing various menu lists selected through the key input unit, and a guidance message corresponding to each list, a corresponding menu list and each according to a key input through the key input unit A display unit for displaying a guidance message corresponding to a list, and when the user requests a service inquiry with reference to a menu displayed on the display unit, the communication device controls the communication device to perform a corresponding service according to the service inquiry It includes a control unit for outputting a signal W it has done so by allowing users to perform the service from the service center by direct request to the service, contact remote from the washing machine has an effect capable of improving the usability for the user's convenience Washer castle.

Description

Washing Machine and Method for Requesting Service of the Same}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a service request method thereof.

In general, a washing machine is a device that removes contaminants from contaminated laundry through washing, rinsing, and dehydration according to a predetermined algorithm, and is fully automatic using horizontal rotation of a rotary blade, outer tank, or inner tank (washing tank / dehydrating tank). A washing machine or a drum washing machine using vertical rotation of the drum can be broadly classified.

Such a washing machine has been developed for a variety of washing courses, functions, etc. in order to respond to a variety of needs of the user and applied to the actual product.

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine according to the related art includes a key input unit 1 for a user to input various washing-related operation commands, and a motor 3 for directly or indirectly rotating a washing blade, an inner tub, or an outer tub. ), Other loads 4 such as a water supply valve and a drain valve, a display unit 5 for displaying the operation state or function of the washing machine, and a user's operation command input through the key input unit 1. And a control unit 2 for controlling the driving of the motor 3 and the load 4 to perform a corresponding washing operation, and for controlling the display unit 5 to display a corresponding operation state or function. .

At this time, the display unit 5 is provided with a light emitting diode (LED) and a control unit 2 is provided with a ROM (ROM) for storing a non-changeable laundry related program.

Referring to the operation of the washing machine according to the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, the user turns on the power of the washing machine, puts laundry into the washing tank, and then inputs a washing instruction through the key input unit 1.

Subsequently, the controller 2 recognizes the washing instruction, reads the washing program from the internal ROM, and drives the motor 3 and various loads 4 based on the washing program.

Then, the display unit 5 is controlled to display the current laundry progress state and the like.

As described above, the washing machine according to the related art has a cumbersome problem of requiring a user to directly request a service center when a washing machine malfunction occurs or a request for an inquiry.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and to provide a washing machine and a service request method that the user can use more conveniently when using the washing machine.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the prior art

2 is a view showing a service request system of the washing machine according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a service request method of a washing machine according to the present invention.

4A to 4C are views illustrating display progress of a display unit;

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10: Service Center 20: Manufacturer's Server

30: communication device 40: washing machine

41: interface 42: key input unit

43: memory unit 44: control unit

45: motor 46: load

47: display unit

Washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a washing machine connected to the communication device, a key input unit for inputting the corresponding menu key according to the service request request, the user, various menu list selected through the key input unit and A memory unit for storing guide messages corresponding to each list, a display unit for displaying a corresponding menu list and guide messages corresponding to each list according to a key input through the key input unit, and the user And a control unit for outputting a control signal to the communication device so that a corresponding service can be made according to the service inquiry when the service inquiry is requested by referring to a menu displayed on the menu.

The service request method of the washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a washing machine connected to a communication device capable of communicating with a manufacturing company server, and provided with a key input unit and a display unit, the user presses the 'help' key Displaying a list corresponding to the help on the display unit if inputted; displaying a guide message corresponding to the service inquiry if a service inquiry is selected from the displayed list of help; and If the user requests a 'service inquiry', the method includes the step of transmitting the request data to the communication device so that the corresponding service can be made from the manufacturer's server.

Hereinafter, a washing machine and a service request method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention, the washing machine according to the present invention with reference to this in detail as follows.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, the washing machine 40 connected to the communication device 30 is selected through a key input unit 42 and a key input unit 42 for inputting a corresponding menu key according to a request for a service inquiry desired by a user. A memory unit 43 for storing various menu lists and guide messages corresponding to each list, and for displaying a corresponding menu list and guide messages corresponding to each list according to a key input through the key input unit 42. When the user requests the service inquiry with reference to the display unit 47 and the menu displayed on the display unit 47, a control signal is output to the communication device 30 so that a corresponding service can be made according to the service inquiry. And the request data according to the service inquiry request of the washing machine 40 to the communication device 30 according to the control unit 44 and the control signal of the control unit 44. It is configured to include an interface unit 41 for transmission.

In this case, the communication device 30 may be any one of a PC connected to a communication network and an electric device capable of communicating. The interface 41 may be an external communication connection device such as a modem or a LAN card or a wireless communication connection device. .

When a user inputs a corresponding key through the key input unit 42 to request a desired service inquiry, the controller 44 displays various menu lists previously stored in the memory unit 43 and a guide message corresponding to each list. Control to be displayed on the display unit 47.

In this case, when a user selects a corresponding menu from a list of various menus displayed on the display unit 47, a guide message corresponding to the menu is displayed.

When the user selects a service inquiry through a menu of the washing machine 40, the controller 44 outputs a control signal to transmit the corresponding request data to the communication device 30 connected to the washing machine 40. do. The washing machine 40 transmits the request data to the communication device 30 through the interface 41 according to the control signal of the controller 44. That is, the service inquiry request is made through the key input unit 42 of the washing machine 40 by transmitting the request data of the washing machine 40 to the communication device 30.

Here, the communication device 30 that has received the request data according to the service inquiry of the washing machine 40 transmits the request data to the server 20 of the manufacturer of the washing machine 40 through a communication network such as the Internet. When the manufacturer server 20 which has received the request data according to the service inquiry of the washing machine 40 from the communication device 30 transmits the customer information of the washing machine 40 to the service center 10 in association with each other. The service center 10 receives the customer information to enable the corresponding service.

Referring to the service request method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above in detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a service request method of a washing machine according to the present invention.

First, it is determined whether a 'help' key is input through the key input unit 42 from the user (S10).

As a result of the determination (S10), when the user inputs a 'help' key through the key input unit 42, a list corresponding to the 'help' menu is displayed on the display unit 47 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Display (S11).

Subsequently, when the user selects 'SVC query' from the displayed 'Help' menu, a guide message corresponding to the 'SVC query' is displayed (S12 to S13).

At this time, the step of displaying the guidance message (S13) is as shown in Figure 4b.

And, if the user checks the guidance message and determines whether to request the 'SVC inquiry' (S14) and the determination result (S14), if the user requests the 'SVC inquiry' control unit 44 of the washing machine 40 In response to the control signal, the request data according to the service inquiry is transmitted to the communication device 30 such as a home PC (S15).

For example, the step of the user requesting the 'SVC query' may be performed while the user presses the 'confirmation' key on the screen shown in FIG. 4C on the display unit 47.

Subsequently, the communication device 30 having received the request data from the washing machine 40 transmits the request data to the manufacturer server 20 (S16). When receiving the request data of the washing machine 40 through the communication device 30, the manufacturer server 20 transmits the corresponding customer information according to the request data to the service center 10 (S17).

In addition, the service center 10 receiving the customer information performs the corresponding service (S18).

Therefore, in the present invention, the user requests a service inquiry through the menu of the washing machine 40, and the service inquiry request is remotely transmitted to the corresponding service center 10 through the manufacturer server 20 through the communication device 30. The service center 10 may make a service inquiry requested by the user by directly calling or visiting the user according to the customer information.

The washing machine and the service request method according to the present invention as described above enable the user to perform the corresponding service from the service center by remotely requesting a service inquiry directly through the menu of the washing machine to improve the convenience of the washing machine to the user. It can be effective.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (6)

In the washing machine connected to the communication device, A key input unit for inputting a corresponding menu key according to a request for service inquiry, A memory unit for storing various menu lists and guide messages corresponding to each list selected through the key input unit; A display unit for displaying a corresponding menu list and a guide message corresponding to each list according to a key input through the key input unit, and And a control unit for outputting a control signal to the communication device so that a corresponding service can be made according to the service inquiry when the user requests the service inquiry by referring to the menu displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 1, The communication device is a washing machine, characterized in that the PC or electrical appliances connected to the communication network. In a washing machine having a key input unit and a display unit connected to a communication device capable of communicating with a manufacturer server, Displaying a list corresponding to the help on the display unit when the user inputs a 'help' key through the key input unit; Displaying a guide message corresponding to the 'service inquiry' when the 'service inquiry' is selected from the displayed 'help' list; And, And when the user requests a 'service inquiry', transmitting request data to the communication device so that a corresponding service can be made from the manufacturer's server. The method of claim 3, wherein The step of enabling the corresponding service from the manufacturer server is Transmitting a request data to the manufacturer server through the communication device when the user requests a 'service inquiry'; And the manufacturing company server receiving the request data from the communication device transmits the corresponding customer information to the service center. delete The method of claim 4, wherein The customer information is a service request method of a washing machine, characterized in that the information, such as a user name, address, telephone number of the washing machine.