KR101830746B1 - laundry machine and online system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laundry machine capable of communicating with the outside and an online system including the same.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a server having user information including user's SNS (social network service) account information and user's laundry apparatus information; And a remote control activation input unit, wherein the remote control activation input unit is connected to the server, and when the remote control activation input unit is selected, the server provides status information of the laundry apparatus to the user's SNS account An on-line system can be provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine capable of performing an additional function as well as performing a function of a washing machine through communication with the outside. The additional function includes an extended function extended from the function of the washing machine, and includes a new function irrelevant to the function of the washing machine. Such a washing machine can be called a smart washing machine.

The present invention also relates to an online system including the smart laundry apparatus, and to an online system that can use the smart laundry apparatus easily and inexpensively.

The present invention also relates to a more extended form of a smart home appliance and an online system including the same.

The washing machine is a washing machine for washing clothing, and the dryer for drying clothes is also a washing machine. Of course, a washing machine or dryer capable of washing and drying clothes is also a washing machine.

Recently, a refresher for refreshing clothes using hot air or steam instead of washing with water has been put on the market, which is also called a washing machine.

In addition, although not a garment, a dishwasher for washing dishes may also be referred to as a washing machine in a broad sense. In the present specification, the washing machine includes all of the above-described various devices.

In the following description, a washing machine will be mainly described as a representative example of the washing machine, and other washing machines may be used as long as they are exclusive and not inconsistent with other machines.

1 is a control panel of a conventional washing machine and a control panel applicable to the present invention.

The control panel is provided for interfacing with the user. Therefore, it is generally provided on the front of the washing machine so that the user can easily access and manipulate the washing machine. The control panel may include various buttons for operating the user and various display units for providing information to the user.

The main function of the washing machine is washing. Accordingly, a course selection unit 110 or a main function selection unit for selecting various laundry courses is provided, and the user selects a course through the course selection unit 110. For example, the course selection unit 110 may be provided as a rotary knob. The control panel 100 may be provided with a course display unit 111 for facilitating user selection of a course and the user may select a desired laundry course by operating the course selection unit 110 to correspond to the course display unit.

FIG. 1 shows a course display unit 111 having various washing courses displayed around the rotary knob 110, and the user can select a washing course corresponding to the rotated rotary knob 110 by rotating the rotary knob 110. A display unit 121 for displaying the selected laundry course can be provided, so that the user can easily grasp the selected laundry course. The display unit 121 may be implemented by a flashing LED or the like.

An option selecting unit 120 may be provided to select an option function added or changed in performing the main function described above. The option selection unit 120 may be variously provided. In FIG. 1, an option selection unit 120 is shown, which can select an option related to washing, rinsing, dewatering, water temperature, drying, steam, and reservation, for example. An option display unit 122 may be provided to indicate whether the option is selected or may be implemented through an LED or the like.

The control panel 100 may include a status display unit 130 for displaying the status of the washing machine. The state of the current washing machine, the user's course or option selection state, time information, and the like can be displayed through the status display unit 130.

For example, if the current washing machine is performing a rinsing step, it may be indicated as "during the rinsing step ". And, when waiting for the user to enter the course, it can be displayed as "Please enter laundry course". It is also possible to display the remaining time (remaining time) until the current time or the washing machine completes the operation by completing all the washing courses.

Meanwhile, the control panel 100 may include a power selection unit 140 for applying and releasing power to the washing machine, and an operation / pause selection unit 150 for executing a washing operation or temporarily setting the washing operation.

The control panel 100 and the washing machine including the control panel 100 have the following problems.

There is a problem in that it is difficult to implement an additional user interface in addition to the configuration for the basic user interface due to the space problem of the control panel 100. [ Of course, complex and diverse user interfaces may be implemented in the control panel 100, but this presents a problem that requires excessive concentration and prior knowledge of the user. Further, it is difficult to manufacture the control panel 100 or a high-capacity memory is required, which causes a problem that the washing machine itself becomes excessively expensive.

In addition, since the functions of the selectors 110 and 120 and the display units 111, 121, and 122 are preset or set, there is a problem that it is difficult to expand the functions for the additional functions.

Also, the washing machine is usually located in the laundry room, and the laundry room is not a place where the user's access is active. Therefore, in order to use the washing machine, the user has to be forced to directly approach the washing machine. Even if various information is displayed through the display units 111, 121, 122, and 130, it may be meaningless if the user does not approach the washing machine directly.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a washing machine capable of performing not only the original function of the washing machine but also an extended function extended from the original function of the washing machine or a new function irrelevant to the function of the washing machine.

In addition, it is necessary to provide a washing machine that does not require replacement or modification of the existing control panel, that is, can implement the expansion function or the new function without changing the hardware of the washing machine.

On the other hand, the above problem will not be a problem limited to the non-washing equipment. This may be the case for appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, air conditioners and robot cleaners. This is because these household appliances also have a configuration corresponding to the control panel of the washing machine, i.e., a user interface. In addition, a selection unit for the original function and a display unit corresponding to the selection unit are included, and the necessity of expanding functions and implementing new functions is similar to that of the washing apparatus.

In addition, expansion of the user interface is difficult due to space constraints and cost constraints in many household appliances. It would be equally necessary to implement such an interface through an external terminal separately provided.

Therefore, in the present specification, washing machines are mainly described as representative examples of household appliances, and other household appliances can be applied as long as they are exclusive and inconsistent with other household appliances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a home appliance product which can perform not only the function of the home appliance itself but also the function of the home appliance without any modification of the hardware of the appliance.

Embodiments of the present invention provide home appliances that enable communication with the outside, easily receive various information through a server or an external terminal, use the information to expand functions and use them, and provide an online system including the same There is a purpose.

Embodiments of the present invention provide home appliances that can communicate with the outside and transmit information of various washing apparatuses to a server or an external terminal and use the information to expand functions and use them and an online system including the same There is a purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic appliance which is easy to use by facilitating communication connection with the outside and an online system including the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic product which can easily grasp the information of the electronic appliances without requiring the user to directly access the electronic appliances and can control the electronic appliances and an online system including the same .

An embodiment of the present invention has an object to provide an appliance, particularly a washing machine, which can enhance user's satisfaction and reliability.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-line system that can use an online service related to home appliances remotely using a server and can easily use the online service even through an external terminal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-line system in which a user can share a home appliance using a smart function through the SNS.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server comprising: a server; A washing machine having a remote control activation input means and communicably connected to the server; And an external terminal provided to receive information on the status of the washing machine through the server. The external terminal receives and displays status information of the washing machine only when the remote control activation input means is selected And can provide an on-line system that is characterized.

One embodiment of the present invention is a server having user information including user's SNS (social network service) account information and washing machine information of the user; And a remote control activation input unit, wherein the remote control activation input unit is connected to the server, and when the remote control activation input unit is selected, the server provides status information of the laundry apparatus to the user's SNS account Can be provided.

One embodiment of the present invention is a server having user information including user's SNS (social network service) account information and washing machine information of the user; A washing machine having a remote control activation input means and communicably connected to the server; And an external terminal for remotely controlling the washing machine through the server only when the remote control activation input means is selected. When the user performs remote control through the external terminal, the server sets the SNS account of the user And provides the remote control information.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, information of various washing machines is transmitted to a server or an external terminal by enabling communication with the outside, and a laundry machine having functions expandable and easy to use by using such information and an online system including the laundry machine are provided The purpose is to do.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine capable of easily grasping status information of a washing machine without requiring a user to directly access the washing machine and remotely controlling the washing machine, and an online system including the same have.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine capable of reducing the cost of the washing machine and improving the usability of the washing machine through the function of a washing machine that can be implemented only through an external terminal, and an online system including the washing machine.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a home appliance, particularly a washing machine, which can enhance user's satisfaction and reliability.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, an on-line service related to the washing machine can be used remotely using a server, and an on-line system that can easily use the on-line service through an external terminal can be provided.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to share with the SNS that the user is using a smart home appliance, in particular, a smart laundry apparatus. It is possible to share not only simple washing functions but also the use of smart functions such as changing the reserved time set remotely or selecting the anti-wrinkle function.

1 shows a control panel of a washing machine, which is an example of a home appliance;
FIG. 2 illustrates an overall configuration in which a server, a home appliance, and an external terminal that can be implemented in an embodiment of the present invention are interlocked;
3 shows an embodiment in which a DM client is installed on a display board of a household appliance;
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a subscription and activation procedure and configuration;
5 illustrates an example of a procedure for downloading an application program from an external terminal and a procedure and a configuration for a user to request a management service;
Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of procedures and configurations for firmware or software upgrades;
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of the procedures and configurations associated with a software management service;
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the procedures and configurations associated with a remote control service;
Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of a procedure and configuration associated with a diagnostic or monitoring management service;
10 shows an embodiment of procedures and configurations for communication connection of household appliances;
11 shows an initial screen embodiment of a household electrical appliance display unit;
12 shows a screen embodiment in the WiFi setting mode;
FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a screen of an external terminal when the external terminal is connected to the setting mode;
14 shows an embodiment of a screen of a consumer electronic product display unit when the external terminal is connected to the setting mode;
FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a screen of the appliance display unit when the setting mode is completed;
16 illustrates an initial screen embodiment for remote management of household appliances through an external terminal;
17 shows an embodiment of a login screen of an external terminal;
18 shows an embodiment of a screen when the appliance is not registered in the server;
19 shows an example of a screen displaying a state in which the power supply of the household appliances is turned on;
20 shows an example of a screen displaying a state in which the power supply of the household appliances is turned off;
21 shows an embodiment of a screen displayed when a reservation is made;
Fig. 22 shows an embodiment of a consumer electronic product display screen corresponding to Fig. 21; Fig.
23 shows an example of a screen for changing the reservation time;
24 shows an embodiment of a home appliance display screen after the reservation time is changed;
25 shows an example of a screen displayed on an external terminal during the operation of a home appliance;
26 shows an embodiment of a home appliance display screen corresponding to Fig. 25; Fig.
FIG. 27 shows an example of a home appliance display screen after wrinkle prevention is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 25; FIG.
Fig. 28 shows an embodiment of a home appliance display screen at the end of operation; Fig.
FIG. 29 shows an embodiment of a display screen of a household appliance display unit when performing a ruggedization function; FIG.
30 shows an embodiment of a screen for providing the state of the household appliance with a push message to an external terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic appliance and an online system including the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an online system in which the present invention can be implemented. FIG. 2 schematically shows an overall configuration in which home appliances located in each home are communicatively connected to a server.

In order to perform the remote management service, a server 10 for managing all the household appliances to be managed is needed. The home appliances 21 and 22 to be managed are communicatively connected to the server 10 to perform an instruction transmitted from the server 10. The service request can be received by the server through the household appliance (20). Further, in order to receive a service request from a user through means other than household appliances, a separate means such as an Internet site (hereinafter referred to as a user site, see FIG. 4), an external terminal or a user terminal 40 may be provided. Specific examples of the remote management service will be described later.

Here, the external terminal 40 means a device provided separately from a home appliance or a server such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, and the like, and means a device having a communication module to communicate with the outside.

A company that performs the management of household appliances can perform the remote management service by building the server. If necessary, a user site or the like as described above can be constructed.

The user can purchase the product 20 that can receive the management service by the server 10 and receive the management service as described above. The product may be a product equipped with a communication module for communicating with the server 10 and a client side protocol for executing a command transmitted from the server. On the other hand, a separate device including the above-described communication module and client-side protocol can be used for a product that can not be managed by the server as an existing product. The user can receive the service by purchasing the separate device and connecting to the existing product.

The home appliance 20 to receive the remote management service by the server 10 can be registered and managed in the server 10 with its own unique device ID.

When the server 20 is accessed from the home appliance 20, the server can identify the home appliance through the device ID. The server may be registered with the device ID together with characteristic information (e.g., product type, model information, etc.) of the corresponding home appliance. Here, the device ID may be created regardless of the characteristic information of the product, such as the product type or the model information, but the characteristic information of the product may be coded together. Therefore, the server 10 may be made to recognize the type and model information of the corresponding product only with the device ID.

A user can request and receive a service through the household appliance for the household appliances 20 registered in the server 10. For example, when a desired service is selected and input through a display window (display unit) of the refrigerator 21, the refrigerator 21 can request the server 10 for the corresponding service.

In many cases, household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, and air conditioners are not always located adjacent to the user. Therefore, it may not be easy to request the service through the household appliance 20 to the server. Accordingly, the service can be requested to the server through the external terminal 40, such as a smart phone, which is always carried by the user. To this end, an application program capable of implementing this function may be installed in the external terminal.

Also, as will be described later, the appliances can be remotely managed, remotely controlled, monitored, diagnosed, etc. through the application programs. These functions are an example of the remote management service described above.

In this case, the external terminal 40 directly communicates with the server 10, and the server 10 communicates with the household appliances 21, 22. Accordingly, the user can request the service through the external terminal 40 and easily grasp information such as service execution and completion.

However, in this case, it is necessary to specify the relationship between the user's external terminal 40, the home appliance 20 desired to be serviced, and the server 10. [ That is, in the case of accessing the server 10 through the household appliance 20, the service object can be specified to the server as it is accessed through the ID of the appliance when accessing the server 10. However, It may be necessary to determine how to specify which appliances are to be serviced.

For example, the user may access the user site (see FIG. 4) and request the service while inputting the device ID of the electronic product to be serviced. However, in this case, there is an inconvenience that the user must remember all of the device IDs of the household appliances he owns.

The user site may be made to eliminate such inconvenience. A user can register as a member in the user site and receive a user ID and a password. The user can log in to the user site and register all the household appliances he owns. Home appliances registered at the user site can be registered with the corresponding user ID in the server. This may be accomplished by automatically transmitting the information to the server at the user site.

Meanwhile, the user may subscribe to the user site through the application program installed in the external terminal 40 and receive the user ID and password. Of course, you can register all of your home appliances through this. The application program may be provided for a remote management service of a specific home appliance or may be provided for a remote management service of a plurality of home appliances. Specific details will be described later.

In addition, the registration of the above-described home appliance 20 in the server 10 may be performed through an activation procedure to be described later.

In either case, if the user is issued an ID, the ID can be registered and managed in the server 10 together with the user's home appliance 20. [

The service received from the user through the user site, the external terminal 40, or the household appliances 20 can be performed by an operator issuing a command for the management service to the server 10. Alternatively, the user site, the external terminal, or the home appliance can directly communicate with the server through the open API to make a management request directly to the server.

The server 10 has a server-side protocol for the management service, and the server-side protocol performs the requested management service in conjunction with the client-side management protocol of the product.

An OMA DM (Open Mobile Alliance Device Management) protocol may be used as a protocol for carrying out the above management service between the server 10 and the household appliances 20. [ Therefore, the server side is a DM server and the household appliance side is a DM client. Of course, solutions other than OMA DM may be used. Although the present embodiment uses the OMA DM protocol, the present invention is not limited to this.

The following management contents may be included for the management service.

Bootstrap: In order for the DM client to perform the management session for the first time, the authentication information with the DM server and the network configuration information for the network connection are required.

Provisioning: Home appliances that perform a management session for the first time are registered with the DM server through bootstrapping. In order to provide services to home appliances, the latest configuration of appliances is updated. The process for this is called provisioning.

Configuration management: The management task of setting, inquiring, and changing information related to home appliances is referred to as "device configuration management".

Control Management: A management operation that controls home appliances.

User Alert: The DM server sends an Alert signal to the DM client to inform the user about the management operation through the screen of the home appliance or to receive approval from the user. That is, it is possible to perform an improved management operation through interaction with the user.

Diagnostic and Monitoring: Users may experience performance degradation or failure while using consumer electronics. It is necessary to provide users with a stable product usage environment by recognizing such conditions in advance and taking measures according to the recognized situation. This task is called Diagnostic and Monitoring management.

Firmware Uptate Management: There is a case where firmware is updated when a problem occurs or a functional change occurs after a manufacturer sells an appliance. This is a management task.

Software Component Management: The management task of installing, updating, and deleting software components in home appliances is called software management.

Backup and Restore Management: Backup / Restore Management: Backup / Restore Management: Backup / Restore Management.

Meanwhile, the server 10 may be distributed in various places. For example, you can install Server 1 in the Republic of Korea and Server 2 in the United States.

In addition, the server may be divided into a plurality of servers according to roles. 2 shows a configuration in which the server 10 is divided into a DM server, a Notify server, a DL server, an ONM server, and a legacy server. . Thus, when the server is separated according to the role, the DM server can prepare for or perform other services when performing a specific service. Therefore, it is possible to process a plurality of services at the same time.

The servers can directly perform access to the target in performing the role.

Some servers may be made capable of direct access to the appliances of the service being serviced. For example, a notification server may send a notification directly to the target consumer electronics product, and the DELL server may send the upgraded firmware directly to the target consumer electronics product.

The server 10 may be configured differently depending on the contents of the management service. For example, when only the firmware update is used as the service content, services may be performed by the DM server, the notification server, and the DEL server, so that other servers may not be required. Also, if the user is to perform the service without notifying the firmware update, a notification server may not be required.

In this embodiment, consideration is given to firmware update, management of software (including various contents), home appliance diagnosis, home appliance monitoring, notification of a refrigerator shelf life, provision of a refrigerator food list, And the present invention is not limited to the server configuration shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the configuration and communication environment of each online system will be described in more detail. The following contents may not necessarily be essential. In addition, there may be additional configurations added by what is described elsewhere herein.

(1) The server may be configured as follows.

1) DM server (DM Server)

The role of the DM server is to issue management commands to the DM client. That is, it provides management functions to remotely manage firmware update (modem firmware / OS) management tasks, software management tasks, diagnostic management tasks, and the like through management commands. The DM server may include a session management area, a security management area, a DM protocol process area, a SyncML protocol engine area, and the like.

2) DL Server (DL Server)

The DL server sends the file to the DL client. That is, the DL client delivers information of a file to be transmitted through a download descriptor (DD), and provides a function for the DL client to accurately download the file. Here, the DL client means a household appliance that downloads a file. The downloaded files are a firmware update package and a software management package. The DELL server may be configured to include a session management area, a package management area, a download area, and the like.

3) ONM Server or User Portal

The role of the ONM server interfaces with DM or DL servers and legacy servers, and business logic is implemented. The administrator can issue management commands or inquire management information through the management web page of the ONM server.

The user portal provides some functions of ONM to the general user. At this time, it is implemented through the open API of the DM server. The user can make a management service request to the DM server through the user portal.

4) Legacy Server (Lagacy Server)

A representative legacy server in which an ONM server is interlocked includes a server receiving terminal information and a server receiving user information. That is, it provides information for implementing business logic by transmitting user information or home appliance information to the ONM server.

5) Notification Server

The notification server sends the notification message of the DM server to the appliance. The notification server may be configured to include a Session Generation area, a Schedule Management area, and the like.

If the home appliance is in a private network, a connection manager, which is specially configured on the server side, may be needed to maintain the connection with the home appliance. The appliances can automatically request a TCP connection after booting, and the connection manager maintains the requested TCP connection. The DM server conveys the notification message through it.

6) Open API (Open API)

The application of the mobile communication terminal such as the smart phone can remotely manage the household appliances through the open API provided by the DM server. The open API is described in detail below.

(2) The appliance may include the following components.

1) Communication module

Communication modules are installed in household appliances. Such a communication module is not limited to this kind. A wired communication module, or a wireless communication module.

Illustratively, it may be a Wi-Fi capable communication module, or may be a module capable of PLC communication or Zigbee communication.

2) DM Client (DM Client)

The main role of the DM client is to perform management commands of the DM server. That is, it provides management functions to remotely manage firmware update management task, software management task, diagnosis management task, and control management task through management commands of the DM server.

3 shows an example in which a DM client is provided in a household appliance. In the case of household appliances having a TFT display, a DM client may be mounted on a circuit board (display board) of the TFT. In Fig. 3, the main board is a circuit board for performing the original function of the household electric appliances. For example, in general, in the case of a washing machine, a main controller for controlling a water supply valve to perform washing and a motor connected to a drum may be provided on the main board.

The DM client may be mounted on a main board of a household appliance, but it may be advantageous to mount the DM client on a display board because a display window can be used to request a management service.

3) DL Client (DL Client)

The main role of the DL client is to download package files (firmware update packages, software management packages, etc.) from the DL server. Receives the download server URL from the DM client, connects to the download server, fetches the download descriptor (DD), and executes the download operation.

4) Agent

And performs the management service command requested by the home appliances according to the contents of the management service. For example, an update agent plays a role of creating new firmware using an update package downloaded for firmware update. The update agent can be implemented variously by the manufacturer.

5) Bootstrap

The appliances may include bootstrap information. This will be described in detail in the bootstrap procedure described below.

6) Daemon

The daemon can serve to handle the periodic connection of appliances to the server. Unless the power cord is disconnected from household appliances, the daemon should always stay on. For example, even if the power of the washing machine is OFF, the daemon can be kept ON even if the power cord of the washing machine is connected to the socket. If it is necessary to turn on the washing machine at the request of the server, the daemon can transmit the command to power on the main board.

7) User Interface (UI)

There may be a need to obtain approval from the user to perform the management service, and there may be cases where the user requests the management service from the home appliance. The user interface may be a TFT LCD window of the terminal. A screen for the management service may be popped up on the LCD screen. Such a management service screen may be provided so as to be able to input a user ID and a password. Here, the user ID and the password may be an ID and a password that are granted at the time of membership through the user site. The server system can confirm the user through the ID and the password. When a terminal makes a service request, the terminal can transmit a user ID and a password, a device ID, and request information of the service to the server system.

However, the above-described user interface is not provided in all household appliances. This is because, in addition to the user interface for performing the function of the home appliance itself, the additional interface for the management service can take a lot of cost and space.

For example, implementing input means such as characters and a display unit (display unit) for displaying a large amount of information may not be easy for home appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, ovens, and the like.

Therefore, an external terminal such as a smart phone may be required to perform the management service of such household appliances. This is because an external terminal such as a smartphone has its own communication module, memory, OS, input means and display portion. In recent years, external terminals having a touch LCD or an LED have become popular. Accordingly, the limit of the user interface of the home appliance can be supplemented or extended by the external terminal. Specific examples will be described later.

(3) The communication environment between the home appliance and the server will be described below.

Basically, the communication environment is irrelevant only if it is suitable to perform the management service.

2 shows an example in which a wireless Internet communication module is applied to the household appliance 20 and communicates with the server 10 via an Internet network via an AP (access point, router) 30. [

Considering the communication path from the home appliance 20 as a starting point to the server 10, AP is a public Internet network, and AP migration is a private Internet network. Each of the home appliances 21 and 22 receives a private IP from the AP 30, and the AP 30 itself has a unique IP.

The server 10 also has an IP, which may be a unique IP. Therefore, it is preferable that the communication module of the household appliance, for example, the Wi-Fi module has a unique IP of the server. The home appliances can be connected to the IP of the server through the bootstrap described above so that communication between them can be performed.

Then, the DM client continuously sends a signal to the DM server so that the server 10 can know and locate the home appliance 20. The AP 30 sends the port information and its own IP information to which the appliances are connected to the DM server, so that the DM server knows the location of the DM client. When the device ID information is transmitted together with the device ID information from the home appliance 20 to the server, the server system knows what home appliance is located and can access the home appliance using the information. At this time, a user ID and a password may also be transmitted.

Therefore, the server 10 can know where the specific household appliance 20 of the specific user is located. Accordingly, when a specific management service is requested to the server through the home appliance or the external terminal of the user, it is possible to easily determine a specific home appliance and perform it.

(4) Admin Portal

A managerial portal is not required but is intended to enable administrators to perform tasks efficiently. For example, in the case of firmware update, an administrator who registers and updates the firmware, a manager that verifies the registered firmware update file, and the like can collaborate with each other through the manager portal. The manager portal can include the Firmware Upgrade Process area, the Software Upgrade Process area, the Device Management area, the System Admin area, and the Statistics area. have.

The contents and procedures of the management service will be described below.

(1) Membership and Activation of Home Appliances

FIG. 4 illustrates subscription and activation of household appliances.

The user can be given a user ID and a password while accessing the user site 60 and registering as described above.

Activation of household appliances may be a procedure for registering the user's home appliance 20 in the server 10. [ A window for inputting a user ID, a password, and the like may be popped up on a display screen of the home appliance, and the user can perform an activation procedure through the screen. When the user inputs his or her ID and password to the screen and inputs a command for activation, the home appliance transmits the user ID, the password, the device ID, and the characteristic information of the terminal to the user site 60. At this time, the input user ID and password may be stored in the home appliance 20. [ Thus, the user ID and password may be used to authenticate the user.

The device ID may be pre-registered in the home appliance 20 or may be automatically generated in the home appliance when performing the activation procedure. Alternatively, the device ID may be automatically generated when the consumer electronics device is turned on for the first time.

The characteristic information of the household appliance may include model information of a household appliance, a product code, a manufacturing date, a product number, and the like.

Also, in the activation procedure, the appliance can transmit the password of the appliance, the URL of the service, and the ID and password of the server together. The information transmitted to the user site 60 in the activation procedure, excluding the user ID and the password, may be automatically generated or input by the household appliance 20.

When the above-described information is received from the home appliance 20 through the activation procedure at the user site 60, the user site registers the home appliance with the user ID. Thus, in the user site, the household appliances 20 used by the user are registered for each user ID.

Then, the user site 60 transmits the user ID and password, the device ID, and the characteristic information of the household appliance to the server 10. At this time, the ID and password of the server can be transmitted together.

The server 10 first performs authentication on the transmitted information. Thus, when the authentication is passed, the user ID and password, device ID, product characteristic information, and the like are registered in the server. At this time, the device password can also be transmitted.

Such an activation procedure can be performed without regard to a location if a communication environment capable of accessing a server and a user site is provided. For example, the purchaser of the product may perform the activation procedure instead.

(2) User's service request

The user can make a service request on the display screen of the corresponding home appliance 20 to receive the service. For example, after a desired service screen is popped up on a display screen of the home appliance 20, a user ID and a password may be inputted and a service request may be performed. At this time, in the corresponding household appliances, besides the information related to the service request, the user ID, the password, and the device ID can be transmitted together.

In addition, the user can request a desired service through the user site 60 as well. The user site may be provided with a web page for requesting the management service, and the user may request the desired management service from the web page. When a service is requested from a user, the user site can transmit information on a service request to the server system. At this time, the user ID, the password, and the device ID may be transmitted together.

Also, the user can make a service request by calling the customer call center. Customer call centers may also be made to receive managed services with the ARS system.

Meanwhile, a service request can be made through a mobile communication terminal (external terminal) such as a smart phone. FIG. 5 (a) illustrates downloading of a smartphone application for a management service. 5 (b) illustrates a service request through a smart phone, a customer call center, and a home appliance.

When a service request is made through a smart phone, the user can start a management service application installed in the smart phone, and then request a service while inputting a user ID and a password. For a service request, the smart phone may transmit information on the service request to the server system, and may transmit the user ID and the password together with the device ID.

(3) Firmware update

The firmware update is a service for responding to an error occurring while a manufacturer develops a product. The firmware update can be generated by the manufacturer of the update package generator, and the generated update package is delivered to the corresponding product through the DM / DL client.

The update package delivered to the product may be stored at the reserved address of the flash memory that is promised, at which time the size of the update package may be limited by the manufacturer or vendor.

The service procedure for updating the firmware update package is shown in Fig. Hereinafter, the procedure shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

1. Update Package creation: The manufacturer creates new firmware when a change of firmware occurs. An update package recording the difference between the new firmware and the firmware of the current version is created.

2. Update Package Registration: The manufacturer registers the generated update package on the carrier's system.

3. Test Request: The registered update package performs its own test procedure before transferring to the appliance.

4. Deployment Request: The update package that passes the test is registered on the DL server for distribution to the appliance.

5. Notification Request: The DM server requests a notification message transmission to perform the registered operation.

6. Notification message transmission: A notification message is sent to the appliance.

7. Update package download and installation request: The appliance that has downloaded the update package restarts (in some cases it can be updated before rebooting)

8. Firmware update: In the case of home appliances, update using UA.

9. Notice of Firmware Update Result: The appliance notifies the DM server of the firmware update result.

The DM client of household appliances interacts with the DM server using the OMA DM protocol. The firmware update is performed by the DM client in the home appliance and the FUMO agent, and updates the firmware.

The initiator of the firmware update procedure is the DM server and the user, and the DM session mode can support both Background / Foreground.

In the case of start by the DM server, the DM client can start receiving a notification message from the DM server. At this time, downloading and updating can be performed simultaneously. That is, immediately after downloading the update package file, it is possible to perform the update process (FUMO Node: DownloadAndUpdate) through the UA.

In the case of start by the user, the user can input the update progress (FUMO Node: DownloadAndUpdate) through the display screen menu item of the home appliance.

(4) Software management

Software management is the management task of adding, updating, and deleting software. The user software may be installed in the file system area of the terminal (including internal / external memory).

A procedure for software management is shown in FIG. 7, and a Push-type service is available by using this. The procedure shown in Fig. 7 will be described.

1. Software Management Package Creation: Software manufacturers create software development and management (distribution) packages for their OS.

2. Register the management package: The software manufacturer registers the created management package on the server.

3. Test Request: Test the generated management package.

4. Deployment Request: Deploy the management package that has been tested.

5. Notification Request: The DM server requests a notification message transmission to perform the registered operation.

6. Notification message transmission: A notification message is sent to the terminal.

7. Management Package Download and Installation Request: The DM server asks the DM or DL client to download and install the management package.

8. Management Package Operation: The downloaded management package is installed by the SCoMO Agent as an option to the installer of the OS, and the OS installer installs / updates the management package in the user file system area.

9. Notification of management operation result: The DM client of the terminal notifies the DM server of the management operation result.

The DM client of the terminal interacts with the DM server using the OMA DM protocol. Software management manages the software by interworking DM client and SCoMO agent in the terminal.

The initiator of the software management procedure may be a DM server, and the DM session mode may support both Background / Foreground. The terminal can receive the Notification Message from the DM server and start the DM client. Again, you can download and update at the same time. In other words, after the management package file is downloaded, the management operation (SCoMO Node: DownloadInstallInactive or DownloadInstall) is performed through the ScoMO Agent.

(5) Home appliance control management (product control)

It is possible to remotely control the product. Control management can be initiated by the DM server and can operate in the Background. Therefore, the interaction with the user through the MMI and the occurrence of the interrupt may not be considered.

In the case of a refrigerator, the refrigerator operation mode control (normal mode, test mode, refrigerator operation mode), refrigerator temperature, freezer compartment temperature, converter bloom temperature or mode (frozen food mode, meat mode, vegetable mode, LQC mode, exhibition mode, smart diagnosis, etc.), dispenser control (sculpted ice mode, water mode, each ice mode, etc.).

In the case of a washing machine, the control item can be power on or off, operation execution, operation stop, and the like. Further, the control item can be a change of reservation, a change of detailed options of the laundry course, and the like. It is also possible to control the anti-creasing function to be performed after the end of the laundry course. This control management can be done through DM server through open API using smart phone application.

The procedure for control management is shown in FIG. 9 and will be described in detail.

1. Control Item Query / Execution Request: The operator (or user) requests the ONM server to inquire / execute the control item using the management screen of the ONM server.

2. Task Registration and Notification Request: The ONM server requests control / execution task to the DM server and notifies the appliances through Notification message.

3. Notification Request: The DM server requests the Notify server for product notification.

4. Notification message transmission: A notification message is transmitted to the appliance.

5. Control process: Home appliances receive the notification message of the DM server and access the DM server to control the process.

DM client of home appliances interacts with DM server using OMA DM protocol, and control management is controlled by DM client and control agent in home appliances interlocked with each other.

The initiator of the control management may be a DM server, and the DM session mode may be Background. The DM client receives the Notification Message from the DM server and starts it.

(6) Diagnosis

Diagnosis is a service for the diagnosis of household appliances. For example, when it is considered that there is a trouble in the washing machine, the user can request the diagnosis service. When the washing machine receives a diagnostic command, it can start the diagnostic program and collect the data necessary for the diagnosis.

Home appliances can collect event data or log data during normal operation. These data can be used as diagnostic data. That is, the diagnostic data can be collected even when there is no diagnostic request. For example, when an event that the drum of the washing machine does not rotate occurs, such event data can be recorded and stored. Thus, when there is a diagnosis request, the collected data may be transmitted to the server system together with the collected data by driving the diagnostic program.

The diagnostic data may include, for example, the operating rate data of the motor in the case of a washing machine, the power data loaded in the washing machine, the temperature data in the tub or the drum, the data relating to the operation of the water supply valve,

In the refrigerator, the data relating to the operation of the cooling fan, the data of the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment temperature, the data relating to the operation of the compressor, the data relating to the operation of various valves such as the expansion valve, the data concerning the operation of the ice maker, and the like may be included.

The diagnostic data may include data related to the operation of the display unit or the input unit corresponding to the user interface, a level sensor (in the case of a washing machine), various temperature sensors (for example, a sensor for sensing the temperature in the tub of the washing machine, A temperature sensor of the < / RTI > sensor), and the like.

The diagnostic data may include information of instruction execution time and data generation time. Such diagnosis data can be transmitted to the server, and the server can start the analysis program and generate diagnostic results.

The diagnosis request may be made via a smart phone or may be made by accessing a server system from a customer center if the user requests the customer center. In addition, if an error occurs in the household appliances, the error information may be transmitted to the server for diagnosis.

The interface of the open API for diagnosis can be designed to provide only a start interface. Therefore, it may not provide a stop after starting the diagnosis.

FIG. 9 shows a procedure for diagnosis, which will be described below. The diagnostic procedure may be the same as the monitoring procedure described below and is therefore shown together in FIG.

1. Request Diagnosis / Monitoring Setting: The operator (or user) requests the condition for diagnosis / monitoring and start of execution using the management server's management screen.

2. Task Registration and Notification Request: The management server requests the DM server for conditions for diagnostic / monitoring and start request and notification of execution.

3. Notification Request: The DM server requests the Notify server to notify the terminal.

4. Notification message transmission: The Notify server delivers a notification message to the terminal.

5. Diagnosis / Monitoring Configuration: The DM server asks the DM client to start diagnostics / monitoring conditions and execution.

6. Diagnosis / monitoring result notification / data inquiry: The DM client (DiagMon Agent) of the terminal notifies the DM server of the result (Alert message) after diagnosis / monitoring is completed.

The initiator of the diagnosis / monitoring management may be a DM server or a user, and the DM session mode may be Background.

In the case of starting the DM server, the DM client starts receiving the Notification Message from the DM server. In the case of user start, the user starts diagnosis / monitoring on the screen of the home appliance, and after the diagnosis / monitoring of home appliances is completed, the DM client is executed.

On the other hand, another embodiment for performing the diagnosis will be described. This is related to the user transmitting the operation sound or diagnostic sound of the appliance to the server. For example, the user can transmit an operation sound or a diagnostic sound to the server system through the mobile communication terminal. The server system can analyze the operation sound or the diagnostic sound to diagnose the corresponding home appliance. The method by which the user transmits the operation sound or the diagnostic sound to the server system can be implemented in various ways. For example, when the user calls the service center and transmits an operation sound or a diagnostic sound of the terminal through the receiver of the mobile communication terminal, the service center can transmit the sound or the diagnosis sound to the server.

The service center may include an ARS system for automatically transmitting the operation sound or the diagnostic sound as described above. Further, the user may use a mobile communication terminal (e.g., a smart phone) provided with a program for diagnosis. That is, it is conceivable to transmit a diagnostic sound for diagnosis to the server using the diagnostic program installed in the mobile communication terminal. At this time, the data may be directly transmitted to the server, or may be transmitted to the user site when the user site is transmitted to the server.

The server system may have a program for analyzing the operation sound and performing a diagnosis. The program may analyze the diagnostic sound data to convert it into error codes or status information. The diagnosis result may be transmitted to the user's mobile communication terminal or may be transmitted to the corresponding home appliance.

(7) Monitoring

Monitoring is a service related to the monitoring of household appliances. When monitoring is requested, the appliance can transmit the monitoring data to the server system.

For example, when the washing machine requests the washing machine for monitoring data, the washing machine may start a program for monitoring to collect the monitoring data and transmit it to the server. At this time, the monitoring data may include the information of the execution time of the monitoring command and the generation time of the monitoring data. And, when a monitoring execution request is made, it can be made to repeatedly transmit the monitoring data after starting the monitoring.

In the case of a refrigerator, monitoring items may include a state of limited refrigeration, a hygiene filter state (for example, on or auto state), refrigerator operation mode, dispenser state, error state, door open or closed state, have. In the case of a washing machine, the monitoring items may include the operation status, the remaining time of the running course, the initial set time, the type of washing course, the rinsing level, the dehydration RPM, the temperature set for the course execution,

The monitoring service can be requested via a smartphone and the results can be viewed.

The interface of the open API for monitoring can be designed to provide both start and end interfaces.

The procedure for monitoring may be as shown in FIG.

Hereinabove, an embodiment of the home appliance and the online system including the home appliance that can implement the present invention has been described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG.

Hereinafter, a communication connection method and an arrangement therefor of a home appliance will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10. FIG.

The home appliance 20 must ultimately communicate with the server 10. For this, it is necessary to first communicate with the AP 30 in the home. Therefore, the home appliance 20 must be equipped with a communication module or connected thereto. Specifically, the communication module may be a Wi-Fi communication module 25.

First, power is applied to the household appliances 20 through the power selection unit 140 provided in the control panel 100 of the household appliances 20. [ At this time, power is also applied to the Wi-Fi communication module 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, many home appliances do not have an interface for inputting characters or the like, or a display unit capable of displaying various types of screens. Therefore, it is not easy for the household electric appliances 20 to communicate with the AP 30. [ For this purpose, the Wi-Fi communication module 25 preferably supports a use mode that can communicate with a setting mode for communication connection. That is, the WiFi communication module 25 must perform a setting mode in order to establish a communication connection, and switches to a use mode when communication is established in the setting mode. Therefore, in order to establish a communication connection, the setting mode of the Wi-Fi communication module 25 is operated.

An input means may be provided in the Wi-Fi communication module 25 for the operation of the setting mode. However, in many cases, the WiFi communication module 25 will be embedded in the household appliance 20. [ Therefore, the input means may be provided in a household appliance.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, it is not easy to provide input means for only this function in the control panel 100. This is because it may not be necessary to provide input means for only a specific function selection for mass production. Therefore, it is preferable that the setting mode is operated by the user selecting a specific input unit among the input means provided previously.

For example, the control panel 100 may be provided with a reservation button 123. The user can select the time point at which the washing course ends while pressing the reservation button 123. [ For example, the user may select the reservation button 123 to select the end of the laundry course after 4 hours have elapsed. The control unit of the washing machine can control the washing operation to be stopped for 2 hours when the washing course takes 2 hours, and to perform the washing course after 2 hours.

The reservation button may be less frequently used than the other input units. Therefore, the setting mode can be operated through the reservation button. Here, the input method of the reservation button needs to be different. For example, it is possible to differently select the reservation function selection or the setting mode operation selection by varying the time at which the reservation button is pressed.

On the other hand, the word "smart reservation" may be displayed on the reservation button instead of the phrase "reservation ". This is to make it possible to explicitly indicate that the aforementioned management service can be used. Accordingly, after the smart reservation is selected, remote control such as changing the reservation time can be performed through the external terminal as described later.

As described above, the WiFi communication module operates in the setting mode through selection of a specific input unit. However, a separate means for setting, for example, user information, connectable network information, etc., may not be displayed or input means provided in the household appliance 20. [

Therefore, it is preferable that the setting mode is connected through an external terminal. Here, the external terminal is preferably a device including a Wi-Fi communication module, a character input unit, a display unit, a central processing unit (CPU), an operating system (OS) For example, it can be a smartphone.

The external terminal may be provided to connect the Wi-Fi communication module to the AP 30 on behalf of the Wi-Fi communication module or the home appliance. Therefore, in the setting mode, SSID (Service Set IDentifier) information of the access point (AP) 30 and user information for registering the CE are input through the external terminal.

SSIDs connectable to the external terminal are displayed, and the user selects an SSID to be continuously connected, for example, an SSID to be used at home. Here, when security is set in the wireless LAN, the external terminal must input the SSID selection and its password. Accordingly, the SSID information may include a password of the SSID.

Upon receiving the user information and the SSID information, the WiFi communication module is switched to the use mode. Here, it is preferable that the SSID information and the communication module are automatically stored when the user information is input. Therefore, communication can be continuously performed without a separate setting mode operation thereafter. That is, through the information, the AP is automatically connected in the use mode. Therefore, the home appliance 20 can perform wireless LAN communication with a specific AP 30. That is, short-range communication becomes possible.

On the other hand, the communication module has the address of the server 10 to be connected. Here, the address of the server is preferably a fixed IP. Thus, in the use mode, the household appliance 20 can communicate with the server 10 via the AP 30. Accordingly, the user information and the product information previously stored in the household appliance are automatically registered in the server 10 through the AP when the use mode is switched.

Here, the user information may be information previously stored in the server 10 via the user site. Accordingly, the server 10 compares the pre-stored user information and product information with the information received at the time of switching the usage mode through the user site 60 and stores the information. Thus, the server 10 recognizes a specific user and specific household appliances thereof. In particular, it becomes possible to recognize the position of a specific home appliance.

Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi communication module 25 has a fixed address for the setting mode operation. The external terminal 40 inputs the fixed address and accesses the setting mode. The fixed address can be specified in the form of 192.1.xx.xx. The setting mode connection of the external terminal 40 means that the input means and the display means of the communication module 25 can be extended by using the external terminal 40. [

Accordingly, the user can easily switch the communication module 25 from the setting mode to the use mode through the external terminal 40. [ This means that the hardware of the household appliance 20 is not added or changed. Also, since the external terminal 40 provided separately is used, it is possible to prevent the price of the household appliance from rising excessively.

The household appliance 20 may include a status display unit 130 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the setting mode connection and use mode switching can be easily performed through the status display unit 130. This will be described.

When the power source selection unit 140 is pressed, the status display unit 130 displays a message for selecting a washing course as shown in FIG. That is, a guideline for requesting a selection of the user in the household appliance may be displayed. Of course, this guiding phrase may be the first phrase displayed when the power is supplied.

When the setting mode is then operated, it is preferable that the status display unit 130 indicates that the WiFi setting mode is operating as shown in FIG. As described above, the operation of the setting mode can be performed by selection of a specific selection unit. For example, the setting mode can be operated by pressing the smart reservation button 123 for 3 seconds or more. The user can clearly recognize through the status display unit 130 that the operation corresponding to the command is being performed.

In addition, in the setting mode, the status display unit 130 may display a fixed address for connection to the setting mode and information of the SSID to be connected. Therefore, the user can easily input the fixed address to the external terminal.

An example of a screen in which the fixed address is inputted from the external terminal 40 and is connected to the setting mode is shown in FIG. A screen for inputting a user AP, i.e., SSID information (SSID name and / or SSID password) to be accessed, and a screen for inputting a user ID and a password.

The ID and password of the user may be information previously set through the user site 60 or the like.

Therefore, when the input is registered, the household appliance 20 is registered in the server 10.

14 shows an example of a screen displayed on the status display unit 130 of the household appliances 20 after the fixed address is input to the external terminal 20 to access the setting mode. The household appliances, in particular the WiFi communication module 25, are connected to the external terminal 40. That is, it is connected for WiFi setting. Therefore, it is preferable that the status display unit 130 displays information that Wi-Fi is being set.

When the WiFi setting mode is completed, the screen of FIG. 14 may be switched to the screen of FIG. That is, information indicating that the Wi-Fi setting has been completed may be displayed, and a Wi-Fi icon may be displayed. The Wi-Fi icon is continuously displayed during communication connection thereafter.

When the set time, for example 3 seconds, elapses, the screen of FIG. 15 is switched to the initial screen, that is, the screen shown in FIG. Of course, Wi-Fi icon display is further added on the screen of Fig.

The user can easily and quickly register the home appliances on the server 10 through the features of the appliance status display unit 130 and the characteristics of the WiFi module to use the future management service.

On the other hand, the external terminal 40 can be used not only as an auxiliary means for communication connection of home appliances, but also can easily use the home appliances management service. Similarly, the expanded input means and display means of the external terminal 40 can be utilized.

To this end, the external terminal 40 may be provided with an application program for requesting and performing at least one of remote control, remote diagnosis, firmware or software update, and monitoring of the household appliance 20.

In the initial execution of the application program, the user's information is transmitted to the server, and the requested service can be performed by communicating with the appliances corresponding to the user. On the other hand, the application programs may be displayed with products capable of being managed services, and may be provided to select actual products among the products. If the user's product is not registered in the server, the product may be registered in the server through the application program. This can replace the configuration mode of the Wi-Fi module described above.

Hereinafter, the management service, particularly the remote control, through the application program will be described in detail.

First, when an application program is executed, a screen shown in Fig. 16 can be displayed. When the user presses the remote control, a screen for login to the server is displayed, and an example is shown in Fig. The user enters a country selection (server selection), a user ID and a password to access the server. Of course, this login screen can be displayed only when it is the first login, and then it can be automatically logged in. However, since it is possible for others to execute this application program arbitrarily, it is preferable to input at least the user's password every time the application is executed.

After login, the server determines whether the user is registered in the server. If it is not registered, the external terminal may display a user site to request registration, and may be directly connected to a user site. Of course, these user site displays may also be displayed on the login screen.

The server can know whether the user's home appliance is registered if the user is registered. Therefore, the external terminal displays the registered home appliances. If there is more than one, the user can select a particular product to receive the service. Thereafter, the user can request the management service of the specific product through the application program.

On the other hand, if the user's home appliance is not registered in the server, the product can be registered in the server by selecting the product registration method shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. Accordingly, when the user logs in, the server determines whether the user's product is registered in the server.

 The application program may be for a specific product family, for example a laundry machine. It may also be for a specific product, for example a washing machine. Thus, when a user executes an application program, he or she desires a certain product group or a service of a specific product. Accordingly, when a user executes such an application, it means that the user inputs information of a specific product group or a specific product and logs in to the server. Therefore, after logging in, the server determines whether the home appliance is registered with the server together with the user information.

If the product related to the application program is not registered after the user is logged in, the product is not displayed as shown in an example in Fig. Therefore, product registration becomes possible through this screen.

The user selects the method of registering the products shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, which means the above-described connection of the set-up mode of the household appliances. That is, the WiFi communication module of each home appliances may have a fixed address for the setting mode, and selecting the product registration method means that the application program connects to the fixed address. Hereinafter, matters concerning the external terminal and the status display unit 130 of the household appliances may be the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIG.

On the other hand, when registering a product on a server, it is important to know which user's product is located and where the server is located. Therefore, the user's information must be transmitted to the server when registering the product. Information about the AP address should also be sent to the server. The connection to the set mode of the Wi-Fi communication module may be referred to as matching the user's information with the product. Therefore, communication between the external terminal and the appliance is not required.

That is, the setting mode operation allows the user to find the AP to which the household appliances are connected. The AP information, the appliance information (for example, a washing machine or the like), and the user information may be transmitted to the server or the fixed address site through an external terminal. Accordingly, the server can identify which household appliance, which is currently connected to a specific AP, is a home appliance or an appliance, through this information. The user information may be transmitted to the communication module and stored.

This makes it unnecessary to set protocols or add hardware for communication between the communication module and the external terminal of the household appliances. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily register the household appliances with the server without adding the cost.

Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to more easily register the household appliance with the server by using such an application program. Then, various management services can be performed using the application program.

The above describes in detail the method and procedure for registering users and home appliances as servers, the characteristics of home appliances for them, and the characteristics of online services.

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

The remote control means that the operation of the washing machine is controlled through an application program of an external terminal, for example, a smart phone. To facilitate this, a server is provided between the smartphone and the washing machine.

In the case of a washing machine, it is not desirable that the remote control is unconditionally possible. This is because the remote control is meaningless when the door of the washing machine is opened, the washing machine is not loaded with detergent, or the washing machine is not ready for operation.

Accordingly, in order to selectively enable remote control, the washing machine may be provided with a remote control selection unit. When remote control is selected, this information can be transmitted to the server. Of course, if the user requests the status information of the washing machine through the application program, the server may receive such information.

The remote control selection unit may be the reservation selection unit 123 shown in FIG. 1, and the smart reservation selection unit 123 in detail. The activation button 150 must be selected in order for the activation of the reservation selection unit 123, that is, the reservation to be performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the remote control is possible through the external terminal only when the remote control is activated in the washing machine.

The activation of the remote control of the washing machine may be performed by selecting the reservation function through the reservation selection unit 123 and selecting the operation button 150. [

The user can transmit the user information to the server through the external terminal and log in to the server as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. If the application is for the service of a particular product, for example remote control of the washing machine, the user information and washing machine information at the login step will be received at the server.

If the application is intended for the service of several products, only the user information will be received at the server during the login step. After the login step, the user will receive information about the specific product on the server by selecting a specific product. Therefore, if the service target product is selected after login or after login, the user can request the service of the target product.

The user requests status information of the washing machine from the server. A screen display of an external terminal for this purpose is shown in Fig. That is, the user requests the washing machine status information from the server by selecting the displayed remote control.

The server determines the washing machine corresponding to the user information and the information of the washing machine. That is, it is determined which washing machine is currently connected to which AP. Then, the status information is requested to the determined washing machine.

In response to the request, the washing machine transmits status information to the sub, and the server transmits the received status information to the external terminal. The external terminal receives and displays the status information.

The status information may include whether the power of the washing machine is on or off. 19 and 20 show an example in which the power is turned on and the case where the power is turned off is displayed on an external terminal, respectively.

The user can turn off the power of the washing machine by selecting the power indicator as shown in FIG. However, when the power of the washing machine is turned off as shown in FIG. 20, the remote control function is not performed and it is desirable to display the remote control function. Since the remote control function is not performed, the washing machine can not be turned on.

On the other hand, when only the power-on state is displayed as shown in Fig. 19, the washing machine does not perform any operation and only the power is turned on. The washing machine is configured to automatically turn off the power when the selected operation is completed. Therefore, it can be said that the operation button is not selected after the power is turned on in order to select a washing course or the like in a state in which only the power is turned on. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that the washing machine can be turned off by remote control.

Here, turning off the power through the external terminal may also be referred to as one remote control. Therefore, the power can not be turned off simply when the power is turned on. That is, it is possible to monitor only the current state.

Similarly, the state of the washing machine can be monitored through the external terminal during the washing course, during the washing course, during the rinse rinse or dehydration, and during the drying cycle. In this case, the remote control of the washing machine is not activated.

That is, when the remote control of the washing machine is not activated, the external terminal can be configured to monitor only the state of the present washing machine and not to perform remote control.

Meanwhile, when the remote control of the washing machine is activated, the external terminal can be configured to monitor the state of the washing machine at the present time and also to be capable of remote control. Therefore, it is preferable that the server receives remote control activation information of the washing machine from the washing machine.

If remote control of the washing machine is not activated and the server does not receive such information, the user can not remotely control the washing machine through the external terminal. Of course, such contents may be displayed on the external terminal, or an indication for remote control may not be displayed on the external terminal.

As described above, the remote control activation can be performed by smart reservation input and operation input. Thereafter, the state of the washing machine may be one of a waiting state, a course execution state, and a course completion state for performing a reserved course. Of course, it may be a wrinkle preventing state described later after the end of the course. And the power is turned off after the end of the course or the prevention of the ruggedness. More specifically, the course execution state may further include during a washing operation, during a rinsing operation, during a dewatering operation, or during a drying operation.

Accordingly, when the remote control is activated except for the power off state of the washing machine described above, the user can perform various types of remote control through the external terminal.

FIG. 21 shows an example in which the washing machine is displayed on the external terminal when the washing machine is in the reserved state, and one or more of the remaining time until the operation is completed, the selected washing course, detailed options of the set course,

Here, the reserved state, that is, the reservation state means that the current washing is not performed in the meaning that the washing is completed when the set time from the current time, that is, the displayed time has elapsed.

Fig. 22 shows the state display unit 130 of the washing machine corresponding to the display of the external terminal shown in Fig. Similarly, the status display unit 130 of the washing machine can display the reservation time, remaining time, detailed options, and the like.

When the washing machine is under reservation, the user can change the reservation time through the external terminal. That is, the reservation time can be changed by pressing the reservation time change shown in FIG.

The detailed options of the laundry course reserved when the washing machine is in the reserved state, that is, the detailed value of the set course, may be checked or changed. Then, the power of the washing machine may be turned off.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a pop-up window that is generated when the reservation time change is selected. The user can change the desired reservation time through a pop-up window. When the reservation time is changed and confirmed or when the change is canceled, the pop-up window disappears and the screen shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. At this time, the remaining time until the completion of washing will be indicated by the changed time. That is, when 3 hours is changed to 4 hours, 3 hours in FIG. 21 will be changed to 4 hours.

FIG. 24 is an example of the status display unit 130 when the reserved time is changed through an external terminal. Information indicating that the reserved time has been changed and information on the changed remaining time are displayed. Then, the screen is switched to the screen shown in Fig. 22 after the elapse of the set time (for example, after 3 seconds elapse). Of course, the remaining time will change from 3 hours to 4 hours.

25 shows an example in which the washing machine is displayed on an external terminal when the washing machine is in operation, and at least one of the remaining time until completion of the operation, the detailed progress indicator, and the detailed options of the set course can be displayed on the external terminal. That is, it can be said that the screen is displayed when reservation is selected and a scheduled laundry course is being performed. Specifically, the selected course can be displayed, and a detailed stroke in the course, i.e. whether it is being washed or rinsed, can be displayed.

Fig. 26 is an example of the washing machine status display unit 130 corresponding to Fig. The remaining time until the end of the course, and the progress of the entire course can be displayed. In addition, it can indicate whether it is being washed, being rinsed, or being dehydrated. Of course, it can also indicate whether it is dry or not.

On the other hand, when the washing machine is in operation, that is, before the course is completed, the user can select the rumble preventing function through the external terminal. That is, the washing machine can be selected to perform the anti-creasing function.

The anti-creasing function means a function to prevent the creasing of the laundry by driving the drum after the end of the course. When washing or drying is finished, the laundry in the drum is pressed by the weight of the drum under its own weight. In particular, when the washing is finished, moisture is left in the laundry, and there is a high possibility that the laundry is wrinkled by the load. In addition, when the laundry is entangled with each other, there is a greater risk of creasing. Therefore, there is a need to prevent the creases from being generated in the laundry by driving the drum continuously, periodically or intermittently.

In the case of a dryer or a dryer / dryer, cold air can be supplied as laundry in the drum. Therefore, it is also possible to supply the cold wind continuously, periodically or intermittently into the drum.

The anti-creasing function is very effective when the laundry is left in the drum for a long time after the end of the course. Therefore, the ruggedness prevention function can be selected and performed only through the external terminal. That is, the control panel of the washing machine, the dryer, or the washing / drying machine may not have a selection unit for selecting the function. This is because when the user performs the washing operation by operating the control panel directly, the laundry is not likely to be left in the drum for a long time.

Therefore, it is preferable to select such functions through the external terminal only when the user goes out or goes to work and makes a laundry reservation, that is, when the remote control is activated.

As shown in FIG. 25, the user can select to perform the anti-rumor function by selecting anti-rumor displayed on the external terminal. It is preferable that the rubbing prevention execution time is input by default. For example, 4 hours. This is because, if only a short time is set, laundry can be prevented for a long time. In addition, when setting a long time, the user can release the ruggedness prevention by pressing any button of the washing machine in the washing machine.

For example, as shown in FIG. 25, if there is one hour and 50 minutes remaining until the end of washing, and the user has left three hours before arriving at home, the user can choose to prevent rumble. Therefore, even if the user arrives home after 5 hours, the anti-rumor function is being performed, and the user can stop the operation of the washing machine by pressing any button of the washing machine after arriving at home.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a case where the rubbing prevention is selected on the external terminal screen shown in FIG. 25 and displayed on the status display portion of the washing machine. In the previous screen shown in Fig. 26, it is indicated that the rubbing prevention is selected instead of the information indicating that washing is being performed. And the time at which the ruggedness prevention is completed can be displayed. It is preferable to switch to the screen shown in FIG. 26, that is, the previous screen after the set time has elapsed.

28 is an example of a washing machine status display section when the course execution is terminated. If the anti-creasing function is not performed, the washing machine will be turned off after a certain time. However, if the anti-creasing function is performed, it can be shown that anti-creasing is being performed as shown in Fig. In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 28 and the screen shown in FIG. 29 can be alternately displayed for a predetermined time so that the user can more clearly grasp the state of the present washing machine.

In the foregoing, an embodiment has been described in which the user actively checks the status information of household appliances, especially washing machines, through an external terminal. That is, an embodiment has been described in which a user executes an application program to check the status of the washing machine for remote monitoring or remote control.

It is possible to actively provide status information of the washing machine to the user in the washing machine or the server, unlike the above embodiment. That is, it is possible to actively provide status information of the user's washing machine to an external terminal of the user.

The server stores information including the telephone number of the user. Accordingly, the server can provide the status information of the washing machine in the form of a message to an external terminal such as the smart phone of the user.

In addition, if an application program for remote control is executed in an external terminal of the user, the external terminal, the server, and the washing machine are communicated with each other. Accordingly, it is also possible that the application program provides status information of the washing machine in the form of a push message.

Here, it is not preferable that status information is provided to the user every time the washing machine operates. Therefore, it is desirable to place a certain limit on the provision of information. To this end, the remote control activation input means described above can be used. That is, the state information of the washing machine can be received from the external terminal only when the remote control activation input means is selected. The input means may be an input means such as a button provided separately in the household appliances. Of course, in the case of the washing machine as described above, it may be a reservation button and an operation button.

Since an appliance such as a washing machine does not always operate, an operation button is preferably included in the input means. However, remote control activation may be performed through a single input button or input means for household appliances that always operate, such as a refrigerator.

The push message may be provided at set time intervals until the end of washing or the end of the ruggedization. Of course, status information of the updated washing machine will be provided.

The status information of the washing machine may include any one of information related to the start of the laundry course, information related to the termination of the course, and information related to the anti-rumor function performed after completion of the course.

The information related to the start of the course execution may include any one of information indicating that washing starts after a lapse of a predetermined time and information indicating that washing has started. The information related to the anti-creasing function may include information indicating that the anti-creasing function is started after the end of washing and information that the creasing prevention function has been terminated.

The state information of the washing machine may include information on which of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, or drying is being performed during the current course.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a screen provided as a push message during execution of an application program of an external terminal. Specifically, it is a push message informing that the washing is finished and the ruggedness prevention is performed. The push message may be provided in the form of a pop-up window, and the pop-up window may be closed by pressing OK.

On the other hand, the status information of the washing machine can be shared not only with the user but also with people associated with the user. That is, it is possible to share using a social network service (SNS).

The server may have information of the user and information of the washing machine including the SNS account information of the user. The server can store such information through the user site or external terminal described above. Thus, if necessary, the washing machine or the server can provide the status information of the washing machine to the user's SNS account. Likewise, provision of such information may be based on the input of the above-described remote control activation input means.

On the other hand, as described above, the user can remotely control the washing machine through the external terminal on the premise of the input of the remote control activation input means. For example, if the user does not perform remote control after inputting the remote control activation, and if the remote control is performed, information provision through the SNS may be different.

For example, the user can change the reservation time or select the anti-wrinkle function through the external terminal. Therefore, the server can provide the remote control information to the user's SNS account only when performing the remote control of this example.

When the user changes the reservation time through the external terminal, the server can register the change of the reservation time of the washing machine through the smart phone in the user's SNS account. Thus, people associated with the user through the SNS can share this information.

Therefore, it is possible to share the smart function of selecting the ruggedness prevention function or changing the reservation time through the external terminal, thereby significantly improving the satisfaction of the product.

On the other hand, the remote control information may be selectively provided to other users associated with the user. This association information may be registered by the user to the server through an external terminal or a user site. Or when a plurality of users are registered in a specific laundry apparatus, the server may store that a plurality of users are associated with each other.

Accordingly, when a specific user performs remote control, the server can provide the remote control information to an external terminal of another user associated with the user.

As described above, the server can store user information such as an SNS account, an e-mail address, and a mobile phone number. Accordingly, the remote control information can be provided not only to an external terminal of another user associated with a specific user but also to other users through various methods such as SNS, text message, and e-mail transmission.

Providing such information may be very advantageous in the case of a couple having a single washing machine closely registered as a user. This is because when one person performs remote control, the other person is provided with such information, so that the remote control can be prevented from being duplicated.

10: Server 20: Home Appliances
30: AP 40: external terminal
60: user site 100: control panel of household appliances
130: Status indicator of household appliances

Claims (14)

server;
A washing machine having a remote control activation setting means and communicably connected to the server through an access point (AP);
And an external terminal capable of requesting the server for status information including whether or not to set the remote control activation of the washing machine to the server and determining status information of the washing machine through the server,
The server identifies a corresponding laundry apparatus through the information of the laundry apparatus transmitted from the laundry apparatus when the washing apparatus is communicatively connected, and transmits the AP information transmitted from the laundry apparatus and the port information of the laundry apparatus connected to the AP Accessing the specified washing machine and requesting the specified washing machine for status information including whether to set the remote control activation or not,
Wherein the server transmits the status information including the push message to the external terminal only when the laundry apparatus is in the remote control activation setting state. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the push message is displayed in a form of a pop-up window of the external terminal. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the status information provided by the push message includes at least one of information related to the start of the laundry course, information related to the end of the course execution, and information related to the anti-rumor function performed after completion of the course execution. . The method of claim 3,
Wherein the status information provided by the push message includes information on whether a current washing, rinsing, dehydrating, or drying operation is being performed during the current course. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the push message is transmitted to the external terminal at a predetermined time interval at the set time interval of the updated laundry apparatus until the end of the washing or the prevention of the ruggedness. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the server stores user information including a user's SNS (social network service) account information and the user's laundry apparatus information. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the user information is registered in the server through an external terminal or a user site. The method according to claim 6,
And the server provides the push message as the SNS account of the user. The method according to claim 6,
The server stores information of another user associated with the user,
And the information of the other user includes the SNS account of the other user. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the server provides the push message as the SNS account of the user and the SNS account of the other user. The method according to claim 1,
The washing machine includes a Wi-Fi communication module supporting a usage mode capable of communicating with a setting mode for communication connection, and a specific input unit configured to operate the setting mode by a user's selection,
The washing machine is connected to the setting mode through the external terminal, and then inputs SSID (Service Set IDentifier, WLAN name) information of the AP desiring to access through the external terminal and user information for the washing machine registration And the mode is switched to the use mode. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the specific input unit is provided only for communication connection of the communication module or is provided for selecting a function of the washing machine, and operates the setting mode by changing an input method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the remote control activation input means is a reservation button and an operation button provided in the washing machine. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the remote control is activated when the reservation button is selected and the operation button is selected.

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