KR20010093569A - Washing system and The washing method for communication control - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing system for communication control is provided to save considerable time and efforts in upgrading programs or repairing tools by controlling the using, finishing and operating states as well as breaking of a washing machine through a communication unit without regard to places of the washing machine. CONSTITUTION: An intrinsic ID(Identification) is transferred to a service provider through a signal processor(151) via an interface unit(152) when a user outputs the intrinsic ID(Identification) to a main control unit(101) through a key input unit(103) to operate a washing machine(100). The intrinsic ID is outputted to a main CPU through an interface unit from the signal processor. The main CPU confirms the intrinsic ID and decides availability in using the washing machine. If the main CPU allows the washing machine to be operated, the availability data are transferred to the washing machine. Otherwise, the main CPU informs a client of unavailability in using the washing machine because of wrong input of the intrinsic ID or other causes. The client receives the unavailability data from the service provider and confirms the intrinsic ID again. When the availability data are received, the client inputs the washing time and courses selectively through the key input unit. The main CPU checks whether the washing machine finishes washing the laundry after following washing, rinsing and dehydrating strokes according to the selected set condition. If so, the main CPU asks the service provider to stop washing the laundry. Otherwise, the washing machine performs the washing process according to the set time and courses again.

Description

Washing system and washing method for communication control {Washing system and The washing method for communication control}

The present invention relates to a laundry control system for a communication control and a method of washing the remote control of at least one washing machine via a communication means, and in particular, the washing machine periodically or in a state such as a place, a rental (rent), a commercial laundromat that requires the use of the washing machine. The present invention relates to a laundry control system for communication control and a method of washing the same, which can significantly reduce management time and effort in managing costs and failures of a washing machine.

Recently, as the division of labor and specialization has been promoted, a laundry business such as a washing machine rental business or a laundry room where a certain amount of money can be used for a specific purpose can be used.

In addition, many special-purpose buildings such as condominiums, single apartments, hotels, and multi-residential buildings are provided for single life or leisure life. Commercial washing machines are installed to perform laundry tasks according to the selected number of washes, course and other functions.

Thus, in order to install and manage a plurality of washing machines for sales or rental purposes, careful attention of the washing machine providing company or the installation manager is required.

For example, in the case of a laundry room, a plurality of washing machines and detergents are provided, and each washing machine is provided with an amount of money inlet, so that the microcomputer performing the control function of the washing machine checks the amount of money input through the amount of money inlet to the microcomputer in advance. If the amount coincides with the set amount, the washing machine is instructed to be driven.

In the above, the washing machine provided in the laundry room has a higher incidence of failure due to more frequent use than a general washing machine, and therefore, a lot of time and manpower can be consumed for the repair of the washing machine. There is a problem that it is accompanied by the hassle, such as currency exchange.

In general, when the washing machine is used, the user has to watch the washing machine repeatedly to know the progress information on the washing operation, or the progress of the washing or the error occurs through the method suggested in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146991 (1999. 6. 2). It can be seen.

Here, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146991, when the FM radio wave is transmitted from the washing machine, the FM receiver always receives the FM radio wave in a reception state. That is, the washing machine is provided with a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data with the display unit, and a home appliance such as an air conditioner, a television, a refrigerator, a computer, or the like is connected to a network so as to transmit and receive with the washing machine using the communication means. It is provided.

Therefore, when the washing machine notifies the washing machine of a progress state or whether an error occurs through the communication means, the other household appliance connected to the network receives the message by the communication means and displays it on the display unit.

By the way, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-146991 has to provide a separate communication means in the washing machine and other home appliances in order to know the progress of the laundry, and must be configured with a washing machine and other home appliance period network, and always in a standby state There is a problem that a receiver is required.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, the purpose is to control the use / termination and progress status, failure of the home or commercial washing machine through a communication means, regardless of location, user or administrator In view of the present invention, there is provided a laundry control system for communication control and a method of washing the same, which can save considerable time and effort in use restriction, program upgrade or troubleshooting.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laundry control system for communication control according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a service provider which is a part of FIG. 1;

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client which is a part of FIG. 1;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a washing method for controlling communication according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations at the client side in FIG. 4;

6 is a flow chart illustrating operation at the service provider side in FIG.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

100: washing machine 101: main fisherman

102: load 103, 205: key input unit

104, 206: display unit 150: protocol control unit

151, 201: signal processing unit 152, 202: interface unit

200: service provider 203: central processing unit

204: data storage

According to a feature of the laundry control system for communication control according to the present invention for solving the above problems, to determine whether to permit or end the use of a plurality of washing machines, and to communicate with the washing machine to perform the overall control operation for washing machine operation and diagnosis A service providing unit which assigns a unique identification letter to each washing machine while being connected through a means, and processes and transmits various control signals to the washing machine to accommodate the control from the service providing unit, and load information signal about the load in the washing machine. It is configured to include a protocol control unit installed in the washing machine to deliver to the service providing unit.

Next, according to a feature of the laundry control method for communication control of the present invention, the client side is connected to the service provider and communication means for performing the overall control function for the permission and wash operation of the washing machine assigned to the unique identification letter assigned to the client side A first step of inputting an identification letter to use the washing machine in the washing machine; A second step of instructing whether the service provider permits the use of the washing machine after checking the identification letter when the identification letter input in the first step is transmitted to the service provider; A third step of, if the use of the washing machine is permitted in the second step, requesting permission of the service provider to terminate after setting up the laundry operation and completing the washing operation; A fourth step of instructing whether the service provider collects the laundry information, determines whether the work is completed, and instructs the client to terminate when the termination permission is requested from the client through the third step; And a fifth step of determining whether or not to terminate the laundry on the client side according to the instruction of the fourth step and waiting for the next laundry until the end.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laundry control system for communication control according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a service provider which is a component of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a component of Figure 1 Referring to Figures 1 to 3 as a block diagram showing the configuration of the client, the present invention is unique to the client side consisting of a plurality of washing machines (100, 110, 120, 130, 140) scattered at a distance regardless of place The service provider 200 is installed in each washing machine 100 of the client and the service provider 200 to perform various control functions such as operation and diagnosis of each washing machine 100 through a communication means while allocating an identification letter of the service provider 200. A protocol for processing and transmitting various control signals to the washing machine 100 to accommodate control from the same, and at the same time, transmitting the load information signal about the load in the washing machine 100 to the service provider 200. The controller 150 is configured.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the client performs all the control operations required for the washing operation as in the past, and at the same time, load information signals such as diagnosis and progress information through information transmitted from each part of the washing machine 100. It is determined whether the main control unit 101 for generating and outputting, the motor (M) for driving the washing tank under the control of the main control unit 101, and the main control unit 101, such as a water supply valve or a drain valve When the user selects the course 102 and the course or other washing function, the key input unit 103 which transmits the selection to the main control unit 101 and inputs user identification characters, and the main control unit 101 The protocol controller 150 is added to the washing machine control device including the display unit 104 displaying the current operating state of the washing machine 100 according to the control.

Here, the protocol control unit 150 is an interface unit 152 for performing a data transfer function between the main control unit 101 and the service provider 200 of the washing machine control device, and is connected to the interface unit 152 to the service provider And a signal processor 152 that transmits and receives various control signals of 200 and the load information signal of the main controller 101 so as to be processed by the system.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the service provider 200 receives the load information signal transmitted from each washing machine 100 on the client side and simultaneously encodes / decodes the various information about the control signal of the service provider 200. A signal processor 201 for performing an operation, an interface unit 202 for performing a data transfer function between the client and the service provider 200 transmitted through the signal processor 201, and the interface unit 202. The main central processing unit 203 for calculating control information on the start / end, diagnosis, and progress of the washing machine 100 through the load information signal transmitted from the client and generating and outputting various control signals according to the control information; The data storage unit 204 stores the control information of the main central processing unit 203 or various types of information by external key input, and the manager of the service provider 200 includes the service provider 200. And a key input unit 205 for inputting various instructions for controlling the client, and a display unit 206 for displaying a current progress state under the control of the main central processing unit 203.

Referring to the flow chart shown in Figure 4 the operation of the communication control laundry system configured as described above is as follows.

First, in the first process, when the user transmits the unique identifier to the main control unit 101 through the key input unit 103 in order to operate the washing machine 100, this is via the interface unit 152 and the signal processing unit ( 151 is delivered to the service provider 200 (see S10).

Then, in the second process, the signal processing unit 201 of the service provider 200 transmits the user's unique identifier to the main central processing unit 203 through the interface unit 202, and the main central processing unit ( In step 203, the user's unique identifier is checked to determine whether to use or not use the washing machine 100 (see S20).

In the third process, when the determination result of the second process S20 is YES, the permission information is transmitted to the corresponding washing machine 100 of the client (see S30), but the determination of the second process S20 is performed. If the result is 'no', if it is determined that the user cannot use at least N times in the fourth process, the user's identification letter input is wrong or the client is notified that the washing machine is not available due to other reasons. Reference)

In the present invention, the number of repetitions of the non-use determination in the fourth process S40 is about three times.

Then, in the fifth process, the client receives the washing machine unavailability information from the service provider 200 and reconfirms the user's unique identification letter. However, when the use permission information of the washing machine is delivered, such as a washing time or a course for washing work, The function is selected and input via the key input unit 103 (see S50).

In the sixth process, after the washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes are sequentially performed according to the setting items selected by the user in the fifth process (S50), it is checked whether the washing operation is finished. If the check result of the sixth step (S60) is "Yes", the service provider 200 is inquired to determine the permission of the termination, and if the check result of the sixth step (S60) is "No" Then, the process returns to the fifth process S50 to finish the washing operation according to a predetermined time or course (see S70).

In the eighth process, when the service provider 200 inquires whether the use of the washing machine 100 is terminated in the seventh process S70, the service provider 200 checks the use time or other load of the washing machine 100 and sends the termination permission information. (See S80)

In the ninth process, when the client receives the termination permission information from the service provider 200 through the eighth process (S80), the door of the washing machine 100 is opened and the user takes out the laundry and then saves power until the next washing start. If the end permission information is not transmitted in the eighth process S80, the process returns to the seventh process S70 while the door of the washing machine 100 is closed in the tenth process. Standby operation is performed until is transmitted (see S90 and S100).

In the above, when the service provider 200 is a commercial client, the service provider 200 may set a fee according to the washing time, the number of times of use, and the load, and may charge the fee to the client. However, in the case of a home client, the service provider 200 may provide a service for improving the quality of the washing machine, such as a program upgrade or a washing machine life, depending on the washing time, the frequency of use, and the load.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the operation of the client will be described in more detail. In the first step, the user inputs the user's unique identification character through the key input unit 103 to use the washing machine 100. The service provider 200 monitors whether the permission determination for the use of the washing machine 100 is transmitted (see S101 and S102).

When the monitoring result of the second step (S102) is no, it is continuously monitored whether specific information is transmitted from the service provider 200, but the monitoring result of the second step (S102) is 'yes'. In the third step, the user sets a washing function such as a washing time or a course (see S103).

If the washing function is set in the third step (S103), the washing operation starts automatically (or manually enters the start key) in the fourth step (see S104). In the fifth step, the washing, rinsing, and dehydrating strokes are performed. In order, the washing operation proceeds according to the setting function determined in the third step S103.

In the sixth step, it is determined whether all the strokes of the fifth step (S105) are completed (see S106). If the determination result of the sixth step (S106) is no, the fifth step (S105) is performed again. When the washing process is completed, the washing process is completed, but if the determination result of the sixth step S106 is YES, the service provider 200 inquires whether the washing operation is allowed to end in the seventh step. Reference)

Next, in the eighth step, the service provider 200 monitors whether the washing machine has been terminated. (See S108.) If the monitoring result of the eighth step S108 is YES, in the ninth step, The door of the washing machine 100 is opened so that the user takes out the laundry, and the washing machine 100 performs the standby operation in the power saving mode until the next washing start. (See S109)

However, when the monitoring result of the eighth step (S108) is "no", in the tenth step, it is determined whether or not the termination decision is delivered more than three times from the service provider 200, and the determination result is "no". In step 8, the process returns to the eighth step S108, but if the determination result is 'Yes', it indicates that the washing machine 100 cannot terminate due to a failure of the washing machine 100 itself, a communication failure, or an information error. See S111)

Looking at the operation of the service provider 200 with reference to Figure 6, the first step monitors whether the user's unique identifier is transmitted from the client, and if the monitoring result is "no", whether the identifier continues to be transmitted? (See S201).

However, in the second step, when the monitoring result of the first step S201 is YES, the first step (in the database storing information on the client-side washing machine controlled and managed by the service provider 200) is stored. The unique identifier received from the S201 is checked and it is determined whether the washing machine 100 can be used (see S202).

When the determination result of the second step S202 is YES, the permission information of the washing machine 100 is sent to the client in the third step. (See S203.) However, the second step S202. If the result of the determination is No, the unusable information of the washing machine is transmitted to the client in step 4, requesting reconfirmation of the user's unique identifier, and the unavailable information is more than N times (for example, three times). Determine whether or not (see S204).

When the determination result of the fourth step (S204) is "no", the user's unique identifier is re-entered in the second step (S202). However, when the determination result of the fourth step (S204) is 'Yes', the identification character is written incorrectly in the fifth step, or it is notified that the use of the washing machine is not possible due to a communication failure or other reasons (see S205).

On the other hand, in step 6, it is monitored whether the client asks for permission to terminate the use of the washing machine (see S206). If the monitoring result is 'no', the end permission query is continuously entered in the waiting state in step 7. If the monitoring result is 'Yes', washing information such as the total number of times of use of the washing machine 100, use time, and load is checked in step 8. (see S208). )

In the ninth step, the check result of the eighth step S208 determines whether the washing machine 100 or the washing information is in a normal state. (See S209.) The determination result of the ninth step S209 indicates' In the case of YES, in the tenth step, a termination permission is sent to allow the door of the washing machine 100 to be opened and the washing operation to be completed (see S210).

However, when the determination result of the ninth step (S209) is "no", it is checked in the eleventh step whether there is an abnormality with respect to the washing machine 100 or the laundry information (see S211).

The laundry control system and the washing method of the present invention configured as described above can control the use / end and progress status and failure of the washing machine through the communication means regardless of the place, and thus limiting the use of the user or administrator in terms of program and program. This can save significant time and effort in upgrading or troubleshooting.

Claims (7)

A service providing unit for determining whether to permit or end use of a plurality of washing machines and at the same time, assigning a unique identification letter to each washing machine while being connected through a communication means with a washing machine to perform various control operations regarding washing machine operation and diagnosis; And a protocol control unit installed in the washing machine to process and transmit various control signals to the washing machine to receive the control from the service providing unit, and to transmit load information signals about loads in the washing machine to the service providing unit. Laundry control system for communication control. The method of claim 1, The service provider may include a main central processing unit configured to generate and output various control signals and process load information signals transmitted from the washing machine when a plurality of instructions regarding the washing machine operation control are transmitted through a key input, and the main central processing unit; An interface unit for performing various signal transmission functions by performing a protocol control function between the washing machines and a signal processing unit for performing a modulation / demodulation function of a signal transmitted and received through a communication means between the interface unit and the washing machine. A laundry control system for communication control. The method of claim 2, The main central processing unit comprises a storage means for storing a command relating to the operation control of the washing machine or the load information transmitted from the washing machine, and a display unit for displaying the current operating state of the main central processing unit washing control system characterized in that it comprises . The method of claim 1, The protocol control unit may include a signal processing unit performing a modulation / demodulation function of a signal transmitted and received into a washing machine through a communication unit, and an interface unit performing a protocol control function between the service provider and the washing machine to perform various signal transmission functions. Laundry control system for communication control comprising a. The first step of inputting the identification character to use the washing machine on the client side that is connected to the service provider and the communication means performing the overall control function for the washing operation and the permission to use the washing machine assigned to the unique identifier Wow; A second step of instructing whether the service provider permits the use of the washing machine after checking the identification letter when the identification letter input in the first step is transmitted to the service provider; A third step of, if the use of the washing machine is permitted in the second step, requesting permission of the service provider to terminate after setting up the laundry operation and completing the washing operation; A fourth step of instructing whether the service provider collects the laundry information, determines whether the work is completed, and instructs the client to terminate when the termination permission is requested from the client through the third step; And a fifth step of determining whether or not to terminate the laundry operation on the client side according to the instruction of the fourth step and waiting for the next washing operation upon termination. The method of claim 5, If the use of the washing machine is not permitted in the second step, the client re-enters the user's unique identifier and re-enters the user requesting permission to use the washing machine again, and repeats the re-input step several times. If not, the service provider comprises a non-use step of transmitting the unusable information to the client. The method of claim 5, In the fifth step, if the end permission for the laundry operation is determined, entering the power saving mode and performing the standby operation until the next washing operation; and if the termination of the laundry operation is not allowed, the washing operation is terminated with the door of the washing machine closed. Washing method for communication control characterized in that it comprises a step of inquiring a service provider.