WO2021256430A1

WO2021256430A1 - Washing machine, control method, and control system

Info

Publication number: WO2021256430A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/022549
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隼人成瀬; 一樹坂本; 慶鐘藤原; 竜弘岸; 健太村上; 智志末益
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2020-06-19
Filing date: 2021-06-14
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Also published as: TW202204716A; CN115698414A

Abstract

A washing machine (500) is capable of communicating with an external device, said washing machine (500) comprising: a communication unit (570) that receives washing information from the external device; a washing function unit that carries out an operation relating to washing with respect to laundry on the basis of the washing information; and a control device (550) that controls the washing function unit, wherein the washing information includes a plurality of pieces of control information, each of which is control information pertaining to a parameter for controlling the operation carried out by the washing function unit, and order information pertaining to the order in which the plurality of pieces of control information are executed, and the control device (550) corrects the washing information on the basis of a rule regarding the order of washing and executes the corrected washing information so as to cause the washing function unit to carry out the operation based on the washing information.

Description

Washing machine, control method, and control system

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

Conventionally, household electric appliances, housing equipment, etc. are controlled according to operating conditions (control programs) prepared in advance by their manufacturers, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine capable of setting operating conditions for washing desired by the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-284889

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the control program developed in advance by the manufacturer of the product or the like must be stored in the product in advance, and it is difficult to customize and update the control program according to the wishes of various users.

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

The washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device, and is a washing machine that receives washing information from the external device and is washed with respect to the laundry based on the washing information. A plurality of control information, each of which comprises a washing function unit that performs an operation related to the washing function unit and a control device that controls the washing function unit, and the washing information is control information related to a parameter that controls the operation of the washing function unit. The washing information includes the order information regarding the order in which the plurality of control information is executed, and the control device modifies the washing information based on the rules regarding the washing order and executes the corrected washing information. The washing function unit is made to perform the operation based on the above.

It should be noted that these comprehensive or specific embodiments may be realized in a recording medium such as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program or computer-readable CD-ROM, and the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program. And may be realized by any combination of recording media.

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

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

(Findings underlying this disclosure)
The process leading up to the present disclosure by the inventors of the present application will be described. In household appliances and the like having actuators and / or heaters, in order to develop control programs according to the wishes of various users, it is required to open the development environment. That is, there is a need for an environment in which the difficulty of developing a control program can be reduced and a third party can easily participate in the development of the control program. In such an environment, for example, an apparel company can develop a washing machine control program for washing clothes sold by the apparel company.

Therefore, the present inventors have constructed an environment in which a control program can be developed while maintaining safety assurance by using a functional block that abstracts the control of the actuator and the heater included in the product. We examined a mechanism that allows a control program consisting of a combination of functional blocks to be packaged and distributed as an application. This makes it possible to distribute a wide variety of applications, and to customize and update products in response to the wishes of a wider variety of users. However, in such an environment, dangerous applications (ie, applications that cannot be safely controlled by the product) may be delivered, reducing the safety of the product.

For example, a program included in a household electric appliance or the like is incorporated into a device for directly controlling an actuator and / or a heater, and a program developed by a manufacturer and a program developed by a third party. It is assumed that they are included in a mixed state. At this time, it is highly likely that the manufacturer will not disclose information on all household appliances including know-how to a third party. For example, the parameters or timing for driving the actuator and the heater are the know-how related to the performance of the manufacturer's home electric appliances and the like. Therefore, since it may lead to a decrease in competitiveness, it is unlikely that the manufacturer will open the know-how to a third party so that it can freely drive home electric appliances and the like.

Therefore, a third party may create an application that includes a combination of controls or a parameter range that the manufacturer does not anticipate, that is, an application whose safety is not guaranteed, due to lack of information on household appliances and the like. It is not desirable for the user to provide such an application to the user.

In addition, manufacturers of home appliances, etc. may try to update their lives by providing new control programs. However, the development of a wide variety of new control programs requires enormous man-hours such as parameter adjustment or hardware performance evaluation. Since the hardware of the actuator and / or the heater is physically driven in household appliances, the man-hours for performance evaluation may be larger in the program of household appliances than in the program of smartphone. Easily expected. However, in an era where on-demand development according to each user's life is required instead of mass production, it is required to develop a wide variety of control programs such as home appliances as well as smartphone programs. Therefore, manufacturers must create a wide variety of applications that ensure product safety while reducing enormous man-hours.

Furthermore, it is possible that the manufacturer wants to guarantee that even if household appliances or the like operate using an application provided by a third party, they will operate safely. At this time, it is desired to reduce the amount of work for verifying safety by actually driving a wide variety of applications with home appliances and the like.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a device and the like capable of more easily and safely executing a wide variety of applications defined by a plurality of functional blocks for driving an actuator and / or a heater.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

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

Also, each figure is not necessarily exactly illustrated. In each figure, substantially the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[1.1 Hardware configuration]
The hardware configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2C. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of the cloud server 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of the device 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal 30 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the system 1 in the present embodiment includes a cloud server 10, devices 20a to 20h used in facilities 2a to 2d, and terminals 30a to 30d. Facilities 2a to 2d are, for example, houses, but are not limited thereto. Facilities 2a to 2d may be, for example, condominiums, stores, offices, and the like. System 1 is an example of a control system.

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

As shown in FIG. 2A, the cloud server 10 virtually includes a processor 11 and a memory 12 connected to the processor 11. The processor 11 functions as a sequence manager and a device manager described later when an instruction or a software program stored in the memory 12 is executed.

The devices 20a to 20h are electric machines and appliances used in the facilities 2a to 2d. In FIG. 1, the devices 20c to 20h used in the facilities 2b to 2d are not shown. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the devices 20a to 20h, the device 20 will be referred to as the device 20.

As the device 20, household electric appliances (home appliances), housing equipment, and the like can be used. Household appliances (home appliances) and housing equipment are not limited to equipment used in homes, but also include equipment used in business. In this disclosure, household electric appliances, housing equipment, etc. may be abbreviated as household electric appliances, etc. Home appliances include, for example, microwave ovens, rice cookers, mixers (Blender), electric ovens, electric toasters, electric pots, hot plates, IH (Induction heating) cookers, roasters, bakeries, electric pressure cooking pots, and electric anhydrous cooking pots. , Multi-cooker, coffee maker, refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, air purifier, humidifier, dryer, fan, ion generator and the like are used. As the housing equipment, for example, an electric shutter, an electronic lock, an electric water heater for a bathtub, and the like are used. The device 20 is not limited to these devices.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the device 20 includes a housing 21, an actuator 22, a heater 23, and a control unit 24. The device 20 may include at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and may not include both the actuator 22 and the heater 23.

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

The actuator 22 is a mechanical element that converts input energy into physical motion based on an electric signal. As the actuator 22, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic actuator, or the like can be used, but the actuator 22 is not limited thereto.

The heater 23 is an electric heater that converts electric energy into heat energy. The heater 23 heats the object by, for example, Joule heating, induction heating, dielectric heating, or the like. As the heater 23, for example, a nichrome wire, a coil, a magnetron, or the like can be used.

Here, an example of the reason why the apparatus 20 of the present disclosure includes the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 will be described. Consider a case where a manufacturer of home electric appliances or the like provides a third party with a development environment in which all the parameters and combinations of driving for driving the actuator 22 and the heater 23 can be freely controlled. At this time, the third party controls a program that deviates from the parameter range in which the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 assumed by the manufacturer can be safely driven, or the drive limit of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. It will be possible to create. In particular, the driving of the actuator 22 that physically moves or the heater 23 that outputs heat energy, which is not expected by the manufacturer, has a big problem of ensuring safety. Examples of the drive not assumed by the manufacturer include high-speed rotation of an electric motor, which is an example of an actuator, and supply of an overcurrent to the heater 23. The inventors of the present application aimed at not hindering the construction of an environment in which a wide variety of applications can be provided to users by considering excessive safety aspects. Therefore, the apparatus 20 of the present disclosure is targeted on the assumption that the safety aspect is ensured by specializing in the actuator 22 that physically moves or the heater 23 that outputs heat energy.

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

The terminals 30a to 30d are used in the facilities 2a to 2d, respectively, and function as a user interface. In addition, in FIG. 1, the illustration of the terminals 30b to 30d used in the facilities 2b to 2d is omitted. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the terminals 30a to 30d, it is described as the terminal 30.

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

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

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

The cloud server 10 includes a sequence manager 100 and a device manager 200. The devices 20a to 20h each include devices 300a to 300h. The terminals 30a to 30d include UI400a to 400d, respectively.

In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the devices 300a to 300h, it is described as the device 300. When it is not necessary to distinguish between UI400a to 400d, it is described as UI400.

The sequence manager 100 manages a plurality of applications. The plurality of applications are downloaded from the application distribution platform to the sequence manager 100, for example, by a user operation. Alternatively, the application included in the application distribution platform does not have to be downloaded to the sequence manager 100. In that case, information indicating that the application included in the application distribution platform is associated may be recorded in the database of the sequence manager 100. The details of the application will be described later.

The device manager 200 has a database for managing the devices 300 and UI 400 used in a plurality of facilities 2a to 2d and each facility 2a to 2d. The device manager 200 manages the device 300 and the UI 400 by recording the device information and the UI information associated with the facilities 2a to 2d in the database. The device information and UI information include, for example, a control function and a drive function, and an operating status. For example, the device manager 200 can manage the operating status of the device 300 and grasp the operating schedule of the device 300. Further, the device manager 200 may manage the log information of the device 300.

It should be noted that such a database may be possessed by the sequence manager 100 instead of the device manager 200, or may be possessed by both the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200.

The device 300 has a control function and a drive function of the device 20. The device 300 can drive the device 20 according to the instruction from the device manager 200.

UI400 provides information to the user and accepts input from the user.

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

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

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

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

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

A water supply pipe 512 is connected to the upper part of the water tank 502. The water supply pipe 512 is connected to the water supply. The water supply pipe 512 is provided with a water supply valve 511 that stops the inflow of water from the tap water. The water supply valve 511 is, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes electrically when a control signal is input. The water supply pipe 512 is provided with an automatic charging machine 513 containing a liquid detergent and / or a softener to be charged into the washing tub 503. The automatic charging machine 513 is a device that measures an amount of liquid detergent and / or softener according to a control signal using an actuator, and charges the measured liquid detergent and / or softener to the water supply pipe 512. Therefore, the water from the tap water and the predetermined amount of the liquid detergent and / or the softener charged by the automatic charging machine 513 are mixed in the water supply pipe 512 to become washing water and flow into the water tank 502. The automatic charging machine 513 may have both an actuator for charging the liquid detergent and an actuator for charging the softener.

Further, the washing machine 500 is provided with a water level sensor (not shown) that detects the water level of the water tank 502. The water level sensor may be a pressure sensor that is arranged in a pipe different from the water supply pipe 512 connected to the water tank 502 and detects the internal pressure of the water tank 502. That is, the water level of the water tank 502 is detected using the detection result of the pressure sensor.

Further, a bath water pipe 517 is connected to the upper part of the water tank 502. A hose for introducing water stored in a bathtub in the home is connected to the bath water pipe 517. A bath pump 516 that pumps water stored in the bathtub is connected to the bath water pipe 517. By driving the bus pump 516, water can be supplied by the bus pump that introduces the water in the bathtub into the inside of the water tank 502 from the bathtub via the hose.

A drainage pipe 521 is connected to the lower part of the water tank 502. The drain pipe 521 is connected to a drain hose that discharges washing water to the outside of the washing machine 500. The drainage pipe 521 is provided with a drainage filter 522 for removing foreign matter in the water flowing through the drainage pipe 521, and a drainage valve 523 for stopping the flow of water from the drainage pipe 521 to the drainage hose. The drain valve 523 is, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes electrically when a control signal is input.

Further, a circulation pipe 525 is connected to the drainage pipe 521. One end of the circulation pipe 525 is connected to the drain pipe 521, and the other end is connected to the lower front side of the water tank 502. It is a pipe for returning the water flowing through the drainage pipe 521 and passing through the drainage filter 522 to the water tank 502. A circulation pump 524 that circulates the water in the water tank 502 is connected to the circulation pipe 525. When the circulation pump 524 is driven, the washing water that has flowed through the drain pipe 521 and then flows into the circulation pipe 525 is returned to the water tank 502 by the circulation pump 524.

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

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

A warm air sensor 535 is provided on the downstream side of the duct 533. The warm air sensor 535 detects the temperature of the air in the duct 533.

On the downstream side of the duct 533, a sterilizing device 536 for sterilizing the laundry in the washing tub 503 is provided. The sterilizer 536 produces an effective substance such as charged fine particle water. Since the air containing the active substance generated by the sterilizing device 536 is blown into the inside of the washing tub 503 by the circulation fan 534, the laundry inside the washing tub 503 is sterilized by the effective substance.

Further, inside the water tank 502, a first bubble sensor 541 and a second bubble sensor 542 for detecting the generation of bubbles inside the water tank 502 are provided. The first bubble sensor 541 detects that more bubbles than the first amount are generated inside the water tank 502. The second bubble sensor 542 detects that more bubbles than the second amount are generated inside the water tank 502. The first quantity is greater than the second quantity. That is, the first bubble sensor 541 detects that more bubbles are generated than the second bubble sensor 542.

Further, at the lower part of the water tank 502, a hot water heater 543 for heating the washing water of the water tank 502 is provided. Further, a hot water sensor 544 for detecting that the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 is higher than a predetermined temperature is provided in the lower part of the water tank 502.

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

The housing 501 is provided with a control device 550. The control device 550 acquires detection results from various sensors of the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake sensor 531, the warm air sensor 535, the first bubble sensor 541, the second bubble sensor 542, and the hot water sensor 544. The control device 550 has a washing motor 504, a door lock mechanism 506, a water supply valve 511, an automatic loading machine 513, a bus pump 516, a drain valve 523, a circulation pump 524, a heat pump 532, a circulation fan 534, and sterilization according to the detection result. It controls the operation of the device 536, the hot water heater 543, and the operation panel 560. The washing motor 504, door lock mechanism 506, water supply valve 511, automatic charging machine 513, bus pump 516, drain valve 523, circulation pump 524, heat pump 532, circulation fan 534, sterilization device 536, and hot water heater 543 It is an example of a washing function unit that performs an operation related to washing a laundry, and is also an example of an actuator 22 or a heater 23. In addition, various sensors such as vibration sensor 507, water level sensor 515, intake sensor 531, warm air sensor 535, first foam sensor 541, second foam sensor 542, and hot water sensor 544 detect the operating state of the washing function unit. This is an example of a detection unit. Further, since the control device 550 controls the washing function unit, the control device 550 may function as a detection unit for detecting the operating state of the washing function unit. For example, the control device 550 may measure the elapsed time of each operation of the washing function unit as the operating state of the washing function unit.

Here, the application will be explained. In the present embodiment, the application (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as an application) is a control program defined by a plurality of functional blocks (hereinafter, abbreviated as blocks) that drive the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. means. Each of the plurality of blocks can include parameters for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Specifically, each of the plurality of blocks is an abstraction of the control of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. Each of the plurality of blocks is an example of control information.

Note that the application may include a block that does not drive the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23, in addition to the plurality of blocks that drive the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. An example of a block that does not drive the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 includes information display using the interface of the device 300, audio output using the buzzer of the device 300, lighting or extinguishing of the lamp of the device 300, and the like. .. Further, the block may include a condition for starting the driving of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. For example, an application including the first block and the second block will be described as an example. Here, during the execution of the first block, when switching to the second block, when the start condition included in the second block is satisfied, the first block is switched to the second block. Also, the block may include an end condition instead of a start condition. During the execution of the first block, when switching to the second block, when the end condition included in the first block is satisfied, the first block is switched to the second block.

Next, a specific example of the block defining the application of the washing machine 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6O. Each of the blocks shown in FIGS. 6A to 6O is control information regarding parameters that control the operation of the washing function unit.

FIG. 6A shows a first example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1000 shown in FIG. 6A is a block that controls a washing amount detecting operation for detecting the amount of laundry such as clothes put into the washing tub 503. In the washing amount detection operation, for example, by driving the washing motor 504 to detect the torque current flowing through the washing motor 504, the washing amount associated with the detected torque current in advance is referred to the memory of the control device 550. The specified washing amount is detected as the washing amount in the washing tub 503.

FIG. 6B shows a second example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1010 shown in FIG. 6B is a block that controls the water supply operation to the water tank 502, and includes

parameters

1011 and 1012. Parameter 1011 includes a value indicating the amount of water supplied into the water tank 502 by the water level after water supply. In other words, the parameter 1011 indicates the operation timing of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. The control device 550 continues water supply until, for example, the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor 515 reaches the water level indicated by the parameter 1011 and stops the water supply when the water level reaches the water level indicated by the parameter 1011. Take control. Parameter 1012 includes a parameter that specifies a water supply route. Specifically, the parameter 1012 is the water supply in the first water supply path where water is supplied from the water supply pipe 512 by opening the water supply valve 511, or the water is supplied from the bath water pipe 517 by driving the bus pump 516. It is a parameter to specify whether the water is supplied by the water supply route of 2. In the case of water supply in the first water supply path, the control device 550 starts the water supply by opening the water supply valve 511 and stops the water supply by closing the water supply valve 511. In the case of water supply in the second water supply path, the control device 550 starts the water supply by starting the drive of the bus pump 516, and stops the water supply by stopping the drive of the bus pump 516.

When water is supplied through the second water supply path in the water supply operation and the water level does not reach the water level indicated by the parameter 1011 even after a predetermined period (for example, 5 to 10 minutes) has elapsed, the control device 550 is set to the second. Water may be supplied by switching from the second water supply route to the first water supply route.

FIG. 6C shows a third example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1020 shown in FIG. 6C is a block that controls the water injection and rinsing operation to the water tank 502, and includes parameters 1021 to 1025. The water injection rinsing operation is an operation of rinsing the laundry by rotating the washing tub 503 while supplying water to the water tub 502 and stirring the laundry and water. In the water injection rinsing operation, for example, the washing tub 503 is rotated to rinse the laundry while raising and lowering the water level in the water tub 502 by repeating water supply or drainage from the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level. Parameter 1021 includes a value indicating an upper limit of the water level when water is supplied to the water tank 502 in the water injection rinsing operation. In other words, the parameter 1021 indicates the water level that triggers the operation of stopping the water supply and opening the drain valve 523. Parameter 1022 includes a value indicating a lower limit of the water level when water is supplied to the water tank 502. The parameter 1022 can be rephrased as indicating a water level that triggers an operation of starting water supply and closing the drain valve 523. In this way, the

parameters

1021 and 1022 can be rephrased as indicating the operation timing of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Parameter 1023 includes a value indicating the operating time of the water injection rinsing operation. The parameter 1023 can also be rephrased to indicate the drive time of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. The parameter 1024 includes the rotation speed (rotational speed) of the washing tub 503, that is, a value indicating the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1025 includes a value indicating the stirring strength. The value indicating the stirring strength is, for example, a value indicating the time from the start of one rotation of the washing tub 503 in the rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1024 is reached. The

parameters

1024 and 1024 can also be rephrased to indicate the driving strength of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23.

FIG. 6D shows a fourth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1030 shown in FIG. 6D is a block that controls the detergent charging operation and includes the parameter 1031. The detergent charging operation is an operation of automatically charging a predetermined amount of liquid detergent to the water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of the automatic charging machine 513. Parameter 1031 includes a value indicating the amount of liquid detergent charged into the water supply pipe 512. It can also be said that the parameter 1031 indicates the operating amount of the actuator for charging the liquid detergent of the automatic charging machine 513.

FIG. 6E shows a fifth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1040 shown in FIG. 6E is a block that controls the softener charging operation and includes the parameter 1041. The softener charging operation is an operation of automatically charging a predetermined amount of the softener into the water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of the automatic charging machine 513. Parameter 1041 includes a value indicating the amount of the softener charged into the water supply pipe 512. It can also be said that the parameter 1041 indicates the operating amount of the actuator for charging the softener of the automatic charging machine 513.

FIG. 6F shows a sixth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1050 shown in FIG. 6F is a block that controls the stirring operation of the washing machine and includes parameters 1051 to 1058. Parameter 1051 includes information indicating the type of agitation (eg, usually scrubbing, shaking). The parameter 1051 can be rephrased as indicating the type of function. The parameter 1052 includes a rotation speed (rotational speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, a value indicating the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1052 can be rephrased as indicating the driving strength of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. The parameter 1053 includes a value indicating the rotation time of one washing tub 503 in the stirring operation, that is, the driving time of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1054 includes a value indicating the time during which the rotation of the washing tub 503 in the stirring operation is stopped between one rotation operation and the next rotation operation, that is, the stop time of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1055 includes a value indicating the operating time of the stirring operation. The parameters 1053 to 1055 can also be rephrased to indicate the drive time of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Parameter 1056 includes a value indicating that water supply into the water tank 502 is started. That is, the parameter 1056 includes a value indicating that the water supply valve 511 is opened. In other words, the parameter 1056 indicates the state after the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. Parameter 1057 includes a value indicating the direction of rotation (forward or reverse) of the circulation pump. Parameter 1058 includes a value indicating the stirring strength. The value indicating the stirring strength is, for example, a value indicating the time from the start of one rotation of the washing tub 503 in the rinsing operation until the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1052 is reached. The block 1050 may include a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in the water tank 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

The control device 550 performs the type of stirring indicated by the parameter 1051 in the stirring operation. The control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1052 at the stirring intensity indicated by the parameter 1056, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1055 elapses from the start of the stirring operation. .. Further, the control device 550 opens the water supply valve 511 based on the parameter 1056 in the stirring operation. Further, the control device 550 operates the circulation pump 524 in the rotation direction indicated by the parameter 1057 in the stirring operation.

FIG. 6G shows a seventh example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1060 shown in FIG. 6G is a block that controls the drum rotation operation, and includes parameters 1061 to 1065. The parameter 1061 includes a rotation speed (rotational speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, a value indicating the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1061 can be rephrased as indicating the driving strength of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Parameter 1062 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (washing tub 503). The parameter 1062 can be rephrased as indicating the type of operation of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. The parameter 1063 includes a value indicating whether to turn on or off the operation of automatically charging a predetermined amount of liquid detergent to the water supply pipe 512 by driving the actuator of the automatic charging machine 513. Parameter 1064 includes a value indicating that water supply into the water tank 502 is started. That is, the parameter 1064 includes a value indicating that the water supply valve 511 is opened. The parameter 1064 can be rephrased as indicating the state after the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. Parameter 1065 includes a value indicating the direction of rotation (forward or reverse) of the circulation pump 524. The block 1060 may include a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the water temperature in the water tank 502 rises to a predetermined temperature.

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

FIG. 6H shows an eighth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1070 shown in FIG. 6H is a block that controls the dehydration operation, and includes

parameters

1071 and 1072. The parameter 1071 includes a rotation speed (rotational speed) of the drum (washing tub 503), that is, a value indicating the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. The parameter 1071 can be rephrased as indicating the driving strength of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Parameter 1072 includes a value indicating the operating time of the dehydration operation. In the dehydration operation, the control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1071, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1072 elapses from the start of the dehydration operation.

FIG. 6I shows a ninth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1080 shown in FIG. 6I is a block that controls the drainage operation from the water tank 502, and includes

parameters

1081 and 1082. Parameter 1081 includes a value indicating an open state or a closed state of the drain valve 523. Parameter 1082 includes a value indicating a water level that triggers the stop of drainage. In the drainage operation, the control device 550 starts the drainage operation of the washing water in the water tank 502 to the outside of the washing machine 500 by operating the drain valve 523 in the open state. When the water level sensor detects that the water level of the water tank 502 is the water level indicated by the parameter 1082, the control device 550 then operates the drain valve 523 in the closed state to end the drainage operation.

FIG. 6J shows a tenth example of a block defining an application in the first embodiment. The block 1090 shown in FIG. 6J is a block that controls the door lock operation and includes the parameter 1091. Parameter 1091 includes a value indicating whether the door lock mechanism 506 is locked or unlocked. It can also be said that the parameter 1091 indicates the state after the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. The control device 550 switches the door lock mechanism 506 to the locked state when the parameter 1091 indicates that the door lock mechanism 506 is locked and the door lock mechanism 506 is in the unlocked state. The control device 550 switches the door lock mechanism 506 to the unlocked state when the parameter 1091 indicates that the door lock mechanism 506 is in the unlocked state and the door lock mechanism 506 is in the locked state.

FIG. 6K shows the eleventh example of the block defining the application in the first embodiment. The block 1100 shown in FIG. 6K is a block that controls the immersion operation and includes

parameters

1101 and 1102. The parameter 1101 includes a value indicating the rotation direction (forward rotation or reverse rotation) of the circulation pump 524. Parameter 1102 includes a value indicating the operating time of the immersion operation. The control device 550 operates the circulation pump 524 in the rotation direction indicated by the parameter 1101, and stops the circulation pump 524 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1102 elapses from the start of the immersion operation.

FIG. 6L shows a twelfth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1110 shown in FIG. 6L is a block for controlling sterilization / antibacterial operation, and includes

parameters

1111 and 1112. Parameter 1111 includes a value indicating an operating time for driving the sterilizing device 536 and the circulation fan 534. The parameter 1112 includes a value indicating the rotation speed (rotational speed) of the circulation fan 534. The control device 550 drives the sterilization device 536 and the circulation fan 534 in the sterilization / antibacterial operation, and stops the sterilization device 536 and the circulation fan 534 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1111 elapses. In the sterilization / antibacterial operation, the control device 550 drives the circulation fan 534 at the rotation speed (rotational speed) indicated by the parameter 1112.

FIG. 6M shows a thirteenth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1120 shown in FIG. 6M is a block that controls the buzzer operation and includes the parameter 1121. Parameter 1121 includes a value indicating an operating time for driving the speaker of the operation panel 560. In the buzzer operation, the control device 550 outputs the buzzer sound, starts the output of the buzzer sound, and stops the output of the buzzer sound when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1121 elapses.

FIG. 6N shows a 14th example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1130 shown in FIG. 6N is a block that controls the blowing operation, and includes

parameters

1131 and 1132. Parameter 1131 includes a value indicating an operating time for driving the circulation fan 534. Parameter 1132 includes a value indicating the temperature of the air blown into the water tank 502 by the circulation fan 534. The control device 550 drives the circulation fan 534 in the ventilation operation, and stops the circulation fan 534 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1131 elapses after the drive of the circulation fan 534 is started. Alternatively, the control device 550 drives the circulation fan 534 in the ventilation operation, and when the warm air sensor 535 detects that the temperature has dropped below the temperature indicated by the parameter 1132 after starting the drive of the circulation fan 534, the circulation fan 550 circulates. Stop the fan 534.

FIG. 6O shows a fifteenth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1140 shown in FIG. 6O is a block for controlling the drying operation and includes the parameter 1141. Parameter 1141 includes a value indicating a pattern (operation mode) of drying operation such as low temperature, standard, and firm. Specifically, in the low temperature pattern, drying is performed at a low temperature in which the temperature inside the washing tub 503 is lower than a predetermined temperature. In the standard pattern, drying is performed at a standard temperature in which the temperature inside the washing tub 503 is higher than a predetermined temperature. In a firm pattern, drying is continued for a certain period of time after it is detected that the inside of the washing tub 503 is in a dry state. The control device 550 determines that the state is dry when the difference between the temperature on the intake side detected by the intake sensor 531 and the temperature on the exhaust side detected by the warm air sensor 535 is less than a predetermined difference. .. Each pattern has the same stirring type as the drying operation time [m], the fan rotation speed [rpm] of the circulation fan 534, the drying detection temperature [deg] by the intake sensor 531 and / or the warm air sensor 535, and the parameter 1051. , The same drum rotation speed [rpm] as the parameter 1052, the same drum ON time [s] as the parameter 1053, the same drum OFF time [s] as the parameter 1054, and the like may be configured.

FIG. 6P shows a sixteenth example of a block defining an application in Embodiment 1. The block 1150 shown in FIG. 6P is a block that controls the bubble generation operation, and includes parameters 1151 to 1153. The parameter 1151 includes a rotation speed (rotational speed) of the washing tub 503, that is, a value indicating the rotation speed of the washing motor 504. Parameter 1152 includes a value indicating the rotation direction of the drum (washing tub 503). The parameter 1152 can be rephrased as indicating the type of operation of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Parameter 1153 includes a value indicating the operation time of the bubble generation operation. In the foam generation operation, the control device 550 rotates the washing motor 504 at the rotation speed indicated by the parameter 1153, and stops the washing motor 504 when the operation time indicated by the parameter 1153 elapses from the start of the foam generation operation.

In order to specify the application, a plurality of blocks as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6O are used. The plurality of blocks shown in FIGS. 6A to 6O are examples, and the blocks for the washing machine 500 are not limited thereto. For example, multiple blocks may be layered by the level of abstraction.

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

At this time, the hierarchy for manufacturers has a lower level of abstraction than the hierarchy for non-manufacturers. A low level of abstraction means that the contents close to the parameters for driving the actuator and the heater are controlled.

On the other hand, the manufacturer makes it possible for non-manufacturers to develop applications by providing blocks with the minimum level of abstraction that guarantees know-how and safety to non-manufacturers. Manufacturers can enable more people to develop applications by providing general users with blocks with a higher level of abstraction. Higher levels of abstraction correspond, for example, to blocks defined by terms that ordinary users themselves can understand without specialized knowledge. Terms that can be understood without specialized knowledge are, for example, contents corresponding to the functions themselves of household electric appliances and the like. Specifically, when "plenty" is selected as the parameter related to the amount of water in the "washing" block in the washing machine, the water level parameter in the water supply block is raised from 60 mm to 100 mm in one embodied layer. Changes such as lowering the rotation amount parameter in the stirring block from 120 rpm to 100 rpm are made. From the above, sorting blocks and changing parameters at a higher level of abstraction can be realized with blocks with a lower level of abstraction. With these blocks, it is possible to freely develop applications by rearranging and adjusting parameters while ensuring safety and confidentiality regarding the drive of actuators and heaters.

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

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

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

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

(Step S112)
The device 300 transmits the device information 1201 to the device manager 200. The transmission of the device information 1201 is performed, for example, when the device 300 is connected to the computer network. The device manager 200 registers the received device information 1201 in the device database 1200. If the device information 1201 is registered in the device database 1200 in advance, this step may be skipped.

Note that the device information 1201 may be registered in the device manager 200 via the UI 400 after being transmitted to the UI 400.

The device information 1201 includes an identifier and / or an address of the device 300. Further, the device information 1201 may include arbitrary information. FIG. 8 shows an example of the device database according to the first embodiment. A plurality of device information including the device information 1201 is registered in the device database 1200 of FIG. Each device information includes a device ID, an address, a type, a manufacturer name, an actuator / heater, and a deterioration level. The actuator / heater is identification information of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 constituting the device 300. The deterioration level is an example of deterioration information indicating whether or not the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 constituting the device 300 is deteriorated. Here, the deterioration level indicates that the deterioration is further increased as the value is increased. The device information 1201 may include information on executable blocks. The information about the executable block may be information in which the blocks included in the database are associated with the executable or infeasible, or may be information only on the executable block. Further, whether or not the block can be executed can be prepared in advance based on the information such as the actuator / heater included in the device information 1201.

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

(Step S114)
The UI 400 transmits UI information to the device manager 200. The transmission of this UI information is performed, for example, according to a user's instruction. The device manager 200 registers the received UI information in, for example, a UI database. If the UI information is registered in the UI database in advance, this step may be skipped.

UI information includes, for example, an identifier and / or address of UI400. Further, the UI information may include arbitrary information.

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

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

[1.3.2 Pre-application phase F200]
Next, the pre-execution phase F200 of the application will be described. Before the application execution phase F200, the application is downloaded from the application distribution platform to the sequence manager 100 according to the instruction from the user via the UI 400. In this way, the following processing is performed with the application downloaded to the sequence manager 100.

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

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

Note that the application execution request does not have to be explicitly accepted by the user. For example, the user's behavior or state may be detected, and the application execution request may be automatically transmitted to the sequence manager 100 based on the detection result.

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

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an execution content declaration in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an execution content declaration 1300 for an application defined by combining a plurality of blocks for the washing machine shown in FIGS. 6A-6O. The execution content declaration 1300 includes a plurality of blocks 1301, information 1302 regarding devices necessary for executing each block 1301, and order information 1303 regarding the order in which each block 1301 is executed. Execution content declaration 1300 is an example of washing information.

The execution content declaration 1300 does not have to include the information 1302 regarding the device. In that case, it is necessary for the device manager 200 to search for a device capable of executing the corresponding block at the facility indicated by the received facility information from the information of the plurality of blocks 1301, and perform device allocation.

Note that, in FIG. 9, the information 1302 regarding the device indicates the model number of the device 300, but the present invention is not limited to this. The information 1302 regarding the device may be any information as long as it can indicate the conditions of the device 300 that can be assigned to the block. For example, the device information 1302 may include a plurality of model numbers, or may include only the device type, purpose of use, location, or any combination thereof.

(Step S214)
The device manager 200 allocates the device 300 associated with the device manager 200 to each block included in the execution content declaration 1300 based on the information that can identify the facilities 2a to 2d. For example, the device manager 200 has a device having a model number WM-0001 registered in the device database 1200 of FIG. 8 as connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information in each of the plurality of blocks 1301 shown in FIG. Allocate DEV001. When the operating state of the device 300 or the connection state to the cloud is managed, the allocation of the operating device 300 may be prohibited.

For example, when the plurality of blocks shown in FIG. 9 are not registered as connected to the facility indicated by the received facility information, that is, when the target device does not exist in the corresponding facility, the device manager 200 declares the execution content. Notifies the sequence manager 100 that the executed application cannot be executed.

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

(Step S216)
The device 300 confirms the block before executing the block. That is, before executing the block, the device 300 checks whether the device 300 has a problem when the block is executed. For example, device 300 checks for safety and / or efficiency issues.

Then, the device 300 changes the block based on the confirmation result. This modifies the block so that the problem does not occur.

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

(Step S2165)
The device 300 acquires the rule corresponding to the block. The rules are rules regarding the order of washing. The rule stipulates whether or not the execution content declaration 1300 in which the second block (second control information) is executed after the first block (first control information) is allowed. That is, the rule stipulates whether or not the order of two consecutively executed blocks among the plurality of blocks 1301 specified in the execution content declaration 1300 is allowed. For example, the device 300 refers to the rule database to obtain a condition in which the order of two blocks executed in succession is not allowed. The rule database may be included in, for example, the device 300, or may be included in the sequence manager 100 or the device manager 200.

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

The first rule 1401 allows, for example, the first block to include parameters relating to the supply of water to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block to include parameters controlling operations performed in a water-free environment. Not done. The first block in this case is, for example, blocks 1010, 1020, 1050, and 1060. Operations performed in a water-reactive environment include operations that are not allowed to be performed when water is stored in the water tank 502. Specifically, the water-prohibited environment is that the water level of the water tank 502 is lower than a predetermined water level (for example, the lowest water level that can be detected by the water level sensor). That is, when water is stored in the water tank 502, the water level of the water tank 502 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level. The second block is, for example, blocks 1000, 1070, 1110 and the like. The reason why the washing amount detection operation of the block 1000 is performed in a water-reactive environment is that it is difficult to accurately detect the amount of laundry when the laundry is flooded. Further, the dehydration operation of the block 1070 is performed in a water-reactive environment because it is difficult to effectively dehydrate the laundry when it is flooded. In addition, the operation in which the sterilization / antibacterial operation of the block 1110 is performed in a water-prohibited environment is that when the laundry is submerged, air containing an effective substance such as charged fine particle water is sent to the washing tub 503. This is because even if it is released, the performance of the effective substance cannot be sufficiently obtained.

The second rule 1402 allows, for example, the first block to include parameters relating to the heating in the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block to include parameters controlling the operation performed in a heat-free environment. Not done. The first block in this case is, for example, block 1140. Further, the first block in this case is a

block

1050, 1060 or the like in the case of including a parameter for driving the hot water heater 543 until the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 becomes a predetermined water temperature (for example, 60 degrees) or higher. May be good. Operations performed in a heat-free environment include operations that are not allowed to be performed when the temperature in the water tank 502 is above a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the heat-free environment means that the temperature of the space in the water tank 502 is lower than the predetermined temperature, or the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 is lower than the predetermined water temperature. The second block is, for example, a block 1080 when the parameter 1081 indicates a drain valve 523, a block 1090 when the parameter 1091 indicates that the door lock is released, and the like. The operation in which the drainage operation of the block 1080 is performed in a heat-free environment is to prevent the drainage pipe from being deformed or damaged by heat due to the high-temperature water flowing to the drainage pipe outside the washing machine 500. To do. The operation of releasing the door lock of the block 1090 is performed in a heat-free environment when the user touches the hot laundry when the user opens the door 505 and tries to remove the laundry in the washing tub 503. This is to prevent this.

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

Although not shown, for example, when the water supply operation is started after a predetermined time in a block that executes the water supply operation while executing the stirring operation, the sub-block of the stirring operation is regarded as the first block. , The sub-block of the water supply operation may be regarded as the second block.

In a fourth rule 1404, for example, the first block contains parameters for blowing air into the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) of the washing machine 500, and the second block controls the operation performed in a closed environment. It is not permissible to include parameters that do. The first block in this case is, for example, blocks 1130, 1140, and the like. Operations performed in a closed environment include operations in which the water surface in the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) is not allowed to move. The closed environment is specifically that the water level in the water tub 502 (or washing tub 503) vibrates or stands still below a predetermined amplitude (or displacement). The second block is, for example, blocks 1010, 1020 and the like. The reason why the block 1010 is operated in a closed environment is that it is difficult to accurately detect the water level when the water surface is moving.

In the fifth rule 1405, for example, the first block includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 in the first rotation, and the second block has a second rotation different from the first rotation. It is not permissible to include parameters that rotate the washing tub 503. Here, the difference between the first rotation and the second rotation may mean that the respective rotation speeds are different from each other. That is, the first rotation speed in the first rotation may be different from the second rotation speed in the second rotation. Further, the difference between the first rotation and the second rotation may mean that the directions of the respective rotations are different from each other. That is, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation.

The first block in this case is, for example, blocks 1050, 1060, 1070 and the like. The second block is, for example, blocks 1050, 1060, 1070 whose rotation is different from that of the first block.

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

For example, the parameters that can be safely driven by the actuator 22 or the heater 23 change according to the environment of the device 300 such as the internal space of the housing 21, and the allowable block order is only the performance of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 itself. May not depend on. Therefore, in order to drive safely in any environment, the order in which safety is considered is in descending order, reducing the room for developing a wide variety of applications. Therefore, the rule may be associated with the information of the device 300 or the like independently of the application. By using such a rule, both safety and development of a wide variety of applications can be achieved at the same time.

The rule relates to a plurality of blocks combined in an order in which the actuator 22 or the heater 23 can be safely driven. The plurality of blocks combined in an order in which they can be safely driven may be in an order in which the start condition or end condition of the blocks is taken into consideration. By executing the first block until the start condition of the second block is reached, it is possible to set the order in which the blocks are executed assuming a load that affects the safety of the actuator 22 or the heater 23. That is, the order in which the blocks are executed depends on the performance of the actuator 22 or the heater 23, the start condition or the end condition of the block, and the like.

Each of the first rule 1401, the second rule 1402, the third rule 1403, the fourth rule 1404, and the fifth rule 1405 further includes a type, a manufacturer name, and an actuator / heater. , May have. Thereby, the device 300 can acquire the rule corresponding to the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the block from the rule database 1400.

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

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

A specific example of such modification of the execution content declaration 1300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 20.

FIG. 12 shows the first example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 12, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1070 of the dehydration operation, which is the operation executed in the water-reactive environment, is executed next to the block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not allowed by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 adds a drainage operation block 1080 including parameters for drainage from the water tank 502 as control information in the order in which it is executed next to the block 1010. That is, even if it is set that the dehydration operation is executed after the water supply operation, the control device 550 adds a drainage operation between the water supply operation and the dehydration operation. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be placed in a water-reactive environment before the dehydration operation is started, and dehydration can be effectively performed.

In addition, in FIG. 12, even if the block 1110 for the sterilization / antibacterial operation is set instead of the block 1070 for the dehydration operation, similarly, the block 1080 for the drainage operation is added between the block 1070 and the block 1110. May be good. As a result, the water tank 502 can be placed in a water-reactive environment before the sterilization / antibacterial operation is started, and the laundry can be effectively sterilized.

Further, in FIG. 12, instead of the block 1010 for the water supply operation, the block 1020 for the water injection operation, the block 1050 for the stirring operation including the parameters for the water supply operation, and the block 1060 for the drum rotation operation are set as described above. Similarly, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding the drainage operation block 1080 immediately after that.

FIG. 13 shows a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 13, similarly to FIG. 12, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1070 of the dehydration operation, which is the operation executed in the water-reactive environment, is executed next to the block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not allowed by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 newly generates the block 1070A by modifying the block 1070 so as to add the parameter 1073 regarding the drainage from the water tank 502 immediately before the block 1070. You may. Parameter 1073 is a parameter indicating that the drain valve 523 is controlled to be open. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be placed in a water-reactive environment before the dehydration operation is started, and dehydration can be effectively performed.

In addition, in FIG. 13, even if the block 1110 for the sterilization / antibacterial operation is set instead of the block 1070 for the dehydration operation, the block 1110 is similarly modified so that the parameter 1073 is added immediately before the block 1110. May be good. As a result, the water tank 502 can be placed in a water-reactive environment before the sterilization / antibacterial operation is started, and the laundry can be effectively sterilized.

Further, in FIG. 13, instead of the block 1010 for the water supply operation, the block 1020 for the water injection operation, the block 1050 for the stirring operation including the parameters for the water supply operation, and the block 1060 for the drum rotation operation are set as described above. Similarly, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding the parameter 1073 to the block immediately after that so that the drainage is performed immediately before the operation of the block is performed.

FIG. 14 shows a third example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 14, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1000 of the washing amount detection operation, which is the operation executed in the water-reactive environment, is executed next to the block 1010 of the water supply operation. Since this is not allowed by the first rule 1401, the control device 550 limits the execution of the block 1000 in the order of execution after the block 1010. Specifically, the control device 550 deletes the block 1000 or skips the execution of the block 1000. Further, when the control device 550 reads and executes the sequential blocks, the control device 550 may limit the execution of the block 1000 by stopping the operation after the execution of the block 1010 is completed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the washing amount detection operation from being performed in an environment where it is difficult to accurately detect the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption related to the washing amount detection operation.

FIG. 15 shows a fourth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 15, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1090 of the door lock release operation, which is the operation executed in the heat-free environment, is executed next to the block 1140 of the drying operation. Since this is not allowed by the second rule 1402, the control device 550 adds a block 1130 of the blast operation including parameters related to heat dissipation in the washing tub 503 as control information of the order to be executed next to the block 1140. That is, even if it is set that the door lock release operation is executed after the drying operation, the control device 550 adds a blowing operation between the drying operation and the door unlocking operation. Therefore, the temperature inside the washing tub 503 can be lowered to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature before the door lock release operation is started, and the user can be prevented from touching the hot laundry. In addition, instead of adding the block 1130 for the blowing operation, a parameter for performing the blowing operation may be added to the block 1090 for the door unlocking operation so that the blowing operation is performed immediately before the door unlocking operation, or drying. It may be added to block 1140 of operation.

FIG. 16 shows a fifth example of amending the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 16, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1080 of the drainage operation, which is the operation executed in the heat-free environment, is executed next to the block 1050 of the stirring operation with high temperature water above a predetermined water temperature. There is. Since this is not allowed by the second rule 1402, the control device 550 adds a standby operation block 1150 including parameters related to heat dissipation as control information in the order of execution after the block 1050. In the standby operation by the block 1150, the control device 550 waits for the execution of the next block 1080 until a predetermined period (for example, 10 minutes) elapses. That is, even if it is set that the drainage operation is executed after the stirring operation with the high temperature water, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the stirring operation with the hot water and the drainage operation. Therefore, the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 502 can be lowered to less than a predetermined water temperature before the drainage operation is started, and the high temperature water can be suppressed from flowing to the drainage pipe outside the washing machine 500. can. Instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the drainage operation block 1080 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the drainage operation, or the stirring operation block 1050 may be added. May be added to. Although the standby operation is mentioned as an example of the operation for heat dissipation, the heat dissipation may be performed by performing the drainage operation after the water supply operation.

FIG. 17 shows a sixth example of amending the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 17, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1010 of the water supply operation, which is the operation executed in the forbidden environment, is executed next to the block 1050 of the stirring operation. Since this is not allowed by the third rule 1403, the control device 550 waits for a predetermined period (for example, one minute) including a parameter related to the operation of waiting without doing anything as control information in the order of execution after the block 1050. Add block 1150 of operation. That is, even if it is set that the water supply operation is executed after the stirring operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the stirring operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, the water tub 502 (or the washing tub 503) can be vibrated or stopped with less than a predetermined amplitude (or a predetermined displacement) before the water supply operation is started, and the shaking of the water surface can be reduced. Instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the water supply operation block 1010 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation, or the stirring operation block 1050 may be added. May be added to.

In addition, in FIG. 17, even if the block 1120 for the water injection operation, the block 1050 for the stirring operation, and the block 1060 for the drum rotation operation including the parameters for the water supply operation are set instead of the block 1010 for the water supply operation, similarly. A standby operation block 1150 may be added between the blocks containing the agitation operation and water supply operation parameters. As a result, the water tank 502 can be set to a closed environment before the water supply operation is started, and the water level of the water tank 502 can be effectively detected in the water supply operation.

Further, in FIG. 17, when the block of the drum rotation operation block 1060 is set instead of the stirring operation block 1050, the standby operation block 1150 is added immediately after that in the same manner as above. A similar effect can be obtained.

FIG. 18 shows a seventh example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 18, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1010 of the water supply operation, which is the operation executed in the forbidden environment, is executed next to the block 1130 of the ventilation operation. Since this is not allowed by the fourth rule 1404, the control device 550 waits for a predetermined period (for example, one minute) including a parameter related to the operation of waiting without doing anything as control information in the order of execution after the block 1130. Add block 1150 of operation. That is, even if it is set that the water supply operation is executed next to the blower operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the blower operation and the water supply operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the shaking of the water surface before the water supply operation is started. Instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the water supply operation block 1010 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the water supply operation, or the ventilation operation block 1130 may be added. May be added to.

In FIG. 18, even if the block 1120 for the water injection operation, the block 1050 for the stirring operation, and the block for the drum rotation operation 1060 including the parameters for the water supply operation are set instead of the block 1010 for the water supply operation, similarly. A standby operation block 1150 may be added between the block containing the parameters of the ventilation operation and the water supply operation. As a result, the water tank 502 can be set to a closed environment before the water supply operation is started, and the water level of the water tank 502 can be effectively detected in the water supply operation.

FIG. 19 shows an eighth example of modification of the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 19, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1050 of the stirring operation, which is an operation using a rotation different from the dehydration operation, is executed next to the block 1070 of the dehydration operation. Since this is not allowed by the fifth rule 1405, the control device 550 waits for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) including a parameter related to the operation of waiting without doing anything as control information in the order of execution after the block 1070. Add block 1150 of operation. That is, even if it is set that the stirring operation using a rotation different from the dehydrating operation is executed next to the dehydrating operation, the control device 550 adds a standby operation between the dehydrating operation and the stirring operation. .. Therefore, the washing tub 503 can be stopped before the stirring operation is started, and the stirring operation can be easily switched to another rotation. Instead of adding the standby operation block 1150, a parameter for performing the standby operation may be added to the stirring operation block 1050 so that the standby operation is performed immediately before the stirring operation, or the dehydration operation block 1070 may be added. May be added to. The two blocks are not limited to the combination of the dehydration operation and the stirring operation. It may be applied to a combination of two of agitation operation, drum rotation operation and dehydration operation, may be applied to a combination of agitation operation of different rotation after agitation operation, and may be applied to a combination of agitation operation of different rotations after agitation operation. It may be applied to a combination of rotating drum rotation movements, or may be applied to a combination of dehydration movements followed by different rotation dehydration movements. Instead of adding the standby operation, the rotation of the washing tub 503 may be stopped by adding an operation of braking the rotation of the washing tub 503.

FIG. 20 shows a ninth example of amending the execution content declaration in the first embodiment. In FIG. 20, in the execution content declaration, it is shown that the block 1050B including the block 1050 of the stirring operation, which is an operation using a rotation different from the dehydration operation, is executed next to the block 1070B including the block 1070 of the dehydration operation. Has been done. Block 1070B further includes parameter 1074 waiting immediately after block 1070 in the dehydration operation. Further, the block 1050B further includes a parameter 1057 that waits immediately before the block 1050 of the stirring operation. As described above, the

parameters

1074 and 1057 overlap in the block 1050B which is set in the order of execution after the block 1070B. In this case, the control device 550 deletes the duplicate parameter 1074. The control device 550 may delete the parameter 1057 instead of deleting the parameter 1074.

Here, return to the explanation in FIG.

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

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

(Step S220)
The sequence manager 100 receives the allocation result notification from the device manager 200, and notifies the user of the completion of execution preparation via the UI 400.

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

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

Note that steps S220, S222, and S224 provide information to the user again before the application is executed, but may be omitted because the work of the user may increase.

With the above, the pre-application phase F200 ends.

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

(Step S310)
The sequence manager 100 receives the application start instruction and selects the first block (first block) from the plurality of blocks included in the application. Then, the sequence manager 100 transmits the execution instruction of the selected first block to the device manager 200.

When a plurality of blocks are continuously operated, the sequence manager 100 may collectively send the execution instructions of the plurality of blocks to the device manager 200.

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

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

(Step S314)
The device 300 receives the execution instruction of the first block and executes the first block.

(Step S316)
The device 300 sends a completion notification to the device manager 200 when the execution of the first block is completed. If an error occurs during the execution of the first block, the device 300 may send the error information to the device manager 200. Further, the device 300 may send event information to the device manager 200 during the execution of the first block. As the event information, for example, the output value of the sensor, the operation of the device, or the like can be used, but the event information is not limited to this. The device manager 200 transfers the completion notification and / or various information received from the device 300 to the sequence manager 100.

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

(Step S320)
The sequence manager 100 sends an execution instruction for the selected second block to the device manager 200.

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

As for the execution instruction of the second block, the execution instruction of a plurality of blocks may be collectively transmitted to the device manager 200 in the same manner as the execution instruction of the first block.

Since the subsequent processing is the same as the processing for the first block (S312 to S318), the illustration and description will be omitted. When the blocks included in the application are executed in order and the execution of the last block is completed, the application execution phase F300 ends.

Here, the execution of blocks is instructed one by one, but it is not limited to this. For example, execution of a plurality of blocks to which the same device is assigned may be instructed collectively. In that case, it may be confirmed in advance whether each block satisfies the parameter range of function execution, or the block corresponding to the change may be downloaded to the device side before execution. Further, for example, each block execution instruction may be given to a plurality of devices.

[1.4 Effect, etc.]
As described above, the application including blocks and the rule database provide an environment in which a wide variety of applications can be developed, and the actuator 22 or the actuator 22 that physically moves with respect to the application freely developed under the environment. It enables safe driving of the heater 23 that outputs heat energy. In other words, it is possible to provide an environment in which an application can be freely developed, and at the same time, it is possible to provide a function for ensuring safety independently of the application. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to create a wide variety of applications with a high degree of freedom in parallel with the development of a rule database to ensure safety, and to develop a wide variety of applications at an early stage. Can be made possible.

Also, even after the application is provided, it is possible to change to a more secure application by changing the rule database. In addition, even if it is necessary to improve the situation that the manufacturer does not anticipate in advance, the rule database is defined independently of the application without changing the various applications themselves. By updating the database, it becomes possible to support all applications.

It is also possible to consider a countermeasure that maintains the rule base of error handling by detecting the state when the application is executed without changing the application itself. However, this coping method always deals with the situation after the error state occurs, and means that it is allowed to be in a situation where the load is applied to the home appliances or the safety cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is possible to ensure safety by holding a rule database independent of the application and changing the contents of the application by referring to the rule data.

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

According to this, the washing function unit can be driven based on the application defined by a plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the washing machine 500, and it is possible to develop a wide variety of applications not only by the manufacturer but also by a third party, and these applications can be developed by the washing machine 500. It can be easily executed. In addition, the unacceptable execution content declaration can be modified before the washing function unit is driven based on the application. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing function unit from performing operations in an unacceptable order. That is, even if the application developer mistakenly instructs the washing function unit to perform operations in an unacceptable order, it is possible to suppress the execution of an application in which the washing machine 500 cannot be safely controlled. Can be done. In addition, it is possible to prevent the washing machine 500 from operating inefficiently. Therefore, the application developer can improve the safety of the washing machine 500 controlled by the application even when the application is created in which the suitability for the user is more important than the guarantee of the safety of the washing function unit. In addition, the operating efficiency of the washing machine 500 can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 does not allow the execution of the first block included in the execution content declaration and the second block set in the order of execution after the first block in the order information, the rule does not allow it. A third block may be added to the execution content declaration as control information in the order of execution after the first block.

According to this, if two blocks executed in succession are not allowed, the third block can be added in the order between the two blocks, so that the washing function unit cannot allow the two blocks in the order. It is possible to prevent the operation of.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 does not allow the execution of the first block included in the execution content declaration and the second block set in the order of execution after the first block in the order information, the rule does not allow it. The information regarding the parameters contained in the first block or the information regarding the parameters contained in the second block may be modified.

According to this, if two blocks executed in succession are not allowed, the information regarding the parameters contained in any of the two blocks can be corrected, so that the washing function unit is not allowed in the order of 2. It is possible to prevent the operation of one block from being executed.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 does not allow the execution of the first block included in the execution content declaration and the second block set in the order of execution after the first block in the order information, the rule does not allow it. Execution of the second block may be restricted.

According to this, if two blocks executed consecutively are not allowed, the execution of the second block can be restricted, so that the washing function unit executes the operations of the two blocks in an unacceptable order. Can be prevented.

Also, for example, in the first rule, it is permissible for the first block to include parameters relating to the supply of water to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500, and for the second block to include parameters controlling the operation performed in the water-reactive environment. It does not have to be done. For example, an operation performed in a water-reactive environment may include an operation that is not allowed to be performed when water is stored in the water tank 502. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation based on the second block, which is not sufficiently effective even if it is executed with water in the water tank 502, being executed. As a result, unnecessary operation can be suppressed and power consumption can be reduced.

Also, for example, in the second rule, it is permissible that the first block contains parameters relating to the heating in the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500, and the second block contains parameters controlling the operation performed in the heat-free environment. It does not have to be done. For example, the operation performed in a heat-free environment may include an operation that is not allowed to be performed when the temperature in the water tank 502 is above a predetermined temperature. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the execution when the temperature in the water tank 502 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, so that it is possible to reduce that the high temperature environment in the water tank 502 adversely affects the outside of the washing machine 500. Safety can be guaranteed.

Also, for example, in the third rule, the first block includes parameters relating to the rotation of the washing tub 503 in which water is stored, and the second block contains parameters controlling the operation performed in the forbidden environment. May not be acceptable. For example, the operation performed in a closed environment may include an operation in which the water surface in the washing tub 503 is not allowed to move. Therefore, since the operation of the second block can be controlled in a state where the shaking of the water surface is reduced, the operation of the second block can be effectively controlled.

Further, for example, in the fourth rule, the first block includes a parameter related to blowing air into the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500, and the second block contains a parameter controlling the operation performed in the forbidden environment. May not be acceptable. Therefore, since the operation of the second block can be controlled in a state where the shaking of the water surface is reduced, the operation of the second block can be effectively controlled.

Further, for example, in the fifth rule, the first block includes a parameter for rotating the washing tub 503 of the washing machine 500 in the first rotation, and the second block has a second rotation different from the first rotation. It may not be acceptable to include a parameter that rotates the washing tub 503. For example, the first rotation speed in the first rotation may be different from the second rotation speed in the second rotation. Further, for example, the direction of the first rotation may be different from the direction of the second rotation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operations of different rotations from being continuously executed, and it is possible to effectively switch the rotation of the washing tub 503.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 includes a parameter relating to the supply of water to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block includes a parameter controlling the operation performed in the water-free environment, the first block is the first. Based on the rule of, a third block including a parameter related to drainage from the water tank 502 is added to the execution content declaration as control information of the order of execution between the first block and the second block. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be made into a water-reactive environment by draining water before the operation executed in the water-reactive environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 includes a parameter relating to the supply of water to the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block contains a parameter controlling the operation performed in the water-free environment, the first block is the first. The second block may be modified to add a parameter related to drainage from the water tank 502 immediately before the parameter controlling the operation performed in the water-free environment based on the rule of. Therefore, the water tank 502 can be made into a water-reactive environment by draining water before the operation executed in the water-reactive environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed.

Further, for example, in the control device 550, when the first block includes a parameter relating to heating in the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block contains a parameter controlling the operation performed in the heat-free environment, the second block is included. Based on the rule of, a third block including a parameter related to heat dissipation of the water tank 502 may be added to the execution content declaration as control information of the order of execution between the first block and the second block. Therefore, the temperature of the water tank 502 can be lowered to create a heat-free environment by dissipating heat before the operation executed in the heat-free environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed. Can be done.

Further, for example, in the control device 550, when the first block includes a parameter relating to heating in the water tank 502 of the washing machine 500 and the second block contains a parameter controlling the operation performed in the heat-free environment, the second block is included. The second block may be modified to add a parameter related to heat dissipation of the water tank 502 immediately before the parameter controlling the operation performed in the heat-free environment based on the rule of. Therefore, the temperature of the water tank 502 can be lowered to create a heat-free environment by dissipating heat before the operation executed in the heat-free environment is started, and the operation of the second block can be effectively executed. Can be done.

Further, for example, when the control device 550 overlaps the first block included in the execution content declaration and the second block set in the order of execution after the first block in the order information based on the rule. (I) The first block or the second block may be deleted, or (ii) the information regarding the parameters contained in the first block or the information regarding the parameters contained in the second block may be deleted. Therefore, since the duplicate operation block or parameter is deleted, it is possible to reduce the execution of unnecessary operation. Therefore, the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, for example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 is allowed to drive at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 with reference to the first rule for the parameters included in the first parameter range. The application may be changed by changing the parameters included in the range.

According to this, the parameters included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be changed to the parameters included in the acceptable range, so that, for example, the application developer can safely drive the actuator 22 and the heater 23. Applications can be freely developed by lowering the priority to be considered, and the software developer incorporated in the device 20 that controls the actuator 22 and the heater 23 checks the safety of each application every time. The block can be executed without any problem, and the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 can be prevented from being driven by unacceptable parameters.

Further, for example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 is allowed to drive at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 with reference to the first rule for the parameters included in the first parameter range. The application may be changed by changing the parameters included in the range and adding new blocks to a plurality of blocks.

According to this, the parameter included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be changed to the parameter included in the acceptable range, so that the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven by the unacceptable parameter. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since a new block can be added, it is possible to supplement the function deteriorated by changing the parameter with a new block.

Further, for example, in the device 20 in the present embodiment, the control unit 24 may change the application by deleting the block having the parameter included in the first parameter range.

According to this, since the block having the parameter included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be deleted, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from being driven by the unacceptable parameter. For example, when the actuator 22 and the heater 23 cannot execute the parameter specified by the application developer in the first place, the device can be controlled without confusion by performing the deletion. On the other hand, the user may be notified that the deletion has been made.

Further, for example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the control unit 24 refers to the first rule and determines whether or not each of the plurality of parameters included in the plurality of blocks is included in the first parameter range. If it is determined that the parameter is included in the first parameter range, the block having the parameter may be changed.

According to this, it is possible to more reliably change the block having the parameters included in the unacceptable first parameter range.

Further, for example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the application may include information on the order in which each of the plurality of blocks is executed and information on the timing at which each of the plurality of blocks is executed. The timing information of each block indicates, for example, the time between the start timing of the block and the start or end timing of another block (for example, the first block).

According to this, the application can include information on the order and timing, and can be sequentially determined and executed while checking the parameter range of each block.

Further, for example, in the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the first parameter range may be a parameter range that causes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 to reach the endurance temperature.

According to this, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from reaching the endurance temperature when the application is executed, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. ..

Further, for example, the device 20 in the present embodiment may include a housing 21 having an internal space, and the first parameter range may be a range of parameters that bring the internal space to a durable temperature.

According to this, it is possible to prevent the internal space of the housing 21 from reaching the durable temperature when the application is executed, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application.

(Modified Example of Embodiment 1)
(Modification 1)
In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 may perform the process described below, not limited to the specific example described in the first embodiment.

Specifically, the control device 550 classifies the plurality of blocks 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing processes based on the classification rule, and then the first of the one or more washing processes. Execution content declaration 1300 may be modified by adding common information common to one or more first blocks included in the first washing process to the washing process. The control device 550 classifies each of the plurality of blocks 1301 into one or more washing steps. One or more washing steps include, for example, a water supply step, a stirring step, a drainage step, a dehydration step, a drying step, a blowing step, a sterilization / antibacterial step, a dipping step and the like. One or more first blocks included in the first washing step are continuous in the order indicated by the order information included in the execution content declaration 1300. The common information is the vibration sensor 507, the water level sensor 515, the intake sensor 531 and the warm air sensor 535, the first foam sensor 541, the second foam sensor 542, and the operation state while one washing process is being executed. Includes detection information for the control device 550 to acquire from various sensors such as the hot water sensor 544.

The classification method for classifying each block into one or more washing processes by the control device 550 and the process for adding common information will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a classification rule in the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the first modification of the first embodiment.

First, the control device 550 specifies the attributes of the plurality of blocks 1301 by using the classification rule 1410 (S2171). For each of the plurality of blocks 1301, the control device 550 may specify an attribute whose name is associated with the classification rule 1410 as an attribute of the block. In the classification rule 1410, as shown in FIG. 21, the block name and the attribute are associated with each other. In the classification rule 1410, non-attribute may be included as an attribute for classifying into one or more washing processes. That is, the control device 550 may specify the attribute of the block associated with the non-attribute in the classification rule as the non-attribute. The control device 550 may determine the block as non-attribute when the attribute corresponding to the block cannot be specified by the classification rule, that is, when there is no attribute matching the block in the classification rule.

Note that the control device 550 may specify the attribute of the block based on the identifier given in advance to the block by using another classification rule. In other classification rules, block identifiers and attributes are associated. It was

Further, the control device 550 may specify the attribute of the block based on the combination of one or more parameter types included in the block by using still another classification rule. In yet another classification rule, combinations and attributes of one or more parameter types contained in a block are associated with each other. For example, in yet another classification rule, a combination of parameters related to water supply and parameters related to one-way rotation (that is, left or right rotation) of the stored washing tub, and attributes indicating the water supply process are associated. Has been done. Also, for example, in yet another classification rule, the combination of the parameter related to water supply and the parameter related to the rotation of the stored washing tub in both directions (that is, left rotation and right rotation), and the attribute indicating the stirring process correspond. It is attached.

Next, the control device 550 classifies the plurality of blocks into one or more washing processes based on the specified attributes (S2172). Specifically, the control device 550 classifies the plurality of blocks 1301 into one washing process in which one or more consecutive blocks have the same attribute in the order indicated by the order information. That is, when the control device 550 has a plurality of consecutive blocks of the first attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the first washing step corresponding to the plurality of consecutive blocks of the first attribute corresponds to the first attribute. Classify into.

When the non-attribute block is sandwiched between the blocks of the first attribute in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 regards the non-attribute block as the block of the first attribute and sets it as the first attribute. It may be classified into the corresponding first washing process. Further, when the non-attribute block is sandwiched between the first attribute block and the second attribute block in the order indicated by the order information, the control device 550 sets the non-attribute block as the first attribute block. It may be regarded as being classified into the first washing process corresponding to the first attribute, or may be classified into the second washing process corresponding to the second attribute. Here, it may be predetermined whether it is classified into the first washing process or the second washing process. The second attribute is an attribute different from the first attribute. The second washing step is a step different from the first washing step, and is a washing step following the first washing step.

Further, the control device 550 classifies each block into one or more washing processes, and then uses the rules defined in the rule database 1400 shown in FIG. 11 to modify a plurality of blocks included in each washing process. You may try to execute. The method of modifying the plurality of blocks is the same as that of the first embodiment. The control device 550 may attempt to execute a process of modifying the plurality of blocks classified into the water supply process by applying the first rule 1401 to the plurality of blocks classified into the water supply process, for example. Further, the control device 550 may attempt to execute a process of modifying the plurality of blocks classified into the stirring process by applying the second rule 1402 to the plurality of blocks classified into the stirring process, for example. The control device 550 attempts to execute a process of modifying the plurality of blocks classified into the water supply process or the stirring process by, for example, applying the third rule 1403 to the plurality of blocks classified into the water supply process or the stirring process. May be good. The control device 550 may attempt to execute a process of modifying the plurality of blocks classified into the drying process by applying the fourth rule 1404 to the plurality of blocks classified into the drying process, for example.

Further, the control device 550 may be set with a rule corresponding to each washing process as shown in the first rule 1401 for modifying a plurality of blocks included in the water supply process. That is, the control device 550 may modify the washing process for each washing process based on the modification rule for the washing process. As a result, the control device 550 can modify a plurality of blocks included in the washing process by referring only to the modification rule for the washing process in each washing process, so that it is necessary to refer to other modification rules. The processing load can be reduced.

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

FIGS. 23A to 23C show modification of the execution content declaration in the first modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 23A, in the execution content declaration, the washing amount detection operation block 1000, the drum rotation operation block 1060, the foam generation operation block 1150, the stirring operation block 1050, and the water supply operation block 1010 are executed in this order. Is shown to be. The control device 550 identifies that the attribute of the block 1000 of the washing amount detection operation is the washing amount determination step based on the classification rule 1410, and the block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, the block 1150 of the foam generation operation, and the drum rotation operation. It is specified that the attribute of the block 1060 of the water supply operation and the block 1010 of the water supply operation is the water supply process. In the control device 550, the stirring operation block 1050 is either a water supply step or a stirring step based on the classification rule 1410, and the stirring operation block 1050 is sandwiched between the water supply process attribute blocks 1150 and 1010. Therefore, it is considered that the attribute of the block 1050 of the stirring operation is the water supply process.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23B, the control device 550 classifies the block 1000 of the washing amount detection operation into the washing amount determination step 1500, the block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, the block 1150 of the foam generation operation, and the block 1050 of the stirring operation. , And the block 1010 of the water supply operation is classified into the water supply process 1510.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23C, the control device 550 has, in the water supply process 1510, the block 1060 of the drum rotation operation, the block 1150 of the bubble generation operation, the block 1050 of the stirring operation, and the water supply operation included in the water supply process 1510. Common information 1511 regarding the control common to the block 1010 of the above is added. The common information 1511 may include detection information for measuring the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor reaching a predetermined water level in the water supply process 1510. It may include detection information for acquiring the amount of change (increase) of the water level of the water tank 502 detected by the water level sensor per unit time.

In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 determines whether or not the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it is determined that this time exceeds the predetermined time, the water supply process 1510 May be stopped and the operation panel 560 may be made to indicate that an error has occurred. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the water supply process 1510 that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, the control device 550 continues the water supply process 1510.

Further, the control device 550 determines in the water supply step 1510 whether or not the amount of change (that is, the change rate) of the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time is within a predetermined speed range, and this change rate is a predetermined value. If it is determined that the speed is out of the speed range, the water supply process 1510 may be stopped and the operation panel 560 may indicate that an error has occurred. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the water supply process 1510 that the amount of change in the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time (that is, the rate of change) is within a predetermined speed range, the control device 550 continues the water supply process 1510.

In the washing machine 500 in this modification, the control device 550 classifies (i) a plurality of blocks included in the execution content declaration (washing information) into one or more washing processes based on the classification rule, and (ii). The washing information is modified by adding common information regarding the control common to one or more blocks included in the first washing step to the first washing step of the one or more washing steps. Then, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the operation based on the execution content declaration by executing the modified execution content declaration. One or more blocks included in the first washing step are continuous in the order indicated by the order information.

Therefore, the user only specifies a plurality of blocks to be executed by the washing machine 500, and the control device 550 controls common to one or more blocks included in the first washing process among the plurality of blocks. Add common information about. Therefore, it is possible to make the washing function unit perform control that is effective to be executed in parallel during the execution of the first washing process, and the user does not have to have specialized knowledge to perform the washing machine 500. Can be operated efficiently.

(Modification 2)
In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 may perform the processing described below, not limited to the specific examples described in the first embodiment and the first modification thereof.

Specifically, the control device 550 classifies the plurality of blocks 1301 included in the execution content declaration 1300 into one or more washing processes based on the classification rule, and then the first washing of the one or more washing processes. The first washing process provides decision information for the washing function unit to determine a washing process to be executed next to the first washing step, depending on whether or not the operating state during the execution of the process satisfies a predetermined condition. The execution content declaration 1300 may be modified by adding to. The washing process of one or more is the same as that of the modified example 1. Specifically, when the first washing step is completed while the operating state satisfies the predetermined conditions in the first washing step, the decision information is executed in the washing function unit after the first washing step. If the operating state does not satisfy a predetermined condition in the first washing step, the information is for stopping the first washing step and causing the washing function unit to perform a third washing step different from the second washing step. That is, the decision information is whether the first washing process is continued and the second washing process is performed after the first washing process is completed, or the first washing process is stopped and the third washing process is performed, depending on the operating state. Is the information used by the control device 550 to determine. The second washing step includes the block next to the last block of the first washing step in the order indicated by the order information among the plurality of blocks included in the execution content declaration 1300. That is, the second washing step includes blocks in the next order of the first washing step.

By executing the detection information, the control device 550 acquires the operating state of the washing function unit while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors and the like. The control device 550 determines whether or not the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, and when the first washing step is completed while the operating state satisfies the predetermined condition, the first washing step Next, the washing function unit is made to execute the second washing step. On the other hand, when the acquired operating state does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control device 550 cancels the first washing step and causes the washing function unit to perform a third washing step different from the second washing step.

The detection information may be information for the control device 550 to sequentially acquire the operating state of the washing function unit while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors or the like. That is, the control device 550 may sequentially acquire the operating state of the washing function unit from various sensors or the like while the first washing step is being executed by executing the detection information.

The process of adding the decision information by the control device 550 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process in the second modification of the first embodiment.

First, the control device 550 specifies the attributes of the plurality of blocks 1301 by using the classification rule 1410 (S2171).

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

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

25A to 25D show the first example of the modification of the execution content declaration in the modification 2 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 25A, the execution content declaration shows that the dehydration operation block 1070 is executed. The control device 550 identifies that the attribute of the dehydration operation block 1070 is the dehydration step based on the classification rule.

Then, as shown in FIG. 25B, the control device 550 classifies the dehydration operation block 1070 into the dehydration step 1520.

Next, as shown in FIG. 25C, the control device 550 executes the washing function unit next to the dehydration step depending on whether or not the operating state during the dehydration step 1520 satisfies a predetermined condition. Decision information 1521 for determining the washing process to be to be made is added to the dehydration process 1520. The determination information 1521 continues, for example, the dehydration step 1520 when the bias of the cloth is not detected while the dehydration step 1520 is being executed, and cancels the dehydration step when the bias of the cloth is detected. Information indicating the transition to the rinsing process. The control device 550 sequentially acquires the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 from the vibration sensor 507, and detects the bias of the cloth when the acquired vibration magnitude exceeds the second threshold value. May be good. The magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 is an example of the operating state. Further, the fact that the magnitude of vibration is equal to or less than the second threshold value is an example of a predetermined condition.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content declaration and the cloth bias is detected while the dehydration step 1520 is being executed, that is, the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507. When exceeds the second threshold value, the control device 550 may stop the dehydration step 1520 and shift to the rinsing step 1530 based on the determination information 1521, as shown in FIG. 25D. The rinsing step 1530 is an example of a third washing step different from the second washing step.

It should be noted that the rinsing step 1530 may include decision information indicating that the dehydration step 1520 is to be performed again after the rinsing step 1530. As a result, the control device 550 executes the dehydration step 1520 again when the rinsing step 1530 is completed. As described above, when the bias of the cloth is detected, the control device 550 stops the dehydration step 1520 and executes the rinsing step 1530, so that the bias of the cloth can be eliminated before the dehydration step 1520.

Note that the decision information 1521 is added to the dehydration step 1520 to be executed again in the same manner as the dehydration step 1520 performed at the beginning. As a result, the control device 550 controls to add the rinsing step 1530 in between until the dehydration step 1520 is completed without detecting the bias of the cloth.

On the other hand, in the control device 550, when the bias of the cloth is not detected while the dehydration step 1520 is being executed, that is, the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 remains equal to or less than the second threshold value. When the dehydration step is completed, the washing function unit is made to execute the second washing step scheduled after the dehydration step. The second washing step is a washing step including a block of operation scheduled to be performed next to the block 1070 of the dehydration operation in the execution content declaration. If there is no second washing step, the control device 550 may end the washing control.

Although not shown, the control device 550 may add common information to the dehydration step 1520 as in the modification 1 after classifying the dehydration operation block 1070 into the dehydration step 1520. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the dehydration step 1520.

26A to 26D show a second example of modification of the execution content declaration in the second modification of the first embodiment. In FIG. 26A, it is shown in the execution content declaration that the block 1070a of the preliminary dehydration operation, the block 1070 of the dehydration operation, and the block 1140 of the drying operation are executed. The block 1070a for the preliminary dehydration operation includes the same parameters as the parameters for the block 1070 for the dehydration operation, but the numerical values of the parameters are different. Therefore, the block 1070a of the preliminary dehydration operation is treated in the same manner as the block 1070 of the dehydration operation in the classification of the washing process. Based on the classification rule, the control device 550 identifies that the attributes of the pre-dewatering operation block 1070a and the dehydrating operation block 1070 are the dehydration process, and specifies that the drying operation block 1140 is the drying process.

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

Next, as shown in FIG. 26C, the control device 550 executes the washing function unit next to the dehydration step depending on whether or not the operating state during the dehydration step 1522 satisfies a predetermined condition. Decision information 1523 for determining the washing process to be subjected to is added to the dehydration process 1522. The determination information 1523 indicates that, for example, when the bias of the cloth is detected while the preliminary dehydration operation in the dehydration step 1522 is being executed, the dehydration step is stopped and the process proceeds to the rinsing step. This is information indicating that when the bias of the cloth is detected while the dehydration operation is being executed, the dehydration process is stopped and the process proceeds to the dehydration process again. Further, the determination information 1523 is information indicating that the dehydration step 1522 is continued when the bias of the cloth is not detected in the dehydration step 1522.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the corrected execution content declaration and the bias of the cloth is detected while the preliminary dehydration operation of the dehydration step 1522 is being executed, that is, it is detected by the vibration sensor 507. When the magnitude of the vibration exceeds the second threshold value, the control device 550 may stop the dehydration step 1522 and shift to the rinsing step based on the determination information 1523. Further, when the control device 550 detects the bias of the cloth while the dehydration operation of the dehydration step 1522 is being executed, that is, the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 exceeds the second threshold value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 26D, the control device 550 may stop the dehydration step 1522 and shift to the dehydration step 1524 based on the determination information 1523. The dehydration step 1524 is an example of a third washing step different from the second washing step.

The dehydration step 1524 may include decision information 1525 indicating that the drying step 1540 is to be executed again after the dehydration step 1524. The determination information 1525 may further indicate that the dehydration step 1524 is stopped and the dehydration step is executed again when the bias of the cloth is detected, or the dehydration step is executed when the bias of the cloth is detected. It may indicate that 1524 is discontinued and the rinsing step is performed. As a result, the control device 550 executes the drying step 1540 when the dehydration step 1524 is completed without detecting the bias of the cloth.

The decision information 1541 may be added to the drying step 1540. The decision information 1541 continues the dehydration step 1520 when, for example, the filter clogging is not detected while the drying step 1540 is being executed, and discontinues the drying step 1540 when the filter clogging is detected. This is information indicating that the process shifts to the presentation process of displaying an error. In this case, the control device 550 sequentially acquires the current value of the fan motor of the circulation fan 534 from the current sensor provided in the fan motor, and the acquired current value exceeds the first threshold value, so that the filter is clogged. It may be detected. The first threshold value may be calculated by adding or subtracting a predetermined difference value to the current value based on the current value at the start of the drying step 1540, or may be a predetermined fixed value. good. The current value of the fan motor detected by the current sensor is an example of the operating state. Further, the fact that the current value is equal to or less than the first threshold value is an example of a predetermined condition.

Here, the determination information 1541 is determined to shift to the presentation step of stopping the drying step 1540 and displaying an error when the clogging of the filter is detected, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the drying step 1540 is not stopped. It may be continued and the presentation step may be started after the drying step 1540 is completed or after the washing step following the drying step 1540 is completed.

Further, in the determination information 1541, the difference between the moving average of the detected value of the warm air sensor 535 in a predetermined period based on the current time and the detected value of the warm air sensor 535 at the start of the drying step 1540 is the third threshold value. It is determined whether or not the above is true, and if the difference is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the control device 550 determines the end of the drying step 1540, and if not, the control device 550 determines the continuation of the drying step 1540. It may be information for doing so.

On the other hand, in the control device 550, when the bias of the cloth is not detected while the dehydration step 1522 is being executed, that is, the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 remains equal to or less than the second threshold value. When the dehydration step is completed, the washing function unit is made to perform the drying step 1540 scheduled after the dehydration step.

Although not shown, the control device 550 classifies the pre-dewatering operation block 1070a and the dewatering operation block 1070 into the dehydration step 1522, and then, as in the first example in the first modification, the common information. May be added to the dehydration step 1522. The common information may include detection information for detecting the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 507 in the dehydration step 1520.

In the washing machine 500 in this modification, the common information includes detection information for the control device 550 to acquire the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors and the like. By executing the detection information, the control device 550 acquires the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors and the like. When the first washing step is completed while the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, the control device 550 causes the washing function unit to execute the second washing step after the first washing step. When the acquired operating state does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control device 550 cancels the first washing step and causes the washing function unit to perform a third washing step different from the second washing step.

According to this, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing process or to stop the first washing process and shift to the third washing process according to the acquired operating state. It is possible to have the washing function unit perform an appropriate washing process.

Further, for example, the second washing step includes the second block following the first block of one or more in the order indicated by the order information among the plurality of blocks. Therefore, when the first washing step is continued and the first washing step is completed, the control device 550 includes a second washing step including one or more first blocks included in the first washing step and a second block next to the first block. Can be executed by the washing function unit.

Further, for example, the detection information is information for the control device 550 to sequentially acquire the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors and the like. By executing the detection information, the control device 550 sequentially acquires the operating state while the first washing process is being executed from various sensors and the like. Therefore, the control device 550 determines whether to continue the first washing process or to stop the first washing process and shift to the third washing process according to the sequentially acquired operating state. It is possible to have the washing function unit execute a washing process suitable for the operating state at that time.

(Modification 3)
In the modification of the execution content declaration 1300 (washing information), the control device 550 is not limited to the specific examples described in the first embodiment, the modified examples 1 and the modified examples 2, and may perform the processes described below. ..

As described in the second modification of the first embodiment, the control device 550 uses the result of the operating state acquired in the first washing step by executing the common information described in the first modification of the first embodiment. In order to determine whether the first washing process is continued and the next second washing process is executed by the washing function unit, or the first washing process is stopped and the third washing process is executed by the washing function unit. , Decision information may be added to the first washing step. That is, the modified example 1 and the modified example 2 of the first embodiment may be combined.

The control device 550 has a predetermined operating state obtained by adding the common information 1511 to the water supply process 1510 and further executing the common information 1511, for example, as in the specific examples of FIGS. 23A to 23C. Add decision information (not shown) to determine whether to continue the water supply process 1510 or stop the water supply process 1510 and move to the presentation process that displays an error, depending on whether or not the conditions are met. May be good.

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

In the water supply process 1510, the control device 550 determines whether or not the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it is determined that this time exceeds the predetermined time, the water supply process 1510 May be stopped and a presentation step of causing the operation panel 560 to indicate that an error has occurred may be executed. In this case, the predetermined condition is that the time from the start of the water supply step 1510 to the predetermined water level is less than the predetermined time. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the water supply process 1510 that the time from the start of the water supply process 1510 to the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, the control device 550 continues the water supply process 1510.

Further, the control device 550 determines in the water supply step 1510 whether or not the amount of increase in the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time (that is, the rate of increase) is within a predetermined speed range, and the rate of change is a predetermined rate. If it is determined that the speed is out of the speed range, the water supply step 1510 may be stopped and a presentation step of causing the operation panel 560 to indicate that an error has occurred may be executed. The predetermined condition in this case is that the rate of change of the water level in the water tank 502 is within the predetermined range. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the water supply process 1510 that the amount of increase in the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time (that is, the rate of increase) is within a predetermined speed range, the control device 550 continues the water supply process 1510.

As described above, the control device 550 acquires the speed information regarding the change speed of the water level of the water tank 502 in the water supply process 1510, and determines whether or not the speed information is included in the predetermined speed information range. May be added to the water supply process 1510. The control device 550 acquires speed information regarding the speed of change of the water level of the water tank 502 in the water supply process 1510, determines whether or not the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information, and the speed information is the predetermined speed information. When the water supply step 1510 is completed while being included in the range of, the washing function unit is made to execute the washing step scheduled next to the water supply step 1510. On the other hand, when the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the control device 550 cancels the water supply step 1510 and causes the washing function unit to execute the presentation step.

Further, the control device 550 may have the operation panel 560 present the elapsed time from the start of the water supply process 1510 by executing the common information 1511. The elapsed time may be indicated by the time counted up from the start of the water supply process 1510, or may be indicated by the countdown time obtained by subtracting the count-up time from the time required for the water supply process 1510.

The control device 550 may apply the same treatment not only to the water supply process but also to the drainage process. In the drainage process, the control device 550 determines whether or not the time from the start of the drainage process to reaching the predetermined water level exceeds a predetermined time, and if it is determined that this time exceeds the predetermined time, the drainage process is stopped. , The presentation step of causing the operation panel 560 to indicate that an error has occurred may be executed. The predetermined water level may be, for example, a water level at which it is considered that there is no water in the water tank 502. In this case, the predetermined condition is that the time from the start of the drainage process to the predetermined water level is less than the predetermined time. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the drainage process that the time from the start of the drainage process to the predetermined water level does not exceed the predetermined time, the control device 550 continues the drainage process.

Further, the control device 550 determines whether or not the amount of decrease in the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time (that is, the decrease rate) is within a predetermined speed range in the drainage step, and this change rate is a predetermined rate. If it is determined that the range is out of range, the drainage process may be stopped and the presentation process of causing the operation panel 560 to indicate that an error has occurred may be executed. The predetermined condition in this case is that the rate of change of the water level in the water tank 502 is within the predetermined range. In this case, the control device 550 may notify the user's terminal via the communication unit 570 that an error has occurred. When the control device 550 determines in the drainage step that the amount of decrease in the water level of the water tank 502 per unit time (that is, the decrease rate) is within a predetermined speed range, the control device 550 continues the drainage process.

As described above, the control device 550 acquires the speed information regarding the change speed of the water level of the water tank 502 in the drainage process, and determines the determination information for determining whether or not the speed information is included in the predetermined speed information range. It may be added to the drainage process. The control device 550 acquires speed information regarding the speed of change of the water level of the water tank 502 in the drainage process, determines whether or not the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information, and the speed information is the predetermined speed information. When the drainage process is completed while being included in the range, the washing function unit is made to execute the washing process scheduled after the drainage process. On the other hand, when the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the control device 550 cancels the drainage process and causes the washing function unit to execute the presentation process.

Further, the control device 550 may add common information including detection information for detecting the generation state of bubbles in the water tank 502 in the water supply step or the stirring step to the water supply step or the stirring step. Further, the control device 550 sequentially acquires the generation state of bubbles in the water tank 502 as an operating state, and determines the washing process to be executed by the washing function unit next to the first washing step according to the acquired foam generation status. The decision information to be made may be added to the water supply step or the stirring step. Specifically, the determination information in this case is water supply when the generation of bubbles is not detected in the water supply step or the stirring step, the water supply step or the stirring step is continued, and the water supply step or the stirring step is completed. It is shown that the washing function part performs the washing process scheduled next to the step or the stirring step. Further, the determination information indicates that when the generation of bubbles is detected in the water supply step or the stirring step, the water supply step or the stirring step is stopped and the defoaming step is executed by the washing function unit. The defoaming step is, for example, a step of performing a drainage operation, a stirring operation, a water supply operation, and a drainage operation in this order.

Therefore, when the control device 550 executes the determination information and the water supply step or the stirring step is completed while the acquired foam generation status indicates that the bubble generation is not detected, the water supply step or the stirring step is performed. Let the washing function unit perform the next scheduled washing process. Further, when the control device 550 executes the determination information to indicate that the acquired foam generation status indicates that the foam generation has been detected, the control device 550 cancels the water supply step or the stirring step and transfers the defoaming step to the washing function unit. Let it run.

(Modification example 4)
In the first embodiment, the processing of the system 1 has been described with reference to FIG. 7, but the processing flow is not limited to this. In particular, regarding the pre-execution confirmation (S216) described in detail, the timing at which the pre-execution confirmation is performed and the main module are not limited to this. Therefore, some modifications of the sequence diagram of the system 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 27A to 27E.

FIG. 27A is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in the modified example 4 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 27A, the pre-execution confirmation (S216) is performed by the device 300 immediately before the device 300 receives the execution instruction (S310) and executes the block (S314).

As a result, the software embedded in the device 300 can have a simple configuration in which a pre-execution confirmation is performed immediately before the execution of the block. That is, steps S215 and S217 can be omitted. As a result, it is not necessary to incorporate the function for performing these processes and the communication API into the device 300, and it is possible to reduce the memory used by the microcomputer mounted on the device 300.

The result of the pre-execution confirmation may be notified to the device manager 200 and / or the UI 400. For example, when the parameter is changed or the block execution stop instruction is given as a result of the pre-execution confirmation, the confirmation result may be notified to the device manager 200 or the UI 400.

(Modification 5)
FIG. 27B is a sequence diagram of the system 1 in the modified example 5 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 27B, the pre-execution confirmation (S216) is performed by the device manager 200 as it is when the device manager 200 performs the allocation result notification (S218).

As a result, the software incorporated in the device 300 does not have to include the pre-execution confirmation (S216) function. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the use of the memory of the device 300, which leads to cost reduction of the device 300.

Further, in the first embodiment, regarding the block execution (S314) by the device 300, the flow of the process performed by the instruction from the sequence manager 100 mounted on the cloud server 10 has been described, but the block execution (S314) is performed. The form is not limited to this.

For example, the content of the notification from the sequence manager 100 may be stored in the memory in the device 300, and the block may be executed by a direct instruction from the user through the UI of the device 20 or the UI 400 of the terminal 30. That is, the application may be downloaded in the device and the user may execute the application at an arbitrary timing.

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

After that, the device 300 receives an instruction from the user to execute one or more saved blocks (S312C), and executes one or more blocks in order from the first block (S314).

As described above, by storing the block in the device 300, the device 300 can be controlled without the communication between the device manager 200 and the device 300, so that the communication between the cloud server 10 and the device 20 becomes unstable. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risk that the operation of the device 300 is stopped or a delay occurs. Therefore, this modification is more effective in an environment where the reliability of communication with the cloud server 10 is low, and / or in a device 300 in which operation stoppage or delay of the device during application execution is not allowed.

In addition, also in the modification 6, the pre-execution confirmation (S216) has an important meaning as in the first embodiment, but the timing at which the pre-execution confirmation (S216) is performed and the main module are limited to FIG. 27C. Will not be done. That is, the modification 6 may be combined with the

modification

4 or 5.

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

When the block is downloaded to the device 300 and the user executes the block at an arbitrary timing, there is a high possibility that the timing for downloading the block and the timing for executing the block are significantly different. That is, it is conceivable that the block may be executed several days, several months, several years, or the like after the block is downloaded to the device 300. In that case, the deterioration level of the device 300 or the like may change between the time the block is downloaded and the time the block is executed. Therefore, in the device 300 whose execution of the block is affected by the deterioration level, the pre-execution confirmation is performed by the device 300 immediately before the block is executed, so that the pre-execution confirmation according to the deterioration level becomes possible.

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

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the pre-execution confirmation is skipped when the application has been authenticated. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

Since the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the system 1 in the present embodiment are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

[2.1 Processing]
The present embodiment is the same as the process of the first embodiment except that the step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the first embodiment replaces the step S216A. Therefore, step S216A of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG. 28.

FIG. 28 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process according to the second embodiment.

(Step S2161A)
The device 300 acquires the application authentication information. The app credentials include information indicating that the application is authenticated if it is authenticated.

Application authentication is, for example, a mechanism for guaranteeing the quality of an application, and enables confirmation of the safety and / or identity (that it has not been tampered with) of the application. An example of an application to which authentication information is given will be described. When the change history of the application code indicates that the parameter range has not been changed, the information indicating that the application has been authenticated is associated with it.

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

[2.2 Effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in the present embodiment includes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and a control unit 24 for controlling at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and the control unit 24 includes a control unit 24. , A plurality of blocks that drive at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and an application containing information indicating whether or not it has been certified, each of the plurality of blocks being the actuator 22 or the heater 23. A first rule defining a first parameter range in which at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not allowed to be driven if it has parameters to drive and does not contain information indicating that the application is certified. The application is modified by modifying at least one of the plurality of blocks, and at least one of the plurality of blocks has parameters contained in the first parameter range and is based on the modified application. Drives at least one actuator 22.

According to this, the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 can be driven based on the application defined by the plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications thus developed on the device 20. Further, based on the application, the block having the parameters included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be modified before the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from being driven by an unacceptable parameter. That is, it is possible to suppress the execution of an application for which the device 20 cannot be safely controlled, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. Further, when the application is not authenticated, processing accompanied by the change of the application can be performed, and when the application is authenticated, the processing load can be reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform judgment processing for the parameter range for all applications, and management by performing authentication can reduce the processing load and set the standard for designing the parameter range, making it easier and safer for application developers. Design is possible.

Further, for example, when the device 20 in the present embodiment has information indicating that the application has been authenticated, it is not necessary to change the application without referring to the first rule.

According to this, when the application has been authenticated, the process for changing the block can be skipped, and the processing load can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the third embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the pre-execution confirmation is skipped when the creator of the application and the creator of the device are the same. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[3.1 processing]
The present embodiment is the same as the process of the first embodiment except that the step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the first embodiment replaces the step S216B. Therefore, step S216B of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG. 29.

FIG. 29 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process according to the third embodiment.

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

(Step S2163B)
The device 300 acquires device manufacturer information. The device manufacturer information indicates the manufacturer of the device. The manufacturer means a company, an individual, an organization, or the like that produced the device 300 (that is, the device 20), and may be referred to as a manufacturer.

(Step S2164B)
The device 300 determines whether the creator of the application and the creator of the device 300 are different. When the creator of the application is an individual and the creator of the device 300 is a company, the device 300 is the creator of the application and the device 300 if the company to which the creator of the application belongs and the creator of the device 300 match. It may be determined that the creator of the is the same. Further, the device 300 may determine that the creator of the application and the creator of the device 300 are the same if the creator of the application is a development contractor of the creator of the device 300.

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

[3.2 Effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in the present embodiment includes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and a control unit 24 for controlling at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and the control unit 24 includes a control unit 24. To acquire an application defined by a plurality of blocks driving at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and including information indicating the creator, each of the plurality of blocks drives the actuator 22 or the heater 23. First parameter in which at least one drive of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not allowed if the creator of the application and the creator of the device 20 are different from each other to obtain information indicating the manufacturer of the device 20. The application is modified by modifying at least one of the plurality of blocks with reference to the first rule defining the range, and at least one of the plurality of blocks has the parameters contained in the first parameter range. Drives at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 based on the modified application.

According to this, the actuator and / or the heater can be driven based on the application defined by a plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications thus developed on the device 20. Further, based on the application, the block having the parameters included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be modified before the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from being driven by an unacceptable parameter. That is, it is possible to suppress the execution of an application for which the device 20 cannot be safely controlled, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. Further, when the creator of the application and the manufacturer of the device 20 are different, processing involving changes in the application can be performed, and when the creator of the application and the manufacturer of the device 20 are the same, the processing load can be increased. It can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the pre-execution confirmation is performed using the rule corresponding to the deterioration level of the apparatus. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[4.1 Processing]
The present embodiment is the same as the process of the first embodiment except that the step S216 of the pre-execution confirmation in the first embodiment replaces the step S216C. Therefore, step S216C of the pre-execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 30 shows a flowchart of the pre-execution confirmation process according to the fourth embodiment.

(Step S2163C)
The device 300 acquires device deterioration information. The device deterioration information indicates the deterioration level of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 included in the device 20. The method for detecting the deterioration level is not particularly limited, and may be detected by, for example, a sensor.

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

FIG. 31 shows an example of the rule database according to the fourth embodiment. Rules 1401C to 1404C are registered in the rule database 1400C of FIG. 31. Each of rules 1401C-1404C has a parameter range that defines an unacceptable range. For example, rule 1401C has a range greater than 1000 rpm as an unacceptable range for motor MM0001 with a degradation level of 0. For example, rule 1402C has a range greater than 800 rpm as an unacceptable range for motor MM0001 with degradation level 1. That is, rule 1402C has a wider non-permissible range and a narrower permissible range than rule 1401C.

Each of the rules 1401C to 1404C further has a type, a manufacturer name, an actuator / heater, and a deterioration level. Thereby, the device 300 can acquire the rule corresponding to the deterioration level of the actuator 22 or the heater 23 driven by the block from the rule database 1400C. For example, when the deterioration level of the motor MM0001 driven by the block of the dehydration operation is 0, the device 300 acquires the rule 1401C by referring to the rule database 1400C of FIG. 31 for the dehydration block.

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

The item that determines the deterioration level is, for example, the added value of the temperature of the heater 23, or the reproducibility of the input and output of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. The added value of the temperature of the heater 23 is a value obtained by adding the temperature when the heater 23 is driven. For example, the average temperature, intermediate temperature, or maximum temperature of the heater 23 at the time of block execution is used. The temperature of the heater 23 may be the ratio of the execution temperature to the limit temperature of the heater 23 and the difference between the execution temperature and the limit temperature of the heater 23.

The reproducibility of the input and output of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 refers to the relationship between the input value for driving the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 and the output of the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23. Is required. The ratio between the actual output value for a given input and the output value specified in the relationship is used.

[4.2 effects, etc.]
As described above, the device 20 in the present embodiment includes at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and a control unit 24 that controls at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, and the control unit 24 includes a control unit 24. , Acquiring an application defined by a plurality of blocks driving at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23, each of the plurality of blocks having a parameter for driving the actuator 22 or the heater 23, the actuator. When deterioration information indicating whether or not at least one of 22 and the heater 23 is deteriorated is acquired and the deterioration information indicates that at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is not deteriorated, the actuator 22 and the heater 23 and the heater 23 are deteriorated. Modifying the application by modifying at least one first block contained in the plurality of blocks, at least with reference to the first rule defining a first parameter range in which at least one drive of the heater 23 is not allowed. One first block has parameters included in the first parameter range, and if the degradation information indicates that at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 is degraded, then the actuator 22 and the heater 23 Modifying the application by modifying at least one second block contained in multiple blocks with reference to a second rule that defines a second parameter range that is different from the first parameter range where at least one drive is not allowed. However, at least one second block has parameters included in the second parameter range and drives at least one of the actuator 22 and the heater 23 based on the modified application.

According to this, the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 can be driven based on the application defined by the plurality of blocks. Therefore, it is possible to develop an application using a block that abstracts the control of the device 20, and it is possible to easily execute a wide variety of applications thus developed on the device 20. Further, based on the application, the block having the parameters included in the unacceptable first parameter range can be modified before the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 is driven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from being driven by an unacceptable parameter. That is, it is possible to suppress the execution of an application for which the device 20 cannot be safely controlled, and it is possible to improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application. Further, different parameter ranges can be used according to the deterioration information of the device 20, and by using the block, the actuator 22 and / or the heater 23 from the application side can be used while considering the performance of the device that deteriorates over time. It is possible to further improve the safety of the device 20 controlled by the application by executing the drive instruction to.

(Other embodiments)
Although the system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, one or more of the present embodiments may be modified by those skilled in the art, or may be constructed by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included within the scope of the embodiment.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the sequence manager 100 and the device manager 200 are included in the cloud server 10, but are not limited thereto. The sequence manager 100 and / or the device manager 200 may be included in the device 20. Further, although the UI 400 was included in the terminal 30, it may be included in the device 20.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the application may be changed based on the deterioration information. For example, the device 300 refers to the parameter conversion information in which the plurality of deterioration levels and the conversion methods of the plurality of parameters are associated with each other, acquires the conversion method corresponding to the deterioration level, and blocks using the acquired conversion method. The parameters contained in may be converted. As the conversion method, for example, it may be defined by the value after conversion, or may be defined by the coefficient applied to the value before conversion. It was

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the block is changed when the parameter is included in the unacceptable range in the pre-execution confirmation, and then the block is executed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the parameter is included in the unacceptable range and the state of the device 300 is different from the expected one, the device manager 200 and / or the sequence manager 100 is notified of the execution stop (error) without executing the block. You may.

It can be used for home appliances that can execute applications specified by multiple functional blocks.

1

System

2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Facility 10 Cloud server 11 Processor 12

Memory

20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h Equipment 21 Housing 22 Actuator 23 Heater 24

Control unit

30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Terminal 31 Display 32 Input device 100 Sequence manager 200

Device manager

300, 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e, 300f, 300g,

300h Device

400, 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d UI
500 Washing machine 501 Housing 502 Water tank 503 Washing tank 504 Washing motor 505 Door 506 Door lock mechanism 507 Vibration sensor 511 Water supply valve 512 Water supply pipe 513 Automatic loading machine 515 Water level sensor 516 Bath pump 517 Bath water piping 521 Drainage pipe 522 Drain valve 524 Circulation pump 525 Circulation piping 531 Intake sensor 532 Heat pump 533 Duct 534 Circulation fan 535 Hot air sensor 536 Disinfection device 541 1st bubble sensor 542 2nd bubble sensor 543 Hot water heater 544 Hot water sensor 550 Control device 560 Communication unit 1000, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060, 1070, 1070a, 1080, 1090, 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1301 block 1011, 1012, 1021 to 1023, 1031, 1041, 1051 to 1056, 1061 to 1065, 1071, 1072, 1081, 1091, 1101, 1102, 1111, 1112, 1121, 1131, 1132, 1141, 1151 to 1153 Parameters 1200 Device database 1201 Device information 1300 Execution content declaration 1302 Device information 1303 Order Information 1400, 1400C Rule database 1401-1405, 1401C, 1402C, 1403C, 1404C Rule 1410 Classification rule 1500 Washing amount judgment process 1510 Water supply process 1511 Common information 1520, 1522, 1524 Dehydration process 1521, 1523, 1525, 1541 Decision information 1530 Rinse Process 1540 Drying process F100 Preparation phase F200 Pre-execution phase F300 App execution phase

Claims

A washing machine that can communicate with external devices
A communication unit that receives washing information from the external device,
Based on the laundry information, the washing function unit that performs the operation related to washing the laundry,
A control device for controlling the washing function unit is provided.
The washing information includes a plurality of control information, each of which is control information relating to a parameter that controls the operation of the washing function unit, and order information relating to the order in which the plurality of control information is executed.
The control device is a washing machine that corrects the washing information based on a rule regarding the order of washing and executes the corrected washing information so that the washing function unit executes an operation based on the washing information.
The control device is said to execute the first control information included in the washing information and the second control information set in the order of execution after the first control information in the order information. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein if the rules do not allow it, a third control information is added to the washing information as control information in the order of execution after the first control information.
The control device is said to execute the first control information included in the washing information and the second control information set in the order of execution after the first control information in the order information. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein if the rule does not allow it, the information regarding the parameter included in the first control information or the information regarding the parameter included in the second control information is modified.
The control device is said to execute the first control information included in the washing information and the second control information set in the order of execution after the first control information in the order information. The washing machine according to claim 1, which restricts the execution of the second control information if the rules do not allow it.
The rule allows the first control information to include parameters relating to the water supply of the washing machine to the tub and the second control information to include parameters controlling operations performed in a water-reactive environment. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the operation performed in the water-reactive environment includes an operation that is not allowed to be performed when water is stored in the tub.
The rule allows the first control information to include parameters relating to heating in the washing machine tub and the second control information to include parameters controlling operations performed in a heat-free environment. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the operation performed in the heat-free environment includes an operation that is not allowed to be performed when the temperature in the tub is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
In the rule, the first control information includes a parameter relating to the rotation of the washing machine tub in which water is stored, and the second control information is a parameter controlling the operation executed in the forbidden environment. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which is not allowed to include.
In the rule, the first control information may include parameters relating to the blowing of the washing machine into the tub, and the second control information may include parameters controlling the operation performed in the forbidden environment. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which is not allowed.
The washing machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the operation performed in the forbidden environment includes an operation in which the water surface in the tub is not allowed to move.
In the rule, the first control information includes a parameter for rotating the washing machine tub in the first rotation, and the second control information is in the second rotation different from the first rotation. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which is not allowed to include a parameter for rotating the tub.
The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the first rotation speed in the first rotation is different from the second rotation speed in the second rotation.
The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the first rotation direction is different from the second rotation direction.
In the control device, the first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter relating to water supply to the tub of the washing machine, and the order is executed in the order information after the first control information. When the set second control information includes a parameter for controlling the operation executed in the water-free environment, the washing information includes the first control information and the second control information based on the rule. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a third control information including a parameter related to drainage from the tub is added as control information in the order of execution between the washing machine and the washing machine.
In the control device, the first control information included in the washing information includes a parameter relating to water supply to the tub of the washing machine, and the order is executed in the order information after the first control information. When the set second control information includes a parameter for controlling the operation executed in the water-free environment, the tank immediately before the parameter for controlling the operation executed in the water-free environment based on the rule. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second control information is modified so as to add a parameter relating to drainage from the washing machine.
In the control device, the first control information included in the washing information includes parameters related to heating in the tub of the washing machine, and the order is executed in the order information after the first control information. When the set second control information includes a parameter for controlling the operation executed in the heat-inhibited environment, the washing information includes the first control information and the second control information based on the rule. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a third control information including a parameter relating to heat dissipation of the tub is added as control information in the order of execution between the washing machine and the washing machine.
In the control device, the first control information included in the washing information includes parameters related to heating in the tub of the washing machine, and the order is executed in the order information after the first control information. When the set second control information includes a parameter for controlling the operation executed in the heat-free environment, the tank immediately before the parameter for controlling the operation executed in the heat-free environment based on the rule. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second control information is modified so as to add a parameter relating to heat dissipation.
Based on the rule, the control device has a first control information included in the washing information and a second control set in the order of execution after the first control information in the order information. When the information is duplicated, (i) the first control information or the second control information is deleted, or (ii) the information about the parameter included in the first control information or the second control. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the parameter included in the information is deleted.
The control device is
(I) The plurality of control information included in the washing information is classified into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and (ii) the first washing step among the one or more washing steps is described. By adding common information about control common to one or more first control information included in the first washing step, the washing information is corrected.
By executing the corrected washing information, the washing function unit is made to execute the operation based on the washing information.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first control information of one or more is continuous in the above order.
Moreover,
A detection unit for detecting the operating state of the washing function unit is provided.
The common information includes detection information for the control device to acquire the operating state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being executed.
The control device is
By executing the detection information, the operating state during the execution of the first washing step is acquired from the detection unit.
When the first washing step is completed while the acquired operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, the washing function unit is made to execute the second washing step after the first washing step.
The 20th aspect of claim 20, wherein when the acquired operating state does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the washing function unit is made to perform a third washing step different from the second washing step by stopping the first washing step. Washing machine.
The washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the second washing step includes the second control information next to the first control information of the one or more in the above order among the plurality of control information.
The detection information is information for the control device to sequentially acquire the operation state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being executed.
The washing machine according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the control device sequentially acquires the operating state from the detection unit while the first washing step is being executed by executing the detection information. ..
The first washing step is a water supply step or a drainage step.
The detection information is information for detecting speed information regarding the rate of change of the water level in the water tank included in the washing machine in the water supply process or the drainage process.
The predetermined condition is that the speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information.
The control device is
The speed information is acquired from the detection unit as the operation state, and the speed information is acquired from the detection unit.
When the water supply step or the drainage step is completed while the acquired speed information is included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the washing function unit performs the second washing step after the water supply step or the drainage step. To execute,
When the acquired speed information is not included in the range of the predetermined speed information, the water supply step or the drainage step is stopped and the washing function unit is made to execute the third washing step different from the second washing step. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23.
The first washing step is a water supply step or a stirring step.
The detection information is information for detecting the generation state of bubbles in the water tank included in the washing machine in the water supply step or the stirring step.
The predetermined condition is that the generation of the bubbles has not been detected.
The control device is
The generation state of the bubble is acquired from the detection unit as the operation state, and is obtained.
When the water supply step or the stirring step is completed while the acquired foam generation status indicates that the foam generation is not detected, the second washing step is performed after the water supply step or the stirring step. Let the washing function department do it,
When the acquired foam generation status indicates that the foam generation has been detected, the water supply step or the stirring step is stopped and the third washing step different from the second washing step is executed in the washing function unit. The washing machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23.
The first washing step is a drying step.
The detection information is information for detecting the current value of the fan motor of the blower fan that blows air into the water tank of the washing machine in the drying step.
The predetermined condition is that the current value is equal to or less than the first threshold value.
The control device is
The current value is acquired from the detection unit as the operating state, and the current value is acquired from the detection unit.
When the drying step is completed while the acquired current value is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the washing function unit is made to execute the second washing step after the drying step.
Any of claims 21 to 23, wherein when the acquired current value exceeds the first threshold value, the drying step is stopped and the washing function unit is made to execute the third washing step different from the second washing step. Or the washing machine described in item 1.
The first washing step is a dehydration step.
The detection information is information for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank included in the washing machine in the dehydration step.
The predetermined condition is that the magnitude of the vibration is equal to or less than the second threshold value.
The control device is
The magnitude of the vibration is acquired from the detection unit as the operating state, and the magnitude of the vibration is acquired from the detection unit.
When the dehydration step is completed while the acquired magnitude of the vibration is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the washing function unit is made to execute the second washing step after the dehydration step.
When the acquired magnitude of the vibration exceeds the second threshold value, the dehydration step is stopped and the washing function unit is made to execute the third washing step different from the second washing step. The washing machine according to any one of the above items.
Moreover,
A timekeeping unit that measures the elapsed time from the start of the first washing process,
With a display
The common information is timekeeping information for causing the timekeeping unit to measure the elapsed time from the start of the first washing process and for causing the display unit to present time information regarding the elapsed time measured by the timekeeping unit. Including
The washing machine according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the control device displays the time information regarding the elapsed time obtained from the timekeeping unit on the display unit by executing the timekeeping information.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the control device modifies the washing process for each of the one or more washing processes based on the modification rule for the washing process.
Moreover,
A detection unit for detecting the operating state of the washing function unit is provided.
The control device is
The plurality of control information included in the washing information is classified into one or more washing processes based on the classification rule.
Depending on whether or not the operating state satisfies a predetermined condition while the first washing step of the one or more washing steps is being executed, the washing function unit is executed next to the first washing step. By adding the decision information for determining the washing process to be performed to the first washing step, the washing information is corrected.
By executing the corrected washing information, the washing function unit is made to execute the operation based on the washing information.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first control information of one or more is continuous in the above order.
A control method performed in a washing machine capable of communicating with an external device.
A plurality of control information, each of which is control information relating to a parameter for controlling operation related to washing, and washing information including order information relating to the order in which the plurality of control information is executed are received from the external device.
A control method in which the washing information is modified based on a rule regarding the order of washing, and the corrected washing information is executed to execute an operation related to washing based on the washing information.
In the execution of the above operation,
(I) The plurality of control information included in the washing information is classified into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and (ii) the first washing step among the one or more washing steps is described. By adding common information about control common to one or more first control information included in the first washing step, the washing information is corrected.
By executing the corrected washing information, the operation based on the washing information is executed, and the operation is executed.
The control method according to claim 31, wherein the one or more first control information is continuous in the above order.
A control system including an external device and a washing machine capable of communicating with the external device.
The washing machine
A communication unit that receives washing information from the external device,
Based on the laundry information, the washing function unit that performs the operation related to washing the laundry,
A control device for controlling the washing function unit is provided.
The washing information includes a plurality of control information, each of which is control information relating to a parameter that controls the operation of the washing function unit, and order information relating to the order in which the plurality of control information is executed.
The control device is a control system that modifies the washing information based on a rule regarding the order of washing and executes the corrected washing information so that the washing function unit executes an operation based on the washing information.
The control device is
(I) The plurality of control information included in the washing information is classified into one or more washing steps based on the classification rule, and (ii) the first washing step among the one or more washing steps is described. By adding common information about control common to one or more first control information included in the first washing step, the washing information is corrected.
By executing the corrected washing information, the washing function unit is made to execute the operation based on the washing information.
The control system according to claim 33, wherein the one or more first control information is continuous in the above order.