JP6983131B2 - Washing machine and washing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique of a washing machine and a washing system that can be operated by an external device.

A method of making a reservation operation for a washing machine from a smart phone or the like has been proposed.
For example, in Patent Document 1, "The remote control permission unit 24 receives the remote control information transmitted from the control terminal 1, and the operation content shown in the remote control information is already displayed by the operation unit 26 during a predetermined period. If it is the same as the operation performed, the remote control is refused. ”The washing machine, the washing system, the control method of the washing machine and the control program of the washing machine are disclosed (see summary).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-226237

In the method described in Patent Document 1, when the operation of the washing machine main body and the operation by the smart phone are performed at the same time, the washing machine main body operates according to the operation of the smart phone. If this operation is different from the operation performed on the washing machine body, the person operating the washing machine body may be surprised at the movement or suspect that the product is out of order. Immediately after the operation of the washing machine body, that is, when the person who operated the washing machine body is still near the washing machine, the same problem arises even if the operation is performed by the smart phone.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent misunderstanding of the operator of the washing machine when operating the washing machine by an external device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one means of the present invention is operating the washing machine main body through at least the operation panel, a transmission / reception unit that receives an operation signal related to its own operation from an external device, and the operation panel. in the case where the possess rejecting operation control unit the operation based on the operation signal from the external device, and has received an operation signal for operating the own via the transceiver from the external device, the operation It is determined whether or not the panel is being operated, and if the operation panel is being operated, whether or not the operation via the external device is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the operation panel. If the operation via the external device has been completed first, the information indicating that the operation has been performed via the external device is displayed on the operation panel, while the external device is displayed. If the operation via the operation panel is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the external device, the washing machine sends information to the external device to the effect that the operation based on the operation signal from the external device is rejected. It is characterized in that the information to the effect that the operation by the external device itself is refused is displayed on the display unit of the external device by the washing machine.

Further, other means of the present invention include a washing machine and an external device capable of operating the washing machine from the outside , and the washing machine has an operation panel and an operation related to its own operation from the external device. a transceiver for receiving signals, at least during the above through the operation panel washing machine main body operation, possess rejecting operation control unit an operation signal to based on the operation from the external device, the said washing machine, When the operation signal for operating the self is received from the external device via the transmission / reception unit, it is determined whether or not the operation panel is in operation, and if the operation panel is in operation, the operation panel is in operation. It is determined whether or not the operation via the external device is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the operation panel, and if the operation via the external device is completed first, the external device is completed. Information indicating that the operation has been performed via the device is displayed on the operation panel, an operation acceptance completion signal indicating that the operation signal reception from the external device has been completed is transmitted to the external device, and the external device is used. If the reception completion signal, which is information indicating that the operation from the external device has been accepted, has not been received from the washing machine for a predetermined time, the information indicating that the operation by the external device itself has been refused is displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by displaying.
Other solutions will be described as appropriate in the embodiments.

According to the present invention, when the washing machine is operated by an external device, it is possible to prevent the operator of the washing machine from misunderstanding.

It is a block diagram which shows the home electric appliance system using the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which looked at the washing machine which concerns on the said embodiment diagonally from the front upper side. It is a top view which shows the operation panel in the fully lit state of the washing machine which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detail of the control part of the drum type washing machine which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the smart phone in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the drum type washing machine side performed in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the smart phone side performed in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the drum type washing machine side performed in 1st Embodiment performed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the smart phone 300 side performed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the smart phone 300 side performed in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st screen example. It is a figure which shows the 2nd screen example. It is a figure which shows the 3rd screen example. It is a figure which shows the 4th screen example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following, a washing machine (so-called drum-type washing / drying machine) capable of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying laundry put into a horizontally or diagonally arranged drum will be given as an example. A washing machine (vertical washing / drying machine) that can wash, rinse, dehydrate, and dry the laundry put into the vertically arranged washing tub, and a vertical fully automatic washing machine. It can be applied to various washing machines such as washing machines.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a home appliance system S using a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the home appliance system (washing system) S actively acquires information on the Internet 200 in cooperation with a server (commercial server) 201 and a server 201 that provide services, and a user's smart phone. It has a Push notification server 202 that notifies 300. The server 201 and the Push notification server 202 connect to the smart phone 300 (mobile information terminal) outside the home via a communication carrier network (fixed network) 203 such as an LTE / 3G network.

The home appliance system S has a home appliance H connected to the home network via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router 204, which is an HGW (Home Gate Way) that bridges the home network. Home appliances H include white goods such as washing and drying machines and robot vacuum cleaners, indoor equipment such as lighting and security equipment, and so-called information equipment such as PCs, AV equipment, tablets, and telephones. In the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine 100 (washing machine) is taken as an example of the home electric appliance H. The network connecting the home appliance H and the wireless LAN router 204 may be a specified short-range wireless such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark) in addition to a wired LAN.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum-type washing machine 100 is connected to the server 201 on the Internet 200 via the wireless LAN router 204, and the service of the server 201 (for example, a download service) is provided. The drum-type washing machine 100 can be connected to the smart phone 300 in the house via the wireless LAN router 204. The data of the smart phone 300 (for example, download data) can be transferred to the main body of the drum type washing machine 100.

The drum-type washing machine 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an operation unit 130, a display unit 140, and a communication unit 150. The control unit 110, the storage unit 120, the operation unit 130, and the display unit 140 are mainly mounted on the control board of the washing machine 100. The communication unit 150 has a wireless communication function, and is connected to a control board by using, for example, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

The control unit 110 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, controls the entire drum-type washing machine 100, executes a control program, and functions as an in-home system of the home appliance system S.
The storage unit 120 includes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and stores various data and programs used by the control unit 110. ..
The non-volatile area (for example, EEPROM) of the storage unit 120 stores a plurality of operation courses downloaded from, for example, the server 201.

The operation unit 130 is an input device for inputting a user voice instruction of the drum type washing machine 100 such as a pressing operation of each operation button of the operation display unit 10a (described later) and a microphone.
The display unit 140 displays the operating status of the drum-type washing machine 100 by the light emitting state of various LEDs of the operation display unit 10a, the 7-segment display, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum-type washing machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from diagonally forward and upward. In the following, the right side of the drum type washing machine 100 will be referred to as the right side, and the left side of the drum type washing machine 100 will be referred to as the left side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drum-type washing machine 100 includes a housing 1, an outer tub 2 elastically supported in the housing 1, and a rotary drum (inner tub) rotatably supported in the outer tub 2. 3 and.
The housing 2 is formed by combining a steel plate and a resin molded product and mounting them on the base B. The housing 1 is composed of left and right side plates 1a, a front cover 1b, a back cover 1c, an upper surface cover 1d, and a lower front cover 1e. The left and right side plates 1a are joined by a U-shaped upper reinforcing material, a front reinforcing material, and a rear reinforcing material (not shown). As a result, the box-shaped housing 1 including the base B is configured, and has sufficient strength as a housing.

At substantially the center of the front cover 1b of the housing 1, a door 4 for opening and closing an inlet for clothes and the like (laundry) is supported by a hinge 4h provided on the front reinforcing material so as to be openable and closable. The front cover 1b near the right hand of the door 4 is provided with a door handle 4t that releases the lock mechanism (not shown) of the door 4 by gripping the front cover 1b.

By grasping the door handle 4t, the lock mechanism is released and the door 4 can be opened, while by pressing the door 4 against the front cover 1b, the door 4 is closed and locked. The front reinforcing material has a circular opening for putting in and taking out laundry, which is substantially concentric with the opening of the outer tub 2.

An operation panel 10 having an operation unit, a display unit, etc. is provided in the upper right part of the upper surface cover 1d of the housing 1, and an upper opening type detergent charging unit for charging detergent, softener, etc. is provided in the upper left part of the front. 5 is provided. Details of the operation panel 10 will be described later.

A drying filter 6 is provided on the rear side of the operation panel 10. The drying filter 6 includes a mesh type filter, and removes lint, dust, and the like during the drying operation. The top cover 1d is provided with a water absorption hose connection port 7 to which a hose for pumping the remaining hot water of the bath is connected and a water supply hose connection port 8 to be connected to a water tap. A lid 1f for taking in and out a filter member of a lint filter (not shown) is attached to the flat portion 13a of the lower front cover 1e.

[Operation panel 10]
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation panel 10 in the fully lit state.
The operation panel 10 has a function of being operated by the user and displaying an operating state when the drum type washing machine 100 is used.
The operation panel 10 is composed of a cover member 50, a printing sheet 60, a light emitting diode LED (Light Emitting Diode), a 7-segment display, and the like. The operation panel 10 is a light emitting element such as an LED or a 7-segment display, and displays characters and numbers by emitting light.

The cover member 50 is made of a synthetic resin material and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to be flush with the surfaces of the upper surface cover 1d of the housing 1 and the detergent charging portion 5.
The cover member 50 is configured by integrally molding a printing sheet 60 having a printing portion and a light transmitting printing portion formed on the surface of the cover member 50 made of a transparent resin.

The printing sheet 60 is integrally molded on the surface of the cover member 50. The printing sheet 60 is formed by subjecting a sheet material made of synthetic resin and having light transparency to a printing process. The print sheet 60 has a solid surface 61 printed in black, and characters are removed and colored with gray smoke. When the LED is off, it looks black and is inconspicuous, and when the LED shines, the characters can be seen. It has become. Except for the character portion shining by the LED, it is similarly colored so that the member located on the back side cannot be seen.

<Operation display unit 10a>
The operation panel 10 includes an operation display unit 10a.
The operation display unit 10a includes a power button 10v, a basic setting unit 11, a download course unit 12, a detailed setting / status display unit 13, and a remote unit 14.
The basic setting unit 11 is formed in a cohesive island-like shape without unevenness (protrusion) in a plan view, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.
The download course unit 12 is arranged so as to be aligned with the operation buttons (11a to 11f) of the basic setting unit 11 because it is positioned as an extended function of the basic setting unit 11.
Like the basic setting unit 11 and the download course unit 12, the detailed setting / status display unit 13 is formed in a cohesive island-like shape without unevenness (protrusion), for example, a substantially rectangular shape.
The basic setting unit 11, the download course unit 12, and the detailed setting / status display unit 13 are formed in a cohesive shape that is not intricate with each other.
The basic setting unit 11, the download course unit 12, and the detailed setting / status display unit 13 are formed in a cohesive shape as a whole, although the download course 12 is contained in the basic setting unit 11. ing.

The operation buttons (11a to 11f) of the basic setting unit 11 and the base unit of the download course unit 12 are colored in orange or silver to make them stand out, and the detailed setting / status display unit 13 is blackened to make them inconspicuous.

In the front part of the drum type washing machine 100, the power button 10v and the basic setting unit 11 are arranged in the front-rear direction. Further, in the front part of the operation panel 10, buttons are arranged in the order of the basic setting unit 11, the detailed setting / status display unit 13, and the remote unit 14 from the right to the left of the drum type washing machine 100. The download course unit 12 is arranged between the buttons of the basic setting unit 11. That is, the power button 10v is the most easily operated part, and the basic setting unit 11, the download course unit 12, the detailed setting / status display unit 13, and the remote unit 14 are basically functions that are frequently used. It is arranged from right to left in the order of. As a result, the user can quickly operate the buttons by pressing the operation buttons from right to left using his right hand.

<Power button 10v, door lock button 11b, reservation button 11c>
The power button 10v is arranged at the upper right of the operation display unit 10a.
Below the power button 10v, a door lock button 11b included in the basic setting unit 11 and an LED 11bl indicating the pressed state thereof are arranged.
The door lock button 11b is a button that locks the door 4 when the operation is stopped. The door 4 is locked or unlocked by continuously pressing the door lock button 11b for a predetermined time when the operation is stopped. The lock / unlock of the door 4 can be confirmed by turning on / off the LED 11bl.
In the door lock button 11b of the additional function button, a color that is the least noticeable, a color with low saturation, and a color with low lightness is used as the background color.
A reservation button 11c, which is an additional function button of the basic setting unit 11, is arranged on the left side of the power button 10v and on the right side of the reservation time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15.

<Basic setting unit 11>
The operation buttons (11a to 11f) of the basic setting unit 11 are 1 function and 1 operation button.
The basic setting unit 11 is provided with a start / pause button 11a and an LED 11al indicating the pressed state thereof at the right end. Since the door lock button 11b and the reservation button 11c are described above in the basic setting unit 11, the description thereof will be omitted here.
The start / pause button 11a is a button that is pressed at the start of operation or when pausing during operation. Since the start / pause button 11a is frequently used, it is arranged at the right end of the basic setting unit 11, and its base unit has the most prominent color or saturation among the operation buttons on the operation panel 10. Higher colors, such as reddish colors and bluish colors, are used.

In the basic setting unit 11, the buttons of the operation course of the basic setting, that is, the washing button 11d, the washing → drying button 11e, and the drying button 11f are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The washing button 11d, the washing → drying button 11e, and the drying button 11f are buttons that are pressed when the washing step, the drying step after the washing step, and the drying step are performed, respectively. Further, above the wash button 11d, the wash → dry button 11e, and the dry button 11f, the wash button 11d, the wash → dry button 11e, and the LEDs 11dl, LED11el, and LED11fl indicating the pressed state of the dry button 11f are arranged, respectively. It is set up.

The operation display unit 10a is used more frequently in the order of "start / pause button"->"basicsetting"->"downloadcourse"->"detailedsetting". The wash button 11d, wash → dry button 11e, dry button 11f, and download course button 12a are the most prominent colors, lightnesses, and colors in the basic setting unit 11 and the download course unit 12, except for the start / pause button 11a. Higher degrees colors, such as silver, are used.
The start / pause button 11a is the button most frequently operated by the user in the basic setting unit 11, and is regarded as the most prominent color depending on the saturation and the lightness. In addition, the wash button 11d, wash → dry button 11e, dry button 11f, and download course button 12a of the basic driving course, which is the second most frequently operated by the user, are the second most prominent colors in terms of saturation and brightness. To.

In this way, the colors that are conspicuous in the order in which the operation buttons (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a) are used (11a, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, 11b, 11c) are changed to inconspicuous colors. Therefore, the strength of the color tone and the change in color are accompanied by the priority of the operation, and the operability can be improved.

On the upper side of the basic setting unit 11 and the download course unit 12, when any of the wash button 11d, the wash → dry button 11e, and the dry button 11f is pressed, the option of the detailed course of the pressed basic driving course is selected. The basic setting display area 11g in which is displayed is arranged.

The basic setting display area 11g is arranged above the washing button 11d, the washing → drying button 11e, the drying button 11f, and the download course button 12a (driving course selection unit), and each operation button (11d, excluding the download course button 12a) is arranged. Courses that can be set when operating 11e and 11f) are arranged together. In addition, "handmade" is a mode in which washing, rinsing, and dehydration can be set to the user's favorite contents.

The basic setting display area 11g is displayed by turning on a light emitting element, for example, an LED. In the basic setting display area 11g, all the options of the detailed course are lit and displayed, and only the selected detailed course is lit and displayed. After the start of operation, only the selected detailed course is displayed.

<Download course section 12>
As shown in FIG. 3, the download course unit 12 includes a download course button 12a which is a download course selection switch, and an LED 12a1 indicating that the download course button 12a is pressed (download course selection state) above the download course button 12a.
The download course button 12a causes the user to select one of the plurality of driving courses stored in the non-volatile area of the storage unit 120.
In the present embodiment, the download course unit 12 is arranged so as to be aligned with the operation buttons (11d, 11e, 11f) of the basic setting unit 11 from the position as an extended function of the basic setting unit 11. It may be arranged independently of 11.

The download course includes, for example, "gel ball course", "mud dirt course", "curtain course", "pet clothing course", "firm wrinkle removal course", and "clothing change course".

<Detailed setting / status display unit 13>
The operation buttons (13a to 13h) of the detailed setting / status display unit 13 are one function and one operation button, similarly to the operation buttons (11a to 11f) of the basic setting unit 11.
The base of the detailed setting / status display unit 13 is inconspicuous when not in use, and is the most inconspicuous color or one of the operation panels 10 so that the visibility of the light emitting element, for example, the LED display when used is improved. A color with low saturation, such as dark black, is used.
The detailed setting / status display unit 13 uses a color that is darker than the door lock button 11b of the additional function button, and is inconspicuous or has low saturation.

As a result, in the operation display unit 10a (having the basic setting unit 11 and the detailed setting / status display unit 13) of the operation panel 10, the basic setting unit 11 having a large number of operations by the user has a small number of operations by the user. A color that stands out or has a higher saturation than the detailed setting / status display unit 13. Therefore, in the basic setting unit 11 and the detailed setting / status display unit 13, the colors are changed from conspicuous colors to inconspicuous colors in the order of use by the user, so that the color change corresponds to the operation priority, and the color change corresponds to the color change. The operation can be smoothed and the operability can be improved.

The detailed setting / status display unit 13 is arranged on the left side of the operation buttons (11a to 11f) of the basic setting unit 11, and is arranged in the horizontal direction in the same row as the operation buttons (11a to 11f).
The detailed setting / status display unit 13 is, in order from left to right, AI cleaning button 13f, drying / drying condition button 13g, hot water removal button 13h, hot water mist button 13a, washing button 13b, rinsing button 13c, dehydration button 13d, drying. Buttons 13e are arranged laterally.
Of the operation buttons (13a to 13h) of the detailed setting / status display unit 13, the operation buttons (13a to 13e) are close to the basic operation of the operation buttons of the basic setting unit 11 among the detailed setting / status display units 13. Has a function. Therefore, the operation buttons (13a to 13e) are arranged close to the operation buttons of the basic setting unit 11.

The hot water mist button 13a, the washing button 13b, the dehydration button 13d, and the drying button 13e are buttons for repeatedly setting the required time. The time required for each of the hot water mist button 13a, the washing button 13b, the dehydration button 13d, and the drying button 13e is displayed on the first setting display unit 13i1 above each button on the 7-segment display. Further, above the first setting display unit 13i1, a second setting display unit 13i2 that displays the meaning of the time or the number of times of the 7-segment display of the first setting display unit 13i1 is arranged. On the second setting display unit 13i2, "warming automatic", "Niagara water injection (registered trademark)", "warm air loosening", and "automatic" are displayed as options for the hot water mist button 13a, the dehydration button 13d, and the drying button 13e. To.
The rinse button 13c is repeatedly pressed to set how many times the water injection rinse is performed, and the selected mode is lit and displayed.

The AI cleaning button 13f is a button that is pressed when cleaning the rotating drum 3 or the like. By repeatedly pressing the AI cleaning button 13f, the AI mode and the automatic cleaning mode are selected. The AI mode and the automatic cleaning mode are a combination of the character part and the LED 13fl, and are displayed by turning on the LED 13fl. In the selected mode, LED13fl is lit and displayed.

The dry / dry condition button 13g is a button for changing the dehydration rotation speed during washing, and is repeated in the order of "normal" (off) → "firm" (lights) → "weak" (lights). The display of "firm" or "weak" is displayed by turning on the LED 13gl in combination with the character portion of the LED 13gl. The selected one of "firm" or "weak" is lit up.

The hot water removal button 13h is a button for supplying the remaining hot water of the bath with a pump. The hot water removal button 13h presses whether to use the remaining hot water of the bath for either one rinse of "rinse 1" or two rinses of "rinse 2" during the washing operation of "washing". Set repeatedly. The display of "wash", "rinse 1", or "rinse 2" is displayed by lighting the LED 13 hl in combination with the character portion of the LED 13 hl. The selected one of "wash", "rinse 1", and "rinse 2" is lit and displayed.

A detailed status display unit 13j for displaying a detailed operating status is provided on the upper stage of the operation display unit 10a.
On the detailed status display unit 13j, "confirmation of opening the faucet", "during defoaming operation", and the like are displayed, and items that need to be alarmed or required are displayed. Each display of the detailed status display unit 13j is displayed by turning on the LED.

<Remote unit 14>
The remote unit 14 includes a remote button 14a, an LED 14a1 indicating that the remote button 14a is pressed, and an LED 14b indicating a communication state above the remote button 14a. During communication, the LED 14b is lit and displayed.
The remote unit 14 can be connected to the smart phone 300 via the wireless LAN router 204 by pressing the remote button 14a, and the data of the smart phone 300 (for example, download course data) can be transferred to the main body.

By pressing the remote button 14a, the unloaded courses dL1, dL2, dL3 of the smart phone 300 can be transferred to the main body of the drum type washing machine 100.

<Reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15>
The reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 (remaining time display unit) displays "during the download course" in addition to the "normal time" display.
(Normal time)
Above the basic setting display area 11g, a reservation time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 for displaying the reserved time, the amount of detergent, and the remaining time is arranged. The reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 is displayed on a 7-segment display.
The reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 indicates the reserved time, the amount of detergent, and the remaining time, respectively. , Displayed by turning on the LED15l1. Of "reservation", "detergent", and "about more", only those displayed by the reservation time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 are displayed.
The reserved time, the amount of detergent, and the remaining time are expressed in units of "after hours", "cups", and "minutes", respectively. The character portions of "after hours", "cup", and "minute" are configured to emit light in combination with the LED 15l2 of the light emitting element.

The reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 has three numbers display units 151, 152, 153 and symbols that can display Arabic numerals (arithmetic numerals) from "0" to "9" in 7 segments. The display units 154, 155, and 156 are integrated with each other.
The number display units 151, 152, and 153 are arranged side by side to display three digits, as indicated by the white numbers eight.
The symbol display unit 154 is provided between the number display unit 151 on the left side and the number display unit 152 in the center, and is lit with a colon ":" when displaying the remaining operating time (for example, "2:30"). It is composed of the symbols of.
The symbol display unit 155 is provided between the number display unit 152 in the center and the number display unit 153 on the right side, and is composed of a "." Symbol that lights up when displaying a period (dot).
The symbol display unit 156 is provided on the right side of the number display unit 153, and is composed of a "." Symbol that lights up when displaying a period (dot).

[Functional block diagram of drum-type washing machine 100]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing details of the control unit 110 of the drum-type washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
The control unit 110 includes a signal processing unit 111 and an operation control unit 112.
The signal processing unit 111 determines whether or not the signal has been received by the communication unit 150, and transmits the signal to the smart phone 300 via the communication unit 150.
The operation control unit 112 controls the operation of each unit of the drum type washing machine 100.
The control unit 110, and the signal processing unit 111 and the operation control unit 112 constituting the control unit 110 are executed when the washing machine control application is activated in the smart phone 300.

[Functional block diagram of Smartphone 300]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the smart phone 300 according to the present embodiment.
The smart phone 300 has a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, an input / output unit (display unit) 330, and a communication unit 340.
The input / output unit 330 is a touch panel or the like.
The communication unit 340 transmits / receives a signal to / from the smart phone 300.
The control unit 310 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like to control the smart phone 300.
The control unit 310 includes a signal processing unit 311, an operation control unit 312, and a display processing unit 313.

The signal processing unit 311 determines whether or not the signal has been received by the communication unit 340, and transmits the signal to the drum type washing machine 100 via the communication unit 340.
The motion control unit 312 performs processing related to motion control of each unit of the smart phone 300.
The display processing unit 313 displays on the input / output unit 330.

The storage unit 320 is composed of non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and stores various data and programs used by the control unit 110. ..
The non-volatile area (for example, EEPROM) of the storage unit 320 stores information transmitted from the drum-type washing machine 100 and the like.

<First Embodiment>
[flowchart]
(Drum type washing machine 100)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in the first embodiment.
First, it is determined whether or not the signal processing unit 111 has received the operation signal from the smart phone 300 while the power button 10v is ON (S101).
As a result of step S101, when the operation signal is not received (S101 → No), the control unit 110 returns the process to step S101.
As a result of step S101, when the operation signal is received (S101 → Yes), the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not it is operating (S102). The term “during operation” means, for example, from when the power is turned on until the start / pause button 11a of the operation panel 10 is pressed. The same applies to the following embodiments.

As a result of step S102, if the operation is in progress (S102 → Yes), the control unit 110 proceeds to step S106.
As a result of step S102, when the operation is not in progress (S102 → No), the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed from the completion of the operation (S103). The fixed time is, for example, 5 seconds, but is not limited to 5 seconds, and may be any time as long as the user who has completed the operation of the operation panel 10 will leave the front of the drum type washing machine 100.
As a result of step S103, if a certain time has not elapsed (S103 → No), the control unit 110 proceeds to step S106.

As a result of step S103, when a certain time has elapsed (S103 → Yes), the operation control unit 112 operates the drum type washing machine 100 according to the operation signal from the smart phone 300 (S104).
After that, the signal processing unit 111 transmits an operation acceptance completion signal (acceptance completion signal) to the smart phone 300 (S105).

Further, in step S106, the signal processing unit 111 transmits a rejection signal to the smart phone 300. That is, the drum-type washing machine 100 does not accept (reject) the operation from the smart phone 300.

As described above, the term “during operation” means, for example, from when the power is turned on until the start / pause button 11a of the operation panel 10 is pressed. That is, the operation from the smart phone 300 can be accepted during the washing / drying operation. The same applies to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the control is not performed when the power button 10v of the drum type washing machine 100 is OFF. The same applies to the following embodiments.

(Smartphone 300)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the smart phone 300 side performed in the first embodiment.
First, the user operates the drum-type washing machine 100 using the smart phone 300 with the power button 10v turned on (S201).
Next, the signal processing unit 311 transmits an operation signal including the operation content to the drum type washing machine 100 (S202). This operation signal continues to be transmitted at regular intervals from the start of the washing machine control application to the end.
Then, the signal processing unit 311 determines whether or not the control signal has been received from the drum type washing machine 100 (S203). The control signal is the reception completion signal described above or the rejection signal described above.
If the control signal is not received as a result of step S203 (S203 → No), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S203.

As a result of step S203, when the control signal is received (S203 → Yes), the operation control unit 312 determines whether or not the received control signal is a rejection signal (S204).
If the result of step S204 is a rejection signal (S204 → Yes), the display processing unit 313 displays a rejection screen on the input / output unit 330 (S205). The refusal screen will be described later.
If the result of step S204 is not a rejection signal (S204 → No), that is, if it is a reception completion signal, the display processing unit 313 displays the reception completion screen on the input / output unit 330 (S206). The process of step S206 can be omitted.

By doing so, the drum-type washing machine 100 performs an operation different from the operation performed by the user who operates the drum-type washing machine 100, so that the user is surprised and makes some mistakes or a product failure. It is possible to prevent the service cost from increasing due to suspicion.

<Second Embodiment>
(Drum type washing machine 100)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in the first embodiment performed in the second embodiment.
In FIG. 8, the difference from FIG. 6 is that the process of step S106 is omitted. That is, when the determination of "Yes" is made in step S102, the drum type washing machine 100 does not accept (reject) the operation of the smart phone 300 and does not transmit the signal to the smart phone 300. Since other processes are the same as those in FIG. 6, the description thereof is omitted here.

(Smartphone 300)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the smart phone 300 side performed in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in FIG. 7, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In FIG. 9, when the processing of step S202 is completed, the signal processing unit 311 determines whether or not the reception completion signal has been received from the drum type washing machine 100 (S211).
When the reception completion signal is received as a result of step S211 (S211 → Yes), the display processing unit 313 displays the reception completion screen on the input / output unit 330 (S212). The process of step S212 can be omitted.

If the reception completion signal has not been received as a result of step S211 (S211 → No), the signal processing unit 311 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the processing in step S202 (S213).
As a result of step S213, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (S213 → No), the control unit 310 returns the process to step S211.
As a result of step S213, when the predetermined time has elapsed (S213 → Yes), the display processing unit 313 displays a rejection screen on the input / output unit 330 (S214). The refusal screen will be described later.

By performing the processing with the smart phone 300 in this way, the processing of the drum-type washing machine 100 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, so that the processing load of the drum-type washing machine 100 can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
(Drum type washing machine 100)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in the third embodiment.
First, when the power of the drum-type washing machine 100 is turned on (S121), the operation control unit 112 transmits its own operation signal to the smart phone 300 (S122). The operation signal includes information such as whether or not the panel is being operated and whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the panel operation.
Then, the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not the power is turned off (S123).
If the power is not turned off as a result of step S123 (S123 → No), the control unit 110 returns the process to step S122.
As a result of step S123, when the power is turned off (S123 → Yes), the control unit 110 ends the process.
As described above, in FIG. 10, the drum-type washing machine 100 transmits an operation signal at predetermined time intervals. By doing so, it is not necessary to inquire from the smart phone 300 whether or not the operation panel 10 of the drum-type washing machine 100 is being operated.

(Smartphone 300)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the smart phone 300 side performed in the third embodiment.
First, the signal processing unit 311 receives the operation signal (S221). The smart phone 300 continues to receive the operation signal while the washing machine control application is running.
Then, the signal processing unit 311 determines whether or not the operation signal includes information indicating that the panel is being operated or information indicating that a predetermined time has not elapsed after the panel operation (operation of the operation panel 10). Whether or not) is determined (S222).
As a result of step S222, when the operation signal includes information indicating that the panel is being operated (S222 → Yes), the display processing unit 313 displays a rejection screen on the input / output unit 330 (S223). The refusal screen will be described later.
As a result of step S222, when the operation signal does not include information indicating that the panel is being operated (S222 → No), the display processing unit 313 displays the normal operation screen on the input / output unit 330 (S224).

By doing so, it can be applied to the washing system S in which the operation signal is transmitted from the drum type washing machine 100 repeatedly at a predetermined timing when the power is turned on.

<Fourth Embodiment>
(Drum type washing machine 100)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the drum type washing machine 100 side performed in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as in FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, the process is performed when the operation panel 10 of the drum-type washing machine 100 is operated while the smart phone 300 is being operated.
First, it is determined whether or not the signal processing unit 111 has received the operation signal from the smart phone 300 (S101).
As a result of step S101, when the operation signal is not received (S101 → No), the control unit 110 returns the process to step S101.
As a result of step S101, when the operation signal is received (S101 → Yes), the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not its own operation panel 10 is operating (panel operation) (S102).

As a result of step S102, when the operation is in progress (S102 → Yes), the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not the operation of the smart phone 300 is completed before the operation panel 10 (S131).
As a result of step S131, when the operation of the smart phone 300 is completed before the operation of the operation panel 10 is completed (S131 → Yes), the operation control unit 112 is informed that the setting process is performed in the smart phone 300. Is notified to the user (S132). This notification is performed, for example, by displaying a predetermined time on the 7-segment display on the reserved time / remaining time / detergent amount display unit 15 or generating a predetermined sound.
After that, the operation control unit 112 operates the drum type washing machine 100 according to the operation signal from the smart phone 300 (S104).
After that, the signal processing unit 111 transmits an operation acceptance completion signal (acceptance completion signal) to the smart phone 300 (S105).

As a result of step S131, when the operation of the operation panel 10 is completed before the operation of the smart phone 300 (S131 → No), the signal processing unit 111 transmits a rejection signal to the smart phone 300 (S106).

Then, as a result of step S102, when the operation is not in progress (S102 → No), the operation control unit 112 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed from the completion of the operation (S103). The fixed time is, for example, 5 seconds.
As a result of step S103, the processing after the case where a certain time has not elapsed (S103 → No) is the same as in FIG. 6, so the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the processing of the smart phone 300 is the same as that in FIG. 7, so the description thereof is omitted here.

By doing so, when the smart phone 300 operates the drum-type washing machine 100 first, the operation of the smart phone 300 can be prioritized. At this time, the drum-type washing machine 100 can prevent the user from being surprised or suspecting a malfunction by notifying the user of the information that the setting process has been performed in the smart phone 300.

<Screen example of smart phone 300>
13 to 15 are views showing an example of a screen displayed on the input / output unit 330 of the smart phone 300.
(Example of the first screen)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the first screen.
The first screen example is a screen that is displayed until a rejection screen or a reception completion screen is displayed after step S202 of the first embodiment (FIG. 7) and the second embodiment (FIG. 9).
In the first screen example, the transmitting information is displayed so as to overlap with the operation screen. By selecting and inputting the transmission button 401 of FIG. 13, the operation signal shown in FIG. 7 and the like is transmitted.

(Example of the second screen)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the second screen.
The second screen example shows an example of the refusal screen in the first embodiment (FIG. 7) and the second embodiment (FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 14, on the refusal screen, a display such as "The operation cannot be performed because the main body is being operated" is displayed. By the way, the "main body" is the main body of the drum type washing machine 100.
In the first screen example of FIG. 13, the rejection signal is received (S204 → Yes in FIG. 7), or the reception completion signal is not received for a predetermined time because the operation signal is transmitted (step S213 → Yes in FIG. 9). Yes), the process proceeds to the second screen example (rejection screen) in FIG.

(Example of 3rd screen)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a third screen.
The third screen example shows an example of the refusal screen in the third embodiment (FIG. 11).
As shown in FIG. 15, on this refusal screen, the transmission button 401 is invalidated (represented by dots in FIG. 15), and the operation signal cannot be transmitted to the drum type washing machine 100.

By doing so, since the operation signal cannot be transmitted to the drum-type washing machine 100 in the first place, the user operating the drum-type washing machine 100 may be surprised or suspected of failure by the operation by the smart phone 300. Can be prevented.

(4th screen example)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the fourth screen.
The fourth screen example shows an example of the refusal screen in the first embodiment (FIG. 7) and the second embodiment (FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 16, on the refusal screen, a display such as "Because the main body is being operated, priority is given to the main body operation" is displayed. That is, when the operation panel 10 of the drum-type washing machine 100 is operated during the operation by the smart phone 300, the operation of the drum-type washing machine 100 has priority over the operation of the smart phone 300.
As described above, by prioritizing the operation of the drum-type washing machine 100 over the operation of the smart phone 300, it is possible to prevent the user from being surprised or suspecting a malfunction.

In this embodiment, downloading by the drum-type washing machine 100 may be prohibited while the operation of the smart phone 300 is refused.
Further, other than the case where the operation is performed by the operation panel 10, for example, it may be determined whether or not there is a person in front of the drum type washing machine 100 by a motion sensor or the like. In this case, the operation of the smart phone 300 may not be accepted for a predetermined time when there is a person and after the person disappears from the front of the drum type washing machine 100.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

Further, the above-mentioned configurations and functions, each unit 110-112, 310-313, storage unit 120, 320, etc. may be realized by hardware, for example, by designing a part or all of them by an integrated circuit. good. Further, each configuration, function, etc. described above may be realized by software by interpreting and executing a program in which a processor such as a CPU realizes each function. In addition to storing information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function in HD (Hard Disk), memory, recording devices such as SSD (Solid State Drive), or IC (Integrated Circuit) cards and , SD (Secure Digital) card, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and other recording media.
Further, in each embodiment, the control lines and information lines are shown as necessary for explanation, and not all the control lines and information lines are shown in the product. In practice, you can think of almost all configurations as interconnected.

10 Operation panel 100 Drum type washing machine (washing machine)
111 Signal processing unit 112 Operation control unit 150 Communication unit (transmission / reception unit)
300 Smartphone (external device)
311 Signal processing unit 312 Operation control unit 313 Display processing unit 330 Input / output unit (display unit)
340 communication unit

Claims (6)

Operation panel and
A transmitter / receiver that receives operation signals related to its own operation from an external device,
An operation control unit that rejects an operation based on an operation signal from the external device, at least during operation of the washing machine main body via the operation panel.
Have a,
When the operation signal for operating the self is received from the external device via the transmission / reception unit, it is determined whether or not the operation panel is in operation.
If the operation panel is being operated, it is determined whether or not the operation via the external device is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the operation panel.
If the operation via the external device has been completed first, the information indicating that the operation has been performed via the external device is displayed on the operation panel.
On the other hand, if the operation via the operation panel is completed before the operation via the external device is completed,
The washing machine transmits information to the effect that the operation based on the operation signal from the external device is rejected to the external device, and the washing machine transmits information to the effect that the operation by the external device itself is refused to the external device. Display on the display of the device
Washing machine and wherein a call. The operation control unit
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation based on the operation signal from the external device is rejected within a certain period of time after the operation of the washing machine main body is completed. The washing machine
Based on the operation signal from the external device for a certain period of time after the operation of the washing machine main body is completed.
Reject the operation
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing machine is characterized in that. It includes a washing machine and an external device that can operate the washing machine from the outside .
The washing machine
Operation panel and
A transmission / reception unit that receives operation signals related to its own operation from the external device, and
An operation control unit that rejects an operation based on an operation signal from the external device, at least during operation of the washing machine main body via the operation panel .
Have a,
The washing machine
When the operation signal for operating the self is received from the external device via the transmission / reception unit, it is determined whether or not the operation panel is in operation.
If the operation panel is being operated, it is determined whether or not the operation via the external device is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the operation panel.
If the operation via the external device has been completed first, the information indicating that the operation has been performed via the external device is displayed on the operation panel.
On the other hand, if the operation via the operation panel is completed before the operation via the external device is completed,
The washing machine
Information to the effect that the operation based on the operation signal from the external device is rejected is transmitted to the external device, and the operation is rejected.
The external device is
Information indicating that the operation by the external device itself has been refused by the washing machine is displayed on the display unit.
Washing system, wherein a call. It includes a washing machine and an external device that can operate the washing machine from the outside .
The washing machine
Operation panel and
A transmission / reception unit that receives operation signals related to its own operation from the external device, and
An operation control unit that rejects an operation based on an operation signal from the external device, at least during operation of the washing machine main body via the operation panel .
Have a,
The washing machine
When the operation signal for operating the self is received from the external device via the transmission / reception unit, it is determined whether or not the operation panel is in operation.
If the operation panel is being operated, it is determined whether or not the operation via the external device is completed prior to the completion of the operation via the operation panel.
If the operation via the external device has been completed first, the information indicating that the operation has been performed via the external device is displayed on the operation panel.
An operation acceptance completion signal indicating that the operation signal reception from the external device has been completed is transmitted to the external device.
The external device is
If the reception completion signal, which is information indicating that the operation from the external device has been accepted, has not been received from the washing machine for a predetermined time, the information indicating that the operation by the external device itself has been refused is displayed on the display unit.
Washing system, wherein a call. The washing machine
The washing system according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the operation based on the operation signal from the external device is rejected within a certain period of time after the operation of the washing machine main body is completed.

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