Communication-controlled washing system and method for operating the same

• US 20010025392A1
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Youn, Sang Chul, Han, Kyoung Hae
• Granted Patent: US 6,539,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/02 Characteristics of laundry or load
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/47 Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps safety arrangements D06F37/42
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24058 Remote testing, monitoring independent from normal control by pc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2633 Washing, laundry

Abstract

A communication-controlled washing system and a method for operating the same, wherein at least one washing machine is remotely controllable through a communication unit. A service provider controls the use, operation completion, operation progress and fault diagnosis of a plurality of washing machines individually over a communication network, resulting in a significant reduction in time and effort required for users or managers to limit the use of machines, upgrade programs or repair faults. Further, the optimum washing mode can be performed according to a use history and environmental conditions of each machine.

Claims

1. A communication-controlled washing system comprising:

a service provider for communicating with at least one washing machine, determining whether to permit the use of said washing machine and a function change thereof, receiving information regarding the operation of said machine and performing all control functions of said machine, including a use checking function, a diagnosis function and a function change function, on the basis of the received information;

communication means installed in said washing machine for processing a variety of control signals from said service provider, transferring the processed control signals to said machine, performing a protocol control function and transmitting load information signals from said machine to said service provider;

a washing machine controller connected to said communication means for operating said washing machine, controlling loads, performing said diagnosis function and transmitting and receiving information regarding a use history of said machine;

a display unit for displaying the current operating state of said washing machine under the control of said washing machine controller;

a key input unit for inputting key signals for selecting or changing washing functions according to user'"'"'s operations;

external memory means for performing read/write operations for data downloaded from said service provider according to a user'"'"'s selection for execution of control functions associated with the downloaded data; and

sense signal generation means installed in said washing machine for generating an identifier signal indicative of a using purpose of said machine and a fault sense signal indicative of the presence or not of a fault in said machine.

2. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said service provider is connected to said washing machine via said communication means to determine whether to permit the use/operation completion of said machine, and assign a unique identification character to said machine.

3. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said service provider is adapted to transmit and receive information regarding the use, operation and fault diagnosis of said washing machine through said communication means to remotely control the operation of said machine and provide a desired service to said machine.

4. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

or

claim 3

, wherein said service provider is adapted to receive said washing machine use history information transmitted from said washing machine controller, classify service contents according to used time zones and used functions on the basis of the received use history information and generate control information to said washing machine on the basis of the classified service contents.

5. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said service provider is adapted to control the use of said washing machine according to a variety of information transmitted from said machine, provide a variety of services to said machine so as to normally operate it, calculate a fee for using said machine and settle accounts for the calculated fee.

6. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said communication means includes:

a communication module for transmitting and receiving information between said service provider and said washing machine; and

a protocol processor for performing said protocol control function for the information transmission and reception through said communication module.

7. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said external memory means includes:

an external memory connected to said washing machine controller according to the user'"'"'s selection for performing said read/write operations for the data downloaded from said service provider; and

an external memory controller for addressing said external memory and controlling the processing of data in respective addresses of said external memory.

8. The communication-controlled washing system as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said sense signal generation means includes:

an identifier unit for generating said identifier signal indicative of the using purpose of said washing machine, thereby allowing said service provider to provide control information and services according to the using purpose of said machine; and

a washing machine fault sensor for sensing the presence or not of a fault in said machine and outputting the sensed result as said fault sense signal.

9. A method for operating a communication-controlled washing system, comprising the steps of:

a) gaining access to a service provider through communication means and entering a unique identification character assigned to a specific washing machine to use the washing machine, said service provider adapted for permitting or restricting the use of a plurality of washing machines including said specific washing machine and performing all control functions associated with a washing operation;

b) by said service provider, checking said unique identification character entered at said step a) and determining from the checked result whether to permit or restrict the use of said specific washing machine;

c) by said specific washing machine, setting parameters associated with respective washing functions if its use is permitted by said service provider at said step b), performing the washing operation according to the set parameters and requesting said service provider to permit completion of said washing operation if said washing operation is completed;

d) by said service provider, receiving washing information from said specific washing machine if a completion permission request is transmitted from said specific washing machine at said step c), determining from the received washing information whether said washing operation has been normally completed and transmitting completion permission information to said specific washing machine if said washing operation has been normally completed; and

e) by said specific washing machine, completing said washing operation if said completion permission information is transmitted from said service provider at said step d) and then waiting for the next washing operation.

10. The method as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein said step c) includes the steps of:

c-1) by said specific washing machine, re-entering said unique identification character if its use is restricted by said service provider at said step b) and again requesting said service provider to permit its use; and

c-2) by said service provider, transmitting use disable information to said specific washing machine upon restricting the use of said specific washing machine even if said specific washing machine re-enters said unique identification character a predetermined number of times.

11. The method as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein said step d) includes the step of by said service provider, checking said washing information, determining from the checked result whether said washing operation has been normally completed, transmitting said completion permission information to said specific washing machine if said washing operation has been normally completed and settling accounts for a fee for using said specific washing machine.

12. The method as set forth in

claim 9

, wherein said step e) includes the steps of:

e-1) by said specific washing machine, completing said washing operation if said completion permission information is transmitted from said service provider at said step d), entering a power saving mode and then waiting for the next washing operation; and

e-2) by said specific washing machine, keeping its door closed if completion restriction information is transmitted from said service provider at said step d) and inquiring of said service provider about whether to permit the completion of said washing operation.

13. A method for operating a communication-controlled washing system, comprising the steps of:

a) gaining access to a service provider through communication means and installing identifier means in a specific washing machine assigned a unique identification character, said service provider adapted for permitting or restricting the use of a plurality of washing machines including said specific washing machine and performing all control functions associated with a washing operation, said identifier means adapted for generating an identifier signal indicative of a using purpose of said specific washing machine;

b) by said service provider, checking the using purpose of said specific washing machine in response to said identifier signal from said identifier means to provide a specific service to said specific washing machine; and

c) by said service provider, determining service contents in accordance with the result checked at said step b) and exchanging information regarding the determined service contents with said specific washing machine through said communication means.

14. The method as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein said step c) includes the step of by said service provider, receiving information regarding the progress and state of said specific washing machine if said specific washing machine is for home use, exchanging various service information with said specific washing machine upon receiving a unique user identification character from said specific washing machine, determining whether to permit the use/operation completion of said specific washing machine upon receiving said unique user identification character under the condition that said specific washing machine is for commercial use and controlling the operation of said specific washing machine in accordance with the determined result.

15. A method for operating a communication-controlled washing system, comprising the steps of:

a) by a specific washing machine assigned a unique identification character, gaining access to a service provider through communication means, sensing the presence or not of a fault in a plurality of sensors and loads therein and generating a fault sense signal upon sensing the presence of the fault, said service provider adapted for permitting or restricting the use of a plurality of washing machines including said specific washing machine and performing all control functions associated with a washing operation;

b) by said service provider, discriminating the type of said fault in response to said fault sense signal generated at said step a) and determining from the discriminated result whether said specific washing machine can repair said fault by itself or a visit-repair service is required to repair said fault; and

c) by said service provider, transmitting self-repair information to said specific washing machine if it is determined at said step b) that said specific washing machine can repair said fault by itself, and operation disable information to said specific washing machine if it is determined at said step b) that said visit-repair service is required.

16. The method as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein said step c) includes the steps of:

c-1) by said service provider, displaying said self-repair information on a display unit of said specific washing machine to enable a washing machine user to personally repair said fault on the basis of the displayed self-repair information, if it is determined at said step b) that said specific washing machine can repair said fault by itself; and

c-2) by said service provider, determining whether the presence of a fault in said sensors and loads in said specific washing machine is sensed when said washing operation is resumed after the self-repair is completed at said step c-1).

17. The method as set forth in

claim 15

, wherein said step c) includes the step of by said service provider, transmitting a telephone number of a service center nearest to said specific washing machine and other necessary information to said specific washing machine if it is determined at said step b) that said visit-repair service is required.

18. A method for operating a communication-controlled washing system, comprising the steps of:

a) by a washing machine controller in a specific washing machine, exchanging washing control information with a service provider over a communication network and starting a washing operation of said specific washing machine in response to a key operation of a key input unit in said specific washing machine by an unspecified user, said service provider adapted for permitting or restricting the use of a plurality of washing machines including said specific washing machine and performing all control functions associated with the washing operation;

b) by said washing machine controller, sensing control input parameters necessary to said washing operation of said specific washing machine if said washing operation is started at said step a) and performing a washing control mode according to the sensed control input parameters;

c) by said washing machine controller, transmitting a record regarding said washing operation of said specific washing machine to said service provider if said washing control mode is completed at said step b) and by said service provider, receiving said washing operation record from said washing machine controller, accumulatively adding the received washing operation record to previous washing operation records and storing the added result; and

d) by said service provider, classifying service contents according to used time zones and the number of used times and providing the classified service contents to said specific washing machine.

19. A method for operating a communication-controlled washing system, comprising the steps of:

a) allowing at least one washing machine and a service provider to perform an initialization operation therebetween, said washing machine adapted for receiving remote control information from said service provider over a communication network, performing a washing operation according to the received remote control information and transmitting information regarding the washing operation to said service provider, said service provider adapted for communicating with said washing machine through communication means, determining whether to permit the use of said washing machine and a function change thereof, receiving said washing operation information from said washing machine and performing all control functions of said washing machine, including a use checking function, a diagnosis function and a function change function, on the basis of the received washing operation information;

b) by said service provider, if said washing machine desires to download a new program about a specific function and various service information, searching for said program and information and transmitting the searched program and information to said washing machine; and

c) by said washing machine, changing a preset program to said program transmitted at said step b), setting control parameters for an optimum washing mode according to said information transmitted at said step b) and performing said washing operation on the basis of the changed program and the set control parameters.

20. The method as set forth in

claim 19

, wherein said service information includes weather, time and season information and wherein said step b) includes the step of by said service provider, searching a variety of information provision organizations for said service information and transmitting the searched service information to said washing machine.

21. The method as set forth in

claim 19

or

claim 20

, wherein said step c) includes the step of by said washing machine, modifying preset control parameters for a current washing mode suitably for ambient environmental conditions according to said service information transmitted at said step b) so as to create said optimum washing mode.