Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet provided with a drop inlet, a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the drop inlet, a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet, a door locking portion provided inside the cabinet, a communication portion to receive a user's remote input through communication with the outside, a switch portion to connect or disconnect an external power source, an input portion on the cabinet to receive a user's manual input, an output portion to output a treating state, and a control portion to control rotation of the drum, locking and unlocking of the door performed by the door locking portion, the communication portion, the switch portion, the input portion, and the output portion according to the manual input or the remote input. If a remote control hold input among the remote input is detected through the communication portion before a preset program including rotation of the drum is ended, the control portion maintains a state of connection with the external power source performed by the switch portion and locking of the door performed by the door locking portion after the program is ended.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the same. In more detail, the present application relates to remote control of the laundry treating apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] The laundry treating apparatus refers to an apparatus developed for washing and drying laundry in a home and a laundry shop, and for removing wrinkles generated on laundry. Among the apparatuses classified as the laundry treating apparatus, there are a washing machine for washing laundry, a dryer for drying laundry, a washer / dryer having both washing and drying functions, a laundry care machine for caring laundry, and a steamer for removing wrinkles of laundry, etc.

[0003] In recent years, as the lifestyle diversifies and communication technology develops, the demand for a laundry treating apparatus that can be remotely controlled is increasing. That is, the demand for a laundry treating apparatus that can remotely perform laundry treating input instead of directly performing laundry treating input at the laundry treating apparatus is increasing.

[0004] The remote control refers to various control inputs to the laundry treating apparatus from a remote place instead of directly operating the laundry treating apparatus by a user. For example, the laundry treating apparatus can be remotely controlled by performing control input through an external terminal directly or indirectly connected in communication with the laundry treating apparatus. In particular, a user can remotely control a laundry treating apparatus treating laundry in a home from outside using a smart phone.

[0005] To achieve this, recently, IoT (Internet of Things)-fitted home appliances are developed and sold. Thus, laundry treating apparatuses having a remote control function using a smart phone of a user are more developed and sold.

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0090252 discloses a remote control apparatus for a washing machine and a method thereof. In particular, a control method of cutting off remote control of a washing machine by automatically releasing a remote control mode of the washing machine at the end of a washing course selected by a user is disclosed. Finally, as the remote control is released, locking of a door is released.

[0007] However, if the remote control is released after being used once, there is a problem that additional washing course cannot be performed using the remote control. That is, it is necessary to improve it to improve convenience of a user.

[0008] However, if the remote control is continuously maintained, there is a problem that the safety standards for remote control of the International Electrotechnical Commission (hereinafter, IEC) can be violated. According to the IEC standards, in the case where the use of remote control is released, remote control can be performed only after the user manually inputs remote control permission. This is because, when the door lock is released at the end of the use of remote control, if the user remotely permits remote control again without confirming the current state, the door switches to the door lock state, thereby possibly causing a safety problem. For example, the door is opened in the door lock release state, and a pet can enter the inside of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof, which, after performing a washing course by remote control once, can continue the washing course by remote control again without violating the above safety standards. SUMMARY

[0010] First, the present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof, which can add a course by remote control after a course in which a drum is rotated by remote control, such as a washing course, is ended.

[0011] In addition, the present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof, which can continue a washing course or a spin-drying course using rotation of a drum, etc. by remote control while satisfying safety standards.

[0012] To solve the above problem, a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof are provided, in which, if a user selects remote control maintenance using a terminal machine, such as a smart phone, which can communicate, a control part detects remote control maintenance input and stands by in a state in which the lock state of a door is not released, an external power supply is not cut off, and communication with the smart phone of the user is possible.

[0013] To this end, there is provided a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet provided with a drop inlet at one side thereof, a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the drop inlet, a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet to receive laundry through the drop inlet, a door locking part provided inside the cabinet to lock the door when the door closes the drop inlet or to release the lock of the door for opening the drop inlet closed by the door, a communication part to receive a remote input of a user through communication with the outside, a switch part to connect or disconnect an external power source, an input part on the cabinet to receive a manual input of the user, an output part to output a treating state based on the remote input and the manual input, and a control part to control rotation of the drum, the lock and release of the door performed by the door locking part, the communication part, the switch part, the input part, and the output part according to the manual input or the remote input.

[0014] If a remote control hold input among the remote inputs is detected through the communication part before a preset program including rotation of the drum ends, the control part can maintain the connection with the external power source performed by the switch part and the locked state of the door performed by the door locking part after the program ends.

[0015] In addition, if the remote control hold input is not detected until the program ends, the control part can release the locked state of the door through the door locking part after the program ends.

[0016] After the locked state of the door is released, the control part can disconnect the connection with the external power source through the switch part.

[0017] On the other hand, if a remote hold end input or a remote power end input among the remote inputs is detected through the communication part during a period in which the remote control hold input is detected before the program ends and the connection with the external power source and the locked state of the door are maintained after the program ends, the control part releases the locked state of the door through the door locking part and disconnects the connection with the external power source through the switch part.

[0018] In addition, the input unit includes a power input unit for connecting or disconnecting the external power source and a remote control input unit for allowing or disconnecting the remote control, and if the remote control hold input is detected before the program ends and the connection with the external power source and the locked state of the door are maintained after the program ends, the control unit can disconnect the connection with the external power source through the switch unit after the locked state of the door is released through the door lock unit, by detecting the manual power end input among the manual inputs through the power input unit or detecting the remote control prohibition input among the remote inputs through the remote control input unit.

[0019] On the other hand, if the remote control hold input is detected before the program ends and the connection with the external power source and the locked state of the door are maintained after the program ends, the control unit can wait until a remote program start instruction among the remote inputs is detected to rotate the drum while maintaining the locked state of the door, by detecting a remote wake-up input among the remote inputs through the communication unit.

[0020] In the case of detecting the remote wake-up input, the control unit can output a preset sound through a voice output unit provided inside the cabinet.

[0021] The output unit can include a communication display unit displaying whether the communication unit is in an activated state capable of communicating with the outside, a lock display unit displaying whether the door is locked by the door lock unit, and a remote display unit displaying whether an activated state capable of being remotely controlled through the communication unit.

[0022] On the other hand, the input unit can include a power input unit for connecting or disconnecting the external power source and a remote control input unit for allowing or disconnecting the remote control, and if a manual power connection input among the manual inputs is detected through the power input unit and a remote control permission input among the remote inputs is detected through the remote control input unit, the control unit displays the activated state of the communication unit, the locked state of the door, and the activated state of the remote control through the communication display unit, the lock display unit, and the remote display unit.

[0023] If the remote control hold input is detected before the program ends, the control unit can maintain the display of the communication display unit, the lock display unit, and the remote display unit, and if the remote control hold input is not detected until the program ends, the control unit can release the display of the communication display unit, the lock display unit, and the remote display unit.

[0024] On the other hand, the control method of the laundry treating apparatus can include a remote permission detecting step of detecting a remote control permission input in the remote input through a remote control input part provided at the input part, a program start detecting step of including, if the remote control permission input is detected through the remote control input part, locking the door by the door locking part, and then detecting a remote program start input in the remote input through the communication part, a program executing step of rotating the drum if the remote program start input is detected, a remote hold detecting step of detecting a remote control hold input in the remote input until the program executing step ends, and a remote hold step of holding connection or disconnection of a switch part of an external power source to the external power source and holding the locked state of the door by the door locking part after the program executing step ends if the remote control hold input is detected.

[0025] In addition, in the control method of the laundry treating apparatus, in a case where a remote wake-up input in the remote input is detected during the remote hold step is executed, the program start detecting step can be executed again.

[0026] Further, the control method of the laundry treating apparatus can further include an end input detecting step of detecting a remote hold end input or a remote power end input in the remote input during the remote hold step is executed, and an end preparation step of releasing the locked state of the door by the door locking part and closing the output part if the remote hold end input or the remote power end input is detected in the end input detecting step.

[0027] In the end input detecting step, even if a remote control prohibition input in the remote input is detected in the end input detecting step, the end preparation step can be entered.

[0028] The program start detecting step can further include, in a case where the remote control permission input is not detected in the remote permission detecting step, a step of detecting a manual program start input in the manual input input through a start input part provided at the input part, and if the manual program start input is detected, the door locking part can lock the door before the program executing step is executed.

[0029] The control method of the laundry treating apparatus can further include an end preparation step of releasing the locked state of the door by the door locking part and closing the output part if the program executing step based on the manual program start input ends.

[0030] Further, the control method of the laundry treating apparatus can further include a power termination step of cutting off the connection with the external power source through the switch portion after the end preparation step.

[0031] In the end preparation step, the power supply of the output portion can be cut off.

[0032] In the remote permission detection step, if the remote control permission input is detected, the activation of the communication portion, the locking of the door, and the activation of the remote control can be respectively displayed through a communication display portion, a locking display portion, and a remote display portion provided in the output portion.

[0033] In the remote maintenance step, the display of the communication display portion, the locking display portion, and the remote display portion displayed in the remote permission detection step can be maintained.

[0034] The present application can add a program by remote control after a program, such as a washing program, in which a drum is rotated by remote control, is ended.

[0035] Further, the present application can continue to perform a washing program or a dehydration program using rotation of a drum, etc. by remote control while satisfying a safety standard.

[0036] Further, by doing so, user satisfaction can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is an example of a laundry treating apparatus.

[0038] Figure 2 is an example of a remote control system.

[0039] Figure 3 is an example of an interface portion in a panel portion.

[0040] Figure 4 is an example of a door locking assembly combined with an inner surface of a peripheral portion.

[0041] Figure 5A is an example of a diagram showing a lock release state of a door locking portion in which a latch can be separated from the door locking portion. Figure 5B is an example of a diagram showing a locked state in which the latch is inserted and fixed to the door locking portion.

[0042] Figure 6 is an example of an internal block diagram of a laundry treating apparatus of the present application.

[0043] Figure 7 is a flowchart regarding a control method of a laundry treating apparatus of the present application.

[0044] Figure 8Ais a view showing that if a user connects the laundry treating apparatus to an external power source using the power input part, the control part activates the communication part and lights up the communication display part to notify of being in a state capable of communicating with the user's smartphone.

[0045] Figure 8B is a view showing that in a case where the user allows remote control through the remote control input part, the light display part provided to the remote control input part is lit up, and the remote display part is lit up to notify the user that remote control of the laundry treating apparatus can be performed. Also, a case where the lock display part for notifying of locking of the door is lit up after the door is changed to the locked state, and a case where the communication display part is lit up to notify of being in a state capable of communicating with the user's smartphone are shown.

[0046] Figure 8C is a view showing a case where when the user does not make a remote control hold input until a preset program of rotating the drum ends, the control part turns off the light display parts provided to the remote display part and the remote control input part before cutting off the power source of the laundry treating apparatus, and turns off the lock display part after the locked state of the door is released, and turns off the communication display part after the communication part is deactivated.

[0047] Figure 8D is a view showing a case where when the user selects a remote control hold input using the smartphone connected thereto through the communication part of the laundry treating apparatus before a preset program of rotating the drum ends, the light display part provided to the remote control input part is lit up, and the remote display part is lit up to notify the user that remote control of the laundry treating apparatus can be performed. Also, a case where the lock display part for notifying of locking of the door is lit up after the door is changed to the locked state, and the communication display part is lit up to notify of being in a state capable of communicating with the user's smartphone are shown.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] 1000: laundry treating apparatus 100: cabinet

[0050] 111: front surface of cabinet 111: introduction port

[0051] 115: latch coupling hole 200: door

[0052] 210: latch 300: drum

[0053] 400: panel part 410: input part

[0054] 411: power input part 415: remote control permission input part

[0055] 417: communication activation input part 450: output part

[0056] 451: communication display part 452: lock display part

[0057] 453: remote display part 500: door lock assembly

[0058] 510: door detection part 550: door lock part

[0059] 551: latch insertion part 5111: boss part

[0060] 554: latch contact part 560: coupling part

[0061] 562: coupling member 570: terminal part

[0062] 580: sliding part 586: coil spring

[0063] 589: fixing pin 592: lock hole

[0064] 900: control part 910: communication part

[0065] 950: switch part DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the device or the control method to be described below is only for illustrating the embodiments of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of the rights of the present application, and the same reference numerals used throughout the specification represent the same constituent elements.

[0067] The specific terms used in the present specification are only for convenience of explanation, and are not used as a limitation on the illustrated embodiments.

[0068] For example, expressions such as "same" and "identical" indicate not only a state of strict identity, but also a state in which there is a tolerance or a tolerance to the extent that the same function can be obtained.

[0069] For example, expressions such as "in a certain direction", "in a certain direction", "parallel", "perpendicular", "centered on", "concentric", or "coaxial" indicating relative or absolute arrangement indicate not only such an arrangement, but also a state of relative displacement at a tolerance or at an angle or distance to the extent that the same function can be obtained.

[0070] For the purpose of illustrating the application, in the following an explanation will be given with reference to a spatial orthogonal coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis orthogonal to each other. The axial directions (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) refer to the two directions in which the respective axes extend. The use of the "+" sign in front of the axial directions (+X-axis direction, +Y-axis direction, +Z-axis direction) refers to one of the two directions in which the respective axes extend, namely the positive direction. The use of the "-" sign in front of the axial directions (-X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, -Z-axis direction) refers to the other of the two directions in which the respective axes extend, namely the negative direction.

[0071] The expressions for directions mentioned below, such as "front (+Z) / back (-Z) / left (+X) / right (-X) / up (+Y) / down (-Y)", are defined in accordance with the XYZ coordinate axes, but this is only for the purpose of illustrating the application so that it can be clearly understood, and of course the respective directions can be defined differently depending on the reference frame.

[0072] The terms expressed using "first, second, third" and the like in front of the constituent elements mentioned below are only for the purpose of avoiding confusion of the referred constituent elements, and are not related to the order, importance or master-slave relationship between the constituent elements, and the like. For example, an invention can be realized which includes only the second constituent element and does not include the first constituent element.

[0073] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents.

[0074] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a laundry treating apparatus 1000 as an example of the present application. The laundry treating apparatus 1000 includes a cabinet 100 having a loading port 111 provided at one side thereof, a door 200 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 100 to open and close the loading port 111, a drum 300 rotatably provided inside the cabinet 100 to receive laundry through the loading port 111, a door locking part 550 provided inside the cabinet 100 to lock the door 200 when the door 200 closes the loading port 111 or to release the locked state of the door 200 in order to open the loading port 111 closed by the door 200, a communication part 910 to receive a remote input of a user through communication with the outside and to transmit a processing state with respect to the remote input, a switch part 950 to connect or cut off an external power source, an input part 410 located on the cabinet to receive a manual input of the user, an output part 450 to output a processing state based on the remote input and the manual input, and a control part 900 to control rotation of the drum 300, locking and releasing of the door 200 performed by the door locking part 550, the communication part 910, the switch part 950, the input part 410, and the output part 450 according to the manual input of the user or the remote input.

[0075] Figure 1 The introduction port 111 can be located at a cabinet upper surface 120 forming an upper surface of the cabinet 100, unlike the case shown in the middle where the introduction port 111 is located at a cabinet front surface 110 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100. They can be called front loading and top loading, respectively.

[0076] The introduction port 111 can be opened and closed by the door 200. The door 200 is provided at the cabinet front surface 110 in a rotatable manner, thereby opening and closing the introduction port 111. The door 200 can be opened and closed by a user. When the introduction port 111 is circular, preferably, the door 200 is also formed in a circular shape to correspond to the shape of the introduction port 111.

[0077] A filter portion (not shown) for filtering discharged water can be provided at a lower side of the introduction port 111 in the cabinet front surface 110. In addition, a detergent supply portion (not shown) for supplying a detergent used to wash the laundry can be provided at a position deviated to an upper side of the introduction port 111 in the cabinet front surface 110. The detergent supply portion can be configured in a drawer type. Thus, the detergent supply portion can operate in a manner of being introduced after being drawn out from the inside of the cabinet and having the detergent put therein.

[0078] A panel portion 400 for inputting a selection of a user who operates the laundry treating apparatus 1000 and displaying a processing state of an inputted command can be provided beside the detergent supply portion in the cabinet front surface 110.

[0079] Referring to Figure 1 The drum 300 can be provided in a rotatable manner inside the cabinet 100. The drum 300 can be of any shape that can be rotated, but preferably, can be a cylindrical shape. A plurality of communication holes (not shown) can be formed at an outer circumferential surface of the drum 300, and the plurality of communication holes can function as a passage for water to flow in or out.

[0080] On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can further include a tub (not shown) that stores water supplied from the outside, and the drum 300 is provided in a rotatable manner inside the tub. When water is required in executing any program that rotates the drum, the water supplied from the outside can be stored in the tub and supplied through the plurality of communication holes.

[0081] The laundry treating apparatus 1000 can further include a water supply portion (not shown) for supplying water to the outer tub and a drain portion (not shown) for draining water stored in the outer tub. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can further include a water supply valve (not shown) which can be controlled by the control portion 900 to control water supplied from the water supply portion.

[0082] The laundry treating apparatus 1000 can further include a driving portion 350 which penetrates a bottom face of the outer tub and is connected with a bottom face of the drum 300 to rotate the drum 300. In general, the driving portion 350 can include a motor (not shown) which generates a rotational force, and the driving portion 350 can be controlled by the control portion 900. The driving portion 350 can rotate the drum 300 by the control portion 900 to perform a preset program.

[0083] The panel portion 400 can include an input portion 410 which detects an input of the user and an output portion 450 which displays a processing result or a processing state based on the input of the user.

[0084] In the panel portion 400, the input portion 410 and the output portion 450 are not distinguished but can change only a screen displayed in a display by touch in one touch display.

[0085] Referring to Figure 1 , the control portion 900 can be located at a rear side of the panel portion 400, i.e., inside of the cabinet 100. The control portion 900 can display a processing state using the output portion 450 when processing an input of the user after detecting the input of the input portion 410, or can display a processed processing result on the output portion 450.

[0086] The input portion 410 can receive an input of the user and deliver to the control portion 900, and the control portion 900 can process the received input and display on the output portion 450. Exchange of electrical signals can be performed between the input portion 410 and the control portion 900 and between the output portion 450 and the control portion 900.

[0087] In the present specification, when it is particularly necessary, an input through the input portion 410 is referred to as a manual input of the user, and an input through the communication portion 910 is referred to as a remote input of the user, to be used in distinction from each other, and both the manual input and the remote input can be received or detected and processed by the control portion 900. For example, the input portion 410 provided to the panel portion 400 is used for the user to select by a manual input, and if the user makes a necessary input using a terminal 700 such as a smart phone, etc., it can be regarded as the user selecting by a remote input.

[0088] That is, the input refers to protocol-based control information transmitted using an electric signal or an instruction that the control unit needs to process, and can be classified into manual input and remote input according to whether a terminal 700 such as a user's smartphone is used in transmitting the input. In other words, the manual input and the remote input differ only in whether the control unit 900 receives control information through the communication unit 910.

[0089] The remote input can be transmitted to the laundry treating apparatus 1000 using a user's smartphone in an electric signal. At this time, the electric signal can transmit and receive required information according to a protocol between the smartphone and the laundry treating apparatus 1000.

[0090] The input unit 410 can include a power input unit 411 for supplying power to the laundry treating apparatus 1000 and a process selection input unit 413 for selecting a variety of washing processes provided by the laundry treating apparatus 1000. In addition, the input unit 410 can further include a start input unit 412 for starting a process (or program) selected by a user using the process selection input unit 413. The user can transmit a manual program start input to the control unit 900 using the start input unit 412, and the control unit 900 can start the selected process (or program) by rotating the drum.

[0091] The power input unit 411 can be configured of a physical switch such as a power button or the like, or can be further configured in a manner of detecting a user's touch. The process selection input unit 413 can select a variety of processes using a rotatable knob, or can be further configured in a manner of touching a screen to select one from processes displayed on the screen.

[0092] If a user presses the power input unit 411, the control unit 900 can activate the switching unit 950. That is, the control unit 900 can distribute power to constituent elements requiring power after connecting the switching unit 950 to an external power source. If a user presses the power input unit 411 again, the control unit 900 can deactivate the switching unit 950. That is, the control unit 900 can disconnect the external power source using the switching unit 950.

[0093] The input unit 410 can further include a remote control input unit 415 (see Figure 3 ) for remotely controlling the laundry treating apparatus using a user's terminal such as a smartphone and a communication activation input unit 417 (see Figure 3 ) for connecting the laundry treating apparatus to a communication network to activate communication between the laundry treating apparatus and the user's smartphone.

[0094] A portion of the input portion 410 and a portion of the output portion 450 can also be provided at an interface portion 430 provided at a portion of the panel portion 400.

[0095] A portion of the input portion 410 provided at the interface portion 430 can be configured in a touch type, or can also be configured in a physical button type. Alternatively, unlike this, the interface portion 430 can be configured by one touch type display. A portion of the output portion 450 provided at the interface portion 430 can also be configured in the same manner.

[0096] In order to open and close the introduction port, the door 200 can include a door inner surface located in a direction toward the introduction port 111 among both surfaces of the door 200, and a latch 210 protruding from the door inner surface toward the introduction port 111.

[0097] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can further include a latch coupling hole 115 formed through a portion adjacent to an edge of the introduction port 111, that is, a peripheral portion 112, and corresponding to a position of the latch 210, so that the latch 210 can be inserted into the latch coupling hole 115.

[0098] The door locking portion 550 can be coupled to the cabinet front 110 in a manner of communicating with the latch coupling hole 115 inside the cabinet 100, so as to be coupled with the latch 210 inserted through the latch coupling hole 115.

[0099] Accordingly, when the door 200 closes the introduction port 111, the latch 210 can be inserted and coupled to the door locking portion 550. In addition, the door locking portion 550 can switch the door 200 to a locking state to prevent the door 200 from being opened due to an external force or vibration while the drum 300 rotates. Accordingly, when rotation of the drum 300 ends and a predetermined program ends, the control portion 900 can release the locking state of the door 200 using the door locking portion 550, so that a user can pull the door 200 and open the introduction port 111.

[0100] The laundry treating apparatus 1000 is provided with a communication portion 910 (refer to Figure 2 ) to communicate with the outside. The communication portion 910 can be configured in a communication module form as a separate device, but can also perform a communication function by the control portion 900. A user can remotely control the laundry treating apparatus 1000 using the communication portion 910. That is, the control portion 900 can receive a remote input from a terminal of a user and execute an instruction of the user using the communication portion 910.

[0101] The laundry treating apparatus 1000 includes a switching part 950 (refer to FIG. 9) for connecting and disconnecting between the laundry treating apparatus and an external power source (refer to FIG. 9) to supply power to the laundry treating apparatus or cut off the power. Even in a state in which a plug of the laundry treating apparatus is inserted into a power outlet, the control part 900 can perform connection and disconnection with the external power source using the switching part 950. That is, the switching part 950, as a kind of a relay method switch, can automatically turn on or off the connection with the external power source without having to manually turn on or off the connection with the external power source. Figure 2

[0102] The switching part 950 can be provided separately from the control part 900, but can also be included inside the control part 900. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, Figure 1 the switching part 950 and the communication part 910 are assumed to be built inside the control part 900, and a position in which the switching part 950 and the communication part 910 are separately provided is not shown, but, unlike this, the switching part 950 and the communication part 910 can also be separately provided inside the cabinet.

[0103] Figure 2 is a view showing a basic configuration of a system of the present invention. Figure 2 A laundry treating apparatus 1000 that performs washing or drying of laundry, a terminal 700 that remotely controls the laundry treating apparatus 1000, and a communication part 910 that is provided in the laundry treating apparatus 1000 and is used for communication with the terminal 700 are shown.

[0104] Figure 2 An example in which the communication part 910 is separately provided in the laundry treating apparatus 1000 is shown, but, as described above, the control part 900 can also be integrally formed with the communication part 910.

[0105] The communication part 910 can transceive a signal through a network such as the Internet to which the terminal 700 is connected using wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi). The communication part 910 can have a fixed IP, can directly communicate with the terminal 700, or can indirectly communicate with the terminal 700 through a public server.

[0106] The communication part 910 and the terminal 700 can not only use wireless fidelity, but also use Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network), a mobile communication network, or a satellite communication network, etc. In addition, wireless connection communication or wired connection communication such as Ethernet can also be used.​

[0107] In addition, the user can connect with the server using a separate member such as the terminal 700 to control the laundry treating apparatus 1000. Here, the terminal 700 refers to a device provided separately from the laundry treating apparatus or the server, such as a user's mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a computer, etc., and refers to a device having a communication module to be able to communicate with the outside.

[0108] In addition, the terminal 700 can be used to deliver state information of the laundry treating apparatus 1000 to the user, or to deliver various information provided by the server. If the terminal 700 is a smart phone, an application (App) can be used to remotely control the laundry treating apparatus 1000.

[0109] The user can use the terminal 700 to directly or indirectly connect to the communication part 910 and remotely control the laundry treating apparatus 1000. That is, when the terminal 700 transmits a remote input that is a telecommunication signal containing control information to directly control the laundry treating apparatus 1000, the control part 900 can receive or detect the remote input using the communication part 910, and can deliver an instruction to execute the control information at the laundry treating apparatus 1000. The control information can be information of a washing course and options, etc. required for the laundry treating apparatus 1000 to perform washing or drying. The control information can be delivered to the control part 900.

[0110] In order to control the laundry treating apparatus 1000 using the terminal 700, the terminal 700 can connect with the communication part 910 and transmit request information for allowing and requesting remote control of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0111] That is, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can allow the terminal 700 to remotely control the laundry treating apparatus 1000 only if the request information is received from the communication part 910 and the request information is processed. The laundry treating apparatus 1000 can authenticate the terminal 700 by receiving the request information, or check whether the laundry treating apparatus 1000 is in a state that is remotely controllable, thereby being able to maximize stability.

[0112] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can transmit state information of the laundry treating apparatus 1000 to the terminal 700 through the communication part 910. The state information can include an on / off state of a power supply of the laundry treating apparatus 1000, a washing course and option execution state of the laundry treating apparatus, information detected using a sensor inside the laundry treating apparatus, etc.

[0113] The laundry treating apparatus 1000 can directly transfer the state information to the terminal 700 through the communication part 910, or can transfer the state information of the laundry treating apparatus 1000 to the terminal 700 by the control part 900 when the terminal 700 requests the state information to the laundry treating apparatus 1000 through the communication part 910.

[0114] Thereby, the terminal 700 can remotely control the laundry treating apparatus 1000 from a remote location.

[0115] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 can be provided with a plurality of, and the terminal 700 can individually control each of the plurality of laundry treating apparatuses 1000.

[0116] For example, the laundry treating apparatus 1000 is configured in a commercial laundry shop and is provided with a plurality of, and the terminal 700 can control all of the laundry treating apparatuses 1000. The terminal 700 can display the state information of the plurality of laundry treating apparatuses 1000, and can transfer the control information to the plurality of laundry treating apparatuses 1000, respectively.

[0117] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the interface part 430. A part of the input part 410 can be provided at both sides and the lower side of the interface part 430, and the output part 450 can be provided at the middle and the upper side of the interface part 430. This is only considered design, and the configuration of the input part 410 and the interface part 430 can be different from this. In addition, the input part 410 can be configured in a physical button manner or a touch manner. The output part 450 can indicate the current process state by lighting / extinguishing the light display part provided in front of the explanation of the detailed process, or can indicate the remaining time of the currently selected process, or can indicate the currently activated function.

[0118] To this end, the input part 410 can further include a remote control input part 415 for allowing a user to manually allow remote control, and a communication activation input part 417 for allowing a user to manually activate the communication part. In addition, the output part 450 can include a remote display part 453 displaying whether remote control is activated or not, a communication display part 451 displaying whether the communication part is activated or not, and a lock display part 452 confirming whether the door is locked or not. Also, the output part 450 can further include a time display part 455 for displaying the remaining time of the selected program.

[0119] Referring to Figure 3Fig. 6 shows an example of the remote display section 453, the communication display section 451, and the lock display section 452 using light of an icon shape indicating the respective processing states. The remote display section 453, the communication display section 451, and the lock display section 452 can directly display using an LED of the respective icon shapes. Alternatively, by attaching a film or cover of non-transparent material to the front of a general LED and making the portion corresponding to the respective icon shapes transparent, the light can pass through only the shape of the icon corresponding thereto when the LED is lit, and thus the respective icons can be displayed. Alternatively, the remote display section 453, the communication display section 451, and the lock display section 452 can also indicate the current state by providing a light display section using an LED near the printed items and turning it on / off, etc.

[0120] For example, the remote display section 453, the communication display section 451, and the lock display section 452 being lit with the respective icons indicates that the respective states are a remote control enabled state, a communication enabled state, and a lock state of the door 200.

[0121] When the user directly inputs a remote control enable input as control information enabling remote control through the remote control input section 415, the remote control input section 415 detects the input and transmits it to the control section 900. The control section 900, upon confirming the remote control enable input, turns on the light display section 4151 provided to the remote control input section 415 and turns on the remote display section 453 to indicate that remote control has been activated. Then, it waits for other remote inputs from the user through the communication section 910.

[0122] In the remote control input section 415, the user must manually input a remote control enable input through the remote control input section 415. This is to satisfy the safety standards for home appliances. Here, the input can mean pressing a button or touching the corresponding portion. In addition, the detection means that the user touches the desired portion of the panel section 400 or presses the desired button, and an electric signal as control information corresponding thereto is generated, which is received by the control section 900 and confirmed as what input. Such input information or control information can be finally detected by the control section 900 and processed.

[0123] For example, the light display section 4151 displaying the state of the remote control input section 415 being lit indicates that remote control is activated or maintained so that the control section 900 can receive remote inputs from the user through the communication section 910.

[0124] The communication activation input 417 also, as with the remote control input 415, requires a user to manually input a communication activation input. That is, by pressing a button provided to the communication activation input 417 or touching a touch area, the communication activation input 417 can detect the communication activation input and transmit it to the control unit 900.

[0125] As an example, the light display portion that displays the state of the communication activation input 417 being lit means that the control unit 900 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet or the like via the communication unit 910.

[0126] The control unit 900 that receives the communication activation input connects the communication unit 910 to a specified communication network or the Internet, and thus can receive remote control input via the terminal 700. This can be referred to as a state in which the communication unit 910 is activated, i.e., a state in which the communication unit 910 can communicate with the outside.

[0127] A display portion that displays which of the current programs corresponds to which of the pre-wash, wash, rinse, and spin-dry programs can be provided on the upper side of the remote display portion 453, the communication display portion 451, and the lock display portion 452. In addition, a time display portion 455 can be provided on one side of the lock display portion 452. The time display portion 455 can display how much time is left in the current program, e.g., any one of the pre-wash, wash, rinse, and spin-dry programs, in which the drum is rotating. In addition, the control unit 900 can display a word such as "END" or the like via the time display portion 455 after the program ends and before the power is turned off.

[0128] A detailed display portion 457 that can specifically adjust each program can be provided in the middle of the interface portion 430. In addition, an adjustment input portion for operating the detailed display portion 457 can be provided on the lower side of the interface portion 430.

[0129] For example, when a user repeatedly presses a button on which "rinse" is written in the adjustment input portion in order to adjust the number of rinses, light display portions on which 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 (times) are written in the detailed display portion 457 are changed, and thus the set value can be changed to the number of rinses desired by the user.

[0130] Reference Figure 3 When the respective portions of the communication activation input 417 and the remote control input 415 are touched (or the respective buttons are pressed), the control unit lights the respective light display portions, the communication unit 910 is activated, and remote control of the user's terminal 700 is activated via the communication unit 910, and thus the control unit 900 can detect or receive remote input.

[0131] When the respective portions of the communication activation input 417 and the remote control input 415 are touched again (or the respective buttons are pressed again), the control portion turns off the respective light display portions, the communication portion 910 is deactivated, and the control portion 900 cannot communicate with the communication portion 910, and remote control of the user's terminal 700 is also deactivated, so that the control portion 900 cannot detect or receive remote input.

[0132] Figure 4 An example of the door locking assembly 500 combined with the inner surface of the peripheral portion 112 is shown. Figure 4 is a perspective view as seen from the inside of the cabinet 100 toward the cabinet front 110.

[0133] The door locking assembly 500 can include a door locking portion 550 that fixes the door 200 and locks the door 200 when the door 200 closes the insertion opening 111, or releases the fixed door 200 and opens the door 200. In addition, the door locking assembly 500 can further include the door detecting portion 510.

[0134] The door detecting portion 510 can further include a latch insertion portion 551 that communicates with the latch combination hole 115, into which the latch 210 is inserted.

[0135] In addition, the door detecting portion 510 can be combined with the rear surface of the peripheral portion 112, i.e., the rear aspect of the cabinet front 110, so that the latch 210 is inserted through the latch combination hole 115. To this end, the door detecting portion 510 can further include a door locking body 501 that forms an outer shape, a combination portion 560 that combines the door locking body 501 with the cabinet front 110, and a combination member 562 that combines the combination portion 560 with the cabinet front.

[0136] When the user closes the insertion opening 111 using the door 200, the latch 210 can be inserted through the latch combination hole 115 and the latch insertion portion 551, and the latch can be hooked with the door locking portion 550 using the hook head 2105 provided at the free end of the latch 210. At this time, the latch contact portion 554 in the sliding portion 580 can be in contact with the inserted latch 210.

[0137] The door locking portion 550 can include a sliding portion 580 configured to be movable as the latch 210 is inserted into the latch insertion portion 551, a coil spring 586 configured to move the sliding portion 580 in the opposite direction of the moving direction by a restoring force when the latch 210 is separated from the latch insertion portion 551, and a fixing pin 589 configured to fix the moved sliding portion 580.

[0138] In addition, the sliding portion 580 can include a latch contact portion 554 provided in a direction from the latch insertion portion 551 toward the inside of the case to contact the latch 210 inserted through the latch insertion portion 551, and a locking hole 592 formed through the sliding portion 580 to allow the fixing pin 589 to be inserted. When the fixing pin 589 is inserted into the locking hole 592, the sliding portion 580 is fixed. When the fixing pin 589 is pulled out of the locking hole 592, the sliding portion 580 is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the coil spring 586, and thus the locked state of the door 200 is released. A more detailed operation principle will be described later in Figures 5A-5B .

[0139] In addition, the door locking portion 550 can further include a fixing pin transfer portion 590 configured to insert the fixing pin 589 into the locking hole 592 to control the movement of the sliding portion 580.

[0140] On the other hand, the door locking portion 550 can further include a release hole 594 configured to fix the sliding portion 580 in a state where the door 200 is released from the door locking portion 550.

[0141] The control portion 900 can switch the door 200 to be locked or unlocked using the door locking portion 550, particularly the fixing pin transfer portion 590.

[0142] In addition, the door locking assembly 500 can further include a terminal portion 570 configured to supply power to the door locking portion 550 and the door detection portion 510 to exchange control information with the control portion 900. Specifically, the control portion 900 can control the movement of the fixing pin transfer portion 590 through the terminal portion 570.

[0143] Figure 5A FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a state in which the latch 210 is separated from the door locking portion 550. Figure 5B FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a locked state in which the latch 210 is inserted into the door locking portion 550 and fixed.

[0144] Using Figure 4 andFigures 5A-5B The description of the door locking portion is only an example, and can be implemented in other ways.

[0145] Referring to Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the latch 210 can include a latch main body 2101 protruding from the door 200 in a direction toward the drop inlet 111, and a hook head 2105 formed in a hook shape in one body with the latch main body 2101 at a free end of the latch main body 2101.

[0146] The latch 210 can be coupled to the door inner surface 201, and as shown in Figure 5A , a portion of the latch 210 can be inserted into the inside of the door 200 and coupled.

[0147] The latch coupling hole 115 can be located at a height at which the latch 210 can be inserted in the peripheral portion 112. The latch insertion portion 551 is inserted into the latch coupling hole 115, and can be in contact with an inner side surface of the latch coupling hole 115. A portion of the latch insertion portion 551 can include a boss portion 5111 formed in a curved surface to be able to be coupled with the hook head 2105.

[0148] The hook head 2105 can include a hook head front portion 2105a inserted into the latch insertion portion 551 through the boss portion 5111, and a hook head back portion 2015b in contact with the boss portion 5111 in a manner of being caught by the boss portion 5111 after passing through the boss portion 5111. The inclination of the hook head front portion 2105a can be smaller than the inclination of the hook head back portion 2015b, in order to be pulled out only when the hook head 2105 caught by the boss portion 5111 receives a force greater than a predetermined external force after smoothly entering the latch insertion portion 551. To this end, the angle formed by the latch main body 2101 and the hook head back portion 2015b can be designed to be almost perpendicular.

[0149] Referring to Figure 5A , in a case where the latch 210 is separated from the latch insertion portion 551, the sliding portion 580 can be located at a first position which is an original position under the action of the coil spring 586. Also, at this time, the fixing pin 589 can be inserted into the release hole 594 and block the movement of the sliding portion 580.

[0150] Referring to Figure 5BIn the case where the latch 210 is inserted into the latch insertion portion 551, the fixing pin 589 is inserted into the release hole 594, so the sliding portion 580 does not move. Since the latch contact portion 554 does not come into contact with the hook head 2105, when a user pulls the door with a prescribed external force, the latch 210 can be detached from the boss portion 5111.

[0151] At this time, when a user remotely allows remote control or inputs to start a manually selected program through the input portion 410, the control portion 900 can switch the door 200 to a locked state. First, when the fixing pin transfer portion 590 causes the fixing pin 589 to be detached from the release hole 594, the sliding portion 580 is pushed and slides under the elasticity of the hook head 2105. At this time, the latch contact portion 554 provided on the sliding portion 580 can also move together. That is, as the hook head 2105 into which the latch contact portion 554 is inserted is pushed sideways, finally the sliding portion 580 as a whole can move to a second position.

[0152] In the case where the sliding portion 580 is located at the second position, the coil spring 586 is in a compressed state due to the movement of the sliding portion 580. In addition, the sliding portion 580 can be in a state of being in contact with the hook head 2105 to prevent detachment of the hook head 2105 through the latch contact portion 554. At this time, when the fixing pin 589 fixes the sliding portion 580, the door 200 is in a locked state due to the door locking portion 550.

[0153] To this end, the fixing pin 589 is moved by the fixing pin transfer portion 590 and is inserted into a locking hole 592 formed through the sliding portion 580. Therefore, the sliding portion 580 stops moving in a state where the coil spring 586 is compressed, and finally the hook head 2105 is fixed to the latch insertion portion 551 by the latch contact portion 554. As a result, the door 200 is switched to a locked state.

[0154] When a user switches the locked state of the door 200 to a locked release state, the control portion 900 can move the fixing pin 589 to the original position using the fixing pin transfer portion 590. When the fixing pin 589 returns to the original position, the sliding portion 580 returns to the first position under the restoring force of the compressed coil spring 586. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the latch contact portion 554 is spaced apart from the hook head 2105, and when a user applies a prescribed external force to pull the door 200, the hook head 2105 can be pulled out of and detached from the latch insertion portion 551. Figure 5A

[0155] ​On the other hand, the door locking assembly 500 can further include a door detection portion 510 that detects a case where the sliding portion 580 is located at the second position to confirm the locking state of the door. The control portion 900 can always confirm the locking state of the door through the door detection portion 510. The door detection portion 510 can be a magnetic reed switch type, but is not limited thereto.

[0156] The door detection portion 510 can be configured to transmit signals different from each other to the control portion 900 according to whether the door is opened or closed. That is, the control portion 900 can confirm whether the door is closed or opened according to the signals received from the door detection portion 510.

[0157] The control portion 900 can periodically confirm the signals received through the door detection portion 510. As an example, an electric signal repeated at a period of 1 ms can be received. According to the pattern of the received signal, whether the door is closed or opened can be confirmed.

[0158] For example, the door detection portion 510 can transmit a high signal and a low signal at a predetermined period. Also, the door detection portion 510 can continuously transmit only a high signal or a low signal. That is, a high signal and a low signal periodically repeated or only a specific signal among the high signal and the low signal can be transmitted. Thus, the control portion 900 can confirm whether the door is opened or closed through the difference in the pattern of such signals.

[0159] Differently from this, the door detection portion 510 can also be provided separately from the door detection portion 510. For example, a tact switch can be provided at the peripheral portion 112 to detect the opening and closing of the door 200. In the state where the door is closed, the tact switch is pressed by a protrusion (not shown) of the door 200. That is, the tact switch is switched from an off state to an on state. Thus, it can be determined that the door is closed during the tact switch remains in the on state. Of course, the reverse is also possible. Thus, different signals from each other are transmitted to the control portion in the on state and the off state of the tact switch, so the control portion 900 can also confirm whether the door is closed through such signals.

[0160] As another example, the door detection portion 510 can also be configured using a magnet and a reed switch. The magnet can be provided at the door 200, and the reed switch can be provided at the front surface 110 of the case, specifically, the peripheral portion 112. Thus, as the door is closed, the magnet can operate the reed switch. Thus, whether the door 200 is closed can be confirmed according to whether the reed switch is operated.

[0161] In either case, the control unit 900 can confirm whether the door 200 is open or closed via the door detection unit 510 of this embodiment. The door detection unit 510 prevents the garment handling device 1000 from operating when the door 200 is open. It also prevents the garment handling device 1000 from operating remotely when the door 200 is open.

[0162] On the other hand, refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The fixing pin transfer unit 590 can move the fixing pin 589 using a bimetallic strip. However, the control unit 900 is not limited to this method and can also use other methods to move the fixing pin transfer unit 590. For example, the fixing pin transfer unit 590 can also use a solenoid mechanism to move the fixing pin 589.

[0163] Figure 6 This is an example of an internal block diagram of the garment processing device 1000. Specifically, the control unit 900 can control a communication unit 910 for communicating with the outside, a drive unit 350 for rotating the roller, a switch unit 950 for connecting and disconnecting external power, a door locking unit 550 for switching the door 200 to a locked / unlocked state, a door detection unit 510 for detecting the door's locked state, an input unit 410 for detecting remote or manual input from the user and transmitting it to the control unit 900, and an output unit 450 for outputting the processing status and results of the garment processing device.

[0164] In addition, when the clothing handling device 1000 also includes a voice output unit 490, such as a speaker, to notify the user by sound, the control unit 900 can also control the voice output unit 490.

[0165] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a control method for the garment handling device.

[0166] In typical garment handling devices, after manually selecting the desired program, such as a washing or spin-drying program, using the control panel, the user needs to manually input the program to begin. That is, before executing the preset program that rotates the drum, the user needs to directly press or touch the start button to begin the program. When the user presses the start button, the control unit activates the door locking unit 550 to lock the door, allowing the program to begin. Furthermore, the power can be cut off after the program ends and the door is unlocked.

[0167] In the case where the user remotely controls the laundry treating apparatus, the control part can receive and process the remote input through the terminal 700 of the user only when the user directly presses the remote control permission button in the control panel. The reason why the user must directly press the remote control permission button through manual input is to prevent a safety accident from occurring.

[0168] When the remote control is activated, the control part 900 activates the door locking part 550 to switch the door to a locked state. This is to prevent an accident in which another user opens the door during the remote control of the user.

[0169] In addition, when the remote control is activated (or in a remote-controllable state), the control part 900 can confirm whether the door 200 is opened or closed through the door detection part 510. Also, preferably, in the state where the door 200 is closed through the door detection part 510, the control part 900 can set the remote control to be activated through the remote control input part 415, and in the state where the door is opened, the control part 900 can be controlled to prohibit the activation of the remote control. That is, it can be preferably controlled such that the remote control activation is basically performed on the premise that the door is closed. If the door 200 is in the state of being opened, the control part 900 can not activate the remote control.

[0170] In addition, when the remote input transmitted from the terminal 700 is detected after the remote control is activated, the control part 900 can detect whether the door 200 is opened or closed through the door detection part 510. That is, it can be controlled such that the laundry treating apparatus 1000 is operated according to the remote input on the premise that the closed state of the door 200 is continuously detected through the door detection part 510. Thus, it is possible to prevent a problem that can occur due to the opening of the door 200 when the laundry treating apparatus 1000 is operated according to the remote input in advance.

[0171] When the user selects the power input part 411, the control part 900 can be controlled to connect an external power source to the laundry treating apparatus through the switch part 950 and apply power, and the panel part is turned on. However, preferably, in the remote control maintaining step, i.e., the standby mode state of the remote control, which will be described later, the control part 900 is controlled such that the panel part 400 is turned off to reduce power consumption.

[0172] As described above, the operation of the laundry treating apparatus according to the remote input can be performed only after the door is switched to the locked state.

[0173] On the other hand, according to the IEC safety standard, when the user performs the selected program by remote control, the remote control cannot be performed again after the door lock is released. This is to prevent an accident that can occur during the period from when the door lock is released to when the door lock is again performed. Therefore, according to the IEC safety standard, when the door lock state is released, the user must manually activate the remote control using the remote control input part 415.

[0174] However, from the user's perspective, after performing the selected program by remote control, it can be desirable to additionally perform the washing program or the dehydration program again.

[0175] To simultaneously satisfy the IEC safety standard and the user's needs, in the control method of the present application, before the preset program by remote control is completed, the user sets remote control retention through the terminal 700, and when the control part 900 detects the remote control retention input control information through the communication part 910, the control part 900 can not switch the lock state of the door 200 to the released state. That is, since the lock state of the door 200 has not changed since the initial remote control permission input by the user, remote control can be performed again.

[0176] To this end, the control method of the present application can include a remote permission detection step (S200) of detecting the remote control permission input of the user to the remote control input part 415 provided to the input part 410, a program start detection step (S300) including a step of locking the door 200 by the door lock part 550 when the remote control permission input of the user is detected, detecting the remote program start input of the user through the communication part 910, a program execution step (S350) of controlling the driving part that rotates the drum to rotate the drum when the remote program start input is detected, a remote retention detection step (S400) of detecting the remote control retention input of the user through the communication part until the program execution step is completed, and a remote retention step (S500) of retaining the connection to the external power supply by the switch part 950 that connects or cuts off the external power supply and retaining the lock state of the door 200 by the door lock part 550 after the program execution step (S350) is completed when the remote control retention input is detected.

[0177] Reference Figure 7First, the user can perform a power supply step (S100) in which the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is connected to an external power source using a power input part 411 provided in the panel part 400, and the user is informed that the clothes treating apparatus is in an initial state. In the power supply step (S100), when the control part 900 detects a power supply input through the power input part 411, the external power source is connected using the switch part 950 (S110), and the user can be informed through the voice output part 490 that the power source has been connected, and the clothes treating apparatus has been in an initial state or a standby state in which it is ready to use (S510).

[0178] That is, the control part 900 can output a preset sound using the voice output part 490.

[0179] The initial state or the standby state can mean a state in which, after the power supply, it is confirmed whether various circuits are normally operated, and is ready to receive the user's input.

[0180] The connection to the external power source through the switch part 950 can mean that, in a state in which a plug of the clothes treating apparatus is inserted into a socket, power is supplied to the inside of the clothes treating apparatus through electrical control. The control part 900 can use, for example, a relay or the like to control the power connection.

[0181] When the power source is connected, the control part 900 can activate the communication part 910. That is, the control part 900 can connect the clothes treating apparatus 1000 to the Internet or other communication network to which the clothes treating apparatus is connected through the communication part 910. For example, when the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is used in a house, it can be connected to a broadband router used in the house through wireless fidelity.

[0182] Once the connection to the communication part 910 is established using the communication activation input part 417, since the control part 900 stores the corresponding connection information, it is not necessary to establish the connection again until it is changed for connection to other routers. Therefore, in the present specification, it is assumed that the Internet has been connected through the communication part 910.

[0183] When the user turns on the laundry treating apparatus, so that the control part 900 is connected to a preset Internet through the communication part, the control part 900 can notify the activation of the communication part 910, i.e., it is in a state capable of communicating with the outside, by lighting a light emitting member, e.g., an LED, provided at the communication display part 451. Hereinafter, the lighting of an arbitrary display part means the activation of a function corresponding to the display part. Also, the lighting of a certain display part means that light enters a light emitting member for visually notifying the user of the activation of the corresponding display part, so as to be in a state capable of being visually recognized by the user.

[0184] Thereafter, the control method of the present application can perform a remote permission detection step (S200) of detecting whether the user manually inputs a remote control input through the remote control input part 415. For example, when the user presses a button corresponding to the remote control input part 415, the control part 900 can detect the remote control input, and can activate the remote control to receive and process a remote control input transmitted from the user's terminal 700 through the communication part 910. Accordingly, at this time, the remote display part 453 can be lit.

[0185] When the button corresponding to the remote control input part 415 is pressed again, the control part 900 can deactivate the remote control.

[0186] On the other hand, when the remote control permission input of the user is detected in the remote permission detection step (S200) while the remote control is activated, the control method of the present application can switch the door 200 to a locked state (S250). That is, the control part 900 can lock the door using the door locking part 550.

[0187] Thereafter, the control method of the present application can perform a remote program start detection step (S300) of detecting a start input of a program remotely selected by the user. Since the user has permitted the remote control, the user can press the remote control input part 415 and the power input part 411 again to disconnect the power connection or deactivate the remote control, but can not permit other manual inputs.

[0188] This is to prevent an accident in which one user controls the laundry treating apparatus through the remote control while another user controls the laundry treating apparatus through manual inputs.

[0189] Therefore, in the case of allowing remote control, the control method of the present application can perform a remote program start detecting step (S300) of detecting a remote program start input by the terminal 700 of the user to execute a program selected by the user. The remote program start detecting step (S300) can wait until the remote program start input is detected. If the remote program start input is not detected within a preset detection time, power can also be cut off and the process can be ended.

[0190] If, in the remote control allowing detecting step (S200), the control part 900 detects a manual program start input (S320) of a user directly inputting a start preset program through the panel part 400, instead of a remote control allowing input of the user, the control method of the present application locks the door 200 (S325) and rotates the drum 300 to execute a program selected by the user. Here, the program means a process of separating foreign substances from laundry or spinning the laundry by rotating the drum 300.

[0191] Although the manual program start detecting step (S310) and the remote program start detecting step (S320) are collectively referred to as a program start detecting step (S300), the control method of the present application can perform only one of the steps according to whether remote control is allowed or not.

[0192] When the remote control allowing input is detected, the control part 900 switches the door 200 to a locked state through the door locking part 550 and waits for a remote program start input. However, when a manual program start input is detected instead of the remote control allowing input, the control part 900 switches the door 200 to a locked state and rotates the drum to execute a selected program.

[0193] That is, the control method of the present application can differently perform a step of switching the door 200 to a locked state according to whether remote control is allowed or not.

[0194] When a manual program start instruction of the user is detected in the manual program start detecting step (S310) or a remote program start instruction of the user is detected in the remote program start detecting step (S320), the control method of the present application performs a program executing step (S350) for executing a program selected by the user. In the program executing step (S350), the control part 900 can rotate the drum by driving the drum 350.

[0195] When the program execution step (S350) ends, the control method of the present application can determine whether a remote control hold input is set. After the user allows remote control in the remote enable detection step (S200), until the program ends, the user can set a remote control hold through the terminal 700 to maintain the remote control. If the user sets the remote control hold, the terminal 700 transmits a remote control hold input, the control method of the present application receives the remote control hold input, and after the program execution step (S350) ends, can maintain the remote control as it is (S500) without deactivating the remote control, and waits (S600) to perform other remote inputs of the user.

[0196] This is to perform another program again after performing a preset program through remote control while following the safety standards of IEC. For example, referring to Figure 2 During the process of performing a program selected by the user through the laundry treating apparatus 1000 by remote control, the user can set to maintain the remote control of the laundry treating apparatus 1000 using an application (App) of the user's smart phone.

[0197] When the remote control input of the user is detected, the control part 900 can maintain the locked state of the door 200, maintain the power connection of the switch part 950, maintain the activated state of the communication part 910 (for example, maintain the wireless fidelity connection), and maintain the remote control activated state after the program execution step ends. This is called a remote hold step (S500).

[0198] The remote control hold input can be set by the user through the terminal 700 until the remote hold detection step (S400). When the remote control hold input is not detected, the control method of the present application performs an end preparation step (S800) of preparing to end the laundry treating apparatus 1000. In the end preparation step (S800), the control part 900 can switch the locked state of the door to a locked release state through the door locking part 550. In the locked release state of the door 200, the user can open the door 200. Also, the control part 900 can turn off the power of the panel part 400 to turn off each display part provided at the input part 410 and the output part 450, etc.

[0199] When the end preparation step (S800) ends, the control method of the present application can perform a power end step (S900) of turning off the power. In the power end step (S900), the control part 900 controls the switch part 950 to turn off the connection with the external power.

[0200] On the other hand, the control method of the present application performs an end input detection step (S600) for determining whether or not there is a user remote or manual input of an input related to the end of remote control in the remote holding step (S500). Until a user remote wake-up input is detected in a remote wake-up input detection step (S700) described later, the control method of the present application can continue to repeatedly perform the end input detection step (S600).

[0201] In the end input detection step (S600), the control method of the present application can include a step (S610) of detecting whether or not a user has remotely or manually selected a power end input. That is, when a user remotely selects a power end through the terminal 700, the control method of the present application will detect a remote power end input, sequentially end the remote holding step (S500), and perform the end preparation step (S800) and the power end step (S900).

[0202] A user power end input can not only be remotely input, but also manually input. That is, when a user presses or touches a button provided to a power input portion 411 of the panel portion 400 again, the control method of the present application, after detecting a user manual power end input, ends the remote holding step (S500) and performs the end preparation step (S800) and the power end step (S900) in the same manner as the remote power end input.

[0203] In addition, the end input detection step (S600) can further include a step (S630) of detecting whether or not a user has selected a remote control prohibition input for deactivating remote control through the input portion 410. When a user directly selects a remote control prohibition input on the panel portion 400, in addition to a power end input for cutting off power, the control method of the present application will detect a remote control prohibition input, end the remote holding step (S500), and perform the end preparation step (S800) and the power end step (S900).

[0204] A user can deactivate the remote control by pressing or touching a button provided to the remote control input portion 415 again. For safety reasons, activation and deactivation of the remote control cannot be remotely selected through a user's terminal 700, and must be directly selected by the user.

[0205] In addition, the end input detection step (S600) can further include a step of detecting whether the user releases the remote control hold through the terminal 700 (S670). For example, the user can deactivate the remote control by releasing the remote control hold in an application (App) installed in the smart phone. When the user releases the remote control hold in the terminal, the control method of the present application can deactivate the remote control and end the remote hold step (S500), and perform the end preparation step (S800) and the power end step (S900).

[0206] In the control method of the present application, the end input detection step (S600) can be continuously performed while the remote control is held for the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 (S500). That is, after the program of rotating the drum 300 is performed (S350), the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 can wait in the activated remote control state to detect the next input of the user. This is to minimize the power consumption of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000.

[0207] When the user selects the wake-up of the laundry treatment apparatus through the terminal 700, the control part 900 will detect the remote wake-up input (S700). That is, in the control method of the present application, when the remote wake-up input of the user input is detected, the remote hold step (S500) can be moved to the program start input detection step (S300).

[0208] When the remote wake-up input is detected, the control method of the present application can perform the program start detection step (S300) after performing a wake-up notification step (S750) for notifying that the remote wake-up input is detected.

[0209] That is, when the remote wake-up input received through the communication part 910 is detected, the control part 900 can output a preset sound using the voice output part 490 to notify the user that it is in a state capable of receiving and processing the remote input of the user. Thereafter, the control part 900 can detect a remote program start input for starting the program selected by the user's terminal 700 and rotate the drum according to the selected program.

[0210] Accordingly, the control part 900 can maintain the locked state of the door 200 as it is according to the remote control hold input of the user, and thus can continue to receive and process other remote inputs of the user without deactivation of the remote control, disconnection of the power, or release of the lock of the door.

[0211] According to the above-described steps, the control method of the present application can inform the user of the activation of the communication section, the locking of the door, the permission of remote control, etc. through the output section 450.

[0212] Figure 8A is a diagram illustrating an example when the control section 900 activates the communication section 910 and lights up the communication display section 451 to inform that it is in a state capable of communicating with the user's smartphone when the user connects the laundry treatment apparatus to an external power source through the power input section 411 (S100). In addition, an arbitrary time (default time) can be displayed on the time display section 455. When the user selects a desired program, the time displayed on the time display section 455 can be changed to correspond to the selected program.

[0213] In addition, the control section 900 can inform the user in a preset voice through the voice output section 490 to inform that the power of the laundry treatment apparatus is turned on and is in an initial state.

[0214] That is, the control method of the present application can inform the user that the communication section 910 is activated and is in a state capable of communication by lighting up the communication display section 451 in the interface section 430 in the power supply step (S100).

[0215] Figure 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of the interface section 430 when the user permits remote control through the remote control input section 415. That is, when the user presses or touches a button provided in the remote control input section 415, the control section 900 can detect a remote control permission input. When the remote control permission input is detected, the control section 900 can light up the light display section 4151 of the remote control input section 415 to inform that remote control is permitted. In addition, when the remote control permission input is detected, the control section 900 can light up the communication display section 451, the locking display section 452, and the remote display section 453. Thereby, the user can be informed of the locking of the door 200, the activation of the communication section 910, and the activation of the remote control.

[0216] Since there is no program selected by the user at present, the control section 900 can display the arbitrary time on the time display section 455.

[0217] Figure 8Cis a view showing an example of the interface section 430 in the end preparation step (S800). The control section 900 can rotate the drum 300 to execute a program selected by the user. When the program ends and the user does not set the remote control hold, the control method of the present application can execute the end preparation step (S800). Thereby, since the remote control is not executed any more, the control section 900 can release the locked state of the door 200. In addition, the remote control can be deactivated.

[0218] Therefore, the control section 900 can release the locked state of the door 200, and can deactivate all the display sections of the interface section 430. That is, by turning off the power supplied to the interface section 430, all the light emitting diodes provided inside the interface section 430 can be turned off. Then, the control section 900 can cut off the connection with the external power source through the switch section 950.

[0219] Figure 8D is a view showing an example of the interface section 430 in the remote hold step (S500). At this time, since the control section 900 is waiting for the remote input of the user, the power can be cut off except for the units such as the interface section 430 and the communication section which must be operated. This is to minimize the power consumption when on standby.

[0220] In the remote hold step (S500), the control section 900 can notify the user that the remote control can be executed by lighting the light display section 4151 of the remote control input section 415. In addition, the control section 900 can light the communication display section 451, the remote display section 453, and the lock display section 452 to notify the activation of the communication section 910, the activation of the remote control, and the locked state of the door.

[0221] The present application can be implemented in various forms, and the scope of the right is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, if a modified embodiment contains the constituent elements of the claims of the present application, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the right protection of the present application.

Claims

1.A laundry treating apparatus, characterized by: comprising: a cabinet provided with a drop port at one side thereof; a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the drop port; a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet to receive laundry in the drum through the drop port; a door locking part provided inside the cabinet to lock the door when the door closes the drop port or to release the lock of the door for opening the drop port closed by the door; a communication part to receive a user's remote input through communication with the outside; a switch part to connect or disconnect an external power source; an input part on the cabinet including a power input part to connect or disconnect the external power source and a remote control input part to allow or disallow remote control; an output part to output a treating state based on the remote input and a manual input; and a control part to control rotation of the drum, locking and releasing of the door performed by the door locking part, the communication part, the switch part, the input part, and the output part according to the manual input or the remote input; if a remote control hold input among the remote input is detected through the communication part before a preset program including rotation of the drum ends, the control part maintains connection with the external power source performed by the switch part and the locked state of the door performed by the door locking part after the program ends; if a manual power end input among the manual input is detected through the power input part or a remote control prohibition input among the remote input is detected through the remote control input part during a period in which the connection with the external power source and the locked state of the door are maintained after the remote control hold input is detected before the program ends, the control part disconnects the connection with the external power source through the switch part after the locked state of the door is released through the door locking part; if a remote hold end input or a remote power end input among the remote input is detected through the communication part, the control part releases the locked state of the door through the door locking part and disconnects the connection with the external power source through the switch part; if a remote wake-up input among the remote input is detected through the communication part, the control part waits until a remote program start instruction among the remote input is detected to rotate the drum while maintaining the locked state of the door. 2.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: if the remote control hold input is not detected until the program ends, the control part releases the locked state of the door through the door locking part after the program ends. 3.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: after the locked state of the door is released, the control part disconnects the connection with the external power source through the switch part. 4.The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: In case that the remote wake-up input is detected, the control portion outputs a preset sound through a voice output portion provided inside the cabinet. 5.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output portion comprises: a communication display portion which displays whether the communication portion is in an activated state in which communication with the outside is possible; a lock display portion which displays whether the door is locked by the door locking portion; and a remote display portion which displays whether an activated state in which remote control through the communication portion is possible is present. 6.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein in case that a manual power connection input among the manual inputs is detected through the power input portion and a remote control permission input among the remote inputs is detected through the remote control input portion, the control portion displays an activated state of the communication portion, a locked state of the door, and an activated state of the remote control through the communication display portion, the lock display portion, and the remote display portion. 7.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 6, wherein in case that the remote control hold input is detected until the program ends, the control portion maintains the display of the communication display portion, the lock display portion, and the remote display portion, in case that the remote control hold input is not detected until the program ends, the control portion releases the display of the communication display portion, the lock display portion, and the remote display portion.

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