IoT-based clothing handling device and its control method

Abstract

A garment handling device is provided, included in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The garment handling device includes: a communication interface; a processor for performing a process including at least one garment handling operation; and the communication interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a garment handling apparatus, which is an IoT device included in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a garment handling apparatus that controls the garment handling process according to the context of the IoT system.

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0095437, filed on July 30, 2020, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0004] Clothes may be damaged if a user leaves them in the washing machine or dryer after the washing or drying process is complete without removing them.

[0005] To address this issue, clothing handling devices (such as washing machines or dryers) based on relevant technologies provide notifications at the end of the washing or drying process. However, at each point in time the notification is provided, the user's situation is necessarily different, and therefore, in many cases, even if a notification is provided, the user may not remove the clothes from the washing machine or dryer.

[0006] The above information is provided as background information only to aid in understanding this disclosure. No determination or assertion has been made regarding whether any of the above content can be considered prior art applicable to this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Technical Issues]

[0008] This disclosure will at least address the aforementioned problems and / or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a garment handling apparatus and its control method, which is capable of flexibly altering the remainder of an ongoing garment handling process based on the context of one or more electronic devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) system.

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a server device that controls a garment handling device based on the context of one or more electronic devices and according to the user's situation.

[0010] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments presented.

[0011] [Technical Solution]

[0012] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a clothing handling device is provided, included in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The clothing handling device includes a communication interface and a processor configured to execute a process comprising at least one clothing handling operation. The processor is configured to: during the execution of the process, receive information about the context of an electronic device included in the IoT system via the communication interface; based on the received information, identify whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the currently executed process and the context of the electronic device satisfies the predetermined conditions; and when the predetermined conditions are identified as satisfied, modify and execute the remaining portion of the currently executed process, thereby changing the remaining time.

[0013] In this case, the information about the context of the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends, and the processor may be configured to identify that a predetermined condition is met when it is identified, based on the received information, that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process.

[0014] Additionally, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the location of the electronic device, and the processor may be configured to identify that a predetermined condition is met when it is determined, based on the received information, that the location of the electronic device has become far away from the location of the clothing handling device by a threshold distance or greater during the execution process.

[0015] Additionally, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends, and the processor may be configured to: identify that a predetermined condition is met when, based on the received information, it is determined that the first remaining time of the process being performed by the electronic device and the second remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing processing device are different from each other, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a threshold time.

[0016] Additionally, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends, and the processor may be configured to: identify that a predetermined condition is met when, based on the received information, it is determined that the ratio of the first remaining time of the first process being performed by the electronic device to the total time of the first process and the ratio of the second remaining time of the second process being performed by the garment handling device to the total time of the second process are a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other.

[0017] The processor can be configured to adjust the execution time of at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the ongoing process when a predetermined condition is identified as being met.

[0018] Alternatively, the processor can be configured to add at least one clothing processing operation to the remainder of the process being executed when a predetermined condition is identified as being met.

[0019] The processor can be configured to add at least one clothing processing operation included in the process to the remainder of the process being executed, or to add a new clothing processing operation not included in the process to the remainder of the process being executed.

[0020] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a control method is provided for a clothing handling device included in an IoT system. The control method includes: executing a process comprising at least one clothing handling operation; during the execution of the process, receiving information about the context of an electronic device included in the IoT system; based on the received information, identifying whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the executed process and the context of the electronic device satisfies the predetermined condition; and when the predetermined condition is identified as being satisfied, changing the remaining time of the executed process, thereby changing the remaining time.

[0021] In this context, information about the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends, and in the identification process, when it is identified based on the received information that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process, a predetermined condition can be identified as being met.

[0022] In addition, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the location of the electronic device, and in the identification process, when it is identified based on the received information that the location of the electronic device has become far away from the location of the clothing handling device during the execution process by a threshold distance or greater, it can be identified that a predetermined condition has been met.

[0023] In addition, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends, and in the identification, when it is identified based on the received information that the first remaining time of the process being performed by the electronic device and the second remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing processing device are different from each other, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a threshold time, it can be identified that a predetermined condition is met.

[0024] Additionally, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends, and in the identification, when it is identified based on the received information that the ratio of the first remaining time of the first process being performed by the electronic device to the total time of the first process and the ratio of the second remaining time of the second process being performed by the garment handling device to the total time of the second process are a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other, a predetermined condition can be identified as being met.

[0025] In the process of change, when a predetermined condition is identified as being met, the execution time of at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the ongoing process can be adjusted.

[0026] Additionally, during the modification process, when a predetermined condition is identified as being met, at least one clothing processing operation can be added to the remaining process of the currently executing process.

[0027] During the modification, at least one clothing processing operation included in the process can be added to the remaining process of the currently executing process, or a new clothing processing operation not included in the process can be added to the remaining process of the currently executing process.

[0028] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a server device for controlling an IoT system is provided. The server device includes: a communication interface connected to a garment handling device and an electronic device included in the IoT system; and a processor connected to the communication interface. The processor is configured to: receive information from the garment handling device via the communication interface regarding a process performed by the garment handling device; receive information about the context of the electronic device via the communication interface; during the process being performed by the garment handling device, identify whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process being performed and the context of the electronic device satisfies the predetermined conditions; and when the predetermined conditions are identified as being satisfied, control the garment handling device via the communication interface to change the remaining process of the process being performed.

[0029] The processor can be configured to send information about the process by which its remaining processes have been modified to the user terminal device via a communication interface.

[0030] [Beneficial Effects]

[0031] Even without user input to change the end time of the garment processing process, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure can terminate the ongoing garment processing process at a time appropriate to the user's situation based on information about the context of the external electronic device.

[0032] Therefore, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can prevent garments from being left for an extended period of time after the garment handling process has ended.

[0033] The server device according to this disclosure can automatically control the clothing processing device to perform the clothing processing process, so that the clothing processing device can terminate the clothing processing process according to the user's situation.

[0034] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure in an Internet of Things (IoT) system;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the components of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c and Figure 3d These are figures illustrating various examples of a garment handling apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure identifying whether predetermined conditions are met based on contextual information about the electronic device containing the reproduced content;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a garment handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure identifying whether predetermined conditions are met based on contextual information about the location of the electronic device.

[0040] Figure 5a and Figure 5b These are figures illustrating various examples of a garment handling apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure identifying whether predetermined conditions are met based on information about an electronic device performing another process;

[0041] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c These are diagrams illustrating various examples of altering the remaining processes of a clothes handling apparatus implemented as a washing machine according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7a and Figure 7b These are figures used to illustrate various examples of altering the remaining processes of a clothes handling apparatus implemented as a dryer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the detailed components of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 9a and Figure 9b This is a diagram illustrating the operation and components of a server device for controlling at least one garment handling device and at least one electronic device in a control IoT system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 10a and Figure 10b This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a server device that controls the clothing handling apparatus and electronic devices after the clothing handling process of the clothing handling apparatus has ended, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 11 This is a flowchart describing a control method for a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0047] Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a garment handling device, an electronic device, and a server device on an IoT system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The following description, provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, is intended to aid in a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of this disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. The following description includes various specific details to aid understanding, but these details should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Additionally, descriptions of known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0050] The terminology used in the following description and claims is not limited to its literal meaning, but is intended solely by the inventors to achieve a clear and consistent understanding of this disclosure. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description, which provides various embodiments of this disclosure, is for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the purpose of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0051] Furthermore, throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote parts or components that perform essentially the same function. For ease of explanation and understanding, the same reference numerals will be used to describe different embodiments. That is, even if all components with the same reference numerals are shown in multiple figures, these multiple figures do not necessarily represent a single embodiment.

[0052] Furthermore, in the specification and claims, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish components that are identical or similar to each other, and the meaning of the terms should not be interpreted restrictively by using these ordinal numbers. As an example, components combined with these ordinal numbers should not be limited by the order or arrangement of the ordinal numbers. The various ordinal numbers may be used interchangeably if necessary.

[0053] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form includes the plural form. It should be understood that the terms "comprising" or "forming of" as used in this specification specify the presence of a feature, number, operation, component, part, or combination thereof mentioned in this specification, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0054] In embodiments of this disclosure, terms such as “module,” “unit,” “component,” etc., are terms used to refer to a component that performs at least one function or operation, and such component may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, multiple “modules,” “units,” “components,” etc., are integrated into at least one module or chip, such that they may be implemented as at least one processor, except that they need to be implemented as separate, specific hardware.

[0055] Furthermore, in embodiments of this disclosure, the phrase "connected to" another part includes not only cases where either part is "directly connected" to another part, but also cases where either part is "indirectly connected" to another part through other media. Additionally, unless explicitly stated otherwise, "including" any component will be understood to imply the inclusion of other components rather than the exclusion of any other components.

[0056] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. Figure 1 An IoT system for controlling home appliances and terminal devices is shown.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 The IoT system 10 may include clothing handling devices 11-1 and 11-2, each corresponding to a washing machine and a dryer, as well as other electronic devices 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3. Electronic devices 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 may include, in addition to... Figure 1 Various household appliances or terminal devices other than televisions (TV), desktop personal computers (PCs), and smartphones are shown.

[0058] The clothing handling devices 11-1 and 11-2 in the IoT system 10 can communicate with each other, as can the electronic devices 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3. In this case, one or more server devices can be used.

[0059] Each of the garment handling devices 11-1 and 11-2 can control the process for handling garments (e.g., washing, drying, etc.) based on contextual information received from electronic devices 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3. The contextual information may refer to information about the state or condition of each device, and more specific embodiments relating to the contextual information will be described later with reference to each of the accompanying drawings.

[0060] As an example, the washing machine 11-1 can modify the remaining processes of the washing process based on contextual information received from at least one electronic device while performing a washing process that includes operations such as washing, rinsing, spin-drying and drying.

[0061] As an example, the dryer 11-2 can modify the remaining processes of the drying process based on contextual information received from at least one electronic device while performing a drying process that includes operations such as drying and wrinkle prevention.

[0062] The clothing processing procedure being performed by at least one clothing processing device can also be modified based on information about the context sent and received between clothing processing devices 11-1 and 11-2.

[0063] For example, washing machine 11-1 can modify the remaining stages of the washing process based on context information received from dryer 11-2. Additionally, dryer 11-2 can also modify the remaining stages of the washing process based on context information received from washing machine 11-1.

[0064] As described above, the clothing handling devices 11-1 and 11-2 according to this disclosure can modify and control the clothing handling process by using information about the context of another device included in the IoT system 10, and can ultimately prevent situations such as the clothing handling process ending even when the user may not remove the clothing from the clothing handling devices 11-1 and 11-2, or the clothing handling process ending at a point in time that the user does not want.

[0065] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the components of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The garment handling device 100 may include a communication interface 110 and a processor 120.

[0066] The garment handling device 100 may correspond to a washing machine, a dryer, or other device for removing foreign objects from garments or maintaining the condition of garments. The washing machine 100-1 and dryer 100-2, according to embodiments described below with reference to several figures, may be specific examples of the garment handling device 100.

[0067] The communication interface 110 is a component for communicating with at least one external device. For this purpose, the communication interface 110 may include circuitry.

[0068] The garment handling device 100 may be included in at least one IoT system. In this case, the garment handling device 100 may communicate with various external devices included in the IoT system via the communication interface 110.

[0069] The garment handling device 100 can communicate with at least one electronic device via a communication interface 110. The electronic device can correspond to various household appliances or terminal devices, such as televisions, smartphones, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, tablet PCs, lamps, speakers, and air purifiers. Alternatively, the electronic device can correspond to a different garment handling device than the garment handling device 100.

[0070] The communication interface 110 can send or receive various information to or from one or more external electronic devices through communication protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

[0071] Therefore, the communication interface 110 can connect to external electronic devices via a network implemented through wired and / or wireless communication. In this case, the communication interface 110 can connect directly to the external electronic device, or it can connect to the external electronic device through one or more external servers (e.g., Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) and / or relay devices providing the network. Alternatively, the communication interface 110 can connect to at least one server via an application to connect to external electronic devices connected to the server through the application.

[0072] A network can be a PAN, LAN, WAN, etc., depending on its area or size, and can be an intranet, extranet, or the Internet, depending on its openness.

[0073] Wireless communication may include at least one of the following communication methods: Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), 5G mobile communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and Zigbee. Wired communication may include at least one of the following communication methods: Ethernet, optical networks, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and Thunderbolt. Depending on the wired and wireless communication methods described above, the communication interface 110 may include a network interface or a network chip. The communication methods are not limited to the examples described above and may include new communication methods that emerge as technology advances.

[0074] The processor 120 is a component for overall control of each component included in the garment handling apparatus 100, and can be implemented as a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP), a graphics-specific processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or vision processing unit (VPU), or an artificial intelligence-specific processor such as a neural processing unit (NPU). Additionally, the processor 120 may include volatile memory such as static random access memory (SRAM).

[0075] The processor 120 can execute a process that includes at least one garment handling operation. For this purpose, the process can be stored in the memory of the garment handling apparatus 100 in the form of at least one instruction or program.

[0076] For example, when the garment handling device 100 is a washing machine, the processor 120 can perform a washing process that includes at least one of the operations such as washing, rinsing and spin-drying.

[0077] As an example, when the garment handling device 100 is a dryer, the processor 120 can perform a washing process that includes at least one of the operations such as drying and wrinkle prevention.

[0078] The processor 120 can receive context information about at least one electronic device via the communication interface 110. In this case, the garment handling device 100 and the electronic device can be included in the same IoT system.

[0079] Context can be interpreted broadly as a term that includes the situation or state of an electronic device. Information about the context may include, for example, information about what the electronic device is reproducing, information about the location of the electronic device, information about at least one process being performed by the electronic device, messages about at least one application being performed by the electronic device, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0080] The processor 120 can receive information about the context from the electronic device via at least one server device.

[0081] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 120 can receive information about the context from an electronic device while performing a process including at least one clothing handling operation.

[0082] The processor 120 can identify, based on the received information about the context, whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process being executed and the context of the electronic device satisfies at least one predetermined condition.

[0083] In addition, when at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met, the processor 120 may modify and execute the remaining process of the currently executing process, thereby changing the remaining time of the currently executing process.

[0084] At least one predetermined condition may include various conditions. Additionally, the processor 120 may modify and execute the remaining time of the process, thereby changing the remaining time of the process according to the satisfied predetermined condition. That is, the way the remaining time of the process is changed (such as increasing / decreasing, the degree of increase, or the degree of decrease) may vary depending on what the predetermined condition is.

[0085] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 3a to 3d , Figure 4 , Figure 5a and Figure 5b The disclosure describes predetermined conditions according to various embodiments of the present disclosure and ways of changing the remaining time according to predetermined conditions.

[0086] Figures 3a to 3d This is a diagram illustrating various examples of how a garment handling apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure identifies whether predetermined conditions are met based on information about the context of the electronic device containing the reproduced content.

[0087] Reference Figures 3a to 3d The received contextual information about the electronic device may be information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends. In this case, the processor 120 can determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on the relationship between the remaining time of the process being executed and the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device.

[0088] As a specific example, when it is determined that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a first threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process being executed, the processor 120 can identify that a predetermined condition is met.

[0089] The first threshold time can be a time set based on the time required for clothing to break after the washing or drying process has ended in the garment handling unit.

[0090] in this regard, Figure 3a Assume that the clothes handling unit 100-1, acting as a washing machine, is performing a washing process, while the electronic device 200-1, acting as a TV, is playing a movie. (Refer to...) Figure 3a The remaining time for the washing process is 25 minutes, and the remaining time for the movie being played on electronic device 200-1 is 1 hour.

[0091] When the first threshold time is set to 20 minutes for the clothes handling unit 100-1 of the washing machine, Figure 3a The remaining time of the movie is 20 minutes or more (35 minutes) longer than the remaining time of the washing process, and therefore, the garment handling device 100-1 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0092] In this scenario, the garment handling device 100-1 can modify and execute the remaining portion of the washing process. For example, the garment handling device 100-1 can modify the remaining time, increasing the remaining time of the washing process. Therefore, the washing process can end later than the movie being played, and the user can watch the movie undisturbed. Furthermore, the user can leisurely remove the clothes from the garment handling device 100-1 after the movie ends.

[0093] in this regard, Figure 3b Assume that the clothes handling unit 100-2, acting as a dryer, is performing the drying process, while the electronic device 200-1, acting as a TV, is playing a movie. (Refer to...) Figure 3b The remaining time for the washing process is 5 minutes, while the remaining time for the movie is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

[0094] When the first threshold time is set to 40 minutes for the clothes handling unit 100-2, which is a dryer, Figure 3b If the remaining time of the film is 40 minutes or more (1 hour and 25 minutes) longer than the remaining time of the drying process, the garment handling device 100-2 can therefore identify that the predetermined conditions are met. In this case, the garment handling device 100-2 can modify and execute the remaining time of the drying process.

[0095] As another example, the processor 120 can also identify that a predetermined condition is met when the remaining time of the process being executed is longer than the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device, and the difference between the two remaining times is shorter than a second threshold time.

[0096] Even if the original washing or drying process is reduced by a certain time, the second threshold time can also be set based on the time during which the washing or drying effect is maintained at a predetermined value or a larger value (the predetermined value can be the value of at least one of various factors that can be used to evaluate the quality of the washing / drying process of the washing machine / dryer, which can be predefined by experiment or common technical knowledge, and can be, for example, the amount of residual foreign matter on the clothes after the washing / drying process, the degree of deterioration of the clothes, the degree of wrinkling of the clothes, the amount of residual detergent on the clothes, the degree of dehydration of the clothes, etc.).

[0097] in this regard, Figure 3c Assume that the clothes handling unit 100-1, acting as a washing machine, is performing a washing process, while the electronic device 200-1, acting as a TV, is playing a movie. (Refer to...) Figure 3c The remaining time for the washing process is 1 hour and 25 minutes, and the remaining time for the movie being played on electronic device 200-1 is 1 hour and 16 minutes.

[0098] When the second threshold time is set to 20 minutes, the remaining time of the washing process being performed is 9 minutes longer than the remaining time of the movie (less than 20 minutes), and therefore, the garment handling device 100-1 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0099] In this scenario, the garment handling device 100-1 can alter the remaining time of the washing process. For example, the garment handling device 100-1 can change the remaining time such that the remaining washing time is reduced to the range where the washing process is not yet finished before the movie ends. In this case, the user can remove the garments from the garment handling device 100-1 immediately after the movie ends.

[0100] The processor 120 can also identify whether the relationship with the process being executed meets predetermined conditions based on the type of content being reproduced by the electronic device and the remaining time of the content.

[0101] For this purpose, the garment handling device 100 can receive contextual information, including information about the type of content being reproduced by the electronic device. Additionally, when the electronic device is receiving broadcast content in real time, the garment handling device 100 can also receive contextual information, including hourly broadcast information (e.g., electronic program guide (EPG)), from the electronic device or another electronic device connected to it.

[0102] The content can be of various types, such as movies, plays, advertisements, news, and games. When the content type is movie, play, or game, it is related to the reference... Figures 3a to 3c The described embodiments are no different.

[0103] However, when the content being reproduced by the electronic device is an advertisement, the processor 120 can determine whether the predetermined conditions are met based on the remaining time of the process being executed and the remaining time of the advertisement being reproduced by the electronic device.

[0104] Specifically, when the remaining time of the process being executed is shorter than the remaining time of one or more consecutive advertisements being provided by the electronic device, and the difference between the two remaining times is shorter than the aforementioned second threshold time, the processor 120 can identify whether the predetermined conditions are met.

[0105] In this regard, refer to Figure 3d , Figure 3d The illustration shows a laundry handling device 100-1, which functions as a washing machine, performing a washing process, and an electronic device 200-1, which functions as a TV, providing a status indicating that an advertisement received via broadcast is being displayed. Figure 3d Suppose that the remaining time for the washing process being performed by the laundry handling device 100-1 is 25 minutes, and the remaining time for one or more continuous advertisements being provided by the electronic device 200-1 is 20 minutes.

[0106] When the second threshold time is set to 20 minutes, the remaining time of the washing process being performed is 5 minutes longer than the remaining time of the advertisement (multiple advertisements) (less than 20 minutes), and therefore, the garment handling device 100-1 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0107] In this scenario, the garment handling device 100-1 can alter the remaining time of the washing process. For example, the garment handling device 100-1 can reduce the remaining time of the washing process, causing it to end before the advertisement ends. In this case, the user can remove the garment from the garment handling device 100-1 before other content (e.g., news, drama, or movie) begins to follow the advertisement.

[0108] exist Figures 3a to 3d The text has assumed and shown that electronic device 200-1 is a TV, but electronic device 200-1 does not necessarily need to be a TV and can be various types of electronic devices capable of playing content.

[0109] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a garment handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure identifying whether predetermined conditions are met based on contextual information regarding the location of an electronic device.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the contextual information about the electronic device may include information about the location of the electronic device. In this case, when the processor 120 identifies, based on the received contextual information, that the location of the electronic device has moved away from the location of the garment handling device by a threshold distance or greater during the execution process, a predetermined condition can be determined to be met.

[0111] See Figure 4 Suppose that the clothing handling device 100-1, which is a washing machine, is performing a washing process, and the clothing handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, is performing a drying process, and contextual information, including information about the location of the electronic device 200-2 implemented as a smartphone, is sent to the clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2.

[0112] Information regarding the location of electronic device 200-2 can be identified based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and transmitted to garment processing devices 100-1 and 100-2. In this case, information regarding the location of electronic device 200-2 can be transmitted to garment processing devices 100-1 and 100-2 via at least one server device and / or relay device.

[0113] Alternatively, information regarding the location of electronic device 200-2 can be identified by at least one server device based on connection information between at least one relay device (e.g., a Wi-Fi router) and electronic device 200-2. For example, when it is identified that electronic device 200-2 is connected to a relay device located at a predetermined distance or greater from house 41, the server device can identify that electronic device 200-2 has traveled a predetermined distance or greater from house 41. Additionally, the server device can send information regarding the location of electronic device 200-2 to clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2.

[0114] Alternatively, the location information of electronic device 200-2 can be identified by the server device based on the strength of signals transmitted and received between at least one relay device and electronic device 200-2. In this case, the server device can identify the location of electronic device 200-2 using the location of the relay device that transmits and receives the strongest signal to and from electronic device 200-2. Additionally, the server device can transmit the location information of electronic device 200-2 to clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2.

[0115] Alternatively, when the signal strength of electronic device 200-2 sent to and received from a relay device located in house 41 is less than a predetermined value, the server device can identify that electronic device 200-2 has traveled a predetermined distance or further from house 41. Additionally, the server device can send information about the location of electronic device 200-2 to clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2.

[0116] As described above, when the location of the electronic device 200-2 is detected to be a predetermined distance or longer from the house 41 while the process for handling clothes is being performed, the clothes handling devices 100-2 and 100-2 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0117] In this case, at least one of the garment handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 can modify and execute the remaining process, thereby changing the remaining time of the washing and / or drying process that is being performed.

[0118] Specifically, the garment handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 can modify the remaining process to increase the remaining time of the washing and / or drying processes in progress.

[0119] Therefore, it can prevent situations where clothes are left in the garment handling device for an extended period of time when the user is away from home, even after the washing or drying process has ended.

[0120] exist Figure 4 In the case where the remaining time of the washing or drying process is less than the third threshold time, the clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 can only identify that the predetermined conditions are met when the position of the electronic device becomes far away from the house 41 by a predetermined distance or more (or when the electronic device is located outside the house 41).

[0121] The third threshold time can be set to correspond to a predetermined percentage of the entire process (e.g., 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%), but is not limited to this.

[0122] As an example, we can assume that the third threshold time set for the clothes handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, is 40 minutes. Additionally, when the remaining time in the ongoing drying process is 10 minutes (e.g., Figure 4 When the position of the electronic device becomes a predetermined distance or greater than that of the house 41 under the condition shown, the clothing handling device 100-2 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0123] On the other hand, even if the location of the electronic device becomes a distance away from the house 41 or further away, the clothing handling device 100-2 can identify that the predetermined conditions have not yet been met when the remaining time of the drying process being performed is longer than 40 minutes.

[0124] When the third threshold time is set as described above, it can prevent the remaining time of the washing or drying process from increasing (when the user does not want this to happen). This is because, for example, when the third threshold time is not set, the following problem may occur: even if the user, who is clearly aware that the washing process being performed by the laundry handling device 100-1 is in progress, returns to the house 41 immediately after being away for a short period of time in the early stage of the washing process (before the original remaining time of the washing process has elapsed), the remaining time will increase due to the unavoidable change in the washing process.

[0125] Figure 5a and Figure 5b This is a diagram illustrating various examples of how a garment handling apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure identifies whether predetermined conditions are met based on information about an electronic device performing another process.

[0126] Reference Figure 5a and Figure 5b Information about the context of the electronic device may include information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends. In this case, based on the received information about the context, the processor 120 can identify whether a predetermined condition is met based on the relationship between the first remaining time of the first process being performed by the electronic device and the second remaining time of the second process being performed by the clothing processing device 100.

[0127] In this case, the electronic device can be a different garment handling device from the garment handling device 100. For example, the garment handling device 100 can be a washing machine, while the electronic device can be a dryer.

[0128] For example, when the processor 120 identifies that the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a fourth threshold time, the processor 120 can identify that a predetermined condition is met. The fourth threshold time can be set according to the type of clothing handling device 100 (washing machine, dryer, etc.).

[0129] in this regard, Figure 5a The illustration shows a washing process performed by the clothes handling unit 100-1, which functions as a washing machine, and a drying process performed by the clothes handling unit 100-2, which functions as a dryer. (See reference...) Figure 5a The remaining time for the washing process is 1 hour and 27 minutes, and the remaining time for the drying process is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

[0130] In this case, the clothing handling device 100-1 can receive information about the context from the clothing handling device 100-2 and determine the relationship between the remaining time.

[0131] When the fourth threshold time set for the garment processing device 100-1 is 20 minutes, the difference between the remaining times is 13 minutes, which is less than 20 minutes, and therefore the processor 120 of the garment processing device 100-1 can identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0132] In this case, the garment handling device 100-1 can change the remaining time of the washing process being performed by the garment handling device 100-1. As an example, the garment handling device 100-1 can change the remaining time of the washing process such that the difference between the remaining time of the washing process and the remaining time of the drying process is reduced.

[0133] However, in Figure 5a In this case, the remaining process of the washing process of the clothes handling device 100-1 of the washing machine remains unchanged, but the remaining process of the drying process of the clothes handling device 100-2 of the dryer can be changed.

[0134] When the processor 120 identifies that the ratio of the first remaining time to the total time of the first process being performed by the electronic device (another garment processing device) and the ratio of the second remaining time to the total time of the second process being performed by the garment processing device are a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other, the processor 120 can identify that a predetermined condition is met.

[0135] The threshold ratio can be set to various ratios, such as 50%, 60%, and 70%, but is not limited to these.

[0136] Reference Figure 5b The illustration shows a scenario where the remaining time for the washing process performed by the clothes handling unit 100-1 (acting as a washing machine) is 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the remaining time for the drying process performed by the clothes handling unit 100-2 (acting as a dryer) is 1 hour and 40 minutes. In this case, the washing process is at 10% completion, and the drying process is at 9% completion. That is, the remaining time ratio for the washing process is 90%, and the remaining time ratio for the drying process is 91%.

[0137] When the threshold ratio is 70%, the ratio of the remaining time of the washing process and the drying process is 70% or more (90% and 91%), which is the threshold ratio, and the garment handling device 100-2 can therefore identify that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0138] In this case, the garment handling device 100-2 can alter the remaining time of the drying process being performed by the garment handling device 100-2. As an example, the garment handling device 100-2 can alter the remaining time of the drying process such that the difference between the remaining time of the drying process and the remaining time of the washing process is reduced.

[0139] However, in Figure 5b In this case, the remaining process of the drying process of the clothes handling device 100-2 as a dryer remains unchanged, but the remaining process of the washing process of the clothes handling device 100-1 as a washing machine can be changed.

[0140] When at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met according to the various embodiments described above, the processor 120 may modify the remaining process of the currently executing process. In the following, reference will be made to... Figures 6a to 6c as well as Figure 7a and Figure 7b Various embodiments are described to alter the remaining processes of the process being performed by the garment handling device 100.

[0141] When at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met, the processor 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may adjust the execution time of at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the process being executed.

[0142] Garment handling operations can include processes such as washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and soaking that are part of the washing process. Additionally, garment handling operations can include processes such as tumble drying and wrinkle prevention that are part of the drying process.

[0143] Alternatively, the processor 120 may add at least one clothing processing operation to the remainder of the currently executing process. In this case, the processor 120 may add at least one clothing processing operation included in the process to the remainder of the currently executing process, or add a new clothing processing operation not included in the process to the remainder of the currently executing process.

[0144] Figures 6a to 6c These are diagrams illustrating various examples of altering the remaining processes of a clothes handling apparatus implemented as a washing machine according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0145] Reference Figures 6a to 6c Assume that the laundry handling unit 100-1 of the washing machine is performing a washing process 60 that includes two washing operations, three rinsing operations, and one spin-drying operation.

[0146] In addition, when at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met, the laundry handling device 100-1 may change the remaining process 60′ of the washing process 60.

[0147] First, refer to Figure 6a The garment handling device 100-1 can adjust the execution time of at least one garment handling operation included in the washing process 60.

[0148] Specifically, the garment handling device 100-1 can change the execution time of at least one of the following operations, namely washing operation 62, rinsing operation 63, rinsing operation 64, or spin-drying operation 66, which is performed after a predetermined condition is identified during the washing process 60.

[0149] When the execution time of at least one garment handling operation increases, the remaining time of the washing process 60 may increase, and when the execution time of at least one garment handling operation decreases, the remaining time of the washing process 60 may decrease.

[0150] Reference Figure 6b The garment handling device 100-1 can add at least one garment handling operation to the washing process 60.

[0151] Specifically, the garment handling device 100-1 may add a washing operation 62' between washing operation 62 and rinsing operation 63, or add a rinsing operation 65' between rinsing operation 65 and spin-drying operation 66.

[0152] In addition, the garment handling device 100-1 can add a rinsing operation 67 and a spin-drying operation 68 after the entire original washing process 60 has ended. The rinsing operation 67 and the spin-drying operation 68 have a garment preservation effect, which can prevent the garments left after the original washing process 60 from being damaged or getting dirty again.

[0153] As a result of adding at least one garment handling operation as described above, the remaining time of the washing process 60 can be increased.

[0154] Reference Figure 6c The garment handling device 100-1 can exclude at least one garment handling operation included in the washing process 60 from the washing process 60.

[0155] As a specific example, the garment handling device 100-1 may omit one of the three rinsing operations 63 to 65 of the washing process 60 (e.g., rinsing operation 65). In this case, the remaining time of the washing process 60 can be reduced.

[0156] Figure 7a and Figure 7b These are figures illustrating various examples of altering the remaining processes of a clothes handling apparatus implemented as a dryer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0157] Reference Figure 7a and Figure 7b Assume that the clothing handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, is performing a drying process 70 that includes a primary drying operation 71 and a secondary drying operation 72.

[0158] The first and second drying operations can correspond to multiple operations divided from the drying process by various references. For example, the drying temperatures of the drying operations performed in each of the first and second drying operations can be different from each other. Alternatively, the progress of the drying process can be calculated based on the moisture content of the clothes being dried or the humidity of the air (inside the drum) sensed by a sensor, and the primary and secondary drying operations can be divided based on the time point at which a specific value of the drying progress (e.g., 50%) is reached. However, depending on the design / implementation of the clothes handling device 100-2 as a dryer, the division of the drying process can be changed, and the drying process 70 is not necessarily divided into primary and secondary drying operations, but can be defined as only one operation (drying operation) or can be defined as including three or more operations.

[0159] When at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met, the garment handling device 100-2 may change the remaining process 70′ of the drying process 70.

[0160] As an example, refer to Figure 7a As a garment handling device 100-2 for a dryer, an anti-wrinkle operation 73 can be added to the drying process 70. The anti-wrinkle operation 73 has a garment preservation effect, which can prevent the garments left after the original drying process 70 from being damaged (e.g., wrinkled).

[0161] In this case, the remaining time of the drying process 70 can be increased.

[0162] As an example, refer to Figure 7b The clothing handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, can change the temperature set for at least one of the drying operations 71 and 72 that are performed after a time point when predetermined conditions are identified.

[0163] Reference Figure 7b The garment handling device 100-2 can raise or lower the temperature during the secondary drying operation 72. When the temperature set for the secondary drying operation 72 is increased, the time required for the secondary drying operation 72 can also be reduced because the moisture content of the garments is sensed to quickly reach the target value. Therefore, the remaining time of the drying process 70 can be reduced.

[0164] Conversely, when the temperature set for the secondary drying operation 72 is reduced, the time required for the secondary drying operation 72 can be increased, thereby increasing the remaining time of the drying process 70.

[0165] Specifically, the clothing handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, may include a compressor, heat exchanger, fan, etc. for generating warm air, and the drying temperature may be increased or decreased in operations such as secondary drying operation 72 by increasing or decreasing the operating frequency of the compressor.

[0166] In the garment handling apparatus 100-2, which functions as a dryer, the time required to perform the drying operation can be pre-stored for each drying temperature of at least one drying operation (e.g., the initial drying operation or the secondary drying operation as described above). For example, the execution time for the secondary drying operation at a drying temperature of 60°C can be set to 1 hour, the execution time for the secondary drying operation at a drying temperature of 65°C can be set to 55 minutes, and the execution time for the secondary drying operation at a drying temperature of 70°C can be set to 50 minutes.

[0167] When the drying temperature for the secondary drying operation is set to 65°C and the execution time for the secondary drying operation is set to 55 minutes, and the remaining time of the drying process 70 needs to be reduced by 5 minutes, the garment handling device 100-2 can change the drying temperature of the secondary drying operation to 70°C and then execute the drying process 70.

[0168] A (target) drying temperature matching the change in the execution time of the drying operation can be inferred through at least one artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model can be data in the form of a neural network model, which is trained to output the drying temperature when the change in the execution time of the drying operation (e.g., a secondary drying operation) is input, and can be stored in at least one server device capable of communicating with the garment handling device 100-2 or the garment handling device 100-2.

[0169] As a specific example, when the remaining time of the drying process 70 needs to be reduced by 15 minutes, the garment handling device 100-2 can send information to the server device about the target execution time obtained by subtracting 15 minutes from the execution time of the (original) secondary drying operation 72. Additionally, the server device can identify the target drying temperature for the secondary drying operation by inputting the information about the target execution time into an artificial intelligence model. Furthermore, the garment handling device 100-2 can modify the drying process 70 by setting the drying temperature of the secondary drying operation 72 to the target drying temperature received from the server device.

[0170] although Figure 7bNot shown, but as an example, the clothing handling device 100-2, which is a dryer, can adjust the duration of the secondary drying operation 72 by increasing / decreasing the speed of the fan that discharges warm air. In this case, as the fan speed increases, the execution time of the secondary drying operation 72 can be reduced, and as the fan speed decreases, the execution time of the secondary drying operation 72 can be increased. The clothing handling device 100-2 can adjust the fan speed by controlling the output of the motor that drives the fan's rotation.

[0171] The processor 120 can modify the remaining time of the currently executing process in different ways based on the predetermined conditions that are met. As described above, in each embodiment, the remaining time of the process can be changed to increase or decrease for each predetermined condition. Additionally, the degree (duration) of the increase or decrease in the remaining time can also be changed for each predetermined condition.

[0172] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the detailed components of a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0173] Reference Figure 8 In addition to the communication interface 110 and the processor 120, the clothing handling device 100 may also include a clothing processor 130, a memory 140, a user input interface 150, an output interface 160, etc.

[0174] The processor 120 can send context information about the garment processing device 100 to at least one external device via the communication interface 110. For example, the processor 120 can send information about the currently executing (garment processing) process to server devices and / or electronic devices included in the IoT system.

[0175] Information about a process may include information about the type and execution time of each operation included in the process, the start time of the process, the remaining time of the process, etc.

[0176] Additionally, when the process for handling clothing is completed, the processor 120 can send a notification regarding the completion of the process to a server device and / or an electronic device via the communication interface 110. Therefore, an electronic device implemented as a smartphone or TV can provide the user with a notification regarding the completion of the process.

[0177] Additionally, when the remaining processes used for garment handling are altered, the processor 120 can send information about the altered processes to the server device and / or electronic device.

[0178] The garment processor 130 is a component used to perform processes including the various garment processing operations described above under the control of the processor 120.

[0179] When the garment handling device 100 is a washing machine, the garment processor 130 may include various components for performing at least one of the following operations: washing, rinsing, spin-drying, or drying.

[0180] As an example, the garment processor 130 may include a bucket for storing water, a drum for holding the clothes to be washed and performing washing / rinsing / spinning / drying, etc., on the clothes, a motor for rotating the drum, a water supply valve for supplying water from the bucket to the drum, a pump for discharging water from the drum, etc. However, the components of the garment processor 130 of the garment handling device 100 may be implemented in various ways known in the related art.

[0181] When the garment handling device 100 is a dryer, the garment processor 130 may include various components for performing operations such as drying and wrinkle prevention.

[0182] As an example, the garment processor 130 may include a drum for placing and drying clothes, a motor for rotating the drum, and a heater (which may include a compressor, heat exchanger, fan, etc.) for supplying warm air with a predetermined temperature to the drum. However, the components of the garment processor 130 as a garment handling device 100 for a dryer can be implemented in various ways known in the relevant art (e.g., by using an electric heater to heat air, by generating heat through combustion of gas, etc.).

[0183] When the garment handling device 100 is a dryer, a sensor for measuring the moisture content of the garments can be installed inside the drum. Specifically, the sensor may include one or more electrodes, and in this case, the processor 120 can measure the moisture content of the garments or the humidity of the air inside the drum based on the current intensity flowing through the garments in contact with the electrodes or the air inside the drum in contact with the electrodes. Furthermore, the processor 120 can determine the drying progress based on the measured moisture content or the measured humidity.

[0184] When the garment handling device 100 is implemented as a garment handling device of another type besides a washing machine and dryer (e.g., a device for storing and managing garments), the components of the garment processor 130 can also be changed.

[0185] The memory 140 is a component for storing an operating system (OS) for controlling the general operation of the components of the garment handling apparatus 100 and at least one instruction or data related to the components of the garment handling apparatus 100. The processor 120 can perform operations according to the various embodiments described above by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory 140.

[0186] Memory 140 may include non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM) and flash memory, and may also include volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Alternatively, memory 140 may include memory such as hard disk drives and solid-state drives (SSDs).

[0187] The memory 140 may store information about the process executed by the garment handling device 100 in the form of a program or instructions. The program or instructions may be defined as control command codes used by the processor 120 to control the garment processor 130.

[0188] User input interface 150 is a component used to receive user input.

[0189] The processor 120 can receive user commands for executing at least one procedure via the user input interface 150.

[0190] Therefore, the user input interface 150 may include at least one button, a touch screen, etc., and may also include a microphone, an image sensor, etc.

[0191] Output interface 160 is a component used to provide various information to the user. Output interface 160 may include at least one display and a speaker.

[0192] As an example, when the washing process of the clothes handling device 100 implemented as a washing machine ends, the processor 120 can provide a visual and / or auditory notification about the end of the washing process via a display and / or a speaker.

[0193] As an example, when the remaining time of the washing process in the clothes handling unit 100 implemented as a washing machine is changed, the processor 120 can control the output interface 160 to visually / audibly notify the user that the washing process being performed has been changed. In this case, the display of the output interface 160 can display information about the remaining time of the change.

[0194] Figure 9a and Figure 9b This is a diagram illustrating the operation and components of a server device for controlling at least one garment handling device and at least one electronic device in a control IoT system, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0195] Reference Figure 9a The server device 300 can receive information about the context from the clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 and the electronic devices 200-1, 200-2 and 200-3.

[0196] In addition, the server device 300 can control the washing / drying process performed by the garment handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 based on the received context information.

[0197] In the following text, it will be through Figure 9b The components of the server device 300 shown are described in more detail, as is the operation of the server device 300. (Refer to...) Figure 9b The server device 300 may include a communication interface 310 and a processor 320.

[0198] The communication interface 310 can be connected to at least one garment handling device and at least one electronic device included in the IoT system.

[0199] The communication interface 310 can send and receive various information from external electronic devices through communication protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

[0200] For this purpose, the communication interface 310 can be connected to at least one garment handling device or external electronic device via a network implemented through wired and / or wireless communication. The communication interface 310 can also connect to external devices via one or more external servers (e.g., Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) providing the network.

[0201] Processor 320 is a component used to control the general operation and components of server device 300. Processor 320 can be implemented as a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or application processor (AP), a graphics-specific processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or vision processing unit (VPU), or an artificial intelligence-specific processor such as a neural processing unit (NPU). Additionally, processor 320 may include volatile memory such as static random access memory (SRAM).

[0202] When at least one garment handling device is performing a process, the processor 320 can identify, based on the received information about the context, whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process and the context of at least one electronic device satisfies at least one of the predetermined conditions described above.

[0203] In addition, when a predetermined condition is identified, the processor 320 can control the garment handling device to change the remaining process of the currently executing process through the communication interface 310.

[0204] Specifically, the processor 320 can send control information to the garment handling device via the communication interface 310 to modify the remaining process of the process being executed by the garment handling device. Therefore, the remaining process of the process being executed by the garment handling device can be modified.

[0205] Control information may include information about the process to be changed. Specifically, control information may include information about whether the remaining time of the currently executing process is increasing or decreasing, the length of the increased or decreased time, the operations to be added to the currently executing process, and the operations to be removed from the currently executing process. Additionally, when the process to be changed is a drying process, the control information may also include information about a newly set drying temperature for at least one drying operation included in the drying process.

[0206] Additionally, the processor 320 can also send information about the alteration of its remaining process to the user terminal device via the communication interface 310. Therefore, the user terminal device can notify the user that the remaining process of the procedure being performed by the clothing processing device has been changed.

[0207] The processor 320 of the server device 300 can even control the clothing handling devices 100-1 and 100-2 and the electronic devices 200-1, 200-2 and 200-3 in various ways after the process of at least one clothing handling device has ended.

[0208] Figure 10a and Figure 10b This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a server device that controls the clothing handling apparatus and electronic devices after the clothing handling process of the clothing handling apparatus has ended, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0209] Reference Figure 10a When the washing process ends (S1010), the laundry handling device 100-1 of the washing machine can send information to the server device 300 to notify the server device 300 that the washing process has ended (S1020).

[0210] In this case, the server device 300 can send control information regarding the end of the washing process to the electronic device 200-1, which is implemented as a TV (S1030). Therefore, the electronic device 200-1 can output a message 1040 to notify the user that the washing process has ended (S1040).

[0211] Reference Figure 10bAfter the washing process is completed, the garment handling device 100-1 can monitor whether the door is open (S1050). That is, the garment handling device 100-1 can identify whether the door of the garment handling device 100-1 has been opened by the user after the washing process is completed. For this purpose, the garment handling device 100-1 can be equipped with at least one sensor for sensing whether the door has been opened or closed. This is because whether the door is open or closed can be matched with whether the user has taken out the clothes.

[0212] In addition, the clothing handling device 100-1 can send monitoring information about the door opening to the server device 300 (S1060).

[0213] Server device 300 can receive context information about electronic device 200-1 (S1070).

[0214] When it is detected that the door of the garment handling device 100-1 has not been opened even after a predetermined first threshold time has elapsed since the washing process ended, the server device 300 can control the garment handling device 100-1 to provide additional notifications or execute additional processes.

[0215] As a specific example, when electronic device 200-1 is providing an advertisement, server device 300 can send control information to electronic device 200-1 to provide a notification again regarding the end of the washing process (S1080-1).

[0216] In this case, the electronic device 200-1 can provide a message to notify the user again that the washing process is over (S1090-1).

[0217] As another example, when the electronic device 200-1 is providing movies, dramas, games, etc., the server device 300 can send control information about the additional process to the garment handling device 100-1 (S1080-2).

[0218] In this case, the garment handling device 100-1 can perform additional processes (S1090-2) based on control information, including operations such as rinsing and dehydration. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the clothes to be washed from remaining in the garment handling device 100-1 and becoming dirty or damaged even after the washing process is completed.

[0219] like Figure 4 As shown, after the washing process of the garment handling device 100-1 is completed, even if the location of the electronic device 200-2, which is implemented as a smartphone, becomes farther away from the predetermined distance or further away, the server device 300 can send control information to the garment handling device 100-1 to enable the garment handling device 100-1 to perform additional processes.

[0220] Figure 10a and Figure 10b Only the case of the garment handling device 100-1 as a washing machine is shown, but a similar embodiment can be assumed even when the drying process of the garment handling device 100-2 as a dryer has ended. For example, when no door opening is sensed even if a predetermined first threshold time has elapsed since the end of the drying process, the garment handling device 100-2 can perform an additional process (e.g., wrinkle prevention) under the control of the server device 300.

[0221] Figure 11 This is a flowchart describing a control method for a garment handling apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In this case, the garment handling apparatus may be included in an IoT system along with at least one electronic device.

[0222] Reference Figure 11 In this control method, a process including at least one garment handling operation can be executed. Additionally, during the execution of this process, contextual information about the electronic device included in the IoT system can be received (S1110).

[0223] Information about the context may include, but is not limited to, information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends, information about the location of the electronic device, information about the remaining time until the process being performed by the electronic device ends.

[0224] In addition, in this control method, it is possible to identify, based on the received information, whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process being executed and the context of the electronic device satisfies at least one predetermined condition (S1120).

[0225] In this case, when it is determined that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process being executed, a predetermined condition can be identified as being met.

[0226] Additionally, when it is detected that the location of the electronic device has moved away from the location threshold distance or further away from the location of the clothing handling device during the execution process, a predetermined condition can be identified.

[0227] Alternatively, the satisfaction of predetermined conditions can be identified based on the relationship between the first remaining time of the process being executed by the electronic device and the second remaining time of the process being executed by the garment handling device. In this case, the electronic device can be another garment handling device.

[0228] As an example, when it is identified that the first remaining time of the process being performed by the electronic device is different from the second remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing handling device, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a threshold time, it can be identified that a predetermined condition is met.

[0229] As an example, a predetermined condition can be identified when the ratio of the first remaining time to the total time of the first process performed by the electronic device and the ratio of the second remaining time to the total time of the second process performed by the garment handling device are a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other.

[0230] Furthermore, when at least one predetermined condition is identified as being met, the remaining time of the currently executing process can be changed, thereby altering the remaining time of the currently executing process (S1130). In this case, the manner in which the remaining time is changed can depend on the predetermined condition being met (whether the remaining time increases / decreases, the length of the increase / decrease, etc.).

[0231] Specifically, when a predetermined condition is identified as being met, the execution time of at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the ongoing process can be adjusted.

[0232] Alternatively, when a predetermined condition is identified as being met, at least one clothing processing operation can be added to the remainder of the currently executing process. In this case, at least one clothing processing operation included in the currently executing process can be added to the remainder of the currently executing process, or a new clothing processing operation not included in the process can be added to the remainder of the currently executing process.

[0233] Reference Figure 11 The control method of the described garment handling device can be provided by Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown and referenced Figure 2 and Figure 8 The described garment handling device 100 performs this function.

[0234] alternative sites, refer to Figure 11 The control method of the described garment handling device can be executed by a system including the garment handling device 100 and at least one electronic device.

[0235] Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a garment handling device, an electronic device, and a server device on an IoT system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0236] Reference Figure 12The garment processing device 100 can execute a process for garment processing (S1210). Additionally, the garment processing device 100 can send information about the process being executed to the server device 300 (S1220).

[0237] Server device 300 can receive information about the context of electronic device 200 from electronic device 200 (S1230).

[0238] Additionally, the server device 300 can identify whether at least one predetermined condition is met between the remaining time of the process being executed by the clothing handling device 100 and the context of the electronic device 200 (S1240).

[0239] When a predetermined condition is identified, the server device 300 can send control information to the garment processing device 100 to change the remaining process of the process being executed (S1250).

[0240] Therefore, the garment handling device 100 can change and execute the remaining process based on the received control information (S1260).

[0241] Reference Figure 12 At least some of the described operations can be slightly modified and practiced based on common technical knowledge. For example, there is no problem even if operations S1220 and S1230 are executed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0242] The various embodiments described above can be implemented in a computer or a computer-readable recording medium using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0243] Depending on the hardware implementation, at least one of the following can be used to implement the embodiments described in this disclosure: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), programmable logic device (PLD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), processor, controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, or electrical unit for performing other functions.

[0244] In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as the processor itself. Depending on the software implementation, embodiments such as the processes and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the above software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

[0245] Computer instructions for performing processing operations in the garment processing apparatus 100 or server apparatus 300 according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by a processor of a particular apparatus, cause the particular apparatus to perform the processing operations according to the various embodiments described above.

[0246] Non-transitory computer-readable media are not media that temporarily store data (such as registers, caches, or memory), but rather media that store data semi-permanently and can be read by a device. Specific examples of non-transitory computer-readable media can include optical discs (CDs), digital universal discs (DVDs), hard disks, Blu-ray discs, USB drives, memory cards, ROMs, etc.

[0247] Although this disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, included in an Internet of Things (IoT) system, the garment processing device comprising: Communication interface; as well as The processor is configured to perform a process that includes at least one garment handling operation. The processor is configured as follows: During the execution of the process, information about the context of the electronic device is received from the electronic device included in the IoT system via the communication interface. This information includes information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends, or information about the remaining time until the process being executed by the electronic device ends. Based on the received information, it is determined whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process being performed by the garment handling device and the context of the electronic device satisfies predetermined conditions, and Based on the identification that the predetermined conditions are met, the remaining process of the process being performed by the garment processing device is changed, thereby changing the remaining time of the process being performed by the garment processing device.

2. The garment processing device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: identify that the predetermined condition is met when it is determined, based on the received information, that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing handling device.

3. The garment processing device according to claim 1, in, Information about the context of the electronic device also includes information about the location of the electronic device, and The processor is further configured to: when it is identified, based on the received information, that the position of the electronic device has become far away from the position of the clothing processing device by a threshold distance or greater during the execution of the process, identify that the predetermined condition is met.

4. The garment processing device according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: identify that the predetermined condition is met when, based on the received information, a first remaining time of the process being performed by the electronic device and a second remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing processing device are different from each other, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a threshold time.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, in, The processor is further configured to: identify that the predetermined condition is met when, based on the received information, it is determined that the ratio of the first remaining time of the first process being performed by the electronic device to the total time of the first process and the ratio of the second remaining time of the second process being performed by the clothing processing device to the total time of the second process are a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other.

6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is further configured to: when the predetermined condition is identified as being met, adjust the execution time of the at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the process being executed by the clothing processing device.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is further configured to add the at least one garment processing operation to the remainder of the process being executed by the garment processing device when the predetermined condition is identified as being met.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The processor is also configured to add new clothing processing operations that are not included in the process being performed by the clothing processing device to the remainder of the process being performed by the clothing processing device.

9. A control method for a clothing handling device included in an Internet of Things (IoT) system, the control method comprising: Perform a process that includes at least one garment handling operation; During the execution of the process, information about the context of the electronic device is received from the electronic device included in the IoT system, wherein the information about the context of the electronic device includes information about the remaining time until the content being provided by the electronic device ends or information about the remaining time until the process being executed by the electronic device ends; Based on the received information, determine whether the relationship between the remaining time until the end of the process being performed by the garment handling device and the context of the electronic device satisfies predetermined conditions; and Based on the identification that the predetermined conditions are met, the remaining process of the process being performed by the garment processing device is changed, thereby changing the remaining time of the process being performed by the garment processing device.

10. The control method according to claim 9, in, In the identification process, when it is identified, based on the received information, that the remaining time of the content being provided by the electronic device is longer than a threshold time or longer than the remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing handling device, the predetermined condition is deemed met.

11. The control method according to claim 9, in, Information about the context of the electronic device also includes information about the location of the electronic device, and In the identification process, when it is identified, based on the received information, that the position of the electronic device has become far away from the position of the clothing processing device during the execution of the process by a threshold distance or greater, the predetermined condition is identified as being met.

12. The control method according to claim 9, in, In the identification, when the first remaining time of the process being performed by the electronic device and the second remaining time of the process being performed by the clothing processing device are different from each other based on the received information, and the difference between the first remaining time and the second remaining time is less than a threshold time, the predetermined condition is identified as being met.

13. The control method according to claim 9, in, In the identification, when the ratio of the first remaining time of the first process performed by the electronic device to the total time of the first process and the ratio of the second remaining time of the second process performed by the clothing processing device to the total time of the second process are identified based on the received information as a threshold ratio or a larger ratio, and the first remaining time and the second remaining time are different from each other, the predetermined condition is identified as being met.

14. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, In the aforementioned change, when the predetermined condition is identified as being met, the execution time of at least one clothing processing operation included in the remaining process of the process being executed by the clothing processing device is adjusted.

15. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, In the aforementioned change, when the predetermined condition is identified as being met, the at least one garment processing operation is added to the remainder of the process being performed by the garment processing device.

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