Laundry apparatus, and method of controlling display of laundry apparatus

Abstract

To provide a laundry apparatus in which a user is easy to understand a usage state, and a method of controlling display of a laundry apparatus.SOLUTION: A laundry apparatus for conducting at least any processing of laundry and drying to an object includes: a plurality of course-displaying parts for conducting the processing, namely conducting display respectively corresponding to a plurality of courses different each other, which can be selected by a user of the laundry apparatus; a state display part capable of lighting to indicate a state of the laundry apparatus; and a display control part for conducting display control of the state display part, where the display control part makes the state display part light with a different color whether in a waiting state or in an operating state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a laundry machine that washes and / or dries laundry such as clothes and bedding, and a display control method for the laundry machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, dozens of these types of laundry machines have been installed in stores such as coin laundries and provided to customers. Customers bring their laundry, such as clothes and bedding, and pay a usage fee to have it washed. Since coin laundries are generally unmanned, they have installed payment systems that automate payment. Customers use the laundry machines in a self-service manner by inserting cash into a payment machine installed at each laundry machine or into a centralized payment machine that centrally settles the payments for each laundry machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-57300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a laundry machine and a display control method for the laundry machine that make it easy for users to understand the usage status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The laundry machine of the embodiment is a laundry machine that performs at least one of washing and drying processes on an object, and is equipped with a plurality of course display units that can be selected by the user of the laundry machine and that display displays corresponding to a plurality of courses in which the processes to be performed are different from each other, a status display unit that can be lit to indicate the status of the laundry machine, and a display control unit that controls the display of the status display unit, and is characterized in that the display control unit lights up the status display unit in different colors when in standby mode and when in operating mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation panel of a medium-sized washer / dryer that allows selection of five courses according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the washer / dryer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display control table when a fee is deposited into the washer / dryer according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display control table when the washer-dryer according to the embodiment is operated and controlled by a centralized payment machine. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washer / dryer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, details of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the laundry machine according to the present invention will be described as an example in which it is applied to a washer / dryer that performs a washing and / or drying process for washing items.

[0008] (Washer / dryer configuration) The configuration of a washer / dryer according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a front view of the washer / dryer according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof. Note that in Fig. 2, a front panel and an operation panel, which will be described later, are partially omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washer / dryer 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 20, and inside the housing 20 there is provided an outer body (shell) 30 which is a horizontally oriented cylindrical body with a bottom, and a drum 40 which is a horizontally oriented cylindrical body with a bottom and is placed inside the outer body 30.

[0010] The housing 20 has a circular panel opening 20b approximately in the center of a front panel 20a provided on the front side. The outer body 30 has an input port 60 for inserting and removing laundry such as clothes and sheets, and the input port 60 is fixed so that the input port 60 is exposed through the panel opening 20b. The front panel 20a is provided with an opening / closing door 70 for opening and closing the input port 60 via a hinge mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a user opens the opening / closing door 70 to insert laundry into the drum 40, and after the washing process and / or drying process (hereinafter referred to as laundry process) is completed, the user opens the opening / closing door 70 and removes the laundry from the drum 40. A display / operation panel 20c is provided at the top of the front panel 20a, through which the user operates the laundry process.

[0011] (Display operation panel 20c) FIG. 3 shows an example of a display / operation panel of a washer / dryer according to this embodiment, from which five courses can be selected. The display / operation panel 20c has a front surface made of transparent resin or glass to facilitate cleaning and maintain cleanliness. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the display / operation panel 20c has multiple course selection buttons 201. The course selection buttons 201 accept user input when selecting a wash / dry course on the washer / dryer 1. The washer / dryer 1 according to this embodiment can arbitrarily assign a dedicated course to each course selection button 201. For example, if the washer / dryer 1 according to this embodiment is a medium-sized machine (medium size M) from which five courses can be selected, as shown in FIG. 3, three wash / dry courses, one wash course, and one dry course, each of which has different required times and fees depending on the type of laundry (clothes, duvets, mattresses, etc.) and the amount of laundry (weight), can be assigned. This allows courses to be set according to the local needs, usage, or characteristics of the coin laundry store. The number of course selection buttons 201 is not limited to four, and more may be provided to cover a wider range of courses.

[0012] The program selection button 201 includes a program name light-emitting unit 201a that indicates the name of each program (wash-dry / wash-dry), and a ring-shaped light-emitting unit 201b that surrounds the program name light-emitting unit 201a. The ring light-emitting unit 201b according to the present embodiment is divided into upper and lower parts, each of which has an arc shape. The ring light-emitting unit 201b is composed of a first ring light-emitting unit (reference numerals 201b-1a to 201b-5a shown in FIG. 3) located on the upper side and a second ring light-emitting unit (reference numerals 201b-1b to 201b-5b shown in FIG. 3) located on the lower side. The ring light-emitting unit 201b may be divided into left and right parts instead of the upper and lower parts. The program name light-emitting unit 201a and the ring light-emitting unit 201b can be turned on, blinking, or turned off by a backlight such as an LED provided on the back of the display / operation panel 20c. When the backlight is turned off, the light-emitting unit is the same color (e.g., black) as the back of the upper panel that constitutes the display / operation panel 20c. In other words, unnecessary dials and the like can be hidden from the user, and unnecessary power consumption can be reduced. The course name displayed in the course name light-emitting unit 201a can be freely changed by replacing the character sheet on the upper panel or by controlling the character dot display.

[0013] It is preferable that the course name light emitting unit 201a and the ring light emitting unit 201b emit light in different colors. For example, the course name light emitting unit 201a may emit light in white, and the ring light emitting unit 201b may emit light in a color different from white. In particular, it is preferable that the ring light emitting unit 201b emits light in a different color for each course. For example, the ring light emitting unit 201b of the course selection button 201 corresponding to the wash course is configured to emit light in a first color corresponding to washing, for example, a blue color associated with washing. Furthermore, the ring light emitting unit 201b of the course selection button 201 corresponding to the drying course is configured to emit light in a second color corresponding to drying, for example, an orange color associated with drying. Furthermore, the ring light emitting unit 201b of the course selection button 201 corresponding to the wash / dry course is configured such that one of the first ring light emitting unit and the second ring light emitting unit emits light in a first color corresponding to washing, for example, a blue color associated with washing, and the other emits light in a second color corresponding to drying, for example, an orange color associated with drying. That is, the upper and lower portions are configured to emit arc-shaped light of two colors simultaneously: blue light and orange light.

[0014] The five courses mentioned above are specifically a 16 kg capacity wash / dry course, a 10 kg capacity wash / dry course, a 27 kg capacity wash course, a 16 kg capacity dry course, and a single futon wash course. Therefore, for the 16 kg capacity wash / dry course, the first ring light emitting element 201b-1a is set to emit a blue color, i.e., a color associated with washing, and the second ring light emitting element 201b-1b is set to emit an orange color, i.e., a color associated with drying. Similarly, for the 10 kg capacity wash / dry course, the first ring light emitting element 201b-2a is set to emit a blue color, and the second ring light emitting element 201b-2b is set to emit an orange color. Furthermore, for the 27 kg capacity wash course, the first ring light emitting element 201b-3a and the second ring light emitting element 201b-3b are both set to emit a blue color. Furthermore, the first ring light emitter 201b-4a and the second ring light emitter 201b-4b for the 16 kg capacity drying course are both set to emit orange light. Furthermore, the first ring light emitter 201b-5a and the second ring light emitter 201b-5b for the single futon washing course are both set to emit blue light. Here, the ring light emitters (201b-1a to 201b-5a, 201b-1b to 201b-5b) are arranged above and below the outside of the course selection button 201, but ring light emitters may be arranged above, below, or to the left and right of the inside of the course selection button 201. Although the first ring light emitter and the second ring light emitter are each a single semicircular ring, they may also be formed by connecting multiple small rings.

[0015] In this way, for washing only or drying only, one color that can be associated with the course content is illuminated, and for a course that includes both washing and drying, two different colors that can be associated with each are illuminated, thereby visually expressing the course content of the course selection button 201 and allowing the user to intuitively understand at a glance what course content the course selection button 201 represents. In other words, since the course name is displayed inside the circle formed by the first ring light emitter (e.g., 201b-1a) and the second ring light emitter (e.g., 201b-1b), it is possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand display. The color scheme of this illumination is arbitrary, and it is preferable that the color scheme be changeable, for example, in response to a remote change of the course setting, which will be described in detail later.

[0016] In this embodiment, when the washer-dryer 1 is in standby mode before payment is made to the washer-dryer itself or the centralized payment machine connected to the washer-dryer 1, it is preferable to control all the course selection buttons 201 to be turned off and to turn them all on when a user is detected by the human presence sensor 190 (see FIG. 4 ), from the perspective of reducing electricity charges. Specific control of turning on and off the course selection buttons 201 will be described in detail later. The human presence sensor 190 may be installed on the washer-dryer 1 (e.g., near the front) or in the store (e.g., near the entrance). If the human presence sensor 190 is installed in the store, the detection signal from the human presence sensor 190 may be input directly to the washer-dryer 1, or may be input to a server or centralized payment machine connected to the washer-dryer 1 so as to be able to communicate with the washer-dryer 1, and the detection result may be input to the washer-dryer 1 via these. In addition to the human presence sensor 190, image processing of camera images may also be used as a means for detecting the presence of a user using the washer-dryer 1.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a capacity display area 201c is provided above each of the course selection buttons 201 as one of the display areas, showing the capacity or number of items to be washed for the course content indicated by the corresponding course selection button. Like the course name light-emitting unit 201a and the ring light-emitting unit 201b, the capacity display area 201c can be turned on, blinking, or turned off using a backlight such as an LED, and when turned off, it is the same color (e.g., black) as the back surface of the upper panel that constitutes the display / operation panel 20c. The numerical value shown in the capacity display area 201c (e.g., 10 kg if the items to be washed are clothes, 1 piece if the items are futons, etc.) can be freely changed by replacing the character sheet on the back of the panel or by controlling the character dot display.

[0018] Above each capacity display area 201c, there is provided a setting area 202, which is a display area that displays the course content (time and fee) indicated by each course selection button. Here, two setting areas 202 are provided vertically for one course selection button 201. For example, one of the two can display the required usage time and the other can display the usage fee, allowing the user to recognize the content of each course. The setting area 202 and a fee / remaining time display area 203, which will be described later in detail, are 7-segment displays, and the display can be switched in response to settings changes made via remote control, which will be described in detail later.

[0019] A user can select a course selection button 201 by inserting a fee into a fee insertion unit 25 (see FIG. 1) for paying a usage fee, which is provided at the bottom of the display / operation panel 20c. When a user selects (holds a finger over) the desired course selection button 201, laundry processing is performed using the wash / dry course associated with the selected course selection button 201. If the washer / dryer 1 is connected to a centralized payment system, the user can select a course corresponding to one of the multiple course selection buttons 201 on the centralized payment system and insert the fee into the centralized payment system to select one of the multiple washer / dryer machines 1 in standby and make it available for use. Alternatively, a waiting washer / dryer 1 can be selected by inserting the fee into the centralized payment system, and the course selection button 201 can be selected on the washer / dryer 1. When laundry processing is performed, information about the laundry processing is displayed in a fee / remaining time display area 203 adjacent to the course selection button 201. The information relating to laundry processing includes, for example, the usage time of the washer / dryer 1 and the usage fee (including an excess fee and a weighted excess fee).

[0020] 1 and 3, the display / operation panel 20c has a plurality of option buttons 204. In this embodiment, the option buttons 204 include, for example, a drum wash button 204a that rotates the drum 40 when the laundry is empty to clean the inside of the drum 40, and a voice navigation button 204b that explains the functions of the washer / dryer 1. Other option buttons 204 may include a sterilization button that inactivates and sterilizes viruses and the like within the drum 40 by, for example, sending ozone air into the drum 40 after cooling after drying. Some of these option buttons 204 can be operated without inserting a fee into the fee insertion unit 25. For example, by selecting the drum wash button 204a before inserting laundry into the drum 40, a user can use the washer / dryer 1 in a state in which the drum 40 has been washed for a predetermined period of time and the inside of the drum 40 has been sterilized to a certain extent.

[0021] The course selection button 201 and option button 204 in FIG. 1 are capacitive touch switch panels. Therefore, the buttons respond and accept input when the user approaches them with their fingertip, without having to touch them directly. This allows the user to operate the buttons without contact, preventing virus infection through the buttons. Furthermore, in anticipation of a user accidentally touching them, the course selection button 201 and option button 204 are antibacterial treated, which reduces bacteria and viruses and provides double infection prevention. Examples of antibacterial treatments include the use of antibacterial paint, antibacterial wax, and antibacterial cover glass.

[0022] 3, the display operation panel 20c is provided with an arc-shaped flicker lamp 205 at the boundary between the option button 204, the course selection button 201 on the left side of the figure, the capacity display area 201c above it, and the setting area 202 above that. The flicker lamp 205 is formed by mounting an arc-shaped lamp (backlight) that is longer than the vertical width of the display operation panel 20c, and can emit light when the backlight is turned on. It is preferable to use an LED as the backlight.

[0023] Flicker lamp 205 turns on, off, flashes, or emits light in different colors depending on the usage status of washer-dryer 1. This allows the user to visually recognize the usage status of washer-dryer 1, specifically, whether it is on standby (standby state) or in operation (operating state), at a glance. That is, when washer-dryer 1 is in an available state, including a standby state, flicker lamp 205 lights up to notify the user of that state. When washer-dryer 1 is in an unavailable state, including an operating state, flicker lamp 205 displays a different display mode from the available state to notify the user of that state. Additionally, if washer-dryer 1 does not have a charge input unit 25 and remote payment is performed via a centralized payment settlement machine, flicker lamp 205 may be controlled to turn on, off, or flash to notify the user that it is the machine to be operated. Note that flicker lamp (status indicator) 205 is not limited to an arc shape and may be formed as a curved shape longer than the vertical width of display / operation panel 20c, a diagonal line shape, or a combination of these.

[0024] The display / operation panel 20c also has a sterilization / rejection temperature lamp 206 above the fee / remaining time display area 203. The sterilization / rejection temperature lamp 206 displays multiple sterilization stages according to the sterilization temperature for bacteria or viruses. The sterilization / rejection temperature lamp 206 estimates the temperature inside the drum 40 from the drum outlet temperature acquired by the outlet temperature sensor 130 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and lights up or blinks in conjunction with the sterilization button provided on the option button 204 when the operating state is within a temperature range where sterilization effect is expected. One method of estimation is, for example, to set the lowest drum outlet temperature when the temperature inside the drum 40 reaches a temperature sufficient for sterilization as a threshold value in the washer / dryer 1, and estimate the temperature based on whether the detection result of the outlet temperature sensor 130 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. This series of controls is performed by the control device 100 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. It is also advisable to light or flash the sterilization and repelling temperature lamp 206 during the process of inactivating viruses, etc., typically with ozone, or during the process of sterilization.

[0025] 3, a drying temperature setting area 208 is provided between the sterilization / repellent temperature lamp 206 and the fee / remaining time display area 203, allowing the drying temperature to be changed in multiple stages to suit the clothes. This drying temperature setting area 208 is preferably provided with adjustment buttons that allow the drying temperature to be adjusted, and if the adjustment buttons consist of, for example, a high temperature button, a medium temperature button, and a low temperature button, the user can freely set the drying temperature taking into consideration the material of the clothes to be washed. Also, above the sterilization / repellent temperature lamp 206, a "burning" display area 210 and a "operating" display area 212 are provided that can be illuminated by a backlight.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the control system of the washer-dryer 1. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the washer-dryer according to this embodiment. The washer-dryer 1 includes a control device 100 that mainly controls the main body of the washer-dryer.

[0027] The control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory 102, an input / output I / F 103a, and a communication I / F 103b. The CPU 101 executes the main processing of the control device 100, and the memory 102 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and is used as a work area for the CPU 101 as well as a storage device for storing programs for realizing various functions and data used in the processing executed by the functions. The memory 102 stores course information indicating parameters of the washing and drying courses set in the aforementioned course selection buttons 201, and a display control table, the details of which will be described later. The parameters include whether washing and / or drying processing is performed, the required processing time, the fee, the weight of the laundry, etc.

[0028] The input / output I / F 103a is used to receive input signals from the display / operation panel 20c, as well as signals from a water level sensor 110 that detects the water level in the drum 40, an inlet temperature sensor 120 that detects the temperature of air drawn into the drum 40, an outlet temperature sensor 130 that detects the temperature of air exhausted from the drum 40, an opening / closing sensor 140 that detects whether the opening / closing door 70 is open or closed, and a human presence sensor 190. The input / output I / F 103a is also used to output control signals to a heating unit 150 that heats the air drawn into the drum 40, a fan 160 that draws air into the drum 40, a water supply valve 170 that supplies water to the drum 40, a drain valve 180 that drains water from the drum 40, a motor M that drives the drum 40 to rotate, a door lock 80 that locks / unlocks the opening / closing door 70, and the display / operation panel 20c. The communication I / F 103b is used for wireless communication with terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet devices. Various wireless communication standards can be used, including short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi communication.

[0029] The control device 100, mainly through cooperation between the CPU 101 and memory 102, controls the heating unit 150, fan 160, and motor M to perform a drying process in which the drum 40 rotates while hot air is sucked into the drum 40, and controls the water supply valve 170, drain valve 180, and motor M to perform a washing process in which the drum 40 rotates while water is supplied into the drum 40.

[0030] Furthermore, the control device 100 has a communication I / F 103b, which allows remote and collective or individual settings to be made using wired or wireless communication. The settings here include, for example, course information associated with the course selection buttons 201 stored in the memory 102, the required time, the fee, and the like.

[0031] For example, if the washer-dryer 1 is connected to a server installed in the store, the owner of the washer-dryer 1 can launch a dedicated application program on the server and operate it to remotely change the settings of individual or multiple washer-dryer machines 1 at once. Another method for changing the settings of the washer-dryer 1 is to connect multiple washer-dryer machines 1 to a gateway installed in the coin laundry store so that they can communicate with each other, and change the settings via a terminal such as a smartphone or an external server using wireless communication such as Wi-Fi.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, control device 100 includes, as its functions, a signal acquisition unit 104, a determination processing unit 105, a course information acquisition unit 106, an operation control unit 107, and a display control unit 108. Signal acquisition unit 104 acquires various signals indicating detection results from various sensors, including a detection signal indicating that a user has been detected by human presence sensor 190. Determination processing unit 105 performs various determination processes related to laundry processing by washer-dryer 1, which will be described later. Course information acquisition unit 106 accepts selection of course selection button 201 by the user and acquires information about the course corresponding to the selected button. When washer-dryer 1 is connected to a centralized settlement machine and a course is selected in the centralized settlement machine, and washer-dryer 1 is selected as the machine to be operated, information about the selected course is acquired from the centralized settlement machine.

[0033] The operation control unit 107 controls the operation of the washer-dryer 1 for processing laundry, based on the signal acquired by the signal acquiring unit 104 and the course information acquired by the course information acquiring unit 106. The display control unit 108 controls the display of the course selection button 201 and the flicker lamp 205, such as lighting, blinking, emitting light in a different color, or reducing the illuminance, based on the signal acquired by the signal acquiring unit 104, the course information acquired by the course information acquiring unit 106, the status of the operation control by the operation control unit 107, etc.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a display control table when a fee is inserted into the washer-dryer according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the display control table shows settings for display control of course selection button 201 and flicker lamp 205. For example, in the case of washer-dryer 1 in which a fee is inserted into fee insertion unit 25 (see Fig. 1), display control unit 108 controls the display of course selection button 201 and flicker lamp 205 based on this display control table. The settings in the display control table can be changed by the owner of washer-dryer 1.

[0035] Specifically, in the display control table shown in FIG. 6 , pattern A is a display control indicating a state in which the washer-dryer 1 is available for use but no user is detected by the human presence sensor 190, i.e., an unattended standby state. In this display control, the flicker lamp 205 is lit in blue, and the course name light-emitting units 201a and ring light-emitting units 201b of all course selection buttons 201 are turned off. This allows users to visually confirm that the washer-dryer 1 is available for use, not only from inside the store but also from outside the store. Note that the washer-dryer 1 is available for use when, for example, a course is not selected or a wash-dry process is not being performed, and this also includes a state after the door 70 has been opened and closed after a wash-dry process. On the other hand, in any other state, the washer-dryer 1 is in use, i.e., unavailable. In pattern B, the washer-dryer 1 is available for use but a user is detected by the human presence sensor 190, i.e., an attended standby state. In this display control, the flicker lamp 205 remains lit in blue, and all course selection buttons 201 are turned on. This improves the visibility of the selected course selection button 201. At this time, it is preferable that the capacity display area 201c and the setting area 202 are also lit, from the viewpoint of making it easier to understand the contents of the course selection button 201. Note that the course selection button 201 in each pattern may be lit by both the course name light-emitting section 201a and the ring light-emitting section 201b, or by at least one of them.

[0036] Pattern C is a display control when any of the course selection buttons 201 is selected by a user, in which flicker lamp 205 changes to a green light, the selected course selection button 201 flashes, and the unselected course selection buttons 201 remain lit at a dimmed level. This allows the selected course selection button 201 to be distinguished from the other buttons, allowing the user to easily reconfirm the course they have selected. Furthermore, because the color of flicker lamp 205 changes to green, even if the user who selected the washer-dryer temporarily leaves the store, a person outside the store who is about to use washer-dryer 1 (hereinafter referred to as another user) can recognize at a glance that the washer-dryer 1 is in an in-use state (more specifically, a state that will likely be used) and is unavailable for use.

[0037] Pattern D is a display control that occurs simultaneously with or immediately after the start of operation (laundry processing) until a predetermined time has elapsed (initial processing state), during which the flicker lamp 205 remains lit in green, the selected course selection button 201 changes to a rotating light, and the unselected course selection buttons 201 are turned off. The predetermined time can be set appropriately, and a period ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes can achieve the effects described below. Furthermore, the rotating light can be achieved by, for example, when multiple backlights on the back of the ring light emitter 201b are arranged in an arc, turning the backlights on and off sequentially in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the circumference. Alternatively, the ring light emitter 201b may be configured with three or more arc-shaped light emitters, and turning the arc-shaped light emitters on and off sequentially in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This allows the user to intuitively recognize the washing course and the start of operation, while reducing unnecessary power consumption. In particular, since the light color of flicker lamp 205 changes to green, the user can recognize that the operation of washer-dryer 1 has started without any problems, and other users can intuitively recognize that washer-dryer 1 is in use.

[0038] Pattern E is a display control that indicates a state after the initial processing state, that is, a state (operating state) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation and no user is detected by human presence sensor 190, that is, an unattended operating state, in which flicker lamp 205 remains lit in green and all program selection buttons 201 are turned off. As a result, program selection buttons 201 are turned off when no user is present, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption, and flicker lamp 205 remains lit in green, allowing other users outside the store to easily recognize that washer-dryer 1 is in use. Note that by changing the display control from Pattern D to Pattern E immediately after the start of operation and after a predetermined time has elapsed, selected program selection button 201 continues to rotate until the predetermined time has elapsed, giving the user sufficient time to reconfirm their selected program before turning off, and turning off after the predetermined time has elapsed prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0039] Pattern F is a display control that indicates the operating state and the state in which a user is detected by human presence sensor 190, i.e., the operating state with a person present, in which flicker lamp 205 continues to light up in green, selected course selection button 201 is rotated and lit, and unselected course selection buttons 201 are turned off. As a result, if the detected person is the user of washer-dryer 1 currently in use, the user can recognize that the operation of washer-dryer 1 is continuing without problem. On the other hand, if the detected person is another user, the other user can easily recognize that washer-dryer 1 is in use and the predetermined time has passed.

[0040] Pattern G is a display control that indicates a state where laundry processing has finished and no user is detected by human sensor 190, i.e., an unattended state, and flicker lamp 205 is lit in blue with lower illumination compared to patterns A and B, and all course selection buttons 201 are turned off. This allows customers outside the store and other users to easily recognize that washer-dryer 1 has finished laundry processing and that washer-dryer 1 has finished operating but laundry is still stored in drum 40. Furthermore, because flicker lamp 205 is lit in blue with low illumination, which is a different display control from pattern A, it is unlikely that the washer-dryer 1 will be mistaken for being available for use.

[0041] Pattern H is a display control that indicates a state in which laundry processing has finished and a user has been detected by human presence sensor 190, i.e., a state in which processing has finished with an attendant present. In this display control, flicker lamp 205 remains lit in low-intensity blue, selected course selection button 201 is lit at a lower intensity than in pattern B, and unselected course selection buttons 201 are turned off. This allows the user to once again confirm the course they selected and intuitively recognize that operation of washer-dryer 1 has finished and that it is safe to remove laundry. Other users can easily recognize that operation of washer-dryer 1 has finished but laundry remains in drum 40. Furthermore, when there are multiple washer-dryer 1s that are displayed in pattern H, a user may mistakenly identify the washer-dryer 1 they used. However, because the selected course selection button 201 is lit at a lower intensity, this situation can be reduced. When the opening and closing door 70 is opened and then closed again, the display control will shift from pattern H back to pattern B, and when the customer leaves the store or is no longer detected, the display control will shift to pattern A.

[0042] Furthermore, if washer-dryer 1 enters an error state while in operation or standby mode, such as a state where an internal device malfunction is detected or the machine stops (freezes) without accepting any operation, rendering the machine unusable, it is preferable that display control unit 108 illuminates flicker lamp 205 and course selection button 201 in red to indicate an error. Pattern I is a display control that indicates a general error state, in which flicker lamp 205 flashes in low-intensity red, and course selection button 201 maintains the display control pattern for when a malfunction occurs. Pattern J is a display control that indicates a touch sensor abnormality (e.g., malfunction of course selection button 201 or a course selection button on a centralized payment machine), in which flicker lamp 205 lights up in low-intensity red, and course selection button 201 maintains the display control pattern for when a malfunction occurs. This allows a user, owner, or repair technician to recognize in which operating state of washer-dryer 1 the error occurred and the general type of error. Pattern K is a display control that indicates a state in which adjustment is being performed, such as after repair, when settings have been changed, or when cleaning is in progress, and the flicker lamp 205 and all the course selection buttons 201 are turned off.

[0043] Furthermore, while the display control table shown in FIG. 6 has been described as being used when a fee is deposited into the washer-dryer 1, the display control table shown in FIG. 7 is used when multiple washer-dryer machines 1 in a store are operated and controlled by a centralized payment system (not shown). When using the centralized payment system, since multiple washer-dryer machines 1 are located in the store, a customer does not know which washer-dryer 1 they will use after selecting a course. However, according to pattern C, which is the display control after course selection shown in FIG. 7, flicker lamp 205 can be made to flash green, unlike the display control table shown in FIG. 6. As a result, the flicker lamps 205 of other washer-dryer machines 1 that are not being used are lit blue, allowing the customer to intuitively distinguish and recognize the washer-dryer 1 they will use. When course selection is performed using such a centralized payment system, it is preferable that course selection button 201 does not accept the course selection and does not respond even when a customer places their finger near it.

[0044] The display control table is not limited to those shown in Figures 6 and 7. To enable the user to recognize at a glance whether the washer-dryer 1 is on standby or in operation, the display status may be changed from one of on, flashing, and off to the other and / or the light color may be changed, and the light color may not be limited to blue and green, but may be other colors such as yellow, purple, orange, etc.

[0045] (device operation) The operation of the washer-dryer 1 according to this embodiment, based on this display control table, will be described in detail below. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washer-dryer according to this embodiment. Note that the display control here refers only to the flicker lamp 205 and the course selection button 201, and a description of the display control of the capacity display area 201c, setting area 202, fee / remaining time display area 203, option button 204, sterilization / repellent temperature lamp 206, drying temperature setting area 208, and display areas 210 and 212 will be omitted.

[0046] 8, when the washer-dryer 1 is first powered on, the display control unit 108 performs display control of pattern A, which indicates that the washer-dryer 1 is on standby (S101). Next, the determination processing unit 105 determines whether a user has been detected based on whether a detection signal from the human presence sensor 190 has been acquired by the signal acquisition unit 104 (S102). If a user has not been detected (S102, NO), the display control of pattern A continues. On the other hand, if a user has been detected (S102, YES), the display control unit 108 performs display control of pattern B (S103).

[0047] After controlling the display of pattern B, the determination processing unit 105 determines whether a course has been selected based on whether the course information selected by the user has been acquired by the course information acquisition unit 106 (S104). If the course information has not yet been acquired (NO in S104), such as when the user has not inserted the specified fee into the fee insertion unit 25, or has inserted the fee but not selected the course selection button 201, the process proceeds to the determination process of whether a user has been detected in step S102. On the other hand, if the course information has been acquired (YES in S104), the display control unit 108 performs display control of pattern C (S105).

[0048] After controlling the display of pattern D, the operation control unit 107 executes laundry processing based on the acquired course information (S106). Simultaneously with or immediately after executing laundry processing, the display control unit 108 executes display control of pattern D (S107). After a predetermined time has elapsed since the display control of pattern D, the determination processing unit 105 determines whether a user has been detected (S108). The predetermined time here is a preset time during which the display control of pattern D continues, and is a time sufficient for the user to confirm the course they have selected, specifically, several seconds to several minutes. If a user has not been detected (S108, NO), the display control unit 108 executes display control of pattern E (S109). On the other hand, if a user has been detected (S108, YES), the display control unit 108 executes display control of pattern F (S110).

[0049] After controlling the display of either pattern E or F, the determination processing unit 105 determines whether the laundry processing has been completed (S111). Whether the laundry processing has been completed is based on the processing time associated with the acquired course information. For example, if the course selection button 201 for the "16 kg wash and dry course" is selected, the processing time is 60 minutes. If the laundry processing has not been completed (S111, NO), the process proceeds to step S108, where it is determined whether a user has been detected. On the other hand, if the laundry processing has been completed (S111, YES), the determination processing unit 105 determines whether a user has been detected (S112). If a user has not been detected (S112, NO), the display control unit 108 controls the display of pattern G (S113), and proceeds to step S112, where it is determined whether a user has been detected. On the other hand, if a user has been detected (S112, YES), the display control unit 108 controls the display of pattern H (S114).

[0050] After controlling the display of pattern H, determination processing unit 105 determines whether opening / closing door 70 has been opened based on whether a detection signal from opening / closing sensor 140 has been acquired by signal acquisition unit 104 (S115). If a detection signal from opening / closing sensor 140 has not been acquired and opening / closing door 70 has not been opened (S115, NO), this means that laundry items are stored in drum 40, and the detected person may not be a user. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S112, where it is determined whether a user has been detected. On the other hand, if a detection signal from opening / closing sensor 140 has been acquired and opening door 70 has been opened (S115, YES), it is assumed that laundry items have been removed and the washer / dryer 1 is ready for use, and the process proceeds to step S102, where it is determined whether a user has been detected. Immediately after opening opening / closing door 70, a user has been detected, and therefore, the display of pattern B is automatically controlled in step S103. On the other hand, when the customer removes the laundry and leaves the store, the result of the determination process in step S102 is S102, NO, so the display control is switched to pattern A in step S101.

[0051] In addition, when the washer-dryer 1 is operated and controlled by a centralized settlement machine, it is preferable to determine in step S104 whether the washer-dryer 1 has been selected as the machine to be operated by the centralized settlement machine after a course is selected and a fee is deposited in the centralized settlement machine. If the washer-dryer 1 has been selected as the machine to be operated, the process proceeds to step S105. If the washer-dryer 1 has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S102, where it determines whether a user has been detected, while maintaining the display control of pattern B. When making this determination, it is preferable that course information be acquired from the centralized settlement machine. Note that this determination may be made based on whether course information has been acquired from the centralized settlement machine, or based on whether a signal indicating that the washer-dryer 1 is the machine to be operated has been received.

[0052] According to the present embodiment described above, when the washer-dryer 1 is on standby and available for use, flicker lamp 205 lights up in blue and course selection button 201 is turned off, and when the washer-dryer 1 is in use, course selection button 201 is turned off and flicker lamp 205 lights up in green. Therefore, even from outside the store, the user can easily recognize the usage state of the washer-dryer 1, i.e., whether it is in a standby state where it is available for use or in an operating state where it is not available, while minimizing power consumption.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example in which the laundry machine according to the present invention is applied to a washer / dryer has been described, but it goes without saying that the laundry machine can also be applied to a washing machine or a dryer.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the door 70 is opened or closed during or before the course selection, the display control of the course selection buttons 201 and the flicker lamp 205 remains unchanged. However, the display control may be changed depending on the opening or closing of the door 70. For example, when the door 70 is opened or closed, the flicker lamp 205 may be lit in green and all the course selection buttons 201 may be lit. This allows not only the user but also other users to recognize that the washer-dryer 1 is in a state where the door 70 is opened or closed. The opening or closing operation here refers to a state where the door 70 is open and a state where the door 70 is closed. The display control before the opening or closing operation may be restored immediately after the door is closed, or the display control related to the opening or closing operation may be maintained until a predetermined number of seconds have elapsed since the door was closed.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Washer / dryer (laundry equipment) 104 signal acquisition unit (detection signal acquisition unit) 106 Course Information Acquisition Unit 108 Display control unit 190 Human Sensor (Detection Unit) 201 Course selection button (course display section, detection section) 205 Flicker lamp (status display)

Claims

1. On the operation panel of the laundry device which performs the washing and / or drying process on the object, a status indicator that can be lit in a plurality of colors to indicate a status of the laundry device; a control unit that controls lighting of the status display unit according to a status of the laundry machine; Equipped with The control unit is When the laundry device is in a usable state, the status indicator is lit in a first color; When the laundry device is unavailable, the status indicator is lit in a second color different from the first color. A laundry appliance characterized by:

2. A plurality of course buttons selectable by a user of the laundry machine; a detection signal acquisition unit that acquires a detection signal indicating that a user of the laundry machine has been detected; Further comprising: The control unit is When the detection signal is not received from the detection signal acquisition unit, the status display unit is lit in the first color and all of the course buttons are turned off. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein when the detection signal is received from the detection signal acquisition unit, the status indication unit continues to be lit in the first color and all of the plurality of course buttons are lit.

3. A course information acquisition unit that, when one of the plurality of course buttons is selected by the user, acquires course information indicating the selected course, The laundry machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit changes the status display unit from the first color to the second color when the available state is reached after receiving the course information from the course information acquisition unit and the unavailable state is reached.

4. The control unit, while maintaining the second color of the status display unit, When the detection signal is no longer received from the detection signal acquisition unit, all of the course buttons are turned off. The laundry machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the detection signal is subsequently received from the detection signal acquisition unit, only the selected course button is lit and unselected course buttons that have not been selected are turned off.

5. The laundry appliance of claim 2, characterized in that when the control unit is in a final state in which processing of the laundry appliance is completed and the user is not detected, the control unit causes the status display unit to light up the first color indicating the available state at a low intensity.

6. The laundry equipment of claim 4, characterized in that when the processing of the laundry equipment is completed and the user is detected, the control unit causes the status display unit to light up the first color indicating the available status at a low intensity and also lights up the selected course button at a low intensity.

7. The laundry appliance of claim 1, characterized in that the control unit lights up the status display unit in a third color different from the first color and the second color when an error state occurs that renders the laundry appliance unusable.

8. An operation panel of a laundry device for washing and / or drying objects, a status indicator that can be lit in a plurality of colors to indicate a status of the laundry device; a control unit that controls lighting of the status display unit according to a status of the laundry machine; Equipped with The control unit is by operating a centralized settlement machine, when the laundry machine is not in use, lighting the status indicator in a first color; When the laundry machine is used by an operation from the centralized settlement machine, the status display unit is lit in a second color different from the first color. A laundry appliance characterized by:

9. A display control method for a laundry machine that performs a washing and / or drying process on an object, the display control method comprising: an operation panel of the laundry machine having a plurality of course buttons selectable by a user of the laundry machine; and a status display unit that lights up in a plurality of colors to indicate a status of the laundry machine, the method comprising: When the laundry device is in a usable state, the status indicator is lit in a first color; When the laundry device is unavailable, the status indicator is lit in a second color different from the first color. A display control method for a laundry machine comprising:

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