Apparatus diagnostic method and apparatus diagnostic program

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The device diagnosis method on an information terminal assists users in diagnosing home appliance issues through a user-friendly interface, enabling self-diagnosis and reducing maintenance costs.

JP2025007253APending Publication Date: 2025-01-17HITACHI GLOBAL LIFE SOLUTIONS INC

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2023108529
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2023-06-30
Publication Date: 2025-01-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Users of home appliances often lack knowledge of fault codes and require a user-friendly device diagnosis method to diagnose issues with their appliances.

Method used

A device diagnosis method and algorithm implemented on an information terminal that performs self-diagnosis, providing button, explanatory, and question information, allowing users to identify and address appliance issues through a chat-like interface.

Benefits of technology

Enables users to perform self-diagnosis of home appliances, identifying problems and providing countermeasures without needing professional assistance, reducing unnecessary replacements and maintenance costs.

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Abstract

To provide an apparatus diagnostic method and an apparatus diagnostic algorithm capable of supporting a user when diagnosing an apparatus state.SOLUTION: In an apparatus diagnostic method, an information terminal performs self-diagnosis of a household electrical appliance. The information terminal can access definition information configured by including button display information related to an option ID, explanation information, question information, material information of apparatus diagnosis, a value of the number of options, and a related option ID corresponding to the value of the number of options. A processing unit of the information terminal performs a material display step and a related step. In the material display step, in a case where there is the material information related to a tapped option ID, the material information is displayed on a material display unit 50 of the information terminal. In the related step, when there is the value of the number of options related to the tapped option ID, the button display information related to the related option ID is displayed on a diagnosis display unit 40 by the number of the values of the number of options.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device diagnostic method and a device diagnostic program for a home electric appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] When a problem occurs with a home appliance, a user usually searches for the home appliance manufacturer's website on the Internet and refers to a fault diagnosis page or an instruction manual in an attempt to solve the problem.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a fault diagnosis method in which an external diagnostic device is connected to an electronic control device mounted on a vehicle and reads out self-diagnosis data stored in the electronic control device to perform fault diagnosis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5314655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The fault diagnosis method of Patent Document 1 includes a fault code reading step of reading a fault code that identifies a fault event from an electronic control device to an external diagnostic device, and a work guidance step of displaying a work guidance screen that guides the work according to the read fault code, and the work guidance screen includes an overall work flow chart consisting of a plurality of work items for identifying the location of a fault that causes a fault event corresponding to the fault code, and includes an overall work display area that highlights a selected one of the plurality of work items, and a specific work display area that shows the specific work content corresponding to the highlighted work item. In the case of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to connect an equipment diagnostic device to the device, and the electronic control device mounted on the vehicle is the target.

[0006] For users of home appliances, there are many cases where the fault codes of the appliances are unclear, and so a user-friendly method of diagnosing appliances has been desired.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an equipment diagnosis method and an equipment diagnosis algorithm that can assist a user in diagnosing the equipment state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the device diagnosis method of the present invention is a device diagnosis method in which an information terminal performs self-diagnosis of a home appliance, the information terminal being capable of accessing definition information including button display information related to an option ID, explanatory information, question information, document information for device diagnosis, a value of the number of options, and related option IDs corresponding to the value of the number of options, and the processing unit of the information terminal, upon detecting that an option displayed on a diagnostic display unit of the information terminal has been tapped, has the following features: a reference step of searching for the option ID of the tapped option from the definition information and referring to each piece of information on the corresponding option ID when it is detected that an option displayed on a diagnostic display unit of the information terminal has been tapped; an explanation display step of displaying the explanatory information on the diagnostic display unit if there is explanatory information related to the option ID of the tapped option; a question display step of displaying the question information on the diagnostic display unit if there is question information related to the option ID of the tapped option; a document display step of displaying the document information on the document display unit of the information terminal if there is document information related to the option ID of the tapped option; and an associated step of displaying the button display information related to the related option IDs on the diagnostic display unit for the number of times equal to the value of the number of options if there is a value of the number of options related to the option ID of the tapped option. Other aspects of the present invention will be described in the embodiments below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a device diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of definition information. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the application screen. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a device diagnosis process. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of display of question information and related information of options. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of display of question information, related information of options, and document information. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which question information and related information of options are further added to the information shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which another option is selected in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu list display section. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a menu process. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu list. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen on a smartphone. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing a device diagnosis system 100 according to the present embodiment. The device diagnosis system 100 includes an information terminal 20 and a server 21. The server 21 has a storage unit 22, which stores a diagnostic program 23, definition information 70, and the like. The information terminal 20 has a storage unit 20M, a processing unit 20S, an input / output unit, and the like. Note that the storage unit 20M and the processing unit 20S are not shown in the figure.

[0011] When a user performs device diagnosis of the home appliance 10, the user downloads in advance the diagnostic program 23 and definition information 70 for the diagnostic program from the server 21 via the Internet 27 to the information terminal 20. This allows the information terminal 20 to perform self-diagnosis of the home appliance 10 even when the information terminal 20 is offline to the Internet 27. When the information terminal 20 receives a notification from the server 21 that the definition information 70 has been updated, the information terminal 20 acquires the updated definition information 70 from the server 21. In other words, the user can obtain the latest device diagnosis information.

[0012] In this embodiment, the definition information 70 is downloaded to the information terminal 20 so that device diagnosis can be performed even offline, but if online connection is always possible, it is also possible to operate without downloading the definition information 70. In other words, the information terminal 20 can access the definition information 70 online or offline.

[0013] (Operation method and features of equipment diagnostic system) In this system, the diagnostic application (diagnostic program 23) and the definition information 70 (data) are separated. The information terminal 20 downloads the diagnostic application from the server 21, and stores the diagnostic application in the storage unit 20M in the information terminal 20. The diagnostic application stores the definition information 70.

[0014] In an actual usage scenario, for example, in a maintenance service, a diagnostic application is delivered in advance to the information terminal 20 of each service agent, and then each service agent downloads the definition information 70 from the server 21 into the application on their own information terminal, and then performs a diagnosis at the service site at the user's home (customer's home, etc.). If a change or improvement is made to the diagnostic method, information that the definition information 70 needs to be updated is displayed on the information terminal 20 of each service agent, and the service agent updates the definition information 70 (data).

[0015] On the other hand, in the next step, when the user himself / herself uses the application, after the user (customer) makes a contract with the service company, the user downloads the application to the user's information terminal 20 and performs self-diagnosis. In this case, the initial definition information 70 (data) is stored in advance in the application. Also, when a change or improvement is made to the diagnostic method, information that the definition information 70 (data) needs to be updated is displayed on the user's information terminal 20, and the user updates the definition information 70 (data).

[0016] (Why separate applications and data?) Depending on the OS (operating system) used, when changing the applications (programs) used on the device, an inspection by the OS development company may be required each time. However, once an application has been inspected, it can be used without further inspection, even if the definition information (data and parameters) accessed by the application is changed, as long as the application is not modified.

[0017] For this reason, by making the application simple and by using the definition information 70 (data) to make it a program that is expandable and versatile, it becomes easy to make sudden changes to the diagnostic method or to make improvements, for example. Also, by using the same information terminal and applying the definition information (data and parameters), it becomes possible to diagnose other models and other home appliances.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the definition information 70. The storage unit 20M of the information terminal 20 stores the definition information 70. The definition information 70 includes an option ID 71, button display information 72 (button display text) related to the option ID 71, explanation information 73, question information 74, document information 75 for device diagnosis, option number value 76 (number of options), and related option ID 77 corresponding to the option number value 76. For example, when the option ID 71 is "A01", the button display information 72 describes "The lamp flashes", and the question information 74 describes "Please check XX". The document information 75 describes "a01.jpg", the option number value 76 is "2", and "A02, A03" are described as related option ID 77 corresponding to the "2". In this example, "A02" is described in the next line. The related options can be associated with multiple IDs by being defined in the definition information 70.

[0019] The home appliances 10 include household appliances, kitchen appliances, and air conditioning appliances. Household appliances include washing machines and clothes dryers, cleaners, futon dryers, clothes steamers, irons, etc. Kitchen appliances include refrigerators, microwave ovens, rice cookers, induction cooking heaters, toaster ovens, tabletop induction cookers, personal blenders, etc. Air conditioning appliances include air conditioners (air conditioners), air purifiers, sterilizing and deodorizing machines, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, electric fans, etc.

[0020] When the information terminal 20 acquires the definition information 70 for each home electric appliance 10, it is possible to perform device diagnosis for each type of home electric appliance 10.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of an application screen. The screen 30 of the information terminal 20 is composed of a diagnosis display section 40 and a material display section 50. The diagnosis display section 40 and the material display section 50 are separated by a display area partition line 33.

[0022] This function is provided by an application or a function within an application, and is intended to diagnose a home appliance 10 that has a malfunction, leading to the resolution of the malfunction or identification of its cause, thereby reducing the need to replace unnecessary parts or the home appliance itself.

[0023] The diagnosis is in the form of a chat, and predefined questions and corresponding options are displayed to confirm the status of the home appliance 10, and the user can narrow down the possible problems by manually tapping on them. In addition, the cause of the problem is identified by repeating the question and answer process, and a solution is displayed.

[0024] The screen is displayed in a split or picture-in-picture format, with a chat-style diagnosis display section 40 on one side and a data display section 50 on the other side that displays data related to answers given in making a diagnosis.

[0025] (Diagnosis display unit 40) The diagnosis display section 40 is configured to include an explanation display section 41, a question display section 42, an option display section 43, an answer display section 44, a back button 45, an end button 46, and a scroll button 47. The diagnosis display section 40 is displayed as a question (question display section 42), options (option display section 43), which change to an answer after selection (answer display section 44), and an explanation (explanation display section 41). Options are displayed in white letters on a dark green background, and can be selected by tapping. When the user taps to select an option, the other options disappear and the selected option changes color. Materials are automatically displayed in the material display section 50 depending on the selected option.

[0026] At the bottom of the diagnosis display section, there is a back button 45 and an end button 46. Tapping the back button 45 returns to the previous question and options. Tapping the end button 46 returns to the initial diagnosis screen. As long as the diagnosis display section 40 is not closed, past conversations remain as in general chat applications, and in this function, the process leading up to the diagnosis. If the process is too long to be displayed on one screen, the scroll button 47 can be used to scroll up and down to view parts that are difficult to confirm, such as the first half of the diagnosis. Note that scrolling is possible by swiping. If one screen display is no longer possible and a chat is progressing in the lower margin of the diagnosis display section 40, the scroll button 47 is displayed at the bottom right of the diagnosis display section, indicating that a chat is progressing in the lower margin of the diagnosis display section, and pressing the scroll button 47 allows the chat to be scrolled to the bottom.

[0027] (Data display section 50) The size of the materials in the material display section 50 can be changed by pinching in and out. When the x button (displayed material delete button 51) in the upper right corner of the material display section 50 is tapped, the displayed materials disappear. The diagnosis display section 40 and material display section 50 can be scrolled up and down independently. The material display section 50 can be scrolled left and right. Operation is possible by swiping. The material display section 50 in Figure 4 displays example materials 52 and an example of the display lighting pattern in the event of an abnormality 53. (Other features) The display range of the diagnostic display section 40 can be changed by tapping the diagnostic display section display range change button 32 on the right of the header. When the menu button 31 on the left of the header is tapped, materials and auxiliary functions of the material display section 50 are displayed in list form. Details will be described later with reference to Figs. 10 to 12.

[0028] When detecting that an option displayed on the diagnostic display unit 40 of the information terminal 20 has been tapped, the processing unit 20S of the information terminal 20 has a reference step of searching for the tapped option ID 71 from the definition information and referring to each piece of information of the corresponding option ID, an explanation display step of displaying the explanation information on the diagnostic display unit 40 when there is explanation information 73 related to the tapped option ID 71, a question display step of displaying the question information on the diagnostic display unit 40 when there is question information 74 related to the tapped option ID 71, a material display step of displaying the material information on the material display unit 50 of the information terminal when there is material information 75 related to the tapped option ID 71, and an associated step of displaying button display information 72 related to the associated option ID 77 by the number of the value when there is a value 76 of the number of options related to the tapped option ID 71 on the diagnostic display unit 40. Hereinafter, the diagnostic process will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9.

[0029] (Device diagnostic processing) 5 is a flowchart showing device diagnosis processing S60. Processing unit 20S displays the first question and options on diagnosis display unit 40 (step S61), and upon detecting that the user has tapped an option (step S62), erases all options (step S63) and displays the tapped option (step S64).

[0030] The processing unit 20S searches the definition information 70 for the ID of the tapped option, refers to each piece of information about the ID (step S65), determines whether there is information in the explanation information 73 (explanation column) of the definition information 70 (step S66), and if there is information in the explanation column (step S66, Yes), displays the information in the explanation column on the diagnosis display unit 40 (step S67), and proceeds to step S68. On the other hand, if there is no information in the explanation column (step S66, No), the processing unit 20S proceeds directly to step S68.

[0031] In step S68, the processing unit 20S determines whether or not there is information in the question information 74 (question field) of the definition information 70, and if there is information in the question field (step S68, Yes), it displays the information in the question field on the diagnosis display unit 40 (step S69) and proceeds to step S70. On the other hand, if there is no information in the question field (step S68, No), the processing unit 20S proceeds directly to step S70.

[0032] In step S70, the processing unit 20S determines whether or not there is information in the material information 75 (material column) of the definition information 70 (see FIG. 2), and if there is information in the material column (step S70, Yes), the processing unit 20S displays the information in the material column on the material display unit 50 (step S71) and proceeds to step S72. On the other hand, if there is no information in the material column (material information 75 in FIG. 2) (step S70, No), the processing unit 20S proceeds directly to step S72.

[0033] In step S72, the processing unit 20S determines whether the value 76 of the number of options in the definition information 70 is 0 (zero), and if it is not 0 (step S72, No), it displays options by the number of values, assigns option IDs, displays text in the button display information 72 (button display text field) from the assigned IDs in the options (step S73), and returns to step S62. On the other hand, if the value 76 of the number of options is 0 (step S72, Yes), the processing unit 20S ends the process.

[0034] A specific example of the device diagnosis process S60 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of displaying question information and related information of options. FIG. 6 is an example of fault diagnosis of poor ice making in a refrigerator. In step S61, the question "Please tell us the symptoms" is displayed in question display section 42, and multiple options (for example, "The lights on the operation panel are flashing", "The water supply light is flashing") are displayed in option display section 43. When the user taps "The lights on the operation panel are flashing" from the options displayed in option display section 43, the display transitions to FIG. 7.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of question information, option-related information, and document information. In FIG. 7, after steps S62 and S63 (through steps of detecting a tap and deleting all options), in step S64 (displaying the tapped option), the answer display section 44 displays the user answer "The lamp on the operation panel is flashing." Also, in FIG. 7, in step S69 (displaying information in the question field on the diagnosis display section), the question "Which lamp is flashing?" is displayed in the question display section 42 of the diagnosis display section 40, and in step S73, that is, in step S73 where options are displayed as many as the number of values, option IDs are assigned, and text in the button display text field is displayed as an option from the assigned option ID, two options, "Ice maker unit abnormality" and "Ice trapped in ice tray," are displayed in the option display section 43. Also, in step S71 (displaying a document on the document display section), a document example 52 is displayed on the document display section 50. The document shows the contents displayed on the operation panel when a malfunction is detected, with detailed information on the options "Ice maker unit abnormality" and "Ice stuck in ice tray."

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which question information and related information of options are further added to FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a display screen when the user taps the option "Ice maker unit abnormality" in FIG. 7. In step S64, the user's answer "Ice maker unit abnormality" is displayed, in step S67, an explanation "The ice tray may be touching the food in the ice case" is displayed, in step S69, "Remove the food and ice and recheck with the 'Ice maker cleaning' operation. Does the lamp flash?" is displayed, and in step S73, two options, "The lamp flashes" and "The lamp does not flash", are displayed on the option display unit 43. In this way, in this embodiment, the user can perform self-device diagnosis by answering the questions and materials with reference to them.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which another option is selected in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, nine options are displayed in option display unit 43. In FIG. 9, when the user selects the option "The automatic ice maker has stopped midway" from the nine options displayed in FIG. 6, the user's answer "The automatic ice maker has stopped midway" is displayed in step S64, an explanation "Please check with the 'ice maker cleaning' operation" is displayed in explanation display unit 41 in step S67, and "What is the inspection result of the 'ice maker cleaning' operation?" is displayed in question display unit 42 in step S69, which is a state immediately before the next option is displayed (the option is not yet displayed in FIG. 9). In this way, in this embodiment, the device diagnosis can proceed in response to multiple options.

[0038] (Menu list display section) 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu list display section 60. When the menu button 31 is tapped, the menu list display section 60 is displayed from the left of the screen. The menu list display section 60 includes a display material list 61a, an application switching button 63, and a definition information download button 64.

[0039] When a document is tapped in the document display area in the menu of the display document list 61a, that document can be displayed. In addition, on the right end of the display document list 61a, there are accordion list status display areas 62a (folded state) and 62b (expanded state). When the accordion list status display area 62b is expanded, the list is expanded and displayed as in the display document list 61b.

[0040] When the user taps the application switching button 63 (see FIG. 12) in the menu, the related application is launched. When the user taps the definition information download button 64 (see FIG. 12) in the menu, the definition information can be updated. However, the application must be online and running.

[0041] 11 is a flowchart showing the menu process S80. When the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the menu button 31 (step S81), the menu list display unit 60 is displayed from the left of the screen (the menu is expanded) (step S82), and when the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the material he or she wants to see (step S83), the tapped material is displayed in the material display unit 50 (step S84). When the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the menu button 31 again, the menu list display unit 60 is closed (step S85).

[0042] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a menu list. As described above, the menu list display section 60 includes the display material list 61a, the application switching button 63 (application switching), and the definition information download button 64 (latest definition download). The menu list in the display material list 61a includes operation methods, explanations, error display, structure, ice shape, service technology news, and others. The user can obtain the information he or she wants to know from the menu list.

[0043] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen on a smartphone. On a smartphone (information terminal 20a), similarly to Fig. 3, the diagnosis display section 40 and the document display section 50 can be displayed on the screen 30. When the area of the screen 30 is small, the diagnosis display section 40 is displayed on the screen 30 (see the left side of Fig. 13), and when documents are available, a related document available indication button 54 is displayed. When the user taps the related document available indication button 54, the document display section 50 is displayed on the screen 30 (see the right side of Fig. 13).

[0044] The diagnosis display section 40 shown on the left side of FIG. 13 is configured to include an explanation display section 41, a question display section 42, an option display section 43, an answer display section 44, a back button 45, an end button 46, and a scroll button 47. The diagnosis display section 40 is displayed as a question (question display section 42), options (option display section 43), which change to an answer after selection (answer display section 44), and an explanation (explanation display section 41). Options are displayed in white letters on a dark green background, and can be selected by tapping. When the user taps to select an option, the other options disappear and the selected option changes color. Depending on the selected option, a related materials presence indication button 54 is displayed.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computer 980. The information terminal 20 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by a computer 980 shown in FIG. 14, a computer 980 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 981, a storage unit 982, a communication I / F (interface) 983, an input / output I / F 984, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 985. Here, the storage unit 982 includes a RAM 982a and a ROM 982b. The communication I / F 983 is connected to a communication circuit 986. The input / output I / F 984 is connected to an input / output device 987.

[0046] The ROM 982b stores various data and programs executed by the CPU 981 and the DSP 985. The CPU 981 and the DSP 985 realize various functions by executing these programs. The server 21 in FIG. 1 is composed of one or more computers 980 shown in FIG.

[0047] The device diagnosis method and device diagnosis program of the present embodiment have the following features. (1) A device diagnostic method in which an information terminal 20 performs a self-diagnosis of a home appliance, The information terminal 20 is capable of accessing definition information 70 which includes button display information 72 relating to an option ID 71, explanation information 73, question information 74, device diagnosis material information 75, option number value 76, and related option ID 77 corresponding to the option number value 76.

[0048] a reference step in which, when a processing unit 20S of the information terminal 20 detects that an option displayed on a diagnostic display unit 40 of the information terminal 20 has been tapped, the processing unit 20S searches the definition information 70 for an option ID 71 of the tapped option and refers to information on the corresponding option ID 71; and an explanation display step in which, if there is explanation information 73 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option, the explanation information 73 is displayed on the diagnostic display unit 40. a question display step of displaying the question information 74 on the diagnosis display unit 40 when the question information 74 is related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option; a material display step of displaying the material information 75 on the material display unit 50 of the information terminal 20 when the material information 75 is related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option; and a related step of, when there is a value 76 of the number of options related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option, displaying the button display information 72 related to the related option ID 77 in the number of the option number values 76 on the diagnosis display unit 40. This can assist the user in diagnosing the device state.

[0049] (2) In the device diagnostic method of (1) above, when the information terminal 20 is notified of an update of the definition information 70 from the server 21 that manages the diagnostic method of the home appliance 10, the information terminal 20 acquires the updated definition information 70 from the server 21. This makes it possible to obtain the latest definition information 70.

[0050] (3) In the device diagnosis method of (1) above, the reference information 75 is reference information that supplements the contents of each button display of the tapped option, the explanatory information 73, and the question information 74 to the user as the user proceeds with the diagnosis of the device, and the reference display section 50 is displayed separately in either the left / right direction or the top / bottom direction of the diagnosis display section 40. This allows the user to obtain detailed information in the device diagnosis.

[0051] (4) In the device diagnosis method of (1), the reference information 75 is at least one of information regarding the performance and / or structure of the home appliance 10, information regarding products generated by the home appliance 10, information regarding the failure mode of the home appliance 10, and service and maintenance information for the home appliance 10.

[0052] (5) In the device diagnosis method of (1) above, when the processing unit 20S of the information terminal detects a tap on the menu button 31, it displays a material information menu on the menu list display unit 60, and displays material information selected by the user from the material information menu on the material display unit 50. This allows the user to view appropriate materials without relying on a paper-based instruction manual.

[0053] (6) In any one of the device diagnosis methods (1) to (5) above, the home appliance 10 is any one of a household appliance, a kitchen appliance, and an air conditioning appliance.

[0054] (7) A device diagnostic program for performing self-diagnosis of a home appliance, comprising: The computer is capable of accessing definition information 70 including button display information 72 relating to an option ID 71, explanation information 73, question information 74, device diagnosis document information 75, an option number value 76, and an associated option ID 77 corresponding to the option number value 76; The computer includes: When it is detected that an option displayed on the diagnosis display unit 40 has been tapped, a reference process is performed to search for the tapped option ID 71 from the definition information 70 and to reference each piece of information on the corresponding option ID 71; an explanation display process for displaying the explanation information 73 on the diagnosis display unit 40 when the explanation information 73 is associated with the option ID 71 of the tapped option; a question display process for displaying the question information 74 on the diagnosis display unit 40 when the question information 74 is related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option; a material display process for displaying the material information 75 on the material display unit 50 when the material information 75 is associated with the option ID 71 of the tapped option; and an associated process for displaying the button display information 72 relating to the related option IDs 77 on the diagnostic display unit 40 the number of option count values 76 when there is an option count value 76 associated with the option ID 71 of the tapped option. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Home appliances 20, 20a Information terminal 20M storage section 20S Processing section 21 Server 22 Memory section 23 Diagnostic Program 30 screens 31 Menu button 32 Diagnostic display range change button 33 Display area divider 40 Diagnostic display section 41 Explanation display section 42 Question display area 43 Option display section 44 Answer display area 45 Back one button 46 Exit button 47 Scroll button 50 Material display section 51 Displayed material deletion button 52 Example materials 53 Example of display lighting pattern when abnormality occurs 54 Related materials available button 60 Menu list display area 61a Display material list (accordion type, first level) 61b Display material list (accordion type second (last) level) 62a Accordion list status display (collapsed state) 62b Accordion list status display section (expanded state) 63 App Switching Button 64 Definition information download button 70 Definition information 71 Choice ID 72 Button display information 73 Explanation information 74 Question Information 75 Document Information 76 Number of choices 77 Choice ID (Related Choice ID) 100 Equipment diagnostic system S60 Device diagnostic processing S80 Menu processing

Claims

1. A device diagnostic method in which an information terminal performs a self-diagnosis of a home appliance, comprising: the information terminal is capable of accessing definition information including button display information relating to an option ID, explanation information, question information, document information for device diagnosis, a value of the number of options, and an associated option ID corresponding to the value of the number of options; The processing unit of the information terminal a reference step of, when detecting that an option displayed on a diagnostic display unit of the information terminal has been tapped, searching for an option ID of the tapped option from the definition information and referring to each piece of information of the corresponding option ID; an explanation display step of displaying the explanation information on the diagnosis display unit when the explanation information is related to an option ID of the tapped option; a question display step of displaying the question information on the diagnosis display unit when the question information is related to an option ID of the tapped option; a material display step of displaying the material information on a material display unit of the information terminal when the material information is related to an option ID of the tapped option; and a related step of displaying, on the diagnostic display unit, the button display information related to the related option IDs by the number of option number values when there is a value of the option number related to the option ID of the tapped option.