Home appliance, home appliance system, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a home appliance capable of allowing a user to visually recognize an image whose priority is high preferentially.SOLUTION: A home appliance 20 is communicably connected to a server 10 via a network, and includes: a communication part 205 communicable with the server 10; a control part 202 capable of downloading a first image from the server 10 via the communication part 205; a storage part capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image; and a display part capable of displaying the image. The control part 202 is in a state of capable of displaying the first image and the second image on the display part based on the priority.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a home appliance, a home appliance system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that downloads application course information using the operation of a smartphone application as a trigger. When downloading, the washing machine turns on and displays a pop-up indicating that the application course has been accepted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-186184 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a home appliance or the like that allows a user to preferentially view an image with a higher priority. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A home appliance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a home appliance connected to a server via a network, and includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the server, a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit, a memory unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image, and a display unit capable of displaying images, and the control unit causes the display unit to be in a state in which the first image and the second image can be displayed based on a priority order.

[0006] Moreover, a home appliance system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a home appliance system including a server and a home appliance connected to the server via a network so as to be able to communicate with the server, wherein the home appliance includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the server, a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit, a memory unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image, and a display unit capable of displaying an image, and the control unit causes the display unit to be in a state in which the first image and the second image can be displayed based on a priority order.

[0007] Moreover, a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method by a home appliance connected to a server via a network so as to be able to communicate with the home appliance, wherein the home appliance includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the server, a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit, a memory unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image, and a display unit capable of displaying an image, and the control method reads out the first image and the second image from the memory unit, and makes the first image and the second image displayable on the display unit based on a priority order.

[0008] In addition, these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized in a non-transitory recording medium such as an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized in any combination of an apparatus, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a non-transitory recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0009] A home appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can allow a user to view an image having a higher priority with priority. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a home electric appliance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A]FIG. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of a home electric appliance according to an embodiment. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the home electric appliance system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main body UI displayed on the main body display unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the main body UI displayed on the main body display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the downloading of content data from a server to a home appliance. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process for determining the priority order of DL content data. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining the process of determining the priority order of DL content data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents notified by the server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows DL content data stored in a home appliance before downloading. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows DL content data stored in a home appliance after downloading. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of a download process in the home electric appliance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a specific example of a UI displayed on a terminal. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a specific example of a UI displayed on the terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage area and a configuration of operating course data stored in the storage area. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the execution table. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an execution table showing the washing process. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an execution table showing the drying process. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of an updated UI displayed on the operation panel. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a UI displayed on the washing machine during downloading. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the timing at which a home appliance downloads from a server. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the download process of the home appliance system. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a time update process in a control board of a home appliance. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the details of the content display start control. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of types of DL content data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] The hardware configuration of a home appliance system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 2C. Fig. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a home appliance system in the first embodiment. Fig. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram of a server in the first embodiment. Fig. 2B is a hardware configuration diagram of a home appliance in the first embodiment. Fig. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram of a terminal in the first embodiment.

[0012] 1, the home appliance system in the present embodiment includes a server 10, a plurality of home appliances 20 used in a plurality of facilities 2, and a plurality of terminals 30. The plurality of facilities 2 are, for example, but are not limited to, homes. The facilities 2 may be, for example, apartments, stores, offices, etc.

[0013] The server 10 is a virtual server (cloud server) provided via a computer network 40 (e.g., the Internet). The server 10 is communicably connected to the home appliances 20 and the terminals 30 via the computer network 40. Note that a physical server may be used instead of the server 10.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2A, the server 10 virtually includes a processor 11 and a memory 12 connected to the processor 11.

[0015] The home appliance 20 is an electric device used in the facility 2 in which the home appliance 20 is installed.

[0016] As the home appliance 20, a household electrical appliance (household appliance) and a home facility can be used. The household electrical appliance (household appliance) and the home facility can be used not only for appliances used in a house but also for appliances used in a business. In the present disclosure, the household electrical appliance and the home facility can be abbreviated to the household electrical appliance. As the home appliance, for example, a microwave oven, a rice cooker, an IH (Induction heating) cooker, a bakery, an electric pressure cooker, an electric waterless cooker, a multi-cooker, a coffee maker, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a robot vacuum cleaner, etc. can be used. As the home facility, for example, an electric water heater for a bathtub can be used. The home appliance 20 can be any appliance capable of executing a specific operation course, and is not limited to the above-mentioned appliances. When the home appliance 20 receives an instruction to start a specific operation course from a user, the home appliance 20 automatically ends the operation after executing the operation course.

[0017] 2B , the home appliance 20 includes an actuator 21, a heater 22, a control board 23, a display board 24, a communication IF (Interface) 25, a display 26, an input device 27, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 28. Note that the home appliance 20 may include at least one of the actuator 21 and the heater 22, and does not necessarily need to include both the actuator 21 and the heater 22.

[0018] The actuator 21 is a mechanical element that converts input energy into physical motion based on an electric signal. For example, an electric motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic actuator, or the like can be used as the actuator 21, but is not limited to these. Note that the home appliance 20 is not limited to having one actuator 21, and may have multiple actuators 21. When the home appliance 20 has multiple actuators 21, the multiple actuators 21 may be of different types or the same type.

[0019] The heater 22 is an electric heater that converts electric energy into thermal energy. The heater 22 heats an object by, for example, Joule heating, induction heating, dielectric heating, or the like. For example, a nichrome wire, a coil, a magnetron, or the like can be used as the heater 22. Note that the home appliance 20 is not limited to having one heater 22, and may have a plurality of heaters 22. When the home appliance 20 has a plurality of heaters 22, the plurality of heaters 22 may be of different types or the same type.

[0020] The control board 23 has a microcomputer 23a and a memory 23b. The microcomputer 23a controls the operation of the actuator 21 and / or the heater 22. The control board 23 counts time based on an initial time. The initial time may be a time set by a user or a time set at the time of shipment from a factory. The initial time may be updated. For example, the initial time may be updated to a time based on a signal obtained from the RTC 28, or may be updated to a time based on time information obtained from the server 10 via the communication IF 25. The initial time may also be changed and updated by the user.

[0021] The memory 23b stores control information (such as a program) for the microcomputer 23a to control the operation of the actuator 21 and / or the heater 22. The control information includes operation parameters such as the operation speed and operation time of the actuator 21 and / or the heater 22.

[0022] The display board 24 has a microcomputer 24a and a memory 24b. The microcomputer 24a controls the display of the display 26. The memory 24b stores information for the microcomputer 24a to control the display of the display 26. The information for controlling the display is, for example, an image.

[0023] The communication IF 25 communicates with the server 10 via the computer network 40. The communication IF 25 may be a communication interface for transmitting data to and from an external device such as the server 10. The communication IF 25 may be an interface for wireless communication such as a wireless LAN interface or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface. The communication IF 25 may be an interface for wired communication such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or a wired LAN interface.

[0024] The display 26 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0025] The input device 27 receives input from a person. The input device 27 is, for example, a touch panel. The input device 27 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be another input device such as a mechanical button.

[0026] The RTC 28 measures the time. The RTC 28 may be supplied with power from a dedicated battery or from a commercial power source. When the RTC 28 is supplied with power from a dedicated battery, the RTC 28 measures the time, and therefore continues to measure the time even when the power supply to the home appliance 20 is turned off. In response to a request from the control board 23, the RTC 28 responds to the control board 23 with a signal indicating the time being measured. The RTC 28 may be provided on the control board 23. The time measured by the RTC 28 may be corrected by a user operation.

[0027] The terminals 30 are used in each of the multiple facilities 2 and function as a user interface.

[0028] The terminal 30 is connected to the server 10 and the home appliances 20 via a computer network 40, and functions as a user interface (UI) described later. A portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer can be used as the terminal 30. The terminal 30 may be a terminal fixed to a wall, floor, or ceiling of the facility 2. The terminal 30 may also be included in the home appliances 20. For example, the terminal 30 may be realized as a display terminal having a display or the like built into each home appliance 20.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2C, the terminal 30 includes, as its hardware configuration, a processor 31, a main memory 32, a storage 33, a communication IF (Interface) , an input device 35, and a display .

[0030] The processor 31 is a processor that executes a program stored in the storage 33 or the like.

[0031] The main memory 32 is a volatile storage area used for temporarily storing data generated during processing by the processor 31, used as a work area used when the processor 31 executes a program, and used for temporarily storing data received by the communication IF 34.

[0032] The storage 33 is a non-volatile storage area that holds various data such as programs, etc. The storage 33 stores, for example, various data generated as a result of processing by the processor 31 and various data received by the communication IF .

[0033] The communication IF 34 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from the server 10 or the home appliance 20 via the computer network 40. The communication IF 34 may be an interface for wireless communication, such as a wireless LAN interface or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface. The communication IF 34 may be an interface for wired communication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or a wired LAN interface.

[0034] The input device 35 is an interface for receiving input from a person. The input device 35 may be a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch pad, a touch panel, or a trackball, or may be a keyboard. The input device 35 may also be a gesture input device. The gesture input device has, for example, a camera and a recognition unit. The camera captures an image including a gesture, and the recognition unit recognizes the gesture using the image.

[0035] The display 36 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the home electric appliance system according to the embodiment.

[0037] The home appliance system 1 includes a server 10, a home appliance 20, and a terminal 30. The server 10, the home appliance 20, and the terminal 30 are connected to each other via a computer network 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0038] The server 10 stores GUI (Graphical user interface) data, driving course data, etc. The server 10 may further store content data including advertisements, course information guides, campaign guides, tips for using home appliances efficiently, etc. When the server 10 receives a request for downloading GUI (Graphical user interface) data, driving course data, content data, etc. from the home appliance 20 or the terminal 30 via the computer network 40, the server 10 transmits the data in response to the request via the computer network 40 to the home appliance 20 in response to the request.

[0039] Here, the GUI (course GUI) indicated by the GUI data is a GUI for receiving instructions to control the operation of the home appliance 20. The GUI data includes an operation course name, an operation process, an image showing the course content, etc. The GUI data includes a description of the operation course. One course GUI corresponds to one operation course. The course GUI includes the name of the operation course, the effect expected on the processing target of the operation course, etc. The course GUI is represented by an image, text, sound, etc.

[0040] Content data such as advertisements, course information guides, campaign guides, and tips for using home appliances efficiently is image data. The image data may be still image data or video data. Note that the content data is not limited to image data, but may also be video data, audio data, or video data including audio.

[0041] Moreover, the operation course data includes the control contents of the corresponding operation course. The operation course data is an example of control information. The operation course data indicates, for example, one or more controls included in the corresponding operation course and the execution order of the one or more controls. As described above, one course GUI corresponds to one operation course, so that the operation course data including the control contents of one operation course is associated with one course GUI corresponding to the one operation course. In other words, the GUI data indicating one course GUI is associated with the operation course data including the control contents of one operation course corresponding to the one course GUI.

[0042] The server 10 manages a combination of the home appliance 20 and the user that correspond to each other. That is, the server 10 stores information indicating the correspondence between the home appliance 20 and the user. Specifically, the server 10 manages a combination of a device ID for identifying the home appliance 20 and a user ID for identifying the user. The device ID and the user ID are associated with each other by, for example, connecting to the server 10 via an application of the terminal 30 and registering the device ID and the user ID. The server 10 may also store a destination for communicating with the home appliance 20 identified by the device ID together with the device ID. The server 10 may also store a destination for communicating with the terminal 30 owned by the user identified by the user ID together with the user ID. In this way, when the server 10 receives a communication request for communication with a specific home appliance 20 from the terminal 30, the server 10 can identify the destination of the home appliance 20 associated with the identified user ID based on the information from the terminal 30, and can relay communication between the terminal 30 and the home appliance 20. In addition, when the server 10 receives a communication request from the home appliance 20 to a specific terminal 30, the server 10 can identify the destination of the terminal 30 associated with the identified device ID based on the information from the home appliance 20, and can therefore relay communication between the terminal 30 and the home appliance 20.

[0043] Home appliance 20 includes operation unit 201, control unit 202, first storage unit 203, second storage unit 204, communication unit 205, main body display unit 206, main body reception unit 207, and clock unit 208. In this embodiment, home appliance 20 is a washing machine.

[0044] The operation unit 201 performs an operation of the home appliance 20 to realize the function of the home appliance 20. The operation unit 201 performs an operation related to washing. When the home appliance 20 is an electric oven, the operation unit 201 performs cooking, and when the home appliance 20 is a rice cooker, the operation unit 201 performs cooking. The operation unit 201 is realized by, for example, the actuator 21 and / or the heater 22.

[0045] The control unit 202 controls the operation by the operation unit 201. Specifically, the control unit 202 may cause the operation unit 201 to execute the operation course indicated by the operation course data based on the operation course data downloaded from the server 10 or the operation course data stored in advance in the home appliance 20. The control unit 202 may control the display by the main body display unit 206. For example, the control unit 202 may cause the main body display unit 206 to display a GUI based on GUI data, or may cause the main body display unit 206 to display content (images) based on content data. The control unit 202 may control the download of information from the server 10 by the communication unit 205. For example, the control unit 202 may download operation course data from the server 10 via the communication unit 205, may download GUI data from the server 10 via the communication unit 205, or may download content data from the server 10 via the communication unit 205. The control unit 202 may control the operation of at least one of the operation unit 201, the main body display unit 206, and the communication unit 205 in response to an input received by the main body receiving unit 207. In this case, the control unit 202 may control the at least one of the operations described above using information stored in at least one of the first storage unit 203 and the second storage unit 204.

[0046] The first storage unit 203 can store GUI data and content data. The first storage unit 203 stores the GUI data and content data among the information downloaded from the server 10 by the communication unit 205. That is, the first storage unit 203 can store content data. The first storage unit 203 may store data indicating a GUI in advance, or may store content data to be presented to a user (for example, data such as tips for efficiently using home appliances). The content data obtained by downloading is an example of a first image. The content data stored in advance in the first storage unit 203 is an example of a second image. The content data obtained by downloading may be set to have a higher priority than the content data stored in advance in the first storage unit 203.

[0047] First storage unit 203 stores information used for display processing in main body display unit 206. First storage unit 203 is realized by, for example, memory 24b.

[0048] The second storage unit 204 can store driving course data (control information). The second storage unit 204 stores information used for controlling the operation of the operation unit 201 in the control unit 202. The second storage unit 204 may store management information of GUI data. The management information includes information indicating the GUI data stored in the first storage unit 203. The information indicating the GUI data may be information indicating whether the GUI data is stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the first storage unit 203, may be identification information for identifying the type of data of the GUI data stored in the first storage unit 203, or may be the GUI data itself. The GUI data managed by the management information may be a course GUI or a GUI for content.

[0049] The second storage unit 204 may also store an operation history indicating a history of operation courses executed in the home appliance 20. The operation history may also include operation parameters of the executed operation courses. The operation parameters may include one or more types of operation included in the operation course, an operation time for each type of operation, and the number of operations for each type of operation. For example, when the home appliance 20 is a washing machine, the one or more types of operation include a wash operation, a rinse operation, and a spin-dry operation. The operation parameters may be parameters changed by a user. That is, the operation history may be a history of operation courses executed with operation parameters adjusted by a user. The operation history may include information indicating the operation course and the date and time when the operation course was executed. The second storage unit 204 is realized by, for example, the memory 23b. That is, the second storage unit 204 is arranged on a board different from the board on which the first storage unit 203 is arranged.

[0050] The communication unit 205 is connected to the server 10 via the computer network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the server 10. The communication unit 205 is connected to the terminal 30 via the server 10 so as to be able to communicate with the server 10. For example, the communication unit 205 may download GUI data from the server 10 by communicating with the server 10. The communication unit 205 may download content data from the server 10 by communicating with the server 10. The communication unit 205 may download driving course data from the server 10 by communicating with the server 10. When downloading information from the server 10, the communication unit 205 may transmit a request for downloading the information to the server 10. The communication unit 205 may communicate with the terminal 30 to exchange information with the terminal 30.

[0051] The main body display unit 206 performs display based on the GUI data or the content data stored in the first storage unit 203. Specifically, the main body display unit 206 displays a GUI indicated by the GUI data or an image indicated by the content data. The main body display unit 206 can display a GUI including a description of the operating course being executed while the operating course is being executed by the operation unit 201. The main body display unit 206 may be capable of displaying a GUI including a description of the operating course being executed when displaying a GUI for the user to select an operating course to be executed by the home appliance 20. For example, the GUI for selecting an operating course to be executed by the home appliance 20 may include a GUI including a description of the operating course being executed. The main body display unit 206 may display each GUI so as to transition from a GUI for selecting an operating course to be executed by the home appliance 20 to a GUI including a description of the operating course being executed.

[0052] Furthermore, the main body display unit 206 may be capable of displaying a main body UI for receiving an instruction to cause the home appliance 20 to execute an operating course indicated in the operating history. The operating history may include one or more executed operating courses when one or more operating courses are executed in the home appliance 20. That is, the operating history includes one operating course when only one operating course is executed by the home appliance 20, and includes multiple operating courses when multiple operating courses are executed by the home appliance 20. The main body display unit 206 is realized by the display 26, for example.

[0053] The main body receiving unit 207 receives input from a user. The main body receiving unit 207 may receive input to a main body UI displayed on the main body display unit 206. The main body UI is, for example, a UI for receiving an operation on the home appliance 20 by a user. The main body UI may be, for example, a UI for receiving an instruction to make the home appliance 20 execute one of a plurality of types of driving courses determined in advance, or may be a UI for receiving an instruction to make the home appliance 20 execute a driving course indicated in the driving history as described above. That is, the main body UI may be displayed based on information pre-stored in the home appliance 20, or may be generated based on the driving history. When generated based on the driving history, the main body UI is a UI capable of receiving an instruction to make the home appliance 20 execute one of one or more driving courses included in the driving history. The user can make the home appliance 20 re-execute a driving course that the home appliance 20 has executed by performing an input to the main body UI generated based on the driving history. The main body receiving unit 20 is realized by, for example, the input device 27.

[0054] The timekeeping unit 208 measures time. The timekeeping unit 208 accepts a time acquisition request from the control unit 202 and outputs the measured time to the control unit 202. The timekeeping unit 208 is realized by the RTC 28, for example.

[0055] Based on the priority order, control unit 202 enables main body display unit 206 to display multiple images represented by multiple content data. The priority order can also be said to be the display order of content data to be displayed on main body display unit 206. The multiple images include a first image and a second image.

[0056] For example, the control unit 202 may display the image with the higher priority among the first and second images in the first area of ​​the main body display unit 206, and display the image with the lower priority in the second area of ​​the main body display unit 206. The first area and the second area are parts of the display area of ​​the main body display unit 206 and are areas that do not overlap with each other. In other words, when the first image and the second image are displayed in the first area and the second area, respectively, the first image and the second image are displayed simultaneously on the main body display unit 206. The first area may be an area above the second area or an area to the left of the second area. The first area may also be an area larger in size than the second area.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main body UI displayed on the main body display unit.

[0058] The main body UI 700 includes a first area 701 and a second area 702. In the main body UI 700, content A having a high priority is displayed in the first area 701, and content B having a low priority is displayed in the second area 702.

[0059] Also, for example, control unit 202 may display an image with a higher priority among the first image and the second image on main body display unit 206, and then display an image with a lower priority on main body display unit 206. That is, control unit 202 may display an image with a higher priority on main body display unit 206 at a first timing, and display an image with a lower priority on main body display unit 206 at a second timing that is later than the first timing. In this case, control unit 202 may not display the image displayed at the first timing at the second timing. Control unit 202 displays an image at the second timing in the same display area as the display area of ​​the image displayed at the first timing. That is, an image with a higher priority and an image with a lower priority are displayed on main body display unit 206 at different timings with the same size and at the same position.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the main body UI displayed on the main body display unit.

[0061] Main body UI 710 includes display area 711 in which an image is displayed. In main body UI 710, content A having a high priority is displayed in display area 711 at a first timing, and content B having a low priority is displayed in display area 712 at a second timing. It can be said that content B is in a state that can be displayed in display area 711 at the first timing. Note that the second timing may be a timing a predetermined period after the first timing, or a timing when a predetermined operation is received from the user after the first timing.

[0062] The terminal 30 includes a terminal display unit 301 , a terminal reception unit 302 , and a communication unit 303 .

[0063] The terminal display unit 301 is capable of displaying information. Specifically, the terminal display unit 301 may display a terminal UI. The terminal UI is, for example, a UI for accepting an operation on the home appliance 20 by a user.

[0064] The terminal receiving unit 302 can receive an instruction to the home appliance 20. For example, the terminal receiving unit 302 can receive an instruction from a user to cause the home appliance 20 to execute a first operating program among a plurality of operating programs.

[0065] The communication unit 303 is connected to the server 10 via the computer network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the home appliance 20 via the server 10. For example, when an instruction to a specific home appliance 20 is received by the terminal reception unit 302 via the server 10, the communication unit 303 transmits the instruction to the specific home appliance 20 via the server 10. Also, for example, the communication unit 303 may receive, via the server 10, status information indicating a status of the home appliance 20 associated with a user ID of a user who possesses the terminal 30. The status information may be, for example, information indicating an operating status of the home appliance 20, or information indicating an operating history of the home appliance 20. The status information received by the communication unit 303 may be displayed on the terminal display unit 301. Note that, without being limited to the above, the communication unit 303 may be connected to the home appliance 20 via the computer network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the home appliance 20, or may be directly connected to the home appliance 20.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the downloading of content data from a server to a home appliance.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the server 10 stores a plurality of content data for download (hereinafter, DL content data). Each DL content data has an image showing the content and management information for managing the image. The management information includes, for example, the priority of the corresponding image, the model of the home appliance on which the corresponding image is to be displayed, the device ID of the home appliance on which the corresponding image is to be displayed, the distribution start date and time at which distribution of the corresponding image is to be started, the distribution end date and time at which distribution of the corresponding image is to be ended, the display start date and time at which display of the corresponding image on the home appliance is to be started, and the display end date and time at which display of the corresponding image on the home appliance is to be ended. When the DL content data is downloaded to the home appliance 20, all of the information included in the management information may be downloaded to the home appliance 20, or a part of the information included in the management information may be downloaded. When a part of the information included in the management information is downloaded, the part includes, for example, the display start date and time and the display end date and time.

[0068] The priority is set by, for example, the manufacturer of the home appliance 20. For example, the higher the priority value, the higher the priority. The distribution start date and time indicates the date and time when DL content data can be distributed from the server 10 to the home appliance 20. The display start date and time indicates the date and time when the home appliance 20 can start displaying the image of the corresponding DL content data. The display end date and time indicates the date and time when the home appliance 20 ends displaying the image of the corresponding DL content data, that is, the date and time when the image that can be displayed is not displayed. In other words, the image of the content is in a displayable state on the home appliance 20 during the period from the display start date and time to the display end date and time, and is in a non-displayable state on the home appliance 20 during the period other than the period. In this way, it may be determined whether or not the content image is to be displayed on the main body display unit 206 based on the time acquired from the RTC 28 or the time indicated by the time information acquired from the server 10.

[0069] For example, DL content data 510 has image 511 and management information 512. DL content data 520 has image 521 and management information 522. DL content data 530 has image 531 and management information 532. Similarly to the above, other DL content data also have an image showing the content and management information for managing the image.

[0070] The upper limit of the number of DL content data downloaded from the server 10 to the home appliance 20 is set to n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1). That is, the number of DL contents downloaded from the server 10 to the home appliance 20 is any number between 1 and n. In this embodiment, the upper limit will be described as 4.

[0071] For example, when four pieces of DL content data 510, 520, 530, and 540 are downloaded to the home appliance 20, the home appliance 20 stores the four pieces of DL content data 510, 520, 530, and 540 in the first storage unit 203. Note that the home appliance 20 may have content data (hereinafter, main content data) stored in advance in the first storage unit 203 in addition to the downloaded DL content data 510, 520, 530, and 540. In other words, the first storage unit 203 may store main content data 601, 602, 603, and 604 before the home appliance 20 is connected to the computer network 40 for the first time.

[0072] Note that even if the main content data 601, 602, 603, 604 are initialized, they do not have to be deleted from the first storage unit 203. If the first storage unit 203 stores DL content data 510, 520, 530, 540 and main content data 601, 602, 603, 604 before initialization, then after initialization, DL content data 510, 520, 530, 540 may be deleted from the first storage unit 203, and main content data 601, 602, 603, 604 may be maintained as stored.

[0073] Here, the initialization may be executed by control unit 202 when main body reception unit 207 receives an instruction to return to the initial state. That is, control unit 202 may delete the DL content data from first storage unit 203 when main body reception unit 207 receives an instruction to return to the initial state.

[0074] The control unit 202 may perform a process of displaying DL content data based on the management information and the time. The control unit 202 may acquire the time, and when the acquired time passes a display start time set in the DL content data, may determine that an image of the DL content data can be displayed on the main body display unit 206.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 202 may determine the priority order for displaying DL content data based on the display start time. Specifically, the control unit 202 may determine that, among multiple DL content data, an image having a newer display start time is to be given a higher priority than other images.

[0076] Fig. 7A is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process for determining the priority order of DL content data. Fig. 7B is a diagram for explaining the process for determining the priority order of DL content data. Fig. 7B shows that the left side has a higher priority order than the right side.

[0077] In order to determine the n pieces of DL content data to be downloaded, the server 10 extracts a plurality of DL content data based on the device information of the home appliance 20 included in the download request received from the home appliance 20, for example (S11).

[0078] Then, the server 10 rearranges the extracted DL content data based on the priority (S12), thereby changing the order from the first row to the second row in FIG.

[0079] Next, the server 10 rearranges the contents in the same priority group in order of start date (S13). As a result, the order is changed from the second row in FIG. 7B to the third row. Note that "start" in FIG. 7B indicates the start date of the display start date and time included in the management information. Note that "start" is not limited to the start date, but may indicate the display start date and time included in the management information, and may be a date and time indicated in units of a day, a date and time indicated in units of an hour, or a date and time indicated in units of a minute. As a result, the order of DL content C and DL content D included in the priority 4 group is changed. Similarly, the order of DL content A, DL content F, and DL content H included in the priority 3 group is changed.

[0080] Next, the server 10 extracts the top n DL content data from the third row (S14). In this embodiment, the server 10 extracts the top four DL content data, that is, DL content E, DL content D, DL content C, and DL content H.

[0081] Next, the n pieces of DL content data extracted in step S14 are downloaded from the server 10 to the home appliance 20 (S15).

[0082] Finally, the home appliance 20 rearranges the n pieces of DL content data acquired by downloading in order of start date (S16), resulting in the order shown in the fourth row of FIG. 7B.

[0083] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing content notified by a server, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing DL content data stored in a home appliance before downloading, and Fig. 10 is a diagram showing DL content data stored in a home appliance after downloading.

[0084] When the server 10 determines the DL content data to be downloaded and its priority order in the process of FIG. 7, the DL content data and information indicating its priority order are transmitted to the home appliance 20 during download.

[0085] When the download is executed, the DL content data as shown in FIG. 9 stored in the first storage unit 203 of the home appliance 20 before the download is updated to the DL content data as shown in FIG.

[0086] [2. Operation] Next, the processing of the home appliance system 1 configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of the download processing of the home appliance system 1 in the first embodiment. Note that in Fig. 11, downloading is also written as DL.

[0087] The terminal 30 owned by the user executes an application to display a UI (e.g., a GUI (Graphical user interface)) and accepts an input from the user via the UI (S101). The terminal 30 accepts an input for selecting a driving course that is not stored in the home appliance 20 and is a driving content to be executed by the home appliance 20. This input is an input for downloading driving course data corresponding to the selected driving course from the server 10 to the home appliance 20.

[0088] 12A and 12B are diagrams showing a specific example of a UI displayed on a terminal.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 12A, the terminal 30 displays a UI 410 that accepts an input for selecting a driving course. The UI 410 includes a plurality of slots 411a to 411c and a plurality of buttons 412a to 412c that respectively correspond to the plurality of slots 411a to 411c. The plurality of slots 411a to 411c correspond to a plurality of storage areas that store driving course data of a driving course to be downloaded (hereinafter, referred to as a downloaded course). The plurality of storage areas are, for example, predetermined storage areas included in the second storage unit 204 of the home appliance 20. Each of the plurality of buttons 412a to 412c is a button for transitioning to a UI for editing the downloaded course stored in the storage area of ​​the corresponding slot 411a to 411c. For example, when the button 412b corresponding to the slot 411b is pressed, the UI displayed on the terminal 30 transitions to a UI 420 shown in FIG. 12B.

[0090] The UI420 includes a radio button 421, a cancel button 422, and an OK button 423. The radio button 421 accepts the selection of a download course to be stored in a storage area corresponding to the slot 411b selected in the UI410. The radio button 421 accepts the selection of one of a plurality of download course candidates. The plurality of download course candidates are, for example, a plurality of courses provided by a washing machine manufacturer and available for the user to download to the home appliance 20. The cancel button 422 is a button for returning from the UI420 to the UI410. The OK button 423 is a button for finalizing the download course selected by the radio button 421. As shown in FIG. 12B, when the OK button 423 is pressed after the sheet course is selected in the radio button 421, the terminal 30 accepts an input (predetermined input) from the user for downloading the operation course data of the sheet course from the server 10 to the home appliance 20.

[0091] In response to the input received in step S101, the terminal 30 generates a download execution request for causing the home appliance 20 to download the selected driving course data from the server 10 to the home appliance 20 (S102). The download execution request includes, for example, the terminal ID or user ID of the terminal 30, the course ID of the download course selected in the terminal 30, device information of the home appliance 20 that is to execute the download, and storage area information indicating the storage area corresponding to the slot selected in the terminal 30.

[0092] The terminal 30 transmits the generated download execution request to the home appliance 20 via the server 10. Specifically, the terminal 30 transmits the generated download execution request to the server 10 (S103).

[0093] When the server 10 receives the download execution request, it identifies the home appliance 20 indicated by the device information included in the download execution request, and transmits the received download execution request to the identified home appliance 20 (S104).

[0094] When the home appliance 20 receives the download execution request from the server 10, the home appliance 20 compares the device information included in the download execution request with the device information of the home appliance 20 (S105). If the result of the comparison shows that the two pieces of device information match, the home appliance 20 proceeds to step S106, and if they do not match, the home appliance 20 ends the process.

[0095] In step S106, the home appliance 20 erases the sectors in the storage area of ​​the second storage unit 204 that are indicated by the storage area information included in the download execution request (S106).

[0096] Next, the home appliance 20 transmits to the server 10 a download request for a download course based on the course ID included in the download execution request (S107).

[0097] When the server 10 receives the download request, it transmits driving course data indicating the download course specified in the download request to the home appliance 20 (S108). This starts downloading the driving course data to the home appliance 20.

[0098] The home appliance 20 receives the operating course data, and stores the received operating course data in the storage area including the sector erased in step S106 (S109).

[0099] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage area and a configuration of operating course data stored in the storage area.

[0100] The data ROM in FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a part of the storage area of ​​the second storage unit that stores the driving course data. The data ROM includes a course DL1, a course DL2, and a course DL3 as a plurality of storage areas. These courses DL1 to DL3 correspond to a plurality of slots 411a to 411c, respectively. In the example of FIG. 12A, the slot 411b is selected, so the downloaded driving course data is stored in the storage area of ​​the course DL2 corresponding to the slot 411b. The course DL table in FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the stored driving course data. This driving course data has the same configuration as the driving course data acquired by downloading from the server 10. The driving course data includes device information indicating the model and version of the device (home appliance 20) to which the driving course is to be downloaded, a course ID of the downloaded course, first identification information indicating the base course of the downloaded course, an execution table indicating the order in which the blocks included in the downloaded course are executed, a parameter table indicating the parameters of each of the blocks included in the downloaded course, and a checksum used for verification. In this way, the driving course data does not include blocks already stored in the second storage unit 204. The base course indicates the course on which the download course is based, and can also be said to be information for classifying a plurality of download courses.

[0101] The parameter table is a table in which block identification information for identifying a block, identification information for identifying a type of parameter, and a parameter value for making the block function with the type of parameter are associated with each other. That is, the parameter table is a table for assigning a parameter value for executing the operation unit 201 to a parameter type indicated in each of one or more blocks indicated in an execution table included in the operating course data. That is, one or more parameters included in the parameter table are associated with one or more blocks indicated in an execution table included in the operating course data.

[0102] The operation course data may include a plurality of execution tables each indicating a major process, such as a washing process, a rinsing process, a drying process, etc., and each major process may be composed of a combination of one or more blocks.

[0103] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the execution table.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 14, the execution table relates to a first order for executing at least some of the blocks stored in the second storage unit 204. The execution table includes a number indicating the first order and the blocks to be executed in the first order. Note that the execution table does not need to include a number indicating the first order, and the first order may be indicated by the arrangement order of the blocks in the execution table. One block includes parameters, time, and execution timing conditions for operating the actuator 21 and / or heater 22. The parameters include the operating speed and operating time of the actuator, the temperature and operating time of the heater, etc.

[0105] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an execution table showing the washing process.

[0106] The execution table showing the washing process, as shown in FIG. 15, indicates that the operation unit 201 executes each of the operations of the drain block, laundry load detection block, sterilization / antibacterial block, air blowing block, water supply / agitation block, foam generation block, still water supply block, and washing / agitation block in this order.

[0107] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an execution table showing the drying process.

[0108] The execution table showing the drying process indicates that the operation unit 201 executes each of the operations of the drain block, balance control block, spin block, wash agitation block, laundry amount detection block, drying block, and air blowing block in that order, as shown in Figure 16.

[0109] Returning to the explanation of Figure 11.

[0110] Following step S109, the home appliance 20 verifies the stored driving course data by using a checksum included in the driving course data (S110).

[0111] Next, when the verification is completed, the home appliance 20 transmits download completion information indicating that the download specified in the download execution request has been completed to the server 10 (S111). The download completion information may include device information of the home appliance 20, a terminal ID or a user ID included in the download execution request, and a course ID indicating the download course for which the download has been completed.

[0112] When the server 10 receives the download completion information, it transmits notification information including the content downloaded to the home appliance 20 to the terminal 30 identified by the terminal ID or user ID included in the download completion information (S112). The content downloaded to the home appliance 20 included in the notification information is, for example, information indicating the driving course downloaded to the home appliance 20. The server 10 may further record that the home appliance 20 indicated by the device information included in the download completion information has completed downloading the course ID included in the download completion information.

[0113] After step S111, the home appliance 20 updates the UI displayed on the operation panel 560 based on the downloaded driving course data (S113).

[0114] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of an updated UI displayed on the operation panel.

[0115] The first storage unit 203 of the home appliance 20 stores notification information corresponding to the operation course data. The notification information is, for example, a plurality of images for configuring the UI 430 shown in FIG. 17. The plurality of images include, for example, an image surrounded by a frame for washing, an image surrounded by a frame for rinsing, an image surrounded by a frame for spinning, an image surrounded by a frame for drying, an image surrounded by a frame for reservation, an image surrounded by a frame for the type of detergent, an image surrounded by frames for the water level, bath water, and second wash, an image of an explanation button, an image of a back button, and the like. Images for configuring such a UI are generated according to the operation course data, and are held by the server 10 together with the operation course data. When new operation course data is uploaded to the server 10, the home appliance 20 downloads in advance from the server 10 a plurality of images for configuring a UI showing the operation course data at the time of uploading, for example, and stores them in the first storage unit 203. The notification information may be a sound showing the operation course data, in addition to the UI. That is, in step S113, home electric appliance 20 may issue a sound based on the driving course data from speaker 590.

[0116] The driving course data includes the second identification information associated with the notification information. Therefore, when the control unit 202 acquires the driving course data in step S113, the control unit 202 reads out one or more images associated with the second identification information included in the driving course data from the first storage unit 203, generates a UI based on the read out one or more images, and displays the generated UI on the operation panel 560. In this way, the control unit 202 causes the notification unit including the operation panel 560 and the speaker 590 to perform a notification operation based on the notification information. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of notification information corresponding to the new driving content.

[0117] 11, 12A, and 12B show an example in which the terminal 30 receives an input from the user via the UI for downloading the driving course data of the download course from the server 10 to the home appliance 20, but the input is not limited to being received by the terminal 30. For example, the home appliance 20 may receive the above input from the user.

[0118] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a UI displayed on the washing machine during downloading.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 18, home appliance 20 may display UI 440 that accepts an input for selecting a driving course. UI 440 includes a plurality of slots 441 to 443. Slots 441 to 443 correspond to a plurality of storage areas that store driving course data of a driving course to be downloaded (hereinafter, referred to as a downloaded course), respectively. The plurality of storage areas are, for example, predetermined storage areas included in second storage unit 204 of home appliance 20. For example, when slot 442 is pressed, the UI displayed on home appliance 20 may transition to a UI (not shown) similar to UI 420 shown in Fig. 12B.

[0120] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the timing at which a home appliance downloads from a server.

[0121] 19, when home appliance 20 receives a power-on operation from a user, home appliance 20 enables display and operation and enters a power-on state. When display and operation are enabled, home appliance 20 displays a predetermined UI on main body display unit 206, and main body receiving unit 207 enters a state in which it can receive input to the predetermined UI.

[0122] In the energized state, the home appliance 20 is in a state in which it can perform an operation using power from a commercial power source. For example, the home appliance 20 is in a state in which it can perform an operation in response to an input to a predetermined UI or a control instruction received from the terminal 30, and is also in a state in which it can download from the server 10. When an operation performed in the energized state ends, the home appliance 20 transitions to a state in which only the power switch is enabled, and a state in which it is possible to download GUI data and content data.

[0123] In this state, the home appliance 20 transmits a notification to the server 10, including information indicating the GUI data stored in the home appliance 20. When the server 10 receives the notification, the server 10 determines whether or not the server 10 or another device stores GUI data that the home appliance 20 does not store. Specifically, the server 10 compares information indicating the GUI data stored in the home appliance 20 with information indicating the GUI data stored in the server 10 or another device, and determines whether or not the server 10 or another device stores GUI data that the home appliance 20 does not store. If there is GUI data that the home appliance 20 does not store, the server 10 transmits an instruction to the home appliance 20 to download the GUI data that the home appliance 20 does not store. When the home appliance 20 acquires an instruction to download the GUI data from the server 10, the home appliance 20 executes download of the GUI data from the server 10. The GUI data downloaded here is GUI data corresponding to the driving course data to be downloaded later. When the download of the GUI data is completed, the home appliance 20 starts downloading the content data. When the download of the content data is completed, the home appliance 20 transitions to a power-off state. The downloaded GUI data and content data are stored in the first storage unit 203.

[0124] Since GUI data includes image data, the data size is larger than the corresponding driving course data. In other words, downloading GUI data takes more time than downloading driving course data. Therefore, by downloading GUI data after driving is performed, it is possible to increase the possibility that the download of GUI data will be completed when the home appliance 20 is in a powered state. In addition, the next time the power is turned on, the download of GUI data will be completed, so that the home appliance 20 can be made capable of displaying the GUI data.

[0125] When the home appliance 20 receives a power-on operation from the user after the download of GUI data is completed and the appliance has transitioned to a power-off state, the home appliance 20 enables display and operation and enters a power-on state. When the home appliance 20 receives an instruction to download a course (i.e., download driving course data) in this state, the home appliance 20 executes the course download. Since the driving course data has a smaller data size than the corresponding GUI data, the download can be completed in a shorter time than the time required to download the GUI data. Therefore, the home appliance 20 can complete the download of the driving course in a short time after the home appliance 20 receives a power-on operation, enters a power-on state, and displays the UI (initial screen).

[0126] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the download process of the home appliance system.

[0127] When the home appliance 20 is not in operation, the home appliance 20 transmits a request for GUI data to the server 10 (S201). When the home appliance 20 is not in operation, the home appliance 20 does not operate both the actuator 21 and the heater 22. When the home appliance 20 is not in operation, the home appliance 20 is, for example, after the operation of the home appliance 20 is finished.

[0128] The home appliance 20 downloads the GUI data from the server 10 (S202). That is, the server 10 transmits the GUI data to the home appliance 20.

[0129] When the download of the GUI data is completed, the home appliance 20 transmits a request for the content data to the server 10 (S203). The request for the content data includes, for example, device information of the home appliance 20. The device information may include the model of the home appliance 20, or may include the device ID of the home appliance 20.

[0130] The home appliance 20 downloads the content data from the server 10 (S204). That is, the server 10 transmits the content data to the home appliance 20. Note that, although the download of the content data is executed by transmitting a request for the content data to the server 10, the present invention is not limited to this, and the download may be executed after the download of the GUI data is completed even if there is no such request.

[0131] When the home appliance 20 completes the download of the content data, it notifies the server 10 that the download of the GUI data and the content data has been completed (S205). When the home appliance 20 completes the download of the GUI data and the content data, the downloaded GUI data and the content data are stored in the first storage unit 203. As a result, the home appliance 20 may be in a state in which it is possible to present the GUI data and the content data. That is, the home appliance 20 may be in a state in which it is possible to display characters or images indicated by the GUI data and characters or images indicated by the content data on the main body display unit 206. Alternatively, the home appliance 20 is in a state in which it is possible to present a sound indicated by the GUI data. In this way, when the home appliance 20 completes the download of the GUI data corresponding to the first operating course, the home appliance 20 or the terminal 30 presents a display that allows the home appliance 20 to select the first operating course as an operating course for which the home appliance 20 downloads operating course data.

[0132] When the download of the GUI data in the home appliance 20 is completed, the home appliance 20 may notify the user that download of the operating program data corresponding to the first operating program is now possible.

[0133] Furthermore, when the download of GUI data corresponding to the first operating course is not completed in the home appliance 20, the home appliance 20 may control the home appliance 20 or the terminal 30 to present the first operating course as an operating course for which operating course data is to be downloaded to the home appliance 20, so that the home appliance 20 or the terminal 30 presents the first operating course as an operating course that cannot be selected. The presentation of the first operating course as an operating course that cannot be selected may be, for example, the presentation of a GUI that does not include an option for the first operating course, or the presentation of a GUI that displays the option for the first operating course in a display mode (e.g., grayed out) different from the display modes of the other options to indicate that selection of the option is not accepted. In the GUI that indicates that the option for the first operating course is not accepted, even if an input is made to the option for the first operating course, the input is ignored.

[0134] Furthermore, when the download of the GUI data is completed in the home appliance 20 in S203, the home appliance 20 may notify the user that the download of the GUI data is completed. The home appliance 20 may present the fact that the download of the GUI data is completed on the main body display unit 206, or may transmit information for presenting the fact that the download of the GUI data is completed to the terminal 30 via the server 10. The terminal 30 may present the fact that the download of the GUI data is completed by receiving the information.

[0135] The server 10 notifies the terminal 30 that the home appliance 20 is in a state in which the driving course data can be downloaded (S206). Since step S206 is executed after step S205, it can also be said that the terminal 30 acquires a notification indicating that the download of the GUI data has been completed from the server 10. In this way, the terminal 30 may notify the user that the download of the GUI data has been completed in the home appliance 20. The terminal 30 may also notify the user that the home appliance 20 is in a state in which the driving course data can be downloaded.

[0136] When the terminal 30 is notified that the home appliance 20 is in a state in which driving course data can be downloaded, it requests the server 10 to provide a list of driving courses corresponding to the downloadable driving course data (S207). The list of driving courses for which driving course data can be downloaded is generated based on the GUI data for which download has been completed. In other words, the list of driving courses includes the driving courses corresponding to the GUI data for which download has been completed.

[0137] Based on a request for a list of driving courses corresponding to the downloadable driving course data, the server 10 transmits the list to the terminal 30 (S208).

[0138] Upon receiving the list, the terminal 30 displays the received list (S209).

[0139] The terminal 30 receives from the user an instruction to download a first driving course out of one or more driving courses included in the list, that is, a driving course selected by the user as a target for download (S210). Note that the terminal 30 is not limited to receiving an instruction to download only the first driving course, and may also receive an instruction to download two or more driving courses including the first driving course. When the number of driving courses received in the instruction is smaller than the number of driving courses included in the GUI data, the processing load or processing time required for downloading can be reduced.

[0140] The terminal 30 transmits to the server 10 an instruction to download the driving course data for one driving course indicated by the received instruction (S211).

[0141] The home appliance 20 receives an instruction to download the driving course data from the terminal 30 via the server 10, and downloads the driving course data corresponding to one driving course indicated by the instruction from the server 10 (S212). When the home appliance 20 or the terminal 30 receives an instruction to download the first driving course from the user, the home appliance 20 may notify the user that the download of the first driving course has started. Specifically, the home appliance 20 may present on the main body display unit 206 that the download of the first driving course has started. In addition, the home appliance 20 may not accept a power-off operation from the user to the main body reception unit 207 while the home appliance 20 is downloading the driving course data from the server 10. In other words, even if a power-off operation is performed by the user on the main body reception unit 207, the home appliance 20 may ignore the input by the operation.

[0142] In addition, after step S211, if the server 10 receives an instruction to download driving course data from the terminal 30, the server 10 may cause the home appliance 20 to start downloading the driving course data by sending the driving course data based on the instruction to the home appliance 20 via push.

[0143] When the home appliance 20 completes the download of the operating course data, the home appliance 20 notifies the server 10 that the download of the operating course data has been completed (S213). When the home appliance 20 completes the download of the operating course data, the operating course data is stored in the second storage unit 204. This puts the home appliance 20 in a state in which it can be operated using the operating course data. In other words, the home appliance 20 is in a state in which it can operate at least one of the actuator 21 and the heater 22 in accordance with one or more controls included in the operating course data and in the execution order of the one or more controls.

[0144] When the server 10 receives the notification that the download of the driving course data has been completed, it notifies the terminal 30 that the download of the driving course data has been completed (S214). This puts the terminal 30 in a state where it can remotely control the home appliance 20 to start an operation based on the driving course data downloaded by the home appliance 20. In addition, the home appliance 20 is in a state where it can receive, via the main body receiving unit 207, an instruction to execute the driving course selected by the user.

[0145] In this way, when the download of GUI data and the download of operating course data are completed, the home appliance 20 becomes capable of accepting an instruction to execute an operating course selected by the user, and when an instruction to execute a first operating course selected by the user is accepted, the home appliance 20 can execute the first operating course.

[0146] In step S214, when the server 10 receives a notification indicating that the download of the driving course data has been completed, the server 10 may notify the home appliance 20 that the download of the driving course data has been completed. Then, the home appliance 20 may display on the main body display unit 206 that the download of the driving course data has been completed based on the notification.

[0147] When the power supply of the home appliance 20 is turned on, the home appliance 20 performs a process of displaying an image (content) indicated by the content data. The process of displaying the content will be described with reference to FIG.

[0148] FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process.

[0149] The home appliance 20 receives a power-on operation (S221).

[0150] When the home appliance 20 receives the power-on operation, the home appliance 20 enters a power-on state, that is, a state in which power is being supplied from a power source (S222).

[0151] The home appliance 20 acquires the time kept by the RTC 28 (S223). As a result, the home appliance 20 operates based on the time kept by the RTC 28.

[0152] The home appliance 20 establishes a communication connection with the computer network 40 (S224).

[0153] When the communication connection is established, the home appliance 20 transmits a time acquisition request to the server 10 (S225).

[0154] When the server 10 receives the time acquisition request, the server 10 transmits, to the home appliance 20, time information indicating the time when the time acquisition request was received (S226).

[0155] The home appliance 20 corrects the time used as a reference for its operation based on the time information (S227). As a result, the home appliance 20 operates based on the time acquired from the server 10.

[0156] If the communication connection cannot be established in step S224, steps S225 to S227 may be skipped.

[0157] Home appliance 20 accepts a predetermined operation (S228). The predetermined operation is a predetermined operation for displaying content. The predetermined operation is, for example, an input to a specific button included in the GUI displayed on main body display unit 206.

[0158] When the home appliance 20 receives the predetermined operation, the home appliance 20 performs content display start control (S229). The content display start control will be described later in detail.

[0159] The home appliance 20 causes the main body display unit 206 to display the content determined in the content display process (S230).

[0160] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a time update process in a control board of a home appliance.

[0161] The time update process corresponds to the process of steps S222 to S227 in Fig. 21, and a more specific example of the process performed in steps S222 to S227 will be described below.

[0162] When the control board 23 is turned on (S231), it determines whether or not the time has been acquired from the RTC 28 (S232).

[0163] When the control board 23 acquires the time from the RTC 28 (Yes in S232), the control board 23 starts counting the time based on the time acquired from the RTC 28 (S233).

[0164] The control board 23 skips step S233 if it is not possible to acquire the time from the RTC 28 (No in S232). Note that the control board 23 may not be able to acquire the time from the RTC 28 if, for example, the battery of the RTC 28 has no power.

[0165] Next, the control board 23 determines whether or not it is connected to the server 10 via the communication IF 25 (S234).

[0166] When the control board 23 is connected to the server 10 via the communication IF 25 (Yes in S234), it acquires time information from the server 10 and updates the counted time to the time indicated by the acquired time information (S235).

[0167] When the control board 23 is not connected to the server 10 via the communication IF 25 (No in S234), the control board 23 skips step S235. When the control board 23 is not connected to the server 10 via the communication IF 25, for example, if the communication IF 25 is connected to the computer network 40 via a wireless LAN access point, the access point may not be operating. When the access point is not operating, power is not supplied to the access point (for example, when the power is off or the power supply is cut off) or an abnormality occurs in the access point. When the control board 23 is not connected to the server 10 via the communication IF 25, for example, an abnormality occurs in the communication IF 25 or the communication connection of the communication IF 25 is turned off.

[0168] In this way, even if control board 23 cannot acquire the time from RTC 28, it may acquire the reference time in control board 23 by acquiring time information from server 10. In other words, control board 23 may acquire the time that is the reference for the time to be counted from RTC 28 or from server 10.

[0169] It should be noted that the home appliance 20 does not necessarily have to have the RTC 28. The control board 23 may count the time based on, for example, an initial time set by the user. In this case, the following processing may be performed instead of steps S232 and S233.

[0170] First, the control board 23 determines whether or not an initial time has been set by the user. If the control board 23 determines that an initial time has been set by the user, it starts counting the time based on the initial time. Then, step S234 is executed thereafter. If the control board 23 determines that an initial time has not been set by the user, it skips counting the time. In this case, the control board 23 may wait until the initial time is set by the user, or may execute step S234.

[0171] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the details of the content display start control.

[0172] The home appliance 20 determines whether or not the time has been acquired (S241). The time to be determined here is the time from the RTC 28 or the time indicated by the time information from the server 10, which is acquired in FIG.

[0173] If the home appliance 20 has already acquired the time (Yes in S241), the process proceeds to step S242, and if the home appliance 20 has not already acquired the time (No in S241), the process proceeds to step S243.

[0174] In step S242, the home appliance 20 acquires the number of DL content data acquired by downloading from among the content data stored in the first storage unit 203 (S242). The number of DL content data acquired in step S242 will be described as n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1).

[0175] In step S243, the home appliance 20 sets all DL content data stored in the first storage unit 203 to hidden (S243). That is, the home appliance 20 (control unit 202) may determine not to display images of DL content data on the main body display unit 206 when the home appliance 20 cannot acquire the time.

[0176] After step S242, the home appliance 20 determines whether the display end time of the i-th DL content data has passed (S244). Step S244 is executed for each of the n DL content data in turn.

[0177] If the home appliance 20 determines that the display end time of the i-th DL content data has passed (Yes in S244), it proceeds to step S245, and if it determines that the display end time of the i-th DL content data has not passed (No in S244), it proceeds to step S246.

[0178] In step S245, the home appliance 20 determines not to display the DL content data to be processed (S245). After step S245 ends, the process proceeds to step S248.

[0179] In step S246, the home appliance 20 determines whether the display start time of the i-th DL content data has passed (S246).

[0180] If the home appliance 20 determines that the display start time of the i-th DL content data has passed (Yes in S246), it proceeds to step S247, and if it determines that the display start time of the i-th DL content data has not passed (No in S246), it proceeds to step S248.

[0181] In step S247, the home appliance 20 determines the i-th DL content data to be displayed (S247).

[0182] In step S248, the home appliance 20 determines whether or not the process has been repeated n times (S248). That is, the home appliance 20 determines whether or not the process of steps S244 to S247 has been executed for all of the n pieces of DL content data.

[0183] If the home appliance 20 determines that the process has been repeated n times (Yes in S248), the process proceeds to step S249, and if the home appliance 20 determines that the process has not been repeated n times (No in S248), the process returns to step S244.

[0184] In step S249, the home appliance 20 determines main content to be displayed from among the plurality of main content data stored in the first storage unit 203 (S249). The home appliance 20 determines, for example, that m pieces of main content data (m is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) should be displayed. The m pieces of main content data may be all of the plurality of main content data stored in the first storage unit 203, or may be data extracted from the plurality of main content data based on a predetermined condition (for example, priority order, driving history, etc.).

[0185] Next, the home appliance device 20 sorts m pieces of main body content based on the priority (S250).

[0186] Next, the home appliance device 20 determines whether 10 - n < m is satisfied (S251). That is, the home appliance device 20 determines whether the sum of the number n of DL content data and the number m of main body content data exceeds 10.

[0187] When the home appliance device 20 determines that 10 - n < m is satisfied (Yes in S251), that is, when it determines that the sum of the number n of DL content data and the number m of main body content data exceeds 10, it decides to display the main body content from the first to the (10 - n)-th (S252).

[0188] When the home appliance device 20 determines that 10 - n < m is not satisfied (No in S251), that is, when it determines that the sum of the number n of DL content data and the number m of main body content data is 10 or less, it decides to display all m pieces of main body content (S253).

[0189] The home appliance device 20 adds m pieces of main body content data after the n pieces of DL content data (S254). That is, the home appliance device 20 decides to display the m pieces of main body content data with a lower priority than the n pieces of DL content data.

[0190] The home appliance device 20 displays the n pieces of DL content data and the m pieces of main body content data that are decided to be displayed (S255).

[0191] [3. Effects, etc.] The home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment is connected to the server 10 via the computer network 40 so as to be able to communicate with the server 10, and includes a communication unit 205, a control unit 202, a first storage unit 203, and a main body display unit 206. The communication unit 205 is capable of communicating with the server 10. The control unit 202 is capable of downloading a first image (DL content data) from the server 10 via the communication unit 205. The first storage unit 203 is capable of storing the first image and a second image (main body content data or old DL content data) different from the first image. The main body display unit 206 is capable of displaying an image. The control unit 202 makes the main body display unit 206 capable of displaying the first image and the second image based on the priority order.

[0192] This allows the image with the higher priority to be preferentially displayed on main body display section 206, and allows the image with the lower priority to be made displayable on main body display section 206. This allows the user to preferentially view the image with the higher priority, and also allows the user to view the image with the lower priority as necessary.

[0193] Furthermore, in the home appliance 20 according to this embodiment, the control unit 202 causes the image having a higher priority among the first image and the second image to be displayed in the first area 501 of the main body display unit 206, and causes the image having a lower priority to be displayed in the second area 502 different from the first area 501 of the main body display unit 206.

[0194] Therefore, the image with the higher priority can be displayed in first area 501 of main body display section 206, and the image with the lower priority can be displayed in second area 502 of main body display section 206. This allows the user to view the first image with priority, and also allows the user to view the second image as necessary.

[0195] Furthermore, in the home appliance 20 according to this embodiment, the control unit 202 causes the main body display unit 206 to display the image having a higher priority among the first image and the second image, and then causes the main body display unit 206 to display the image having a lower priority.

[0196] Therefore, the image with the higher priority can be displayed first on main body display section 206, and then the image with the lower priority can be displayed on main body display section 206. This allows the user to view the image with the higher priority first, and also allows the user to view the image with the lower priority as necessary.

[0197] Furthermore, in home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, the second image is an image that is pre-stored in first storage unit 203. The first image has a higher priority than the second image.

[0198] Therefore, images newly obtained by downloading can be displayed preferentially on the main body display unit 206, and older images that have been stored in advance can be made displayable on the main body display unit 206.

[0199] Moreover, in home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, control unit 202 further acquires the time. When the acquired time passes the display start time set for the first image, control unit 202 enables main body display unit 206 to display the first image.

[0200] According to this, the first image is displayed based on the time specified by the display start time. Therefore, for example, if the display start time is specified to be a predetermined time after the first image is downloaded, even if home appliance 20 is unable to communicate after the download, the image displayed on main body display unit 206 can be switched to a new first image.

[0201] Furthermore, in home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, control unit 202 can download a second image from server 10 via communication unit 205. When the time passes a display start time set for the second image, control unit 202 enables display of the second image on main body display unit 206. Of the first image and the second image, the image with the newer set display start time has a higher priority than the other image.

[0202] This allows the image with the newer display start time to be displayed preferentially on main body display unit 206, and allows the image with the older display start time to be made displayable on main body display unit 206. This allows the user to preferentially view the image with the newer display start time, and also allows the user to view the image with the older display start time as necessary.

[0203] Furthermore, in home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, control unit 202 stops the display of the first image on main body display unit 206 when the time passes the display end time set for the first image.

[0204] Therefore, since the first image is not displayed after the display end time has passed, it is possible to reduce the number of times that the user views an image that is likely to have been viewed by the user again.

[0205] Moreover, home appliance 20 according to this embodiment further includes clock unit 208 that measures time. Control unit 202 can acquire the time from clock unit 208 or server 10. Control unit 202 controls the display of the first image on main body display unit 206 based on the time acquired from clock unit 208. If control unit 202 cannot acquire the time from the clock unit, it does not cause main body display unit 206 to display the first image until it acquires the time from server 10.

[0206] If the time cannot be acquired, the exact time is unknown, and it is highly likely that the display according to the time cannot be performed. In this way, the first image is not displayed until the time is acquired, so that it is possible to reduce the display on main body display unit 206 of an image that is highly likely not able to be displayed according to the time.

[0207] Moreover, in the home appliance 20 according to the present embodiment, the first storage unit 203 stores device information corresponding to the home appliance 20. The first image downloaded from the server 10 is an image based on the device information.

[0208] Therefore, a first image corresponding to the home appliance 20 can be downloaded and the first image can be displayed.

[0209] [4. Modifications] (1) First storage unit 203 of home appliance 20 in the above embodiment may store display capability information indicating whether DL content data can be displayed on main body display unit 206. Control unit 202 may determine whether or not to display DL content data on main body display unit 206, according to the display capability information stored in first storage unit 203. When the display capability information indicates that DL content data should not be displayed, control unit 202 may not cause all DL content data to be displayed on main body display unit 206.

[0210] The display permission information may be determined according to the type of DL content data.

[0211] According to this, since it is possible to switch whether or not to display the content data depending on whether or not it is displayable, it is possible to display an appropriate image depending on the display availability information on main body display unit 206. For example, it is possible to switch whether or not to display the first image depending on a setting made by the user.

[0212] (2) In the above embodiment, for example, the priority order may be determined according to the type of DL content data, as shown in Fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the priority order according to the type of DL content data.

[0213] (3) The DL content data may include a display prompting the user to instruct downloading a driving course of the driving course data. This can prompt the user to download the first driving course that can be used in the home appliance 20. This may increase the opportunities to use a new driving course.

[0214] [others] In the above-mentioned embodiment, each component may be realized by a dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. Here, the software for realizing the home appliances, terminals, servers, etc. of the above-mentioned embodiment is a program that causes a computer to execute each step included in the flowchart shown in the figure.

[0215] The following cases are also included in this disclosure:

[0216] (1) Specifically, each of the above devices is a computer system consisting of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, hard disk unit, display unit, keyboard, mouse, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk unit. Each device achieves its function by the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program. Here, a computer program is composed of a combination of multiple instruction codes that indicate commands for a computer to achieve a specified function.

[0217] (2) Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be composed of one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components on one chip, and specifically, is a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0218] (3) Some or all of the components constituting each of the above devices may be composed of an IC card or a standalone module that is detachable from each device. The IC card or the module is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or the module may include the above-mentioned ultra-multifunction LSI. The microprocessor operates according to a computer program, causing the IC card or the module to achieve its functions. The IC card or the module may be tamper-resistant.

[0219] (4) The present disclosure may be embodied as any of the methods described above. It may also be embodied as a computer program for implementing these methods by a computer, or as a digital signal comprising the computer program.

[0220] The present disclosure may also be a computer program or a digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, etc. Also, the present disclosure may be a digital signal recorded on such a recording medium.

[0221] Furthermore, the present disclosure may involve transmitting the computer program or the digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0222] The present disclosure may also provide a computer system having a microprocessor and a memory, the memory storing the above-mentioned computer program, and the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0223] In addition, the program or the digital signal may be implemented by another independent computer system by recording it on the recording medium and transferring it, or by transferring the program or the digital signal via the network, etc.

[0224] (5) The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other. [Industrial Applicability]

[0225] The present disclosure can be used in household electrical appliances and the like that allow a user to view images with higher priority on a priority basis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0226] 1 Home appliance systems 2 Facilities 10 Server 11, 31 processors 12, 32 memory 20 Home appliances 21 Actuator 22 Heater 23 Control Board 23a, 24a Microcomputer 23b, 24b memory 24 Display board 25, 34 Communication IF 26, 36 Display 27, 35 Input devices 28 RTC 33 Storage 30 Terminals 40 Computer Networks 201 Operating part 202 Control section 203 1st memory section 204 2nd memory section 205, 303 Communications Department 206 Main unit display 207 Main Unit Reception 208 Timing section 301 Terminal display unit 302 Terminal Reception 303 Communications Department

Claims

1. A home appliance that is communicably connected to a server via a network, A communication unit capable of communicating with the server; a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit; a storage unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image; A display unit capable of displaying an image, The control unit causes the display unit to be able to display the first image and the second image based on a priority order. Home appliances.

2. The control unit causes an image having a higher priority among the first image and the second image to be displayed in a first area of ​​the display unit, and causes an image having a lower priority to be displayed in a second area different from the first area of ​​the display unit. The home appliance according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit causes an image having a higher priority among the first image and the second image to be displayed on the display unit, and then causes an image having a lower priority to be displayed on the display unit. The home appliance according to claim 1 .

4. the second image is an image stored in advance in the storage unit, The first image has a higher priority than the second image. The home appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit is In addition, the time is obtained, When the acquired time has passed a display start time set for the first image, the first image can be displayed on the display unit. The home appliance according to claim 1 .

6. The control unit is The second image is downloadable from the server via the communication unit; When the time passes a display start time set for the second image, the second image is made displayable on the display unit; Of the first image and the second image, the image having a later set display start time has a higher priority than the other image. The home appliance according to claim 5.

7. The control unit stops display of the first image on the display unit when the time passes a display end time set for the first image. The home appliance according to claim 5 or 6.

8. Equipped with a timing unit that measures time, The control unit is The time can be acquired from the clock unit or the server, controlling display of the first image on the display unit based on the time acquired from the clock unit; When the time cannot be acquired from the clock unit, the first image is not displayed on the display unit until the time is acquired from the server. The home appliance according to claim 5.

9. The storage unit stores device information corresponding to the home appliance, The first image downloaded from the server is an image based on the device information. The home appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The storage unit further stores display availability information indicating whether the first image can be displayed on the display unit, When the display availability information indicates that the first image is not to be displayed, the control unit does not cause the display unit to display the first image. The home appliance according to claim 4.

11. The control unit is The operating program including the first operating program is executable, Control information including control content of the first operating course can be downloaded from the server via the communication unit, The first image includes an indication prompting an instruction to download the first operating course. The home appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. moreover, A reception unit is provided for receiving an instruction to return to an initial state, The control unit deletes the first image from the storage unit when the reception unit receives an instruction to return to the initial state. The home appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. A home appliance system including a server and a home appliance communicably connected to the server via a network, The home appliance comprises: A communication unit capable of communicating with the server; a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit; a storage unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image; A display unit capable of displaying an image, The control unit causes the display unit to be able to display the first image and the second image based on a priority order. Home appliances systems.

14. A control method for a home appliance connected to a server via a network in a communicable manner, comprising: The home appliance comprises: A communication unit capable of communicating with the server; a control unit capable of downloading a first image from the server via the communication unit; a storage unit capable of storing the first image and a second image different from the first image; A display unit capable of displaying an image, The control method includes: reading out the first image and the second image from the storage unit; The first image and the second image are displayed on the display unit based on a priority order. Control methods.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a home electric appliance according to claim 14.

Images