Clothing dryer monitoring system and clothing dryer

Abstract

To provide a clothing dryer monitoring system capable of shortening continuation time of network communication, while suppressing deterioration in quality of information processing regarding a clothing dryer which an information processing terminal executes, and to provide a clothing dryer.SOLUTION: In a clothing dryer monitoring system 100, a clothing dryer 1 includes drying means 80, 89, 5, 7, and a control part 3 for executing a drying operation. Information processing terminals 20, 90 are constituted so as to execute network communication with the control part 3, and execute information processing regarding the clothing dryer 1. The clothing dryer 1 includes first detection means S1 for detecting a first state where clothing C1 does not exist in a drying chamber 81, and a second state where clothing C1 exists in the drying chamber 81. The control part 3 changes the connection state of the network communication with the information processing terminals 20, 90, when the first state and the second state are switched as the detection result of the first detection means S1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer monitoring system and a clothes dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional clothes dryer monitoring system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This clothes dryer monitoring system includes a clothes dryer and an information processing terminal.

[0003] The clothes dryer has a drying means and a control unit. The drying means has a drying chamber that stores clothes, and circulates heated air within the drying chamber and discharges it to the outside of the drying chamber. The control unit controls the drying means to perform a drying operation that dries the clothes stored in the drying chamber. The information processing terminal is configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit. The information processing terminal processes information related to the clothes dryer.

[0004] The clothes dryer has a clothes detection means for detecting the presence or absence of clothes in the drying chamber. The control unit transmits usage information regarding whether the clothes dryer is usable or not to the information processing terminal based on the detection result of the clothes detection means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-156527 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned conventional clothes dryer monitoring system, if the control unit remains connected to the network at all times while power is supplied to the clothes dryer, network communication continues even when the clothes dryer is in standby mode, making it difficult to reduce power consumption and communication line load.

[0007] In this regard, it is conceivable to shorten the duration of network communication by having the control unit start network communication when the power switch of the clothes dryer is turned on (the operation of transitioning from standby state to operating state) or when the drying operation is started. However, in this case, the initial connection to the network takes time, which may make it difficult to transmit information such as initial state changes during the drying operation to the information processing terminal, and as a result, the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal is likely to deteriorate.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing a clothes dryer monitoring system and a clothes dryer that can shorten the duration of network communication while suppressing a decline in the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention includes a clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air within the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber; an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to perform information processing related to the clothes dryer; A clothes dryer monitoring system comprising: the clothes dryer has a first detection means for detecting a first state in which the clothes are not present in the drying chamber and a second state in which the clothes are present in the drying chamber, The control unit is characterized in that when the first state and the second state are switched as a result of detection by the first detection means, the control unit changes the connection state of the network communication with the information processing terminal.

[0010] In the clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention, the control unit does not maintain a constant network connection while the clothes dryer is powered, but changes the connection state for network communication with the information processing terminal when a change occurs between a first state in which there are no clothes in the drying compartment and a second state in which there are clothes. This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system to shorten the duration of network communication and reduce power consumption and communication line load compared to when the clothes dryer is constantly connected to the network.

[0011] Furthermore, the change between the first state, in which there are no clothes in the drying chamber, and the second state, in which there are clothes, occurs slightly earlier than the start of the drying operation and slightly later than the end of the drying operation. Therefore, this clothes dryer monitoring system can complete the initial network connection when it is time to transmit information about changes in the drying operation status to the information processing terminal, so that the information can be transmitted to the information processing terminal with high reliability. As a result, deterioration in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal can be suppressed.

[0012] Therefore, the clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal.

[0013] It is desirable that the control unit starts network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the first detection means switches from the first state to the second state while network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected.

[0014] In this case, the control unit initiates network communication with the information processing terminal when the control unit switches from a first state (no clothes in the drying compartment) to a second state (some clothes in the drying compartment). This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system to shorten the duration of network communication until the control unit starts the drying operation, thereby reducing power consumption and communication line load. Furthermore, users often place clothes in the drying compartment before turning on the power switch for the clothes dryer. Furthermore, users often place clothes in the drying compartment before starting the drying operation. In other words, the switch from the first state (no clothes in the drying compartment) to the second state (some clothes in the drying compartment) is likely to occur before the power switch for the clothes dryer is turned on or the drying operation is started. Therefore, the clothes dryer monitoring system can complete the initial network connection before the drying operation is started, thereby reliably transmitting information about initial state changes in the drying operation to the information processing terminal. As a result, degradation in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal can be suppressed.

[0015] It is desirable that the control unit disconnects the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the first detection means switches from the second state to the first state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is continued.

[0016] In this case, the control unit disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal when the state changes from the second state, in which there are clothes in the drying compartment, to the first state, in which there are no clothes. As a result, this clothes dryer monitoring system can further shorten the duration of network communication, thereby further reducing power consumption and communication line load, as it immediately disconnects network communication when the drying operation finishes and the user removes the clothes from the drying compartment.

[0017] The drying means preferably has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber. The clothes dryer preferably has second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber. The control unit preferably disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while continuing network communication with the information processing terminal.

[0018] In this case, the control unit disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open). In other words, when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit assumes that the state has switched from the second state (with clothes present in the drying compartment) to the first state (without clothes), and disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal. As a result, this clothes dryer monitoring system immediately disconnects network communication when the drying operation finishes and the user removes the clothes from the drying compartment, further shortening the duration of network communication and further reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0019] Another clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention includes a clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air within the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber; an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to perform information processing related to the clothes dryer; A clothes dryer monitoring system comprising: the drying means has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber, the clothes dryer has a second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber, The control unit is characterized in that, when the network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected, the control unit starts the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state.

[0020] In another clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention, the control unit does not maintain a constant network connection while the clothes dryer is powered, but instead initiates network communication with the information processing terminal when the door switches from a third state (closed) to a fourth state (open). That is, when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit infers that the drying chamber has switched from a first state (no clothes in the drying chamber) to a second state (there are clothes in the drying chamber), and initiates network communication with the information processing terminal. This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system to shorten the duration of network communication until the control unit starts the drying operation, thereby reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0021] Furthermore, users often open the door and place clothes in the drying compartment before turning on the power switch for the clothes dryer. Furthermore, users often open the door and place clothes in the drying compartment before starting the drying operation. In other words, the change from the third state (with the door closed) to the fourth state (with the door open) is likely to occur before the power switch for the clothes dryer is turned on or the drying operation is started. Therefore, this clothes dryer monitoring system can complete the initial network connection before the drying operation is started, thereby reliably transmitting information such as initial state changes in the drying operation to the information processing terminal. As a result, degradation of the quality of information processing related to the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal can be suppressed.

[0022] Therefore, another clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal.

[0023] It is desirable that the control unit cuts off the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is continued.

[0024] In this case, the control unit disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open). That is, when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit assumes that the state has changed from having clothes in the drying compartment to not having clothes in it, and disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal. As a result, this clothes dryer monitoring system disconnects network communication immediately when the drying operation finishes and the user removes the clothes from the drying compartment, further shortening the duration of network communication and further reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0025] It is preferable that the control unit is capable of executing a reservation standby operation that waits until the start time of the drying operation determined based on the reservation input operation arrives. And, it is preferable that when the control unit starts the reservation standby operation, it transmits information related to the clothes dryer to the information processing terminal via network communication, then disconnects network communication with the information processing terminal, and starts network communication with the information processing terminal a predetermined time before the start time.

[0026] In this case, the duration of network communication from the start of the reservation standby operation to the start of the drying operation can be shortened, while information related to the clothes dryer up to the start of the reservation operation can be transmitted to the information processing terminal with high reliability, and the initial network connection can be completed before the start time of the drying operation arrives.

[0027] The clothes dryer of the present invention has a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air within the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber, a clothes dryer monitoring system is configured together with an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to process information about the clothes dryer; a first detection means for detecting a first state in which the clothes are not present in the drying chamber and a second state in which the clothes are present in the drying chamber; The control unit is characterized in that when the first state and the second state are switched as a result of detection by the first detection means, the control unit changes the connection state of the network communication with the information processing terminal.

[0028] In the clothes dryer of the present invention, the control unit does not maintain a constant network connection while the clothes dryer is powered, but changes the connection state for network communication with the information processing terminal when triggered by a change between a first state in which there is no clothes in the drying chamber and a second state in which there are clothes in the drying chamber. This allows the clothes dryer to shorten the duration of network communication and reduce power consumption and communication line load compared to when the clothes dryer is constantly connected to the network.

[0029] Furthermore, the change between the first state, in which there is no clothes in the drying chamber, and the second state, in which there are clothes, occurs slightly earlier than the start of the drying operation and slightly later than the end of the drying operation. Therefore, the clothes dryer can complete the initial network connection when it is time to transmit information such as changes in the drying operation status to the information processing terminal, so that the information can be transmitted to the information processing terminal with high reliability. As a result, deterioration in the quality of information processing related to the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal can be suppressed.

[0030] Therefore, the clothes dryer of the present invention can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal.

[0031] Another clothes dryer of the present invention is a clothes dryer having a drying chamber that accommodates clothes, a drying means that circulates heated air within the drying chamber and discharges it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit that controls the drying means to perform a drying operation to dry the clothes accommodated in the drying chamber, a clothes dryer monitoring system is configured together with an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to process information about the clothes dryer; the drying means has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber, the clothes dryer has a second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber, The control unit is characterized in that, when the network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected, the control unit starts the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state.

[0032] In another clothes dryer of the present invention, the control unit does not maintain a constant network connection while the clothes dryer is powered, but initiates network communication with the information processing terminal when the door switches from a third state (closed) to a fourth state (open). That is, when the door switches from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit infers that the state has switched from a first state (no clothes in the drying chamber) to a second state (there are clothes in the drying chamber), and initiates network communication with the information processing terminal. This allows the clothes dryer to shorten the duration of network communication until the control unit starts the drying operation, thereby reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0033] Furthermore, users often open the door and place clothes in the drying compartment before turning on the power switch for the clothes dryer. Furthermore, users often open the door and place clothes in the drying compartment before starting the drying operation. In other words, the change from the third state in which the door is closed to the fourth state in which the door is open is likely to occur before turning on the power switch for the clothes dryer or starting the drying operation. Therefore, this clothes dryer can complete the initial network connection before starting the drying operation, so it can reliably transmit information such as initial state changes in the drying operation to the information processing terminal. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decline in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal.

[0034] Therefore, the clothes dryer according to the present invention can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing related to the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the clothes dryer monitoring system and the clothes dryer of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing about the clothes dryer executed by the information processing terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a clothes dryer monitoring system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer according to the clothes dryer monitoring system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program executed by the control unit of the clothes dryer in the clothes dryer monitoring system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program executed by the control unit of the clothes dryer in the clothes dryer monitoring system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program executed by the control unit of the clothes dryer in the clothes dryer monitoring system of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0038] Example 1 As shown in Fig. 1, a clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of Example 1 is an example of a specific aspect of the clothes dryer monitoring system of the present invention, and is applied to a house H1. The clothes dryer monitoring system 100 includes a clothes dryer 1, a server 20, and a smartphone 90. The clothes dryer 1 of Example 1 is an example of a specific aspect of the clothes dryer of the present invention. The server 20 and the smartphone 90 are each an example of an "information processing terminal" of the present invention, and execute information processing related to the clothes dryer 1.

[0039] Clothes dryer 1 is installed in home H1. Control unit 3 of clothes dryer 1 can be connected to network NW1, such as the Internet including a cloud network, via network interface H1N installed in home H1.

[0040] Server 20 is installed in a location away from house H1. Server 20 is managed by an operation supporter of clothes dryer 1. The operation supporter of clothes dryer 1 is, for example, the manufacturer of clothes dryer 1, and uses server 20 to collect and analyze information for maintenance management and quality improvement of clothes dryer 1, and provides support information to the user of clothes dryer 1 as needed.

[0041] The server 20 is configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 via the network NW1.

[0042] The smartphone 90 is a mobile terminal having a telephone function and the like, and is carried by a user who uses the house H1. The smartphone 90 is also configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 via the network NW1. The smartphone 90 is also configured to be able to perform network communication with the server 20 via the network NW1.

[0043] The clothes dryer monitoring system 100 monitors the clothes dryer 1 using the server 20, provides various information about the clothes dryer 1, such as operating status, setting information, malfunction information, etc., to the user using the smartphone 90, and transmits support information, such as information on replacing parts or consumables, to the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 as needed.

[0044] Hereinafter, the configurations of the clothes dryer 1, the server 20, and the smartphone 90 will be described, and then the program relating to the drying operation executed by the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 will be described in detail.

[0045] <Clothes dryer configuration> As shown in Figure 2, clothes dryer 1 is a gas clothes dryer that dries clothes with air heated by the combustion of gas. Clothes dryer 1 has a housing 8, a rotating drum 80, a door 89, a heat source 5, and a blower 7. Rotating drum 80, door 89, heat source 5, and blower 7 are an example of the "drying means" of the present invention.

[0046] In this embodiment, the side of the housing 8, which is approximately box-shaped, on which the door 89 is located is defined as the front side of the housing 8, and the side of the housing 8 opposite the side on which the door 89 is located is defined as the rear side of the housing 8.

[0047] A clothing insertion opening 88 is provided on the front surface of the housing 8. The inner peripheral edge of a substantially annular ring plate 87 is joined to the edge of the clothing insertion opening 88 located inside the housing 8. A communication hole 87A is formed in the lower portion of the ring plate 87.

[0048] A drum support shaft 80S, centered on a rotation axis X80, is fixed to the rear wall of the housing 8. The rotation axis X80 extends horizontally in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 8. The drum support shaft 80S protrudes toward the front side of the housing 8.

[0049] The rotating drum 80 is provided inside the housing 8. The rotating drum 80 has a cylindrical portion 84 and a rear wall portion 82. The cylindrical portion 84 has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis X80. The rear wall portion 82 has a generally disk shape that connects to the edge of the cylindrical portion 84 located on the rear side of the housing 8.

[0050] The rotating drum 80 defines a drying chamber 81 for accommodating the clothes C1 by a cylindrical portion 84 and a rear wall portion 82. The rear wall portion 82 is provided with a ventilation portion 83. The ventilation portion 83 is composed of a plurality of holes and filters that cover each hole.

[0051] The rotating drum 80 is rotatable around the rotation axis X80 because the rear wall portion 82 is rotatably supported by the drum support shaft 80S and the edge of the cylindrical portion 84 located on the front side of the housing 8 is rotatably supported by the outer peripheral edge of the ring plate 87.

[0052] The door 89 is supported on the front side of the housing 8 and opens and closes the drying chamber 81. The door 89 closes the drying chamber 81 by covering the clothes insertion opening 88. On the other hand, the door 89 opens the drying chamber 81 by opening it and moving away from the clothes insertion opening 88.

[0053] A motor 60 is provided below the rotating drum 80 inside the housing 8. The motor 60 has a first drive shaft 61 and a second drive shaft 62 centered on a drive axis X60 that is parallel to the rotation axis X80. The first drive shaft 61 protrudes toward the front side of the housing 8. The second drive shaft 62 protrudes toward the rear side of the housing 8.

[0054] A first pulley 61P is fixed to the first drive shaft 61 so as to be rotatable integrally therewith. A first transmission belt 61B is wound around the first pulley 61P and the cylindrical portion 84 of the rotary drum 80.

[0055] When the motor 60 operates to generate a driving force, the driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical portion 84 via the first drive shaft 61, the first pulley 61P, and the first transmission belt 61B, causing the rotating drum 80 to rotate around the rotation axis X80. The rotation of the rotating drum 80 is performed to keep the clothes C1 stored in the drying chamber 81 constantly moving without stopping them in a fixed position.

[0056] The blower 7 has an air intake port 71 , an air intake duct 72 , an exhaust port 75 , an exhaust duct 76 and an exhaust fan 78 .

[0057] Air intake ports 71 are a plurality of holes formed through the bottom wall of housing 8. Air intake duct 72 is provided on the front side and bottom wall side of housing 8. Air intake duct 72 is formed with an inlet 72A. Inlet port 72A opens widely downward at a position within housing 8 spaced above air intake port 71. Air intake duct 72 extends upward from inlet 72A, and its upper end is connected to communication hole 87A of ring plate 87.

[0058] The air intake port 71, the air intake duct 72, and the communication hole 87A form an air intake path for supplying air to the drying chamber 81.

[0059] Exhaust port 75 is a hole formed through the upper wall of housing 8, closer to the rear of housing 8 than rotating drum 80. Exhaust duct 76 is provided between rear wall 82 of rotating drum 80 and the rear wall of housing 8. Exhaust duct 76 is formed with outlet 76A. Outlet 76A opens widely toward the front side at a position inside housing 8 facing ventilation section 83 of rear wall 82. Exhaust duct 76 extends upward from outlet 76A, and its upper end is connected to exhaust port 75.

[0060] The ventilation section 83, the exhaust duct 76, and the exhaust port 75 form an exhaust path for discharging air from the drying chamber 81.

[0061] The exhaust fan 78 is provided inside the exhaust duct 76. The exhaust fan 78 is fixed to a cylindrical fan support member 78S that is fitted onto the drum support shaft 80S so as to be rotatable together with the fan support member 78S, facing the ventilation portion 83 of the rear wall portion 82. This allows the exhaust fan 78 to rotate around the rotation axis X80.

[0062] A second pulley 62P is fixed to the second drive shaft 62 of the motor 60 so as to be rotatable together with the second pulley 62P. A second transmission belt 62B is wound around the second pulley 62P and the fan support member 78S.

[0063] When the motor 60 is activated and generates a driving force, the driving force is transmitted to the fan support 78S via the second drive shaft 62, the second pulley 62P, and the second transmission belt 62B, causing the exhaust fan 78 to rotate around the rotation axis X80. Due to the rotation of the exhaust fan 78, air outside the housing 8 is supplied into the drying chamber 81 via the air intake port 71, the air intake duct 72, and the communication hole 87A, circulates within the drying chamber 81, and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 8 via the ventilation section 83, the exhaust duct 76, and the exhaust port 75.

[0064] The heat source 5 includes a gas burner 50 , a gas supply valve device 53 , and a gas injection nozzle 51 .

[0065] The gas burner 50 is disposed directly below the inlet 72A of the air intake duct 72. The gas supply valve device 53 supplies fuel gas from a gas supply source (not shown) to the gas injection nozzle 51. The gas injection nozzle 51 injects the fuel gas toward the gas inlet 50A of the gas burner 50. As a result, the fuel gas, together with air around the gas inlet 50A, is guided to the gas burner 50 and combusted. As a result, air taken into the housing 8 through the air intake port 71 by the rotation of the exhaust fan 78 is heated by the combustion exhaust gas generated by the gas burner 50 and supplied as hot air into the drying chamber 81 via the inlet 72A of the air intake duct 72, etc. The hot air then circulates within the drying chamber 81, absorbing moisture from the clothes C1, and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 8 through the exhaust port 75 via the ventilation section 83 and the exhaust duct 76.

[0066] In short, the air blowing means 7 and the heat source 5 circulate the heated air within the drying chamber 81 and discharge it to the outside of the drying chamber 81.

[0067] Clothes dryer 1 has first detection means S1. First detection means S1 has camera S1C provided at the bottom of ring plate 87 of housing 8, and light S1L provided at the top of ring plate 87 of housing 8.

[0068] The camera S1C takes images of the inside of the drying chamber 81 and outputs the image data. In this embodiment, the camera S1C takes images of the inside of the drying chamber 81 at predetermined time intervals while the rotating drum 80 is stopped. The light S1L is turned on when the camera S1C takes images of the inside of the drying chamber 81, and illuminates the inside of the drying chamber 81.

[0069] The first detection means S1 detects a first state in which there is no clothing C1 in the drying chamber 81 and a second state in which clothing C1 is present in the drying chamber 81 by performing image analysis processing on the image data captured by the camera S1C.

[0070] Clothes dryer 1 has second detection means S2. Second detection means S2 is a proximity switch, a microswitch, etc. Second detection means S2 detects a third state in which door 89 closes drying chamber 81 and a fourth state in which door 89 opens drying chamber 81.

[0071] 1 and 2, clothes dryer 1 includes control unit 3, input unit 3E, and display unit 3D. Control unit 3 is housed in a position below door 89 on the front surface of housing 8. Input unit 3E and display unit 3D are provided so as to be exposed below door 89 on the front surface of housing 8.

[0072] The control unit 3 is an electronic circuit unit configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, an interface circuit, etc. (not shown). The ROM stores programs for executing various operations of the clothes dryer 1, such as the programs shown in Figures 3 to 5. The RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing.

[0073] 3 to 5, the control unit 3 performs a drying operation to dry the clothes C1 stored in the drying chamber 81. The control unit 3 controls the motor 60 constituting the air blowing means 7, the gas supply valve device 53 constituting the heat source 5, and the like to perform the drying operation.

[0074] 3 to 5, the control unit 3 acquires the detection results of the first detection means S1 and the detection results of the second detection means S2. The first detection means S1 transmits the detection results to the control unit 3 in an operation standby state in which the drying operation is not being performed, but does not perform detection operations while the drying operation is being performed.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 3 has a communication interface circuit (not shown) and controls connection and disconnection with the network NW1 through two-way communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 controls the start and disconnection of network communication with the server 20 via the network NW1, and also controls the start and disconnection of network communication with the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0076] The input unit 3E has a plurality of buttons, such as a power switch, a start button for instructing the start of a drying operation, etc., buttons for inputting numerical values ​​and selecting various modes, etc. Various operations performed by the user on the input unit 3E are transmitted to the control unit 3 and reflected in the control of the drying operation, etc.

[0077] After clothes dryer 1 is installed in house H1, the power cord is connected to an AC 100V outlet, which starts supplying AC 100V to control unit 3 and puts it into standby mode. The power switch of input unit 3E does not switch between supplying AC 100V and cutting off power, but rather switches between the standby mode and an operating mode in which the user can cause clothes dryer 1 to perform a drying operation and input settings for clothes dryer 1. Turning the power switch ON causes control unit 3 to transition from standby mode to operating mode.

[0078] The display unit 3D is a plurality of 7-segment LEDs, a liquid crystal display, an LED lamp, etc. The display unit 3D is controlled by the control unit 3 to display various information related to the operating status of the clothes dryer 1, error messages, etc.

[0079] The user can specify a scheduled operation by inputting a desired start time for the drying operation into the input unit 3E as an input operation for reserving the drying operation. When a scheduled operation is specified, the control unit 3 executes a scheduled standby operation, which waits until the start time for the drying operation determined based on the reservation input operation arrives.

[0080] <Server configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the server 20 includes a server control unit 20C, a server storage unit 20M, a server input unit 20E, and a server display unit 20D.

[0081] The server control unit 20C is an electronic circuit unit configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, interface circuit, etc. (not shown), and is capable of high-speed, large-volume information processing.

[0082] The server storage unit 20M may be an external storage device separate from the server control unit 20C, such as a hard disk drive or a memory card, or may be a non-volatile memory or the like built into the server control unit 20C. The server storage unit 20M is used as a long-term storage area for storing various information over the long term in response to a write command from the server control unit 20C, and for transmitting the information to the server control unit 20C in response to a read command from the server control unit 20C.

[0083] Furthermore, the server control unit 20C has a communication interface circuit (not shown) and is capable of network communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 via the network NW1 and the network interface H1N.

[0084] When the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 starts network communication with the server 20 via the network NW1, the server control unit 20C stores information transmitted from the control unit 3 in the server storage unit 20M as appropriate. Based on the stored information, the server control unit 20C then collects and analyzes information for the maintenance and management of the clothes dryer 1 and for quality improvement purposes, and transmits support information to the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 and various information related to the clothes dryer 1 to the smartphone 90 as necessary.

[0085] The server input unit 20E is configured with a keyboard on which a plurality of switches are arranged, and receives inputs relating to the operation of the server 20 and the like.

[0086] Server display unit 20D is a liquid crystal display or the like that is controlled by server control unit 20C and displays various information such as characters and images. Server display unit 20D displays various information and error messages related to clothes dryer 1 based on the content of communication with control unit 3 of clothes dryer 1.

[0087] In addition, server 20 may be a cloud server that is available via the Internet by virtually combining multiple physical servers into one server on the cloud, or by building multiple virtual servers on one physical server.

[0088] <Smartphone configuration> The smartphone 90 includes a terminal control unit 90C and a touch panel 90T.

[0089] The terminal control unit 90C is an electronic circuit unit configured with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface circuit, and the like (not shown), and executes control processes related to the operation of the smartphone 90.

[0090] The terminal control unit 90C has a communication interface circuit (not shown) and is capable of making calls using the mobile phone frequency band, performing network communication with the server control unit 20C of the server 20 via the network NW1, and performing network communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 via the network NW1 and the network interface H1N.

[0091] In addition, when the smartphone 90 is located inside the house H1, the terminal control unit 90C can also perform network communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 via the network interface H1N, but this explanation is omitted in this embodiment.

[0092] The touch panel 90T displays various types of information such as text and images, and receives various inputs when the user touches the touch panel 90T.

[0093] A user of the smartphone 90 installs an application program for using the clothes dryer 1 on the smartphone 90 and executes the application program, causing the touch panel 90T to display various information about the clothes dryer 1 based on the content of communication with the control unit 3 of the clothes dryer 1 or the content of communication with the server control unit 20C of the server 20.

[0094] <Connecting and disconnecting network communications and performing drying operations> In the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 configured as described above, after the clothes dryer 1 is installed in the house H1, the power cord is connected to an AC 100V outlet, and AC 100V power supply to the control unit 3 begins, and the control unit 3 executes the programs shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0095] First, the control unit 3 executes steps S11 to S13 shown in FIG. 3 as an initial setting.

[0096] In step S11, the control unit 3 connects to the network NW1 through two-way communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0097] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S12 and associates the clothes dryer 1 with an application program for using the clothes dryer 1 that is installed on the smartphone 90.

[0098] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S13, and disconnects from the network NW1 through bidirectional communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0099] Then, the control unit 3 starts the processes of steps S101 to S129 shown in FIGS.

[0100] When the control unit 3 proceeds to step S101, it puts the clothes dryer 1 into a standby state. In this state, the control unit 3 obtains the detection results of the first detection means S1 and the second detection means S2.

[0101] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S102 and determines whether the detection result of the first detection means S1 has switched from a first state in which the clothes C1 are not present in the drying chamber 81 to a second state in which the clothes C1 are present in the drying chamber 81. If the determination in step S102 is "No," the control unit 3 repeats step S102. Then, if the determination in step S102 becomes "Yes," the control unit 3 proceeds to step S103.

[0102] In step S103, the control unit 3 determines whether or not a reserved operation has been specified. If the answer is "No" in step S103, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the answer is "Yes" in step S103, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S111 shown in FIG. 4.

[0103] 3, the control unit 3 connects to the network NW1 through bidirectional communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0104] In other words, when the control unit 3 has disconnected network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90, and the detection result of the first detection means S1 switches from the first state to the second state, if no scheduled operation is specified, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0105] Next, control unit 3 proceeds to step S106 and transmits usage data and sensor data of clothes dryer 1 to server 20. The usage data and sensor data of clothes dryer 1 include, for example, the operating status of motor 60 constituting air blowing means 7, gas supply valve device 53 constituting heating source 5, setting information input by the user, the detection results of first detection means S1, the detection results of second detection means S2, and the detection results of multiple temperature sensors (not shown) installed in housing 8.

[0106] It is not necessary to transmit to server 20 usage data that does not contribute much to the maintenance and management of clothes dryer 1 and quality improvement, such as information on voice settings when directly operating clothes dryer 1 and information on changes thereto.

[0107] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S107 and determines whether or not an operation to start the drying operation has been performed. While the operation to start the drying operation has not been performed, the result in step S107 is "No," and the control unit 3 repeats step S107. Then, when the user operates the input unit 3E to perform an operation to start the drying operation, the result in step S107 is "Yes," and the control unit 3 proceeds to step S121 shown in FIG. 4.

[0108] When the process moves from step S103 shown in FIG. 3 to step S111 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 3 starts a reservation standby operation.

[0109] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S112 and connects to the network NW1 through bidirectional communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0110] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S113 and transmits the reserved operation information to the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0111] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S114, and disconnects from the network NW1 through bidirectional communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0112] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S115 and determines whether it is a predetermined time before the start time of the drying operation. The predetermined time is, for example, from several tens of seconds to several minutes before. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined time is one minute before. If the answer is "No" in step S115, the control unit 3 repeats step S115. Then, if the answer is "Yes" in step S115, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S116.

[0113] In step S116, the control unit 3 connects to the network NW1 through two-way communication with the network interface H1N, thereby starting network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0114] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S117 and transmits the usage data and sensor data of the clothes dryer 1 to the server 20.

[0115] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S118 and determines whether the time to start the drying operation has arrived. If the answer is "No" in step S118, the control unit 3 repeats step S118. Then, if the answer is "Yes" in step S118, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S121.

[0116] That is, when the detection result of the first detection means S1 switches from the first state to the second state while the network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 is disconnected, if a scheduled operation is specified, the control unit 3 starts a scheduled standby operation and starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90. Then, the control unit 3 transmits information related to the clothes dryer 1 to the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via network communication, and then disconnects the network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90, and starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 a predetermined time before the start time.

[0117] When the process moves from step S107 shown in FIG. 3 or step S118 shown in FIG. 4 to step S121, the control unit 3 starts the drying operation.

[0118] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S122 and transmits the usage data and sensor data of the clothes dryer 1 to the server 20.

[0119] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S123 and determines whether the end time of the drying operation has arrived. If the answer is "No" in step S123, the control unit 3 repeats steps S122 and S123. While the drying operation is in progress, the user of the smartphone 90 can obtain the latest information about the clothes dryer 1 during the drying operation by using an application program for using the clothes dryer 1 at a location away from the clothes dryer 1. If the answer is "Yes" in step S123, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S124.

[0120] In step S124, the control unit 3 ends the drying operation.

[0121] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S125 shown in FIG.

[0122] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S126, where it determines, based on the detection result of the second detection means S2, whether the door 89 has switched from the third state in which the door 89 closes the drying chamber 81 to the fourth state in which the door 89 opens the drying chamber 81. If the determination in step S126 is "No," the control unit 3 proceeds to step S127. On the other hand, if the determination in step S126 is "Yes," the control unit 3 proceeds to step S128.

[0123] When the control unit 3 proceeds from step S126 to step S127, it determines whether the waiting time has elapsed. The waiting time is set to a time that allows the data transmission in step S125 to be completed reliably. The waiting time is, for example, from several tens of seconds to several minutes. In this embodiment, as an example, the waiting time is one minute. If the answer is "No" in step S127, the control unit 3 repeats steps S125 to S127. Then, if the answer is "Yes" in step S127, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S128.

[0124] In other words, when the waiting time elapses due to the repetition of steps S125 to S127, the control unit 3 assumes that the user who performed the drying operation is not near the clothes dryer 1 and will not remove the clothes C1 for a while, and proceeds to step S128.

[0125] When the process proceeds from step S126 or step S127 to step S128, the control unit 3 transmits usage data and sensor data of the clothes dryer 1 to the server 20. At this time, the control unit 3 transmits information such as the stop status of the motor 60, the gas supply valve device 53, etc. after the drying operation has ended, and detection results of the temperature sensor, etc., including the temperature inside the drying chamber 81 (the temperature of the clothes C1). Based on the received usage data and sensor data of the clothes dryer 1, the server 20 can accurately perform analysis for maintenance management and quality improvement of the clothes dryer 1.

[0126] Next, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S129, and disconnects from the network NW1 through bidirectional communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1.

[0127] In other words, when the detection result of the second detection means S2 switches from the third state to the fourth state while continuing network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90, the control unit 3 assumes that the state has switched from the second state in which the clothes C1 are present in the drying chamber 81 to the first state in which the clothes C1 are not present, and disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0128] Then, the control unit 3 returns to S101 shown in FIG. 3 and repeats steps S101 to S129 until the power cord of the clothes dryer 1 is unplugged from the AC 100V outlet.

[0129] <Operating mode without clothes> In addition to the drying operation, the control unit 3 can also execute an operation mode in which the clothes C1 are not placed in the drying chamber 81. This operation mode is, for example, an operation mode in which the inside of the drying chamber 81 is sterilized.

[0130] When this operation mode is selected, the control unit 3 connects to the network NW1 through two-way communication with the network interface H1N. As a result, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via the network NW1. The control unit 3 waits without starting this operation mode until the connection with the network NW1 is completed, and starts this operation mode after the connection with the network NW1 is completed.

[0131] <Action and effect> In the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of the first embodiment, the control unit 3 does not maintain a constant connection to the network NW1 while the clothes dryer 1 is being powered, but instead changes the connection state of the network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 in step S105 shown in Fig. 3 or step S112 shown in Fig. 4 when a change occurs between a first state in which there are no clothes C1 in the drying chamber 81 and a second state in which there are clothes C1 in the drying chamber 81 in step S102 shown in Fig. 3. This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 to shorten the duration of network communication and reduce power consumption and communication line load compared to when the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 is constantly connected to the network NW1.

[0132] Furthermore, the switch between the first state, in which clothes C1 are not present in drying chamber 81, and the second state, in which clothes C1 are present, occurs slightly earlier than the start of the drying operation and slightly later than the end of the drying operation. Therefore, this clothes dryer monitoring system 100 can complete the initial connection to network NW1 when information such as changes in the drying operation status should be transmitted to server 20 and smartphone 90, so that the information can be transmitted to server 20 and smartphone 90 with high reliability. As a result, deterioration in the quality of information processing related to clothes dryer 1 executed by server 20 and smartphone 90 can be suppressed.

[0133] Therefore, the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of the first embodiment can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of the information processing regarding the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0134] Similarly, the clothes dryer 1 of the first embodiment can also reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing related to the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0135] When server 20 is a cloud server set up on the cloud, the usage fee is generally a pay-as-you-go system that increases the longer the network communication connection lasts, so the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 and clothes dryer 1 of Example 1 can suppress the increase in the usage fee for the cloud server.

[0136] In the clothes dryer monitoring system 100, the control unit 3 starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 in step S105 of FIG. 3 or step S112 of FIG. 4 when the control unit 3 switches from a first state (no clothes C1 present) in the drying chamber 81 to a second state (the clothes C1 are present) in step S102 of FIG. 3. This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 to shorten the duration of network communication until the control unit 3 starts the drying operation, thereby reducing power consumption and communication line load. Furthermore, users often place clothes C1 in the drying chamber 81 before turning on the power switch of the clothes dryer 1. Furthermore, users often place clothes C1 in the drying chamber 81 before starting the drying operation. In other words, the switch from the first state (no clothes C1 present) in the drying chamber 81 to the second state (the clothes C1 are present) is likely to occur before the power switch of the clothes dryer 1 is turned on or the drying operation is started. Therefore, this clothes dryer monitoring system 100 can complete the initial network connection before the start of drying operation, so that information such as initial state changes in drying operation can be transmitted to the server 20 and smartphone 90 with high reliability, and as a result, deterioration in the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer 1 performed by the server 20 and smartphone 90 can be suppressed.

[0137] 5, the detection result of the second detection means S2 changes from the third state to the fourth state. This triggers the control unit 3 to disconnect network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 in step S129. That is, when the door 89 changes from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit 3 assumes that the state has changed from the second state (in which clothes C1 are present) to the first state (in which clothes C1 are absent) in the drying chamber 81, and disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90. As a result, the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 immediately disconnects network communication when the drying operation is completed and the user removes the clothes C1 from the drying chamber 81. This further shortens the duration of network communication, further reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0138] Furthermore, in this clothes dryer monitoring system 100, the control unit 3 can execute a reservation standby operation in steps S111 to S118 shown in Fig. 4, in which the control unit 3 waits until the start time of the drying operation determined based on the reservation input operation arrives. When the reservation standby operation begins, the control unit 3 transmits information related to the clothes dryer 1 to the server 20 and the smartphone 90 via network communication, then disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90, and starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 a predetermined time before the start time. This configuration shortens the duration of network communication from the start of the reservation standby operation until the start of the drying operation, while ensuring reliable transmission of information related to the clothes dryer 1 up until the start of the reserved operation to the server 20 and the smartphone 90, and also enables the initial network connection to be completed before the start time of the drying operation arrives.

[0139] Example 2 In the clothes dryer monitoring system of Example 2, step S126 shown in Figure 5 for the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of Example 1 is modified to determine whether the detection result of the first detection means S1 has switched from the second state to the first state.

[0140] In other words, in Example 2, the control unit 3 disconnects network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 when the detection result of the first detection means S1 switches from the second state to the first state while continuing network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0141] Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0142] The clothes dryer monitoring system of Example 2 having such a configuration can shorten the duration of network communication while suppressing a decline in the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90, similar to the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of Example 1.

[0143] Furthermore, in this clothes dryer monitoring system, the control unit 3 is triggered by switching from the second state, in which clothes C1 are present in the drying chamber 81, to the first state, in which clothes C1 are not present, to disconnect network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90. As a result, this clothes dryer monitoring system immediately disconnects network communication when the drying operation finishes and the user removes clothes C1 from the drying chamber 81, thereby further shortening the duration of network communication and further reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0144] Example 3 In the clothes dryer monitoring system and clothes dryer of Example 3, step S102 shown in Figure 3 for the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 and clothes dryer 1 of Example 1 is modified to determine whether the detection result of the second detection means S2 has switched from the third state to the fourth state.

[0145] In other words, when the detection result of the second detection means S2 switches from the third state to the fourth state while network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 is disconnected, the control unit 3 assumes that the state in which the clothes C1 are present in the drying chamber 81 has changed from not being present to not being present, and starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0146] Other configurations of Example 3 are the same as those of Example 1. In the clothes dryer monitoring system of Example 3, the detection result of the first detection means S1 is not used in the determinations of step S102 shown in Fig. 3 and step S126 shown in Fig. 5, so there is no need to provide the first detection means S1.

[0147] In the clothes dryer monitoring system of Example 3 configured as described above, the control unit 3 does not maintain a constant connection to the network NW1 while the clothes dryer 1 is being powered, but instead starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90 when the door 89 switches from a third state in which it is closed to a fourth state in which it is open. In other words, when the door 89 switches from the third state in which it is closed to the fourth state in which it is open, the control unit 3 assumes that the state has switched from an absence of clothes C1 in the drying chamber 81 to a presence of clothes C1, and starts network communication with the server 20 and the smartphone 90. This allows the clothes dryer monitoring system to shorten the duration of network communication until the control unit 3 starts the drying operation, thereby reducing power consumption and communication line load.

[0148] Furthermore, the user often opens the door 89 and places the clothes C1 in the drying compartment 81 before turning on the power switch for the clothes dryer 1. Furthermore, the user opens the door 89 and places the clothes C1 in the drying compartment 81 before starting the drying operation. In other words, the change from the third state in which the door 89 is closed to the fourth state in which the door 89 is open is likely to occur before the power switch for the clothes dryer 1 is turned on or the drying operation is started. Therefore, this clothes dryer monitoring system can complete the initial network connection before the drying operation is started, so information such as initial state changes during the drying operation can be transmitted to the server 20 and the smartphone 90 with high reliability. As a result, a decrease in the quality of information processing related to the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90 can be suppressed.

[0149] Therefore, like the clothes dryer monitoring system 100 of Examples 1 and 2, the clothes dryer monitoring system of Example 3 can shorten the duration of network communication while suppressing a decline in the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0150] Similarly, the clothes dryer of the third embodiment can reduce the duration of network communication while suppressing a decrease in the quality of information processing regarding the clothes dryer 1 executed by the server 20 and the smartphone 90.

[0151] Furthermore, the clothes dryer monitoring system and clothes dryer of the third embodiment can also suppress an increase in the cost of using the cloud server, similar to the clothes dryer monitoring systems 100 of the first and second embodiments.

[0152] In this clothes dryer monitoring system, while maintaining network communication with the server 20 and smartphone 90, the control unit 3 disconnects network communication with the server 20 and smartphone 90 in step S129 when the detection result of the second detection means S2 changes from the third state to the fourth state in step S126 shown in FIG. 5 . That is, when the door 89 changes from the third state (closed) to the fourth state (open), the control unit 3 assumes that the state in the drying chamber 81 has changed from the presence of clothes C1 to the absence of clothes C1, and disconnects network communication with the server 20 and smartphone 90. This configuration allows the clothes dryer monitoring system to immediately disconnect network communication when the drying operation is completed and the user removes the clothes C1 from the drying chamber 81, further shortening the duration of network communication and further reducing power consumption and communication line load. This configuration also eliminates the need for the first detection means S1 for detecting the presence or absence of clothes C1 in the clothes dryer 1, thereby reducing the production cost of the clothes dryer 1.

[0153] Although the present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 to 3, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 to 3 and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0154] In Examples 1 to 3, clothes dryer monitoring system 100 includes server 20 and smartphone 90, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which either server 20 or smartphone 90 is omitted.

[0155] In Examples 1 and 2, the first detection means S1 has a camera S1C and a light S1L and detects the presence or absence of clothing C1 through image analysis, and the rotating drum 80 is not rotated when the camera S1C takes an image, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first detection means S1 may rotate the rotating drum 80 when the camera S1C takes an image, or may not have a light S1L. Furthermore, the first detection means may be a weight sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a sensor that detects the opening or blocking of the optical path from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit to detect the presence or absence of an object, or the like.

[0156] In Examples 1 to 3, the clothes dryer 1 is a gas clothes dryer, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the clothes dryer may be an electric clothes dryer that dries clothes with air heated by an electric heater. [Industrial Applicability]

[0157] The present invention can be used, for example, in homes, apartment buildings, coin laundries, etc. where clothes dryers are installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 100...Clothes dryer monitoring system 1. Clothes dryer C1…Clothing 81...Drying room 80, 89, 5, 7... Drying means (80... Rotating drum, 89... Door, 5... Heat source, 7... Air blowing means) 3...Control section 20, 90...Information processing terminal (20...Server, 90...Smartphone) S1: First detection means S2: Second detection means

Claims

1. a clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air within the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber; an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to perform information processing related to the clothes dryer; A clothes dryer monitoring system comprising: the clothes dryer has a first detection means for detecting a first state in which the clothes are not present in the drying chamber and a second state in which the clothes are present in the drying chamber, The clothes dryer monitoring system is characterized in that the control unit changes the connection state of the network communication with the information processing terminal when the first state and the second state are switched as a detection result of the first detection means.

2. The clothes dryer monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the first detection means switches from the first state to the second state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected.

3. The clothes dryer monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the control unit disconnects the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the first detection means switches from the second state to the first state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is continued.

4. the drying means has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber, the clothes dryer has a second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber, The clothes dryer monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the control unit disconnects the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is continued.

5. a clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air within the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber; an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to perform information processing related to the clothes dryer; A clothes dryer monitoring system comprising: the drying means has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber, the clothes dryer has a second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber, The clothes dryer monitoring system is characterized in that the control unit starts the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected.

6. The clothes dryer monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the control unit disconnects the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is continued.

7. the control unit is capable of executing a reservation standby operation of waiting until a start time of the drying operation determined based on a reservation input operation arrives, A clothes dryer monitoring system as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein when the control unit starts the reservation standby operation, it transmits information related to the clothes dryer to the information processing terminal via the network communication, then disconnects the network communication with the information processing terminal, and starts the network communication with the information processing terminal a predetermined time before the start time.

8. A clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air in the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber, a clothes dryer monitoring system is configured together with an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to process information about the clothes dryer; a first detection means for detecting a first state in which the clothes are not present in the drying chamber and a second state in which the clothes are present in the drying chamber; The clothes dryer is characterized in that the control unit changes the connection state of the network communication with the information processing terminal when the first state and the second state are switched as a result of detection by the first detection means.

9. A clothes dryer having a drying chamber for storing clothes, a drying means for circulating heated air in the drying chamber and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber, and a control unit for controlling the drying means to perform a drying operation for drying the clothes stored in the drying chamber, a clothes dryer monitoring system is configured together with an information processing terminal configured to be able to perform network communication with the control unit and to process information about the clothes dryer; the drying means has a door for opening and closing the drying chamber, the clothes dryer has a second detection means for detecting a third state in which the door closes the drying chamber and a fourth state in which the door opens the drying chamber, The control unit starts the network communication with the information processing terminal when the detection result of the second detection means switches from the third state to the fourth state while the network communication with the information processing terminal is disconnected.

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