Appliance diagnosis method and appliance diagnosis program

Abstract

The present invention provides an appliance diagnosis method by which an information terminal self-diagnoses a home appliance, wherein the information terminal can access definition information configured to include button display information pertaining to option IDs, explanatory information, question information, material information for appliance diagnosis, the value of the number of options, and a related option ID corresponding to the value of the number of options. The method includes: a material displaying step in which, when material information about a tapped option ID is available, a processing unit of the information terminal displays said material information on a material display unit (50) of the information terminal; and a related step in which, when the value of the number of options pertaining to a tapped option ID is available, the processing unit displays, on a diagnostic display unit (40), button display information pertaining to the related option ID as many times as the value of the number of options.

Description

Equipment diagnostic method and equipment diagnostic program

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a program for diagnosing a home electric appliance.

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

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

[0004] Patent No. 5314655

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

[0006] Users of home appliances often do not know the fault codes of their appliances, and a user-friendly method for diagnosing appliances has been desired.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a device diagnostic method and a device diagnostic algorithm that can assist a user in diagnosing the state of a device.

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

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing a device diagnostic system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of definition information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of an application screen. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing device diagnostic processing. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of displaying question information and option-related information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of displaying question information, option-related information, and document information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which question information and option-related information are further added to FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which another option is selected in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a menu list display unit. A flowchart showing menu processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu list. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen on a smartphone. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a computer.

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

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

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

[0013] (Operation method and features of the device diagnostic system) This system separates the diagnostic application (diagnostic program 23) and definition information 70 (data). The information terminal 20 downloads the diagnostic application from the server 21, stores the diagnostic application in the storage unit 20M within the information terminal 20, and stores the definition information 70 within the diagnostic application.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] This function is provided as an application or as a function within an application, and aims to diagnose a home appliance 10 that has a malfunction, lead to the resolution of the malfunction and identification of the cause, and reduce the need to replace unnecessary parts or the home appliance itself.

[0023] The diagnosis is in a chat format, and predefined questions and corresponding options are displayed to check the status of the home appliance 10. By manually tapping, the user can narrow down the possible problems. Furthermore, by repeatedly asking and answering questions, the cause of the problem is identified and a solution is displayed.

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

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

[0026] At the bottom of the diagnosis display section are a back one button 45 and an end button 46. Tapping the back one button 45 returns to the previous question and options. Tapping the end button 46 returns to the initial diagnosis screen. Like a typical chat application, the diagnosis display section 40 retains past conversations until it is closed, and in this case, the history leading up to the diagnosis. If the history is too long to display on a single screen, scrolling up and down using the scroll button 47 allows you to view difficult-to-see parts, such as the first half of the diagnosis. You can also scroll by swiping. If a single screen display is no longer possible and a chat is taking place outside the bottom margin of the diagnosis display section 40, a scroll button 47 appears at the bottom right of the diagnosis display section, indicating that a chat is taking place outside the bottom margin of the diagnosis display section. Pressing the scroll button 47 scrolls the chat to the bottom.

[0027] (Document Display Section 50) The size of the documents in the document display section 50 can be changed by pinching in and out. Tapping the x button (display document delete button 51) in the upper right corner of the document display section 50 will erase the displayed documents. The diagnosis display section 40 and document display section 50 can be scrolled up and down independently. The document display section 50 can be scrolled left and right. This can also be done by swiping. The document display section 50 in Figure 4 displays example documents 52 and example display unit lighting patterns 53 in the event of an abnormality. (Other Functions) Tapping the diagnosis display section display range switch button 32 to the right of the header changes the display range of the diagnosis display section 40. Tapping the menu button 31 to the left of the header displays the documents and auxiliary functions in the document display section 50 in list format. Details will be described later with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

[0028] When detecting that an option displayed on the diagnostic display unit 40 of the information terminal has been tapped, the processing unit 20S of the information terminal 20 has the following steps: a reference step of searching for the tapped option ID 71 from the definition information and referencing each piece of information of the corresponding option ID; an explanation display step of displaying the explanation information on the diagnostic display unit 40 if explanation information 73 related to the tapped option ID 71 is available; a question display step of displaying the question information on the diagnostic display unit 40 if question information 74 related to the tapped option ID 71 is available; a material display step of displaying material information 75 related to the tapped option ID 71 on the material display unit 50 of the information terminal if document information is available; and an associated step of displaying button display information 72 related to the associated option IDs 77 on the diagnostic display unit 40 by the number of the value 76 if the number of options related to the tapped option ID 71 is available. The diagnostic processing will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS.

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

[0030] The processing unit 20S searches the definition information 70 for the ID of the tapped option, refers to each piece of information about the ID (step S65), determines whether or not there is information in the explanation information 73 (explanation column) of the definition information 70 (step S66), and if there is information in the explanation column (step S66, Yes), displays the information in the explanation column on the diagnosis display unit 40 (step S67), and proceeds to step S68. On the other hand, if there is no information in the explanation column (step S66, No), the processing unit 20S proceeds directly to step S68.

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

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

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

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

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

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which further question information and related information for the options are added to the screen shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 shows the display screen when the user taps the option "Ice maker unit abnormality" in FIG. 7 . In step S64, the user's answer "Ice maker unit abnormality" is displayed. In step S67, an explanation is displayed, saying "The ice tray may be hitting food in the ice tray case." In step S69, a message is displayed, saying "Please remove the food and ice and recheck by running the 'Ice Maker Cleaning' operation. Is the lamp flashing?" In step S73, the option display unit 43 displays two options: "The lamp flashes" and "The lamp does not flash." In this embodiment, the user can perform a self-diagnosis by answering the questions and referring to the materials.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which another option is selected in FIG. 6 . In FIG. 6 , nine options were displayed in option display unit 43. In FIG. 9 , when the user selects the option "The automatic ice maker stopped midway" from the nine options displayed in FIG. 6 , the user's answer "The automatic ice maker stopped midway" is displayed in step S64, the explanation "Please check with the 'ice maker cleaning' operation" is displayed in explanation display unit 41 in step S67, and the question "What are the inspection results of the 'ice maker cleaning' operation?" is displayed in question display unit 42 in step S69, just before the next option is displayed (no options are displayed yet in FIG. 9 ). In this manner, in this embodiment, the device diagnosis can proceed in response to multiple options.

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

[0039] Tapping on a document in the document display area within the menu in the displayed document list 61a displays that document. Also, at the right end of the displayed document list 61a, there are accordion list status display areas 62a (folded) and 62b (expanded). When an accordion list status display area 62b is expanded, the list is expanded and displayed as in the displayed document list 61b.

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

[0041] 11 is a flowchart showing menu processing S80. When the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the menu button 31 (step S81), the menu list display unit 60 is displayed from the left of the screen (the menu is expanded) (step S82). When the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the document they want to view (step S83), the tapped document is displayed in the document display unit 50 (step S84). When the processing unit 20S detects that the user has tapped the menu button 31 again, the menu list display unit 60 is closed (step S85).

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

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

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

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

[0046] The ROM 982b stores programs and various data executed by the CPU 981 and DSP 985. The CPU 981 and DSP 985 execute these programs to realize various functions. The server 21 in Fig. 1 is composed of one or more computers 980 shown in Fig. 14.

[0047] The device diagnostic method and device diagnostic program of this embodiment have the following features: (1) A device diagnostic method in which an information terminal 20 performs a self-diagnosis of a home appliance, wherein the information terminal 20 can access definition information 70 including button display information 72 related to an option ID 71, explanation information 73, question information 74, device diagnosis document information 75, a value 76 of the number of options, and an associated option ID 77 corresponding to the value 76 of the number of options.

[0048] When detecting that an option displayed on the diagnostic display unit 40 of the information terminal 20 has been tapped, the processing unit 20S of the information terminal 20 has the following steps: a reference step of searching for the option ID 71 of the tapped option from the definition information 70 and referring to each piece of information about the corresponding option ID 71; an explanation display step of displaying the explanation information 73 on the diagnostic display unit 40 if the explanation information 73 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available; a question display step of displaying the question information 74 on the diagnostic display unit 40 if the question information 74 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available; a material display step of displaying the material information 75 on the material display unit 50 of the information terminal 20 if the material information 75 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available; and an associated step of displaying the button display information 72 related to the related option IDs 77 on the diagnostic display unit 40 for the number of option values ​​76 if the option ID 71 of the tapped option has a value 76 of the number of options. This can assist a user when diagnosing a device state.

[0049] (2) In the device diagnostic method of (1) above, when the information terminal 20 receives a notification from the server 21 that the definition information 70 has been updated, the information terminal 20 acquires the updated definition information 70 from the server 21, which manages the diagnostic method for the home appliance 10. This allows the information terminal 20 to obtain the latest definition information 70.

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

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

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

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

[0054] (7) A device diagnostic program for performing self-diagnosis of a home appliance, wherein a computer can access definition information 70 including button display information 72 related to an option ID 71, explanation information 73, question information 74, device diagnosis document information 75, a value 76 of the number of options, and a related option ID 77 corresponding to the value 76 of the number of options, and the computer performs the following steps when it detects that an option displayed on a diagnosis display unit 40 has been tapped: a reference process for searching the definition information 70 for the tapped option ID 71 and referencing each piece of information of the corresponding option ID 71; an explanation display process for displaying the explanation information 73 on the diagnosis display unit 40 if the explanation information 73 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available; a question display process for displaying the question information 74 on the diagnosis display unit 40 if the question information 74 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available; and a document display process for displaying the document information 75 on the document display unit 50 if the document information 75 related to the option ID 71 of the tapped option is available. This is an equipment diagnostic program for executing a related process in which, if there is a value 76 for the number of options associated with the option ID 71 of the tapped option, the button display information 72 associated with the related option ID 77 is displayed on the diagnostic display unit 40 for the number of option values ​​76.

[0055] 10 Home appliance 20, 20a Information terminal 20M Memory unit 20S Processing unit 21 Server 22 Memory unit 23 Diagnostic program 30 Screen 31 Menu button 32 Diagnostic display unit display range switching button 33 Display area dividing line 40 Diagnostic display unit 41 Explanation display unit 42 Question display unit 43 Choice display unit 44 Answer display unit 45 Back button 46 Exit button 47 Scroll button 50 Document display unit 51 Display document deletion button 52 Document example 53 Example of display unit lighting pattern in case of abnormality 54 Related document presence indication button 60 Menu list display unit 61a Display document list (accordion-type first layer) 61b Display document list (accordion-type second (final) layer) 62a Accordion list status display unit (folded state) 62b Accordion list status display section (expanded status) 63 App switching button 64 Definition information download button 70 Definition information 71 Choice ID 72 Button display information 73 Explanation information 74 Question information 75 Document information 76 Value of number of choices 77 Choice ID (related choice ID) 100 Device diagnosis system S60 Device diagnosis process S80 Menu process

Claims

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

2. A device diagnosis method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, when notified of an update of the definition information from a server that manages the diagnostic methods of the home appliances, the information terminal acquires the updated definition information from the server and stores the updated definition information in a memory unit.

3. A device diagnosis method as described in claim 1, characterized in that the material information is material information that provides supplementary explanation to the user of the content of each button display of the tapped option, the explanatory information, and the question information as the user proceeds with the diagnosis of the device, and the material display section is displayed separately and independently to either the left or right or the top or bottom of the diagnosis display section.

4. The device diagnosis method according to claim 1, characterized in that the document information is at least one of information regarding the performance and / or structure of the home appliance, information regarding products generated by the home appliance, information regarding the failure mode of the home appliance, and service and maintenance information for the home appliance.

5. A device diagnosis method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the processing unit of the information terminal detects a tap on a menu button, it displays a material information menu on a menu list display unit, and displays material information selected by the user from the material information menu on the material display unit.

6. The device diagnosis method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the home appliance is any one of a household appliance, a kitchen appliance, and an air conditioning appliance.

7. A device diagnostic program for performing self-diagnosis of a home appliance, wherein a computer is capable of accessing definition information including button display information related to an option ID, explanation information, question information, device diagnosis document information, an option count value, and related option IDs corresponding to the option count value, and the device diagnostic program is caused to execute the following processes on the computer: when it is detected that an option displayed on a diagnosis display unit has been tapped, a reference process for searching for the tapped option ID from the definition information and referencing each piece of information for the corresponding option ID; an explanation display process for displaying the explanation information on the diagnosis display unit if there is explanation information related to the option ID of the tapped option; a question display process for displaying the question information on the diagnosis display unit if there is question information related to the option ID of the tapped option; a document display process for displaying the document information on the document display unit if there is document information related to the option ID of the tapped option; and an associated process for displaying the button display information related to the related option IDs on the diagnosis display unit for the number of options value if there is a value for the option count related to the option ID of the tapped option.

8. An equipment diagnosis program as described in claim 7, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute a process of acquiring the updated definition information from a server that manages a diagnostic method for the home appliance and storing the updated definition information in a memory unit when the computer is notified that the definition information has been updated from the server that manages a diagnostic method for the home appliance.

9. An equipment diagnosis program as described in claim 7, wherein the reference information is reference information that provides supplementary explanation to the user regarding the contents of each button display of the tapped option, the explanatory information, and the question information as the user proceeds with the diagnosis of the equipment, and the computer is caused to execute a process of dividing and displaying the reference display section independently to either the left or right or the top or bottom of the diagnosis display section.

10. An equipment diagnosis program as described in claim 7, characterized in that the document information is at least one of information regarding the performance and / or structure of the home appliance, information regarding products generated by the home appliance, information regarding failure modes of the home appliance, and service and maintenance information for the home appliance.

11. A device diagnostic program as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, when a tap on a menu button is detected, the computer is caused to execute a process of displaying a material information menu on a menu list display section, and displaying material information selected by a user from the material information menu on the material display section.

12. The device diagnostic program according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the home appliance is any one of a household appliance, a kitchen appliance, and an air conditioning appliance.

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