Laundry Machine Course Updates via Server-Linked External Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines and home appliances face challenges in extending user interfaces due to space and cost limitations, making it difficult to add new functions without modifying hardware, and users struggle to update courses conveniently, especially when appliances are not frequently accessed.
Innovation Solution
An online system that allows users to update laundry machine courses through an external terminal without direct communication with the appliance, using a server to manage user information and device IDs, enabling remote management and course updates via a WiFi communication module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functions are added to the control panel, then the functionality is improved, but the space requirement and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the course update interface from the physical control panel to a digital dimension via a terminal device (smartphone, tablet, or PC). Users can update courses remotely through a network connection, eliminating the need for additional physical buttons or displays on the control panel while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the laundry machine. This intermediary handles course selection and updates, allowing the control panel to remain simple while providing access to extended functions through network communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel is made more complex to add functions, then the versatility is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the course update functionality from the control panel hardware and relocates it to a terminal device. This extraction simplifies the control panel's manufacturing requirements while maintaining the ability to provide updated courses through software delivered over the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the terminal device's existing display and input capabilities for course updates, rather than building dedicated hardware into the laundry machine. This universal approach leverages the multi-functionality of common devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs) to provide enhanced functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel is made more complex, then the functionality is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a terminal device as an intermediary to handle complex course selection and update operations. This approach avoids the need to incorporate expensive additional hardware into the laundry machine itself, as the terminal device's existing capabilities are leveraged for course management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the course selection interface on the terminal device, mirroring the functionality that would otherwise require physical controls. This digital copying approach provides enhanced functionality without the cost of additional physical components.
4Ease of operation
If users must physically access the laundry machine to update courses, then the control is direct, but the convenience deteriorates when the machine is not frequently accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to prepare and update courses in advance through the terminal device, before needing to use the laundry machine. Courses can be selected, modified, and saved remotely at any convenient time, eliminating the need to wait until the user physically accesses the machine for updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device serves as an intermediary that enables remote course updates, allowing users to interact with the laundry machine's course management system without physical presence. This intermediary approach provides the convenience of updating courses from anywhere with network access.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a home appliance which can communicate with an outside of the home appliance, an online system and a method for using the online system including the same. According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for using an online system may be provided including the steps of log in a server by transmitting user information to the server through an external terminal, selecting a laundry machine of which course updating is desired through the external terminal and transmitting the same to the server, receiving updatable course information from the server, and displaying the information on the external terminal, selecting an updating desired course through the external terminal, and transmitting selected course information to the server, and updating the laundry machine with the selected course through the server.