Laundry machine and online system including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines and home appliances face challenges in extending their functions without modifying the existing control panel hardware, which limits their ability to communicate externally for remote management and user convenience, especially due to space and cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a WiFi communication module and a separate display controller to enable remote management services through an external terminal, allowing the appliance to connect to a server and access additional features like remote control, diagnosis, and firmware updates without requiring character input or display units on the appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laundry machine is equipped with communication functions for remote management, then user convenience and functionality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate display controller as an intermediary component that handles communication with external terminals. This mediator manages the complexity of communication functions independently from the main controller, allowing the laundry machine to gain remote management capabilities without significantly increasing the complexity of the core washing system. The display controller acts as a bridge between the external network and the appliance's internal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is divided into separate functional modules: a main controller for washing operations and a separate display controller for communication and user interface functions. This segmentation allows the communication functionality to be added independently, reducing the impact on overall device complexity and enabling modular upgrades without redesigning the entire system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication modules are added to enable remote management, then functionality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the communication interface for remote management and the display/user interface for local operations. By making this component universal, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated communication hardware, thereby reducing production costs while still enabling remote management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the communication functions with the existing display controller rather than adding a completely separate communication module. This merging approach leverages existing hardware resources, reducing the need for additional components and lowering production costs while still achieving remote management functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel is modified to include communication interfaces, then remote management is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display controller serves as an intermediary that handles all communication interface functions without requiring modifications to the main control panel hardware. This mediator approach allows communication capabilities to be added through software and the display controller alone, preserving the simplicity of the original control panel while enabling remote management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the display controller's existing interface capabilities to handle communication functions, effectively copying the display interface's functionality for use in remote communication. This allows the system to leverage existing hardware capabilities rather than adding new complex interfaces to the control panel.
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 including the same and a method for using an online system. According to embodiments of the present invention, a home appliance, an online system and a method for using an online system may be provided, each including a WiFi communication module mounted or connected to the home appliance for supporting a setting mode for making communication connection and a use mode for enabling communication, and a particular input unit provided to run the setting mode by user's selection, wherein the home appliance is changed to the use mode upon reception of SSID (Service Set Identifier; a name of a wireless LAN) information of an access point AP desired to access and user information required for registration of the home appliance through an external terminal after access to the setting mode through the external terminal provided separate from the home appliance.