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, which limits their ability to communicate externally for remote management and user convenience, leading to increased costs and user inconvenience.
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 without requiring hardware changes, using a setting mode for initial connection and a use mode for ongoing communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laundry machine is equipped with communication capabilities for remote management, then user convenience and extended functionality are improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication functionality into separate modules: a communication unit for network connectivity, a display controller for user interface, and the main controller for appliance operations. This modular segmentation allows the communication features to be added without complicating the core appliance control system, resolving the contradiction between enhanced user convenience and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external terminal (such as a smartphone or remote device) as an intermediary between the user and the laundry machine. This intermediary handles complex communication protocols and user interface interactions, allowing the laundry machine itself to remain relatively simple while still providing remote management capabilities and extended functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication modules are integrated into the laundry machine, then remote management functionality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit and display controller are designed to provide multiple functions: network communication, remote monitoring, control commands, and user interface display. By making these components universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining extended functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The laundry machine automatically performs communication tasks such as self-registration with the server, automatic status reporting, and receiving control commands without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual configuration interfaces and reduces production costs by eliminating the need for expensive service infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel is modified to add communication features, then remote management capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication and display control functions from the main controller and places them in separate dedicated units. The communication unit handles all network-related operations, while the display controller manages the user interface. This extraction prevents the control panel from becoming overly complex while still enabling remote management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The display controller acts as an intermediary between the communication unit and the main controller. It receives control commands from the communication unit and translates them into appropriate control signals for the main controller, thereby isolating the control panel from direct communication complexity while enabling remote management functionality.
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.