Laundry Machine Remote Control Activation to Reduce Device Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines and home appliances face challenges in extending their functions without modifying the existing control panels, which limits their ability to communicate externally for remote management and user interface enhancements, 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 users to access and control appliances without physical interaction, and extend their functionality without altering the hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functions are added to the laundry machine by modifying the control panel hardware, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the laundry machine and the user's external terminal. The server handles complex communication protocols, data processing, and function management, allowing the laundry machine to provide extended functions without adding complex hardware to the machine itself. The control panel maintains its original simplicity while gaining access to advanced features through the server-mediated communication system.
2Ease of operation
If remote management capabilities are added through hardware modifications, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex remote management and communication functions from the laundry machine hardware and relocates them to a separate server system. The laundry machine only retains minimal communication capabilities to interact with the server, while the server handles all complex operations including remote control, monitoring, and management functions. This extraction allows the laundry machine to maintain ease of manufacture while providing advanced remote operation capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication modules are integrated into the control panel, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct parts: a minimal communication module within the laundry machine's control panel for basic data exchange, and a comprehensive communication and processing system within the server. This segmentation allows the laundry machine to maintain its original simple structure while the server provides the necessary adaptability and communication capabilities for remote management and extended functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a home appliance which can communicate with an outside of the home appliance and an online system including the same. According to embodiments of the present invention, an online system may be provided, including a server, a home appliance provided with remote control activation input means and connected to the server to enable communication therewith, and an external terminal having application for remote control of the home appliance through the server, wherein the home appliance is remotely controlled through the external terminal only if the remote control activation input means is selected.