Remote Control Activation for Home Appliance Online Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, face challenges in extending user interfaces due to space and cost constraints, making it difficult to add new functions without modifying the control panel or increasing hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to enable remote management and control of home appliances through an online system using a server and an external terminal, allowing users to access and manage appliance functions remotely without physical interaction, including features like crumple prevention and scheduled operation time changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional user interface functions are added to the control panel, then the functionality and versatility of the home appliance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external terminal (smartphone, tablet, or PC) as an intermediary device that provides the extended user interface functionality. The external terminal communicates with the home appliance through a server, allowing complex operations, information display, and control functions to be performed remotely without adding physical components to the appliance's control panel. This resolves the contradiction by offloading the additional functionality to an external device while maintaining the simplicity of the original control panel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional user interface functions are added to the control panel, then the functionality and versatility of the home appliance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external terminal serves as a cost-effective intermediary that provides advanced user interface capabilities without requiring expensive hardware modifications to the home appliance. The terminal device, which the user already possesses, handles complex operations and displays, eliminating the need for the manufacturer to invest in additional control panel components, memory, and processing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The external terminal is a universal device that can serve multiple purposes beyond controlling the home appliance, including browsing, communication, and media playback. This multi-functionality means the user already has the hardware capability available, so no additional manufacturing cost is incurred for the home appliance to provide these functions natively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel is made more complex to include additional functions, then the versatility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to excessive concentration and knowledge requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The external terminal acts as an intermediary that presents simplified, intuitive interfaces for controlling the home appliance. The terminal can display detailed information, step-by-step guides, and visual representations that make complex operations easier to understand and execute, reducing the cognitive load on the user while maintaining access to advanced functionality.
Data Source
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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.