Remote Control Activation for Laundry Machine Online Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances, such as washing machines, 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 the appliance's cost, and users often struggle to access and manage appliances remotely, especially when they are not in the same location.
Innovation Solution
An online system that enables remote management and control of home appliances through a server and external terminals, allowing users to access and manage appliances using a cellular phone, smartphone, or computer, without requiring changes to the appliance's hardware, by registering the appliance's unique ID and providing remote management services such as firmware updates, diagnostics, and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional user interface functions are added to the control panel, then appliance functionality is extended, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external terminal (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary device that provides the extended user interface functionality. The external terminal communicates with the home appliance through a network, allowing users to access additional functions, settings, and information without adding physical components to the appliance's control panel. This mediator approach enables functionality extension while keeping the appliance itself simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the user interface from the physical dimension (control panel on the appliance) to the digital dimension (external terminal devices). By implementing the interface on external devices that users already possess, the system adds functionality without increasing the physical complexity or size of the appliance. This dimensional shift allows unlimited interface expansion without constraining the appliance's form factor.
2Ease of operation
If remote management capabilities are added to the appliance, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a server as an intermediary that handles remote management operations. The server receives requests from external terminals, processes them, and communicates with the home appliance accordingly. This architecture allows users to manage appliances remotely through familiar devices without adding complex communication hardware or software directly to the appliance, thereby maintaining simplicity at the appliance level while enabling remote functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of not having remote access capabilities into a benefit by leveraging widely available external devices (smartphones, computers) that users already carry. Instead of making the appliance itself complex with built-in remote access features, the system benefits from the existing computational and communication capabilities of external terminals, turning a potential disadvantage into an advantage.
3Area of stationary object
If the control panel is made more compact to reduce space, then appliance size is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving the operational interface to external terminals with larger displays and keyboards. The compact control panel on the appliance retains only essential functions, while the external terminal provides the full user interface experience. This dimensional relocation allows the appliance to be compact without sacrificing operational ease, as users interact with the system through their personal devices rather than a physical panel on the appliance.
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.