Laundry Machine WiFi Registration via External Terminal
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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 for extended functionality without requiring additional hardware changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a WiFi communication module and separate display controller are incorporated to enable remote management services, then user convenience and extended functionality are improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laundry machine into functional modules: a control panel unit for user interaction, a display controller for information presentation, and a WiFi communication module for remote connectivity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide remote management capabilities without requiring complete hardware redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a user interface for local operations, a communication gateway for remote services, and a coordination hub between the display controller and WiFi module. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining enhanced user convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication modules are added to enable external connectivity, then remote management capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The WiFi communication module and display controller are integrated with the existing control panel unit rather than being implemented as completely separate assemblies. This merging approach allows shared use of the control panel's processing resources, power supply, and housing structure, thereby reducing the cumulative production cost compared to adding fully independent communication systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control panel is used for both original functions and additional communication functions, then hardware modification is avoided, but functional overload increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication module that acts as an intermediary between the existing control panel and the remote server. This intermediary handles all external communication protocols and data formats, allowing the original control panel hardware to remain unchanged while still enabling remote management functions through standardized interface layers.
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.