U.S. patent application number 09/947929 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for control of laundry appliance.
Invention is credited to Hosoito, Tsuyoshi, Tanaka, Toshimasa.
Application Number | 20020040505 09/947929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18760597 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020040505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka, Toshimasa ; et
al. |
April 11, 2002 |
Control of laundry appliance
Abstract
A control device for a laundry appliance storing an operation
program inputs information about washing and adjusts the operation
program of the laundry appliance on the basis of the input washing
information.
Inventors: |
Tanaka, Toshimasa; (Seto,
JP) ; Hosoito, Tsuyoshi; (Inuyama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP LLP
1600 TYSONS BOULEVARD
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
18760597 |
Appl. No.: |
09/947929 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ;
68/12.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2105/60 20200201;
D06F 2103/18 20200201; D06F 34/28 20200201; D06F 2105/58 20200201;
D06F 2103/16 20200201; D06F 34/05 20200201; D06F 2101/12
20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/158 ;
68/12.01 |
International
Class: |
D06F 033/02; D06F
033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2000 |
JP |
2000-274900 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A control device for a laundry appliance storing an operation
program, comprising: washing information inputting means for
inputting information about washing; and adjusting means for
adjusting the operation program of the laundry appliance on the
basis of the washing information input by the washing information
inputting means.
2. A control device according to claim 1, which further comprises
communication means accessing via a communication network to
information providing means for transmitting information about
washing, and wherein the washing information inputting means inputs
the washing information the communication means receives via the
communication network from the information providing means.
3. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising
setting means for setting a schedule for housework and control
means for causing the operation program of the laundry appliance to
be executed on the basis of the set schedule.
4. A control device according to claim 2, further comprising
setting means for setting a schedule for housework and control
means for causing the operation program of the laundry appliance to
be executed on the basis of the set schedule.
5. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising
storage means for storing the operation program of the laundry
appliance and rewriting means for collating the operation program
stored by the laundry appliance with the operation program stored
by the storage means to rewrite the operation program stored by the
laundry appliance depending upon a result of collation.
6. A control device according to claim 1, which further comprises
storage means for storing information about a washing operation
suitable for water quality in a region for every region and region
setting means for setting a region where the laundry appliance is
used, and wherein the adjusting means adjusts the operation program
stored by the laundry appliance on the basis of the washing
operation information corresponding to the set region.
7. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising
electric power information inputting means for inputting
information about electric power consumed by the laundry appliance
and the other electrical appliances installed in a house,
constantly or at predetermined intervals, and control means for
controlling the laundry appliance on the basis of the input
information about the consumed power so that the electric power
consumed by the laundry appliance and the other appliances is at or
below a predetermined value.
8. A control system for a laundry appliance storing an operation
program and executing a washing or drying operation according to
the operation program, the system comprising: information providing
means externally accessible via a communication network to transmit
information about washing via the communication network; and a
laundry appliance control device including communication means for
receiving the washing information transmitted via the communication
network from the information providing means and adjusting means
for adjusting the operation program of the laundry appliance on the
basis of the washing information received by the communication
means.
9. A control system according to claim 8, wherein the laundry
appliance executes a washing operation including a wash step, a
rinse step and a dehydration step, and a drying operation, wherein
the information providing means transmits weather information via
the communication network, and wherein the adjusting means causes
the laundry appliance to execute the drying operation when the
adjusting means detects an indication of rainy weather on the basis
of the weather information received by the communication means.
10. A control system according to claim 8, wherein the laundry
appliance control device further includes storage means for storing
the operation program of the laundry appliance and rewriting means
for collating the operation program stored by the laundry appliance
with the operation program stored by the storage means to rewrite
the operation program stored by the laundry appliance depending
upon a result of collation.
11. A control system according to claim 10, wherein the information
providing means transmits the operation program of the laundry
appliance via the communication network, and the storage means of
the appliance control device stores the operation program received
from the information providing means, by the use of the
communication means.
12. A control system according to claim 8, wherein the information
providing means transmits via the communication network washing
information regarding types of detergents used with the laundry
appliance, wherein the laundry appliance control device includes
detergent setting means for setting the type of the detergent, and
wherein the adjusting means receives, by the use of the
communication means, the washing information corresponding to the
type of the detergent set by the detergent setting means, adjusting
the operation program stored by the laundry appliance, on the basis
of the washing information.
13. A control system according to claim 8, wherein the information
providing means transmits information about a washing operation
suitable for water quality in a region, wherein the laundry
appliance control device includes region setting means for setting
a region where the laundry appliance is used, and wherein the
adjusting means receives by the use of the communication means
washing information corresponding to the water quality of the
region set by the region setting means to adjust the operation
program stored by the laundry appliance on the basis of the washing
operation information.
14. A method of controlling a laundry appliance storing an
operation program, comprising: inputting information about washing;
and adjusting the operation program of the laundry appliance on the
basis of the input washing information.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting step
includes a step of receiving via communication means the operation
program of the laundry appliance from information providing means
on the basis of the input washing information, transmitting the
received operation program to the laundry appliance.
16. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program causing
a computer to execute steps is recorded, said steps including:
inputting washing information; and adjusting an operation program
stored by the laundry appliance on the basis of the input washing
information.
17. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of:
inputting washing information; and adjusting an operation program
stored by the laundry appliance on the basis of the input washing
information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention:
[0002] This invention relates to control of an operation of laundry
appliances such as washing machines, clothes driers, etc.
[0003] 2. Description of the related art:
[0004] Laundry appliances such as laundry washers and laundry
driers have functions of detecting and setting various washing
conditions including a weight, degree of soil and cloth quality of
laundry, and a type of a detergent. A washing or drying operation
is executed on the basis of an operation program according to the
set washing conditions. As the number of the detectable or settable
washing conditions is increased, the laundry can be washed more
clean without being damaged, or the washing or drying operation can
be executed under an optimum state.
[0005] However, since the operation program becomes complicated,
the laundry appliance need to have a memory with a large capacity.
Further, a large number of washing conditions require a large
number of detecting mechanisms and a large number of setting
operations. Additionally, even when the laundry appliance is
provided with an operation program based on various washing
conditions as described above, the laundry appliance cannot cope
with a new detergent developed after manufacture of the laundry
appliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a control device for a laundry appliance which can execute an
optimum washing operation and/or drying operation according to
various washing conditions, a method, system and computer program
for controlling the laundry appliance, and a recording medium on
which the computer program is recorded.
[0007] The present invention provides a control system for a
laundry appliance storing an operation program and executing a
washing or drying operation according to the operation program. The
system comprises information providing means externally accessible
via a communication network to transmit information about washing
via the communication network and a laundry appliance control
device including communication means for receiving the washing
information transmitted via the communication network from the
information providing means and adjusting means for adjusting the
operation program of the laundry appliance on the basis of the
washing information received by the communication means.
[0008] According to the above-described system, the laundry
appliance can execute optimum washing and drying operations on the
basis of the washing information transmitted from the information
providing means without input of washing information including
cloth quality of laundry, type of detergent used and water
quality.
[0009] In a preferred form, the information providing means
transmits weather information via the communication network, and
the adjusting means causes the laundry appliance to execute the
drying operation when the adjusting means detects an indication of
rainy weather on the basis of the weather information received by
the communication means. In this case, the laundry appliance
control device further includes storage means for storing the
operation program of the laundry appliance and rewriting means for
collating the operation program stored by the laundry appliance
with the operation program stored by the storage means to rewrite
the operation program stored by the laundry appliance depending
upon a result of collation.
[0010] According to the foregoing system, the laundry appliance can
execute a washing operation and a drying operation according to the
washing information, such as a newly developed detergent or cloth
quality, which was not supposed at the time of manufacture of the
laundry appliance. Additionally, an error in the operation program
stored in the laundry appliance can be monitored to be
corrected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become clear upon reviewing of the following
description of an embodiment, made with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a laundry appliance
control system of an embodiment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical arrangement
of the laundry appliance;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an electrical
arrangement of a home terminal;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a top page displayed on the home terminal;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a page of "HOUSEWORK EXPERT" displayed on the
home terminal;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a page of "VARIOUS INFORMATION" displayed on
the home terminal;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a page of "INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC
PRODUCTS" displayed on the home terminal;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a page of "WASHING" displayed on the home
terminal;
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a page of "OPERATION GUIDE" displayed on the
home terminal, which page is an initial screen in the case where a
"USUAL WASHING" course has been set;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a page of "OPERATION GUIDE" displayed on the
home terminal, which page displays a manner of putting laundry into
the laundry appliance in the case where a "USUAL WASHING" course
has been set;
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a page of "OPERATION GUIDE" displayed on the
home terminal, which page displays an indication of start of the
operation in the case where a "USUAL WASHING" course has been
set;
[0023] FIG. 12 shows a page of "OPERATION GUIDE" displayed on the
home terminal, which page displays a monitor screen under operation
in the case where a "USUAL WASHING" course has been set;
[0024] FIG. 13 shows a page of "WASHING CONDITIONS" displayed on
the home terminal;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a page of "DETERGENT TYPE INPUT" displayed on
the home terminal;
[0026] FIG. 15 shows a page of "WASHING CONDITIONS" displayed on
the home terminal, which page displays "UNDER DATA TRANSFER";
[0027] FIG. 16 shows a page of "HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCE
OPERATION MONITOR" displayed on the home terminal;
[0028] FIG. 17 shows an example of result of determination on the
basis of an expected washing completion time and precipitation
probability;
[0029] FIG. 18 explains drive control of household electric
appliances;
[0030] FIG. 19 shows a page of "SCHEDULE SETTING" displayed on the
home terminal; and
[0031] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a collating process for an
operation program by the home terminal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0032] One embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a home
electrical appliance network system is shown as including a laundry
control system of the embodiment in accordance with the invention.
A house is provided with an automatic washer-drier 1 serving as a
laundry appliance, a refrigerator 2, a microwave oven 3, an air
conditioner 4, a television set 5, and an illuminator 6. A
manufacturer of the household electric appliances has a Web site on
an Internet 9 by a Web server 10. The Web site is usually renewed
so as to have latest contents. A user of the household electric
appliances accesses to the Web site to get various pieces of
information available in using the household electric
appliances.
[0033] The Web server 10 provides information by the Web site and
serves as information providing means in the invention. The Web
server 10 includes communication means for communicating via the
Internet 9 and a data base 11 required to operate each household
electric appliance, particularly, the washer-drier 1. More
specifically, the data base 11 stores washing information including
weather information for each region, water quality information for
each region, detergent information of each detergent maker,
information provided by cloth makers and cleaning laboratories,
marketing information provided by supermarkets, and an operation
program of the washer-drier 1. A display, keyboard, mouse, etc. are
connected to the Web server 10. Servicemen and engineers of the
household electric appliance manufacturer and maintenance service
company use these input and output devices to input and output
various pieces of information or the operation program.
[0034] Each of the foregoing household electric appliances 1 to 6
is provided with communication means, so that the home LAN 7 can be
constructed in a home when a dweller purchases one or more of the
appliances. The household electric appliances 1 to 6 are connected
via the home LAN 7 to the home terminal 8 serving as a laundry
appliance control device in the invention. The home terminal 8
communicates via the home LAN 7 with each of the foregoing
household electric appliances. The home terminal 8 further accesses
via the Internet 9 to the Web server 10 and transmits and receives
an electronic mail. The home LAN 7 is constructed by the wireless
communication by means of Echonet, Ethernet or Bluetooth or-the
infrared communication.
[0035] The washer-drier 1 executes a washing operation including a
wash step, a rinse step and a dehydration step, and a drying
operation. The washer-drier 1 comprises an outer cabinet having a
laundry access opening formed in the front, a water tub disposed in
the outer cabinet and a rotating drum rotatably mounted in the
water tub, none of which are shown. Referring to FIG. 2, a control
circuit 19 comprises a microcomputer including a CPU 20, a ROM 21,
a RAM 22 and a flash memory 23 storing an operation program of the
washer-drier 1.
[0036] To the control circuit 19 are connected a drum motor 12
rotating the rotating drum, a water supply valve 13 constituting a
water supply mechanism, a drain valve 14 constituting a drain
mechanism, and a fan motor 15 and a hot-air heater 16 both
constituting a drying mechanism. Furthermore, output signals are
supplied to the control circuit 19 from various sensors 17
including a water level sensor detecting a water level in the water
tub and a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of washing
water, and a soil sensor detecting a soil degree of laundry. An
operation signal is further supplied from an operation panel 18 to
the control circuit 19. Based on the operation of the operation
panel 18 by the user and detection by the sensors, the control
circuit 19 controls various mechanisms according to the operation
program stored on the flash memory 23. Additionally, a
communication unit 24 is further connected to the control circuit
19. Data the home terminal 8 transmits via the home LAN 9 is
supplied via the communication unit 24 to the control circuit 19.
The home terminal 8 is generally formed into the shape of a thin
rectangular panel and includes a full-color liquid crystal display
25 provided on the overall front thereof, as shown in FIG. 1. A
touch panel 26 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the surface of the
display 25. The touch panel 26 serves as washing information
inputting means, schedule setting means, detergent setting means
and region setting means.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, an electrical arrangement of the home
terminal 8 is shown. The display 25 and the touch panel 26 are
connected to a control circuit 27 comprising a microcomputer. The
control circuit 27 serves as control means. A communication section
29 is connected via an external network communication section 28
and the home LAN 7 to the control circuit 27. The external network
communication section 28 serving as communication means executes
data communication with the Web server 10 via the Internet 9. The
communication section 29 executes data communication with each of
the electric appliances 1 to 6 via the home LAN 7. A memory 30
storing various pieces of data, the operation program, etc. and a
bar code scanner 31 for reading a bar code are connected to the
control circuit 27. The memory 30 serves as storage means.
[0038] The home terminal 8 is powered by a secondary battery (not
shown) and detachably attached to the front of one of doors of the
refrigerator 2. When attached to the refrigerator 2, the secondary
battery is charged by a charging device (not shown) provided in the
refrigerator 2. The home terminal 8 is operable irrespective of the
charged state of the secondary battery when attached to the
refrigerator 2. The home terminal 8 functions as an operation
section for the setting of temperatures in the refrigerator 2 and a
monitor for the temperatures in the refrigerator 2. Furthermore,
the touch panel 26 is touched so that the home terminal 8 accesses
to a Web site provided by the maker to receive various pieces of
information and various operation programs. Based on the received
washing information and operation program of the washer-drier, the
home terminal 8 adjusts the contents of the operation executed by
the washer-drier 1. Accordingly, the control circuit 27 and
external network communication section 28 function as washing
information inputting means. The control circuit 27 functions as
adjusting means and rewriting means. Additionally, the home
terminal 8 receives information about an operating state from each
of the appliances 1 to 6, supervising and controlling electric
power consumed by each appliance.
[0039] The operation of the foregoing system will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 4 to 20. Firstly, functions of the home
terminal 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 16 and
19. The display 25 of the home terminal 8 normally displays a top
page as shown in FIG. 4. Menus of "MAIL," "MESSAGE BOARD,"
"HOUSEWORK EXPERT," "ALBUM" and "SPONSOR" are set on the top page.
The number of received electronic mails is displayed with the menu
of "MAIL." The number of recorded messages is displayed with the
menu of "MESSAGE BOARD." When each of icons of these menus is
touched, each menu is processed. The menu of "ALBUM" has functions
of recording, arranging and displaying images and dynamic images.
The menu of "SPONSOR" has a function of providing information about
advertisement. The top page displays on the top the date and
current time, a temperature in a cold storage compartment, a
temperature in a freezing compartment, a temperature in a
temperature-changeable compartment and a temperature in a vegetable
compartment (chilling in FIG. 4). Information about a supermarket
input from the Web server 10 (information about discount) is
displayed over the menus on the top page.
[0040] When the menu of "HOUSEWORK EXPERT" is touched on the top
page, a page of "HOUSEWORK EXPERT" as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed
on the display 25. This page displays menus for getting various
information and services available in using the household electric
appliances. The menus include "COOKING," "FOOD MANAGEMENT,"
"VARIOUS PIECES OF INFORMATION," "MAINTENANCE," "SECURITY" and
"WASHING." When touched, each of the menus is processed. Further, a
menu of "APPLIANCE MONITOR" to confirm the operating conditions of
the household electric appliances etc. is set on the right-hand
upper corner of the page of "HOUSEWORK EXPERT."
[0041] When the menu of "VARIOUS PIECES OF INFORMATION" is touched
on the page of "HOUSEWORK EXPERT," the display 25 displays a page
of "VARIOUS PIECES OF INFORMATION" as shown in FIG. 6. Messages
about discount in a plurality of supermarkets are displayed.
Further, menus of "INFORMATION ABOUT DAILY GOODS AND FOOD" and
"INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC PRODUCTS" are set. These
menus relate to the mall order sale. On the right-hand corner of
the page of "VARIOUS PIECES OF INFORMATION" are displayed a
"REFRIGERATOR MONITOR SETTING" button and four mode setting buttons
of temperature in cold storage compartment, temperature in freezing
compartment, temperature in temperature-changeable compartment and
refrigeratory cooking.
[0042] When the menu of "INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC
PRODUCTS" is selected on the page of "VARIOUS PIECES OF
INFORMATION," the display 25 displays a page of "INFORMATION ABOUT
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC PRODUCTS" as shown in FIG. 7. Information about
various household electric appliances is displayed on this page, so
that the user can give an order of a desired product via the
Internet 9 to the Web site 10.
[0043] When the menu of "WASHING" is touched on the page of
"HOUSEWORK EXPERT" as shown in FIG. 5, the display 25 displays a
page of "WASHING" as shown in FIG. 8. Course menus for setting and
executing an operation course of the washer-drier 1 are set on the
page of "WASHING." The course menus include "USUAL WASHING,"
"WOOL," "BEDCLOTHES/BLANKET," "COAT," "SUIT," "SILK" and "CARPET."
A menu of "SCHEDULE" for setting a schedule of washing is also set
on the page of "WASHING." A menu of "WASHING CONDITIONS" for
setting washing conditions in detail is further set on the page of
"WASHING."
[0044] When the course menu is selected on the page of "WASHING,"
the processing for the operation course is initiated. For example,
when the course menu of "USUAL WASHING" is set, the display 25
displays a page of "OPERATION GUIDE" for the "USUAL WASHING" course
as shown in FIG. 9. Messages are displayed on the page of
"OPERATION GUIDE" to give advice to the user in the washing. When
an "OK" key is touched on the page, messages indicative of a
procedure for putting laundry into the washer-drier 1 are displayed
as shown in FIG. 10. A dynamic image indicative of the state of the
washer-drier 1 is also displayed For example, the dynamic image
shows the state where laundry is being put into the rotating drum
of the washer-drier 1. When the "OK" key is then touched, the page
of "OPERATION GUIDE" displays a "START" key and a dynamic image.
When the "START" key is touched, the washer-drier 1 starts the
washing operation. A monitor screen is displayed on the "OPERATION
GUIDE" page.
[0045] When the "USUAL WASHING" course is set, the washer-drier 1
basically executes only a washing operation including wash, rinse
and dehydration steps. In this case, the hole terminal a determines
whether the drying operation should be executed, based on an
expected washing completion time (time when the dehydration step is
completed) and weather information (precipitation probability)
contained in the washing information received via the Internet 9
from the Web server 10. FIG. 17 shows an example of result of
determination. The drying operation is executed when the expected
washing completion time is between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m. In the case
where the expected washing completion time is between 6 a.m. and 3
p.m., the drying operation is executed when the precipitation
probability is at or above 50%.
[0046] FIG. 12 shows an example of a monitor screen on the
"OPERATIN GUIDE" page. On the monitor screen are displayed the
current weather, the operation of the washer-drier 1 ("WASHING" in
the execution of only the washing operation and "WASHING-DRYING" in
the execution of the washing and drying operations) , the current
time, the expected washing completion time, the step under
execution (the wash step in FIG. 12) and a remaining time.
Furthermore, when the "WASHING CONDITION" menu is selected on the
"WASHING" page, the display 25 displays a "WASHING CONDITION" page
as shown in FIG. 13. "DRYING," "ALLERGY," "WATER TEMPERATURE,"
"WATER STREAM," "DETERGENT" and "REGION" are displayed on this
page. These items of the washing condition are optionally set by
the user. The "DRYING" item includes three setting keys, "DRYING IS
NOT EXECUTED," "DRYING IS EXECUTED DEPENDING UPON WEATHER," and
"DRYING IS NORMALLY EXECUTED." The "ALLERGY" item includes two
setting keys for setting presence or absence of allergy
respectively. The "WATER TEMPERATURE" item includes three setting
keys for setting a temperature in the wash water among "NORMAL
TEMPERATURE" (no heating by a heater) "30.degree. C." and
"60.degree. C. WITH STERILIZATION" (sterilization mode). The "WATER
STREAM" item includes three setting keys for setting the water
stream among "LOW," "STANDARD" and "HIGH." The "DETERGENT" item
includes three setting keys for setting the type of detergent. The
"REGION" item includes three keys for setting the region where the
washer-drier 1 is used.
[0047] When the "OTHER" key is operated in the "DETERGENT" item, a
page of "DETERGENT TYPE INPUT" as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.
The detergent type other than "DETERGENT 1" and "DETERGENT 2" is
set on this page. A message indicating read of a bar code on the
detergent container and numeral keys are displayed. The user reads
the bar code on the detergent container by a bar code scanner 31 or
inputs numerals below the bar code using the numeral keys, thereby
inputting the detergent type. Thus, the washer-drier can cope with
the case where a new detergent will be marketed.
[0048] The washing conditions set on the "WASHING CONDITIONS" page
are transmitted via the Internet 9 to the Web server 10. The Web
server 10 determines the water quality in the region where the
washer-drier 1 is used, based on the water quality information
stored for every region on the data base 11. The Web server 10 then
transmits to the home terminal 8 the operation program suitable for
the set items such as water quality, detergent information, etc. In
the transmission of the operation program, the "WASHING CONDITIONS"
page displays a message indicative of "under data transmission" as
shown in FIG. 15. The operation program received from the home
terminal 8 is stored on the memory 30 of the home terminal 8.
Thereafter, the home terminal 8 adjusts the operation program of
the washer-drier 1 on the basis of the program stored on the memory
30.
[0049] On the other hand, when the menu of "INFORMATION ABOUT
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC PRODUCTS" is touched on the "HOUSEWORK EXPERT"
in FIG. 5, the display 25 displays a page of "HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC
APPLIANCE OPERATION MONITOR" as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the
current operating condition, amount of electric power consumed, and
electrical charges recognized by the home terminal 8 for each
household electric appliance are displayed. More specifically, each
of the appliances 1 to 6 transmits operation state information
including the operating condition, drive current, etc. to the home
terminal 8 at predetermined intervals (at intervals of one minute,
for example). Based on the received operation state information,
the home terminal 8 displays the above-mentioned page of "HOUSEHOLD
ELECTRIC APPLIANCE OPERATION MONITOR" and controls each appliance
so that the total current (power) consumed by all the appliances 1
to 6 does not exceed a maximum capacity.
[0050] FIG. 18 explains the contents of control of the household
electric appliances 1 to 6 by the home terminal 8 provided in a
house with a breaker having a capacity of 30 A (3 kW). In FIG. 18,
the current consumed by the TV set is 1 A before the control. The
current consumed by the refrigerator is 3 A. The current consumed
by the microwave oven is 10 A. The current consumed by the
illuminators is 3 A. The current consumed by the air conditioner is
7 A. The current consumed by the washer-drier is 10 A. As a result,
the total current consumed by all the appliances becomes 34 A,
which value exceeds the maximum capacity. The control circuit 27 of
the home terminal 8 controls the appliances so that an amount of
current consumed by each appliance having the lower priority is
sequentially reduced. A larger value indicates a lower priority in
FIG. 18. More specifically, the output of the heater 16 in the
washer-drier 1 having the lowest priority is reduced so that the
consumed current decreases from 10 A to 6 A. Consequently, the
total current consumed by all the appliances becomes 30 A, whereby
the breaker can be prevented from sudden operation.
[0051] When the "SCHEDULE" menu is touched on the "WASHING" page in
FIG. 8, the display 25 displays a "SCHEDULE SETTING" page as shown
in FIG. 19. On this page are provided a "SCHEDULE SETTING" key for
setting a weekly washing schedule (start times of washing
operation), a "CONFIRMATION" key for confirming the set washing
schedule, and a "WEATHER" key for automatically changing the
confirmed washing schedule according to the weather (precipitation
information). The confirmed washing schedule is stored on the
memory 30 of the home terminal 8. The home terminal 8 gives the
alarm by display on the display 25 or buzzer when the start time of
the washing operation is reached.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 20, the home terminal 8 recognizes an
operating state of the washer-drier 1 on the basis of the operating
state information (step S1). Upon completion of the washing
operation (YES at step S2). the home terminal 8 accesses to the Web
server 10 to determine whether the operation program of the
washer-drier 1 should be renewed (step S3). When the renewal of the
operation program is unnecessary (NO at step S3), the home terminal
8 compares the operation program with the one stored on the memory
30, thereby determining whether an error has occurred in the
operation program (step S4). When determining that no error has
occurred in the operation program (YES at step S4), the home
terminal 8 finishes the control. On the other hand, when the
operation program executed by the washer-drier 1 disagrees with the
operation program stored on the memory 30, for example, the home
terminal 8 determines that an error has occurred in the operation
program (NO at step S4). The home terminal 8 then transmits the
operation program stored on the memory 30 to the washer-drier 1
(step S5). The operation program stored on the flash memory 23 of
the washer-drier 1 is replaced by the one stored on the memory 30.
Thus, the error occurred in the flash memory 23 of the washer-drier
1 can quickly be corrected.
[0053] The home terminal 8 determines that the operation program
should be renewed (YES at step S3) when a new operation program is
originated on the basis of detergent information obtained from
detergent makers and washing information obtained from clothes
makers and cleaning laboratories, or when the operation program is
changed so as to correspond to a newly added optional component
such as a detergent dispenser. When the optional component is
attached to the washer-drier 1, the washer-drier transmits
information about attachment of the optional component to the home
terminal 8. The home terminal 8 then receives the latest operation
program via the Internet 9 from the Web server 10 (step S6),
transmitting the received operation program to the washer-drier 1
(step S7). As a result, the operation program stored on the flash
memory 23 is replaced by the latest one.
[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, the
washer-drier 1 is connected via the home LAN to the home terminal
8, which is further connected via the Internet 9 to the Web server
10. The home terminal 8 adjusts the operation of the washer-drier 1
on the basis of the washing information received from the Web
server 10. Accordingly, the washer-drier 1 can automatically
execute a proper washing operation according to the conditions such
as the weather, type of detergent, water quality in the region,
etc. In particular, although the weather changes from day to day,
the user need not input the weather information every time the
washing operation is executed.
[0055] Furthermore, the home terminal 8 is provided with the
function of monitoring the total power consumed by the electric
appliances 1 to 6 and the function of managing the set washing
schedule. Consequently, the home terminal 8 can remote control or
manage the household electric appliances.
[0056] The home terminal 8 may cause the display 25 to display
messages when the total amount of current consumed by the
appliances 1 to 6 is about-to exceed the maximum capacity or
reaches 29 A. When viewing the messages, the user can interrupt
some electric appliances (the microwave oven 3 and air conditioner
4, for example).
[0057] The home terminal 8 may cause the washer-drier 1 to start
the washing operation when the start time is reached on the basis
of the set washing schedule. Furthermore, the display 25 may
display a message urging the user to change the washing schedule on
the basis of the weather. The home terminal 8 may set a schedule
for the overall housework, instead of the washing schedule.
Additionally, the present invention may be applied to automatic
washing machines, driers and a combination of the automatic washing
machine and drier.
[0058] The foregoing description and drawings are merely
illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not
to be construed in a limiting sense. Various changes and
modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within
the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *