U.S. patent application number 10/556342 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for system of washing machine and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Soungbong Choi.
Application Number | 20080104768 10/556342 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36036743 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080104768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Soungbong |
May 8, 2008 |
System of Washing Machine and Control Method Thereof
Abstract
The present invention relates to a washing system and a method
for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a washing
system of a new structure and a method for controlling the same,
for making automatic identification of laundry introduced to a drum
not to be impossible, or not to miss taking laundry not yet been
identified into account, and automatic identification of
characteristics of the laundry introduced to the drum, thereby a
user taking reference in setting operation.
Inventors: |
Choi; Soungbong;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
Youngdungpo-gu
KR
|
Family ID: |
36036743 |
Appl. No.: |
10/556342 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR05/02314 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/147 ;
68/12.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 34/18 20200201;
D06F 93/005 20130101; D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 34/28 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/147 ;
68/12.02 |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/02 20060101
D06F033/02; D06F 39/00 20060101 D06F039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 9, 2004 |
KR |
2004-72244 |
Claims
1. A washing system comprising: an information tag fastened to
laundry, having information on the laundry stored therein; a
laundry device for progressing various washing related operation,
the laundry device having a control unit for controlling the
washing related operation; a reader for receiving a signal from the
information tag on the laundry, to obtain information stored in the
information tag; and a home server connected to the control unit of
the laundry device so as to supply various control signals, for
receiving information obtained by the reader to perform remote
control of the laundry device.
2. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reader is
provided to the laundry device.
3. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reader is
provided separate from the laundry device.
4. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reader is
connected to the control unit of the laundry device so as to be
able to transmit/receive various information data
thereto/therefrom.
5. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reader is
connected to the home server so as to be able to transmit/receive
various information data thereto/therefrom.
6. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the home
server has information on washing of various kinds of laundry
stored therein, and the information tag on the laundry has
information on a kind of the laundry stored therein.
7. The washing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the home
server has information on washing various kinds of laundry proper
to various identification codes, and the information tag on the
laundry has an identification code proper to the laundry stored
therein.
8. The washing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
information on washing includes at least one kind of information on
preferable operation time periods for respective cycles, preferable
operation temperatures for respective cycles, and preferable water
levels for respective cycles for the laundry.
9. A method for controlling a washing system comprising: an
information obtaining step for obtaining information on washing of
laundry; a control setting step for transmitting the obtained
information to a home server to produce a control algorithm; an
information receiving step for receiving the produced control
algorithm; and a washing progressing step for washing the laundry
according to the received control algorithm.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the information
obtaining step includes the step of controlling a reader to
exchange signals with an information tag fastened to laundry.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the information
transmitted to the home server in the control setting step is
transmitted to the home server by the reader directly.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the information
transmitted to the home server in the control setting step is
transmitted as the control unit receives the information from the
reader and relays the information to the home server.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the information
obtained by the reader in the information obtaining step is
information on a kind of the laundry.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the home server is
operated including the steps of; identifying a kind of laundry
received from the reader, comparing the identified kind to
information on washing various kinds of laundry stored in advance,
to retrieve information on washing the kind of laundry, and
producing a control algorithm for washing the laundry with
reference to the retrieved information.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the production of
the control algorithm is made by retrieving a control algorithm of
a kind of laundry from registered various kinds of control
algorithms once identification of kind of laundry is made in a
state control algorithms for respective kinds of laundry are
registered on a memory of the home server in advance.
16. The washing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
information on washing includes at least one kind of information on
preferable operation time periods for respective cycles, preferable
operation temperatures for respective cycles, and preferable water
levels for respective cycles for the laundry.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing system and a
method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a
washing system and a method for controlling the same, in which
communication between a laundry device and a home server of a home
network is used for performing washing, automatically.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, in laundry devices, there are washing machines,
dryers, and washing and drying machines.
[0003] Recently, owing to development of information technology, a
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Tag is attached to a portion
of clothes for making management of logistics or management of
information possible.
[0004] The RFID tag has a predetermined memory region for enabling
memory of various kinds of information on the clothes. The memory
region has various kinds of information recorded thereon, or a kind
of memory chip for enabling recording of additional
information.
[0005] Particularly, Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2002-360968
discloses a laundry device in which a noncontact identification
device is used, provided with a reader for receiving a signal from
the RFID tag to be attached to clothes and having information
recorded thereon, a central information processing unit having a
holder for informing information the reader reads, and a control
unit for setting or changing a washing mode.
[0006] The Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2002-360968 intends to
obtain information on washing from the RFID tag attached to the
clothes at the time of washing, for preventing an improper washing
from being set.
[0007] However, above related art has a problem in that the RFID
tag is required to store information as much as possible.
[0008] That is, a memory size of the RFID tag is required to be
greater in proportion to a quantity of information, to cause a
production cost increase, which leads the patent not
practicable.
[0009] Moreover, above related art uses the information the reader
read only for the laundry device itself.
[0010] However, a CPU used in a general washing machine has a poor
performance due to a production cost, processing of information has
not been smooth, and there are frequent errors occurred.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a new
washing system and a method for controlling the same, which can be
controlled through a home network with reference to information on
various kinds of laundry introduced in a laundry device sensed
automatically.
Technical Solution
[0012] The object of the present invention can be achieved by
providing a washing system including an information tag fastened to
laundry, having information on the laundry stored therein, a
laundry device for progressing various washing related operation,
the laundry device having a control unit for controlling the
washing related operation, a reader for receiving a signal from the
information tag on the laundry, to obtain information stored in the
information tag, and a home server connected to the control unit of
the laundry device so as to supply various control signals, for
receiving information obtained by the reader to perform remote
control of the laundry device.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention for achieving the
object of the present invention, a method for controlling a washing
system includes an information obtaining step for obtaining
information on washing of laundry, a control setting step for
transmitting the obtained information to a home server to produce a
control algorithm, an information receiving step for receiving the
produced control algorithm, and a washing progressing step for
washing the laundry according to the received control
algorithm.
Advantageous Effects
[0014] The washing system and method for controlling the same
permits to set various cycles of washing automatically through
identification of kinds of laundry by using a noncontact
system.
[0015] The washing system and method for controlling the same
minimizes information to be stored in an information tag of
laundry, to reduce a production cost of the information tag.
[0016] Because the home server sets various control algorithms, a
comparatively low cost processing unit, for an example, a CPU can
be used in the laundry device.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a washing system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
schematically;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a washing system in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, schematically;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart showing the steps of a
process for controlling a washing system in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, schematically;
and
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart showing an example of the
steps of a process for generating a control algorithm in a control
process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, briefly.
BEST MODE
[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a washing system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
schematically.
[0023] That is, the washing system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes an information tag
110, a laundry device 120, a reader 130, and a home server 140.
[0024] The information tag 110 is fastened to various kinds of
laundry (for an example, clothes, or beddings) for storing
information on the laundry.
[0025] The information on the laundry stored in the information tag
110 is on a kind of the laundry.
[0026] Of course, the information tag 110 may further include at
least one kind of information on washing of the laundry, i.e.,
preferable operation time periods for respective cycles, preferable
operation temperatures for respective cycles, or preferable water
levels for respective cycles.
[0027] However, in order to store all the various kinds of
information, a memory capacity of the information tag 110 can not
but become bigger, when a cost of the information tag 110 can not
but increase.
[0028] Accordingly, it is the most preferable that only minimum
essential information, i.e., information on kinds of the laundry is
stored in the information tag 110, and the preferred embodiment of
the present invention also suggests storing only information on
kinds of laundry in the information tag 110.
[0029] Of course, it is preferable that the home server 140 stores
information on washing of each kind of laundry.
[0030] In the laundry device 120, there are washing machines,
dryers, or washing and drying machines, which perform operations
related to washing, such as washing and/or drying of various kinds
of laundry.
[0031] Particularly, the laundry device 120 includes a control unit
121 for controlling various washing related operation. In general,
it is preferable that the control unit 121 is a controller for
performing operation control of the laundry device 120.
[0032] The reader 130 receives signal from the information tag 110,
to obtain information stored in the information tag 110.
[0033] It is preferable that the information tag 110 is a RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) Tag on which various kinds of
information can be written and stored, and the reader 130 is a RF
reader for exchanging signals with the RFID tag, to receive
information from the RFID tag or write new information on the RFID
tag.
[0034] Of course, not only a bar code is used for the information
tag 110, to use a bar code reader for the reader 130, but also a
variety of other structures may be used which can exchange
information by noncontact method.
[0035] Particularly, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention suggests the reader 130 fabricated as a unit with the
laundry device 120, wherein the reader 130 is connected to the
control unit 121 of the laundry device 120 such that
transmission/reception of various kinds of information between the
reader 130 and the control unit 121 is possible.
[0036] Of course, referring to FIG. 2, the reader 130 may be
fabricated separate from the laundry device 120, when it is
preferable that the reader 130 is connected to a home server 140
which will be described later for enabling transmission/reception
of information.
[0037] The home server 140 connects various home appliances to a
communication network, to form a home network, so that the home
appliances are controlled remotely as required. Though the home
server 140 may be provided to one of the home appliances (for an
example, a TV set, a refrigerator, or so on) in the house, the
preferred embodiment of the present invention suggests the home
server 140 to be a separate computer.
[0038] Particularly, it is preferable that the home server 140 is
connected to the control unit 121 of the laundry device 120 to
enable communication therewith. Along with this, it is preferable
that the home server 140 is constructed so as to be provided with
information obtained by the reader 130, to make remote control of
the laundry device 120.
[0039] Moreover, the home server 140 has a data base 141 with
information on washing for various kinds of laundry. The home
server 140 is programmed such that, in a case the kind of laundry
is identified through signal exchange between the reader 130 and
the information tags 110, the home server 140 produces a control
algorithm for retrieving various kinds of information on washing
the kind of laundry identified thus, and progresses an operation
related to washing of the laundry.
[0040] In this instance, it is preferable that the information on
washing includes at least one kind of information of, preferable
operation time periods for respective cycles, preferable operation
temperatures for respective cycles, or preferable water levels for
respective cycles.
[0041] Of course, it is possible that the information tag 110 may
have an identification code proper to the laundry stored therein,
and the data base 141 of the home server 140 may have information
on washing the various kinds of laundry for each of the proper
identification codes stored therein.
[0042] In this instance, the proper identification code may be
stored in the information tag 110 of laundry through the reader 130
by the user 140 operating the home server 140. This is possible
because the information tag 110 is a RFID tag on which information
can also be written, and the reader 130 is a RF reader.
[0043] A method for controlling the foregoing washing system will
be described with reference to the attached flow charts in FIGS. 3
and 4.
[0044] When the user introduces laundry into the laundry device,
the reader 130 at the laundry device 120 performs information
exchange with the information tags 110 of the laundry being
introduced, and obtains information on the laundry stored in the
information tags 110 (S110).
[0045] In this instance, the information on the laundry is
information on kind and amount of the laundry.
[0046] When the reader 130 finishes obtaining information on
laundry, the control unit 121 receives the information on laundry
from the reader 130, and transmits to the home server 140
(S120).
[0047] If the reader 130 is separate from the laundry device 120
(for an example, if the reader 130 is provided to a laundry basket
or the like), it is preferable that the reader 130 transmits the
information on the laundry obtained thus to the home server 140,
directly.
[0048] Then, the home server 140, having the information on the
laundry received from the control unit 121 by above series of
steps, produces a control algorithm for progressing washing related
operation with reference to the information received thus
(S130).
[0049] There may be many kinds of methods for producing the control
algorithm.
[0050] For an example, referring to the flow chart in FIG. 4, the
home server 140 retrieves information on washing a kind of laundry
from the various kinds of information stored in the data base 141
in advance with reference to the kind of laundry received from the
reader 130 (S131).
[0051] Then, the home server 140 produces a control algorithm for
progressing operation related to washing through setting preferable
operation time periods for respective cycles, preferable operation
temperatures for respective cycles, or preferable water levels for
respective cycles, or so on with reference to the information
retrieved, and information on an amount of the laundry (S132).
[0052] Though not shown, the production of the control algorithm
may be made by retrieving a control algorithm of a kind of laundry
from various kinds of control algorithms registered on the data
base 141 once identification of kind of laundry is made as above in
a state control algorithms for respective kinds of laundry are also
registered on the data base 141 of the home server 140 in
advance.
[0053] Then, the home server 140 transmits the control algorithm
produced by above series of steps to the control unit 121 of the
laundry device (S140).
[0054] According to this, though not shown, the control unit 121
progresses washing related operation while performing operation
control of, such as a driving motor, various valves and heaters,
and fans required for driving a drum according to the control
algorithm received from the home server 140 (S150).
[0055] Eventually, as laundry is identified and a control algorithm
thereof is set automatically by a series of steps in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention by the home server, automatic
setting of a control algorithm can be made, smoothly.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0056] Since the washing system and method for controlling the same
minimizes information to be stored in an information tag of
laundry, to reduce a production cost of the information tag, the
washing system and method for controlling the same is applicable to
a relevant industry, favorably.
[0057] Since the home server sets various control algorithms,
permitting to use comparatively low cost processing unit, for an
example, a CPU at the laundry device, the washing system and method
for controlling the same is applicable to a relevant industry,
favorably.
* * * * *