Dryer And Method For Controlling The Same

Abstract

A dryer is provided, which includes a communicator configured to perform communication with a server that is connected to a network, and a processor configured to receive washing information that is pre-stored in the server from the server and to set a drying course for drying laundry that is put into the dryer based on the washing information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0186615 filed on Dec. 24, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a dryer and a method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a dryer and a method for controlling the same, which can dry clothes or the like.

[0004] Description of the Related Art

[0005] With the development of electronic technology, innumerable network environments, such as a home network and the Internet of Things (IoT), have been provided.

[0006] In particular, the Internet of Things (IoT) means a technology where various kinds of things are embedded with sensors and communication functions to be connected to the Internet. Here, the things may be various embedded systems, such as home appliances, mobile equipment, and wearable computers. The things that are connected to the Internet of Things should be connected to the Internet with unique IPs that discriminate themselves, and may have embedded sensors for data acquisition from external environments.

[0007] Recently, in consideration of actual circumstances where dryers for drying clothes or the like have been widely spread, there is a need for schemes to use dryers more conveniently under network environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above, and provide a dryer and a method for controlling the same, which can improve user convenience using network environments and provide an optimum dry state of laundry.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a dryer includes a communicator configured to perform communication with a server that is connected to a network; and a processor configured to receive washing information that is pre-stored in the server from the server and to set a drying course for drying laundry that is put into the dryer based on the washing information.

[0010] The washing information may include at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0011] The processor may determine drying information that is required to determine a drying course for the laundry based on the washing information, determine a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of a drying temperature and a drying time differs, and perform drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

[0012] The dryer according to the aspect of the present disclosure may further include a display, wherein the processor controls the display to display the determined drying course and performs the drying of the laundry using the selected drying course if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input.

[0013] The processor may display a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course on the display, and perform the drying of the laundry using the selected other drying course if the other drying course is selected through the menu.

[0014] The dryer according to the aspect of the present disclosure may further include a display, wherein the processor determines pieces of drying information that correspond to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server, determines the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, controls the display to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and performs the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

[0015] The server may receive the washing information from a washing machine that is connected to the network and store the received washing information, and if washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the washing machine may transmit the washing information that is acquired during the washing and dehydration of the laundry to the server.

[0016] If the washing information is received from the washing machine, the server may control an electronic device that is connected to the network to provide a notification indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine is completed.

[0017] The server may transmit the washing information that is received from the washing machine to the dryer within a predetermined time before a transmission request command for the washing information is received from the dryer.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a dryer that performs communication with a server connected to a network includes receiving washing information that is pre-stored in the server from the server; and setting a drying course for drying laundry that is put into the dryer based on the washing information.

[0019] The washing information may include at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0020] The setting may determine drying information that is required to determine a drying course for the laundry based on the washing information, determine a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of a drying temperature and a drying time differs, and perform drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

[0021] The setting may display the determined drying course on a display provided on the dryer, and perform the drying of the laundry using the selected drying course if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input.

[0022] The setting may display a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course on the display, and perform the drying of the laundry using the selected other drying course if the other drying course is selected through the menu.

[0023] The setting may determine pieces of drying information that correspond to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server, determine the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, control the display to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and perform the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

[0024] The server may receive the washing information from a washing machine that is connected to the network and store the received washing information, and if washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the washing machine may transmit the washing information that is acquired during the washing and dehydration of the laundry to the server.

[0025] If the washing information is received from the washing machine, the server may control an electronic device that is connected to the network to provide a notification indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine is completed.

[0026] The server may transmit the washing information that is received from the washing machine to the dryer within a predetermined time before a transmission request command for the washing information is received from the dryer.

[0027] According to the aspects of the present disclosure as described above, since the drying is performed based on the washing information, the user convenience can be improved. Further, since the drying is performed using the optimum drying course in accordance with the weight and the dehydration state of the laundry, incomplete drying and over-drying can be prevented from occurring in accordance with the weight and the dehydration state of the laundry. Further, even in the case of special clothes, the drying is performed using the optimum drying course that suits the corresponding clothes, and thus damage of the clothes can be prevented.

[0028] Additional and/or other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0029] The above and/or other aspects of the present disclosure will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram explaining constituent elements of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams explaining an example of providing a washing completion notification according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating constituent elements of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams explaining an example of selecting a drying course according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0036] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, a network system 1000 may include a plurality of electronic devices 10 to 50, and a server 100.

[0040] Here, the plurality of electronic devices 10 to 50 are electronic devices that constitute a home network or the Internet of Things (IoT) environment, and are connected to various kinds of networks to communicate with each other or to communicate with the server 100.

[0041] In this case, the plurality of electronic devices 10 to 50 and the server 100 may use various communication types to be connected to the network. For example, the plurality of electronic devices 10 to 50 and the server 100 may be connected to the network using various kinds of wireless communications, such as Wi-fi (Wireless fidelity), BT (Bluetooth), and cellular communication (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, or GSM), or various kinds of wired communications, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232), and POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). However, this is merely exemplary, and the communication types are not limited thereto.

[0042] Under such an environment, in order to improve user convenience and to provide an optimum dry state for laundry, a dryer 20 may receive washing information of a washing machine 10, and perform drying of the laundry through setting of a drying course of the laundry using the washing information.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, a washing machine 10 includes a communicator 11 and a processor 12.

[0045] The communicator 10 may be connected to a network to communicate with a plurality of electronic devices 20 to 50 and a server 100. For this, the communicator 11 may include various kinds of communication modules for being connected to the network through wired communication or wireless communication.

[0046] The processor 12 controls the whole operation of the washing machine 10. For this, the processor 12 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or microcomputer), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for the operation of the washing machine 10.

[0047] First, the processor 12 may acquire washing information for laundry. Here, the washing information may include at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0048] For this, the washing machine 10 may be provided with various sensors installed therein.

[0049] Specifically, the washing machine 10 may include a weight sensor for measuring the weight of laundry, specifically, the weight of laundry of which washing and dehydration have been completed, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of air in a drum or the temperature of the laundry after completion of the washing, and a humidity sensor for measuring a moisture content rate (i.e., water content rate) of the laundry.

[0050] Accordingly, the processor 12 may determine the weight of laundry, the water content rate, and the washing temperature based on sensed values measured by various sensors.

[0051] Further, the processor 12 may acquire information on a washing course for laundry.

[0052] In general, the washing course is set in the washing machine to wash the laundry based on an appropriate amount of water, an amount of detergent, a washing intensity, a washing time, a dehydration time, a dehydration intensity, and whether to dehydrate in accordance with the kind and the weight of the laundry.

[0053] For example, the washing course may include a standard washing course for washing laundry having general materials and sizes, a wool course for washing woolen laundry, a bedding washing course for washing bed clothes having a large volume, such as a quilt or a blanket, and a special washing course for washing laundry of a functional material, such as mountain climbing wear or sportswear.

[0054] In this case, a user may select a washing course in accordance with the kind of laundry that the user intends to wash to perform washing.

[0055] Accordingly, the processor 12 may determine information on the washing course for laundry through determination of the washing course selected by the user when washing the laundry.

[0056] Further, the processor 12 may acquire information on the washing time, the dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0057] Specifically, the processor 12 may determine information on the washing time and the dehydration time of the laundry through determination of the washing time and the dehydration time using time that is consumed from the time when the washing and the dehydration start to the time when the washing and dehydration is completed. Further, the processor 12 may determine the degree of dehydration of the laundry through determination of RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) of a motor that rotates the drum during the dehydration.

[0058] Through the above-described method, the processor 12 may acquire the washing information of the laundry.

[0059] Further, if the washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the processor 12 may control the communicator 11 to transmit the washing information that is acquired during the laundry washing and dehydration process to the server 100.

[0060] In this case, the processor 12 may transmit the washing information of the laundry to the server 100 whenever the washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed.

[0061] That is, since washing of another laundry can be performed after washing of a specific laundry is completed, the processor 12 may transmit washing information of a specific laundry to the server 100 after the washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, and if the washing and dehydration of another laundry is completed, the processor 12 may transmit the corresponding washing information of the laundry to the server 100.

[0062] Although not illustrated, the washing machine 10 may further include additional constituent elements.

[0063] For example, the washing machine 10 may include a tub installed in a main body to contain water (washing water or rinsing water), a cylindrical drum rotatably installed in the tub, a motor rotating the drum to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration of laundry, a door installed on a front portion of the main body to put laundry into the drum or to take out the laundry in the drum, a water supply pipe for supplying water into the tub, a water discharge pipe for discharging water in the tub to an outside, a control panel including various kinds of buttons for receiving an input of a user command for controlling the washing machine and a display, and a storage storing various kinds of programs for driving the washing machine 10, such as programs for the respective washing courses.

[0064] Since the above-described constituent elements are those that are generally used for the washing and dehydration of the laundry, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0065] On the other hand, the server 100 may provide the washing information that is received from the washing machine 10 to the dryer 20. This will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a block diagram explaining constituent elements of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, a server 100 includes a communicator 110, a storage 120, and a processor 130.

[0068] The communicator 110 may be connected to a network to communicate with a plurality of electronic devices 20 to 50. For this, the communicator 110 may include various kinds of communication modules for being connected to the network through wired communication or wireless communication.

[0069] The storage 120 stores various pieces of data. For this, the storage 120 may be implemented by various types of storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and hard disk.

[0070] Specifically, the storage 120 may store washing information that is received from a washing machine 10, and this will be described later.

[0071] The processor 130 controls the whole operation of the server 100. For this, the processor 130 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or microcomputer), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for the operation of the server 100.

[0072] First, if the washing information of the washing machine 10 is received through the communicator 110, the processor 130 stores the received washing information in the storage 120. That is, the processor 130 may operate to receive and store the washing information of the washing machine 10 that is connected to the network.

[0073] Then, the processor 130 transmits the pre-stored washing information to a dryer 20 through the communicator 110.

[0074] Specifically, if a transmission request command of the washing information is received from the dryer 20, the processor 130 may transmit the pre-stored washing information to the dryer 20. However, this is merely exemplary, and the processor 130 may also transmit the washing information to the dryer 20 at a time when the washing information is received from the washing machine 10 or at a time when a predetermined time elapses after the washing information is received. In addition, the processor 130 may transmit the washing information to the dryer 20 at any time that may be variously determined.

[0075] On the other hand, if a plurality of pieces of washing information are pre-stored, the processor 130 may transmit the plurality of pieces of washing information to the dryer 20, or may transmit the washing information, which is received from the washing machine 10 within a predetermined time before the transmission request command of the washing information is received among the plurality of pieces of washing information, to the dryer 20.

[0076] That is, as described above, if the washing is performed several times, the washing machine 10 may transmit a plurality of pieces of washing information to the server 100, and the processor 130 may transmit all or a part of the plurality of pieces of washing information to the dryer 20.

[0077] In particular, since drying of the laundry is performed just after the washing is completed, the processor 130 may transmit the washing information, which is received from the washing machine 10 within a predetermined time before the transmission request command of the washing information is received among the plurality of pieces of washing information, to the dryer 20 in consideration of the time in which the laundry is moved to the dryer 20.

[0078] However, this is merely exemplary, and the processor 130 may transmit the washing information that is selected in accordance with a user command to the dryer 20.

[0079] For this, the processor 130 may control the communicator 110 to transmit the pre-stored washing information to electronic devices 30, 40, and 50 connected to the network. In this case, the electronic devices 30, 40, and 50 may display the washing information through displays provided therein, and if the user command for selecting the washing information is input, they may transmit this to the server 100. Accordingly, the processor 130 may determine the washing information selected by the user, and transmit the selected washing information to the dryer 20.

[0080] On the other hand, if the washing information is received from the washing machine 10, the processor 130 may control the electronic devices 30, 40, and 50 that are connected to the network to provide notifications indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine 10 is completed.

[0081] Here, the notification may be audibly provided or visually provided through the displays provided on the electronic devices 30, 40, and 50.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, if the washing information is received, the processor 130 may transmit a control command to a TV 30 that is connected to the network so that a voice, such as "Washing has been completed. Please move the laundry to the dryer", is output from the TV 30. As another example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the washing information is received, the processor 130 may transmit a control command to a smart phone 40 that is connected to the network so that a GUI 41 that reports completion of the washing is output from the smart phone 40.

[0083] However, this is merely exemplary, and the notification may be provided in various methods. For example, if the washing information is received in a state where a lamp (not illustrated) is connected to the network, the processor 130 may transmit a control command for turning on the power of the lamp (not illustrated) to notify the user of the completion of the washing through the lamp (not illustrated).

[0084] On the other hand, if the washing information is received from the server 100, the dryer 20 may set a drying course for drying the laundry based on the washing information. Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating constituent elements of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 6, the dryer 20 includes a communicator 21, a display 22, and a processor 23. However, among the above-described constituent elements, the display 22 may be omitted according to circumstances.

[0087] The communicator 21 may be connected to a network to communicate with a plurality of electronic devices 10 and 30 to 50. For this, the communicator 21 may include various kinds of communication modules for being connected to the network through wired communication or wireless communication.

[0088] The display 22 displays a screen. As an example, the display 22 may display various screens, such as a menu screen for selecting washing information and a menu screen for selecting a drying course.

[0089] The processor 23 controls the whole operation of the dryer 20. For this, the processor 23 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or microcomputer), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for the operation of the washing machine 20.

[0090] First, the processor 23 receives washing information that is pre-stored in a server 100 from the server 100.

[0091] Specifically, if a predetermined user command is input, the processor 23 may control the communicator 21 to transmit a transmission request command of washing information to the server 100 and to receive the washing information from the server 100 in response to this. Here, the user command may include a user command for turning on the power of the dryer 20 or a user command for switching a mode of the dryer 20 from a standby mode to an operation mode.

[0092] Further, the processor 23 sets a drying course for drying the laundry that is put into the dryer 20 based on the washing information that is received from the server 100.

[0093] For this, the processor 23 may determine drying information that is required to determine the drying course of the laundry based on the washing information.

[0094] Specifically, the processor 23 may determine a drying temperature and a drying time that are required to dry laundry at an optimum state in accordance with a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing temperature, a washing course, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0095] For example, in order to perform an optimum drying of the laundry, it is required to perform drying for a relatively long time at high temperature as the weight of the laundry and the water content rate are high, and to perform the drying for a relatively long time at high temperature as the weight of the laundry is high even in the case of the same water content rate. Further, in the case of special clothes made of a functional material, in order to perform optimum drying without damaging the clothes, it is required to perform drying at a specific temperature for a specific time.

[0096] Further, in order to perform optimum drying in accordance with the weight of the laundry, it is required to perform drying at a specific temperature for a specific time, and in the case of low washing temperature rather than high washing temperature, it is required to perform drying so that an initial temperature rising width becomes high.

[0097] Further, since the water content rate becomes high in the case where the dehydration time is short and the degree of dehydration is low rather than in the case where the dehydration time is long and the degree of dehydration is high, the optimum laundry drying can be performed through drying at a relatively high temperature for a long time in the case where the dehydration time is short and the degree of dehydration is low.

[0098] Accordingly, the dryer 20 may pre-store information on a drying temperature and a drying time that are required to dry the laundry at an optimum state in accordance with a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing temperature, a washing course, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration. On the other hand, the information on the optimum drying temperature and drying time may be acquired through the result of simulations during manufacturing of the dryer 20 and may be pre-stored in the dryer 20. Further, the processor 23 may download information on the optimum drying temperature and drying time by connecting to a server that is operated by a manufacturer through a network, or may periodically update the information.

[0099] Accordingly, if the washing information is received from the server 100, the processor 23 may determine the optimum drying temperature and drying time that are required when drying the laundry of which the washing has been completed in the washing machine 10 using the pre-stored information.

[0100] Further, the processor 23 may determine a drying course that corresponds to a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of the drying temperature and the drying time differs, and perform the drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

[0101] That is, the dryer 20 may pre-store a plurality of drying courses in which at least one of the drying temperature and the drying time differs, and the processor 23 may determine a drying course that has the optimum drying temperature and drying time that are required when the laundry of which the washing has been completed in the washing machine 10 among the pre-stored drying courses, and may automatically perform the drying of the laundry that is put into the dryer 20 using the corresponding drying course.

[0102] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drying is performed based on the washing information, and thus user convenience can be improved. Further, since the drying is performed using the optimum drying course in accordance with the weight and the dehydration state of the laundry, incomplete drying and over-drying can be prevented from occurring in accordance with the weight and the dehydration state of the laundry. Further, even in the case of the special clothes, the drying is performed using the optimum drying course that suits the corresponding clothes, and thus damage of the clothes can be prevented.

[0103] Although it is described that the drying of the laundry is automatically performed based on the washing information, this is merely exemplary, and the drying may be performed in accordance with a user command.

[0104] Specifically, the processor 23 may control the display 22 to display the drying course that is determined based on the drying information, and if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input, the processor 23 may perform the drying of the laundry using the selected drying course.

[0105] In this case, the processor 23 may display a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course on the display based on the drying information, and perform the drying of the laundry using the selected other drying course if the other drying course is selected through the menu.

[0106] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if it is determined that the drying course of the laundry is a "special clothes course", the processor 23 may display a menu screen 710 for inquiring whether to perform the drying through the special clothes course on the display 22. Accordingly, the processor 23 may perform the drying in the special clothes course in accordance with the user command input through the corresponding menu screen 710.

[0107] In this case, the processor 23 may also display a menu screen 720 for inquiring whether to perform the drying in another drying course except for the special clothes course on the display 22.

[0108] Accordingly, if a user command for performing the drying in another drying course is input, the processor 23 may display a menu screen 810 for selecting another drying course except for the special clothes course as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the processor 23 may perform the drying in the drying course in accordance with the user command that is input through the menu screen 810.

[0109] On the other hand, although it is described that an input of the user command is received through the dryer 20, it is merely exemplary, and the user command may be input through another electronic device connected to the network except for the dryer 20.

[0110] For example, the processor 23 may control the communicator 21 to transmit the information for the determined drying course. In this case, the server 100 may transmit the information on the received drying course to other electronic devices 30 to 50 connected to the network.

[0111] Accordingly, the electronic devices 30 to 50 may display the drying course, and if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input, they transmit this to the server 100. In this case, the server 100 may transmit a control command for performing the drying to the dryer 20 based on the received user command. Accordingly, if a control command is received from the server 100, the processor 23 may perform the drying of the laundry in accordance with the determined drying course.

[0112] On the other hand, as described above, if the washing is performed several times in the washing machine 10, the dryer 20 may receive a plurality of pieces of washing information from the server 100.

[0113] In this case, the processor 23 may determine drying information corresponding to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server 100, determine the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, control the display 21 to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and perform the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

[0114] That is, even in the case where the user performs the washing of different kinds of laundry, drying may be performed with respect to a part of the laundry, but drying may not be performed with respect to the remaining laundry. Accordingly, it is required for the user to select the drying course that suits the laundry to be dried among the plural pieces of laundry.

[0115] Accordingly, if a plurality of pieces of washing information are received from the server 100, the processor 23 may provide the drying courses for the plurality of pieces of washing information to the user to enable the user to select the drying course that suits the laundry to be dried.

[0116] On the other hand, although not illustrated, the dryer 20 may further include additional constituent elements.

[0117] For example, the dryer 20 may further include a drum installed in the main body to contain laundry, a condensation duct for condensing moisture in air that flows in from the drum, a drying duct for drying the air that flows in from the condensation duct through heating the air, a blower fan arranged between the condensation duct and the drying duct to form an air flow so that the air that flows into the condensation duct can flow into the drum through the drying duct, and a storage storing various kinds of programs for driving the dryer 20, such as programs for the respective drying courses, to dry the laundry. On the other hand, a heater for heating the internal air is built in the drying duct, and a water supply nozzle is provided on the condensation duct to supply condensation water (cold water) into the condensation duct so that moisture is condensed and removed in a process in which high-temperature and high-moisture air that is generated through the drying of the laundry passes through the condensation duct. This water supply nozzle may be connected to a condensation water supply pipe that supplies condensed water, and the condensation water supply pipe may be connected to a water supply valve.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] First, washing information that is pre-stored in a server is received from the server (S910). Here, the washing information may include at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

[0120] Then, a drying course for drying the laundry that is put into the dryer is set based on the washing information (S920).

[0121] Specifically, S920 may determine drying information that is required to determine a drying course for the laundry based on the washing information, determine a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of a drying temperature and a drying time differs, and perform drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

[0122] In this case, the determined drying course is displayed on a display provided on the dryer, and if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input, drying of the laundry is performed using the selected drying course.

[0123] Further, a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course is displayed on the display, and if another other drying course is selected through the menu, the drying of the laundry is performed using the selected other drying course.

[0124] On the other hand, S920 may determine pieces of drying information that correspond to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server, determine the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, control the display to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and perform the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

[0125] Further, the server may receive the washing information from a washing machine that is connected to the network and store the received washing information, and if washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the washing machine may transmit the washing information that is acquired during the washing and dehydration of the laundry to the server.

[0126] In this case, if the washing information is received from the washing machine, the server may control an electronic device that is connected to the network to provide a notification indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine is completed.

[0127] On the other hand, the server may transmit the washing information that is received from the washing machine to the dryer within a predetermined time before a transmission request command for the washing information is received from the dryer.

[0128] On the other hand, the method for performing drying based on the washing information is as described above.

[0129] On the other hand, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be provided to store therein a program for successively performing the control method according to the present disclosure.

[0130] A non-transitory computer readable medium is not a medium that stores data for a short period, such as a register, a cache, or a memory, but means a medium which semi-permanently stores data and is readable by a device. Specifically, the above-described programs may be stored and provided in the non-transitory computer readable medium, such as, a CD, a DVD, a hard disc, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, and a ROM.

[0131] Further, in the block diagram illustrating the washing machine, the dryer, and the server, a bus is not illustrated. However, communication between the respective constituent elements in the washing machine, the dryer, and the server may be performed through the bus. Further, a processor, such as a CPU or a microprocessor that performs the various operations as described above, may be further included in the respective devices, and a memory for performing the various operations as described above may be further included in the respective devices.

[0132] Further, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "module", "unit", or "part" is to designate a constituent element that perform at least one function or operation, and this constituent element may be implemented by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software. Further, plural "modules", "units", or "parts" may be integrated into at least one module or chip, except for a case where it is necessary to implement them as individual specific hardware, to be implemented as at least one processor (not illustrated).

[0133] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A dryer comprising: a communicator configured to perform communication with a server that is connected to a network; and a processor configured to receive washing information that is pre-stored in the server from the server and to set a drying course for drying laundry that is put into the dryer based on the washing information.

2. The dryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washing information comprises at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

3. The dryer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor determines drying information that is required to determine a drying course for the laundry based on the washing information, determines a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of a drying temperature and a drying time differs, and performs drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

4. The dryer as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a display, wherein the processor controls the display to display the determined drying course and performs the drying of the laundry using the selected drying course if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input.

5. The dryer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processor displays a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course on the display, and performs the drying of the laundry using the selected other drying course if the other drying course is selected through the menu.

6. The dryer as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a display, wherein the processor determines pieces of drying information that correspond to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server, determines the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, controls the display to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and performs the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

7. The dryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server receives the washing information from a washing machine that is connected to the network and stores the received washing information, and if washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the washing machine transmits the washing information that is acquired during the washing and dehydration of the laundry to the server.

8. The dryer as claimed in claim 7, wherein, if the washing information is received from the washing machine, the server controls an electronic device that is connected to the network to provide a notification indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine is completed.

9. The dryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server transmits the washing information that is received from the washing machine to the dryer within a predetermined time before a transmission request command for the washing information is received from the dryer.

10. A method for controlling a dryer that performs communication with a server connected to a network, comprising: receiving washing information that is pre-stored in the server from the server; and setting a drying course for drying laundry that is put into the dryer based on the washing information.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the washing information comprises at least one of a laundry weight, a water content rate, a washing course, a washing temperature, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the degree of dehydration.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the setting determines drying information that is required to determine a drying course for the laundry based on the washing information, determines a drying course that corresponds to the drying information among drying courses in which at least one of a drying temperature and a drying time differs, and performs drying of the laundry using the determined drying course.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the setting displays the determined drying course on a display provided on the dryer, and performs the drying of the laundry using the selected drying course if a user command for selecting the displayed drying course is input.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the setting displays a menu for selecting another drying course except for the determined drying course on the display, and performs the drying of the laundry using the selected other drying course if the other drying course is selected through the menu.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the setting determines pieces of drying information that correspond to a plurality of pieces of washing information received from the server, determines the drying courses that correspond to the plurality of pieces of drying information, controls the display to display the determined plurality of drying courses, and performs the drying of the laundry using the drying course that is selected in accordance with a user command among the plurality of drying courses.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the server receives the washing information from a washing machine that is connected to the network and stores the received washing information, and if washing and dehydration of the laundry is completed, the washing machine transmits the washing information that is acquired during the washing and dehydration of the laundry to the server.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein, if the washing information is received from the washing machine, the server controls an electronic device that is connected to the network to provide a notification indicating that the washing and dehydration of the washing machine is completed.

18. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the server transmits the washing information that is received from the washing machine to the dryer within a predetermined time before a transmission request command for the washing information is received from the dryer.