阅读说明：本技术 洗衣机 (Washing machine ) 是由 川口弘晓 秋田真吾 于 2021-03-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够使用便携终端来显示下载的运行程序的内容的洗衣机。实施方式的洗衣机具有通信部、存储部、操作面板、程序确认按钮、以及控制部。所述通信部与具有制作作为洗衣机的运行程序的应用程序的应用的外部的操作终端进行通信,接收所述应用程序。所述存储部存储接收到的至少一个以上的所述应用程序。所述操作面板具有选择所述应用程序的程序选择部。所述程序确认按钮当被按下时,经由所述通信部向所述操作终端发送所述应用程序的程序信息。所述控制部基于所述选择的应用程序,进行洗衣机的运行控制。(The invention provides a washing machine capable of displaying the content of a downloaded running program by using a portable terminal. The washing machine of the embodiment comprises a communication part, a storage part, an operation panel, a program confirmation button and a control part. The communication unit communicates with an external operation terminal having an application program for creating an operation program of the washing machine, and receives the application program. The storage unit stores the received at least one application program. The operation panel has a program selection unit for selecting the application program. The program confirmation button, when pressed, transmits program information of the application program to the operation terminal via the communication section. The control unit controls the operation of the washing machine based on the selected application program.)

1. A washing machine is provided with:

a communication unit which communicates with an external operation terminal having an application program for creating an operation program of the washing machine and receives the application program;

a storage unit that stores the received at least one application program;

an operation panel having a program selection unit for selecting the application program;

a program confirmation button that, when pressed, transmits program information of the application program to the operation terminal via the communication section; and

and a control part for controlling the operation of the washing machine based on the selected application program.

2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1,

in the program selecting part, the application program and an operation program of a standard specification originally set in the washing machine are arranged in parallel.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

the program information transmitted to the operation terminal using the program confirmation button as a trigger includes operation detailed information of at least one of washing time, rinsing times, dehydrating time, drying setting, warm water setting, and bath water setting.

4. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the program selection unit is configured to be able to press the program confirmation button when the application program is selected.

5. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4,

the communication unit may transmit program information of at least one or more of the applications to the operation terminal, and may confirm the content of at least one or more of the applications using the operation terminal.

6. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5,

the washing machine is provided with a network judging part which judges whether the washing machine is in a state of being capable of communicating with a network,

the network determination unit changes a display mode of the program confirmation button when determining that the washing machine is not in a state in which communication with a network is possible.

7. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5,

the washing machine is provided with a network judging part which judges whether a server providing the service of the washing system and the washing machine are in a communication state or not,

the network determination unit receives and transmits program information of the application program from the operation terminal via a router or directly receives and transmits data from and to the communication unit when it is determined that the washing machine is not in a state in which communication with the server is possible.

8. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,

in the case where there are a plurality of operation terminals capable of notifying the program information of the application,

whether or not to notify each operation terminal is determined based on the state of the operation terminal.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Background

Some washing machines are capable of downloading an operation program related to a washing operation using an external operation terminal such as a smartphone, and operating the washing machine based on the downloaded operation program. However, even if the operation program can be newly downloaded and set in the washing machine, the content of the operation program may not be confirmed.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2005-46418

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention provides a washing machine capable of displaying the content of a downloaded operation program by using an external operation terminal.

Means for solving the problems

The washing machine of the embodiment comprises a communication part, a storage part, an operation panel, a program confirmation button and a control part. The communication unit communicates with an external operation terminal having an application (application) for creating an application (application) as an operation program of the washing machine, and receives the application. The storage unit stores the received at least one application program. The operation panel has a program selection unit for selecting the application program. The program confirmation button, when pressed, transmits program information of the application program to the operation terminal via the communication section. The control unit controls the operation of the washing machine based on the selected application program.

Effects of the invention

The content of the downloaded execution program can be displayed using an external operation terminal.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a washing system including a washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the washing machine of the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an operation panel of the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of communication data among the washing machine, the server, and the smartphone according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a smartphone communicating with a washing machine of the embodiment receives program information.

Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a screen when the program information is received by the smartphone that communicates with the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a transition destination when the screen is clicked to view details of a notification of received program information in each of the embodiments of fig. 5A and 5B.

Fig. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a transition destination when the screen is clicked to view details of the notification of the received program information in each of the embodiments of fig. 5A and 5B.

Fig. 6C is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a transition destination when the screen is clicked to view details of the notification of the received program information in each of the embodiments of fig. 5A and 5B.

Fig. 7A is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7B is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7C is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7D is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7E is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7F is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7G is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7H is a diagram showing an example of creating a screen of an application on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with a washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a created application is registered in a washing machine on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a created application is registered in a washing machine on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a created application is registered in a washing machine on a screen of a washing machine application installed in a smartphone that communicates with the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of display on the operation panel of the washing machine when information of an application program created by the washing machine application is received.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an update flow of application information when the washing machine of the embodiment is in an on-line state.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … washing system, 2 … washing machine, 3 … operation terminal, 4 … router, 5 … server, 21 … operation panel, 22 … control unit, 23 … storage unit, 24 … communication unit, 25 … program confirmation button, 26 … network judgment unit

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(embodiment mode)

The overall configuration of a washing system 1 including a washing machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a washing system including a washing machine according to an embodiment. The washing system 1 includes a washing machine 2, an operation terminal 3, a wireless LAN router (hereinafter referred to as a router) 4, and a server 5. The washing machine 2 is a washing and drying machine capable of sequentially performing washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying. The washing machine 2 may be a washing machine that sequentially performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering, and does not have a drying function. The washing machine 2 includes an operation panel 21.

The operation terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile terminal including a smartphone, a tablet device, a personal computer, or the like, and is equipped with an application (hereinafter, referred to as a washing machine application) for operating a washing system. The number of operation terminals 3 shown in fig. 1 is one, but the number is not limited to this, and a plurality of operation terminals may be provided. The operation terminal 3 wirelessly communicates with the washing machine 2 via the router 4, and remotely operates the washing machine 2. The router 4 is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router used in a general household or the like, and is connected to the internet via a modem or the like (not shown). The server 5 exists on the internet and provides a service of the washing system.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the washing machine 2 of the embodiment. The washing machine 2 includes an operation panel 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

For example, as shown in fig. 1, an operation panel 21 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the main body of the washing machine 2. The operation panel 2 includes a display unit made of, for example, TFT liquid crystal, and displays images including various display screens related to an operation program of the washing machine 2 on a display surface thereof. This allows the user to confirm the setting of the operation program of the washing machine 2 and the current operation state.

The operation panel 21 includes a program selection unit that receives a user operation for instructing setting and switching of an operation program of the washing machine 2. The program selecting unit is formed as a so-called touch-type operation panel, for example, and includes a touch sensor including a capacitance-type switch. With this configuration, the user operates the washing machine 2 on the screen displayed on the operation panel 21. The operation panel 21 receives various operations related to the operation of the washing machine 2.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 21 of the washing machine 2 according to the embodiment. An example of the screen shown in fig. 3 (a) is a home screen displayed when the power of the washing machine 2 is turned on. An example of a screen shown in fig. 3 (b) is a first operation program selection screen displayed in place of the top screen of fig. 3 (a), and a plurality of operation programs originally set in the washing machine are displayed. The screen example shown in fig. 3(c) is a second operating program selection screen displayed in place of the first operating program selection screen in fig. 3 (b), and an application program described later is displayed. Hereinafter, these will be described in order.

In the middle of the home screen shown in fig. 3 (a), icons indicating the types of operations such as a cleaning operation ("washing: standard program"), a washing/drying operation ("washing/drying"), and a drying operation ("drying") are displayed, and in the next step, a program button, a start button, and the like are displayed. When the control unit 22 detects an operation on the icon indicating the operation type displayed on the home screen, the operation type corresponding to the detection result is selected. In the example shown in fig. 3 (a), the selectable operation type is any one of a washing operation ("washing: standard program"), a washing-drying operation ("washing-drying"), and a drying operation ("drying").

First, when the user operates the icon of "cleaning operation" on the display screen and the operation panel 21 detects the operation, the control unit 22 determines the operation type as "cleaning operation" ("washing: standard program").

Next, when it is detected that the "program" button displayed on the top page screen of fig. 3 (a) is pressed (or clicked) by the user in a state where the operation type is selected, the operation program is moved to a selection step, and the display of the operation panel 21 is shifted to the first operation program selection screen shown in fig. 3 (b). In a state where the first operation program selection screen is displayed, the user can select a desired operation program from among a plurality of operation programs originally set in the washing machine. The number of the operating programs displayed on the screen of fig. 3 (b) is five, and icons of "standard", "soak", "quick", "memorize", and "extra gentle" indicating the contents of each operating program are displayed. When the icon for executing the program is clicked, the corresponding program is selected. The icon of the selected running program is changed to white, and the description of the running program is displayed thereunder. Fig. 3 (b) shows a state in which the quick program is selected as the operation program, and shows "when water saving and washing in a short time are desired" as an explanation of the operation program. ".

For example, the operation program that can be selected as the operation program originally set in the washing machine includes the following operation program.

Standard procedures: routine washing run program.

Soaking procedure: running program for washing seriously fouled washings.

Quick program: the running program can save water and electricity, and relatively shorten the washing time to wash slightly dirty washings, a small amount of washings and the like.

A memory procedure: the user combines the desired strokes to perform the washing operation.

Ultra gentle procedure: the operation course of washing the laundry is completed in a gentle manner.

Further, the application program may be selected as an operation program different from the operation program originally set in the washing machine. The application program is an operation program created by the user using a washing machine application installed on the external operation terminal 3, and can be selected by being downloaded from the server 5 to the washing machine 2. In the application program, the washing machine 2 is operated in a method specified by the program information downloaded from the server 5.

As an example of the operating program that can be set as an application program, the following programs can be cited.

Towel program: is suitable for running procedures of terry cloth and napped fabrics.

Fine washing procedure: washing thick laundry, etc.

A sleep program: and an operation program for suppressing the operation sound and performing washing.

Blanket program: and (5) washing the blanket and the like.

Fashion clothes program: the operation program is executed until the fine laundry such as the current laundry is dried.

For example, the "towel program" can perform washing under running conditions more suitable for terry cloth and fluffed fabric than the "ultra-light-soft program" of the standard specification originally set in the washing machine. The operation control content of the application is the operation control content that the washing machine 2 can originally operate.

In the case of selecting an application, the user presses (or clicks) the ">" button displayed at the right end of fig. 3 (b). Then, the second operation program selection screen shown in fig. 3(c) is displayed on the operation panel 21. The user can select a desired operating program from among the plurality of application programs displayed on the second operating program selection screen. In the example of fig. 3(c), three applications coexist, and are displayed by icons indicated as "application 1", "application 2", and "application 3", respectively. Fig. 3(c) shows a state in which "application 1" is selected as the running program. In addition, the washing machine can register six applications in total, namely, the washing applications 1 to 3 as the application for the washing operation and the washing and drying applications 1 to 3 as the application for the washing and drying operation.

A program confirmation button 25 is disposed on the lower portion of the second running program selection screen. When the user presses (clicks) the program confirmation button 25, the program information of the currently selected application program is notified to the external operation terminal 3 associated with the washing machine 2. The program confirmation button 25 may not be disposed on the operation panel 21, and may be a physical button switch, for example.

The user can cause the screen in fig. 3 (b) to be displayed on the operation panel 21 by pressing (clicking) the "<" button displayed at the left end of fig. 3 (c). Note that, although the case of switching between two screens is described here, the present invention is not limited to this, and a screen may not be switched, or a screen of three or more screens may be switched.

As described above, a plurality of operation programs selectable by the washing machine 2 are displayed in parallel on the operation panel 21 shown in fig. 3 (b) and (c). The application program corresponding to the program information downloaded from the server 5 is displayed on the operation panel 21 so as to be selectable in parallel with the standard operating program originally set in the washing machine. The user selects an operating program including an application program from the operation panel 21. The control unit 22 controls the operation of the washing machine based on the program information of the selected operation program including the application program.

The control unit 22 includes a processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit). Each process of the control unit 22 is realized by a processor executing a program. Some or all of the respective processes of the control unit 22 may be executed by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

As described above, in the washing machine 2, the operation programs other than the application program are set to be usable as the operation programs of the standard specification. Therefore, even if the program information is not obtained from the server 5, the washing machine 2 can control the operation by the operation program of the standard specification. In contrast, the application program can be selected by the user by acquiring program information of a desired operation program from the server 5 and registering the program information in the washing machine 2. In addition, various running programs that can be selected as application programs are registered in advance in the server 5. The user can select a desired operation program from among the operation programs registered in the server 5 and apply it to the operation control of the washing machine 2.

In the washing machine application installed in the operation terminal 3, the user can create an application program as an operation program of the washing machine 2. In addition, in the washing machine application, the user can customize the operation program registered in the server 5 and create the application program. The program information of the application created by the user is stored in the server 5.

The communication unit 24 is formed to be connectable to the network NW via the router 4, for example. The communication unit 24 is connected to the server 5 via a network NW. The communication unit 24 communicates with the operation terminal 3 via the network NW. The communication unit 24 can transmit program information of at least one or more applications to the operation terminal 3 and can confirm the content of at least one or more applications using the operation terminal 3. The communication unit 24 may be configured to be able to perform data transmission and reception with the operation terminal 3 via the router 4 or directly without a network.

The storage unit 23 includes semiconductor memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an EEPROM (electrically Erasable ROM). An EEPROM is an example of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that can be electrically erased, and is used as a nonvolatile storage region.

The storage unit 23 holds program information of the application program acquired via the server 5 as the application program. Thereby, the washing machine 2 can receive and store at least one or more application programs and use the application program at the next washing operation. The acquired program information can be stored in a nonvolatile storage area of the storage unit 23. This makes it possible to use the washing operation in the next and subsequent washing operations in which the power supply of washing machine 2 is turned off and turned on again, without obtaining the washing operation again from server 5. By registering the program information of the desired operation program in the washing machine 2 in advance in this manner, the laundry can be washed in an operation mode closer to the purpose of the user. The setting of the content of the application program can be performed from the external operation terminal 3.

Next, the flow of communication data when the program confirmation button 25 is pressed (clicked) in a state where the second operation program selection screen shown in fig. 3(c) is displayed will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication data when program confirmation button 25 is pressed (clicked).

Fig. 4 shows the flow of communication data between the washing machine 2, the server 5, and the operation terminal (smartphone) 3. When the program confirm button 25 is pressed (clicked) in the washing machine 2, the program information of the currently selected application is transmitted to the external smartphone associated with the washing machine 2 via the server 5. When the smart phone receives the program information, the smart phone is notified of the fact that the program information is received.

Fig. 5A and 5B show a manner in which the smartphone receives program information. As for the modes, there are two modes of fig. 5A and 5B. Fig. 5A shows a case where the reception of the program information is notified on the smartphone in a state where the washing machine application is closed, that is, the washing machine application is not started. In this case, when the smartphone receives the program information of the application program, the smartphone notifies the upper part of the screen of the strip-shaped information.

Fig. 5B shows a case where the reception of the program information is notified on the smartphone in a state where the user has started the washing machine application in the smartphone. In this case, when the smartphone receives the program information of the application, a popup that notifies the reception of the program information of the application is displayed in the center of the screen of the smartphone. Here, when the "OK" button on the popup is clicked, the contents of the application can be confirmed.

Fig. 6A to 6C are examples of the transition destination screen when the screen is clicked to see the details of the reception notification of the program information in each of the modes of fig. 5A and 5B. In both the modes of fig. 5A and 5B, the transfer destination when the click is performed is the same, and for example, any one of fig. 6A to 6C is displayed. Fig. 6A to 6C show details of the application program, and the display is different depending on which running program is used.

Fig. 6A shows an application program in which various detailed settings of an operation program are performed on a washing machine application, specifically, an application program in which the name of the operation program, the washing time, the number of times of rinsing, the dehydration time, and the like are set in detail. In this case, as shown in fig. 6A, the content of the operating program is displayed in detail, and the content of the operating program can be grasped.

On the other hand, if it is sufficient to notify only the name of the running program, only the name of the application program may be notified as shown in fig. 6B. Fig. 6B shows a case where a running program called a wool fabric (sweep) program is registered in the application program, and the application program is known as a wool fabric program. When a purposeful different operation program is registered in the application, a caption of the purposeful different operation program may be displayed as in "want to quickly remove slight dirt" in fig. 6C.

In this way, the program information is transmitted to the operation terminal 3 with the program confirmation button 25 as a trigger. That is, the program information of the application program can be confirmed on the external operation terminal 3 triggered by pressing (or clicking) the program confirmation button 25. Thus, the user can confirm the contents of the application program, i.e., the operation program downloaded to the washing machine. The notification of receiving the application information is automatically displayed on the external operation terminal 3 triggered by pressing (or clicking) the program confirmation button 25, so that the program information of the application can be known without searching or transferring a page on the washing machine application, and the use convenience is good.

Fig. 7A to 7H are diagrams showing an example of a flow of creating an application program on a screen of a washing machine application installed in the operation terminal 3. On the screen of fig. 7A, first, the user selects, as an application program, three items of "select washing method for each clothes", "select washing method for each purpose", and "customize to taste".

In the case where "customize by preference" is selected in fig. 7A, the screen of the washing machine application shifts to the screen of fig. 7B. In the screen of fig. 7B, first, the user selects and touches an icon corresponding to whether the operation type of the washing machine 2 is the washing operation or the washing-drying operation. Then, the screen of fig. 7C is shifted when the washing operation is selected, and the screen of fig. 7D is shifted when the washing/drying operation is selected. In the screens of fig. 7C and 7D, the user inputs the name of the operation program, and sets the washing time, the rinsing frequency, the dehydrating time, the drying setting, the warm water setting, the bath water setting, and the like. After the settings are completed, when the "next" button is touched, the screen transitions to the screen of fig. 8A or 8B.

In the case where the "by laundry selection program" is selected in fig. 7A, the screen of the washing machine application is shifted to the screen of fig. 7E. In the screen of fig. 7E, one operation program can be selected from among a plurality of operation programs classified by clothes, which are predetermined in advance. If the operation program classified by clothes is selected, the screen transitions to the screen of fig. 7F, and a description of the selected operation program is displayed. Then, when the button of "next" is touched, the screen transitions to the screen of fig. 8A or 8B. In addition, when the "other detailed settings" button is touched on the screen of fig. 7F, the setting of the selected running program can be customized or adapted.

In the case where "select washing pattern by purpose" is selected in fig. 7A, the screen of the washing machine application is shifted to the screen of fig. 7G. In the screen of fig. 7G and in the screen of fig. 7E, one operating program can be selected from among a plurality of predetermined purposely classified operating programs. When the operation program classified as the destination is selected, the screen transitions to the screen of fig. 7H, and a description of the selected operation program is displayed. Then, when the button of "next" is touched, the screen transitions to the screen of fig. 8A or 8B. In addition, when the "other detailed settings" button is touched on the screen of fig. 7H, the setting of the selected running program can be customized or adapted.

On the screens shown in fig. 8A and 8B, it is determined where the created application is registered in the washing machine. When the operation type is the cleaning operation, the screen of fig. 8A is displayed, and it is determined where the created application is registered in the application programs 1 to 3 in the cleaning operation. When the operation type is the washing/drying operation, the screen of fig. 8B is displayed, and it is determined where the created application program is registered in the application programs 1 to 3 of the washing/drying operation. In the example of fig. 8A, the wool fabric program is registered in the wash application 1, the light soil program is registered in the wash application 2, and the wash application 3 is not registered. In the example of fig. 8B, the wool fabric program is registered in the washing and drying application 1, the light soil program is registered in the washing and drying application 2, and the washing and drying application 3 is not registered.

When the location of the login application is selected and the "set" button is touched on the screen of fig. 8A or 8B, the set information is transmitted to the washing machine, and the display of the washing machine application shifts to the screen shown in fig. 8C. The information of the application created at this time is transmitted to the washing machine.

Fig. 9 shows a display manner on the operation panel 21 of the washing machine 2 when information of an application program created by the washing machine application is received. When an operation of transmitting the created application from the smartphone is performed, the washing machine 2 receives information of the application, and the main body of the washing machine 2 is powered on. Then, a popup notification indicating that the application is accepted is executed in the center of the screen of the operation panel 21. By such an operation, the user can recognize that the washing machine has received the application program.

The program information of the application program which is transmitted to the operation terminal by using the program confirmation button 25 of the washing machine as a trigger and confirmed by the operation terminal can obtain not only the name of the application program but also operation detailed information such as washing time, rinsing times, dehydration time, drying setting, warm water setting, bath water setting, etc., which are unique actions of the washing operation. With this configuration, the user can select the operation program that is set from now on, and convenience of use is improved.

When the washing machine is connected to the internet by turning on the power, the server 5 must be queried for program information of the registered application program more than once. Thereby, the program information data registered in the server 5 and the program information data stored in the washing machine are synchronized. Thus, before the user starts the operation of the washing machine, the difference between the program information data held by the server 5 and the program information data of the application stored in the washing machine is not generated.

The washing machine receives the program information of the application registered through the operation terminal and updates the program information of the application stored in the washing machine at a timing before a start button which is a trigger for starting the operation of the washing machine is pressed after the user turns on the power of the washing machine, that is, before the operation of the washing machine is started. Thus, the user can easily recognize that the application program registered in the washing machine is updated to the downloaded program information. In addition, since the user can select the updated application as an option of the content that is currently running, convenience of use is improved. The "easy-to-recognize by the user" means that the user is in front of the washing machine before the operation of the washing machine is started (before the start button is pressed), and thus the user can easily recognize the operation. The "become option" means that the application is rewritten before the operation of the washing machine is started, and thus the application can be compared with another operation program.

The program confirmation button 25 is configured to be able to be pressed (touched) when the application program is selected by the program selection unit. When the application is in the selected state, the program confirmation button is pressed (touched), and the program information of the application is transmitted to the external operation terminal. This makes it easy to recognize the means for acquiring the program information desired by the user and to transmit no other unnecessary program information, thereby improving the convenience of use.

The washing machine 2 may include a network determination unit configured to determine whether or not the connection to the network is established (communicable state). When the network determination unit determines that the washing machine is not in a state in which communication with the network is possible, the display mode of the program confirmation button 25 is changed. Specifically, program confirmation button 25 is colored in light color or program confirmation button 25 itself is not displayed, in addition to program confirmation button 25 not being allowed to be pressed. This makes it possible to recognize the function for program confirmation when the function cannot be executed, and thus improves the convenience of use.

The network determination unit may be configured to determine whether or not the washing machine 2 is connected to the server 5 (communicable state). When the network determination unit washing machine 2 determines that the communication with the server 5 is not possible, the program information of the application program is transmitted and received from the operation terminal 3 via the router, or the operation terminal 3 and the communication unit 24 directly perform data transmission and reception. With this configuration, the notification of the program information of the application program can be executed even if the washing machine is in an offline state.

The washing machine application is operable in either an online state in which the washing machine is connected to a network or an offline state in which the washing machine is not connected to the network. Fig. 10 shows the update flow of the application information when the washing machine is in the on-line state.

When the power of the washing machine 2 becomes on and is connected to the network, the washing machine 2 inquires of the server 5 whether the application information has been updated. In the case where the application information has been updated, the updated information is transmitted from the server 5 to the washing machine 2. When the washing machine 2 receives the information, the reply server 5 updates the application information stored in the washing machine. Then, the washing machine 2 notifies the server 5 that the update is completed.

The connection procedure of the server to the operation terminal (smartphone), washing machine, wireless LAN router is as follows. As a premise, an ID and a password of the smartphone are issued in advance by a washing machine application installed in the smartphone, and registered in the server 5. By logging in to the server 5, the smartphone user can be identified.

First, a smartphone is used to connect to a router (the smartphone is connected to the router). Next, the washing machine connects with the router using an AP mode (access point mode), WPS (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) Protected Setup) (the washing machine connects with the router). Next, the smartphone retrieves the washing machine, and after determination, the smartphone obtains the MAC address, model of the washing machine. Next, the MAC address, model number of the washing machine are recorded in the server and linked with the user ID. Through the above steps, the smartphone and the washing machine can be operated in a state inside a house or outside the house.

As described above, the program information of the application program is stored and held in the server 5, and the washing machine transmits and receives the program information of the application program to and from the operation terminal 3 via the server 5. With this configuration, all users sharing a specific washing machine can confirm the program information of the stored and set application program, and even in an off-line state where the washing machine is not connected to the internet, new creation and viewing of the program information of the application program can be performed from the operation terminal as needed as long as the program information of the application program is temporarily stored in the server 5.

In the case where one washing machine is shared by a plurality of operation terminals, if the download information of the application is transmitted to all the shared operation terminals, the download information is not required except for the user who wants to know the download information. Therefore, when there are a plurality of operation terminals capable of notifying the program information of the application program, it may be configured to determine whether or not to notify each operation terminal based on the "state" of the operation terminal. A system is realized that does not impair the convenience of use by judging the presence or absence of notification based on the "state" of an operation terminal.

The "state" of the operator terminal is the notification setting of the operator terminal, set by the washing machine application on the operator terminal. In this case, the washing machine application has a means for notifying the presence or absence of program information in which the application program can be set, and when the notification is set to be unnecessary, the program information of the application program is not notified.

Alternatively, the "state" of the operation terminal depends on the positional information (whether or not it is located in the vicinity of the washing machine) where the operation terminal is located. In this case, the washing machine includes a unit for determining whether or not the operation terminal and the washing machine are present in the same network, and does not notify the operation terminal, which is not present in the same network as the washing machine, of the program information of the application program. The determination is made, for example, based on the IP address. When the operation terminal accesses the wide area network, it is determined that the operation terminal is outside the house and the program information is not notified.

Alternatively, the "state" of the operation terminal depends on whether the operation terminal connected to one washing machine is the "owner" (owner authority) of the washing machine. The "owner" performs network connection of the washing machine through the operation terminal. The owner also has the authority to release the connection state of the operation terminal and the washing machine. In this case, the program information of the application is not notified except the owner.

With the above method, it is possible to determine to which of a plurality of operation terminals the program information of the application program is to be notified, and a system that does not impair convenience of use can be realized.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various manners, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.