JPH03188897A - Action reporting method for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give pleasant feeling to the monotonous washing work by outputting different melodies at the start time and the completion time of a washing course respectively with a control means having a melody reporting means capable of outputting various kinds of melodies. CONSTITUTION:When a washing course is selected and a start key is operated, a microcomputer 1 outputs a pulse signal to a melody reporting means 13 to ring the melody No 1. When the washing course is completed, the microcomputer 1 outputs a signal to the melody reporting means 13 to ring the next melody No 2, and the melody reporting means 13 receives a signal from the microcomputer 1 to be set to the waiting state after a preset period elapses. When the washing course is again performed, the melody No 3 is rung at the start time of the course, and the melody No 4 is rung at the completion time. Different melodies are rung at the start time and completion time of the washing course, and pleasant feeling can be given to the monotonous washing action.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a washing machine operation notification method.

(b) Conventional technology With the spread of dryers, dryers have come to be installed side by side with washing machines, but since both devices use piezoelectric buzzers for the end buzzer, the tone is the same. , there was a problem in which it was difficult to determine which device was terminated.

Therefore, in order to notify the user of the end of the washing cycle,
A washing machine that plays a melody was published in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1986-26149.
It is shown in Publication No. 5 (D06F33, 102).

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention The conventional examples leave room for improvement in terms of making monotonous housework more enjoyable.

The present invention relates to an improvement in the method of notifying the operation of a washing machine, and is intended to solve these problems.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a washing machine that sequentially executes a washing course consisting of steps such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying for a total time required for the washing course according to a program. The control means includes a melody notification means capable of outputting a melody that outputs different melodies at the start and end of the washing course.

Further, the present invention is provided with a melody selection means for specifying at least one melody at the start and end of the washing course.

Further, the present invention provides a washing machine that sequentially executes a washing course consisting of steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration according to a program, in which a control means having a melody notification means capable of outputting a plurality of types of melodies is configured to At least at the end of the washing course, a melody different from that of the previous washing course is output.

(E) Function: At the start of a washing course, a melody is sounded to notify that the course has started, and at the end of the washing course, a different melody from the one at the beginning is played.

Further, at least one melody at the start and end of a washing course can be specified as desired by the user.

Also, each time the washing cycle is repeated, a different melody sounds at the end.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control mechanism of a fully automatic washing machine, and 1 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) that is the center of control, such as the LC manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
6523C). Since the configuration of the microcomputer 1 is well known, it will be briefly explained based on FIG. 3.

The microcomputer 1 has a CP LJ 2 (central
processing unit), RAM 3
(random access memory),
ROM 4 (read only memory)
), a timer 5, a system bus 6, and an input/output port door 8.

The CPU 2 is composed of a control section 9 and a calculation section 10. The control section 9 takes out and executes instructions, and the calculation section 10 receives control signals from the control section 9 during the instruction execution stage. Performs arithmetic processing such as binary addition, logical operations, increase/decrease, and comparison on data provided from input devices and memory. The RAM 3 is for storing data regarding the washing machine, and the ROM 4 is for storing data such as means for operating the washing machine, setting conditions for judgment, rules for processing various information, etc. is to be loaded.

Now, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an operation execution means, which is composed of various loads such as a motor and a solenoid. 12 is a progress display means, which is composed of a plurality of color-emitting diodes. 13 is a melody notification means, which is a commercially available melody IC (for example, Seiko Efson Corporation [SVM7
943C type). This melody-IC is N
Eight types of melodies O61 to O8 are stored, and each time a pulse signal from the microcomputer 1 is received, the melodies are sequentially shifted and output. That is, the melody No. 1 is output by the first pulse signal, the melody No. 1 is stopped by the second pulse signal, and the melody No. 2 is waited for to be output, and the melody No. 2 is outputted by the third pulse signal. The melody No. 2 is output by the pulse signal. In this way, each time a pulse signal is input, execution and standby are repeated, and the melody to be executed changes sequentially.

】4 is the key human power means, including course, water level, water flow strength,
It consists of selection keys for process times, etc., course start keys, etc. 15 is a melody switching means;
This is a key for determining whether or not notification is necessary. Numeral 16 is various sensors that detect conditions such as water level, dehydration abnormality, drainage abnormality, and water supply abnormality.

The operation based on such a configuration will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the washing course is selected and the start key is operated,
Depending on the setting state of the melody switching means 15, it is checked whether melody notification is necessary (S-1), and if necessary, the microcomputer 1 outputs a pulse signal to the melody notification means 13. Then, the melody notification means 13 sounds the melody No. 1 in response to this signal (S-
2). Further, when the microcomputer 1 plays a melody for a predetermined period of time, it outputs a pulse signal to put the melody notification means 13 into a standby state.

The washing course consists of a combination of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps, and is sequentially executed by the microcomputer 1 sending a signal to the operation execution means 11 (S-3).
~(S-5).

When the washing course is completed, the microcomputer 1 outputs a signal to the melody notification means 13.

Then, the melody notification means 13 plays the next melody No. 2 in response to this signal 5-6).
After a predetermined time has elapsed, it receives a signal from the microcomputer 1 and enters a standby state.

The melody notification means 13 maintains this state as long as power is supplied, so when executing the washing course again after (S-6), the melody notification means 13 holds the No.
, 3, and when the melody ends, the melody of No. 4 sounds.

In this way, by playing different melodies at the beginning and end of a washing course, it is possible to bring fun to a monotonous washing operation.

The melody switching means can determine whether or not a melody is required at both the start and end of a course, but it may be possible to determine this individually.

In addition, by providing a BGM setting means 17 (a key switch may be used), during the washing cycle,
You may continue to play the melodies of o and 8 in order.

Also, melody selection means 18 (a key switch may be used)
By providing a melody, it may be possible to specify a melody to be played at the end of the washing cycle. For example, if it is desired to specify melody No. 3, the melody selection means 18 is operated three times. Then, the microcomputer 1
At the start of the course, three pulse signals are sent out to sound the melody No. 2 so that the melody No. 3 sounds at the end of the course. Then, by sending out a signal at the end of the course, the melody No. 3 sounds. Incidentally, if the melody at the start of the course has been canceled by the melody switching means 15, five pulse signals are sent out at the end of the course. Further, the melody selection means 18 may be arranged so that a melody at the start of the course can be specified, or a melody at both the start and end of the course can be specified.

(g) Effects of the Invention The washing machine operation notification method according to the present invention sounds a melody at the start of a washing course to notify that the washing course has started, and at the end of the washing course, sounds a different melody from the one used at the start. Because of this structure, it is possible to bring a sense of fun to the monotonous washing work.

In addition, the user can specify at least one of the melodies desired at the start and end of a washing cycle, and a different melody is played at the end each time a washing cycle is repeated, making it enjoyable for the user. The feeling becomes even more fulfilling.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the control mechanism, and FIG.
The figure is a configuration diagram of the microcomputer. 1... Microcomputer, 13... Melody notification means (1, 13: control means), 18... Melody selection means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a washing machine that sequentially executes a washing course consisting of steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration according to a program,
A method for notifying the operation of a washing machine, characterized in that a control means having a melody notifying means capable of outputting a plurality of types of melodies outputs different melodies at the start and end of the washing course. (2) The washing machine operation notification method according to claim 1, further comprising melody selection means for specifying at least one melody at the start and end of the washing course. (3) In a washing machine that sequentially executes a washing course consisting of steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration according to a program,
A method for notifying the operation of a washing machine, characterized in that a control means having a melody notifying means capable of outputting a plurality of types of melodies outputs, at least at the end of the washing course, a melody different from that of the previous washing course.