초록 ▼

A washing machine and a method are provided for changing system data which allow a user to identify problems with the product itself, installation, problems due to regional characteristics, changes in use, and the like, and to change system operation data accordingly. A user may change/replace a pre

A washing machine and a method are provided for changing system data which allow a user to identify problems with the product itself, installation, problems due to regional characteristics, changes in use, and the like, and to change system operation data accordingly. A user may change/replace a pre-stored wash program to address specific problems encountered based on user preferences and wash history. An interface section for sending/receiving wash-related data to/from an external device, and a memory for enabling data read/write and for storing data received from the external device are provided to allow for transmission of wash history and receipt and downloading of additional wash programs. Thus convenience, washing performance, and operational efficiency can be maximized, while problem diagnosis and repair performed by the user or service man can be facilitated.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A washing machine, comprising: a first tank configured to contain washing water; a second tank rotatably installed in the first tank; a load section comprising at least one of a motor configured to drive the second tank, a water supply device configured to supply washing wa

What is claimed is: 1. A washing machine, comprising: a first tank configured to contain washing water; a second tank rotatably installed in the first tank; a load section comprising at least one of a motor configured to drive the second tank, a water supply device configured to supply washing water, and a drain device configured to drain washing water; a microcomputer configured to control operation of the load section and to read an operation state of the load section; an input section configured to receive a plurality of user input operation commands and to set a plurality of functions of the washing machine; a display section configured to display the plurality of functions and an operation state of the washing machine; an interface section connected to the microcomputer and an external device and configured to perform a data exchange therebetween; and a memory device configured to store operation history data of the load section, wherein the microcomputer is configured to upload the stored operation history data to the external device, and to download a plurality of new washer operation parameters from the external device and store the downloaded parameters in the memory device. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises a flash memory. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the flash memory comprises a plurality of sectors, wherein one of the sectors is configured to store a program for data communication with the external device and a program for internal data communication in the washing machine, and wherein at least one of the sectors comprises an empty sector, and at least one sector is configured to store washing courses and control-related programs. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a personal computer or a server. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the external device and the interface section are connected by an RS-232C data communication cable. 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the input section comprises a keypad. 7. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the microcomputer so as to execute an operation program corresponding to a function selected by a user, to control the display section so as to display a corresponding operation state, to store data transmitted through the microcomputer or through the interface section to the memory device, and to upload information stored in the memory device to the external device through the interface section. 8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the memory device is provided in a portion of the controller. 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the controller further comprises a modem configured to enable data exchange via the Internet. 10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to store wash related data selected by a user in the memory device. 11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the washing machine is configured to be connected to the external device through the interface section, and wherein the controller is further configured to download an operation program from the external device based on the wash related data stored in the memory device. 12. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to provide the user with a download failure notification on the display section if a download failure occurs. 13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein one of the plurality of operation commands comprises a re-execution command when a download failure occurs. 14. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of new washer operation parameters comprise a plurality of washer operation programs configured to be changed based on changes in a wash related data portion of the operation history data. 15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein changes to the plurality of operation programs are stored as versions, and wherein the display section is further configured to display a version indicator for the operation program corresponding to the operation state of the washing machine. 16. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the uploaded operation history data of the load section comprises at least one of a temperature of the motor, a speed of the motor, a water supply time, and a water drain time. 17. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the uploaded operation history data of the load section comprises operation records, including use and malfunction records, and conditions of various loads of the load section. 18. A washing machine, comprising: an inner tank rotatably installed in an outer tank; a load section comprising at least one of a motor configured to drive the inner tank, a water supply device configured to supply washing water, and a draining device configured to drain washing water; a microcomputer configured to control operation of the load section and to read an operation state of the load section; an input section configured to receive a plurality of operation commands and to set a plurality of functions of the washing machine; a display section configured to display the plurality of functions and an operation state of the washing machine; and a memory device configured to store operation history data of the load section, wherein the microcomputer is configured to upload the stored operation history data to an external device, and tow download a plurality of new washer operation parameters from the external device, and to store the downloaded operation parameters in the memory device. 19. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the input section comprises a keypad. 20. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the uploaded operation history data comprises at least one of a temperature of the motor, a speed of the motor, a water supply time, and a water drain time. 21. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the microcomputer is configured to control the operation of the load section based on the plurality of new washer operation parameters downloaded from the external device. 22. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a personal computer or a server. 23. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the operation history data of the load section comprises wash related data, and wherein the washing machine further comprises an interface section configured to connect the microcomputer to the external device, and to send the wash related data to and receive wash related data from the external device. 24. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the memory device comprises a flash memory. 25. The washing machine according to claim 24, wherein the flash memory comprises a plurality of sectors, wherein at least one of the sectors is configured to store a program for data communication with the external device and a program for internal data communication in the washing machine, at least one of the sectors comprises an empty sector, and at least one sector is configured to store washing courses and control related programs. 26. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the external device and is connected to the microcomputer through an RS-232C data communication cable. 27. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the microcomputer further comprises a modem configured to enable data exchange via the Internet. 28. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to provide the user with a download failure notification if a download failure occurs. 29. The washing machine according to 28, wherein one of the plurality of operation commands comprises a re-execution command when a download failure occurs. 30. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of washer operation parameters comprise a plurality of washer operation programs configured to be changed based on changes in a wash related data portion of the operation history data of the load section. 31. The washing machine according to claim 30, wherein changes to the plurality of operation programs are stored as versions, and wherein the display section is further configured to display a version indicator for the operation program corresponding to the operation state of the washing machine. 32. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the uploaded operation history data of the load section comprises operation records, including use and malfunction records, and conditions of various loads of the load section.