DRYER AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF

Provided are an operation method of a dryer, and a dryer performing the operation method. The operation method includes detecting, by using one or more sensors, first laundry that is loaded into the dryer; obtaining data related to a washing process with respect to second laundry that was loaded into the washing machine before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer; determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry; based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determining a weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight; and outputting information about a drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A dryer performing an optimized drying operation, and an operation method of the dryer are provided.

BACKGROUND ART

A dryer sets an expected drying time until drying is completed, by measuring the weight of to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer, and performs a drying process, based on the set time.

When the dryer performs the drying process and laundry that has been washed in a washing machine is put into the dryer, there may be information obtained while the washing machine is washing the laundry. In order to reduce damage to laundry and optimize a drying time during a drying process of a dryer, utilization of data about the laundry loaded into the dryer is needed.

Provided is a method of optimizing a drying process so that laundry loaded from a washing machine into a dryer is completed in an optimal time, when the dryer performs the drying process.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Provided are a dryer that performs a drying process by using data related to a washing process and data related to the drying process, and an operation method of the dryer.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is an operation method of a dryer that interacts with a washing machine. The operation method includes detecting, by using one or more sensors, first laundry that is loaded into the dryer; obtaining data related to a washing process with respect to second laundry that was loaded into the washing machine before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer; determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry; based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determining a weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight; and outputting information about a drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

The data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry may include at least one of the weight of the second laundry before washing, a weight of the second laundry after washing, a flow rate of water introduced in the washing process with respect to the second laundry, a moisture content of the second laundry, and a washing mode applied to the washing process with respect to the second laundry.

The determining of whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry may include determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the weight of the second laundry after washing and the weight of the first laundry.

The determining of whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry may include identifying a time difference between a first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer and a second time when the second laundry is taken out of the washing machine; and determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, further based on the time difference.

The determining of whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry may include determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a user input.

The operation method may include terminating a drying process of the dryer based on the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

The determining of whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry, may include, when the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer is less than the weight of the second laundry after washing, determining whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry; and, based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, determining a second target dry weight for terminating a drying process of the dryer, based on the weight of the second laundry before washing, the weight of the second laundry after washing, and the weight of the first laundry. The outputting of the information about the drying state of the first laundry may include outputting the information about the drying state of the first laundry based on the weight of the first laundry reaching the second target dry weight, and the second target dry weight may be less than the weight of the second laundry before washing.

The operation method may further include determining fabric characteristics of the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry; and, based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determining setting values of the dryer for drying the first laundry, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

The fabric characteristics of the second laundry may be obtained by applying, to an artificial intelligence model, the flow rate of water introduced in the washing process, the moisture content of the second laundry, and the washing mode applied to the washing process.

The outputting of the information about the drying state of the first laundry may include, based on the first target dry weight and a change in the weight of the first laundry, outputting a notification guiding a user to control the dryer.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a dryer that operates in connection with a washing machine. The dryer includes a communication interface; an output interface; one or more sensors; a memory storing one or more instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to detect, by using the one or more sensors, first laundry that is loaded into the dryer; obtain, through the communication interface, data related to a washing process with respect to second laundry that was loaded into a washing machine before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer; determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry; based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determine a weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight; and output, through the output interface, information about a drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

The data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry may include at least one of the weight of the second laundry before washing, a weight of the second laundry after washing, a flow rate of water introduced in the washing process with respect to the second laundry, a moisture content of the second laundry, and a washing mode applied to the washing process with respect to the second laundry.

The at least one processor may be configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the weight of the second laundry after washing and the weight of the first laundry.

The at least one processor may be configured to execute the one or more instructions to identify a time difference between a first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer and a second time when the second laundry is taken out of the washing machine, and determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, further based on the time difference.

The dryer may further include an input interface, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to execute the one or more instructions to determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a user input through the input interface.

The at least one processor may be configured to execute the one or more instructions to terminate a drying process of the dryer when the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

The at least one processor may be configured to, based on the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer being less than the weight of the second laundry after washing, determine whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, determine a second target dry weight for terminating a drying process of the dryer, based on the weight of the second laundry before washing, the weight of the second laundry after washing, and the weight of the first laundry, and output, through the output interface, the information about the drying state of the first laundry based on the weight of the first laundry reaching the second target dry weight, wherein the second target dry weight is less than the weight of the second laundry before washing.

The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to determine fabric characteristics of the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry, and based on determining that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, determine setting values of the dryer for drying the first laundry, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

The at least one processor may be configured to execute the one or more instructions to, based on the first target dry weight and a change in the weight of the first laundry, output a notification guiding a user to control the dryer.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a non-transitory recording medium having recorded thereon a program enabling the operation method of the dryer to be performed.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Terms used herein will be described briefly, and the present disclosure will be described in detail.

Although general terms widely used at present were selected for describing the present disclosure in consideration of the functions thereof, these general terms may vary according to intentions of one of ordinary skill in the art, case precedents, the advent of new technologies, or the like. Terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant of the disclosure may also be used in a specific case. In this case, their meanings need to be given in the detailed description of the disclosure. Hence, the terms must be defined based on their meanings and the contents of the entire specification, not by simply stating the terms.

An expression used in the singular may encompass the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. While such terms as “first”, “second”, etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. The terms “unit”, “-er (-or)”, and “module” when used in this specification refers to a unit in which at least one function or operation is performed, and may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Terminology such as “at least one of A and B”, as used herein, includes any of the following: A, B, A and B. Similarly, terminology such as “at least one of A, B, and C”, as used herein, includes any of the following: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings so that this disclosure may be easily performed by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for the simplicity of explanation, and like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG.1is a diagram for explaining a drying system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, the drying system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a washing machine100and a dryer2000. However, all of the illustrated components are not essential. The drying system may be implemented by more or less components than those illustrated inFIG.1. For example, the drying system may be implemented using the washing machine100, the dryer2000, and a server (not shown), or may be implemented using the washing machine100, the dryer2000, and a mobile terminal (not shown). An embodiment in which the drying system includes a server (not shown) will be discussed in detail later with reference toFIG.21.

The washing machine100is a device that washes contaminated laundry. The washing machine100may be classified into various types according to a method of washing laundry. Examples of the washing machine100may include an agitation type washing machine, an impeller type washing machine, and a drum type washing machine. The washing machine100may also be classified according to a method of loading laundry. Examples of the washing machine100may include a top load type washing machine and a front load type washing machine.

The dryer2000is a device that dries wet laundry. The dryer2000may be classified into various types according to a method of drying laundry. The dryer2000may include, for example, a gas dryer, an electric dryer, or a ventless type dryer.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dryer2000may interact with the washing machine100. The dryer2000interacting with the washing machine100may refer to the dryer2000using information obtained from the washing machine100in a drying process. Referring toFIG.1, the dryer2000according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain data110related to a washing process from the washing machine100. The dryer2000may also obtain data130related to the drying process while performing the drying process. When to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer2000is laundry loaded into the dryer2000from the washing machine100, the dryer2000may determine a completion time point of drying of the laundry loaded from the washing machine100to the dryer2000, by using the data110related to the washing process and the data130related to the drying process.

According to a disclosed embodiment, the data110related to the washing process refers to data obtained while the washing machine100is washing laundry. The washing process of the washing machine100may include, but is not limited to, a loading operation, a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, and a washing completion operation of laundry. The washing machine100may obtain the data110related to the washing process, through processes of washing laundry. The data110related to the washing process may include, for example, washing mode setting information101of the washing machine100, a weight102of laundry before washing, a flow rate103of water introduced in the washing operation, a flow rate104of water introduced in the rinsing operation, a weight105of laundry after washing, and other data106(e.g., a washing completion time, a water temperature, and a degree of spin-drying). However, the data110related to the washing process is not limited thereto, and may further include other data that may be obtained during the washing process in which the washing machine100washes laundry. The dryer2000may obtain the data110related to the washing process from the washing machine100, or may obtain, from the server, the data110related to the washing process transmitted from the washing machine100to the server.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may determine whether the to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the laundry washed by the washing machine100. For example, the dryer2000may determine whether the to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer2000is the laundry washed by the washing machine100, by comparing the weight of the to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer2000with the weight105of the laundry washed by the washing machine100or comparing a time point when the to-be-dried laundry has been loaded into the dryer2000with a washing completion time.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may utilize the data110related to the washing process in the drying process of the dryer2000. When laundry loaded into the dryer2000is laundry loaded into the dryer2000from the washing machine100, the dryer2000may determine a setting value of the dryer2000by using the data110related to the washing process. For example, the dryer2000may set a corresponding drying mode, based on the washing mode setting information101of the washing machine100. For example, the dryer2000may determine a target dry weight of the laundry loaded into the dryer2000from the washing machine100. The target dry weight may refer to a standard weight based on which the dryer2000may determine that drying of laundry has been completed.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may obtain the data130related to the drying process, while performing the drying process. The data130related to the drying process refers to data obtained while the dryer2000is drying laundry. The data130related to the drying process may include, for example, drying mode setting information of the dryer2000, the weight of laundry being dried, an internal temperature of a drum, and an internal humidity of the drum. However, the data130related to the drying process is not limited thereto, and may further include other data that may be obtained during the drying process in which the dryer2000dries laundry.

While performing the drying process, the dryer2000may output information about the drying state of the laundry being dried, based on at least one of the weight of the laundry being dried, the internal temperature of the drum, and the internal humidity of the drum. For example, when the weight of the laundry reaches a target dry weight before the set drying time elapses, the dryer2000may determine that the drying of the laundry being dried is completed, and output information indicating that the drying of the laundry has been completed. For example, when the weight of the laundry does not reach the target dry weight even when the set drying time elapses, the dryer2000may determine that the drying of the laundry being dried is not completed, and output information indicating that drying of the laundry is further needed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the weight of the laundry reaches the target dry weight before the set drying time elapses, the dryer2000may determine that the drying of the laundry being dried has been completed, and automatically terminate the drying process. When the weight of the laundry does not reach the target dry weight even when the set drying time elapses, the dryer2000may determine that the drying of the laundry being dried is not completed, and predict an additional drying time necessary until the weight of the laundry reaches the target dry weight. The dryer2000may display the predicted additional drying time.

The dryer2000according to one embodiment may control the drying process so that drying of the laundry loaded from the washing machine100into the dryer2000is completed at an optimal time, based on the data110related to the washing process and the data130related to the drying process. An operation, performed by the dryer2000, of optimizing a drying process will now be described in detail with reference toFIG.2.

FIG.2is a flowchart of a method, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of performing a drying process.

In describing embodiments, laundry loaded into the dryer2000and subject to drying will be referred to as first laundry, and laundry washed by the washing machine100will be referred to as second laundry.

In operation S210, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may detect the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000and subject to drying, by using one or more sensors built in the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify that the first laundry has been loaded into a drum, which is a space capable of accommodating laundry in the dryer2000, by using one or more sensors built in the dryer2000, such as a door sensor, a proximity sensor, and a weight sensor.

In operation S220, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may obtain data related to a washing process with respect to the second laundry loaded into the washing machine100before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may obtain data related to the washing process of the second laundry in order to identify whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The first laundry corresponding to the second laundry may refer to the entirety of the first laundry being identical to the entirety or a predetermined portion or more (e.g., 70% or more) of the second laundry. For example, based on a time point when it is identified that the first laundry has been loaded into the dryer2000, the dryer2000may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry, which has been completely washed, from the washing machine100before a time point when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000. The data related to the washing process of the second laundry may include, for example, at least one of the weight of the second laundry before washing, the weight of the second laundry after washing, the flow rate of water introduced in the washing process of the second laundry, the moisture content of the second laundry, and a washing mode applied to the washing process of the second laundry. The dryer2000may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry from the washing machine100, or may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry from the server.

In operation S230, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process of the second laundry. The dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100or the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify the weight of the first laundry. For example, the dryer2000may rotate the drum of the dryer2000by controlling a motor of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may measure a load applied to the drum when the drum of the dryer2000is rotated, and may identify the weight of the first laundry, based on the measured load. For example, the dryer2000may measure the weight of the first laundry loaded into the drum of the dryer2000, by using a weight sensor built in the dryer2000. However, a method, performed by the dryer2000, of identifying the weight of the first laundry is not limited to the above-described example.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may compare the weight of the first laundry with the weight of the second laundry after washing. For example, when the weight of the first laundry is equal to the weight of the second laundry after washing, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry is the same as the second laundry. For example, when a difference between the weight of the first laundry and the weight of the second laundry after washing is within a certain range, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry is the same as the second laundry. In other words, the dryer2000may compare the weight of the first laundry with the weight of the second laundry after washing to determine that the second laundry that has been washed in the washing machine100is the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify a difference between a first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and a second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100. The first time and the second time refer to times set to determine whether the second laundry taken out from the washing machine100corresponds to the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000. For example, the dryer2000may identify, as the second time, a time when the door of the washing machine100is opened after the washing is finished, and may identify, as the first time, a time when the door of the dryer2000is open. For example, the dryer2000may identify, as the second time, a time when the washing of the washing machine100is finished, and may identify, as the first time, a time when the first laundry is detected by the dryer2000. However, definitions of the first time and the second time are not limited to the aforementioned example.

The dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the difference between the first time and the second time. When the difference between the first time and the second time is within a certain range, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry is the same as the second laundry.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a combination of the difference between the weight of the first laundry and the second laundry and the difference between the first time and the second time. For example, when the difference between the weight of the first laundry and the second laundry after washing is within a predetermined rang and the difference between the first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and the second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100is within a predetermined range, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry is the same as the second laundry. A method, performed by the dryer2000according to an embodiment, of determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry will be described later with reference toFIGS.3through5.

In operation S240, when the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight. Because the dryer2000has identified that the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000is the second laundry washed by the washing machine100, the dryer2000may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing, which is in a not-wet state, as the first target dry weight. The dryer2000may use the first target dry weight as information for identifying completion of drying of the first laundry.

In operation S250, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may output information about the drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, by using one or more sensors. According to an embodiment, as the first laundry is dried in the dryer2000, the water contained in the first laundry evaporates, and thus the weight of the first laundry may decrease. The dryer2000may identify that the weight of the first laundry decreases due to the drying and reaches the first target dry weight. The weight of the first laundry reaching the first target dry weight may refer to not only the weight of the first laundry becoming equal to the first target dry weight, but also a difference between the weight of the first laundry and the first target dry weight becoming less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. For example, when the dryer2000dries the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000, the dryer2000may measure a load applied to the drum when the drum of the dryer2000is rotated, and may identify the weight of the first laundry, based on the measured load. For example, the dryer2000may measure a change in the weight of the first laundry loaded into the drum of the dryer2000, by using a weight sensor built in the dryer2000. However, a method, performed by the dryer2000, of identifying a change in the weight of the first laundry is not limited to the above-described example.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may output information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may identify the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may output the information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed, based on the weight of the first laundry and the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum.

According to an embodiment, the second laundry in a partially wet state is loaded into the washing machine100, so the first target dry weight determined based on the weight of the second laundry before washing may not be a completely dry state. In this case, even when the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, the dryer2000may output information indicating that a drying state of the first laundry needs more drying, based on the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has not reached the first target dry weight even when the drying time period set in the dryer2000has ended, the dryer2000may output the information indicating that a drying state of the first laundry needs more drying.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000has reached the first target dry weight, the dryer2000may conclude the drying process of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may end the drying process, and may output the information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed or the information indicating that a drying state of the first laundry needs more drying, which is determined according to the above-described embodiments.

Although a case where the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000is the same as all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100has been described above as an example, the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000may be a remaining portion of the completely washed second laundry after a user excludes a portion from the completely washed second laundry, and the remaining portion is loaded into the dryer2000by the user. In this case, the dryer2000may determine a second target dry weight for drying the first laundry, and identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the second target dry weight, thereby performing the above-described operations. A method, performed by the dryer2000according to an embodiment, of determining the first target dry weight or the second target dry weight will be described later with reference toFIGS.6through9.

FIG.3is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on weight information.

The operation described with reference toFIG.3may correspond to operation S230ofFIG.2.

Based on a weight324of second laundry320washed in the washing machine100and a weight312of first laundry310, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry310corresponds to the second laundry320.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify the weight of the first laundry310. The dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry310corresponds to the second laundry320, based on the weight324of second laundry320which is included in data related to a washing process with respect to the second laundry320and the weight312of first laundry310.

According to an embodiment, the weight of the second laundry320being washed in the washing machine100may change as the washing process is performed. For example, a weight322of the second laundry320in a dry state before washing may be less than the weight324of the second laundry320in a wet state after washing. The dryer2000may obtain the weight324of the second laundry320after washing from the washing machine100. The dryer2000may compare the weight324of the second laundry320after washing with the weight312of the first laundry310after washing, and may determine whether the first laundry310corresponds to the second laundry320, based on a result of the comparison.

According to an embodiment, when the weight312of the first laundry310is equal to the weight324of the second laundry320after washing, or when the weight312of the first laundry310is less than the weight324of the second laundry320after washing and a difference between the weight312of the first laundry310and the weight324of the second laundry320after washing is a predetermined threshold or less, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry310corresponds to the second laundry320. For example, the weight322of the second laundry310before washing is 4.5 kg, but the weight324of the second laundry320after washing as the washing process is performed may be 6.8 kg by including the weight of absorbed water. The dryer2000may obtain the weight322of the second laundry320before washing, which is 4.5 kg, and the weight324of the second laundry320after washing, which is 6.8 kg. The dryer2000may measure the weight312of the first laundry310and identify that the weight312of the first laundry310is 6.7 kg. A predetermined threshold for the difference between the weight312of the first laundry310and the weight324of the second laundry320after washing may be 0.5 kg. In this case, because the weight312of the first laundry310is 0.1 kg less than the weight324of the second laundry320after washing and the weight312of the first laundry310is less than the weight324of the second laundry320after washing and the difference between the weight312of the first laundry310and the weight324of the second laundry320after washing is less than the predetermined threshold of 0.5 kg, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry310corresponds to the second laundry320after washing. In other words, the dryer2000may determine the first laundry310to be the second laundry320that has been washed in the washing machine100.

FIG.4is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on time information.

The operation described with reference toFIG.4may correspond to operation S230ofFIG.2.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify the difference between the first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and the second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100, and may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the time information.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may compare a weight410of the second laundry after washing with a weight415of the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000, and may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a result of the comparison. Because this has already been described above with reference toFIG.3, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the first time indicating the time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and the second time indicating the time when the second laundry is taken out of the washing machine100may be set in various ways.

For example, the first time may be a door opening time425of the dryer2000before the drying process in the dryer2000begins, and the second time may be a door opening time420of the washing machine100after the washing process in the washing machine100ends. The dryer2000may identify a difference between the first time and the second time, and, when the difference between the first time and the second time is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, may determine that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry.

For example, the first time may be a drying start time of the dryer2000or a time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000, which is indicated by reference numeral435, and the second time may be a washing end time of the washing machine100or a time when the second laundry is taken out of the washing machine100, which is indicated by reference numeral430. The dryer2000may identify the difference between the first time and the second time, and, when the difference between the first time and the second time is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, may determine that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the weight information, determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the time information, or determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a combination of the weight information and the time information.

FIG.5is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a user input.

The operation described with reference toFIG.5may correspond to operation S230ofFIG.2.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may output a notification510guiding a user input, in order to identify whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may output the notification510guiding a user input, through an output interface of the dryer2000. For example, the dryer2000may output “Did you put the laundry washed in the washing machine into the dryer?”. In this case, the notification510guiding the user input may be output as a visual signal through a display included in the output interface, or as an acoustic signal through a speaker included in the output interface.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may output the notification510guiding a user input, through a user's device (for example, a smartphone). For example, the dryer2000may enable the user's device to output a message including the notification510guiding a user input, through communication using a server (not shown) or direct communication with the user's device. The user's device may output the notification510guiding a user input, on an execution window of a predetermined application or in the form of a pop-up message on a home screen. The predetermined application may be an application that provides information related to at least one previously-registered home appliance.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on an input received from the user. For example, when the user selects “yes” in response to the notification510guiding the user input, “Did you put the laundry washed in the washing machine into the dryer?”, the dryer2000may identify that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry.

As described above with reference toFIGS.3through5, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry. When the dryer2000determines that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000may perform a drying process by using data related to the washing process of the second laundry.

FIG.6is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining a first target dry weight for drying the first laundry.

In operation S610, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The first laundry corresponding to the entire second laundry means that all of the second laundry that has been washed in the washing machine100is loaded into the dryer2000. The dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, based on at least some of weight information of the first laundry and the second laundry, information of the first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and the second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100, ora user input. Because this has already been described above with reference toFIGS.3through5, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, when the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, the dryer2000may perform operation S620. A case where the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry will be explained with reference toFIGS.7through9, and, when the first laundry does not correspond to the second laundry, there is no need to use data related to the washing process of the second laundry, and thus the dryer2000may perform a basic drying process set as a default value in the dryer2000.

In operation S620, when the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine a weight602of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight608. In other words, because all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100has been loaded into the dryer2000, the dryer2000may determine the weight602of the second laundry before washing as the first target dry weight608, in order to terminate drying when a weight606of the first laundry reaches the weight602of the second laundry before washing. The first target dry weight608refers to a standard weight for determining that, when the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, drying of the first laundry corresponding to all of the second laundry has been completed.

For example, the weight602of the second laundry before washing may be 4.5 kg, and a weight604of the second laundry after washing may be 6.8 kg. The weight606of the first laundry identified by the dryer2000, which is 6.7 kg, may be less than or equal to 6.8 kg as the weight604of the second laundry after washing. In this case, when it is determined that the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry according to the above-described embodiments, the dryer2000may determine the first target dry weight608of the first laundry as the weight602of the second laundry before washing, which is 4.5 kg.

In operation S630, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may perform a drying process. While performing the drying process, the dryer2000may identify that the weight606of the first laundry decreases as the water contained in the first laundry evaporates. When the weight606of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight608, the dryer2000may end the drying process or output information indicating the drying state of the first laundry.

FIG.7is a flowchart of a method, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, in order to determine a second target dry weight for drying the first laundry.

In the description ofFIG.7, the second target dry weight refers to a standard weight for determining that, when the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, drying of the first laundry corresponding to a portion of the second laundry has been completed.

In operation S710, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may compare the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000with the weight of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100.

When, in operation S720, the weight of the first laundry is less than the weight of the second laundry after washing and a difference between the weight of the first laundry and the weight of the second laundry after washing is greater than a first threshold, as a result of the comparison in operation S710, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may perform operation S730.

When the weight of the first laundry is less than the weight of the second laundry after washing but the difference between the weight of the first laundry and the weight of the second laundry after washing is less than or equal to the first threshold, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, as described above with reference toFIGS.3and6, and may perform operation S620. When the weight of the first laundry is greater than the weight of the second laundry after washing, the first laundry does not correspond to the second laundry, so the dryer2000may perform a basic drying process set as a default values in the dryer2000, without using the data related to the washing process of the second laundry.

In operation S730, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may compare, with a second threshold, a difference between a first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and a second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100. When the difference between the first time and the second time is less than or equal to the second threshold, the dryer2000may perform operation S740. When the difference between the first time and the second time is greater than the second threshold, the dryer2000may perform operation S735to check with the user of the dryer2000whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry.

In operation S735, the dryer2000may output, to the user, a confirmation request to check whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry.

In operation S740, when the difference between the first time and the time the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100is less than or equal to the second threshold, the dryer2000may determine that the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry.

When it is determined that the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the second target dry weight for drying the first laundry.

FIG.8is a diagram for explaining a case where the first laundry loaded into a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure corresponds to a portion of the second laundry.

Referring toFIG.8, second laundry820, which is laundry washed in the washing machine100, may correspond to first laundry810that the user has loaded into the dryer2000, which is laundry to be dried, and laundry830excluded by the user. In other words, all of the second laundry820may be loaded into the dryer2000, but only a portion of the second laundry820may be loaded into the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, when the user of the dryer2000excludes a portion of the second laundry820to naturally dry the same without using the dryer2000and thus there is laundry830excluded by the user, the first laundry810loaded into the dryer2000may correspond to a portion of the second laundry820. In this case, the dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry810is a portion of the second laundry820, based on at least one of weight information, time information, and a user input, as described above with reference toFIG.7. When it is determined that the first laundry810corresponds to a portion of the second laundry820, the dryer2000may determine a second target dry weight for determining whether drying the first laundry810has been completed.

FIG.9is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining a second target dry weight for drying first laundry corresponding to a portion of second laundry.

In operation S910, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The first laundry corresponding to a portion of the second laundry refers to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100being excluded and a remaining portion being loaded into the dryer2000. The dryer2000may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, based on at least some of weight information of the first laundry and the second laundry, information of the first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000and the second time when the second laundry is taken out from the washing machine100, or a user input.

According to an embodiment, when the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, the dryer2000may perform operation S920. A case where the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry has been described above, and thus a redundant description thereof will be omitted. When the first laundry does not correspond to the second laundry, there is no need to use data related to the washing process of the second laundry, and thus the dryer2000may perform a basic drying process set as a default value in the dryer2000.

In operation S920, when the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine a second target dry weight909, based on a weight902of the second laundry before washing, a weight904of the second laundry after washing, and a weight908of the first laundry.

For example, the weight902of the second laundry before washing may be 4.5 kg, and the weight904of the second laundry after washing may be 6.8 kg. The weight908of the first laundry identified by the dryer2000may be 5 kg. In this case, when it is determined that the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry according to the above-described embodiments, the dryer2000may determine that a weight906of laundry excluded by the user from the second laundry is 1.8 kg. The dryer2000may determine the second target dry weight909, which is an estimate of the weight when the first laundry, which is remaining laundry except for the laundry excluded by the user, has been dried. The dryer2000may determine the second target dry weight909to be 3.3 kg, based on the weight902of the second laundry before washing, the weight904of the second laundry after washing, and the weight908of the first laundry.

In operation S930, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may perform a drying process. While performing the drying process, the dryer2000may identify that the weight908of the first laundry decreases as the water contained in the first laundry evaporates. When the weight908of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight909, the dryer2000may end the drying process or output information indicating the drying state of the first laundry (for example, information indicating that it is determined that drying has been completed).

FIG.10is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of outputting a notification guiding a user to control the dryer.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify a change in the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000, while performing a drying process. When the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry, the dryer2000may identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight. When the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry, the dryer2000may identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the second target dry weight. For convenience of explanation, a case where the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to all of the second laundry and thus the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight will now be described as an example.

According to an embodiment, when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000, the dryer2000may identify the weight of the first laundry, and set a drying time period of the dryer2000, based on the identified weight. The dryer2000may operate to perform a drying process on the first laundry and end the drying process when the set drying time period elapses.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may output information about the drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of the drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight. The dryer2000may output information about the drying state of the first laundry through the output interface of the dryer2000, or may output a notification guiding the user's control with respect to the dryer2000to a device1000of the user through communication using a server or direct communication with the device1000of the user.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may output information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed. When the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may identify the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may output the information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed, based on the weight of the first laundry and the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may terminate the drying process when it is determined that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight and drying of the first laundry has been completed, and may output a notification indicating that the drying process has ended early (for example, “Drying has ended earlier than the set drying time period.”). In this case, the user may control the dryer2000by using the device1000of the user so that an additional drying process is performed even when the drying process of the dryer2000has ended.

Alternatively, the dryer2000may output a notification “We suggest ending drying earlier than the set drying time period” to guide the user's control with respect to the dryer2000to end the drying process. In this case, the user may control the dryer2000to stop the drying process of the dryer2000, based on the drying state information of the first laundry provided by the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the second laundry in a partially wet state is loaded into the washing machine100, so the first target dry weight determined based on the weight of the second laundry before washing may not be a completely dry state. In this case, even when the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, the dryer2000may output information indicating that a drying state of the first laundry needs more drying, based on the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum. In this case, the user may control the dryer2000to perform the drying process further more than the set dry time period, based on the drying state information of the first laundry provided by the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device1000of the user may transmit a signal for controlling the dryer2000to the dryer2000according to a user input. The device1000of the user may directly transmit the signal for controlling the dryer2000to the dryer2000or may transmit the signal for controlling the dryer2000to the dryer2000through a server, by short-distance wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi Direct, etc.).

FIG.11is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of outputting a notification guiding a user to control the dryer.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has not reached the first target dry weight even when the drying time period set in the dryer2000has ended, the dryer2000may output a notification “We suggest performing more drying than the set drying time period” to indicate that the drying state of the first laundry needs more drying. In this case, the user may control the dryer2000to perform the drying process further more even when the drying process of the dryer2000has ended, based on the drying state information of the first laundry provided by the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, when the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000is bulky laundry, such as a blanket, and the drying process is performed, only an outer portion of the first laundry may be dried, and an inner portion thereof may be dried relatively less. In this case, even when the drying time period set in the dryer2000has been reached, the weight of the first laundry may not reach the first target dry weight, and the weight of the first laundry may be heavier than the first target dry weight. At this time, the dryer2000may output a notification (e.g., “Please, pause drying and turn the laundry over before drying.”) guiding the user's further actions with respect to the first laundry in the dryer2000. In this case, the user may control the dryer2000to resume the drying process after pausing the drying process, based on the drying state information of the first laundry provided by the dryer2000, taking out and turning over the first laundry, and then re-loading the first laundry into the dryer2000. Accordingly, the dryer2000may guide the user's control so that, while the entire portion of the first laundry is being dried uniformly, the drying process may be performed until the first target dry weight is reached.

FIG.12is a flowchart of a method, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of setting a setting value of the dryer, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

Operations S1210through S1230may be performed when the dryer2000according to an embodiment determines that the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry.

In operation S1210, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry, and determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry. The fabric characteristics of laundry refer to the characteristics of fabric related to the washing process, such as how much water the laundry absorbs during the washing process and how fast the laundry absorbs water, and the dryer2000may set setting values (e.g., a temperature, a humidity, a drying time period, etc.) for drying of the dryer2000, based on the fabric characteristics of the laundry.

The data related to the washing process of the second laundry may include, for example, at least one of the weight of the second laundry before washing, the weight of the second laundry after washing, the flow rate of water introduced in the washing process of the second laundry, the moisture content of the second laundry, and a washing mode applied to the washing process of the second laundry. The dryer2000may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry from the washing machine100, or may obtain the data related to the washing process of the second laundry from the server. A method, performed by the dryer2000according to an embodiment, of determining fabric characteristic information of the second laundry will be described later with reference toFIGS.13through17.

In operation S1220, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine setting values of the dryer2000for drying the first laundry, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry. When the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000may determine the setting values of the dryer2000by using the fabric characteristics of the second laundry. The dryer2000may determine setting values of the dryer2000that include at least one of a drying temperature, a drying time period, a drying humidity, and a drying mode (a standard course, a wool course, etc.), based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

In operation S1230, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may output the determined setting values of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may output the setting values of the dryer2000that include at least one of the drying temperature, the drying time period, the drying humidity, and the drying mode (a standard course, a wool course, etc.). The dryer2000may apply the setting values of the dryer2000for drying the first laundry, and may perform a drying process with respect to the first laundry. Alternatively, the dryer2000may receive a user input of adjusting or confirming the output setting values, and perform a drying process with respect to the first laundry by applying the adjusted or confirmed setting values.

FIG.8is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of calculating the moisture content of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may obtain information related to the washing process when the washing machine100performs the washing process. According to an embodiment, the washing process of the washing machine100may include a loading operation, a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, and a washing completion operation of the second laundry. The washing machine100may obtain the data related to the washing process, through processes of washing the second laundry. The data related to the washing process may include, for example, washing mode setting information1310of the washing machine100, a weight1320of the second laundry before washing, a flow rate of water introduced in the washing operation, a flow rate of water introduced in the rinsing operation, a weight1330of the second laundry after washing, and other data (e.g., a washing completion time, a water temperature, and a degree of spin-drying). The dryer2000may obtain the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, or may obtain from the server the data related to the washing process transmitted by the washing machine100to the server.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may calculate the moisture content of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, based on the weight1320of the second laundry before washing and the weight1330of the second laundry after washing. In this case, the moisture content may be defined as Equation 1 below.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may calculate the moisture content of the second laundry, based on the weight1320of the second laundry before washing and the weight1330of the second laundry after washing, and may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry, based on the washing mode setting information1310set in the washing machine100and the moisture content of the second laundry.

When the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, and may use the fabric characteristics of the second laundry to perform a drying process.

FIG.14is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining the fabric characteristics of the second laundry washed in a washing machine, based on a moisture content.

An operation, performed by the dryer2000according to an embodiment, of determining the material of laundry, which is an example of the fabric characteristics of the laundry, will be described referring toFIG.14. However, the fabric characteristics of the laundry are not limited thereto, and may refer to characteristics such as a moisture content and a water absorption rate of the laundry, which may be used to set setting values for drying in the dryer2000.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine a material1440of the laundry, based on a washing mode1410, a washing option1420, and a moisture content1430set in the washing machine100. The washing mode1410may include, for example, a standard washing mode, a quick washing mode, and a bedding washing mode, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The washing options1420may include, for example, a water temperature, a rinsing level, and a spin-drying level, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the material1440of the laundry, based on a first mapping table that is previously defined. The first mapping table may be a table that maps the materials of laundry, based on the washing mode1410, the washing option1420, and the moisture content1430.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1410is ‘standard’, the washing option1420is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, and the moisture content1430is ‘less than 0.3’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘hemp’, based on the first mapping table.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1410is ‘standard’, the washing option1420is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, and the moisture content1430is ‘no less than 0.5 to less than 0.7’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘cotton’, based on the first mapping table.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1410is ‘standard’, the washing option1420is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, and the moisture content1430is ‘1.0 or greater’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘blanket’, based on the first mapping table.

The first mapping table shown inFIG.14is only an example. The first mapping table may be a result of mapping the materials of laundry in various ways, based on pieces of data including the washing mode1410, the washing option1420, and the moisture content1430.

When it is determined that the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may set a setting value of the dryer2000, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

FIG.15is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of calculating a water absorption rate of the second laundry washed in a washing machine.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may obtain information related to the washing process when the washing machine100performs the washing process. According to an embodiment, the washing process of the washing machine100may include a loading operation, a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, and a washing completion operation of the second laundry. The washing machine100may obtain the data related to the washing process, through processes of washing the second laundry. The data related to the washing process may include, for example, washing mode setting information1510of the washing machine100, a weight of the second laundry before washing, a flow rate1520of water introduced in the washing operation, a flow rate1530of water introduced in the rinsing operation, a weight of the second laundry after washing, and other data (e.g., a washing completion time, a water temperature, and a degree of spin-drying). The dryer2000may obtain the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, or may obtain from the server the data related to the washing process transmitted by the washing machine100to the server.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may calculate the water absorption rate of the second laundry, based on the flow rate1520of water introduced in the washing operation and the flow rate1530of water introduced in the rinsing operation, and may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry, based on the washing mode setting information1510set in the washing machine100and the water absorption rate of the second laundry.

When the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, and may use the fabric characteristics of the second laundry to perform a drying process.

FIG.16is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of determining the fabric characteristics of the second laundry washed in a washing machine, based on a water absorption rate.

An operation, performed by the dryer2000according to an embodiment, of determining the material of laundry, which is an example of the fabric characteristics of the laundry, will be described referring toFIG.16. However, the fabric characteristics of the laundry are not limited thereto, and may refer to characteristics such as a moisture content and a water absorption rate of the laundry, which may be used to set setting values for drying in the dryer2000.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine a material1650of the laundry, based on a washing mode1610, a washing option1620, a water absorption rate1630in a washing operation, and a water absorption rate1640in a rinsing operation set in the washing machine100.

The washing machine100may monitor the flow rate of water continuously introduced into the drum within the washing machine for each washing operation and each washing time, by using a water level sensor built in the washing machine100. For example, referring to a graph1600showing an introduction flow rate for each washing operation and each washing time, when flow rate introduction is set to be100in an entire section consisting of a washing section, a rinsing section, and a spin-drying section, flow rate introduction in the washing section may be 70, flow rate introduction in the rinsing section may be 30, and flow rate introduction in the spin-drying section may be 0. The dryer2000may obtain data about a monitored introduction flow rate from the washing machine100.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may calculate a water absorption rate1630in the washing operation, based on the washing mode1610, the washing option1620, and a flow rate of water introduced in the washing operation. The dryer2000may calculate a water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation, based on the washing mode1610, the washing option1620, and a flow rate of water introduced in the rinsing operation.

According to an embodiment, when the user of the washing machine100washes the second laundry, the flow rate of water introduced in the washing operation or the flow rate of water introduced in the rinsing operation may be different even for the same second laundry, according to the degree of contamination of the second laundry or settings made by the user (e.g., additional washing, additional rinsing, etc.). The dryer2000may calculate a water absorption rate1630in the washing operation with respect to the second laundry, based on at least some of the washing mode1610, the washing option1620, and the flow rate of water introduced in the washing operation. For example, the dryer2000may normalize the flow rate of water introduced for each time of the washing section, based on the total time period of the washing section. The dryer2000may quantify the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation with respect to the second laundry, based on the flow rate of water introduced for each time in the washing section. For example, the dryer2000may normalize the flow rate of water introduced for each time of the rinsing section, based on the total time period of the rinsing section. The dryer2000may quantify the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation with respect to the second laundry, based on the flow rate of water introduced for each time in the rinsing section. The dryer2000calculating a water absorption rate by normalizing the flow rates of water introduced in the washing operation and the rinsing operation is only an example. The dryer2000may calculate the water absorption rate by using various methods capable of quantifying the water absorption rate of the second laundry, based on the flow rates of water introduced in the washing operation and the rinsing operation.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the material1650of the laundry, based on a second mapping table that is previously defined. The second mapping table may be a table that maps the materials of the laundry, based on the washing mode1610, the washing option1620, the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation, and the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1610is ‘standard’, the washing option1620is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation is ‘30’, and the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation is ‘20’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘cotton’, based on the second mapping table.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1610is ‘standard’, the washing option1620is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation is ‘10’, and the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation is ‘5’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘hemp’, based on the second mapping table.

According to an embodiment, when the washing mode1610is ‘standard’, the washing option1620is ‘water temperature: 70° C., rinsing level: medium, spin-drying level: strong’, the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation is ‘10’, and the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation is ‘30’, the dryer2000may determine the material of the laundry to be ‘winter clothes (padding jumper)’, based on the second mapping table.

The second mapping table shown inFIG.16is only an example. The second mapping table may be a result of mapping the materials of the laundry by using various methods, based on pieces of data including the washing mode1610, the washing option1620, the water absorption rate1630in the washing operation, and the water absorption rate1640in the rinsing operation.

When it is determined that the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may set a setting value of the dryer2000, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

FIG.17is a diagram for explaining an artificial intelligence (AI) model that is used by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify the fabric characteristics of laundry by using an AI model. The AI model may be a neural network model trained to infer the fabric characteristics of laundry by receiving data related to the washing process. Training data of the AI model may be the data related to the washing process. The data related to the washing process may include at least one of a water absorption rate1710, a moisture content1720, washing mode setting information1730of the washing machine100, a water temperature1740, and a spin-drying degree1750. The water absorption rate1710may be determined based on the flow rates of water introduced in the washing operation and the rinsing operation, and the water content1720may be determined based on the weight of the laundry before washing and the weight of the laundry after washing.

The AI model may be created by being trained by the dryer2000by using pieces of training data. The AI model may be created by being trained by a server by using the pieces of training data and being received by the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may generate the training data by labeling the material of laundry corresponding to the data related to the washing process. The dryer2000may generate the training data by labeling the material of laundry corresponding to the water absorption rate1710, the moisture content1720, the washing mode1730, the water temperature1740, and the spin-drying degree1750. For example, as described above with reference toFIGS.14and16, when washing is performed with the water absorption rate1710set as ‘50’ (a water absorption rate of 30 in the washing operation and a water absorption rate of 20 in the rinsing operation), the moisture content1720set as ‘0.6’, the washing mode1730set as ‘standard’, the water temperature1740set as ‘70° C.’, and the spin-drying degree1750set as ‘strong’ in the washing machine100, the dryer2000may generate the training data so that the second laundry loaded into the washing machine100is classified as ‘cotton’, by labeling a class ‘cotton’. The dryer2000may train the AI model, based on the generated training data.

The above-described method, performed by which the dryer2000, of generating training data and the AI model shown inFIG.17are only examples. The dryer2000may generate the training data by labeling the material of laundry corresponding to the data related to the washing process, by combining the data related to the washing process in various ways. For example, the dryer2000may generate training data by labeling the material of the laundry, by using the flow rate of water introduced in the washing process, the moisture content of the laundry, and the washing mode applied to the washing process as the training data. The dryer2000may train the AI model, based on the generated training data.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may infer the material of the laundry by inputting the data related to the washing process to the AI model When it is determined that the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000may infer the material of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100by using the AI model. The dryer2000may set the setting value of the dryer2000, based on the material of the second laundry.

FIG.18is a diagram for explaining an operation, performed by a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, of setting a drying course, based on the fabric characteristics of laundry.

Referring toFIG.18, when the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may set a setting value of the dryer2000, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify the material of the second laundry, based on a washing mode set in the washing machine100. For example, when the washing mode set in the washing machine100is a standard washing mode, the dryer2000may identify that the second laundry is a mixture of laundry of various types of fabrics. For example, when the washing mode set in the washing machine100is a blanket washing mode, the dryer2000may identify that the material of the second laundry is a blanket. For example, when the washing mode set in the washing machine100is a wool washing mode, the dryer2000may identify that the material of the second laundry is wool.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify the material of the second laundry, based on a pre-set mapping table. Because this has already been described above with reference toFIGS.14through16, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the dryer2000may identify the material of the second laundry, based on an AI model. The dryer2000may infer the material of the second laundry by inputting the data related to the washing process of the second laundry to the AI model Because this has already been described above with reference toFIG.17, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the setting value of the dryer2000, based on the material of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The set value of the dryer2000may include at least one of a drying temperature, a drying humidity, and a drying time period.

For example, when the material of the laundry washed in the washing machine100is a mixture of several types of laundry, the dryer2000may set the drying course of the dryer to be a standard drying course. For example, when the material of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100is a blanket, the dryer2000may set the drying course of the dryer2000to be a blanket drying course. For example, when the material of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100is wool, the dryer2000may set the drying course of the dryer2000to be a wool drying course.

The dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the drying course, based on the material of the second laundry, and perform the drying process. The dryer2000may identify a change in the weight of the first laundry currently being dried, while performing a drying process. When it is identified that the weight of the first laundry reaches a target dry weight, the dryer2000may output information about the drying state of the first laundry according to the above-described embodiments.

FIG.19Ais a block diagram of a structure of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.19A, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may include a communication interface2100, sensors2200, an output interface2400, a memory2800, and a processor2900. However, not all of the illustrated components are essential. The dryer2000may be implemented by more or less components than those illustrated inFIG.19A. This will now be described in detail with reference toFIG.19B.

FIG.19Bis a block diagram for illustrating components of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in addition to the components ofFIG.19A. Referring toFIG.19B, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may include the communication interface2100, the sensors2200, the output interface2400, a heat pump2500, a heater2600, a motor2700, the memory2800, and the processor2900. The aforementioned components will now be described in order.

The communication interface2100may perform data communication with a server under a control by the processor2900. The communication interface2100may perform data communication not only with the server but also with other surrounding electronic devices (e.g., the washing machine100and the user's electronic device).

The communication interface2100may perform data communication with the server or the other electronic devices by using at least one of data communication methods including, for example, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), infrared communication (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Broadband Internet (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a shared wireless access protocol (SWAP), Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig), an ultra wideband (UWB), and RF communication.

The communication interface2100according to an embodiment may transmit or receive, to or from an external device, data for analyzing a drying process. For example, the communication interface2100may receive, from an external server or the washing machine100, the data related to the washing process and the AI model for identifying the material of the laundry.

The sensors2200may include a temperature sensor2210, a humidity sensor2220, and a weight sensor2230. The temperature sensor2210may be disposed inside the drum of the dryer2000, and may measure an internal temperature of the drum. The humidity sensor2220may be disposed inside the drum of the dryer2000, and may measure an internal humidity of the drum. The weight sensor2230may be connected to the drum of the dryer2000and may measure the weight of to-be-dried laundry loaded into the drum of the dryer2000. The sensors2200may further include, for example, a door sensor (not shown) that detects whether the door of a dryer is opened, and a proximity sensor (not shown) that detects loading of laundry. Respective specific types and respective detailed functions of sensors would be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of their names, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

The user interface2300may include a jog wheel, a touch button, a touch screen, and the like. The input interface2300may receive a user input and transmit the user input to the processor2900.

The output interface2400may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface2400may output various notifications, messages, pieces of information, etc. generated by the processor2900.

The heat pump2500may supply, to the drum, high-temperature air for drying to-be-dried laundry loaded into the dryer2000. The heat pump2500may heat air through a process of compressing a gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and condensing the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into liquid. The condensed high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant may be converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through expansion and evaporation, and the heated air may be supplied into the drum through a fan.

The heater2600may heat the air by assisting the heat pump2500. For example, the heater2600may heat the air by assisting the heat pump2500, when the heat pump2500heats the air through the process of condensing the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into liquid.

The motor2700may include a drum motor and a fan motor. The drum motor may rotate the drum of the dryer2000under a control by the processor2900. The fan motor may rotate a fan under a control by the processor2900. Due to the rotation of the fan, the air inside the dryer2000may be circulated.

Instructions, a data structure, and program code readable by the processor2900may be stored in the memory2800. According to disclosed embodiments, operations performed by the processor2900may be implemented by executing the instructions or codes of a program stored in the memory2800.

The memory2800may include a non-volatile memory including at least one of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, or a volatile memory such as a RAM or an SRAM.

The memory2800may store various types of data that may be used by the dryer2000to perform a drying process according to the disclosed embodiments. For example, the memory2800may store a laundry analysis module2810, a washing data processing module2820, a drying process management module2830, and an AI model2840. Each of these modules will be described in greater detail below with reference toFIG.20. The processor2900may control overall operations of the dryer2000. For example, the processor2900may control overall operations of the dryer2000for performing a drying process, by executing one or more instructions stored in the memory2800.

The processor2900may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), an application processor, a neural processing unit, and an AI dedicated processor designed with a hardware structure specialized for processing an AI model.

The processor2900may detect the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000by using the sensors2200. The processor2900may obtain, through the communication interface2100, data related to a washing process with respect to the second laundry loaded into the washing machine100before the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000. The processor2900may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry. When the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the processor2900may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight. The processor2900may identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, by using the sensors2200. The processor2900may output, through the output interface2100, information about the drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of the drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

FIG.20is a block diagram for explaining the modules stored in a memory of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The memory2800according to an embodiment may store the laundry analysis module2810, the washing data processing module2820, the drying process management module2830, and the AI model2840. The drying process management module2830may include a target dry weight calculation module2832, a drying operation adjustment module2834, and a user interaction processing module2836.

The laundry analysis module2810may determine whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. According to the above-described embodiments, the laundry analysis module2810may determine that the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry or the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry. The laundry analysis module2810may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The laundry analysis module2810may obtain the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, and may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry according to the above-described embodiments, based on the data related to the washing process. The laundry analysis module2810may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry by using the AI model2840.

The laundry data processing module2820may process the data related to the washing process. The laundry data processing module2820may calculate the moisture content of laundry, based on the weight of the laundry before washing and the weight of the laundry after washing. The washing data processing module2820may calculate the water absorption rate of the laundry, based on an introduction flow rate during the washing process. The washing data processing module2820may obtain the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100or the server and manage the obtained data, and may process the managed data into the form of data that may be used so that the dryer2000may perform a drying process.

The drying process management module2830may manage an overall drying process of the dryer2000. The drying process management module2830may include a target dry weight calculation module2832, a drying operation adjustment module2834, and a user interaction processing module2836.

The target dry weight calculation module2832may calculate a target dry weight for ending the drying process of the dryer2000. The target dry weight calculation module2832may calculate the first target dry weight, when the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100. The target dry weight calculation module2832may calculate the second target dry weight, when the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100.

The drying operation adjustment module2834may adjust a drying operation of the dryer2000. The drying operation adjustment module2834may identify the drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight or the second target dry weight. The drying operation adjustment module2834may terminate the drying process before the set drying time period ends, or may perform an additional drying process even when the set drying time period ends, based on at least one of the weight of the first laundry and the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum of the dryer2000.

The user interaction processing module2836may generate and process data for interaction with a user. The user interaction processing module2836may monitor the drying state of the first laundry as the drying process of the dryer2000is performed, and may generate and output information about the drying state of the first laundry. The user interaction processing module2836may generate and output a notification guiding the user's control of the dryer2000, based on the target dry weight and the change in the weight of the first laundry. When a user input for controlling the dryer2000is received from the user, the user interaction processing module2836may enable the dryer2000to perform an operation corresponding to the received user input.

The AI model2840may be a neural network model trained to infer the fabric characteristics of laundry by receiving the data related to the washing process. Training data of the AI model may be the data related to the washing process. The data related to the washing process may include at least one of a water absorption rate, a moisture content, washing mode setting information of the washing machine100, a water temperature, and a spin-drying degree. The water absorption rate may be determined based on the flow rates of water introduced in the washing operation and the rinsing operation, and the water content may be determined based on the weight of the laundry before washing and the weight of the laundry after washing. The AI model may be created by the dryer2000training pieces of training data. The AI model may be created by a server training the pieces of training data and may be received by the dryer2000.

FIG.21is a block diagram of a structure of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A drying system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a server3000in addition to the washing machine100and the dryer2000. The server3000according to an embodiment may be mutually connected to the washing machine100or the dryer2000in a wired or wireless communication manner, and may perform data communication.

The server3000according to an embodiment may include at least a communication interface3100, a memory3200, and a processor3400.

The communication interface3100according to an embodiment may include at least one component that enables communication via a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a value added network (VAN), a mobile radio communication network, a satellite communication network, and a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface3100may receive the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, and may transmit the data related to the washing process to the dryer2000.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface3100may receive the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, and may receive the information about the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000from the dryer2000. The communication interface3100may transmit, to the dryer2000, the target dry weight and setting values of the dryer, which are determined by the server3000.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface3100may receive the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100, and may transmit, to the dryer2000, an AI model for determining the fabric characteristics of the laundry, which is generated by using the data related to the washing process as the training data.

The memory3200may store various pieces of data, programs, or applications for driving and controlling the server3000. A program stored in the memory3200may include one or more instructions. The program (one or more instructions) or application stored in the memory3200may be executed by the processor3400. Modules that perform the same functions as the modules stored in the dryer2000may be stored in the memory3200. For example, the memory3200may store data and program command codes corresponding to a laundry analysis module (not shown), a laundry data processing module (not shown), a drying process management module (not shown), and an AI model (not shown).

The memory3200may include a database (DB)3300. The DB3300may store data received from the washing machine100or data received from the dryer2000. The DB3300may store an AI model for determining fabric characteristics of laundry, which is generated through training in the server3000, and training data to be used to train the AI model.

The processor3400may entirely control the server3000. The processor3400according to an embodiment may execute one or more programs stored in the memory3200.

The processor3400according to an embodiment may include an application processor (AP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit, or an AI-dedicated processor designed in a hardware structure specialized for processing of an AI model.

The processor3400may perform operations executable by the dryer2000, according to the above-described embodiments. The processor3400may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry. When the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the processor3400may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing as the first target dry weight. When the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the processor3400may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry. The processor3400may determine the setting value of the dryer2000according to the fabric characteristics of laundry. Because specific operations performed by the processor3400of the server3000correspond to the specific operations performed by the processor2900of the dryer2000, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The processor3400may generate the AI model that determines the fabric characteristics of laundry, by training the AI model by using the data stored in the DB3200. The processor3400may transmit the AI model to the dryer2000by using the communication interface3100.

FIG.22is a flowchart of an operation method of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in connection with a washing machine and a server.

In operation S2200, the server3000may receive the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100.

In operation S2205, the server3000may transmit, to the dryer2000, the data related to the washing process received from the washing machine100.

Operations S2210through S2250may correspond to operations S210through S260ofFIG.2. Therefore, descriptions of specific operations in each of these operations will be omitted.

In operation S2210, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may detect the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000and subject to drying, by using one or more sensors built in the dryer2000.

In operation S2220, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry.

In operation S2230, when the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight.

In operation S2240, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, by using one or more sensors.

In operation S2250, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may output information about the drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

FIG.23is a flowchart of an operation method of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in connection with a washing machine and a server.

In operation S2305, the server3000according to an embodiment may receive the data related to the washing process from the washing machine100. The data related to the washing process may include, for example, at least one of the weight of the second laundry before washing, the weight of the second laundry after washing, the flow rate of water introduced in the washing process of the second laundry, the moisture content of the second laundry, and a washing mode applied to the washing process of the second laundry.

In operation S2310, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may detect the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000and subject to drying, by using one or more sensors built in the dryer2000.

In operation S2315, when the dryer2000detects that the first laundry has been loaded into the dryer2000, the dryer2000may transmit information about the first laundry (e.g., weight information of the first laundry and time information about a first time when the first laundry is loaded into the dryer2000) to the server3000.

In operation S2320, the server3000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry. The server3000may determine whether the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to all of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100or the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000corresponds to a portion of the second laundry washed in the washing machine100, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry and the information about the first laundry. For convenience of explanation, a case where the first laundry corresponds to all of the second laundry will now be described as an example, and a case where the first laundry corresponds to a portion of the second laundry is equally applicable to an operation of the server3000, similar to the above-described embodiments regarding the dryer2000.

The server3000according to an embodiment may determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the weight information, determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on the time information, or determine whether the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, based on a combination of the weight information and the time information. Because this has already been described above, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In operation S2330, when the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the server3000according to an embodiment may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing as a first target dry weight. Because the server3000has identified that the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000is the second laundry washed by the washing machine100, the server3000may determine the weight of the second laundry before washing, which is in a not-wet state, as the first target dry weight.

In operation S2340, the server3000according to an embodiment may determine the fabric characteristics of the second laundry, based on the data related to the washing process with respect to the second laundry. Because a method, performed by the server3000, of determining the fabric characteristics of the second laundry corresponds to the method, performed by the dryer2000, of determining the fabric characteristics of the second laundry, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In operation S2350, the server3000according to an embodiment may determine setting values of the dryer2000for drying the first laundry, based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry. When the first laundry corresponds to the second laundry, the server3000may determine setting values of the dryer2000that include at least one of a drying temperature, a drying time period, a drying humidity, and a drying mode (a standard course, a wool course, etc.), based on the fabric characteristics of the second laundry.

In operation S2355, the server3000according to an embodiment may transmit the first target dry weight and the setting values of the dryer2000to the dryer2000, and may transmit, to the dryer2000, a drying process execution command enabling the dryer2000to perform a drying process.

In operation S2360, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may perform a drying process in response to the drying process execution command received from the server3000.

In operation S2370, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may identify whether the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight. The dryer2000may identify that the weight of the first laundry decreases, as the first laundry is dried, and may identify that the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight. The weight of the first laundry reaching the first target dry weight may refer to not only the weight of the first laundry becoming equal to the first target dry weight, but also a difference between the weight of the first laundry and the first target dry weight becoming less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

In operation S2380, the dryer2000according to an embodiment may output information about the drying state of the first laundry, based on at least one of a drying time period set in the dryer2000and whether the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may output information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has reached the first target dry weight before the drying time period set in the dryer2000ends, the dryer2000may identify the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may output the information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed, based on the weight of the first laundry and the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum.

According to an embodiment, the second laundry in a partially wet state is loaded into the washing machine100, so the first target dry weight determined based on the weight of the second laundry before washing may not be a completely dry state. In this case, even when the weight of the first laundry reaches the first target dry weight, the dryer2000may output information indicating that the drying state of the first laundry needs more drying, based on the internal temperature and internal humidity of the drum.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry has not reached the first target dry weight even when the drying time period set in the dryer2000has ended, the dryer2000may output the information indicating that the drying state of the first laundry needs more drying.

According to an embodiment, when the dryer2000identifies that the weight of the first laundry loaded into the dryer2000has reached the first target dry weight, the dryer2000may conclude the drying process of the dryer2000. The dryer2000may end the drying process, and may output the information indicating that the drying of the first laundry has been completed or the information indicating that that the drying state of the first laundry needs more drying, as determined according to the above-described embodiments.

The block diagrams of the dryer2000ofFIGS.19A and19Band the server3000ofFIG.21are for an embodiment. Components illustrated inFIGS.19A,19B, and21may be combined or omitted according to the specifications of devices when being actually implemented, or additional components may be included in the block diagrams ofFIGS.19A,19B, and21. In other words, two or more components may be combined into a single component, or a single component may be divided into two or more components. A function performed in each block is merely an example to explain embodiments, and a detailed operation or device of each block does not limit the scope of the embodiments.

An operation method of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be embodied as program commands executable by various computer means and may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, and the like separately or in combinations. The program commands to be recorded on the computer-readable medium may be specially designed and configured for the present disclosure or may be well-known to and usable by one of ordinary skill in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magnetic tape, an optical medium such as a compact disk-read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disk (DVD), a magneto-optical medium such as a floptical disk, and a hardware device specially configured to store and execute program commands such as a ROM, a random-access memory (RAM), or a flash memory. Examples of the program commands are high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer by using an interpreter or the like as well as machine language codes made by a compiler. The computer-readable medium may be provided as a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is a tangible device, and only means that it does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish a case in which data is stored semi-permanently in a recording medium from a case in which data is temporarily stored. For example, the non-transitory recording medium may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

Operation methods of dryers according to disclosed embodiments may be provided by being included in a computer program product. The computer program product, which is a commodity, may be traded between sellers and buyers.

The computer program product may include a software (S/W) program and a computer-readable storage medium having the S/W program stored thereon. For example, the computer program product may include a product in the form of a software program (e.g., a downloadable app) that is electronically distributed through the manufacturer of a dryer or an electronic market. For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the S/W program may be stored on a storage medium or may be created temporarily. In this case, the storage medium may be a server of a dryer manufacturer, a server of an electronic market, or a storage medium of a relay server for temporarily storing an SW program.

The computer program products may include, in a system including a server and a dryer, a storage medium of the server or a storage medium of the dryer. Alternatively, if there is a third device (e.g., a smartphone) in communication with the server or dryer, the computer program product may include a storage medium of the third device. Alternatively, the computer program product may include the S/W program itself transmitted from the server to the dryer or the third device, or transmitted from the third device to the dryer.

In this case, one of the server, the dryer, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the methods according to the disclosed embodiments. Alternatively, at least two of the server, the dryer, and the third device may execute the computer program product to distribute and perform the methods according to the disclosed embodiments.

For example, a server (e.g., a cloud server or an AI server) may execute a computer program product stored on a server to control a dryer communicating with the server to perform the methods according to the disclosed embodiments.