Mobile terminal and home appliance

A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a microphone, a display, and a controller to transmit a request for transmitting diagnostic data to a home appliance through the communication unit, to extract diagnostic data of the home appliance from sound received from the home appliance through the microphone, and to transmit a diagnostic data image, acquired by imaging the diagnostic data, to a server. Thereby, the mobile terminal may conveniently transmit the diagnostic data image based on the diagnostic data of the home appliance to the server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0129288, filed on Sep. 11, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and a home appliance and, more particularly, to a mobile terminal, which may simply transmit a diagnostic data image based on diagnostic data of a home appliance to a server, and/or a home appliance.

Home appliances, such as a refrigerator, a laundry treatment apparatus, an air conditioner, etc., are disposed in a dwelling and perform corresponding operations.

According to development of various communication methods, various measures to increase user convenience of a home appliance through communication are being researched. Particularly, research into simple performance of fault diagnosis of a home appliance is being carried out.

SUMMARY

One object is to provide a mobile terminal, which may simply transmit a diagnostic data image based on diagnostic data of a home appliance to a server, and a home appliance.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects and other objects that have not been mentioned above will become evident to those skilled in the art from the following description.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a communication unit, a microphone, a display, and a controller to transmit a request for transmitting diagnostic data to a home appliance through the communication unit, to extract diagnostic data of the home appliance from sound received from the home appliance through the microphone, and to transmit a diagnostic data image, acquired by imaging the diagnostic data, to a server.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a memory to store diagnostic data, a communication unit to exchange data with a mobile terminal, a sound output unit, and a controller, in response to reception of a diagnostic data request through the communication unit, to control the sound output unit to output sound corresponding to the diagnostic data stored in the memory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The advantages and features, and the way of attaining the same, will become apparent with reference to embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The suffixes “module” and “unit” in elements used in description below are only given in consideration of ease in preparation of the specification and do not provide specific meanings or functions. Therefore, the suffixes “module” and “unit” may be used together. The “module” and “unit” are electrical and/or mechanical structures that are well known to those skilled in the art unless described with certain details in the description. Further, “controller” may be a microprocessor, electrical logic circuits, or electrical circuits designed to control certain module or unit, etc.

A home appliance100in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be a laundry treatment apparatus, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a water purifier, a cleaner, a TV, a vehicle, a robot, a drone, etc.

FIG. 1is an exemplary internal block diagram of a home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The home appliance100may include an input unit120, a communication unit130, a memory140, a controller170, a sound output unit185and a drive unit220.

In one example, the input unit120may include operation buttons, key, etc., and output an input signal for power on/off and operation setup of the home appliance100.

The communication unit130may exchange data with a peripheral device, for example, a remote controller or a mobile terminal600, by wire or wirelessly. For example, infrared (IR) communication, RF communication, Bluetooth communication, ZigBee communication, Wi-Fi communication, etc., may be performed.

A controller670of the mobile terminal600(inFIG. 5) may control a home appliance-related picture to be displayed based on user input and, if there is diagnosis mode input under the display state of the home appliance-related picture, transmit a diagnostic data request to the home appliance100using, for example, an IR signal, etc.

Thereby, the communication unit130of the home appliance100may receive the diagnostic data request transmitted in the IR signal and the controller170of the home appliance100may output sound corresponding to diagnostic data stored in the memory140through the sound output unit185.

A microphone623of the mobile terminal600may collect the sound output from the sound output unit185of the home appliance100and transmit the sound to the controller670.

The controller670of the mobile terminal600may extract diagnostic data of the home appliance100from the sound received from the home appliance100, transmit a diagnostic data image, acquired by imaging the diagnostic data, to a server700. Thereby, the diagnostic data image based on the diagnostic data of the home appliance100may be conveniently transmitted to the server700.

The diagnostic data request from the mobile terminal600may be transmitted through a wireless communication scheme, for example, an IR signal-based communication scheme.

Data transmission from the home appliance100may be executed through a sound output method. Thereby, data may be conveniently transmitted to the mobile terminal600using the sound output unit185of the home appliance100.

The memory140of the home appliance100may store data necessary for operation of the home appliance100. For example, the memory140may store data regarding an operation time, an operation mode, etc., when the drive unit220is operated.

Further, the memory140of the home appliance100may store diagnostic data including operation information, driving information, and error information of the home appliance100.

The controller170may control the respective units in the home appliance100. For example, the controller170may control the input unit120, the communication unit130, the memory140, the drive unit220, etc.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the memory140of the home appliance100may store diagnostic data including, if an error is generated during driving of the home appliance100, error generation time information, driving information, and state information at the moment of error generation.

The memory140may periodically temporarily store driving information and state information and, if an error is generated, store final driving information and final state information out of the driving information and state information which are periodically temporarily stored.

For instance, the memory140may store, if an error is generated, driving information at the moment of error generation and driving information or state information after a designated time from the error generation.

The controller170of the home appliance100may control the memory140to store, if an error is generated during driving of the home appliance100, diagnostic data including error generation time information, driving information, and state information at the moment of error generation, and output, in response to reception of a diagnostic data request by the communication unit130, sound corresponding to the diagnostic data. Thereby, the diagnostic data may be conveniently transmitted to the mobile terminal600.

Here, the diagnostic data may include driving information and state information, which are periodically stored, driving information at the moment of error generation, and driving information or state information after a designated time from error generation.

For example, the diagnostic data may include temperature information, compressor discharge temperature information, outdoor fan speed information, indoor fan operation mode information, information as to whether or not an error is generated, etc.

The sound output unit185may include a speaker to output sound.

Further, the sound output unit185may include a motor230within the drive unit220and an inverter420.

For example, the sound output unit185may include an inverter420(inFIG. 2) including a plurality of switching elements, converting DC power into AC power by switching of the switching elements and supplying the AC power to a motor230(inFIG. 4), and the controller170may, when sound is outputted, vary a switching frequency of each switching element of the inverter420and control sound corresponding to the varied switching frequency to be outputted.

The drive unit220may drive the motor230of the home appliance100.

A motor drive device disclosed in the specification may be a sensorless motor drive device which may estimate the position of a rotor of a motor without a position sensor unit to sense the position of the rotor of the motor, such as a Hall sensor. Hereinafter, the sensorless motor drive device will be described.

The motor drive unit220in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may be referred to as a motor drive device220.

FIG. 2is an exemplary internal block diagram of the motor drive device ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 3is an exemplary inner circuit diagram of the motor drive device ofFIG. 2.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the motor drive device220in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention serves to drive the motor230through a sensorless method and may include the inverter420and an inverter controller430.

Further, the motor drive device220in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may include a converter410, a DC link voltage detector B, a smoothing capacitor C, and an output current detector E. Further, the motor drive device220may further include an input current detector A, a reactor L, etc.

The inverter controller430in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may control the memory140or a memory270to store, if an error is generated during driving of the home appliance100, diagnostic data including error generation time information, and driving information and state information at the moment of error generation.

Further, the inverter controller430may control the memory140or the memory270to periodically temporarily store driving information and state information, and control the memory140or the memory270, if an error is generated, to store final driving information and final state information out of the driving information and state information which are periodically temporarily stored.

The inverter controller430may control the memory140or the memory270, if an error is generated, to store driving information at the moment of error generation and control the memory140or the memory270to store driving information or state information after a designated time from error generation.

The data amount of the final driving information or final state information stored in the memory140or the memory270may be greater than the data amount of the driving information at the moment of error generation or the data amount of the driving information or state information after the designated time from error generation.

Hereinafter, operations of the respective units of the motor driving device220ofFIGS. 2 and 3will be described.

The reactor L is disposed between a commercial AC power source (vs)405and the converter410and performs power factor correction or voltage boosting. Further, the reactor L may perform the function of restricting harmonic currents by high-speed switching of the converter410.

The input current detector A may detect input current (is) from the commercial AC power source405. For this purpose, current transformers (CT), shunt resistors, etc., may be used as the input current detector A. The detected input current (is) may be inputted as a pulse-type discrete signal to the inverter controller430.

The converter410converts commercial AC power having passed through the reactor L into DC power and outputs the converted DC power. Although the drawings illustrate a single-phase AC power source as the commercial AC power source405, the commercial AC power source405may be a three-phase AC power source. The inner structure of the converter410varies according to kinds of the commercial AC power source405.

Further, the converter410may include diodes, etc., without switching elements and thus, perform rectification without separate switching.

For example, if the commercial AC power source405is a single-phase AC power source, four diodes may be used as a diode bridge and, if the commercial AC power source405is a three-phase AC power source, six diodes may be used as a diode bridge.

Further, a half bridge-type converter, for example, in which two switching elements and four diodes are connected, may be used as the converter410. In the case of a three-phase AC power source, six switching elements and six diodes may be used.

If the converter410includes switching elements, the converter410may perform voltage boosting, power factor correction, and DC power conversion by switching of the corresponding switching elements.

The smoothing capacitor C may smooth input power and store the smoothed input power. AlthoughFIG. 3exemplarily illustrates one smoothing capacitor C, a plurality of smoothing capacitors C may be provided to secure stability of the smoothing capacitors C.

Further, althoughFIG. 3exemplarily illustrates the smoothing capacitor C as being connected to the output terminal of the converter410, the smoothing capacitor C is not limited thereto and DC power may be inputted directly to the smoothing capacitor C. For example, DC power from a solar cell may be inputted directly to the smoothing capacitor C or be subjected to DC/DC conversion and then inputted to the smoothing capacitor C. Hereinafter, parts which are exemplarily illustrated in the drawings will be described.

Since DC power is stored in the smoothing capacitor C and provided at both ends of the smoothing capacitor C, the ends may be referred to as DC ends or DC links.

The DC link voltage detector B may detect voltage (Vdc) at both ends, i.e., DC links, of the smoothing capacitor C. For this purpose, the DC link voltage detector B may include a resistor, an amplifier, etc. The detected DC link voltage (Vdc) may be inputted as a pulse-type discrete signal to the inverter controller430.

The inverter420may include a plurality of inverter switching elements, converts smoothed DC power (Vdc) into three-phase AC power (va, vb, vc) of a designated frequency by on/off operation of the switching elements, and outputs the converted three-phase AC power (va, vb, vc) to the three-phase synchronous motor230.

The inverter420includes upper arm switching elements Sa, Sb, and Sc and lower arm switching elements S′a, S′b, and S′c, which are respectively connected in series and form pairs, and total three pairs of upper and lower switching elements Sa, Sb, Sc, S′a, S′b, and S′c are connected in parallel. Diodes are connected to the respective switching elements Sa, Sb, Sc, S′a, S′b, and S′c in inverse parallel.

The switching elements Sa, Sb, Sc, S′a, S′b, and S′c in the inverter420perform on/off operations based on an inverter switching control signal (Sic) from the inverter controller430. Thereby, three-phase AC power (va, vb, vc) of a designated frequency may be outputted to the three-phase synchronous motor230.

The inverter controller430may control the switching operation of the inverter420based on a sensorless method. For this purpose, the inverter controller430may receive output current (io) detected by the output current detector E.

In order to control the switching operation of the inverter420, the inverter controller430controls the inverter420by outputting the inverter switching control signal (Sic). The inverter switching control signal (Sic) is a pulse width modulation (PWM)-type switching control signal and is generated and outputted based on the output current (io) detected by the output current detector E. A detailed description of output of the inverter switching control signal (Sic) within the inverter controller430will be described later with reference toFIG. 3.

The output current detector E detects the output current (io) flowing between the inverter420and the three-phase motor230. That is, the output current detector E detects current flowing in the motor230. The output current detector E may detect all output currents (ia, ib, ic) of respective phases or detect output currents of two phases using ternary phase equilibrium.

The output current detector E may be located between the inverter420and the motor230, and use current transformers (CT), shunt resistors, etc., so as to detect current.

If shunt resistors are used, three shunt resistors may be located between the inverter420and the synchronous motor230or one end of each of the three shunt resistors may be connected to the corresponding one of the three lower arm switching elements S′a, S′b and S′c of the inverter420. Further, two shunt resistors may be used using ternary phase equilibrium. Further, if one shunt resistor is used, the shunt resistor may be disposed between the above-described capacitor C and the inverter420.

The detected output current (io) may be applied as a pulse-type discrete signal to the inverter controller430, and the inverter switching control signal (Sic) is generated based on the detected output current (io). Hereinafter, the detected output current (io) and the output currents (ia, ib, ic) of three phases may be used together.

The three-phase motor230includes a stator and a rotor, and the rotor is rotated by applying AC power of the respective phases of designated frequencies to coils of the stator of the respective phases (a, b, c phases).

Such a motor230may include, for example, a Surface-Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (SMPMSM), an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM), or a Synchronous Reluctance Motor (Synrm). Thereamong, the SMPMSM and the IPMSM are Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) using permanent magnets and the Synrm does not use permanent magnets.

FIG. 4is an internal block diagram of the inverter controller ofFIG. 3.

With reference toFIG. 4, the inverter controller430may include an axis transformer310, a speed calculation unit320, a current command generation unit330, a voltage command generation unit340, an axis transformer350, and a switching control signal output unit360.

The axis transformer310receives three-phase output currents (ia, ib, ic) detected by the output current detector E and converts the three-phase output currents (ia, ib, ic) into two-phase currents (iα, iβ) of a stationary coordinate system.

The axis transformer310may transform the two-phase currents (iα, iβ) of the stationary coordinate system into two-phase currents (id, iq) of a rotary coordinate system.

The speed calculation unit320may output a position ({circumflex over (θ)}r) and a speed ({circumflex over (ω)}r), calculated based on the converted two-phase currents (iα, iβ) of the stationary coordinate system.

The current command generation unit330may generate a current command value (i*q) based on the calculation speed ({circumflex over (ω)}r) and a speed command value (ω*r). For example, the current command generation unit330may execute PI control through a PI controller335and generate the current command value (i*q), based on a difference between the calculated speed ({circumflex over (ω)}r) and the speed command value (ω*r). AlthoughFIG. 4exemplarily illustrates a q-axis current command value (i*q) as the current command value, a d-axis current command value (i*d) may also be generated differently fromFIG. 4. Further, the d-axis current command value (i*d) may be set to 0.

The current command generation unit330may include a limiter (not shown) to limit the level of the current command value (i*q) so as not to exceed an allowable range.

Next, the voltage command generation unit340generates d-axis and q-axis voltage command values (v*d, v*q) based on the d-axis and q-axis currents (id, iq) of the rotary coordinate system, converted by the axis transformer310, and the current command values (i*d, i*q) generated by the current command generation unit330. For example, the voltage command generation unit340may execute PI control through a PI controller344and generate the q-axis voltage command value (v*q), based on a difference between the q-axis current (iq) and the q-axis current command value (i*q). Further, the voltage command generation unit340may execute PI control through a PI controller348and generate the d-axis voltage command value (v*d), based on a difference between the d-axis current (id) and the d-axis current command value (i*d). Further, the voltage command generation unit340may include limiters (not shown) to limit the levels of the d-axis and q-axis voltage command values (v*d, v*q) so as not to exceed allowable ranges.

The generated d-axis and q-axis voltage command values (v*d, v*q) are input to the axis transformer350.

The axis transformer350receives the position ({circumflex over (θ)}r) calculated by the speed calculation unit320and the d-axis and q-axis voltage command values (v*d, v*q) and executes axis transformation.

First, the axis transformer350executes conversion of the two-phase rotary coordinate system into the two-phase stationary coordinate system. Here, the position ({circumflex over (θ)}r) calculated by the speed calculation unit320may be used.

Further, the axis transformer350may execute conversion of the two-phase stationary coordinate system into the three-phase stationary coordinate system. Through such conversion, the axis transformer350may output three-phase output voltage command values (v*a, v*b, v*c).

The switching control signal output unit360generates and outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM)-type inverter switching control signal (Sic) based on the three-phase output voltage command values (v*a, v*b, v*c).

The output inverter switching control signal (Sic) may be converted into a gate driving signal by a gate driver (not shown) and inputted to gates of the respective switching elements Sa, S′a, Sb, S′b, Sc and S′c of the inverter420. Thereby, the respective switching elements Sa, S′a, Sb, S′b, Sc and S′c of the inverter420perform switching operation.

FIG. 5is an internal block diagram of the mobile terminal ofFIG. 1.

With reference toFIG. 5, the mobile terminal600may include a wireless communication unit610, an audio/video (A/V) input unit620, a user input unit630, a sensing unit640, an output unit650, a memory660, an interface unit667, a controller670and a power supply unit690.

The wireless communication unit610may include a broadcast reception module611, a mobile communication module613, a wireless Internet module615, an acoustic communication unit617, and a global positioning system (GPS) module619.

The broadcast reception module611may receive at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through broadcast channels. Here, the broadcast channels may include satellite broadcast channels, terrestrial broadcast channels, etc.

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information received by the broadcast reception module611may be stored in the memory660.

The mobile communication module613receives/transmits a wireless signal from/to at least one of a base station, an external terminal and a server in a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to reception/transmission of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module615means a module for wireless Internet connection and may be installed inside or outside the mobile terminal600. As one example, the wireless Internet module615may perform Wi-Fi-based wireless communication or Wi-Fi Direct-based wireless communication.

The acoustic communication unit617may perform acoustic communication. The acoustic communication unit617may output sound by adding designated information data to audio data, which will be outputted, in an acoustic communication mode. Further, the acoustic communication unit617may extract designated data from sound received from the outside in the acoustic communication mode.

In addition, as near field communication technology, Bluetooth communication, radio frequency identification (RFID) communication, infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB) communication, ZigBee communication, etc., may be used.

The GPS module619may receive position information from a plurality of GPS satellites.

The A/V input unit620serves to input an audio signal or a video signal and may include a camera621and a microphone623.

The user input unit630generates key input data, which a user inputs so as to control operation of the mobile terminal600. For this purpose, the user input unit630may include a keypad, a dome switch, or a touch pad (constant-pressure type/capacitive type). Particularly, if a touch pad and the display680form a layered structure, such a structure may be referred to as a touchscreen.

The sensing unit640may sense the current state of the mobile terminal600, including the opened/closed state of the mobile terminal600, the position of the mobile terminal600and whether or not a user contacts the mobile terminal600, and generate a sensing signal to control operation of the mobile terminal600.

The sensing unit640may include a proximity sensor641, a pressure sensor643and a motion sensor645. The motion sensor645may sense the movement or position of the mobile terminal600using an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or a gravity sensor. Particularly, the gyrosensor serving to sense an angular velocity may sense a direction (an angle) rotated from a reference direction.

The output unit650may include a display680, a sound output unit653, an alarm unit655, and a haptic module657.

The display680displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal600.

Further, if the display680and a touch pad form a layered structure to constitute a touchscreen, as described above, the display680may be used as an input device, through which information generated by user touch may be inputted, as well as an output device.

The sound output unit653outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit610or stored in the memory660. The sound output unit653may include a speaker, a buzzer, etc.

The alarm unit655outputs a signal to inform of generation of an event. As one example, the alarm unit655may output a signal as vibration.

The haptic module657may generate various haptic effects which a user may feel. As a representative example of the haptic effects generated by the haptic module657, there is a vibration effect.

The memory660may store programs for processing and control by the controller670, and execute a function of temporarily storing input or output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.).

The interface unit667serves as an interface with all external apparatuses connected to the mobile terminal600. The interface unit667may receive data or power from these external apparatuses and transmit the received data or power to the respective elements of the mobile terminal600, and transmit data within the mobile terminal600to external apparatuses.

The controller670may generally control the overall operation of the mobile terminal600by controlling the operations of the respective elements. As one example, the controller670may perform control and processing regarding voice call, data communication, video call, etc. Further, the controller670may include a multimedia player module681. The multimedia player module681may be configured as hardware within the controller670or configured as software separately from the controller670and executed by the controller670.

The power supply unit690receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller670and supplies power necessary to operate the respective elements.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of the mobile terminal600in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The respective elements of the block diagram may be unified, added or omitted according to specifications of the mobile terminal600as substantially implemented. That is, as needed, two or more elements may be unified into one element, or one element may be segmented into two or more elements. Further, functions performed by respective blocks are only to describe the embodiment of the present invention and detailed operations or devices thereof do not limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a mobile terminal and a home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention andFIGS. 7A to 10Care reference views to describe the method ofFIG. 6.

First, with reference toFIG. 6, the controller670of the mobile terminal600controls display of a home appliance-related picture based on user input (Operation S610).

For example, if a home application to control a home appliance100, installed in the mobile terminal600, is executed, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may display the home appliance-related picture.

Further, the controller670of the mobile terminal600, if a pairing signal or a pairing response signal is received from the home appliance100through the communication unit610, may display the home appliance-related picture based on user input or automatically after completion of pairing with the home appliance100.

Thereafter, the controller670of the mobile terminal600, if there is a diagnosis mode input in the display state of the home appliance-related picture (Operation S635), may control the communication unit610to transmit a diagnostic data request (Sr2) (Operation S640).

Further, separately from the operation of the mobile terminal600, the controller170of the home appliance100, if an error is generated, may control the memory140to store diagnostic data.

Here, the diagnostic data may include driving information and state information, which are periodically stored, driving information at the moment of error generation, and driving information or state information after a designated time from error generation.

For example, the diagnostic data may include temperature information, compressor discharge temperature information, outdoor fan speed information, indoor fan operation mode information, information as to whether or not an error is generated, etc.

The controller170of the home appliance100may receive the diagnostic data request (Sr1) from the mobile terminal600through the communication unit130(Operation S641).

Further, the controller170of the home appliance100may control the sound output unit185to output a first sound corresponding to diagnostic data stored in the memory140(Operation S643).

The sound output unit185may include a speaker to output sound.

Further, the sound output unit185may include the motor of the drive unit220and the inverter420.

For example, the sound output unit185may include the inverter420(inFIG. 2) including a plurality of switching elements, converting DC power into AC power by switching of the switching elements and supplying the AC power to the motor230(inFIG. 4), and the controller170may, when sound is outputted, vary a switching frequency of each switching element of the inverter420and control sound corresponding to the varied switching frequency to be outputted.

Further, the controller170of the home appliance100may allocate diagnostic data to respective sounds and output different sounds according to kinds of diagnostic data.

Further, the controller170of the home appliance100may add diagnostic data to sound, for example, using modulation, and thus output the sound to which the diagnostic data is added.

In this case, the sound output unit185may include a frequency transformer510(inFIG. 10B) to transform the frequency of sound which will be outputted, a data embedding unit515(inFIG. 10B) to embed diagnostic data in an audio signal, the frequency of which has been transformed, an inverse transformer520(inFIG. 10B) to execute inverse transformation of the audio signal in which the diagnostic data is embedded, and a multiplexer525(inFIG. 10B) to multiplex the inversely transformed audio signal, and the sound output unit185may output sound corresponding to the multiplexed audio signal.

The controller670of the mobile terminal600may acquire a first sound (S01) through the microphone623(Operation S645).

Further, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may extract diagnostic data from the received first sound (Operation S647).

Further, the controller670of the mobile terminal600displays a diagnostic data picture based on the extracted diagnostic data (Operation S650). Thereby, the diagnostic data of the home appliance100may be simply displayed.

The controller670of the mobile terminal600may generate an image including the home appliance diagnostic data based on user input or automatically (Operation S655) and transmit the generated image to the server700(Operation S660).

For example, the controller670of the mobile terminal600, if an image generation item is selected in the display state of the diagnostic data picture, may generate an image including the home appliance diagnostic data. Further, if an item indicating transmission to the server700is selected, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may control the generated image to be transmitted to the server700.

Here, the image including the home appliance diagnostic data may further include product information of the home appliance100, installation place information, and installation or diagnostic service provider information, in addition to the home appliance diagnostic data. Here, a diagnostic service provider may be a user of the mobile terminal600.

For example, if an AS service provider visits a home so as to diagnose the home appliance100, the home appliance100may provide sound corresponding to diagnostic data according to a diagnostic data request from the mobile terminal600of the service provider.

Here, the mobile terminal600of the service provider may receive the sound, analyze the sound and then output diagnostic data. If there is an input to image the diagnostic data, an image including the diagnostic data, product information of the home appliance100, installation place information, and installation or diagnostic service provider information may be generated.

Then, the generated image may be transmitted to the server700. Thereby, accurate diagnostic data may be transmitted to the server700and quality of provided services may be improved.

FIG. 7Aexemplarily illustrates an air conditioner100bincluding an indoor unit31band an outdoor unit21b, as one example of a home appliance.

If an error is generated during driving of a home appliance, such as the air conditioner100b, various methods to acquire diagnostic data regarding error generation are being discussed.

In the present embodiment, in order to acquire diagnostic data when an error is generated during driving of the home appliance, output of sound from the home appliance to the mobile terminal600will be exemplarily described.

The mobile terminal600acquires sound from the home appliance, extracts diagnostic data from the sound, and displays a diagnostic data picture on the mobile terminal600of a user1000.

FIG. 7Bexemplarily illustrates exchange of data between the indoor unit31band the mobile terminal600of the user1000.

For instance, if an application to control the home appliance installed in the mobile terminal600is executed, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may control a home appliance-related picture700to be displayed, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 7B.

The home appliance-related picture700may include a management item710, a source item720and a setting item730.

If the management item710is selected, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may display a management mode item712, a diagnosis mode item714and a server interworking item716through a pop-up window, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 7B.

If the diagnosis mode item714is selected, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 7B, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may transmit a diagnostic data request (Sr2) to the indoor unit31b.

A controller170bof the indoor unit31bmay control sound (So2) corresponding to diagnostic data including driving information, state information, etc., of the outdoor unit21band the indoor unit31bstored in a memory140b, to be outputted according to reception of the diagnostic data request (Sr2).

Thereby, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may acquire the sound (So2) through the microphone623and extract diagnostic data from the sound (So2).

Further, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may control a diagnostic data picture760to be displayed based on the received diagnostic data of the air conditioner100b, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 7B.

The diagnostic data picture760may include outdoor unit temperature information, compressor discharge temperature information, outdoor fan speed information, indoor fan operation mode information, information as to whether or not an error is generated, etc., of the air conditioner100b.

The controller670of the mobile terminal600may autonomously execute smart diagnosis based on the received diagnostic data. For example, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may judge whether or not a fan of the indoor unit31bfailed based on the received diagnostic data.

Further, in order to execute smart diagnosis, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may transmit the received diagnostic data to the server700.

For example, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may transmit the image including the diagnostic data to the server700, as described above.

FIG. 7Cexemplarily illustrates transmission of the generated diagnostic data-related image to the server700.

The controller670of the mobile terminal600, if an image generation item is selected by a user in the display state of the diagnostic data picture760, may display an image generation picture770, as exemplarily shown in (b) ofFIG. 7C.

The diagnostic data-related image generation picture770may include items to input product information of the home appliance100, installation place information, and installation or diagnostic service provider information.

If text input is executed in the diagnostic data-related image generation picture770, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may generate an image including the product information of the home appliance100, the installation place information, and the installation or diagnostic service provider information.

If an image transmission item797is selected in the display state of the diagnostic data-related image generation picture770, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may transmit a generated image (img1) to the server700, as exemplarily shown in (c) ofFIG. 7C.

Further, inFIG. 7D, if the image transmission item797is selected in the display state of the diagnostic data picture760after completion of generation of a diagnostic data-related image, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may transmit a generated image (img2) to the server700.

Thereafter, if the controller670of the mobile terminal600receives a diagnostic result from the server700or autonomously judges a diagnostic result, the controller670of the mobile terminal600may display diagnostic result information on the display680. Thereby, the diagnostic result based on the diagnostic data may be conveniently confirmed.

The sound output unit185may include the inverter420of the drive unit220and the motor230, as described above, and output sound using the inverter420and the motor230. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8Aexemplarily illustrates a case in which the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by a first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220, andFIG. 8Bexemplarily illustrates the case in which the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by a second distance (Da2) longer than the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220.

The inverter controller430may calculate the distance between the drive unit220and the mobile terminal600using an IR signal-based first remote control signal for requesting management data or an IR signal-based second remote control signal for requesting diagnostic data, received through the communication unit130.

Specifically, the inverter controller430may calculate the distance according to the intensity of the first or second remote control signal. For example, as the intensity of the first or second remote control signal decreases, the calculated distance may increase.

It is also possible for the inverter controller430to calculate the distance according to the intensity of a remote control signal based on an RF signal (BLE signal, ZigBee signal or Wi-Fi signal) other than the IR signal.

The controller170or the inverter controller430may vary the volume of the output sound, vary the frequency of the output sound, or vary the output period of the output sound according to the distance from the mobile terminal600.

Consequently, the controller170or the inverter controller430may increase the volume of the output sound, lower the frequency of the output sound, or increase the output period of the output sound, as the distance from the mobile terminal600increases.

As exemplarily shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the inverter controller430may output a first sound (Sa1) of a first volume if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220, and output a second sound (Sa2) of a second volume greater than the first volume if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the second distance (Da2) longer than the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220.

Otherwise, differently fromFIGS. 8A and 8B, the inverter controller430may output a first sound (Sa1) of a high frequency if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220, and output a second sound (Sa2) of a frequency lower than the frequency of the first sound (Sa1), i.e., sound of a low frequency, which may reach a longer distance, if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the second distance (Da2) longer than the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220.

Otherwise, differently fromFIGS. 8A and 8B, the inverter controller430may output a first sound (Sa1) for a first period if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220, and output a second sound (Sa2) for a second period longer than the first period if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the second distance (Da2) longer than the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220.

The controller170or the inverter controller430may output sound, the data amount of which varies according to the distance from the mobile terminal600.

Otherwise, differently fromFIGS. 8A and 8B, the controller170or the inverter controller430may output a first sound (Sa1) corresponding to a first data amount if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220, and output a second sound (Sa2) corresponding to a second data amount greater than the first data amount if the mobile terminal600is located at a position spaced by the second distance (Da2) longer than the first distance (Da1) from the motor drive device220.

AlthoughFIGS. 8A and 8Bexemplarily illustrate that, in order to output sound, the first upper arm switching element Sa is turned on, the second and third lower arm switching elements S′b and S′c are turned on, the first lower arm switching element S′a is turned off, and the second and third upper arm switching elements Sb and Sc are turned off, various modifications are possible.

InFIGS. 8A and 8B, turning-on of the first upper arm switching element Sa and the second and third lower arm switching elements S′b and S′c, and turning-off of the first lower arm switching element S′a and the second and third upper arm switching elements Sb and Sc so as to output sound may be the same as the operation described inFIG. 3

The inverter controller430may vary the turn-on duty of a switching control signal to drive each switching element of the inverter420so as to vary the volume of sound. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bexemplarily illustrate methods for adjusting the volume of sound.

First,FIG. 9Aexemplarily illustrates variation of a cycle from Ts1to Ts2.

In a first Ts1section, as differences among an a phase turn-on duty (Tda), a b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and a c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase, current in the motor230increases and thus, the volume of sound may be increased.

Further, in a second Ts1section, the a phase turn-on duty (Tda) decreases and the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase and thus, current increased in the first Ts1section may be decreased.

Thereafter, in a first Ts2section, as a cycle, i.e., a switching frequency, varies, current in the motor230increases based on differences among the a phase turn-on duty (Tda), the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc), and thus, the volume of sound may be increased.

Thereafter, in a second Ts2section, the a phase turn-on duty (Tda) decreases and the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase and thus, current increased in the first Ts2section may be decreased.

Next,FIG. 9Bexemplarily illustrates a constant cycle of Ts1.

In the first Ts1section, as differences among the a phase turn-on duty (Tda), the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase, current in the motor230increases and thus, the volume of sound may be increased.

Further, in the second Ts1section, the a phase turn-on duty (Tda) decreases and the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase and thus, current increased in the first Ts1section may be decreased.

Thereafter, in the next first Ts1section, as a cycle, i.e., a switching frequency, varies, current in the motor230increases based on differences among the a phase turn-on duty (Tda), the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) and thus, the volume of sound may be increased.

Thereafter, in the next second Ts1section, the a phase turn-on duty (Tda) decreases and the b phase turn-on duty (Tdb) and the c phase turn-on duty (Tdc) increase and thus, current increased in the first Ts1section may be decreased.

If data match various sounds in a second mode, the inverter controller430may control a corresponding sound to be outputted, as described above.

Differently, the inverter controller430may control sound, to which diagnostic data is added, to be outputted. That is, data may be added to an acoustic signal, i.e., sound, through modulation using the sound as a carrier. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10C.

FIGS. 10A to 10Care reference views to describe one example of acoustic communication.

First,FIG. 10Aexemplarily illustrates that the motor drive device220of the home appliance100outputs sound according to acoustic communication and the mobile terminal600receives the corresponding sound.

For this purpose, the motor drive device220may include the inverter controller430, the inverter420and the motor230.

The inverter controller430of the motor drive device220receives an audio signal, i.e., a digital sound, which will be outputted, from the controller170and adds designated data to the audio sound.

Further, the inverter controller430varies a switching frequency of the inverter420so as to output the audio sound to which the designated data is added. Thereby, the sound to which the designated data is added may be outputted through the motor230.

The microphone623of the mobile terminal600receives the sound output from the motor drive device200. Then, the received sound signal is transmitted to the acoustic communication unit617. The acoustic communication unit617extracts data from the sound signal.

Thereby, simple information data exchange between the motor drive device220and the mobile terminal600may be executed.

Further, contrary toFIG. 10A, the mobile terminal600may output sound according to acoustic communication and the motor drive device220may receive the corresponding sound.

FIG. 10Bexemplarily illustrates an internal block diagram of the inverter controller430of the motor drive device220and an internal block diagram of the acoustic communication unit617of the mobile terminal600.

In order to output sound, the inverter controller430of the motor drive device220may include the frequency transformer510, the data embedding unit515, the inverse transformer520, and the multiplexer525.

The frequency transformer510may receive a time-based audio signal, which will be outputted, and execute frequency transformation. Here, the frequency transformation may be executed according to frames and, as an example, be frequency transformed based on modulated complex lapped transform (MCLT).

MCLT is advantageous in that, according to overlapping characteristics of respective frames, blocking artifacts at frame interfaces may be reduced.

The data embedding unit515adds or embeds designated data to or in the audio signal, the frequency of which has been transformed. That is, the data embedding unit515adds data to the audio signal through modulation. In more detail, data may be added to the audio signal by varying phase coefficients, among coefficients (size and phase coefficients, etc.) of the respective converted frequencies. For example, the varied phase coefficient may have a value of 0 or 180 degrees. Thereby, the added data is distinguishable.

The inverse transformer520executes inverse transformation of the audio signal in which the diagnostic data is embedded. If the frequency transformer510executes MCLT, the inverse transformer520executes inverse MCLT and outputs a time-based sound signal.

The frequency transformer510, the data embedding unit515, and the inverse transformer520may perform corresponding operations according to frames.

The multiplexer525multiplexes the inversely transformed audio signal and outputs the multiplexed audio signal. That is, the multiplexer525multiplexes a plurality of frames.

Further, the inverter controller430varies the switching frequency of the inverter420so as to output multiplexed sound. Thereby, the motor230may output the multiplexed sound.

The mobile terminal600receives sound through the microphone623and converts the received sound into an electrical signal. Further, the acoustic communication unit617of the mobile terminal600may include a synchronization unit530, a frequency transformer535, and a data extraction unit540so as to extract data from the received sound.

The synchronization unit530synchronizes the received audio signal. That is, the synchronization unit530may synchronize the multiplexed audio signal and thus, separate the multiplexed audio signal into frames.

The frequency transformer535may receive the time-based audio signal, which will be outputted, and execute frequency transformation. Here, the frequency transformation may be executed according to frames and, as an example, be frequency transformed based on modulated complex lapped transform (MCLT).

The data extraction unit540extracts added data from the audio signal, the frequency of which has been transformed. Since the data is added to the audio signal by varying phase coefficients, among coefficients of the respective frequencies, as described above, the data extraction unit540may extract the data from the phase coefficients. For instance, if the phase coefficient may have a value of 0 or 180 degrees, the data extraction unit540may extract the data from the phase coefficient based on such a value of the phase coefficient.

The extracted data may be transmitted to the controller670of the mobile terminal600.

According to such an MCLT-based acoustic communication method, data may be added to an audio signal while maintaining sound similar to an audio signal originally desired to be outputted. Further, the MCLT-based acoustic communication method is advantageous in that, according to overlapping characteristics of respective frames, blocking artifacts at frame interfaces may be reduced.

FIG. 10Cis a view illustrating operation of the inverter controller430ofFIG. 10Btogether with audio waveforms.

FIG. 10Cexemplarily illustrates an audio signal400, which will be outputted, and the audio signal400may be divided into a plurality of frames FR1to FR4based on time.FIG. 10Cexemplarily illustrates a first audio signal400ain a first frame section FR1, a second audio signal400bin a second frame section FR2, a third audio signal400cin a third frame section FR3, and a fourth audio signal400din a fourth frame section FR4.

The frequency transformer510executes frequency transformation of audio data according to the respective frames. In more detail, the frequency transformer510executes frequency transformation based on MCLT.

Further, the data embedding unit515adds designated data to the audio signal, the frequency of which has been transformed, according to the respective frames. In more detail, the data embedding unit515adds the data to the audio signal by varying phase coefficients, among coefficients (size and phase coefficients, etc.) of the respective converted frequencies.

The inverse transformer520executes inverse transformation of the audio signal to which the information data is added, according to the respective frames. Thereby, a time-based sound signal is outputted.

FIG. 10Cexemplarily illustrates first to fourth sound signals401ato401dsimilar to the first to fourth audio signals400ato400d. It may be understood fromFIG. 10Cthat the first to fourth sound signals401ato401dare similar to the respective audio signals400ato400doriginally desired to be outputted.

The multiplexer525may multiplex the sound signal to which the data is added, according to the respective frames.

The above-described operation method for outputting the sound of diagnostic data between the mobile terminal600and the home appliance100and transmitting a diagnostic data image based on output of the sound may be applied to various home appliances. For example, such an operation method may be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a water purifier, a cleaner, a TV, a vehicle, a robot, a drone, etc.

FIG. 11is a perspective view illustrating a laundry treatment apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference toFIG. 11, a laundry treatment apparatus100ain accordance with this embodiment of the present invention is a front load-type laundry treatment apparatus in which laundry is put into a drum in the forward direction. Such a front load-type laundry treatment apparatus may include a washing machine into which laundry is put so as to be washed, rinsed and dried, or a drying machine into which wet laundry is put so as to be dried. Hereinafter, a washing machine will be described as the laundry treatment apparatus100a.

The laundry treatment apparatus100aofFIG. 11is a drum-type laundry treatment apparatus and may include a cabinet110forming the external appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus100a, a tub120disposed within the cabinet110and supported by the cabinet110, a drum122disposed within the tub120to wash laundry received in the drum122, a motor130to drive the drum122, a washing water supply device (not shown) disposed at the outside of a cabinet main body111to supply washing water to the inside of the cabinet110, and a drain device (not shown) disposed under the tub120to discharge the washing water to the outside of the cabinet110.

A plurality of through holes122A may be formed on the drum122so as to pass washing water, and lifters124may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum122so as to lift laundry to a designated height and then to drop the laundry by gravity during rotation of the drum122.

The cabinet110includes the cabinet main body111, a cabinet cover112disposed on the front surface of the cabinet main body111and coupled with the cabinet main body111, a control panel115disposed on the cabinet cover112and coupled with the cabinet main body111, and a top plate116disposed on the control panel115and coupled with the cabinet main body111.

The cabinet cover112may include a laundry entrance114, through which laundry is put into the washing machine110a, and a door113disposed so as to be rotatable from side to side to open and close the laundry entrance114.

The control panel115includes operation keys117to manipulate the operating state of the laundry treatment apparatus100aand a display118disposed at one side of the operation keys117and displaying the operating state of the laundry treatment apparatus100a.

The operation keys117and the display118of the control panel115are electrically connected to a controller (not shown) and the controller (not shown) electrically controls the respective elements of the washing treatment apparatus100a. Operation of the controller (not shown) will be described later.

An auto balancer (not shown) may be provided in the drum122. The auto balancer (not shown) serves to reduce vibration generated according to an amount of eccentricity of laundry received in the drum122and may be a liquid balancer or a ball balancer.

Although not shown in the drawings, the washing treatment apparatus100amay further include a vibration sensor to measure the degree of vibration of the drum122or the degree of vibration of the cabinet110.

FIG. 12is an internal block diagram of the laundry treatment apparatus ofFIG. 11.

With reference toFIG. 12, in the laundry treatment apparatus100a, a drive unit220is controlled by the control operation of a controller210and then drives a motor230. Thereby, the drum122is rotated by the motor230.

The controller210receives an operation signal inputted through the operation keys117and is operated. Thereby, washing, rinsing and spin-drying may be performed.

Further, the controller210may control the display118to display the current operating state of the laundry treatment apparatus100a, such as a washing course, a washing time, a spin-drying time, a rinsing time, etc.

The controller210controls the drive unit220to operate the motor230. Here, a position sensing unit to sense the position of a rotor of the motor230is not provided at the inside or the outside of the motor230. That is, the drive unit220controls the motor230based on the sensorless method.

The drive unit220serves to drive the motor230, and may include an inverter (not shown), an inverter controller (not shown), an output current detector E (inFIG. 3) to detect output current flowing in the motor230, and an output voltage detector F (inFIG. 3) to detect output voltage (vo) applied to the motor230. Further, the drive unit220may further include a converter to supply DC power input to the inverter (not shown).

For example, the inverter controller430(inFIG. 3) in the drive unit220estimates the position of the rotor of the motor230based on output current (io) and output voltage (vo). Further, the inverter controller430(inFIG. 3) controls the motor230to be rotated based on the estimated position of the rotor.

In more detail, when the inverter controller430(inFIG. 3) generates a PWM-type switching control signal (Sic inFIG. 3) based on output current (io) and output voltage (vo) and outputs the switching control signal to the inverter (not shown), the inverter (not shown) performs high-speed switching and thus, supplies AC power of a designated frequency to the motor230. Then, the motor230is rotated by the AC power of the designated frequency.

The drive unit220may correspond to the motor drive device220ofFIG. 1.

The controller210may sense an amount of laundry based on output current (io) flowing in the motor230. For example, the controller210may sense the amount of laundry based on a current value (io) of the motor230during rotation of the drum122.

For instance, the controller210may accurately sense the amount of laundry using resistance and inductance values of a stator of the motor230, which are measured in the motor alignment section.

Further, the controller210may sense an amount of eccentricity of the drum122, i.e., unbalance (UB) of the drum122. Such sensing of the amount of eccentricity may be executed based on a ripple component of output current (io) flowing in the motor230or a variation of the rotating speed of the drum122.

For instance, when the amount of eccentricity of the drum122is sensed, the controller210may accurately sense the amount of eccentricity using resistance and inductance values of the stator of the motor230, which are measured in the motor alignment section.

FIG. 13is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner as another example of a home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

An air conditioner100bin accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may include an indoor unit31band an outdoor unit21bconnected to the indoor unit31b, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 13.

The indoor unit31bof the air conditioner100bmay be applied to any one of a standing type air conditioner, a wall mounted type air conditioner and a ceiling type air conditioner.FIG. 13exemplarily illustrates a standing type indoor unit31b.

The air conditioner100bmay further include at least one of a ventilation device, an air purification device, a humidification device, and a heater, and the ventilation device, the air purification device, the humidification device, and the heater may be operated while interworking with operation of the indoor unit31band the outdoor unit21b.

The outdoor unit21bincludes a compressor (not shown) which receives a refrigerant and then compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) which executes heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air, an accumulator (not shown) which extracts refrigerant in a gaseous state from the supplied refrigerant and supplies the refrigerant in the gaseous state to the compressor, and a four-way valve (not shown) which selects a flow path of the refrigerant according to a heating operation. The outdoor unit21bfurther includes a plurality of sensors and valves, an oil recovery unit, etc., and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The outdoor unit21bcompresses the refrigerant or exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air according to settings and then supplies the refrigerant to the indoor unit31bby operating the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit21bmay be driven by a demand from a remote controller (not shown) or the indoor unit31b. Here, as a cooling/heating capacity is varied so as to correspond to operating indoor units31b, the number of operating outdoor units21band the number of operating compressors installed in the outdoor unit21bmay be varied.

Here, the outdoor unit21bsupplies the compressed refrigerant to the connected indoor unit31b.

The indoor unit31breceives the refrigerant from the outdoor unit21band discharges cool or heated air to an indoor space. The indoor unit31bmay include an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), an indoor fan (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown) to expand the supplied refrigerant, and a plurality of sensors (not shown).

Here, the outdoor unit21band the indoor unit31bmay be connected to each other by a communication line so as to transmit/receive data to/from each other, and the outdoor unit21band the indoor unit31bmay be connected to the remote controller (not shown) by wire or wirelessly so as to be operated under the control of the remote controller (not shown).

The remote controller (not shown) may be connected to the indoor unit31b, input a user control command to the indoor unit31b, and receive and display state information of the indoor unit31b. Here, the remote controller (not shown) may execute communication with the indoor unit31bby wire or wirelessly according to connection types of the indoor unit31b.

FIG. 14is a circuit diagram of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit ofFIG. 13.

With reference toFIG. 14, the air conditioner100bgenerally includes the indoor unit31band the outdoor unit21b.

The outdoor unit21bincludes a compressor102bserving to compress a refrigerant, a compressor motor102bbto drive the compressor102b, an outdoor heat exchanger104bserving to dissipate heat from the compressed refrigerant, an outdoor air blower105bincluding an outdoor fan105abdisposed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger104band promoting dissipation of heat from the refrigerant and a motor105bbto rotate the outdoor fan105ab, an expansion unit106bto expand the condensed refrigerant, a cooling/heating switching valve110bto switch the flow path of the compressed refrigerant, and an accumulator103bto temporarily store the refrigerant in a gaseous state, to remove moisture and foreign substances from the refrigerant and then to supply the refrigerant of a designated pressure to the compressor102b.

The indoor unit31bincludes an indoor heat exchanger109bdisposed indoors and executing cooling/heating functions, and an indoor air blower109bincluding an indoor fan109abdisposed at one side of the indoor heat exchanger109band promoting dissipation of heat from the refrigerant and a motor109bbto rotate the indoor fan109ab.

Here, at least one indoor heat exchanger109bmay be installed. At least one of an inverter compressor and a constant speed compressor is used as the compressor102b.

Further, the air conditioner100bmay be a cooler to cool an indoor space or be a heat pump to cool or heat an indoor space.

The compressor102bin the outdoor unit21bofFIG. 14may be driven by a motor drive device to drive the compressor motor250b, which is the same as the motor drive device, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 1.

Further, the indoor fan109abor the outdoor fan105abmay be driven by a motor drive device to drive the indoor fan motor109bbor the outdoor fan motor150bb, which is the same as the motor drive device, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 15is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator as yet another example of a home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference toFIG. 15, a refrigerator100cin accordance with this embodiment of the present invention forms an approximate external appearance by a case110chaving an inner space divided into a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber door120cto open and close the freezing chamber, and a refrigerating chamber door140cto open and close the refrigerating chamber.

Further, door handles121cprotruding forward are provided on the front surfaces of the freezing chamber door120cand the refrigerating chamber door140cso that a user may easily grip and rotate the freezing chamber door120cand the refrigerating chamber door140c.

Further, a home bar180callowing a user to withdraw stored goods, such as drinks received in the refrigerating chamber, without opening the refrigerating chamber door140cmay be further provided on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door140c.

Further, a dispenser160callowing a user to easily withdraw ice or drinking water without opening the freezing chamber door120cmay be further provided on the front surface of the freezing chamber door120c, and a control panel210cto control operation of the refrigerator100cand to display the operating state of the refrigerator100cthrough a display may be further provided above the dispenser160c.

AlthoughFIG. 15illustrates the dispenser160cas being disposed on the front surface of the freezing chamber door120c, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the dispenser160cmay be disposed on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door140c.

Further, an icemaker190cto make ice from supplied water using cool air within the freezing chamber (not shown) and an ice bank195cto receive ice, made by the icemaker190and then deiced from the icemaker190, may be provided at the upper portion of the inside of the freezing chamber. Further, although not shown in the drawings, an ice chute (not shown) to guide ice contained in the ice bank195cso as to drop the ice to the dispenser160cmay be further provided.

The control panel210cmay include an input unit220cincluding a plurality of buttons and a display230cto display a control screen, an operating state, etc.

The display230cdisplays information, such as the control screen, the operating state, the temperatures of the chambers, etc. For example, the display230cmay display the service type (ice cubes, water or crushed ice) of the dispenser160c, the set temperature of the freezing chamber, the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber, etc.

Such a display230cmay be variously implemented as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), etc. Further, the display230cmay be implemented as a touchscreen which may also execute the function of the input unit220c.

The input unit220cmay include a plurality of operation buttons. For example, the input unit220cmay include a dispenser setting button (not shown) to set the service type (ice cubes, water or crushed ice) of the dispenser160c, a refrigerating chamber temperature setting button (not shown) to set the temperature of the refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber temperature setting button (not shown) to set the temperature of the freezing chamber, etc. Further, the input unit220cmay be implemented as a touchscreen which may also execute the function of the display230c.

The refrigerator110cin accordance with this embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a double door type shown inFIG. 15and may be one of various types, such as an one door type, a sliding door type and a curtain door type.

FIG. 16is a view illustrating the configuration of the refrigerator ofFIG. 15in brief.

With reference toFIG. 16, the refrigerator100cmay include a compressor112c, a condenser116cto condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor112c, a freezing chamber evaporator124cdisposed in the freezing chamber (not shown) to receive and evaporate the refrigerant condensed by the condenser116c, and a freezing chamber expansion valve134cto expand the refrigerant supplied to the freezing chamber evaporator124c.

AlthoughFIG. 16exemplarily illustrates one evaporator124c, an evaporator in the freezing chamber and an evaporator in the refrigerating chamber may be used.

That is, the refrigerator100cmay further include a refrigerating chamber evaporator (not shown) disposed in the refrigerating chamber (not shown), a 3-way valve (not shown) to supply the refrigerant condensed by the condenser116cto the refrigerating chamber evaporator (not shown) or the freezing chamber evaporator124c, and a refrigerating chamber expansion valve (not shown) to expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerating chamber evaporator (not shown).

Further, the refrigerator100cmay further include a gas-liquid separator (not shown) to separate the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator124cinto refrigerant in a liquid state and refrigerant in a gaseous state.

Further, the refrigerator100cmay further include a refrigerating chamber fan (not shown) and a freezing chamber fan144cto intake cool air having passed through the freezing chamber evaporator124cand to supply the cool air respectively to the refrigerating chamber (not shown) and the freezing chamber (not shown).

Further, the refrigerator100cmay further include a compressor drive unit113cto drive the compressor112c, a refrigerating chamber fan drive unit (not shown) to drive the refrigerating chamber fan (not shown) and a freezing chamber fan drive unit145cto drive the freezing chamber fan144c.

FIG. 16illustrates the common evaporator124cas being used for both the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber and, in this case, a damper (not shown) may be installed between the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber and a fan (not shown) may forcibly blow cool air generated by one evaporator124cso as to supply the cool air to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

The compressor112cofFIG. 16may be driven by a motor drive device to drive a compressor motor, which is the same as the motor drive device, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 1.

Further, the refrigerating chamber fan or the freezing chamber fan144cmay be driven by a motor drive device to drive the refrigerating chamber fan or the freezing chamber fan144c, which is the same as the motor drive device, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 1.

A mobile terminal and a home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiments, but all or parts of the respective embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications of the embodiments are possible and contemplated by the claims.

Further, a method for driving a motor or a method for operating a home appliance in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as code readable and executed by a processor provided in a motor drive device or the home appliance in a recording medium readable by the processor. The recording medium readable by the processor may be any kind of recording device in which data readable by the processor are stored.

As apparent from the above description, a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit, a microphone, a display, and a controller to transmit a remote control signal for transmitting diagnostic data to a home appliance through the communication unit, to extract diagnostic data of the home appliance from sound received from the home appliance through the microphone, and to transmit a diagnostic data image, acquired by imaging the diagnostic data, to a server, and may thus conveniently transmit the diagnostic data image based on the diagnostic data of the home appliance to the server.

Particularly, the diagnostic data image further include product information of the home appliance, installation place information, and installation or diagnostic service provider information, in addition to the diagnostic data, and the diagnostic data image together with the information regarding a service provider may be conveniently transmitted to the server.

Further, by displaying a diagnostic data picture based on the diagnostic data, user convenience may be increased.

A home appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a memory to store diagnostic data, a communication unit to exchange data with a mobile terminal, a sound output unit, and a controller, in response to reception of a diagnostic data request through the communication unit, to control the sound output unit to output sound corresponding to the diagnostic data, and may thus conveniently output the diagnostic data of the home appliance to the outside.