Abstract:
A home appliance includes a main body including a driving unit that receives power for operation and a control unit to control the driving unit, a memory to store operational information of the home appliance during operation of the home appliance, and a service button, which when activated, causes the control unit to send a request for customer service to a customer service center, where the request includes the operational information of the home appliance.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2010/000229 filed on Jan. 14, 2010, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a customer service system for home appliances using a smart grid. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Generally, electricity is supplied to home appliances from a power plant operated by a public or private company, through a power transmission line, and a power distribution line. 
         [0004]    That is, power is supplied not by a distributed structure but by a centralized structure. In other words, power is supplied through a radial structure expanding from the center to the periphery. This is not a customer-centered structure but a supplier-centered one-way structure. 
         [0005]    Therefore, residential customers can get only limited information about prices of electricity from a power exchange. Furthermore, since electricity prices are practically fixed, it is difficult for customers to buy electricity at desired prices. 
         [0006]    Thus, much research is being performed on smart grids to solve the above-mentioned problems and use energy efficiently. 
         [0007]    A smart grid is a next-generation power and management system developed by applying information technology (IT) to the existing power grid for improving energy efficiency by realizing two-way and real-time information exchange between power providers and consumers. 
         [0008]    In addition to unilateral power supply from a power supply source to a network to which home appliances are connected, two-way communication is necessary between the power supply source and the network to realize a smart grid for residential customers. In addition, new devices are necessary for such two-way communication. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Embodiments provide a customer service system by which a service request for a home appliance may be easily registered using a smart grid. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a home appliance comprises a main body comprising a driving unit that receives power for operation and a control unit to control the driving unit, a memory to store operational information of the home appliance during operation of the home appliance, and a service button, which when activated, causes the control unit to send a request for customer service to a customer service center, wherein the request includes the operational information of the home appliance. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment, power is supplied to a home appliance through a smart grid connected to a customer service center for two-way communication. 
         [0012]    The home appliance includes: a communication adapter for communicating with the smart grid: and a service button at a side thereof to send information about an abnormal operation of the home appliance to the customer service center through the communication adapter and the smart grid. 
         [0013]    Therefore, if the home appliance operates abnormally, a customer service request can be sent to the customer service center only by pressing the service button. 
         [0014]    When the information about an abnormal operation of the home appliance is sent to the customer service center, information about the identification and operational states of the home appliance is also sent to the customer service center. Thus, the customer service center can check the home appliance and the abnormal operation of the home appliance based on the received information. 
         [0015]    In addition, the customer service center sends information about reception of the customer service request to the home appliance through the smart grid, and the reception information is displayed on a display unit of the home appliance. Therefore, a customer can see the reception information and easily receive a customer service. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a smart grid. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a configuration for supplying power to home appliances according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a home appliance according to an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit and scope set forth in the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will easily propose other embodiments within the spirit and scope. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a smart grid, and  FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a configuration for supplying power to home appliances according to an embodiment. 
         [0032]    Referring to the drawings, the smart grid includes a plurality of power plants  1010  and a plurality of power generating facilities  1012  such as a solar cell station, a wind power plant, and a fuel cell station. Electricity generated by the power plants  1010  and power generating facilities  1012  are transmitted to a sub-control center  1014 . 
         [0033]    The sub-control center  1014  stores the electricity and transmits the electricity to a substation  1016  where the electricity is adjusted in voltage for being distributed to consumers such as residential customers  1018  and manufacturing plants  1020 . 
         [0034]    In addition, an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)  20  is used to measure the amount of electricity consumed by consumers such as residential customers and offices and calculate electricity charges. In the smart grid, an energy management system (EMS)  30  is connected to the AMI  20  for real-time power management and real-time power consumption prediction for consumers. 
         [0035]    The AMI  20  of the smart grid is backbone technology for integrating consumers based on an open architecture. The AMI  20  provides consumers with the ability to use electricity efficiently and power providers with the ability to detect problems on their systems and operate them efficiently. 
         [0036]    That is, in the smart grid, the AMI  20  provides a reference so that all electric devices can be connected to each other regardless of manufactures of the electric devices, and a real-time price signal of an electricity market is transmitted through the AMI  20  to the EMS  30  provided in a consumer. 
         [0037]    In addition, the EMS  30  distributes electricity to a plurality of electric devices provided in the consumer and communicates with the electric devices for detecting power information of the electric devices and performing a power information processing process such as a power consumption or electricity charge limit setting process so as to reduce energy consumption and costs. 
         [0038]    For this, the EMS  30  includes a control unit  36  (refer to  FIG. 4 ), an input unit  32 , a communication unit  34  (refer to  FIG. 4 ), and a display unit  31 . These units will be described below in detail. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the EMS  30  mainly supplies electricity to home appliances  1  provided in the consumer. 
         [0040]    For this, an energy supply network  10  is constructed in the consumer. The energy supply network  10  includes the AMI  20  for real-time measurements of power, electricity rates, power consumption peak times; and the EMS  30  capable of communicating with both the AMI  20  and the home appliances  1  to transmit and receive control signals for distributing electricity to the home appliances  1 . 
         [0041]    The EMS  30  includes: the display unit  31  for displaying current electricity consumption states and environments (such as temperature and humidity); the input unit  32  that can be manipulated by a user; the communication unit  34  for communication with the home appliances  1  through radio waves or wires such as PLC; and the control unit  36  for processing control signals. 
         [0042]    In addition, a customer service center  800  is connected to the EMS  30  so that the home appliances  1  connected through wires in the consumer can be repaired if the home appliances  1  operate abnormally. In this way, a customer service system is constructed for home appliances according to an embodiment. 
         [0043]    That is, according to the embodiment, in the customer service system for the home appliances  1 , the AMI  20 , the EMS  30 , and the customer service center  800  are connected to each other for two-way communication. In addition, the home appliances  1  are connected to the EMS  30  through communication adaptors  600  (described later in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 ) for two-way communication. 
         [0044]    Thus, operational information of the home appliances can be transmitted to the customer service center  800  through the above-described communication path, and then the customer service center  800  checks the information and sends information about received customer requests to the home appliances  1  through the EMS  30 . In this way, the customer service system for the home appliances  1  can be operated using the smart grid. 
         [0045]    Identification codes of the home appliances  1  connected to the EMS  30  are registered in the EMS  30 , and when a customer service is requested, the identification code of a corresponding home appliance  1  is transmitted to the customer service center  800  together with operational information of the home appliance  1 . 
         [0046]    Since EMSs  30  are provided in customers such as residential customers and offices, home codes for management may be assigned to the EMSs  30 , respectively. 
         [0047]    That is, when a service request of a home appliance  1  is transmitted to the customer service center  800  through an EMS  30 , the home code of the EMS  30  and the identification code of the home appliance  1  are transmitted to the customer service center  800  and stored in the customer service center  800 . 
         [0048]    Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a home appliance according to an embodiment;  FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; and  FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0050]    In the drawings, a cleaner  100  is illustrated as an example of the home appliances  1 . 
         [0051]    The cleaner  100  includes a nozzle  130  through which air containing dust is drawn; a handle  150  with which a user can handle the cleaner  100 ; an extension pipe  140  connecting the nozzle  130  to the handle  150 ; and a connection hose  160  connecting the nozzle  130  and a main body  110  of the cleaner  100  for guiding air and dust to the main body  110 . 
         [0052]    The main body  110  includes a suction part  112  for suctioning air together with dust, and the connection hose  160  is coupled to the suction part  112 . 
         [0053]    A dust collector  140  may be detachably disposed in the main body  110  for collecting dust and other substances from air sucked through the suction part  112  and storing the dust and the other substances, and wheels  120  may be provided on left and right sides of the main body  110  so that a user can easily carry out a cleaning operation while moving the main body  110  by holding the handle  150 . 
         [0054]    In addition, a communication adapter  600  is connected to a plug  180  of the main body  110  of the cleaner  100  so that power supply to the main body  110  and two-way communication between the cleaner  100  and the EMS  30  can be possible. 
         [0055]    That is, the communication adapter  600  is connected between the plug  180  and a socket  520  of an outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  to allow power supply and two-way communication. 
         [0056]    In detail, the communication adapter  600  includes: a first coupling part  611  corresponding to the plug  180  for fitting the plug  180  in the first coupling part  611 ; and a second coupling part  612  corresponding to the socket  520  so as to be fitted into the socket  520 . Thus, the cleaner  100  can be connected to the energy supply network  10  through the communication adapter  600 . 
         [0057]    In addition, the communication adapter  600  includes: an adapter memory  660  for storing operational information of the cleaner  100 ; an adapter communication unit  620  communicating with the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30  and the cleaner  100  for transmitting and receiving the operational information; and an adapter control unit  640 . 
         [0058]    For this, the plug  180  of the cleaner  100  may include a data terminal in addition to a power terminal, and the first coupling part  611  may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the data terminal. Alternatively, a power management communication chip may be included in the cleaner  100  for transmitting and receiving operational information and power information to and from the adapter communication unit  620  and the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30 . 
         [0059]    If the cleaner  100  and the energy supply network  10  are connected through the communication adapter  600  as described above and the cleaner  100  is started, information such as the RPM and power consumption of a suction motor of the cleaner  100  is checked and stored in the adapter memory  660 . For this, an encoder may be further included in the main body  110  for detecting the RPM of the suction motor, and values measured by the encoder may be stored in the adapter memory  660 . 
         [0060]    In addition, the main body  110  further includes a service button  190  for transmitting operational information stored in the adapter memory  660  to a cleaner customer service center  810  through the EMS  30 . 
         [0061]    If the cleaner  100  operates abnormally, a user can press the service button  190 . On the contrary, when the cleaner  100  operates normally, it is unnecessary to press the service button  190 . Thus, the service button  190  may be provided on a side of the main body  110  instead of being provided on the handle  150 . 
         [0062]    A display unit is provided on the handle  150  for displaying reception information transmitted from the cleaner customer service center  810  in response to a customer service request transmitted by pressing the service button  190 . 
         [0063]    For this, the display unit may include a display  170  configured by a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying characters, and may display information such as an estimated defective part, an estimated repair cost, an estimated repair time, and the closest service center location. 
         [0064]    Hereinafter, an exemplary operation will now be explained according to an embodiment. 
         [0065]    The cleaner  100  may be operated as follows: the communication adapter  600  is coupled to the plug  180 ; and the communication adapter  600  is inserted into the outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  provided in a residential customer so as to connect the cleaner  100  to the EMS  30  (S 100 ). 
         [0066]    After the EMS  30  and the cleaner  100  are connected, the EMS  30  selects one of power supply sources according to energy supply mode, and then power is distributed to the cleaner  100  from the selected power source under the control of the EMS  30 . 
         [0067]    Then, a user can clean a desired place while handling the cleaner  100  with the handle  150  (S 102 ), and during cleaning after the EMS  30  and the cleaner  100  are connected, information about operations of the cleaner  100  is stored in the adapter memory  660  (S 104 ). 
         [0068]    In a state where the cleaner  100  and the EMS  30  are correctly connected, if a user detects an abnormal situation such as a suction force decrease or a motor stop (S 106 ), the user can press the service button  190  provided on the main body  110  to send a service request for the cleaner  100  to the cleaner customer service center  810  (S 108 ). 
         [0069]    That is, if the service button  190  is pressed, information about operations of the cleaner  100  is transmitted from the adapter memory  660  of the communication adapter  600  to the EMS  30  (S 110 ). 
         [0070]    Then, the EMS  30  transmits the information to the cleaner customer service center  810  together with the identification code of the cleaner  100  so that the cleaner customer service center  810  can check the information and the identification code for determining whether the cleaner  100  operates abnormally (S 112 ). 
         [0071]    In response to the customer service request, the cleaner customer service center  810  checks the home code of the EMS  30 , the identification code of the cleaner  100 , and the operational information of the cleaner  100  and registers the customer service request (S 114 ). Then, the cleaner customer service center  810  sends information about reception of the customer service request to the EMS  30  (S 116 ). 
         [0072]    The reception information transmitted from the cleaner customer service center  810  to the EMS  30  may include information such as an estimated defective part, an estimated repair cost, an estimated repair time, and the closest service center location. 
         [0073]    After receiving the reception information, the EMS  30  transmits the reception information to the cleaner  100  through the communication adapter  600  (S 118 ), and the reception information is displayed on the display  170  of the cleaner  100  (S 120 ). If the connection between the cleaner  100  and the EMS  30  is disconnected (S 122 ), the reception information is displayed when there is a connection between the cleaner  100  and the EMS  30 . Thus, a user can be easily informed and receive a service. 
         [0074]      FIG. 6  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment;  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; and  FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0075]    In the drawings, a cooking appliance  200  is illustrated according to an embodiment. 
         [0076]    The cooking appliance  200  includes an outer case  201  forming the exterior of the cooking appliance  200 , a cavity  210  formed in the outer case  201  to define a cooking chamber  212 , a door  202  for opening and closing the cavity  210 , a plurality of heating devices for heating food disposed in the cooking chamber  212 , and a control panel  230  provided on a side of the outer case  201  so that a user can manipulate the control panel  230 . 
         [0077]    The cooking appliance  200  further includes a temperature detecting unit (not shown) for detecting the inside temperature of the cavity  210 , a cooker control unit  236  for controlling the overall operation of the cooking appliance  200 , and a cooker memory unit (not shown) for storing operational conditions of the cooking appliance  200 . 
         [0078]    That is, in the cooking appliance  200 , the cooker control unit  236  may generate a control signal for selecting one of the heating devices and time according to the kind of food disposed in the cooking chamber  212 , or a user may manipulate the control panel  230  to select a control signal to be generated. 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cooking chamber  212  may include an upper heater  240 , a lower heater  250 , and a convection device  220  as heating devices. In addition, the cooking chamber  212  may further include a magnetron or an ultrasonic device as a heating device. 
         [0080]    The control panel  230  includes: a manipulation unit  231  through which operational conditions of a heating device can be input; and a display unit  235  for displaying operational states of the cooking appliance  200 . 
         [0081]    The manipulation unit  231  includes: a mode selection button  232  for selecting a heating device operation mode for cooking a food in the cooking chamber  212 ; a start button  233  for starting in the selected operation mode; and a service button  290  that can be pressed when the cooking appliance  200  operates abnormally so as to send a service request to a cooker customer service center  820 . 
         [0082]    The display unit  235  may display operational states of the cooking appliance  200  controlled through the manipulation unit  231  and information about a customer service request transmitted to the cooker customer service center  820  through the service button  290 . 
         [0083]    Like the previous embodiment, a communication adapter  600  may be connected to a plug  280  of the cooking appliance  200  so that power supply to the cooking appliance  200  and two-way communication between the cooking appliance  200  and the EMS  30  can be possible. 
         [0084]    That is, the communication adapter  600  is connected between the plug  280  and a socket  520  of an outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  to allow power supply and two-way communication. 
         [0085]    The communication adapter  600  includes: a first coupling part  611  corresponding to the plug  280  for fitting the plug  280  in the first coupling part  611 ; and a second coupling part  612  corresponding to the socket  520  so as to be fitted into the socket  520 . Thus, the cooking appliance  200  can be connected to the energy supply network  10  through the communication adapter  600 . 
         [0086]    The communication adapter  600  includes: an adapter memory  660  for storing operational information of the cooking appliance  200 ; an adapter communication unit  620  communicating with the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30  and the cooking appliance  200  for transmitting and receiving the operational information; and an adapter control unit  640 . 
         [0087]    For this, the plug  280  of the cooking appliance  200  may include a data terminal in addition to a power terminal, and the first coupling part  611  may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the data terminal. Alternatively, a power management communication chip may be included in the cooking appliance  200  for transmitting and receiving operational information and power information to and from the adapter communication unit  620  and the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30 . 
         [0088]    If the cooking appliance  200  and the energy supply network  10  are connected through the communication adapter  600  as described above and the cooking appliance  200  is operated, operational information such as heating device operational states and power consumption rates is checked and stored in the adapter memory  660 . 
         [0089]    If the service button  290  is pressed, the adapter control unit  640  transmits the operational information of the cooking appliance  200  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  through the adapter communication unit  620 . 
         [0090]    After receiving the operational information, the EMS  30  transmits the operational information to the cooker customer service center  820  together with the identification code of the cooking appliance  200  so that a cooker service request can be applied. 
         [0091]    Hereinafter, an exemplary operation will be explained according to an embodiment. 
         [0092]    A user may cook a food using the cooking appliance  200  as follows. The communication adapter  600  is coupled to the plug  280 ; and the communication adapter  600  is inserted into the outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  provided in a residential customer so as to connect the cooking appliance  200  to the EMS  30  (S 200 ). 
         [0093]    After the EMS  30  and the cooking appliance  200  are connected, the EMS  30  selects one of power supply sources according to energy supply mode, and then power is distributed to the cooking appliance  200  from the selected power source under the control of the EMS  30 . 
         [0094]    Then, a user selects a cooking mode through the manipulation unit  231  of the cooking appliance  200  and presses a manipulation button to operate the cooking appliance  200  in the selected cooking mode (S 202 ). Then, one or more of the heating devices of the cooking appliance  200  are operated according to the selected cooking mode so that the food can be cooked while storing operational information of the cooking appliance  200  in the adapter memory  660  (S 204 ). 
         [0095]    If the cooking appliance  200  does not operate normally although a cooking command is input through the manipulation unit  231 , a user can press the service button  290  provided on a side of the manipulation unit  231  to send a customer service request to the cooker customer service center  820  (S 208 ). 
         [0096]    In detail, if a user detects an abnormal operation of the cooking appliance  200  and presses the service button  290 , the communication adapter  600  sends the operational information of the cooking appliance  200  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  (S 210 ). 
         [0097]    Then, the EMS  30  sends the operational information of the cooking appliance  200  to the cooker customer service center  820  together with the identification code of the cooking appliance  200  so that the cooker customer service center  820  can check the information and determine whether the cooking appliance  200  operates abnormally (S 212 ). 
         [0098]    In response to the customer service request, the cooker customer service center  820  checks the home code of the EMS  30 , the identification code of the cooking appliance  200 , and the operational information of the cooking appliance  200 , and registers the customer service request (S 214 ). Then, the cooker customer service center  820  sends information about reception of the customer service request to the EMS  30  (S 216 ). 
         [0099]    The reception information transmitted from the cooker customer service center  820  to the EMS  30  may include information such as an estimated defective part, an estimated repair cost, an estimated repair time, and the closest service center location. 
         [0100]    After receiving the reception information, the EMS  30  transmits the reception information to the cooking appliance  200  through the communication adapter  600  (S 218 ), and the reception information is displayed on the display unit  235  of the cooking appliance  200  (S 220 ). If the connection between the cooking appliance  200  and the EMS  30  is disconnected (S 222 ), the reception information is displayed when there is a connection between the cooking appliance  200  and the EMS  30 . Thus, a user can be easily informed and receive a service. 
         [0101]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment;  FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; and  FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0102]    In the drawings, a humidifier  300  is illustrated according to an embodiment. 
         [0103]    The humidifier  300  includes a humidifier main body  310  and a water tank  320  disposed on the humidifier main body  310  to supply water. The humidifier main body  310  and the water tank  320  form the exterior of the humidifier  300 . 
         [0104]    The humidifier main body  310  includes a tub part (not shown) for containing water supplied from the water tank  320 . 
         [0105]    The tub part includes: a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water tank  320 ; and a vibrator or a heating unit such as a heater or an electrode rod for producing wet steam from water supplied from the water tank  320 . 
         [0106]    Wet steam produced by the vibrator or the heating unit may be discharged to the outside through a wet steam outlet of the water tank  320 , and the humidifier main body  310  may include a blower for facilitating discharging of the wet steam. 
         [0107]    In addition, a spray guide  330  may be disposed on the water tank  320  to guide wet steam discharging from the water tank  320 , and a water tank handle  340  is provided on a side of the water tank  320  so that a user can easily attach and detach the water tank  320  by holding the water tank handle  340 . 
         [0108]    The water tank  320  is disposed on the rear side of the humidifier main body  310  and forms the rear exterior of the humidifier  300 . 
         [0109]    A front display unit  360  is provided the front side of the humidifier main body  310  so that a user can check the operational state of the humidifier  300 . 
         [0110]    The front display unit  360  includes a liquid crystal panel capable of display letters and numerals. The front display unit  360  may display information about a customer service request sent by pressing a service button  390  (described later). The service button  390  may be provided on a rear lateral side of the humidifier main body  390  at a position spaced apart from an adjustor  350 , and if necessary, a user can press the service button  390 . 
         [0111]    The adjustor  350  is provided at a side of the front display unit  360  to receive a control command for operating the humidifier  300 . 
         [0112]    That is, if a user input a control condition through the adjustor  350 , a humidifier control unit  316  generates a control command for operating the vibrator or the heating unit and the blower corresponding to the control condition. In this way, indoor humidity can be controlled using the humidifier  300 . 
         [0113]    Like the previous embodiment, a communication adapter  600  may be connected to a plug  380  of the humidifier  300  so that power supply to the humidifier  300  and two-way communication between the humidifier  300  and the EMS  30  can be possible. 
         [0114]    That is, the communication adapter  600  is connected between the plug  380  and a socket  520  of an outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  to allow power supply and two-way communication. 
         [0115]    The communication adapter  600  includes: a first coupling part  611  corresponding to the plug  380  for fitting the plug  380  in the first coupling part  611 ; and a second coupling part  612  corresponding to the socket  520  so as to be fitted into the socket  520 . Thus, the humidifier  300  can be connected to the energy supply network  10  through the communication adapter  600 . 
         [0116]    The communication adapter  600  includes: an adapter memory  660  for storing operational information of the humidifier  300 ; an adapter communication unit  620  communicating with the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30  and the humidifier  300  for transmitting and receiving the operational information; and an adapter control unit  640 . 
         [0117]    For this, the plug  380  of the humidifier  300  may include a data terminal in addition to a power terminal, and the first coupling part  611  may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the data terminal. Alternatively, a power management communication chip may be included in the humidifier  300  for transmitting and receiving operational information and power information to and from the adapter communication unit  620  and the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30 . 
         [0118]    If the humidifier  300  and the energy supply network are connected through the communication adapter  600  as described above and a control signal is input through the adjustor  350 , information such as operational states and power consumption rates of the vibrator or the heating unit is checked and stored in the adapter memory  660 . 
         [0119]    If the service button  390  is pressed, the adapter control unit  640  transmits operational information of the humidifier  300  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  through the adapter communication unit  620 . 
         [0120]    After receiving the operational information, the EMS transmits the operational information to a humidifier customer service center  830  together with the identification code of the humidifier  300  so that a humidifier service request can be applied. 
         [0121]    Hereinafter, an exemplary operation will be explained according to an embodiment. 
         [0122]    A user may improve indoor environments by using the humidifier  300  as follows. The communication adapter  600  is coupled to the plug  380 ; and the communication adapter  600  is inserted into the outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  provided in a residential customer so as to connect the humidifier  300  to the EMS  30  (S 300 ). 
         [0123]    After the EMS  30  and the humidifier  300  are connected, the EMS  30  selects one of power supply sources according to energy supply mode, and then power is distributed to the humidifier  300  from the selected power source under the control of the EMS  30 . 
         [0124]    Then, a user sets conditions such as a spraying rate and time of wet steam using the adjustor  350  of the humidifier  300  for adjusting the humidity of an indoor area (S 302 ). 
         [0125]    At this time, in the humidifier  300 , the vibrator or the heating unit is operated to generate and spray wet steam according to an input control signal, and operational information of the humidifier  300  is stored in the adapter memory  660  (S 304 ). 
         [0126]    If the humidifier  300  does not operate normally although an operation command is input through the adjustor  350  (S 306 ), a user may press the service button  390  to send a customer service request to the humidifier customer service center  830  (S 308 ). 
         [0127]    In detail, if a user detects an abnormal operation of the humidifier  300  and presses the service button  390 , the communication adapter  600  sends the operational information of the humidifier  300  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  (S 310 ). 
         [0128]    Then, the EMS  30  sends the operational information of the humidifier  300  to the humidifier customer service center  830  together with the identification code of the humidifier  300  so that the humidifier customer service center  830  can check the information and determine whether the humidifier  300  operates abnormally (S 312 ). 
         [0129]    In response to the customer service request, the humidifier customer service center  830  checks the home code of the EMS  30 , the identification code of the humidifier  300 , and the operational information of the humidifier  300 , and registers the customer service request (S 314 ). Then, the humidifier customer service center  830  sends information about reception of the customer service request to the EMS  30  (S 316 ). 
         [0130]    The reception information transmitted from the humidifier customer service center  830  to the EMS  30  may include information such as an estimated defective part, an estimated repair cost, an estimated repair time, and the closest service center location. 
         [0131]    After receiving the reception information, the EMS  30  transmits the reception information to the humidifier  300  through the communication adapter  600  (S 318 ), and the reception information is displayed on the front display unit  360  of the humidifier  300  (S 320 ). If the connection between the humidifier  300  and the EMS  30  is disconnected (S 322 ), the reception information is displayed when there is a connection between the humidifier  300  and the EMS  30 . Thus, a user can be easily informed and receive a service. 
         [0132]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating another home appliance according to an embodiment;  FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a service system for the home appliance illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; and  FIG. 14  is a flowchart for explaining processes of receiving a customer&#39;s service request in the service system illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0133]    In the drawings, a massage chair  400  is illustrated according to an embodiment. 
         [0134]    The massage chair  400  is used to massage the body of a user. The body of a user can be massaged wholly or partially by using the massage chair  400 , and for this, the massage chair  400  includes a plurality of motors and an air adjusting device connected to a plurality of air bags. 
         [0135]    In detail, the massage chair  400  includes a back massage unit  420 , an arm massage unit  440 , leg and foot massage units (not shown). The massage units of the massage chair  400  may be individually controlled by the motors and the air adjusting device for massage parts of a user&#39;s body independently. 
         [0136]    The back massage unit  420  and the feet massage unit (not shown) include a plurality of protrusions connected to the motors for being moved in various manners for massaging the back and feet of a user sit on the massage chair  400 . 
         [0137]    The arm massage unit  440  and the leg massage unit (not shown) include air bags that can be expanded and contracted by the air adjusting device for massaging the arms and legs of a user. 
         [0138]    The massage chair  400  includes a remote controller  460  and a massage chair control unit  410 . The massage units of the massage chair  400  can be used selectively or simultaneously by using the remote controller  460 , and the massage chair control unit  410  sends control commands to the massage units according to selection through the remote controller  460 . 
         [0139]    The remote controller  460  is disposed on a side of the arm massage unit  440  so that a user sit on the massage chair  400  can easily see the remote controller  460 , and the remote controller  460  includes a touch display  462  so that a user can easily check and select an operation mode. 
         [0140]    Like the previous embodiment, the massage chair control unit  410  includes a plug  480 , and the plug  480  can be connected to the EMS  30  using a communication adapter  600  for receiving power while communicating with the EMS  30 . 
         [0141]    In addition, the massage chair control unit  410  includes a service button  490  so that if the massage chair  400  operates abnormally, a user can press the service button  490  to send a customer service request to a massage chair customer service center  840  through the EMS  30 . A power button  412  may be provided at a side of the service button  490  for turning the massage chair  400  on and off. 
         [0142]    A button having the same function as the service button  490  may be provided on the touch display  462  of the remote controller  460 . However, in the current embodiment, only the service button  490  is provided at a side of the massage chair control unit  410  to prevent a service request caused by a mistake. If necessary, a user can send a service request using the service button  490 . 
         [0143]    The communication adapter  600  connects the plug  480  to a socket  520  of an outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  so that power supply and two-way communication can be possible. 
         [0144]    The communication adapter  600  includes: a first coupling part  611  corresponding to the plug  480  for fitting the plug  480  in the first coupling part  611 ; and a second coupling part  612  corresponding to the socket  520  so as to be fitted into the socket  520 . Thus, the massage chair  400  can be connected to the energy supply network  10  through the communication adapter  600 . 
         [0145]    The communication adapter  600  includes: an adapter memory  660  for storing operational information of the massage chair  400 ; an adapter communication unit  620  communicating with the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30  and the massage chair  400  for transmitting and receiving the operational information; and an adapter control unit  640 . 
         [0146]    For this, the plug  480  of the massage chair  400  may include a data terminal in addition to a power terminal, and the first coupling part  611  may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the data terminal. Alternatively, a power management communication chip may be included in the massage chair  400  for transmitting and receiving operational information and power information to and from the adapter communication unit  620  and the communication unit  34  of the EMS  30 . 
         [0147]    If the massage chair  400  and the energy supply network  10  are connected through the communication adapter  600  as described above and a control signal is input through the remote controller  460 , operational information such as operation states and power consumption rates of the motors and/or the air adjusting device is input through the remote controller  460  is checked and stored in the adapter memory  660 . 
         [0148]    If the service button  490  is pressed, the adapter control unit  640  transmits the operational information of the massage chair  400  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  through the adapter communication unit  620 . 
         [0149]    After receiving the operational information, the EMS  30  transmits the operational information to the massage chair customer service center  840  together with the identification code of the massage chair  400  so that a massage chair service request can be applied. 
         [0150]    Hereinafter, an exemplary operation will be explained according to an embodiment. 
         [0151]    A user may massage a part or all parts of his body by using the massage chair  400  as follows. The communication adapter  600  is coupled to the plug  480 ; and the communication adapter  600  is inserted into the outlet  500  connected to the energy supply network  10  provided in a residential customer so as to connect the massage chair  400  to the EMS  30  (S 400 ). 
         [0152]    After the EMS  30  and the massage chair  400  are connected, the EMS  30  selects one of power supply sources according to energy supply mode, and then power is distributed to the massage chair  400  from the selected power source under the control of the EMS  30 . 
         [0153]    Then, a user can set conditions such as a part to be massaged and a massage time using the remote controller  460 , and enjoy massage according to the set conditions (S 402 ). 
         [0154]    At this time, in the massage chair  400 , operational information of the motors and the air adjusting device is stored in the adapter memory  660  according to an input control signal (S 404 ). 
         [0155]    If the massage chair  400  does not operate normally although an operation command is input through the remote controller  460  (S 406 ), a user may press the service button  490  to send a customer service request to the massage chair customer service center  840  (S 408 ). 
         [0156]    In detail, if a user detects an abnormal operation of the massage chair  400  and presses the service button  490 , the communication adapter  600  sends the operational information of the massage chair  400  stored in the adapter memory  660  to the EMS  30  (S 410 ). 
         [0157]    Then, the EMS  30  sends the operational information of the massage chair  400  to the massage chair customer service center  840  together with the identification code of the massage chair  400  so that the massage chair customer service center  840  can check the information and determine whether the massage chair  400  operates abnormally (S 412 ). 
         [0158]    In response to the customer service request, the massage chair customer service center  840  checks the home code of the EMS  30 , the identification code of the massage chair  400 , and the operational information of the massage chair  400 , and registers the customer service request (S 414 ). Then, the massage chair customer service center  840  sends information about reception of the customer service request to the EMS  30  (S 416 ). 
         [0159]    The reception information transmitted from the massage chair customer service center  840  to the EMS  30  may include information such as an estimated defective part, an estimated repair cost, an estimated repair time, and the closest service center location. 
         [0160]    After receiving the reception information, the EMS  30  transmits the reception information to the massage chair  400  through the communication adapter  600  (S 418 ), and the reception information is displayed on the touch display  462  of the massage chair  400  (S 420 ). If the connection between the massage chair  400  and the EMS  30  is disconnected (S 422 ), the reception information is displayed when there is a connection between the massage chair  400  and the EMS  30 . Thus, a user can be easily informed and receive a service. 
         [0161]    Most customers buy home appliances after considering the quality of customer services. 
         [0162]    That is, when customers buy home appliances, they check service quality in addition to the performances and prices of the home appliances. According to the embodiments, when a home appliance operates abnormally, it is possible for a user to send a customer service request only by pressing a service button provided on a side of the home appliance without having to visit a customer service center. 
         [0163]    Therefore, when a user wants to repair a home appliance, it is unnecessary for the user to search for a customer service center, visit the customer service center, wait in line, and explain abnormal states of the home appliance for receiving a repair service. This makes customers buy products and satisfies customers, thereby increasing industrial applicability and improving related industries.