EP-4738803-A2 - COMMAND INPUT DEVICE AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

EP4738803A2EP 4738803 A2EP4738803 A2EP 4738803A2EP-4738803-A2

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling a command input device. The method includes: sensing contact between a home appliance and the command input device; based on sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, determining the home appliance as a target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device; and based on the determination of the home appliance as the target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device, activating a remote controller provided by the command input device and configured to control the target home appliance.

Inventors

LEE, Seonghun
KIM, Hwanyong
PARK, SOOYONG

Assignees

LG Electronics Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20181024

Claims (15)

A method for controlling a command input device, the method comprising: sensing contact between a home appliance and the command input device; based on sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, determining the home appliance as a target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device; and based on the determination of the home appliance as the target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device, activating a remote controller provided by the command input device and configured to control the target home appliance.
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the remote controller comprises outputting, to a display of the command input device, an object that represents the remote controller for controlling the target home appliance.
The method of claim 1, wherein the command input device is configured to connect to a mobile terminal through wireless communication, and wherein activating the remote controller comprises outputting, to the mobile terminal, a control signal for activating the remote controller.
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the remote controller comprises executing, by the command input device, a management application of the target home appliance.
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the remote controller comprises: downloading, from a server to the command input device, a management application of the target home appliance; and executing the management application by the command input device.
The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device comprises sensing contact between a surface of a casing of the home appliance and the command input device.
The method of claim 1, further comprising: based on sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, transmitting power wirelessly from the target home appliance to the command input device.
The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a control command that is input from a user through the remote controller; and transmitting the control command to the target home appliance.
The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the contact between the home appliance and the command input device is released; and based on a determination that the contact between the home appliance and the command input device is released, stopping transmission of power from the target home appliance to the command input device.
A command input device, comprising: a contact sensing module configured to sense contact between a home appliance and the command input device; a communication module configured to transmit data to the home appliance and to receive data from the home appliance; a display configured to output an object representing a remote controller that is provided by the command input device and that is configured to control the target home appliance; an input module configured to receive, from a user, a control command for controlling the home appliance; and a controller configured to control operation of the command input device, wherein the controller is further configured to: based on the contact sensing module sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, determine the home appliance as a target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device, and based on the determination of the home appliance as the target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device, output, to the display, a control signal for activating the remote controller.
The command input device of claim 10, further comprising: a housing configured to accommodate the display, the input module, and the communication module; and a magnetic body located in the housing and configured to generate attractive force to a casing of the home appliance.
The command input device of claim 10, further comprising a power receiving module configured to receive power transmitted from the target home appliance.
The command input device of claim 10, wherein the input module comprises a physical button exposed through a surface of the housing.
The command input device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to, based on a release of the contact between the target home appliance and the command input device, output, to the display, a control signal for deactivating the remote controller.
The command input device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to, based on a release of the contact between the target home appliance and the command input device, turn off the display.

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a command input device and a controlling method thereof. Background Art Home automation systems may be used inside and outside of studio apartments, commercial buildings, office buildings, apartment complexes, and the like to provide convenience and security for users and to prevent intruders from trespassing their properties. In some examples, home appliances may include a controller, which is used to input a user's command and to display an operation state of home appliances. For example, each home appliance may be provided with a separate remote controller in order to control the home appliance, which may cause inconvenience to users. In some cases, a single remote controller may be provided to control a plurality of home appliances. In some cases, confusion may occur when the remote controller fails to determine a home appliance to be controlled, or when a remote object corresponding to each home appliance may not be activated. It is of interest to perform fine control of each home appliance with a single remote controller. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem One object of the present disclosure is to provide a command input device and a controlling method of the same, in which when the command input device comes into contact with a home appliance, a plurality of home appliances may be controlled using one device by activating a remote controller corresponding to the home appliance. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a command input device and a controlling method of the same, in which when the command input device comes into contact with a home appliance, the command input device operates by receiving power from the home appliance, and when the contact therebetween is released, the command input device is changed to a standby mode, thereby reducing energy consumption. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a command input device and a controlling method of the same, in which the command input device is detachably connected to home appliances. In this case, each home appliance may not include a physical button or a display to input a command to the home appliance, which improves an appearance of the home appliance. The above objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforesaid, and other objects not described herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Solution to Problem According to one aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a method for controlling a command input device includes: sensing contact between a home appliance and the command input device; based on sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, determining the home appliance as a target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device; and based on the determination of the home appliance as the target home appliance to be controlled by the command input device, activating a remote controller provided by the command input device and configured to control the target home appliance. Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of the following features. For example, activating the remote controller includes outputting, to a display of the command input device, an object that represents the remote controller for controlling the target home appliance. In some examples, the command input device is configured to connect to a mobile terminal through wireless communication, where activating the remote controller includes outputting, to the mobile terminal, a control signal for activating the remote controller. In some implementations, activating the remote controller includes executing, by the command input device, a management application of the target home appliance. In some implementations, activating the remote controller includes: downloading, from a server to the command input device, a management application of the target home appliance; and executing the management application by the command input device. In some implementations, sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device includes sensing contact between a surface of a casing of the home appliance and the command input device. In some implementations, the method further includes, based on sensing the contact between the home appliance and the command input device, transmitting power wirelessly from the target home appliance to the command input device. In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a control command that is input from a user through the remote controller; and transmitting the control command to the target home appliance. In some implementations, the method further includes: determining whether the contact between the home appliance and the command input device is released; and based on a determination that the contact between the home appliance and the command input device is released, stopp