Washing machine and method of controlling the same, and control panel of the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021269959-A1
Application number	US-202117185123-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 25, 2021
Priority date	Feb 28, 2020
Publication date	Sep 2, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A washing machine capable of communicating with a drying machine, and a method therefor are provided. The washing machine includes a communication circuitry configured to exchange data with an external device including a drying machine, a control panel including a dedicated button configured to obtain a user input for activating or deactivating a common function common with the drying machine, and at least one processor configured to, in response to obtaining the user input for activating the common function through the dedicated button, control the communication circuitry to activate the common function and transmit a communication signal for activating the common function to the drying machine, such that even if the drying machine is installed on the washing machine, the user may operate the drying machine without inconvenience.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A washing machine comprising:
a communication circuitry configured to exchange data with an external device including a drying machine; a control panel including a dedicated button configured to obtain a user input for activating or deactivating a common function common with the drying machine; and at least one processor configured to, in response to obtaining the user input for activating the common function through the dedicated button:
activate the common function, and
control the communication circuitry to transmit a communication signal for activating the common function to the drying machine.

2 . The washing machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein the common function comprises a remote control by the external device; and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, in response to obtaining the user input through the dedicated button:
activate the remote control, and
control the communication circuitry to transmit a communication signal for activating the remote control to the drying machine.

3 . The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened, maintain deactivation of the common function.

4 . The washing machine according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a door switch configured to output:
an open signal indicating that the door of the washing machine is opened, or
a closing signal indicating that the door is closed, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on obtaining the open signal from the door switch, maintain the deactivation of the common function.

5 . The washing machine according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on receiving a communication signal indicating that the door of the drying machine is opened through the communication circuitry, maintain the deactivation of the common function.

6 . The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened:
control the control panel to display an image message inducing to close the door of the washing machine, and control the communication circuitry to transmit a communication signal for displaying an image message inducing to close the door of the drying machine to the drying machine.

7 . The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, in response to obtaining the user input through the dedicated button, control the control panel to display:
a first indicator indicating activation of the common function of the washing machine, and a second indicator indicating activation of the common function of the drying machine.

8 . The washing machine according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, in response to receiving a communication signal indicating that the common function of the drying machine is deactivated, control the control panel to turn off the second indicator.

9 . A method of controlling a washing machine operable to communicate with an external device including a drying machine, the method comprising:
in response to obtaining a user input through a dedicated button provided on a control panel of the washing machine and configured to obtain the user input for activating or deactivating a common function common with the drying machine, activating, by at least one processor, the common function; and in response to obtaining the user input through the dedicated button, controlling a communication circuitry to transmit a communication signal for activating the common function to the drying machine.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the common function comprises a remote control by the external device.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened, maintaining, by the at least one processor, deactivation of the common function.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the maintaining of the deactivation of the common function comprises:
based on obtaining an open signal indicating that the door of the washing machine is opened from a door switch of the washing machine, maintaining, by the at least one processor, the deactivation of the common function.

13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the maintaining of the deactivation of the common function comprises:
based on receiving a communication signal indicating that the door of the drying machine is opened from the drying machine, maintaining, by the at least one processor, the deactivation of the common function.

14 . The washing machine according to claim 9 , further comprising:
based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened, displaying, by the at least one processor, an image message inducing to close the door of the washing machine and controlling the communication circuitry to transmit a communication signal for displaying an image message inducing to close the door of the drying machine to the drying machine.

15 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
displaying, by the at least one processor, a first indicator indicating activation of the common function of the washing machine and a second indicator indicating activation of the common function of the drying machine.

16 . A washing machine operable to communicate with an external device including a drying machine, the washing machine comprising:
a first control switch configured to obtain a user input for activating controlling the drying machine; a second control switching configured to obtain a user input for activating controlling the washing machine; a setting switch configured to:
obtain a user input for selecting a drying setting while controlling the drying machine is activated, and
obtain a user input for selecting a washing setting while controlling the washing machine is activated; and
a dedicated switch configured to obtain a user input for activating or deactivating a common function common with the drying machine.

17 . The washing machine according to claim 16 , further comprising:
at least one processor configured to, in response to obtaining the user input for activating the common function through a dedicated button:
activate the common function, and
transmit a communication signal for activating the common function to the drying machine.

18 . The washing machine according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened, maintain deactivation of the common function.

19 . The washing machine according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, based on identifying that at least one of a door of the washing machine or a door of the drying machine is opened:
control a communication circuity to transmit a communication signal for displaying an image message inducing to close the door of the washing machine, and control a display to display an image message inducing to close the door of the drying machine to the drying machine.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Park Haeyoon
• Kim Bobin
• Park Jihoon
• Son Romon
• Yeom Cheolmin
• Lee Tallae
• Lee Joonho
• Lim Kyoungae
• Hahn Jeongwon

Classifications

• D06F33/30

  Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control  (controlling processes of washer-dryers D06F33/50) · CPC title

• D06F34/20

  Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors · CPC title

• D06F34/05 Primary

  for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control · CPC title

• D06F34/34

  characterised by mounting or attachment features, e.g. detachable control panels or detachable display panels · CPC title

• D06F34/30

  characterised by mechanical features, e.g. buttons or rotary dials · CPC title