Washing machine having broadcasting receiver

• US 7,866,190 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jeong, Seong Hae, Lee, Deug Hee, Kim, Hyeok Deok, Choi, Soung Bong
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US11/667,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20080105001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• Field of Search: 68/122.7, 134/113
• US Class Current: 68/3.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A washing machine having a broadcasting receiver for providing various multimedia contents on the washing machine is disclosed. A broadcast signal reception module is provided in the washing machine, such as a washer or dryer, which is frequently used in the user'"'"'s living space. Therefore, the washing machine can not only perform a washing operation, but also output a broadcast signal. In particular, the provision of the broadcast signal reception module in the washing machine enables reception of a mobile broadcast signal, as well as a fixed broadcast signal, thereby making it possible to provide more various multimedia contents through the washing machine. Therefore, it is possible to increase customer satisfaction with a multifunction-alization of the washing machine and thus use the washing machine more universally, resulting in an increase in the competitiveness of a product.

Claims

1. A broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine for washing or drying laundry, the washing machine comprising a broadcast signal reception module arranged thereon for receiving a broadcast signal and providing the received broadcast signal in image and audio form, wherein the broadcast signal reception module includes:

a key input unit for inputting control commands for control of image/audio output from a user;

a broadcast signal receiver for receiving an external fixed broadcast signal and separating the received broadcast signal into a video signal and an audio signal;

an image output unit for displaying the video signal separated by the broadcast signal receiver and a current washing progress state of the washing machine;

an audio output unit for outputting the audio signal separated by the broadcast signal receiver; and

a broadcast signal controller for controlling the image/audio output in response to the user'"'"'s control commands and displaying the washing progress state through the image output unit in data communication with the washing machine, and

wherein the image output unit is physically or functionally partitioned into an image display area for outputting the video signal, and a washing display area for displaying the washing progress state, whereby the image output unit displays the video signal and the washing progress state independent of each other or at the same time.

2. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a remote controller for inputting control commands from a user to the washing machine and broadcast signal reception module.

3. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the remote controller includes a key panel for control of the washing machine, and a key panel for control of the broadcast signal reception module, whereby the remote controller is used in common for the washing machine and broadcast signal reception module.

4. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine and the broadcast signal reception module are interconnected via a serial communication line so that they can perform data communication therebetween.

5. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine includes:

a key input unit for inputting washing mode conditions from a user;

a load driver for driving loads necessary for a washing mode; and

a washing controller for controlling the washing mode according to the washing mode conditions inputted from the user and transmitting information regarding a current washing progress state to the broadcast signal reception module to display the current washing progress state through the broadcast signal reception module.

6. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the washing machine further includes an Internet-connectable communication unit.

7. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the key input unit includes:

a washing operator for performing a variety of washing-associated operations; and

a broadcasting operator for performing various operations associated with output of the broadcast signal.

8. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the broadcasting operator includes a plurality of select keys for operating use environments of the broadcast signal reception module including power control, screen adjustment, channel selection and volume adjustment.

9. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the washing operator and the broadcasting operator constitutes a common key panel.

10. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the key input unit further includes a mode select key for selecting any one of a washing-associated operation mode or a broadcast signal output-associated operation mode on the key panel.

11. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine includes:

a key input unit for inputting washing mode conditions from a user;

a load driver for driving loads necessary for a washing mode;

a display unit for displaying current mode conditions in progress and a current washing progress state; and

a washing controller for controlling the washing mode according to the washing mode conditions inputted from the user, and displaying the current washing progress state through the display unit or transmitting information regarding the current washing progress state to the broadcast signal reception module to display the current washing progress state through the broadcast signal reception module.

12. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the washing machine further includes an Internet-connectable communication unit.

13. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit includes a washing information display panel for displaying only the washing progress state separately from the video signal.

14. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the image output unit displays the washing progress state in the form of a picture in picture (PIP) screen or caption together with the video signal under the control of the broadcast signal controller.

15. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal reception module includes:

a key input unit for inputting control commands for control of image/audio output from a user;

a set-top box for receiving an external mobile broadcast signal and separating the received broadcast signal into a video signal and an audio signal;

an image output unit for displaying the video signal separated by the set-top box and a current washing progress state of the washing machine;

an audio output unit for outputting the audio signal separated by the set-top box; and

a broadcast signal controller for controlling the image/audio output in response to the user'"'"'s control commands and displaying the washing progress state through the image output unit in data communication with the washing machine.

16. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the set-top box has a data transmission/reception function to enable two-way communication with a transmission center which provides the mobile broadcast signal.

17. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the set-top box includes:

a tuner for receiving, tuning and demodulating the mobile broadcast signal from a broadcasting transmission center; and

a demultiplexer for separating the mobile broadcast signal demodulated by the tuner into the video signal and the audio signal.

18. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the set-top box further includes a storage medium for storing the received mobile broadcast signal.

19. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the image output unit includes a washing information display panel for displaying only the washing progress state separately from the video signal.

20. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the image output unit displays the washing progress state in the form of a PIP screen or caption together with the video signal under the control of the broadcast signal controller.

21. A broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine for washing or drying laundry, the washing machine comprising a monitor device communicably connected therewith for remotely controlling and monitoring an entire operation of the washing machine, the monitor device receiving a broadcast signal and outputting the received broadcast signal in image and audio form, in response to a user'"'"'s request, wherein the monitor device includes:

a communication unit for transmitting a control command to the washing machine or receiving information regarding a current washing progress state of the washing machine therefrom in data communication with the washing machine;

a broadcast signal receiver for receiving an external broadcast signal and separating it into a video signal and an audio signal;

an image output unit for displaying the washing progress state information received through the communication unit and the video signal separated by the broadcast signal receiver;

an audio output unit for outputting the washing progress state information received through the communication unit and the audio signal separated by the broadcast signal receiver; and

a monitor controller for outputting the washing progress state information or broadcast signal by performing the data communication with the washing machine or a broadcast signal reception function in response to a control command from the user, and

wherein the image output unit is physically or functionally partitioned into an image display area for outputting the video signal, and a washing display area for displaying the washing progress state, whereby the image output unit displays the video signal and the washing progress state independent of each other or at the same time.

22. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the washing machine and the monitor device perform the data communication therebetween in any one of a power line communication (PLC) manner or radio frequency (RF) communication manner.

23. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the communication unit includes any one of a PLC module or RF communication module.

24. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the monitor device further includes a key input unit, the key input unit including a washing operator for performing a variety of washing-associated operations, and a broadcasting operator for performing various operations associated with output of the broadcast signal.

25. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 24, wherein the broadcasting operator includes a plurality of select keys for operating use environments of the monitor device including power control, screen adjustment, channel selection and volume adjustment.

26. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 24, wherein the washing operator and the broadcasting operator constitutes a common key panel.

27. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 26, wherein the key input unit further includes a mode select key for selecting any one of a washing-associated operation mode or a broadcast signal output-associated operation mode on the key panel.

28. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the image output unit includes a washing information display panel for displaying only the washing progress state separately from the video signal.

29. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 28, wherein the image output unit displays the washing progress state in the form of a PIP screen or caption together with the video signal under the control of the monitor controller.

30. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal receiver is a fixed broadcast signal or mobile broadcast signal.

31. The broadcasting receiver-equipped washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the monitor device further includes a storage medium for storing the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal receiver.