Auto-programming of a dryer based on the washer cycle

Abstract

The present invention provides for a programmable appliance having a dryer and a control system operatively connected to the dryer, the control system adapted to create a dryer instruction based on the washing mode selection and to apply the dryer instruction to the dryer. According to a method of the present invention, a dryer is programmed by receiving a washing mode selection associated with a washer, automatically creating a dryer mode selection from the washing mode selection, and applying the dryer mode selection to the dryer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A programmable appliance comprising: 
 a washer;    a dryer; and    a control system operatively connected between the washer and the dryer, the control system adapted to create a dryer instruction based on a washing mode selection and to apply the dryer instruction to the dryer.    
     
     
         2 . The programmable appliance of  claim 1  further comprising a user input operatively connected to the control system.  
     
     
         3 . The programmable appliance of  claim 2  wherein the control system is adapted to modify a dryer instruction with a user instruction received from the user input.  
     
     
         4 . A system for washing and drying comprising: 
 a washer adapted to receive at least one user input for controlling a wash cycle;    a dryer in communication with the washer, the dryer adapted to receive a dryer input for controlling drying based on the user input for controlling the wash cycle of the washer.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the user input is selected from a set comprising a touch display, a dial, a button, and a switch.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the washer and the dryer are positioned in a stacked position.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a housing wherein the housing contains the washer and the dryer.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the washer and dryer share a single chamber.  
     
     
         9 . A system for washing and drying comprising: 
 a washer;    a dryer;    a control system operatively connected to the washer and the dryer, the control system adapted to receive at least one wash cycle instruction;    wherein the control system is adapted to control the dryer according to dry cycle instructions, the dry cycle instructions based on the at least one wash cycle instruction.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a user input operatively connected to the control system, the user input adapted to receive the wash cycle instructions from an operator.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the washer and dryer are stacked.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a housing wherein the housing contains the washer and the dryer.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a user display operatively connected to the control system.  
     
     
         14 . A method of programming a dryer comprising: 
 receiving a washing mode selection associated with a washer;    automatically creating a dryer mode selection from the washing mode selection; and    applying the dryer mode selection to the dryer.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving verification of the dryer mode selection from an operator.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving modifications to the dryer mode selection from an operator.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the washing mode selection is selected from the set comprising: a wash cycle temperature, a rinse cycle temperature, a type of wash load, and a favorite selection.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the dryer mode selection is selected from the set comprising a temperature selection, a time selection, a dry selection, and a favorite selection.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising displaying the dryer mode selection on a user interface.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of displaying the dryer mode selection on a user interface occurs after a dryer door is opened.