Washing machine and controlling method thereof

Abstract

A washing machine and a controlling method thereof may automatically set a customized washing cycle according to a wearing environment of laundry. The washing machine includes a user input configured to receive wearing environment information of the laundry from a user, and a controller configured to determine washing characteristics of the laundry based on the wearing environment information of the laundry and automatically set a washing cycle based on the washing characteristics of the laundry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a user input configured to receive a washing course corresponding to a wearing environment information of laundry; and   a controller configured to determine, by way of one or more processors, washing characteristics of the laundry including at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the wearing environment information of the laundry and automatically set a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically sets at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on a type of detergent; and   the controller automatically sets the washing cycle to reflect a difference in composition according to the type of detergent.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on the contamination level of the laundry; and   the controller additionally sets the factors of the washing cycle according to the contamination level of the laundry.   
     
     
         5 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a user input configured to receive clothing classification information of laundry and user's environment information; and   a controller configured to determine, by way of one or more processors, a wearing environment of the laundry based on the clothing classification information of the laundry and the user's environment information, determine washing characteristics of the laundry including at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the determined wearing environment information of the laundry, and automatically set a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller automatically sets at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on a type of detergent; and   the controller automatically sets the washing cycle to reflect a difference in composition according to the type of detergent.   
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on the contamination level of the laundry; and   the controller additionally sets the factors of the washing cycle according to the contamination level of the laundry.   
     
     
         9 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a laundry reader configured to analyze a code of a label attached to laundry to read clothing classification information of the laundry; and   a controller configured to determine, by way of one or more processors, a wearing environment of the laundry based on the clothing classification information of the laundry, determine at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the determined wearing environment information of the laundry, and automatically set a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller automatically sets at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on a type of detergent; and   the controller automatically sets the washing cycle to reflect a difference in composition according to the type of detergent   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the user input additionally receives information on the contamination level of the laundry; and   the controller additionally sets the factors of the washing cycle according to the contamination level of the laundry.   
     
     
         13 . A controlling method of a washing machine, comprising:
 receiving a washing course corresponding to wearing environment information of laundry;   determining, by way of one or more processors, at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the wearing environment information of the laundry; and   automatically setting a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein, in the automatic setting of the washing cycle, at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing is automatically set in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         15 . A controlling method of a washing machine, comprising:
 receiving clothing classification information of laundry and user's environment information;   determining a wearing environment of the laundry based on the clothing classification information of the laundry and the user's environment information;   determining, by way of one or more processors, at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the determined wearing environment information of the laundry; and   automatically setting a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein, in the automatic setting of the washing cycle, at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing is automatically set in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         17 . A controlling method of a washing machine, comprising:
 analyzing a code of a label attached to laundry to read clothing classification information of the laundry;   determining a wearing environment of the laundry based on the clothing classification information of the laundry;   determining, by way of one or more processors, at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on the determined wearing environment information of the laundry; and   automatically setting a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein, in the automatic setting of the washing cycle, at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing is automatically set in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a controller configured to determine, by way of one or more processors, washing characteristics of the laundry including at least one of a material of the laundry, a contaminant of the laundry, and a contamination level of the laundry based on a wearing environment information of the laundry and automatically set a washing cycle based on the determined washing characteristics of the laundry.   
     
     
         20 . The washing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the controller automatically sets at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing in the washing cycle. 
     
     
         21 . The washing machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller automatically sets the washing cycle to reflect a difference in composition according to a type of detergent. 
     
     
         22 . The washing machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller additionally sets the factors of the washing cycle according to a contamination level of the laundry. 
     
     
         23 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a controller configured to determine, by way of one or more processors, a washing course based on a wearing environment information of the laundry and automatically set a washing cycle based on the determined washing course.   
     
     
         24 . The washing machine according to  claim 24 , wherein the washing course is one of Dining & Kitchen, Gardening, Nursery, Picnic & Camping, Kidswear, Desk & Office, and Garage & Machinery. 
     
     
         25 . The washing machine according to  claim 24 , wherein the controller automatically sets at least one factor of a washing temperature, washing time, whether bubble washing is performed, soaking, a detergent amount, and additional rinsing in the washing course.