Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine having a plurality of washing apparatuses is disclosed. By providing the plurality of washing apparatuses, it is possible to separately wash the laundry as needed. In addition, by controlling the plurality of washing apparatuses using one power button and an additional option button, it is possible to implement the control panel that is easy to operate and convenient to use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clothes treatment system comprising:
 a first apparatus;   a second apparatus disposed above the first apparatus; and   a control panel including a first user interface provided in a lower area and a second user interface provided in an upper area above the lower area,   wherein the first user interface, located closer to a first door of the first apparatus than the second user interface, is configured for receiving user inputs associated with the first apparatus, the first user interface, the first user interface includes:   a first power button configured to receive a user input for turning on or off power of the first apparatus, and   a first start button configured to receive a user input for starting or stopping operation of the first apparatus, and   wherein the second user interface, located closer to a second door of the second apparatus than the first user interface, is configured for receiving user inputs associated with the second apparatus, the second user interface includes:   a second power button configured to receive a user input for turning on or off power of the second apparatus, and   a second start button to receive a user input for starting or stopping operation of the second apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first door is configured to open or close the first apparatus;   the second door is configured to open or close the second apparatus; and   the control panel is disposed between the first door and the second door.   
     
     
         3 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user interface is activated in response to the first power button being selected while the power of the first apparatus is in an off state. 
     
     
         4 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user interface is deactivated in response to the first power button being selected while the power of the first apparatus is in an on state. 
     
     
         5 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second user interface is activated in response to the second power button being selected while the power of the second apparatus is in an off state. 
     
     
         6 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second user interface is deactivated in response to the second power button being selected while the power of the second apparatus is in an on state. 
     
     
         7 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 3 , wherein the first user interface is deactivated in response to the user input not being received within a predetermined time from the activation of the first user interface. 
     
     
         8 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 5 , wherein the second user interface is deactivated in response to the user input not being received within a predetermined time from the activation of the second user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first apparatus performs a washing course, and   the second apparatus is performable a drying course while the first apparatus is performing the washing course.   
     
     
         10 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first user interface includes a washing course button configured to receive a user input for selecting a washing course, and   the second user interface includes a drying course button configured to receive a user input for selecting a drying course.   
     
     
         11 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein a command entered on the first user interface for the first apparatus initiates an operation of the second apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein an operation of the first apparatus affects an operation of the second apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel is a display, and the display includes the first and second user interfaces. 
     
     
         14 . A clothes treatment system comprising:
 a washing apparatus disposed;   a drying apparatus disposed above the washing apparatus; and   a control panel including a first user interface provided in a lower area and a second user interface provided in an upper area above the lower area,   wherein the first user interface, located closer to a door of the washing apparatus than the second user interface, is configured for receiving user inputs associated with the washing apparatus, the first user interface includes:   a first power button configured to receive a user input for turning on or off power of the washing apparatus, and   a first start button configured to receive a user input for starting or stopping operation of the washing apparatus, and   wherein the second user interface, located closer to a door of the drying apparatus than the first user interface, is configured for receiving user inputs associated with the drying apparatus, the second user interface includes:   a second power button configured to receive a user input for turning on or off power of the drying apparatus, and   a second start button configured to receive a user input for starting or stopping operation of the drying apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 14 , wherein the first user interface is activated in response to the first power button being selected while the power of the washing apparatus is in an off state, and is deactivated in response to the first power button being selected while the power of the washing apparatus is in an on state. 
     
     
         16 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 14 , wherein the second user interface is activated in response to the second power button being selected while the power of the drying apparatus is in an off state, and is deactivated in response to the second power button being selected while the power of the drying apparatus is in an on state. 
     
     
         17 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first user interface or the second user interface is deactivated in response to the user input not being received within a predetermined time from the activation thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The clothes treatment system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first user interface includes a washing course button configured to receive a user input related to selecting a washing course, and   the second user interface includes a drying course button configured to receive a user input related to selecting a drying course.