User-interface system for a laundry appliance

Abstract

A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a laundry appliance, comprising:
 activating an audio interface on a door of said laundry appliance in response to sensed information from a proximity sensor coupled to said laundry appliance, the audio interface including a microphone;   activating a visual interface on the door in response to the sensed information from the proximity sensor to provide user feedback that the microphone is activated to receive a voice command;   communicating the voice command to a microcontroller coupled to the door;   communicating the voice command from the microcontroller to a controller operably coupled with a cabinet of said laundry appliance via an electrical connection extending between the door and the cabinet; and   activating a selected function of said laundry appliance with the controller based on the voice command.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing feedback with the visual interface in response to receiving the voice command.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the visual interface is configured as a light ring, and wherein the feedback provided is a pattern of light on the light ring. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 activating the visual interface via the microcontroller to convey a message with a predefined pattern of light in response to the voice command.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 presenting options related to the function of said laundry appliance via speakers included in the audio interface.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sensing a user within a sensor field extending from the door; and   communicating the sensed information of the user sensed within the sensor field to the microcontroller.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sensed information is communicated to the microcontroller when the user is sensed within the sensor field for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a laundry appliance, comprising:
 communicating sensed information from a sensor field of a proximity sensor to a microcontroller, each of the proximity sensor and the microcontroller being coupled to a door;   activating an audio interface on the door via the microcontroller in response to the sensed information from the proximity sensor to receive a user voice command;   communicating the user voice command from the audio interface to the microcontroller and then from the microcontroller to a controller operably coupled with a cabinet of said laundry appliance via an electrical connection extending between the door and the cabinet; and   activating a function of said laundry appliance with the controller in response to the user voice command.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 activating the function of said laundry appliance in response to engagement of a start button on a tactile interface on the door.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 communicating the user voice command to a human-machine interface disposed on the cabinet and behind the door when the door is in a closed position; and   updating a display of the human-machine interface based on the user voice command.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 opening the door with a door opening assembly in response to the user voice command.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 activating a visual interface on the door in response to the sensed information from the proximity sensor to indicate activation of the audio interface to receive the user voice command.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 activating the visual interface to provide a message as feedback of receiving the user voice command.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensed information is a user sensed within the sensor field. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 presenting animation with the visual interface to indicate a proximity of the user to said laundry appliance.   
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a laundry appliance, comprising:
 activating a microphone coupled to a door of said laundry appliance to receive a voice command, the door being operably coupled to a cabinet and configured to conceal a human-machine interface on the cabinet when the door is in a closed position;   activating a visual interface on the door as feedback to receiving the voice command;   communicating the voice command to a microcontroller on the door and from the microcontroller to a controller operably coupled to the cabinet via an electrical connection that extends between the door and the cabinet; and   activating a function of said laundry appliance with the controller in response to the voice command.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 sensing a user within a sensor field extending from the door via a proximity sensor; and   activating the visual interface in response to the user being sensed to provide feedback of readiness of the microphone to receive the voice command.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 activating a motor of a door opening assembly via the microcontroller in response to the voice command to open the door.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 updating a display of the human-machine interface in response to the voice command.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 presenting information about said laundry appliance to a user via speakers included on the door.