Laundry processing apparatus and method of controlling the same

Abstract

An apparatus comprising: a washing machine, a drying machine disposed on the washing machine, and a control panel. The control panel including a first user interface configured to control the washing machine, a second user interface configured to control the drying machine, a first start/pause button configured to receive an input for starting or pausing an operating of the washing machine, a second user interface configured to receive an input for controlling the drying machine, and a display configured to display operation information of the washing machine and operation information of the drying machine. The apparatus configured to control an operation of the drying machine in response to an input received through the second start/pause button while operation information of the washing machine is displayed on the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a control panel including a course selection dial, a course display and a dryer control button configured to obtain a user input for switching from a washer control mode to a dryer control mode;   a communication interface configured to communicate with a drying machine; and   a controller connected the control panel and the communication interface,   wherein the controller configured to:
 display, on the course display, a plurality of washing courses in order according to a rotation of the course selection dial in the washer control mode, 
 in response to obtaining the user input through the dryer control button, switch, on the course display, from display of information corresponding to the washer control mode to display of information corresponding to the dryer control mode, 
 display, on the course display, a plurality of drying courses in order according to the rotation of the course selection dial in the dryer control mode, and 
 transmit information corresponding to a drying course displayed on the course display in the dryer control mode to the drying machine through the communication interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control panel further comprises an operation button configured to obtain a user input for starting an operation of the drying machine, and   wherein the controller is further configured to transmit the information corresponding to the drying course displayed on the course display to the drying machine through the communication interface in response to obtaining the user input through the operation button.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to turn off the washing machine in response to obtaining a user input through a washer power button in the dryer control mode. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 in response to obtaining a user input through the dryer control button, identify whether the washing machine is connected to the drying machine, and   display, on the course display, the drying course based on a connection of the washing machine to the drying machine.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to display, on the course display, a washing course in response to obtaining a user input for switching to control of the washing machine through the control panel while the drying course is displayed on the course display. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the control panel further comprises a remote control button, and
 wherein the controller is further configured to display, on the course display, whether a remote control of the washing machine is activated in response to a user input through the remote control button.   
     
     
         7 . A method of controlling a washing machine, the washing machine comprising a control panel including a course selection dial, a course display and a dryer control button, and a communication interface and a controller, the method comprising:
 displaying, on the course display, a plurality of washing courses in order according to a rotation of the course selection dial in a washer control mode;   in response to obtaining a user input through the dryer control button, switching, on the course display, from display of information corresponding to the washer control mode to display of information corresponding to a dryer control mode;   displaying, on the course display, a plurality of drying courses in order according to the rotation of the course selection dial in the dryer control mode; and   transmitting information corresponding to a drying course displayed on the course display in the dryer control mode to a drying machine through the communication interface.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the control panel further comprises an operation button, and   the method further comprises:
 obtaining, through the operation button, a user input for starting an operation of the drying machine, and 
 transmitting, using the controller, the information corresponding to the drying course displayed on the course display to the drying machine through the communication interface in response to obtaining the user input through the operation button. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 turning off, using the controller, the washing machine in response to obtaining a user input through a washer power button in the dryer control mode.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 in response to obtaining a user input through the dryer control button, identifying whether the washing machine is connected to the drying machine, and   displaying, on the course display, the drying course based on a connection of the washing machine to the drying machine.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 displaying, on the course display, a washing course in response to obtaining a user input for switching to control of the washing machine through the control panel while the drying course is displayed on the course display.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the control panel further comprises a remote control button, and   the method further comprises displaying, on the course display, whether a remote control of the washing machine is activated in response to a user input through the remote control button.