DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1A is a diagram of a stacked washer and dryer according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a system for washing and drying 10 having a washer 12 and a dryer 14. The system also includes a control panel 16. Although the system 10 shown is a stacked configuration, the present invention contemplates any placement of a washer with respect to a dryer provided that the washer 12 is in operative communication with the dryer 14.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B a combination washer/dryer 11 uses a chamber 13 for both washing and drying. The combination washer/dryer 11 includes a control panel 16.

[0024] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the washer 12 in operative connection with a control unit 15 which is operatively connected to a user interface 16. The control unit 15 can provide electronic control of the washer 12 and dryer 14. For example, the control unit 15 can include an intelligent control such as a processor, controller, electronic circuit, or other control mechanism. The user interface 16 operatively connected to the control 15 may provide for user input and/or user output. For example, the user interface 16 may include dials, buttons, and switches such as are conventionally associated with washer and/or dryer controls. Alternatively, the user interface 16 may include a display, a touch screen display, or other means for providing user input and/or user output.

[0025] FIG. 2B is a block diagram where control is divided between a washer control unit 15A and a dryer control unit 15B. The washer control unit 15A is in operative communication with the dryer control unit 15B. Each of the control units can include an intelligent control such as a processor, controller, electronic circuit, or other control mechanism. Each of the control units 15A and 15B are also operatively connected to a user interface 16.

[0026] FIG. 2C shows another embodiment where a combination washer/dryer 11 is operatively connected to a control unit 15 and the control unit 15 is operatively connected to a user interface 16.

[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of a user interface 16. The user interface 16 shown is illustrative and not limiting as the present invention contemplates any number of user interfaces including any number of input controls. For example, in FIG. 3A, a user interface 16A is shown. In user interface 16A, the type of laundry being washed is indicated by control 18A which provides for “cotton sturdy.”Similarly, the wash temperature is selected by the user input 20A. The user input 20A indicates “warm.” This instructs the washer to use warm water in the wash cycle. Another user input is indicated by user input 22A. Here, user input 22A indicates the rinse temperature of the water used during the rinse cycle. The user input 22A indicates that “cold” rinse water should be used.

[0028] Similarly, the user interface 16A includes dryer controls. For example, the temperature of the dryer can be selected. The control 24A indicates that the temperature to be used for drying is “regular.” Similarly, an additional drying instruction 26A is indicated showing that the dryer should use a “more dry” mode, which results in a greater drying time period.

[0029] Similarly, FIG. 3B shows a user interface for a washer and dryer. In FIG. 3B the washer is set to delicate mode 18B, the wash temperature is set to cold 20B and the rinse cycle is set to cold 22B, the dryer portion is set to delicate 24B and the drying instruction is set to damp dry 26B. The present invention contemplates any number of washer and dryer selections. Those given are merely illustrative.

[0030] According to the present invention the washer instructions or controls are used to determine the drying instructions or controls. For example, the settings for the washer shown in FIG. 3A, including “cotton sturdy” with a “warm” wash cycle and a “cold” rinse cycle are, interpreted according to the present invention to indicate a dryer temperature of “regular” and a dryer instruction of “more dry.” Similarly, the washer instructions in FIG. 3B can be used to create dryer instructions. For example, the “delicate” type with the “cold” wash cycle and the “cold” rinse cycle for the washer indicate that an appropriate dryer setting would be for the temperature to be set to a “delicate” temperature and that the dry setting be set to “damp dry.” In this manner, the present invention provides for a dryer to be programmed based on the washer instructions.

[0031] The present invention further provides that the user interface 16 need not show both the washer settings and the dryer settings simultaneously. Instead, the washer settings of FIG. 3 may be displayed, the dryer settings being held in escrow until the dryer door is opened or another event occurs. Once the dryer door is opened or another event occurs, the settings for the dryer are shown by the user interface 16. The dryer settings shown are preferably automatically selected based on the washer settings.

[0032] FIG. 4 provides one example of a method according to the present invention. In step 30 of FIG. 4, the washer receives wash cycle instructions. The washer can receive these instructions from a user through a user interface or otherwise. In step 32, wash cycle instructions are used to determine dryer cycle instructions. The present invention provides for this determination to be made based on a table of wash cycle instructions and corresponding dryer cycle instructions that can be stored in a control unit. Optionally, the table can be modified by the past selections made by an operator. The present invention contemplates any number of methods of associating wash cycle instruction, with dryer instructions, the use of the table is merely one often convenient method. Other methods may be more appropriate for use in a particular application. The present invention fully contemplates these and other variations.

[0033] In step 34, a user can optionally determine whether the dryer instructions are appropriate. If not, then in step 36 the operator can modify the instructions or otherwise provide alternative instructions for a drying operation. If in step 34, an operator confirms the dryer instructions, then in step 38 the dryer instructions are applied to the dryer. The present invention contemplates that steps 34 and 36 are optional. The dryer can automatically proceed without confirmation or alteration of the instructions by an operator.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates another user interface of the present invention. According to FIG. 5, the user interface 16C has a favorite option 40. The favorite option 40 allows an operator to select a favorite setting. The favorite setting is a collection of one or more washer and/or dryer instructions. The favorite selection is used to auto program the entire washing and drying cycle. The favorite selection can be stored in nonvolatile memory.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for applying a favorite selection. In step 42 a favorite selection is received. The favorite selection can be received through use of a button or other input. Based on the favorite selection 42, the washer cycle is determined in step 44. Once the washer cycle is determined in step 44, the dryer cycle is determined in step 46. Then the washer instructions are applied in step 48 and dryer instructions are applied in step 50. The present invention contemplates that the steps need not flow in the order given. For example, the washer instructions can be applied before the dryer cycle is determined.

[0036] Thus, methods, system, and apparatus for auto programming of a dryer based on a washer cycle has been disclosed. The present invention provides for variations in the specific washer settings and dryer settings used, the type of user controls, the physical configuration of the washer/dryer, the configuration of the electronic controls, and other variations.