Washing machine and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a technology capable of controlling washing modes in various manners by manipulating a control panel of the washing machine. The washing machine includes a display configured to display a washing mode, an inputter configured to receive a washing mode select command, a storage configured to store a selected washing mode, and a controller configured to allow a washing mode, which has the largest number of times selected during a predetermined number of times of washings, to be displayed on a first screen of the display, and in response to the number of the washing mode having the largest number of selection times being plural, configured to allow a washing mode, which is the last selected among the plurality of washing modes, to be displayed on the first screen of the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a display configured to display a plurality of operating states of an external device connected to the washing machine;   an inputter configured to receive an external device control command to control the external device;   a communication circuitry configured to communicate with the external device; and   a controller configured to
 transmit the received external device control command to the external device using the communication circuitry, and 
 display, on the display, an operating state of the external device operating in accordance with the transmitted external device control command. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein
 the communication circuitry is implemented as a wired communication circuitry or a wireless communication circuitry, and is configured to receive operation state information of the plurality of operating states of the external device.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein
 the external device includes a dryer, and   in response to the communication circuitry communicating with the dryer, the display is configured to display a message indicating an operating state in which the external device can receive the external device control command.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein
 the inputter is configured to simultaneously receive a washing machine control command to control the washing machine and the external device control command, and   the display is configured to simultaneously display an operating state of the washing machine and the operating state of the external device.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a storage configured to store the received external device control command.   
     
     
         6 . A control method of a washing machine comprising:
 receiving, by the washing machine, an external device control command to control an external device that is external to the washing machine,   transmitting, by the washing machine, the received external device control command to the external device; and   displaying, on a display of the washing machine, an operating state of the external device operating in accordance with the transmitted external device control command.   
     
     
         7 . The control method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the washing machine, operating state information of the external device.   
     
     
         8 . The control method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 in response to a connection between the washing machine and the dryer in a wired or wireless manner, displaying, by the washing machine, a message indicating a state in which the external device can receive the external device control.   
     
     
         9 . The control method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 simultaneously receiving, by the washing machine, a washing machine control command to control the washing machine and the external device control command, and   simultaneously displaying, by the washing machine, an operating state of the washing machine and the operating state of the external device.   
     
     
         10 . The control method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 storing, by the washing machine, the received external device control command.   
     
     
         11 . A control panel comprising:
 a display configured to display an operating state of a washing machine or an operating state of a dryer disposed above the washing machine;   a first inputter disposed on left side of the display, and configured to receive a selection for a course; and   a second inputter disposed on left side of the display, and including a washing machine selection button for selecting a state in which a control command for the washing machine is input and a dryer selection button for selecting a state in which a control command for the dryer is input,   wherein the first inputter is disposed on right side of the second inputter.   
     
     
         12 . The control panel of  claim 11 , wherein the dryer selection button is configured to disposed above the washing machine selection button. 
     
     
         13 . The control panel of  claim 12 , further comprising
 an inputter for receiving a control command,   wherein the inputter comprises:   a washing temperature button for changing a washing temperature to be operated in the washing machine; and   a drying temperature button for changing a drying temperature to be operated in the dryer, and   wherein the drying temperature button is disposed above the washing temperature button.   
     
     
         14 . The control panel of  claim 13 , wherein the inputter comprises:
 a washing machine operation start button for receiving an input of starting or stopping operation of the washing machine; and   a dryer operation start button for receiving an operation an input of starting or stopping operation of the dryer, and   wherein the dryer operation start button is disposed above the washing machine operation start button.   
     
     
         15 . The control panel of  claim 11 , wherein
 the display is configured to display time information on washing process of the washing machine and time information on drying process of the dryer, and   wherein the time information on drying process of the dryer is displayed on top of the time information on washing process of the washing machine.   
     
     
         16 . The control panel of  claim 14 , wherein
 the washing machine operation start button and the dryer operation start button are disposed on right side of the first input unit.