LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101607, filed in the Republic of Korea on Aug. 3, 2023, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND
Field

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus including an output part configured to output a screen.

Discussion of the Related Art

A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that performs laundry treatment courses in order to, for example, remove contaminants from clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) introduced into a drum.

Such a laundry treating apparatus may perform procedures such as washing, rinsing, spin-drying, drying, etc. of laundry, and may be classified into a top-loading type and a front-loading type in accordance with a method of loading laundry in a drum.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet defining the external appearance thereof, a tub accommodated in the cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to receive laundry loaded therein, and a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the interior of the drum.

In the case of a laundry treating apparatus configured to wash laundry, a drum is rotated by a motor in a state in which water and detergent are supplied to laundry received in the drum, so that contaminants attached to the laundry may be removed by friction between the drum and the wash water.

A detergent supply device has a detergent supply function to enhance a washing effect. Here, the detergent is a material for enhancing a washing effect, such as fabric detergent, fabric softener, fabric bleach, etc. Powder type detergent or liquid type detergent may be used as the detergent.

In the case of a laundry treating apparatus configured to dry laundry, dry air is supplied to laundry in order to remove moisture from the laundry.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the cabinet, and a heating device (or heater) configured to heat or dry air to be supplied to laundry.

As dry air is supplied to laundry received in the drum, moisture present in the laundry may be evaporated and removed by the dry air, and thus the laundry may be dried.

In the case in which the amount of laundry is large or different treatment courses, e.g., a laundry washing course and a laundry drying course, are to be performed together, a plurality of apparatuses for treating laundry may be used.

A laundry treating apparatus provided with a plurality of treating apparatuses is disclosed in a related art document, KR 10-2008-0021921 A1. The laundry treating apparatus disclosed in this related art document includes a first treating apparatus and a second treating apparatus.

Each of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus disclosed in the above related art document is configured such that a drum is provided in a cabinet to perform laundry treatment courses. Each of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus is provided with a control panel.

The control panel may be provided with an output part configured to output a screen. Accordingly, the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus disclosed in the above related art document may provide different types of information through the output parts respectively included therein.

However, in the case in which the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus perform treatment courses independent of each other, if the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus output information through the respective output parts thereof, a user may be inconvenienced by having to check the information output from the plurality of output parts. Further, because the output parts are separately provided in the respective treating apparatuses, the number of manufacturing procedures may increase, and design of the control panel may be complicated.

In addition, even in the case of providing information about different treating apparatuses through any one output part, if a button for changing a treating apparatus that outputs information through one screen is provided, the structure and design of the control panel may become complicated. Further, convenience of use of the button, which is separately provided from the screen, may be degraded, and the user may have difficulty in identifying a use scheme of the corresponding button.

Furthermore, in the case in which the first treating apparatus and/or the second treating apparatus is operated in any one of a plurality of modes, such as a washing mode for laundry washing and a drying mode for laundry drying, the user may have difficulty in determining selection of the modes and selection of the apparatuses and may be confused with the selection.

Therefore, it is an important task in this technical field to provide a laundry treating apparatus that enables a user to conveniently select a plurality of treating apparatuses through one output part, without using a separate button, and to effectively select a plurality of modes that are available in one treating apparatus, thereby efficiently executing laundry treatment courses.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of effectively outputting information about a plurality of treating apparatuses through one output part.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus enabling a user to effectively select a plurality of treating apparatuses without using a separate button.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of effectively treating laundry through a plurality of modes available in any one treating apparatus.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus enabling a user to conveniently select one of a plurality of modes to execute laundry treatment courses without using a separate button.

In a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mode selection item is displayed on a screen output from an output part. A plurality of modes selectable in a first treating apparatus and a second treating apparatus are selectably displayed on the screen on which the mode selection item is selected.

The output part outputs a mode selection screen on which the plurality of modes and the second treating apparatus are selectably displayed, whereby a user may conveniently select one mode or an apparatus and thus may conveniently control the laundry treating apparatus without using a separate physical button.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first treating apparatus including a first receiving part configured to receive laundry, a second treating apparatus including a second receiving part configured to receive laundry, an output part provided at the first treating apparatus or the second treating apparatus and configured to output a screen, and an input part provided at the first treating apparatus or the second treating apparatus and configured to receive a user command for selection of an object to be displayed on the screen.

The screen includes a course selection screen on which a plurality of treatment courses for laundry treatment is displayed, and the first treating apparatus operates in one of a plurality of operation modes configured to display different treatment courses on the course selection screen.

A mode selection item configured to display the plurality of operation modes of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus on the screen may be selectably displayed on the course selection screen.

The plurality of operation modes may include a washing mode in which a washing course for laundry washing among the treatment courses is displayed on the course treatment screen and a drying mode in which a drying course for laundry drying among the treatment courses is displayed on the course treatment screen.

When the drying mode displayed through the mode selection item is selected on the course selection screen on which the plurality of washing courses is displayed, the output part may output the course selection screen on which the plurality of drying courses is displayed in place of the plurality of washing courses.

The plurality of operation modes may further include a washing/drying mode configured to sequentially execute the washing course and the drying course.

When the mode selection item is selected, the output part may output a mode selection screen configured to display the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus such that at least a part of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus is selectable.

An alignment direction of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus on the mode selection screen may be identical to an arrangement direction of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus.

The first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus may be disposed in a vertical direction perpendicular to the ground, and the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus may be displayed on the mode selection screen so as to be aligned in the vertical direction.

The second treating apparatus may be disposed separately from the plurality of operation modes on the mode selection screen.

On the mode selection screen, the second treating apparatus may be displayed separately from the plurality of operation modes by a distinguishment marker disposed between the second treating apparatus and the plurality of operation modes.

The mode selection screen may be output so as to overlap an immediately previous screen output from the output part before output of the mode selection screen, and at least a portion of the mode selection screen may be transparent so that the immediately previous screen is visible.

On the mode selection screen, a previous-selection marker may be displayed on an object corresponding to the immediately previous screen output before output of the mode selection screen among the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus.

The mode selection item may be displayed while including at least one of a title or a shape of one of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus. The plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus may be individually displayed in a selectable state and a non-selectable state.

The plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus may be individually displayed with different levels of brightness in the selectable state and the non-selectable state. The plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus may be individually displayed in a course progress state, representing progress of the laundry treatment courses, and a non-progress state.

An in-operation marker may be output to the mode selection screen so as to be disposed on an object corresponding to the course progress state among the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus.

When the second treating apparatus displayed through selection of the mode selection item is selected on the course selection screen displaying a treatment course to be executed in one of the plurality of operation modes, the output part may output the course selection screen on which the plurality of treatment courses to be executed in the second treating apparatus is displayed.

In a state in which the first treating apparatus is executing a treatment course according to one of the plurality of operation modes, the remaining ones of the plurality of operation modes may be displayed in the non-selectable state.

The output part may output a course progress screen configured to display progress information about the treatment course that is being executed in the first treating apparatus or the second treating apparatus, and the mode selection item may be displayed on the course progress screen.

When the first treating apparatus is executing the treatment course and before the second treating apparatus executes the treatment course, if the mode selection item is selected on the course progress screen for the first treating apparatus, the plurality of operation modes may be displayed in the course progress state or the non-selectable state, and the second treating apparatus may be displayed in the selectable state.

When the second treating apparatus displayed through the mode selection item is selected on the course progress screen for the first treating apparatus, the output part may output the course selection screen on which a plurality of treatment courses to be executed in the second treating apparatus is displayed.

The output part may output a double-view screen configured to display progress information about the treatment courses that are being respectively executed in the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus, and the mode selection item may be displayed on the double-view screen.

The double-view screen may include a first area configured to display information about the first treating apparatus and a second area configured to display information about the second treating apparatus and disposed separately from the first area.

When the mode selection item on the double-view screen is selected, the output part may output a mode selection screen configured to display the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus such that at least a part of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus is selectable.

The mode selection screen may be output in an entire area including the first area and the second area. The mode selection item may be displayed in each of the first area and the second area.

When the mode selection item in the first area is selected, the previous-selection marker may be displayed on the operation mode that is being executed in the first treating apparatus among the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus displayed on the screen.

When the mode selection item in the second area is selected, the previous-selection marker may be displayed on the second treating apparatus among the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus displayed on the screen.

When the mode selection items on the double-view screen are selected, the plurality of operation modes may be displayed in the course progress state or the non-selectable state, and the second treating apparatus may be displayed in the course progress state.

When the second treating apparatus displayed through selection of the mode selection item on the double-view screen is selected, the output part may output the course progress screen displaying progress information about the treatment course of the second treating apparatus, except for information about the treatment course of the first treating apparatus.

On the double-view screen, the first area and the second area may be aligned in a direction different from the arrangement direction of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus. The first treating apparatus may be disposed on the second treating apparatus, and the first area and the second area may be aligned in the width direction of the first cabinet.

When a communication connection state between the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus is abnormal, the second treating apparatus may be displayed on the mode selection screen while including a connection failure marker indicating the abnormal connection state.

In a state in which the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus are not paired with each other, when the second treating apparatus displayed through the mode selection item is selected, the output part may output a notification message indicating the unpaired state.

A pairing item configured to perform pairing between the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus may be displayed in the notification message so as to be selected by the user. The mode selection item may be displayed while including a title or a shape of one of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus.

The input part may be provided at the output part and may sense a touch signal of the user for the screen. Both the output part and the input part may be provided at one of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus.

In the laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus may operate in one of a plurality of operation modes providing different treatment courses to the user, and the output part may output a mode selection screen on which one of the plurality of operation modes and the second treating apparatus is selectably displayed.

In the laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first treating apparatus or the second treating apparatus may operate in one of a plurality of operation modes providing different treatment courses, and the output part may output a selection screen on which one of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus is selected and one of the plurality of operation modes is selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first treating apparatus of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the first treating apparatus of the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a communication relation of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first treating apparatus and a second treating apparatus of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus of the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second treating apparatus of the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the second treating apparatus of the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing a control relation of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a control panel of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a concept diagram showing an operation procedure of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a start screen among screens output from an output part in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a course selection screen among screens output from an output part in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a course progress screen among screens output from an output part in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a mode selection screen output through selection of a mode selection item in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a course selection screen for each mode of the first treating apparatus and a course selection screen of the second treating apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a process in which the course selection screen of the second treating apparatus is output during progress of a course of the first treating apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a process in which a course progress screen of the first treating apparatus is output through a mode selection item on a double-view screen in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a view showing a previous-selection marker on a mode selection screen output from the double-view screen in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which a pairing notification message requiring connection to the second treating apparatus is output from the output part in an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a view showing a state in which a connection failure message indicating pairing with the second treating apparatus is output from the output part in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, to make the description of the present disclosure thorough and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to aspects disclosed herein and may be implemented in various different forms. In the drawings, in order to clearly describe the present disclosure, descriptions of elements which are not related to the present disclosure are omitted, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even when they are depicted in different drawings.

In the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, redundant description of the same elements will be omitted.

When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there may be no intervening elements present.

Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, singular forms may be intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Further, in the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Further, as used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, “A or B” may include “A”, “B” or “both A and B”.

FIG. 1 shows a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may be constituted by a single treating apparatus or may include a plurality of treating apparatuses including a first treating apparatus 10 and a second treating apparatus 20.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 may perform a treatment course C0 for laundry treatment. If the laundry treating apparatus 1 includes a plurality of treating apparatuses, the plurality of treating apparatuses may individually perform the treatment course C0.

The treatment course C0 treats laundry in various manners, including laundry washing, laundry drying, removal of wrinkles from laundry, etc. Laundry introduced into the treating apparatus may be treated through the treatment course C0, and may then be provided to the user.

A plurality of different treatment courses C0 may be determined in advance, and may be provided to be selected by the user. For example, the plurality of treatment courses C0 may include at least one of a washing course C11 for laundry washing, a drying course C12 for laundry drying, or a washing/drying course C13 in which laundry washing and laundry drying are sequentially performed.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller 70, and the plurality of treatment courses C0 may be pre-stored in the controller 70 and may be provided to the user.

The treatment course C0 may include at least one cycle. The treatment course C0 may be defined by including at least one of a water supply cycle, a detergent supply cycle, a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, a drainage cycle, a spin-drying cycle, or a drying cycle.

The water supply cycle may be a cycle that supplies water to a tub into which laundry is introduced. The detergent supply cycle may be a cycle that supplies detergent to the tub. The washing cycle may be a cycle that rotates a drum in a state in which the detergent is supplied to the tub, thereby washing laundry. The rinsing cycle may be a cycle that rotates the drum in a state in which water is supplied to the tub and no detergent is supplied to the tub, thereby rinsing the laundry. The drainage cycle may be a cycle that discharges water in the tub to the outside of the tub. The spin-drying cycle may be a cycle that rotates the drum in a state in which no water is supplied to the tub, thereby separating water present in the laundry from the laundry. The drying cycle may be a cycle that supplies hot dry air to the interior of the drum or the tub, thereby removing moisture from the laundry.

The plurality of treatment courses C0 may be preset to be different from one another in terms of at least one cycle, and may then be stored in the controller 70. The user may select a desired one of the plurality of treatment courses C0 to enable execution of laundry treatment.

The first treating apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. That is, the laundry treating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes only a single treating apparatus, i.e., the first treating apparatus 10, as one example of the present disclosure.

The first treating apparatus 10 includes a first cabinet 11. The first cabinet 11 may include a space defined therein, and may define the outer appearance of the first treating apparatus 10.

The first cabinet 11 may include a front panel, a rear panel, side panels, and a top panel. The plurality of panels may be coupled to one another to form the first cabinet 11. The first cabinet 11 may include a first laundry introduction port 18 formed in one surface thereof to allow the exterior and the interior of the first cabinet 11 to communicate with each other.

Although the first laundry introduction port 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being formed in the front panel in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the position of the first laundry introduction port 18 is not necessarily limited to the front panel.

A first door 19 may be coupled to the first cabinet 11 to selectively close the first laundry introduction port 18. For example, the first door 19 may be rotatably coupled to the front panel to close the first laundry introduction port 18 according to the rotational position thereof.

The embodiment of the present disclosure may include a control panel 100. The control panel 100 may include an input part 120 and an output part 110. However, the input part 120 and the output part 110 are not necessarily provided only at the control panel 100.

The user may check course setting information or course progress information from information output from the output part, and may manipulate the input part 120 to generate an input signal, thereby sending various commands to the controller 70 to, for example, change setting of a course. Detailed descriptions of the control panel 100 and the controller 70 will be given later.

FIG. 2 shows the interior of the first treating apparatus 10. Although the first treating apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being implemented as a washing/drying machine capable of performing washing and drying, this is only for convenience of description, and the first treating apparatus 10 is not necessarily limited to the washing/drying machine.

A first tub 12 and a first receiving part configured to receive laundry may be provided in the interior of the first treating apparatus 10 defined by the first cabinet 11. The first tub 12 may be provided in the interior of the first treating apparatus 10 in order to receive water.

The first tub 12 may include a first tub opening formed therein so as to face the first laundry introduction port 18. Accordingly, the user may open the first door 19 and then may load laundry through the first laundry introduction port 18, and the laundry may be received in the first tub 12 via the first laundry introduction port 18 and the first tub opening.

The first receiving part may be provided in the first cabinet 11 in order to receive laundry. The first receiving part may take various forms. For example, the first receiving part may take the form of a basket provided at the first door 19, or may correspond to a first drum 13 provided in the first tub 12. The first receiving part may be provided in plural.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first receiving part may include the first drum 13. The first drum 13 may be rotatably provided in the first tub 12. An embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a first driving part 14, and the first drum 13 may be connected to the first driving part 14 to receive rotational force.

The first drum 13 may receive laundry therein. The first drum 13 may include a first drum opening formed therein so as to face the first tub opening. Accordingly, laundry loaded through the first laundry introduction port 18 by the user may be received in the first drum 13 via the first tub opening and the first drum opening.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first water supply part 15. The first water supply part 15 may receive water from the outside in a manner of, for example, being connected to an external water source. The first water supply part 15 may include a water supply hose serving as a water flow path and a water supply valve configured to control the flow of water.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first detergent supply part 16. The first detergent supply part 16 may store detergent, and may be configured to supply the detergent to the interior of the first tub 12 when the detergent is required for execution of the treatment course C0 for laundry treatment.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a structure in which the first water supply part 15 and the first detergent supply part 16 are interconnected and water flowing along the first water supply part 15 is supplied to the interior of the first tub 12 together with the detergent via the first detergent supply part 16, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first water supply part 15 may be directly connected to the interior of the first tub 12.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first drainage part 17. The first drainage part 17 may be connected to the first tub 12 in order to discharge water present in the first tub 12 to the outside of the first cabinet 11. The first drainage part 17 may include a drainage hose through which water flows and a drainage pump configured to force the water to flow.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the washing course C11 for laundry washing is performed, water and detergent may be supplied to the interior of the first tub 12 through the first water supply part 15 and the first detergent supply part 16, and laundry washing may be performed through rotation of the first drum 13 by the first driving part 14. The water and detergent in the first tub 12 may be discharged to the outside of the first cabinet 11 through the first drainage part 17, if necessary.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may include a heating part 30. The heating part 30 may be configured to dehumidify and heat air received from the interior of the first drum 13 and then to supply the dehumidified and heated air to the interior of the first drum 13, may be configured to heat air present outside the first cabinet 11 and then to supply the heated air to the interior of the first drum 13, or may be configured to heat air present in the first drum 13.

The first treating apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure does not need to necessarily include the first tub 12. If necessary, the first tub 12 may be omitted. That is, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to a washing machine. The embodiment of the present disclosure may be a drying machine not provided with a tub or may be a washing/drying machine capable of performing washing and drying.

If the embodiment of the present disclosure includes only the first treating apparatus 10, that is, is constituted by only one treating apparatus, the first treating apparatus 10 may be understood as the laundry treating apparatus 1 itself.

That is, the first cabinet 11, the first tub 12, and the first drum 13 of the first treating apparatus 10 may be referred to as a cabinet, a tub, and a drum constituting the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 conceptually shows an information exchange scheme of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may be configured to enable communication with the outside. In the first treating apparatus 10, a first communicator for communication may be provided to enable various types of communication, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. However, the first communicator is not necessarily provided in the first treating apparatus 10.

If the first treating apparatus 10 is provided with the first communicator, the first treating apparatus 10 may directly communicate with a terminal 3 of the user or may communicate with a communication medium 4 disposed outside the laundry treating apparatus 1. When the first treating apparatus 10 communicates with the communication medium 4, the first treating apparatus 10 may exchange information with a server 2 via the communication medium 4.

The terminal 3 of the user may be any one of various devices having a communication function. For example, the terminal 3 may be a mobile phone, a computer, or a tablet computer.

If necessary, the first treating apparatus 10 may exchange information with the terminal 3 through a process of communication with the terminal 3 or may exchange information with the server 2 through a process of communication with the communication medium 4.

Further, the terminal 3 may exchange information with the server 2, and the first treating apparatus 10 may exchange information with the server 2 via the communication medium 4 and, as such, may indirectly exchange information with the terminal 3.

The laundry treating apparatus 1, which includes the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown in FIG. 3. The first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be interconnected in a wired manner to achieve information exchange therebetween, or may achieve information exchange therebetween in a wireless manner, as shown in FIG. 3.

For example, the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be interconnected in a direct wireless communication manner such as a Bluetooth manner, may perform communication therebetween via the communication medium 4, or may be indirectly interconnected through information exchange with the server 2 via the communication medium 4. Disposition relation between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be diverse.

FIG. 4 shows a laundry treating apparatus 1 having a structure in which a first treating apparatus 10 and a second treating apparatus 20 are stacked. Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the first treating apparatus 10 installed on the second treating apparatus 20.

The first treating apparatus 10 may include the first cabinet 11, the first tub 12, and the first drum 13 corresponding to the first receiving part, as described above. The second treating apparatus 20 may include a second cabinet 21, a second tub 22, and a second drum 23 corresponding to a second receiving part, separately from the first treating apparatus 10.

The first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may individually perform the treatment course C0 for laundry treatment in an independent or cooperative manner. For example, the first treating apparatus 10 may perform a first course C1 among the plurality of treatment courses C0 for laundry treatment, and the second treating apparatus 20 may perform a second course C2 among the plurality of treatment courses C0.

In the present disclosure, for convenience of description, the treatment course C0 performed in the first treating apparatus 10 may be referred to as the first course C1, and the treatment course C0 performed in the second treating apparatus 20 may be referred to as the second course C2. Each of the first course C1 and the second course C2 may be one of a washing course, a drying course, and a washing/drying course.

For example, the first treating apparatus 10 may be a washing machine capable of performing a washing course C11, and the second treating apparatus 20 may be a drying machine capable of performing a drying course. Alternatively, each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be a washing machine capable of performing a washing course or a drying machine capable of performing a drying course.

Alternatively, at least one of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 may be a washing/drying machine capable of performing a washing course, a drying course, and a washing/drying course. For example, the first treating apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4 may be a washing/drying machine, and the second treating apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 4 may be a washing machine.

If the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 is configured to be capable of performing a drying course, the above-described heating part may be included therein, and if the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 is configured to be capable of performing a washing course, the above-described detergent supply part and the above-described water supply part may be included therein.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control panel 100 may be provided in each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 or may be provided in only one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may include the control panel 100, and the other thereof may not include the control panel 100. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may include the control panel 100, and the second treating apparatus 20 may not include the control panel 100.

FIG. 5 shows the front appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may include the first cabinet 11, and the second treating apparatus 20 may include the second cabinet 21. However, if necessary, the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be provided in one integrated cabinet.

The first treating apparatus 10 may be disposed on the second treating apparatus 20. The first treating apparatus 10 may include the control panel 100, and the second treating apparatus 20 may not include a separate control panel 100.

The first treating apparatus 10 may include a first laundry introduction port 18 configured to allow laundry to be introduced therethrough, and the second treating apparatus 20 may include a second laundry introduction port 28 configured to allow laundry to be introduced therethrough. However, the first laundry introduction port 18 and the second laundry introduction port 28 may not be necessarily formed to be always exposed to the outside.

For example, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5, the first laundry introduction port 18 may be formed in the front surface of the first treating apparatus 10, and, the second laundry introduction port 28 may be formed in the upper surface of the second treating apparatus 20. A concrete structure of the second treating apparatus 20 will be described later.

In the first treating apparatus 10, the first laundry introduction port 18 and the first door 19 may be disposed on the front surface thereof so as to face the user. The control panel 100 may be disposed above the first door 19.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may have a greater volume than the second treating apparatus 20. That is, the first treating apparatus 10 may treat a larger amount of laundry than the second treating apparatus 20.

Thus, the first treating apparatus 10 may have a greater height than the second treating apparatus 20. The first drum 13 may have a greater volume than the second drum 23. The user may use a selected one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 or may use both the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 in accordance with the amount of laundry to be treated.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the second treating apparatus 20 disposed under the first treating apparatus 10 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

If the second treating apparatus 20 is disposed under the first treating apparatus 10, that is, if the second treating apparatus 20 is configured to support the weight of the first treating apparatus 10, the second treating apparatus 20 may be of a front-loading type, like the first treating apparatus 10. Alternatively, the second treating apparatus 20 may be of a top-loading type, and, in this case, an apparatus drawer 40 configured to be withdrawn forwardly from the second cabinet 21 may be included therein.

The second treating apparatus 20 including the apparatus drawer 40 configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the second cabinet 21 is shown in FIG. 6. The second treating apparatus 20 may include the second cabinet 21, the apparatus drawer 40, the second tub 22, and the second receiving part.

The second receiving part may be provided in the second cabinet 21 in order to receive laundry. The second receiving part may take various forms. For example, the second receiving part may take the form of a basket provided at a second door 29, or may correspond to the second drum 23 provided in the second tub 22. The second receiving part may be provided in plural.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second receiving part may include the second drum 23. A space in which the apparatus drawer 40 is accommodated may be defined in the second cabinet 21, and the second tub 22 and the second drum 23 may be provided in the apparatus drawer 40. The second laundry introduction port 28 through which laundry is introduced may be formed in the upper surface of the apparatus drawer 40.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the second treating apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 6. Although the second treating apparatus 20 is illustrated in FIG. 7 as being implemented as a washing machine capable of performing washing, this is only for convenience of description, and the second treating apparatus 20 is not necessarily limited to a washing machine.

For example, the second treating apparatus 20 may be implemented as a drying machine not provided with the second tub 22 or may be implemented as a washing/drying machine including a heating part. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the second treating apparatus 20 will be described mainly in conjunction with the structure shown in FIG. 7, unless expressly stated otherwise.

The second treating apparatus 20 may include the second cabinet 21 and the apparatus drawer 40. The second cabinet 21 may be disposed under the first cabinet 11 to support the weight of the first cabinet 11. In addition, the apparatus drawer 40 may be moved rearward to be received in the second cabinet 21, or may be moved forward to be withdrawn from the second cabinet 21.

The second cabinet 21 may include an opening formed in the front surface thereof to allow the apparatus drawer 40 to move therethrough. The second cabinet 21 may be a drawer type treating apparatus having a smaller length in a height direction than a length in a width direction.

The apparatus drawer 40 may be provided on the front surface thereof with a handle configured to be grasped by the user. The user may withdraw the apparatus drawer 40 received in the second cabinet 21 in a state of grasping the handle provided on the front surface of the apparatus drawer 40.

The second tub 22 and the second drum 23 may be provided in the apparatus drawer 40. At least portions of the second tub 22 and the second drum 23 may be withdrawn to the outside of the second cabinet 21 together with the apparatus drawer 40. The second tub 22 may be configured to receive water therein, and the second drum 23 may be rotatably mounted in the second tub 22 and may be configured to receive laundry introduced thereinto through the second laundry introduction port 28.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may be of a front-loading type, and the second treating apparatus 20 may be of a top-loading type. The first laundry introduction port 18 of the first treating apparatus 10 may be disposed on the front surface of the first cabinet 11, and the second laundry introduction port 28 of the second treating apparatus 20 may be disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus drawer 40.

The second door 29 may be provided on the upper surface of the apparatus drawer 40 in order to open and close the second laundry introduction port 28. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second laundry introduction port 28 of the second treating apparatus 20 may also be disposed on the front surface of the second cabinet 21.

The second treating apparatus 20 may include a second driving part 24. The second driving part 24 may be fixed to the second tub 22, the second cabinet 21, or the apparatus drawer 40. The second driving part 24 may be connected to the second drum 23 to rotate the second drum 23.

The second treating apparatus 20 may include a second water supply part 25. The second water supply part 25 may be connected to the outside of the second cabinet 21 to receive water. The second water supply part 25 may be connected to the first treating apparatus 10 or an external water source to receive water.

The second treating apparatus 20 may include a second detergent supply part 26. The second detergent supply part 26 may be configured to supply detergent to the interior of the second tub 22 in order to enable execution of the treatment course C0 in the second treating apparatus 20.

The second detergent supply part 26 may store detergent, separately from the first detergent supply part 16, or may receive detergent from the first detergent supply part 16 and then may supply the received detergent to the second tub 22.

The second water supply part 25 may be directly connected to the second tub 22 to supply water to the interior of the second tub 22, or may be connected to the second detergent supply part 26 to supply water to the second detergent supply part 26, and, as such, the second detergent supply part 26 may supply both water and detergent to the interior of the second tub 22.

The second treating apparatus 20 may include a second drainage part 27, and the second drainage part 27 may be configured to discharge water in the second tub 22 to the outside of the second cabinet 21.

FIG. 8 is a concept diagram schematically showing a connection relation between the controller 70 and each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 70 may be provided in single or in plural. For example, the controller 70 may be provided at only one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, or may be defined by including a first controller 70 provided at the first treating apparatus 10 and a second controller 70 provided at the second treating apparatus 20.

If necessary, the controller 70 may be provided in single or in plural even in the interior of one treating apparatus. For example, the controller 70 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of controllers 70 may be configured to control different power consumption devices, respectively.

For example, the controller 70 may be provided in plural, and the plurality of controllers 70 may include a driving controller 70 configured to control the driving part, a water supply controller 70 configured to control the water supply part, a drainage controller 70 configured to control the drainage part, and a panel controller 70 configured to control the control panel 100.

In addition, the controller 70 may be defined by a plurality of controllers distinguished from one another in terms of controlled processing.

For example, the controller 70 may include at least one of a storage part configured to store information, a processor configured to process information, or a communicator configured to perform communication in a wired or wireless manner.

That is, although the controller 70 may represent a single object in the present disclosure, the controller 70 may be understood as collectively representing a plurality of controllers not only in terms of structures, but also in terms of control functions, if necessary.

The controller 70 may control the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20. The controller 70 may be provided at one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 or may be provided at each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

The controller 70 may be directly or indirectly connected to the first drum 13 of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second drum 23 of the second treating apparatus 20 to perform the first course C1 while rotating the first drum 13 or to perform the second course C2 while rotating the second drum 23.

The controller 70 may be connected to the output part 110 provided at the control panel 100 to control a screen D1 output from the output part 110. A detailed description of the screen D1 output from the output part 110 will be given later.

FIG. 9 shows the control panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the input part 120 and the output part, as described above. The input part 120 and the output part may be provided at the control panel 100, without being limited thereto.

The output part may output various types of information, such as audio information and visual information, to provide the information to the user. For example, the output part may include a speaker configured to output a sound for providing information, and may also include a screen output device configured to output a screen D1 for providing information to the user.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the output part 110 will be described with reference to a case in which the output part 110 includes a display and is configured to output the screen D1. Of course, the aforementioned speaker may also be included.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output part 110 may output various screens D1. Various screens D1 to be output from the output part 110 may be previously stored in the controller 70. The controller 70 may control the output part 110 to vary the screen D1 output from the output part 110.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the screen D1 output from the output part 110 may include a first apparatus screen associated with the first treating apparatus 10 and a second apparatus screen associated with the second treating apparatus 20. In addition, the screen D1 may include a double-view screen D40 configured to display both information associated with the first treating apparatus 10 and information associated with the second treating apparatus 20.

A plurality of screens D1 output from the output part 110 may be distinguished from one another in accordance with information to be displayed. For example, the screen D1 may include a start screen D10 configured to provide booting information of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, a course selection screen D20 configured to display a treatment course C0 executable in the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, an option display screen configured to display option information of the treatment course C0, an option setting screen configured to set one of a plurality of options for the treatment course C0, and a course progress screen D30 configured to display progress information of the treatment course C0 that is being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20.

The plurality of screens D1 distinguished from one another in accordance with information to be displayed may be again distinguished in accordance with the treating apparatuses. For example, the course selection screen D20 may be divided into a first course selection screen D20 configured to display the first course C1 of the first treating apparatus 10 and a second course selection screen D20 configured to display the second course C2 of the second treating apparatus 20.

The course progress screen D30 may include a first course progress screen D30 configured to display progress information of the first course C1 and a second course progress screen D30 configured to display progress information of the second course C2.

The controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output one of the first apparatus screen associated with the first treating apparatus 10, the second apparatus screen associated with the second treating apparatus 20, and the double-view screen D40 configured to simultaneously display information about the first treating apparatus 10 and information about the second treating apparatus 20.

In addition, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output one of the plurality of screens D1, that is, one of the start screen D10, the course selection screen D20, and the course progress screen D30, in accordance with the power-on/off states of the treating apparatuses or the progress states of the respective treatment courses C0.

The input part 120 may be configured to receive a user command. For example, the input part 120 may generate an input signal in response to manipulation by the user, and the input signal may be transmitted to the controller 70, and may be converted into various user commands.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output part 110 may display various items on the screen D1. The various items may be displayed to be selectable on the screen, and the input part 120 may receive a user command for selection of one of the items on the screen D1.

For example, the input part 120 may be provided at the output part 110 and may be configured to sense a touch signal of the user for the screen D1. That is, the input part 120 may correspond to a touch film or the like provided at a display to which the screen D1 is output from the output part 110.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the input part 120 and the output part 110 may be provided at a respective one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20. Alternatively, both the input part 120 and the output part 110 may be provided at one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a power button 130 and an execution button 140. As these buttons, various types of buttons, such as a mechanical button or a touch button, may be provided.

The power button 130 may be configured to power on or power off the first treating apparatus 10 and/or the second treating apparatus 20. The execution button 140 may be configured to enable the user to command execution or stop of the first course C1 of the first treating apparatus 10 and/or the second course C2 of the second treating apparatus 20.

The power button 130 and the execution button 140 may be provided for each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20. However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power button 130 and the execution button 140 may be provided at only one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

For example, if the power button 130 and the execution button 140 are provided at the first treating apparatus 10, another power button 130 and another execution button 140 may not be provided at the second treating apparatus 20. In addition, each of the power button 130 and the execution button 140 of the first treating apparatus 10 may be provided as single buttons.

In this case, the single power button 130 may be used to change the power-on/off state of the second treating apparatus 20 as well as the power-on/off state of the first treating apparatus 10. The power button 130 may control electric power of one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 selected by the user.

In addition, the single execution button 140 may be used to change execution/stop of the second course C2 as well as execution/stop of the first course C1. The execution button 140 may change execution/stop of the course of one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 selected by the user.

In the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be no apparatus change button configured to enable interchange between the first apparatus screen associated with the first treating apparatus 10 and the second apparatus screen associated with the second treating apparatus 20 in the output part 110.

As will be described later, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may select one of a mode associated with the first treating apparatus 10 and a mode associated with the second treating apparatus 20 displayed on the output part 110, thereby determining the treating apparatus to be displayed on the screen D1.

The output part 110 and/or the input part 120 may be provided at the front panel of the first cabinet 11 or the second cabinet 21. The front panel may be provided with the first laundry introduction port 18 or the second laundry introduction port 28 described above, and may be provided with the first door 19 or the second door 29.

In an example, if the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 is provided at the first treating apparatus 10, the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 may be disposed above the first door 19 on the front panel. The control panel 100 may extend substantially in the width direction of the first cabinet 11. However, the extension length of the control panel 100 may be less than the width of the first cabinet 11.

Of course, the position of the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 is not necessarily limited to the above-described condition. For example, the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 may be provided at the first door 19 in place of the front panel.

If the control panel 100 is provided at the first door 19, a substrate, an outer panel, the input part 120, and the output part 110, which constitute the control panel 100, may be provided at the first door 19.

If the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 is provided at the second treating apparatus 20, the output part 110 and/or the input part 120 may also be disposed at the front panel of the second cabinet 21 or the second door 29.

The power button 130, the execution button 140, and the output part 110 may be provided at the control panel 100. For example, the power button 130 and the execution button 140 may be disposed on opposite sides of the output part 110 including a display to output a screen, respectively.

The power button 130 may be disposed on a first side of the output part 110, and the execution button 140 may be disposed on a second side of the output part 110. If the power button 130 and the execution button 140 are separately defined, the input part 120 may correspond to a touch film or the like provided at the display of the output part 110.

The power button 130, the execution button 140, and the output part 110 may be disposed inside the control panel 100 with respect to the periphery of the control panel 100, and the power button 130 and the execution button 140 may have colors identical or similar to the color of the control panel 100.

FIG. 10 conceptually shows an operation procedure of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the screen D1 of the output part 110 according to the operation procedure.

First, when power is applied through the power button 130, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may perform a start procedure P1 of determining normal states of various components and performing preparation for execution of a course by the controller 70, and the output part 110 may output the start screen D10 configured to inform the user of the start procedure P1.

After the start procedure P1 is completed, the controller 70 may perform a course selection procedure P2. A plurality of treatment courses C0 for laundry treatment may be previously stored in the controller 70, and the user may select one of the plurality of treatment courses C0 in the course selection procedure P2.

In addition, in the course selection procedure P2, various options for a course may be adjusted by the user. The output part 110 may output an option display screen configured to provide option information in the course selection procedure P2. In addition, the output part 110 may output an option setting screen configured to vary a setting value of one of options of the course to be currently executed in the course selection procedure P2.

If the above-described execution button 140 is manipulated in a state in which one of the treatment courses C0 is selected to be executed in the course selection procedure P2, the controller 70 may perform a course progress procedure P3 of executing the treatment course C0.

In the course progress procedure P3, the controller 70 may execute the treatment course C0 with options determined through the course selection procedure P2, and the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 configured to represent the progress situation of the corresponding treatment course C0.

FIG. 11 shows the start screen D10 output from the output part 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The start screen D10 may include an image informing the user of application of power or may include all information for execution of the treatment course C0.

The screen D1 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to a welcome screen informing of application of power to the laundry treating apparatus 1 among start screens D10. The welcome screen may be a screen D1 output from the output part 110 in an initial stage of power application to the laundry treating apparatus 1. The welcome screen may include various phrases and images for giving a sense of closeness to the user or informing the user of power application.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the course selection screen D20. The title of the treatment course C0 to be executed among the plurality of treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20.

In detail, at least some of the plurality of treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20. The course selection screen D20 may be displayed to enable the user to select course items D103 respectively corresponding to the plurality of treatment courses C0.

The user may select, as an object to be executed, one of the plurality of treatment courses C0 displayed on the course selection screen D20 using a user command through the input part 120 described above.

A plurality of course items D103 may be arranged in one direction on the course selection screen D20. For example, the plurality of course items D103 may be arranged in the width direction, the height direction, or the diagonal direction of the cabinet 11.

Course items D103 other than the object to be executed may be disposed on a first side and/or a second side of the object to be executed. Among the plurality of course items D103, the object to be executed may be displayed to have a greater size than the remaining course items D103.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20, and one thereof may be displayed as an object to be executed while being centrally disposed and having a greater size than the remaining ones thereof. The user may change a treatment course C0 to be selected as an object to be executed, through a method of manipulating the input part 120, for example, inputting a touch signal causing the output part 110 to slide.

As described above, the course items D103 representing respective treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20. Each course item D103 may have a peripheral line so as to be visually identified by the user.

In addition, each course item D103 may include a color or an image different from that of a remaining portion of the screen D1, except for the course item D103.

The course item D103 may include a course title D104 representing the title of the treatment course C0 corresponding thereto, and may include an estimated run time D105 representing a run time estimated when the corresponding treatment course C0 is executed.

When a user command, an input signal, or a touch signal selecting the course item D103 is transmitted to the controller 70 through the input part 120, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output an option display screen on which option information of the corresponding treatment course C0 is displayed.

The user may select the course item D103 to output the option display screen, and may select one of a plurality of options displayed on the option display screen to change a setting value for the corresponding option.

A mode selection item D51, which is configured to display, on the screen D1, a plurality of modes selectable in the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, may be selectably displayed on the output part 110.

A mode selection item D51, which is configured to output, to the screen, a plurality of modes selectable in the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, may be displayed on the course selection screen D20.

In detail, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 and/or the second treating apparatus 20 may operate in at least one mode.

For example, the first treating apparatus 10 may operate in one of a washing mode M11 in which the washing course C11 for laundry washing is executed, a drying mode M12 in which the drying course C12 is executed, and a washing/drying mode M13 in which the washing/drying course C13 is executed. The second treating apparatus 20 may also operate in at least one mode.

If the second treating apparatus 20 operates in a single mode, the mode selection item D51 may be displayed in order to display the plurality of operation modes of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 on the screen D1.

The course selection screen D20 may display treatment courses C0 according to a currently operating mode among the plurality of modes included in the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20. In an example, FIG. 12 shows a course selection screen D20 on which washing/drying courses C13 according to the washing/drying mode M13 are displayed as the washing/drying mode M13 of the first treating apparatus 10 is selected.

The mode selection item D51 may be displayed to include the title of a currently operating mode. When the mode selection item D51 is selected, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output a mode selection screen D50 configured to display the plurality of modes, for selection thereof. A detailed description of the plurality of modes will be given later.

Only some of the plurality of treatment courses C0 set in the controller 70 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20, taking into consideration a limited size of the screen D1. In FIG. 12, the course selection screen D20, on which some of the washing/drying courses C13 according to the washing/drying mode M13 are displayed, is shown.

The user may change a treatment course C0 to be displayed on the course selection screen D20 through an input signal, for example, by sliding the screen D1.

However, when the number of treatment courses C0 stored in the controller 70 in association with a corresponding mode is large, it may be inconvenient for the user to identify the entirety of the plurality of treatment courses C0, for example, in a sliding manner.

Therefore, a course view item D101 configured to selectably output a greater number of treatment courses C0 than the number of treatment courses C0 displayable on the course selection screen D20 at one time may be displayed on the output part 110.

When the course view item D101 is selected by the user, the output part 110 may display, on the screen, a greater number of treatment courses C0 providable to the user than the number of treatment courses C0 displayed on the course selection screen D20 in accordance with the current mode.

For example, when the course view item D101 is selected, the output part 110 may selectably display all of a plurality of currently providable treatment courses C0. When the number of treatment courses C0 is excessively large, the plurality of treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the screen in the form of a plurality of pages.

A setting item D102 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20. When the setting item D102 is selected by the user, a setting screen for setting of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 may be output to the screen.

An indicator D110 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20. The indicator D110 is a mark configured to represent the state of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, and may be displayed in the form of a shape corresponding to information to be provided to the user.

The indicator D110 displayed on the screen may be provided in plural to represent different pieces of information. For example, the plurality of indicators D110 may represent various types of information about the apparatus, such as communication state information and reservation status information.

The course progress screen D30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 13. If the above-described execution button 140 is manipulated in a state in which one treatment course C0 is displayed on the course selection screen D20 as an object to be executed, or if the execution button 140 is manipulated on an option display screen for one treatment course C0, the controller 70 may execute the corresponding treatment course C0, and the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 representing progress information of the corresponding treatment course C0.

The course progress screen D30 may include the mode selection item D51, the setting item D102, and the indicator D110 as described above. In addition, the above-described course item D103 may be displayed on the course progress screen D30, and the course item D103 may include a course title D104 representing the title of the currently executed treatment course C0, a remaining time D106 until completion of the currently executed treatment course C0, a cycle explanation D107 for explaining a currently executed cycle of the treatment course C0, and a time indicator D108 configured to represent an execution degree of the treatment course C0 executed until the present with respect to the whole execution of the treatment course C0.

The time indicator D108 may be displayed to enable the user to conveniently identify a remaining cycle or a remaining time by differently indicating a previously executed cycle and a remaining cycle or a run time taken until the present and a remaining time on a specific line corresponding to the entirety of the treatment course C0.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the screen D1 of the output part 110 is switched from the course selection screen D20 to the mode selection screen D50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14(a) shows the first course selection screen D20 on which the washing/drying course C13 of the first treating apparatus 10, with the washing/drying mode M13 selected, is displayed, and FIG. 14(b) shows the mode selection screen D50 to which the mode selection item D51 selected on the first course selection screen D20 is output.

As described above, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20. The first treating apparatus 10 may include the first drum 13 in which laundry is received, and the second treating apparatus 20 may include the second drum 23 in which laundry is received.

Each of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may execute laundry treatment courses under the control of the controller 70. For example, the controller 70 may control the first driving part 14 to rotate the first drum 13, thereby executing the first course C1 among the plurality of treatment courses C0, and may control the second driving part 24 to rotate the second drum 23, thereby executing the second course C2 among the plurality of treatment courses C0.

The output part 110 may be provided in the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, and may output the screen D1. However, the output part 110 may be provided separately outside the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 or may be provided in another treating apparatus.

The input part 120 may be provided in the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, and may receive a user command for selection of an object to be displayed on the screen D1. The input part 120 may also be provided separately outside the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 or may be provided in another treating apparatus.

As described above, the input part 120 may be provided at the output part 110 to sense a touch signal of the user for the screen D1. In this case, the input part 120 may transmit a user command corresponding to the touch signal to the controller 70.

The screen D1 output from the output part 110 may include the course selection screen D20 described above. The course selection screen D20 is one of the plurality of screens D1, and may display a plurality of treatment courses C0 for laundry treatment.

The first treating apparatus 10 may operate in one of a plurality of operation modes M1, in which different treatment courses C0 are displayed on the course selection screen D20. The plurality of operation modes M1 may include, for example, a first mode and a second mode.

The controller 70 may provide different treatment courses C0 to the user in the first mode and the second mode. That is, in the first mode and the second mode, different treatment courses C0 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 so as to be selected by the user.

In detail, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute a plurality of first courses C1 corresponding to some of the plurality of treatment courses C0. In the first mode, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute one or more 1-1^stcourses corresponding to some of the plurality of first courses C1, and in the second mode, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute one or more 1-2^ndcourses corresponding to some of the plurality of first courses C1.

The user may select the operation mode M1 of the first treating apparatus 10 as needed to execute a desired treatment course C0. For example, the first mode may correspond to the washing mode M11 of the first treating apparatus 10, and, in the washing mode M11, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute the laundry washing course C11 under the control of the controller 70. In the washing mode M11, a plurality of washing courses C11 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20.

The second mode may correspond to the drying mode M12 of the first treating apparatus 10, and, in the drying mode M12, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute the laundry drying course C12 under the control of the controller 70. In the drying mode M12, a plurality of drying courses C12 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 operates in one of the plurality of operation modes M1, thereby providing various treatment courses C0 to the user. That is, the user may select a desired operation mode M1 for the first treating apparatus 10 to execute a necessary treatment course C0.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 may operate in one of the plurality of operation modes M1, in which different treatment courses C0 are provided.

The output part may output a selection screen on which one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 is selected and one of the plurality of operation modes M1 is selected. The selection screen may be the mode selection screen D50 described above.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, among the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, an object, information about which is to be output from the output part 110 and which receives a command from the user, may be selected on the selection screen, and the operation mode M1 for the object may also be selected on the selection screen.

FIG. 14(b) shows a state in which the second treating apparatus 20 operates in a single operation mode and thus only one operation mode, represented by the second treating apparatus 20 (selector corresponding to the second treating apparatus), is displayed on the mode selection screen D50.

However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second treating apparatus 20 may also operate in a plurality of operation modes, like the first treating apparatus 10. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, an example in which the second treating apparatus 20 operates in a single operation mode, as shown in FIG. 14(b), will be described.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mode selection item D51 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20. When the mode selection item D51 is selected, a plurality of operation modes M1 for the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be selectably displayed on the screen.

The mode selection item D51 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 so as to be selected by the user. For example, the user may select the mode selection item D51 through the input part 120, and when the mode selection item D51 is selected, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the screen D1 of the output part 110 so as to be respectively selected by the user.

Here, the second treating apparatus 20 displayed on the screen refers to an item enabling selection of the second treating apparatus 20 as an object that is to operate in response to a received user command. For convenience of description, the selection item of the second treating apparatus 20 will be referred to as the second treating apparatus 20 displayed on the screen.

The user may select one of the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through selection of the mode selection item D51, and accordingly, the course selection screen D20 according to the corresponding item may be output from the output part 110.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may use the first treating apparatus 10 in a plurality of operation modes M1 through one output part 110, and may also select one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 through one output part 110. In this way, use convenience may be greatly improved.

On the course selection screen D20, the mode selection item D51 may be displayed while including the title of a currently selected one of the operation mode M1 and the second treating apparatus 20. In FIG. 14(a), the course selection screen D20 of the first treating apparatus 10 that is operating in the washing/drying mode M13 is shown, and the mode selection item D51 is output while including a phrase “washing/drying” in order to represent the title of the washing/drying mode M13.

However, the mode selection item D51 does not need to necessarily express the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 in the form of text, and may express the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 in the form of shapes or icons respectively corresponding thereto. That is, the mode selection item D51 may be displayed while including a shape representing the currently selected one of the operation mode M1 and the second treating apparatus 20.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of operation modes M1 for the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are provided to the user through the screen D1 so as to be respectively selected by the user, and information about an object output from the output part 110 as a current control object is provided to the user through the mode selection item D51. Accordingly, the user may conveniently identify the current control object.

The plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the screen in various ways. For example, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to additionally display the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 on the course selection screen D20.

In addition, when the mode selection item D51 is selected, the output part 110 may output a mode selection screen D50, on which the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 are output, unlike the previous screen. The mode selection screen D50 output by being converted from the course selection screen D20 is shown in FIG. 14(b).

Referring to FIG. 14(b), in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may operate in one of a plurality of operation modes M1 in which different treatment courses C0 are provided to the user, and the output part 110 may output a mode selection screen D50 on which one of the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 is selectably displayed.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 output to the mode selection screen D50 may be aligned in one direction. The plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the form of a list or icons, and the alignment direction thereof may be parallel to the arrangement direction of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

For example, the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be disposed in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the ground. The first treating apparatus 10 may be disposed on the second treating apparatus 20. The first treating apparatus 10 may be seated on the second treating apparatus 20.

Correspondingly, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the mode selection screen D50 while being aligned in the vertical direction. Additionally, the plurality of operation modes M1 executable in the first treating apparatus 10 may be displayed above the second treating apparatus 20.

The plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the mode selection screen D50 while being separate from each other. For example, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be spaced apart from each other so as to be distinguished from each other, with a blank area interposed therebetween. In order to distinguish the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 from each other, a distinguishment marker D90 may be disposed therebetween.

The distinguishment marker D90 may have various shapes. For example, the distinguishment marker D90 may have a bar shape disposed between the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20. The distinguishment marker D90 may have a bar shape extending in the width direction of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20.

When the mode selection item D51 is selected, the output part 110 may output the mode selection screen D50. As will be described later, the mode selection item D51 may be displayed on a screen other than the course selection screen D20, and when selection of the mode selection item D51 is input by the user, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output the mode selection screen D50.

The mode selection screen D50 may be output completely separately from the immediately previous screen, or may be output in the form of overlapping the immediately previous screen, as shown in FIG. 14(b). That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mode selection screen D50 may be output while overlapping the course selection screen D20, and may be transparent to allow the course selection screen D20 to be visible to the user.

Thus, the immediately previous screen, e.g., the course selection screen D20, may be displayed in a blurry form in the background of the mode selection screen D50. The mode selection screen D50 may have various levels of transparency. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may easily determine what the immediately previous screen is, through the transparent mode selection screen D50.

As described above, the plurality of operation modes M1 may include a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first mode may be a washing mode M11, the second mode may be a drying mode M12, and the third mode may be a washing/drying mode M13.

In the washing mode M11, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute the washing course C11 for laundry washing by the controller 70. In the drying mode M12, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute the drying course C12 for laundry drying. In the washing/drying mode M13, the first treating apparatus 10 may execute the washing/drying course C13 in which laundry washing and laundry drying are sequentially performed.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the first treating apparatus 10 is operable in the washing mode M11, the first treating apparatus 10 may include a first tub 12, in which the first drum 13 is rotatably mounted and water is received for execution of the washing course C11, and a first detergent supply part 16, which is connected to the first tub 12 and supplies detergent to the first tub 12.

If the first treating apparatus 10 is operable in the drying mode M12, the first treating apparatus 10 may include a heating part 30 configured to supply heated air to the interior of the first drum 13. These structural characteristics may be equally applied to the second treating apparatus 20.

A screen end item D53 may be displayed on the mode selection screen D50 so as to be selected by the user. When the screen end item D53 is selected, the output part 110 may again output the screen output just before the mode selection screen D50 is output.

The screen end item D53 may be disposed at a lower portion of the mode selection screen D50, i.e., below the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20. The screen end item D53 may be aligned with the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 in one direction. However, the position of the screen end item D53 is not necessarily limited to the aforementioned position. The screen end item D53 may be disposed at a corner portion of the mode selection screen D50.

FIG. 15 shows respective course selection screens D20 according to selection of the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51.

FIG. 15(a) shows a course selection screen D20 output from the output part 110 according to selection of the washing mode M11, FIG. 15(b) shows a course selection screen D20 output according to selection of the drying mode M12, FIG. 15(c) shows a course selection screen D20 output according to selection of the washing/drying mode M13, and FIG. 15(d) shows a course selection screen D20 output according to selection of the second treating apparatus 20.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first treating apparatus 10 may operate in any one operation mode M1 among the washing mode M11, the drying mode M12, and the washing/drying mode M13.

Washing courses C11 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 output in the washing mode M11. Drying courses C12 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 output in the drying mode M12. Washing/drying courses C13 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 output in the washing/drying mode M13. Treatment courses C0 executable in the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the course selection screen D20 output according to selection of the second treating apparatus 20.

The washing course C11, the drying course C12, and the washing/drying course C13 may correspond to the first course C1, and the first course C1 and the second course C2 may be distinguished from each other in that the first course C1 and the second course C2 are executed in different apparatuses.

The washing course C11, the drying course C12, and the washing/drying course C13 may include different cycles although courses having the same titles are included therein. For example, among a plurality of washing courses C11, a standard course may include a water supply cycle, a detergent supply cycle, and a spin-drying cycle. Among a plurality of drying courses C12, a standard course may include a drying cycle without including a water supply cycle. Among a plurality of washing/drying courses C13, a standard course may include a drying cycle in addition to the water supply cycle.

That is, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to provide the course selection screen D20, on which different courses are displayed according to an object selected from among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20, to the user.

Switching between the course selection screens D20 displaying different courses may be performed by selecting an object different from a currently displayed object from among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 after selecting the mode selection item D51.

For example, when the drying mode M12 is selected after the mode selection item D51 is selected by the user on the course selection screen D20 on which the washing course C11 is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(a), the course selection screen D20 on which the drying course C12 is displayed may be output in place of the course selection screen D20 of the washing course C11, as shown in FIG. 15(b).

That is, when the drying mode M12 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected on the course selection screen D20 on which the plurality of washing courses C11 is displayed, the output part 110 may output the course selection screen D20 on which the plurality of drying courses C12 is displayed in place of the plurality of washing courses C11.

In addition, for example, when the second treating apparatus 20 is selected after the mode selection item D51 is selected by the user on the course selection screen D20 on which the washing course C11 is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(a), the course selection screen D20 on which the treatment course C0 of the second treating apparatus 20 is displayed may be output in place of the course selection screen D20 of the washing course C11, as shown in FIG. 15(d).

That is, when the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through selection of the mode selection item D51 is selected on the course selection screen D20 displaying a treatment course C0 to be executed in one of the plurality of operation modes M1, the output part 110 may output the course selection screen D20 on which the plurality of treatment courses C0 to be executed in the second treating apparatus 20 is displayed.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which the mode selection screen D50 is output on the course progress screen D30 of one of the plurality of operation modes M1 of the first treating apparatus 10 and the course selection screen D20 of the second treating apparatus 20, i.e., the second course selection screen D20, is output through selection of the second treating apparatus 20.

FIG. 16(a) shows the course progress screen D30 on which progress information of the washing course C11 that is being executed in the washing mode M11 is displayed, FIG. 16(b) shows the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 on the course progress screen D30, and FIG. 16(c) shows the course selection screen D20 of the second treating apparatus 20 output through selection of the second treating apparatus 20 on the mode selection screen D50.

Referring to FIG. 16, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 displaying progress information of the treatment course C0 that is being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20.

Additionally, the mode selection item D51 may be displayed on the course progress screen D30. The mode selection item D51 displayed on the course progress screen D30 may have the same characteristics as the mode selection item D51 on the course selection screen D20 described above.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, and the laundry treatment course of the first treating apparatus 10 and the laundry treatment course of the second treating apparatus 20 may be executed simultaneously.

In order to operate the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 simultaneously, the user may execute the treatment course C0 through the course selection screen D20 of one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20, and then may execute the treatment course C0 by outputting the course selection screen D20 of the other treating apparatus through the mode selection item D51.

The plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 displayed on the mode selection screen D50 may be individually displayed in a selectable state T1 and a non-selectable state T2.

The selectable state T1 refers to a state in which the screen D1 on which information about the corresponding operation mode M1 or the second treating apparatus 20 is displayed is capable of being output through selection by the user, and the non-selectable state T2 refers to a state in which the screen D1 for the corresponding operation mode M1 or the second treating apparatus 20 is not capable of being output and thus the corresponding display is not capable of being selected.

For example, in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 is executing a treatment course C0 according to one of the plurality of operation modes M1, the remaining ones of the plurality of operation modes M1 may be displayed in the non-selectable state T2.

That is, when a treatment course C0 according to one of the plurality of operation modes M1 selectable in the first treating apparatus 10 is already being executed, execution of treatment courses C0 according to the remaining operation modes M1 is impossible. In this case, the remaining operation modes M1 may be in the non-selectable state T2.

In regard to the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51, the selectable state T1 and the non-selectable state T2 may be expressed differently in various ways.

Referring to FIG. 16(b), in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be individually displayed with different levels of brightness in the selectable state T1 and the non-selectable state T2.

For example, a selectable object may be displayed with higher brightness than a non-selectable object. However, a brightness difference is not necessarily used to distinguish between the selectable object and the non-selectable object. If necessary, the selectable object and the non-selectable object may have different colors, or separate markers may be additionally displayed in order to distinguish the objects from each other.

A process for the user to control the second treating apparatus 20 during execution of the treatment course C0 of the first treating apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

First, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the user may select one of the plurality of operation modes M1 for the first treating apparatus 10 and then may manipulate the execution button 140, thereby commanding execution of the treatment course C0 of the corresponding operation mode M1.

As an example, FIG. 16(a) shows the course progress screen D30 of the washing course C11 output from the output part 110 when the first treating apparatus 10 executes the washing course C11 according to the washing mode M11. The mode selection item D51 may be displayed while including a phrase representing the washing mode M11.

FIG. 16(b) shows the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 on the course progress screen D30.

Among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20, an object displayed on the immediately previous screen may be displayed on the mode selection screen D50 so as to be distinguished from the remaining objects.

For example, a previous selection marker D52 may be displayed on an object that has been displayed on the immediately previous screen among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20. That is, on the mode selection screen D50, the previous selection marker D52 may be displayed on an object corresponding to the immediately previous screen before output of the mode selection screen D50 among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20. FIG. 16(b) shows a state in which the previous selection marker D52 is displayed on the washing mode M11, which is the object shown in FIG. 16(a).

In addition, on the mode selection screen D50 output while the washing course C11 according to the washing mode M11 is in progress as shown in FIG. 16(a), the washing mode M11 may be displayed in a course progress state representing that the corresponding treatment course C0 is being executed, and the remaining modes may be displayed in a non-progress state.

That is, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be individually displayed in the course progress state, which represents progress of the laundry treatment course C0, and the non-progress state on the mode selection screen D50.

For example, the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 may have different shapes in the course progress state and the non-progress state, respectively.

FIG. 16(b) shows a state in which an in-operation marker D54 representing the progress state of a course is additionally displayed on an object corresponding to the course progress state and the in-operation marker D54 is not present on the remaining objects. However, the in-operation marker D54 is not necessarily used to distinguish between the course progress state and the non-progress state, and various expression schemes may be used, so long as the user is capable of identifying a difference in expression therebetween.

Because the washing mode screen shown in FIG. 16(b) corresponds to a state in which the washing course C11 according to the washing mode M11 is in progress, the washing mode M11 among the plurality of operation modes M1 is displayed in the course progress state T3. However, the second treating apparatus 20 is not in a state of executing the treatment course C0, and thus is displayed in the selectable state T1.

For reference, when the washing mode M11 is selected again in the state shown in FIG. 16(b), the screen returns to the course progress screen D30 of the washing course C11 according to the washing mode M11, i.e., the course progress screen D30 shown in FIG. 16(a).

FIG. 16(c) shows the course selection screen D20 output through selection of the second treating apparatus 20 on the mode selection screen D50 shown in FIG. 16(b).

When the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected on the course progress screen D30 for the first treating apparatus 10, the output part 110 may output the course selection screen D20 on which a plurality of treatment courses C0 to be executed in the second treating apparatus 20 is displayed.

That is, when the first treating apparatus 10 is executing the treatment course C0 and before the second treating apparatus 20 executes the treatment course C0, if the mode selection item D51 is selected on the course progress screen D30 for the first treating apparatus 10, the plurality of operation modes M1 may be displayed in the course progress state T3 or the non-selectable state T2, and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the selectable state T1.

When the second treating apparatus 20 is selected on the mode selection screen D50, the course selection screen D20 of the second treating apparatus 20 may be output. That is, the user may select one of the plurality of operation modes M1 for the first treating apparatus 10 to command execution of the treatment course C0, and may select the second treating apparatus 20 using the mode selection item D51 on the course progress screen D30 of the first treating apparatus 10, whereby the course selection screen D20 of the second treating apparatus 20 may be output.

As the user selects one treatment course C0 and commands execution thereof on the course selection screen D20 of the second treating apparatus 20, the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may execute different treatment courses C0 at the same time.

FIG. 17 shows a process in which the double-view screen D40 output from the output part 110 is switched to the course progress screen D30 to which progress information about one treatment course C0 is output through the mode selection item D51 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17(a) shows the double-view screen D40 output from the output part 110 in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 execute the treatment courses C0 at the same time, FIG. 17(b) shows the mode selection screen D50 output through the mode selection item D51 displayed on the double-view screen D40, and FIG. 17(c) shows the course progress screen D30 of the washing/drying course C13 output through selection of the washing/drying mode M13 on the mode selection screen D50.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output part 110 may output the double-view screen D40. Progress information of the treatment courses C0 that are respectively being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the double-view screen D40.

In detail, if both the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are executing the treatment courses C0, the output part 110 may output the double-view screen D40 displaying both progress information of the first course C1 that is being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 and progress information of the second course C2 that is being executed in the second treating apparatus 20.

A course item D103 of the first course C1 that is being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 and a course item D103 of the second course C2 that is being executed in the second treating apparatus 20 may be respectively displayed on the double-view screen D40. The characteristics of the course item D103 are identical to those of the course item D103 on the course progress screen D30 described above.

A first area D41 and a second area D42 may be respectively defined in the double-view screen D40. Information about the first treating apparatus 10 may be displayed in the first area D41, and information about the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the second area D42.

FIG. 17(a) shows a state in which the first area D41 and the second area D42 are separately displayed by a boundary line indicating the boundary between the first area D41 and the second area D42.

An indicator D110 associated with the first treating apparatus 10 may be displayed in the first area D41, and an indicator D110 associated with the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the second area D42. However, if necessary, the indicator D110 may be displayed only in one of the first area D41 and the second area D42.

A first setting item D1021 for setting of the first treating apparatus 10 among the above-described setting items D102 may be displayed in the first area D41, and a second setting item D1022 for setting of the second treating apparatus 20 among the above-described setting items D102 may be displayed in the second area D42.

When the first setting item D1021 is selected, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output a first setting screen on which a plurality of setting items for setting of the first treating apparatus 10 is displayed.

When the second setting item D1022 is selected, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output a second setting screen on which a plurality of setting items for setting of the second treating apparatus 20 is displayed.

The mode selection item D51 may be displayed on the double-view screen D40. A single mode selection item D51 may be displayed on the double-view screen D40, or a plurality of mode selection items D51 may be displayed in the first area D41 and the second area D42, respectively, as shown in FIG. 17(a).

In this case, the mode selection item D51 displayed in the first area D41 may represent the operation mode M1 of the first treating apparatus 10, and the mode selection item D51 displayed in the second area D42 may represent the second treating apparatus 20.

As shown in FIG. 17(b), when the mode selection items D51 on the double-view screen D40 are selected, the plurality of operation modes M1 may be displayed in the course progress state T3 or the non-selectable state T2, and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the course progress state T3.

In detail, as described above, an object, the treatment course C0 of which is currently being executed, may be displayed in the course progress state through the in-operation marker D54 on the mode selection screen D50, and the remaining object may be displayed in the non-progress state.

In addition, as described above, if the treatment course C0 according to one of the plurality of operation modes M1 is being executed, the remaining ones of the plurality of operation modes M1 may be displayed in the non-selectable state T2. However, the second treating apparatus 20 may always be displayed in the selectable state T1 on the mode selection screen D50.

Referring to FIG. 17(b), because the washing/drying course C13 according to the washing/drying mode M13 is being executed, the washing mode M11 and the drying mode M12 are displayed in the non-selectable state T2. However, the washing/drying mode M13 and the second treating apparatus 20, the treatment courses C0 of which are currently being executed, are displayed in the selectable state T1.

Referring to FIG. 17(c), if the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through selection of the mode selection item D51 on the double-view screen D40 is selected, the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 displaying progress information about the treatment course C0 of the second treating apparatus 20, except for information about the treatment course C0 of the first treating apparatus 10.

Similarly, if the operation mode M1 selected in the first treating apparatus 10 among the mode selection items D51, e.g., the washing/drying mode M13 in FIG. 17(c), is selected, the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 displaying progress information about the washing/drying course C13, except for the treatment course C0 of the second treating apparatus 20.

The user may select one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 through the mode selection item D51 on the double-view screen D40, whereby the course progress screen D30 on which only progress information of the corresponding treatment course C0 is displayed may be output.

In addition, the user may command stop of the treatment course C0 on the first course progress screen D30 for the first treating apparatus 10 or the second course progress screen D30 for the second treating apparatus 20.

In a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 respectively execute the treatment courses C0, if a predetermined amount of time elapses after the course progress screen D30 on which only one treatment course C0 is displayed is output from the output part 110, the output part 110 may again output the double-view screen D40.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, progress information about the treatment course C0 of the first treating apparatus 10 and progress information about the treatment course C0 of the second treating apparatus 20 may be simultaneously provided to the user through the double-view screen D40.

In addition, because the course progress screen D30 of only one of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 is output through the mode selection item D51 of the double-view screen D40, the user may check the progress information about the treatment course C0 in a larger area, and may conveniently command stop of each treatment course C0.

FIG. 18 shows the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 of the double-view screen D40. FIG. 18(a) shows a state in which two mode selection items D51 are displayed on the double-view screen D40, FIG. 18(b) shows the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 in the first area D41 in which information about the first treating apparatus 10 is output, and FIG. 18(c) shows the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 in the second area D42.

Referring to FIG. 18, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the double-view screen D40 may include the first area D41 and the second area D42 described above, and the mode selection items D51 may be respectively displayed in the first area D41 and the second area D42.

The first area D41 and the second area D42 may be disposed in the width direction of the first cabinet 11, and the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be disposed in the vertical direction. That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement direction of the first area D41 and the second area D42 may be set to be different from the alignment direction of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

The first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may form a stacked relationship for space utilization. However, the display of the output part 110 may be disposed above the first door 19 on the front panel of the first cabinet 11.

That is, it may be easier for the display to secure space in the width direction than to secure space in the vertical direction due to the position of the front panel. Thus, the alignment direction of the first area D41 and the second area D42 may be set to be different from the alignment direction of the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 in order to improve space utilization.

The arrangement relationship between the first area D41 and the second area D42 may be explained based on the arrangement relationship between the course item D103 of the first treating apparatus 10 and the course item D103 of the second treating apparatus 20, which are displayed on the double-view screen D40.

If the course item D103 of the double-view screen D40 is selected, an option display screen of the corresponding treatment course C0 may be output. For example, if the course item D103 for the treatment course C0 of the first treating apparatus 10 displayed in the first area D41 is selected, an option display screen for the treatment course C0 that is being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 may be displayed as a whole screen.

Similarly, if the course item D103 for the treatment course C0 of the second treating apparatus 20 displayed in the second area D42 is selected, an option display screen for the treatment course C0 that is being executed in the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed as a whole screen.

If the execution button 140 is manipulated by the user in a state in which the option display screen of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 is output, execution of the treatment course C0 corresponding to the optical display screen may be temporarily stopped, and an option may be displayed on the option display screen so as to be changed by the user. In this case, the above-described course view item D101 may be displayed on the option display screen in a state in which execution of the treatment course C0 is temporarily stopped.

In addition, after one of the treating apparatuses on the double-view screen D40 is selected and thus the option display screen is output, if execution of the treatment course C0 is temporarily stopped through manipulation of the execution button 140 and a predetermined amount of time elapses, the corresponding treatment course C0 may be canceled, and the output part 110 may output the course progress screen D30 for the currently executed treatment course C0 alone, except for the canceled treatment course C0.

In a state in which the treatment course C0 of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 is temporarily stopped, the output part 110 may again output the double-view screen D40 from the option display screen, and the temporarily stopped state of the treatment course C0 may be displayed on the double-view screen D40. As time passes after switching to the double-view screen D40, the corresponding treatment course C0 may be canceled, as described above.

In addition, the option display screen of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20, which is switched from the double-view screen D40, may include the screen end item D53 described above. If the screen end item D53 is selected on the option display screen regardless of temporary stoppage of the treatment course C0, the double-view screen D40 may be output again.

Even if one of the mode selection items D51 in the first area D41 and the second area D42 is selected, the mode selection screen D50 may be output as a whole screen. That is, the mode selection screen D50 that is output during the output of the double-view screen D40 may be displayed as a whole screen while including the first area D41 and the second area D42.

However, on the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 in the first area D41, the previous selection marker D52 may be displayed on the operation mode M1 that is currently being executed in the first treating apparatus 10 among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20, and the previous selection marker D52 may not be displayed on the remaining operation modes.

In addition, on the mode selection screen D50 output through selection of the mode selection item D51 in the second area D42, the previous selection marker D52 may be displayed on the second treating apparatus 20 among the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20, and the previous selection marker D52 may not be displayed on the remaining operation modes.

Accordingly, even if the mode selection items D51 are respectively present in the first area D41 and the second area D42, the user may easily determine which one of the mode selection items D51 was selected to output the mode selection screen D50.

In a state in which the double-view screen D40 is output from the output part 110, that is, in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 respectively execute the treatment courses C0, if the power button 130 is manipulated, both the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be powered off.

FIG. 19 shows a process in which the second treating apparatus 20 is selected through the mode selection item D51 and pairing is performed. Here, pairing refers to a state in which connection between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 is accepted to allow communication therebetween.

When the output part 110 is provided at the first treating apparatus 10, if pairing with the second treating apparatus 20 is not achieved, control of the second treating apparatus 20 through the first treating apparatus 10 may not be achieved.

FIG. 19(a) shows the plurality of operation modes M1 and the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 before the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are paired with each other, FIG. 19(b) shows a pairing notification message D60 output from the output part 110 when the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected, and FIG. 19(c) shows a pairing progress message D65 indicating progress of pairing between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

In detail, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed through the mode selection item D51 even in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are not paired with each other.

However, if the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected in the unpaired state, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output a pairing notification message D60 in order to inform the user that output of the second screen for the second treating apparatus 20 is impossible.

That is, in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are not paired with each other, if the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected, the output part 110 may output a notification message indicating the unpaired state.

The pairing notification message may include a phrase indicating that the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are in an unpaired state, or may include a phrase recommending the user to perform pairing. The notification message may be displayed in the form of a window on a part of the mode selection screen D50, or may be displayed on the entirety of the screen.

A pairing item D61 configured to perform pairing between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed in the pairing notification message D60 so as to be selected by the user.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19(b), a cancel item for return to the mode selection screen D50 and the pairing item D61 for performance of pairing may be displayed in the pairing notification message D60 so as to be respectively selected by the user through the input part 120.

Accordingly, in a state in which pairing with the second treating apparatus 20 is not achieved, the user may avoid inconvenience of outputting the setting screen of the first treating apparatus 10 or the second treating apparatus 20 from the pairing notification message D60 and then selecting a pairing item displayed on the setting screen to perform pairing.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 is selected and thus the pairing notification message D60 is output, the user may select the pairing item D61 displayed in the pairing notification message D60, thereby conveniently performing pairing between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

Referring to FIG. 19(c), if the pairing item D61 is selected by the user in the pairing notification message D60, the controller 70 may control the output part 110 to output a pairing progress message D65 indicating progress information about the pairing.

The pairing progress message D65 may include a phrase indicating a pairing progress state and/or progress of the pairing. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may conveniently check whether pairing is in progress through the pairing progress message D65.

FIG. 20 shows a process in which a connection failure message D70 is output from the output part 110 when a connection state between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal.

FIG. 20(a) shows the mode selection screen D50 on which a connection failure marker D55 is displayed on the second treating apparatus 20, and FIG. 20(b) shows a connection failure message D70 output from the output part 110 through selection of the second treating apparatus 20 in FIG. 20(a).

In detail, even in a state in which the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 are paired with each other and communication therebetween is allowed, communication or connection between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 may become abnormal due to various reasons such as a communication environment.

When the connection to the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal, the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51 may be displayed to allow the user to recognize that the connection thereto is abnormal.

For example, when a communication connection state between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal, the second treating apparatus 20 may be displayed on the mode selection screen D50 while including a connection failure marker D55 indicating the abnormal connection state.

FIG. 20(a) shows a state in which the connection failure marker D55 is displayed on the second treating apparatus 20 when connection to the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal. The user may check the connection failure marker D55, and then may inspect the communication connection state between the first treating apparatus 10 and the second treating apparatus 20.

If the second treating apparatus 20 on which the connection failure marker D55 is displayed is selected by the user, the output part 110 may output a connection failure message D70 in order to inform the user that the communication connection to the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal.

The connection failure message D70, as one of the second screens, may include a phrase indicating that the communication connection to the second treating apparatus 20 is abnormal. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may primarily check the communication connection state of the second treating apparatus 20 based on the presence or absence of the connection failure marker D55 configured to be displayed on the second treating apparatus 20 displayed through the mode selection item D51, and may secondarily check the state of connection to the second treating apparatus 20 through the connection failure message D70 output after selection of the second treating apparatus 20.

As is apparent from the above description, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of effectively outputting information about a plurality of treating apparatuses through one output part.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus enabling a user to effectively select a plurality of treating apparatuses without using a separate button.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of effectively treating laundry through a plurality of modes available in any one treating apparatus.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus enabling a user to conveniently select one of a plurality of modes to execute laundry treatment courses without using a separate button.

The above description is merely illustrative of specific embodiments of the present disclosure, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS

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