초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine wherein a user can be guided in all the washing processes by the respective stages. The presen

The present invention relates to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method and device for displaying usage guidelines of a washing machine wherein a user can be guided in all the washing processes by the respective stages. The present invention is characterized in that usages of the washing machine by the respective stages are provided to an inexperienced person who does not know well the usages, that actual processes are performed when the user follows the provided instructions, and that the user can personally check and troubleshoot simple problems which may occur when utilizing the washing machine. According to the present invention, there is an additional advantage in that various functions and usages of the washing machine can be more conveniently and efficiently utilized with the aid of a wash help.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for controlling a washing machine having an output unit which has a display screen to display information to a user, the method comprising: displaying a help menu on the display screen, wherein the help menu includes a plurality of user-selectable help options;

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for controlling a washing machine having an output unit which has a display screen to display information to a user, the method comprising: displaying a help menu on the display screen, wherein the help menu includes a plurality of user-selectable help options; displaying a course menu on the display screen, wherein the course menu includes a plurality of user-selectable washing cycle options; receiving a user-selected option selected from the plurality of help and washing cycle options, wherein the user-selected option is associated with a corresponding function; and performing the function. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the selected option before performing the function. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the help menu includes at least one of the following: a usage menu which provides guidelines for using the washing machine; a washing tip menu for providing suggestions to assist the user in making proper selections for washing laundry; a troubleshooting menu for providing a method for checking the washing machine performance; and a monitor menu for monitoring the washing machine. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the washing machine further comprises an input unit, and wherein the usage menu includes at least one of the following: a course explanation menu for explaining washing cycles available in the washing machine; an input unit explanation menu for explaining functions of the input unit of the washing machine; and an initial screen selection menu for selecting an initial screen of the output unit of the washing machine. 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the course explanation menu includes at least one of an automatic washing mode and a manual washing mode. 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the automatic washing mode includes at least one of a full automatic washing mode and a partial automatic washing mode. 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the full automatic washing mode is based on at least one of fabric type and soil type. 8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the automatic washing mode includes a reservation wash. 9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the full automatic washing mode includes a "my favorite" wash menu in which control parameters of the washing machine is predefined by the user in advance. 10. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the input unit explanation menu includes explanation of functions of a mechanically activated input unit. 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the functions of the input unit are displayed automatically when the input unit is operated. 12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the input unit includes a button type device. 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the button includes at least one of a power button, a start/pause button, a wash help button, a return button, a dial button, a washing button, a rinse button, a spin button, a reserve button, a waster current button, a water level button, a hot/cold water button and a favorite button. 14. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the washing tip menu includes at least one of a method for removing stains, a method for reading care labels, a method for checking checkpoints before washing and a method for using detergent/softener. 15. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the troubleshooting menu includes at least one of: a method for dealing with vibration/noise, a method for dealing with entangling of laundry and a method for dealing with lint. 16. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the monitor menu includes at least one of a lid open indication, a drain failure indication, a spin failure indication and a water feed failure indication. 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the monitor menu further includes a step of providing how to deal with the corresponding error. 18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the monitor menu is automatically operated without user's menu selection when the corresponding error takes place. 19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the monitor menu further includes a step of providing how to deal with the corresponding error. 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of providing how to deal with the corresponding error is provided based on the user's selection. 21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the help menu further includes an operation menu for providing washing cycle options. 22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the operation menu further includes a washing following menu. 23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the washing following menu includes the steps of: providing a series of washing steps of the selected washing course in succession to the user, and receiving required factors from the user in each of the steps. 24. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the help menu is always in a standby state for a user's request. 25. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the help menu or the course menu is selectively displayed by user's selection. 26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of returning to the course menu directly. 27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the step of returning to the course menu directly is performed by a mechanically activated input unit. 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the mechanically activated input unit is a button type device. 29. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of returning to the help menu directly. 30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of returning to the help menu directly is performed by a mechanically activated input unit. 31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mechanically activated input unit is a button type device. 32. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein a default menu at the time of power on of the washing machine is the course menu. 33. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output unit includes an LCD. 34. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output unit includes an LCD touch screen. 35. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the course menu includes at least one of an automatic washing mode and a manual washing mode. 36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the automatic washing mode includes at least one of a full automatic washing mode and a partial automatic washing mode. 37. The method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the full automatic washing mode is based on at least one of fabric type and soil type. 38. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the automatic washing mode includes a reservation wash. 39. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the full automatic washing mode includes a "my favorite" wash menu in which control parameters of the washing machine is predefined by the user in advance. 40. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein at least one of the control parameters in the automatic washing mode is changeable by the user. 41. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein preset control parameters in the automatic washing mode is changeable by the user.