TODAY’S PATENT- WASHING MACHINE

The Washing Machine was invented by Kee Hwan KA, Hyo Sang Lee, Jeong Su Han, Byung Ik Choi on the 8th November 2012, bearing patent number US20120279261A1 and has been assigned to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

The present invention relates to a washing machine having an optical sensor. The washing machine includes an optical sensor mounted at a predetermined position in the washing machine and a controller to analyze an output value of the optical sensor to determine whether a door is opened or closed, vibration of a washing tub or weight of the washing tub. The objects of this invention are to provide a washing machine:

• that senses whether a door is opened or closed
• that senses vibration of a washing tub
• that senses weight of a washing tub
• that uses a single optical sensor to senses whether a door is opened or closed, vibration of a washing tub, and weight of the washing tub

in a noncontact manner using an optical sensor.