A control method for a laundry treating apparatus comprises a first communication step of notifying a dryer of a washing course by a washing machine if the washing course is input through a washing machine interface provided to receive a control command; a course selection step of selecting any one of a plurality of drying courses set to the dryer by the dryer; and a predicted time transmission step of transmitting a sum of a washing time set to the washing course and a drying time set to the drying course to a terminal provided to perform communication with at least any one of the washing machine and the dryer through wire or wireless communication.

A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry within the treating chamber.

A laundry drier having a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted inside the cabinet, at least one electric element mounted in the drum, a wireless power transmitter unit fixed to said cabinet or to a component of said laundry drier unmovable with respect to said cabinet, and a wireless power receiver unit mounted in/on said drum. The said wireless power transmitter unit is electromagnetically coupled with said wireless power receiver unit, for transmitting electric power to the latter, and the wireless power receiver unit is electrically coupled with said at least one electric element, for supplying electric power to the latter.

A laundry drier having a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted inside the cabinet, at least one electric element mounted in the drum, a wireless power transmitter unit fixed to said cabinet or to a component of said laundry drier unmovable with respect to said cabinet, and a wireless power receiver unit mounted in/on said drum. The said wireless power transmitter unit is electromagnetically coupled with said wireless power receiver unit, for transmitting electric power to the latter, and the wireless power receiver unit is electrically coupled with said at least one electric element, for supplying electric power to the latter.

A laundry appliance, such as a washing machine or dryer appliance, includes a basket that is rotatably mounted within a tub and that defines a chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A camera assembly is mounted within the tub for taking images of the load of clothes and a controller is operably coupled to the camera assembly for determining that a limited access mode is activated, receiving a start command for an operating cycle, obtaining and transmitting images or a live stream of the chamber to a remote device, and receiving user input related to a responsive action, such as a cycle authorization or operating parameter adjustment.

An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. In addition, a controller includes a boot loader segment and is configured to receive a request to access the boot loader segment of the controller, transmit a notification of the request to the remote server using the wireless communication module, receive an access determination from the remote server, e.g., such as an access authorization or denial from an owner, and regulate access to the boot loader segment based at least in part on the access determination.

A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber that is in fluid communication with a conditioning system of the dryer appliance that circulates heated air through the chamber. A controller is configured to receive a command to initiate an appliance travel cycle and implement a responsive action to prepare the dryer appliance for travel. The responsive action may be the automated adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the dryer appliance, such as performing a load sensing procedure, drying the chamber, closing the water supply valves, etc. In addition, the responsive action may include providing a user instruction to prepare the dryer appliance, e.g., by cleaning the lint filter, emptying the condensate collection tank, removing hoses and cables, addressing any error codes, etc.

A washing machine includes a communication interface for wireless communication with a dryer; a user interface configured to receive a user's control input related to the dryer, and to output information related to the dryer; and at least one processor configured to determine whether a front surface of the dryer faces in a same direction as a front surface of the washing machine, and when it is determined that the front surface of the dryer faces in the same direction as the front surface of the washing machine, receive the user's control input related to the dryer through the user interface and transmit, to the dryer, a control command corresponding to the user's control input related to the dryer through the communication interface.

A washing machine includes a communication interface for wireless communication with a dryer; a user interface configured to receive a user's control input related to the dryer, and to output information related to the dryer; and at least one processor configured to determine whether a front surface of the dryer faces in a same direction as a front surface of the washing machine, and when it is determined that the front surface of the dryer faces in the same direction as the front surface of the washing machine, receive the user's control input related to the dryer through the user interface and transmit, to the dryer, a control command corresponding to the user's control input related to the dryer through the communication interface.

A method for collecting condensate inside an apparatus, including: providing a condensate collection system with bottom and top collection tanks; a condensate discharge pump to displace liquid from the bottom collection tank to the top collection tank; and an overflow system which displaces the liquid contained in the top collection tank that exceeds an overflow level into the bottom collection tank; collecting a condensed liquid in the bottom collection tank; actuating the condensate discharge pump to displace the condensed liquid from the bottom collection tank into the top collection tank; detecting a low load condition of the condensate discharge pump, actuation of the condensate discharge pump being interrupted upon detection of the low load condition; the actuating time (T.sub.2) of the condensate discharge pump, with signalling of a full condition of the condensate collection system when this actuating time (T.sub.2) is equal or larger than a maximum time (T.sub.2lim).