FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF THE WASHING
MACHINE
APPLICANT(S)
(a) Name: IFB INDUSTRIES LIMITED
(b) Nationality: INDIAN
(c) Address: IFB INDUSTRIES LIMITED, VERNA ELECTRONIC CITY, VERNA -
403722, GOA, INDIA
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be
performed.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF THE WASHING
MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to washing machine and in particular relates to operating the washing machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Washing machine is a household appliance and provides various controls to be operated by a user. The actuators range from being a simple switch for activating the rotary motion source to circular knobs for controlling the speed as well as the direction of the rotary motion source. More specifically, such knobs may be rotatably oriented by the user to different levels to control the speed and direction of the rotary motion source, wherein such levels may correspond to a broad category of the applied clothes, i.e. delicate clothes, medium weighing clothes, heavy clothes, a type of cloth fabric, etc. In addition, the knobs or switches may be actuated to switch between different phases of operation in the washing machine, such as washing, drying and rinsing.
With the advent of technology, there have been simple push button switches that depict a predefined control setting or a pre-defined program of operation of the washing machine. Such provision enables the operation of washing machines at a single click of a button.
However, despite presence of all such manually operable or pre-defined control options at the washing machine, there often happens a mismatch between the washing machine operation and user-expectations. The mismatch may be attributed to either a wrong selection of inputs by the user or limited options available at the washing machine’s interface. Such mismatch may be catastrophic at times when the quality of cloth gets compromised in terms of fabric, color, or any other cloth-characteristic. In case of recurrence of such mismatches, the user is compelled to switch to a new washing machine available in the market that may have different control settings. Further, the user has limited influence on the customizing of wash control settings which adds to the dissatisfaction with washing machine performance.
Yet, the washing machines having large interfaces comprising individual controls or push buttons for each control setting are too confusing to be used by a user and require sufficient know-how as to how to operate them. Moreover, despite availability of a large user interface, the conventional

washing machines are still not able to address most of the customer’s concerns and a problem of customization of washing machine as per the user’s needs still persists. Accordingly, there is at least a need of a washing machine that can interact with a user before executing washing of the clothes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Accordingly, in accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein provides a method and system for controlling a washing machine’ operation. The method comprises: receiving a control input, wherein the control input comprises at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth. At least one control-setting is created based on the received input. A selection of the at least one control setting is received from the user to cause an operation of the washing machine.
In another embodiment, the method and system of controlling an operation of a washing machine includes creating a control-setting based on a received control input. A selection of at least one control setting is received from the user to cause a first type of operation of the washing machine. Thereafter, said at least one selected control setting is updated based on a received information about an operation of the washing machine to cause a second type of operation of said washing machine.
In another embodiment, the method and system of controlling the washing machine’s operation includes sending a control input comprising at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth, receiving at least one control-setting based on the control input; and selecting said at least one received control setting to cause an operation of the washing machine. Thereafter, a feedback related to said operation of the washing machine and a pattern of usage of the washing machine may be sent to enable performance of a different operation of the washing machine.
At least by virtue of aforesaid, the present subject matter described herein provides the user a flexibility to choose between a plurality of washing machine operation modes, while requiring least input from the user. Accordingly, even an irregular user may successfully operate the washing

machine owing to a guidance flowing from the washing machine itself. In addition, at least due to a regular provision of the feedback by the user in terms of washing-machine operation, the control settings and operational indicators of the washing machine can be quickly customized or adapted as per the user’s expectations and needs. Moreover, the washing machine need not incorporate a large user interface as a single user control may be used to select and switch between different control-settings. Furthermore, the present subject matter also enables the washing machine to automatically learn from a pattern of its usage and automatically get customized as per the user’s needs.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a method corresponding to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a method corresponding to second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a detailed internal construction of the system in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a method corresponding to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a detailed internal construction of the system in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the method as described in all three embodiments;
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface in accordance with the implementation of Fig. 6; and
Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the systems illustrated in preceding figures in a computing-environment.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects

of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The

system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Now referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method of controlling a washing-machine’s operation in accordance with a first embodiment. The method comprises receiving (step 102) a control input, wherein the control input is related to at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth. The control input may have been received as a user input or it may be even an automatically sensed input. Based on the received input, at least one control-setting gets created (step 104). The control settings may be in form of a plurality of program or mode of washing-machine operations, out of which one or a combination can be selected. Such control settings are accordingly presented to a user. Based on a receiving a user-selection of one or more control settings (step 106) from the user, an operation of the washing machine is triggered.
In an example, the control input as a user-provided input is generated through a user interface. The user-interface may be implemented as a mobile-device application in smart phones, tablets, etc. The user interface may also be remotely accessed and operated upon through a web-browser of a computing device, thereby acting as a browser-user interface. In case of local area network, the user-interface hosted by a local server may also be remotely accessed through an application at a client. In yet another example, the user interface may simply be a control panel within the washing machine itself.
Continuing with the example of the user-interface, the same may be operated upon either through a touch sensitive surface or a graphic/keyboard overlay. The controls at the user interface may indicate a pre-determined rule for washing the specific cloth-material. For example, control may be overlaid with various known wash-care symbols or fabric care graphic-symbols that depict ideal washing conditions for a particular cloth-type. The user may observe a wash-care symbol attached with the cloth and accordingly select such type of symbolic controls.
In other example of the user-interface, the controls may also indicate an identifier denoting a category of clothes worn at a particular occasion. For example, a particular type of cloth as applied for washing may be tagged as being “office wear” or “party wear” through the usage of controls. Accordingly, the control setting as created mat take into account the selection of a particular tag as done by the user.

In an example, the control input may be an input related to the material of cloth applied for washing inside the washing machine (e.g. cotton, linen, woollen), strength of a cloth (e.g. elastic, rigid, soft), a cloth-weight category (e.g. heavy, medium, delicate), a cloth-color intensity, (e.g. dark, light, whites) etc. In another example, the input may also relate to an extent by which the cloth applied for washing is in a soiled condition. The input may correspond to dirt levels like a high dirt level, a medium dirt level, a mild dirt level, etc.
In an example, the control setting denotes a set of parameters having a pre-defined value as assigned to each of them. Accordingly, the control settings differ from each other largely based upon the specific values, though the parameters may more or less remain the same. The parameters may be related to physical parameters such as a temperature, or mechanical parameters associated with the spin tub or wash-tub, such as a rotational speed, rotary direction, time-period of switching the rotary motion in a different direction (say from clockwise to anti-clockwise).
Continuing with the example of control setting, the control setting may further comprise a recommendation of a detergent dosage, a detergent type and a softener type, based on the received control input. Such recommendations may be pulled out from a database or a search engine and made as part of the control settings as preferred options for the user. In addition, the user may also be provided a positive or negative alert (or acknowledgement) in terms of pursuing the provided control input. For example, in case the control input includes the cloth-material type as cotton and two different color types, then a negative acknowledgement may be provided to the user to desist from proceeding ahead with the intended washing, alongside providing a reasoning behind such alert. Accordingly, the user may refrain from proceeding ahead and may change either the control input or altogether withdraw some clothes from being washed. Else, the user may also prefer to ignore the provided negative alert and proceed ahead with operating the washing machine. Similarly, the user may be also provided a positive alert in case the provided control inputs are appropriate.
Now referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the present invention provides another method of controlling the washing-machine’s operation in accordance with a second embodiment. The steps 202-204 are equivalent to the steps 104-106.
At step 206, the control setting as selected by the user in preceding steps is updated based on a received information about the operation of washing machine. Such updated control setting becomes configured to cause a second type of operation of washing machine that may be either independent from the operation as caused in step 106 or a modified version of the operation in step

106. The information may be received during or after a completion of the operation of the washing-machine. The information may be a user-generated feedback about the operation of step 106 or step 206. In other scenarios, the information may be automatically received from the washing machine without any user intervention and may relate to a pattern of usage or a usage-history of the washing machine. Accordingly, the washing machine is facilitated to get adapted as per the user’s needs over a short span of time.
Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed internal construction of a system 300 in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the present invention. The system 300 includes a receiver 302 that performs the steps 102, 106 and 204, a generator 304 that performs the steps 104 and 202, and an actuator 306 that performs the steps 108 and 204. Further, a processor 308 may be provided to perform the step 206. Likewise, there may be other modules within the system 300 that facilitate the operational interconnection between the aforesaid components 302, 304, 306 and 308 for performing other ancillary-functions.
Now referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method of controlling a washing machine’s operation in accordance with the third embodiment. The method comprises sending (step 402) a control input related to at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth. The user interface as illustrated in the preceding figures may be used for generating said control input. Based on said sent control input, at least one control-setting is received (step 404). One or more of said control settings may be selected (step 406) to trigger an operation of the washing machine.
In addition, the method further comprises sending a feedback related to said operation of step 406 of the washing machine or a pattern of usage of the washing machine, wherein said sending may be accomplished during or after the operation of washing machine. Said sending of feedback or usage-pattern causes the washing machine to perform a different operation than the operation performed in step 406. The different operation may be a modification of the operation performed in step 406 or altogether a different operation.
Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed internal construction of a system 500 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. The system 500 includes a transmitter 502 that performs the step 402, a receiver 504 that performs the step 404, and a processor 506 that performs the step 406. Likewise, there may be other modules within the system 500 that facilitate the operational interconnection between the aforesaid components 502, 504, and 506 for performing other ancillary-functions.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the invention as covered in the embodiments as described so far. The present implementation as depicted is in the form of an exemplary control flow covering the aforesaid depicted embodiments. Yet, the current implementation as described shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention as many more implementations are equally conceivable.
At step 602, a mobile-device application may be actuated.
At step 604, various thumbnail impressions of various types of clothing items may be depicted as laundry options available for selection by the user. The clothing items may be broadly classified as shirt, trousers, woollens, hosiery items, curtains, bed-sheets etc. The purpose behind such thumbnail impression depiction is to ascertain from the user as to what type of clothes are intended for washing. Based upon the user selected items e.g. shirt or hosiery items, the fabric of the clothing may be indirectly ascertained based on generic information. For example, towels are known to be made of terry cloth, inner wear are known to be made of cotton, socks are made of nylon and so on.
In another example of step 604, upon selection of particular option (say shirt), the user may be separately provided various fabric options such as cotton, silk, etc, for selection. Accordingly, in case only ‘shirts’ are attempted to be washed, the user may be empowered to differentiate between the shirts on the basis of fabric type, and accordingly select appropriate options provided in the list of fabrics. Likewise, other options may be provided where the user can provide a ‘color-type’ of the clothes applied for washing.
The present step 604 corresponds to the steps 102, 202 and 402.
At step 606, a dirt level associated with the clothes applied for washing may be chosen. For example, a scrollable bar may be scrolled to mark a particular dirt level associated with the cloth. The user may set the dirt level as per his understanding of the soiled condition of the clothes applied for washing. In an example, in case the clothes applied for washing have been gym-wear, sports-wear, or kids-wear, the user may always set the dirt level as the maximum. The present step 604 corresponds to the step 102, 202 and 402.
At step 608, at least based on the inputs provided in steps 604 and 606, a plurality of control-settings or program options may be provided to the user for selection. As provided alongside step 608, the list of programs with the washing machine manufacturer defined names may be ‘curtains to be washed at 40oC’ (in case the applied clothes for washing are mainly home furnishing

material), ‘express wash at 40oC’, ‘baby-care wash at 40oC’ (in case most of the clothes are a toddler’s cloth). Likewise, there may be even greater list of suggested programs based on the control inputs as provided in the previous steps.
In another example of the present step 608, the user may also be provided options to reconsider the inputs as provided in previous steps 604 and 606 in case no or few recommended programs could be found. Such option for reconsideration may be provided in the form of a negative alert. Even in case the recommended program have been found, a negative alert may still be provided in case the clothes of similar fabric (i.e. cotton), but different colours have been selected for washing and there accordingly lies a danger of decolourization of all clothes. Likewise, a positive alert may also be provided in case of appropriate control inputs. In yet another embodiment, a negative alert may be provided in case the weight of the clothes being added exceeds a certain predefined load of the washing machine, as is known in the prior art. In a specific embodiment, the weight of the clothes is obtained using load sensors installed in the washing machine.
The present step 608 corresponds to the step 104, 204 and 404.
At step 610, the selection of particular program in step 608 initiates the washing operation. The present step 608 corresponds to the step 106, 206 and 406.
At step 612, at the culmination of the washing operation in step 610, the user may be requested to provide his feedback to the washing operation as has been just accomplished. The user provides feedback based on his satisfaction level upon observing the final outcome, i.e. washed, rinsed and dried clothes. In an example, the user may grade the operation on a scale of 1 to 10 or choose smileys such as “satisfied”, “not-satisfied, “unhappy” etc. In other example, the user may provide his feedback in technical terms, say temperature of washing could have been more or extra rinsing may have been required.
A step 614, based upon the gathered feedback, the selected control setting may be modified or altogether a new control setting may be generated that may be recommended to be pursued next time the user washes the clothes. The present step 614 corresponds to the step 208.
However, without prejudice to the user-provided feedback, the update of control-settings may be an automatic and periodical process based on periodically received washing machine usage history from the washing machine. Said communication history may be a usage pattern of washing over a given period of time, say past six months. Accordingly, control setting may get updated periodically in terms of physical parameters such as temperature of washing operation or

mechanical parameters such as speed of the rotary motion source, length of drying and rising period etc.
Fig. 7 depicts another exemplary user-interface as described in preceding embodiments and depicts the performance of steps 604, 606 and 608 through said user interface. In an example as depicted in the present figure, the user-interface may be a mobile device application.
As shown in Fig. 7(a) that corresponds to the step 604, the user selects out of given laundry options provided as thumbnail impressions. In addition, said laundry options may be tagged or identified as office-wear, party-wear based on the particular occasion at which said clothes are worn. Accordingly, a control setting directly or indirectly related to such tag may be considered for providing to the user for selection.
As shown in Fig. 7(b) that corresponds to the step 606, the user may set a dirt level associated with the clothes applied for washing. In an example, the dirt level may be increased/decreased within the user-interface by swiping upon the touch-sensitive surface in opposite directions. Accordingly, in case of high soiled clothes, the set dirt level is expected to be maximum.
As shown in Fig. 7(c) that corresponds to the step 608, a control setting based on the input provided in steps 604 and 606 has been selected by the user. Said control-setting may have been selected out of various options provided to the user as part of step 608. Accordingly, as shown in the present figure 7(c), the selected control setting displays an estimated washing duration of the clothes. Further, the control setting also provides the user a flexibility to select a drying time and to avail an additional rinsing action if desired during the washing. Thereafter, the user can actuate a ‘play’ control provided at the user interface to initiate the washing. In addition, the present control setting may also be set as ‘favourite’ or ‘preferred’ by the user.
Referring to Fig. 8, yet another typical hardware configuration of the system 300, 500 in the form of a computer system 800 is shown. The computer system 800 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 800 to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed. The computer system 800 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
In a networked deployment, the computer system 800 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 800 can also be implemented as or incorporated across various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet

PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a web appliance, a wearable computing device, a cloud computing environment, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system 800 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or subsystems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.
The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 802 is equivalent to the processor 302 and 702 and may be a component in a variety of systems. For example, the processor 802 may be part of a standard personal computer or a workstation. The processor 802 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analysing and processing data The processor 802 may implement a software program, such as code generated manually (i.e., programmed).
The computer system 800 may include a memory 804, such as a memory 804 that can communicate via a bus 808. The memory 804 may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory 804 may include, but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, the memory 804 includes a cache or random access memory for the processor 802. In alternative examples, the memory 804 is separate from the processor 802, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory 804 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples include a hard drive, compact disc ("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card, memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device operative to store data. The memory 804 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 802. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor 802 executing the instructions stored in the memory 804. The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits,

firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like.
As shown, the computer system 800 may or may not further include a display unit 810, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 810 may act as an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 802, or specifically as an interface with the software stored in the memory 804 or in the drive unit 816.
Additionally, the computer system 800 may include an input device 812 configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system 800. The input device 812 may be a number pad, a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, buttons, touch screen display, remote control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system 800.
The computer system 800 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 816. The disk drive unit 816 may include a computer-readable medium 822 in which one or more sets of instructions 824, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 824 may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 824 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory 804 or within the processor 802 during execution by the computer system 800. The memory 804 and the processor 802 also may include computer-readable media as discussed above.
The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 824 or receives and executes instructions 824 responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network 826 can communicate voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network 826. Further, the instructions 824 may be transmitted or received over the network 826 via a communication port or interface 820 or using a bus 808. The communication port or interface 820 may be a part of the processor 802 or may be a separate component. The communication port 820 may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware. The communication port 820 may be configured to connect with a network 826, external media, the display 810, or any other components in system 800, or combinations thereof. The connection with the network 826 may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the system 800 may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The network 826 may alternatively be directly connected to the bus 808.

The network 826 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 826 may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.
In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement various parts of the system 800.
Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.
The system described may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system.
The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents thereof.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.
Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

We claim:
1. A method of controlling operation of a washing machine comprising :
(a) receiving (step 102) a control input, wherein the control input comprises at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth;
(b) creating (step 104) at least one control-setting based on the received input; and
(c) receiving (step 106) a selection of said at least one control setting from the user to cause an operation of the washing machine.
2. A method of controlling operation of a washing machine comprising:
(a) creating (step 202) at least one control-setting based on a received control input;
(b) receiving (step 204) a selection of said at least one control setting from the user to cause a first type of operation of the washing machine; and
(c) updating (step 206) said at least one selected control setting based on a received information about an operation of washing machine to cause a second type of operation of said washing machine.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control input comprises at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth;
4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said information is received after a completion of the first operation of the washing-machine.
5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control input denotes a user provided input generated through a user interface, said user interface acting as at least one of: a mobile-device application, a browser-user interface at a computing device, a network enabled application at the computing device, and an application residing at the washing machine.
6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control input related to the cloth material comprises at least one of a cloth-type, a cloth-strength, a cloth-weight and a color intensity thereof.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control input related to the dirt level comprises a selection out of a pre-defined number of dirt levels.
8. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one control setting comprises assigning values to one or more parameters, wherein said one or more parameters are at least related to temperature and a mechanical operation associated with the washing machine.

9. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control setting further comprises at least
one of
a recommendation of at least one of a detergent dosage, a detergent type and a softener type in accordance with the received control input, and
a positive or negative alert in terms of pursuing the received control input for the cloth applied for washing.
10. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said received information is a user provided feedback about the first operation and the second type of operation is either a modified version of the first operation or an operation independent of the first operation.
11. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said received information is related to a pattern of usage or a usage-history of the washing machine.
12. A system for controlling operation of a washing machine comprising :
a receiver (302)for receiving a control input, wherein the control input comprises at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth;
a generator (304) for generating at least one control-setting based on the received input;
said receiver (302) for receiving for receiving a selection of said at least one control setting from the user; and
an actuator (306) for triggering an operation of the washing machine.
13. A system for controlling operation of a washing machine comprising:
a generator (304) for generating at least one control-setting based on a received control input;
a receiver (302) for receiving a selection of said at least one control setting from the user;
an actuator (306) for triggering an operation of the washing machine; and
a processor (308) for updating said at least one selected control setting based on a received information about an operation of washing machine to cause the actuator at triggering a second type of operation of said washing machine.
14. A method of controlling operation of a washing machine comprising:
sending (step 402) a control input comprising at least one of a type of cloth-material and
a dirt level associated with the cloth;
receiving (step 404) at least one control-setting based on the control input; and selecting (step 406) said at least one received control setting to cause an operation of the
washing machine.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising sending at least one of:
a feedback related to said operation of the washing machine; and a pattern of usage of the washing machine, to trigger a different operation of the washing machine.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sending is accomplished after a completion of the operation of the washing machine.
17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sending of the control input is done by operating upon a user interface either through a touch sensitive surface or a graphic overlay, said user interface forming a part of at least one of a mobile device, a computing device or the washing machine.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of controls to receive said user input, said controls denoting at least one of:
a pre-determined rule for washing a specific cloth-material; and. an identifier denoting a category of clothes worn at a particular occasion.
19. A system for controlling operation of a washing machine comprising:
a transmitter (502) for sending a control input comprising at least one of a type of cloth-material and a dirt level associated with the cloth;
a receiver (504) for receiving at least one control-setting based on the control input; and a processor (506) for selecting said at least one received control setting to cause an operation of the washing machine.