Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting communication packet for a remote control between apparatuses is disclosed, which includes a communication port connected to an external apparatus by a communication bus, a communication circuit for converting signals transmitted/received by the communication port to signals appropriate for the communication bus, a memory for storing data information for communicating, and a microcomputer for controlling the communication circuit and the memory.

Abstract: A multipurpose remote controller and method for controlling the same is disclosed, which includes a user interface unit to which a control command signal is input by a user from outside, wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units for transmitting the control command signal input from the user interface unit to corresponding apparatuses, and for receiving operation state signals of the corresponding apparatuses, a central processor for controlling the user interface and wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units, a storage storing data for controlling the central processor, and a display unit for displaying control keys under control of the central processor and for displaying operation state and results.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and a method for supporting carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting communication protocol is disclosed, which is enable to communicate among apparatuses having different communication protocols by converting the different communication protocols into a protocol corresponding to one another. The apparatus includes a plurality of apparatuses having different communication protocols communicated in a bus line, and a converting apparatus connected to the plurality of apparatus for converting data input/output from an apparatus of a certain communication protocol by downloading communication protocol by Internet, or by mounting a card for converting communication protocol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network control system for home appliances that satisfies the characteristics of low-cost and high-efficiency with respect to currently used appliances adopting a low-performance microcomputer. The system is constructed to define a master/slave type communication structure with respect to the respective appliances; construct a network by connecting the appliances through the serial communication function; and enable the appliances to communicate with one another if a predetermined communication event is produced. According to the system, an optimized network for the home appliances can be implemented, and operation states of the respective appliances can be displayed through the co-operation among the appliances, thereby maximizing the user convenience.

Abstract: A method for setting a product address in a home network system is disclosed. The method includes a step for requesting a temporary address in which a network controller designates redundant addresses with a predetermined range to each product and requests an arbitrary address among the redundant address as a temporary address; a step for designating a temporary address in which each product designates an arbitrary address among the redundant addresses as a temporary address and informs to a network controller; and a step for confirming an address in which the network controller sequentially sets one of the redundant addresses for each address not doubled among informed temporary addresses from each product.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a load level in a washing machine include monitoring a rotational speed of a motor of the washing machine for a period of time after the motor has reached an operating speed. In a first method embodying the invention, the number of rotational speed peaks that occur in each of a plurality of speed bands are detected during the period of time. The detected number of speed peaks in each speed band are compared to reference count numbers corresponding to each of the speed bands, and a load level in the washer is determined based on the comparisons. In a second method embodying the invention, the number of times that the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined speed during a predetermined period of time is detected. The detected number is then compared to reference count numbers, and the load level in the washing machine is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a load level in a washing machine include monitoring a rotational speed of a motor of the washing machine for a period of time after the motor has reached an operating speed. In a first method embodying the invention, the number of rotational speed peaks that occur in each of a plurality of speed bands are detected during the period of time. The detected number of speed peaks in each speed band are compared to reference count numbers corresponding to each of the speed bands, and a load level in the washer is determined based on the comparisons. In a second method embodying the invention, the number of times that the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined speed during a predetermined period of time is detected. The detected number is then compared to reference count numbers, and the load level in the washing machine is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling a washing machine detects an amount of eccentricity of a tub of the washing machine and determines whether the degree of eccentricity is acceptable. The degree of eccentricity is measured by causing the tub to rotate at a substantially constant speed, and counting the number of times that the rotational speed of the tub changes during a predetermined period of time. The device and method determine whether a degree of eccentricity is acceptable based a comparison of the determined degree of eccentricity to one or more of a plurality of predetermined eccentricity reference values, and based on a number of times that the determination has been made unsuccessfully. The eccentricity reference values are selected based on a compensated laundry volume level.