Will Your Next Washing Machine Be An MP3 Player?
May 29th, 2007 | By James Lewin | Category: iPods & Portable Media Players, Strange 
If appliance maker LG has its way, your next MP3 player may be a washing machine.
LG has filed for a patent for a Home appliance with MP3 player.
Here’s how LG describes their invention:
The washing device comprises: an input/output terminal for physically connecting the washing device with the MP3 player for data communication with the MP3 player; a connector for physically connecting the washing device with the MP3 player to receive an audio signal outputted from the MP3 player; a key input unit for inputting washing or drying mode conditions and a control command for the MP3 player from a user; a display unit for displaying information regarding an operation of a washing or drying mode and information regarding an operation of the MP3 player; an audio output unit for outputting a mode state in the form of an audio signal and the audio signal from the MP3 player received through the connector; and a controller for, in response to a control of the user through the key input unit, controlling the operation of the washing or drying mode, and controlling the operation of the MP3 player by performing the data communication with the MP3 player through the input/output terminal.
The idea of trying to listen to MP3s on your washing machine seems a bit stupidtastic….but we have to admit we’re wondering if it could play podcasts!
Honey, it’s not stupidtastic at all. As you would well know, IF YOU EVER ACTUALLY USED OUR WASHING MACHINE, LG makes a very quiet washer, that doesn’t vibrate like the old (Iowa-made) one. Getting to dock my MP3 player on the washer, to keep me company (with podcasts or whatever) while I endlessly do the dirty clothes would be pretty nice. Frivolous, yeah, but a perfect accessory for an applicance that looks more like a spaceship, anyway.
I imagine that this would only work with the type of hip-hop that you hear when people are cruising around town, where you can only hear the thump of the kick drum and the deep bassline.
[…] LG patents washing machine that can play MP3s 30 May 2007 21:37 by DVDBack23 Yesterday, the electronics giant LG patented a washing machine that can play MP3s. Now, families around the country can enjoy their favorite tunes and wash their dirty laundry with the same machine, which I’m sure has been the dream of many. As LG describes their invention, “The washing device comprises: an input/output terminal for physically connecting the washing device with the MP3 player for data communication with the MP3 player; a connector for physically connecting the washing device with the MP3 player to receive an audio signal outputted from the MP3 player; a key input unit for inputting washing or drying mode conditions and a control command for the MP3 player from a user; a display unit for displaying information regarding an operation of a washing or drying mode and information regarding an operation of the MP3 player; an audio output unit for outputting a mode state in the form of an audio signal and the audio signal from the MP3 player received through the connector; and a controller for, in response to a control of the user through the key input unit, controlling the operation of the washing or drying mode, and controlling the operation of the MP3 player by performing the data communication with the MP3 player through the input/output terminal.” You can view the full application here: LG patent application Source: Podcasting News __________________ 10/18/06 – 05/30/07 Y1 – 136 […]