Patent ID: 6848140

Claim:
A method of changing system data in a washing machine that includes a memory, divided into a predetermined number of sectors, for enabling data read/write, an interface section for exchanging data with an external device, and a microcomputer for controlling components of the washing machine so that a washing operation corresponding to an operation command of a user is performed, and storing data transmitted from the external device in the memory or changing the data stored in the memory, wherein programs for data communication with the external device or between the components of the washing machine are scored in at least one of the memory and the microcomputer, the method comprising the steps of: if a data-change command is externally or internally produced, executing the program for the data communication stored in the microcomputer or in a first sector of the memory; if the data to be changed is partial data of a second sector, the microcomputer copying all the data in the second sector into a third sector where no data is stored using the program for the data communication and deleting the data of the second sector; the microcomputer receiving a download of the data for change through the interface section using the program for the data communication and writing the data in the second sector; and the microcomputer copying the data that excludes the changed data among the data of the third sector into the second sector.