Non-Invasive washing machine cycle detector project

Ian writes – “This month, I will be attempting to create a method of detecting a washing machine’s status using a microphone and signal processing on a computer. This project is part of an independent study that I hope will eventually yield a website that would allow students to be notified of the status of their laundry and get messages when washing machines are available in their dorm. I’d love to hear any tips or ideas from fellow Makers!” – Link.