Blender having user operated drink program modifying and copying processor

• US 20020009017A1
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
• Inventors: Kolar, David J., Varghai, Hassan
• Granted Patent: US 6,364,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/206
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/046 with tools driven from the bottom side
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/07 Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/21 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/601 Motor control

Abstract

A programmable drink blender (20) includes a blender motor (25), a user interface and display (24) having a plurality of buttons (30) for entry of various user selections, a base memory (70) storing a blend program, a key card (50) having a memory storing a blend program, a socket (68) receiving the key card (50), and a processor (62) for controlling blender motor (25) in accordance with the blend program. The blend program has a plurality of operating segments with variable blend program operating characteristics. The user presses selected buttons (30) to cause processor (62) to modify and save any desired characteristic of the blend program. The user also presses selected buttons (30) to cause processor (62) to copy the blend program from memory in key card (50) to base memory (70), and vice versa.

Claims

1. A programmable blender for executing a blend program, comprising:

a blending assembly for blending ingredients;

memory including a first blend program having a plurality of operating segments with variable blend program operating characteristics;

input means for user selection of a first operating characteristic to be modified and the modification magnitude; and

,

a processor receiving said blend program from said memory and said user selection from said input means, modifying said first operating characteristic in accordance with said user selection, and controlling operation of said blending assembly in accordance with said modified blend program.

2. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said memory is nonvolatile and said processor saves said modified blend program to said memory.

3. A programmable blender as set forth in claim 1, wherein said memory includes a plurality of blend programs, said Input means includes input means for user selection of a blend program stored in memory, and said processor receives said selected blend program.

4. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said input means includes input means for user selection of a blend program stored in memory having said first operating characteristic.

5. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a first operating segment includes said operating characteristic to be changed, and said input means includes input means for user selection of said first operating segment.

6. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said input means includes a plurality of pushbuttons.

7. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said input means further includes a first pushbutton and a second pushbutton, said processor testing for user activation of said first pushbutton and said second pushbutton in a preselected manner prior to user selection of said first operating characteristic.

8. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 7, further including a display presenting said first blend program, said first operating segment and said operating characteristic.

9. A blender for executing a blend program, comprising:

a blending assembly for blending ingredients;

a first memory resident in the blender for storing a blend program;

a second memory in operative association with the blender for storing said blend program; and

,

a processor resident in the blender receiving said blend program and selectively copying said blend program from said first memory to said second memory and from said second memory to said first memory.

10. A blender, as set forth in claim 9, further including input means for user selection of the direction said blend program is to be copied between said first memory and said second memory, said processor receiving said user selection from said input means and copying said blend program in accordance with said user selection.

11. A blender, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second memory is a memory media for distribution of said blend program to another blender.

12. A programmable blender for executing a blend program, comprising:

a blending assembly for blending ingredients;

a first memory resident in the blender for storing a blend program;

a second memory in operative association with the blender for storing said blend program, one of said first memory and said second memory including a first blend program having a plurality of operating segments with variable blend program operating characteristics;

input means for user selection of a first operating characteristic to be modified and the modification magnitudes; and

,

a processor resident in the blender receiving said first blend program from one of said first memory and said second memory and receiving said user selection from said input means, modifying said first operating characteristic in accordance with said user selection, selectively copying said blend program from said first memory to said second memory and from said second memory to said first memory, and controlling operation of said blending assembly in accordance with said modified blend program.

13. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said memory is nonvolatile and said processor saves said modified blend program to said memory.

14. A programmable blender as set forth in claim 12, wherein said memory includes a plurality of blend programs, said input means includes input means for user selection of a blend program stored in memory, and said processor receives said selected blend program.

15. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said input means includes input means for user selection of a blend program stored in memory having said first operating characteristic.

16. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 14, wherein a first operating segment includes said operating characteristic to be changed, and said input means includes input means for user selection of said first operating segment.

17. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said input means includes a plurality of pushbuttons.

18. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said input means further includes a first pushbutton and a second pushbutton, said processor testing for user activation of said first pushbutton and said second pushbutton in a preselected manner prior to user selection of said first operating characteristic.

19. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 18, further including a display presenting said first blend program, said first operating segment and said operating characteristic.

20. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 12, further including input means for user selection of the direction said blend program is to be copied between said first memory and said second memory, said processor receiving said user selection from said input means and copying said blend program in accordance with said user selection.

21. A programmable blender, as set forth in claim 20, wherein said second memory is a memory media for distribution of said blend program to another blender.