Interactive control system for a laundry appliance
First Claim
1. In a laundry appliance having a central processing unit (CPU) for operating the laundry appliance in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of laundry programs, with each laundry program including at least one operating instruction, a method of controlling the laundry appliance:
- providing a touch-screen control panel;
receiving an initial programming input for the appliance from a user through the control panel, said initial programming input relating to a selected one of the plurality of laundry programs;
prompting the user for additional programming input through the control panel; and
performing a laundry operation in the laundry appliance, utilizing the operating instruction and each of the initial and additional programming inputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for operating and programming a laundry appliance includes a menu system giving a user extreme flexibility in operating the appliance. Through a series of menu screens, the user is presented with a variety of available options. Additionally, the laundry appliance of the invention gives the user access to databases, preferably already programmed into memory of the appliance, such as general tips for laundering and simple troubleshooting. Finally, the user has the ability to program the menu system.
70 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a laundry appliance having a central processing unit (CPU) for operating the laundry appliance in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of laundry programs, with each laundry program including at least one operating instruction, a method of controlling the laundry appliance:
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providing a touch-screen control panel;
receiving an initial programming input for the appliance from a user through the control panel, said initial programming input relating to a selected one of the plurality of laundry programs;
prompting the user for additional programming input through the control panel; and
performing a laundry operation in the laundry appliance, utilizing the operating instruction and each of the initial and additional programming inputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. A method of controlling a laundry appliance, comprising:
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presenting a user with a sequence of programming screens for inputting operating selections through a series of display screens, with successive screens displaying user selections which are dependent on a prior operating selection made by the user; and
introducing at least one control display screen between a sequential set of the programming screens, said control display screen pausing the sequences of programming screens to display operational information to the user concerning an automatic laundry operation. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. In a laundry appliance, a menu driven control system comprising:
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a display device for presenting a series of successive programming options to a user, with selected programming options of the user being adapted to be made through the display device; and
a controller for establishing a laundry operation based on the selected programming options. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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13. In a laundry appliance having a CPU, a memory having stored therein a laundry sequence and at least one laundry operation, and a dynamic display device, showing a screen, a method of controlling the laundry appliance comprising:
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simultaneously presenting a plurality of laundry options to a user through a single menu display; and
selecting a plurality of the laundry options without changing the plurality of laundry options displayed on the single menu display.
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Specification