Method and apparatus for appliance control and status display

• US 20040070574A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wolf Appliance
• Original Assignee: Wolf Appliance
• Inventors: Kercher, Todd, Barrett, Shawn O., Johncock, Jim, Wylie, Brian D., Straub, Mark, Cruver, Curtis L. IV, Bambule, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 7,171,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an appliance control knob incorporating a microprocessor and a status display built into the control knob housing. Such a control knob gives the appliance a clean and uncluttered appearance, and allows a user of the appliance both to control the appliance, for example by adjusting the oven temperature setpoint, and to be informed of the status of the appliance, for example the actual oven temperature, in a way that is easy to understand and to use.

Claims

1. A control knob for an appliance comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) a microprocessor within the housing; and

(c) a status display within the housing.

2. The control knob of claim 1 further comprising a second control surface.

3. The control knob of claim 1 further comprising a bipolar connector.

4. The control knob of claim 3 wherein the bipolar connector forms an axis for rotation of the control knob.

5. The control knob of claim 4 wherein the rotation of the control knob is limited to less than approximately 90 degrees in either direction.

6. The control knob of claim 5 wherein the rotation of the control knob returns to a nominal centered position when the control knob is released after adjustment.

7. The control knob of claim 3 wherein voltage and serial data are supplied to the microprocessor via the bipolar connector.

8. The control knob of claim 7 further comprising at least one capacitor.

9. The control knob of claim 1 further comprising a tripolar connector.

10. The control knob of claim 9 wherein the tripolar connector forms an axis for rotation of the control knob.

11. The control knob of claim 10 wherein the rotation of the control knob is limited to less than approximately 90 degrees in either direction.

12. The control knob of claim 11 wherein the rotation of the control knob returns to a nominal centered position when the control knob is released after adjustment.

13. The control knob of claim 9 wherein voltage and serial data are supplied to the microprocessor via the tripolar connector.

14. The control knob of claim 13 further comprising at least one capacitor.

15. The control knob of claim 1 wherein the control knob is removable from the appliance without using a tool.

16. The control knob of claim 1 further comprising sealing means whereby the control knob housing is sealed.

17. The control knob of claim 1 wherein the status display is a light emitting diode.

18. The control knob of claim 17 wherein the light emitting diode is capable of displaying more than one color.

19. A control knob for an appliance comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) a status display within the housing; and

(c) an electrical connector forming a rotational axis for the control knob and wherein both data and power are transmitted over the electrical connector.

20. The control knob of claim 19 further comprising a second control surface.

21. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the electrical connector is a bipolar connector.

22. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the electrical connector is a tripolar connector.

23. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the rotation of the control knob is limited to less than approximately 90 degrees in either direction.

24. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the rotation of the control knob returns to a nominal centered position when the control knob is released after adjustment.

25. The control knob of claim 19 further comprising a microprocessor.

26. The control knob of claim 19 further comprising at least one capacitor.

27. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the control knob is removable from the appliance without using a tool.

28. The control knob of claim 19 further comprising sealing means whereby the control knob housing is sealed.

29. The control knob of claim 19 wherein the status display is a light emitting diode.

30. The control knob of claim 29 wherein the light emitting diode is capable of displaying more than one color.

31. A method of controlling an appliance comprising:

(a) providing a control knob having a housing, a microprocessor and a status display within the housing, a shaft assembly, and an electrical connector that forms an axis of rotation for the control knob;

(b) providing a socket having a shaft assembly receiver;

(c) inserting the shaft assembly into the socket;

(d) rotating the control knob about the axis of rotation;

(e) transmitting status information on the electrical connector;

(f) receiving the status information; and

(g) displaying the status information on the status display.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising detecting the presence or absence of the shaft assembly in the socket, and disabling the appliance if the shaft assembly is absent.

33. The method of claim 31 further comprising removing the control knob from the appliance, cleaning the control knob, and replacing the control knob on the appliance.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the status information is transmitted serially.

35. The method of claim 31 further comprising supplying power to the microprocessor on the electrical connector.

36. The method of claim 31 further comprising limiting the rotation of the control knob to less than approximately 90 degrees in either direction.

37. The method of claim 31 further comprising removing the control knob from the appliance without using a tool, cleaning the control knob, and replacing the control knob on the appliance without using a tool.

38. The method of claim 31 wherein status information is displayed on the status display using more than one color.