Installation instruction system for an appliance incorporating electronic interface screen

• US 20040095370A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Neubauer, Alan V., Miller, Eric J., Broker, John F., Ness, Brian L., Gardner, Douglas W.
• Application Number:
  US10/712,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095370A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/705
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/54 Changing between normal operation mode and special operation modes, e.g. service mode, component cleaning mode or stand-by mode
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/145 related to small screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/30 Control of display attribute

Abstract

An installation instruction system for an appliance employs an electronic interface screen, such as an LCD touch screen, through which a series of installation inquiries are made to a user when the appliance is initial powered. In the most preferred form of the invention, the appliance constitutes a washing machine and the sequence of installation instructions includes inquiries about the appliance being level, inlet hoses being properly connected, a drain hose being properly installed, and manufacturer supplied items being removed. The screen can also be divided into a number of panels for displaying different sets of information.

Claims

1. A method of operating an appliance comprising:

displaying an initial installation instruction of a sequence of installation instructions on a control screen of the appliance;

after receipt of a verification signal from a user of the appliance that the initial installation instruction has been followed, displaying another installation instruction of the sequence of installation instructions on the control screen; and

enabling use of the appliance for a predetermined main operation after verification has been received that additional installation instructions of the sequence of the installation instructions have been followed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting each of the installation instructions on a touch screen; and

inputting each verification through the touch screen.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

employing an LCD display as the touch screen.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a washing operation as the predetermined main operation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sequence of installation instructions includes inquiries about the appliance being level, inlet hoses being properly connected, a drain hose being properly installed, and manufacturer supplied items being removed.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

utilizing the screen to input control parameters for the predetermined main operation.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a user to selectively obtain additional information concerning a particular one of the sequence of installation instructions.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dividing the control screen into a number of panels for separately displaying at least the installation instructions and input information for the verification signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a user to opt out of the sequence of installation instructions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the initial installation instruction only occurs after providing power to the appliance, but prior to enabling use of the appliance for the predetermined main operation.

11. An installation instruction display system for an appliance comprising:

a display device including a screen provided on the appliance;

means for displaying a sequence of installation instructions in the screen;

means for enabling a user to input a verification signal to reflect that the installation instructions have been followed; and

means for enabling the user to operate the appliance for a desired main operation after the sequence of installation instructions has been displayed.

12. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, wherein said enabling means provides for the inputting of a separate verification signal following each installation instruction.

13. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, wherein the display device constitutes a touch screen.

14. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, wherein the appliance constitutes a laundry appliance.

15. The installation instruction display system according to claim 14, wherein the laundry appliance constitutes a washing machine.

16. The installation instruction display system according to claim 15, wherein the sequence of installation instructions includes inquiries about the appliance being level, inlet hoses being properly connected, a drain hose being properly installed, and manufacturer supplied items being removed.

17. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to selectively obtain additional information concerning a particular one of the sequence of installation instructions.

18. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, wherein the screen is divided into a number of panels for separately displaying at least the installation instructions and verifying signal information.

19. The installation instruction display system according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to opt out of displaying the sequence of installation instructions.