Method and apparatus for independent control of low intensity indicators used for optical communication in an appliance
First Claim
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1. An optical interface for an appliance using indicator lights comprising:
- a first group of indicator lights coupled to a first common control component for controlling the indicator lights in the first group;
a second group of indicator lights coupled to a second common control component for controlling the indicator lights in the second group;
a first selector for selecting one of the indicator lights in the first group of indicator lights as an optical transmitter for transmitting a light signal from the appliance; and
a second selector for selecting one of the indicator lights in the second group of indicator lights as an optical receiver for receiving a light signal.
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Abstract
Indicator lights of an appliance are used for optical communication with a diagnostic tool through a communication probe. The indicator lights of the appliance are arranged in at least two groups. One indicator light is selected from one group of indicator lights to operate as an optical transmitter and another indicator light is selected from the other group of indicator lights to operate as an optical receiver. Preferably, the two selected indicator lights are in proximity to one another so the communication probe for the diagnostic tool may be more compactly designed.
45 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An optical interface for an appliance using indicator lights comprising:
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a first group of indicator lights coupled to a first common control component for controlling the indicator lights in the first group;
a second group of indicator lights coupled to a second common control component for controlling the indicator lights in the second group;
a first selector for selecting one of the indicator lights in the first group of indicator lights as an optical transmitter for transmitting a light signal from the appliance; and
a second selector for selecting one of the indicator lights in the second group of indicator lights as an optical receiver for receiving a light signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for optically interfacing an appliance to an external device using indicator lights of the appliance comprising:
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selecting one indicator light in a first group of indicator lights as an optical transmitter for an appliance; and
selecting one indicator light in a second group of indicator lights as an optical receiver for receiving a light signal for the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification