Universal controller for a domestic appliance
First Claim
1. A domestic appliance comprising:
- a cabinet;
a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet;
a universal controller for regulating operation of the domestic appliance;
a non-volatile memory associated with the controller, said non-volatile memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters associated with a plurality of appliance models;
means for identifying a particular model of the appliance, with said particular model having associated therewith only particular ones of the plurality of operating parameters; and
means for communicating with the controller to activate the particular ones of the operating parameters associated with the particular model of the appliance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A domestic appliance, shown in the form of a refrigerator, includes a cabinet within which is defined at least one compartment. A controller is mounted to the appliance for controlling various operating parameters of the appliance. The controller also includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters associated with a plurality of appliance models. The appliance has an identification element affixed thereto and a communication device that is operatively connected to the controller. The communication device receives signals that provide programming instructions to the controller to activate particular ones of the plurality of operating parameters associated with the respective appliance model. In this manner, a universal controller can be employed in any one of a wide range of appliance models.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A domestic appliance comprising:
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a cabinet;
a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet;
a universal controller for regulating operation of the domestic appliance;
a non-volatile memory associated with the controller, said non-volatile memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters associated with a plurality of appliance models;
means for identifying a particular model of the appliance, with said particular model having associated therewith only particular ones of the plurality of operating parameters; and
means for communicating with the controller to activate the particular ones of the operating parameters associated with the particular model of the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of programming a universal domestic appliance controller comprising:
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reading an indicator attached to a domestic appliance, said indicator designating a particular appliance model or features associated with the particular appliance model;
identify the appliance model based upon the indicator;
communicating with a universal controller associated with the appliance, said controller including a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters associated with a plurality of distinct appliance models; and
programming the controller to activate particular ones of the plurality of operating parameters that correspond to the appliance model designated by the indicator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification