USER INTERFACE AND COOKING OVEN PROVIDED WITH SUCH USER INTERFACE

• US 20080276203A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: ARIONE, ETTORE, SANTINATO, MATTEO
• Granted Patent: US 9,261,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/085 on baking ovens
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/086 touch control

Abstract

An user interface for domestic appliances, particularly for cooking ovens, comprises input and display for showing menus and/or items selected by the user through said input. The input comprises a selection zone where the user'"'"'s finger can move, the display having at least a portion with a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the selection zone and showing the result of the finger movement in terms of item or menu selection.

Claims

1. A user interface for domestic appliances, comprising:

an input having a selection zone where the user'"'"'s finger can move; and

a display for showing menus and/or items selected by the user through the input and having at least a portion with a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the selection zone and showing the result of the finger movement in terms of item or menu selection.

2. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the selection zone and the corresponding portion of the display have a shape selected in the group consisting of circular shape, linear shape, curved shape.

3. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein the input further includes auxiliary zones adapted to be touched by the user in order to confirm the item selection and/or to scroll among different menus or items.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the interface is installed on the door of the appliance.

5. The user interface of claim 2, wherein the interface is installed on the door of the appliance.

6. The user interface of claim 3, wherein the interface is installed on the door of the appliance.

7. The interface of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a cooking oven having a cavity closed by a full glass door covering the user interface and the display wherein menus and/or items may be selected by the user through the full glass door.

8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a control device capable of sensing the configuration of the door and updating the sensitivity of the user interface according to the detected configuration of the door.