Touch Sensitive Display For Surface Cleaner

• US 20120152280A1
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zenith Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Zenith Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: BOSSES, Mark D., BAIN, Charles, WILLIAMS, David
• Application Number:
  US13/329,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/6
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2826 the condition of the floor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2831 Motor parameters, e.g. motor load or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements

Abstract

A touch sensitive display displays status of operation and controlling operation of a surface cleaner. The touch sensitive display is connected to the surface cleaner and interfaces with a logic processor disposed in the surface cleaner. The logic processor receives information from the touch sensitive display, various sensors on and within the vacuum cleaner, and variable inputs. The logic processor outputs information to the touch sensitive display, and controls various functions and components of the surface cleaner. The information displayed on the touch sensitive display may be determined at least in part by the architecture of the logic processor and the touch sensitive display. The information displayed on the touch sensitive display can be varied among different surface cleaner systems and can depend upon the operational state of an individual surface cleaner. The logic processor can transmit information wirelessly over the internet to a remote station accessible by the user.

Claims

1. A surface cleaner, comprising:

a body; and

a touch sensitive display disposed on said body for displaying and controlling operation of said surface cleaner; and

a logic processor electrically connected to said touch sensitive display to communicate therewith to cause said surface cleaner to operate in accordance with the communications.

2. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 1, wherein

wherein said touch sensitive display is an LCD or OLED.

3. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 2, wherein

a sensor disposed on said body is electrically connected to said logic processor to transmit and receive signals therefrom.

4. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

said sensor is a temperature sensor.

5. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

said sensor is a pressure sensor.

6. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

a status message is displayed on said touch sensitive display indicating that a vacuum bag is full responsive to a condition sensed by said sensor.

7. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

said logic processor sends a status message indicating an operating condition of said surface cleaner to a remote station over the internet.

8. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

said sensor senses a rotational speed of a roll brush and adjusts a height of the roll brush in accordance with the sensed rotational speed.

9. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said touch sensitive display screen is an ITO, capacitive proximity sensing, push button or a switch contact.

10. The surface cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein

said logic processor sends a signal to a switch responsive to a condition sensed by said sensor, said switch adjusting an operating condition of the surface cleaner.

11. A method of operating a surface cleaner, comprising the steps of

touching a touch sensitive display to turn on a power supply to the surface cleaner;

and

controlling settings of the surface cleaner through the touch sensitive display.

12. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising

displaying a menu on the touch sensitive display screen through which settings of the surface cleaner are controlled.

13. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising

sensing a rotational speed of a roll brush of the surface cleaner;

and

stopping rotation of the roll brush when the roll brush rotational speed is below a predetermined value.

14. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising

sensing an operating condition of the surface cleaner;

and

displaying an status message on the touch sensitive display screen responsive to the sensed operating condition.

15. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 14, wherein

the sensed condition is the operating condition of a belt of the surface cleaner.

16. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 14, wherein

the sensed condition is a static pressure of the surface cleaner.

17. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 16, wherein

a bag fullness indicator is displayed on the touch display screen responsive to the sensed static pressure.

18. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 14, wherein

the sensed condition is transmitted wirelessly to a remote station.

19. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 18, wherein

the wireless transmission to the remote station includes information for ordering a replacement part for the surface cleaner.

20. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 11, wherein

touching a power icon on the touch sensitive display screen turns off the power supply to the surface cleaner.

21. The method of operating a surface cleaner in accordance with claim 14, wherein

the status message indicates maintenance is required responsive to the sensed condition.