Means and method for controlling the operation of an appliance and the like

• US 4,245,296 A
• Filed: 12/11/1978
• Issued: 01/13/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digital Appliance Controls, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Small, James E., David, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruggiero, Joseph F.
• Application Number:
  US05/968,285
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 364/477, 364/400, 364/104, 364/120, 364/107, 364/569, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/118, 219/506, 219/492, 219/501, 219/10.55 E, 307/141, 307/141.4, 307/141.8, 307/41, 340/309.1, 340/309.2, 340/309.4
• US Class Current: 700/15
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/08 using plugboards, cross-bar distributors, matrix switches, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/106 for selecting a programme, variable or parameter

Abstract

A control system for controlling the operation of an appliance and the like, wherein the appliance includes at least one machine function having a cycle of operation associated therewith, includes a central control element having stored therein an instruction repertoire for operation of the appliance and a plurality of selectable indices of fixed periods for the cycle of operation of the machine function. Further included in the control system are a plurality of patch cords each corresponding to various time periods which may be added to a selected index of fixed periods to provide a plurality of variable time periods for the cycle of operation and a plurality of momentarily operable devices some of which correspond to the fixed periods of a selected index of fixed periods and some of which correspond to variably programmed periods for selecting either a fixed period or a variably programmed period for the cycle of operation. Also provided is circuitry for removing power from the appliance if a momentarily operable device is not actuated within a predetermined period of time after initial application of power to the appliance and circuitry for distinguishably indicating when two momentarily operable devices have been coincidently actuated and when the cycle of operation is completed. Furthermore, associated with the instruction repertoire is a method of controlling the appliance operation.

Claims

1. A control system for a microwave oven including a heating function having a cycle of operation associated therewith, comprising:

a central control element including a microcomputer means having an instruction repertoire stored therein for controlling said heating function of said oven, said microcomputer means having a plurality of selectable indices of fixed time periods stored therein, with each said index including a plurality of fixed time periods;

means for programming said microcomputer means for selecting one of said plurality of indices of fixed periods for use by said instruction repertoire in controlling the cycle of operation of said heating function;

a first plurality of pushbutton means for inputting a selection of one of said fixed periods from the index of fixed periods selected by said means for programming, each of first said pushbutton means corresponding to a separate one of said fixed periods from the index of fixed periods selected by said means for programming, said control element being adapted to control said cycle of operation in accordance with a selection of one of said fixed periods;

programmable period determining means located in said control element for individually determining each of a plurality of variable time periods;

a second plurality of pushbutton means for inputting a selection of one of said variable periods, each of second said pushbutton means corresponding to a separate one of said variable periods, said control element being adapted to control said cycle of operation in accordance with a selection of one of said individually determined variable periods, whereby said control element is adapted to control said cycle of operation in response to either a selected one of said fixed periods or a selected one of said variable periods.

2. A method for controlling the cycle of operation of the heating function of a microwave oven comprising the steps of:

storing a repertoire of instructions and a plurality of indices of fixed time periods in a microcomputer memory of a control element;

determining one index from said plurality of indices for use by said control element in controlling said cycle of operation;

determining a plurality of variable time periods independently of said fixed time periods stored in said microcomputer memory;

allowing selection of a period from said determined index of fixed periods and said plurality of variable periods for controlling said cycle of operation of said heating function; and

controlling said cycle of operation of said heating function in response to a selection of one of either said fixed periods or said variable periods.