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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
First Claim
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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.

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