Washing machine with means for storing and displaying data of contents of washing operation

• US 5,511,397 A
• Filed: 04/28/1994
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Imai, Masahiro, Makino, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/234,151
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12.01, 68/12.02, 68/12.12, 68/12.23, 68/12.27, 134/57 D, 134/58 D
• US Class Current: 68/12.27
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/54 Changing between normal operation mode and special operation modes, e.g. service mode, component cleaning mode or stand-by mode
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens

Abstract

A full automatic washing machine includes a non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, for storing data of contents of the washing operation executed at a plurality of times in the past. A control circuit originates the data during execution of every washing operation. The data stored in the non-volatile memory are read out and displayed when some switches on an operation panel are operated in a specific mode. The displayed data serve to find out the cause for trouble or failure in the washing machine.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a) operation control means for controlling a washing operation;

b) a non-volatile memory into which data is recorded and from which the recorded data is read, the non-volatile memory retaining the recorded data when power is turned off;

c) memory control means for recording data relating to a plurality of previously executed actual washing operations into the non-volatile memory, the plurality of washing operations including a normally executed washing operation and an abnormally executed washing operation;

d) readout means for reading out the recorded data in response to a predetermined external input; and

e) displaying means for displaying the recorded data read out by the readout means.

2. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

the data recorded in the non-volatile memory for each normal washing operation includes one or more of a washing course, a step at which the operation was terminated, a level of power supply voltage, an operating water level, an automatically set water level and a wash period, and wherein

the data recorded in the non-volatile memory for each abnormal washing operation further includes data relating to the abnormal aspect of the washing operation.

3. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the memory control means records data when each of the washing operations is completed, when a power supply switch is turned off, when an error occurs, and when any of the washing operations is interrupted.

4. A washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operation panel, a plurality of operation switches provided in the operation panel for setting washing conditions, and a display provided in the operation panel for displaying the set washing conditions, wherein the displaying means comprises the display, and wherein the predetermined external input to the readout means is obtained by operating the operation switches in a specified mode.

5. A washing machine according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the memory control means comprises:

stored data originating means for generating codes having a predetermined length as the data relating to washing operations; and

writing means for writing the codes having the predetermined length into the non-volatile memory so that the data are stored in the non-volatile memory.

6. A washing machine according to claim 5, wherein:

the non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory areas, each for storing one of the data; and

the writing means includes a pointer area for storing address data corresponding to one of the plurality of memory areas of the non-volatile memory,

wherein the writing means causes the data to be stored sequentially in a first to a last of the memory areas, respectively, and

wherein an address of the memory area holding a latest data is stored in the pointer area.

7. A washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the data is again stored in the first memory area of the non-volatile memory after data has been stored in the last of said plurality of memory areas.

8. A washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the display is capable of displaying four digits, the washing machine further comprising display control means for controlling the display so that an address corresponding to data read out by the readout means is displayed by two higher digits of the display, and the data read out by the readout means is displayed by two lower digits of the display.

9. A washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the display control means renews the address and the data displayed on the display every time at least one of the operation switches are operated when the address and the data are being displayed on the display.

10. A washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the display control means controls the display so that the first address in the memory area of the non-volatile memory is displayed by use of the higher two digits and the data stored in the first address, which data is the address of the area in which the latest data is stored, is displayed by use of the lower two digits when the readout means reads out the data stored in the non-volatile memory.