Method for varying programs stored in a program-controlled household appliance

• US 6,425,156 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Knopp, Lothar, Böldt, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/567,990
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 68/120.2, 68/120.1, 68/122.3, 815/8, 815/9
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/12 Washing temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/14 Time settings
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/30 characterised by mechanical features, e.g. buttons or rotary dials
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/10 using selector switches

Abstract

Actuators on a control panel for entering single functions of an individual operating program cycle which can be invoked under a given name and can be properly executed under microprocessor control are also used for setting particular operating program sequences or particular parameter values of program functions. The actuators can be actuated in at least one sequence of function entries such that the sequence of function entries is a code for particular update functions.

Claims

1. A method for varying programs stored in a program-controlled household appliance, the method which comprises:

providing a program-controlled household appliance having a control panel with actuators for entering functions of an operating program cycle, the operating program cycle being invokeable under a given name and being executable under microprocessor control, the program-controlled household appliance having a memory component for storing the functions of the operating program cycle; and

using at least one given succession of function entries as a code for directly changing one of operating program sequences and parameter values of program functions, the at least one given succession of function entries need not be adhered to when making an entry to invoke a stored program.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing one of a washing machine and a dishwasher as the program-controlled household appliance; and

changing the parameter values for affecting at least one of a water level in a tub, a temperature of a washing liquid, a drum speed, and a timing and a duration for particular processing steps during the operating program cycle.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing one of a washing machine and a dishwasher as the program-controlled household appliance; and

changing the operating program sequences for affecting a sequence of operations including at least one of a water intake, a heating of a washing liquid, a low-speed drum movement, a high-speed drum movement, a circulation of the washing liquid and a pumping-out of the washing liquid.

4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing a laundry dryer as the program-controlled household appliance; and

changing the parameter values for affecting at least one of a temperature of a process air, a timing and a duration for particular processing steps, and a residual moisture in a laundry.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing a laundry dryer as the program-controlled household appliance; and

changing the operating program sequences for affecting a sequence of operations including at least one of a drum movement, a process air feed, a cooling air feed and a condensation removal.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing a rotary selector switch as one of the actuators; and

setting the rotary selector switch to different rotary positions for entering the code.