Appliance control system with LED operation indicators

• US 6,862,482 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Peterson, Gregory A., Stultz, Peter F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US10/197,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 700/1, 700/11, 700/12, 700/13, 700/14, 700/19, 700/20, 700/296, 700/297, 700/298, 700/299, 68/120.1, 68/122.7, 318/254, 200/50.34, 200/19.07, 200/19.08, 200/38.D, 200/50.32
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/007 for spin-drying only
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/108 characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21004 Microprocessor plus electromechanical, cam control for output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21006 Detect position switches, connect resistances, analog value gives position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23048 Knob to select program serves also as indicator for progress of program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23066 Same knob starts two different functions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2633 Washing, laundry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2043/107 Bidirectional selecting means, e.g. the program selecting knob being turnable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/106 Manual programme selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

Abstract

An appliance controller includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured annularly about a control knob of the appliance controller. The LEDs are operated so as to indicate status of the operation of the appliance when the appliance is in a run mode. In one form, the appliance controller illuminates one of the LEDs to indicate at what point the appliance is in its cycle of operation. When the appliance is in a stop mode, the LEDs are operated to indicate where the control knob is positioned when a user is selecting a particular operation with the appliance controller. In one form, as a user rotates the control knob, the appliance controller determines the rotational or angular location of the knob, particularly via a selection indicator of the knob, and illuminates a corresponding LED.

Claims

1. A method of operating an appliance control system that includes a plurality of light generating devices and a user cycle selector, comprising the steps of:

operating said plurality of light generating devices during a user cycle selection mode to indicate position status of said user cycle selector; and

operating said plurality of light generating devices during a cycle operation mode to indicate cycle progression status of said appliance control system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said appliance control system further includes a housing,

said housing has a plurality of display apertures defined in said housing, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned to respectively aligned with said plurality of display apertures.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said plurality of display apertures are positioned relative to each other so as to form a first ring, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned relative to each other so as to form a second ring.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said housing includes a front panel,

said housing further includes a rib structure extending from said front panel,

said rib structure defines a plurality of receptacles,

said plurality of receptacles are aligned with said plurality of display apertures, and

said plurality of light generating devices are respectively positioned at least partially within said plurality of receptacles.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position,

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said user cycle selection mode when said control shaft is positioned in said first axial position, and

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said cycle operation mode when said control shaft is positioned in said second axial position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode includes the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector and generating a position signal in response thereto, and

operating said plurality of light generating devices based on said position signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices based on said position signal includes the steps of:

lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a first selector position, and

lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a second selector position.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is rotatably movable between a first selector position and a second selector position in relation to a printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a wiper assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

a first of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and

a second of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position in relation to a printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a wiper assembly and a circuit pattern assembly, and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode includes the steps of (i) generating a first position signal when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at first orientation, (ii) generating a second position signal when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at second orientation, (iii) lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said first position signal, and (iv) lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said second position signal.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of detecting position of said user cycle selector and generating said position signal in response thereto includes the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector utilizing a hall effect device, and

generating said position signal in response to detection of said position with said hall effect device.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of detecting position of said user cycle selector and generating said position signal in response thereto includes the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector utilizing a light emitter and receiver device, and

generating said position signal in response to detection of said position with said light emitter and receiver device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said appliance control system further includes a microprocessor, and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode includes the steps of (i) generating a cycle progression signal with said microprocessor, and (ii) operating said plurality of light generating devices based on said cycle progression signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices based on said cycle progression signal includes the steps of:

lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices during a first time period of a selected appliance cycle, and

lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices during a second time period of said selected appliance cycle.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said appliance control system further includes a microprocessor, and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode includes the steps of (i) generating a first cycle progression signal during a first time period of a selected appliance cycle, (ii) generating a second cycle progression signal during a second time period of said selected appliance cycle, (iii) lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said first cycle progression signal, and (iv) lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said second cycle progression signal.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light generating devices includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode includes the step of lighting one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices; and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode includes the step of lighting said one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a number of said plurality of light generating devices are caused to light during both said user cycle selection mode and said cycle operation mode.

18. A method of operating an appliance control system that includes a plurality of light generating devices, a user cycle selector, and a microprocessor, comprising the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector during a user cycle selection mode and generating a position signal in response thereto;

operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle selection mode based on said position signal;

generating a cycle progression signal with said microprocessor during said cycle operation mode; and

operating said plurality of lighting generating devices during said cycle operation mode based on said cycle progression signal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

said appliance control system further includes a housing,

said housing has a plurality of display apertures defined in said housing, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned to respectively aligned with said plurality of display apertures.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

said plurality of display apertures are positioned relative to each other so as to form a first ring, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned relative to each other so as to form a second ring.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein:

said housing includes a front panel,

said housing further includes a rib structure extending from said front panel,

said rib structure defines a plurality of receptacles,

said plurality of receptacles are aligned with said plurality of display apertures, and

said plurality of light generating devices are respectively positioned at least partially within said plurality of receptacles.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position,

said appliance control system is operable in said user cycle selection mode when said control shaft is positioned in said first axial position, and

said appliance control system is operable in said cycle operation mode when said control shaft is positioned in said second axial position.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle selection mode based on said position signal includes the steps of:

lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a first selector position, and

lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a second selector position.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is rotatably movable between a first selector position and a second selector position in relation to a printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a wiper assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

a first of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and

a second of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position in relation to a printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a wiper assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

said appliance control system further includes a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board, and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle selection mode based on said position signal includes the steps of (i) generating a first position signal when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at first orientation, (ii) generating a second position signal when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at second orientation, (iii) lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said first position signal, and (iv) lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices in response to generation of said second position signal.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of detecting position of said user cycle selector during a user cycle selection mode and generating a position signal in response thereto includes the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector utilizing a hall effect device, and

generating said position signal in response to detection of said position with said hall effect device.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of detecting position of said user cycle selector during a user cycle selection mode and generating a position signal in response thereto includes the steps of:

detecting position of said user cycle selector utilizing a light emitter and receiver device, and

generating said position signal in response to detection of said position with said light emitter and receiver device.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode based on said cycle progression signal includes the steps of:

lighting a first of said plurality of light generating devices during a first time period of a selected appliance cycle, and

lighting a second of said plurality of light generating devices during a second time period of said selected appliance cycle.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of light generating devices includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein:

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle selection mode based on said position signal includes the step of lighting one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle selection mode; and

said step of operating said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode based on said cycle progression signal includes the step of lighting said one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein at least a number of said plurality of light generating devices are caused to light during both said user cycle selection mode and said cycle operation mode.

32. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:

a plurality of light generating devices;

a user cycle selector; and

a circuit configured to (i) operate said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode to indicate position status of said user cycle selector; and

(ii) operate said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode to indicate cycle progression status of said appliance control system.

33. The appliance control system of claim 32, wherein:

said appliance control system further includes a housing,

said housing has a plurality of display apertures defined in said housing, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned to respectively aligned with said plurality of display apertures.

34. The appliance control system of claim 33, wherein:

said plurality of display apertures are positioned relative to each other so as to form a first ring, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned relative to each other so as to form a second ring.

35. The appliance control system of claim 33, wherein:

said housing includes a front panel,

said housing further includes a rib structure extending from said front panel,

said rib structure defines a plurality of receptacles,

said plurality of receptacles are aligned with said plurality of display apertures, and

said plurality of light generating devices are respectively positioned at least partially within said plurality of receptacles.

36. The appliance control system of claim 32, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position,

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said user cycle selection mode when said control shaft is positioned in said first axial position, and

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said cycle operation mode when said control shaft is positioned in said second axial position.

37. The appliance control system of claim 32, further comprising a detector configured to detect position of said user cycle selector and generate a position signal in response thereto, and wherein said circuit is further configured to operate said plurality of light generating devices during a user cycle selection mode based on said position signal.

38. The appliance control system of claim 37, wherein said circuit is further configured to (i) light a first of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located a first selector position, and (ii) light a second of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located a second selector position.

39. The appliance control system of claim 32, further comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board; and

a wiper assembly;

wherein said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

wherein said wiper assembly is supported on said printed circuit board,

wherein said control shaft is rotatably movable between a first selector position and a second selector position in relation to said printed circuit board,

wherein said circuit is configured to light a first of said plurality of light generating devices when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and

wherein said circuit is configured to light a second of said plurality of light generating devices when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.

40. The appliance control system of claim 37, wherein said detector includes a hall effect device.

41. The appliance control system of claim 37, wherein said detector includes a light emitter and receiver device.

42. The appliance control system of claim 37, wherein:

said circuit includes a microprocessor, and

said circuit is further configured to generate a cycle progression signal with said microprocessor, and

said plurality of light generating devices are operated based on said cycle progression signal during said cycle operation mode.

43. The appliance control system of claim 32, wherein said plurality of light generating devices includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

44. The appliance control system of claim 32, wherein said circuit is configured to:

light one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode, and

light said one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode.

45. The appliance control system of claim 32, wherein said circuit is configured to cause at least a number of said plurality of light generating devices to light during both said user cycle selection mode and said cycle operation mode.

46. An appliance control system, comprising:

a plurality of light generating devices;

a user cycle selector;

a detector configured to detect position of said user cycle selector during a user cycle selector mode and generate a position signal in response thereto, and

a circuit configured to (i) operate said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selector mode based on said position signal, (ii) generate a cycle progression signal during a cycle operation mode, and (iii) operate said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode based on said cycle progression signal.

47. The appliance control system of claim 46, further comprising a housing, wherein:

said housing has a plurality of display apertures defined in said housing, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned to respectively aligned with said plurality of display apertures.

48. The appliance control system of claim 47, wherein:

said plurality of display apertures are positioned relative to each other so as to form a first ring, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned relative to each other so as to form a second ring.

49. The appliance control system of claim 47, wherein:

said housing includes a front panel,

said housing further includes a rib structure extending from said front panel,

said rib structure defines a plurality of receptacles,

said plurality of receptacles are aligned with said plurality of display apertures, and

said plurality of light generating devices are respectively positioned at least partially within said plurality of receptacles.

50. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said control shaft is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position,

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said user cycle selection mode when said control shaft is positioned in said first axial position, and

said appliance control system is caused to operate in said cycle operation mode when said control shaft is positioned in said second axial position.

51. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said circuit is further configured to (i) light a first light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a first selector position, and (ii) light a second light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices when said user cycle selector is located at a second selector position.

52. The appliance control system of claim 46, further comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board; and

a wiper assembly;

wherein said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

wherein said wiper assembly is supported on said printed circuit board,

wherein said control shaft is rotatably movable to a first selector position and a second selector position in relation to said printed circuit board,

wherein said circuit is configured to light a first of said plurality of light generating devices when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and

wherein said circuit is configured to light a second of said plurality of light generating devices when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.

53. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said detector includes a hall effect device.

54. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said detector includes a light emitter and receiver device.

55. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said plurality of light generating devices includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

56. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said circuit is further configured to:

light one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said user cycle selection mode, and

light said one light generating device of said plurality of light generating devices during said cycle operation mode.

57. The appliance control system of claim 46, wherein said circuit is further configured to cause at least a number of said plurality of light generating devices to light during both said user cycle selection mode and said cycle operation mode.

58. An appliance control system, comprising:

a plurality of light generating devices;

a printed circuit board;

a user cycle selector having a control shaft and a control knob secured thereto, said control shaft being rotatably movable to a first selector position and a second selector position in relation to said printed circuit board;

a wiper assembly, wherein rotation of said user cycle selector causes rotation of said wiper assembly; and

a circuit pattern assembly supported on said printed circuit board,

wherein a first of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and

wherein a second of said plurality of light generating devices is caused to light when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.

59. The appliance control system of claim 58, further comprising a housing, wherein:

said housing has a plurality of display apertures defined in said housing, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned to respectively aligned with said plurality of display apertures.

60. The appliance control system of claim 59, wherein:

said plurality of display apertures are positioned relative to each other so as to form a first ring, and

said plurality of light generating devices are positioned relative to each other so as to form a second ring.

61. The appliance control system of claim 59, wherein:

said housing includes a front panel,

said housing further includes a rib structure extending from said front panel,

said rib structure defines a plurality of receptacles,

said plurality of receptacles are aligned with said plurality of display apertures, and

said plurality of light generating devices are respectively positioned at least partially within said plurality of receptacles.