Method and apparatus for appliance control and status display
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A control knob for an appliance comprising:
- (a) a rotatable housing;
(b) a microprocessor within the housing;
(c) a status display within the housing; and
(d) a bipolar connector wherein the bipolar connector forms an axis for rotation of the control knob;
(e) wherein display content changes relative to rotation of the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for an appliance control knob incorporating a microprocessor and a status display built into the control knob housing. Such a control knob gives the appliance a clean and uncluttered appearance, and allows a user of the appliance both to control the appliance, for example by adjusting the oven temperature setpoint, and to be informed of the status of the appliance, for example the actual oven temperature, in a way that is easy to understand and to use.
92 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A control knob for an appliance comprising:
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(a) a rotatable housing; (b) a microprocessor within the housing; (c) a status display within the housing; and (d) a bipolar connector wherein the bipolar connector forms an axis for rotation of the control knob; (e) wherein display content changes relative to rotation of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control knob for an appliance comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a status display within the housing; and (c) an electrical connector forming a rotational axis for the control knob; and (d) wherein data and power are transmitted over the electrical connector; (e) wherein display content changes based on rotation of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of controlling an appliance comprising:
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(a) providing a control knob having a housing, a microprocessor and a status display within the housing, a shaft assembly, and an electrical connector that forms an axis of rotation for the control knob; (b) providing a socket having a shaft assembly receiver; (c) inserting the shaft assembly into the socket; (d) transmitting status information on the electrical connector; (e) receiving the status information; and (f) displaying the status information on the status display; (g) changing information on the status display by rotating the control knob. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification