Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Having operator control interface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2003-07-08
Voeltz, Emanuel Todd (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Having operator control interface
C700S017000, C700S079000, C700S082000, C340S870030, C340S870030, C345S156000, C345S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06591151
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention lies in the field of household appliances. The invention relates to a programmable household appliance having a control panel including push-buttons and switches that disposed for inputting functions of an operating program sequence. Programmable household appliances, in particular washing machines and washer/dryers or combined washer/dryers, have been around for a long time. Microprocessor-controlled program controllers have increased the range of program sequences of such household appliances to such an extent that they now are confusing to operate.
German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 44 22 128 A1 discloses a household appliance having factory preset programs that can be adapted to customer requirements. The adaptation is accomplished by having the electronic controller be freely programmable through a data input and data output unit having a display. To perform programming to vary or add functionality to the existing preset programs, further data and/or parameters must be entered in a manner that is not explained in any detail. The lack of details relating to the nature of the input require additional input handles to be provided according to prior art household appliances of this kind. The handles, themselves, are not necessary for calling up the stored preset programs. The refinement of that application also requires a display.
As set forth herein, the term “handle” is defined as an input mechanism, actuator, controller, or coding operation that conveys information from a user to a programmable controller. Example handles can include push-buttons and switches.
In addition, existing washing machines have control panels with handles for selecting specific program functions. Logic operations for controlling these handles are set up so that trained personnel, for example customer-service technicians, can enter a code for enabling specific control actions, namely, the sequence of operation of individual control handles. The code can be used to call up specific functions or specific customer-service programs. Execution of such programs can give the customer-service technician information about the correct running of the operating program merely by observing the washing machine, as compared to actually running the operating program, which would disadvantageously take too long for the required observation process. On the other hand, suitable codings can be used to call up demonstration programs in which a specific machine operating program sequence is simulated without the functional elements of the washing machine actually being operated. The simulation allows installed program sequences to be demonstrated on the washing machine control panel.
Furthermore, a method for storing and outputting a program that can be modified and executed by a processor is disclosed by European Patent Application A 408 431. The program can be used in conjunction with an electronic program controller for washing machines. The application discloses a capability for the manufacturer of the memory, of the program controller, or of the household appliance to edit a stored program. To edit the stored program, existing parts of the program are suppressed, or are replaced by other parts. The suppression/replacement is done by changing only the data stored in the read only memory, whose address is marked, for example, for each part of a level of a hierarchically broken down memory. The configuration allows memory volume to be saved. However, the disadvantageous factor with all of the above-mentioned prior art programmable household appliances is that the configuration of the control panels and the assignment of the handles or push-buttons are highly specific and require a large number of physically different specific embodiments. Such a requirement leads to a wide range of different assemblies, in particular control panels, and controller boards, which are, in turn, specifically manufactured for the particular assembly and are disposed behind the control panels.
Another prior art household appliance, European Patent Application A 715 235, discloses the ability to edit the contents of a program memory by external action through an opto-electronic interface using an external data processing appliance. However, the configuration requires specific equipment and software, which enormously complicates the measures for adaptation of a program memory to new requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a programmable household appliance that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that improves the appliance's programmability such that, particularly in the course of the production process, universal controller boards with appropriate switch elements can be used. Such an improvement considerably reduces customized assemblies.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a programmable household appliance, including a control panel having handles for inputting individual functions of an operating program sequence and for executing at least a part of the program sequence, and memory cells for controlling the appliance and for storing software codes, each of the individual functions of the program sequence being assigned to a specific one of the software codes stored in a specific one of the memory cells, the handles being linked to a specific one of the individual functions and to an associated one of the memory cells.
Thus, a programmable household appliance having a control panel according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that each function in the program sequence is assigned a specific software code (numerical code) that is stored in specific memory cells, and by the fact that each switch can be allocated a specific function from the respectively associated memory cell.
The invention allows a range of considerable advantages to be achieved in comparison with the prior art apparatuses. The invention firstly achieves a considerable reduction in hardware variants because the universal assemblies provided, in particular the controller boards, are configured universally for a wide range of specific type ranges of household appliances. The boards can be adapted, depending on the type, while in the production process. Such versatility is made possible by the free assignment of functions to the switches of the control elements, which, in turn, provides a major advantage in that model changes and adaptations to the respective household appliance can be carried out without physically changing the assemblies.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the handles can be push-buttons and/or switches.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there are provided a controller, an interface connected to the controller, and a data input device connected to the memory cells through the interface for storing the software codes.
If, in order to store the software code, an interface is connected to the controller, through which interface a data input appliance can be connected to the memory cells, push-buttons can be allocated in any required manner from outside the household appliance. The allocation admittedly requires an external action; however, the household appliances can be automatically set in the appropriate manner at a programming station during production.
On the other hand, a respectively predetermined combination of control actions may also be provided for storing the software code. Then, in some circumstances, the customer service organization can also convert such a household appliance to a new program at the customer's premises once the appliance has been set up.
A further particular advantage results from the flexible configuration of the control panel appearance, in particular, from the selection of the number, position, and shape of the push-buttons in or on the control panel. For example, broad or narrow push-buttons may
Böldt Frank
Knopp Lothar
Barnes Crystal J.
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Greenberg Laurence A.
Locher Ralph E.
Stemer Werner H.
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