United States Patent (19)
`Eisenbrandt et al.
`
`54 APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH
`CONFIGURABLE INTERFACE
`75 Inventors: Gerald A. Eisenbrandt, Lincoln
`Essie hn R. Bentley, St. Joseph,
`
`-
`
`73 ASSignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton
`Harbor, Mich.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 475,418
`22 Filed:
`Jun. 7, 1995
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`63 Continuation of Ser. No. 268,664, Jun. 29, 1994, abandoned,
`which is a continuation of Ser. No. 6,497, Jan. 21, 1993,
`abandoned.
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................. G09G 5/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ............................................. 345/173; 345/140
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 345/156, 163,
`345/168, 173,35, 36, 37, 39, 140; 340/825.37,
`825.31, 825.36; 395/334, 335, 333
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Kesling.
`Penz ........................................ 340/712
`Kiefer ...,
`..., 364/400
`Schmidt .................................... 371/15
`Terakami ......................... 219/10.55 B
`Markley et al.
`... 235/145 R
`Ng et al. ................................. 340/711
`
`3,983,553 9/1976
`4,224,615 9/1980
`4,241,400 12/1980
`4,275,464
`6/1981
`4,309,584
`1/1982
`4,326,193 4/1982
`4,374,381
`2/1983
`
`56)
`
`
`
`USOO5818428A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,818,428
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`2- - -2
`
`Ollol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`4,413,314 11/1983 Slater et al. ............................ 340/706
`4,418,398 11/1983 Hornung .....
`... 364/141
`4,454,501
`6/1984 Butts .......
`... 340/711
`s: 1. s
`s:
`4,611,295 9/1986 Fowler .................................... 364/184
`4,628,351 12/1986 Heo .........
`... 340/711
`4,628,439 12/1986 Fowler
`... 364/138
`4,633.227 12/1986 Menn ......
`... 340/711
`4,642,753 2/1987 Easthill ................................... 364/184
`4,703,306 10/1987 Barritt .....
`340/825.06
`4,716,542 12/1987 Peltz et al. .............................. 340/700
`4,812,963 3/1989 Albrecht .........
`... 364/1.31
`4,844,637 7/1989 Buisson et al. ........................... 341/23
`4.885,694 12/1989 Pray et al. ......
`... 364/464.01
`4,886,638 12/1989 Penkunas et al. ........................ 41.9/15
`4,896,223
`1/1990 Todome .........
`... 340/712
`4.909,041
`3/1990 Jones ........................................... 62/99
`5,016,003 5/1991 Rice, Jr. et al. ........................ 340/706
`5,086,385 2/1992 Launey et al...
`340/825.37
`5,325,481 6/1994 Hunt ........................................ 395/334
`5,327,529 7/1994 Fults et al. .............................. 395/334
`5,353,400 10/1994 Nigarwara et al. ..................... 395/334
`5,450,540 9/1995 Spohrer et al. ......................... 395/334
`5,515,496 5/1996 Kaehler et al. ......................... 395/334
`Primary Examiner-Chanh Nguyen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill & Simpson
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A control System with a user configurable interface, particu
`larly Suitable for use in connection with appliances. Users
`can configure display Screens either at a point of Sale
`location or at home with, e.g., a personal computer.
`
`18 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`SELECTION MENU
`88
`CHOOSE
`CHOOSE
`FUNCT ON OPTIONS A1
`SWITCH DISPLAY
`NONE/SELECTABLE/DEFAULT
`NONE/SELECTABLE/DEFAULT
`
`CHOICE 2
`
`CHOICE 1
`
`CHOICE N
`
`NONE/SELECTABUE/DEFAULT
`
`SPECIFY
`SWTCH OPERATION MODE
`TOGGLE INDIVIDUALLY
`SLEW-ALL CHOICES
`
`CHOOSE
`STATUS DISPLAY
`NONE
`LED
`GRAPHC
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`FG.2
`
`
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`INPUT /
`DISPLAY
`
`24
`
`32
`
`
`
`APPLIANCE
`SENSORS
`
`34
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERC
`APPLANCE
`CONTROL
`MODULE
`6
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`
`
`40
`M 42
`MCRO
`PROCESSOR
`ON-CHP
`MEMORY
`
`SENSORS-46
`
`
`
`, DEVICE
`2. SWITCHES
`2.
`
`
`
`
`POWER
`DEVICE
`SWITCHES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TOUCH
`SCREEN
`
`GRAPHC
`DISPLAY
`
`VDEO
`DRIVER
`AND
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`
`
`SMARTCARD
`MEMORY
`(OREQUIVALENT)
`PROGRAM
`AND DATA
`
`
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`64
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GRAPHC DISPLAY
`ELEMENT DATA
`DISPLAY LOCATIONS
`
`TOUCH SCREEN
`SWITCH LOCATIONS
`SWITCH FUNCT ON
`VS LOCATION TABLES
`
`
`
`72
`
`
`
`
`
`FUNCT ON TMNG
`AND OPERATING
`PARAMETER TABLES
`
`74
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`
`
`80
`
`F.G. 6
`SELECTION MENU
`88
`CHOOSE
`CHOOSE
`SWITCH DISPLAY
`FUNCTION OPTIONS A1
`CHOICE 1
`NONE/SELECTABLE/DEFAULT
`CHOICE 2
`NONE/SELECTABLE/DEFAULT
`
`CHOICE N NONE/SELECTABLE/DEFAULT
`
`SPECIFY :
`SWITCH OPERATION MODE
`TOGGLE INDIVIDUALLY
`SLEW-ALL CHOICES
`
`CHOOSE
`STATUS DSPLAY
`NONE
`LED
`GRAPHC
`
`FIG.7A 90
`
`
`
`FIG.8
`
`OO
`
`STATUS 404da choice
`N04b. CHOICE 2
`
`92c - CHOICE 1
`92d- CHOICE 5
`
`96d.
`96b
`96c
`
`START
`
`RESET
`
`N N
`
`LowS
`CHOICE 3
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`
`
`92 on choice a
`92 on NX CHOICE 4
`92c N
`CHOICE 1
`92d
`CHOICE 5
`
`94 lo
`
`CHOICE 4
`
`96.O.
`96b
`96 c
`
`
`
`CHOICE 3 STATUS STATUS
`CHOICE 4 HGH
`CHOICE 1
`CHOICE 5
`
`START
`STOP
`RESET
`
`O
`CHOICE 3
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet S of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`POWER
`
`POWER ON
`RESET
`
`WATCH DOG
`TMER x6
`
`DIGITAL
`INPUTS X4
`
`ANALOG
`
`INPUTS X4
`
`age.
`
`X4
`
`I.D.
`
`20
`
`214
`
`22
`
`209
`
`206
`204 OP (AMPs
`DD
`
`X 3
`
`DATA
`SELECT
`
`FG.9
`
`
`
`200
`
`LOCAL START
`
`CANCEL
`
`202
`X5DRIVER
`C
`
`RELAYS
`X4x4
`
`X5DRIVER x4 RELAYS
`C
`X4
`
`RECEIVE
`
`TRANSMT
`
`TEST SWITCH
`
`HOUSE
`. D X4
`
`CURRENT
`
`DETECTOR
`
`O
`22
`COMPARATORS
`216
`
`s
`
`VOLTAGE
`ZERO CROSS
`
`28
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`EFRSSSFSR,
`
`TROL
`
`GRAM
`
`MANAGEMENT
`
`
`
`S
`THIS FIRST
`ENTRY AFTER PROGRAM
`RESET 2
`
`FIG.10A
`
`30
`
`DISPLAY MAN
`STATIC GRAPHIC
`SCREEN
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`KEYBOARD DRMER
`INPUT ACTIVE
`f
`
`YES
`
`38
`
`OBTAIN SWITCH
`|D OF KEY FROM
`KEYBOARD DRIVER
`
`320
`MOUSE DRIVER
`INPUT ACTIVE
`f
`
`OBTAN
`SCREEN (X,Y)
`COORDNATES
`FROM MOUSE
`DRIVER
`
`SET
`PROGRAM VECTOR
`TO VALUE FROM
`TABLE SWITCH
`PROGRAM MEMORY
`VECTOR GIVEN
`FOR SWITCH ID
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`MOUSE XY
`oCATION WITAIN A
`SWITCH AREA DEFINED
`N TABLE
`f
`
`SET PROGRAM
`VECTOR TO VALUE
`OF SWITCH PROGRAM
`MEMORY VECTOR
`FROM TABLE 1 FOR
`THAT SWITCH
`
`
`
`325
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`TOUCH S CREEN
`DRIVER INPUT
`ACTIVE
`p
`
`OBTAIN SCREEN
`XY COORDINATES
`FROM TOUCH
`SCREEN DRIVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TOUCH X,Y
`LOCATION WITH IN A
`SWITH AREA DEFINED
`N TALE 1
`YES
`
`
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`FIG 10B
`
`SET PROGRAM
`VECTOR TO SWITCH
`PROGRAM MEMORY
`VECTOR IN TABLE 1
`FOR THAT SWITCH
`
`DO SWITCHOPERATION
`SUBROUTINE AT
`PROGRAM VECTOR
`
`
`
`
`
`NUMBER OF
`SENSED WAR (ABLES
`TO DISPLAY) 9
`
`1.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GET SENSED VALUE FROM
`TABLE 2 MEMORY LOCATION
`OF CURRENT WARIABLE"
`VARABLE NUMBER = COUNT
`
`SET PROGRAM VECTOR TO
`VALUE OF DISPLAY PROGRAM
`VECTOR IN TABLE 2 FOR
`VARIABLE NUMBER = COUNT
`
`DO DISPLAY WARIABLE
`SUBROUTINE AT PROGRAM
`VECTOR
`
`
`
`
`
`NCREMENT COUNT
`
`COUNTX NUMBER
`OF SENSED WARIABLES TO
`BE DISPLAYED
`o
`
`
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`NUMBER OF
`STATUS DISPLAYS
`y O 2
`
`YES
`
`FIG.10C
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GET CURRENT STATUS STATE FROM APPLIANCE
`CONTROL MEMORY LOCATION FOR CURRENT
`STATE DENTFER GIVEN IN TABLE 3 FOR
`STATUS NUM ER = COUNT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STATE SAME
`AS CURRENTLY DISPLAY
`ED STATE 2
`
`YES
`
`340
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REMOVE OLD GRAPHICAL DISPLAY MAGE BY
`DISPLAYING MAGE DATA STORED AT MEMORY
`LOCATION GIVEN IN TABLE 4 FOR THIS
`STATUS DISPLAY NUMBER AND NEW DISPLAY
`IMAGE STATE IDENTIFIER AT THE X,Y
`POSIT ON ALSO GIVEN IN TABLE 4
`
`DISPLAY NEW GRAPHICAL STATUS DFSPLAY
`INDICATOR DATA STORED AT MEMORY
`LOCATION GIVEN IN TABLE 4 FOR THIS
`STATUS DISPLAY NUMBER AND NEW
`DISPLAY MAGE STATE DENTEER AT
`THE x,Y Pos ITION Also GIVEN IN
`TABLE 4
`
`SAVE NEW STATUS STATE AS CURRENTLY
`DISPLAYED STATE DENTIFIER IN TABLE 3
`(STATUS DISPLAY NUMBER COUNT)
`
`
`
`NCREMENT COUNT
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`
`
`
`
`COUNT X NUMBER
`OF STATUS INDICATORS
`TO BE DISPLAyt
`ED2
`YES
`
`RETURN BACK TO
`THE APPLANCE
`CONTROL PROGRAM
`
`START DO SWITCH 92A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CURRENT
`STATE = ON FOR STATUS
`DISPLAY NUMBER FOR
`SWITCH IN TABLE
`
`DSPLAY THE BACKGROUND IMAGE
`DATA AT x,Y POSITION INDICATED
`1N TABLE 4 FOR THE STATUS
`DISPLAY NUMBER (SWITCH) AND
`'OFF' STATE DENT FER
`
`DISPLAY THE BACKGROUND IMAGE
`DATA ATX,Y PosiTION INDICATED
`N TABLE 4 FOR THE SATUS
`DSPLAY NUMBER (SWITCH) AND
`'ON' STATE DENT FER
`
`
`
`DISPLAY THE 'ON' STATE IMAGE
`DATA AT X,Y POSITION INDICATED
`IN TABLE 4 FOR THE STATUS
`DISPLAY NUMBER (SWITCH) AND
`'ON' STATE DENT FER
`
`DISPLAY THE OFF" STATE IMAGE
`DATA A YY POSITON INDICATED
`1N TABLE 4. FOR THE STATUS
`DISPLAY NUMBER (SWITCH)
`AND OFF STATE DENTIFFER
`
`
`
`SET CURRENTLY DISPLAYED STATE
`IDENT FER TO ON IN TABLE 3
`FOR STATUS DISPLAY NUMBER
`(SWITCH)
`
`SET CURRENTLY DISPLAYED STATE
`IDENT FER TO OFF IN TABLE 3
`FOR STATUS DISPLAY NUMBER
`SWITCH)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`5,818,428
`
`F.G. 11
`
`CALCULATE BARGRAPH HEIGHT IN PIXELS FROM
`THE FOLLOWING RELATIONSHIP
`BAR HEGHT
`SENSED VALUE
`MAX HEGHT
`MAX VALUE
`
`
`
`DRAW AN ON BAR OF WIDTH E W AND HEIGHT=BAR
`HEIGHT AT x,Y PIXEL toCATION INDICATED IN
`TABLE 2 FOR THAT SENSED WARIABLE NUMBER
`
`360
`
`DRAW A BACKGROUND BAR OF WITH = W AND
`HEIGHT = (MAXHEIGHT-BARHEIGHT) AT x AND
`(Y+ BARHEIGHT) of FSET FROM x,Y PIXEL
`LOCATION INDICATED IN TABLE 2 FOR THAT
`SENSED WARIABLE
`
`365
`
`RETURN
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.11
`
`

`

`1
`APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH
`CONFIGURABLE INTERFACE
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/268,664,
`filed Jun. 29, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation
`of application Ser. No. 08/006,497, filed Jan. 21, 1993, now
`abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention generally relates to appliance con
`trol Systems. More specifically, the invention relates to
`master control Systems that can be adapted or configured for
`use with different appliances.
`For the purposes of this application, the term "user
`interface' when used with respect to control Systems refers
`to both the hardware and the Software via which a user
`interacts with a control System, including, visual indicators,
`Switches, and display Systems thereof. For example, the
`layout of information on the Screen on a computer monitor
`constitutes part of a user interface.
`Master control Systems for a plurality of appliances are
`known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,306 describes an appliance
`control System wherein a plurality of different types of
`appliances are connected to a central master controller. The
`master controller interfaces with the appliances by way of a
`like plurality of interface modules which communicate over
`the power transmission wiring, for example, in a house. The
`master controller includes individual controls for each appli
`CC.
`The user interface in the control System comprises a fixed
`panel with a plurality of indicators, Switches, and knobs. The
`panel is divided into areas, each area being assigned to a
`different appliance. Each area includes unalterable dedicated
`controls for its associated appliance.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,963 describes a cooking computer
`System in which a control computer remotely controls one or
`more cooking appliance computers, each of which in turn
`controls a cooking unit. The remote computer is configured
`to wait for query from an operator with respect to the
`operation of a cooking unit before formatting a message
`displayed to the operator. In response to a query, for
`example, an inquiry concerning the Status of a cooking unit
`condition Such as temperature, the remote computer obtains
`and then displays the requested information.
`It is known that the preferences of consumers as to what
`makes an appliance control easy to use are quite diverse.
`This makes it difficult to design a single control System
`which is perceived to be easy to use by everyone.
`Further, there has been much interest in using personal
`computer based control Systems employing user interfaces
`with a graphical environment, e.g. Such as that used in the
`popular WINDOWS program sold by Microsoft Corpora
`tion.
`Yet further, touch Screen and Software programmable
`switches (referred to as “soft keys”) are used today in the
`control of many industrial processes. In this ares, a computer
`displays a Screen designed to display various information
`and to allow for different sets of inputs.
`Applications also exist for computer based Software
`which allows the user to configure a design. One Such
`program allows hair Stylists to Show a customer what they
`would look like with a certain hair style before actually
`adopting that hairstyle. Such System employs computer
`graphics techniques. Another program is used by home
`designers to show what a proposed interior or exterior
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,818,428
`
`2
`design would look like with a particular house before
`construction or landscaping is started.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention provides a control System with a
`user configurable interface. The user interface is config
`urable in terms of hardware as well as?or in terms of
`alterable visual displayS.
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a
`microprocessor based control System with an externally
`Supplied memory and a flexible display driver. The display
`can be of any type, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT),
`a dot matrix array capable of at least low level graphics, or
`a Standard fixed controller panel.
`In an embodiment, the invention provides that the exter
`nal memory comprises a memory such as a “SMART
`CARD" or the equivalent.
`In an embodiment, the invention provides that the control
`System comprises a general purpose computer, for example,
`a personal computer with control effected via Standard
`digital input/output add-in boards and analog-to-digital
`(A/D) boards.
`In an embodiment, the invention provides that the user
`configurable interface comprises, in part, a typical monitor
`and keyboard and/or mouse employed with the personal
`computer.
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the
`user configurable interface, in part, comprises a touch
`SCCC.
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the
`configurable user interface, in part, comprises computer
`programs capable of presenting data in a variety of Select
`able formats Such as bar graphs, Simulated light emitting
`diodes, pie charts, etcetera. the computer programs can be
`Supplied via floppy disks, a hard drive, or other Storage
`devices.
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides that
`data relating to the Selected formats resides in the externally
`Supplied memory.
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides for a
`computer program that allows the user to Select from a wide
`variety of display formats and control program choices to
`create the data and computer programs residing in the
`externally Supplied memory.
`These and other features of the invention will become
`clearer with reference to the following detailed description
`of the presently preferred embodiments and accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view an appliance in
`communication with a user configurable control System.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the control
`system of FIG. 1.
`FIG.3 illustrates a block diagram of a control system that
`is not user configurable.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a control system
`constructed for user interface configurability.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an external memory
`used in the control system of FIG. 4 and interaction thereof.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration Screen via which a user
`can configure interface Screens.
`FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate one possible user defined inter
`face Screen and use thereof.
`
`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.12
`
`

`

`5,818,428
`
`3
`FIG. 8 illustrates another possible user defined interface
`SCCC.
`FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of a generic
`appliance control module that can be used in the control
`system of FIGS. 1 and 2.
`FIG. 10A-10D illustrates a flow chart of a computer
`program for input/output display control that can be used in
`a system such as that of FIGS. 4 and 9.
`FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart of a computer program
`routine for controlling a display of a bar graph that can be
`used in conjunction with the program of FIG. 10.
`
`15
`
`4
`computer 200 with a read only memory (ROM), random
`access memory (RAM), four analog-to-digital channels, an
`internal timer, interrupts and a clock, not shown in FIG. 9
`but well known in the art. Coupled to the microcomputer are
`a power Supply 210, a computer watchdog timer 212, a
`power on reset 214, and a plurality of inputs and outputs.
`The inputs and outputs in the presently preferenced
`embodiment include some of the following:
`one or more high current driver integrated circuits 202 for
`powering a general purpose LED indicator, the transmission
`line, and relay/triacs,
`one or more analog inputS 204 for handling analog
`Sensors, for example, thermistors,
`one or more pairs of operational amplifierS 206 included
`for Sensor Signal conditioning, for example, as is currently
`performed in electronic Oven controls,
`pairs of comparators 216 and a current Sensor 220 to
`measure current presence for Safety and diagnostic purposes,
`a Voltage Zero crossing input 218 on a computer interrupt
`line for reference timing for load actuation or motor phase
`measurement,
`a receiver line paired with the above-mentioned transmit
`line;
`Six digital inputs for items Such as thermostat contacts,
`door Switches, over fill contacts, etc.;
`a test Switch for Service diagnosis or assembly testing,
`a local Start Switch;
`a local cancel Switch to abort operation at the appliance;
`a general purpose LED to describe operation and/or to use
`as a diagnostic indicator; and
`means to identify the house and appliance type.
`The dual current driver integrated circuits are used to
`provide redundancy to drive relay pairs for powering items
`Such as range Surface elements or oven elements in order to
`Satisfy UnderwriterS Laboratories' Safety requirements for
`range and oven products.
`The module 16 also can comprise a generic diagnostic
`module as Set forth in commonly assigned, co-pending
`application, titled “Appliance Module” and having Ser. No.
`07/817,002 filed Jan. 3, 1992, the teachings of which are
`fully incorporated by reference.
`Due to the genericness of the configuration of the central
`system 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the control system 12 can be
`applied to a variety of appliances. ESSentially, it is the only
`requirement that the computer program or Software executed
`on the computer Support a particular appliance and that there
`be the necessary data inputs/outputs coupled to the particular
`appliance for effective control thereover.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate alterations to a control system
`configuration that can be undertaken to implement the
`present invention. In FIG. 3 a system 40 is illustrated as
`including a microprocessor 42 with an on-chip memory 44.
`Interacting with the microprocessor 42 are the appliance
`sensors 46 and Switch drivers 48 as well as a standard
`non-configurable control panel 50 with asSociated display
`52.
`As illustrated in FIG. 4, rather than employ a standard
`control panel 50, a microprocessor 60 can interact with a
`flexible video driver 62 and an external memory 64 in the
`form of an add-on card. The video driver 62 is used to drive
`a Suitable display 66 Such as a touch Screen, graphic monitor,
`etc. The memory 64 is used to Store the computer programs
`and Sensor and driver data necessary to provide user inter
`face configurability. The memory 64 preferably comprises a
`SMARTCARD or its equivalent.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`In accordance with the invention, a control System, pref
`erably for one or more appliances, is provided with a user
`configurable interface, the configurability being a function
`of computer programming. User configurability of the inter
`face permits a user to customize the control System interface
`to Suit that user's particular needs. Moreover, Since the
`configurability is provided as a function of computer
`programming, the control System can be made generic to a
`wide array of appliances with the user providing the con
`figuration depending in part from the appliance/appliances
`purchased.
`In FIG. 1 there is illustrated an appliance 10, in this case
`a dryer, subject to the control of a control system 12. To this
`end, the dryer 10 communicates with the control system 12
`via a direct cable 14 leading to a control module 16 or via
`a control module 15 which is adapted to transmit Signals
`over the power wiring of, for example, a house, or via an
`infrared link. Hereinafter reference will be made to the
`module 16, however the Statements made are equally appli
`35
`cable to the module 15 with the necessary changes.
`The control System 12, as illustrated, preferably com
`prises a general purpose personal computer 20 programmed
`to control the appliance 10 and to interface with a user. To
`this end, the personal computer 20 includes a monitor 22, a
`keyboard 24 and data storage drives 26. The computer 20
`also can include a mouse 28 or touch Screen on the monitor
`22 or other input devices.
`As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control system 12 is config
`ured so that the keyboard 24 and monitor 22 interface with
`an input/display module 30, namely the circuits and Soft
`ware of the computer 20 and the monitor 22. The computer
`20 also communicates via a serial data line 32, whether it is
`over the power wiring of a house or via an infrared link or
`via a direct link 14 (as shown in FIG. 1) to a module 16. The
`module 16 then communicates with various sensors 34 and
`controls 36 of the appliance 10.
`With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the module 16 can
`comprise a generic appliance control module while the
`input/display module 30 can comprise an input/display
`board that could be located within an appliance or mounted
`as a remote control module within the kitchen cabinetry, or
`as part of the control system 12 of FIG.1. In either case, the
`module 30 would consist of a microcomputer, input device,
`and display capable of accommodating System timing, user
`input interpretation, and display driving. The generic control
`module would then handle load Switching and appliance
`related Sensors. Communication through the Serial line 32
`could be through any command language.
`In FIG. 9 there is illustrated a functional block diagram of
`a generic appliance control module 16. AS illustrated, the
`core of the generic appliance control module 16 is a micro
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`In FIG. 5, the types of data and programming Stored in the
`memory 64 are illustrated. Therein it can be seen that an
`external memory Such as the memory 64 preferably Stores
`graphic display element data as well as display locations
`data 70. These data 70 are used if a graphics monitor is
`employed at the display 66 to position displayS.
`Further, the memory 64 stores data 72 identifying the
`locations of touch Screen Switches as well as tables corre
`lating functions with the various touch Screen Switches.
`These data 72 then are employed if the user interface
`includes a touch Screen.
`Yet further, the memory 64 stores data 74 concerning
`operating parameters and function timing for a variety of
`appliances. These data 74 are employed to operate the
`appliances connected to the control System.
`In FIG. 6, there is illustrated an interface configuration
`display 80 that can be generated on a monitor Screen by a
`computer program which enables the display control to be
`configured wherein a user is presented with an array of
`choices for configuring the interface. In this regard, the user
`is presented with choices regarding the types of Switches,
`format and appliance functions and parameters Subsequently
`to be displayed during control System use. Selected Switches
`and display elements are configured in a layout on the Screen
`as Specified by the user for his/her ease of use and under
`Standing.
`For example, the Selected Switches can include a default
`of “no Switches, an on/off Switch 82, a select Switch 84, or
`a set of increase/decrease Switches 86. Further, the user
`could specify whether all Switches can be toggled on and off,
`or Slewed to the on State.
`For each user input Selection, Such as Water temperature
`Selection on a washer, the Switch choices can include “none'
`(i.e., manufacturer's default or function not used), an “on/
`off or Select type Switch (i.e., user defined default) or a set
`of “increase/decrease” type Switches (i.e., user Selectable
`from range of values). Switch action types are momentary,
`toggle on/off or momentary type Switch that repeats at
`intervals while pressed.
`The user can also select the type of parameters or func
`tions 88 for which data are presented on the interface,
`referred to generically herein as “Choices.” For example,
`Choice 1 could be a dryer temperature or a wash cycle time.
`For each choice the user also can Select a Switch action type.
`In displaying data relating to a chosen function/parameter,
`the user can also Select a display format associated there
`with. For example, a display associated with a parameter/
`function would not be displayed by Selecting “none,” or
`presented as a digital read-out by Selecting “LED,” or
`presented as an analog read-out by Selecting “Graphic.”
`Following Selection of the various functions/parameters
`to be displayed as well as the display formats therefor, data
`relating to the configuration are Stored in the memory 64.
`Then whenever the control system 12 is used, the user
`reconfigured interface will be used.
`In FIGS. 7A-7C and 8, there are illustrated two alterna
`tive control panels 90 and 100 which can be selected as the
`user interfaces following user configuration in accordance
`with the selections presented in the display of FIG. 6.
`In FIGS. 7A-7C, the control panel includes Square shaped
`Selection Switches 92a, 92b, 92c, and 92d for four functions:
`Choices 3.4.1, and 5, respectively.
`In FIG. 7A, a single graphical display 94a is presented for
`Choice 3. During operation of course, should the user Select
`Choice 4 by touching the square 92b for Choice 4, the
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`6
`display 92b (LED or graphic) associated with that function/
`parameter would replace that of Choice 3, as illustrated in
`FIG. 7B, or alternatively, be positioned alongside the display
`of Choice 3 (assuming Choice 3 also was selected as shown,
`as illustrated in FIG. 7C).
`In accordance with FIG. 8, a displayed control panel 100
`can include the Selection for display of, for example, three
`functions/operations: Choices 1, 2, and 3. The Status of any
`Selected function/operation can be displayed as a simulated
`analog meter 102. Selection of the display of a particular
`function/operation is effected by depression of the Selection
`Switches 106a and 106b associated with display indicators
`104a and 104b, and 104c associated with Choices 1, 2, and
`3, respectively. Increase switch 106a and decrease switch
`106b can be used to select choices 1, 2 or 3. For example,
`when choice 2 is displayed in meter 102 and display 104b is
`on, depression of Switch 106a will result in choice 1 being
`displayed in meter 102 and display indicator 104b being
`“off” and display indicator 104a being “on.”
`Power switch 108 can be used to apply or shut off power
`to the associated appliance. Start Switch 110 and cancel
`Switch 112 can be used to effect commencement or termi
`nation of a cycle of operation of the associated appliance.
`The different displays that could be configured are virtu
`ally innumerable depending on all of the capabilities pro
`Vided in the configuration Software as well as the imagina
`tion of the user and appliance capabilities. The above
`description merely provides examples of but two possible
`control panel displayS.
`The configuration Software generally would be used at the
`point of Sale to obtain the user's preferences and to generate
`the memory card 64 with control display graphics. However,
`it also is envisioned that users with a personal computer
`could do their own configuration or modify their control
`System interfaces as their needs change. By changing the
`configuration, new features could be added to the appliance
`as they become available.
`For example, at the point of Sale, a user would specify the
`types of appliances to be connected to the control System.
`The user would also specify the hardware included in the
`control System, e.g., a color monitor and mouse instead of a
`touch Screen. Then the user would specify or configure the
`displays to be presented during operation of the control
`system. All of this information then would be stored in a
`memory on the memory card 64 which is carried to the
`installation Site.
`Once configured, the user could be Supplied with the
`memory card 64 to be placed in his controller/computer. The
`computer already would be programmed to read a Standard
`Set of hardware inputs, Status of displays and Sensor inputs,
`and to turn on or off a set of hardware outputs. The
`information in the add-in memory card 64 would specify
`labels for the hardware inputs and outputs, what and how the
`labels are to be interpreted to create the information dis
`played to user, to provide the logic to interpret Sensor inputs
`and to interpret output labels to determine when and how to
`turn the hardware on and off.
`At the installation site, the user could be provided with the
`opportunity to reconfigure, for example, the display formats
`of the appliance information. The configuration program,
`however, must ensure that the user does not specify
`information, appliance, etc. that are not available.
`Further, features could be customized, for example, by
`leaving out certain parts which the user does not need, to
`make the control as Simple as possible. Alternatively, the
`user could be given full access to all possible Settings to give
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`Lightspeed Ex. 1011.14
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`7
`total customized control. Further, various preferences could
`be preset as part of the customizing. For example, a cook top
`control with a temperature Sensor could be preset to tem
`perature Setting in accordance with those dishes most often
`prepared by the user and the utensils used for cooking them.
`The operation of this system is intended to work with a
`microprocessor based appliance control System. It is
`assumed that one knowledgeable in the art would be familiar
`with the programming of an appliance microprocessor con
`trol like that shown in FIG. 9.
`In FIGS. 10A-10D and 11 are illustrated a set of flow
`charts described herein that are intended to describe an
`algorithm for use with a system such as that shown in FIGS.
`4 and 9. With the addition of serial communication Software
`which is capable of transferring the contents of a memory
`location in control system 12 of FIG. 1 to a memory location
`in the generic appliance control module 16 of FIG. 2, or Vice
`Versa, these flow charts may be generalized to operate the
`system shown in FIG. 2.
`It is further assumed that the microprocessor of FIG. 4, is
`programmed in a manner whereby the control determines
`the operation of the appliance in accordance with a given
`table of parameters contained in the microprocessor's RAM
`memory. For an automatic washer, this table of parameters
`25
`would for example contain the cycle type, Such as permanent
`preSS or delicate, which defines the timing Sequence of the
`wash operations, the wash and rinse temperatures and water
`fill level. In this RAM memory area are also contained
`memory Storage locations for values read from the various
`sensors, analog inputs 204 or digital inputs 209 in FIG. 9. It
`also contains the values of the States of any Status variables.
`Such programming technique should be familiar to those
`with experience programming appliance controls.
`The typical programming for the appliance control would
`be used but requires Several modifications from the usual
`programming method. First, provision must be m