GB2439565A

GB2439565A - Programmable control device for an appliance.

Info

Publication number: GB2439565A
Application number: GB0612666A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Martin Reason; James Osgood
Original assignee: Andrew Reason Ltd
Current assignee: Andrew Reason Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2008-01-02
Also published as: GB0612666D0

Abstract

A programming system suitable for an appliance, for example a washing machine, having a number of functions and features which allows accurate control. The programming system comprises a single manual control means, a display means, and a plurality of actionable events, wherein the actionable events are represented graphically on the display means and the manual control means provides a means of selecting a combination of plurality of the plurality of actionable events.

Description

Programming System The present invention relates generally to consumer

appliances and more specifically to a programming system suitable for such appliances.

Consumer appliances have evolved in recent years from simple machines into feature-rich complex products. For example, current washing machines have several user-selectable options to tailor a wash to an individual's needs, including numerous temperature settings, material types, spin speed, in addition to a large number of special functions such as easy iron, extra rinse and even a child lock facility.

With such a wide range of functions and features, everyday use of modern appliances has become somewhat arduous, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a programming system, for an appliance, that is simpler to control accurately.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a programming system for controlling an appliance comprising: a single manual control means; display means; a plurality of actionable events; wherein, said actionable events are represented graphically on said display means, said manual control means providing a means of selecting in combination a plurality of said plurality of actionable events.

Preferably, said plurality of actionable events are divided into executing events, master events and sub events, said master events defining a number of said sub events and said executing events executing said master event and said master events may be configured, using said manual control means, to contain any number of non mutually exclusive said sub events.

Beneficially, said programming system remembers a plurality of previously selected configurations of said actionable events.

I

Preferably, said single manual control means comprises a multi-functional button.

Beneficially, said display means comprises a single LCD array, and/or an array of LEDs, each of said LEDs in said array of LEDs being identifiable as to associating with a respective said actionable event and said array of LEDs is configured as two concentric ovals, an inner oval and an outer oval, with textual annotation identifying a respective said actionable event for each LED in said outer oval, said inner oval proving a cursor function to identify which LED of said outer oval is currently selected, said cursor function being manipulated by said manual control means or said array of LEDs is configured as two concentric ovals, an inner oval and an outer oval, with textual annotation identifying a respective said actionable event for each LED in said inner oval, said outer oval proving a cursor function to identify which LED of said inner oval is currently selected, said cursor function being manipulated by said manual control means.

The present invention further extends to a washing machine, being controllable by a programming system according to a system as described. Preferably, said washing machine comprises a recess and said programming system is provided in a module arranged and configured to be retained within said recess and selectively retracted therefrom for use.

Thus the above mentioned object is achieved by utilising one button operation for selecting features by way of a cursor to control the state of the appliance.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the following exemplary embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the present will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a menu arrangement of a programming system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; * --3-Figure 2 is a diagram of a pull-out programming module according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a display carrying the menu of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagram of a programming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a schematic drawing of a menu arrangement 100 is shown. It comprises essentially three concentric ovals, the inner two being formed by a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 110, 120, with an equal number in each oval. The outer oval takes the form of textual annotations relating to respective pairs of LEDs 110, 120 such that for each inner LED 110, there is an intermediate LED 120 and an associated outer sentence of text 130 representative of a function.

The inner oval of LEDs represents a selection cursor' 120 that can be shifted, ideally in either direction, in accordance with the manual rotation of a multi-functional button. The cursor aspect is achieved by lighting only one of the LEDs at a time, so manually rotating the button will cause the lighted LED to appear to move around the oval accordingly.

The intermediate oval of LED's provide a selected indicator' 110, corresponding to which of the functions have been selected by moving the cursor 120 such that it is as close to the indicator 110 as can be, then selecting that function by pressing the same multi-functional button. This will illuminate the indicator 110, and subsequently ensure that when the selection process is complete and the appliance is started the function associated with the text 130 corresponding to the indicator 110 will run. Unlike the cursor 120 level, the indicator 110 level is not limited to a single LED being lit at any one time, but is constrained in that only one may light within mutually exclusive sub-groups (for example temperature).

Once all the required functions have been indicated 110 by the cursor 120 the start function may be initiated to begin the appliance cycle in the same way that functions are selected.

At the end of a complete operation the appliance stores details of the completed operation in an internal task memory. The task memory always contains the details of the last 3 operations, such that if it is desired to repeat the last operation again, or the third from last for that matter, it could be achieved by simply selecting a single command rather than having to indicate 110 each separate function again. It is very simple to tweak' an operation from task memory should it be desirable to complete an almost identical operation with some adjustment.

Some of the functions contain inherent data for some other functions, that is automatically applied when they themselves are selected. An example would be if selecting the function "wool" from within the materials sub-group. This would automatically select a low temperature to stop the wool shrinking during the wash. The arrangement of the menu system is such that the most often used functions are nearest to the cursor starting point and the least often used the furthest away, contributing to a simple selection.

The appliance may also be paused during operation, turned on and turned off by pressing the multi-functional button 210.

Referring now to Figure 2, a pull out module or "drawer" 200 is shown that is housed at the front of the machine in a convenient and easily accessible position. The lit menu arrangement 100 is shown as situated on the upper face 230 of the drawer, such that when the drawer 200 is retracted from the machine the lit menu arrangement 100 becomes visible to the user. A multi-functional button 210 is provided on the front face 240 of the draw to control the programming system. As well as using the lit menu arrangement 100 to view selections when controlling the appliance, there is further provided a display panel in the form of an LCD screen 220 situated on the front face 240 of the drawer 200. The screen 220 is normally visible, regardless of the position of the drawer 200, and can display a limited quantity of information (e.g. the last one or more programs selected by the user) such that it is not always necessary to retract the draw 200 in order to select a wash function. This can save the menu arrangement 100 and module 200 from getting as dirty as they might otherwise get.

The system delivers two key benefits -simplicity and ease of use through one button operation and task memory as well as the ability to easily customise operations to the exact need of the user. The dual display means can for example, be configured to help the user to view and easily select the last three washes they used, the stage of the wash cycle while in operation and easily customise any element of it in terms of temperature, spin speed, start time and so on.

Additionally for example, a user can over-ride the system such that the wash can be paused at any time.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a diagram of a programming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, embodied as a washing machine. The system comprises a front screen 320 that is built in to the front face of the washing machine, at a convenient height to be viewed by a user, that displays a program code that can be changed and manipulated by use of a multi-functional button 310. The front screen may comprise an LCD array or any other means capable of displaying text and numbers in relation to an electrical signal. A program menu 330 is provided on the top of the washing machine's drum (although it may be provided anywhere that is easily accessible to the user), providing a comprehensive list of all the user-definable program choices available to the user.

The program menu 330 is either printed on the top of the drum 340 or may be a liquid-resistant sticker or sheet of a material that is adhered to its location. The multi-functional button 310 is utilised by rotation to scroll through the available program menu 330 options as its elements are displayed in sequence on the front screen 320. Pressing the button 310 will result in a select' function that chooses whatever program is represented by the text appearing on the front screen 320 at the time it is pressed. Depending on which program is itself selected', further options may be available to be either selected or not and so on. In this way all the possible programs and their associated sub-options may be scrolled-through and selected as desired to initiate a wash.

A user can again choose to replicate any of a finite number (say three) of his/her last defined wash programs with a single action using program memory as is described above.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiment illustrates rather than limits the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A programming system for controlling an appliance

comprising: a single manual control means; display means; a plurality of actionable events; wherein, said actionable events are represented graphically on said display means, said manual control means providing a means of selecting in combination a plurality of said plurality of actionable events.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of actionable events are divided into executing events, master events and sub events, said master events defining a number of said sub events and said executing events executing said master event.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said master events may be configured, using said manual control means, to contain any number of non mutually exclusive said sub events.

4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein said programming system remembers a plurality of previously selected configurations of said actionable events.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said manual control means comprises a multi-functional button.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said display means comprises a single LCD array.

7. A system according to any of claims I to 5, wherein said display means comprises an array of LEDs, each of LEDs in said array of LEDs being identifiable as to associating with a respective said actionable event.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said display means further comprises a separate LCD array.

9. A system according to claims 7 or 8, wherein said array of LEDs is configured as two concentric ovals, an inner oval and an outer oval, with textual annotation identifying a respective said actionable event for each LED in said outer oval, said inner oval proving a cursor function to identify which LED of said outer oval is currently selected, said cursor function being manipulated by said manual control means.

10. A system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said array of LEDs is configured as two concentric ovals, an inner oval and an outer oval, with textual annotation identifying a respective said actionable event for each LED in said inner oval, said outer oval proving a cursor function to identify which LED of said inner oval is currently selected, said cursor function being manipulated by said manual control means.

11. A system substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A washing machine, being controllable by a programming system according to any preceding claim.

13. A washing machine according to claim 12, wherein said washing machine comprises a recess and said programming system is provided in a module arranged and configured to be retained within said recess and selectively retracted therefrom for use.