Program control and display system for multiple appliance units
US6559427B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24C7/082
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Multiple, programmable appliance units are connected to a control unit which receives program data from a control panel including user input elements for selecting various operational parameters, such as operational modes and times, for the appliance units. The control panel also includes a display having both display zones which are dedicated to the individual appliance units and at least one common display zone. Preferably, the common display zone is centrally located and operates on priority and override bases to provide user information concerning the appliance units. In further accordance with the invention, the information provided in the common display zone is linked to a dedicated area for a corresponding one of the appliance units to clearly enable the user to relate the provided information with the respective unit. In a preferred form of the invention, the information link takes the form of a bracket provided on the display which extends across the common display zone and into a dedicated zone for the particular appliance unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.