Appliance control system with LED operation indicators
US6862482B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2043/107
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An appliance controller includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured annularly about a control knob of the appliance controller. The LEDs are operated so as to indicate status of the operation of the appliance when the appliance is in a run mode. In one form, the appliance controller illuminates one of the LEDs to indicate at what point the appliance is in its cycle of operation. When the appliance is in a stop mode, the LEDs are operated to indicate where the control knob is positioned when a user is selecting a particular operation with the appliance controller. In one form, as a user rotates the control knob, the appliance controller determines the rotational or angular location of the knob, particularly via a selection indicator of the knob, and illuminates a corresponding LED.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.