Directionless rotary encoder control system for a household appliance
US7076324B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/23057
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention uses an on-board microcontroller of a household appliance to receive signals from a directionless encoder attached to a knob for receiving user input and processing the signals from the direction encoder according to a control algorithm. The microcontroller may increase the output to an electric heating element on the appliance based on a variety of criteria, including either direction of rotation, current heating element setting, or a change in directional rotation. Alternatively, or in addition, the microcontroller may provide various types of graduated visual or audible feedback to the user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.