Patent Publication Number: US-6703591-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for shabbos/yom tov appliance control

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to household appliance controls and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling appliances in accordance with religious customs. 
     Some religious customs, such as, for example, Orthodox Jewish customs, generally forbid doing work on the Sabbath and certain religious Holidays. The proscription of work extends even to the operation of household appliances, in which any action that causes the appliance to change state generally violates the custom. Thus, for example, user action that results in direct heating or cooling, beeping, illumination, and reading and writing by various components of an appliance are in violation of these religious customs. 
     Known electronic appliance controls, such as those for ovens and refrigerators, typically includes a variety of indicators, alarms, and functions that are incompatible with these religious customs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment, an appliance control system is configured to operate an appliance in at least a normal mode and a holiday mode wherein normal mode operation of appliance feature elements is altered to better conform to religious customs, such as Orthodox Jewish customs. In response to user manipulation of a control interface panel, the control system is configured to enter the holiday mode upon user manipulation of the control interface panel with a designated key sequence. When in the holiday mode, response to user manipulation of the control interface panel is delayed for a randomly determined time, and appliance features of the normal mode that violate religious custom are disabled. 
     More specifically, implementation of new appliance element settings and display of associated indicators are delayed for respective randomly determined time periods of about 5 seconds to about 35 seconds. Appliance lamps, audio indicators, and other active functional elements that would violate religious custom are disabled in the holiday mode. 
     The holiday mode is entered when at least one input key is depressed in a designated sequence, thereby avoiding inadvertent activation of the holiday mode during, for example, cleaning of the appliance. The holiday mode is exited or terminated when the designated key sequence is again entered by the user. Thus, at any convenient time before the Sabbath or religious holiday begins, the appliance holiday mode may be easily entered by pressing a designated key sequence, and oven features are automatically adjusted to better conform to religious custom. After the Sabbath or holiday is over, holiday mode is easily exited and normal operation returned by again pressing a designated key sequence. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary appliance; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary control interface panel for the appliance shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a holiday mode for execution with the appliance shown in FIG. 1 via the control interface shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4A illustrates a first portion of a secondary exemplary control interface panel for the appliance shown in FIG.  1 . FIG. 4B illustrates a second portion of the secondary exemplary control interface panel for the appliance shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of holiday mode for execution with the appliance shown in FIG. 1 via the control interface shown in FIGS.  4 A and  4 B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a typical electronically controlled appliance  100  in block diagram form. Appliance  100  includes a controller  102  coupled to a control interface  104 , and one or more appliance elements  106  operatively coupled to controller  102  for executing desired functions and features of appliance  100 . Controller  102  includes a known processor  108  and a memory  110  for storing data and operational parameters for operating appliance elements  106 . In response to user manipulation of control interface  104 , controller  102  executes appliance routines and activates appliance features selected by the user. In one type of appliance  100 , feedback control is used via known sensors or transducers (not shown) coupled to appliance elements  106  and controller  102 . In response to feedback signals from the sensors and transducers, controller  102  makes control decisions and adjusts operation of appliance elements  106 . Signals are sent from controller  102  to control interface  104  for displaying selected features and/or feedback to the user. It is believed that those in the field of electronic control systems could construct controller  102  to implement the following control scheme without further explanation of the electronics. 
     While the invention is described in the context of two exemplary appliances, namely, an oven and a refrigerator, each having a specific control interface, the benefits of the invention accrue generally to a wide variety of appliances with various control interfaces. The description set forth below is therefore for illustrative purposes only, and is neither intended to restrict practice of the invention to any particular type of appliance, including but not limited to ovens and refrigerators, nor intended to restrict practice of the invention to any particular control interface. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary control panel  120  for use as control interface  104  of appliance  100  (shown in FIG.  1 ). More specifically, control panel  120  is configured for use with a known oven (not shown) controlled electronically using a known processor. Control panel  120  includes a plurality of touch-sensitive oven function input keys  122 , an oven light on/off key  124 , a display  126  for such information as time of day, oven temperature setting, and oven mode and timer settings. Control panel  120  also includes temperature setting keys  128 , timer setting keys  130 , a start key  132  for starting a particular function, a clear/off key  134  for canceling oven operations, and time control keys  136 . Time control keys  136  include a cooking time key  138 , a delay-start key  140 , a kitchen timer key  142  and a clock key  144 . Processor  108  (shown in FIG. 1) operates the various baking elements, heating elements, surface heating units, warmers, etc of known ovens and ranges, together with auxiliary components such as lights, timers, etc in response to user manipulation of control panel according to methods and techniques known in the art. 
     In one embodiment of an oven control system, a twelve-hour shut-off safety function is implemented so that the oven automatically turns off baking and heating elements after a predetermined period of operation, e.g., twelve hours of operation. Because activation of a oven during Sabbath would change the state of oven in violation of custom, the oven is typically turned on for the duration of the Sabbath so that the oven may be used yet without changing its state in a manner that would violate the Sabbath. If this safety feature is not disabled during the Sabbath or other religious holiday, custom will be violated when this safety shutdown feature executes. 
     The twelve hour shut-off safety function can therefore, in one embodiment, be disabled by user manipulation of control panel  120 , such as, for example, by depressing two keys  122  at the same time, e.g. the baking key and the broiling key simultaneously for a predetermined time period, e.g., three seconds, until display  126  indicates that another user input is expected. The user then presses another key, e.g. delay-start key  140 , to override, i.e., disable the twelve hour shut-off function and prevent its operation in violation of religious custom. By disabling the twelve hour shutoff function only when a plurality of keys  122  are manipulated in a designated sequence, inadvertent disabling of the safety feature, such as when cleaning control panel  120 , is avoided. While the twelve-hour shut-off safety function is easily disabled for Sabbath and Holiday operation, other non-compliant oven features are not as easily changed in most systems. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an algorithm  160  for controlling appliance  100 , such as an oven associated with control panel  120  (shown in FIG. 2) in a holiday mode wherein appliance  100  is generally compliant with religious custom. Specifically, the holiday mode is implemented by adding, for example, a second twelve hour overwrite function. The second overwrite function, i.e. the holiday mode, is also entered by user manipulation of control panel  120 , such as, for example, by depressing the same two keys as for the twelve-hour shut-off safety feature overwrite (e.g., the baking key and the broiling key) for a second predetermined time period, such as four seconds, followed by, in one embodiment, a four- to six-second press of the delay-start key. The holiday mode may also be exited or terminated  163  by depressing the same two keys for a predetermined time period and then depressing an additional key such as delay start key  140 . Thus, by depressing three keys in a pre-designated sequence (two simultaneous depresses followed by a third) a three-state circulating system (normal operation, 12 hour overwrite, holiday mode, back to normal mode) is achieved. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the holiday mode is entered by manipulating a single key in a designated sequence, such as, for example, depressing the key for a predetermined time period or depressing the key more than once for the same or different predetermined time periods. In a further alternative embodiment, the holiday mode is exited by manipulating a single key in a designated sequence, whether the same or different key that is manipulated to enter the holiday mode. In still further alternative embodiments, combinations of the above-described single key and multiple key manipulations are employed to enter and exit the holiday mode. 
     Once the holiday mode is entered  162  with the selected key sequence, operational adjustments of appliance  100  are made to better comply with religious custom. For example, a randomly determined 25 to 35 second delay is entered  164  to act on new oven settings, and a random 25 to 35 second delay occurs  166  before the new setting is temporarily displayed for a brief period, such as five seconds. In one embodiment the random delay before acting on a new setting and the random delay before displaying the new setting are determined separately. In another embodiment, action on a new setting and displaying a new setting are delayed by equal amounts. In a further alternative embodiment, greater or lesser delay values than stated above are used. 
     A power on indicator, such as an “O” is displayed  168  when the oven calls for power, i.e., when the oven is turned on, and is not displayed when the oven does not call for power, i.e., when the oven is turned off. Therefore, the operational state of the oven may be visually determined. In one embodiment, another indicator is displayed  170  to indicate that energy is available to the oven, or, in other words, that the oven has not lost power. 
     In an embodiment in which the oven provides convection heating in normal mode, convection heating is disabled  172  when holiday mode is entered. Also, any beeps, alarms, or audio warnings used in normal operation are not utilized  174  in holiday mode. The twelve hour overwrite setting is stored  176  in non-volatile memory  108  of controller  102 , and the last temperature and mode setting are also stored  178  in non-volatile memory  108  of controller  102 . Thus, neither power outage nor brownout conditions change the mode. Any delay-start, delay-cooking modes, or other timed events available in normal operation that may violate religious custom are disabled  180  when holiday mode is entered  162 . 
     Thus, at any convenient time before the Sabbath or religious holiday begins, the appliance holiday mode may be easily entered  162  by pressing a designated key sequence, and oven features are automatically adjusted to better conform to religious custom. After the Sabbath or holiday is over, holiday mode is easily exited  163  and normal operation returned by again pressing a designated key sequence. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another exemplary control panel  200  for use as control interface  104  of appliance  100  (shown in FIG.  1 ). More specifically, control panel  200  is configured for use with a known refrigerator (not shown) controlled electronically using a known processor. Control interface  200  includes input slew keys  202  for changing temperatures respectively in a refrigerator fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. The interface also includes input keys  204 ,  206  for controlling quick chill and thaw functions, temperature setting displays  208 , a freshness filter key  210  and indicator  212 , and a water filter key  214  an indicator  216 . In accordance with known methods and techniques, processor  108  operates various refrigeration components, including but limited to an evaporator, condenser, and various fans, together with auxiliary features such as lamps, in response to operator manipulation of control interface  200 . 
     Using control interface  200 , holiday a holiday mode is entered by pressing, for example, two designated interface keys for a predetermined time period, such as four seconds. The holiday mode is also exited by pressing the designated keys for a predetermined time. Therefore, a two-state circulating operation (normal, holiday mode, back to normal.) is achieved with relatively simple user input key sequences. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the holiday mode is entered by manipulating a single key in a designated sequence, such as, for example, depressing the key for a predetermined time period or depressing the key more than once for the same or different predetermined time periods. In a further alternative embodiment, the holiday mode is exited by manipulating a single key in a designated sequence, whether the same or different key that is manipulated to enter the holiday mode. In still further alternative embodiments, combinations of the above-described single key and multiple key manipulations are employed to enter and exit the holiday mode. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a holiday mode control algorithm  220  for a refrigerator, such as one including control interface  200  (shown in FIG.  4 ). In holiday mode, operational adjustments are made to better comply with religious custom. For example, a randomly determined 25 to 35 second delay is entered  222  to act on new oven settings, and a random 25 to 35 second delay occurs  224  before the new setting is temporarily displayed for a brief period, such as five seconds. In one embodiment the random delay before acting on a new setting and the random delay before displaying the new setting are determined separately. In another embodiment, action on a new setting and displaying a new setting are delayed by equal amounts. In a further alternative embodiment, greater or lesser delay values than stated above are used. 
     In one embodiment in which the processor initiates an automatic defrost function based an amount of time that refrigerator doors have been opened, as determined by a door open detection element (e.g., a switch or sensor) and a counter, the door-open counter is not utilized  226  as it would violate certain religious customs. Any refrigerator lights that are switched on and off with opening of the refrigerator doors, or activated with other features are disabled  228 . Any door-open indicators or alarms are disabled, and any beeps, alarms, or audio warnings pursuant to normal operation are not utilized  228  in holiday mode. The holiday mode or overwrite setting is stored  230  in a non-volatile memory of controller  102  so that neither power outage nor brownout conditions change the mode. 
     If, for example, a user opens a refrigerator compartment door and thereby causes an increase in the compartment temperature, a randomly determined 25 to 35 second delay is provided  232  before turning such components as a compressor and fans either on or off. In a refrigerator having an ice dispenser, water valves and the ice dispenser are deactivated  234 . Ice generation also is deactivated  234 . 
     Thus, at any convenient time before the Sabbath or religious holiday begins, the appliance holiday mode may be easily entered  221  by pressing a designated key sequence on control interface  200 , and refrigerator operation and features are automatically adjusted to better conform to religious custom. After the Sabbath or holiday is over, holiday mode is easily exited  236  with a designated key sequence and normal operation returned by again pressing a designated key sequence. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.