US4454501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prompting control
Assignee: RGE Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1982-05-10
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A control arrangement for a multi-function cooking appliance which has a plurality of cooking stations. The control arrangement includes a control panel having a group of keys for entering control information for the stations and functions of the cooking appliance and a prompting display for messages which assist in entering the control information through the keys. At least some of the keys are of a two-mode variety wherein, in one mode, the depression of a typical key enters a number, which appears on a digital display, such as in the selection of a cooking time or temperature. In its other mode the typical two-mode key enters other control information such as a particular function of the cooking appliance to be activated.
Inventors
- 👤 Orville R. Butts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:33
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B1/00; H05B1/02; H05B1/0227; H05B1/0252; H05B1/0258; H05B1/0261; H05B1/0266; F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00; F24C7/08; F24C7/087; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/10; H05B3/00; H05B3/68; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6435; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23192; H01; H01H; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based means for defining a plurality of modes, means for defining a subset of the keys that are permissible operator key selections for each mode, and means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and (c) means for directing the operator's attention to the actual physical location of the subset of keys that are permissible operator key selections for the selected mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based means for defining a plurality of modes, means for defining a subset of the keys that are permissible operator key selections for each mode, and means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and (c) means for directing the operator's attention to the actual physical location of the subset of keys that are permissible operator key selections for the selected mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for directing the operator's attention to the actual physical location of said subset of keys comprises means for selectively illuminating said subset of keys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as either a predefined function command or as a predefined alphanumeric symbol in response to the current mode, and indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator whether the particular one of said keys is being recognized as a predefined alphanumeric symbol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the indicator means comprises means for selectively displaying a label of the predefined alphanumeric symbol on the particular one of said keys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as a particular one of a plurality of function commands in response to the current mode, and indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator the particular one of the function commands being recognized for the particular one of said keys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indicator means comprises means for selectively displaying a label of the recognized function command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based control system which includes means for defining a plurality of modes, means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as either a predefined function or as data in response to the current mode, and (c) indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator whether the particular one of said keys is being recognized as a function command or as data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based control system which includes means for defining a plurality of modes, means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as either a predefined function or as data in response to the current mode, and (c) indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator whether the particular one of said keys is being recognized as a function command or as data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the indicator means comprises for selectively displaying a label of an alphanumeric symbol on the particular one of said keys.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based control system which includes means for defining a plurality of modes, means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as a particular one of a plurality of predefined function commands in response to the current mode, and (c) indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator the particular one of the predefined function commands being recognized in response to an operator selection of the particular key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a processor-based control system having a multifunction entry keyboard for an operator to enter function commands and data, the control arrangement comprising: (a) keys for entering a plurality of function commands and data, and (b) processor-based control system which includes means for defining a plurality of modes, means for selecting a current mode in response to entry of a function command, and means for selectively recognizing an operator selection of a particular one of said keys as a particular one of a plurality of predefined function commands in response to the current mode, and (c) indicator means responsive to the current mode for visually indicating to the operator the particular one of the predefined function commands being recognized in response to an operator selection of the particular key.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the indicator means comprises means for selectively displaying a label of the particular function command on the particular one of said keys.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |