Appliance comprising a digital programming device which is protected against malfunctioning due to uncontrolled switch-on phenomena

Claim 1

A stand-alone appliance for general consumer use, comprising: (a) a connection (402) which comprises a detachable contact member (404) for connecting an electrical power supply source to a distribution member (408) for deriving a first and a second supply current from said power supply source; (b) a control circuit (422) which comprises a first input (420) for receiving the first supply current, a second input (424) for receiving a specific control signal, and a first output (425) for a controlled activation signal; (c) a functional member (426) which comprises a second input for receiving said activation signal; (d) a digital programming device (412) which comprises a non-volatile memory section which contains a control program for said functional member in first memory locations, and which also comprises a volatile (X0-X3) memory section for variable data, a third input (410) for receiving the second supply current, directly from said distribution member, a fourth input for a specification signal to said functional member, and a second output for said specific control signal; (e) externally activatable means for forming said specification signal (414,416,418); characterized in that said digital programming device comprises: (f) first means for implementing an operative routine (434) for generating said specific control signal, each persistent loop thereof comprising a subroutine (436) which tests a dummy multibit code which is stored in a predetermined location of said volatile memory section; (g) second means for implementing a preparation routine prior to beginning the operative routine, and which first unconditionally generates said multibit code (430) and subsequently a starting condition (432) for the operative routine, the beginning of the preparation routine being indicated by the programming device under the control of a negative result of said test.