Patent Application
20180224322
This invention relates to the field of appliances and systems. More specifically, the invention comprises improved home appliances and systems which may traditionally upgrade the conventional appliance and system comprising weight sensing technology.
There are many different appliances used for different purposes to preform different operations. Appliances are electrical/mechanical machines which accomplish some household functions, such as cooling/heating, cooking or cleaning. They may be broken into two classification major and small appliances, major appliances, comprise major household appliances and may include air conditioners, dishwashers, deep freezers, refrigerators, kitchen stoves, water heaters, washer/dryer machines, and microwave ovens.
The scope of the present invention relates to appliances. A cooking type of appliance may include a main body/case portion a door attached to the main body/case portion to open/close the appliance, the appliance may also include a food heating unit which may be used to heat or warm foods to a certain temperature. And a display for viewing output information etc. Further, another type of appliance may be a washer/dryer unit and may consist of a main body/case portion a cabinet portion where laundry may be inserted into, a door to open/close the laundry entrance, a tub portion within the cabinet, a drum within the tub portion, a motor device provided which may transfer a drive force to the drum to spin, and a display screen for viewing and choosing different tasks and operations, and may include a ventless and or heated pump drying system. Lastly, the above mentioned appliances may include a weighting system for sensing weight of an object and/or item in order to preform weight sensing tasks and operations. The mentioned appliances may further comprise a printed circuit board that includes various electronic components mounted thereon.
The appliance 1 may include a cellular module 9, for example, may allow a user to place voice and video calls, text service, or internet service through a cellular communication network. The cellular module 9 may perform a distinction and authentication operation on the appliance 1 in a cellular communication network by using the SIM card (smart card). The cellular module 9 may also perform a part of a function provided by the processor 6, the cellular module 9 may also include a communication processor (CP).
The appliance 1 may include memory 5, that may comprise a SSD (Solid State Drive), NAS (Network Attached Storage), Dual-Channel RAM (Random Access Memory), Multi-ROM (Read-Only Memory), Flash Memory (Flash Memory Type), Hard Disk (Hard Disk Type), Multimedia Card Micro (Multimedia Card Micro Type), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), may further include a card type memory Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), Micro Micro-SD, Mini-SD, Extreme Digital (xD), Multimedia Card (MMC) or a memory stick. The external memory may be functionally and/or physically connected to the appliance 1, these above mentioned components may serve tasks as processing cores and dedicated graphics, and may store the appliance 1 operating system components, application data, display graphics and critical system files, many of the previously mentioned files and systems may be portioned to different storage chips throughout the appliance 1 main board or printed circuit board.
Additionally, the appliance 1 may include a wireless communication module 8, wireless communication module 8 allows wireless communication which may enable the remote interaction between the appliance 1 and a external device and or via internet, which may include communication systems as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) TDMA, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), PAN (Personal Area Network) NFC (Near Field Communication), Zigbee, Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), IrDA, (Infrared Data Association), LAN (Local Area Network), WiFi, MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) WiMax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), WAN (Wide Area Network), Wibro (Wireless Broadband), UMTS, LTE, 5 g and 6 g (5th and 6 Generation Wireless System), OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access), MC-CDMA (Multi-Carrier Code-Division Multiple-Access), LAS-CDMA (Large Area Synchronized Code Division Multiple Access), UWB (Ultra-Wideband), LMDS (Local Multiple Distribution Service), IPV6 (Internet Protcol Version 6), DMB-T (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial), DMB-S (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite), MediaFLO (Media Forward Link Only), DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld), ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)/GPS (Global Positioning System), RF (Radio Frequency), Infrared, Broadcast Radio, and Microwave Communication Systems. Further, these variety's of wireless communication systems may be intergraded into the appliance 1 wireless communication module 8 intended to serve many different tasks which may be to transmit voice, video, and data information in local and wide range areas, by sending magnetism signals through the air, transmitters and receivers may be positioned at a certain position, using a aerial or antenna, at the transmitter the electrical signal leave the antenna to create electromagnetic waves that radiate outwards to wirelessly communicate. For example in FDMA, the transmitting and receiving frequencies used in each cell are different from the frequencies used in the neighboring cells. The principle of CDMA is more complex and the distributed transceivers can select one cell and listen to it. Other methods include Polarization Division Multiple Access (PDMA) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). Time division multiple access is used in combination with either FDMA or CDMA to give multiple channels within the coverage area of a single cell. The wireless communication module 13 may include a processor for processing data transmitted/received through a corresponding module and or may be included in one integrated chip (IC) or IC package. The RF module 13, for example, may be used to transmit/receive communication signals. The RF module 13 may include a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna. A cellular module 9, WiFi module 3, BT module 14, GNSS module 7, and NFC module 10 may transmit/receive RF signals through a separate RF module. The appliance 1 may include a SIM 16 or a embedded SIM (Subscriber Identification Module (SIM)) a type of smart card used in mobile phones. The SIM is a detachable smart card containing the user's subscription information and phone book. This allows the user to retain his or her information even after switching off the handset. Alternatively, the SIM card may securely store the service subscriber key.
The appliance 1 may include a input module 2 which may be a key 18, touch panel (static pressure/electrostatic) 4, a ultrasonic input device 11, the touch panel 4 may use at least one of the capacitive, resistive, infrared, or ultrasonic method, for example. Additionally, the touch panel 4 may further include a control circuit, alternatively the touch panel 4 may further include a tactile layer to provide tactile response to a user. The key 14 may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad, the ultrasonic input module 11 may detect ultrasonic waves generated from an input tool through the audio module 12 in order to verify data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic waves.
Furthermore, the appliance 1 may include a camera module 17, and may substantially process a image frame, a still, moving, or both still and moving image and/or video obtain images, and may include image sensors (at various portion of the terminal 1) a lens, image signal processors (ISP), or a flash. Once a image and/or video is captured or stored these images may be transferred to the appliance 1 memory 5 or to a external device through the wireless communication module 8. The audio module 12 may include a microphone, speaker, and receiver these audio module 12 components may preform task as to receive an external sound from voice call mode, voice recognition and/or command mode, or voice assistance mode these sounds may be processed to the electrical voice data. Additionally, the appliance 1 audio module 12 may receive call mode, voice recognition, voice recording, and broadcast reception mode from the wireless communication module 8 and or output audio sound or sound data that may be stored inside of the appliance 1 memory 5, external storage, or transmitted from an external device.
The appliance 1 display 15 may be a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a thin film TLCD (Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), 3-D Display (may include at least one of 3D displays) and may incorporate a touch sensor. Some of these displays may be configured to be transparent to view the outside through them. This may be called a transparent display, for example a transparent display and the like (Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode) TOLED. The display 15 according to the implementation of the appliance 1 present may also be two or more. For example, it may be provided in the appliance 1 at the same time the external display module (not illustrated) and an internal display module (not illustrated). The touch screen may be configured to detect even a touch input as well as the position and area of the touch input pressure. The interface 20 may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB), an optical interface, or a D-subminiature (sub). Alternatively, the interface 20 may include a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, secure digital (SD) card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.
The appliance 1 sensing module 19 may measure physical quantities or detect an operating state of the appliance 1, thereby converting the measured or detected information into electrical signals, and may accommodate many different sensors (ex. gesture sensor, gyro sensor, barometric sensor, magnetic sensor, acceleration sensor, grip sensor, proximity sensor, color sensor, biometric sensor, temperature/humidity sensor, illumination sensor, UV sensor, E-nose sensor, electromyography (EMG) sensor, electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor). The sensing module 19 may further include a control circuit which may control at least one sensor therein and a additional processor to control the sensing module 19 while the main processor 6 may be in a sleep or consumption state. For example sensing the current state of a appliance 1, such as opening or closing the appliance 1, the position of the appliance 1, a user contact presence, orientation of the appliance 1, acceleration/deceleration of the appliance 1 to generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the appliance 1. Additionally, the appliance 1 can sense the opening or closing of the door. Meanwhile, the sensing module 19 may include a proximity sensor.
Referring to the washer/dryer, microwave, and cooking stove appliance 1, each appliance 1 weighting system may differ in components and locations or may be similar.
For example, the front loading washer/dyer appliance 1 may perform weight sensing due to the washer/dryer appliance 1 including a weighting system
The weight sensing component 28 may be coupled to the weight system sensor 24 via a wire connection. Further, the weight system sensor 24 may be located inside of the body portion of the appliance 1 coupled to a first inner side wall 23, intended to return load capacity data information to the controller 21, whereas the weight system sensor 24 may be directly coupled to the mainboard/printed circuit-board 25 by a harness connection.
Hence, upon the load capacity data information transmitted from the weight system sensor 24 to the controller 21, in respect of the controller 21 the processor 6 may preform processing tasks as to converting the load capacity data information into a actual number. In response of the processor 6 preforming the processing task the controller 21 may output the load capacity data information on the washer/dryer appliance 1 display 15. According to a top loading washer/dryer appliance 1 the same weight sensing system and components may apply, differently the bracket assembly 27 may be positioned at the inner bottom portion due to the drum positioned vertically.
Furthermore, referring to the cooking stove appliance 1
Further, the oven portion
Further, referring to the microwave oven appliance 1
The weight sensing component 28 may be wired to a weight system sensor 24, the weight system sensor 24 may be located inside of the body/cavity wall(s).
The weight system sensor 24 may be coupled to the mainboard/printed circuit-board 25 via a harness connection. The microwave oven appliance 1 cooking plate 34 may rest on top of the weight sensing component 28 once a item or object load capacity is sensed the weight sensing component 28 may output load capacity data information signal(s) to the weight system sensor 24. Whereas, in response to the output signal(s), the weight system sensor 24 may output the load capacity data information signal(s) to the controller 21 via harness connection to the mainboard/printed circuit-board 25.
When in weight sensing mode, a user may choose washing and/or drying cycle type(s), upon a user input to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this signal as a command for choosing a washing and/or drying cycle type this information may be output on the appliance 1 display 15. During weight sensing mode a user enters an item(s) into the washer/dryer appliance 1 drum 30 as the items are loaded into the drum 30 the weight sensing component 28 calculate each article of item(s), the load capacity may rise or decline due to a user adding or removing items.
Once a user is done adding or removing item(s) from the drum 30 the load capacity is calculated, this is possible as mentioned above whereas the weight sensing component 28 output the load capacity data information signal(s) to the weight system sensor 24 in response to the load capacity data information signal(s) output to the weight system sensor 24, the weight system sensor 24 may output the load capacity data information signal(s) to the controller 21. In respect of the controller 21 receiving the load capacity data information signal(s), the controller 21 may recognize this signal(s) as to transmitting the load capacity data information signa(s) to the processor 6, whereas the processor 6 may preform process task(s) as to returning the load capacity data information signal(s) to the controller 21 as a actual number. In response to the processor 6 returning a load capacity number value to the controller 21, further the controller 21 may output the load capacity number value on the display 15.
Furthermore, for example if a user decides to wash and dry item(s), the user may determine weather to stop the drying process at the original load capacity that was calculated when the item(s) where originally loaded or may choose a lighter load capacity meaning a dryer load. By a user input signal to the input module 2 whereas the controller 21 may recognize this command as a load capacity adjustment command this information may be output on the display 15. Hence, the washer/dryer appliance 1 may start performing the washing and/or drying task operation by a user input signal to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this command as starting the selected washing and/or drying cycles. All the above mentioned information may be available on the weight sensing mode first screen whereas the weight sensing mode first screen may be output on the appliance 1 display 15.
Referring to
Further, when a user cooks a this type of item(s) a user may have to store the desired cook weight into the microwave oven appliance 1 memory 5, when a user has achieved its desired cook weight a user may store the desired cook weight into the microwave appliance 1 memory 5 while in weight sensing mode by a user input signal to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this signal command as a storing item(s) weight command. The controller 21 may also activate the camera module 9 during the storing item(s) weight command, whereas a user may capture a image of the item(s) to stored by a user input signal to the input device 2 the controller 21 may recognize this command as a image capture command.
Once the controller 21 capture the image through the camera module 9 the actual desired weight of the item(s) may be input into the microwave appliance 1 memory 5, by a user input signal to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this command a item(s) weight storing input command. Further, the controller 21 may group the item(s) image and weight information and transmit the information to the processor 6 for processing task operation once the processor 6 process this information the controller 21 may transmit the item(s) information to the memory 5. By a user input signal to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this command as to saving a item(s) to the microwave appliance 1 memory 5. In the event of cook this same item(s), this specific item(s) information will be stored into the microwave appliance 1 memory 5. All the above mentioned information may be available on the weight sensing mode first screen whereas the weight sensing mode first screen may be output on the microwave appliance 1 display 15.
On to
For example, if a user choose to bake a turkey or roast in the oven portion and preset the oven, this is possible by a user input signal to the input module 2 whereas the controller 21 may recognize this input signal as an command for presetting the oven to a specific temperature.
While in weight sensing mode a user may place a cookware item (ex. pot, pan, skillet etc.) which the item(s) is to be stored and cooked in on one of the cooking stove appliance 1 burner 35 crate's due to the burner 35 portion including a weight sensing component 28.
During this stage the weight sensing component 28 may calculate the cookware item empty load capacity. Further, the weight sensing component 28 may transmit the cookware item empty load capacity data information signal(s) to the weight system sensor 24, whereas the weight system sensor 24 may transmit the empty cookware item load capacity data information signal(s) to the controller 21. Hence, in response of the controller 21 receiving the cookware item empty load capacity data information signal(s), the controller 21 may store the cookware item empty load capacity by a user input signal to the input module 2 the whereas controller 21 may recognize this signal command as a cookware item empty load capacity storing command.
In addition, the user may add food(s) (ex. turkey or roast) into the cookware item while the cookware item is still placed on the burner's 35 crate. At this point the weight component 28 may then calculate the total load capacity of the food(s) (ex. turkey or roast). Upon a user input signal to the input module 2 whereas the controller 21 may then recognize this as an command to storing a food(s) command.
Lastly, while the cookware item is still placed on the burner's 35 crate a user may add accessories to the cookware item (ex. water, oil, broth, vegetables, and/or fruits) the weight sensing component 28 may calculate the accessories load capacity. Further, the accessories load capacity may be stored by a user input signal to the input module 2, whereas the controller 21 may recognize this input signal command as to storing accessories load capacity. At this point user may select a desired cook weight by a user input signal to the input module 2 the controller 21 may recognize this command as a desired food weight command. Furthermore, the user may determine a set cooking temperature to begin the cooking task.
All the above mentioned information may be available on the weight sensing first screen the weight sensing first screen may be output on the microwave appliance 1 display 15. Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be constructed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustration of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, the control features could take many different forms within the digital control panel menu structure. Such a variation would not materially alter the nature of the said invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims rather than any specific examples provided. The load capacity data information processing method in an appliance 1 with the weight sensing component 28, weight system sensor 24, controller 21, and processor 6 according to the present invention may be executed through software. In this case, constituent means of the present invention are code segments carrying out required works. Programs or code segments may be stored in a processor 6 readable medium and transmitted according to computer data signals combined with carriers in a transmission medium or a communication network.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62470233 | Mar 2017 | US |
