Graphical Appliance Interface for Flexible Program Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern household appliances with complex program-controlled functions face challenges in user operability, high manufacturing and assembly costs, and increased probability of failure due to electromechanical complexity.
Innovation Solution
An operating device featuring a graphical user interface with programmable graphic symbols allows users to create and customize sequences of work steps, reducing mechanical components and enhancing flexibility, with touch screen and keypad operation for intuitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromechanical operating elements (rotary controls, slide controls, switching elements) are used, then the household appliance can be operated, but the probability of failure increases and manufacturing/assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical operating elements (rotary controls, slide controls, switching elements) with a purely electronic graphical user interface displayed on a screen. Users interact with the interface through touch or optical input devices, eliminating mechanical moving parts and reducing the probability of failure associated with wear and mechanical breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual display elements to create a graphical representation of operating parameters and program steps. Instead of physical controls, the system displays virtual buttons, sliders, and indicators that can be selected and manipulated through touch or optical input, providing a failure-free interface that can be easily updated or reconfigured.
2Ease of manufacture
If electromechanical operating elements are used, then the household appliance can be operated, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces costly electromechanical components with an electronic display and control system. The graphical user interface is implemented through software on a microprocessor, eliminating the need for physical manufacturing and assembly of mechanical parts, thereby significantly reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface serves multiple functions through a single integrated system: display, input, processing, and control. The same screen and microprocessor handle various operating modes, program configurations, and user interactions, replacing multiple specialized electromechanical components with a universal electronic platform.
3Adaptability or versatility
If program-controlled functions with wide range are implemented, then household appliance functionality increases, but operability becomes complicated and overwhelms users
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface dynamically adapts its display based on the current operating state, selected program, and user interactions. The interface can reconfigure itself to show only relevant controls and information for the current task, simplifying the user experience while maintaining access to the full range of complex functions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface divides complex program-controlled functions into discrete, visually distinct program steps represented by graphical symbols. Users can navigate through these segmented steps sequentially, making complex operations manageable and understandable one step at a time rather than presenting all functions simultaneously.
4Adaptability or versatility
If graphical user interface with programmable symbols is implemented, then user flexibility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes automated program generation capabilities that reduce software complexity. When users select graphical symbols representing program steps, the microprocessor automatically generates and compiles the corresponding control program, eliminating the need for manual programming and reducing the complexity of program management while maintaining high user flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides pre-configured graphical symbols that represent common program steps and functions. Users can select from these pre-programmed elements to quickly build complex programs without having to program each function from scratch, thereby increasing flexibility while keeping the interface simple and the software manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
The appliance (10) has an operating device (12), where a program of the appliance is defined as a sequence of individual program steps. The operating device has an operating unit for operating a graphical user interface (18) in which graphical symbols (26) are provided. The graphical symbols represent individual program step, and are connectable and/or adjustable by activation of the operating unit. The program is configurable by arranging the graphical symbols. The program is started and/or ended by the activation of the operating unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a household appliance.