The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 21, 2003
Gregory A. Peterson, South Barrington, IL (US);
Jurgis Astrauskas, St. Charles, IL (US);
Gregory A. Peterson, South Barrington, IL (US);
Jurgis Astrauskas, St. Charles, IL (US);
Emerson Electric Company, St. Louis, MO (US);
Abstract
An apparatus includes a controller for controlling operation of an appliance, an indicator light coupled to the controller to provide a visible indication of an operator selection in response to the controller energizing the indicator light, and a driver coupled to the controller and the indicator light so that the controller may communicate data through the indicator light by controlling the driver. The indicator light may be a light emitting diode or a segment of an alphanumeric display of an appliance control panel. A detector LED may also be coupled to the controller so the controller may receive data from an external device that communicates by flashing light on the detector LED. A terminal for communicating with the appliance may include a detector LED and a conductor that couples the detector LED to a diagnostic tool. The detector LED may receive data from an optical transmitter of the appliance control panel. The terminal may also include a LED that is coupled to the diagnostic tool by a conductor so the LED may be selectively energized by the diagnostic tool to communicate with an optical receiver of the appliance control panel. The detector LED and LED coupled to the diagnostic tool may be located within a housing having apertures for the transmission of visible light to and from the detector LED and LED. The housing may be mounted to the appliance control panel and aligned for communication by means of a magnet or engagement with supports on the appliance control panel.