Abstract: A sensor head has: a sensor head main body which has disposed therein the stepping motor; a holder which has disposed on an upper surface thereof a plurality of crystal oscillators and which is driven for rotation by the stepping motor; and a mask body which is mounted on the sensor head main body so as to cover an upper surface of the holder and which has opened therein a film-forming window faced by one of the crystal oscillators. The sensor head also has: a first electrode fixed to that portion of the sensor head main body which is located right under the film-forming window; and second electrodes which are in electrical conduction with each of the crystal oscillators and which are disposed to protrude under a lower surface of the holder.

Abstract: An appliance timer operable in a selection mode and an operation mode includes a shaft assembly, a switch assembly, a cam device, a bi-directional motor, and a display device. The shaft assembly is operable to select an operation cycle and to drive the display device in the selection mode. The motor rotates in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the operation mode. When the motor rotates in the first rotational direction, the motor drives the cam device to operate the switch assembly to actuate or deactivate a plurality of electrical circuits associated with a plurality of appliance functions. When the motor rotates in the second rotational direction, the motor drives the display device to indicate an operational status of the appliance. The rotation of the motor is controlled by a microprocessor.

Abstract: An appliance controller includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured annularly about a control knob of the appliance controller. The LEDs are operated so as to indicate status of the operation of the appliance when the appliance is in a run mode. In one form, the appliance controller illuminates one of the LEDs to indicate at what point the appliance is in its cycle of operation. When the appliance is in a stop mode, the LEDs are operated to indicate where the control knob is positioned when a user is selecting a particular operation with the appliance controller. In one form, as a user rotates the control knob, the appliance controller determines the rotational or angular location of the knob, particularly via a selection indicator of the knob, and illuminates a corresponding LED.

Abstract: A solid state appliance controller includes circuitry formed on a circuit board, the circuitry defining a voltage trace in communication with a voltage source, a first state trace, and a second state trace. The first and second state traces are in communication with a processor. A user selection knob is operative to allow a user to select an operating mode of the appliance by rotating the user selection knob. A wiper assembly is coupled to the user selection knob for rotation therewith. The wiper assembly has a voltage finger operative to be in contact with the voltage trace so as to continuously receive a voltage therefrom during rotation of the selection knob. A first finger is operative to intermittently contact the first trace in accordance with a first pattern thereof wherein contact provides the voltage to the first trace during rotation of the selection knob.