Abstract: Appliances (102, 102, 106 and 108) are controlled by providing a source (2016, 112) of command fields (CMD, FIG. 2) that include a context subfield (Community, FIG. 4) defining operating modes and a command subfield (Command, FIG. 4) defining operations to be performed within the context subfield. A network (119) transmits the command fields between the source and the appliance. A controller (112, 116) processes the command fields so that an operation defined by one of the command subfields is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system is described. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to an evaporator fan, a condenser fan and a defrost heater, and the method includes operating the sealed system until a selected time till defrost interval expires, initiating a defrost cycle when the time till defrost interval expires, and selectively operating the sealed system to raise a temperature of the evaporator while the defrost heater is inactivated.

Abstract: A multirack speedcook oven includes a cooking cavity, a plurality of racks within the cooking cavity, an RF generation module operationally coupled to the cooking cavity and configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity, at least one heat source positioned within the cavity and configured to supply heat energy to the cooking cavity, and a control configured to accept data regarding said plurality of racks, the control operationally coupled to the RF generation module, and the at least one heat source for selective control thereof based on the accepted data.

Abstract: A shelf for a refrigerator includes a plate, a cross support, a side support, and a frame. The plate includes first and second surfaces. The frame is adhered to a first surface of the plate and forms a sealed spill containment area. The second surface of the plate adhered to a cross support or side support for an easily manufactured and assembled spillproof shelf.

Abstract: A control system for a an oven having at least one cooking element and a surface warmer includes a microprocessor, a memory, and a user input interface for user entry of cooking recipes including a cooking mode, an oven temperature, and a cooking time. Up to five favorite recipes can be stored in system memory for selection by a user, and two recipes can be combined for automatic sequential execution. The surface warmer is operable upon manipulation of two input selectors within a pre-determined time, and a preheat algorithm preheats the surface warmer by applying a 100% duty cycle to the surface warmer until an oven thermal limiter input switch reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration chamber, a second refrigeration chamber in flow communication with said the first refrigeration chamber, a sealed system for producing desired temperature conditions in the first refrigeration chamber and the second refrigeration chamber, and a controller operatively coupled to the sealed system. The controller is configured to accept a plurality of user-selected inputs including at least a first refrigeration chamber temperature and a second refrigeration chamber temperature, and to execute a plurality of algorithms to selectively control the first refrigeration chamber at a temperature above the second refrigeration chamber and at a temperature below the second chamber. Various control algorithms are provided for maintaining desired temperature conditions in the refrigeration chambers.

Abstract: A storage module for a refrigeration appliance includes a base having opposing side supports and a basket hingedly coupled to said side supports and tiltable about a rotational axis therethrough.

Abstract: A control system for an appliance utilizing a plurality of peripheral devices includes a controller and a communications bus coupled to the plurality of peripheral devices and to the controller. The controller is configured to receive data from the peripheral devices over the communications bus and transmit control operations to the peripheral devices based on the data received. The communications bus reduces overall wiring requirements due to elimination or reduction of power wiring of the peripheral devices, facilitates distributed displays and human machine interfaces, and allows model differentiation with late point identification by a population of bus connections with a sensor, display, interface, or a blank. A data collision detection scheme is also provided to ensure proper communication along the bus.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food section and a freezer section, wherein at least one of the fresh food section and freezer section includes a door. The door includes an external surface and an internal surface, and a light mounted to the external surface, wherein the light is electrically coupled to a processor-free light fade-out circuit.

Abstract: A self-cleaning oven includes an oven cavity, a gas sensor in flow communication with the oven cavity, and a controller configured to select one of a plurality of self-clean cycle times based upon a peak value of sampled signals of the gas sensor.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a sealed system including a variable speed compressor coupled to a controller is described. The method includes establishing a control grid having at least one axis corresponding to a temperature at a specified location, and the axis is divided into a plurality of operating states of the sealed system. Each of the states correspond to a sensed temperature condition at the specified location, and each of the states includes a designated compressor speed parameter. The compressor speed parameter in some of the states is different from the compressor speed parameter in other of the states.

Abstract: An adaptive defrost control includes a microcomputer for controlling the initiation and termination of a defrost operation based, at least in part, on opening of the fresh food door and the freezer door. The control monitors the compressor run time and the fresh food and freezer door open times and adjusts the time until defrost accordingly. A pre-chill operation cools the freezer prior to defrosting the evaporator coils so that the defrost heat will have less of an affect on the maximum temperature after defrost, and enables the freezer compartment to be maintained at a temperature a few degrees higher than with known refrigerators, providing energy savings.

Abstract: A method for controlling speed in a pulse-width-modulation-controlled motor powered by a load voltage source is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the motor load voltage, and setting a pulse-width-modulation duty cycle based on the measured voltage.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer including a temperature sensor and a thermostat for regulating at least one dryer heating element is provided. The control system includes a microcomputer programmed to compensate for a conflict between the thermostat temperature regulation and the temperature sensor temperature regulation during dryer operation at a selected operating temperature.

Abstract: A user interface for an oven including at least one heating element is described. The interface includes a reconfigurable display for indicating a plurality of oven control options and a plurality of selectors adjacent said display for user selection of said options. Each of said selectors correspond to one of said options indicated in said display, and a processor is configured to operate said display in response to manipulation of said plurality of selectors with selection specific menus and to control the heating element according to inputs obtained through said selection specific menus.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic control using a circuit that includes a damper capacitor. The method includes substantially discharging the damper capacitor and enabling operation of the electronic control when the damper capacitor is substantially discharged.

Abstract: A freezer tip out bin includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion pivotally coupled to the stationary portion, and a biased actuator coupled to the rotating portion.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for detecting the presence of a conductor near an inductive coupling loop are disclosed. The method includes supplying an excitation to the coupling loop, measuring the signal distortion induced by the excitation signal, and monitoring the distortion in the signal for a change in harmonic content.