Abstract: A pressure sensitive touch pad system, for example employing variable capacitance touch pads, employs low cost transducers subject to parameter drift and periodically (e.g. once each second) re-calibrates each touch pad. The periodic re-calibration allows a low cost transducer to be used for multi-point operation, as well as for simple on/off operation, such as for function selection. One application is to provide different slew rates for setting a data entry indicator, for example indicating the value of an appliance function.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a multi-function cooking appliance which has a plurality of cooking stations. The control arrangement includes a control panel having a group of keys for entering control information for the stations and functions of the cooking appliance and a prompting display for messages which assist in entering the control information through the keys. At least some of the keys are of a two-mode variety wherein, in one mode, the depression of a typical key enters a number, which appears on a digital display, such as in the selection of a cooking time or temperature. In its other mode the typical two-mode key enters other control information such as a particular function of the cooking appliance to be activated.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a multifunction appliance such as a cooking appliance wherein the control activity is distributed among a plurality of microprocessor based control circuits. In the exemplary embodiment each control circuit is associated with a different function of the appliance. The circuits are physically separated from one another and communicate on data bus lines. Due to the high transient conditions in such an appliance, the communications are in accordance with a redundant protocol to substantially eliminate erroneous data communication. The data bus protocol is devised such that deletion, addition and replacement of control circuits in a system, even to the point of substituting a circuit containing a different type of processor, is possible.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a multi-function cooking appliance which has a plurality of cooking stations. The control arrangement includes a control panel having a group of keys for entering control information for the stations and functions of the cooking appliance and a prompting display for messages which assist in entering the control information through the keys. At least some of the keys are of a two-mode variety wherein, in one mode, the depression of a typical key enters a number, which appears on a digital display, such as in the selection of a cooking time or temperature. In its other mode the typical two-mode key enters other control information such as a particular function of the cooking appliance to be activated.