18089638. HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A USER INTERFACE simplified abstract (WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION)

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A USER INTERFACE

Organization Name

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Arkadiusz Michal Teclaw of Wroclaw (PL)

AJAY RAM Narayana Pillai of Saint Joseph MI (US)

Priyanka Popat Mali of Maharashtra (IN)

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A USER INTERFACE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18089638 titled 'HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A USER INTERFACE

The user interface for a home appliance includes a circuit board with manually-actuated switches and light sources, along with an input interface with optical transmission elements and light guides.

• The user interface features an array of manually-actuated switches on a circuit board.
• It also includes an array of light sources for visual feedback.
• An input interface is spaced from the circuit board and contains optical transmission elements corresponding to the light sources.
• Light guides extend between the light sources and optical transmission elements for efficient light transmission.
• Actuators corresponding to the switches provide tactile feedback to the user.

Potential Applications: - Home appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, or washing machines - Industrial equipment with complex control systems - Automotive dashboard controls

Problems Solved: - Enhances user experience by providing visual and tactile feedback - Streamlines control of appliances with multiple functions - Improves accessibility for users with visual impairments

Benefits: - Intuitive user interface design - Enhanced user interaction with appliances - Improved efficiency and ease of use

Commercial Applications: Title: Innovative User Interface Design for Home Appliances This technology can be applied to various home appliances, industrial equipment, and automotive controls, enhancing user experience and efficiency in operation. The market implications include increased demand for smart appliances and improved user interfaces in various industries.

Questions about User Interface Design for Home Appliances: 1. How does the user interface design improve the overall user experience? - The user interface design enhances user interaction by providing visual and tactile feedback, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. 2. What are the potential applications of this technology beyond home appliances? - This technology can be applied to industrial equipment and automotive controls, improving efficiency and user experience in various settings.

Original Abstract Submitted

A user interface for a home appliance comprises a circuit board having an array of manually-actuated switches and an array of light sources. The user interface further comprises an input interface spaced from the circuit board and having an array of optical transmission elements corresponding to the array of light sources, an array of light guides extending between the corresponding light sources and optical transmission elements, and an array of actuators corresponding to the manually-actuated switches.