System and computer-implemented method for controlling motor operation using programmable multiplexed tap logic

A system for improving controlling operation of an alternating current electric motor using a programmable multiplexed tap input logic, the system comprising:

• an input mechanism configured to allow for generating one or more tap input signals;
• a plurality of input channels configured to receive the one or more tap input signals;
• and
• a motor controller configured to control operation of the electric motor, and including—a non-volatile electronic read-write memory element configured to store a plurality of programmed bit patterns, with each programmed bit pattern corresponding to a particular tap number in a look-up table, wherein one or more of the programmed bit patterns or the corresponding tap numbers are changeable by writing to the non-volatile electronic read-write memory element;
• a processing element configured to—
• form an input bit pattern based on the one or more tap input signals received by the input channels,
• compare the input bit pattern to the plurality of programmed bit patterns stored in the non-volatile electronic read-write memory element, and
• if the input bit pattern matches a particular programmed bit pattern from the plurality of programmed bit patterns, then output a control signal to activate the particular tap number corresponding to the particular programmed bit pattern, thereby controlling operation of the alternating current electric motor,
• wherein the system and the alternating current electric motor are incorporated into a residential or commercial system selected from the group consisting of:
• gas or electric furnaces, air handlers, and outdoor condensers.

A computer-implemented method for improving controlling operation of an electric motor with a motor controller using a programmable multiplexed tap input logic, the computer-implemented method comprising:

• performing by the motor controller the following actions—
• initializing one or more variables,
• monitoring a plurality of input channels for one or more tap input signals,
• forming an input bit pattern based on the one or more tap input signals,
• comparing the input bit pattern to a plurality of programmed bit patterns stored in a non-volatile electronic read-write memory element,
• if the input bit pattern matches a particular programmed bit pattern from the plurality of programmed bit patterns, then outputting a control signal to activate the particular tap number which corresponds to the particular programmed bit pattern, thereby controlling operation of the electric motor, and
• changing one or more of the programmed bit patterns or corresponding tap numbers by writing to the non-volatile electronic read-write memory element.