Toggling Method and Apparatus in Controllers for Home Appliances
OwnerRadu Pitigoi-Aroninventor
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Abstract
Disclosed is a toggle detection circuit for detecting occurrences of a single toggle event or a double toggle event. In embodiments, a double toggle event comprises at least two occurrences of a single toggle event within a given period of time. Suitable signaling can be asserted to indicate a single toggle event and a double toggle event. In embodiments, a power controller can provide different functions depending on whether a single toggle event has occurred or a double toggle event has occurred.
Claims18
A method for controlling a device connected to a power switch, the power switch having an ON position and an OFF position to respectively provide power to the device and to interrupt power to the device, the method comprising:
- detecting a SINGLE TOGGLE event comprising two toggle actions performed on the power switch within a first period of time;
- performing a first action in response to detecting the SINGLE TOGGLE event;
- detecting a DOUBLE TOGGLE event comprising a sequence of two or more SINGLE TOGGLE events;
- and
- performing a second action different from the first action in response to detecting the DOUBLE TOGGLE event.
An apparatus for sensing toggling in a power switch of an electric device to control the electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting a toggle event of the power switch comprising a first toggle action followed by a second toggle action;
- timing means for indicating whether a first toggle event of the power switch and a second event of the power switch occur within a given amount of time;
- first asserting means for indicating that a SINGLE TOGGLE event has occurred;
- and
- second asserting means for indicating that DOUBLE TOGGLE event has occurred.
An electric device comprising:
- a power switch;
- a power controller to provide power to the electric device;
- and
- a toggle detection circuit connected to the power switch, the toggle detection circuit outputting a first signal and a second signal,
- the toggle detection circuit configured to detect an occurrence of a SINGLE TOGGLE event in the power switch and to output the first signal when the SINGLE TOGGLE event is detected,
- the toggle detection circuit configured to detect an occurrence of a DOUBLE TOGGLE event in the power switch and to output the second signal when the DOUBLE TOGGLE event is detected,
- the power controller performing a first power control function when the first signal is outputted,
- the power controller performing a second power control function when the second signal is outputted,
- wherein a DOUBLE TOGGLE event is a sequence of a first SINGLE TOGGLE event followed by a second SINGLE TOGGLE event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.