Method and apparatus for power loss detection and saving of operation settings in an appliance

A method for monitoring power input to an appliance and storing current operation settings of the appliance when the power input is lost, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring at least a voltage signal on an incoming line to the device;
• sensing variations of a frequency of at least the monitored voltage signal from a prescribed frequency;
• issuing a power loss signal when a variation of the frequency from the prescribed frequency exceeds a first predetermined amount;
• and
• pulsing relay coils controlling power input to at least one of an electro-mechanical device and a heating device within the appliance at a predetermined duty cycle in response to the power loss signal in order to increase a discharge time of an electric charge on a capacitor connected to the input line and also connected to the relay coil;
• and
• storing current operation settings of the appliance in a memory using the charge of the capacitor after a predetermined number of cycles of the monitored voltage signal.

An apparatus for monitoring power input to an appliance and saving current operation settings of the appliance in the event of a power input loss, comprising:

• a power input line that supplies a power input to the appliance;
• a power supply circuit that converts a voltage of the power input into at least first and second supply voltages;
• a capacitor within the power supply circuit connected between the first supply voltage and a ground;
• a voltage sensing circuit connected to the second supply voltage and outputting a sensing signal having a frequency that corresponds to a power input frequency of the power input line;
• one or more relay coils that control power input from the power input line to at least one of an electro-mechanical device and heating device within the appliance;
• a memory device configured to store current operation settings of the appliance;
• and
• a controller that detects the frequency of the sensing signal, controls the relay coils and stores current operation settings of the appliance in the memory device, the controller pulsing the relay coils using an electric charge from the capacitor at a prescribed duty cycle and stores current operation settings of the appliance in the memory device after a predetermined number of cycles of the sensing signal by using the electric charge from the capacitor when the controller detects a change in the frequency of the sensing signal.