Bus control for a domestic appliance

摘要

A domestic appliance (1) with a bus (2) is disclosed. A plurality of modules (3) are connected to the bus, each controlling an operational component (4). Initial programming of the modules may take place from a single connection point (61). The modules may be configured to control the domestic appliance jointly and non-hierarchically. Suitably, all modules are identical up to content of a data memory provided therein.

主权项

1. A method of non-hierarchically controlling a domestic appliance comprising a plurality of operational components connected via combined control/connectors, which each combined control/connector comprises:
a processing means; a memory for storing instructions executable by the processing means; a connecting means communicatively coupled to the processing means, for connecting an operational component of the domestic appliance; and additional hardware communicatively coupled to the processing means, wherein all combined control/connectors, including at least a first combined control/connector and a second combined control/connector, have identical processing means, memory, connecting means and additional hardware, and are distinguishable only with respect to memory content, which combined control/connectors are in turn communicatively interconnected via a bus, the method including the following steps: at the first combined control/connector: A1) initiating an operational phase by interacting with an operational component connected to the first combined control/connector; A2) terminating the operational phase; and A3) transmitting a communication that the operational phase is terminated to the second combined control/connector such that the first combined control/connector is configured to facilitate non-hierarchical control with the second combined control/connector; at the second combined control/connector: B1) receiving the communication from the first combined control/connector; B2) initiating, responsive to the communication from the first combined control/connector, an operational phase by interacting with an operational component connected to the second combined control/connector; and B3) terminating the operational phase.