Means and method for controlling the operation of an appliance and the like

摘要

A control system for controlling the operation of an appliance and the like, wherein the appliance includes at least one machine function having a cycle of operation associated therewith, includes a central control element having stored therein an instruction repertoire for operation of the appliance and a plurality of selectable indices of fixed periods for the cycle of operation of the machine function. Further included in the control system are a plurality of patch cords each corresponding to various time periods which may be added to a selected index of fixed periods to provide a plurality of variable time periods for the cycle of operation and a plurality of momentarily operable devices some of which correspond to the fixed periods of a selected index of fixed periods and some of which correspond to variably programmed periods for selecting either a fixed period or a variably programmed period for the cycle of operation. Also provided is circuitry for removing power from the appliance if a momentarily operable device is not actuated within a predetermined period of time after initial application of power to the appliance and circuitry for distinguishably indicating when two momentarily operable devices have been coincidently actuated and when the cycle of operation is completed. Furthermore, associated with the instruction repertoire is a method of controlling the appliance operation.