Conventional user interfaces for appliances include mechanical switches, pushbuttons, indicator lights, clock display modules, potentiometers and/or electronic controls. Generally, numerous device elements can be used to communicate numerical and non-numerical information.
One conventional user interface includes a seven segment display module for communicating any numerical value. For example in a range cooktop, the seven-segment display may display the clock value, a timer value and/or a temperature value. In a washing machine, dryer or dishwasher, the seven segment display may indicate the amount of time remaining in a cycle. In addition to a seven segment display, conventional user interface further include thru-hole light emitting diodes (LEDs) to communicate any other information that is not number dependent. For example, in a cooktop which burner is activated, still hot, or an indication of oven activation. In a washing machine, dryer or dishwasher, the selected cycle or temperature may be communicated by a thru-hole LED. This configuration of a user interface is undesirable because the seven segment display module has a large footprint that increases the size of the overall user interface and two the different elements increase the manufacturing time and costs.
Another conventional user interface replaces the seven segment display and through-hole LEDs with a liquid crystal display (LCD). All user information is communicated by the LCD. This configuration of a user interface is undesirable because it increases the programming requirements and draws more power. In addition, when this type of display becomes inoperable, the entire appliance may be inoperable.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method of displaying information to a user that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. A user interface that could be manufactured using the same elements for the number information as well as any other information communicated to the user would be useful. In addition, it would be advantageous to use reverse mount LEDs to improve design flexibility, reliability and reduce the size and cost of the user display.