Michael J Alexander

US Patent:

20170290463, Oct 12, 2017

Filed:

Apr 7, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/093674

Inventors:

- Charlotte NC, US
Michael Alexander - Hermitage TN, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/06
F24C 15/04
F24C 3/12

Abstract:

Provided is a cooking appliance that includes an oven cavity and an oven door is pivotally coupled adjacent to an entrance leading into the oven cavity, and a method of controlling such a cooking appliance. The oven door includes a substantially opaque region that interferes with external observation of the oven cavity while the door is in the closed orientation, and an electrochromic indicator provided to the opaque region. The electrochromic indicator includes a material with a first appearance that renders the electrochromic indicator substantially indistinguishable from the opaque region in a first operational state, and a second appearance in a second operational state that contrasts with the opaque region to issue a notification related to operation of the cooking appliance.

US Patent:

20170292712, Oct 12, 2017

Filed:

Apr 7, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/093663

Inventors:

- Charlotte NC, US
Michael Alexander - Hermitage TN, US

International Classification:

F24C 7/08
H05B 6/06
G05B 15/02
H05B 6/12

Abstract:

A cooking appliance includes a plurality of electrically controlled heating elements operable to elevate a temperature of food items. A user interface includes a touch-sensitive circuit that is operatively-connected to an external surface of the cooking appliance for altering operational settings of the electrically controlled heating elements. An electrovibration feedback circuit is coupled to the external surface that generates a vibratory feedback that is sensible by the user's finger at the external surface in response to adjustments of the operational settings. The electrovibration feedback circuit creates an electrostatic force on the user's finger that simulates friction between the user's finger and the external surface.