Adapting dishwasher operation to external factors

Abstract

A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.

1 . A method of operating a dishwasher, comprising:
 receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode,   selecting the hidden operating mode of the dishwasher based on the user-input signal,   accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and   operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-input signal is indicative of a sequence of user inputs received via a user interface panel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising indicating the selected hidden operating mode on an external panel of the dishwasher. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein indicating the selected hidden operating mode includes activating a number of light emitting diodes in a customized sequence indicative of the selected hidden operating mode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode are optimized to specific environmental conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting a factory-default operating mode based on a second user-input signal, wherein the second user-input signal is generated by the actuation of a control switch of the dishwasher and a labeled function of the control switch is not the factory-default operating mode; and   accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the factory-default operating mode.   
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a dishwasher, comprising:
 initiating a mode selection sub-routine based on a first user-input signal,   receiving a second user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode,   selecting the hidden operating mode based on the second user-input signal, and   operating the dishwasher in accordance with the selected hidden operating mode.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising selecting a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein initiating the mode selection sub-routine includes indicating the activation of the sub-routine on an external panel of the dishwasher. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising deactivating the mode selection sub-routine when the second user-input signal is not received in a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a washing chamber,   a number of dish racks positioned in the washing chamber,   a pump operable to circulate fluid onto the number of dish racks,   a user interface operable to receive user input and generate an electrical output signal indicative thereof, and   an electronic controller electrically coupled to the pump and the user interface, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   (a) activate a hidden operating mode of the dishwasher based on the electrical output signal generated by the user interface, and   (b) operate the dishwasher in accordance with the hidden operating mode.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface includes a number of control switches electrically coupled to the electronic controller, the number of control switches being operable to generate electrical output signals indicative of a sequence of user inputs, and
 the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to receive the electrical output signals and select the hidden operating mode corresponding to the sequence of user inputs.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein each control switch of the number of control switches is coupled to a control button located on the user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to: 
       (a) receive the electrical output signals generated by the control switches and select a factory-default operating mode corresponding to a second sequence of user inputs, wherein the second user-input signal is generated by the actuation of a control switch of the dishwasher and a labeled function of the control switch is not the factory-default operating mode, and 
       (b) operate the dishwasher in accordance with the factory-default operating mode. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the user interface includes a number of light emitting diodes electrically coupled to the processor, and   the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to activate the light emitting diodes in a sequence indicative of the hidden operating mode.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the selected hidden operating mode is optimized to at least one of the specific environmental conditions selected from the group consisting of hard water and cold water.