U.S. patent application number 09/235709 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance.
Invention is credited to LGGULDEN, JERRY.
Application Number | 20010043686 09/235709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22886618 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LGGULDEN, JERRY |
November 22, 2001 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES OF AN
APPLIANCE
Abstract
An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences
and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is
hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance
owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a
graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features
of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they
are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or
the appliance owner's computer or indirectly using a portable
transfer device.
Inventors: |
LGGULDEN, JERRY; (SANTA
CLARITA, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD SEVENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90025
|
Family ID: |
22886618 |
Appl. No.: |
09/235709 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/102.03 ;
379/102.01; 379/102.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 11/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/102.03 ;
379/102.01; 379/102.02 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for setting programmable features of an appliance
comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global
computer network; providing a transfer device having an input port
and an output port; establishing a connection with the interactive
site; interactively setting programmable features of a virtual
appliance at the interactive site; downloading set-up data from the
interactive site to the input port of the transfer device;
downloading the set-up data from the output port of the transfer
device to a real appliance corresponding to the virtual
appliance.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the input port of the transfer
device comprises an optical sensor.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of downloading set-up
data from the interactive site to the input port of the transfer
device comprises modulating a portion of a computer display and
sensing such modulation with the optical sensor.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the input port of the transfer
device comprises a telephonic connection.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of downloading set-up
data from the interactive site to the input port of the transfer
device comprises establishing a telephonic connection between the
interactive site and the transfer device and sending data
telephonically.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of downloading set-up
data from the interactive site to the input port of the transfer
device comprises downloading the set-up data to a computer coupled
to the input port of the transfer device.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the input port of the transfer
device comprises a serial port.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the output port of the transfer
device comprises an infra-red transmitter.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of creating a
record of the set-up data.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step, prior to the
step of setting programmable features, of entering a serial number
of the real appliance.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of
extracting information from the set-up data and sending said
information to a manufacturer of the real appliance.
12. A method for setting programmable features of an appliance
comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global
computer network; providing a transfer device having an input port
for a telephonic connection, a data decoder for decoding data
transmitted telephonically and an output port; establishing a
connection with the interactive site; interactively setting
programmable features of a virtual appliance at the interactive
site; establishing a telephonic connection between the interactive
site and the transfer device; telephonically downloading set-up
data from the interactive site to the input port of the transfer
device; downloading the set-up data from the output port of the
transfer device to a real appliance corresponding to the virtual
appliance.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the transfer device comprises a
telephone handset.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the transfer device is
detachably coupled to a telephone.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the output port of the transfer
device comprises an infra-red transmitter.
16. A method for setting programmable features of an appliance
comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global
computer network; establishing a connection with the interactive
site; interactively setting programmable features of a virtual
appliance at the interactive site; establishing a communication
link between the interactive site and a real appliance
corresponding to the virtual appliance; downloading set-up data
from the interactive site to the real appliance.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the communication link is
telephonic.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the communication link comprises
a radio frequency link.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the appliance comprises a paging
receiver.
20. A method for setting programmable features of a telephone
comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global
computer network; providing a telephone having a data decoder for
decoding data transmitted telephonically; establishing a connection
with the interactive site; interactively setting programmable
features of a virtual telephone at the interactive site; the
interactive site establishing a telephonic connection with a real
telephone corresponding to the virtual telephone; telephonically
downloading set-up data from the interactive site to the real
telephone.
21. An interface device for communicating data to an appliance
comprising: means for coupling the interface device to a global
computer network to receive modulated data; a data demodulator; a
data memory coupled to the data demodulator; a data output port
coupled to the data memory; control means for initiating transfer
of data from the data memory to an appliance via the output
port.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for coupling the
interface device to the global computer network comprises a local
computer.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the means for coupling
further comprises means for modulating a display screen of the
local computer.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for coupling the
interface device to the global computer network comprises a
telephonic connection.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the data output port
comprises an infra-red transmitter.
26. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the interface device is a
removable module of the appliance.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the interface device
comprises electronics for controlling the appliance during
operation thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of setting
programmable features of an appliance. More particularly, the
invention provides a method and apparatus for conveniently setting
various programmable features of an appliance using a graphical
user interface accessed with a computer via a global computer
network.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] The advent of microprocessors and other miniaturized
electronics has facilitated the implementation of increasingly
complex functions in home and office appliances. Typically, a
relatively complex operator interface is required in order to
invoke the various functions that are available. For example, home
electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, stereo receivers and
the like are typically provided with sophisticated remote control
devices. Such remote control devices have a large number of
individual buttons that are used to directly control features of an
appliance and/or that are used to navigate through on-screen menus.
Due to the sophistication and complexity of the controls, owner's
manuals for appliances are becoming increasingly voluminous and
difficult to comprehend.
[0005] Due to the growing complexity of modern appliances, many of
the available features are never utilized by consumers, even as
competition in the marketplace drives the proliferation of such
features. A number of solutions have been proposed for making
appliances easier to control and generally more "user friendly".
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,123 issued to Chan, et al.
discloses a method for downloading set-up data via a telephone to
an appliance controller. A user first initiates a telephone call to
a remote site having a computer. The user communicates certain
background information to the remote site, and set-up data is then
downloaded via the telephone connection. The earpiece of the
telephone is held in proximity to a microphone built into the
appliance controller in order to receive the downloaded data. Upon
receipt of the data, the controller is configured to operate the
appliance.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,711 issued to Yuen discloses an
apparatus and methods for providing initializing settings to an
appliance. When a user wishes to initialize the settings of an
appliance, the user initiates a telephone connection with a remote
site. The remote site then downloads a sequence of commands for
initializing the settings in the appliance over the telephone
connection. A remote control device for the appliance receives the
sequence of commands and stores them in an internal memory. The
remote control device is then aimed at the appliance and the user
enters a command to transfer the stored sequence of commands to the
appliance, thereby initializing the settings.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,756 issued to Levine discloses a method
of initializing a programmable control device, such as a remote
controller for a video cassette recorder. The device is programmed
by connecting it to a telephone system, dialing a remote
initializing center preferably employing a computer, and providing
the computer with information as to the environment of the control
device by using touch tone keys to respond to audio inquiries
transmitted by the computer. The computer then transmits the
initializing program for loading into the memory of the control
device.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,063 issued to Barry, et al. discloses a
method and apparatus for remote control of electronic devices from
a computer. A transducer, such as an infrared transmitter, is
coupled to a computer and aimed at an electronic device to be
controlled. An application program running on the computer
generates appropriate signals for control of the electronic
device.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,086 issued to Ivie, et al. discloses a
method and apparatus for communicating commands to electrical
appliances from remote locations. Various appliances within a
structure, such as a house, are coupled to a signal-conducting bus,
such as the AC power wiring bus of the structure. Appliance
commands are issued over the bus from a central transmitter.
Appliances may be directly coupled to the bus or may receive
commands via an infrared signal from an infrared transmitting
device coupled to the bus. A handheld control device may be
supplied for controlling the various appliances, in which case,
receivers for the handheld control device are coupled to the bus in
various parts of the structure.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,294 issued to Chambers discloses a
programmable universal remote controller. A programming device is
coupled to a computer and receives signals from conventional remote
controllers. The programming device correlates the received signals
with a database of stored signals used by various appliance
manufacturers. The programming device then sends a complete set of
appropriate control signals to the programmable universal
controller.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,077 issued to Darbee discloses a
universal remote controller that may be programmed from a remote
location. The remote controller receives programming data via a
video or telephonic data transmission system.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,571 issued to Jacobs, et al. discloses a
system for transferring data from a video display monitor of a
personal computer to a portable information device such as an
appointment scheduling device. The video display is modulated to
transmit data to an opto-electronic receiver in the portable
information device.
[0013] Microsoft Corporation has introduced a cordless phone having
programmable functions controlled by a personal computer. The base
station of the phone is coupled to the serial port of a computer
and application software is installed on the computer to control
operation of the phone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides methods and apparatus for
setting preferences and other parameters of an appliance. In
preferred embodiments of the invention, a user initiates a
connection to an interactive site on a global computer network. The
site hosts a graphical user interface with which preferences and
other parameters of an appliance may be set by the user. In some
embodiments, set-up data for the appliance is downloaded from the
user's computer or the interactive site directly to the appliance.
In other embodiments, set-up data for the appliance is downloaded
from the user's computer or the interactive site to a transfer
device where it is temporarily stored. The transfer device, which
is easily portable, is taken by the user to the appliance, and the
set-up data is downloaded from the transfer device to the
appliance. Since the appliance itself does not require a user
interface for set-up procedures and programming, the appliance can
be smaller, cheaper and lighter without sacrificing any
functionality. In addition, the need for a printed user's manual is
largely obviated since all of the information normally contained in
such a manual can be obtained from the interactive site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment
of the invention wherein an appliance receives data directly from a
local computer.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment
of the invention wherein an appliance receives data from a local
computer via a transfer device.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a transfer device as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical user interface suitable for
setting programmable features of a thermostat.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment
of the invention wherein an appliance receives data directly from
an interactive site server.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a fourth embodiment
of the invention wherein an appliance receives data from an
interactive site server via a transfer device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from
these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions
of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure
the description of the present invention with unnecessary
detail.
[0022] The present invention finds application with a wide variety
of home and office appliances. Some categories of appliances in
which the invention may be utilized include telephones,
televisions, video recorders, audio and video entertainment system
components, refrigerators, conventional ovens, microwave ovens,
dishwashers, irrigation systems, global positioning satellite (GPS)
receivers, automobile heating, ventilating and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems, automobile sound systems, home security systems,
home HVAC systems, home master control systems, facsimile machines,
copiers, postage meters, etc. "Programmable features" refer to any
appliance features that may be altered. These include, for example,
initialization or set-up parameters, stored data (e.g., telephone
speed dial numbers or GPS receiver database) and internal software.
Specific examples are given below to illustrate operation of the
invention. However, it will be understood that the invention has
general applicability to appliances of all types and to all types
of programmable features within such appliances.
[0023] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
1. An appliance 10 receives set-up data from a local computer 12.
In a typical application, local computer 12 is a general purpose
personal computer of the type now widely found in homes and
offices. Details of computer 12 are not particularly relevant to
the invention and are not shown. Typically, computer 12 will
comprise, at a minimum, a processing unit, a keyboard and a
display. Additional input devices, such as a mouse or other
pointing device, and output devices, such as a printer, may also be
included as part of computer 12.
[0024] Local computer 12 is coupled to a remote interactive site
server 14 by a telecommunications link. In a typical embodiment of
the invention, interactive site server 14 would be accessible via
the World Wide Web. Other appropriate means for connecting computer
12 to server 14 could also be employed. Server 14 contains
programming for interactively setting the programmable features of
appliance 10. Preferably, server 14 presents to the owner of
appliance 10, via computer 12, a graphical user interface that is
tailored to appliance 10 and the programmable features thereof.
Such interface can be thought of as a "virtual appliance". This can
be better understood from the discussion of FIG. 4, below.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, appliance 10 is
directly coupled to local computer 12. The connection between
appliance 10 and computer 12 may be one-way from the computer or
two-way. One-way communication may be accomplished optically by
modulating the display of computer 12 as is known in the art. Other
communication techniques can be employed using audio, magnetic,
inductive, infrared, or radio frequency coupling. Two-way
communications are most conveniently established by connection to a
serial port of computer 12. Naturally, this type of connection is
not convenient for some appliances, but is particularly well-suited
to portable appliances that may require a large amount of data. For
example, loading data into a pocket organizer or similar type of
personal digital assistant can be most conveniently accomplished
with a serial port connection in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0026] In order to provide the appropriate interface for
programming the features of appliance 10, server 14 preferably
receives data from the appliance manufacturer. Such data may be
received periodically as new model appliances are released by the
manufacturer or may be obtained by server 14 in real time with a
dial-up connection to the manufacturer. The latter approach offers
the advantage of insuring that the most recent product information
is available to server 14. One method of insuring that the
appropriate information for appliance 10 is obtained by server 14
is to prompt the appliance owner to input the serial number of the
appliance at computer 12. This need only be performed once, since
the serial number can thereafter be stored in computer 12 and/or
server 14 for use in subsequent programming of the same
appliance.
[0027] An optional aspect of the invention is the ability of server
14 to provide valuable feedback to the appliance manufacturer.
During appliance set-up operations, server 14 collects information
concerning consumer's use of product features that can be useful in
product marketing and new product design. The link between server
14 and the appliance manufacturer also facilitates new marketing
opportunities. The manufacturer can readily target advertising to
identified purchasers of its products. Also, the manufacturer can
offer accessories and related products for appliance 10. Such
offers may be integrated with the set-up interface or may be
directed to the appliance owner separately by email or conventional
mail. It should be appreciated that the invention can facilitate
warranty registration. Since the appliance owner is already
communicating with server 14 to set programmable features of the
appliance, it is a simple matter to collect the additional
information necessary to complete warranty registration and, if
desired, to provide additional demographic data to the
manufacturer.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention. This embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 1, except
that programming data is provided to appliance 10 by a transfer
device 16. This transfer device receives the programming data from
local computer 12 by a wired connection to computer 12 or,
preferably, by an opto-electronic or other wireless data link.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a suitable transfer
device 16. At the heart of device 16 is a control electronics
module 102. Data modulated on the display screen of computer 12 is
sensed by optical detector 104 upon activation of receive switch
106. The data is demodulated by electronics 102 and is stored in
memory 108. Upon confirmation of error-free transfer and storage of
the data, a suitable indication is provided to the user by means of
indicator 110, which may be, for example, a light emitting diode
(LED). With the data loaded in memory 108, transfer device 16 may
be carried to appliance 10, which preferably includes an infrared
receiver coupled to its internal control electronics. Transfer
device 16 is held in proximity to the infrared receiver of
appliance 10. Upon actuation of transmit switch 112, the data
stored in memory 108 is appropriately modulated by electronics 102
and applied to infrared transmitter 114. Indicator 110 may confirm
to the user that the data has been transmitted. Alternatively, or
in addition, an indicator may be provided on appliance 10 to signal
receipt of the data. Power source 116, preferably in the form of
common alkaline battery cells, provides electrical power to the
components of device 16.
[0030] Transfer device 16 may be configured in various forms.
Preferably, device 16 is easily portable. Device 16 may be in the
form of a pen or wand with optical detector 104 and infrared
transmitter 114 at one end. Transfer device 16 may also be
integrated with a conventional remote controller for those types of
appliances that are commonly controlled remotely. In another
variation, transfer device 16 may be a removable module of
appliance 10. In such case, communication between the transfer
device and the appliance may be accomplished with a direct
electrical connection through a suitable arrangement of electrical
contacts. Transfer device 16 may, in fact, comprise the "brains" of
appliance 10 in the form of a microprocessor or equivalent device.
Aside from the ease of programming features and functions of the
appliance, such an arrangement offers the added benefit of
facilitating service or replacement of the appliance's electronic
components in the event of malfunction.
[0031] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is particularly
well-suited to appliances that are relatively fixed in position and
that require only limited amounts of data. Examples of such
appliances abound in the home and office. One such example is a
thermostat for a home HVAC system. FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical
user interface for a thermostat as presented on a display of
computer 12. Such interface is shown merely for purposes of
illustration, it being understood that the particular features of
the interface are largely a matter of design choice.
[0032] Along the top of the display shown in FIG. 4 is a day strip
122. The user may select any one of the days with a cursor to
program the thermostat settings for that day. Below the day strip
is a temperature selector 124. Pointing at the up or down arrow
with a mouse or other cursor positioning device, the user selects
the desired temperature. To the right of temperature selector 124
there are a pair of time windows 126 and 128. Using the appropriate
up and down arrows, the user selects the starting and ending times
for which the temperature selection applies. When the desired
settings have been made, the user selects ENTER button 130 to store
the selections and then proceeds to make the next set of
selections. For convenience, the ending time last entered may be
automatically inserted into the starting time window. A graphical
display 132 of the selected temperature profile may be provided for
the user's convenience.
[0033] When all settings have been completed, the data is loaded
into transfer device 16, which is then taken to the physical
location of the thermostat for transfer of the data. Since all of
the settings have been entered into computer 12, they may
conveniently saved locally and/or by server 14 for subsequent use
in revising these settings or for reloading the settings in the
event of a power failure. A printed record of the settings may also
be made from computer 12. For some appliances, a print-out
following a set-up procedure may be used as a template for the
appliance to indicate selected options and programmed features. For
example, certain appliances may have unlabeled function buttons for
which a template may be made once selected functions have been
assigned to the buttons during a set-up procedure.
[0034] It will be appreciated that a thermostat physically
incorporating the interface shown in FIG. 4 would be quite large
and costly in comparison to conventional thermostats. This is due
primarily to the relative complexity of the interface, since the
actual componentry to provide such flexibility of thermostat
settings is actually quite small and inexpensive. Through use of
the present invention, virtually unlimited flexibility in
thermostat programming may be accomplished with a thermostat that
is no larger and no more costly than a conventional thermostat.
Indeed, a thermostat as just described could easily be made the
size of a postage stamp.
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
invention. In this case, data for appliance 10 is received directly
from server 14 rather than local computer 12. From the appliance
owner's perspective, the appliance programming interface is
otherwise identical to the previously described embodiments.
Communication between server 14 and appliance 10 may be telephonic.
Appliance 10 may incorporate a conventional modem, in which case
communications may be two-way, or may simply have a data
demodulator for one-way communications. Coupling of appliance 10 to
the telecommunications network may be by a conventional RJ-11
connection. Alternatively, appliance 10 may incorporate a cordless
telephone module for communicating with a separate base station.
Communications between server 14 and appliance 10 could also be
implemented with radio signals. For example, appliance 10 could
incorporate a conventional paging receiver.
[0036] A particular example of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3
is a programmable telephone. Speed dial numbers and other
programmable features of a telephone may be conveniently set using
a graphical user interface hosted by server 14. Once the features
have been programmed by the user, server 14 simply places a call to
the telephone. Appropriate data demodulation circuitry is
incorporated in the telephone in order to download the data from
server 14.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention
generally similar to that of FIG. 5, but incorporating a transfer
device as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Here, however, transfer
device 16' receives data directly from server 14. As with the
previously described embodiment, communication between server 14
and transfer device 16' may be telephonic or by radio. One example
of a transfer device 16' is embodied as a removable module or
"card" of a telephone. Data for an appliance 10 is downloaded from
server 14 to the telephone where it is demodulated and stored in
the card. The card may then be taken to appliance 10 to transfer
the data to the appliance with an infrared or other data link.
[0038] Another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 6
is a "universal" remote controller that may be coupled to a
telecommunications network by means of an RJ-11 jack or equivalent
in the manner disclosed by Darbee in U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,077. The
remote controller could thus function as a data transfer device in
addition to its more conventional remote control functions.
[0039] It will be recognized that the above described invention may
be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is
understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing
illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *