Appliance network with messaging

• US 10,200,209 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Satanek, Brandon, Shi, Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US15/891,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20180176032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Abstract

An appliance, communication system, and method thereof for a communicating on a network including an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module, wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive a message including an embedded interactive element, and sending a return message that relates to the activation of the embedded interactive element.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a home appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation including an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module; and

a source in communication with the home appliance configured to send an interactive message including an embedded interactive element to the home appliance;

wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive the interactive message from the source and the embedded interactive element is configured to operate a functionality of the appliance; and

wherein a return message is sent that relates to a lack of activation of the embedded interactive element.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the source is one of a mobile device or a server.

3. The communication system of claim 2 wherein the source receives the return message.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the home appliance receives the interactive message from at least one of a mobile device or server.

5. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the return message is sent from the home appliance.

6. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the return message is an alert message that the embedded interactive element has not been activated.

7. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the alert message is sent after a predetermined time.

8. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the embedded interactive element includes a link to download an application or start the cycle of operation.

9. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the embedded interactive element is displayed at the appliance interactive display.

10. A method of operating an appliance having an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module, the method comprising:

receiving in the appliance communication module an interactive message including an embedded interactive element having a functionality of the appliance embedded into the interactive message;

displaying the interactive message including the embedded interactive element on the appliance interactive display;

determining the embedded interactive element is not activated; and

sending a return message that relates to the lack of activation of the embedded interactive element.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the return message is sent from the appliance.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the return message is sent to a source of the interactive message.

13. A home appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation and connected to a home network comprising:

an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module;

wherein the appliance communication module is configured to receive an interactive message having an embedded interactive element that is configured to operate a functionality of the home appliance; and

wherein a return message is sent that relates to a lack of activation of the embedded interactive element.

14. The home appliance of claim 13 wherein the interactive message is sent from a source.

15. The home appliance of claim 13 wherein the return message is sent from the home appliance.