Appliance control system with network accessible programmable memory

• US 20030028258A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Peterson, Gregory A.
• Application Number:
  US10/197,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/11
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/52 Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/007 for spin-drying only
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/108 characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21004 Microprocessor plus electromechanical, cam control for output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21006 Detect position switches, connect resistances, analog value gives position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23048 Knob to select program serves also as indicator for progress of program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23066 Same knob starts two different functions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2633 Washing, laundry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/585 provided with printed circuit contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2043/107 Bidirectional selecting means, e.g. the program selecting knob being turnable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2043/108 where at least some contacts of electromechanical timer give instructions to electronic timer and/or the timing motor is under control of electronic timer, e.g. hybrid timer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/106 Manual programme selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

Abstract

An appliance controller includes memory that stores program instructions for operation of the various operating characteristics, modes, states, cycles, and/or the like of the appliance. The memory is accessible through a network, either public (i.e. the Internet) or private via an integral interface. The program instructions may be provided to the memory via the network to modify, exchange and/or alter existing program instructions and/or provide new program instructions. The network and/or program instructions may also provide diagnostics and communication capabilities.

Claims

1. A laundry appliance comprising:

a rotatable receptacle adapted to receive laundry therein;

a motor in communication with and adapted to rotate said receptacle; and

an appliance control system in communication with said motor and including;

a processor;

communication circuitry operative to connect said processor to a network; and

memory in communication with said processor and containing program instructions, said program instructions operative to allow said processor to operate the laundry appliance, communicate with an external device via the network, and receive additional program instructions from the external device via the network.

2. The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein said program instructions further allow said processor to alter said program instructions with said additional instructions.

3. The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein said program instructions further allow said processor to delete at least a portion of said program instructions and substitute said additional program instructions.

4. The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein said additional program instructions include operating mode instructions.

5. A laundry appliance comprising:

a rotatable laundry receptacle;

a motor in communication with and operative to rotate said rotatable laundry receptacle;

a processor;

a communication port;

communication circuitry coupled between said processor and said communication port; and

memory in communication with said processor and containing program instructions which, when executed by said processor, allows said processor to operate the laundry appliance, communicate with an external device via the network, and receive and store in said memory additional program instructions from the external device via the network.

6. The laundry appliance of claim 5, wherein said program instructions further allow said processor to alter said program instructions with said additional instructions.

7. The laundry appliance of claim 5, wherein said program instructions further allow said processor to delete at least a portion of said program instructions and substitute said additional program instructions.

8. The laundry appliance of claim 5, wherein said additional program instructions include operating mode instructions.