Appliance communication system

• US 20040051636A1
• Filed: 09/14/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew C. Gallagher
• Original Assignee: Andrew C. Gallagher
• Inventors: Gallagher, Andrew C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,873,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/04 Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
• 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: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal

Abstract

An appliance capable of performing a task initiated by a human operator, including an input device for receiving operator contact information for sending a message to the human operator; a computer for processing the operator contact information; and a transmitter that uses the operator contact information to communicate a message from the appliance to the human operator.

Claims

1. An appliance capable of performing a task initiated by a human operator, comprising

a. an input device for receiving operator contact information for sending a message to the human operator;

b. a computer for processing the operator contact information; and

c. a transmitter that uses the operator contact information to communicate a message from the appliance to the human operator.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates the message at a predetermined time relative to the duration of the appliance'"'"'s task.

3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is 0 to 10 minutes before the appliance'"'"'s task is complete.

4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates the message at the conclusion of the appliance'"'"'s task.

5. The appliance of claim 1, further including a portable communication device for receiving the message communicated by the transmitter.

6. The appliance of claim 5, wherein the portable communication device is a cellular telephone.

7. The appliance of claim 5, wherein the operator contact information is an email address.

8. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the operator contact information is a telephone number.

9. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the message is a pre-recorded or computer synthesized voice.

10. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates the message via the Internet.

11. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates the message via an email message.

12. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates the message via a wireless communication channel.

13. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the input device is a magnetic card reader.

14. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the input device is a keypad.

15. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the input device is a bar code reader.

16. An appliance capable of performing a task initiated by a human operator, comprising

a. an input device for receiving operating contact information for sending a message to a human operator, and an operator identification number;

b. a database for storing and associating the operator contact information and the operator identification number;

c. a computer for retrieving the operator contact information; and

d. a transmitter that uses the operator contact information to communicate a message from the appliance to the human operator.

17. The appliance of claim 16, further comprising a locking door which unlocks when a first operator identification number acquired before the appliance'"'"'s task is initiated is identical to a second operator identification number.

18. The appliance of claim 16, wherein the input device is a magnetic card reader and the operator identification number is stored on a magnetic card.

19. An appliance capable of performing a finite time task initiated by a human operator, comprising

a. an input device for receiving operator contact information;

b. a computer for processing the operator contact information; and

c. means for communicating a message to a portable communication device at a predetermined time relative to the duration of the appliance'"'"'s task.

20. The appliance of claim 19, wherein the operator contact information is a telephone number, the portable communication device is a cellular telephone, and the appliance'"'"'s task is washing clothes.