AUDIO INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLIANCES

• US 20070124466A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems, Inc. (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,587,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A communications network, system, and method includes a server; a primary device in communication with the server through a communications channel, wherein the primary device comprises a component that detects data transmissions from the server, converts the detected data transmissions into audio transmissions, and audibly transmits the audio transmissions; and a secondary device connected to the primary device and adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the audio transmissions. The component comprises an audio processor that receives a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of queries, instructions, and messages from the server; converts the first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and audibly synthesizes the second set of electrical signals. The housing unit comprises a household appliance. The component comprises an audio processor that detects audio transmissions, and converts the audio transmissions to data transmissions.

Claims

1. A communications network comprising:

a communications channel;

a server;

a primary device in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein said primary device comprises a component adapted to detect data transmissions from said server, convert the detected data transmissions into audio transmissions, and audibly transmit said audio transmissions; and

a secondary device operatively connected to said primary device, wherein said secondary device is adapted to be operated by an individual in response to said audio transmissions.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to:

receive a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of queries, instructions, and messages from said server;

convert said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesize said second set of electrical signals.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary devices are housed within a single housing unit.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein said housing unit comprises a household appliance.

5. The network of claim 1, wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to detect audio transmissions, and convert the detected audio transmissions to data transmissions.

6. The network of claim 5, wherein said primary device comprises a transmitter adapted to transmit said data transmissions generated by said audio processor to said server.

7. The network of claim 1, wherein said server is adapted to generate one or more computer executable commands comprising any of queries, instructions, and messages that are executable by said secondary device.

8. The network of claim 7, wherein said secondary device comprises a user interface adapted to (i) output said any of queries, instructions, and messages, and (ii) input responses to said any of queries, instructions, and messages.

9. The network of claim 8, wherein said output comprises any of visual output and audio output, and wherein said input comprises any of data entry input, graphic user interface input, and audio input.

10. A system for communicating with a household appliance, said system comprising:

a communications network;

a server; and

a household appliance in wireless communication with said server through said communications network, wherein said appliance comprises a component adapted to detect data transmissions from said server, wherein said appliance is adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the detected data transmissions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to:

receive a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of queries, instructions, and messages from said server;

convert said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesize said second set of electrical signals.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said server is adapted to generate one or more computer executable commands comprising any of queries, instructions, and messages, and wherein said one or more computer executable commands are executable by said household appliance.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said household appliance comprises a processor adapted to collect operational data relating to said household appliance, and execute said one or more computer executable commands to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said processor is adapted to output said any of queries, instructions, and messages to said individual to teach said individual how to operate and maintain said household appliance.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said output comprises any of data output and audio output.

16. A method of communicating with a household appliance, said method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data transmissions from a server to a household appliance in said communications network; and

detecting said data transmissions at said household appliance;

wherein said appliance is adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the detected data transmissions.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of queries, instructions, and messages from said server;

converting said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesizing said second set of electrical signals.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising said server generating one or more computer executable commands comprising any of queries, instructions, and messages, wherein said one or more computer executable commands are executable by said household appliance.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising said household appliance collecting operational data relating to said household appliance, and executing said one or more computer executable commands to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising said household appliance outputting said any of queries, instructions, and messages to said individual to teach said individual how to operate and maintain said household appliance, wherein said outputting comprises any of data output and audio output.