SMART APPLIANCE FUNCTIONALITY

• US 20070156892A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,718 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, and transmits the detected data transmissions; and a secondary device connected to the primary device, wherein the secondary device automatically performs self diagnosis relating to operational performance of the secondary device in response to the data transmissions. The remotely programmable apparatus comprises any of an appliance and an entertainment device, wherein the appliance comprises any of a refrigerator, a telephone, a stove, and a clock. The server generates computer executable commands that are executable by the secondary device and comprises any of queries, instructions, and messages. The secondary device comprises a processor that collects operational data relating to the secondary device, and provides a diagnosis of a performance of the secondary device.

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, and transmit the detected data transmissions; and

a secondary device operatively connected to said primary device, wherein said secondary device is adapted to automatically perform self diagnosis relating to operational performance of said secondary device in response to said data transmissions.

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

3. The network of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus comprises any of an appliance and an entertainment device.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein said appliance comprises any of a refrigerator, a telephone, a stove, and a clock.

5. The network of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus comprises an electrical device.

6. The network of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus comprises a non-electrical device.

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, and wherein said one or more computer executable commands are executable by said secondary device.

8. The network of claim 7, wherein said secondary device comprises a processor adapted to collect operational data relating to said secondary device, and execute said one or more computer executable commands to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said secondary device.

9. A system for remote data transmission through a communications network, said system comprising:

a server adapted to transmit data transmissions; and

a household appliance in wireless communication with said server through said communications network, wherein said household appliance is adapted to receive said data transmissions and automatically perform self diagnosis relating to operational performance of said household appliance in response to said data transmissions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said household appliance comprises an entertainment device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said household appliance comprises any of a refrigerator, a telephone, a stove, and a clock.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said household appliance comprises an electrical device.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said household appliance comprises a non-electrical device.

14. The system of claim 9, 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.

15. The system of claim 14, 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.

16. A method of transmitting data over a communications network, said method comprising:

transmitting data transmissions from a server to a remotely programmable appliance remotely located from said server;

detecting said data transmissions at said remotely programmable appliance;

said remotely programmable appliance automatically performing self diagnosis relating to operational performance of said appliance in response to said data transmissions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said remotely programmable appliance comprises any of a refrigerator, a telephone, a stove, and a clock.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said remotely programmable appliance comprises an entertainment device.

19. 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 remotely programmable appliance.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising said remotely programmable appliance collecting operational data relating to said remotely programmable appliance, and executing said one or more computer executable commands to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said remotely programmable appliance.