PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM

• US 20070298405A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Ebrom, Matthew Peter, Glotzbach, Mark Eugene, Molloy, Philip A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,682,733 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/365
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/00 Models for purposes not provided for in G09B23/00, e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes model vehicles, tracks therefor, models in the nature of toys A63H

Abstract

A product in the form of a household appliance has an internal communications network connecting two or more components, and software architecture implemented on the network that identifies the components, communicates the capabilities of each identified component, communicates the status of each identified component, provides a command interface for operating the components, and facilitates communication between the components and devices external to the product. An external smart device having demonstration software communicates with the internal communications network and is in control of at least one of the components to effect a demonstration of features of the product.

Claims

1. A product demonstration system comprising:

a product having an internal communications network among at least two components, and software architecture implemented on the network that identifies the components, communicates the capabilities of each identified component, communicates the status of each identified component, provides a command interface for operating the components, and facilitates communication between the components and devices external to the product; and

a smart device having demonstration software, wherein the smart device is in communication with the internal communications network and in control of at least one of the components,

whereby execution of the demonstration software in the smart device will cause demonstration of the at least one component in the product.

2. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the product is a household appliance.

3. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein at least one interactive device is connected to the product in communication with the internal communications network.

4. The product demonstration system of claim 3 wherein the at least one interactive device is selected from a group comprising a proximity sensor, an LCD display, a speaker, a computer, a touch screen, a keyboard, a monitor, a mechanical device, a light display, a microphone, a camera, and a phone.

5. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein at least one interactive device is connected to the smart device.

6. The product demonstration system of claim 5 wherein the at least one interactive device is selected from a group comprising a proximity sensor, an LCD display, a speaker, a computer, a touch screen, a keyboard, a monitor, a mechanical device, a light display, a microphone, a camera, and a phone.

7. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device has a communication link to an external network whereby the demonstration software can be changed by way of the external network.

8. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device has a communication link to an external memory device from which to change the demonstration software.

9. The product demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device is in control of all of the components.

13. The appliance demonstration system of claim 1 wherein at least one interactive device is connected to the smart device.

14. The appliance demonstration system of claim 13 wherein the at least one interactive device is selected from a group comprising a proximity sensor, an LCD display, a speaker, a computer, a touch screen, a keyboard, a monitor, a mechanical device, a light display, a microphone, a camera, and a phone.

15. The appliance demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device has a communication link to an external network whereby the demonstration software can be changed by way of the external network.

16. The appliance demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device has a communication link to an external memory device from which to change the demonstration software.

17. The appliance demonstration system of claim 1 wherein the smart device is in control of all of the components.

10. An appliance demonstration system comprising:

a household appliance having an internal communications network among at least two components; and

a smart device having demonstration software, wherein the smart device is in communication with the internal communications network and in control of at least one of the components,

whereby execution of the demonstration software in the smart device will cause demonstration of the at least one component in the appliance.

11. The appliance demonstration system of claim 10 wherein at least one interactive device is connected to the appliance in communication with the internal communications network.

12. The appliance demonstration system of claim 11 wherein the at least one interactive device is selected from a group comprising a proximity sensor, an LCD display, a speaker, a computer, a touch screen, a keyboard, a monitor, a mechanical device, a light display, a microphone, a camera, and a phone.