METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES OF AN APPLIANCE

• US 20120136964A1
• Filed: 01/31/2012
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: XCSR, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pointset Corporation
• Inventors: Fields, Kyle, Iggulden, Jerry
• Granted Patent: US 9,215,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23306 Load program from host, remote load, non volatile card to volatile, ram
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or the appliance owner'"'"'s computer or indirectly using a portable transfer device.

Claims

1. A server comprising:

a storage medium having executable instructions for;

causing a device in global computer network communication with the server to present a graphical user interface depicting one or more programmable features of an appliance;

receiving data over the global computer network from the device related to setting a programmable feature of the appliance; and

sending programming data for the programmable feature from the server to the appliance.

2. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a video recorder.

3. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a television set-top decoder.

4. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a home security system.

5. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

6. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.

7. The server of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises an on-board system of an automobile.

8. A system comprising:

an appliance comprising;

a data receiver configured to receive programming data, and

a data processor configured to utilize the received programming data to set a programmable feature of the appliance; and

a server configured to;

cause a device in global computer network communication with the server to present a graphical user interface depicting the programmable feature of the appliance,

receive data over the global computer network from the device related to setting the programmable feature of the appliance, and

send the programming data to the appliance.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises a video recorder.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises a television set-top decoder.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises a home security system.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance comprises an on-board system of an automobile.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance is connected to a home network.

16. A system comprising:

an appliance comprising;

a data receiver configured to receive programming data, and

a data processor configured to utilize the received programming data to set a programmable feature of the appliance; and

an interactive site accessible via the World Wide Web comprising;

a graphical user interface tailored to the appliance and a programmable feature of the appliance,

the graphical user interface enabling an appliance user to set a programmable feature of the appliance.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises a video recorder.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises a television set-top decoder.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises a home security system.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance comprises an on-board system of an automobile.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the appliance is connected to a home network.

24. A method comprising:

providing a remote interactive site accessible over a global computer network via a computer, the interactive site presenting a graphical user interface relating to at least one programmable feature of an appliance;

receiving a command over the global computer network to set a programmable feature of the appliance; and

in response to receiving the command, sending programming data representing the command to the appliance.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises a video recorder.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises a television set-top decoder.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises a home security system.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein the appliance comprises an on-board system of an automobile.