APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR DATA EXCHANGE IN A HOUSEHOLD
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- at an appliance;
sensing a connection with a communication device;
transmitting an input to the communication device; and
selecting a data key in response to the input,wherein the data key comprises information that identifies the appliance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of an appliance and method utilize data keys to facilitate the exchange of data and information among devices as part of an energy management system. The data keys contain and/or encode information particular to the appliance. This information helps to distinguish data that originates from one appliance from data that originates from other appliances in the household. In one embodiment, the data keys are stored locally, either on devices (e.g., memory) incorporated into the appliance or on a communication device (e.g., a wireless radio) that can connect to the appliance to permit the exchange of inputs and outputs. Exemplary configuration of the appliance can sense the connection with the communication device and provide an input to the communication device to determine the data key that is associated with the appliance.
21 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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at an appliance; sensing a connection with a communication device; transmitting an input to the communication device; and selecting a data key in response to the input, wherein the data key comprises information that identifies the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An appliance, comprising:
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a port through which data can be transmitted and received; and a control circuit coupled to the port, the control circuit comprising a first circuit to sense a connection with a communication device at the port, wherein the control circuit can generate an input in response to the connection, and wherein the input determines a data key that comprises information that identifies the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification