Communications, particularly in the domestic environment

• US 6,480,753 B1
• Filed: 09/02/1999
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saros Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Calder, Andrew, Forrest, Simon, Monaghan, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US09/388,808
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/19, 700/83, 700/275, 700/211, 219/679, 219/702, 219/714, 345/156, 345/905, 361/681, 361/683, 348/383
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6435 Aspects relating to the user interface of the microwave heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6441 allowing the input of coded operation instructions, e.g. bar code reader
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/668 Microwave heating devices connected to a telecommunication network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A domestic appliance (1) such as a microwave oven is adapted for interaction with a communications network (75) such as the Internet by the addition of a substantially self-contained discrete communications module (12) connectable to the communications network (75), the communications module (12) including display means (20) and command entry means that optionally interact with the appliance (1). The appliance (1) is provided with mounting hardware (6) and an adaptor (7) including means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) and means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance (1) via the adaptor (7). The communications module (12) is adapted for connection to broadband cable or xDSL networks. Thus equipped, the appliance (1) becomes an element of a communications system (1, 72, 73) providing multiple functionality including television and Internet browsing functions within the home. Other elements of the communications system are a broadband online connection (72) and a broadband portal (73).

Claims

1. A domestic food-processing appliance (1) having a primary domestic function but being adapted for the secondary function of interaction with a communications network (75), the appliance (1) comprising a user interface operable by direct contact with the appliance (1) and a remote control facility operable by a remote control handset, wherein activating or deactivating the primary function of the appliance (1) is reserved for the user interface and the remote control facility is incapable of activating or deactivating the primary function.

2. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the primary function is cooking, defrosting or freezing.

3. The appliance (1) of claim 2 and being a microwave oven (1) whose primary function is cooking or defrosting.

4. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the primary function is operable via the communications network (75).

5. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary functions are operable by a common user interface.

6. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the remote control facility is capable of controlling the secondary function and optionally also part of the primary function of the appliance (1).

7. A domestic oven for use within a home, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a communications module within the housing for connecting to a communication channel extending outside the home;

c) a panel mounted on the housing for receiving input from a user, said input including

i) control inputs which activate and de-activate the oven; and

ii) data for delivery to the communication channel;

d) a remote control, separate from the housing, which

i) delivers data to the communications module, for transmission on the communication channel;

ii) is incapable of activating the oven; and

iii) is incapable of de-activating the oven.

8. Oven according to claim 7, and further comprising:

e) a door which provides an access portal to the oven; and

f) a display, attached to the door, having a diagonal measurement of at least 12.1 inches.