Method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for setting programmable features of an appliance comprising:
- operating a graphical user interface using a user'"'"'s computer, said graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance;
entering data with the user'"'"'s computer to set programmable features of the virtual appliance to generate set-up data;
providing a portable transfer device separate from the user'"'"'s computer having an input port and an output port;
coupling the input port of the transfer device to the computer;
transferring the set-up data from the computer to the transfer device;
coupling the output port of the transfer device to the appliance; and
transferring the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance.
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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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for setting programmable features of an appliance comprising:
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operating a graphical user interface using a user'"'"'s computer, said graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance; entering data with the user'"'"'s computer to set programmable features of the virtual appliance to generate set-up data; providing a portable transfer device separate from the user'"'"'s computer having an input port and an output port; coupling the input port of the transfer device to the computer; transferring the set-up data from the computer to the transfer device; coupling the output port of the transfer device to the appliance; and transferring the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for setting a programmable feature of an appliance comprising:
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providing a remote interactive site; establishing a connection with the interactive site; interactively setting a programmable feature of the appliance at the interactive site; transferring set-up data for the programmable feature from the interactive site directly to the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for enabling end users to set a programmable feature of an appliance comprising:
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hosting a remote interactive site; accepting a connection with the interactive site by an appliance user; enabling the appliance user to interactively set a programmable feature of the appliance at the interactive site; transferring set-up data for the programmable feature from the interactive site directly to the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of controlling a feature of an appliance comprising:
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providing a remote interactive site with a graphical user interface tailored to an appliance and the programmable features thereof; accessing the remote site with a user'"'"'s computer and operating the graphical user interface to program a selected appliance feature; transferring data for programming the selected appliance feature to an appliance remote from the user'"'"'s computer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification