Audio instructions for appliances
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A communications network comprising:
- a communications channel;
a server;
a primary device in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein (A) said primary device comprises a component adapted to (i) receive one or more computer programs including one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file from said server, (ii) convert the first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions, (iii) present said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker and (iv) receive audible responses from said individual and (B) said primary device comprises a processor adapted to collect data relating to said primary device, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said primary device; and
a secondary device operatively connected to said primary device, wherein said secondary device (i) is adapted to be operated by said individual in response to said synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition.
3 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Reexaminations
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications network, system, and method includes a server; a primary device in communication with the server through a communications channel, wherein the primary device comprises a component that detects data transmissions from the server, converts the detected data transmissions into audio transmissions, and audibly transmits the audio transmissions; and a secondary device connected to the primary device and adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the audio transmissions. The component comprises an audio processor that receives a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of queries, instructions, and messages from the server; converts the first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and audibly synthesizes the second set of electrical signals. The housing unit comprises a household appliance. The component comprises an audio processor that detects audio transmissions, and converts the audio transmissions to data transmissions.
410 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A communications network comprising:
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a communications channel; a server; a primary device in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein (A) said primary device comprises a component adapted to (i) receive one or more computer programs including one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file from said server, (ii) convert the first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions, (iii) present said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker and (iv) receive audible responses from said individual and (B) said primary device comprises a processor adapted to collect data relating to said primary device, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said primary device; and a secondary device operatively connected to said primary device, wherein said secondary device (i) is adapted to be operated by said individual in response to said synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for communicating with a household appliance, said system comprising:
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a communications channel where a portion of the channel is a wireless channel; a server; and a household appliance in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein (A) said household appliance comprises a component adapted to (i) receive one or more computer programs including one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file from said server, (ii) convert the first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions, (iii) present said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker and (iv) receive audible responses from said individual, (B) said appliance (i) is adapted to be operated by said individual in response to the synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition and (C) said household appliance includes a processor adapted to collect data relating to said household appliance, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of communicating with a household appliance, said method comprising:
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wirelessly transmitting one or more computer programs from a server to a household appliance, wherein said computer programs include one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file; receiving said first digital file at said household appliance; converting said first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions; presenting said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker; and receiving audible responses from said individual, wherein (A) said household appliance (i) is adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition and (B) said household appliance comprises a processor adapted to collect data relating to said household appliance, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification