Pre-installed appliance and method for purchasing the same

• US 20040257198A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yan, Bennett, Thomas B. III, Mullet, Willis J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,123,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.71
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0425 Safety, monitoring

Abstract

A limited-use appliance is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A method for pre-installing an appliance is also disclosed and includes the steps of pre-installing an appliance with a controller, wherein the controller operates the appliance in a limited manner. An input device from a group of input devices is associated with the controller, wherein the input device generates an input signal to operate the appliance. And the pre-determined criteria maintained by the controller is tested such that the input signal from the controller is blocked when the pre-determined criteria is met. The appliance is most likely a garage door operator, but it could be any large appliance that is installed prior to the purchase of a home or facility.

Claims

1. A limited-use appliance comprising:

at least one input device for generating an input signal;

a controller associated with said at least one input device and receiving said input signal, said controller initiating at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of said input signal; and

a test device maintained by said controller, said test device having a predetermined criteria which determines whether said input signal should be sent on to said controller.

2. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said test device is a counter set to a first predetermined value which is adjusted each time said input signal is sent to said controller, and wherein said test device blocks said input signal when said counter reaches a second predetermined value.

3. The limited-use appliance according to claim 2, further comprising

a memory device associated with said controller, said memory device storing an activation code, and

said input device capable of generating a code signal, wherein if said code signal matches said activation code, said controller prevents said test device from blocking said input signal.

4. The limited-use appliance according to claim 3, wherein said activation code is derived from an activation number associated with the appliance.

5. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said test device stores a predetermined date value and said controller compares an actual date value with said predetermined date value, and wherein said test device blocks said input signal when said actual date is later than said predetermined date value.

6. The limited-use appliance according to claim 5, further comprising

a memory device associated with said controller, said memory device storing an activation code, and

said input device capable of generating a code signal, wherein if said code signal matches said activation code, said controller prevents said test device from blocking said input signal.

7. The limited-use appliance according to claim 6, further comprising, wherein said activation code is derived from an activation number associated with the appliance.

8. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one input device generates a bypass signal to disable said test device to always allow said input signal to be sent on to said controller.

9. A method for pre-installing an appliance, comprising

pre-installing an appliance with a controller, said controller operating said appliance in a limited manner;

associating an input device from a group of input devices with said controller, wherein said input device generates an input signal to operate said appliance;

testing a pre-determined criteria maintained by said controller; and

blocking said input signal from said controller when said pre-determined criteria is met.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising

storing an activation code in a memory device maintained by said controller;

generating a code signal from one of said input devices selected from a group of input devices;

comparing said code signal with said activation code; and

preventing said controller from performing said blocking step if said code signal matches said activation code so that said appliance operates in a fully functional manner.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising

marking the appliance with an activation number.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising

submitting said activation number and payment to a manufacturer;

providing from said manufacturer said activation code derived from said activation number; and

entering said activation code into one of said input devices selected from said group of input devices which in turn generates said code signal.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising

submitting said activation number and payment to a manufacturer;

and

receiving from said manufacturer at least one of said input devices selected from said group of input devices which generates said code signal.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said entering step comprises

entering said activation code into a keyless entry device which generates said code signal.

15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising

setting a counter value for said pre-determined criteria;

and

decrementing said counter value upon each cycle of said input device.

16. The method according to claim 9, further comprising

setting a date value for said predetermined criteria.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising

submitting said activation number and payment from a purchaser to a manufacturer over a computer network;

and

returning said activation code to said purchaser over said computer network.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising

resetting said predetermined criteria upon receipt of said activation code by said controller, wherein said activation code is generated upon formation of a lease between a manufacturer of said appliance and a lessor.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising

permanently clearing said predetermined criteria and disabling said blocking step upon receipt of said activation code by said controller, wherein said activation code is generated upon purchase of said appliance from a manufacturer.

20. The method according to claim 10, further comprising

permanently clearing said predetermined criteria and disabling said blocking step upon receipt of said activation code by said controller, wherein said activation code is generated upon purchase of said appliance from a manufacturer.