Communications module mounting for domestic appliance

• US 6,359,270 B1
• Filed: 09/02/1999
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saros Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Bridson, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/388,810
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 219/702, 219/679, 219/714, 219/736-737, 219/720, 219/393, 219/506, 219/445.1, 340/536, 340/825-1-8, 705/26-27, 705/42, 361/681, 361/683, 992/85, 993/42, 345/173, 345/156, 345/905
• US Class Current: 219/679
• 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 is described having the ability to connect to the Internet. An appliance, such as a microwave oven, is equipped with a touch-screen display on its door. The display connects to a communication system, such as a miniature personal computer having a modem and a web browser. The display is mounted on the door of the appliance through mounting hardware and an adaptor.

Claims

1. A domestic appliance (1) comprising:

mounting hardware (6), a discrete communications module (12) connectable to a communications network (75), and an adaptor (7) including means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) on the appliance (1) and means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) (12) to the appliance (1) via the adaptor (7).

2. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the communications module (12) is received in a recess (10) in the adaptor (7).

3. The appliance (1) of claim 2, wherein the adaptor (7) frames the mounted communications module (12) received in the recess (10).

4. The appliance (1) of claim 1, wherein the appliance (1) has a door (3) and wherein the mounting hardware, the adaptor (7) and the communications module (12) are part of the door (3) of the appliance (1).

5. The appliance (1) of claim 4, and being a microwave oven (1).

6. System according to claim 1, wherein the communications module comprises a means to connect to the Internet.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein the communications module comprises a personal computer.

8. A domestic appliance comprising:

a) mounting hardware (6);

b) a discrete communications module (12) connectable to a communications network (75); and

c) an adaptor (7) including

i) means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) on the appliance (1);

ii) means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance via the adaptor (7); and

iii) a recess (10) wherein the communications module (12) is received; and

d) bias means (11) for urging the communications module (12) out of the recess (10).

9. The appliance (1) of claim 8, wherein latch means (18) acting against the bias means (11) hold the communications module (12) releasably in the recess (10).

10. A domestic appliance comprising:

a) mounting hardware (6);

b) a discrete communications module (12) connectable to a communications network (75); and

c) an adaptor (7) including

i) means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) on the appliance (1);

ii) means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance via the adaptor (7), such that the communications module (12), when mounted, is movable with respect to the adaptor(7).

11. The appliance (1) of claim 10, wherein the adaptor (7) and the communications module (12) are connected by mounting hardware (13-16) that permits the communications module (12) to adopt any of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to the adaptor (7).

12. A domestic appliance comprising:

a) mounting hardware (6);

b) a discrete communications module (12) connectable to a communications network (75) via a flying lead connectable to an external terminal on the appliance; and

c) an adaptor (7) including

i) means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) on the appliance (1);

ii) means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance via the adaptor (7).

13. The appliance (1) of claim 12, wherein the flying lead includes a port for data communication between the communications module (12) and the appliance (1).

14. A system, comprising:

a) a microwave oven having an opaque metallic door (5);

b) lugs (6) attached to the exterior of the door (5);

c) a frame (7) having

i) holes (6A) on a rear face which snap-fit to the lugs (6); and

ii) a recess (10) on a front face;

d) a communications module (12) within the recess (10); and

e) hinge means which

i) connect the communications module (12) with the frame (7) and

ii) allow the communications module (12) to pivot about a horizontal axis.

15. System according to claim 14, and further comprising f) a latch (18) for restraining the communications module (12) from pivoting.

16. System according to claim 14, wherein the communications module (12) comprises a personal computer.

17. A method of assembling a domestic appliance (1) and a standard communications module (12), the method comprising providing one of a plurality of different domestic appliances (1) having mounting hardware (6), fitting to the mounting hardware (6) of the appliance (1) an appropriate one of a plurality of different adaptors (7) each having a standard mounting (10) for a communications module (12) and means cooperable with the mounting hardware, and mounting to that adaptor (7) a standard communications module (12).