Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202844 | ACOUSTIC CHAMBER AS PART OF ADAPTER - An acoustic chamber as part of adapter for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices. | 08-28-2008 |
20080203868 | ADAPTER OR APPLIANCE WITH A USER INTERFACE WINDOW - An adapter or an appliance for use with an independently operable consumer electronic device having a user interface. The adapter comprises a holding device forming a device cavity capable of admitting the consumer electronic device in a predetermined orientation. An access opening into the device cavity exposes a portion of the consumer electronic device when the consumer electronic device is in the predetermined orientation. The portion of the consumer electronic device exposed includes at least a portion of the user interface. | 08-28-2008 |
20080222327 | VERTICAL ADAPTERS AND VERTICAL DEVICE FOR MOUNTING TO A HORIZONTAL SERVICE INTERFACE - A vertical device for mounting to a host having a horizontal surface with an upwardly oriented host service interface providing a mechanical service and at least one electrical service as well as an adapter for mounting a vertical device to a host of this type. The device or adapter has a main body with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion extending generally downwardly from the horizontal portion. A device service interface extends downwardly from the horizontal portion for engagement with the host service interface. At least one functionality is provided on the vertical portion of the vertical device or the adapter. | 09-11-2008 |
20080231764 | Writing surface with video display - A system of a video display and a writing surface. In one embodiment, the system includes a writing surface, a video display and a service interface for coupling the system to an appliance surface. In another embodiment, the system includes a main body, a video display attached to the main body, and a writing surface on the main body disposed adjacent to and parallel to the video display. | 09-25-2008 |
20080232053 | Writing surface with removable portable electronic device - A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance. | 09-25-2008 |
20080247141 | System for slidably coupling consumer electronic devices to an appliance - A system of an appliance host with at least a pair of generally parallel elongated interface structures cooperatively defining alternative pairs of locations for removably coupling a portable device to the outer wall and a potable device for use with the appliance. The interface structures may be rails, slots or elongated electrical connectors. | 10-09-2008 |
20080247594 | AUDIO NETWORK AS PART OF ADAPTER OR APPLIANCE - An audio network as part of adapter or appliance for an appliance performing a useful cycle of operation on an object unrelated to the delivery of sound media. The audio network comprises an appliance accepting a plurality of consumer electronic devices and sending acoustical signals from at least one of the devices to a remote speaker. | 10-09-2008 |
20080287009 | ADAPTER WITH AN ACCESS PANEL FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An adapter for removably coupling an electronic device to a host and a modular system of the host, adapter and electronic device. The adapter comprises a main body, a first interface capable of coupling with the appliance, a cavity in the main body receiving the electronic device, a second interface within the cavity coupling with the electronic device; and an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity. | 11-20-2008 |
20090006970 | PRODUCT SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An appliance is configured to establish a communications link through the appliance between a user and a service representative as part of installing, diagnosing and servicing the appliance. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009316 | FUNCTIONAL UNIT OF A CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND WRITING SURFACE - A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port. | 01-08-2009 |
20090015727 | ADAPTER AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE FUNCTIONAL UNIT - A functional unit of a video display, a main body and a connector associated with the main body for receiving an external electrical signal that is transmitted to the video display. The main body provides a first service to connect the video display to the host, a second service to support the functional unit on a generally horizontal surface, and a communication function in addition to the function provided by the video display. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016004 | INFORMATION CENTER FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE - An information center for a household appliance and more particularly to an information center having an image display and a data connectors having alternative support features for mounting to an appliance or to a horizontal surface. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016005 | ADAPTER AND IMAGE DISPLAY FUNCTIONAL UNIT - A modular system of an image display and a base for selective use with an appliance host. The base removably couples the image display to the appliance host and supplies a first service between the appliance host and the image display when the base is coupled to the appliance host and the image display is coupled to the base. The base further supplying a second service to and forms a functional unit with the image display when the base and the image display are removed from the appliance host. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016041 | ADAPTER AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE FUNCTIONAL UNIT - A functional unit of a consumer electronic device and an adapter. performing a first primary function and mountable to an appliance host performing a second primary function. The adapter includes a main body, a first support component capable of supporting the consumer electronic device, a second support component capable of removably coupling the functional unit to the host, and a third support component capable of alternatively supporting the functional unit on a horizontal surface when the adapter main body is removed from the host. The adapter provides an electromagnetic service to the consumer electronic device selected from a power service and a data service supplied by the adapter. | 01-15-2009 |
20090017661 | ADAPTER FOR A CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH AN INFORMATION FUNCTION - An adapter for removably mounting an electronic image device performing a first informational function to an appliance performing a cycle of operation on a consumer article. The adapter has a main body adapted to removably couple the electronic device to the appliance. The adapter provides a first mechanical support service between the appliance and the electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the appliance and the electronic device is coupled to the adapter and a second mechanical support service to the electronic device when the adapter and the electronic device are removed from the appliance as well as providing a second informational function. | 01-15-2009 |
20090017680 | ADAPTER WITH A RECHARGEABLE POWER SOURCE FOR A CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An adapter for removably mounting an electronic device performing a data function to an appliance host. The adapter has a main body, a first mechanical coupling capable of removably coupling the electronic device to the adapter, and a second mechanical coupling capable of removably coupling the adapter to the host. The adapter further has a rechargeable power source capable of being recharged by power from the host and then providing power to the electronic device when the adapter is not connected to the host. | 01-15-2009 |
20090040012 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH A CYCLE STRUCTURE FOR AN APPLIANCE - A consumable holder for use in an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle related to a consumable in the consumable holder, in response to a cycle structure, has or is enabled to acquire information about the cycle structure. The information about the cycle structure can be communicated to the appliance for use by the appliance to change the cycle structure and thereby change the operation cycle related to the consumable. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040013 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH CONVERTER - A consumable holder is provided for use in an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle related to a consumable in the consumable holder. The consumable holder has or is enabled to acquire information associated with itself or the consumable, and further includes a converter configured to transform the information to a cycle structure. Thus, the consumable holder can communicate with a cycle engine to create or modify a cycle structure for use by the appliance to perform an operation cycle related to the consumable. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040066 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH ROUTABLE DATA PACKET FOR AN APPLIANCE - An appliance configured to perform an operation cycle to effect a physical operation on an article, the appliance includes at least one component configured to effect the physical operation, and a cycle engine on the component. The cycle engine can access a structure for the operation cycle to enable the component to perform the physical operation. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040067 | APPLIANCE AND A CONSUMABLE HOLDER IN A NETWORK - A network includes a client and an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle on an article using a consumable. Information associated with the consumable can be exchanged between the appliance and the client across the network. | 02-12-2009 |
20090044129 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE TO CONTROL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN AN APPLIANCE AND A CONSUMABLE HOLDER - A graphical user interface has software configured to communicate with an appliance adapted to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article and to communicate with a consumable holder for use with the appliance where the operation cycle is related to a consumable in the consumable holder. The software is configured to cause the graphical user interface to communicate to a user information associated with an appliance, a cycle of operation, a consumable holder, or a consumable. The software also causes the graphical user interface to communicate to an appliance or to a consumable holder information from a user. | 02-12-2009 |
20090044137 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH USER INTERFACE DATA - A user interface has software configured to communicate with an appliance adapted to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article and to communicate with a consumable information holder. The software is further configured to cause the graphical user interface to communicate to a user information that is at least partially derived from the consumable information holder. The information includes at least one step for activating a user interface component, preparing the appliance for the operation cycle, handling the appliance during the operation cycle, handling the appliance after the operation cycle, preparing the article for the operation cycle, handling the article during an operation cycle, or handling an article after the operation cycle. | 02-12-2009 |
20090045926 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH TAXONOMY - A consumable holder is provided for use with the appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article. The consumable holder is configured to communicate with the appliance using a well formed command according to a taxonomy dataset. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046715 | APPLIANCE AND A CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH AN EMBEDDED VIRTUAL ROUTER - An embedded virtual router is provided for a system comprising a device having a first software component configured to obtain and convey information associated with a consumable and an appliance having a second software component configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article using the consumable. The embedded virtual router encapsulates the two software components so that collaboration between them is uniform and identical whether the collaboration is over a network or sharing a runtime environment. | 02-19-2009 |
20090100132 | COLLECTOR FOR MONITORING AND RECORDING APPLIANCE DATA - A central collector has appliance communication links to communicate with multiple appliances, and removable memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliances. When the memory is removed from the central collector and installed in a device capable of communication, the operational data can be communicated from the removable memory to a remote service center or a portable computing device. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100153 | METHOD OF SELF SERVICING AN APPLIANCE - A method of self servicing an appliance includes connecting a service accessory to an appliance, recording diagnostics data associated with the appliance onto the service accessory, removing the service accessory from the appliance, coupling the service accessory to a personal computer, and uploading the diagnostics data to an automated service system. Another embodiment includes coupling a service accessory to a computer having a test script, transferring a test script from the computer to the service accessory, connecting the service accessory to the communication network of the appliance, establishing communications between the service accessory and the appliance using the communication network; and executing the test script over the communication network. | 04-16-2009 |
20090103535 | Software Architecture System And Method For Communication With, And Management Of, Components Within An Appliance Utilizing Functionality Identifiers - A network system comprising a system of devices having a plurality of nodes defining a communications network. At least one identifier from a pre-determined group of identifiers is associated with each of the nodes and identifies the functionalities that are applicable to that node or device associated with that node. In one embodiment, at least one of the nodes can transmit the at least one identifier by a message sent over the communications network for receipt by at least one of the nodes to thereby publish the functionalities over the communications network. | 04-23-2009 |
20090132070 | CLIENT FOR AN APPLIANCE NETWORK - A client having at least one memory location is provided for use with an appliance network. The client includes an arbitrary software component for performing a useful function, a software architecture or a software architecture driver configured to generate or enable transmission of messages, and means to communicate by message over a network. Thus, the client can have full capability to act as an accessory to an appliance to communicate with and to enhance or alter the operation of the appliance. | 05-21-2009 |
20090285000 | ADAPTER WITH TRANSFORMATIVE COMPONENT - An adapter for removably coupling a consumer electronic device to a host, with the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host. The adapter can further include a power source including a transformative component that transforms power supplied by the host. | 11-19-2009 |
20090326687 | MEAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION SYSTEM - A meal planning system includes memory having appliance user domain data and control system domain data. One or more instances of appliance user domain data are bound to one or more instances of control system domain data or one or more instances of other appliance user domain data. The appliance user domain data and the control system domain data are related to planning and preparing one or more meals. The system also has a communication path connected to the memory and connectable to a data sender. A query from the data sender to the memory over the communication path, and associated with criteria data referencing at least a portion of the control system domain data or the other appliance user domain data, will return data to the data sender so that the data sender can use the return data to affect the planning and preparing of a meal. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326856 | TOOLKIT FOR EXECUTING DIAGNOSTICS IN AN APPLIANCE - An appliance development toolkit includes a communications driver and a test engine configured to access one or more test scripts, to construct a well formed message based on instructions in the test script, and to convey the well formed message to the appliance via a communication link. Each step of the test script is separated from adjacent steps by a transition condition. The transition condition includes a logic expression resolvable to a boolean value, and a command statement that instructs what should happen so that the test engine will execute the command statement contemporaneously with a transition. The toolkit also includes information associated with a message element in a message data payload. The message data payload is uniquely identifiable within a universe of pre-defined message data payloads so that the information enables the test engine to construct the well formed message. The test engine is further configured to observe subsequent network messages, relate those to a transition logic in the test script, and evaluate the logic for transition to the next step. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327879 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH EDITOR TO CREATE USABLE NETWORK MESSAGE DATA - A development toolkit can create a message data payload for use on a communications network having rules for data representation. The development toolkit includes an editor configured to create a first portion of a message data payload having usable data for transmission over the communications network, and to create a second portion of the message data payload having information to describe the usable data. The editor includes constraints that limit the manner in which creating the first and second portions and the association occurs. The constraints are defined in part by the rules for data representation. The toolkit also includes a user interface to display a visualization of the message data payload from the editor. With this configuration, a user can conveniently create a message data payload for immediate use and see a graphical representation of the message data payload as it is created. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327887 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT FOR CREATING A THEMEABLE DYNAMIC USER INTERFACE FOR AN APPLIANCE - An appliance development toolkit includes access to user interface domain data, an editor configured to create one or more instances of user interface control data, to create a map for associating the instances with one or more resource identifiers, and to create a map for associating one or more theme identifiers with the resource identifiers. The toolkit also has a converter for creating content based on the instances of user interface control data and the maps. The content is in a builder file. An appliance, having a graphical user interface with which a user can control and observe operation of the appliance, can use the builder file at runtime to dynamically render its graphical user interface based on resources in response to selection of a theme. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327929 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH EDITOR FOR NAMESPACE ALLOCATION - An appliance development toolkit has an editor for namespace allocation and an interactive user interface on which the editor is displayed for use by a developer. The editor is used to select or allocate an identifier from a namespace having a universe of identifiers. A method for allocating identifiers from a namespace is also provided. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327930 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH EDITOR FOR BINDING DATA - An appliance development toolkit is provided to enable creation of content to affect operation of a component in an appliance or to affect user interaction with an appliance. The toolkit has access to instances of appliance user domain data and control system domain data, an editor configured to associate at least one instance of appliance user domain data to at least one instance of control system domain data or at least one instance of other appliance user domain data, an interactive user interface on which the instances of appliance user domain data and control system domain data are displayed for use by a developer, and a model converter to generate the content using the instances from the editor. The content is usable to affect the operation or to affect the user interaction as determined by the associations. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327931 | APPLIANCE WITH THEME SELECTION - An appliance includes one or more control boards having control software to control a cycle of operation of the appliance, a graphical user interface in communication with the control boards for allowing a user to observe and interact with the appliance regarding the cycle of operation, and a software framework configured to run in a processor having memory in communication with the graphical user interface. The software framework has theme definitions and access to builder content containing information with which it associates a theme definition with one or more resources. The software framework dynamically renders the graphical user interface at runtime based on the resources in response to selection of a theme so that a user can cause the control board to control the cycle of operation via the selected theme in the graphical user interface. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327932 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT FOR CREATING A DYNAMIC USER INTERFACE FOR AN APPLIANCE - An appliance development toolkit includes access to a user interface domain data model, access to an appliance user domain data model, a model instance editor configured to create one or more instances of user interface domain data derived from the user interface domain data model, to create one or more instances of appliance user domain data derived from the appliance user domain data model, and to associate one or more user interface elements with one or more appliance user elements. The toolkit also has a model instance converter for creating content including portions of the instances of user interface domain data, instances of appliance user domain data, and a map of the association. The content is in a builder file. An appliance can use the builder file at runtime to dynamically render its graphical user interface. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327998 | CONSTRAINED APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT - An appliance development toolkit is provided to enable creation of content to affect operation of a component in an appliance or to affect user interaction with an appliance. The toolkit includes an editor to create effective data related to the functioning of one or more components of an appliance. The editor is informed by no more than a portion of information related to the component or components. The toolkit also has an interactive user interface on which the editor is displayed for use by a developer, and a converter to generate content using the effective data. The portion of information is less than all information related to the component or components, and no more than the portion is available to the editor, so that the developer's capacity to create content using the toolkit is constrained by the available portion of information. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004764 | APPLIANCE WITH ANIMATION FRAMEWORK - An appliance includes one or more control boards having control software to control a cycle of operation, access to memory, a graphical user interface in communication with the control boards for allowing a user to observe and interact with the appliance regarding the cycle of operation, and a software framework in communication with the graphical user interface and the memory access. The software framework has animation definitions and access to builder content containing instance information with which it can create at least one instance of a user interface control and can associate one or more animation definitions with memory information associated with at least two locations in the memory. With this structure, the software framework dynamically renders animation in the graphical user interface at runtime using the animation definitions, and the rendering of the graphical user interface is dynamically affected by association of the animation definitions and the memory information. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005405 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH UNIVERSAL EDITOR - An appliance development toolkit is provided to enable creation of content to affect operation of a component in an appliance or to affect user interaction with an appliance, and includes appliance user domain data or source identification domain data, an editor to create instances of data elements related to functionality of an appliance or the editor derived in part from the domain data, an interactive user interface on which the editor is displayed for use by a developer, and a converter to generate content using the data elements created by the instance. The editor is configured at least in part by the domain data irrespective of the appliance so that the appliance development toolkit can be used for different appliances without recoding. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005445 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH MULTIPLE CONVERTERS - An appliance development toolkit according to the invention is provided to enable creation of content associated with appliance control functionality for two or more content targets. The toolkit includes an editor for creating data associated with appliance control functionality, and at least two converters for creating content from the data for each of the content targets, respectively. The content for each of the content targets is different. Thus, different content can be created for different content targets from a single data creation, and multiple contents can be updated by the converters with a single change to the data. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005447 | TOOLKIT FOR CREATING APPLIANCE DIAGNOSTICS - An appliance development toolkit includes an editor configured to create one or more test scripts having steps with each step being separated from its adjacent steps by a transition condition. The transition condition includes a logic expression resolvable to a boolean transition value, and one or more command statements that instruct what should happen so that a test engine can execute the command statement contemporaneous with the transition from one step to another. The toolkit also includes information associated with a message element in a message data payload. The message data payload is uniquely identifiable within a universe of pre-defined message data payloads for an appliance. The toolkit also includes a converter for placing the test script into a form for use in diagnosing an appliance. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005453 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT WITH EDITOR TO CREATE SHARED VARIABLE NAMESPACE - An appliance development toolkit according to the invention is provided to enable creation of content to affect operation of a component in an appliance or to affect user interaction with an appliance. The toolkit comprises an editor configured to enable creation of a variable holder, to associate the variable holder with a variable, to create a value holder related to a valid value of the variable, and to associate the variable holder with the value holder. A user can use either of the variable holder or the value holder in creating a hierarchy of elements for content independent of any relationship that may otherwise exist between the variable and other elements and between the value and other elements. With this structure, the variable and the value can be used in different contexts with different relationships while maintaining their relationship with each other by way of the variable holder and the value holder. | 01-07-2010 |
20100024264 | INFORMATION CENTER FOR AN APPLIANCE - An information center for an appliance has an image display and a base with support features for selective mounting to an appliance. The base further has a connector for receiving data, wherein the connector can receive data and the image display can display the data regardless of whether the information center is mounted to an appliance. | 02-04-2010 |
20100062722 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PATH LOSS IN A USE ENVIRONMENT - A method includes providing a first data collection unit and a second data collection unit, each of the first test data collection unit and the second data collection unit comprising a wireless transceiver and adapted for wireless communication therebetween, physically moving the first data collection unit to each of a plurality of different locations within the use environment associated with use of the home appliance, establishing a radio frequency link between the first data collection unit and the second data collection unit at each of the plurality of different locations within the use environment, characterizing quality of the radio frequency link at each of the plurality of different locations, the quality of the radio frequency link being at least partially based on the path loss within the use environment, and determining an aggregate characterization of the first data collection unit within the use environment using the quality of the radio frequency link at each of the plurality of different locations. A system for characterizing radio communications quality is also provided. | 03-11-2010 |
20100087932 | SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN APPLIANCE IN MULTIPLE OPERATING MODES - In one embodiment, a system for controlling a plurality of devices having at least two operating modes comprises a first software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a first operational mode and a second software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a second operational mode. In another embodiment, a control system for controlling a plurality of devices connected by a communications network comprises a user interface configured to receive the selection of a cycle of operation; a first system element isolated from the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a first control state; and a second system element exposed to the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a second control state. | 04-08-2010 |
20100101317 | LID BASED AMOUNT SENSOR - A device for determining the amount of a substance in a container includes an amount sensor disposed within the container, a transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to transmit an output thereof, and an electrical power source powering the sensor and the transmitter. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102051 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH ELECTRONICS TO COMMUNICATE WITH AN APPLIANCE - A consumable holder includes a source of a consumable, at least one appliance coupling point configured to convey the consumable to an appliance configured to use the consumable in a cycle of operation on an article, and electronics adapted to connect to a process control apparatus in the appliance. The electronics can thus cause a consumable to affect a resource or an article in an appliance using the process control apparatus when the consumable holder is coupled to the appliance. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102076 | APPLIANCE WITH A SERVICE INTERFACE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A CONSUMABLE HOLDER - An appliance configured to perform a physical operation on an article, using a resource, includes a process control apparatus to control a cycle of the physical operation, and a service interface in communication with the process control apparatus and configured to receive a consumable holder. The service interface has at least one coupling point for conveying the consumable from a consumable holder to the appliance. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102082 | CONSUMABLE HOLDER WITH PROCESS CONTROL APPARATUS - A consumable holder has a source of a consumable, a first appliance coupling point configured to receive a resource from and convey the resource or consumable to an appliance configured to use the consumable and the resource in a physical operation on an article, a process control apparatus to control conveyance of the resource or consumable to and from the consumable holder, and a second appliance coupling point in communication with the process control apparatus and configured to connect to an appliance. Thus, an appliance coupled to the consumable holder can communicate with the process control apparatus via the second coupling point. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102930 | INTRODUCTION OF A SELF-REPORTING PORTABLE CONTAINER INTO AN INVENTORY SYSTEM - A method of introducing into an inventory system a self-reporting portable container containing a consumable substance configured to determine and selectively report information about the substance. The container is configured to self report an attribute of the consumable substance. An identifier is associated with at least one of the container, the substance or a sensor provided to sense the attribute of the container. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102959 | MODULAR ATTRIBUTE SENSING DEVICE - A modular device for determining attributes of a substance stored in a container having a sensing module, a transmitter module and a power source module. The sensing module is capable of sensing attributes of a substance and providing an output. The transmitter module is configured to transmit an output of the at least one sensing module when operably coupled to the sensing module. The power source module is capable of being operably connected to the sensor module and the transmitter module to power the sensor module and the transmitter module. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106265 | SMART FILTER FOR AN APPLIANCE - A filter assembly is provided for an appliance that performs a useful cycle of operation on a physical article and uses a resource that passes through the filter assembly. The filter assembly includes at least one replaceable filter mounted in a filter holder. The filter holder has at least one control board having software architecture configured for communication on a network including other control boards or clients. The control board has at least one functionality of a universe of functionalities, and the functionality has a unique identifier, where the unique identifier can be communicated by the software architecture over the network. The filter assembly has at least one node in communication with the network, so that the filter assembly can monitor and record events, communicate, or affect the cycle of operation of the appliance. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106446 | ATTRIBUTE SENSING PROCESSES - Methods for determining an attribute of a substance in a container in response to an access event. The methods include a method for determining an attribute of a substance including activating the sensor in response to an access event and transmitting, in response to the activating, an output of the sensor providing an indication of an attribute of the contents. The methods also include a method having the steps of associating a sensor having an identifier with the container; and receiving the identifier and an output of the sensor providing an indication of the amount of the contents. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106515 | INTRODUCTION AND ACTIVATION OF A SELF-REPORTING PORTABLE CONTAINER INTO AN INVENTORY SYSTEM - A method of activating and introducing into an inventory system a self-reporting portable container containing a consumable substance configured to determine and selectively report information about the substance. The container is configured to self report an attribute of the consumable substance. An identifier is associated with at least one of the container, the substance or a sensor provided to sense the attribute of the container. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106521 | CONSUMABLES INVENTORY MANAGEMENT METHOD - A method of managing an inventory includes associating an identifier with a container system component such as a container, a sensor or a substance, where the sensor is configured to determine an indication of an attribute of the substance stored in the container. The method further may include associating an identifier with a container system member within a dataset remote to the container; remotely receiving container system data including the identifier and the indication of the attribute; and performing at least one data processing task associated with the container system data. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106624 | METHOD OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - A method of managing an inventory of a consumable substance stored in a portable container including sensing at least an indication of an attribute of the substance and generating data from said sensing. The method may further provide generating a notification based on the generating, such as by applying a notification trigger rule, receiving data including the indication of the attribute of the substance, evaluating the notification trigger rule using the data, and selectively generating an access notification based on the evaluating. The method may include sensing or generating in association with a container access event. The method may include associating an identifier with one of a container, a sensor or a substance. A system implementing this and other inventory management methods is also disclosed. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106625 | INVENTORY COMPONENT ACTIVATION - A method of activating a portable container containing a consumable substance configured to determine and selectively report information about the substance. The container is configured to self report an attribute of the consumable substance. An identifier is associated with at least one of the container, the substance or a sensor provided to sense the attribute of the container. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106626 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING INVENTORY HISTORY - A method and system of managing inventory of consumables stored in containers including associating with a container a sensor configured to determine an indication of the amount of an attribute, such as an indication of an amount of substance stored in the container, and storing the indication of amount at various times as a usage history. | 04-29-2010 |
20100125364 | CONFIGURABLE CONSUMABLE HOLDER FOR AN APPLIANCE - A removably coupled consumable holder for an appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on a physical article comprises a receptacle sized to hold one or more compartments for holding a consumable. The compartments are connected with an array of actuators for controlling the delivery of the consumable from the compartment to the appliance. A controller is connected with the array of actuators for actuation of the actuators during a cycle of operation. The consumable holder is further connected with an internal communications network in the appliance for communication with one or more components of the appliance. | 05-20-2010 |
20100138470 | MESSAGING ARCHITECTURE AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES - A system for managing resources used by an appliance includes a messaging architecture that uses resource profiles and function identifiers that represent a meaningful context related to the resource profiles so that the production or consumption of a resource can be managed by electronic messages using the message architecture. | 06-03-2010 |
20100154172 | HANDLE WITH DOCKING STATION - A structure, such as an appliance, has at least one handle that is operable to open a closure. The handle on the appliance is replaced with a retrofit handle having a docking station associated therewith. A consumer electronic device (CED) is docked with the docking station for providing a service to a consumer. The retrofit handle receives power or data from an external service and the retrofit handle in turn is operable to deliver the power or data to the CED. | 06-24-2010 |
20100154173 | REPLACEMENT HANDLE WITH POWER SUPPLY - A handle for a closure can be replaced with a new handle having a power supply. The replacement handle can be for an appliance, a drawer, a door, a cabinet or the like. An interface may communicate with the power supply so as to provide power to a consumer electronic device. Power is provided to the replacement handle by an external source. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157511 | ADAPTER RETROFIT BY REPLACEMENT COMPONENT - An appliance having various mechanical components that can be replaced with a component that provides power or data to the appliance. The component being replaced includes handles, trim pieces, face plates, or the like. The source of power to the new mechanical component comes from an external source which can also provide data. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161082 | APPLIANCE WITH A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR CONFIGURING AN ACCESSORY - An appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article includes a controller that controls the cycle of operation, an interface in network communication with the controller and adapted to connect to an accessory configurable to affect the cycle of operation, and a graphical user interface in network communication with the controller and the interface so that an accessory connected to the interface is configurable using the graphical user interface to affect the cycle of operation of the appliance. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161519 | METHOD OF PROVIDING A REPLACEMENT COMPONENT - A method of providing a retrofit component for a host comprises the steps of removing a mechanical component from a host and replacing the removed mechanical component with a new mechanical component that is operable to provide power to a consumer electronic device. The component being replaced includes handles, trim pieces, face plates, or the like. The source of power to the new mechanical component comes from an external source which can also provide data. Instructions can be provided to the consumer so as to instruct the consumer on how to install the new mechanical component to the host. | 06-24-2010 |
20100169230 | METHOD OF DETERMINING APPLIANCE PARTS STATUS - A method identifies whether a component in an appliance is original with the manufacture of the appliance or replaced after manufacture of the appliance. The component will have one or more indicators. The method includes setting the indicator of each component when the components are made to indicate that the components are replacements, and setting the indicator of each component installed in the appliance when the appliance is made to indicate that the component is original. Thus, any component installed in the appliance after the appliance is made will have an indicator indicating it as a replacement. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169290 | EMBEDDED IDENTIFIERS FOR AN APPLIANCE COMPOMENT - An appliance has at least one component and is further enabled to communicate information about the component. The component has embedded identifiers that identify at least two different sources of information related to the component. Thus, a client of the appliance can receive the identifiers in the communicated information and use the identifiers to automatically ascertain information from the sources about the component. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169419 | MESSAGE ARCHITECTURE FOR AN APPLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A message architecture is provided for use in a communications network for an appliance having at least one component and further enabled to communicate information about the at least one component. The message architecture includes first and second identifiers where the first identifier identifies the form of the second identifier and the second identifier identifies at least one component in the appliance. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169420 | COMMUNICATION OF SERVICE INFORMATION BY APPLIANCE COMPONENTS - An appliance has at least two components and an internal communications network. A first component is in communication with the network and the second component is not. But the first component is configured to communicate service information related to the second component over the internal communications network. The service information will include one or more identifiers | 07-01-2010 |
20100169712 | METHOD OF DIAGNOSING AN APPLIANCE FAULT - A method is provided to diagnose a fault in an appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article. The appliance must also be configured to communicate by electronic message. The method includes providing a fault tree having a plurality of entry points associated with fault symptoms where the fault tree includes an ordered collection of steps. The method continues with communicating with the appliance by electronic message to obtain information about components associated with the appliance, ascertaining an entry point the fault tree from the plurality in based on the information, and performing the ordered collection of steps in the fault tree starting at the ascertained entry point. Using this method results in expediting the diagnosis of the appliance. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169713 | METHOD OF CUSTOMIZING A FAULT TREE FOR AN APPLIANCE - A method is provided of customizing a fault tree for diagnosing a fault in an appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article. The appliance must also be configured to communicate by electronic message. The method includes providing a plurality of fault trees associated with appliances and appliance components, where the fault trees include an ordered collection of steps. The method continues with communicating with an appliance by electronic message to obtain information about components associated with the appliance, selecting a subset of the plurality of fault trees based on the information, and dynamically aggregating the subset to create a customized fault tree comprising an ordered collection of steps. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174948 | EMBEDDED SYSTEMS DEBUGGING - The invention relates to a data processing system comprising a central processing unit, a first memory coupled to the central processing unit for storing variable data values, an eventing engine coupled to the central processing, a debug module coupled to the central processing unit and to the eventing engine for receiving the variable data values by way of the eventing engine in real time and configured to trigger breakpoints; and an interface to connect to an external device. Both event-based variable watching and debugging can occur contemporaneously by a user using an external device connected to the interface. | 07-08-2010 |
20100180019 | HOME NETWORK COMMISSIONING - Devices, systems and methods for commissioning a home network and inhibiting unaffiliated wireless communication devices that are physically proximate to each other from forming a wireless network. A wireless communication device may include a transceiver capable of communicating with at least a second device, a non-volatile memory capable of storing a network name, a controller, and a user input acceptance element capable of placing the controller in a network set-up mode. The controller may have a plurality of modes including the network set-up mode, as well as a status indicator for providing an indication of whether the device is operating with one of a parent status and a child status. A method for joining a wireless network may include entering a network set up mode, and scanning for a second device operating with a parent status. If the second device is operating with the parent status, the network name of the second device may be adopted as the network name. However, if there is no second device operating with the parent status, the network name may be established as either a new name or an existing name. | 07-15-2010 |
20100182753 | SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING A DEVICE TO A HOST - A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors. | 07-22-2010 |
20100248546 | ADAPTER FOR COUPLING A CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO AN APPLIANCE - An adapter comprises a first adapter interface configured to removably couple to a consumer electronic device to permit communication of a first electrical service between the adapter and the device, a second adapter interface configured to removably couple to an appliance to permit communication of a second electrical service between the transformative adapter and the appliance, and at least one transformation component in communication with the first adapter interface and the second adapter interface and transforming one of the first electrical service and the second electrical service into the other when the adapter is mechanically coupled with at least one of the appliance and the consumer electronic device. The first and second electrical services can be a power or data service, and one of the services can comprise a wireless service. | 09-30-2010 |
20100287059 | COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT MANAGEMENT - A comprehensive product management system for a product is provided. The system ( | 11-11-2010 |
20110085287 | MODULAR SYSTEM WITH APPLIANCE AND COVER HAVING ANTENNA - A modular system comprises an appliance having a visible surface, a first service interface positioned on the visible surface, a cover detachably coupled to the visible surface and disposed to overlie the first service interface, a controller configured to selectively provide operational instructions to the appliance and/or the cover, and an antenna provided within the cover and operably connected to the controller. | 04-14-2011 |
20110146328 | Substance Communicating Device with Mechanically Energized Connector - A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a consumable holder. The appliance has a first substance service connector component and a first service switch component. The substance communicating device has a second substance service connector component operably engageable with the first substance connector component to permit the communication of a substance between the first and second substance service connector components. The substance communicating device further has a second service switch component operably associated with the second substance service connector component, the second service switch component being configured to engage the first service switch component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance. | 06-23-2011 |
20110146329 | Proximity Sensor Enabled Substance Communication Coupling System - Systems and components for providing or receiving a substance through a substance communication coupling system. A substance switch is provided for selectively communicating the substance between a first substance communicating device, such as a host or other substance source and a second substance communicating device, such as a substance consumer. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance in response to detection of a contactless proximity target associated with one of the substance communicating devices by a proximity sensor associated with the other of the substance communicating devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110146330 | Mechanically Energized Substance Communication Coupling System - A substance communication coupling system includes a substance connector component for communication of a substance with another substance connector component. A substance switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the substance between the substance connector components. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance from a substance source to a substance consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target. | 06-23-2011 |
20110146819 | Substance Communicating Device with Mechanically Energized Connector System - Systems and components for providing or receiving a service through a service connector system. A first substance communicating device has a first service connector component and a first switch component. A second substance communicating device has a second service connector component operably actuatable by the first service connector component to permit the communication of a service between the first and second service connector components. One of the substance communicating devices further has a second switch component operably associated with the second service connector component, the second switch component being configured to be actuatable by the first switch component when the first service connector component is adjacent the second service connector component to selectively draw the first and second service connector components into engagement to permit the communication of the service between the substance communicating devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147159 | Mechanically Energized Mechanical Power Communication Coupling System - A mechanical power coupling system including a mechanical power connector component for communicating a mechanical power service with another mechanical power connector component. A mechanical power service switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the mechanical power service between the mechanical power connector components. The mechanical power service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service from a mechanical power service source to a mechanical power service consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147160 | Proximity Sensor Enabled Mechanical Power Coupling System - Systems and components for providing or receiving a mechanical power service through a mechanical power coupling system. A mechanical power service switch is provided for selectively communicating the mechanical power service between a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a host or other mechanical power service source and a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a mechanical power service consumer. The mechanical power service switch is activated to transfer a mechanical power service in response to detection of a contactless proximity target associated with one of the mechanical power service communicating devices by a proximity sensor associated with the other of the mechanical power service communicating devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147161 | Mechanically Energized Mechanical Power Coupling System - A system for communicating a mechanical power service between mechanical power service communicating devices. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the mechanical power service from a first mechanical power service communicating device, such as a host or other mechanical power service provider or source, to a second mechanical power service communicating device, such as an accessory device or other mechanical power service consumer. The service switch is activated to communicate the mechanical power service between the first mechanical power service communicating device and the second mechanical power service communicating device in response to movement of a component associated with one of the mechanical power service communicating devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148216 | Apparatus and System for Communicating Electromagnetic Service - An electromagnetic service communicating device for coupling to a host in at least two distinct orientations as well as a modular system including a host and a functional device. The electromagnetic service communicating device provides electromagnetic service from the host to the functional device. The electromagnetic service communicating device includes a first member having a first interface connectable to the host and that is pivotally connected to a second member having a second interface connectable to the functional device. The hosts can have differently oriented electromagnetic service interfaces. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148223 | Mechanically Energized eService Connector System - A system for receiving an eService, such as a thermal service, an illumination service or an acoustic service, from an eService source. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the eService from a host or other eService source to an eService consumer. The service switch is activated to transfer the eService from the eService source to the eService consumer in response to movement of a component associated with the eService source. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148649 | Proximity Sensor Enabled Electromagnetic Service Connector System - An electromagnetic service connector system and components for providing or receiving an electromagnetic service, such as power or data. An electromagnetic service switch is provided for selectively transferring the electromagnetic service from the host or other electromagnetic service source to the electromagnetic service consumer. The electromagnetic service switch is activated to transfer an electromagnetic service in response to detection of a proximity target associated with an electromagnetic service consumer by a proximity source associated with an electromagnetic service provider. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148650 | Mechanical Proximity Sensor Enabled Electromagnetic Service Connector System - An electromagnetic service connector system includes first and second electromagnetic service connector components for communicating an electromagnetic service between an electromagnetic service provider and an electromagnetic service consumer. The electromagnetic service may be any form of electrical power or data. An electromagnetic service switch is provided for selectively transferring the electromagnetic service from the electromagnetic service provider to the electromagnetic service consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148651 | Substance Communicating Device with Sensor Enabled Connector - A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a substance communicating device. The appliance has a first service connector component and a first proximity system component. The substance communicating device has a second service connector component operably engageable with the first connector component to permit the communication of a service between the first and second service connector components. The substance communicating device further has a second proximity system component operably associated with the second service connector, the second proximity system component being configured to engage the first proximity system component when the first and second service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the service between the substance communicating device and the appliance. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149485 | Mechanically Energized Substance Communication Coupling System - A system for communicating a substance from between substance communicating devices. A substance switch is provided for selectively transferring the substance from a first substance communicating device, such as a host or other substance source to a first substance communicating device, such as a such as a substance consumer. The substance switch is activated to communicate the substance between the first substance communicating device and the second substance communicating device in response to movement of a component associated with one of the substance communicating devices. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153739 | Proximity Sensor Enabled eService Connector System - Systems and components for providing or receiving an eService, such as acoustic, thermal and illumination service. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the eService from the host or other eService source to the eService consumer. The service switch is activated to transfer an eService in response to detection of a proximity target associated with an eService consumer by a proximity source associated with an eService provider. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153821 | Mechanical Proximity Sensor Enabled eService Connector System - An eService connector system includes an eService consumer for receiving an eService from an eService source. The eService may, for example, be any wave form of illumination, acoustic or thermal service. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the eService from the eService source to the eService consumer. The service switch is activated to transfer an eService from the eService source to the eService consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153871 | Substance Communicating Device with Activatable Connector and Cycle Structure - A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a substance communicating device. The substance communicating device has a service connector component operably engageable with a service connector component of the appliance to permit the communication of a substance between the appliance and the substance communicating device. Information related to the substance can be communicated to the appliance and used to affect the physical cycle of operation of the appliance. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153880 | Mechanically Energized Electromagnetic Service Connector System - A system for communicating an electromagnetic service, such as power or data, with an electromagnetic service communicating device. An electromagnetic service switch is provided for selectively transferring the electromagnetic service from a host or other electromagnetic service source to an electromagnetic service consumer. The electromagnetic service switch is activated to transfer the electromagnetic service from the electromagnetic service source to the electromagnetic service consumer in response to movement of a component associated with the electromagnetic service source. | 06-23-2011 |
20110185342 | APPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT - An appliance development toolkit ( | 07-28-2011 |
20130235197 | METHOD FOR INITIATING A CONSUMABLE-BASED CYCLE OF OPERATION - A method of initiating a cycle of operation based on a consumable includes providing a consumable reader having a software architecture configured to image data, communicate over a network, and identify functionalities of appliances based on a unique identifier associated with each instance of a functionality, imaging data about the consumable using the consumable reader; retrieving cycle data associated with the consumable based on the imaged data; ascertaining in the software architecture at least one functionality associated with the cycle data; selecting from the plurality of appliances an appliance having the at least one functionality using the unique identifier associated with an instance of the at least one functionality; and communicating the cycle data to the selected appliance over the network of appliances wherein the selected appliance can conduct a cycle of operation associated with the consumable using the cycle data. | 09-12-2013 |
20140232203 | MECHANICAL PROXIMITY SENSOR ENABLED ESERVICE CONNECTOR SYSTEM - An eService connector system includes an eService consumer for receiving an eService from an eService source. The eService may, for example, be any wave form of illumination, acoustic or thermal service. A service switch is provided for selectively transferring the eService from the eService source to the eService consumer. The service switch is activated to transfer an eService from the eService source to the eService consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target. | 08-21-2014 |