Appliance control communication methods and apparatus
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorGregory A. Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes an appliance control panel and a controller. The appliance control panel is disposed on an appliance. The appliance control panel has first and second optical communication devices that are in communication with an external surface of the appliance control panel. The controller is secured within the appliance. The controller is operably connected to the first and second communication devices to provide communication signals thereto, the communication signals including diagnostic information.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an appliance control panel disposed on an appliance, the appliance control panel having first and second optical communication devices in communication with an external surface of the appliance control panel;
- a controller secured within the appliance, the controller operably connected to the first and second optical communication devices to provide communication signals thereto, said communication signals including diagnostic information.
An apparatus for obtaining communication signals from an appliance comprising:
- first and second communication devices supported on a housing,
- a plurality of conductors extending from the first and second communication devices to a location external to the housing, the plurality of conductors configured to be connected to a computing device;
- a mounting means secured to the housing, the mounting means configured to removably secure the housing on an externally accessible panel of an appliance such that the first and second communication devices are in communication with communication devices electrically connected to a controller of the appliance.
A method comprising:
- providing from a controller disposed within an appliance a first communication signal including diagnostic information to a first communication device, the first communication device in communication with an external surface of a control panel of the appliance;
- receiving in the controller a second communication signal from a second communication device, the first communication device in communication with an external surface of a control panel of the appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.