Audio status communication from an embedded device

A system for providing an audio status output describing an embedded device to an audio status collector over a communication network, the system comprising:

• an embedded device configured to generate the audio status output comprising:
• a processor;
• an input button in electronic communication with the processor;
• a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output;
• memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing data;
• and
• an audio output generator stored in the memory and implementing a method comprising:
• receiving a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button in electronic communication with the processor;
• accessing status data stored in the memory;
• converting the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table, the audio output data comprising a plurality of distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data;
• and
• providing the audio output data to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated;
• and
• an audio status collector comprising:
• an audio decoder for decoding the audio output;
• a communications module for connecting to and listening on the communication network, the communications module in electronic communication with the audio decoder;
• and
• an audio decoding table for use by the audio decoder in decoding the audio output, whereby the audio decoder hears the audio output and decodes the audio output to obtain the status data.

A method for providing an audio status output describing an embedded device to an audio status collector over a communication network, the method comprising:

• providing an embedded device configured to generate the audio status output;
• processing inputs of the embedded device to provide status data that describes operation of the embedded device;
• receiving a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of an input button of the embedded device in electronic communication with a processor of the embedded device;
• accessing the status data stored in memory of the embedded device;
• converting the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table, the audio output data comprising a plurality of distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data;
• and
• providing the audio output data to a speaker of the embedded device such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated;
• communicating the audio output to an audio status collector via the communication network;
• and
• decoding the audio output by an audio decoder of the audio status collector through use of an audio decoding table to obtain the status data.