Communications module mounting for domestic appliance
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorAndrew Bridson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims17
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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
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).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.