Intelligent appliance network
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorRobert M. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of controlling an intelligent appliance network includes allowing a user to select a desired instruction sequence to be executed by a remote appliance. The instruction sequence contains commands to be completed by both the user and the appliance, as regulated by a CPU, with the sequence being paused when input is needed by the user and wherein the appliance commands are performed automatically. When applied to a cooking appliance, such as an oven, the appliance will automatically perform certain cooking functions according to a recipe being followed by a CPU. When applied to a washing machine, the factory set operating parameter of the machine can be altered to follow an instructed control sequence applicable to the task performed.
Claims20
A method of controlling an operation of an appliance comprising:
- providing a central processing unit (CPU);
- providing at least one appliance remote from said CPU;
- electrically connecting the at least one appliance to said CPU;
- loading an instruction sequence into said CPU, wherein said instruction sequence includes first and second sets of commands, with said first set of commands being directed to a user of the appliance and said second set of commands being directed to the appliance;
- and
- transmitting said second set of commands to said appliance during the performance of said instruction sequence.
An appliance control system comprising:
- means for loading an instruction sequence into a storage unit, wherein said instruction sequence includes first and second sets of commands with the first set of commands being directed to a user of an appliance, which is located remote from the storage unit, and the second set of commands being directed to the appliance;
- and
- means for automatically transmitting said second set of commands to said appliance during performance of said instruction sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.