Client for an appliance network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016134431-A1
Application number	US-201614997700-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 18, 2016
Priority date	Jun 9, 2005
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A client for use with at least one appliance having an appliance control system enabling the appliance to perform a useful cycle of operation on a physical article in an appliance network, wherein the appliance control system has at least one functionality associated with the cycle of operation from a universe of functionalities, the client comprising:
at least one control board having a software architecture configured for communication over the appliance network including with the appliance control system of the at least one appliance, wherein the software architecture associates the at least one functionality with a first identifier being an Operational Code (Op Code), and associates the first identifier with at least one second identifier that represents a logical group of functionalities, the second identifier being an Application Programming Interface identifier (API ID), wherein each API ID comprises one or more instances, and wherein the first identifier need only be unique within the context of the second identifier so that the software architecture and the plurality of functionalities is modular and reusable without modification because the at least one functionality within the logical group of functionalities has a unique API ID and the one or more instances comprise a unique instance identifier, and the software architecture enables multiple functionalities simultaneously without changing the values of any of the second identifiers.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Ebrom Matthew P
• Feldbruegge Robert J
• Glotzbach Mark E
• Mccoy Richard A
• Moes Christopher S
• Whipple Andrew D

Classifications

• H04L12/282

  based on user interaction within the home (receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204) · CPC title

• H04L12/2818

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title

• H04L12/2825

  Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002) · CPC title

• H04L12/2807

  Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network (arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50) · CPC title

• G06F9/54

  Interprogram communication · CPC title