Product demonstration system and method

Abstract

A method of demonstrating a product such as a household appliance having an internal communications network connecting two or more components includes using a smart device having demonstration software to communicate with the internal communications network and assume control of one or more of the components to effect a demonstration of features of the product.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2006 / 022420, filed Jun. 8, 2006, and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2006 / 022503, filed Jun. 9, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to demonstrations of products offered for sale, and more particularly to systems and methods to effect sales demonstrations of products.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Products are often made in a variety of models, each having more or less components that offer different features and operational modes. Cars and computers, for example, often have dozens of configurations across the same product line. Household appliances are manufactured in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and with many different operating features. Vendors of these products typically employ sales persons to demonstrate the various features of a product to potential...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The invention lies in a method of demonstrating a product comprising the steps of (1) providing a product with an internal communications network among at least two components and software architecture implemented on the network that identifies the components, communicates the capabilities of each identified component, communicates the status of each identified component, provides a command interface for operating the components, and facilitates communication between the components and devices external to the product; (2) providing a smart device having demonstration software capable of assuming control of a component in the product; (3) establishing communication between the smart device and the internal communications network so that the demonstration software is in control of at least one of the components; and (4) executing the demonstration software to cause demonstration of the at least one component in the product.

Problems solved by technology

Because demo appliances are not constructed with the same elements and functionality as a production line appliance, the two versions of the appliance must be manufactured separately, which complicates the manufacturing process and adds costs.

But too often, the needs of a sales demonstration far exceed the capability of built-in software to accommodate them.

Demonstrations are thus not tailored to target the needs of each individual vendor, and promotional offers, which only last a short amount of time, cannot be included in the demonstrations.

However, this involves disassembling the appliance and / or re-writing the code, necessitating the involvement of experienced mechanics and / or programmers.

As this consumes excessive time and resources, most demo appliances are simply discarded when the demonstration becomes outdated.

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