Appliance Communication Module for Remote Interactive Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Home appliances are limited to local usage, restricting their functionality to within the user's home or room, and do not allow for advanced interaction beyond typical operational parameters.

Innovation Solution

A communication system is introduced, where home appliances are connected to a network via an appliance communication module, enabling them to receive and send interactive messages with embedded elements that can operate appliance functionalities, allowing remote control and interaction through an appliance interactive display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If home appliances are connected to a network via communication modules, then remote operation and interaction capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidcommunication module complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is designed to perform multiple functions including receiving remote commands, sending status updates, and facilitating interactive messaging, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function and managing complexity through consolidation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

An interactive messaging system acts as an intermediary layer between remote users and appliance functions, where messages with embedded interactive elements serve as the communication medium, simplifying the direct control interface while maintaining remote operability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interactive messages with embedded elements are implemented, then user interaction functionality is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction functionalityVSAvoidmessage processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Interactive elements are pre-configured and embedded within messages during message creation, so that when messages are received and displayed, the interactive functionality is already prepared and requires minimal additional processing beyond standard message rendering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses standardized message formats and templates for interactive elements, allowing reusable interaction patterns to be copied and instantiated across different messages and appliances, reducing the need to process unique complex interactions from scratch each time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11528160B2Appliance network with messaging

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An appliance, communication system, and method thereof for a communicating on a network including an appliance interactive display coupled to an appliance communication module. The appliance communication module is configured to receive a message having an embedded interactive element configured to operate a functionality of the appliance embedded into the message. A return message is sent that relates to a post-cycle of operation of the embedded interactive element.