Appliance Demo Software via Smart Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sales demonstration methods for products, such as appliances, are often inflexible and resource-intensive, requiring separate manufacturing of demo models and relying on outdated software that cannot accommodate changing promotional needs or target specific vendor requirements, leading to excessive time and resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a smart device connected to production line appliances via an internal communications network, allowing for demonstration software to control appliance components independently, enabling interactive multimedia presentations and adaptable promotional content without modifying the appliance's control logic or hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate demo models are manufactured with modified hardware and control logic, then demonstration functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemonstration functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses software to create a virtual copy of the production line appliance's control logic, allowing the demo mode to replicate full functionality without physical modifications. The software layer mimics the appliance's operational behavior while the actual hardware remains identical to production models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the demonstration control logic from the hardware manufacturing process and places it in a separate software component. This allows the demo functionality to be independently configured and updated without affecting the physical appliance design or manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If built-in demonstration software is used, then demo mode functionality is provided, but flexibility to update promotional content is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemo mode operationVSAvoidpromotional content flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic promotional content that can be updated and modified through software without requiring hardware changes. The system allows flexible configuration of demonstration scenarios, pricing information, and marketing messages that can be adapted to different vendors and time periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures the software architecture to accommodate future promotional updates. The system is designed with built-in capabilities for easy content modification, allowing vendors to update promotional material without requiring technical expertise or hardware interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If computer connection is used to alter programming, then demo customization is possible, but time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemo customizationVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service customization where vendors can easily configure and update demonstration content using simplified interfaces. The system provides tools that allow non-technical users to modify promotional content, select different demo scenarios, and configure pricing without requiring programmer intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal software platform that handles multiple demonstration configurations and promotional scenarios through a single system. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to serve various demo purposes with software configuration alone, eliminating the need for separate programming sessions for each customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If experienced mechanics and programmers are involved for code modification, then precise demo configuration is achieved, but resource costs and time expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemo configuration precisionVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that sits between the hardware and the configuration process. This intermediary provides standardized interfaces and pre-built templates that allow precise demo configuration without requiring direct hardware programming or mechanical modifications, thereby reducing the need for specialized expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8676656B2Method for product demonstration
Publication Date: 2014.03.18 WHIRLPOOL CORP
  • US8676656B2 patent drawing
  • US8676656B2 patent drawing
  • US8676656B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of demonstrating a household appliance by executing a demonstration software to cause demonstration of at least one component of the appliance and to display related information on a user interface of the appliance by a multimedia program.