Appliance Remote Diagnostics via Internal Component Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of household appliance components and diverse implementation choices make it difficult to design, develop, test, diagnose, control, and debug appliances, hindering the creation of interoperable and reusable components.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture that facilitates communication between appliance components through an internal network, enabling two-way communication with remote clients for diagnostic testing, command execution, and result verification, allowing for remote diagnosis and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry and implementation choices are used in appliance design, then appliance functionality and adaptability are improved, but design, development, testing, diagnosis, control, and debug complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication network (WIDE bus) that enables different appliance components to communicate through a standardized protocol. This allows diverse components with different implementation choices to interoperate through a common interface, reducing design complexity while maintaining functionality. The network provides multi-functional communication capabilities across various component types without requiring separate communication paths for each component pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network acts as an intermediary layer between diverse appliance components. Rather than directly connecting each component pair with dedicated circuits, the network mediates all communications through standardized messages and protocols. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of diverse component interactions, making design, testing, and debugging more manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse componentry and implementation choices are used in appliance design, then appliance functionality is improved, but testing and diagnosis difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network implements feedback mechanisms where components can report their status, diagnostic information, and operational data through standardized messages. This feedback capability enables remote monitoring and diagnosis of diverse components, making it easier to detect and measure component states without increasing testing difficulty. The network facilitates systematic collection of diagnostic data from multiple component sources.
3Reliability
If traditional discrete circuits and hard-wiring are used for component communication, then communication reliability is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical discrete circuits and hard-wiring with an electronic communication network. Instead of dedicated electrical pathways for each component interaction, the system uses digital communication protocols over a shared network. This substitution maintains communication reliability through error handling and protocol validation while dramatically reducing circuit complexity and improving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If dedicated circuits are used for each component communication, then communication reliability is maintained, but ease of operation and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network provides universal control capabilities that work across all appliance components through a single standardized interface. Rather than requiring different control mechanisms for different component pairs, the network enables centralized control and monitoring through uniform message protocols. This universality improves ease of operation while maintaining reliability through protocol-based error handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating servicing an appliance includes establishing two way communications between an appliance and a remote client, and monitoring and communicating to the remote client operational data associated with the appliance. In this way, the remote client can use the operational data to service the appliance.