Appliance Service Accessory for Open-Network Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances have closed internal networks that are difficult to modify or expand, limiting their functionality and compatibility with external or additional components due to hard-wired connections, making it impractical to add new features or components.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture that enables communication between internal and external components of appliances, creating an open network that allows for the integration of new accessories and components, enabling expanded functionality and usability by using a second software operating layer to bypass control logic and directly control appliance components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired connectors are used to form a closed internal network, then the appliance maintains stable and reliable communication between components, but the appliance cannot be easily modified or expanded with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into multiple software operating layers (first software operating layer and second software operating layer) that can be independently activated. This allows the system to maintain the original hard-wired communication structure for stability while adding a software-based service accessory interface for expandability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The service accessory acts as an intermediary component that bridges the external world and the appliance's internal components. It provides a software-based interface layer that enables communication with additional components without disrupting the existing hard-wired internal network, thus maintaining reliability while enabling expandability.
2Device complexity
If a closed internal network with hard-coded solutions is used, then the appliance maintains simple and robust control logic, but additional external or internal components cannot be coupled to expand functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic software-based control layers that can be activated or deactivated as needed. The second software operating layer provides dynamic access to components without permanently altering the control logic structure, allowing functionality expansion while maintaining the simplicity of the original hard-coded control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a software dimension to the existing hardware control architecture. By introducing software operating layers that can be independently activated, the system expands its functionality without adding physical complexity to the hard-wired control logic, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and expandability.
3Reliability
If the first software operating layer control logic is always active, then the appliance operates reliably according to its designed functionality, but direct control of components by external service tools is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational modes to different situations: the first software operating layer handles normal operational reliability, while the second software operating layer handles service and diagnostic operations. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain reliability during normal operation while enabling ease of service when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by switching between different software operating layers. The control logic transitions from the first software operating layer (designed functionality mode) to the second software operating layer (service mode), allowing external service tools to directly control components when serviceability is required without compromising normal operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of self servicing an appliance includes connecting a service accessory to an appliance, recording diagnostics data associated with the appliance onto the service accessory, removing the service accessory from the appliance, coupling the service accessory to a personal computer, and uploading the diagnostics data to an automated service system. Another embodiment includes coupling a service accessory to a computer having a test script, transferring a test script from the computer to the service accessory, connecting the service accessory to the communication network of the appliance, establishing communications between the service accessory and the appliance using the communication network; and executing the test script over the communication network.