US6483906B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance
Assignee: pointSet Corp
•
Filing: 1999-10-08
•
Granted: 2002-11-19
•
Expires: 2019-10-08
Abstract
Abstract An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or the appliance owner's computer or indirectly using a portable transfer device.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Iggulden
- 👤 Kyle Fields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2807; H04L12/2814; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for setting programmable features of an appliance comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global computer network; providing a graphical user interface at the interactive site, said graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance, said real appliance including a removable transfer device having an optical sensor; establishing a connection with the interactive site using a computer with a display screen; interactively setting programmable features of the virtual appliance using the graphical user interface at the interactive site; downloading set-up data for the programmable features from the interactive site to the computer; removing the transfer device from the real appliance; positioning the transfer device in proximity to the display screen; modulating the display screen to transfer the set-up data to the transfer device via the optical sensor; transporting the transfer device to the real appliance; and transferring the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for setting programmable features of an appliance comprising the steps of: providing an interactive site on a global computer network; providing a graphical user interface at the interactive site, said graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance, said real appliance including a removable transfer device having an optical sensor; establishing a connection with the interactive site using a computer with a display screen; interactively setting programmable features of the virtual appliance using the graphical user interface at the interactive site; downloading set-up data for the programmable features from the interactive site to the computer; removing the transfer device from the real appliance; positioning the transfer device in proximity to the display screen; modulating the display screen to transfer the set-up data to the transfer device via the optical sensor; transporting the transfer device to the real appliance; and transferring the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transfer device comprises a flat, card-shaped device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transfer device includes a plurality of optical sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of modulating the display screen comprises independently modulating a plurality of areas on the display screen, each of the areas associated with a corresponding one of the optical sensors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of positioning the transfer device in proximity to the display screen comprises holding the transfer device against a face of the display screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting the transfer device into a docking port in the real appliance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the transfer device and the docking port have cooperating electrical contacts for transferring the set-up data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the real appliance comprises a thermostat.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |