Communications, particularly in the domestic environment

Details Communications, particularly in the domestic environment Communications, particularly in the domestic environment

1999-09-02

2002-11-12

Gordon, Paul P. (Department: 2121)

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application

Generic control system, apparatus or process

Having operator control interface

C219S679000, C219S714000, C361S689000, C361S689000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06480753

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to communications, and contemplates easy-to-use computing devices deemed necessary to drive the next generation of computing. Particular aspects of the invention relate to communications in the domestic environment, involving a system arranged to manage data and to communicate data between the home and selected remote facilities.
Many everyday activities such as personal finance transactions and household shopping increasingly involve electronic data transfer between consumers at home and the related service provider. Telephone banking is already very popular and many banks now offer customers the option of on-line home banking over the Internet. Large supermarkets and department stores offer home delivery services, where a customer places an order for specific goods such as groceries by telephone or over the Internet and the ordered goods are subsequently delivered to the customer's home. Payment is generally effected by providing credit/debit or store card details when placing the order.
At present, the provision of on-line services over the Internet is largely available only to consumers having access to a personal computer (PC) linked to the Internet. However, many consumers do not have access to a PC within their domestic environment or are reluctant to use such services because of lack of familiarity with the use of computers. PCs are designed primarily as a functional tool for the workplace, and not for household use.
Even in households where consumers have access to a PC, the computer is rarely located in the most convenient domestic environment for use in performing routine domestic activities such as on-line shopping etc. Computers are often located in private spaces within the home, such as a home office or a bedroom, rather than in more public spaces. This environment of use influences who in the household has access to the computer; studies show that, on average, usage still remains male-dominated rather than a shared family activity.
In recent years, the diffusion of home computers has slowed throughout the western world. By way of illustration, on-line PC household penetration in the US has slowed down at around 40%, despite very healthy predictions for home on-line access and ever-falling PC prices. It appears that the PC ‘one size fits all’ approach to computing does not satisfy the requirements of most consumers, whose lifestyle needs may be better met by alternatives offering ease of use that PCs fail to provide. There is therefore a need to satisfy the home computing needs of the many consumers who do not personally perceive the need for a home PC, or who are dissuaded by its complexity, inconvenience and cost. Accordingly, easier to use computing devices are needed to drive the next generation of computing within the home and indeed elsewhere. Those who bring such devices into public use will find a massive currently-offline market to be tapped.
The Applicant's studies with discussion groups have led to many interesting findings. Whilst most participants in such studies have experience of using computers at work, the studies noted a general feeling of uneasiness towards technology. The PC is often seen as being too complicated for most of the computing tasks that users want to perform at home or at work. Even for routine household tasks, the PC is seen as being cumbersome, slow to boot and in the ‘wrong’ room within the home, a room that is not used frequently. Also, there appears to be a lack of trust in PCs and their reliability. Most participants felt that technology would let them down since, from their experience of PCs at work, computers often ‘crashed’ or simply did not work properly. This attitude was reflected in relation to home banking applications, some participants seeking face-to-face contact with bank representatives for reassurance as well as tangible proof that a transaction has actually taken place.
Against that background of research in so-called relationship technologies, the Applicant has devised the concept of an Internet-and TV-enabled domestic appliance, preferably in the form of a microwave oven. The concept arose from several factors. One is the development of new relationship technologies, relating to how the appliance communicates with consumers via the Internet. Another is the idea of being there—a permanent presence, always on. The concept also depends upon sensitivity to the context and usefulness of the appliance with respect to its normal use within the home, and understanding and predicting the consumer's needs and desires, to offer suitable facilities through the appliance. In sum, the concept is intended to capture a significant proportion of the many currently-offline consumers by providing a familiar appliance in a familiar location, that has attractive functionality such as free TV and a simple user interface.
The Applicant is already pursuing patent applications directed to broad concepts of its Internet-and TV-enabled domestic appliance. However, the Applicant's research in the field is ongoing: this research has identified several problems to which solutions have been developed. The present application results from that research and development effort.
One such problem is that the invention contemplates a technically-sophisticated (albeit easy to use) communications module whose manufacture will require facilities that may not be available to appliance manufacturers. Also, appliances come in myriad shapes and sizes. It would be a major barrier to propagation of the technology if appliance manufacturers had to invest in making communications modules or in totally redesigning their appliances to accept such modules. It would similarly be a barrier if the communications module had in all cases to be adapted to suit the appliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The specification hereinafter proposes a solution to this problem. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a domestic appliance is provided with mounting hardware, a discrete communications module connectable to a communications network, and an adaptor including means for attachment to the mounting hardware on the appliance and means for mounting the communications module to the appliance via the adaptor.
For neatness and protection, the communications module is preferably received in a recess in the adaptor, the adaptor suitably framing the mounted communications module received in the recess.
To enable access to the communications module during adjustment or removal, bias means may be provided to urge the communications module out of the recess. In that case, latch means acting against the bias means may be provided to hold the communications module releasably in the recess.
Adjustment for viewing of a display on the communications module is catered for by movably mounting the communications module with respect to the adaptor. Conveniently, the adaptor and the communications module are connected by mounting hardware that permits the communications module to adopt any of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to the adaptor.
It is preferred that the appliance has a door and that the mounting hardware, the adaptor and the communications module are part of the door of the appliance. The appliance is most preferably a microwave oven.
In preferred embodiments, the communications module is connectable to the communications network via a flying lead connectable to the appliance, the flying lead preferably connecting to an external terminal on the appliance. The flying lead may include a port for data communication between the communications module and the appliance.
This aspect of the invention extends to a method of assembling a domestic appliance and a standard communications module, the method comprising providing one of a plurality of different domestic appliances having mounting hardware, fitting to the mounting hardware of that appliance an appropriate one of a plurality of different adaptors each having a standard mounting for a communications module and means cooperable

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