Patent ID: 8217781
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A47L,D06F,G04G,G04R,G06F,G06Q,H04L,H05B,Y02B,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating servicing an appliance, configured to perform a cycle of operation on a physical article, and having a processor with control logic in communication with a plurality of components to effect the cycle of operation by way of a first software operating layer in a first operating state, comprising: connecting the appliance to a central collector having appliance communication links to communicate with the appliance, and memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliance, and monitoring and recording to the memory operational data associated with the appliance, causing the central collector to enable a second software operating layer in the appliance to directly control the appliance in a second operating state wherein the control logic by way of the first software operating layer is rendered ineffective unless invoked by way of the second software operating layer, and executing a test script based on the operational data by way of the second software operating layer in a field test to bypass the control logic and directly control at least one of the plurality of components in the second operating state independently of the first software operating layer.