Patent ID: 8676656
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of demonstrating an appliance comprising a microprocessor controller with control logic coupled with multiple components in the appliance having corresponding functionalities via an internal communications network to implement any of a plurality of predetermined cycles of operation performing a physical domestic operation on an article by way of a first software operating layer in a first operating state, and a user interface capable of multimedia display coupled to the internal communications network to receive user input and provide output related to the operation of the appliance, the method comprising: providing an external smart device, with memory and a controller, connected to the internal communications network and in communication with the microprocessor controller and the user interface, and having demonstration software stored in the memory and comprising a multimedia presentation having a presentation of at least one feature of the appliance, wherein the control logic by way of the first software operating layer is rendered ineffective unless invoked by way of a second software operating layer; and executing the demonstration software on at least one of the microprocessor controller and the external smart device controller by way of the second software operating layer in a second operating state to bypass the control logic and to directly demonstrate the at least one feature of the appliance in the second operating state independently of the first software operating layer; wherein the demonstrating the at least one feature of the appliance comprises presenting the multimedia presentation of the at least one feature on the user interface in conjunction with controlling of at least one of the multiple components necessary to demonstrate the functionality of the appliance associated with the at least one feature in the second operating state, independent of implementing or demonstrating any of the plurality of predetermined cycles of operation in the first operating state and without performing the physical domestic operation on the article.