Abstract:
A system for maintaining an appliance, including a storage housed within an electrical appliance for storing identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase, and a communication card including an interface connector for connecting the communication card to the electrical appliance, and a wireless cellular modem for transmitting data, wherein when the communication card is connected to the electrical appliance via the interface connector, the communication card causes program code to perform at least one diagnostic test on the electrical appliance and to generate test results, to collect the identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase, and to transmit at least a portion of the collected information and the test results to at least one remote recipient using the cellular modem. A method is also described and claimed.

Description:
PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/995,575, entitled AUTOMATED CONSUNER ELECTRONICS DEVICE REPORTING, filed on Sep. 26, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Uri Ron, Hagay Katz and Hagit Perry. This application also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/062,171, entitled MODULAR WIRELESS COMMUNICATOR, filed on Jan. 23, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Itay Cohen, Tami Demri, Hagay Katz, Eran Miller, Hagit Perry, Uri Ron and Yaron Segalov. This application also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,668, entitled MODULAR WIRELESS COMMUNICATOR, filed on Feb. 5, 2008 by inventors Dov Moran, Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Itay Cohen, Yaron Segalov, Tami Demri, Eran Miller, Uri Ron, Hagay Katz and Hagit Perry. This application also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/080,264, entitled AUTOMATED CONSUNER ELECTRONICS DEVICE REPORTING, filed on Jul. 13, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Uri Ron, Hagay Katz and Hagit Perry. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the present invention is wireless communication applied to automated maintenance of appliances. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Consumers who buy electrical appliances generally contact the seller or the seller&#39;s service provider when the appliance malfunctions, to report a problem and to have the appliance fixed. 
         [0004]    Currently malfunction reporting is performed manually. Specifically, to report an appliance malfunction a consumer generally contacts the seller or service provider by phone or via the Internet. Malfunction reports include information about the appliance and information about the owner of the appliance. Information about the appliance includes a serial number, a model number, a point of purchase and a date of purchase. Information about the owner includes name and contact details. 
         [0005]    Consumer appliances are not generally examined periodically on a regular maintenance schedule. When malfunctions do occur they may be severe and costly. Reporting malfunction of an appliance is often time consuming and cumbersome. 
         [0006]    There is thus a need for monitoring appliances on a regular basis and automatically sending diagnostic reports to service provides, in order to avoid or reduce severity of malfunctions with the appliances. There is also a need for automated methods and systems for reporting malfunctions of electrical appliances. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    Aspects of the present invention concern automated diagnostic testing and malfunction reporting for electrical appliances. In one embodiment, the present invention employs a communication card that includes a controller, a flash storage memory, a battery, a wireless modem, a power amplifier, and an interface for connecting the card to an appliance. 
         [0008]    The communication card includes program code for diagnostic testing of the appliance. When the communication card is connected to the appliance, the program code runs diagnostic maintenance tests on the appliance. The card automatically collects information about the appliance and its owner, and transmits the collected information along with a diagnostic report, to the seller or service provider for the appliance. In turn, if a malfunction is reported, the seller or service provider contacts the owner about repairing the appliance. In this way, the seller or service provider is able to maintain the appliance, and proactively repair appliance malfunctions before they become severe. 
         [0009]    In addition, the seller or service provider is able to identify the precise problem, act upon accurate information, and send a technician with an appropriate appliance part or instruct the owner by phone how to fix the problem remotely. In distinction, user explanations are often inaccurate. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, diagnostic maintenance tests may be scheduled periodically, or initiated manually by the owner, or initiated remotely, over the air, by the service provider via the communication card. 
         [0011]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a system for maintaining an appliance, including a storage housed within an electrical appliance for storing identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase, and a communication card including an interface connector for connecting the communication card to the electrical appliance, and a wireless cellular modem for transmitting data, wherein when the communication card is connected to the electrical appliance via the interface connector, the communication card causes program code to perform at least one diagnostic test on the electrical appliance and to generate test results, to collect the identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase, and to transmit at least a portion of the collected information and the test results to at least one remote recipient using the cellular modem. 
         [0012]    There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for maintaining an appliance, including connecting a communication card to an electrical appliance, wherein identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase is stored within a memory in the electrical appliance, causing at least one diagnostic test to be performed on the electrical appliance, automatically collecting the identifying information about the electrical appliance and its purchase from the memory in the electrical appliance, opening a connection with at least one remote recipient, by the communication card, and transmitting at least a portion of the collected information and the results of the at least one diagnostic test to the at least one recipient, by the communication card. 
         [0013]    There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a system for maintaining an appliance, including a storage housed within an electrical appliance for storing identifying information about the electrical appliance, and a communication card including an interface connector for connecting the communication card to the electrical appliance, and a wireless cellular modem for transmitting data, wherein when the communication card is connected to the electrical appliance via the interface connector, the communication card causes program code to perform at least one diagnostic test on the electrical appliance and to generate test results, to collect the identifying information about the electrical appliance, and to open a TCP connection to a server computer to transmit at least a portion of the collected information and the test results to the server computer using the cellular modem. 
         [0014]    There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for maintaining an appliance, including connecting a communication card to an electrical appliance, wherein identifying information about the electrical appliance is stored within a memory in the electrical appliance, causing at least one diagnostic test to be performed on the electrical appliance, automatically collecting the identifying information about the electrical appliance from the memory in the electrical appliance, opening a TCP connection with a server computer, by the communication card, and transmitting at least a portion of the collected information and the results of the at least one diagnostic test to the server computer, by the communication card. 
         [0015]    There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a wireless communicator, including an interface configured to enable the wireless communicator to connect to a plurality of different electronic devices, wherein each of the plurality of electronic devices has device information, a memory storing a device diagnostic program, wherein the device diagnostic program includes instructions to perform at least one diagnostic test on the electronic device and to generate test results, a wireless modem configured to transmit and receive data from time to time when the wireless communicator is connected to one of the plurality of different electronic devices and from time to time when the wireless communicator is not connected to any of the plurality of different electronic devices, and a controller coupled to the interface, the memory and the wireless modem, the controller configured to receive the device information from an electronic device connected to the wireless communicator, to execute the device diagnostic program, and to cause the wireless modem to transmit at least a portion of the device information and the test results to a recipient. 
         [0016]    There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an electronic device, including an interface configured to enable the electronic device to connect to one of a plurality of wireless communicators and to enable data to be transferred between the electronic device and a wireless communicator connected to the electronic device, a memory storing device information and storing a device diagnostic program, wherein the device diagnostic program includes instructions to perform at least one diagnostic test on the electronic device and to generate test results, and a controller coupled to the interface and the memory, the controller configured to execute the device diagnostic program when a first one of the plurality of wireless communicators is connected to the interface, and to transfer at least a portion of the device information and the test results to a wireless communicator connected to the electronic device, for transmission to a recipient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a simplified illustration of a communications network with a communication card that transmits information about an appliance to a remote manufacturer or seller or service provider, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a picture of the physical communication card of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a simplified block diagram of a system for a communication card used for diagnostic reporting of electrical appliances, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart of a method for reporting diagnostics for electrical appliances using a communication card, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5 , which is a simplified block diagram of a web-based device diagnostic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Aspects of the present invention relate to a communication card that connects to an electrical appliance and automatically performs various functions for the owner of the appliance. Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified illustration of a communications network with a communication card  100  that wirelessly transmits information about an appliance  200  to one or both of a remote seller and a remote service provider  300 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also made to  FIG. 2 , which is a picture of a physical communication card  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When communication card  100  is connected to appliance  200 , the communication card (i) automatically runs diagnostic tests on the appliance, and (ii) automatically prepares diagnostic summary reports  320  for the appliance and transmits them to a remote seller, manufacturer or service provider  300  for the appliance. 
         [0024]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified block diagram of a system for a communication card  100  used for diagnostic reporting of electrical appliances, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 3  is a communication card (CC)  100  and a host electrical appliance  200 , which connect to one another using a host interface  105  and a CC interface  210 . Host interface  105  and CC interface  210  may be a physical interface, such as a USB interface or an SD interface, or a Bluetooth interface or such other wireless interface. 
         [0025]    Main components of CC  100  include a controller  110 , a flash storage memory  115 , a wireless cellular modem  145 , and a power amplifier  150 . CC  100  optionally includes a power subsystem  125 , an input device  130  such as a keypad, and an output display  135 , an audio subsystem  140 , and an optional subscriber identification module (SIM)  170 . 
         [0026]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, memory  115  stores information  121  about the owner of CC  100 . Owner information  121  includes sufficient information for identifying the owner of electrical appliance  200 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, information  121  is stored in SIM  170 . Memory  115  also stores program code  122  for reporting diagnostics for host appliance  200 , as described hereinbelow. Modem  145  sends and receives voice and digital data using wireless communication, via an antenna  155  or via an optional wireless LAN  165 , or via both. Power amplifier  150  is used to amplify data transmitted by modem  145 . Power amplifier  150  includes an RF interface  160 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when CC  100  includes the optional components shown in  FIG. 3 , then CC  100  functions both as a standalone modular cell phone, and also in cooperation with electrical appliance  200  as a device for automated diagnostics and reporting as described hereinbelow. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, when CC  100  does not include the optional components shown in  FIG. 3 , then CC functions only in cooperation with electrical appliance  200 . 
         [0028]    Electrical appliance  200  may be any of a wide variety of devices. Electrical appliance  200  may be an entertainment device, including inter alia a home entertainment center, a play station, a multimedia player, a television, an audio system and a DVD player. Electrical appliance  200  may be a communication device, including inter alia a telephone, a fax machine and a cell phone. Electrical appliance  200  may be a piece of office equipment including inter alia an office computer, and printer and a scanner. Electrical appliance  200  may be a home appliance including inter alia a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a stove, a washing machine, a drying machine, an air conditioner. Electrical appliance  200  may be a consumer appliance including inter alia a personal computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), an automobile, a treadmill and a camera. Generally, electrical appliance  200  includes a user interface  220  for activating functions of appliance  200 , and a storage memory  230  for recording information  240  about the electrical appliance and its purchase. Such details may include inter alia a serial number for appliance  200 , a model number, a software/firmware version, a date of purchase and an identifier for the store where appliance  200  was purchased. 
         [0029]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, electrical appliance  200  includes sensors  250  for use in diagnostics. A sensor is a type of transducer which converts a signal into a reading for the purpose of information transfer. There are direct-indicating sensors which are human-readable, e.g., a mercury thermometer. Other sensors that may be embedded in an electrical appliance are sensors that produce an output voltage or such other electrical output which is interpreted by another device. Most sensors are electrical or electronic, although other types exist. Sensors used in diagnostics of appliance  200  in accordance with the present invention include inter alia thermal sensors, electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, optical radiation sensors, ionizing radiation sensors and acoustic sensors. CC  100  is used to send information about electrical appliance  200  and its owner to one or more of the seller, manufacturer and service provider  300 . The information sent by CC  100  includes diagnostic reports for appliance  200 . When CC  100  is connected to appliance  200 , appliance  200  serves as a host device. For maintenance and repair of appliance  200 , diagnostic program code  122  programs CC  100  (i) to run diagnostic tests on appliance  200 ; and (ii) to forward the test results to the seller, to the manufacturer or to the service provider  300  for appliance  200 , as appropriate, using modem  145 . As above, CC  100  creates a file or text message that includes the relevant diagnostic monitoring data, shown as service report  320  in  FIG. 1 . An example of such file or text message is as follows. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Device details 
               
               
                   
                 Type: Audio Receiver 
               
               
                   
                 Brand: Yamaha 
               
               
                   
                 Model: RX-V2700 
               
               
                   
                 S/N: 12345-ABCDE 
               
               
                   
                 Problem Diagnosed 
               
               
                   
                 Description: Over-heating 
               
               
                   
                 Owner Details 
               
               
                   
                 Name: John Smith 
               
               
                   
                 Phone: 123-456-7890 
               
               
                   
                 Cell: 098-765-4321 
               
               
                   
                 Email: John.Smith@anonymous.com 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the present invention, CC  100  transmits the service report via an e-mail message. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, CC  100  transmits the service report via an SMS or MMS message. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, CC  100  places a voice call to the seller, manufacturer or service provider  300  with the information indicated in the text above, using text-to-speech conversion. 
         [0031]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, diagnostic tests may be scheduled periodically, or initiated manually by the owner, or initiated remotely via the CC. 
         [0032]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified flowchart of a method for reporting diagnostics for electrical appliances using a communication card, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step  410  a consumer inserts a communication card into an electronic appliance, which serves as a host device for the CC. At step  420  the CC monitors the appliance by running diagnostic testing program code that is stored in memory of the CC. At step  430  a determination is made whether a problem has been detected. If not, the method returns to step  420  to continue monitoring the appliance while the CC is connected thereto. Such monitoring may be continuous monitoring or scheduled periodic monitoring. 
         [0033]    Referring back to step  430 , if a problem is detected, then at step  440  the CC controller collects host appliance information that is stored in a host memory. Such information includes inter alia an appliance serial number and a model number. The CC controller also identifies a malfunction type corresponding to the detected problem. At step  450  the CC controller collects owner data that is stored in memory of the CC or in the SIM of the CC. At step  460  the CC controller collects contact information for the seller, manufacturer or service provider of the host appliance. At step  470  the CC contacts the seller or service provider and transmits an alert notification regarding the malfunction. Finally, at step  480  the seller, manufacturer or service provider contacts the owner of the appliance regarding the malfunction. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment of the present invention, instead of or in addition to generating reports, CC  100  sends diagnostic information it collects to a server computer. In this regard, reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which is a simplified block diagram of a web-based device diagnostic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    A server computer  500  includes a database with serial numbers, or such other identifiers of electrical appliances  200 , and information about their corresponding manufacturers, sellers or service providers  300 . When CC  100  generates diagnostic reports, triggered by malfunctions or by routine maintenance schedules, CC  100  opens a TCP connection and generates an HTTP request to computer server  500 , the request including inter alia the serial number of appliance  200 , contact information, such as a telephone number, for the owner, and a malfunction descriptor. An example of such an HTTP call is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 http://www.myserver.com/action.aspx?action=diagnostic&amp;serial= 
               
               
                   
                 89723464&amp;phone=+155512122&amp;error=overheating. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    Server information for computer server  500 , including inter alia a server URL, which may be a server IP address, a server domain name, or such other locator, is generally stored in CC  100 . 
         [0037]    Also shown in  FIG. 5  is an application programming interface (API). After receiving the HTTP request with the serial number of appliance  200 , server computer  500  locates the relevant information about manufacturer, seller or service provider  300  for the serial number, and transmits a diagnostic report for appliance  200  to manufacturer, seller and service provider  300 , via the API. The diagnostic report may be transmitted ad-hoc, in the case of a malfunction, or routinely. In this way, manufacturer, sellers and service providers  300  receive diagnostic reports for the appliances  200  that they are responsible for. This embodiment is described as “push” mode, since server computer  500  pushes the diagnostic reports to manufacturers, sellers and service providers  300 . 
         [0038]    In accordance with a “pull” mode embodiment of the present invention, manufacturer, seller or service provider  300  uses the API to access server computer  500  and extract diagnostic reports for the appliances  200  that they are responsible for from a website  510 . In this embodiment, manufacturers, sellers or service providers  300  pull their diagnostic reports from website  510 . 
         [0039]    Use of server computer  500  is of particular advantage when manufacturer, seller or service provider  300  changes its contact information. The change is recorded once in server computer  500 , and does not need to be changed in appliances  200 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, server computer  500  may vary the format of messages sent to manufacturer, seller or service provider  300 , so that diagnostic reports are transmitted via SMS, MMS, phone call, e-mail, HTTP request, or such other transmission format. 
         [0041]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.