Patent ID: 8688530

Claim:
An appliance configured to implement at least one predetermined cycle of operation, the appliance comprising: a communications network; multiple components, with at least some of the components connected to the communications network; a multimedia user interface connected to the communications network; a controller with control logic connected to the communications network, the controller comprising: a first software operating layer configured to control operation of at least one of the components in a first operational state in response to messages sent on the communications network; and a second software operating layer configured to control operation of at least one of the components in a second operational state in response to messages sent on the communications network, 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 an external smart device, with memory, connected to the communications network, and having demonstration software stored in the memory, wherein the demonstration software comprises a multimedia presentation and at least one message for controlling at least one component necessary to demonstrate at least one feature of the appliance; wherein the connection of the external smart device to the communications network causes the appliance to enable the second software operating layer to use the demonstration software to present the multimedia presentation on the user interface in conjunction with the controlling of at least one component, independent of implementing or demonstrating the at least one predetermined cycle of operation.