Systems and methods for providing smart appliances

摘要

A method and system for networking a plurality of appliances. The method and system include providing an appliance on a network, controlling operation of the appliance with a microcontroller, storing on a memory coupled with the microcontroller, computer executable instructions for operating the appliance, sensing the operation of the appliance, displaying information regarding the operation of the appliance, and communicating the operational data on a network. Network connectivity includes communication directly with a network, and with another appliance. A host system is connected to the network and adapted to receive the usage data and to transmit data to the appliance to influence operation of the appliance.

主权项

1. A system for networking an appliance, comprising:
an appliance, comprising:
a microcontroller;a memory coupled with the microcontroller and having stored thereon computer executable instructions for operating the appliance;at least one sensor coupled to the microcontroller to monitor the operation of the appliance, wherein at least one sensor data generated by the at least one sensor and indicative of operation of the appliance is stored in the memory;a user interface coupled to the microcontroller and having provided thereon user interface elements to provide information regarding the operation of the appliance;a communicator coupled to the microcontroller, the communicator adapted to provide network connectivity, wherein the appliance is adapted to communicate with a network, wherein the appliance is adapted to communicate with another appliance, wherein the communicator is configured to transmit the at least one sensor data indicative of operation of the appliance to one or more of the network and the another appliance, wherein the communicator is configured to transmit energy use data to a meter and the at least one sensor data to a host system, and wherein the appliance is adapted to communicate with the meter to determine a particular time to operate to minimize costs; and the host system connected to the network and adapted to receive the at least one sensor data indicative of operation of the appliance and, in response to the received at least one sensor data, to transmit computer readable instructions to the appliance that when executed by the microcontroller, cause the microcontroller to modify the operation of the appliance.