Granted Patent B2

US 7,587,469 · App. 11/668,092 · Granted Sep 8, 2009

Assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (44)

1. A communications network comprising:

a communications channel;

a server;

a primary device in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein (A) said primary device comprises a component adapted to (i) receive one or more computer programs including one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file from said server, (ii) convert the first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions, (iii) present said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker and (iv) receive audible responses from said individual and (B) said primary device comprises a processor adapted to collect data relating to said primary device, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said primary device; and

a secondary device operatively connected to said primary device, wherein said secondary device (i) is adapted to be operated by said individual in response to said synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition.

2. The network of claim 1 , wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to:

receive a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of said queries, instructions, and messages;

convert said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesize said second set of electrical signals.

3. The network of claim 1 , wherein the primary and secondary devices are housed within a single housing unit.

4. The network of claim 3 , wherein said housing unit comprises a household appliance.

5. The network of claim 1 , wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to detect said audible responses, and convert the detected audible responses to data transmissions.

6. The network of claim 5 , wherein said primary device comprises a transmitter adapted to transmit said data transmissions generated by said audio processor to said server.

7. The network of claim 1 , wherein said server is adapted to generate said computer programs that are executable by said secondary device.

8. The network of claim 7 , wherein said secondary device comprises a user interface adapted to (i) output said any of queries, instructions, or messages, and (ii) input responses to said any of queries, instructions, or messages.

9. The network of claim 8 , wherein said output comprises any of visual output and audio output, and wherein said input comprises any of data entry input, graphic user interface input, and audio input.

10. The network of claim 1 , wherein said one or more computer programs comprises one or more script programs.

11. A system for communicating with a household appliance, said system comprising:

a communications channel where a portion of the channel is a wireless channel;

a server; and

a household appliance in communication with said server through said communications channel, wherein (A) said household appliance comprises a component adapted to (i) receive one or more computer programs including one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file from said server, (ii) convert the first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions, (iii) present said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker and (iv) receive audible responses from said individual, (B) said appliance (i) is adapted to be operated by said individual in response to the synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition and (C) said household appliance includes a processor adapted to collect data relating to said household appliance, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said component comprises an audio processor adapted to:

receive a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of said queries, instructions, and messages;

convert said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesize said second set of electrical signals.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein said server is adapted to generate said computer programs, and wherein said computer programs are executable by said household appliance.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said processor is adapted to output any of said queries, instructions or messages to said individual to teach said individual how to operate and maintain said household appliance.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said output comprises any of data output and audio output.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein said one or more computer programs comprises one or more script programs.

17. A method of communicating with a household appliance, said method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting one or more computer programs from a server to a household appliance, wherein said computer programs include one or more queries, instructions or messages as a first digital file;

receiving said first digital file at said household appliance;

converting said first digital file into synthesized audio transmissions;

presenting said synthesized audio transmissions to an individual through a speaker; and

receiving audible responses from said individual,

wherein (A) said household appliance (i) is adapted to be operated by an individual in response to the synthesized audio transmissions and (ii) comprises a user interface adapted to receive input responses from said individual and convert said input responses to a second digital file through speech recognition and (B) said household appliance comprises a processor adapted to collect data relating to said household appliance, and execute said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

receiving a first set of electrical signals corresponding to any of said queries, instructions, or messages;

converting said first set of electrical signals to a second set of electrical signals capable of being audibly synthesized; and

audibly synthesizing said second set of electrical signals.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising said server generating said computer programs, wherein said computer programs are executable by said household appliance.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising said household appliance collecting data relating to said household appliance, and executing said computer programs to provide a diagnosis of a performance of said household appliance.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising said household appliance outputting any of said queries, instructions, and messages to said individual to teach said individual how to operate and maintain said household appliance, wherein said outputting comprises any of data output and audio output.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein said one or more computer programs comprises one or more script programs.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (9)