Method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance

Abstract

An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or the appliance owner's computer or indirectly using a portable transfer device.

1 . One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method of setting programmable features of an appliance comprising the steps of:
 interacting with a graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance;   accepting user-provided data to set programmable features of the virtual appliance;   generating set-up data for the programmable features;   enabling transfer of the set-up data to a portable transfer device having an input port coupled to a processor;   detecting the transfer device coupled to a docking port of the real appliance; and   enabling transfer of the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance.   
   
   
       2 . A computer readable storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing a method of setting programmable features of an appliance comprising:
 generating a graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance;   accepting user-provided data to set programmable features of the virtual appliance;   generating set-up data for the programmable features;   enabling transfer of the set-up data to a portable transfer device having an input port coupled to a user's computer; and   directing the computer user to couple the transfer device to a docking port of the real appliance for transfer of the set-up data from the transfer device to the real appliance.   
   
   
       3 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 2  wherein the storage medium resides at a server on a global computer network. 
   
   
       4 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 2  wherein the storage medium is provided to the computer user. 
   
   
       5 . A computer readable storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing a method of setting programmable features of an appliance comprising:
 generating a graphical user interface having a virtual appliance that graphically depicts programmable features of a corresponding real appliance;   accepting user-provided data to set programmable features of the virtual appliance;   generating set-up data for the programmable features;   enabling transfer of the set-up data to the real appliance.   
   
   
       6 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 5  wherein the storage medium resides at a server on a global computer network. 
   
   
       7 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 5  wherein the storage medium is provided to the computer user.