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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A server computer comprising:
 at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the computer executable instructions which cause the processor to perform:   providing an interactive site accessible over a wireless network, the interactive site related to at least one programmable feature of an automotive appliance;   receiving a command from a remote computer through the interactive site over the wireless network to set the programmable feature of the automotive appliance; and   in response to receiving the command, sending programming data corresponding to the command to the automotive appliance so that the automotive appliance utilizes the received programming data to set the programmable feature of the automotive appliance,   wherein the server, the remote computer and the automotive appliance are remote from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The server computer of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform bidirectional communication with the automotive appliance to control at least one function of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         3 . The server computer of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform bidirectional communication with the automotive appliance and the remote computer, respectively, to control at least one function of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         4 . The server computer of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform sending troubleshooting information to the automotive appliance to control repair of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         5 . The server computer of  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to send the programming data to the automotive appliance over a radio frequency (RF) channel. 
     
     
         6 . An automotive appliance comprising:
 at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the computer executable instructions which cause the processor to perform:   receiving programming data from a server computer over a wireless network to set at least one programmable feature of the automotive appliance, the programming data corresponding to a command input at a remote computer through an interactive site provided by the server computer and accessible by the remote computer over the wireless network; and   utilizing the received programming data to set the programmable feature of the automotive appliance,   wherein the server, the remote computer and the automotive appliance are remote from one another.   
     
     
         7 . The automotive appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform bidirectional communication with the server computer to control at least one function of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The automotive appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform receiving from the server computer troubleshooting information which controls repair of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         9 . The automotive appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to receive the programming data from the server computer over a radio frequency (RF) channel. 
     
     
         10 . A remote computer comprising:
 at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the computer executable instructions which cause the processor to perform:   displaying an interactive site provided by a server computer and related to at least one programmable feature of an automotive appliance;   sending a command to the server computer through the interactive site over the wireless network so that the server computer generate and send, to the automotive appliance, programming data corresponding to the command, and the automotive appliance utilizes the received programming data to set the programmable feature of the automotive appliance,   wherein the server, the remote computer and the automotive appliance are remote from one another.   
     
     
         11 . The remote computer of  claim 10 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform bidirectional communication with the server computer to control at least one function of the automotive appliance. 
     
     
         12 . The remote computer of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions causes the processor to further perform sending to the server computer troubleshooting information which controls repair of the automotive appliance.