Patent · US Expired

Pre-installed appliance with warning system and methods of operation

US7190266B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
19References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 2004
Grant dateMar 13, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L2012/285
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.