Alternative User-Interface

Abstract

A system for programming a programmable device having an interface for a portable memory medium has an interactive interface executable on a stand-alone computer appliance for creating a program for the programmable device, a portable memory medium, and a downloading mechanism for transferring the created program to the portable memory medium.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A method for programming a microprocessor-controlled device, comprising the steps of:
 (a) executing, from a machine-readable medium, a programming application on a computerized appliance distinct from the microprocessor-controlled device, the application providing an interactive display enabling input of functions and parameters for the microprocessor-controlled device;   (b) entering through the interactive display functions and parameters for the microprocessor-controlled device;   (c) saving the functions and parameters entered to a digital memory device coupled to the computerized appliance;   (d) uncoupling the digital memory device from the computerized appliance;   (e) coupling the digital memory device to the microprocessor-controlled device; and   (f) uploading the functions and parameters to the microprocessor-controlled device.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the digital memory device is a thumb drive coupled to the computerized appliance by USB connectors, and the microprocessor controlled device has a compatible USB interface for connection. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the computerized appliance is a personal computer. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the microprocessor controlled device is a controller for a system having mechanical functions that may be started and stopped by time-of-day (TOD). 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the system is a sprinkler system, and the functions and parameters are the mechanical functions of the system and the TOD for starting and stopping the functions. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the microprocessor controlled device is enabled to upload the functions and parameters automatically upon detecting coupling of the digital memory device to the microprocessor controlled device.