Client for an appliance network

Abstract

A client having at least one memory location is provided for use with an appliance network. The client includes an arbitrary software component for performing a useful function, a software architecture or a software architecture driver configured to generate or enable transmission of messages, and means to communicate by message over a network. Thus, the client can have full capability to act as an accessory to an appliance to communicate with and to enhance or alter the operation of the appliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A client for use with at least one appliance having an appliance control system enabling the appliance to perform a useful cycle of operation on a physical article in an appliance network, wherein the appliance control system has at least one functionality associated with the cycle of operation from a universe of functionalities, the client comprising:
 at least one control board having a software architecture configured for communication over the appliance network including with the appliance control system of the at least one appliance,   wherein the software architecture associates the at least one functionality with a first identifier being an Operational Code (Op Code), and associates the first identifier with at least one second identifier that represents a logical group of functionalities, the second identifier being an Application Programming Interface identifier (API ID),   wherein each API ID comprises one or more instances, and   wherein the first identifier need only be unique within the context of the second identifier so that the software architecture and the plurality of functionalities is modular and reusable without modification because the at least one functionality within the logical group of functionalities has a unique API ID and the one or more instances comprise a unique instance identifier, and the software architecture enables multiple functionalities simultaneously without changing the values of any of the second identifiers.