초록 ▼

A domestic appliance (1) such as a microwave oven is adapted for interaction with a communications network (75) such as the Internet by the addition of a substantially self-contained discrete communications module (12) connectable to the communications network (75), the communications module (12) in

A domestic appliance (1) such as a microwave oven is adapted for interaction with a communications network (75) such as the Internet by the addition of a substantially self-contained discrete communications module (12) connectable to the communications network (75), the communications module (12) including display means (20) and command entry means that optionally interact with the appliance (1). The appliance (1) is provided with mounting hardware (6) and an adaptor (7) including means for attachment to the mounting hardware (6) and means (10, 13-16) for mounting the communications module (12) to the appliance (1) via the adaptor (7). The communications module (12) is adapted for connection to broadband cable or xDSL networks. Thus equipped, the appliance (1) becomes an element of a communications system (1, 72, 73) providing multiple functionality including television and Internet browsing functions within the home. Other elements of the communications system are a broadband online connection (72) and a broadband portal (73).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A domestic food-processing appliance (1) having a primary domestic function but being adapted for the secondary function of interaction with a communications network (75), the appliance (1) comprising a user interface operable by direct contact with the appliance (1) and a remote control facility

1. A domestic food-processing appliance (1) having a primary domestic function but being adapted for the secondary function of interaction with a communications network (75), the appliance (1) comprising a user interface operable by direct contact with the appliance (1) and a remote control facility operable by a remote control handset, wherein activating or deactivating the primary function of the appliance (1) is reserved for the user interface and the remote control facility is incapable of activating or deactivating the primary function.