Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for communicatively coupling internal components and accessories appliances, and appliances with external components and accessories are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method of operating a domestic appliance having at least one of an internal communications network and/or an external communications network among at least two components includes identifying the components, communicating the capabilities of each identified component, communicating the status of each identified component, providing a command interface for operating the components, facilitating communication between the components, and operating the appliance using the command interface and the facilitated communication.

Abstract: An appliance network comprising a networked appliance and capable of communicating with a consumable such that information related to the consumable is communicated to the networked appliance.

Abstract: An appliance network comprising a networked appliance and capable of communicating with a consumable such that information related to the consumable is communicated to the networked appliance.

Abstract: A comprehensive product management system for a product is provided. The system (10) includes discrete processes for planning (1000), engineering (2000), testing (3000), producing (4000), selling (6000), using (8000), and servicing (10000) a product comprising one or more components. It also includes a comprehensive relational database (30) containing information about the product, performance, sales, consumers, and markets, and system tools (20) for operating on the discrete processes.

Abstract: A service supply module and a modular system including the service supply module and an adapter. The service supply module has a surface mount and a service interface. The service interface supplies a service provided from the surface to which the service supply module is mounted. The adapter has a service interface for a consumer electronic device and receives the service from the service interface of the service supply module and supplied it to the consumer electronic device. The service supply module can comprise multiple service interfaces.

Abstract: A modular system comprising a host, a consumer electronic device, and an adapter coupling the consumer electronic device to the host. The adapter performs a first function of supplying at least one service provided by one of the host and the consumer electronic device to the other of the host and the consumer electronic device, and a second function. The second function can be different from the first function. The second function can be unrelated to the supply of a service.

Abstract: A modular system comprising a host, a consumer electronic device, and an adapter coupling the consumer electronic device to the host. The adapter performs a first function of supplying at least one service provided by one of the host and the consumer electronic device to the other of the host and the consumer electronic device, and a second function. The second function can be different from the first function. The second function can be unrelated to the supply of a service.

Abstract: A service supply module and a modular system including the service supply module and an adapter. The service supply module has a surface mount and a service interface. The service interface supplies a service provided from the surface to which the service supply module is mounted. The adapter has a service interface for a consumer electronic device and receives the service from the service interface of the service supply module and supplied it to the consumer electronic device. The service supply module can comprise multiple service interfaces.

Abstract: An appliance network has a first networked appliance configured to perform a food preparation operation on an article, a cooking accessory configured to perform an action on the article in connection with the food preparation operation, and a communication network coupling the first networked appliance and the active cooking accessory for communication therebetween. The cooking accessory is a controlled stirrer and an ingredient dispenser.

Abstract: An appliance network comprising a networked appliance and capable of communicating with a consumable such that information related to the consumable is communicated to the networked appliance.