The Appliance reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Appliance

The term Appliance refers to two classes of objects:

• One class of objects includes items that are custom-fitted to an individual for the purpose of correction of a physical problem, such as prosthetic and orthotic appliancess.

• The other class of objects includes items that accomplish routine household tasks, using electricity or some other energy input. These are grouped into two categories: small appliances and major appliances. Such items as toilets and sinks are not appliances, but plumbing fixtures, because they operate only with water and not with energy input.

Connectivity among home appliances through a single display unit is enabling appliances to communicate with each other and assist in performing key functions. For instance, energy distribution can be managed more evenly so that when the washing machine is on, the oven can ge into a delayed start mode, or vice versa.

Computer Networking

Can be described as class of network infrastructure devices which includes hardware and/or software that are custom-designed for the purpose serving a specific function, such as a firewall, encryption, or VPN ASIC.

See also:

• domotics,
• Smart Personal Objects Technology.
• End user Retro-engineering.

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