EZ-LINK

Optical communication system comprising a visible light source that acts as a transmitter, an optical detector and a microprocessor having embedded programming and software for the transmission, receipt, processing and interpretation of data between an appliance and a device external to the appliance in order to allow, by a non-intrusive means and without physical contact with the microprocessor, for programming or re-programming of the microprocessor internal to the appliance, for control of system parameters, for data gathering, for monitoring operational information from the appliance, for obtaining diagnostic information to assess the performance of the appliance, for diagnosing a malfunction with the appliance, for externally controlling the operation of the appliance and for sending and receiving data and information from an external device or to a centralized computer system in a remote location