Systems and methods for coupling the operations of a volatile composition dispenser and a smart appliance

• US 10,416,687 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2015
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Hasenoehrl, Erik John
• Primary Examiner(s): Rampuria, Satish
• Application Number:
  US14/879,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20170102718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 700275-306
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/132 Piezo or ultrasonic elements for dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/135 Vaporisers for active components
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/032 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/60 Odour
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/16 by purification, e.g. by filtering; by sterilisation; by ozonisation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/30 by ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/50 by odorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A system for delivering a volatile composition into the air is provided. The system includes a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions. The central communication unit is communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm. The system includes a smart appliance communicably connectable with the central communication unit and configured to send incoming signals to the central communication unit alerting the central communication unit of a status of the smart appliance. The system also includes a volatile composition dispenser that is communicably connectable with the central communication through a wireless communication link. The algorithm controls the volatile composition dispenser based on incoming signals sent from the smart appliance to the central communication unit.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a volatile composition to at least one room with a volatile composition dispenser based on the status of a smart appliance within the same building, wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are each communicably connectable with a central communication unit through a wireless communication link, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) turning on the smart appliance or starting a cycle on the smart appliance, wherein the smart appliance is selected from the group consisting of a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, nightlight, garbage disposal, monitor, sprinkler system, microwave, and combinations thereof;

(b) sending a first incoming signal to the central communication unit that alerts the central communication unit that the smart appliance is on or that the cycle has started;

(c) sending a first outgoing instruction from the central communication unit to the volatile composition dispenser to turn on the volatile composition dispenser after the central communication unit receives the first incoming signal, wherein the volatile composition dispenser have a scent that matches a scent associated with the smart appliance;

(d) sending a second outgoing instruction from volatile composition dispenser after a set point is reached, wherein the set point includes a duration of time, a level of volatile composition dispensed, a current condition or status of a component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set point occurs when the smart appliance is turned off or the cycle ends.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set point occurs a predetermined time after the smart appliance is turned off or the cycle ends.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set point occurs after a predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are disposed in the same room.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are disposed in different rooms.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link is selected from the group consisting of:

Wi-Fi;

Bluetooth;

ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Mesh Network;

or combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the central communication unit is communicably connectable with a computer or smart device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the smart appliance is turned on manually by the user.