Ice-making machinery and a tool and method for control thereof

• US 20020115433A1
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scotsman Group LLC (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: Scotsman Ice Systems
• Inventors: Baker, Melvin Anthony
• Application Number:
  US10/071,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20020115433A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/00 Producing ice F25C3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2600/04 Control means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An ice-making machine having a controller that can be controlled by a programmable tool via a wireless communication for manufacturing and/or field service processes. The controller and tool are programmed to communicate with one another to perform downloads of data or software, uploads of data and diagnostic procedures. The tool can be programmed to communicate with different types of controllers so that a single tool can be used to service all of the controllers.

Claims

1. A method for performing various operations on a controller of an ice-making machine, comprising:

(a) sending a wireless communication to said controller from a portable programmable unit to initiate a session; and

(b) issuing one or more requests from said portable programmable unit to said controller, wherein said one or more requests are selected from the group that consists of;

a diagnostic procedure, an upload of operating data and/or parameters, a download of operating data and/or parameters, a download of software and a change in operating mode.

2. An ice-making machine comprising:

a water supply, a refrigerant supply and an evaporator,

a controller including

a transceiver capable of sending and receiving wireless communications;

first means for controlling said water supply, said refrigerant supply and said evaporator to form ice during a freeze cycle and to harvest ice during a harvest cycle;

second means for conducting an operation in accordance with one or more requests received via said transceiver from an external unit, wherein said one or more requests are selected from the group that consists of;

a diagnostic procedure, an upload of

operating data and/or parameters, a download of operating data and/or parameters, a download of software and a change in operating mode.

3. A method for communicating with a controller of a food service equipment ice-making machine, comprising:

(a) sending a message to said controller from a portable programmable unit via a wireless link; and

(b) controlling a style and a content of said message.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said content is selected from the group that consists of:

a diagnostic procedure, an upload of operating data and/or parameters, a download of operating data and/or parameters, a download of software and a change in operating mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said controller is a first type of a plurality of different types of controllers, and wherein step (b) controls said style to correspond to said first type of controller.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of identifying said first type, and wherein step (b) responds to said identified first type to control said style to correspond thereto.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said identifying step causes step (a) to send a first message to said controller that causes said controller to send a reply message that identifies said first type.

8. A portable programmable unit having a processor and a memory, comprising:

a transceiver capable of sending and receiving wireless communications;

first means for sending a message from said transceiver to a controller via a wireless link; and

second means controlling a style and a content of said message.

9. The portable programming unit of claim 8, wherein said content is selected from the group that consists of:

a diagnostic procedure, an upload of operating data and/or parameters, a download of operating data and/or parameters, a download of software and a change in operating mode.

10. The portable programming unit of claim 8, wherein said controller is a first type of a plurality of different types of controllers, and wherein said second means controls said style to correspond to said first type of controller.

11. The portable programming unit of claim 10, wherein said second means identifies said first type and controls said style to correspond to said identified first type.

12. The portable programming unit of claim 11, wherein said second means causes said first means to send a first message to said controller that causes said controller to send a reply message that identifies said first type.