Data processing system for managing chemical product usage

• US 20050065644A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Gardner, James P. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/956,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20050065644A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 95/00 Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries D06F31/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A data processing system is used to manage and track use of chemical product in a washing machine. A detergent dispenser distributes the chemical products (e.g., detergent, rinse agent, and bleach) to the washing machine. The dispenser includes a monitor that detects dispenser data based on distribution of the chemical product by the dispenser. A database is coupled to the dispenser and stores an account identifier and an alignment identifier in association with the dispenser data of the dispenser. The database further stores corporate data in association with the dispenser data, the account identifier, and the alignment identifier. An analysis application analyzes the dispenser data in relation with the corporate data to characterize use of the chemical product in the chemical application system and provide a feedback loop. The analysis application can limit its analysis to data associated with a given account identifier or a given alignment identifier.

Claims

1. A method for remotely monitoring operation of a wash machine located at a destination facility, wherein articles are washed in a wash basket of the wash machine, the method comprising:

receiving data relating to a water temperature within the wash basket;

analyzing the received data to determine whether the water temperature is within a predetermined threshold range;

if the water temperature is not within the predetermined threshold range, then generating an alarm indicating that the water temperature is not within the predetermined threshold range; and

in response to generating the alarm, establishing a communication session with a service providing entity responsible for servicing the wash machine; and

during the communication session, presenting the alarm to the service providing entity at a remote location other than the destination facility such that the service providing entity is remotely provided notice that the wash machine needs servicing.

2. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the wash machine is a warewash machine.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the wash machine is a laundry machine.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the presenting act comprises:

presenting advisory information in conjunction with the alarm, wherein the advisory information comprises instructions for servicing the wash machine.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the receiving, the analyzing, the generating and the establishing acts are performed at the destination facility.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the receiving, the analyzing, the generating and the establishing acts are performed at a central server facility operable for receiving data from a plurality of destination facilities.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the central server facility comprises the remote location, the presenting act being performed at the central facility.

8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the remote location is geographically disperse from the central server facility.

9. A system for remotely monitoring operation of a wash machine located at a destination facility, wherein articles are washed in a wash basket of the wash machine, the system comprising:

a data receiver receiving data relating to a water temperature within the wash basket, wherein the data is collected and transmitted from the destination facility;

a processor analyzing the data to determine whether the water temperature is within a predetermined threshold range and, in response to determining that the water temperature is not within the predetermined threshold range, generating an alarm indicating that the water temperature is not within the predetermined threshold range; and

a data transmitter, which in response to the processor generating the alarm, establishes a communication session with a service providing entity responsible for servicing the wash machine and presents the alarm to the service providing entity at a remote location other than the destination facility such that the service providing entity is remotely provided notice that the wash machine needs servicing.

10. A system as defined in claim 9, wherein the system further comprises:

a client computer located at the destination facility, wherein the client computer comprises a data collector collecting the data and a data transmitter transmitting the data to the data receiver over a communications network, the data receiver, the processor and the data transmitter being located at a central server facility that receives data from a plurality of client computers at a plurality of destination facilities.

11. A system as defined in claim 9, wherein the data receiver, the processor and the data transmitter are located at the destination facility.

12. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the wash machine is a warewash machine.

13. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the wash machine is a laundry machine.