Controller for bridging a host computer and networked laundry machines
First Claim
1. A controller for bridging a host computer and a plurality of networked laundry machines, comprising:
- a microprocessor;
a memory including a buffer;
means for communicating over a first network on which the host computer resides; and
means for communicating over a second network on which the laundry machines reside, the microprocessor being programmed to receive a control command for a first laundry machine from the host computer over the first network, and communicate with the first laundry machine over the second network to carry out the control command, the microprocessor being further programmed to receive at least one response containing response data from the first laundry machine over the second network, and transmit the response data to the host computer over the first network.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A laundry system has a plurality of laundry machines networked together and a remotely located host computer for collecting operation data and audit data from the laundry machines and to program the laundry machines with operation parameters. A bridging controller is provided to bridge the host computer with the network of laundry machines, and communicates with the host computer through a wired or wireless network connection. The host computer may command the bridging controller to collect data from the laundry machines and may send programming data to the laundry machines through the bridging controller.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A controller for bridging a host computer and a plurality of networked laundry machines, comprising:
-
a microprocessor;
a memory including a buffer;
means for communicating over a first network on which the host computer resides; and
means for communicating over a second network on which the laundry machines reside, the microprocessor being programmed to receive a control command for a first laundry machine from the host computer over the first network, and communicate with the first laundry machine over the second network to carry out the control command, the microprocessor being further programmed to receive at least one response containing response data from the first laundry machine over the second network, and transmit the response data to the host computer over the first network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for controller connecting a host computer on a first network and a plurality of laundry machines on a second network to control operations of the laundry machines, the host computer being remotely located from the laundry machines, the method comprising:
-
receiving a control command from the host computer via the first network for a first laundry machine on the second network;
communicating with the first laundry machine over the second network to carry out the control command;
receiving a response containing response data from the first laundry machine on the second network; and
transmitting the response data to the remotely located host computer via the first network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A laundry system comprising:
-
a host computer residing on a first network;
a plurality of networked laundry machines residing on a second network, the host computer being remotely located from the laundry machines, and a controller for bridging the host computer and the networked laundry machines, the controller having a microprocessor, a memory including a buffer, means for communicating over the first network, and means for communicating over the second network, the microprocessor of the controller being programmed to receive from the host computer over the first network a control command for a first laundry machine on the second network, and communicate with the first laundry machine to carry out the control command, the microprocessor being further programmed to receive a response containing response data from the first laundry machine over the second network, and transmit the response data to the remotely located host computer over the first network. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification