Substance Communicating Device with Activatable Connector and Cycle Structure

• US 20110153871A1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Ferragut, Nelson J. II, Pires, Andre O., Luckman, Joel A., McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,700,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/026 Nature or type of the consumable product, e.g. information on detergent, e.g. 3-in-1 tablets, rinsing aid or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/04 Crockery or tableware details, e.g. material, quantity, condition
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/00 Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/44 Current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/64 Radiation, e.g. microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/00 Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination

Abstract

A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance or a system including an appliance and a substance communicating device. The substance communicating device has a service connector component operably engageable with a service connector component of the appliance to permit the communication of a substance between the appliance and the substance communicating device. Information related to the substance can be communicated to the appliance and used to affect the physical cycle of operation of the appliance.

Claims

1. A substance communicating device for use in conjunction with an appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article using the substance communicating device, the appliance having a first substance service connector component and a first coupling component, the substance communicating device comprising:

a main body;

a substance consumer associated with the main body;

a substance line having a first end coupled with the substance consumer and a second end remote from the first end;

a second substance service connector component coupled with the second end of the substance line, the second substance service connector component being operably engageable with the first substance service connector component to permit the communication of a substance between the first and second substance service connector components;

a second coupling component being configured to engage the first coupling component when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged to selectively permit the communication of the substance between the substance communicating device and the appliance;

one of media, an interface for receiving media, and a media access component associated with the main body for providing information related to the substance; and

a communication interface for communicating the information to the appliance;

wherein the information communicated by the substance communicating device to the appliance is used by the appliance to affect the physical cycle of operation.

2. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance communicating device comprises the media.

3. The substance communicating device of claim 2 wherein the media is provided on the main body.

4. The substance communicating device of claim 2 wherein the media includes a consumable information holder containing instructions to a user related to one of:

preparing one of the article, the substance communicating device, the substance, an object relating to the process of using the substance, and the appliance for the physical cycle of operation;

handling one of the article, the substance communicating device, the substance, an object relating to the process of using the substance, and the appliance during the physical cycle of operation; and

handling one of the article, the substance communicating device, the substance, an object relating to the process of using the substance, and the appliance after the physical cycle of operation;

wherein the consumable information holder provides at least a portion of the instructions to a user interface for rendering the at least a portion of the instructions on the user interface.

5. The substance communicating device of claim 4 wherein the object relating to the process of using the substance is one of a cleaning brush, a flavor brush, a baster, a flavor injector, a carving knife, a rub, a hanger, an iron, a drying cabinet, a clothes line, a warming drawer, tongs, and a pot holder.

6. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the information is communicated to the appliance when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged.

7. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance consumer comprises a holder for holding the substance and that is fluidly coupled with the second end of the substance line, wherein the holder receives the substance via the substance line when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged.

8. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance communicating device transfers both the substance and the information related to the substance to the appliance when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged, wherein the appliance receives the substance and uses the information to affect the cycle of operation.

9. The substance communicating device of claim 8 wherein the substance comprises a chemistry for creating a desired effect on the article during the cycle of operation.

10. The substance communicating device of claim 1 further comprising a communication component operably coupled to the communication interface via a communication pathway.

11. The substance communicating device of claim 10 wherein the communication interface is one of an electrical connector, an optocoupler, an antenna, an LED, and a light pipe.

12. The substance communicating device of claim 10 wherein the communication component is one of a computer chip, a wireless radio, a transceiver, and an optocoupler.

13. The substance communicating device of claim 10 and further comprising a signal generator that generates a signal when the first and second coupling components are engaged, wherein the communication component detects the signal, and, in response to the detection of the signal, enables communication with the appliance via the communication pathway and the communication interface.

14. The substance communicating device of claim 10 wherein the communication component further comprises a code, wherein the code is sent by the communication component to the appliance via the communication pathway and the communication interface when the first and second substance service connector components are engaged.

15. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the information includes at least one data value directly usable by the appliance without conversion or processing.

16. The substance communicating device of claim 15 where the information further includes an identifier identifying the data value.

17. The substance communicating device of claim 16 wherein the data value is a parameter for affecting the cycle of operation.

18. The substance communicating device of claim 1 further comprising the information wherein the information includes data about a cycle structure usable by a cycle architecture of the appliance.

19. The substance communicating device of claim 18 wherein the information includes a cycle structure and the cycle architecture includes a cycle engine wherein the cycle engine can operate on the cycle structure to control the cycle of operation.

20. The substance communicating device of claim 19 wherein the cycle structure includes at least two states separated by at least one transition condition.

21. The substance communicating device of claim 20 wherein the at least one of the states includes at least one action wherein the cycle engine controls the cycle of operation by executing the action.

22. The substance communicating device of claim 21 wherein the at least one action includes information for the cycle engine to send at least one of a network message, change a portion of a memory location in the memory of a controller, change the state of an actuator, change the state of a user interface component, and affect an electrical circuit.

23. The substance communicating device of claim 21 wherein the transition condition includes a Boolean expression readable by the cycle engine to govern the transition from one of the at least two states to the other of the at least two states when the expression is resolved by the cycle engine to a logical true.

24. The substance communicating device of claim 23 wherein the Boolean expression includes at least one operator selected from AND, OR, Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal to and includes at least two of a constant value, a variable identifier, and a message identifier.

25. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance communicating device is a removably coupled appliance accessory, wherein the appliance accessory receives power from the appliance when the first and second service connector components are engaged.

26. The accessory of claim 25 wherein the substance communicating device is an appliance accessory, and the appliance accessory is one of a dispenser of substance, a detergent dispenser, a drink dispenser, an ice dispenser, a flavoring dispenser, a chemical dispenser, a fragrance dispenser, a steam dispenser, a condiment dispenser, a food preparation ingredient dispenser, filter, a water filter, a refrigerator water filter, a bottle, a jug, a cartridge and a detergent cartridge.

27. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the second coupling component is a contact proximity component.

28. The substance communicating device of claim 1 further comprising a second actuating link movably associated with the second coupling component and engageable with a first actuating link associated with the first coupling component, wherein, upon engagement of the second actuating link with the first actuating link, the substance is communicated between the substance communicating device and the appliance.

29. The substance communicating device of claim 28 wherein the second actuating link is movable between a first position in which substance is not communicated between the substance communicating device and the appliance, and a second position in which substance is communicated between the substance communicating device and the appliance, and wherein engagement of the second actuating link with the first actuating link moves the second actuating link to the second position.

30. The substance communicating device of claim 1 further comprising a flow regulating component for regulating the flow of the substance and a communication component operably coupled to the flow regulating component and determining if the first and second substance service connector components are engaged, wherein, upon determining that the first and second substance connector components are engaged, the communication component controls the flow regulating component to permit the flow of the substance.

31. The substance communicating device of claim 30 wherein the communication component comprises logic that determines that the first and second substance service connector components are engaged by observing the communication between the communication component and the appliance and issues a signal to the flow regulating component to permit the flow of substance in response to the determination.

32. The substance communicating device of claim 31 wherein the logic comprises at least one of a digital logic circuit, software, an electronic circuit, and an analog logic circuit.

33. The substance communicating device of claim 1 further comprising a flow regulating component for regulating the flow of the substance and a sensing component operably coupled to the flow regulating component and sensing the engagement of the first and second substance service connector components, wherein, upon the sensing component sensing the engagement, the sensing component provides a signal to the flow regulating component to permit the flow of the substance.

34. The substance communicating device of claim 33 wherein the sensing component is one of a contact proximity sensor and a contactless proximity sensor.

35. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the second coupling component is a contactless proximity component.

36. The substance communicating device of claim 35 wherein the contactless proximity component is a proximity target.

37. The substance communicating device of claim 36 wherein the proximity target is a magnet.

38. The substance communicating device of claim 36 wherein the contactless proximity target provides a change in at least one of:

an electromagnetic field;

an electromagnetic wave;

an acoustic wave;

a visual target;

an optical signal;

a light wave;

a chemical component;

an electrical signal;

a voltage;

a current;

a frequency;

a resistance;

an inductance;

a capacitance;

a mechanical signal;

a pressure;

a displacement;

a vibration; and

a chemical;

wherein the change is communicated to the appliance to permit the communication of the substance with the substance communicating device contemporaneously with the engagement of the first and second substance service connector components.

39. The substance communicating device of claim 38 wherein the contactless proximity target is compatible with a contactless proximity sensor of the appliance, and wherein the contactless proximity sensor can detect the change provided by the contactless proximity target to permit the communication of the substance with the substance communicating device contemporaneously with the engagement of the first and second substance service connector components.

40. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance includes chemistry for treating fabric.

41. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the substance includes flavoring for treating a drink.

42. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the media is selected from one of a computer memory, a flash memory, a USB flash drive, a SD Card, material with a printed bar code, and material with a coded image.

43. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the interface for receiving media is an electrical connector.

44. The substance communicating device of claim 1 wherein the media access component is one of a computer chip, a wireless radio, a transceiver, and an optocoupler.

45. A consumable holder for use in conjunction with an appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article using the consumable holder to provide at least one consumable, the appliance having a switch operably activated by the consumable holder, the consumable holder comprising:

a main body;

a structure for holding a consumable within the main body;

a consumable information holder comprising information associated with at least one of the article, the physical cycle of operation, and the consumable; and

an actuator operably attached to the main body for operably activating the switch;

wherein, when the actuator operably actuates the switch, the appliance reads at least a portion of the information from the consumable information holder and uses the information to affect the cycle of operation on the article.

46. The consumable holder of claim 45 wherein the actuator is a proximity target.

47. The consumable holder of claim 46 wherein the proximity target is a contactless proximity target.

48. The consumable holder of claim 47 wherein the proximity target is a magnet.

49. The consumable holder of claim 47 wherein the contactless proximity target provides a change in at least one of:

an electromagnetic field;

an electromagnetic wave;

an acoustic wave;

a visual target;

an optical signal;

a light wave;

a chemical component;

an electrical signal;

a voltage;

a current;

a frequency;

a resistance;

an inductance;

a capacitance;

a mechanical signal;

a pressure;

a displacement;

a vibration; and

a chemical; and

wherein the change is used by the appliance to activate the switch.

50. The consumable holder of claim 49 wherein the contactless proximity target is compatible with a contactless proximity sensor of the appliance, and wherein the contactless proximity sensor can detect the change provided by the contactless proximity target to activate the switch.

51. The consumable holder of claim 46 wherein the proximity target is a contact proximity target.

52. The consumable holder of claim 51 wherein the contact proximity target is a second actuating link movably associated with the main body and engageable with a first actuating link associated with the appliance, wherein, upon engagement of the second actuating link with the first actuating link, the switch is activated.

53. The substance communicating device of claim 52 wherein the second actuating link is movable between a first position in which the switch is not activated, and a second position in which switch is activated, and wherein engagement of the second actuating link with the first actuating link moves the second actuating link to the second position.

54. An appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article in conjunction with a consumable holder having a structure to hold a consumable and a consumable information holder comprising information associated with at least one of the article, the physical cycle of operation, and the consumable, the appliance comprising:

a sensor for sensing the presence of the consumable holder;

a switch operably connected to the sensor; and

a reader operably connected to the switch;

wherein the switch is actuated by the sensor when the sensor detects the presence of the consumable holder and wherein the reader reads at least a portion of the information when the switch is actuated.

55. The appliance of claim 54 further comprising a controller operably connected to the reader, wherein the controller affects the cycle of operation in response to the information.

56. The appliance of claim 55 further comprising a communications network operably connecting the reader to the controller.

57. The appliance of claim 55 wherein the controller further comprises cycle architecture that processes the information to affect the cycle of operation.

58. The appliance of claim 57 wherein the cycle architecture further comprises a cycle engine and the information includes information about a cycle structure usable by the cycle architecture wherein the cycle engine controls the cycle of operation according to the information about a cycle structure.

59. The appliance of claim 58 wherein the information about the cycle structure is represented by one of:

key-value pairs;

Extensible Markup Language (XML);

relational data tables;

comma separated variable files;

a hierarchical composite tree or graph;

byte arrays;

data packets;

command objects;

binary encoded data;

data encoded as a programming language;

text;

scripts;

serialized objects; and

messages.

60. The appliance of claim 57 wherein the cycle architecture further comprises a cycle engine and the information includes a cycle structure interpretable by the cycle engine, and wherein the cycle engine controls the cycle of operation according to the cycle structure.

61. The appliance of claim 60 wherein the cycle structure includes at least two states separated by at least one transition condition.

62. The appliance of claim 61 wherein at least one of the two states includes at least one action and the cycle engine controls the cycle of operation by executing the at least one action.

63. The appliance of claim 62 wherein the at least one action includes information for the cycle engine to at least one of:

send a network message;

change a portion of a memory location in the memory of the controller;

change the state of an actuator;

change the state of a user interface component; and

affect the state of an electrical circuit.

64. The appliance of claim 61 wherein the transition condition includes a Boolean expression readable by the cycle engine to govern the transition from one of the at least two states to the other of the at least two states when the expression is resolved by the cycle engine to a logical true.

65. The appliance of claim 64 wherein the Boolean expression includes at least one operator selected from AND, OR, Greater Than, Less Than, and Equal To, and includes at least two of a constant value, a variable identifier, and a message identifier.