SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR INTERACTING WITH NETWORKED HOME APPLIANCES

• US 20120316984A1
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transform Sr Brands, LLC (ESL Investments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sears Brands LLC (Sears Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Glassman, Ellen T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,953,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

An appliance having a processing device and at least one sensor in communication with the processing device gathers data indicative of usage of a consumable with the appliance. The gathered data is used to determine an amount of the consumable remaining and, when the amount of the consumable remaining is at a predetermined level, a notification is provided to indicate to a user that the consumable needs to be replaced.

Claims

1. A method for recommending products to a user of an appliance having a processing device and at least one sensor installed in the appliance in communication with the processing device, comprising:

gathering with the at least one sensor data indicative of usage of a consumable with the appliance;

using the gathered data to determine an amount of the consumable remaining; and

when the amount of the consumable remaining is at a predetermined level, providing a notification that the consumable needs to be replaced.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising automatically placing an order for the consumable with a vendor.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the consumable is delivered to a user of the appliance.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the consumable is readied for pickup by a user of the appliance.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing an incentive to purchase a particular brand of the consumable.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein an initial amount of the consumable is provided to thereby allow for a determination of an amount of consumable remaining as the consumable is used with the appliance.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the initial amount of the consumable is manually entered by a user.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the initial amount of the consumable is automatically determined using purchase information associated with the consumable.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a washing machine and the consumable comprises at least one of detergent, softener, and bleach.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a dish washer and the consumable comprises at least one of detergent and a rinsing agent.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a dryer and the consumable comprises a drying sheet.