Electronic Device For Re-Ordering Items

• US 20150363866A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Depew, John Mathew
• Granted Patent: US 10,373,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

In some cases, a method may include receiving electricity usage data from a re-ordering device and determining usage information for an appliance that is electrically connected to the re-ordering device based on the electricity usage data. The method may also include determining, based on the usage information and order history information for a customer, an estimated remaining quantity of an item that is associated with an appliance type of the appliance. The method further includes comparing the estimated remaining quantity of the item to a threshold associated with the item. In response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is satisfied, the method includes decrementing the estimated remaining quantity of the item. In response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is not satisfied, the method includes generating order data for automated re-ordering of the item for delivery to the customer.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

one or more computing devices comprising;

an analysis module;

a customer module; and

a re-order module;

a re-ordering device comprising;

one or more electricity usage components to determine electricity usage data associated with an appliance that is electrically connected to the re-ordering device;

a memory to store the electricity usage data and communication data;

one or more communication interfaces for establishing a wireless connection with a wireless access point,

wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to;

communicate at least one of a device identifier or a customer identifier received from the re-ordering device to the analysis module to determine a customer that is associated with the re-ordering device;

communicate the electricity usage data received from the re-ordering device to the analysis module to determine an appliance type of the appliance that is electrically connected to the re-ordering device based on a plurality of signatures stored in an electrical signature database;

communicate the appliance type to the customer module to determine, based on order history information for the customer, an estimated remaining quantity of an item that is associated with the appliance type;

communicate the estimated remaining quantity of the item to the re-order module to;

compare the estimated remaining quantity of the item to a threshold associated with automated re-ordering of the item;

decrement the estimated remaining quantity of the item in response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is satisfied; and

generate order data for automated re-ordering of the item for delivery to the customer in response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is not satisfied.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the re-order module is further configured to send the order data to one or more computing devices associated with an order fulfillment center; and

the item is loaded onto a delivery vehicle at the order fulfillment center and delivered to a home or business of the customer.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the re-ordering device further comprises:

a socket to receive a power cord plug of the appliance;

a plug to electrically connect with a power outlet; and

a power supply pass-through disposed between the plug and the socket.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the appliance type includes a first appliance type;

the item includes a first product to be used with the first appliance type; and

the one or more computing devices are further configured to communicate the first appliance type to the customer module to;

determine, based on the order history information for the customer, an estimated remaining quantity of a second product to be used with a second appliance type;

communicate the estimated remaining quantity of the second product to the re-order module to;

compare the estimated remaining quantity of the second product to a second threshold associated with automated re-ordering of the second product;

decrement the estimated remaining quantity of the second product in response to determining that the second threshold associated with the second product is satisfied; and

generate order data for automated re-ordering of the second product for delivery to the customer in response to determining that the second threshold associated with the second product is not satisfied.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein:

the first appliance type includes a washing machine;

the first product to be used with the washing machine includes laundry detergent;

the second appliance type includes a dryer; and

the second product to be used with the dryer includes dryer sheets.

6. A method comprising:

under control of one or more processors,

receiving electricity usage data from a re-ordering device that is associated with a customer;

determining usage information for an appliance that is electrically connected to the re-ordering device based on the electricity usage data;

determining, based on the usage information and order history information for the customer, an estimated remaining quantity of an item that is associated with an appliance type of the appliance;

comparing the estimated remaining quantity of the item to a threshold associated with the item;

in response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is satisfied, decrement the estimated remaining quantity of the item; and

in response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is not satisfied, generating order data for re-ordering of the item for delivery to the customer.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising determining the appliance type based at least in part on the electricity usage data that is received from the re-ordering device.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising determining the appliance type based at least in part on information received from the customer or information received from the appliance.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising sending the order data for re-ordering of the item to one or more computing devices associated with an order fulfillment center in response to determining that the threshold associated with the item is not satisfied, wherein the order data includes a first scheduled delivery time for delivery of the item.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

determining, based on the usage information and the order history information for the customer, an estimated remaining quantity of a second item that is associated with the appliance type;

comparing the estimated remaining quantity of the second item to a second threshold associated with the second item;

in response to determining that the second threshold associated with the second item is satisfied, decrement the estimated remaining quantity of the second item;

in response to determining that the second threshold associated with the second item is not satisfied;

generating order data for re-ordering of the second item for delivery to the customer; and

sending the order data for automated re-ordering of the second item to the one or more computing devices associated with the order fulfillment center, wherein the order data includes a second scheduled delivery time for delivery of the second item.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the second scheduled delivery time is different from the first scheduled delivery time.

12. An electronic device comprising:

a socket to receive a power cord plug of an appliance;

an electrical connection to a power source;

a power supply pass-through disposed between the power source and the socket;

one or more electricity usage components disposed between the power supply pass-through and the socket, wherein the one or more electricity usage components are configured to measure at least one of a voltage or a current that is provided to the appliance via the socket;

a memory;

a wireless module communicatively coupled to an antenna;

a microcontroller configured to;

determine electricity usage data based at least in part on the measured voltage or current;

store the electricity usage data in the memory;

retrieve communication data stored in the memory;

establish a wireless connection with a wireless access point (WAP) via the wireless module and the antenna; and

send the electricity usage data to one or more remote servers via the wireless connection, wherein the one or more remote servers are configured to determine whether an item that is associated with usage of the appliance is to be re-ordered based at least in part on the electricity usage data and order history information for the item.

13. The electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more electricity usage components include:

a load current shunt resistor disposed between the power supply pass-through and the socket, wherein an input to the load current shunt resistor is electrically connected to the power supply pass-through and wherein an output of the load current shunt resistor is electrically connected to the socket; and

a voltage drop measurement module that is electrically connected to the input of the load current shunt resistor to measure an input voltage and that is electrically connected to the output of the load current shunt resistor to measure an output voltage that is provided to the appliance via the socket.

14. The electronic device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a power converter electrically connected to the power supply pass-through, wherein the power converter includes an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter to provide direct current to at least the microcontroller.

15. The electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the communication data stored in the memory includes at least one of a service set identifier (SSID) associated with the wireless access point, a password associated with the WAP, a device identifier, or a customer identifier.

16. The electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein the communication data is received via a user interface that is generated on a display of another electronic device.

17. The electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the electricity usage data includes at least:

a first time associated with a first voltage drop that is indicative of the appliance being turned on; and

a second time associated with a second voltage drop that is indicative of the appliance being turned off.

18. The electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein:

the first voltage drop includes a voltage drop of about 120 Volts; and

the second voltage drop includes a voltage drop of substantially zero.

19. The electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein:

the first voltage drop includes a voltage drop of about 240 Volts; and

the second voltage drop includes a voltage drop of substantially zero.

20. The electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the electricity usage data includes at least:

a first time associated with a first voltage drop that satisfies a first threshold; and

a second time associated with a second voltage drop that does not satisfy the first threshold.