SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONICALLY TAGGING ITEMS FOR USE IN CONTROLLING ELECTRICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
a tag reader interface in data communication with the controller, the tag reader interface being configured to receive item information read from each of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in an electrical device; and
an appliance interface in data communication with the controller for receiving control commands from the controller and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control commands being based on the item information from the plurality of items in the electrical device, the controller being further configured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in the electrical device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for electronically tagging items for use in controlling electrical devices are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: a controller; a tag reader interface in data communication with the controller, the tag reader interface being configured to receive item information read from an electronically readable tag attached to an item placed in an electrical device; a display device driver in data communication with the controller for driving the display of operational messages for a user/operator of the electrical device, the operational messages being based on the item information; and an appliance interface in data communication with the controller for receiving control commands from the controller and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control commands being based on the item information.
14 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a controller; a tag reader interface in data communication with the controller, the tag reader interface being configured to receive item information read from each of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in an electrical device; and an appliance interface in data communication with the controller for receiving control commands from the controller and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control commands being based on the item information from the plurality of items in the electrical device, the controller being further configured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An appliance comprising:
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a tag reader configured to read item information from each of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in the appliance, the plurality of items being placed in the appliance for one or more cycles of the appliance; and an appliance control module in data communication with the tag reader, the appliance control module including; a controller; a tag reader interface in data communication with the controller and the tag reader, the tag reader interface being configured to receive the item information read from each of the electronically readable tags directly attached to each of the plurality of items placed in the appliance; and an appliance interface in data communication with the controller for receiving control commands from the controller and for issuing corresponding control signals to the appliance, the control commands being based on the item information from the plurality of items in the appliance, the controller being further configured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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reading each of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in an electrical device to retrieve item information from each of the electronically readable tags, the plurality of items being placed in the electrical device for one or more cycles of the electrical device; detecting conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in the electrical device; and issuing control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control signals being based on the item information from the plurality of items in the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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a controller means; a tag reader interfacing means in data communication with the controller means, the tag reader interfacing means being configured to receive item information read from each of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in an electrical device, the plurality of items being placed in the electrical device for one or more cycles of the electrical device; and an appliance interfacing means in data communication with the controller means for receiving control commands from the controller means and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control commands being based on the item information from the plurality of items in the electrical device, the controller means being further configured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification