System and method for protecting pocket-portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. A clothes washing machine providing protection of pocket-portable electronic devices from damage, comprising:
- a basket aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed;
a door for covering the opening during washing of clothes;
an electromagnetic loop positioned at the periphery of the opening so that all clothing loaded into the clothes washing machine passes through the electromagnetic loop, the electromagnetic loop being positioned so that no permanent ferrous structures of the clothes washing machine are located between the electromagnetic loop and the opening;
a detector circuit coupled to the electromagnetic loop for generating an electronic detection signal in response to a predetermined change in an electromagnetic characteristic sensed across the electromagnetic loop corresponding to a pocket-portable electronic device being present at the opening; and
a washing machine controller coupled to the detector circuit and responsive to the detection signal to generate an alarm and to inhibit a cycle of the machine until a user provides a manual override signal to the washing machine controller.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clothes washing machine is specially adapted to protect pocket-portable electronic devices from damage. A basket is aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed. A door covers the opening during washing of clothes. An electromagnetic loop is positioned at the periphery of the opening so that all clothing loaded into the clothes washing machine passes through the electromagnetic loop. The electromagnetic loop is also positioned so that no permanent ferrous structures of the clothes washing machine are located between the electromagnetic loop and the opening. A detector circuit is coupled to the electromagnetic loop for generating an electronic detection signal in response to a predetermined change in an electromagnetic characteristic sensed across the electromagnetic loop corresponding to a pocket-portable electronic device being present at the opening. A washing machine controller coupled to the detector circuit responds to the detection signal to generate an alarm and to inhibit a washing cycle (e.g., introduction of water into the basket) until a user provides a manual override signal to the washing machine controller.
22 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A clothes washing machine providing protection of pocket-portable electronic devices from damage, comprising:
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a basket aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed; a door for covering the opening during washing of clothes; an electromagnetic loop positioned at the periphery of the opening so that all clothing loaded into the clothes washing machine passes through the electromagnetic loop, the electromagnetic loop being positioned so that no permanent ferrous structures of the clothes washing machine are located between the electromagnetic loop and the opening; a detector circuit coupled to the electromagnetic loop for generating an electronic detection signal in response to a predetermined change in an electromagnetic characteristic sensed across the electromagnetic loop corresponding to a pocket-portable electronic device being present at the opening; and a washing machine controller coupled to the detector circuit and responsive to the detection signal to generate an alarm and to inhibit a cycle of the machine until a user provides a manual override signal to the washing machine controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of protecting pocket-portable electronic devices from a harsh environment in a clothes washing machine having a basket aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed and a door for covering the opening during washing of clothes, the method comprising the steps of:
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locating an electromagnetic loop at the periphery of the opening; sensing changes in an electromagnetic characteristic at the opening corresponding to a pocket-portable electronic device being present at the opening; generating an alarm in response to the sensed changes; and inhibiting a cycle of the clothes washing machine in response to the sensed changes until a user provides a manual override signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of protecting pocket-portable electronic devices from a harsh environment in a clothes washing machine having a basket aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed and a door for covering the opening during washing of clothes, the method comprising the steps of:
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the clothes machine detecting the loading of clothes in the basket; the clothes machine broadcasting an RF identification signal substantially only within the clothes washing machine; a pocket-portable electronic device within the basket receiving the RF identification signal, thereby determining that it is within the clothes washing machine; and the pocket-portable electronic device taking a defensive measure, including generating a device alarm. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification