Control for dispensing system
First Claim
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1. A chemical dispensing system for performing a base chemical dispensing operation and an upgraded chemical dispensing operation for a washing machine, the system comprising:
- a micro-controller having a base chemical dispensing program file thereon and being operatively coupled to and configured to control a chemical dispenser of the chemical dispensing system, the chemical dispenser configured to dispense a chemical to the washing machine;
a single expansion module having an upgraded chemical dispensing program file thereon;
the micro-controller having a USB port;
the expansion module having a USB connector;
the micro-controller and the expansion module operably connected to one another via the USB port and connector;
the micro-controller configured to download chemical dispensing activity reports to the expansion module, andthe micro-controller configured to upload the upgraded chemical dispensing program file from the expansion module, andthe micro-controller configured to execute the upgraded chemical dispensing program file and to automatically configure aspects of the chemical dispensing system on the basis thereof in order to perform the upgraded chemical dispensing operation.
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Abstract
A chemical dispensing system is provided having a micro-controller and at least one expansion module. The expansion module includes an expansion module interface. The expansion module is in communication with the micro-controller via the expansion module interface. The at least one expansion module expands capabilities of the chemical dispensing system beyond a base operation of the device.
12 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A chemical dispensing system for performing a base chemical dispensing operation and an upgraded chemical dispensing operation for a washing machine, the system comprising:
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a micro-controller having a base chemical dispensing program file thereon and being operatively coupled to and configured to control a chemical dispenser of the chemical dispensing system, the chemical dispenser configured to dispense a chemical to the washing machine; a single expansion module having an upgraded chemical dispensing program file thereon; the micro-controller having a USB port; the expansion module having a USB connector; the micro-controller and the expansion module operably connected to one another via the USB port and connector; the micro-controller configured to download chemical dispensing activity reports to the expansion module, and the micro-controller configured to upload the upgraded chemical dispensing program file from the expansion module, and the micro-controller configured to execute the upgraded chemical dispensing program file and to automatically configure aspects of the chemical dispensing system on the basis thereof in order to perform the upgraded chemical dispensing operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling a chemical dispensing system for performing a base chemical dispensing operation and an upgraded chemical dispensing operation in a washing machine, the method comprising:
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providing a micro-controller having a base chemical dispensing program file thereon and being operatively coupled to and configured to control a chemical dispenser of the chemical dispensing system, the micro-controller having a USB port; providing a single expansion module having an upgraded chemical dispensing program file thereon, the expansion module having a USB connector; connecting the micro-controller and the single expansion module to one another via the USB port and connector; downloading, by the micro-controller, chemical dispensing activity reports to the expansion module; uploading, by the micro-controller, an upgraded chemical dispensing program file from the expansion module; and executing, by the micro-controller, the upgraded chemical dispensing program file to automatically configure aspects of the chemical dispensing system on the basis thereof in order to perform the upgraded chemical dispensing operation. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A chemical dispensing system for a washing machine, the system having a plurality of operating modes including a base chemical dispensing operating mode and an upgraded chemical dispensing operating mode, the system comprising:
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a control means operably connected to the system and providing a first operating mode of the chemical dispensing system, the first operating mode including providing the base chemical dispensing operation to the washing machine; and a single expansion means in operative communication with the control means and operably providing a second operating mode including providing the upgraded chemical dispensing operation to the chemical dispensing system; the control means communicating with the expansion means through a USB connection to download chemical dispensing activity reports to the expansion means; the control means further communicating with the expansion means to upload an upgraded chemical dispensing program file from the expansion means, and the control means executing the upgraded chemical dispensing program file to automatically configure aspects of the chemical dispensing system on the basis thereof in order to provide the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A chemical dispensing system for a washing machine, the system comprising:
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a machine interface operatively coupleable to the washing machine; a pump interface configured to dispense a chemical to the washing machine; a micro-controller operably coupled to the machine interface and the pump interface, the micro-controller having a base mode of operation that causes the pump interface to dispense the chemical according to the base mode of operation in response to signals received from the machine interface; a single expansion module having an upgraded chemical dispensing program file thereon; the micro-controller operatively coupled to a USB port; the expansion module operatively coupled to a USB connector; the expansion module in operable communication with the micro-controller via the USB port and connector; the micro-controller configured to download chemical dispensing activity reports to the expansion module; the micro-controller configured to upload the upgraded chemical dispensing program file from the expansion module, and the micro-controller configured to execute the upgraded chemical dispensing program file and to automatically configure aspects of the chemical dispensing system on the basis thereof in order to perform an upgraded chemical dispensing operation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification