System and methods for interacting with networked home appliances

• US 9,953,278 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casey, Alexis M
• Application Number:
  US13/462,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 705 267
• 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, via the at least one sensor, data indicative of usage of a consumable within the appliance and energy usage for the appliance;

processing, by the processing device, the gathered data to determine an amount of the consumable remaining and a cost of operation of the appliance for a particular time period based on at least the energy usage for the appliance;

providing a diagnostic report directed to the use of the consumable within the appliance and the cost of operation of the appliance for the particular time period;

providing a graphical user interface as part of the diagnostic report that is configured to provide do-it-yourself instructions, live communication capabilities with a service technician, and scheduling capabilities for setting up an appointment with the service technician;

and

providing a recommendation to reduce the cost of operation for the appliance for the particular time period by a specified amount.

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.

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, or wherein the appliance comprises a dryer and the consumable comprises a drying sheet.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising:

sharing energy usage or energy cost of operating the appliance for a time period with user'"'"'s social media; and

comparing the energy usage or the energy cost of operating the appliance with the energy usage or the energy cost of operating a same type of appliance by another user on the user'"'"'s social media over the time period.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic report indicates that an amount of consumable in excess of a recommended amount of consumable is being used during operation of a cycle of the appliance.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic report indicates that the consumable being used is not a recommended consumable for use by the appliance and its use is causing a problem for the appliance.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic report provides feedback with respect to the consumable being used by the appliance, wherein the feedback indicates a problem that the consumable is causing for the appliance, and wherein the feedback recommends a change with respect to the consumable to fix the problem.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic report provides feedback to overcome a diagnosed problem with respect to the consumable being used within the appliance.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic report is directed to the consumable being used within the appliance and includes a suggestion to replace the consumable with a different kind of consumable so that appliance can operate properly.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising suggesting a particular consumable to extend a life of the appliance.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing feedback relating to the consumable and a correct use of the consumable within the appliance.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing feedback relating to amount of consumable being used for an appliance cycle.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising providing maintenance tip relating to the consumable being used in the appliance.

21. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising:

sharing the energy usage data with an online social networking website; and

comparing the energy usage data with community energy usage data in a particular geographical area.

22. The method as recited in claim 1 comprising providing a notification that the consumable needs to be replaced when the amount of the consumable remaining is at or below a predetermined level.

23. The method according to claim 1, providing, to a mobile application, coupons and suggestions for replacement consumables based on sensed usage of the consumable within the appliance.

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

gathering, via the at least one sensor, data indicative of usage of a detergent within the appliance and energy usage for the washing machine;

processing, by the processing device, the gathered data to determine an amount of the detergent remaining a cost of operation of the washing machine for a particular time period based on at least the energy usage for the washing machine;

providing a diagnostic report directed to the use of the detergent within the appliance and directed to the cost of operation of the washing machine for the particular time period, wherein the diagnostic report indicates that a wrong type of detergent is used in the washing machine or that an amount in excess of a recommended amount is being consumed during operation of the washing machine; and

providing a graphical user interface as part of the diagnostic report that is configured to provide do-it-yourself instructions, live communication capabilities with a service technician, and scheduling capabilities for setting up an appointment with the service technician.