Appliance control and monitoring systems and methods for making and using same

• US 10,617,276 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TCD Parts, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TCD Parts, Inc.
• Inventors: Fisher, Mark B., Gross, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): Golightly, Eric W
• Application Number:
  US15/792,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20180110393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0076 of non-domestic use type, e.g. commercial dishwashers for bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens or hospitals machines specially adapted for drinking glasses A47L15/0065; drawer-type dishwashers A47L15/0084; in-sink dishwashers A47L15/0086; miniature dishwashers A47L15/0089; conveyor-type dishwashers A47L15/24; machines with crockery cleaned by brushes A47L15/37
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/20 Time, e.g. elapsed operating time
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/34 Other automatic detections
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/22 Loading doors, e.g. door latches, inflatable door seals
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/00 Producing ice F25C3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2600/04 Control means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions

Abstract

A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine includes providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having an indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor. The instructions are executed to determine an attribute of the dishwashing machine and to control the indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes communicatively coupling the unit to the dishwashing machine, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the dishwashing machine. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a remote user computer together with a geographic location of the dishwashing machine. The method includes taking a responsive action in response to the determined attribute.

Claims

1. A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine, comprising:

providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit, comprising;

a portable housing having an indicator;

a wireless network interface;

a processor; and

a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by said processor to;

determine an attribute of said dishwashing machine; and

control said indicator based on said determination of said attribute;

electronically coupling said unit to each of a rack trigger sensor and a power control line of said dishwashing machine;

using said unit to determine a rack count of said dishwashing machine

causing said unit to wirelessly communicate said rack count to a remote user computer together with a geographic location of said dishwashing machine;

remotely locking said dishwashing machine using said unit based on said communicated rack count; and

remotely unlocking said dishwashing machine using said unit in response to receipt of a payment associated with said communicated rack count.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said unit further monitors and wirelessly communicates a temperature of said dishwashing machine.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said unit automatically locks said dishwashing machine in response to a network outage.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said unit automatically locks said dishwashing machine when a duration of a network outage is exceeded.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising communicating to said remote computer a time stamp indicating a time at which the rack count was determined by said unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said indicator includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicator is configured to change colors based on an operational state of said dishwashing machine.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said indicator includes an audible indicator.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing said rack count in said memory.

10. A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine, comprising:

providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit, comprising;

a portable housing;

a network interface;

a processor; and

a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by said processor to determine an attribute of said dishwashing machine;

electronically coupling said unit to each of a rack trigger sensor and a power control line of said dishwashing machine;

using said unit to determine a rack count of said dishwashing machine;

causing said unit to communicate said determined rack count to a remote user computer;

remotely locking said dishwashing machine using said unit based on said communicated rack count; and

remotely unlocking said dishwashing machine using said unit.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising associating said unit with a payment processing system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said dishwashing machine is automatically unlocked in response to a payment made to the payment processing system.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said unit further monitors and wirelessly communicates a temperature of said dishwashing machine.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said unit automatically locks said dishwashing machine in response to a network outage.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said unit automatically locks said dishwashing machine when a duration of a network outage is exceeded.

16. A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine, comprising:

providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit, comprising;

a portable housing;

a network interface;

a processor; and

a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by said processor to determine an attribute of said dishwashing machine;

electronically coupling said unit to a rack trigger sensor of said dishwashing machine;

using said unit to determine a rack count of said dishwashing machine;

causing said unit to communicate said determined rack count to a remote user computer;

remotely locking said dishwashing machine using said unit based on said communicated rack count; and

remotely unlocking said dishwashing machine using said unit.