Remote appliance or machine monitoring method and system
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G06F-011/00
G06F-015/00
출원번호
US-0077864
(2011-03-31)
등록번호
US-8594969
(2013-11-26)
발명자
/ 주소
Lill, Thomas Martin
Shoemaker, Ralph
출원인 / 주소
Lill, Thomas Martin
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
6인용 특허 :
14
초록▼
The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring operational cycles of one or more appliances, such as washers and dryers, and remotely indicating when such operating cycles have terminated. In one aspect, the present invention provides an appliance or machine monitoring system. T
The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring operational cycles of one or more appliances, such as washers and dryers, and remotely indicating when such operating cycles have terminated. In one aspect, the present invention provides an appliance or machine monitoring system. The system includes a monitor and transmitter unit configured to monitor an operation cycle of an appliance or machine and transmit a wireless signal upon completion of the operation cycle. The monitor and transmitter unit includes an operation cycle sensor, a signal conditioner, a comparator, and a wireless transmitter broadcasting a wireless signal based upon the signal generated by the comparator. The system further includes a portable receiver and alert unit configured to receive signals generated by the wireless transmitter and generate a signal indicative of completion of an operation cycle of an appliance or machine.
대표청구항▼
1. An appliance or machine monitoring system, comprising: a monitor and transmitter unit configured to monitor an operation cycle of an appliance or machine and transmit a wireless signal upon completion of the operation cycle, the monitor and transmitter unit includes: an operation cycle sensor, th
1. An appliance or machine monitoring system, comprising: a monitor and transmitter unit configured to monitor an operation cycle of an appliance or machine and transmit a wireless signal upon completion of the operation cycle, the monitor and transmitter unit includes: an operation cycle sensor, the operation cycle sensor generates signals based upon operation status of the appliance or machine,a signal conditioner, the signal conditioner receives and modifies signals generated by the operation cycle sensor,a comparator, the comparator compares amplitude of the modified signals with a predetermined amplitude trip point, the comparator generates a signal once the amplitude of the modified signal falls below the predetermined amplitude trip point for a predetermined time period to indicate completion of the operation cycle of the appliance or machine being monitored,a wireless transmitter broadcasting a wireless signal based upon the signal generated by the comparator; anda portable receiver and alert unit configured to receive signals generated by the wireless transmitter and generate a signal indicative of completion of the operation cycle of the appliance or machine. 2. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a sensitivity selection switch and circuitry configured to cause the amplitude of the signals generated by the signal conditioner to be greater than the predetermined amplitude trip point during the operating cycle of the appliance. 3. The monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising a sensitivity selection switch and circuitry, the sensitivity selection switch and circuitry adjusts amplitude of the signals generated by the signal conditioner, adjusts the predetermined amplitude trip point, or both. 4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the modified signals generated by the signal conditioner includes a moving average amplitude that is greater than the predetermined amplitude trip point when the appliance being monitored is in operation. 5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the signal conditioner includes a limiter for limiting amplitude. 6. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the signal conditioner includes a rectifier and low pass filter. 7. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the operation cycle sensor senses velocity or acceleration along multiple axes and generates signals indicative of said velocity or acceleration for each of said multiple axes. 8. The monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the signal conditioner includes a signal combining circuit that sums the signals generated by the operation cycle sensor. 9. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the signal combining circuit further determines a square root of the sum of the squares of the signals generated by the operation cycle sensor. 10. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the operation cycle sensor comprises a vibration sensor. 11. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the operation cycle sensor comprises an accelerometer sensor. 12. The monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the accelerometer sensor generates signals indicative of acceleration along three axes. 13. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the operation cycle sensor comprises an audio sensor. 14. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the operation cycle sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor. 15. The monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the magnetic field sensor is disposed about a power cord of an appliance or machine. 16. An appliance or machine monitoring system, comprising: a monitor and transmitter unit configured to monitor an operation cycle of an appliance or machine and transmit a wireless signal upon completion of the operation cycle, the monitor and transmitter unit includes: a three-axis accelerometer sensor, the accelerometer sensor generates signals indicative of acceleration of the appliance or machine along three axes,a signal conditioner, the signal conditioner receives and modifies signals generated by the accelerometer sensor to form a moving average amplitude,a comparator, the comparator compares the average amplitude of the modified signals with a predetermined amplitude trip point, the comparator generates a signal once the average amplitude falls below the predetermined amplitude trip point for a predetermined time period to indicate completion of the operation cycle of the appliance or machine being monitored,a sensitivity selector switch, the sensitivity selector switch being configured to adjust amplitude of the average amplitude, adjust the predetermined amplitude trip point, or both,a wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter broadcasts a wireless signal based upon the signal generated by the comparator,a DC battery providing power to components of the monitor and transmitter unit,a housing unit configured for supporting and housing components of the monitor and transmitter unit,a releasable attachment unit configured for releasable attachment of the monitor and transmitter unit to a surface of the appliance or machine; anda portable receiver and alert unit configured to receive signals generated by the wireless transmitter and generate an audio, visual or audio and visual alert indicating completion of the operation cycle of the appliance or machine, the portable receiver and alert unit circuitry being powered by a DC battery. 17. A method of monitoring an operation cycle of an appliance or machine, comprising the steps of: connecting an operation cycle sensor to an appliance or machine, the operation cycle sensor generates signals based upon operation cycles of the appliance or machine;conditioning the signals generated by the operation cycle sensor to form a moving average amplitude that is greater than an amplitude setting of a predetermined amplitude trip point when the appliance or machine being monitored is in operation;monitoring time periods after the moving average amplitude falls below the amplitude setting of the predetermined amplitude trip point to indicate completion of the operation cycle of the appliance or machine being monitored;transmitting a wireless signal after the time period exceeds a predetermined time value; andgenerating an audio or visual alert signal based upon the wireless signal received by the portable receiver and alert unit. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the operation cycle sensor comprises an accelerometer. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein accelerometer generates a plurality of electrical signals indicative of acceleration of the sensor along multiple axes. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein conditioning of the signals include summing the signals generated by the operation cycle sensor. 21. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of adjusting the amplitude of the average amplitude, adjusting the amplitude of the predetermined amplitude trip point, or both.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (14)
Gallagher, Andrew C., Appliance communication system.
Bogner Douglas J. (Los Angeles CA) Mernick Jason H. (Los Angeles CA), Condition responsive indicating system for interactively indicating status of a plurality of electrical appliances.
Merz Steven G. (Thalwil CHX) Keller Rene (Zurich CHX) Schmitt Carl W. (Zurich CHX), Method of monitoring the movement of a member in a glassware forming machine of the individual section type.
Brandt Robert W. (65 Canal St. ; Apartment 20 San Rafael CA 94901) Fisher Robert D. (Melrose Park IL) Hill James E. (Prospect Heights IL), Monitoring system.
Logan, James D; Carr, Eric; Baker, Jr., Richard A, Methods and apparatus notifying a remotely located user of the operating condition of a household appliance.
Logan, James D; Carr, Eric; Baker, Jr., Richard A, Methods and apparatus notifying a user of the operating condition of a remotely located household appliance.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.