Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a tub; a door; a sensor; and an audio module. The dishwasher performs an operation including determining a completion of a washing cycle; accumulating a first value relating to a first characteristic and a second value relating to a second characteristic; comparing the first accumulated value against a first threshold value and the second accumulated value against a second threshold value; determining that each of the first and second accumulated values is less than its respective threshold value; detecting a movement of the door from the latched position to the unlatched position; and implementing a responsive action in response to detecting the movement of the door from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a tub; a door, a sensor, and an indicator. The dishwasher performs an operation including determining a completion of a washing cycle, turning on the indicator, accumulating a first value relating to a first characteristic and a second value relating to a second characteristic, comparing the first accumulated value against a first threshold value and the second accumulated value against a second threshold value, determining that at least one of the first or second accumulated value is greater than its respective threshold value, and implementing a responsive action after determining that the at least one of the first or second accumulated value is greater than its respective threshold value.

Abstract: A method of using a remote server to operate a first appliance of a plurality of appliances connected to an external network includes receiving one or more images from a second appliance of the plurality of appliances, analyzing the one or more images to detect a hand gesture, identifying a responsive action associated with the hand gesture, and instructing the first appliance to implement the responsive action.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher appliance to limit user involvement includes receiving, via a user interface of the dishwasher appliance, an indication from a user to start operation of the dishwasher appliance. The method also includes implementing an operational mode for the dishwasher appliance based on one or more user patterns, the operational mode configured to determine a cycle start time for a current wash cycle. Further, the method includes implementing the current wash cycle at the determined cycle start time. After completing the current wash cycle, the method includes updating cycle information stored in at least one of a local memory or a cloud server communicatively coupled to the dishwasher appliance, the cycle information relating to the one or more user patterns. Moreover, the method includes controlling one or more parameters of a subsequent wash cycle of the dishwashing appliance based on the updated cycle information.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a water supply for providing water into a wash tub, an additive dispensing system comprising a bulk storage tank defining a plurality of additive chambers and a pump assembly for selectively urging a flow of wash additive from the plurality of additive chambers into the wash chamber, a turbidity sensor configured to measure a turbidity of wash fluid collected in the wash chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the water supply to add a volume of water into the wash tub, obtain a turbidity reading using the turbidity sensor, determine a target additive volume based on the turbidity reading, and operate the additive dispensing system to dispense the target additive volume into the wash tub.

Abstract: A method of using a remote server to operate a first appliance of a plurality of appliances connected to an external network includes receiving one or more images from a second appliance of the plurality of appliances, analyzing the one or more images to detect a hand gesture, identifying a responsive action associated with the hand gesture, and instructing the first appliance to implement the responsive action.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher appliance configured for communication with an external computing device. The method includes accessing, with the external computing device, data corresponding to a cycle history of the dishwasher appliance. The method also includes monitoring, with the external computing device, for data corresponding to a new cycle activation of the dishwasher appliance and generating data corresponding to suggested operation of the dishwasher appliance based at least in part on one or more of a time of day, the new cycle activation, and the cycle history of the dishwasher appliance.

Abstract: An appliance is configured for communication with an external computing device. The appliance includes a valve and a controller configured for signal communication with the external computing device. The controller configured to operate the valve in a freeze prevention mode in response to a freeze prevention mode activation signal from the external computing device. The freeze prevention mode activation signal includes one or more of a fluid time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode, a fluid volume through the valve in the freeze prevention mode, and a break time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode. In the freeze prevention mode, the controller opens and closes the valve of the appliance to flow fluid through the appliance according to the freeze prevention mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for shape and color matching retrieval games to be played in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, includes base stations, cover panels, and retrieval objects that players retrieve from the body of water during play of the game. The base provides a support to which cover panels can be removably affixed. The base and the cover panels each have on their top surfaces a series of position markers in the nature of slots formed in various geometric shapes. Each base and cover panel has a subset of retrieval objects matched in shape and/or color to its respective position markers. A method is provided for playing different versions of retrieval games using the base and the cover panels.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, including methods of operation, is provided. The dishwashing appliance may define a vertical direction and include a tub, a base conductivity sensor mounted at a first level within the tub, and an elevated conductivity sensor mounted at a second level within the tub, the second level being higher along the vertical direction than the first level.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance, including methods of operation, is provided. The dishwashing appliance may define a vertical direction and include a tub, a base conductivity sensor mounted at a first level within the tub, and an elevated conductivity sensor mounted at a second level within the tub, the second level being higher along the vertical direction than the first level.

Abstract: An apparatus for shape and color matching retrieval games to be played in a body of water, such as a swimming pool, includes base stations, cover panels, and retrieval objects that players retrieve from the body of water during play of the game. The base provides a support to which cover panels can be removably affixed. The base and the cover panels each have on their top surfaces a series of position markers in the nature of slots formed in various geometric shapes. Each base and cover panel has a subset of retrieval objects matched in shape and/or color to its respective position markers. A method is provided for playing different versions of retrieval games using the base and the cover panels.

Abstract: An appliance controller is provided comprising an appliance including demand response settings. The settings include threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more threshold variables. The controller further comprises a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes the signal from the associated utility. The signal is converted and compared to the demand response threshold variables and the appliance is operated in one or more power consuming functions based on the comparison of the signal to the demand response variables.

Abstract: A touch-screen interface for a dishwasher door comprises a user interface, a touch sensitive component and a holder. The user interface includes a graphics film defining a plurality of transparent portions. The user interface is configured to facilitate touch communication therethrough. The graphics film is secured to the user interface to prevent moisture therebetween. The touch sensitive component is configured to receive touch communication through the user interface. The touch sensitive component senses a position of a user's finger on the user interface. The holder is releasably connected to the user interface and is configured to releasable secure the touch sensitive component to the user interface. The holder is releasably coupled to a dishwasher door. The releasable connection between the components of the touch-screen interface allows for ease of disassembly and repair or replacement of the components.

Abstract: An appliance controller is provided comprising an appliance including demand response settings. The settings include threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more threshold variables. The controller further comprises a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes the signal from the associated utility. The signal is converted and compared to the demand response threshold variables and the appliance is operated in one or more power consuming functions based on the comparison of the signal to the demand response variables.