Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. A controller is configured to receive, using the wireless communication module, a secure unlock command from a remote server, the secure unlock command being generated when a remote service device transmits appliance identification data to the remote server, and unlock the external communication port to permit the remote service device to access operating software through the external communication port.

Abstract: A home appliance includes a cabinet, a user interface provided on the cabinet, the user interface comprising one or more light emitting diodes and at least one input button, a wireless communication module configured to receive wireless transmissions, and a controller provided within the cabinet. The controller is configured for receiving a request for a system update via the wireless communication module, displaying a predetermined sequence on the user interface via the one or more light emitting diodes indicating that the request for the system update is available, receiving a confirmation via a user input to the user interface to initiate the system update, and instructing the wireless communication module to obtain the system update.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and a method for operating a cooking appliance are provided. The cooking appliance includes a heating element configured to provide heat to a cooking chamber. The cooking chamber is configured to receive foodstuffs for cooking. An imaging device is configured with a field of view including at least a portion of the cooking chamber. A controller is in operable communication with the imaging device. The controller is configured to acquire, via the imaging device, an image at a rate of capture, the image corresponding to foodstuffs at the cooking chamber; determine, from the image, a doneness prediction corresponding to foodstuffs at the cooking chamber; and adjust the rate of capture based on comparing a rate of change of the foodstuffs to a change threshold.

Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. A controller is configured to detect port activity at the external communication port, e.g., by detecting a plug-in or data transfer, transmit a notification of the port activity to the remote server using the wireless communication module, receive an activity assessment, e.g., such as an activity approval or disapproval, from the remote server, and adjust at least one operating parameter of the appliance in response to the activity assessment.

Abstract: A home appliance includes a cabinet, a user interface provided on the cabinet, the user interface comprising one or more light emitting diodes and at least one input button, a wireless communication module configured to receive wireless transmissions, and a controller provided within the cabinet. The controller is configured for receiving a request for a system update via the wireless communication module, displaying a predetermined sequence on the user interface via the one or more light emitting diodes indicating that the request for the system update is available, receiving a confirmation via a user input to the user interface to initiate the system update, and instructing the wireless communication module to obtain the system update.

Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. A controller is configured to receive, using the wireless communication module, a secure unlock command from a remote server, the secure unlock command being generated when a remote service device transmits appliance identification data to the remote server, and unlock the external communication port to permit the remote service device to access operating software through the external communication port.

Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. In addition, a controller includes a boot loader segment and is configured to receive a request to access the boot loader segment of the controller, transmit a notification of the request to the remote server using the wireless communication module, receive an access determination from the remote server, e.g., such as an access authorization or denial from an owner, and regulate access to the boot loader segment based at least in part on the access determination.

Abstract: A guided cooking method uses a plurality of cooking appliances and a remote user interface device. The remote user interface device receives an input indicating a food item and generates a list of recommendations, including at least one recommended cooking appliance and at least one recommended cycle, for preparing the indicated food item. The method also includes receiving a selection response corresponding to one entry from the list of recommendations via the remote user interface device. The method may then include transmitting a signal from the remote user interface device to the cooking appliance indicated by the selection response to activate the cooking appliance to perform the cycle indicated by the selection response, or providing step-by-step instructions, from the remote user interface device, for operating the cooking appliance indicated by the selection response to perform the cycle indicated by the selection response.

Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. A controller is configured to detect port activity at the external communication port, e.g., by detecting a plug-in or data transfer, transmit a notification of the port activity to the remote server using the wireless communication module, receive an activity assessment, e.g., such as an activity approval or disapproval, from the remote server, and adjust at least one operating parameter of the appliance in response to the activity assessment.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an appliance heating element power level includes adjusting a heating element to a first power level in response to actuation of a user input to a first level setting and adjusting the heating element from the first power level to a second power level in response to actuation of the user input to a second level setting. The second power level of the heating element is different than the first power level of the heating element, and the second level setting is next to the first level setting within a power level setting sequence. The method also includes adjusting the heating element from the second power level to a third power level in response to actuation of the user input back to the first level setting. The third power level of the heating element is between the first and second power levels of the heating element.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cabinet defining a cooking chamber, a door configured to open and close the cooking chamber, a heating element configured to provide heat to the cooking chamber, a camera directed at the cooking chamber, and a controller operably connected to the camera. The controller is configured to initiate a cooking operation including determining that the door is in a closed position, capturing a first image of the cooking chamber using the camera, determining an occupied state of the cooking chamber based on the first image, and initiating a timer sequence upon determining the occupied state of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an appliance heating element power level includes adjusting a heating element to a first power level in response to actuation of a user input to a first level setting and adjusting the heating element from the first power level to a second power level in response to actuation of the user input to a second level setting. The second power level of the heating element is different than the first power level of the heating element, and the second level setting is next to the first level setting within a power level setting sequence. The method also includes adjusting the heating element from the second power level to a third power level in response to actuation of the user input back to the first level setting. The third power level of the heating element is between the first and second power levels of the heating element.

Abstract: Diverter valves and associated dishwashers with continuous calibration are provided. An example dishwasher includes a diverter valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly is configured to output a signal having a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses has an activation time indicative of movement of the diverter valve assembly into one of a plurality of positions. The dishwasher performs operations including receiving the signal from the diverter valve assembly and determining a current activation time associated with the most recent pulse exhibited by the signal. The operations include determining a current position of the plurality of positions based at least in part on the current activation time and a plurality of average activation times respectively associated with the plurality of positions. The operations include, after determining the current position, updating the average activation time associated with the current position based at least in part on the current activation time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic turf system including a backing member having a plurality of monofilament ribbons—soft and stiff—projecting there from. A layer of particulate material lies above the backing member and among the monofilament ribbons wherein the soft monofilament ribbons facilitates the stabilization or trapping of the particulate material.

Abstract: Diverter valves and associated dishwashers with continuous calibration are provided. An example dishwasher includes a diverter valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly is configured to output a signal having a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses has an activation time indicative of movement of the diverter valve assembly into one of a plurality of positions. The dishwasher performs operations including receiving the signal from the diverter valve assembly and determining a current activation time associated with the most recent pulse exhibited by the signal. The operations include determining a current position of the plurality of positions based at least in part on the current activation time and a plurality of average activation times respectively associated with the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A method of soil discharge in a dishwashing appliance during a wash cycle to maximize cleaning performance and dishwasher efficiency is provided. A dishwasher may circulate water at varying speeds until soil settles within a sump before discharge from the dishwashing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus having a housing and an opening is covered by a moveable panel, when the panel is in a first position, a first appliance, for example, a clock is presented. When the panel is in a second position, a second appliance, for example, a projector is presented.

Abstract: A semantic database transaction monitor is provided that monitors database transactions by taking advantage of database replication technology. The invention receives one or more event streams of transaction data from one or more database replication software agents, originally from transaction logs, and then classifies each transaction, utilizing an inference engine populated with one or more source ontologies and a canonical ontology so that transaction metadata are normalized. The invention then can be utilized to create a data store across multiple databases for reporting and analysis. The invention can also be used to feed normalized database transactions to real-time graphics software for real-time reporting or alerting. Because the process obtains data from event streams, it does not significantly drain the resources of the databases and can provide virtually real-time monitoring. Moreover, it does not require recoding for updates to the databases, but only changes to the ontologies read at runtime.

Abstract: The system of the present invention provides energy saving control for a water heater via an intelligent thermostat. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system as is conventional, and provides coordinated control over the water heater temperature set point. This control over the water heater is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the water heater. In one embodiment the communications are wireless, although wired and network bus communications may also be utilized. Enhanced and coordinated control is also provided so that different operational temperature cycles can be provided to coordinate with the intelligent thermostat's programmatic control of the HVAC system. Separate programmatic control of the water heater is also provided whereby different operational temperature modes may be commanded, e.g. Wake, Sleep, and Demand modes of operation.

Abstract: A visual display system for use with a digital thermostat is provided. The visual display system provides an adjustable display resolution for the temperature readout provided thereon. This adjustable display resolution may be changed as desired by a user via a resolution adjustment menu. The display resolution may be adjusted to display the temperature information in tenths of degrees, half degrees, whole degrees, etc. as desired by a user. Such a display system accommodates different display resolution requirements of different original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers who may desire different displayed resolutions without having to manufacture and stock different models.