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 system and method for cleaning context detection and appliance operation are provided. The system includes a first appliance communicatively coupled to a second appliance to receive and transmit signals therebetween. The first appliance and the second appliance each include a controller configured to execute operations. The operations include receiving, at the first appliance, a first control signal corresponding to executing a cleaning mode at the first appliance; transmitting, from the first appliance, a second control signal to the second appliance, the second control signal corresponding to a cleaning state; and generating, at the second appliance, a third control signal corresponding to executing the cleaning mode at the second appliance.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, a motor, a pump, and a controller. The wash basket is rotatably mounted within the tub. The motor is configured to rotate the wash basket within the tub. The pump is configured to drain fluid from the tub. The controller is in operative communication with the pump and the motor and may direct a primary spin and drain cycle, which includes an initial drain of the tub prior to a first spin cycle. The controller may further receive a supplemental spin and drain cycle request, identify a drain omission condition of the washing machine appliance, and perform a spin and drain cycle without the initial drain of the tub following identifying the drain omission condition of the washing machine appliance. A method of directing a washing machine appliance to perform supplemental spin and drain cycles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry appliance includes displaying a searchable and sortable list of available cycles for the laundry appliance on a user interface associated with the laundry appliance. The method also includes receiving a user input. The user input includes a selected cycle from the list of cycles. The method further includes downloading the selected cycle to the laundry appliance and activating the laundry appliance according to the downloaded cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a commercial laundry appliance includes receiving energy cost information for one or more operation cycles of the commercial laundry appliance and updating a price for the commercial laundry appliance based on the energy cost information. The method also includes activating the commercial laundry appliance after receiving payment of the updated price.

Abstract: A method for associating a leak detector with an appliance includes receiving data from a leak detector; detecting a sound signature of the appliance based at least in part on the sound signal; identifying the appliance as one of a plurality of appliance types; and associating the leak detector with the one of the plurality of appliance types.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning context detection and appliance operation are provided. The system includes a first appliance communicatively coupled to a second appliance to receive and transmit signals therebetween. The first appliance and the second appliance each include a controller configured to execute operations. The operations include receiving, at the first appliance, a first control signal corresponding to executing a cleaning mode at the first appliance; transmitting, from the first appliance, a second control signal to the second appliance, the second control signal corresponding to a cleaning state; and generating, at the second appliance, a third control signal corresponding to executing the cleaning mode at the second appliance.

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 of operating a group of household appliances includes connecting, by a primary household appliance of the group of household appliances, to a remote computing device. The method also includes determining, by the remote computing device, that a secondary household appliance of the group of household appliances has an available update and providing, on the primary household appliance, a notification of the available update for the secondary household appliance.

Abstract: A method of operating a dryer appliance includes determining a remaining moisture content of a load of articles to be dried in the dryer appliance and estimating an energy requirement for drying the load of articles based on the determined remaining moisture content of the load of articles. The method also includes activating a heating system of the dryer appliance during a dry cycle of the dryer appliance while tracking an energy output of the heating system during the dry cycle. The method further includes comparing the tracked energy output to the estimated energy requirement. When the tracked energy output is greater than a predetermined threshold percentage of the estimated energy requirement, a user notification is provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a dryer appliance includes performing a first sensor cycle of the dryer appliance. The first sensor cycle includes rotating a drum of the dryer appliance and activating a heating system of the dryer appliance according to a first set of cycle parameters. The method also includes detecting one or more user interactions with the dryer appliance and inferring from the one or more detected user interactions that the dry performance of the first sensor cycle was unsatisfactory. The method further includes defining a second set of cycle parameters in response to the one or more detected user interactions. The method also includes performing a second sensor dry cycle of the dryer appliance according to the second set of cycle parameters after the first sensor dry cycle.

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 pair of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. A method of operating the pair of laundry appliances includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for the washing machine appliance and reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance.

Abstract: A method for operating a commercial appliance, includes activating the commercial appliance. The commercial appliance is configured such that initiation of operating cycles of the commercial appliance does not require a payment authorization after activating the commercial appliance. The method also includes converting the commercial appliance. The commercial appliance is configured such that initiation of subsequent operating cycles of the commercial appliance requires the payment authorization after converting the commercial appliance.

Abstract: A method of operating a dryer appliance includes predicting a removal point at which a laundry load will be removed from the tub of the dryer, the removal point being a certain amount of time after the completion of a main drying operation, determining a length of time required to perform a conditioning operation on the laundry load, determining a start time for the conditioning operation, and implementing a responsive action at the start time.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treatment assembly including a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance includes performing a drying operation in the dryer appliance, receiving feedback regarding a performance of the drying operation, adjusting one or more parameters relating to a washing operation in the washing machine appliance, and incorporating the one or more adjusted parameters into a subsequent washing operation.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance includes receiving an initiation trigger to perform a flush operation, supplying water to a container of the appliance, draining the supplied water from the container, measuring a temperature of the supplied water to the container, determining that the temperature of the supplied water is above a predetermined temperature threshold, and halting the supply of water to the container via the water supply.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treatment appliance includes performing a selected laundry treatment operation on a laundry load in accordance with an original set of operating parameters, obtaining a feedback input from a user regarding a dryness level of the laundry load, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the original set of operating parameters, and generating a new set of operating parameters including the at least one adjusted operating parameter.

Abstract: A method for operating a dryer appliance includes, after drying articles within the dryer appliance, receiving data corresponding to an activation signal for an extended tumble from a remote user device, tracking a number of cycles for which the extended tumble is not a default setting for the dryer appliance, and automatically adjusting the extended tumble to the default setting for the dryer appliance or transmitting data corresponding to an extended tumble alert based on the tracked number of cycles.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes filling a wash tub with a wash liquid during a first cycle. The method also includes receiving a pause input after filling the wash tub and before draining the wash tub during the first cycle. In response to the pause input, the first cycle is paused for a pause duration. The method further includes incrementing a pause counter in response to the pause input and storing the pause duration after pausing the first cycle.