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 group of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and at least one dryer appliance. A method of operating the group of laundry appliances includes characterizing a load of articles in the washing machine appliance. The method also includes washing the load of articles in the washing machine appliance. The method further includes recommending multiple drying operations for the load of articles, such as in two or more dryer appliances of the group of appliances, based on the characterization of the load of articles.

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 includes receiving a user input comprising a timed dry cycle selection, and activating a timed dry cycle in response to the user input. The timed dry cycle is configured to operate for an amount of time. The method also includes determining a notification window of the timed dry cycle before activating the timed dry cycle, activating the heating system of the dryer appliance during the timed dry cycle of the dryer appliance, calculating a drying time to reach a pre-determined dryness threshold, comparing the calculated drying time to a remaining time of the timed drying cycle, and providing a user notification when the calculated drying time exceeds the remaining time of the cycle.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods of operating the same are provided. Such methods may include, and/or appliances may be configured for, performing a wash operation on laundry articles received in the wash chamber of the wash basket. After the wash operation, it may be determined that the load of articles is still wet, e.g., that a remaining moisture content of the laundry articles is above a threshold. Based on and in response to determining that the load is still wet, a spin cycle is performed before a beginning of a subsequent wash operation.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, a valve, a spout, a dispenser, a motor, and a controller. The basket may be rotatably mounted and define a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The valve may be disposed upstream from the tub. The spout may be directed at the tub downstream from the valve. The dispenser may be upstream from the tub for dispensing detergent into the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the basket. The controller may be configured for controlling the washing machine appliance. The controller may be configured to initiate an oversuds-sensitive operation. The oversuds-sensitive operation may include detecting one or more resultant conditions from one or more previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance, determining an adjusted operating parameter based on the detected resultant conditions, and directing detergent dispensing according to the adjusted operating parameter.

Abstract: A pair of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance. A method of operating the pair of laundry appliances includes characterizing a load of articles in the washing machine appliance. The method also includes washing the load of articles in the washing machine appliance. The method further includes determining a parameter for a drying operation of the dryer appliance for the load of articles based on the characterization of the load of articles.

Abstract: A method of operating a laundry appliance includes identifying a user of the laundry appliance. The method also includes detecting an interaction of the user with the laundry appliance and determining a point value for the detected interaction. The method further includes adjusting a user score in a user profile associated with the user based on the determined point value for the detected interaction.

Abstract: A method of operating a group of household appliances includes providing a prompt to perform a proximity test and determining, by a primary household appliance of the group of household appliances, that a distance between the primary household appliance and a secondary household appliance of the group of household appliances is less than a proximity threshold. The method further includes receiving an input at a user interface of the primary household appliance and activating the secondary household appliance in response to the input received at the user interface of the primary household appliance.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes checking for a material in a container of the household appliance. When the material is detected, the method may include recording a presence of the container in response to detecting the material in the container and deactivating a status indicator in response to detecting the material in the container. When the material is not detected, the method may include checking for the container in response to detecting the absence of the material. When the container is not detected, the method may include disabling a status indicator in response to detecting the absence of the container. When the container is detected, the method may include activating a status indicator in response to detecting the presence of the container and in response to detecting the absence of the material.

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 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 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. The method also includes filling the wash tub with a wash liquid during a second cycle after the first cycle and automatically pausing the second cycle after filling the wash tub with the wash liquid during the second cycle, based on the pause counter and the stored pause duration.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating laundry appliances are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of utilization signals including a utilization rate corresponding to a first plurality of appliances at a first location; determining an activity status based on the plurality of utilization signals of the first plurality of appliances at the first location; determining a demand status based on comparing the activity status to a quantity of user interface devices within range of a network; and generating a user control signal based on the demand status.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating a laundry appliance are provided. The laundry appliance includes a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the appliance to perform operations. The operations include transmitting a utilization signal including a utilization rate of the appliance. The operations include obtaining a control signal based on an operation schedule. The operation schedule determines whether the appliance is under-utilized, over-utilized, or nominally utilized based on the utilization signal. The operations include adjusting operation of the appliance based on the control signal.

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: 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.