Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a heating element, a user interface for receiving user input, and a main controller. The main controller is in operative communication with the user interface via a touchscreen controller. The main controller is also in operative communication with the heating element. The user interface is in operative communication with the heating element via the touchscreen controller and the main controller. The user interface is in operative communication with the touchscreen controller via an inter-integrated circuit bus. The domestic appliance also includes a serial peripheral interface monitor in operative communication with the inter-integrated circuit bus. The appliance may be configured for, and related methods may include, receiving and monitoring, by the serial peripheral interface monitor, communication between the user interface and the touchscreen controller over the inter-integrated circuit bus.

Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a heating element, a user interface for receiving user input, and a main controller. The main controller is in operative communication with the user interface via a touchscreen controller. The main controller is also in operative communication with the heating element. The user interface is in operative communication with the heating element via the touchscreen controller and the main controller. The user interface is in operative communication with the touchscreen controller via an inter-integrated circuit bus. The domestic appliance also includes a serial peripheral interface monitor in operative communication with the inter-integrated circuit bus. The appliance may be configured for, and related methods may include, receiving and monitoring, by the serial peripheral interface monitor, communication between the user interface and the touchscreen controller over the inter-integrated circuit bus.

Abstract: A method for customizing appliance alert tunes includes downloading a user selected alert tune from a server to an appliance over a network. The user selected alert tune is a plurality of synthesized notes. The method also includes saving the user selected alert tune in a memory of the appliance and playing the user selected alert tune on a sound emitter of the appliance in response to an activation condition for the user selected alert tune.

Abstract: A method for customizing appliance alert tunes includes downloading a user selected alert tune from a server to an appliance over a network. The user selected alert tune is a plurality of synthesized notes. The method also includes saving the user selected alert tune in a memory of the appliance and playing the user selected alert tune on a sound emitter of the appliance in response to an activation condition for the user selected alert tune.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing appliance power consumption. In one embodiment, an appliance can include a plurality of microcontrollers. Each of the microcontrollers can be associated with at least one appliance component. The appliance can further include one or more low power management microcontrollers. The low power management microcontrollers can be configured to monitor a state of each of the microcontrollers. The low power management microcontrollers can be further configured to determine that one or more of the microcontrollers of the plurality of microcontrollers are in an inactive state. The low power management microcontrollers can be configured to send one or more command signals to place the one or more microcontrollers in the inactive state in a lower power mode based at least in part on the determination that the microcontroller is in the inactive state. The respective microcontroller can consume less power in the lower power mode than while in an active state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing appliance power consumption. In one embodiment, an appliance can include a plurality of microcontrollers. Each of the microcontrollers can be associated with at least one appliance component. The appliance can further include one or more low power management microcontrollers. The low power management microcontrollers can be configured to monitor a state of each of the microcontrollers. The low power management microcontrollers can be further configured to determine that one or more of the microcontrollers of the plurality of microcontrollers are in an inactive state. The low power management microcontrollers can be configured to send one or more command signals to place the one or more microcontrollers in the inactive state in a lower power mode based at least in part on the determination that the microcontroller is in the inactive state. The respective microcontroller can consume less power in the lower power mode than while in an active state.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring a sensor of a refrigerator appliance are provided. The methods include activating an auto-fill feature of the refrigerator appliance and receiving a signal from a sensor of the refrigerator appliance. The method also includes displaying a message on a display of the refrigerator appliance if the sensor does not detect the container within the dispenser recess. The message can provide a user with feedback regarding the auto-fill feature and assist the user with properly operating the auto-fill feature.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring a sensor of a refrigerator appliance are provided. The methods include activating an auto-fill feature of the refrigerator appliance and receiving a signal from a sensor of the refrigerator appliance. The method also includes displaying a message on a display of the refrigerator appliance if the sensor does not detect the container within the dispenser recess. The message can provide a user with feedback regarding the auto-fill feature and assist the user with properly operating the auto-fill feature.